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Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite
"The Best Of Me" by Nicholas Sparks
This is a review of the audiobook.
Nicholas Sparks always amazes me. Most books concentrate or emphasize the emotions of the female. However, Sparks successfully develops and demonstrates the emotions of his male characters as well. In "The Best Of Me" Sparks shares a love story.
Dawson was born into the Cole family, yet he was different. The Coles were violent. The whole town was afraid of them. Dawson managed to find a type of sanctuary at Tuck's Garage. It didn't stop the Coles from demanding money and threatening him.
Dawson and Amanda were deeply in love despite her parent’s disapproval. He loved her enough to know he must let her go. After serving 4 years in prison due to a fatal car accident, he got a job on an oil rig in the Gulf. Guilt badgered Dawson. He held himself responsible for the death of a young father. Tucker's lawyer contacted Dawson to return to Oriental, NC, upon Tuck's death. Tucker had a plan that was put in motion. Amanda and Tucker were reunited after years apart. Would the lovers be torn apart again? Would Amanda follow her heart or responsibilities? Would AB and Ted achieve the revenge they desired?
I've purposely tried to be vague and only tempt you with the plot. In my opinion this is the best book Sparks has written to date. He just keeps getting better. The reader, Sean Pratt, does an excellent job! Whether Sparks made a mistake or Pratt misread a name, I am unsure; but I did notice that one time instead of AB and Ted waiting for him, we see "Tuck and Ted were waiting on him." There was one other mistake: an annual plant only lives one year, while a perennial returns every spring. Black eyed Susans and Queens Lace as well as several other wildflowers mentioned are perennials, not annuals. I realize that it is a minor point but it did catch my attention.
The characters are magnificently drawn. It was easy to dislike all the Coles except Dawson. Dawson and Amanda played well together. It was delightful to share their love, to watch the sparks reignite. Tuck and Clare's love is the type all women want to experience. Sparks is a master at characterization. With each book he just keeps getting better.
