I typically love Nicholas Sparks books and this one was OK, but it wasn't great like some others of his. I think it was the hunting aspect of the book that I just couldn't get behind.

I don’t even know where to begin. This book broke my heart and repaired it over and over again. Tanners mother died while giving birth to him and he was raised by his grandparents. Kaitlyn is a divorced mom raising two kids alone. Jasper is a lonely old man. The white deer is a myth, or is it? How Nicholas Sparks brings all their stories to intertwine is beautiful and perfectly done. I would pay to wipe my mind and read this again and again. 5 stars. An absolute must read.

DNF 20%

I just can't. Nope. I've been trying to finish books as I'm way behind on my GR challenge. But I'm not forcing myself this round. For a couple of reasons.

I'm on Jasper's chapter and I am BORED out of my ever loving mind. There is nothing interesting about this man. I also don't enjoy listening to him preach for pages and pages about the bible and God.

No where in the description did it say I would get beat over the head with religion. I don't like going into books that are HEAVY on the religion. At 20%, I came to see if this is a one off for this chapter and I saw that it is not. The book is filled with it. When I asked to review this book I didn't know this was what I was signing up for. So I'm out.

Please authors and publishers, state if your book is heavily themed with religion. Not everyone is religious or even practices your religion. If I had bought this book at $15 I would be extremely fucking pissed off. Advertise to your targeted audience. We could have saved us both time and this review.

I've watched a lot of Sparks movies/read a couple of books, and while they do hold some religious aspects, it isn't to the extreme of Counting Memories. So if this type of read isn't your cuppa, I would find something more fitting.

1 Star only because NetGalley requires a rating.

Nicholas Sparks’ latest novel masterfully intertwines the lives of three compelling characters. Tanner Hughes, an ex-Army Ranger, travels to Asheboro, North Carolina, searching for the father he never knew, guided by his late grandmother's final words. There, he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a single mom and doctor, sparking an instant connection that challenges his plans to leave. Meanwhile, Jasper, an elderly recluse, is on a mission to protect a rare albino deer in the nearby forest, haunted by his past. Sparks expertly blends these stories into a heartwarming tale about love, family, and the miracles that can change our lives when we least expect it. A touching exploration of belonging and redemption, this book is truly unforgettable.

Nicholas Sparks makes memorable books and brings characters to life that we will continue to think about for years to come. This story pulled all the feelings, even if it took me a while to get into. Sparks does a great job of weaving the different storylines together and building the back story into the forefront. Enjoyed the book and anyone who loves a Nicholas Sparks story will enjoy this one.

Nicholas Sparks is my go to for a book that will touch every emotion. This was another five star read for me and I'm so thankful to have gotten the opportunity to ARC read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks.This is another gem by Nicholas Sparks that follows 3 storyline..Tanner is an ex Army Ranger whose mother died giving birth to him and never knew his father..Raised by his grandparents, his grandmother reveals his father’s name to him on her deathbed.. When he arrives in Asheboro, North Carolina in search of himhe has an accident with a young girl whose mother Kaitlyn is a divorced doctor trying to raise her family and cater to her patients who include her neighbor Jasper, an elderly man who has undergone unimaginable tragedy losing his whole family to a fire and leaving him horribly disfigured.When Jasper hears there is an albino white deer seen in the nearby forest he makes it his mission to save it from teenage poachers..It will take an accident to draw them all together and help them each find what they are searching for. .A religious awe-inspiring book.Highly recommend.

I thought this was such a cute book! It had me on the edge of my seat like always! Thank you for the opportunity!

This book should 100% be marketed as a Christian book. The blurb does not mention that every chapter about Jasper would be overflowing with scripture. For those of us with religious trauma from our youth…..this book is a tough read.
I actually chose the book as one of my 52 books in 52 weeks choices as I had never actually read any of this author’s books even though I have watched some of the movies based off his books. This was definitely not the book for me to choose for that.
The love story felt rushed as did the connection to jasper which I saw from about the second chapter. If you’re looking for a quick, Christian filled read then go for it…..otherwise I would say give this one a pass.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine for the book #CountingMiracles by #NicholasSparks. I absolutely loved this book and the author. It gave me all the feels and I highly recommend it. Tanner was raised by his grandparents because his mother died in childbirth and he never knew his father. On his grandmothers deathbed, she tells him who his father is. As he goes searching in a town called Asheboro, he meets a girl named Kaitlyn and an elderly man named Jasper. These three people’s worlds intertwine in a way you can never imagine.

I’ve always been a big fan of Nicholas Sparks. This book is another winner.

Tanner travels to Asheboro, NC following the death of his grandmother in search of the father he never knew. Tanner meets Kaitlyn and they have a bit of a love story - albeit a small part of the book. Story also follows Jasper, an old man in Asheboro, NC and his dog Arlo. He's concerned about a rare white albino deer, very illusive and always in danger of poachers.

This heartwarming story concerns family and finding your place in life. There was a touch of suspense that kept me reading just one more chapter. I highly recommend this book.

Loved reading the inspirational and wonderfully written story. When Kaitlyn's daughter, Casey, crashes into Tanner's car, Tanner meets Kaitlyn, a single mom with two children, and wants to get to know her more while he's in town looking for someone. Read the highly recommended and a must read riveting story with captivating characters.

Title: Counting Miracles
By: Nicholas Sparks
Pub. Date: September 24, 2024

Genre:
Fiction, Romance, Family Chick-lit, Drama

Trigger Warnings:
PTSD, Loss, Grief, Heartache, House Fire, Death
(*Chapter 8* Open door - mild situation)

Favorite Quotes:
“Find where you belong and make that place your own.”

“Monday is the perfect day to start being the best version of yourself, since you’ve got six more days to practice. Or, every week should begin with generosity, don’t you think? Wouldn’t the world be a better place?”

“Burying her face in the pillow, she began to cry, knowing that it was over before it ever had a chance to begin.”

Summary:
Masterfully weaved in the unique Sparks way….

Tanner Hughes is a reliable, dedicated army ranger who is taking a break to be with his grandma after an unfortunate diagnosis. On her deathbed, she reveals a long lost secret to Tanner creating a yearning and desire for Tanner to take a road trip.

Kaitlyn Cooper is a divorced, single mom, juggling various priorities in her life. She has a reputation as an altruistic caregiver, seeing to all the medical needs in the community, and even making house calls.

Jasper is the next door neighbor to the Coopers. He is an 83 year old man, who chooses mostly isolation, while living with his dog Arlo in his family's country cabin.

These deeply sympathetic characters collide unexpectedly, engaging the reader in a raw and compelling emotional storyline. Beautifully Orchestrated in the unique Sparks way!

Review:
Told in multiple points of view, Counting Miracles is another unforgettable read with Sparks at his finest! The beautifully orchestrated plotline, deeply empathetic characters, and the raw roller coaster of emotions are highlights of his masterful work! Nicholas Sparks is an automatic author for me, I love all his works. I was elated to receive this advanced reader's copy. With elements of love, hope and forgiveness, Counting Miracles is inspirational and compelling… One of my new favorite novels by Sparks. You will not be disappointed!

Authors writing similar to:
Maeve Binchy
Anna Quindlen

Thank you Nicholas Sparks, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#NicholasSparks
#CountingMiracles
#RandomHousePublishingGroup
#Ballentine
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

‘Counting Miracles’ is a multi-POV/multi-storyline romance with a sort of “mystery” sub-plot. The story follows Tanner, Kaitlyn, and Kaitlyn’s two kids, Casey and Mitch. The story also follows Jasper and his dog, Arlo.

While I enjoyed Tanner and Kaitlyn's story, Casey and Mitch really stole the show for me. Their relationship with their mother, especially Casey, was absolutely beautiful. This book navigated split-families and untraditional upbringings in a beautiful way.

Jasper's chapters felt like sipping coffee on the front porch with your grandpa, listening to him tell stories from his past. And while his story is absolutely heartbreaking, the way it intertwines with Tanner and Kaitlyn's story leaves a mark on your heart.

I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. My favorite (5-star) works of his are: 'Nights in Rodanthe', 'Message in a Bottle', and (of course) 'The Notebook'. Keeping those stories in mind, I rated ‘Counting Miracles’ 3.75/5 stars.

Thank you so much to the author, Nicholas Sparks, and Random House for providing me with a NetGalley ARC of this book.

Another great read by Nicholas Sparks. Fascinating characters that hooked me early on and just never let go. I stayed up way too late flipping pages. Tension, intrigue and hope were the the building blocks. Enjoyed this one.
Thank you NetGalley, Nicholas Sparks and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is classic Nicholas Sparks. There’s kindness and hard work along with romance and mystery. It’s not a beach read but you’ll love it like one.

Take one single mom (a doctor) with a teenage daughter and an elementary school son. Add one ex-military man seeking a birth parent he never knew. Stir it with an old man who can carve anything but somehow hasn’t carved out his own life the way he wished for. Drop them all into Asheboro, North Carolina with a sprinkle of charm and you might have something like what Sparks evokes in Counting Miracles.

Sparks writes the kind of book you want to read. You read it for enjoyment. You read it because he makes you care. Don’t mistake me, this isn’t a goody two-shoes story. Things happen that are hurtful or unkind. But Sparks’ characters don’t return hurt for hurt.
I may sound a little good two-shoes myself, but I think we need more stories with kind characters that are hopeful. Nicholas Sparks gives us one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing group for an eARC. I’ve read every one of Nicholas Sparks books and was really excited to read his new one. He really is a great writer and I always enjoy his novels but have to admit this one wasn’t one of my favorites of his. It tells two stories that towards the end intersect. One is the story of an old man and his search for a white deer while remembering his past and the other story is of a retired military man who is wandering with no direction who is looking for someone with a love story. Both are well written but I felt at times things dragged and I wanted more to happen. Then at the end I felt it was rushed and wanted more details in the ending. Overall good story but not his best story.

If you need a reason to read this, one of the main characters has a dog (who is sort of a main character himself - ily Arlo in)

Nicholas Sparks is a comfort author to me.
Usually his books rip your heart out, just to put them right back together, but this one didn't have that tear-jerker feeling for me. There were sad parts (of course), but none that I thought "I will never recover". This was a good, well rounded, emotional read, where you'll fall in love with the characters. I especially loved the family that made up several of the main characters and the way that they truly embodied how a family is there for each other and supports each other.

There are a ton of references to God and scripture in this book - Sparks depicted one of the main characters suffering in life and how he realizes how much he has in common with Job from the Bible. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book and how scriptures the character's father had shared with him have stuck with him throughout his life, through the good and the bad.

A huge thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Such an incredible story! Should I have been prepared to have my heart ripped out by Nicholas Sparks? Probably! This story was beautiful & Tanner, Kaitlyn & Jasper are now deeply rooted in my heart. I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I finished it & am already looking forward to a re-read!

This was fine? Generic but fine.

I hadn't read a Nicholas Sparks book in many years, so when I saw this, I was curious. I've read a lot of his books in the past, and at a certain point, they all started to blur together and follow the same pattern, and this one was no exception. If you really like Nicholas Sparks books, you'll probably enjoy this, but if you're like me and stopped reading his books years ago, this can probably be a skip. This was just more of the same that was a pleasant enough quick read that just felt like a shell of some of the more impactful Sparks books I've read before.

I can't even put a finger on concrete reasons why I didn't really connect with this. The writing was easy to follow. Yes, the story was predictable, but I'm generally okay with that in romance. The story almost felt like it was going through the motions, with a romance that fell flat emotional beats that rang hollow.

I can see why some people would enjoy this if you like Nicholas Spark's current style of writing, but clearly this was not for me!