So this was… different. Initially I was super intrigued. But alas I don’t know if it was just me but I had a really hard time with this one and couldn’t finish it. I might give it another chance once I get my hands on audiobook but it just wasn’t for me.

Publish to Goodreads on 7/27/2025

This is an ARC review thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing.

I truly had no idea what to expect when you put a romance writer with a horror guru together. Let me tell you, the outcome was AMAZING! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I usually don’t read horror. It was well written and it had the right amount of romance and horror for anyone to enjoy.

As a fan of Spark’s books since high school with AWTR, and Shyamalan’s since SIGNS, this was the writing duo I didn’t know I needed. This collaborative effort is a fascinating blend of heartfelt emotion and unsettling suspense.

Sparks' signature emotional depth meets Shyamalan's knack for unexpected twists, creating a narrative that is both poignant and genuinely thrilling.

It's a story about enduring love and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface, keeping you engrossed until the very last page. I inhaled this book as fast as I could!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Hm, where to start on this one … I’m almost positive most who requested this book saw the author collaboration and were immediately intrigued. It set the expectations high, and unfortunately, they were unmet. The writing is ….dare I say; bland? I haven’t read Sparks since high school, so this may be typical for him. But it left me feeling utterly uninterested in the characters. They felt like stick figures, moving about in an almost unnatural and cliché way.

The plot doesn’t help make up for what the characters lack. It feels half baked and predictable. You’ve seen this before, there’s nothing new and fresh and exciting. I do believe this will translate well to film, that being able to watch, rather than read pages of descriptions, will allow the viewer to feel more immersed in what’s happening.

Maybe, just maybe, this book is for a different audience. But as a young woman, a lover of horror and romance, it’s a no from me.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

Nicholas sparks has a way with words and M night Shyamalan has a way with movies. Thank you net galley for allowing me to have the privilege of reading this supernatural love story. Tate and Wren are living in two different worlds both filled with heartache. While Tate struggles with his sisters death and finding ways to be happy, Wren finds herself stuck and unable to move on as a supernatural being due to unfinished business. Together they find love in unexpected ways. Everyone needs an Oscar in their life. A friend that believes you even when they can’t understand or see what is happening

"Remain" by Nicholas Sparks/M. Night Shyamalan delivers the emotional depth and romantic tension fans have come to expect, with a storyline that feels both familiar and refreshingly introspective. Centered around two people scarred by loss—Evelyn, a widow trying to find meaning after her husband’s tragic death, and Caleb, a former soldier haunted by guilt and regret—the novel explores what it means to hold on, to let go, and ultimately, to remain present through pain. Sparks/Shyamalan weave a narrative that is slow-burning but purposeful, rich with heartfelt dialogue and internal conflict. Their ability to write raw, intimate moments make the characters feel authentic, and the North Carolina coastal setting adds a soft, melancholy backdrop that enhances the mood of the novel. While some plot twists are predictable and the ending leans heavily into sentimentality, the emotional payoff is worth the journey. "Remain" is a moving reminder of love’s endurance and the quiet strength it takes to heal—and stay.

Nicholas Sparks does what he does best in Remain—delivering an emotional, reflective, and ultimately hopeful story about love, grief, and the difficult process of healing.

The story follows Julia Bennett, a young widow trying to navigate life after her husband's sudden death. When she discovers a letter Mark wrote before he passed, it sends her on a journey full of questions—and unexpected answers. Enter Lucas Reed, a local carpenter with a quiet strength and emotional scars of his own. Their connection is slow-burning and heartfelt, grounded in shared pain and tentative hope.

The writing is classic Sparks: lyrical, accessible, and emotionally charged. Yes, there are some familiar tropes here (grieving widow, brooding stranger, serendipitous connections), but they’re handled with care and sincerity. If you loved The Notebook or Safe Haven, you’ll feel right at home.

Some parts of the story felt predictable, and the ending wrapped up a bit neatly for my taste—but I still closed the book feeling moved and satisfied.

3 stars. This was enjoyable and it’s supposed to be a movie next year. I was a little scared to read this because I’m not a huge fan of romance but there was so much more to this story. We follow Tate, an architect, who just lost his sister who could see the dead. He spirals after her death and goes to a psychiatric facility. After he’s out he gets the opportunity to design a friend’s summer home in cape cod. He takes up residence at a bed and breakfast where he’s supposed to be the only guest….. when he encounters the beautiful Wren. The owners assure him he’s the only guest there. So, who is he talking to everyday then? You get some spooky supernatural vibes. Fun read, I think I just did not like the ending. As always, thank you Random House Publishing Group for the earc.

Expected publication 10/14/2025
Remain is an okay read for fans of Nicholas Sparks who appreciate his romantic storytelling and emotional themes. This one has a twist with guest author M. Night Shyamalan! However, it doesn’t break new ground or offer the same impact as his standout novels like The Notebook or The Wish. It’s enjoyable, but ultimately unmemorable. The middle section lagged, and while the concept intrigued me, it doesn’t earn a spot in my top five Nicholas Sparks novels.

I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have this book 3 stars. I was so intrigued by the author combination of Nicholas Sparks and M. Night. I loved that this book as a thriller and romance all at the same time.

I bet I haven’t read a ghost story since I used the read “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” to students. I certainly was surprised to be drawn into this one! Well-crafted mystery, unsolvable for me as I read quickly through the events that built the suspense. Having a ghost in the story was not off-putting, so it worked beautifully. An interesting change by Sparks.

I will say, I went into this one with HIGH expectations. This collab, I thought, would make an interesting book.

I will say the beginning took a bit for me to get into. The middle is a lot more slower paced but once I hit 70 percent, I needed to know what happened. The pacing was definitely off, imo. So as the reader, I found myself not reaching for this book as much as I’d hoped.


You have Tate, he loses his sister. He spirals and ends up seeking treatment at a physciatric facility. When he is released, he ends up in Cape Cod designing his best friend’s summer home. There he stays at a bed breakfast where he supposed to be the only guest. Come to find out, he meets a beautiful mysterious girl named Wren. A lot of questions arise and as the reader, you’re left seeking the answers.

There is love, tragedy & mystery. I believe if you want a mix of supernatural and Nicholas Sparks vibes, you’ll enjoy this one. For me, I LOVE thrillers and have read a lot. I was hoping this one would give me the jaw dropping twists I crave.

I was so excited and grateful to have received this ARC on NetGalley for Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors!

I was really hoping to love it...but I just didn't. I'm bummed that I wasn't wowed like I usually am or moved to tears like some of his other works.

It’s not your typical Nicholas Sparks book although the ghost story reminded me of Safe Haven. There were parts that I enjoyed, specifically the "relationship" between Tate and Wren...the paranormal, and mystery was intriguing.

Where it fell short for me was when Tate and Oscar were investigating Wren's murder and confronting the men from Wren's past. I thought that was a little unrealistic. I also was hoping that more would have been revealed about the gift passed on from his sister.

I love romance stories and paranormal tales; not to mention how much I always enjoy M. Night Shyamalan’s movies and Nicholas Spark’s tales never fail to bring bittersweet tears. This novel is no different. It is everything it promised to be: part mystery and part love story with a generous splash of spookiness. The writing was fluid and engaging to read. The pace was just right for me: building in the beginning and picking up speed as the story progressed, like a boulder rolling down a hill. The ended was satisfying and i loved how it was kinda grounded in reality, but still had the supernatural elements sprinkled in.

I recommend this book to just about everyone who enjoys fiction. It really does have a bit of everything to draw readers of all types in! In fact, my turn to pick our book club book is this fall, and I will definitely be choosing this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.

This was an okay book. I think I just expected so much more because of the authors.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, a solid premise where you can see the contributions of both the creatives involved. I enjoyed the read and will definitely see the movie when it comes out as well.

Were some parts a little predictable? Yes.
Was I waiting for an off the wall M. Night twist? Absolutely.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy! 🥰

Let me tell you - when I saw that Nicholas Sparks and M. Knight collaborated on a supernatural romance book - I was so excited!

This story did NOT disappoint. The amount of detail, emotion and unexpected mystery in the lives of Tate and Wren was addicting. I was so sad when this book ended because I loved the two characters so much. My only complaint was that I figured out the mystery early on, however, I’m not sure if that was the intention of the story or not.

I hope both Sparks and Shyamalan write another book together. 🥹

Loved this book! Once I started, I did not want to put it down. Our main character has lost his big sister and requires a hospital stay to learn how to navigate life without her. He gives up his corporate architecture firm to work solo and his first project is a summer home for his best friend. Starting with just a plot of land, he starts designing their dream home while staying in a B&B nearby. There he meets a ghost who doesn’t know she has died but likes spending time with him. They play games, have long conversations, cook together, and basically fall in love. When the sun goes down she disappears and a different version of her appears upstairs in the bathroom where she died. This version doesn’t communicate in the same way, but he observes what’s happening and finds that her death was not an accident. He and his friend begin to investigate and uncover the truth.

First, thank you to Nicholas Sparks, M. Night Shyamalan, Random House, and NetGalley for the advance copy of Remain. There aren’t words to express how excited I was to read this book. Did you see the authors?! Did you see who wrote this book?! I got to read it early.

It was such a privilege to look through a window into Tate and Wren’s time together. I devoured this book. Absolutely devoured it—the marriage of romance and spooky was beautifully crafted. My heart raced at times and it broke in others. I found myself hoping for an impractical solution to Tate’s problem. A take away I had was that human connection is the salve to grief and loving someone is a gift we give to ourselves, even when it’s complicated and implausible. Sometimes, letting go of all the boundaries can be freeing. When this is inevitably made into a movie it will be a masterpiece. I cannot wait.

After experiencing a devastating loss of his sister, Tate, a successful architect, finds himself in Heatherington designing a summer home for his long time friend. Tate is renting a bed and breakfast—not a room—a whole bed and breakfast. Imagine his surprise when he walks into the parlor and finds a woman, Wren, doing yoga. Over the course of days, he comes to realize that Wren is not alive. Wren is seemingly unaware that she has died and Tate wants nothing more than to help her, but in order to help Wren, he has to help himself and stay alive in the process.

Trigger Warnings: unwanted unaliving, chronic illness, death due to illness, ghosts, brief topics of stalking and domestic violence, physical violence, depression, mental health.

ARC 📖 Review: Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)
Pub Date: October 14, 2025.

When I saw these two were collaborating on a book, I kept my eyes peeled for the chance to read it ASAP! Let me start off by saying yes, I LOVED this romance book, but it had so many other elements that kept me hooked. The mystery and paranormal aspects were chef’s kiss, and I felt like I was watching a movie while reading this one. Highly recommend checking it out!!

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

👻🐱🏡

When New York architect Tate Donovan arrives in Cape Cod to design his best friend’s summer home, he is hoping to make a fresh start. Recently discharged from an upscale psychiatric facility where he was treated for acute depression, he is still wrestling with the pain of losing his beloved sister. Sylvia’s deathbed revelation—that she can see spirits who are still tethered to the living world, a gift that runs in their family—sits uneasily with Tate, who struggles to believe in more than what reason can explain.

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