This was a good read and I enjoyed the storyline and how it panned out. Only negative was I didn’t feel the romantic side, I didn’t buy into any Chemistry with the characters.

It has been a while since I read a Nicholas Sparks novel. This is a romantic love story that has a little bit of mystery thrown in too. Whilst I did like the book it did take me a little while to get into it, despite that I still enjoyed it and would recommend reading. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my Arc of this book!
I am a massive Nicholas Sparks fan and have loved reading his books as I have grown up so to be accepted to read this was very exciting for me!
I'm not sure whether I loved these years ago and now I'm older not as much or whether this one just wasnt like the others but I just didnt enjoy or engage with this book at all and I'm so disappointed!!
I liked Callie and Natalie but I just couldn't believe the role of Trevor and didnt warm to him at all! He seemed over obsessed with Natalie after only knowing her 2 weeks and the relationship just didnt seem believable to me.
All the details that were supposed to he a bit shocking I had already seen a mile off and it just seemed a bit predictable. I never got this feeling with Nicholas books before and always fell in love with the characters and believed their stories but this one just fell short for me.

Would love to hear what other people think of this one, whether its classic Nicholas or whether this one just doesnt match up to it?

I always enjoy Nicholas Sparks' novels. They are wholesome, uplifting and without swearing and sex - just good and engaging stories. I felt that this was a bit of a slow burner and the first half of the book didn't grab me as I had hoped. However, the story became much more interesting by the second half when the search was on to find Callie's family. I didn't warm to Natalie, the romantic leading lady and felt she was a little bit too distant and cold. I did learn quite a lot about bees and beekeeping which I quite enjoyed. The book cut off during the final chapter so I didn't get to read to the end sadly but overall a pleasant enough read but, for me, not the best when compared to his other work.

This is my very first Sparks novel, and although it wasn’t anything to write home about I’m sure it won’t be my last. I mean the book itself was fine and the story was nice, easy to follow and emotional at times; it wasn’t a rollercoaster story that made me want more.

It dealt with some tough topics such as an injured army vet suffering from PTSD; other mental illnesses; loss and the importance of family, but I wouldn’t say it hit home in any way. Trevor’s PTSD was only ever there in the background, it never came to anything throughout... and to be honest it could have been missed out entirely. I feel like Sparks could have went further and elevated this fully into something that would stay with the reader for a long time.

It was a very simply written book; which sometimes pays off! It’s my favourite kind of book that just follows a normal(ish) character through every day life and effectively demonstrates their struggles so a reader learns to empathise. But this didn’t do enough. I also found Trevor very creepy in the first half of the book; the way he was shown to pester Natalie and thought he was very charming- playing the game to try and win the woman. Even when she’s telling him to back off.

One aspect I truly loved was Trevor’s grandparents and his love of strays. Had the story mostly been about him and Callie then this would be a five star winner for me; as these should have been the main characters all along.

Maybe this is just how Sparks’ stories usually are? I don’t know. But I’m sure he’s written better.

Nicholas Sparks excels on the quirky, small-town feel with this book. He created some rather ordinary characters, at first glance uninteresting and at second glance, they were everything I wanted to read.

The protagonist Trevor, recovering veteran and retired doctor had a life that was secluded, involved focus on recovery, health and bees. Bees…honestly, I adored this aspect of the story, the foundation and focus it brought to all the characters in the book . And my favourite character? Trevor’s grandpa, what a man. Alongside Trevor, there were a small cast of characters and they were all interesting, especially Natalie and Callie.

This was a story of why a loved one died mid-adventure and what he was up to, who was Callie and why was she so closed up and why was Natalie the way she was. It was a tale cleverly woven together, I felt like I almost got there with some of my guesses but they were just out of reach. When the reveals came, I was all ‘oh my’.

I actually only acrued two cry counts for this Sparksy. I don’t cry easily at books but Sparks can usually eek out a little more from me. That said, I was glad not to be a weeping wreck.

THE RETURN was a generally enjoyable, quirky, small-town story with grief, illness, bees, romance and that signature lament. It was pretty wholesome and it left a good feeling on completion.

Thank you to Sphere, Little Brown UK for the early review copy.

Trevor never expected to be moving to North Carolina, to be taking up residence in the dilapidated cabin left to him by his late grandfather. But when he gets caught up in a mortar blast in Afghanistan he finds himself needing somewhere quiet to recuperate.

Even less expected is the sudden rush of feelings he has upon meeting local deputy sheriff, Natalie Masterson. But although she clearly reciprocates his feelings, there is something Natalie is determined to keep secret.

Further complicating his stay, is the presence of the strange teenager his grandfather seems to have befriended. Trevor hopes that Callie holds the answers to the mysterious circumstances of his grandfathers death. But Callie refuses to be forthcoming until a crisis triggers a race against time to discover the truth.


Surprisingly I’ve only read one other novel by Sparks, The Longest Ride, which absolutely blew me away. That was an emotional love story full of immersive descriptive prose, which leads me to wonder what went awry with this story.

The Return took a long while to get going, and whilst I am often fond of a saga this one just didn’t fulfil that style. The romance felt a little forced, it wasn’t believable and the all-consuming, one time love that Sparks’ has become renowned for was missing. The only part of the story that held any real emotion were Trevor’s memories of his grandfather, and the way he tended to the beehives in his honour.

All that being said, this wasn’t a bad or unreadable story. At no point did I find myself bored, or consider not finishing this book. It is probably perfect if you fancy a beach read with a little more going on, but it wasn’t the intense and lifelong love story we have come to expect from Nicholas Sparks.

I was so excited when my wish to read and review this new novel by Nicholas Sparks was granted through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Sphere. I have been a fan of his tender romances for what seems like forever, loving every single book that I have read. Thank you for sending me a copy. Sparks writes captivating stories that involve multiple threads and problems being solved leading to new beginnings being made. I read this spellbinding story in no time at all and for me this was a very good read.
The story starts when Trevor Benson arrives in New Bern, North Carolina to clear out the cabin his much loved Grandfather Carl Masterson has left to him having died in hospital some miles away from his property. Trevor, a military surgeon serving in Afghanistan, has returned to the States after a mortar explosion outside the hospital where he was working severely injures him. He has such fond memories of Grandad’s place from his boyhood when he loved nothing better than to help his grandad look after his hives of bees. At his new home he meets deputy sheriff Natalie Masterson who calls by to check on the property after frightening off a squatter and repairing the back door entrance. As soon as they meet he feels a fizz of attraction and so a friendship seems inevitable, especially as she seems drawn to him as well.
Trevor has also seen a surly teenager walking past his cabin. He learns that her name is Callie and that she used to have a very special friendship with Carl, indeed that she had secured herself a job upon his recommendation. He is intrigued to find out why his frail grandfather had journeyed so far away from his home, leading to his death in strange circumstances, so he decides to start an investigation of his own, hoping either Natalie or Callie would be able to help him clear up the mystery. He remembers his Grandfather’s laboured and incomplete last words from his deathbed. He senses that both Natalie and Callie have secrets that they are hiding from him as well as his Grandfather. This is the story of Trevor’s efforts to solve the riddles surrounding the two ladies and the words spoken with such ambiguity and urgency just before Granddad passed away.
Nicholas Sparks is a very popular and talented bestselling author. His research is amazingly detailed and full of interesting factual information. You learn new skills through his sharing of ideas. This novel features bee keeping information that is wondrous and totally fascinating. His story weaving is second to none. He tells his story evenly and with flair using intricate detail of settings, characterisation and natural beauty. Characters become like well-loved friends that you really care about, and his descriptions of the natural world are wonderful, creating vivid visual understanding. I love how the author describes the intricacies of relationships, both romantic and family and friendship. He is a real wordsmith, sensitive, compassionate and worldly wise. I loved the three story threads equally; Trevor’s, Natalie’s and lastly Callie’s. I loved the way he teased away at the various issues they had, all modern-day problems like PTSD, guilt and loyalty within marriage. His empathy never fails to impress me. He has the ability to draw you in and keep you interested and aware. I always admire the ways that he pulls the different story threads together, providing the reader with a satisfying ending. I recommend this novel as an involving and gorgeous read, well rounded off by the Epilogue.

Another great book from Nicholas Sparks. The characters are well rounded and the story will leave you thinking about what matters most in life.

This is an easy to read book. There’s no sex, violence or swearing.
For me it got going halfway through and I had guessed what was going to happen early in the book. Having said that, it was a pleasant read.

From start to finish, this was an excellent story that kept me intrigued and turning the pages. This book had a little bit of everything, mystery, romance, family dynamics, and more. The characters were well formed and believable and I really enjoyed reading Trevor's story. Callie was a huge character for me and I thought her storyline was superb and really well done. Natalie's story was heartbreaking and I'll be honest I shed some tears towards the end of this book.

Set in the small town of New Bern, Trevor has returned to his grandfather's house with the intention of repairing and selling it, while he moves on with creating a new life for himself after being injured in duty. He's also suffering from PTSD and can no longer work as a surgeon. While in New Bern he meets Natalie, the local law enforcement, and Callie the strange girl that lives up the road in the trailer park.

This book kept me engaged and the story had so much to love. I loved the romance, the heartache, the secrets, and the wonderful way everything fell into place.

This really is a fantastic story for all readers and it has a little something for everyone and I'm happy to give it my five star approval. I look forward to reading more of Sparks' books and seeing this one become another hit movie.

Another super story by Nicholas Sparks.

Nicholas Sparks takes you on a journey with each of the characters in this story. Trevor, Callie and Natalie each have their stories that intertwine in this amazing story.

Each story is believable, you want to know what happens to each of the characters. You feel empathy towards the characters and wish you could help during parts of the story.

Please have a sequel to this book, there is so much more I want to know about the characters and how their lives continue to develop.

I love story set in small-town American which I found fascinating. The characters were very well rounded and real and the settings kept me entertained with unusual nuggets of people's lives so different from mine.
I did find the pace a little slow but overall it's a lovely and touching story.

I'm going to admit to it, right here and right now. I absolutely love Nicholas Sparks. As someone who generally reads mostly thrillers, contemporaries and more recently, fantasy, this seems a little bit far fetched. Irrespective, I absolutely do. I love the way Nicholas Sparks books make me feel - I love the bubble of tragedy, romance and excitement that Nicholas throws me into with every chapter and I crave the ugly cry at the end. The Return by Nicholas Sparks was absolutely no exception to this - although it did come without ugly cry, maybe I've finally built up a Sparks sob tolerance.

The Return by Nicholas Sparks Book Review

The Return by Nicholas Sparks centres on Trevor, an ex-military doctor who has recently lost his grandfather to a stroke. He inherits his grandfather's cabin in New Bern, North Carolina. He's due to undertake a psychiatry residency at Johns Hopkins but returns to New Bern to get his grandfather's affairs in order - principally because his grandfather, aged 90, suffered his stroke on the side of the road in South Carolina - a good 10 hours drive from where he lived in New Bern. Trevor is concerned by the reasons for his grandfather's journey and sets upon a task to unravel what it was that made his grandfather drive this enormous distance before his untimely death. He meets Callie, a young girl who works nearby and who her grandfather had taken a particular fondness for. All the while investigation these confusing circumstances, Trevor meets local deputy sheriff Natalie and instantly falls for her. With Callie's evasiveness and Natalie's secrecy, Trevor has a lot to think about and figure out with regards to the two new women in his life.

Sparks has done it again with another fantastic romance

This book is a lot. We have road trips and road-side bombs and all sorts of other plot devices that aren't particularly unique but work so beautifully together. Trevor was stationed in Afghanistan, working as an orthopaedic surgeon, when a bomb hit the hospital just as he was leaving the building. He was seriously injured in the blast and suffered from PTSD as a result, Callie claims to be 19 years old, but appears otherwise and Natalie has secrets buried deep. I loved how the story unravelled, slowly but surely from a first person perspective - I loved how the characters all expressed such a love for Trevor's grandfather Carl and I particularly loved the scenes involving Carl's beloved beehives - I feel like I learnt a lot about bees just from this novel, which was an unexpected bonus.

My favourite ever Nicholas Sparks novel is The Guardian - by no means was The Return up there with The Guardian, but it was definitely a fantastic adventure through grief, love, unexpected events and secrets kept and shared.

This certainly drew me in, made me think that you have make the most of the time you have and don't forget about visiting family and friends before it's too late. I really liked the main characters. Definitely a recommendation from me

It is a long time since I read a Nicholas Sparks book and this one reminded me what a great writer he is. His writing is lovely and gentle ( a million miles away from the psychological thrillers I have been reading of late). The characters are so well described that I felt I knew them. Although some of the story was predictable, it didn't spoil it, and I loved the ending. As with this author's previous books, it would make a great film

Wow I haven't read a Sparks books in a while and had forgotten just how powerful his writing is. I start reading this at 10pm on Saturday night and finished by 1pm on Sunday with a few hours sleep in between. Such a beautiful book. Veteran Trevor moves back to his grandfather's home in New Bern upon his death to wrap up the house. There he meets the local deputy sheriff and is smitten. However she is an enigma, and hides a secret. All is not what it appears around his grandfather's death and a young teenage girl might hold some clues as to why his grandfather was miles away from home when he took sick and collapsed before his death. A moving story of love, loss and recovery that is totally enthralling. Cannot recommend enough. Sparks keeps getting better

I thoroughly enjoyed this new book by Nicholas Sparks. I had the pleasure of going to one of his talks back in 2018 and getting a signed copy of his then-new book, and follow his writing with much excitement still. I'm an Army medic so I was looking forward to the main character being a medic as well. This is a romance with a bit of mystery thrown in, and while quite predictable it's still a lovely story. Believable characters and a cute location! Thank you for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

If you like a good Romance with a bit of mystery thrown in, this is the book for you. I raced through it in a couple of days- it would be perfect for the beach if you are lucky enough to have a holiday this year.
Orthopaedic surgeon and veteran, Trevor Benson has been discharged from the army after being caught up in a bomb blast in Afghanistan. He has moved into his late Grandfather’s house in New Bern whilst waiting to start his new career, training as a psychiatrist.
Whilst in the small town he meets enigmatic and mysterious Natalie, a Police Deputy and their romance begins. However there is something she is not telling him and he also has the mystery of why his 91 year old Grandfather had driven miles away to a town he had no connection to and then died of a stroke there. Suffering from PTSD, Trevor gradually learns to live a more normal life and falls in love with Natalie but both Natalie and Trevor have their own demons to overcome if they have any hope of being together in the long term.
I enjoyed this gentle love story and had to keep picking the book up to find out if Trevor and Natalie ended up together. They certainly deserve to but in real life things do not always work out. Both were empathetic and well drawn characters who definitely touched me.
I’ve read a few other books by Nicholas Sparks and also seen a couple of films made from his novels and this was definitely in a similar vein to his previous books. It was a very enjoyable read which thoroughly entertained me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful, well written, and a believable cast of characters, it will pull on those heartstrings. I did enjoy the story and, whilst predictable, I’m glad it ended as it did.