The Return

Nicholas Sparks has brought us back to New Bern, North Carolina for another heartwarming story about love, compassion, sacrifice and self-exploration…Oh, and a bit of romance and mystery. There is no doubt about how much I enjoyed reading this book. From the moment I picked it up, I knew I was in for a special treat.

Trevor Benson never intended to move back to New Bern, North Carolina. But when a mortar blast outside the hospital where he worked sent him home from Afghanistan with devastating injuries, the dilapidated cabin he'd inherited from his grandfather seemed as good a place to regroup as any.

Tending to his grandfather's beloved beehives, Trevor isn't prepared to fall in love with a local . . . yet, from their very first encounter, Trevor feels a connection with deputy sheriff Natalie Masterson that he can't ignore. But even as she seems to reciprocate his feelings, she remains frustratingly distant, making Trevor wonder what she's hiding.

Further complicating his stay in New Bern is the presence of a sullen teenage girl, Callie, who lives in the trailer park down the road. Trevor hopes Callie can shed light on the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather's death, but she offers few clues -- until a crisis triggers a race to uncover the true nature of Callie's past, one more intertwined with the elderly man's passing than Trevor could ever have imagined.

In his quest to unravel Natalie and Callie's secrets, Trevor will learn the true meaning of love and forgiveness . . . and that in life, to move forward, we must often return to the place where it all began.

The Return is a multi-thread story that explores real life issues such as PTSD, loss, and heartbreak (but not in the way you think…going to have to read the book to find out what I mean). Sparks keeps these threads flowing throughout the story smoothly while incorporating beautiful scenery and real emotions. The characters are fully developed, and you feel as if they are your own friends. You will care about everything they are experiencing and feeling…Especially Callie.

This story really spoke to my heart. In our current world, we seem to be surrounded by hate, animosity and fear. The characters in The Return brought so much kindness, generosity, compassion and warmth to the story, and this is something I really needed. I love how Sparks has a way of describing the intricacies of relationships within both families and friendships and even those looking to make a connection with others. How Sparks can create so much in the realm of emotions in one book is beyond me.

Sparks did an amazing job with his research, and the story was full of amazing and fascinating details pertaining to PTSD and bee keeping.

I cannot believe I’m writing this…but…I hope this book is made into a movie (this is not something I’ve ever said). It will make for a compelling story that will stick with everyone, and hopefully move them to live a better life.