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  • The Best of Me

  • By: Nicholas Sparks
  • Narrated by: Sean Pratt
  • Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,327 ratings)

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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
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Pulls at you heart strings...

Very nice story. A little too touching to listen to at work. Keep Kleenex nearby.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Keep Tissues Handy

For me, Nicholas Sparks, has done it again. I know not everyone is a fan of a romance novel, but the author combines so many other things into his stories that it becomes a romance on a much higher level. I didn’t give it much thought when I started the boook(as an audiobook)that it might not end the way I wanted it to, but true to Mr. Sparks history he ended it the way he wanted and that caused me to use a lot of Kleenex. I love the story line, the characters, the location and everything about this book.
If you are a Nicholas Sparks fan and want a good cry pick this one up right now. You’ll be so happy you did.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Heart Wrenching

loved it ... another great book. Relatable and heart breaking and full of love on so many levels..

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Another great Nicholas Sparks book

If you could sum up The Best of Me in three words, what would they be?

Love, Destiny, Family

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Best of Me?

Amanda and Dawson walking through the field of wildflowers in front of Tuck's cabin

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

I don't think I have listened to any of Sean Pratt's recordings.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

While I was able to predict the ending, the book kept my attention with the romance between Dawson and Amanda, and the choices that Dawson and Amanda had to make. The characters really came to life for me.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful story

Beautiful love story. Thank you so much for sharing this with me and everyone who has had that deep love in their lives.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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still very good book

loved it but it did leave me feeling indifferent. would read again though. good enough

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Nicolas, you never cease to amaze me!

Beautifully written! I love the unabridged versions, they add so many more layers to the story!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Nicholas Sparks BEST!!

What made the experience of listening to The Best of Me the most enjoyable?

This is my favorite N. Sparks so far!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Best of Me?

The strong love connection that they carried over the years!

Any additional comments?

Love love love!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

Couldn't put it down - the narrator's voice for Dawson sounded much like Elvis Presley - it was wonderful.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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OMG

I laughed, cried, celebrated, had hope it would end as many do. But this one pulls the full realm of emotions. Read this book.

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