The Wedding

I actually read this in light of Sparks's recently announced divorce, and that may color a bit what I thought of the book. I found it entertaining and a nice read, but I won't reread it. It bordered on the unrealistic, and when I do read romance, which isn't often, I don't want it to be "realistic" fantasy. I enjoyed the twist in the end and thought that Sparks did a good job with that. No spoilers, however. You'll have to read it for yourself.

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 show more 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. show less

I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. If you feel anything in my review is a spoiler and is not already hidden in spoiler brackets please let me know. Thank you.

I give this book a 3.5-star rating, but I generously rounded up. It was sweet and at times made me laugh or smile. And the narrator did an ok job. Nothing super special about his narrating but it certainly wasn't bad. I love all the romance and how romance didn't come easy to Wilson, but he tried his best anyway to make his wife fall back in love with him. It was such a special story.

It wasn't as good as the first book though, but sequels rarely are. At times I found it a bit cheesy, and that is where some of my issues lay. I like romance but some show more of this was a bit much for me. Like eating to much cotton candy or rock candy. You can only take so much sweetness until it becomes too hard to swallow. There were times a found it a bit boring too which is the other part of my issues with it.

In the end, I'm glad to have read it. It was a sweet experience that was worth the time in my opinion. I like Nicholas Sparks' books but I need to read them in moderation.

How I choose my rating:
1* Hated it. I had to force myself to finish it.
2** Didn't like it. I didn't hate it but not sure why I finished it other than for some closure.
3*** I liked it. I had some issues with it, but as a whole it was good. I probably won't reread ever, but there is a chance I might finish the series. (If part of one) But if not it's not a huge loss.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this, and I will finish the series. (If part of one) I would recommend to those I know hold interest in this book's content.
5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will be rereading this and probably more than once. I will finish the series and reread it multiple times. (If part of one) I will recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!! show less

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 show more 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. show less

After having read The Notebook several years ago and loving it, I was very excited when I found out there was a sequel. Unfortunately, The Wedding did not live up to my expectations at all. It follows Wilson Lewis, who married one of Noah and Allie's daughters and, after having forgotten their twenty-ninth wedding anniversary, works tirelessly to win back his wife's love. I really liked the surprise ending, but I found the novel to be dull and repetitive for the first three-quarters, even though I sympathized with Wilson's plight. I was really hoping for more from some of the original characters of The Notebook, and Noah's small role left me disappointed. It was a quick read that didn't really hit it's mark with me.

I thought is was a beautifully written story about remembering why you felt in love in the first place. I just love all the people in this book, I felt the love that Wilson felt for Jane and he is trying to make up for all thous times he hasn't been there for her. My heart went out to Noah, missing his wife Allie it is so touching the way he loved her. I love the part of the SWAN :)

Audio book read by Tom Wopat

This is a sequel to Sparks’s incredibly popular The Notebook. This book focuses on Noah and Allie’s oldest daughter, Jane, and her husband Wilson. After forgetting their anniversary, Wilson spends the next year trying to figure out how to make it up to Jane, with some sage advice from his father-in-law, Noah. But when their daughter announces she’s getting married on their anniversary, all Wilson’s plans are circumvented.

I’ve read a couple of books by Sparks. I actually enjoyed one of them. But this one is maudlin, overwrought, over-written, and saccharine. I figured out the twist in the first chapter. I finished it only because it fulfilled several challenges. I listened to the first half on audio show more but read the last half of the book in one evening.

Tom Wopat does a surprisingly good job of the audio. He even manages believable voices for the women. His performance earns a star. show less