This was such a beautiful, heartbreaking love story. It started off a bit slow, but honestly, I think that made it hit even harder. You really sit in the mmc’s emotions—that kind of numb, heavy feeling after loss—and as the story goes on, it’s like you’re healing with him. The way it shows all the different ways people cope and slowly come back to themselves felt so real. And I wasn’t expecting the touch of mystery, but it added something really special.

Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This tale is both uplifting and sad. Dealing with loss but hope for the future. Hope for relationships but death makes it unclear. This novel certainly was a bit confusing at the beginning and didn’t keep my attention as it felt like storylines were unclear and overlapping. Maybe it was to mimic the thought process but challenge to complete. DNF.

I hadn’t read Nicholas Sparks in many years, but he was one of my favorites growing up. I saw the collab with M. Night Shyamalan and was very excited for this story! Although it was an easy read, I ended up being somewhat disappointed by the final product. It seemed fairly predictable and even a little cheesy. If you’re a Nicholas Sparks fan, you should still give it a try! 3.5 stars for me, rounded up to 4.

I enjoyed this novel, a departure from Sparks’ usual romance genre. The added supernatural elements were gradual and spooky, with a whodunnit mystery to be solved. The supporting characters in this novel, mainly Oscar and his wife, helped ground it given the protagonists experience with Wren, someone very abnormal! Pacing was perfect, I was never bored and nothing was rushed. Highly recommended!

I have always enjoyed Nicholas Spark’s novels and this one I really liked because of the supernatural aspect. I’d love to see Nicholas Sparks delve deeper into this genre and maybe Into horror itself

Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan are the Dream Team we never knew we needed. This collaboration was phenomenal, and I hope they write more together.

If you're a bit of a weenie ( I'm looking at you, @devin.reads ) then I am going to caution you about some of the content. There are scenes (especially when Tate needs to be in bed) that freaked ME out, and it's nearly impossible to scare me so much I'm looking over my shoulder at night. You definitely know when M. Night Shyamalan enters the room, and it's FANTASTIC.

Then Nicholas Sparks shows up and rips my heart out in the most beautiful way. This may be my favorite love story he's ever written.

I thought I knew who the antagonist was, and I was very wrong. Bonus points for that too. I was legitimately sad when I finished. I woke up yesterday morning missing Tate and Wren and wanted to read more.

I started this book with high hopesI really hoped I'd love this book. I'm a sucker for Nicholas Sparks and M. Night movies, so I thought it would be perfect with love and ghosts. The first few chapters were a bit slow, but then I was hooked. I'm totally recommending it to my friends.. J love Nicolas Sparks books and M Night's movies. I thought it would be the perfect book with love and ghosts. The first five chapters were a little slow but after that I flew though the book. I definitely will be recommending it to my friends.

When I saw that M.Night and Nicholas did a collaboration? Like what??? This would be absolutely crazy and sure was in the best way!! Loved it!!

This book was sooo good! I was so intrigued with the combo of Nicholas sparks and M night shyamalan!

It’s the perfect mix of love story from sparks and Erie paranormal suspense from shyamalan.

Tate and wren meet in cape cod and the story follows Wrens twists as Tate is drawn closer to her and wanting to figure out her secrets.

Highly recommend’

Thank you to NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review. This was an interesting merging of two respected men with very distinct genres. Nicholas Sparks is known best for his rugged romance books, many making their way to the big screen, The Notebook, definitely making the largest impression upon us. And M. Night Shyamalan best known as a visionary film maker. The Sixth Sense, The Village and The Happening are three films that I will never forget. And yet to see these two men "paired" up in a book sense, intrigued me. What we have here is a ghostly love story. I'm rather ambivalent about the end result. The writing was mediocre. The story line wasn't even that original nor that romantic or intriguing. Mostly, I found the book to be mostly ho-hum sadly. I did enjoy the friendship between the main character and the brother sister relationship.

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.

Huge thank you to NG and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts!

When I heard there was a new book co-written by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, I was stoked to read it. I love the twists in Shyamalan’s films, and have enjoyed several of Sparks’ film adaptations (most notably, The Notebook and A Walk to Remember). Remain is billed as “A Supernatural Love Story,” and at its heart, I believe this to be half true. It’s certainly supernatural. Is it a love story, though? Only if you can fall in love with someone you’ve met a handful of times over the course of a week. I’d say this falls closer to the mystery genre. It’s a slow-unfolding Who Done It wrapped in the guise of a love story.

The premise of the story was a lot of fun. This is where Shyamalan’s influence is really felt, though there were certain other details I felt certain came from him as well. I enjoyed Tate as a narrator, even if his character was sometimes irritating. He would rather send out his laundry than learn to use the machine in his house. I suppose this was meant to make him endearing: he’s a child of wealthy socialites, so he never learned basic housework. Instead, it makes him hard to relate to, but these small details help the reader to understand him and the choices he makes.

A glaring flaw to this book was that it does not pass the Bechdel test. I noticed this at less than 20% of the way into my reading, and unfortunately, it was never proven wrong. The women we do get are stereotypical at best. Tate’s best friend’s wife, for example, is portrayed as the nagger. She doesn’t let her husband eat what he wants, instead forcing salads on him. There are a total of six named women in the novel, and half of them are deceased before the story starts. At this point in his career—a career in which he is known for writing romance novels—Sparks should be better at fleshing out women.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good ghost story, though it’s not fully satisfying. There are a few plot points that never reach resolution and a few questions that go unanswered, but it is a quick read and a way to pass the the time. You’ll likely enjoy this book more if you aren’t a woman, but it is what it is.

Loved it! I will admit at first I was a little apprehensive due to the M Night connection, as I am not a fan of horror and so forth. This book will make you think...and wonder about the afterlife and what might really be the case. It is very typical Nicholas Sparks, with some new aspects thrown in. It was a book I could not put down, and read through quickly!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the chance to read this ARC!

Remain follows the story of New York architect Tate Donovan as he arrives in Cape Cod to design his best friend’s summer home. Recently released from a psychiatric facility where he was treated for depression, Tate is still struggling with the deep sorrow of losing his cherished sister, he is looking for a new start. Before passing,Sylvia’s reveals that she can see spirits still connected to the living. Tate has a hard time believing this until the house he is renting while working on his friend's summer house has an unexpected guest!

I wasn't sure what to expect when blending two contrasting styles like Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, but they truly excelled with this collaboration! "Remain" has it all! It weaves together mystery, love, friendship, supernatural elements, and an overall captivating narrative! I felt a whirlwind of emotions and couldn't put this book down! The character development and the book's pacing were both outstanding! This is definitely one of my top reads of the year!

Five freaking stars!!!!

The moment I saw that Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan had joined forces I was so excited!!

This book took Sparks passion and Shyamalan's creativity to a whole new level.

Tate inherits a special gift from his sister and once his paths cross with Wren, they have an immediate connection but neither know why.

This book was so incredibly written and one that I most definitely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

I'm a fan of Nicholas Sparks and M Night Shyamalan so I had high expectations for his book. I was sadly disappointed by this. It was well written but it was very boring. There were some twists but they were quite predictable. This book would be decent for the fall and kind of a mindless read. I liked the supernatural aspect and it had some eerienessI but not enough. I would recommend it to people but it wasn't for me.

Book Review: Remain by Nicholas Sparks & M. Night Shyamalan

I was honored to receive an advance copy of Remain, the highly anticipated collaboration between Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan. From the very beginning, I could sense a different vibe—something that set this book apart from Sparks’ previous works.

It was clear early on that this wasn’t just another love story. M. Night Shyamalan brought his signature sense of mystery and darkness, weaving in eerie undertones that kept me on edge. At the same time, Nicholas Sparks stayed true to what he does best: crafting a heartfelt, emotional love story set against the backdrop of a small town. The combination of their styles worked in surprising and compelling ways.

The result is a book that feels both familiar and entirely new. It’s romantic, haunting, and deeply emotional, with unexpected twists that elevate the story to something unforgettable. Sparks and Shyamalan stayed true to their strengths while creating something that neither could have accomplished alone.

If you're a fan of either author—or both—you won’t want to miss this one.
Thank you NetGalley

Thank you netgalley and penguin random house for allowing giving me a advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! When you put two great minds together, like nicholas sparks and m night Shyamalan, a master peice is bound to come out. This duo makes you think it wouldnt work together but i think people will be suprised with how well it flows easily. They blended two worlds together effortlessly. There were so many times I wanted to hug the main characters. I love how beautiful and flowy the writing was. It was easy to read but with a deep message.

Thank you to Nicholas Sparks, M. Night Shaymalan, NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC!

I was intrigued that a beloved author and film writer came together for this book. I don’t read a lot of supernatural books, but was enthralled with this one. I enjoyed the mystery aspect and the romance.

I absolutely love Nicholas sparks books. They are full of love and heart break. Now bring M.Night Shyamalan into the mix and it creates a suspenseful novel. Perfect!