Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks is a poignant, heart-warming novel that I couldn’t put down.
Adrienne Willis’ daughter has suffered the death of her husband, leaving her with two small sons to raise alone. Adrienne is concerned that her daughter’s grief is consuming her, leaving her sons adrift without their mother’s attention. Adrienne decides to share with her grieving daughter an experience that happened years before.
In a flashback to fifteen years earlier, Adrienne is raising her three children alone since her husband left her for a younger woman.
Dr. Paul Flanner was a highly sought-after physician who poured all his energy into his practice. After their son leaves for college, his wife leaves him. Dr. Flanner sells his practice and plans to attempt to reconcile with his son who is now practicing medicine in Ecuador.
While her children are visiting their father, Adrienne is taking care of a friend’s bed and breakfast for a few days in the small coastal town of Rodanthe, North Carolina. Only one guest is expected for the weekend, a Dr. Paul Flanner. Also expected is a fierce nor’easter. As residents prepare for the worst storm in years, another type of storm is brewing at the bed and breakfast.
When love goes bad or is neglected, it so often involves many more lives than the two directly involved. When new love is again found, it is a gift to be treasured, but invariably involves other people as well.
The novel seamlessly switches from present-day to fifteen years earlier, making for an enjoyable, exciting novel which keeps the reader guessing at each juncture.
A gifted novelist, Nicholas Sparks writes with deeply moving tenderness. He manages to keep suspense dangling while writing with detailed clarity. Nights in Rodanthe is a bitter-sweet story of the healing power of love.
There has to be a reason why a Nicholas Sparks’ novel receives reader reviews by the umpteen thousands on Amazon. I think you spelled it out very well, Mary, in this review.
Irene, he is a superb author. I loved this book. I think I saw a movie based on this book, too.