Rating:  Summary: Simply Excellent Review: This book was just what I needed. I couldn't put it down. It was filled with romance, mystery, sad and happy endings. I think people could learn a life lesson from this book-[the five balls]. If you pick up this book thinking it is like other James Patterson books you are sure to be disappointed, but if you pick it up not knowing his previous books and looking for this kind of story you will be pleasantly surprised.
Rating:  Summary: simple, insipid, shallow Review: The book was highly recommend by a well-read friend whose judgement I had previously trusted. No more. What a disappointment and waste of time! Too many inconsistencies to mention here. What I found as off-putting as any of the cliche writing was the too-often mentioned place names, in both locales, Manhattan and Martha's Vineyard. It seems that the author was simply trying to fill the pages with words - forget about literary style!
Rating:  Summary: An emotional rollercoaster Review: This book is not the typical Patterson Novel. However, for an author to be able to write from one extreme to the next is commendable. Especially so well. This is truly one of the best love stories I have ever read.
Rating:  Summary: Gag me with a rubber-coated spoon Review: This sappy story of love and tragedy has no basis in reality. It's written to totally manipulate your feelings, and it will probably elicit a tear or two from even a die-hard cynic, but why bother? Don't waste your time on this sentimental drivel.
Rating:  Summary: the best book Review: when i read this book, It left me in shock. It is one of the sweetest stories i have ever read. I am only a teen but still loved it. Anyone would like this book. I found myself crying numerous times while reading.
Rating:  Summary: Cheeseball Trash Review: This book must have been the worst novel I have ever read. The writing is repetitive without reason and trite to begin with. How much does the author get paid for every "Isn't it lucky" that appears? And who even says that? Eww. The characters were entirely unrealistic and ironically plain at the same time. The plot (if you even count it as a plot) has absolutely no point to it... This was a bomb of a venture for James Patterson. The prose is banal, cheesy, and without any depth. This book was a complete waste of my money, time, and energy. You couldn't pay me to read it again.
Rating:  Summary: Romance at its Best Review: First off, I do not normally read traditional romance novels. I chose to read this one because I do enjoy James Patterson's mysteries. This book was a complete change for him. It is the story of Suzanne, Nicholas, Matt and Katie. Matt has walked out on his lover, Katie. She holds a secret he doesn't know about and he has his own secrets to divulge. Matt sends Katie a diary, the complete story of his former life and the wife and son he has cherished. We see two women who have led parallel lives. The story moves from Katie and her heartbreak to the love and loss in the diary. While I did figure out the ending before I got to it, the book still struck a chord for me. The romance was a little over the top but I did enjoy the "5 ball" theory of life and it was a gentle reminder to live each day as if it were your last. I enjoyed the book. It will be interesting to see what type of writing Patterson does next.
Rating:  Summary: Enjoyable but not great. Review: This book was enjoyable and easy reading. The love between Suzanne and Matt was palpable. But I just didn't feel the love between parent and child. It should have been Suzanne's Diary for Matt rather than for Nicholas.
Rating:  Summary: A Shallow Hallmark Card Review: This book is a shallow as today's bad Hollywood love stories. It's contrived and insultingly lacking in depth. His characters say things like " Aren't we lucky? Life is so precious." and " Don't be a cynic... anything but that." Page after page of corny, shallow diaologue and happy, happy people. The end had me laughing and that certainly wasn't the response Mr. Patterson was after. Mostly, I'm put off with how saintly Patterson depicts his heroine. I mean here is a diary that even in it's dark moments is sweet, loving and perfect. Anger doesn't exist in this diary ever. There is no PMS, no difficulty paying the bills, or stress of being a mother while working full time. I'll stick with Maya Angelou when I want a life affirming message from a woman. Maya at least comes from a real place, while Patterson's puts on a woman's point of view like a man dressed in drag.
Rating:  Summary: A man wrote this? Review: This is a beautifully written book. As readers we are looking over the shoulder of Katie as she reads Suzanne's Diary which was written for her infant son, Nicholas. Suzanne writes about her love for Nicholas' father and her love for her son. She writes about her dreams and her fears. Katie is reading the diary looking for answers. The question is will the answers be the ones that she is hoping for? This is an amazing book full of old fashioned romance. Once you start reading you won't want to put it down and it is a great book to sit down and read all in one sitting. Don't forget to have the tissues handy. If you read The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks and enjoyed it than this is another love story you'll want to dive right into.
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