In a world where we hear so much about divorce, it's refreshing to find a couple that wants to rekindle their romance.

In some ways, this book reminded me of "Fireproof" (though with less religiousness).

I've read enough Nicholas Sparks to know he usually has a twist in his stories--and this one does have that. I guessed right on when it would happen but wrong on how it would happen.

I don't agree with Jane's original idea (as a believer) to marry Wilson (then an unbeliever) because she was convinced he would eventually become a believer (he did). In fiction, where authors can control the characters, that's fine. In real life, it's riskier. You'd have to be prepared in case the other person never chose to believe.

I also don't subscribe to the people coming back as animals idea that Noah believes. (That part is not in "Fireproof" for those that were wondering.)

I found this book on the sale shelf at the library. Knowing I've enjoyed other Nicholas Sparks titles, I decided to purchase it. ( )

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Romance

Asnjë martesë nuk është perfekte. Por Wilson Lewis ka përpara syve të tij përjashtimin që vërteton rregullin: vjehrri i tij Noah Calhoun, historia prekëse e dashurisë së të cilit u tregua në "The Pages of Our Lives". Tani, në moshën e mesme dhe përballë perspektivës së dasmës së vajzës së tij, Wilson reflekton mbi marrëdhënien e tij me gruan e tij Jane. Kështu ai zbulon se ajo është e pakënaqur dhe për të gjithë është faji i saj. Tani ajo papritmas i duket e largët, ndoshta e paarritshme. Gjithçka që ai duhet të bëjë është të përdorë urtësinë e Noes për të rifituar Xhejnin dhe për të rizbuluar sharmin e ditëve të para. Një roman që tregon se si miqësia është një mundësi e vazhdueshme për të përjetuar magjinë e atij "normaliteti të jashtëzakonshëm" që është dashuria.

I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan, so I may be somewhat biased as I review this book. THE WEDDING is the sequel to THE NOTEBOOK, the love story of Noah and Allie: a love that almost didn't happen. Now, in THE WEDDING, we meet the next two generations of family members, and a somewhat complex story is told.
Noah is now living at Creekside, where he and Allie had moved toward the end of her life. He spends his time feeding a lone female swan, distinguished by a dark patch of color on her chest. Noah feels that this is Allie come back to him, and his children feel that he's lost touch with the world. Noah, however, never gives up on his theory and insists that it is his dear beloved wife.
Noah and Allie's oldest daughter, Jane, is married to Wilson Lewis. They've been married for nearly 30 years and have raised three children, all of whom are now adults. Jane and Wilson's story is told in flashbacks, as Wilson remembers what brought him and Jane together all those years ago. The reason for his reflections, though, is that he knows Jane is very unhappy with their marriage. So unhappy, that she leaves town for a few weeks to spend with their son Joseph. She doesn't say exactly why she left, but Wilson knows she needs to get away to think things over.
In the meantime, their oldest daughter Anna has announced that she and her boyfriend Keith plan to be married in a few weeks. She doesn't want anything fancy, and plans to marry at the justice of the peace. However, this is not what Jane wants for her daughter. Suddenly, Jane shows a new interest in life, and with the help of Wilson the two of them proceed to organize the best wedding any daughter ever had.
As the wedding plans take shape, Wilson keeps Noah up to date. During their visits, Wilson notes how Noah dotes on the swan, talking to her and sharing his thoughts with her. A few odd events almost convince Wilson that maybe this is indeed Allie reborn, but he always keeps these thoughts to himself. And all through these visits, Noah reminisces about his wife, while Wilson remembers his own first love Jane.
The title THE WEDDING is misleading, but this was Sparks' intention. Yes, the entire book is about the family getting ready for the big wedding, but the reader will realize by the end of the book that the story is much more than just THE WEDDING. The ending will surprise you, as it surprised some of the characters in the book. The story of the swan helps round out this tale of eternal love and may turn even the most cynical of persons into a romantic.
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