I love Nicholas Sparks' books. I am an avid reader and rarely am moved to tears by a male author, but find I am always reaching for the tissues when I read a N.S. book. I love the emotion, the "realness" of his characters. The plot centers around two people who meet and fall in love and the choices and promises they make to each other during their relationship. If you loved THE NOTEBOOK, and it's sequel, THE WEDDING, you will love THE CHOICE. I read this book in a day since it's a short book, but also because I was drawn into the story and couldn't put it down.

Well darn it Nicholas Sparks did it again. He made me cry at the end of another of his books. This one, as in all his others, is funny, tender, sweet and even a bit frustrating. Travis I absolutely loved and his laid-back attitude was very appealing. Gabby I had a little bit more trouble with because I thought she was a bit more tense and not quite as personable. But there I was wrong and they ended up having a wonderful, fulfilling marriage and family. Even with the near tragedy there was always hope and love. This is yet another winner for Nicholas Sparks. I'd give it two thumbs up.

I just finished reading "The Choice" and I waited awhile when I saw a new book out by Nicholas Sparks to read it. Most of his books are so tragic (he believes true love and tragedy go hand in had-h-m-m-m)that I wasn't sure I wanted another tragic ending. So much in life can be tragic so why would I want to spend hours reading something that is going to depress me. I like his style of writing otherwise so thought I would chance it once more. There is a lot of humor in the first part and though I might have mixed feelings that 2 people who are total strangers fall so deeply in love over a week-end, it's still a fun read. The Second Part there is tragedy as everyone knows by now but it didn't even move me to tears. I found it more a study in how Travis handles and deals with the tragedy and returns to living life again by being a Dad to his girls and returning to his job and life in general. Travis in the first part played a lot and though I liked his character I thought he put too much effort in to having a good time and travel and etc. (I kept wondering how he afforded all he did and had-he only worked 4 days a week and though Vets make good money, he had to spend a lot of money-oh just one of those things I wondered about) I think the second part helped Travis grow up and add some dimension to his character. I'm not sure if that is what NS was trying to convey but that is how I saw it. IT was a relief to me that the book was not totally tragic. Okay, I dislike totally tragic endings. I had quit reading his books just because of that. I appreciate the fact that NS doesn't feel the need for a lot of profanity in his books and even the sexual scenes are not graphic. NS is a good writer weaving his story line and the relationships of people but would like more happy endings. I don't mind shedding a tear over something happy but hate it when a main character is killed off time and time again. then I leave the book depressed and won't reccomend it to my friends. However, I would reccomend this one. You won't come away totally depressed.

This is yet again another great book. In part one i enjoyed the characters very much. They were real and you got swept into the story with them. You felt like you were one of them. I even laughed quite a bit. In part two i still enjoyed the story and the honesty of the story. i couldn't put this book down. It is an enjoyable read and i would recommend it.

While I enjoyed the book I'm not so sure it's one of the 10 best books of the year. I did find it moving and a page turner and all that stuff, but I've read even better.

Sparks is not everyone's cup of java. if he is yours,t hen you shouldn't be disappointed.

When I pick up a Nicholas Sparks bestseller, I usually know that he won't tick me off too bad. Lots of folks consider him to be the one who writes these ultimate romances just for the women, as well as hopeless romantics. And while I love some great love stories, I really enjoy somebody who isn't afraid to trash talk every now and then! And with Sparks, that's what I get, along with the romance and great story. Sparks has never been afraid to talk a little trash, and then back it up. And with "The Choice," he really gets things going. To the point where it nearly ticked me off! So, no pun intended, what a choice I made when I picked this puppy off the shelf!

Welcome to the backyard of Travis Parker, where he has a new hot tub and his dog, Moby, rolls around in fish guts sometimes. Wouldn't you simply enjoy the life Travis has to offer? He has his own boat, motorcycle, friends come over for cook-outs, this dude has it all. But he doesn't have a woman...he has a neighbor, Gabby Holland, and she just doesn't like Travis. At least she THINKS she doesn't like Travis. And Travis is out to prove her wrong all in one weekend. Well, without giving much away, he's right, and Gabby falls in love with Travis just as quickly.

But for those who believe in happy endings, just allow yourself to sink in this story, and see if you don't find yourself holding your breath. And see if that son-of-a-gun, Sparks, doesn't have you shaking your head when you least expect it.

And in the end, like I said, it almost had me ticked off. But I was also glad I allowed myself to simply enjoy a great story. And when I thought it was going to be some NOTEBOOK deva vu, not exactly. That was another way Sparks had me spinning. I can just see Sparks sitting at his desk with a chuckle, pointing his finger and saying, "GOTCHA!!" Hopefully this will be one that movie directors are looking to put on the big screen. It would really screw with some heads, and make for some great conversation when all is said and done!

I was inspired to read the choice by nothing more than the fact that it was written by Nicholas Sparks. His novels have always been a hit with me. I've read many such as Message In a Bottle, Dear John, The Notebook and A Walk to Remember. When I went to the library I went straight for his books, and figured I should give The Choice a try. If you decide to do the same, you won't be disappointed. If you're a fan of Nicholas Sparks and his love stories, then The Choice will be a book you enjoy!

In the book, the main character Travis Parker has been known to be a fun guy who loves to have fun. Everything in his life is going good and he doesn't feel like he needs anything new. This is until he meets his new neighbor Gabby. Gabby and Travis hit it off right away. The only set back, is the fact that Gabby is in a relationship. Gabby loves her boyfriend and has been serious with him for a while now. However, there is something about Travis that makes her like him so much. The ending is exciting just like Nicholas Sparks novels always are.

The only thing I dislike about Nicholas Sparks novels are how descriptive they are. They are usually a quick read, but he goes into great detail about everything. Sometimes, for me personally, this makes it hard to focus on what your reading. Its easier to doze off or start thinking about other things when there is too much unnecessary detail.

But the positive things about the book make it ok that there is too much detail. It's a great love story for anyone. Its easy to relate to, and get absorbed in. It's a very cute story, and very emotional just like all of Nicholas Sparks' novels.

If I were to recommend this book to someone, I would recommend it to a girl between the ages of 18 and 60. It would maybe be easier for a woman between the ages of 30 and 50 to relate to, but I think it would be good for any age. Women of all ages can relate to how cute this story is, and how it's a love story in general.

I am truly at a loss for words as to how to review this novel. I just closed the book after reading the emotionally charged ending and my heart is heavy with all sorts of emotions, not to mention my throat, which has this huge lump in it that I can't seem to swallow.

It almost seems impossible to relate the story to you without giving away crucial elements that will give away the ending, and what a grand ending it was. Suffice it to say that this is a story about true love that can best be understood and treasured by those who have experienced it. If you're a fan of Sparks you will grasp my meaning.

To have the depth of love that existed between Travis and Gabby, though, is probably something that many of us will never experience and that is a shame. Sparks brings this idyllic experience of bliss to the pages of the book like no other author can, and he stresses the fact that making the correct choices in life makes all the difference in the world.

The setting, of course, is North Carolina, and the characters are ones that you will find yourself wishing you knew in real life. Sparks, again, did a fabulous job in that he makes the reader feel as if they are a part of the scene, feeling every emotion along with the characters, from pain to anguish to love of the most precious kind. His knack for incorporating that very special twist toward the end of the book is something I truly envy as an author myself.

Ok this book pretty much follows Nicholas Sparks' traditional formula and maybe he is getting a little stuck in a rut, but it could be that i have gotten behind and just read four of his books this month.

The story begins with Gabby Holland, a physician assistant who has just moved to Beaufort, North Carolina to be near her long time, golf obsessed, boyfriend, Kevin. Shortly after moving into her new house she realizes her precious dog, Molly, is pregnant and Gabby knows that the good looking guy next door, Travis Parker, has a dog that is free to roam. Gabby gives Travis an earful of what she thinks his responsiblities are for not keeping his dog under control. Well, no big surprise when he tells her that she should be sure to take her dog to the vet and then Travis turns out to be that self-same vet. Dispite the fact that she has a boyfriend, Kevin, that she loves and is waiting for a marriage proposal from, she somehow finds herself swept away by Travis (with a bit of help from Travis' tricky little sister who was a great addition to the story) and spends a romantic weekend being romanced and persued by Travis. At the end of the weekend she must decide whether she will take a risk for love that may turn out to be a fling or will she stay with Kevin that she believes to be stable. In the end will she have made the right choice?

In the prolouge we are told that Travis is now 43, married, but that things have not gone as he had planned. Love, life, romance rarely do and this day has him standing outside of the hospital where his wife works holding flowers and wishing that they could make up for the aurguement they had the last time they spoke.

I do not want to give too much away, but i think Nicholas Sparks has found a nice balance or romance and reality in this story even if the style did feel a bit rushed.

SIDE NOTE:
continuity question--when Gabby makes the salad the book says that Travis introduced her to the olives the day before but didnt he really offer them to her at the picnic after the bike ride? Does anyone know for sure?

The first half was great but the transition to the second half was too abrupt.