• The Best of Me

  • By: Nicholas Sparks
  • Narrated by: Sean Pratt
  • Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,287 ratings)

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The Best of Me  By  cover art

The Best of Me

By: Nicholas Sparks
Narrated by: Sean Pratt
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Publisher's summary

In this number one New York Times best-selling novel of first love and second chances, former high school sweethearts confront the painful truths of their past to build a promising future - together.

"Everyone wanted to believe that endless love was possible. She'd believed in it once, too, back when she was eighteen".

In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in their small town in North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.

Now, 25 years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back home for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined...and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew - about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear - was not as it seemed.

Forced to confront painful memories, the former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?

©2011 Nicholas Sparks (P)2011 Hachette

Featured Article: 10 Outstanding Contemporary Fiction Authors for Fans of Nicholas Sparks


Nicholas Sparks is a bestselling and widely beloved author of contemporary fiction—23 novels and counting! His stories about complicated relationships, unexpected love, loss, sacrifice, and rediscovery are written in a descriptive, emotional, and earnest style. There’s no other author exactly like Sparks, but if you’ve already made your way through his catalog and you’re looking for more listens of similar appeal, here are 10 other fiction authors you might enjoy.

What listeners say about The Best of Me

Average customer ratings
Overall
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    2,830
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Horribly depressing

I cannot believe I listened to this book all the way through. Mr. Sparks, I know every story doesn't have to have a happy ending but books are my entertainment. While you can weave quite a story. This is just too depressing. I found it unbelieveable long maybe it was just dragging me down. Narrator performance was very good.
I do not purchase or listen to books to be taken this far down emotionally.
If you are a NS fan, you will probably buy this as I did but I cannot recommend this book.

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78 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

5 Stars...but...

O.K. It is Nicholas Sparks...he is an amazing story teller. I gave the story 5 stars, which, in terms of story telling, it deserves. The Best of Me is quality writing, with outstanding character development, and storyline...but, I have to ask myself...did I come away with anything? The answer is an absolute "no", unless feeling depressed is something to brag about. On the one hand, I love the way he describes the characters and situations, although the ending was very predictable. Sean Prat has a great voice and does an amazing job of narration.
Nicholas Sparks will not be on my short list of books to purchase anymore...
Don't waste your credit - unless you are in the mood to feel basically hopeless...

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36 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Dear Audible, Never let me buy another NS book.

Typical Nicholas Sparks tearjerker, just more so. You can see the "shocking" ending from 100 pages away.

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I can't believe I am admitting this...

But, yes, I also listen to Nicholas Sparks occasionally. The story itself is vintage Sparks sappy, fairly predictable, made for movie. The narration is average, but it didn't stand up. Nothing particularly special about this book, but it was a good read.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • D
  • 12-15-11

A Downer

Would you try another book from Nicholas Sparks and/or Sean Pratt?

I certainly would try other books from Sparks, they are usually a little more inspiring than this one.

What was most disappointing about Nicholas Sparks’s story?

One sad event after another

Have you listened to any of Sean Pratt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I had not to my knowledge.

Was The Best of Me worth the listening time?

Oh I would say it was fine, just not great.

Any additional comments?

There really wasn't one happy event in the lives of the characters in this book. The overall theme was fine, intended to be happy, but individually it was a downer.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Boring!

The story line is weak and slow. The characters are not appealing. You really don't care what happens to them. I am 90% through with the book and have quit listening. The ending is now obvious and so ridiculous that I can't stand to listen to it. This book is sappy beyond belief. The narrator is just OK.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must read

I am a Nicholas Sparks fan, and love all of his books. This one was no exception. I could not put it down, what a wonderful, touching, and amazing story. You will not be disapointed.

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14 people found this helpful

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

Always Good

When I knew that Nicholas Sparks would be having his newest book released Oct. 11th, 2011 I could hardly wait! The wait was worth it, of course. He writes in a manner that keeps ones attention and always there is a twist that twinges the emotions, and this one doesn't fail to meet that.

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13 people found this helpful

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

SAPPY!!

What disappointed you about The Best of Me?

If you are looking for a predictable book this it ! Melo dramatic to the point I laughed out loud

What do you think your next listen will be?

Undaunted Courage

How could the performance have been better?

Better story line.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I had a few good laughs because it was so maudlin

Any additional comments?

Bad southern accents

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12 people found this helpful

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

Grab your tissues

The Best of Me will forever be one of the most emotional Nicholas Sparks books for me, next to A Walk to Remember and The Notebook. Just be prepared to go through a box of tissues while listening/reading this one.

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7 people found this helpful