The Best of Me

By: Nicholas Sparks

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

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 18".

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 Audio

Still find myself thinking of this book....

My all time preferred Nicholas Sparks. If this were a sport it would be a home run in my opinion. Loved the unique story line. The characters were so diverse and yet they came together well. Sean Pratt did a good job with the narration but for me the story was the hit.

I won't write too much to save the mystery for readers who have not bought this - well worth the price. Hated seeing it end.

Kudo's to Nicholas Sparks!

Great story, boring narrator.

What did you love best about The Best of Me?

The ending. I can usually guess the ending of a story, but this one through me completely.

What other book might you compare The Best of Me to and why?

Any of Sparks other books.

What aspect of Sean Pratt’s performance would you have changed?

He lacked real emotion when he was narrating. It made for a boring point of view when he was just reading and not portraying the characters.

Great story

As every Nicholas Sparks book The Best of me is another winner. It is a must read you will love it

Can you say tear jerker!!

It was a great story, an emotional roller coaster. Break out the Kleenex for this one.

Sarah B

Great love story
Couldn't stop listening
Will recommend to friends
Will probably listen again !
Buy this audible:)

Emotional

Wonderful story by NS. Lots of emotions and feelings of confliction knowing Amanda couldn’t have what she so desperately wanted.

Great Audile Book

I had read The Best of Me sometime ago. Enjoyed the audible version as well, as it prompted memories of what I had previously read.

Great listen,

Not my favorite

So out of all the Nicholas Sparks books, Dear John is still my favorite. I thought I would like this but I didn't. I couldn't stand the actors in the movie.

Excellent, Nicholas Sparks does it again!

I can't believe I had never read this book before or seen the movie! excellent storyline, excellent characters and excellent narrator! highly recommend this book! why would happen now? your wallet's right here if that's what you're looking for

The Best of Me... not the best

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would change the Narrator and the ending of this book. The book is too predictable.

Would you recommend The Best of Me to your friends? Why or why not?

I wouldn not, the story is not as romantic as I thought it would be and was looking for. The narration is boring and the ending is too predictable. It tries to give you too much story in 31 chapters, when they could have taken a bit more time to develop a good story line for you to fall in love with at least one of the characters.

Would you be willing to try another one of Sean Pratt’s performances?

If the story interests me, I would try it.

Did The Best of Me inspire you to do anything?

No. Only to write my opinion so that others know what they are getting into.

Any additional comments?

The story read like a country song. I was looking for a love story and I did not get any part of the love story, only bits of it. The idea of the story was good but not executed well. I finished it in one day. When I got to the last 5 chapters I already knew what the ending would be and I like a book that engages me from the beginning and surprises me at the end. I did not care for any of the characters.After all those years apart, I thought we would have more romance and more story of the two characters but it barely goes there. I think you should rather watch the movie...By the way why do all the Nicholas Sparks books end in death, I don't understand?