From Publishers Weekly
Sparks's 1996 debut novel, The Notebook, was a fast and easy read that sold millions upon millions of copies. Other bestselling love stories followed (Message in a Bottle; A Walk to Remember; The Guardian), but Sparks's fans have from the very beginning eagerly anticipated a sequel to the romantic tale of Allie and Noah Calhoun. The wait is now over. Attorney Wilson Lewis has been married to Noah and Allie's daughter, Jane, for 30 years. Wilson and Jane have raised three children and lived a satisfying and prosperous life in the bucolic town of New Bern, N.C. After forgetting his anniversary, Wilson realizes that the passion and romance have gone out of his marriage and fears his wife no longer loves him. Being a methodical man, he decides to embark on a yearlong program to renew his romantic ties to his wife, seeking out the advice of Noah, who now spends his days in a retirement home feeding a swan he is sure is the reincarnation of his beloved Allie. In the midst of Wilson's machinations, his daughter Anna announces she is getting married. The upcoming wedding provides Wilson with the opportunity to bring his elaborate plan to fruition. Sparks tells his sweet story competently, without sinking too deeply into the mire of sentiment; a gasp-inducing twist comes at the very end. Satisfied female readers will close the covers with a sigh and a wish that a little of the earnest, too-good-to-be-true Wilson might rub off on their own bedmates.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Tom Wopat depicts Wilson Lewis's crumbling relationship with his wife, June. Using strong characterizations, Wopat seamlessly switches from male to female roles as June grows to believe that her twenty-nine-year marriage is over. Instead of arguing when Lewis forgets their wedding anniversary, Wopat shows June's depression through sighs, half-uttered sentences, and flat tones. Lewis truly loves June, and, with the same devotion he gives to work, he now sets about winning back his wife. This intense love story portrays the dilemma of feeling taken for granted by the most important person in one's life and ends with a dramatic twist that brings a smile. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Sparks returns to characters from The Notebook (1996) and writes about Allie and Noah Calhoun's oldest daughter, Jane, and her husband, Wilson. As their thirtieth anniversary approaches, Wilson realizes that he loves Jane now more than ever and worries that his neglect (he completely forgot their twenty-ninth anniversary) may have finally driven her away. Wilson plans on showing Jane how much he loves her, but then their oldest daughter, Anna, announces that she and her boyfriend are getting married and asks if they can plan a small utilitarian wedding on her parents' anniversary. Jane agrees to share the date and convinces Anna to have a formal wedding; something that Jane missed. Jane is surprised by Wilson's willingness to work and ability to come up with truly miraculous arrangements. This sort of involvement is out of character for Wilson, a workaholic estate attorney in New Bern, North Carolina, but he really is determined to change, and Sparks is at his romantic best in this tender love story about a flawed hero trying to right his wrongs. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks comes the long-awaited follow-up to his classic tale of enduring love, The Notebook. After 30 years, Wilson Lewis, son-in-law to Noah and Allie (of The Notebook fame), is forced to admit that the romance has gone out of his marriage. Despite the shining example of his in-laws' 50-year love affair, Wilson himself is a man unable to express how he truly feels. With the distractions of his daughter's upcoming wedding he is forced to realize how close he is to losing his own wife Jane. But if Wilson is sure of anything, it's this: His love for his wife has only intensified over the years, and he wants nothing more than to make their marriage work. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' inspiring life together as his guide, Wilson pledges to find a way to make his wife fall in love with him. . . again.

Author Biography: Nicholas Sparks lives in North Carolina with his wife and family.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The wistful, reflective tone of Sparks's newest love story shines through in Wopat's competent telling, but his characterizations, particularly of the book's Southern-bred females, are hampered by the deep tenor of his voice and his accent-less approach. However, his portrayal of methodical attorney Wilson Lewis is spot on. Realizing for the first time that his "innocent neglect" has led his relationship with his wife of 30 years to become stale, Wilson decides to court her. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how or where to start. Enter Noah Calhoun, Wilson's sage-like father-in-law, whose picture-perfect romance is depicted in Sparks's 1996 debut, The Notebook. Wilson now lives in a home for the elderly and spends his days watching over a swan that he believes holds his late wife's spirit. With Noah's patient guidance, and with the wedding of Wilson's daughter fast approaching, Wilson learns how to be the husband his wife deserves. Snippets of music announce the beginning and end of each chapter and complement particularly emotional moments. While this sweetly sentimental audio may be too subdued for a long, tiring drive, it will satisfy listeners looking for a calming nighttime diversion. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Forecasts, Aug. 11). (Sept) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

As his daughter's wedding looms, Wilson Lewis-son-in-law to The Notebook's Noah and Allie-decides that he must patch up his own marriage. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

AudioFile