The Lucky One

This was the 1st Nicholas Sparks book I read (love stories are usually NOT my thing) but since movies have been made from his stories, I thought I'd give this book a try. Very nicely done! First, his style is easy to read and his story didn't drag on forever with useless details. Next, I was very impressed that his story included a veteran dealing with the horrors of war and another character who is a dirtbag that uses women - yet this book didn't have one single cuss word in it. There were loveable characters who made me laugh and I even cried reading this book too. It had just the right amount of drama, light, funny moments and wasn't overly mushy in the love part of the story. I'll be reading Mr. Sparks' work again soon!

I read [The Lucky One] because I wanted to see if I liked Nicholas Sparks's books better than his movies...nope! Anybody who wants to be a writer and wonders if they ever have a chance of being published, should read this book--they would be encouraged! His writing, both in terms of plot and dialogue, reminds me of my dreams. They can be very satisfying at the time, but laughable when you try to describe them to your friends! And talk about telegraphing ahead? It was so bad, I felt like I knew where Sparks was going almost before he did. I kept reading, even though I knew where I would be going at all times, because I just wanted a lazy read (and who doesn't like a romance every once in a while?) but the climax--which was PREDICTABLE, show more unrealistic, and schmaltzy--was the final straw. I vow never to waste my time on a book like this again! show less

Sparks is a master at emotional manipulation and he excels here. It's a compelling story and I couldn't help but try to "cast the movie." Not great literature, but an enjoyable read.

Have you ever held on to something simply because you thought it brought you good luck?

Logan Thibault was a marine in Iraq when he found a picture of a young woman wearing a T-shirt with the slogan Lucky Lady across her chest. He tried to find who it belong to, but when no one claimed it, he put it in his pocket. His luck began to change. He survived 3 tours in Iraq before he went home. His buddy from the marines felt that the picture had kept Logan safe and when his buddy was killed in a fishing accident in the boat right next to him, Logan began to think that he needed to find the girl.

Logan left his home in Colorado and starting walking… ending up in Hampton, NC. Along with his dog, Zeus, Logan not only found the girl, the reason show more that he was meant to find her.

I've read nearly all of Nicholas Sparks' books. I liked the idea of this one, but the beginning was slow and sometimes it was too wordy. I liked it, but not as well as some of his others. show less

Oh, Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicholas. I've been a fan for so long, reading each book you've offered up, year after year. I feel like I've really gotten to know you, like I can I can finish your sentences, like I know how the book is going to end before you've finished telling the story. Oh, wait... That's not a good thing.
Ok, yes, this was a decent story and I did enjoy it, but I couldn't help feeling like I was reading an inland version of Message in a Bottle. I also struggled with the idea of the main character, Logan Thibault, walking from Colorado to North Carolina -- not saying it can't be done, just that I can't quite wrap my head around someone actually walking that far. I bet he was a big fan of The Proclaimers.
As always, Sparks has show more woven a beautiful story of love between an unlikely pair...full of drama and sweet romance that, although perhaps almost too familiar and predictable by this point, always leave me waiting for his next novel. show less

Siempre que siento que tengo que leer algo más ligero me gustar recurrir a autores como Nicholas Sparks, casi nunca me defrauda y en esta ocasión ciertamente no lo ha hecho.

Es una historia sencilla, tranquila incluso, que cuenta como Logan, nuestro protagonista se embarca en un largo viaje en busca de una persona. Me ha gustado mucho Logan como personaje, creo que le ha faltado un poco de profundidad, pero aun así me ha gustado.

Me resulta curioso que Sparks siendo hombre tenga más facilidad para dibujar personajes femeninos que masculinos, tal vez sea el género que escribe, pero lo cierto es que sus personajes femeninos siempre son mucho más complicados.

En fin, una historia sencilla, nada complicada, con su dosis de romance, show more su dosis de drama, tal vez un poco cliché, chico conoce a chica, se enamoran y en el fondo está el personaje malo que busca que esa relación no funcione... sí bueno, cliché, pero me ha gustado.

Al final del día me gusta mucho como escribe Sparks, tiene una manera sencilla y fluida y nada pegajosa de escribir novela Romántica. show less

Pretty typical Nicholas Sparks romance - I am glad I did not see the movie first because when I finished the book I looked up the trailer and I did not love the casting. I would have been sad if I read the book with those actors in mind. While serving overseas after 9/11 - Logan uncovers a laminated picture of a beautiful girl. He keeps it on him and suddenly his luck starts changing. He starts winning at card games - he makes it through numerous battles that his military brethren don't. He stays alive over there BECAUSE of that picture. When he makes it back stateside he is determined to find the woman in the photo. All he has is some geographical markers in the photo and her initials, but that doesn't deter him. He walks from Colorado show more to the East coast with his dog - to clear his mind and to escape his demons. He doesn't expect that he'll actually find her, but when he does he is blown away by her beauty and charm. He even starts falling for her little boy too. What he doesn't take into consideration is her conniving ex-husband. How can he get her to trust him and how on earth can he ever tell her the truth? Cute, sappy, and a little over the top. Memorable characters make it a fun read. show less