I just spent 10 hours of my day reading this entire book. With that, I can't even muster the correct words to begin to express my innate feelings about its ending. Nicholas Sparks has killed me. I know that sounds entirely dramatic of me to say, but his story has truly burdened me with despair and heartache. I've read novels with sad twists and turns - who hasn't? but this one was just blatantly devastating. I never cry when I read books - of course, I attach myself to the story, but never to the point where I feel like I can't even step back into reality. No, The Best Of Me had me hysterically crying - breathing heavily into my shirt... it is that inducing. I'm not suggesting that people shouldn't read it because despite its overwhelming ending - it is such an amazing read. Sparks has a way with story-telling; taking a person on this grand journey and showing them the depths of love, life, faith, acceptance, distress, and death. I can't say that I will read it again, only because I have to fully recover. I may even have to take a break from reading... I am just entirely flustered. This novel evokes the question, "Am I truly living the life I want to live?" You'll go on growing more curious about your life, your relationships, and your ultimate purpose. Sparks triggers an emotion that cannot be explained. He just gets to you, leaving one feeling completely haunted. It's unnerving - but genius. I recommend reading this when life is filled with flowers, the Summer sun is shining on your bare skin, and you're drinking a cup of coffee with the one you're irrevocably, passionately, and undoubtedly in love with.
