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The Rescue
Denise Hilton, a young single mother, is driving through Edenton, North Carolina, when her car skids off the road during a storm.
With her is her four-year-old son, Kyle, a boy with severe learning disabilities for whom she has sacrificed everything. When volunteer fireman Taylor McAden finds her she is unconscious and bleeding, but when she wakes and even more chilling truth becomes clear; Kyle is gone.
When confronted by raging fires or deadly accidents, Taylor feels compelled to take terrifying risks to save lives, and the search for Kyle is no exception. But there is one leap of faith Taylor cannot bring himself to make - to commit to a relationship. Will this chance meeting with Denise prove any different?
With her is her four-year-old son, Kyle, a boy with severe learning disabilities for whom she has sacrificed everything. When volunteer fireman Taylor McAden finds her she is unconscious and bleeding, but when she wakes and even more chilling truth becomes clear; Kyle is gone.
When confronted by raging fires or deadly accidents, Taylor feels compelled to take terrifying risks to save lives, and the search for Kyle is no exception. But there is one leap of faith Taylor cannot bring himself to make - to commit to a relationship. Will this chance meeting with Denise prove any different?
372 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
Nicholas Sparks
394 books237k followersNicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 130 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 92 million copies in the United States alone.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,499 reviews
February 10, 2017
I used to see Mr. Nicholas Sparks as a guy who kills off his characters for sport. Like every time he writes a new story, I picture him rubbing the palm of his hands against each other while madly grinning and asking “Who I am going to kill this time? *insert evil laugh here*” Only after reading this particular novel of his did I learn how wrong I was. I learned that most of his stories’ premises are based from his real life experiences or about members of his family and I believe it takes true courage to share to the world something so painful and so personal.
I admit I was on full detective mode from page one already guessing which of the wonderful, perfectly kind characters will potentially die but despite that, the story touched my heart unexpectedly. It mostly has to do with the main theme of the story: a parent’s unconditional love for his/her child. It also helps a lot that there’s a cute four year old boy. They get me all the time-cute little kids in stories.^^
Just to be clear, Mr. Sparks’ standard formulaic ingredients are still there:
✽ Small town setting
✽ A simply beautiful female character who turns every man’s head in said small town
✽ An attractive male character who wears masculine work boots
✽ Tragic tone
✽ Slow start
✽ More than necessary writing details
✽ *Ahem* A love scene or two (or more)
✽ At least one death
✽ Heart-wrenching scenes/dialogues that’ll make you spill tears. (At least I found the perfect excuse to spill tears I have been trying to hold back since my wisdom tooth started growing)
BUT, I particularly adore the portrayal of the female character, Denise. Her strength as a woman and as a mother is just admirable. I’m sure every girl could pick up a thing or two from her. The conclusion is far more hopeful and lighter than I expected and if I would recommend anything from the author, I think this would be it.^^
I admit I was on full detective mode from page one already guessing which of the wonderful, perfectly kind characters will potentially die but despite that, the story touched my heart unexpectedly. It mostly has to do with the main theme of the story: a parent’s unconditional love for his/her child. It also helps a lot that there’s a cute four year old boy. They get me all the time-cute little kids in stories.^^
Just to be clear, Mr. Sparks’ standard formulaic ingredients are still there:
✽ Small town setting
✽ A simply beautiful female character who turns every man’s head in said small town
✽ An attractive male character who wears masculine work boots
✽ Tragic tone
✽ Slow start
✽ More than necessary writing details
✽ *Ahem* A love scene or two (or more)
✽ At least one death
✽ Heart-wrenching scenes/dialogues that’ll make you spill tears. (At least I found the perfect excuse to spill tears I have been trying to hold back since my wisdom tooth started growing)
BUT, I particularly adore the portrayal of the female character, Denise. Her strength as a woman and as a mother is just admirable. I’m sure every girl could pick up a thing or two from her. The conclusion is far more hopeful and lighter than I expected and if I would recommend anything from the author, I think this would be it.^^
January 4, 2025
Mr Sparks, you sure know how to break my heart and burn my tear glands.
This book left me in tears from the very first chapter till the end. But it's the last two chapters that got me cry like no one could understand what I was going through while crying with the main characters. It was so heart breaking!
The story deals with a single mom, Denise, taking care of her 4 year old son, Kyle, who had some delayed learning disability which the doctors couldn't give a proper diagnosis.
Then there's volunteer fireman Taylor McAden who was putting himself in dangerous situations to save everyone he could.
Both Denise and Taylor had something they could not share with just anyone.
A small town story, a story of how different people have a fight going on everyday, a heart warming and a heartbreaking slow burn romance that left me baffled in the end.
I appreciate the whole family vibes, learning disability representation and how it was handled really well, PTSD, solid childhood friendship between Taylor and Mitch, Taylor's mother Judy being representative of a strong woman, small town vibes, deaths and grief being handled incredibly well.
The characters were very realistic and the story somehow felt so real to me. At times, I felt like the main characters were testing my patience but everything ended well well explained.
It will stay as a memorable read for me.
This book left me in tears from the very first chapter till the end. But it's the last two chapters that got me cry like no one could understand what I was going through while crying with the main characters. It was so heart breaking!
The story deals with a single mom, Denise, taking care of her 4 year old son, Kyle, who had some delayed learning disability which the doctors couldn't give a proper diagnosis.
Then there's volunteer fireman Taylor McAden who was putting himself in dangerous situations to save everyone he could.
Both Denise and Taylor had something they could not share with just anyone.
A small town story, a story of how different people have a fight going on everyday, a heart warming and a heartbreaking slow burn romance that left me baffled in the end.
I appreciate the whole family vibes, learning disability representation and how it was handled really well, PTSD, solid childhood friendship between Taylor and Mitch, Taylor's mother Judy being representative of a strong woman, small town vibes, deaths and grief being handled incredibly well.
The characters were very realistic and the story somehow felt so real to me. At times, I felt like the main characters were testing my patience but everything ended well well explained.
It will stay as a memorable read for me.
May 19, 2016
This is an emotional,heartwarming story of three impaired individuals starting with Denise Holden, a single mother who is struggling to raise her four year old son KYLE, a cute boy who suffers with delayed speech disorder(an auditory processing syndrome). And Taylor Mc Aden(the flawed hero,dealing with his demons),the volunteer firefighter who rescued Denise and Kyle in a heavy rain storm,when their car crashed on the edge of a swamp.
So far,I think this is the best novel I've read of Nicholas Sparks,because this book revolved around a little boy who needed special attention which the author had brilliantly crafted.He formulated a well-planned mother and son relationship that deeply touched my heart.He also did a great job portraying a mother's determination and dedication to help her son and for that,I gave this book a 5 star rating.
I should've deducted a star because I still didn't like the idea/style of the author taking away one important character in the story,but what can I do? But then,Sparks captured the essence of love,devotion and sacrifices in this book.Not to mention the fabulous secondary characters,particularly Mitch,Melissa,and Judy McAden. So I guess,these facts about this book is worth for the rating I gave.^^
So far,I think this is the best novel I've read of Nicholas Sparks,because this book revolved around a little boy who needed special attention which the author had brilliantly crafted.He formulated a well-planned mother and son relationship that deeply touched my heart.He also did a great job portraying a mother's determination and dedication to help her son and for that,I gave this book a 5 star rating.
I should've deducted a star because I still didn't like the idea/style of the author taking away one important character in the story,but what can I do? But then,Sparks captured the essence of love,devotion and sacrifices in this book.Not to mention the fabulous secondary characters,particularly Mitch,Melissa,and Judy McAden. So I guess,these facts about this book is worth for the rating I gave.^^
May 20, 2012
Even though I didn't finish this awful book, I find that over a week later I'm still FURIOUS about this:
The heroine is a penniless single mom who works the night shift as a waitress and during the day takes care of her disabled 3-year-old. The first time the hero comes to her house--on an unplanned visit--he notes that even though the place is old, it's spotless. From this, of course, we're supposed to infer that the heroine is a hard worker, has high moral fiber, and is good wife material.
BULLSHIT! Did the feminist movement happen for nothing?? Do people still not realize that housework is WORK, not a sign of character or a mark of femininity? For people who have enough leisure time to keep their houses spotless, or enough money to pay someone else to do it for them--that's great, I'm happy for you.
But if you're a single parent and work full time at a minimum-wage job, by all means spend your precious few leisure hours reading books or meditating or sleeping or taking a walk or, heaven forbid, posting on facebook, and if your house is a mess I won't think a bit less of you. In fact, if you slave away to make your house spotless, I'm going to question your judgment, and wonder why you bought into the ridiculous mindset that "cleanliness is next to godliness." Leave a few germs around, for heaven's sake; your son's immune system will be stronger.
The heroine is a penniless single mom who works the night shift as a waitress and during the day takes care of her disabled 3-year-old. The first time the hero comes to her house--on an unplanned visit--he notes that even though the place is old, it's spotless. From this, of course, we're supposed to infer that the heroine is a hard worker, has high moral fiber, and is good wife material.
BULLSHIT! Did the feminist movement happen for nothing?? Do people still not realize that housework is WORK, not a sign of character or a mark of femininity? For people who have enough leisure time to keep their houses spotless, or enough money to pay someone else to do it for them--that's great, I'm happy for you.
But if you're a single parent and work full time at a minimum-wage job, by all means spend your precious few leisure hours reading books or meditating or sleeping or taking a walk or, heaven forbid, posting on facebook, and if your house is a mess I won't think a bit less of you. In fact, if you slave away to make your house spotless, I'm going to question your judgment, and wonder why you bought into the ridiculous mindset that "cleanliness is next to godliness." Leave a few germs around, for heaven's sake; your son's immune system will be stronger.
January 22, 2010
Before going anywhere with this review I would like to say that I love Nicholas Sparks. He has brought tears to my eyes by his heart wrenching stories many times. But it really pains me to say that I did not like this book. I am so disappointed.
The premise, in short, is as follows. Denise, a single woman in her late twenties has a 4 year old son, Kyle, who has learning disabilities. Denise is juggling her evening shift at a local diner and is also managing to home school her son Kyle to improve his language understanding and speaking abilities.
On a stormy weather one night, Denise’s car skids and bangs against a tree. She falls unconscious. When she wakes up she finds that Kyle has disappeared.
Taylor is a volunteer fireman who finds her unconscious in her car. He and the other fireman manage to search and find Kyle from a swamp and it is very obvious that Taylor, being the hero of the novel, is instrumental in finding him.
So far so good. All this happens in the first 100 pages or less of this novel. The rest of the novel is how they fall in love and how Taylor manages to overcome his issues from the past and how they live happily ever after.
My main complain here, I never thought I would say this for a Nicholas Sparks novel, is the writing. It’s too cheesy. Don’t get me wrong, I love cheesy, but this is *bad* cheesy. It’s like he was trying too hard. ‘The Rescue’ lacks the easy and non-pretentious writing of ‘The message in the bottle’.
After the first hundred pages the book kind of dragged on and on and on. I really did not understand how Taylor’s problems from the past kept him from getting too close to Denise.
Finally, I thought Nicholas Sparks tried to explain things a little too much. I am intelligent enough to read in between the lines, thank you very much. I don’t need a step by step explanation of why the characters are doing what they are doing.
Even though I did not like this book, I will certainly read another book by him, albeit with a little caution.
The premise, in short, is as follows. Denise, a single woman in her late twenties has a 4 year old son, Kyle, who has learning disabilities. Denise is juggling her evening shift at a local diner and is also managing to home school her son Kyle to improve his language understanding and speaking abilities.
On a stormy weather one night, Denise’s car skids and bangs against a tree. She falls unconscious. When she wakes up she finds that Kyle has disappeared.
Taylor is a volunteer fireman who finds her unconscious in her car. He and the other fireman manage to search and find Kyle from a swamp and it is very obvious that Taylor, being the hero of the novel, is instrumental in finding him.
So far so good. All this happens in the first 100 pages or less of this novel. The rest of the novel is how they fall in love and how Taylor manages to overcome his issues from the past and how they live happily ever after.
My main complain here, I never thought I would say this for a Nicholas Sparks novel, is the writing. It’s too cheesy. Don’t get me wrong, I love cheesy, but this is *bad* cheesy. It’s like he was trying too hard. ‘The Rescue’ lacks the easy and non-pretentious writing of ‘The message in the bottle’.
After the first hundred pages the book kind of dragged on and on and on. I really did not understand how Taylor’s problems from the past kept him from getting too close to Denise.
Finally, I thought Nicholas Sparks tried to explain things a little too much. I am intelligent enough to read in between the lines, thank you very much. I don’t need a step by step explanation of why the characters are doing what they are doing.
Even though I did not like this book, I will certainly read another book by him, albeit with a little caution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2010
Opening Line: "Why had this happened? Why, of all the children was Kyle the one?"
I first read THE RESCUE in 2002 and enjoyed it just as much this time with it's rediscovery. As soon as I opened the first page I was lost, reading continuously for the next 24 hours. Thinking to myself, damn that Nicholas Sparks' he's done it again, sucking me right back into one of the best love stories I've ever read.
Due to a horrific childhood trauma volunteer firefighter Taylor McAden is driven to take disturbing heroic risks while on the job, trying to somehow put his world right. He has few friends and all of his past relationships have resulted from rescuing troubled women in one way or another. All of whom he inevitably leaves as soon as they want more from him then he can give. It seems that there's just one leap Taylor can't make; that of allowing himself to fall in love.
Denise Holden is a single mother of a handicapped child. Due to a lack of finances she has been forced to move back to her mother's hometown and live in the inherited home. At the moment she's barely scraping by, her son Kyle taking up most of her time, energy and resources. Love is the last thing on Denise's mind as she drives home from her job at the local diner. As fate would have it though a terrible storm hit's the small southern town that night, contriving to bring our couple together. As the storm rages Denise crashes her car and upon regaining consciousness finds herself staring into the handsome face of risk taker extraordinaire Taylor. Before she can acknowledge him as her potential life partner though panic takes over as she realizes that her son is no longer in the car and is feared to be lost in the nearby swamp.
I won't be giving anything away by telling you that Taylor rescues both Denise and her son and together they forge into a relationship. But as wonderful as the relationship seems in the beginning it doesn't take long for the cracks to show and the harder Denise tries to help Taylor the more he pulls away. Shutting down emotionally and taking greater and greater risks with the fire department(For a small town they sure have a lot of fires.)
As with every Nicholas Sparks' novel we are never guaranteed a HEA which aids in a degree of tension throughout this story. For me the relationship and its sudden decline is so well written that it seemed a page from my own past, tugging at my heart with its familiarity. Taylor is a mystery throughout and the whys of this aren't revealed until the very end. THE RESCUE contains some fabulous secondary characters and you will fall in love with every one of them. It's also full of action, suspense and melodrama. There were a couple of moments when I actually gasped out loud, unbelieving as to what I'd just read. Have some Kleenex handy, this is great yet as always with Sparks bittersweet love story. Cheers!
I first read THE RESCUE in 2002 and enjoyed it just as much this time with it's rediscovery. As soon as I opened the first page I was lost, reading continuously for the next 24 hours. Thinking to myself, damn that Nicholas Sparks' he's done it again, sucking me right back into one of the best love stories I've ever read.
Due to a horrific childhood trauma volunteer firefighter Taylor McAden is driven to take disturbing heroic risks while on the job, trying to somehow put his world right. He has few friends and all of his past relationships have resulted from rescuing troubled women in one way or another. All of whom he inevitably leaves as soon as they want more from him then he can give. It seems that there's just one leap Taylor can't make; that of allowing himself to fall in love.
Denise Holden is a single mother of a handicapped child. Due to a lack of finances she has been forced to move back to her mother's hometown and live in the inherited home. At the moment she's barely scraping by, her son Kyle taking up most of her time, energy and resources. Love is the last thing on Denise's mind as she drives home from her job at the local diner. As fate would have it though a terrible storm hit's the small southern town that night, contriving to bring our couple together. As the storm rages Denise crashes her car and upon regaining consciousness finds herself staring into the handsome face of risk taker extraordinaire Taylor. Before she can acknowledge him as her potential life partner though panic takes over as she realizes that her son is no longer in the car and is feared to be lost in the nearby swamp.
I won't be giving anything away by telling you that Taylor rescues both Denise and her son and together they forge into a relationship. But as wonderful as the relationship seems in the beginning it doesn't take long for the cracks to show and the harder Denise tries to help Taylor the more he pulls away. Shutting down emotionally and taking greater and greater risks with the fire department(For a small town they sure have a lot of fires.)
As with every Nicholas Sparks' novel we are never guaranteed a HEA which aids in a degree of tension throughout this story. For me the relationship and its sudden decline is so well written that it seemed a page from my own past, tugging at my heart with its familiarity. Taylor is a mystery throughout and the whys of this aren't revealed until the very end. THE RESCUE contains some fabulous secondary characters and you will fall in love with every one of them. It's also full of action, suspense and melodrama. There were a couple of moments when I actually gasped out loud, unbelieving as to what I'd just read. Have some Kleenex handy, this is great yet as always with Sparks bittersweet love story. Cheers!
September 30, 2012
ICK.
I borrowed this book from a friend while on vacation, because I was DESPERATE. She promised it was amazing. It was not.
I did not like Taylor. Denise was a flagrant Mary Sue (did the woman have a single flaw?). Melissa and Mitch's main functions were to push Taylor towards (or back to) Denise. The writing was flat - it seemed rushed, and watered down.
A friend who is a speech therapist had some very critical things to say about the "therapy" presented in the book. I defer to her opinion on the matter for the most part, since she is the expert. Speaking for myself, I did not find the therapy methods Denise used very convincing. It seemed as though what she was doing was just inducing Kyle to copy her, instead of teaching him. I can't see that strapping a child in a chair for HOURS AND HOURS would be helpful, either. It seems torturous. For a half hour? Sure. For an hour? Okay. For 8 hours? (as described by Mr. Sparks in his Author's Note) no way. All that would teach a child (it seems to me) is that learning = pain, or at the least, discomfort.
Next time I'm that desperate for reading material I'll read the back of my shampoo bottle instead.
I borrowed this book from a friend while on vacation, because I was DESPERATE. She promised it was amazing. It was not.
I did not like Taylor. Denise was a flagrant Mary Sue (did the woman have a single flaw?). Melissa and Mitch's main functions were to push Taylor towards (or back to) Denise. The writing was flat - it seemed rushed, and watered down.
A friend who is a speech therapist had some very critical things to say about the "therapy" presented in the book. I defer to her opinion on the matter for the most part, since she is the expert. Speaking for myself, I did not find the therapy methods Denise used very convincing. It seemed as though what she was doing was just inducing Kyle to copy her, instead of teaching him. I can't see that strapping a child in a chair for HOURS AND HOURS would be helpful, either. It seems torturous. For a half hour? Sure. For an hour? Okay. For 8 hours? (as described by Mr. Sparks in his Author's Note) no way. All that would teach a child (it seems to me) is that learning = pain, or at the least, discomfort.
Next time I'm that desperate for reading material I'll read the back of my shampoo bottle instead.
May 19, 2020
“People come, people go – they’ll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told their story and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and adventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past.”
September 7, 2014
Single mother, Denise Holton is driving back home after a doctors appointment with her four year old son, Kyle in the back seat. Rain is falling steadily which makes for slippery conditions and being night time makes it worse and as, Denise takes the curve in the road she quickly discovers that there is a fully grown doe in the middle of the road. Denise hits the breaks as hard as she can, but on the wet road the tires lose grip and before she knows it the car is spinning out of control and heading towards the cypress trees.
Taylor McAden is a volunteer firefighter and the first one to attend the accident scene. He introduces himself to, Denise and he can see straight away that she is bleeding and in quite a bit of pain. Denise instantly tries to turn toward the back seat to see how, Kyle is, but he's not there. Distraught and worried, Denise explains to, Taylor that her son was in the back seat and is now missing. As the rest of the emergency services arrive at the scene they quickly learn that, Kyle is missing and the search begins, but things are made harder as the weather is getting worse and visibility is not good. Denise also explains to Taylor that, Kyle has a learning and speech disorder which means he would not respond if his name was being called out. As time passes, Denise becomes more worried about her son and the thought of never seeing him again is unbearable.
A short time after the accident, Denise bumps into, Taylor at the supermarket and it's not long after this that they start to form a friendship. Although Taylor really enjoys, Denise's company he not sure he wants to take it any further, but the more they spend time together the stronger both their feeling become.
Another very enjoyable read by Nicholas Sparks. A heartwarming story of family, friendships and love which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Taylor McAden is a volunteer firefighter and the first one to attend the accident scene. He introduces himself to, Denise and he can see straight away that she is bleeding and in quite a bit of pain. Denise instantly tries to turn toward the back seat to see how, Kyle is, but he's not there. Distraught and worried, Denise explains to, Taylor that her son was in the back seat and is now missing. As the rest of the emergency services arrive at the scene they quickly learn that, Kyle is missing and the search begins, but things are made harder as the weather is getting worse and visibility is not good. Denise also explains to Taylor that, Kyle has a learning and speech disorder which means he would not respond if his name was being called out. As time passes, Denise becomes more worried about her son and the thought of never seeing him again is unbearable.
A short time after the accident, Denise bumps into, Taylor at the supermarket and it's not long after this that they start to form a friendship. Although Taylor really enjoys, Denise's company he not sure he wants to take it any further, but the more they spend time together the stronger both their feeling become.
Another very enjoyable read by Nicholas Sparks. A heartwarming story of family, friendships and love which I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 3, 2021
Me he leído varios libros de Nicholas Sparks, como siempre hay unos mejores que otros, pero siempre me dejan con buen sabor de boca.
Este libro, hasta el momento es el que menos me ha gustado de todos los que he leído, no se, me parece un libro demasiado simplón en comparación a otros que he leído, lo que me gusta de Sparks es que tiene una enorme capacidad para trasmitir, sus historias nunca me parecen insulsas o poco profundas, sin embargo, aquí me ha quedado a deber, la he sentido tan superficial que me ha sorprendido e incluso en algunos momentos hasta aburrida, creo yo que lo que me ha fastidiado es lo trillado que me ha resultado todo el argumento.
Voy a empezar diciendo que esa parte de “no me enamoro porque tengo traumas” me ha fastidiado un poco, es algo tan utilizado en los libros románticos y un argumento que nunca compro, creo que conscientemente nadie hace eso, en fin, pero por otro lado Sparks siempre tiene ese tono dramático en sus historias, aquí no ha faltado por supuesto que no y honestamente es lo mejor de la novela, el manejo de la muerte, la perdida de un buen amigo y todo eso lo ha manejado tal como a mi me gusta, pero el tema principal del romance de los protagonistas… pues no, no me ha terminado de cuadrar ni me ha gustado del todo la resolución tan pronta que ha manejado, creo que eso es lo que más me ha decepcionado, normalmente Sparks maneja tremendamente bien sus finales y aquí, honestamente me ha quedado a deber mucho.
Por lo demás, pues es un libro, como todos los de este autor, muy bien escrito, fácil de leer y entretenido sin más, me ha gustado, pero sin duda no es lo mejor que he leído de él.
Este libro, hasta el momento es el que menos me ha gustado de todos los que he leído, no se, me parece un libro demasiado simplón en comparación a otros que he leído, lo que me gusta de Sparks es que tiene una enorme capacidad para trasmitir, sus historias nunca me parecen insulsas o poco profundas, sin embargo, aquí me ha quedado a deber, la he sentido tan superficial que me ha sorprendido e incluso en algunos momentos hasta aburrida, creo yo que lo que me ha fastidiado es lo trillado que me ha resultado todo el argumento.
Voy a empezar diciendo que esa parte de “no me enamoro porque tengo traumas” me ha fastidiado un poco, es algo tan utilizado en los libros románticos y un argumento que nunca compro, creo que conscientemente nadie hace eso, en fin, pero por otro lado Sparks siempre tiene ese tono dramático en sus historias, aquí no ha faltado por supuesto que no y honestamente es lo mejor de la novela, el manejo de la muerte, la perdida de un buen amigo y todo eso lo ha manejado tal como a mi me gusta, pero el tema principal del romance de los protagonistas… pues no, no me ha terminado de cuadrar ni me ha gustado del todo la resolución tan pronta que ha manejado, creo que eso es lo que más me ha decepcionado, normalmente Sparks maneja tremendamente bien sus finales y aquí, honestamente me ha quedado a deber mucho.
Por lo demás, pues es un libro, como todos los de este autor, muy bien escrito, fácil de leer y entretenido sin más, me ha gustado, pero sin duda no es lo mejor que he leído de él.
May 14, 2009
I was so mad after I read this book I actually sat down and wrote a letter to the author. "Dr. Mr. Sparks: This is why I do not read fiction!" Basically I thought it was incredibly sappy and trite, and I resented the characters for wasting my time. Presumably all the main figures in the story are "rescued"--the little boy is lost and then rescued, the single mother meets the rescuer of her little boy and falls in love with him and marries him (I think that is supposed to be HER rescue!) and the main character (after failing to rescue his buddy from a burning building) is "rescued" by his wife and stepson and, of course, their new baby.
I mean--what? Not my kind of book.
Samuel Beckett could have had these characters sitting on folding chairs in the semi-darkness and we would understand more about them than Sparks' shows us in his whole narrative. The mother, the son, the fireman--they're stiff and cliched at every turn. Sparks' has a frustrating habit it seems, having also read Message In A Bottle, of substituting plot intrigue and drama for actual character development.
I mean--what? Not my kind of book.
Samuel Beckett could have had these characters sitting on folding chairs in the semi-darkness and we would understand more about them than Sparks' shows us in his whole narrative. The mother, the son, the fireman--they're stiff and cliched at every turn. Sparks' has a frustrating habit it seems, having also read Message In A Bottle, of substituting plot intrigue and drama for actual character development.
October 2, 2015
I don't understand why I can't just give up on Nicholas Sparks. I keep reading his books even though there has yet to be one I really liked. 80% of the time I spend reading his stuff I'm bored out of my mind. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment. This book was quite possibly the most blah book of his I've read to date. I don't understand why I can't just fall in love with him like everybody else! I'm sure it's me that's the problem. I'm defective. Sorry
May 4, 2022
My relationship with Nicholas Sparks began with The Notebook, the movie. I LOVE that movie. It's one of the few movies I can watch over and over. I was so infatuated with the story (I wanted to be Allie and where was my Noah and plantation house?!!) and when I found out there was a novel behind it, I searched it out and picked it up; It was love at first page. From there, I've been picking up his books and waiting for his new releases.
Nicholas Sparks has a craft of bringing his characters to life. He doesn't just paint a story; he brings it to life. His character development is superb. He pays attention to detail, not so much that it's overload, but enough to allow you to be there.
My only complaint with this book, and many of his other books, is the book cover. There is no wow(!) factor; It doesn't draw me in.
The title (as with most of his books) has a double-meaning; not only is there a rescue in the beginning of the book, there's a more important rescue that takes place towards the end. Nicholas Sparks picks the perfect title for his books, making you wonder what it really means because he's not referring to the obvious.
As with most Nicholas Sparks books, have the tissues ready. You won't find lots of sex in this book. Nicholas Sparks is a romantic-sizer, not a sex hound.
Nicholas Sparks has a craft of bringing his characters to life. He doesn't just paint a story; he brings it to life. His character development is superb. He pays attention to detail, not so much that it's overload, but enough to allow you to be there.
My only complaint with this book, and many of his other books, is the book cover. There is no wow(!) factor; It doesn't draw me in.
The title (as with most of his books) has a double-meaning; not only is there a rescue in the beginning of the book, there's a more important rescue that takes place towards the end. Nicholas Sparks picks the perfect title for his books, making you wonder what it really means because he's not referring to the obvious.
As with most Nicholas Sparks books, have the tissues ready. You won't find lots of sex in this book. Nicholas Sparks is a romantic-sizer, not a sex hound.
February 2, 2018
It has been a while since I've read a book by Nicholas Sparks and I have no idea why.
However, I'm so happy that I dived back into his books due to this read-a-thon I joined recently. WHY? Because I just love to read and I love to read really good books. I mean, who doesn't?
The Rescue was so freaking good. It has such a good opening line that basically sucks you instantaneously. Now this book is about Taylor McAden and Denise Holden - and boy do I love these two people so freaking much. Taylor is a volunteer firefighter (HELLO GORGEOUS!) and he takes the biggest leap of his life: falling in love.
Did you heart just pitter patter like mine? Of course it did.
Besides Taylor, there's Denise who is a single mom who coincidentally doesn't have time for love in her life. Like at all. She's way too busy looking after her son, Kyle. However, fate has decided other things for their lives because the two meet after a terrible storm hits their town. Taylor freaking saves Denise after she was in a car accident. Waking up to his beautiful eyes. Ugh, I was jealous.
I loved everything about these two humans, and I can't forget Kyle because I just adored him as well. However, I shipped the heck out of Taylor and Denise and I will continue throughout the rest of my life. Until my dying day. Seriously, I will.
Overall, I loved this book so much that I can't wait to dive into my next sparks book.
However, I'm so happy that I dived back into his books due to this read-a-thon I joined recently. WHY? Because I just love to read and I love to read really good books. I mean, who doesn't?
The Rescue was so freaking good. It has such a good opening line that basically sucks you instantaneously. Now this book is about Taylor McAden and Denise Holden - and boy do I love these two people so freaking much. Taylor is a volunteer firefighter (HELLO GORGEOUS!) and he takes the biggest leap of his life: falling in love.
Did you heart just pitter patter like mine? Of course it did.
Besides Taylor, there's Denise who is a single mom who coincidentally doesn't have time for love in her life. Like at all. She's way too busy looking after her son, Kyle. However, fate has decided other things for their lives because the two meet after a terrible storm hits their town. Taylor freaking saves Denise after she was in a car accident. Waking up to his beautiful eyes. Ugh, I was jealous.
I loved everything about these two humans, and I can't forget Kyle because I just adored him as well. However, I shipped the heck out of Taylor and Denise and I will continue throughout the rest of my life. Until my dying day. Seriously, I will.
Overall, I loved this book so much that I can't wait to dive into my next sparks book.
December 12, 2007
Totally a Nicholas Sparks formula, but I liked this one better than most. He at least waited until the couple knew each other for 3 weeks before hitting the sack together. It usually takes about 3 days, and happens immediately following their first kiss. I liked that they waited until they had kissed a few times, but really, can't he just hold off with the sex until they actually know each other? I'm still a Nicholas Sparks fan, though, because I am a woman, and I need my love stories. :)
August 30, 2023
3.5
Solid Sparks.
A lot has changed in the 20+ years since it was written. I’m not sure Denise would have had so much trouble with Kyle’s issues now as she did then.
I felt their love yet predicted what would happen.
My FAVORITE PART of any Sparks books is how he connects us to the characters through vulnerability and heart felt emotion. I predicted something… wasn’t surprised when it happened and I still cried !!
3.5 rounded up to 4 because of the ending.
The Little Man has my heart ❤️
Solid Sparks.
A lot has changed in the 20+ years since it was written. I’m not sure Denise would have had so much trouble with Kyle’s issues now as she did then.
I felt their love yet predicted what would happen.
My FAVORITE PART of any Sparks books is how he connects us to the characters through vulnerability and heart felt emotion. I predicted something… wasn’t surprised when it happened and I still cried !!
3.5 rounded up to 4 because of the ending.
The Little Man has my heart ❤️
November 8, 2016
Classificação: 4 em 5 estrelas
Opinião no blog: https://thelittleangieblog.wordpress....
Eu apenas li um livro de Nicholas Sparks na vida, O Melhor de Mim, e eu adorei. Mas não foi o suficiente para me apaixonar pelo escritor. Tenho mais um livro dele na minha estante para ler, mas sinceramente não sei quando irei o ler. Muitos dos livros de Nicholas Sparks não me chamam à atenção, assim como os filmes. Não considero bem o meu género literário, mas uma coisa é certa, Nicholas Sparks sabe escrever.
O que me apegou imenso a este livro foi sem dúvida a criança, Kyle, e a maneira como a mãe lidava com ele. Não é fácil lidar com uma criança assim, e apaixonei-me pela forma como a mãe demonstrava carinho por ele. Depois claro, apaixonei-me por Taylor, uma personagem com imensos problemas, e podemos ver que isso impede-lhe de ser feliz e fazer os que mais ama felizes.
Não considero um romance isto, tem um pouco de romance claro, mas o livro está mais relacionado com a criança e com os conflitos que por vezes sentimos do passado que o romance passa-nos ao lado.
Aprendi imenso com o livro, senti tantas vezes o mesmo que Taylor e até mesmo Denise estavam a sentir. Adorei todas as personagens, cada uma era tão natural e espontânea que nem sei qual gostei mais.
Outra coisa que dou imenso valor por ter sido falada no livro é amizade, adoro livros que pegam nisso e no apenas em amor de casal. Também adorei a maneira como descreveram o sentido de família, não há famílias perfeitas cada uma tem os seus problemas. Tudo acaba por se relacionar.
As escolhas difíceis que muitas personagens acabam por enfrentar, ficámos a pensar "E se fosse eu no lugar delas, que faria?", este livro mostra-nos não uma, mas várias mensagens. Quando acabámos o livro ficámos a sentir uma paz interior e o primeiro pensamento que nos vem à cabeça é "Ainda bem que li este livro", de uma maneira ou de outra acaba por influenciar a nossa vida. E honestamente, ainda bem que dei uma oportunidade a este livro.
Opinião no blog: https://thelittleangieblog.wordpress....
Eu apenas li um livro de Nicholas Sparks na vida, O Melhor de Mim, e eu adorei. Mas não foi o suficiente para me apaixonar pelo escritor. Tenho mais um livro dele na minha estante para ler, mas sinceramente não sei quando irei o ler. Muitos dos livros de Nicholas Sparks não me chamam à atenção, assim como os filmes. Não considero bem o meu género literário, mas uma coisa é certa, Nicholas Sparks sabe escrever.
O que me apegou imenso a este livro foi sem dúvida a criança, Kyle, e a maneira como a mãe lidava com ele. Não é fácil lidar com uma criança assim, e apaixonei-me pela forma como a mãe demonstrava carinho por ele. Depois claro, apaixonei-me por Taylor, uma personagem com imensos problemas, e podemos ver que isso impede-lhe de ser feliz e fazer os que mais ama felizes.
Não considero um romance isto, tem um pouco de romance claro, mas o livro está mais relacionado com a criança e com os conflitos que por vezes sentimos do passado que o romance passa-nos ao lado.
Aprendi imenso com o livro, senti tantas vezes o mesmo que Taylor e até mesmo Denise estavam a sentir. Adorei todas as personagens, cada uma era tão natural e espontânea que nem sei qual gostei mais.
Outra coisa que dou imenso valor por ter sido falada no livro é amizade, adoro livros que pegam nisso e no apenas em amor de casal. Também adorei a maneira como descreveram o sentido de família, não há famílias perfeitas cada uma tem os seus problemas. Tudo acaba por se relacionar.
As escolhas difíceis que muitas personagens acabam por enfrentar, ficámos a pensar "E se fosse eu no lugar delas, que faria?", este livro mostra-nos não uma, mas várias mensagens. Quando acabámos o livro ficámos a sentir uma paz interior e o primeiro pensamento que nos vem à cabeça é "Ainda bem que li este livro", de uma maneira ou de outra acaba por influenciar a nossa vida. E honestamente, ainda bem que dei uma oportunidade a este livro.
February 23, 2024
As the parent of a child with special needs, this book came very close to my heart.
It may look like a cliche at first: a sweet love story between a beautiful woman in need of rescue and a rugged handsome hero on the background of an idyllic small town. But trust me, it is much more than that!
This is the story of Denise Holden, a single mother in her late twenties who struggles to raise her little cute 4 year old boy Kyle, who suffers of a delayed speech disorder. And while describing Denise's life, Sparks manages somehow to perfectly describe the life of almost all the mothers of children with special needs.
From the description of a typical day of life with her child:
"A step forward, a step backward, two steps to the side, always a struggle. He was better than he once had been, yet he was still to far behind."
to the questions that come creeping at night:
"had it been something she'd done while pregnant? Had she eaten the wrong food, had she rested enough?"; questions whose answers are simply too painful to consider like: "Was all of this somehow her fault?"
from the worries that plague her everyday:
"She worried about him all the time, and though all mothers worried about their children, she knew it wasn't the same. Sometimes she wished she knew someone else who had a child like Kyle. At least then someone would understand. At least then she'd have someone to talk to, to compare notes with, to offer a shoulder when she needed to cry. Did other mothers wake up every day and wonder whether their child would ever have a friend? Any friend? Ever? Did other mothers wonder whether their children would go to a regular school or play sports or go to the prom? Did other mothers watch as their children were ostracized, not only by other children but by other parents as well? Did their worries go on every minute of every day seemingly without an end in sight?"
to the way she judges others by the way they treat her child,
from loosing her patience and shouting and then feeling wretched for having done it to the fierce pride for the child's spirit because "despite everything, he is the greatest thing in your life"
Mr Sparks hits the nail on the head and shows everyone how life for such a mother really is. And me, as a reader, cannot help but admire the simplicity and elegance with which he describes it.
I normally avoid Mr. Sparks' novels because he always ends up killing someone in the end and I hate bad endings especially in love stories. But this novel is different.
True to his style, Mr. Sparks does kill someone here also, but still the good outweighs the bad and you can truthfully call this book a "feel good story" that I highly recommend for anyone in a mood for a lovely romance.
Check out this review and more over at The Magic Book Corner
It may look like a cliche at first: a sweet love story between a beautiful woman in need of rescue and a rugged handsome hero on the background of an idyllic small town. But trust me, it is much more than that!
This is the story of Denise Holden, a single mother in her late twenties who struggles to raise her little cute 4 year old boy Kyle, who suffers of a delayed speech disorder. And while describing Denise's life, Sparks manages somehow to perfectly describe the life of almost all the mothers of children with special needs.
From the description of a typical day of life with her child:
"A step forward, a step backward, two steps to the side, always a struggle. He was better than he once had been, yet he was still to far behind."
to the questions that come creeping at night:
"had it been something she'd done while pregnant? Had she eaten the wrong food, had she rested enough?"; questions whose answers are simply too painful to consider like: "Was all of this somehow her fault?"
from the worries that plague her everyday:
"She worried about him all the time, and though all mothers worried about their children, she knew it wasn't the same. Sometimes she wished she knew someone else who had a child like Kyle. At least then someone would understand. At least then she'd have someone to talk to, to compare notes with, to offer a shoulder when she needed to cry. Did other mothers wake up every day and wonder whether their child would ever have a friend? Any friend? Ever? Did other mothers wonder whether their children would go to a regular school or play sports or go to the prom? Did other mothers watch as their children were ostracized, not only by other children but by other parents as well? Did their worries go on every minute of every day seemingly without an end in sight?"
to the way she judges others by the way they treat her child,
from loosing her patience and shouting and then feeling wretched for having done it to the fierce pride for the child's spirit because "despite everything, he is the greatest thing in your life"
Mr Sparks hits the nail on the head and shows everyone how life for such a mother really is. And me, as a reader, cannot help but admire the simplicity and elegance with which he describes it.
I normally avoid Mr. Sparks' novels because he always ends up killing someone in the end and I hate bad endings especially in love stories. But this novel is different.
True to his style, Mr. Sparks does kill someone here also, but still the good outweighs the bad and you can truthfully call this book a "feel good story" that I highly recommend for anyone in a mood for a lovely romance.
Check out this review and more over at The Magic Book Corner
April 25, 2016
Re-read: April 2016
3rd time reading
She knew that the initial feelings associated with love were almost like an ocean wave in their intensity, acting as the magnetic force that drew two people together. It was possible to be washed away in the emotion, but the wave wouldn't last forever. It couldn't -- nor was it meant to be -- but if two people were right for each other, a truer kind of love could last forever in it's wake. At least, that's what she believed.
Single mom Denise Holton is driving home one stormy night with her 4 year old son, Kyle. They had been at Duke, because Kyle was having yet another evaluation done. He had been misdiagnosed many times, with the doctors finally settling on central auditory processing disorder ( CAPD ). It could be somewhat described as dyslexia of sound...language is all jumbled up for him, for some unknown reason. He has the language ability of a 24 month old.
On their drive home, a deer darts into the road, causing Denise to jerk the wheel. They crash headlong into a tree and Denise loses consciousness. She comes to when her car is spotted by volunteer fireman Taylor McAden, who's in the area looking for downed power lines. That's when Denise realizes that Kyle has left the car and wandered away, in the middle of a terrible storm, with nothing around but swamp. Basically a parents worst nightmare, to have their child missing. With Denise unable to search herself due to her injuries, Taylor helps to take charge of the search for Kyle.
Once back into the routine of their normal life, Taylor and Denise happen to encounter each other again and have an undeniable attraction to each other. Taylor though, is living constantly with guilt over something that happened in his past. Because of that guilt, he can't bring himself to fall in love. He's a charmer and seems drawn to troubled woman, rescuing them from the difficulties of their lives, but as soon as they want something more serious from him, he withdraws. Can Denise be the one to rescue him back?
This is one of my favorite novels by Nicholas Sparks. It includes Sparks normal recipe for success...small town setting, beautiful woman who is mostly unaware of just how far her beauty goes, hardworking man, a chance encounter turning into love.
I think the reason that this one affects me the most though, is because I can relate quite a bit with the MC, Denise.
Like her, I too am a single mother ( though I have two ). Like Kyle's, the biological father is not involved. Denise has basically given up her life as she knew it to devote her time to her son. For the duration of this novel, she works as a server in a local diner...I had my children young and because of that, I made the decision to put off my own education until they are older, because I wanted to be able to devote as much time as I could to my children. So I too am a server/bartender, because I can essentially make the money I need without missing the important events and milestones that mark their lives at this point. Like Denise, I've now got a wonderful man who is good to me, but more importantly, is good to my children. Luckily our relationship has progressed without Taylor's demons haunting us.
I can relate to Denise with how hard just life as a single mother can be. And the fact that her son has a learning disability makes me realize how much harder it could be. It really makes me appreciate my children, both their good and bad sides, that much more. So this novel has always really affected me. Makes me cry every time.
This is the novel that made me fall in love with Nicholas Sparks writing. It was a 5 star read the first time I read it, and it remains one every time.
3rd time reading
She knew that the initial feelings associated with love were almost like an ocean wave in their intensity, acting as the magnetic force that drew two people together. It was possible to be washed away in the emotion, but the wave wouldn't last forever. It couldn't -- nor was it meant to be -- but if two people were right for each other, a truer kind of love could last forever in it's wake. At least, that's what she believed.
Single mom Denise Holton is driving home one stormy night with her 4 year old son, Kyle. They had been at Duke, because Kyle was having yet another evaluation done. He had been misdiagnosed many times, with the doctors finally settling on central auditory processing disorder ( CAPD ). It could be somewhat described as dyslexia of sound...language is all jumbled up for him, for some unknown reason. He has the language ability of a 24 month old.
On their drive home, a deer darts into the road, causing Denise to jerk the wheel. They crash headlong into a tree and Denise loses consciousness. She comes to when her car is spotted by volunteer fireman Taylor McAden, who's in the area looking for downed power lines. That's when Denise realizes that Kyle has left the car and wandered away, in the middle of a terrible storm, with nothing around but swamp. Basically a parents worst nightmare, to have their child missing. With Denise unable to search herself due to her injuries, Taylor helps to take charge of the search for Kyle.
Once back into the routine of their normal life, Taylor and Denise happen to encounter each other again and have an undeniable attraction to each other. Taylor though, is living constantly with guilt over something that happened in his past. Because of that guilt, he can't bring himself to fall in love. He's a charmer and seems drawn to troubled woman, rescuing them from the difficulties of their lives, but as soon as they want something more serious from him, he withdraws. Can Denise be the one to rescue him back?
This is one of my favorite novels by Nicholas Sparks. It includes Sparks normal recipe for success...small town setting, beautiful woman who is mostly unaware of just how far her beauty goes, hardworking man, a chance encounter turning into love.
I think the reason that this one affects me the most though, is because I can relate quite a bit with the MC, Denise.
Like her, I too am a single mother ( though I have two ). Like Kyle's, the biological father is not involved. Denise has basically given up her life as she knew it to devote her time to her son. For the duration of this novel, she works as a server in a local diner...I had my children young and because of that, I made the decision to put off my own education until they are older, because I wanted to be able to devote as much time as I could to my children. So I too am a server/bartender, because I can essentially make the money I need without missing the important events and milestones that mark their lives at this point. Like Denise, I've now got a wonderful man who is good to me, but more importantly, is good to my children. Luckily our relationship has progressed without Taylor's demons haunting us.
I can relate to Denise with how hard just life as a single mother can be. And the fact that her son has a learning disability makes me realize how much harder it could be. It really makes me appreciate my children, both their good and bad sides, that much more. So this novel has always really affected me. Makes me cry every time.
This is the novel that made me fall in love with Nicholas Sparks writing. It was a 5 star read the first time I read it, and it remains one every time.
August 1, 2007
I didn't like this book at all. The writing itself was OK, aside from a few "telling not showing" episodes, and an occasional duplication of the same phrase (ie, "roll in the sack"), but in general it is easy to see why his books are often bestsellers among people who like this sort of thing - but I didn't identify with, or even like, the characters.
I took the book out of a box in my department on campus. When people retire or leave the job for another reason, often when the office is cleaned out some of the books wind up in the common area, free for the taking. I always go through them, and take whatever interests me. Usually they are academic books, or at least education-related, such as something by Kozol. But last time there were quite a few fairly recent popular novels. I took the Sparks book because I'd seen (and liked) The Notebook, and have read good reviews of his writing.
This has nothing to do with my frustration with the book, but it's pretty hard to believe that a man wrote this book, or for that matter, wrote The Notebook. I suppose that is kind of a sexist remark, I mean why can't a man write a romantic story?, but they are not simply romantic, they are the ultimate "chick lit" or "chick flick." (I hate those terms, and usually I am not thrilled with that genre either, at least not as done by a contemporary author. [Bronte, Austen, etc. are fine.] I also dislike movies such as "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle" so I am probably not the best audience for Sparks' books.)
Anyway, about halfway through this book I wanted to reach into the pages and slap the main character because she is so whiny and "poor me," and then slap her love interest just for good measure. Not that he doesn't deserve a good slap for his own tiresome nature. It seems the reader is supposed to view him as heroic? I didn't think so; I thought he was a glory hog. I kept hoping something really bad would happen to one of the characters and the book would wind up surprising me and being worth the effort! I don't know if The Notebook read like this, maybe. But even if it did, the looking back through Altzheimer's Disease theme made the story much more charming. With this book I was so annoyed that the so-called hardships these two characters have faced are either 1) self-inflicted, 2) not all that difficult, yet they act like such martyrs or 3) sad, but get over it already!
One other thing that bothered me is the issue of the little boy. Many of the choices the main female character makes struck me as harmful. And the things they ate, because they didn't have a lot of money, would have made her fat, not thin. Plus that sort of diet would not have helped the son's learning disabilities. If his mother was supposed to be making such sacrifices for him, and had researched his disorder so much, you'd think that would have been a no brainer. Hey, but why be concerned - a man swoops in and magically the kid improves!
In the end, something bad does happen - but unfortunately, it was not to one of the main characters.
It's too bad this was the first book of his that I read, since it is possible the others are better, and now I am turned off. But at least I know why I found it in a box for free!
I took the book out of a box in my department on campus. When people retire or leave the job for another reason, often when the office is cleaned out some of the books wind up in the common area, free for the taking. I always go through them, and take whatever interests me. Usually they are academic books, or at least education-related, such as something by Kozol. But last time there were quite a few fairly recent popular novels. I took the Sparks book because I'd seen (and liked) The Notebook, and have read good reviews of his writing.
This has nothing to do with my frustration with the book, but it's pretty hard to believe that a man wrote this book, or for that matter, wrote The Notebook. I suppose that is kind of a sexist remark, I mean why can't a man write a romantic story?, but they are not simply romantic, they are the ultimate "chick lit" or "chick flick." (I hate those terms, and usually I am not thrilled with that genre either, at least not as done by a contemporary author. [Bronte, Austen, etc. are fine.] I also dislike movies such as "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle" so I am probably not the best audience for Sparks' books.)
Anyway, about halfway through this book I wanted to reach into the pages and slap the main character because she is so whiny and "poor me," and then slap her love interest just for good measure. Not that he doesn't deserve a good slap for his own tiresome nature. It seems the reader is supposed to view him as heroic? I didn't think so; I thought he was a glory hog. I kept hoping something really bad would happen to one of the characters and the book would wind up surprising me and being worth the effort! I don't know if The Notebook read like this, maybe. But even if it did, the looking back through Altzheimer's Disease theme made the story much more charming. With this book I was so annoyed that the so-called hardships these two characters have faced are either 1) self-inflicted, 2) not all that difficult, yet they act like such martyrs or 3) sad, but get over it already!
One other thing that bothered me is the issue of the little boy. Many of the choices the main female character makes struck me as harmful. And the things they ate, because they didn't have a lot of money, would have made her fat, not thin. Plus that sort of diet would not have helped the son's learning disabilities. If his mother was supposed to be making such sacrifices for him, and had researched his disorder so much, you'd think that would have been a no brainer. Hey, but why be concerned - a man swoops in and magically the kid improves!
In the end, something bad does happen - but unfortunately, it was not to one of the main characters.
It's too bad this was the first book of his that I read, since it is possible the others are better, and now I am turned off. But at least I know why I found it in a box for free!
August 28, 2009
I had never planned on reading another Nicholas Sparks book, but my mother-in-law gave me a copy of this book thinking I would like it. And actually, I did start out enjoying it better than I thought I would, perhaps because one of the main characters is a young boy with a disability (and I have one of those myself), but the more I read on, the less I enjoyed it. The writing was so pedestrian that it barely sparked my interest, and the repeated references to Taylor's father's death without explanation became annoying. Of course I realized that it was an important mystery that somehow related to Taylor's inability to stay in a relationship, but, when, at the very end of the book, the death story is finally revealed, it is so horrifyingly pull-at-the-heartstrings, do-I-really-want-that-image-in-my-brain tragic, that I felt all the more manipulated. As popular a story-teller as he is, Nicholas Sparks just doesn't do it for me.
October 21, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Nicholas Sparks another excellent read.
Thank you Nicholas Sparks another excellent read.
May 22, 2012
While reading The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks, I didn't want to put it down. Every chance I had I wanted to read to see what happened. Like most of Sparks' books it was amazing. A perfect love story to say the least. I would suggest this book for girls to read rather than boys. Just because it is kind of like a "chick flick" type of book.
The Rescue takes place in modern day South Carolina. Denise a young, single mother of Kyle, a five year old little boy with a comprehension disorder as well as a speech disorder. Denise gets into a car accident during one of the wildest storms ever known to hit Edenton, a small town in South Carolina. Kyle not knowing any better, and feeling scared and alone escapes the car while Denise is unconscious. Kyle wonders the largest deeps swamps on the outskirts of town. Taylor McAdean, a volunteer firefighter, stumbles upon Denise’s car while on way to another call due to the storm. Taylor takes it upon himself to find Kyle before it’s too late.
I would suggest this book to anyone who has read Nicholas Sparks’ books before and likes them. It was definitely a tear jerker. I loved every second of the book. There wasn’t every a chapter when something important didn’t happen. I would read this book again and again. It was amazing! Go read it, if you haven’t!
The Rescue takes place in modern day South Carolina. Denise a young, single mother of Kyle, a five year old little boy with a comprehension disorder as well as a speech disorder. Denise gets into a car accident during one of the wildest storms ever known to hit Edenton, a small town in South Carolina. Kyle not knowing any better, and feeling scared and alone escapes the car while Denise is unconscious. Kyle wonders the largest deeps swamps on the outskirts of town. Taylor McAdean, a volunteer firefighter, stumbles upon Denise’s car while on way to another call due to the storm. Taylor takes it upon himself to find Kyle before it’s too late.
I would suggest this book to anyone who has read Nicholas Sparks’ books before and likes them. It was definitely a tear jerker. I loved every second of the book. There wasn’t every a chapter when something important didn’t happen. I would read this book again and again. It was amazing! Go read it, if you haven’t!
June 11, 2010
Okay, I get it. This book was designed to feed the ego of every woman who believes she's supermom. I found Denise's obsession (portrayed by Sparks as devotion) with her son, Kyle, too easy, too pleasing and, at times, entirely sickening. I mean really, wouldn't repeatedly restraining him in a chair, often for hours on end, until he finally utters a single word be considered abuse in some states? How silly! I found myself appalled at her lack of self identity. Even worse, the story was SO predictable I often felt I could have written it better myself. Admittedly, I'm not what you'd call a Sparks "fan". I have read and enjoyed a few of his books, and this one screamed "afterthought". Perhaps it was a quick write and quick publish designed to ride the waves of his enormous success. At least, that's what I hope.
October 1, 2021
I have never read a Nicholas Sparks book before. I love the movie the Notebook so much that I had to read one of his books. Well let me say that this book did not disappoint at all. I love, love. This book was about a woman who had moved back to her mom's home town when her mother passed away. She has a son who has problems with speaking. One night coming home it was raining hard and a deer was in the middle of road. She doesn't want to hit the deer so she swerves to miss the deer only to end up in a ditch. She was awakened by a volunteer firefighter who was trying to help her out the car. Once things came back to her she realized that her son wasn't in the car anymore. Thus begins this love story.
December 5, 2021
2.5
Another of the bunch
We’re here once again, reading another book from him, and what can I possible say that I haven’t?
The beginning of the book is about a missing child with specialities and of course, the moms aguish, and to be honest I was interested on that, so I thought perhaps this is not just a romance book, but it also has some mysterious thing going on because of the title and we’re going to see throughout the book the rescue of the child.
But, oh my surprise when they found him literally on the same night, just hours missing, so this is going to be like that, and once again we do have another romance book, reading the same, two unknown people meeting each other, drama in their lives, but of course, they end up being happy with a happy family (because children are really important).
At this point I’m a strong believer that he doesn’t write that bad, the plot and characters are pretty okay, all of his books are at some point entertaining but right now, my main problem is that after reading several books from him, it does feel the same, it doesn’t fully feel brand-new characters and the stories are pretty normal, but when you read it several times, you can guess by now what’s going to happen and it does end up happening.
Another of the bunch
We’re here once again, reading another book from him, and what can I possible say that I haven’t?
The beginning of the book is about a missing child with specialities and of course, the moms aguish, and to be honest I was interested on that, so I thought perhaps this is not just a romance book, but it also has some mysterious thing going on because of the title and we’re going to see throughout the book the rescue of the child.
But, oh my surprise when they found him literally on the same night, just hours missing, so this is going to be like that, and once again we do have another romance book, reading the same, two unknown people meeting each other, drama in their lives, but of course, they end up being happy with a happy family (because children are really important).
At this point I’m a strong believer that he doesn’t write that bad, the plot and characters are pretty okay, all of his books are at some point entertaining but right now, my main problem is that after reading several books from him, it does feel the same, it doesn’t fully feel brand-new characters and the stories are pretty normal, but when you read it several times, you can guess by now what’s going to happen and it does end up happening.
April 13, 2016
Okay, after finishing The Rescue just now, I no longer have a 3 way tie for my number one Sparks book. This one is my number one. I love this book and I'm very happy my sister recommended it to me and let me borrow her book. There were times I wished I could give Taylor McAden a good shake. I did love this book and I think that Taylor McAden and Denise Holton's love story is beautiful and I love the characters and everything about this book. The Rescue is definitely a ten star for me.
January 22, 2015
I definitely did not enjoy this as much as I have some of Sparks' other works. Denise, while yes, being a devoted mother, was an entirely unlikeable character. She was weak, pathetic, and everything I can't stand in a woman. She was like a stray puppy following Taylor around pleading "Love me, love me!" Ugh. While the ending was decent (and completely predictable), I didn't like the inbetween.
dropped
June 20, 2021DNF halfway
I can deal with the "almond shaped eyes" bs. Like I've said before, everybody has almond shaped eyes. I don't see round eyes or square eyes or oval eyes.
If you ask what shape mine are, sure I'll concede they're almonds, and not that big either, and hey I'm not Asian.
What I won't stand by is calling them "exotic eyes". Whatever the f* Nicholas Sparks even means with that.
I can deal with the "almond shaped eyes" bs. Like I've said before, everybody has almond shaped eyes. I don't see round eyes or square eyes or oval eyes.
If you ask what shape mine are, sure I'll concede they're almonds, and not that big either, and hey I'm not Asian.
What I won't stand by is calling them "exotic eyes". Whatever the f* Nicholas Sparks even means with that.
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