Counting Miracles ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley for this eARC!
I was excited to receive this one, but it kind of fell flat for me. It was heavy on the Bible references that made it feel like I was reading a research paper with all of the citations 🫣 HOWEVER, I can appreciate how people might find the verses comforting with what is happening in the story at that moment!
I found this to be a slower pace book until end, and per Sparks fashion it did have a happy ending which I appreciated. 💔🐾🏡

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Growing up in NC/eastern NC I am a rid or die Nicholas sparks fan. My grandmother and I connect over our
Love for reading and his books so I’m always quick to pick up his newest release. This one fell flat for me. Jaspers story was well thought out and heartbreaking but I believe sparks thoughtfully connected the pieces there. The romance with this one left much to be desired, and felt like a side story to tanner finding himself and his place/family I wish that had been more of a focus.

Another beautiful novel by. Nicholas Sparks. I loved the characters and the story was fantastic. If you’re a fan of Sparks’ other works, I definitely recommend you read this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of Counting Miracles. Funny enough I have been doing a Bible study on the Book of Job so this book just seemed very timely. I had a hard time putting this book down once I started to read it. I have read every Nicholas Sparks book since The Notebook first came out and was not disappointed at all with his newest novel. I enjoyed the characters very much especially Jasper. I always enjoy the different time periods that he incorporates in his books.

I loved this book. The development of characters was phenomenal. I felt like I was a member of their family and didn’t want the story to end!

I did notice several sports where words were missing or the grammar was incorrect but I’m not sure where to report that.

Nicholas Sparks is a gifted storyteller, whose characters and stories become real in the mind of the reader. This one however, has surpassed all others. It is a spellbinding story that encompasses the story of Tanner, Jasper and Kaitlyn.
Tanner spent the past few months of his grandmother’s life, lovingly caring for her. He had been raised, from birth by his maternal grandparents when right after his birth, his mother died. He never knew his father or anything about him, although on her death bed, his grandmother told him the name of his father and where he was from. After settling the affairs of his grandmother, he drove to Asheboro, North Carolina, with a piece of paper with the name of his father.
Upon his arrival in the small North Carolina town, one of his first encounters is with Casey, the teen who backed her mother’s big SUV right into Tanner’s new car. The SUV barely had a scratch, and his car was not even drivable. Casey was so shaken it didn’t seem safe for her to drive home, so Tanner offered to drive her in the SUV, to which she agreed. That is how Tanner met single mom, Dr. Kaitlyn Cooper.
Jasper, elderly, and rather frail, lives in a cabin, near the edge of a forest with his dog. He lost his wife and four kids many years ago. He keeps to himself, however, enjoys the company of young Mitch, Casey’s younger brother. Dr. Kaitlyn Cooper is his doctor, who makes house calls and checks on him frequently.
As Tanner diligently searches through all the records at the library, and local phone book for anyone with the same last name of his birth father, Sparks expertly weaves his story along with Kaitlyn and her two kids, and even Jasper and his dog, Arlo, together into one absolutely, fascinating tale. There are some surprising twists and turns, unexpected situations, shocking secrets, and moments I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
This is a beautiful, heartwarming story that I’ll be thinking of for many days even though the last page has been turned.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

4 stars! Its been a minute since I've sat down and read a Nicholas Sparks book. I enjoyed his previous work but haven't gravitated toward any of the recents for whatever reasons! When receiving this ARC, this felt like two stories at times- Jaspers & then Tanner/Kaitlyn's. When the timelines began to mesh a bit, thats when I started to enjoy the book. Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this book! I could not put this one down. Nicholas Sparks has done it once again! The emotional ties you build with the characters come through, you feel what they feel. I will definitely be adding this book to my collection. Thank you so very much for allowing me to read and share this wonderful story.

Nicholas Sparks does what he does best, bring together two broken people. In this case the two people are Jasper Johnson, an elderly man who lives alone and spends his days with his faithful companion, Arlo the lab and whittling animals from the wood on his property and Tanner Hughes, former Army Ranger who has come to Asheboro, NC to find answers to a question posed by his dying grandmother. Raised by his grandparents after his mother died, Tanner never knew his father but on her deathbed, his grandmother gave him a name and a location. Tanner sets out to find his father and finds so much more. Living next door to Jasper is Kaitlin Cooper and her two children, Casey and Mitch. Divorced and not looking for love, Kaitlin is a devoted doctor and mother. A chance meeting between Tanner and Kaitlin happens when her teenage daughter Casey backs into Tanner's car. A tentative friendship blooms between them and she offers to help with his search for his family. Meanwhile Jasper is trying to live his life best as he can after a tragedy almost destroyed him. He takes up the role of protector of a rumored white deer living in the woods behind his home.

The three storylines come together in time leaving readers teary and hopeful. This is a more Faith based book of Sparks with Bible verses and references throughout. That surely won't deter his many fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and  Random House  for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nicholas Sparks’ Counting Miracles weaves a heartfelt narrative about faith, family, and the search for belonging. The story follows Tanner Hughes, a former Army Ranger whose life is upended by his grandmother's dying wish: to find his estranged father in Asheboro, North Carolina. There, Tanner encounters Kaitlyn Cooper, a dedicated single mother, and a deep connection blossoms between them.

Simultaneously, the novel introduces Jasper, an elderly recluse haunted by past tragedies and obsessed with protecting a mythical white deer in the nearby forest. Sparks masterfully intertwines their stories, highlighting themes of redemption and hope.

While some readers might find the religious themes and Jasper's obsession with the deer a bit overwhelming, the book ultimately delivers a touching and emotional experience. Sparks’ ability to evoke genuine emotion remains strong, making this a compelling read for fans of his work.

Army Ranger Tanner has served his country and left the military but can’t seem to put down roots anywhere. He’s always moving and still involved in military ways/jobs for security and training. Raised by his grandparents but as his grandmother is dying she utters a name and city in NC. With time to kill til his next job to set out to NC to possible find family or a father he never knew. Meanwhile the old man in the woods,Jasper, has lost his faith in God after being put through trails like Job. He only goal now is try and save a rare white deee in the woods. Full of loss, regret, hope, Bible scriptures and love… you can never go wrong with a Nicholas Books to read
Thank you NetGalley & Random House for the ARC!
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I have been a long time reader and fan of Nicholas Sparks, like literally since i was a kid. Unfortunately this one missed the mark for me. While the overall story, and the love story in particular, was interesting. The old man’s obsession with tracking down poachers was exhausting and took up the majority of the book. It was well written as always, but just was not for me.

Wow! I just finished reading this and I'm in awe of this story. It was such a beautiful story with many true life lessons and deep meanings behind it.
It had POV's from Tanner, Jasper and Kaitlin. Sparks intertwined their lives throughout the story flawlessly.

Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents, following in his grandfather’s military footsteps to become an Army Ranger. His whole life has been spent abroad, and he is the proverbial rolling stone . . . happiest when off on his next adventure, zero desire to settle down. But when his grandmother passes away, her last words to him are: find where you belong. She also drops a bombshell, telling him the name of the father he never knew—and where he might be found.

Tanner is due at his next posting soon, but his curiosity is piqued, and he sets out for Asheboro, North Carolina, to ask around. He’s been in town less than twenty-four hours when he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mom. They both feel an immediate connection; Tanner knows Kaitlyn has a story to tell, and he wants to hear it. For Kaitlyn, Tanner is mysterious, exciting—and possibly leaving in just a few weeks.

Meanwhile, nearby, eighty-three-year-old Jasper lives alone in a cabin bordering a national forest. With only his old dog Arlo for company, he lives quietly, haunted by a tragic accident that took place decades before. When he hears rumors that a white deer has been spotted in the forest—a creature of legend that inspired his father and grandfather—he becomes obsessed with protecting the deer from poachers.

As these characters’ fates orbit closer together, none of them is expecting anything, but what they find, could last forever.

This is a MUST read book for everyone, no matter where you are in life or seeking for find more. It's so beautifully written you'll easily be wrapped up in the story. You'll feel it deep down and it'll open your eyes, it'll make you feel and think so deeply.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was quite enjoyable and a very easy read. I enjoyed going on the search for a long lost relative with a side of romance. The characters were very relatable and held my interest. Can’t wait for the next book from Nicholas Sparks.

This book was true to Sparks's reputation of providing a very heartfelt story, enriched by characters that are forced to acknowledge and deal with their past traumas through connections with the people around them. The characters often use a combination of religious guidance and the emotional support of others to work through their negative experiences of loss, grief and hardship, ultimately finding their own sense of belonging through friendship and love. I enjoyed the added Celtic folklore, however the heavy influence of Christianity and bible versus took away from the story, often breaking my immersion in the novel.

Nicholas Sparks has done it again. Another book that you can't put down. A turn of events you don't expect. I had a lump.in my throat in a good way. You never know with his books. But you know to have kleenexes close by.

Military Veteran Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents after his mother passed away due to complications from childbirth. Tanner never knew his biological father but is now on the search for answers after his grandmother passed away. He ends up in a small town in NC where he meets single mom and the town doctor Kaitlyn. Meanwhile, 83 year old Jasper lives alone in his cabin on the outside of town backed up to the national forest with his old dog Arlo and when the new breaks that there is multiple sightings of a rare white deer he finds himself trying to stop poachers from harming it.

I’ll be honest this is not your typical Nicholas Sparks novel. It was heavily Christian based, it had instalove and I found myself bored half way through the book. I’m a long time Sparks fan and read most of his work but this didn’t have a ton of storyline. There was a bit of shock value thrown in to try and pull at your heartstrings but I felt like this just was mediocre at best. It was just okay.

Nicholas Sparks did it again! Another outstanding NC novel. :)

Set in my grandparent's hometown of Asheboro, NC, Sparks intertwines a veteran named Tanner's life with that of a local divorcee. Following the two as they set off on a literal crash, you get to see each character struggle, grow, and find happiness.

I liked this story and reading about places that were familiar to my childhood. Fans of Sparks will definitely enjoy!

3.5 stars!!

I was kind of (very) excited about this novel because I know the setting of the story like the back of my hand! What a cute little novel… I haven’t really ever read Nicholas Sparks (I know I’m in the minority), so I’m not familiar with his style. The way the chapters were divided & bounced between character viewpoints became frustrating for me, as I’d prefer to either alternate chapters or just have a chapter split between 2 viewpoints at a time.

There was SO much scripture (it was relevant for establishing a particular character’s mindset… but at a certain point it felt like reading an entire book of the Bible… kidding, but kind of not).

All of that said, the ending was very satisfying (as I imagine most of his novels are for any hopeless romantic enthusiast), the setting was accurately depicted and felt very naturally depicted… and the ending had my little heart swelling with joy! I love a good little feel good read!


Thank you to Random House for the advanced copy

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Nicholas Sparks for the copy of Counting Miracles.

I have come to enjoy reading Mr. Sparks’ books throughout the years and this one was no different. This was probably my favorite of his books and kept me very interested in reading it and wanting to know where I was going on this journey. I loved the multiple points of view and how this story unfolded. Definitely a wonderful read!