This was a fantastic read! This collaboration alone had me NEEDING a copy of this ARC and it did not disappoint. Highly recommend

This was a very unique book that I was curious to read due to the collaboration between the authors. It combined both horror and romance in an unexpected way that worked very well. Definitely worth a read!

If you are a fan of Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, I think you will enjoy this book! These two are so good at what they do in their respective crafts that I knew this was going to be a great collaboration. I devoured this in less than 24 hrs and literally ate nothing but this book until I was done.

Described as a supernatural romance, this book follows Tate and Wren’s journey. Together, they explore grief and depression and the limits of our physical existence here on earth. Nicholas Sparks always does a stellar job of writing characters and stories that draw us in and mixed with M. Night’s ability to push us to think outside the limits of our own existence and thoughts, this story creates a thrilling supernatural romantic story with a bit of mystery.

If you are familiar with either of these artists’ works, you will see many of their fingerprints all over the story and it was enjoyable to read. I cried while reading and cried again while retelling the story to my husband.

So yes. 10/10, 5 ⭐️ for me! I can’t wait to see the film!

** Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review **

Review is live on Goodreads and will be posted on Instagram during the week of 7/7-7/12.

This was sad in the way that all Nicholas Sparks' books are. It felt a little bit predictable but I didn't hate the predictability because I was still completely invested. I was obviously hoping for a happier ending, but as it is in life, happy endings aren't always how things go. I think the paranormal aspect in this was done well. This was very respectful to those that suffer from anxiety and depression, and it was incredibly realistic. I really liked this and I usually don't love a paranormal romance but I did enjoy this!

An amazing book! I devoured this book and was left wanting more! I'd love to read more about Tate sharing his "gifts".

I was totally unsure how this could work - the King of romance and the King of supernatural - but it so totally does!!!

Thank you Random House, Netgalley and especially the authors for this wonderful read!

This was a really good book. The word sweet comes to mind. I feel like there will be more to this story. Using his gift and possibly falling in love. I can only hope! Thank you for letting me review this book. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to Net Galley for the Arc of this title! I was thrilled and honored to have a chance to read and review this book!

I am an OG Nicholas Sparks fan. And I am also a lover of paranormal thrillers and mystery. So reading the premise of this book, I knew I was going to love it. This book was a wonderful love story but with a ghost. I would have liked it a little more if we didn’t know so early on about Wrenn. I think I would have liked a little more mystery around that.
All in all, I binged this book in just a couple days. It drew me in and the ending was not at all what I expected. I’d love to read another book about Tate and how his nice plays out. Amazing work to you both!

About 10-15 years ago, I went through a Nicholas Sparks phase and read his entire catalog at that point. I’ve only read 2-3 of his works in recent years, but I am not new to his books. I’ve also watched a few M Night Shyamalan movies over the years - teenage me was freaked out by Signs.

All of that to say - I’m familiar with what each of these men bring to the table in terms of storytelling - so I was very intrigued when I saw that they were working together (in the past, I wouldn’t say their styles overlap at all). I was so excited when I received an ARC of this one - I dove into it right away.

This honestly felt like the perfect amalgamation of both styles - it had the classic love story that Sparks is known for, while combining it with a supernatural twist that had Shyamalan’s fingerprints all over it. Don’t expect his usual twists and turns - this one is much more straightforward, but no less enjoyable.

I found this very predictable - I had the “bad guy” figured out almost immediately, but I allowed myself to just sit back and enjoy the journey. As someone who primarily reads romance - this was not a romance novel, it is however a love story.

The bulk of this story was told in a single first person narrative, from Tate’s POV. The occasional chapter in Wren’s POV was told in a third person narrative - I’ve hated this back and forth changing format in other books, but it worked for this one.

Overall, this was a quick read, and it felt like a classic Nicholas Sparks just with ghosts. I’m looking forward to seeing what Shyamalan creates for a movie when that is released in 2026.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC!

I was excited for this mashup as soon as I saw the first promo and it didn't disappoint! Nicolas Sparks with his signature love story combined with M. Night Shyamalan's suspense brought about a unique combination. This is one of those books you don't want to put down but you also want to savor.

The character development is true to Sparks style, developing an emotional connection between the reader and the main character. The subtle touch of horror adds another layer of complexity that enhances the overall theme. Different from the original style of both authors but compliments each other in such a way that is hauntingly beautiful, engaging and sure to keep you up for just one more chapter.

Remain - a supernatual romance. I pride myself on having never read a Nicholas Spark book. Never say Never, I guess. I am however a HUGE fan of M. Night Shyamalan who is local to my area and so I just had to read this book. It was as predictable as I expected and I could certainly piece out Sparks and Shyamalan within the unfolding story. (spoiler alert: sappy romance and I see ghosts.) However, I was entranced by the story and the characters and the age old question of could ghosts be real. In record time I finished the book because it was unputdownable and would recommend it as a paranormal romantic comedy as it will be in print in October. Make this your October read! But I have questions for M. Night...was Oscar based off of you? Will there be a sequel? Will this be your next movie? Can I play an extra?

Who would have thought Nicholas Sparks was on the BINGO card this year with his first foray into the supernatural? In an unexpected yet utterly compelling collaboration with master of suspense M. Night Shyamalan, they've crafted "Remain"—a hauntingly beautiful thriller that is Big Screen ready from its very first page (In fact they’ve already started production).
While the "who done it" aspect might lean a little towards the predictable side, the journey to discovery is anything but. We're introduced to Tate, a man adrift in life, grieving and feeling lost, finds himself undeniably drawn to the ethereal beauty of Wren, a lonely and troubled ghost. What truly sets this narrative apart is Tate's remarkably intuitive and radical acceptance of his situation. From the moment he discerns Wren's spectral nature, he's not just "all in"—he's completely consumed, his heart wide open to the impossible.
Their love story is nothing short of heartbreakingly beautiful. To allow oneself to fall so deeply, so completely, knowing that physical touch, the tangible expressions of affection, are forever out of reach, is an act of profound and truly unselfish love. Sparks' signature emotional depth intertwines seamlessly with Shyamalan's atmospheric tension, creating a narrative that lingers long after the final page is turned, much like a persistent whisper from the other side. "Remain" is a testament to love's boundless nature, even in the face of death and the veil between worlds.

If you're craving a supernatural thriller with a big side of amour, then put on your apron, grab a glass of vino, curl up on the couch and prepare yourself for the ride. Beware this book reads fast! It will be over before you are ready, but only because you were so consumed.

+++I have received this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++

I want to thank @nicholassparks @mnight @netgalley and @randomhouse for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.

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Sparks and Shymalan are such a perfect pair. This book was just the right mix of paranormal and romance. I’m a huge Simone St. James fan, and this reminded me a lot of her books, which thrilled me. I loved Oscar, easily my favorite character, and the way he looked after Tate. And the relationship between Tate and Wren, despite her being a ghost was perfection.

Part mystery and part paranormal romance. (I wouldn’t call it a thriller.) I can see the potential for a good movie in it, but as a novel it left me wanting a bit more.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I must admit that the authors of “Remain” dredge up some intense 20th century memories: Sparks’ 1996 novel “The Notebook” and Shyamalan’s 1999 film “The Sixth Sense.” This combination of talents, classic romance author and supernatural horror filmmaker, so many years later, is incredibly intriguing. However, the end result is an update of more 90s nostalgia: the Demi Moore/Patrick Swayze film “Ghost” (except with beef bourguignon instead of pottery). And we already know that “Remain” will be a movie in 2026 starring Jake Gyllenhaal and a Bridgerton actress.

Told primarily from the viewpoint of 38 year old Tate, an architect starting to plan a vacation home for friends in the picturesque town of Heatherington on Cape Cod, the main character has recently been released from an upscale psychiatric facility after his sister’s death put him in a downward spiral. His sister Sylvia was a true believer of the afterlife, something Tate could not reconcile his beliefs with.

Yet, once Tate receives planned life-affirming messages from his deceased sister and meets Wren, his world changes. Maybe Wren is one of the flickers he sees in his peripheral vision (explained by his doctors as “oscillopsia”); maybe Wren is something more than ethereal. In any case, we’re off on a supernatural love journey that slides into a murder mystery ala “Ghost.” Wren’s backstory is slowly added to the narrative and we realize that she, too, is experiencing trauma that Tate realizes he wants to help her with.

The story proceeds as expected — thank goodness for Tate’s very understanding and sympathetic friend Oscar who gives Tate’s story more depth. I was invested enough by midpoint to find out how this tear-inducing tale would end. I think “Remain’s” appeal will be to an older group of readers who remember these 90s icons (and haven’t necessarily followed them further) who will expect the comfort of the old Sparks and the surprise element of Shyamalan. They will be satisfied. Not sure how the Book Tok group, possibly unfamiliar with books/movies before they were born, will react, but I expect a fabulous marketing campaign will reach out to them. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Wren has green eyes, as does Tessa.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. I literally squealed when I got the email that I was approved for Nicholas Sparks' latest book as he is one of my all time favorite authors. Now, I knew this one would be a little different because of the collaboration with M. Night Shyamalan, but I did not anticipate a romance and relationship between someone from the living and a ghost. It still had all of the feelings and emotions of a Nicholas Sparks book, but I just couldn't get past the fact that it was a living human being together with a ghost . I did see that it will be made into a movie, so I am looking forward to seeing how they make it and if it works better on film.

Once I opened this, I could not put it down! I loved how rosy and warm the interactions were between the FMC and MMC and how cold and dark the supernatural moments were. The plot slowly revealed itself through conversations that pulled me in and had me invested from the beginning. I thought I had out figured out, then more suspects kept being added until the big reveal at the end. I would read anything these two authors collaborate on again!

thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC!

This was interesting. I wasn’t sure what to expect with two vastly different authors, and I probably was geared more toward M. Night than Nicholas Sparks, but I felt like I had a good mix of each. The problem was that I finished the book not satisfied with both the drama/romance and the horror aspects. I wanted more of both, which really meant that we should have leaned more one way or the other. However, still a decently enjoyable read so 3.5 stars.

Things I liked:
🛁 The horror creepy scenes with the bathtub upstairs and the screaming. I was Nighttime Wren’s biggest fan
🛁 Oscar actually believing in ghosts really quickly. Good friend, and we didn’t have to go through as much of the “no way” as you usually do
🛁 Just the writing was of the higher caliber you’d expect from both writers

Things that didn’t work:
🛁 The romance. I almost felt like it was more a bond based on care and mutual healing than an actual spark and chemistry
🛁 Sylvia’s messages. It almost felt like forced drama
🛁 The mystery. I guessed it like really early. Like REALLY, so then when I was expecting an M. Night twist, I was disappointed
🛁 Some of the pacing in the beginning was off. I felt like we took a while to get to the inciting incident, but around the 40% mark, I got pretty into it and read it in mostly one sitting. I just felt like some of the detail of things that didn’t matter could have been words used for more creepy vibes or relationship development

Overall, I’d recommend if you’re into both authors but I would go into knowing that having two very different genres means that you’re not diving deep into either

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏 ✮⋆˙

I was so glad to be able to grab this ARC! I jumped in not knowing what to expect and glad I did, the mystery, the suspense and the story all came together so well!

This collab definitely is a win!

Ok first of all wow! This was by far the most exciting ARC I’ve ever received. I’m a lifelong M. Night fan so the second I heard about this book I couldn’t wait to read it.

Let’s get into it. First, Wren. Omg this poor girl she’s been through it. Tate also has a special place in my heart and as a love story I LOVED THIS.

Hooooowever as a thriller fanatic I have to say it was a bit too predictable. For those who don’t exclusively read thrillers they will likely enjoy this aspect or the book more than I did, I pegged it pretty early on though.

I do love the way this book makes you question the afterlife and the way it implores you to look at your life.

Overall this was a fast paced and fun read and I highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

3.5 STARS!

Remain by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan is a supernatural story that focuses on life and grief. When Tate arrives in the small town of Heatherington after losing his sister he immediately starts seeing things in his peripheral vision the same phenom that he was working out in the psychiatric facility. He eventually meets Wren and realizes he’s racing time to help her find peace. Through love and anguish Tate’s character grows and eventually finds peace and it was the best part of the book!

I haven’t read a Nicholas Sparks book since I was in high school and I won’t even tell you how long ago that was 🫠. With that being said, this wasn’t like any book or movie that I’ve seen by him before. I’m not huge into supernatural type stories, so keep that in mind with this review.

The feel good part of the story that everyone expects from Sparks was 100% there. The probably though? She was a ghost…… It was all okay until it got a little too deep for me. 🔥

The supernatural and darker parts of the story, to me, didn’t fit with the sweet and loving parts as well as the authors had intended. There were a couple parts that were “spooky and gruesome” and if those had been omitted and it was just written more mysterious I think it would have flowed much better.

Regardless, I binged the book because I had to know how Wren’s story ended and I actually cared about Tate finding happiness!