Member Reviews

Counting Miracles is a novel by Nicholas Sparks. Two storylines run parallel to each other and come to a heart-warming connection toward the end of the novel.
In this novel, Tanner Hughes, a military veteran raised by his grandparents, is seeking information regarding his family tree. This search brings him to Asheboro, North Carolina where he meets Kaitlyn and her two children Casey and Mitch.
As he continues to search, we learn about an elderly gentleman named Jasper. The book flashes between Jasper’s past and his present life with all its hurts. We also see how his faith carried him along his journey.
Will Tanner find his family roots? Will Jasper’s hurts be healed? Find out for yourself when you read this amazing novel. Nicholas Sparks has done it again! He’s kept us wondering all while sharing his gift of storytelling with the world!
Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel before its publication. The review will be posted on 10.21.24

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Nicholas Sparks is at it again. Loved the North Carolina setting but wish the story had more resolution. Hoping for a sequel. Was very appreciative for the scripture that was referenced and weaved throughout the story. Not my favorite of Nicolas Sparks' novels but not my least favorite of his. I enjoyed the duality of the plot and the telling of two different stories. Would definitely recommend.

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A heartwarming, classic Nicholas Sparks novel about love, loss and the hunt for the meaning of life.

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ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARC’s but working diligently to get caught up. I really liked aspects of this story but disliked that it felt very predictable to me. The religious aspects were well integrated into the story and I enjoyed the dual storylines at the same time. The romance aspect felt a little different from his usual but I still liked the way it was heading. I would recommend to anyone who likes romance and fiction stories!

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Nicholas Sparks does it again! (Cue the tears)

Counting Miracles is about Tanner Hughes, a world traveler raised by grandparents who never knew his parents. After his grandmother finally reveals his birth father’s name on her death bed, Tanner sets out to find him and maybe the family he’s never had.

Along the way we meet Kaitlyn, a doctor and single mom of two great kids who will do anything to give her the kids the world and never takes time for herself. We also meet Jasper and old, haunted, loner who has had the hardest life and no longer has anyone left but his dog Arlo.

Three unlikely people, all with stories that could use a miracle, and maybe they are due for just that…..
In true Nicholas Sparks fashion, there is going to be heartbreak, love, and all of the emotions while over coming some of life’s hardest lessons.

You won’t want to put this beautiful story down! It is so heartwarming and special and you’ll just want to hug the book once it is over.

I started reading books by Nicholas Sparks when I was in 8th grade and have continued all through my adulthood. It was an absolute honor to received an advanced copy of Counting Miracles in exchange for an honest review, so I thank Net Galley and Random House Publishing tremendously for that!

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I flew through this thought-provoking story in 2 days! Sparks does it again! I felt such a connection to all of these characters, but Jasper’s character spoke to me the most. Don’t miss this unforgettable story!

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3.5 stars, rounded to 4
My favorite part of this book was Jasper and his story. I loved Jasper, Arlo, Casey, and Mitch. I didn’t care for Tanner. The romance was my least favorite part of this book.

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A man raised by his grandparents is left with a bombshell when his grandmother passes: the name of his father, leading him to Asheboro, NC. He quickly encounters single mom Kaitlyn and her family, who he feels inexplicably tied to. Meanwhile, in a separate storyline, we learn of another town resident, 83y/o Jasper who lives remotely in the forest with his trusty dog Arlo, after facing more tragedy than one could ever imagine. After an accident, paths cross in an emotional reunion fitting for a Sparks novel.
I appreciated this being a change from past Sparks novels I’ve read. While romance was still a portion of the story, the stories of Tanner and Jasper were a beautiful and emotional tale that hits the gut just as much as the heartbreak seen in novels like The Last Song and A Walk to Remember. Highly recommend for readers looking for a good cry with an ultimate happy ending.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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good romance and loved how they found love and each other. They survived their trials and found their way back to each other. another great romance.

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This book is as beautiful as it is heart breaking. Overlapping stories of a man searching for his father's family after losing is mother. He finds a mother of two when he visits a small town in North Carolina that makes him rethink his stance of always being on the move. This story pulls all the heart strings and makes you fall in love with each and every person in this book. I was fully immersed in this book, as it broke my heart as the history of Tanner's family was revealed. I can not wait to see this on the big screen.

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I have been a long-time Nicholas Sparks reader and enjoy his style. Many of his stories tend to follow a certain format, and this one doesn’t stray from that formula. It reminds me a bit of The Longest Ride, where we have a young man’s story and an older man recounting his own past. Overall, it was a very heartwarming story with a wonderfully pulled together ending, but this one didn’t grab my attention as quickly as I would have hoped, especially considering the immediate interest I had in the storyline after reading the synopsis. I feel like this one also lacked the usually tension and chemistry Sparks is known for. Counting Miracles was just “okay” when it comes to my expectations of this author, and earned a middle of the road rating from me.

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I always love a Nicholas Sparks book! His ability to weave a good love story is romance at its best. Tanner Huges was raised by his grandparents and doesn't know much about his biological father. He is temporarily in Asheboro, NC until his next job overseas starts. He is exploring this town to see if he can discover his roots.
Tanner is not the settling down kind of man yet, the first day he is in town, he meets single mom, Kaitlyn Cooper. Their attraction for one another is palpable. They both have stories of their past and want to get to know one another.
Another prominent character is that of Jasper, an older man and neighbor to Kaitlyn, who lives alone with his dog. Jasper wishes to protect the white deer in the nearby woods from poachers, including a group of local teens, with whom he has a run-in.
All of their stories eventually intertwine to reveal mysteries, love and loyalty.
This wasn't my favorite story of Nicholas Sparks. It was a bit too coincidental and a far-fetched plot. It still was well written and as usual, a great love story.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#CountingMiracles #NetGalley #NicholasSparks #Romance #Fiction #ContemporaryRomance #ChickLit #Family #Drama #AdultContemporaryRomance

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Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is just a feel good kind of story. It feels comfortable because I know and trust this author.

Tanner Hughes is looking for his family. He was raised by his grandparents and as he says goodbye to his grandmother, she leaves him with the knowledge that he may still have family in Ashboro North Carolina. He heads off in search of any living relatives he may have.

Kaitlyn is a single mother of two. After her divorce she has focused on raising her children and working as a nurse. Her daughter, Casey, accidentally meets Tanner and leads him straight to her home. Tanner and Kaitlyn learn they like each other but Tanner is not planning to be around for long.

The twist felt very obvious to me but that didn't stop me from enjoying the journey. It of course wraps up into a very sweet ending where everyone gets a happily ever after.

I appreciate the way scripture enhances this story and guides the actions of one particular character. It is heartwarming and encouraging to see it naturally played out without it being forced or feeling out of place.

This is a clean romance and a very wholesome story.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Counting Miracles follows multiple characters that are all intertwined. Tanner is a veteran who just found out the name of his birth father. He decides to try to find him. Along the way he meets Kaitlyn, a single mother. They become close and develop a relationship. Nicholas Sparks is an auto-buy author for me, so I was excited to start Counting Miracles. I enjoyed the book, but I do feel like there wasn’t as much focus on the main couple. With Jasper’s storyline, the story became muddled. Overall, Counting Miracles was a feel good classic Nicholas Sparks book.

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A beautiful and heartwarming story of being in the right place at the right time. I love most all Nicholas Sparks books, and this one is no exception!
How many times have we questioned events that happen in our lives? The hard times, sorrows, hardships... often wondering why? No matter what you believe in, ultimately all the pieces will find each other in time. Broken hearts can be mended, and generational traumas overturned.

I would be the first in line to see this in a movie theater, with my bag stuffed with tissues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing Group - Ballentine for this arc in return for my honest review.

Pub Date: 24 September 2024

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Being from the same county in NC as Asheboro, this was a must-read-ahead and I got copies for both of our library book clubs. I especially enjoyed the quip of men in Asheboro looking they had too much extra gravy on their biscuits! Otherwise, the book fell into the predictable arc of Sparks' romances where you're 95% sure they're getting together at the end. The inclusion of the older gentleman character and his backstory was enjoyable and a little different. sweet and tender light read that was pleasant enough I read it in a weekend.

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When it comes to Nicholas Sparks, there is just no one that can compare to his emotional & beautifully written wordsmith!

And that’s how I felt with this book as well. A wonderful story that kept me captivated throughout and just really feeling the story.

I would highly recommend! He is a comfort author for me and will always be my OG fav author.

Thank you @netgalley for the eARC

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/4.5 ⭐️

This story was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. As always, Nicholas Sparks created a story that sticks with you. A story full of characters that you immediately fall in love with and feel like you’ve known forever. Counting Miracles is an intricate story of survival and love. It takes you on an emotional journey that I for one enjoyed every minute of!

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I loved this!! Nicholas Sparks has been an auto-read author for me since high school and I thought this was so well done! I loved how the story progressed and the variety of characters. It evoked so many different emotions and I loved how it all came together. It had the perfect amount of depth and romance.

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When you’re in the mood for a real feel good love story, Nicholas Sparks has you covered. Every time. He never lets us down! Counting Miracles is no different. Beautifully written, uncomplicated and romantic (well… there’s always complications with romance!). Easy reading. Love love love.

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