Where We Finally Belong: A Contemporary Slow-Burn Romance

by Nicholas S. Sparks

Where We Finally Belong
A Contemporary Slow-Burn Romance

Some love stories arrive like a spark.
Others grow quietly—layer by layer—until they feel impossible to live without.

Eve Garrett has built her life on purpose and perseverance. From demanding careers to quiet moments of self-discovery, she learns how to stand on her own. But no matter how full her world becomes, there is a part of her that still longs—for connection, for understanding, for a love that feels steady and real.

Donovan Lorenzo is a man shaped by responsibility and ambition. He knows how to lead, how to succeed, and how to protect what matters most. What he doesn’t expect is the way Eve unsettles him—not with drama, but with calm, warmth, and a presence that slowly begins to feel like home.

Where We Finally Belong is a heartfelt slow-burn romance about timing, emotional intimacy, and finding the one place—and the one person—where you are finally understood.

519 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2026

Reviews

[Christine Melton · Rating 4 out of 5]

First love wins!

I’m not sure about leaving a review. My daughter says this is a AI generated book. If it is then I’m disappointed. The story line is really sweet. I love the hopeless love/first love storyline. The characters were easy to fall in love with. Definitely an easy read. So many characters to branch off with for a series.
There are a couple errors that need to be edited but overall excellent read.

[Gabrielle Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been a fan of this author for many years, always looking forward to his next work or film adaptation of a previous work. So it makes it even harder for me to give this particular book a low rating. I found it to be too over the top, with everything said or done having excessively dramatic reactions. Far too many occasions of "shattered" and "undone" for the story to ring true.
The characters seemed immature and unformed, with what I can only describe as snowflake mentality.
I hope this book is just a little blip in an otherwise outstanding writing career.

[Barbara Glanz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok story, if you like typical hot sexy reads, but not written by the renown Nicholas Sparks - just not his type of story. Plot is weak and not something he would write about. Takes place in England, not USA and is super heavy on the technical AI stuff, which drags the story out to be longer than it needs to be. No information on the actual author provided either, agree it was probably AI generated.

[Rose Goulet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that this book was not written by Nicholas C Sparks, author of the Notebook and many other great books. This book’s plot could have been completed within 3 or 4 chapters. As I read I kept waiting for the plot twists or the experiences that made me cry or smile as I’m accustomed to when reading Nicholas C. Sparks books, but that never happened. Just a long drawn out story of boy meets girl and they fall in love.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to find a new Nicholas Sparks book, but after starting this read, it felt very unlike any other Nicholas Sparks book I had ever read. Come to find out, this was not written by our renowned Nicholas C. Sparks, but a Nicholas S. Sparks and possibly some AI generation. It was a good read, definitely needs to be edited. But I really don’t like the idea of them trying to make you feel like you’re getting a good old-fashioned Nicolas Sparks book.

[Bridget Goldsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not expect

I did not expect this from Nicholas Sparks. It was different. A different format. I still could not put it down and actually I could really relate to Eve. Something from my own childhood left me with feelings of abandonment occasionally .
I loved the ending I sometimes questioned the character of possessiveness but it was probably more protective.

[Judith M. Womelsdorf womelsdorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

definitely slow burn. Got bored halfway through, but continued on.

Love the author, but this book needed something to shake it up and bring some excitement. Hoping next read is more entertaining.

[Joyce Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is Nicholas S Sparks???

This was a very good book, I enjoyed it very much...
Someone in the reviews said it wasn't Nicholas Sparks and I tend to agree with her. This author has a middle name that starts with S and it had nothing that resembles Nicholas Sparks...

[Jean Rose Acosta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it was a okay and it took me a month to finish when I can usually finish this in one seating. I like how it started but it dragged me by mid and got quite a little bored about how cheezy the characters are. Overall, I finished it and happy with the ending.

[Dawn Babbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully awesome story

A wonderful love story grown from the innocence of a 17 year old to a beautiful ending of true forever love.
I couldn’t quit reading this book and only stopped because my eyes were so tired.
Another great story from a great author.

[Carol Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Some words are spelled incorrectly or used incorrectly but shows how many times he read it to try to make it perfect...I would recommend this book to all adults. It was awesome

[don pace · Rating 1 out of 5]

obviously NOT a Nicholas Sparks book

Rumored to be an AI written book, and definitely reads like it. Nothing like Nicholas Sparks’ writing style. Don’t waste your time.

[Tonya Mundinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

predictable

The ending was to wrapped in a bow. Predictable. Enjoyed the characters. Would like to know more about Tristan’s character.

[connie brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a good read. I read more than I wanted hoping the story line would get better but it didn’t. I finally stopped at 85% complete. I couldn’t handle anymore.

[Gladys perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

somewhat forbidden love

It all started as a teenage crush on her tutor, miscommunication the put them apart, but fate had other ideas. Slow burn but beautiful story and ending

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a very disappointing book. I've always enjoyed his books but not this one. It's boring, redundant and soft porn in print! Yuck

[Robin A Martino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Loved the story line and the details of emotion. Mr Sparks seems to be changing his style a bit! Good for him!

[mary giardina · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

Couldn't put this book down! Nicholas Sparks never disappoints! Beautiful love story. Many twists and turners but shows us what true love is.

[Kiersten Litzau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read and a great story.

[Mary A Hollinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

As with anything you read you can’t put it down until you reach the end. He is a fabulous author

[Pria Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit disappointed

Drawn out story with a weak conflict to keep Elon’s and Donovan apart.
It was not up the same level as authors prior works

[Wendy Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

love Nicholas Sparks!

This is a really good read, different than some of his others. Love it! Highly recommend! Great story and great romance!