• A Bend in the Road

  • By: Nicholas Sparks
  • Narrated by: L.J. Ganser
  • Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,345 ratings)

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A Bend in the Road  By  cover art

A Bend in the Road

By: Nicholas Sparks
Narrated by: L.J. Ganser
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Publisher's summary

Miles Ryan's life seemed to end the day his wife was killed in a hit-and-run accident two years ago. Missy had been his first love, and Miles fervently believes she will be his last. As a deputy sheriff in the North Carolina town of New Bern, Miles Ryan not only grieves for Missy, but longs to bring the unknown driver to justice.

Then Miles meets Sarah Andrews. The second grade teacher of his son Jonah, Sarah had left Baltimore after a difficult divorce to start over in the gentler surroundings of New Bern. Perhaps it is her own emotional wounds that make her sensitive to the hurt she first sees in Jonah's eyes, and then his father's. Tentatively, Sarah and Miles reach out to each other. Soon, they are both laughing for the first time in years...and falling in love.

Neither will be able to guess how closely linked they are to a shocking secret - one that will force them to question everything they ever believed in...and make a heartbreaking choice that will change their lives forever.

©2001 by Nicholas Sparks (P)2001 by Time Warner AudioBooks

Featured Article: Fall in Love with the Very Best Nicholas Sparks Books


Nicholas Sparks is a prolific writer who has written more than 20 best-selling books. While all of his stories offer heartfelt and engaging narratives, with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. Based on popularity, accolades, and listener reviews, we’ve cultivated the following list of listens that represent the very best of Nicholas Sparks. Start with this delicious dozen, and then check out the rest of his stirring, unforgettable works.

What listeners say about A Bend in the Road

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Hard not to feel superior to the characters

This is a book about a man having to come to terms with his beloved wife's death when courting a new sweetheart. The beginning of the book is as charming as Mr. Sparks' other novels, with realistic, interesting characters and settings. The exposition of the romance is slow and very predictable, but it is done with a tenderness and vulnerability that, as much as you've seen it over and over, is hard not to like.

The second part of the novel deals with some conflict and crisis that, without divulging the details, I found very tedious. The conflict was entirely self-created by the main character who acted so closed minded, petty and frankly stupid that it was difficult to find any empathy or even common ground with him. If you have a great deal of trouble with forgiveness of even small silly actions, and if you like to jump to ridiculous conclusions based on minimal facts, then you may find this plot sympatico. I found myself just wanting to shake some minimal sense into him. It was like watching teenagers whose lives need to be full of drama. With middle aged characters, I just felt sorry for them that they hadn't learned any more of life growing up. A Walk to Remember was a vastly better book by this author.

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33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

I Wanted It To Be Over

As another reviewer stated, the main character's behavior was disturbing in a grown man. I couldn't wait to reach the end of the book because I didn't like this person, and as I suspected, everything turned out fine and dandy for him...no consequences. I thought Sarah should have taken a good look at this man and run in the opposite direction.

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32 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Bend in the Road

My intent was to listen only while commuting to and from work, a time of about 30 minutes each way. After the first thirty minutes, I was unable to stop listening. This story was so very compelling, filled with love, hate, fear and excitment. Well narrated, although I would have preferred Michael Beck as the narrator.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Bend in the Road

This was the first audio book I listened to and I haven't found one that compairs to it. I work out of my car and have now ventured to the realm of audio books. I enjoyed the book and found myself sitting in the garage to listen to it a few minutes more. I highly recomend listening to it if you get a chance.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A tender Story

I enjoyed this title because the characters were pleasant, the story simple and because it didn't focus on judges, police lawyers and criminal element like many modern novels. This is a good love story. Without spoiling the story, I can say I'd recommend the book as a delightful listen.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting

Hmmm...what to say. I purchased this audio a month before I could actually get thru it. I had a hard time with the beginning. It was a compelling story and I found it eventually interesting. It was a bit slow and predictable. I will probably enjoy it better with a 2nd listen.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

i love your books. recommendedable.

I love this book and all your books. I even love it more than the movies, because it gives more detail. your amazing keep up the good work. and I hope you never run out of ideas. bless you

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another great book by Nicholas Sparks

I am never let down by the stories from Mr. Sparks. They are always fresh, just sit back and enjoy stories. Thank you.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. I think this book is a great representation of his work.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed it

This is one of the first books that I have listened to and thoroughly enjoyed it. Am looking forward to listeneing to more of Nicholas Sparks' books.

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3 people found this helpful