It took me a while to get into this one, but by the end, it had won me over. The climax was fun, and the ending, while a little cheesy, was ultimately satisfying.

That said, I wouldn’t classify this as a horror or thriller, which is what I expected going in. I haven’t read Sparks before, so I can’t speak to how far this departs from his usual romantic writings, but I’d still categorize this as a romance; just one with a ghost and some macabre visuals woven in.

I saw the twist coming about a third of the way through, despite the abundance of red herrings. Still, I appreciated the emotional payoff. My main critique is that the author doesn’t seem to fully trust the reader. Many things were overexplained in the prose or dialogue that could’ve been left to inference. There were also quite a few descriptive tangents (like how to do laundry or detailed house blueprints) that didn’t add much and slowed the pacing.

The writing itself is straightforward and accessible, which made it easy to follow. And while the story wasn’t what I hoped for in terms of tension or genre, I ended up invested in the characters and rooting for their personal resolutions. Not quite a thriller, but a worthwhile read if you adjust your expectations.

Wow. I loved this book . I have read and enjoyed every Nicholas Sparks book. I had no idea what to expect when he teamed with M. Night Shyamalan. The collaboration was a huge hit. The love story that Sparks is known for along with Shyamalan's fantasy proved to be a winner of a book.

I liked the idea of these two authors coming together to write a book but it was a little lackluster. The love story was ok. I wasn't blindsided by the paranormal romance conclusion but it was a pretty solid love story.

Such a good book!! I love Sparks and Night teaming up for not only this book but I've heard there will be a movie as well! The romance of the story intertwined with the suspense and paranormal aspect really heighten the feelings of the story. I could not love this more and am very excited to watch it play out on the big screen.

Once I saw this collaboration I was so excited. I loved the paranormal aspect of the book. I appreciated the mental health part of the book as mental health is not discussed enough! I was expecting more of a twist. I figured it out 2/3 through the book. I hope there are more collaborations done in the future.

Remain: A Supernatural Love Story Book || Nicholas Sparks & M. Night Shyamalan 👻💜

Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Remain is not just a book. It’s an experience. A ghost story wrapped in a love story wrapped in a riddle and every layer aches.

Need I say more? 😮
I thought I knew where this was going turns out, I didn’t have a clue. Every chapter had me side-eyeing the pages like they were keeping secrets. This story was thought provoking, unexpectedly tender (even for my Sparks’ level standards), and just the right amount of unhinged. I’m obsessed.

I didn’t think I could love M. Night more but he really brought the WOW in this.

Do NOT miss out on this release. It comes out on October 14th, 2025! 🤩

Special thanks to @randomhouse for letting me get this read early. Also, thank you to @nicholassparks and @mnight for being such amazing writing role models. I’ve read many of Sparks’ books over the years, but I have always looked up to Shyamalan. He truly was the brain behind some of my ABSOLUTE favorite works. Thank you over and over again. This was an opportunity of a LIFETIME!💞

4 stars!
A haunting and heartfelt twist from Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, never did I expect these two to get together.

I had the chance to read Remain early as an ARC reader, and wow...this was such a surprising read.

This isn’t the usual Nicholas Sparks style, and I mean that in the best way. It still has the heart and depth he’s known for, but with a supernatural twist that completely pulled me in. The story follows Tate, a man deep in grief, and what happens when he ends up in a secluded mansion and meets someone unforgettable. That’s all I’ll say...because trust me, this is a story you’ll want to experience for yourself.

It’s atmospheric, moving, and just the right amount of eerie. I knocked off one star only because there were a few moments that felt a little slow or could’ve gone deeper...but overall, I loved the fresh direction and emotional layers.

If you’re open to something a bit different from Sparks (think: grief, healing, and a touch of ghostly mystery), this one is 100% worth the read.

A Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan collab?? I was all in before even reading the synopsis ...

Admittedly, I struggled to connect with and invest in any of the characters, but the story did evoke emotion that I was not expecting. Nicholas Sparks' writing is beautiful and atmospheric. He did an amazing job of weaving M. Night Shyamalan's voice throughout the chapters, resulting in such a special creation. The imagery in this book is incredible - truly top tier. Those bathroom scenes just scream Shyamalan and definitely elicit a visceral reaction when reading ...

Together, Sparks and Shyamalan produced a transcendental love story that is definitely worth your time. Very interested in seeing how this one translates to the big screen!!

I knew as soon as I saw this collab I *HAD* to dive into this one! Notebook/Dear John/Last Song meets Signs/The Village/Sixth Sense?! - sign me up!!

Tate Donovan is an architect and is working on his best friend, Oscar's, summer house in Cape Cod. Rather than the constant back and forth, Tate decides to find a temporary place to rent while there. Tate is recovering from a recent hospital stay where he was working on his mental health - he has struggled with depression since the passing of his sister, Sylvia. Sylvia believed strongly in the afterlife and had spiritual gifts that Tate didn't quite believe in. That's all about to change when Tate meets an unexpected guest staying in the same rent house as him.

This book was heavier on the Sparks with a sprinkle of the Shyamalan. I would say Reese Witherspoon's "Just Like Heaven" with a tiny touch of Harrison Ford's "What Lies Beneath". It was so well written - easy to follow, read quickly. The main character, Tate, was so relatable and easy to attach to! I loved the unfolding of his character. A decent "twist" but I did predict it pretty early on. By the end of the book I was in tears at the bittersweet conclusion. 4.5 stars!!

Thanks to NetGalley, Nicholas Sparks, and Random House for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion!

Remain is part horror, part murder mystery, and part love story, but don’t go in thinking this is going to be super spooky if you regularly read horror! I like things a bit spooky but I don’t get into dark horror so I was pleasantly surprised. However, I do hope Nicholas Sparks writes more horror because I really enjoyed that part of it. The mystery aspect made it a fast read, I couldn’t put it down! The love story…well, that was my least favorite part. It wasn’t bad, I just don’t like that type of romance. I really hope they make this into a movie as I think it would translate better on the screen! M. Night Shyamalan did a fantastic job with Nicholas Sparks and I think they’d be a great team!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

This book was not what I was expecting. I automatically picked it up due to the author, but failed to read the description.
This was very different than I had in mind, but Sparks did a good job writing this story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the supernatural genre.

This was….odd. A weird combo of authors to be sure, and I have to admit the story didn’t work for me every step of the way. Kind of got confusing towards the middle, but redeemed itself a bit towards the end. Perplexing, but overall okay.

Nicholas Sparks has a talent for fleshing out three-dimensional characters who feel so real with just a few sentences. But when it came to the main characters in Remain, I didn’t find anything I connected with.

The romance, built on just a few conversations, didn’t take my breath away, and I didn’t feel the chemistry I was hoping for. The paranormal elements stretched beyond what I could believe, and the story didn’t give skeptics like me any reason to suspend disbelief.

I also went in with really high expectations, hoping for a big twist like Safe Haven or The Sixth Sense. It ended up being a big disappointment on that front, too. It didn’t match the feel of any of Shyamalan’s stories, and it wasn’t my favorite from Nicholas Sparks either.

Overall, it just didn’t leave me with much to hold on to.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Remain is a touching and emotional read—classic Nicholas Sparks, but with an unexpected twist thanks to his collaboration with M. Night Shyamalan. The story still has all the heartfelt moments and emotional depth you’d expect, but there’s a surprising edge that keeps you guessing. The characters felt real, and the ending definitely stayed with me. If you’re a Sparks fan, or just curious about this unique team-up, it’s definitely worth checking out.

4.25 STARS

Taking a departure from his traditional, tried-and-true romance novels, author Nicholas Sparks teams up with M. Night Shyamalan to deliver an “otherworldly” story that takes love to another level. It’s the heartfelt romance of Tate and Wren—two people who are hopelessly trapped by the past—each lost in the dark and each searching for the light.

Delving into the realm of the supernatural, this couple’s flourishing love story is a collaborative effort that showcases both of these authors storytelling talents. As a result, “Remain” is a unique and thrilling blend of heart, mystery, and suspense that I was hard-pressed to put down.

Tate meets the ghost of Wren whose death seems to have been accidental. Wren doesn’t know she’s dead but feels like something is off. He is the only one who can see and communicate with her. She tells Tate about her life and her past relationships. The more they get to know each other the harder they fall for each other. He figures out that her death wasn’t an accident, someone murdered her. He tries to piece together who murdered her but feels sad to know that he can loose her at any given moment.

I typically don’t like to read books that mix romance with other genres but I surprisingly loved this book. The begging of the book was dull compared to the rest of the story. I started to become way more interested in the story once Tate began investigating Wrens death. There were multiple suspects but the actual murderer caught me by surprise. Surprisingly it wasn’t scary even though it had a paranormal element to it. The relationship between Tate and Wren was so beautiful. I love how much Wrens cat showed up in the story. This story had the much needed representation of mental heath issues and grief.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Remain by Nicholas Sparks & M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Tropes & Themes:
👻 Star crossed lovers
🏡 Small town secrets
🕊️ Love after loss
💔 Haunted pasts
🧠 Man healing from trauma
🌀 Supernatural twist
🧩 Reality bending mystery
🐈 Beloved pet companion

⸻

Okay, so I picked up Remain expecting Nicholas Sparks to give me a beachy grief romance with sad boys and second chances but what I didn’t expect was M. Night Shyamalan jumping out with literal ghosts and a full on psychological twist 😳💀 This book is basically The Notebook meets The Sixth Sense, and weirdly?? It worked.

We follow Tate, a brooding NYC architect who’s fresh out of a psychiatric facility and grieving his sister’s death. He heads to Cape Cod to design his bestie’s summer house (rich people vibes 🏠) but instead of just finding peace, he meets Wren, a mysterious small town girl who may or may not be more than she seems 👀✨

Yes, there’s the classic Sparks romance such as the long stares, emotional walks on the beach, and late night confessions but the Shyamalan twist makes it feel so much more layered. There’s this slow, eerie suspense building under all the soft moments, and by the time things start unraveling? I was emotionally wrecked and also low key terrified 😭🔮

⸻

What I liked:
✔️ Wren is giving “manic pixie dream ghost girl” but in a smart, fully developed way
✔️ The supernatural stuff actually felt meaningful, not just thrown in for drama
✔️ Tate’s emotional journey was raw and relatable. I was rooting for his healing
✔️ The twist was signature Shyamalan: emotional, unsettling, and totally unexpected
✔️ The Cape Cod setting?? Beautifully described. Moody and coastal and perfect
✔️ Paulie the cat 🐱was an absolute scene stealer, iconic, emotionally supportive queen

⸻

What I didn’t love:
⚠️ Some pacing issues in the middle (Tate was spiraling and I was like okay bestie…deep breath)
🌀 The ghost “tethering” lore got a little confusing at times. Shyamalan’s twisty worldbuilding isn’t always super clear
💘 Slight insta love vibes, but it’s a Sparks collab so I expected it
💔 That ending hurts in a way I wasn’t emotionally prepared for

⸻

Final Thoughts:
If you love stories about grief, fate, the supernatural, and healing love then this is for you. It’s not your typical Nicholas Sparks book, and it’s not your typical Shyamalan thriller either, it’s something totally unique that blends both their strengths in the best way.

It’s cozy, eerie, romantic and a little philosophical. It asks big questions about life, death, and what it means to remain connected to the people we love. Some souls just don’t let go and maybe that’s not always a bad thing. 💫

Also yes, Netflix or Apple TV+ needs to adapt this like yesterday. I can already see the foggy beach cinematography and the haunting piano score. 🎬📺

⸻

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
📖 Griefcore meets ghostcore
🌊 Ideal for stormy night reading
🖤 Sparks is in his supernatural era and Shyamalan brought the existential dread
🐾 Bonus points for Paulie, because she deserves her own spin off

Read it if you’re into:
• Sad boys with ghost problems 👨‍🎨👻
• New England aesthetics 🐚
• Love that bends time and space 🕰️💘
• Stories that whisper “it’s okay to not let go just yet…”
• Cat sidekicks who see more than they let on 🐈‍⬛

⸻

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from these two, but I was expecting a little more. I’m used to Shyamalan’s stories to have a huge twist, while this book was a mystery it was somewhat predictable.
What hurt this book the most was the love story wasn’t believable. This isn’t because he fell in love with a ghost, it just didn’t really read as a love story and more of just Tate wanting someone to latch on to. With it being written by Nicholas Sparks you expect a grad romantic story.
Overall though the writing was beautiful. Thanks to the publishers and net galley for ARC.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I found out Sparks and M. night Shyamalan were teaming up for a supernatural romance novel but I was so excited!
I think that knowing Shyamalan’s gift of giving us wild stories like The Sixth Sense, The Village, Split and so many others with such incredible twists that I was expecting something truly mind blowing. Especially with him teaming up with Sparks, such an oddly wonderful pairing.
But, I think I went into this with too high of hopes.
To start with what I did enjoy, I found that the growth of the MMC Tate was beautiful and raw. It was heartbreaking and healing and the ending left me sobbing.
I think the authors did a really great job of incorporating horror aspects into the story while not overwhelming the narrative as a whole. The scenes were written so well with vivid and gruesome descriptions. They perfectly balanced the horror and romance, giving us sparse but deeply unsettling depictions that leave you looking over your shoulder, while also filling the story with a profound and healing love.
As for the mystery of it all, I always love a good ghost story and adding in romance usually makes for a beautifully haunting tale. This was no exception but this also felt like nothing exceptional.
I guessed the twists very early on and just kept on hoping that the authors would throw something out of left field and I would end up being wrong about my guess. But, this wasn’t the case. It felt very obvious to me but hopefully others will find the twist surprising.
The story felt very repetitive and I just kept waiting for things to pick up which only seemed to happen at the very end.
Overall, this one was a miss for me.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

Remain is an enjoyable read. It has all the magic of a Nicholas Sparks novel with a lot of supernatural and even a little horror thrown into the mix. I was a little disappointed that I figured out the mystery early on, but other than that, I liked it very much. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.