Nicholas Sparks is one of the most well-known authors of modern literature because of his grasp of romance and his ability to write gripping tales. Choosing the best of his 23 published novels—all of which have been verified New York Times bestsellers—is an impossible undertaking that is sure to leave out some magnificent works of literature that are well worth reading. But we took it upon ourselves to rank the best Nicholas Sparks books out there.
So, while it may seem like an impossible task to choose which Nicholas Sparks book to read, you’re in luck. StudyFinds consulted 10 expert websites to write this list of the best Nicholas Sparks books of all time to read next. Our list is based on which titles were recommended most across our research. Tell us which one is your favorite – or which ones you plan on reading next – in the comments below.
The List: Best Nicholas Sparks Books, According to Experts
1. “A Walk to Remember”
Nicholas Sparks is well-known for his book “A Walk to Remember,” which is set in North Carolina, like many of his novels. It narrates the tale of a senior in high school who develops romantic feelings for a girl whom he and his friend used to tease. Shortform raves, that readers will find this story unforgettable and magical.
One of the first and best novels by Nicholas Sparks, “A Walk to Remember,” combines the heartbreaking storytelling he is known for with the innocent sweetness of a first love. According to Straw Poll, the book has been made into a popular film and is adored by a large number of readers.
In the story, the main character of the book, Landon Carter, is an elderly man who recalls his final year of high school in 1958. At the time, he was a rough-and-tumble student who fell in love with the town’s Baptist minister’s beautiful daughter. Book Scouter calls it “a bittersweet tale of young romance.”
2. “The Last Song”
In “The Last Song,” Ronnie, an angry adolescent from New York City, and her brother must spend the summer at their father’s home in a tiny Southern hamlet. Her pals are all in New York, and she is a young, gifted pianist who is about to enroll in the Julliard music school. Book Scouter says that “Although it is considered one of the best Nicholas Sparks books, ‘The Last Song’ is quite the atypical novel in his collection.”
Nowadays, “The Last Song” is most recognized for being the film in which Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, the former A-list pair, initially connected and fell in love. Hemsworth portrays Will, a well-liked local in his Georgia beach town who works at the aquarium and develops feelings for Ronnie, while Cyrus plays Ronnie. Business Insider points out that when it comes to a Nicholas Sparks book, there has to be some sort of tragedy. We won’t spoil it for you.
Although it features a wonderful love story, it is almost secondary to the main tale about family love. “The Last Song” is a romantic novel that is highly recommended to readers who enjoy reading about deep emotions and real-life issues. Whether you’re a teenage girl going through personal struggles in your family or you’re just searching for a touching tale that will make you both laugh and cry, this book delivers, according to Book Wormera.
3. “Dear John”
In the novel “Dear John,” Savannah, a talented college student, and young soldier John fall in love. But since John is stationed abroad and they can only communicate via letter, their romance is in jeopardy.
When their partners meet someone else after they are gone, military personnel stationed overseas typically receive break-up letters referred to as “Dear John letters.” Nicholas Sparks takes the idea and turns it into an award-winning book that is both sad and sweet. Book Scouter places it at number three in their list of the best Nicholas Spark’s books as well.
The use of the letters to tell the story of “Dear John” is one of its distinctive features. The letters provide the reader a glimpse into the character’s emotions and ideas, which personalizes and intimates the narrative. Book Wormera also notes the subplot that involves an elderly man named Ira Levinson and his wife Ruth.
4. “The Notebook”
“The Notebook” tells the tale of Allie and Noah. Like many of Sparks’ books, it follows two young people in love who come from different worlds, and therefore face challenges to stay together. Due to their disparate backgrounds, they are forced to part ways after spending the summer together. Before leaving for battle, Noah writes her letters that she never gets.
Being one of Nicholas Sparks’ best-known books and the subject of a successful movie adaptation, this is definitely one of the most read novels by the author. Straw Poll describes it as a couple’s enduring love portrayed over several decades.
Perhaps his best-known work, “The Notebook,” is Nicholas Sparks’ first book to be published. It is difficult to find someone who is not familiar with this work, in part because of the hugely popular movie starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling.
5. “Safe Haven”
In “Safe Haven,” Katie is a woman wishing to start over as she relocates to a little town in North Carolina in his 2010 love story. Her tumultuous history makes it difficult for her to love and trust people now. However, everything changes when she falls in love with Alex, a charming widower. Shortform calls it “a captivating love story filled with suspense and mystery.”
As its name would suggest, “Safe Haven” tackles themes of safety and hope in opposition to danger, misery, and despair. Although the book adheres to Sparks’ model, it adds a little edge. Book Scouter describes it as “a suspense thriller with an eerie atmosphere.”
The book is set in the beauty and charm of New Bern, North Carolina, where the story is set. You will not stop turning the pages of this heartwarming tale of love, grief, and redemption until the very end. Book Wormera says it is a must-read for fans of Nicholas Sparks and anyone who loves a good romance novel with a twist.
6. “The Choice”
“The Choice” by Nicholas Sparks centers on two very different young people, Travis and Gabby. Travis is a laid-back party animal who has no intention of settling down. However, Gabby is searching for precisely that. Their peculiar friendship is put to the test when she moves in next door to him. Good Reads says, “The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heart wrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?”
In the first section of the book, Gabby has to choose between continuing her relationship with her long-term partner Kevin and taking a chance on Travis. Although readers will instantly cheer for Gabby and Travis’s romance, their choice will not be made lightly. In Part Two, Travis has to make a choice that will change his and Gabby’s lives forever. According to A Love So True the book contains, “Love triangles, enemies to lovers, dogs, and of course hard choices.”
All the best elements of a Nicholas Sparks novel are present in “The Choice:” a story of a man and a woman who fall in love, a heart-wrenching plot twist, and multiple heart-stopping scenes that will make you reach for a fresh pack of tissues. What more can you really ask for?
7. “The Best of Me”
In “The Best of Me,” the narrative centers on Dawson and Amanda, two old high school sweethearts who, on a somber occasion, return to their birthplace in North Carolina. Shortform says, “former high school sweethearts confront the painful truths of their past to build a promising future—together.”
The catalyst for this reunion is a trip back to their hometown for the funeral of a close friend who played a significant role in their lives. As Dawson and Amanda reconnect, their old feelings resurface. However, they both have lives and responsibilities that they built in the years they were apart. The story explores the challenges of rekindling a past love while facing the complexities of the present.
Throughout the novel, themes of first love, enduring connection, and the impact of the past on the present are central. The story is recounted from both Dawson and Amanda’s points of view, and there are also flashbacks to their adolescent years. Tuck Hostetler, a sage old man who mentors both Dawson and Amanda, is one of the book’s most endearing characters. Book Wormera hails it as a “touching story about the power of love and second chances.”
Sources:
- Shortform
- Straw Poll
- Book Scouter
- Business Insider
- Book Wormera
- A Love So True
- Good Reads
- Worlds Best Story
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