This book was definitely not normal Nicholas Sparks, but that should be expected knowing he wrote it with M. Night Shyamalan. It took me a bit to get hooked by the story, but I knew I needed to know how it ended. Overall, the end was full of twists and turns I didn't see coming and I liked how it ended.

The character development of our MC Tate is strong and relatable. I enjoyed the elements of mental health awareness as well. The mystery factor of Wren's character added a different feel as well, but I enjoyed her character and thought it was well written.

If you are up for trying something new, give this a shot! Don't expect typical Nicholas Sparks, but if you have an open mind for something new, pick this one up!

This book was such a great read! Perfect for “spooky season.” Had a little bit of romance, a little bit of suspense, a dash of paranormal, and a murder mystery aspect to it. I think it would make a great movie 😂

I have never read anything but Nicholas Sparks but after seeing that he wrote this with M. Night Shyamalan I was really intrigued! I really enjoyed it overall and I would love if they wrote more together. I always like a paranormal thriller but I also liked that there was a tad bit of romance in it as well, it helped to balance out some of the more intense parts. I would recommend it!

I was hoping for more with this book considering the authors. It just seemed to be a typical “ghost” story with nothing twisty about it.

How cool! Sparks and Shyamalan book! I enjoyed reading this in the summer time and was hooked the whole way through.

I knew going into this book I was going to love it. As a fan of both Sparks and Shyamalan films, I was curious to see how they would come together to create a novel. For the first 1/3 of the book, I was definitely I confused but that was the point, I couldn’t figure out what was happening in the story. I have to admit, it’s refreshing to read a thriller that isn’t the same old story repeated and therefore I didn’t know what was coming next. The “spooky” scenes were definitely making me a little nervous! The romance is a SLOW BURN and a sweet one. I really enjoyed the life lesson tangled within this book.

I don’t want to give too much away but I think any reader who is a fan of both authors would enjoy this book. As well as any thriller/paranormal readers.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for allowing me the chance to read the ARC.

I was so excited to be given an opportunity read and review an advance copy of this book. We I saw a collaboration between Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, I was instantly intrigued and instantly interested. It had the perfect blend of romance but there were also parts that had me not want me to read at night with the lights off. It had me rooting for the couple throughout the story even though you know a HEA is unlikely giving their current living situations but you were rooting for them anyway. I loved it.

Remain is what happens when an author doesn’t tie themselves down to rules and tropes, ultimately resulting in an unpredictably stand-out novel.

This book was the perfect marriage of Shyamalan’s otherworldly tones, and Sparks’ heart-wrenching romantic themes.

At times it read like a thriller and at others it read like a suspenseful paranormal mystery, all while love remained the beating heart beneath the story.

This book feels like Sparks got his “spark” back, truly. Even the epilogue got to me.

(Booktok review coming)

I absolutely loved this book! I have never read a Nicholas Sparks book before so I had no idea what I was going into with this book but I could not have imagined how amazing this story was! I knew to expect some romance but I was not expecting to be so scared, but we have M. Night Shyamalan for that! I highly recommend this book to any reader whether you like romance, horror, or neither because this book has something for everyone! I cannot wait to tell people all about it!!!!

Thank you NetGalley & Random House for an advanced reader copy!

Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan are mixing things up with a little romance paired with a supernatural thriller.
Tate Donavan is an architect struggling with the loss of his sister, Sylvia. At the urging of his best friend, Oscar he voluntary checks himself into a psychiatric facility. Upon his release he goes to Cape Cod to design a summer home for Oscar's family. He stays at a historic inn where he meets Wren. He instantly is attracted to her, but then finds out that Wren is no longer living and he is spending time with her in ghost form. Each night he sees Wren in a different form, one at the time of her death. Throughout the book Tate tries to solve the mystery of Wren's death by exploring motives of several suspects. I'd love to see this one play out on screen. 3.5 rounded to 4

“Remain” by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan was an interesting read, though not my favorite. The character development stood out as a strong point, making the story engaging on a personal level. The plot was well-crafted and the setting atmospheric, both contributing to a compelling narrative. However, despite these strengths, the book just didn’t quite hit the spot for me. It’s worth reading for anyone who appreciates good storytelling, but it didn’t fully resonate with my taste.

#thankyounetgalley

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

As soon as this one popped up, i knew i had to go for it! M Night and Nicholas? Yes please! It was something i didnt expect, as these are two very different story tellers, but i loved this.

This was so well written, and was a great touch of supernatural meets romance meets twists and self reflection. It really gave us everything that you could want. Wren broke my heart, and Tate was a great main character. I felt like i was in the story with them, and couldnt put this down.

Highly recommend as a good summer read for anyone who is wanting that touch of thriller but something that still has heart.

Tate is an architect from New York City grieving the loss of his beloved sister, Sylvia. He travels to Cape Cod to design his friend Oscar's summer home. He stays at a nearby home so he can work. While there, a beautiful woman, Wren, is also waiting. They talk, drink wine, and play games.



The problem is that Wren was murdered in the home. But no one was convicted of the crime. So Tate likes this woman, but she is not real. She is a ghost. Tate and Oscar begin to investigate the night of the murder, which occurred the same night as the music festival. As the story moves, there are possible suspects. As the anniversary of the murder approaches, danger for Tate increases. This book
kept me on the edge of my seat. This book is a book about the paranormal and mystery, intertwined with a touching love story.

I was intrigued and excited about the collaboration between these two authors. The story was well written, and I started out feeling hopeful that Tate would find love and healing after the death of his sister and time spent at a psychiatric facility--which ultimately, he does. However, things quickly became so strange and predictable (with a murder mystery thrown in about half-way through) that I struggled to stay invested. I found it hard to believe that Tate's best friend Oscar would so easily go along with everything that was going on, including being so willing to help solve the alleged murder. The plot seemed very formulaic and contrived, and everything was just too convenient. I had high hopes, but was ultimately disappointed and confused. 2.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the advanced digital copy of this book.

I enjoyed this book and Tates journey with his sisters videos and discovering the unknown. I might read more from these authors again.

2.5 stars: I was so excited about this Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan collaboration, but I was completely let down. The plot felt chaotic and overdone. The twists left me disappointed, and what could’ve been eerie and mind-bending turned into a predictable mess. I feel that the ending fell short of my expectations of such well known authors/writers. I expected chills, got frustration instead. Hoping that maybe the movie version will redeem it.

Thank you Net Galley for the arc of this book.

In classic Nicholas Sparks fashion, "Remain" delivers a love story that is as heartfelt as it is emotional. The story begins with Nate, grieving the loss of his sister and struggling to heal after leaving a psychiatric facility. His close friend invites him to help design a new vacation home on a seaside bluff. While staying at a nearby historic inn, Nate meets Wren - the former owner of the property - and an unlikely friendship blossoms into a bond that ultimately brings Nate the solace and healing he desperately needs.

When I first learned that Nicholas Sparks would be teaming up with M. Night Shyamalan, I was intrigued but also a bit skeptical - especially since the story dips into paranormal territory. This is not my usual genre, but I was pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly the romance and supernatural elements intertwined. Sparks' trademark emotional depth pairs beautifully with Shyamalan's atmospheric tension, making this an unexpectedly compelling read. I highly recommend Remain to fans of Nicholas Sparks, readers of paranormal romance, or anyone open to a love story with a mysterious twist. It's a unique collaboration that completely won me over.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. "Remain" releases October 14th, 2025 - mark your calendars!

As a long time Nicholas Sparks reader when I saw the authors and the description of this book I knew I had to jump on the chance to read it early and I was not disappointed! This book was true to Sparks nature and his wonderful talent of showing love grow while adding in a little mystery. It’s a perfect book for when you want a little something more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

Two authors at two very different ends of the spectrum makes for a very out of box experience. Overall, I wanted to love this because I find Shyamalan to be either really great or a little too creepy but good and who doesn't love a good gut wrench with Nicholas Sparks. The read was decent, not without flaws but overall still a good story.

There were some lagging moments where I had to force myself to push thru but I enjoyed the journey for the most part.

Remain is a supernatural romance novel that explores the boundaries of love, loss, and the possibility of something more beyond our comprehension. 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 where he meets Wren, a mysterious small town girl who may or may not be more than she seems. It’s eerie, romantic and a little philosophical.

I was really excited about this book but unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into it. The author combination sounds wonderful in theory, but this one didn’t hit the mark for me. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.