Counting Miracles is the new book from Nicholas Sparks. And it's a really great one!

Tanner Hughes is a retired Army Ranger. He's searching for a family member in Asheboro, North Carolina before he heads out on the road again. His path crosses that of Kaitlyn - a doctor - and her two kids. And there's one more player in this triangle....

I was immediately caught up by the first few pages. I settled in for the afternoon.

Sparks' characters are always so wonderfully drawn. They're someone you'd like to know. And that's what Tanner and Kaitlyn feel as well. Their interactions are respectful and mindful and I had high hopes for their future.

But the road to happiness is not always smooth sailing. There are some truly antagonists that are awful. I didn't even want to read their chapters, but I did.

And that third person...their life is visited and recounted. (Have a tissue or two ready)

How these lives interact with each other is at times a miracle. Sparks' plot does reference faith.

A satisfying read on so many levels.

4 ½ Stars ... a must read!

This is another heartbreaking story from Nicholas Sparks. It was like 2 stories that you know were going to collide at some point ... Kaitlyn and Tanner and then Jasper. I loved Kaitlyn and Tanner! I felt bad for Kaitlyn as she didn't really have a life of her own between raising 2 kids, being a doctor and volunteering. After Tanner left the military, he did exactly what he wanted ... traveling all over the world with no thought of settling down. Jasper's life broke my heart ... how much can one person overcome? I loved all the characters and all the situations were every day things that happen. I highly recommend it!

Tanner's mother died during childbirth and was raised by his grandparents. On his grandmother's death bed, she gives him the name (and last known residence) of his biological father ... information he thought was taken to the grave with his mother. He decides to locate him only Johnston is a very common name and he's going to have to make lots of calls or knocks on doors. While he's leaving a supermarket parking lot, his brand new car is hit by a teenage girl in a big SUV. She's visibly shaken, so he drives her home. When he meets her mother, he is mesmerized and invites himself on their trip to the zoo. Kaitlyn is a doctor and when a stranger drives her teenage daughter home, instead of being upset she is put at ease by the stranger. Kaitlyn's young son spends time with Jasper an old man who has suffered a tragic accident. And soon all their lives will never be the same.

I received an ARC courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley.

Absorbing, heart-tugging, and nostalgic!

Counting Miracles is a sweet, engaging tale that takes you into the life of Tanner Hughes, a former Army Ranger who, after tending to his ailing grandmother and finally learning of his biological father’s name, heads to Asheboro, NC, to discover a little more about his parentage and perhaps find a place to finally call home.

The prose is fluid and sentimental. The characters are multilayered, independent, strong, and kind. And the plot is a charming tale full of life, love, loss, grief, heartache, healing, community, intrigue, friendship, self-discovery and romance.

Overall, Counting Miracles is another hopeful, tender, immersive tale by Sparks that reminds us that life is complicated, messy, challenging, short, and heartbreaking, as well as all those other wonderful things, lovely times, and special moments that happen in-between.

Nicolas Sparks is a master storyteller. Counting Miracles is no exception. This novel weaves together compelling story lines involving well developed characters. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this novel although a little predictable in parts.

Thank you Net Galley. Nicolas Sparks and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.

Counting Miracles is scheduled to be released September 24, 2024.

I was excited to read this because there are quite a few Nicholas Sparks books/movies that I enjoy. This one didn't hit the spot the way I expected it to. I was a little bit bored throughout the middle of the book and found myself skimming through quite a bit of it. It was a bit drawn out to get to the predictable reveal, and I didn't find myself caring about the love story at all in this book, which is something Nicholas Sparks usually excels at. This one has a heavier emphasis on family dynamics for me and it was just an okay read.

When will I learn?
I should have remembered the mess that was Two by Two. Followed by the messes that were Every Breath, The Wish and Dreamland.

I can honestly say I am done with Nicholas Sparks. His characters lack no depth, and no warmth, and let's not discuss how stereotypically their dialogue is written. Honestly, it was like reading an entry from a high school fiction contest.

Big NO for me, but others have loved it so don't let my opinion sway you - decide for yourself.

3.5 stars. A lovely love story and story of family by Nicholas Sparks we all know. I think for religious readers, this will hit a little harder. I am not religious so it was a bit much for me but the story behind it was sweet. Not my favourite Nicholas Sparks but a nice story.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks delivers the emotional depth and relatable characters fans expect, exploring love, loss, and hope with his signature style. However, the heavy emphasis on religious themes felt overwhelming and detracted from the overall narrative. While spirituality can enhance a story, the frequent references shifted focus away from character development, making the novel less balanced than anticipated.

Another beautifully written Nicholas Sparks novel! Counting Miracles tells the story of a young man, Tanner, on the search for his biological father. Along the way, he meets a woman, Kaitlyn, who changes his outlook on life. We also hear the life story of Kaitlyn's neighbour, Jasper, as he seeks to protect a mysterious white deer. Two stories unfold together, weaving in love, loss, mystery, and self awareness on this inspiring tale of self discovery.
I would highly recommend to romance lovers and Nicholas Sparks fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC of Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks in exchange for an honest review.

Counting Miracles is set in the small town of Asheboro and revolves around 3 main characters. Jasper, a recluse who lost everything including his entire family in a tragic fire, Kaitlyn, a small town physician and single mom, and Tanner Hughes, a veteran who was raised by his grandparents after his mother died during childbirth. Before his grandmother’s death, Tanner is left with a note containing his father’s name and location. While searching for his father, Tanner encounters Casey, Kaitlyn’s daughter and eventually meets Kaitlyn. He feels an instant connection and it’s your classic Nicholas Sparks romance, which I loved.

I had a hard time getting into Jasper’s story and character. Although the backstory was important to the plot, it felt very long and drawn out. I found myself skimming a lot of his chapters, which were unfortunately very long. There were a lot of biblical references which I didn’t care for and skipped.

Overall, it was a good read as I basically read it in 2 sittings but I wish Jasper and Tanner had more interactions throughout the book instead of the last 10%.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author has created yet another fabulous novel full of amazing characters and a great plot. The surroundings and events were well described. I was hooked from page one and didn't want the story to end, although it had a great ending!
I love all the Nicholas Sparks books that I've read, this was no exception

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2024.

I’m sorry but this was just not for me. There were some parts that I was like ok this is going somewhere and then I’d get bored again. I DNF at 20%.

Tanner Hughes, an Army Ranger raised by his grandparents, has always been a restless adventurer with no plans to settle down. After his grandmother's death, her final words urge him to find where he belongs and reveal the identity of the father he never knew. Curious, Tanner heads to Asheboro, North Carolina, where he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a single mom and doctor, sparking an instant connection. Nearby, 83-year-old Jasper, haunted by a past tragedy, becomes fixated on protecting a legendary white deer in the forest. As their lives intertwine, none expect a miracle, but one may be on the horizon.

I have watched three of Nicholas Sparks' movies - "The Notebook" is one of my favourites. I can't believe this is my first time reading one of his books, and I’ve decided I need to read them all. I got this ARC because I was intrigued by the premise of faith and miracles. I thoroughly enjoyed his writing style for this story and how it all ties up in the end. Each person's story kept you engaged.

I could not put it down and binged it in two days. I had no expectations when I picked up this book, and now it’ll forever be etched in my memory bank. I loved the characters:

Jasper's commitment, sacrifices, and humility throughout life were admirable. Despite Jasper's many trials and tribulations, his faith in God was unwavering.

Tanner’s life choices were realistic, and I appreciated his calm demeanour. Ps. I wish I had the opportunity to invest when Apple launched iPods.

Kaitlyn is an awesome mom to Casey and Mitch. She is also a doctor who goes above and beyond for her patients. There was only one instance when I got frustrated with her. I thought I was going to get triggered by another entitled teenager; however, Casey got over herself and stepped up when people around needed her. Mitch is a sweet little brother who loves his sister, Casey and is quite intelligent. I enjoyed his open personality and kindness as well.

Nicholas Sparks did a great job of connecting the biblical story of Job to Jasper to express the meaning of having faith in God amidst adversity.

I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read and review this cry-worthy novel.

Please read it if you want to cry and have your heart unfurl with a beautiful ending❣️

Publishing date: September 24th.

Quotes:
"The passage of time changes things."

"Not all jobs offer an existential purpose."

For many decades I’ve been reading the authors work. I count the Notebook which was made into a film as one of my favourite book to film adaptations. But he’s also one in recent years that I haven’t quite connected with as much.

I will probably be in the minority but the writing felt… off… for an author that is seasoned and loved… it felt basic.
I mean that not as a seasoned author myself; nor am I an editor… so take it with a grain of salt, but it just didn’t feel like the authors older books.

I liked the kernel of the novel. The story is one that I thought would grab me and hold me in the way the author normally writes emotional characters but I just felt it lacked the depth he normally had.

I feel like a jerk for saying this and I mean no disrespect but I didn’t think it was a well done book.

That’s not going to stop me from reading his in the future and I hope it won’t hurt me from ever getting a chance to read an arc again. But I just found myself skimming… so I’ll chalk it up with a “it’s me not you”.

I loved this moving story of tragedy, connection, hope and love. A beautiful story with sympathetic and engaging characters. I couldn't put this book down! I would love to see a movie adaptation of this book!

I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My assumptions how book from this author may feel like were pretty much right on. I wish it wouldn't be so predictable, but it seems to be a retelling of Job's story from the Bible, so lingering familiarity shouldn't be surprising. The rest was a little too cliche and uninspired, tho overall pretty proper.

We have a man feeling little lost in life who meets a single mother of two. They both have good intentions and things go smoothly between them. One would wonder why so smoothly? None of the obstacles they faced made their story any more interesting and it has been written about in so many different books. I agree with the rest of the readers that Jasper's story is way more interesting, but mixing the romance with his journey felt like a mishap. Attraction between younger characters at time feels cringy and too much of Jasper's story is religion inclined for a diverse pool of readers.

The book is too safe, but after so many books the author is probably pretty relaxed not to challenge himself. I didn't mind spending time on this book, but wouldn't reach for another title of his.

The newest Nicholas Sparks!
I have read every single book by Mr. Sparks, and arguably he is the writer that got me into romance when I was in my teens.
The last number of years he has left me dissappointed with this newer releases, BUT his last release, as well as this one has young Jenny fan-girling again.
Counting Miracles has dual story lines: one about a little old man Jasper and his dog Arlo, and another about single mom/ doctor Kaitlyn and her 2 children, who meet Tanner who is travelling through their small town.
I was a little hesitant about how the story lines would tie together, but in the end I was very happy with it.
I loved the comparisons of Jasper with Job from the bible and obviously loved Arlo the dog.
I felt there could have been a bit more character development with Kaitlyn and Tanner, but overall was a great read!
Solid 4 stars from me!
This title releases September 24!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Publishing for the chance to read this one early!

If you’ve read Nicholas Sparks before you are in for his typical romance book. This was an ok read, super predictable. I enjoy a Sparks book for comfort and familiarity and this one was no exception to his proven formula. I enjoyed Tanner, his back story was interesting and I wanted a bit more of his story. Jasper broke my heart a little, I dislike stories with lonely old people but was happy with his story resolution. I can’t remember the FMC name so that is telling in how forgettable she was, Sparks tried to give her depth but didn’t quite give her enough. There was quite a bit of religious quotes that are not my thing but I’m sure many will enjoy. Overall a cozy, low stakes romance with a bit of thrill/mystery to keep you reading. Perfect for those looking to relax with an easy wholesome romance.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is a story that wraps you up in its warmth and pulls at your heartstrings. It centers on Tanner Hughes, an Army guy who's used to life on the move. He's always been happiest when he's off on his next adventure, but when his grandmother passes away, she leaves him with a powerful message: “find where you belong.” Along with this parting wish, she reveals the name of Tanner’s estranged father and where he might be found.

Tanner, about to head to his next military assignment, decides to take a detour to Asheboro, North Carolina, to follow this new lead. His plan is quickly sidetracked when he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a dedicated doctor and single mom. There’s an instant spark between them, but Tanner's transient lifestyle makes Kaitlyn wonder if their connection has any future.

Meanwhile, just outside town, Jasper, an 83-year-old recluse, lives a quiet life in a cabin by the national forest. With only his dog, Arlo, for company, Jasper is haunted by a past accident and becomes obsessed with protecting a legendary white deer rumoured to live in the forest. This deer holds deep significance for Jasper, symbolizing a link to his family's past and a chance for redemption.

As Tanner, Kaitlyn, and Jasper's paths start to intertwine, they’re all brought face-to-face with the idea that miracles might be lurking just around the corner, ready to reshape their lives in unexpected ways.

The novel captures the essence of finding one’s place in the world and dealing with unresolved pasts. Tanner's quest for his father and his growing bond with Kaitlyn add a rich emotional layer to the story. Jasper’s storyline brings a different kind of depth, showing how personal obsessions and past regrets can drive us to unexpected actions.

What I loved about Counting Miracles is how the author mixes romance, personal discovery, and a bit of magic into a compelling narrative. The characters are relatable, and their struggles feel real, making their journeys all the more engaging. The story’s charm lies in its portrayal of the small miracles that can change our lives, often when we least expect them.

If you're into contemporary fiction that’s both heartwarming and thought-provoking, this book is definitely worth picking up. I did cry a few times, however it’s a beautifully written reminder of how connections and miracles can shape our lives in profound ways.

I'd like to thank Net Galley for sharing this one with me!

Pub Date: Sept 24 2024

I just want to preface by saying I don’t think I was the ideal audience for this book. I think the retired community and seniors who are of faith would enjoy the book. If you enjoy small town vibe with main topics of hunting, religion and a hint of romance then this will be up your alley!

I do want to mention that the highlights for me were Mitch, Arlo, the white deer and the Epilogue. I work in healthcare so I enjoyed the medical terminology sprinkled in the story.

I was excited to request to read a Nicholas Sparks book as the book blurb and cover art piqued my interest. However, the synopsis did not give the reader a preview that there is a central focus of religion in one of the three POV’s. It was heavy handed in mentioning Christianity, God, Christ with many, many direct verses of the Bible being quoted in. At times there were 2-3 verses on a page. I am open to reading about any character’s faith to an extent, but this was too extreme for my taste and especially since it was a topic that was unexpected.

I have a hard time when books mention Covid/pandemic, and this book mentions it at least 3+ times. It takes me out of the story, and I find it dates the book.

I found there was an incredible amount of backstory given to Tanner and Jasper to the point it detracted from the present story. I felt it was unnecessarily drawn out to the point where I wanted to skip over paragraphs to get back to the present.

I had trouble connecting with the characters (Kaitlyn, Tanner and Jasper), I didn’t feel invested in them. Maybe it was because there was so much backstory, it was hard to tie yourself to them in the present day story and that needed more time? Maybe it was due to their actions? I had a tough time with that. I found the conflict between Kaitlyn x Tanner unrealistic considering they’ve only known each other for only 5 days.

I have to be honest and say if this wasn’t an eARC I wouldn’t have finished the book due to these factors.

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada (Doubleday Canada) and Netgalley for an eARC!