Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks

 

Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents after his mother died during childbirth. He's never known the identity of his father. On her deathbed his grandmother gives him a name, setting Tanner on a voyage to find his father.

It is quite a while since I've read anything by Nicholas Sparks. I have such vivid memories of reading my first novel by the author, Message In A Bottle, not long after it was published. A friend gave me a copy and when I got to the end I threw the book at her, I was so devastated by the ending. I've read a few more books from the author since then but none have had the same impact on me. After reading a few of the author's books you have an inkling of what to expect and this is probably why it's been a while since I've read one of his novels. Counting Miracles lived up to expectations, with all the usual hallmarks you would expect from Nicholas Sparks.

I liked the main character, Tanner Hughes. An army brat, raised by his grandparents, he's never settled down. Once he left the army he continued to work in various security roles abroad. On her deathbed, his sole surviving relative gives him the name of his father, a man he knew nothing about. With time before his next contract starts, Tanner decides to visit the town of Asheboro, the possible home of his father. Tanner's upbringing has given him a strong moral compass and we see this in the interactions he has with a teenager shortly after he arrives in Asheboro.

The interactions with the teen result in Tanner meeting Kaitlyn, a single mother. The chemistry between the two is instantaneous. You know immediately what the outcome of this meeting will be, and you also know that the progress won't be smooth sailing. The majority of the turbulence originates from Kaitlyn. I couldn't warm to her character, finding her to be a bit erratic and demanding.

Alongside the possible relationship is a second story featuring a loner, Jasper. Something in his past has left Jasper physically scarred, to the degree that he covers his face on the rare occasions he ventures into town. Over time we slowly learn Jasper's backstory. The novel alternates between Tanner's story and Jasper's story. While this regular switching keeps the interest flowing, for much of the time I couldn't see a connection and felt as if I was reading two completely different books.

There are highs and lows in both stories as the main characters battle with the problems that are thrown in their path. For one of them, danger lurks as they try to do the right thing. Eventually, the story lines merge and the two separate stories make sense in this wholesome tale.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks will be published on 24th September 2024 in hardback ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown UK for a review copy.

Author Details

With over 105 million copies of his books sold, Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. His novels include thirteen number one New York Times bestsellers. All Nicholas Sparks’ books have been international bestsellers and have been translated into more than fifty languages. Eleven of his novels have been adapted into major films – The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven, The Lucky One, The Last Song, Dear John, Nights in Rodanthe, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook and The Choice.