Rating:  Summary: You won't believe James Patterson wrote this... Review: You really won't be able to believe that the same person who wrote Kiss the Girls & Hide & Seek wrote this book. At first I wondered if I'd have a hard time believing this love story...but I didn't at all. I was immediately drawn into this story. I could not put it down!Unlike any of his stories before, this is a story solely about love. Of course, there is the mystery about the diary that the mother Suzanne wrote for her son Nicholas- what happened to her? So as you're reading, there's an urgency to know what will happen, as well as you're enjoying the sentimental romance. Neither disappoint. This was one of the best romance books I've read in a long time. It was a perfect size, quick reading with a story that leaves you begging for more. When I finished I cried in a way that a story has not made me cry in a very long time. You must pick up this book- you won't regret it!
Rating:  Summary: Every bit as ordinary the second time around Review: I despised this book the first time I read it, but recently I picked it up to see if my judgement had been clouded. It hadn't. This book is so awful I feel compelled to write this review to *prevent* people wasting money and time on reading it. Its every bit fluff, pop culture reference name dropper, thin translucent characters and awful narrative and grammar that can possibly be, I've read *fanfiction* and tenth grade essays more fulfilling than this novel. I won't go into the plot--its not worth it. I'm not a cold hearted person at all, hey one of my favourite novels is Judy Blume's "Tiger Eyes" (and i'm 19!) this book just made me laugh, and NOT in the good way. I'm sorry to say but only simple minds can be pleased by this very, very ludicrous, watery effort by James Patterson, a doctors office/airport/beach read at best.
Rating:  Summary: Possibly the worst book I've ever read Review: I find it hard to believe this book makes people cry. I couldn't keep from rolling my eyes, cringing and groaning throughout. Completely unrealistic. Unsympathetic characters. Stupid "twists" (the two Matts -- give me a break). Like a previous reviewer, I have never written an online review, but I feel compelled to do my part to save people from this book. I'm not opposed to a romantic "tear-jerker": ten years ago I sobbed uncontrollably on a bus while reading "The Bridges of Madison County." But THIS book, well, take your pick of adjectives: cheesy, schlocky, sappy, stupid. In a word: bad. (And not the good kind of bad.)
Rating:  Summary: Wow...Patterson is so talented Review: It has been a very, very long time since a novel made me cry...this one did it...and in such a beautiful way. I've always been a Patterson reader and was surprised and delighted to read something so different from him. Please write more like this...
Rating:  Summary: Sweet story...very touching!!! Review: This was definitely a quick read and also very different. I think Patterson had a way of telling this story through the diary, and yet switching back and forth between Katie and Suzanne to get his point across. I also think perhaps this story touched on his own life and it was written with heart. My thoughts anyway. Deep love is such a wonderful thing to get and have for however long we're lucky enough to have it. You could see that Matt wasn't ready for another relationship, so he walked away. But he loved Katie, so he wanted her to know "why" and he left her the diary. I'm putty in a writer's hands when it comes to romance, and I thought this story was a sweet one. I do think Patterson is a better mystery writer, but I'd admire his efforts on this one. I have one more book of Patterson's to read and then I'm moving on to someone else. I don't think this book was boring, but it wasn't your super-duper romance. It was just what it was..."sweet".
Rating:  Summary: Best read in a long long time!!! Review: I stumbled across this book because I am a long time James Patterson fan, keeping current with the Alex Cross mysteries and the Women's Murder Club series. I didn't think he could pull off a more romantic turn--boy was I wrong! I couldn't put it down! I became totally involved in the life of Suzanne and determining how Katie will fit in. Of course you go into it knowing that something has happened to Suzanne (where is she, why read her diary...?)but the emotional ups and downs were unexpected. I hope this is made into a movie--I see Sandra Bullock as Katie, Rene Zellweger as Suzanne and the field is wide open for Matt...runs the gamut from a pretty boy like Brad Pitt to a beach bum look like Matthew McConnohey (sp?), or, maybe a less obvious choice (my favorite) like Dennis Quaid....
Rating:  Summary: Loved it Review: All Mothers...and fathers should read this book. I couldn't put it down. I finished it in one day. It was so moving, as a new parent it really hit me hard. This is a loving book. It's a big jump from the usual James Patterson thrillers. I couldn't believe it was the same author, but it was written so beautiful. I bought this for friends, my mother n law, and other relatives. They all loved it as well.
Rating:  Summary: disgrace of love Review: Love between Suzanne and Matt is romantic and nicely narrated.But immediately after the death of Suzanne, Matt falls in love with Katie. This is not fair to his love for Suzanne. It is a disgrace to true love. Would give 4 out of 10.
Rating:  Summary: Life and love in the fast lane. Review: This was a modern love story; I mean, real modern about a philandering husband who was 'lucky' twice in his choice of women. Living two lives simultaneously, not so far apart -- was it fair to the 'other woman'? The title is deceiving, as it is not written as a diary. At least, not my understanding of a 'journal' or 'diary' in the real sense. This most-prolific writer based this on real life, maybe. I wonder where the idea came from, and how he hoped to successfully carry it off at his age.
Rating:  Summary: A Moving Story By A Very Talented Author!!! Review: I was totally blown away by this read and this author. I've read plenty of Mr. Patterson's works (1st to Die, Kiss The Girls...) so I knew that he was capable of penning a story that would draw me in and not let go until the final page. What I was not prepared for was this story that highlighted the fact that Mr. Patterson is a multifaceted author that was totally capable of penning a story from a women's POV and actually doing this with a certain degree of believability. Yes, this is a story that will pull on your emotions. I feel that it's a discredit to call this "clap trap drivel" and warn the reader that yes; you may just tear up during the course of your reading. I feel that this is another point in Mr. Patterson's favor though. In less then 300 pages he makes you feel connected to the characters and although you know it's not going to be a totally happy ending you will still feel compelled to continue reading. I feel that it's a statement to an author's talent if you can feel connected to a character and all the good and bad things that this might entail. To be able to touch a reader through the written word is not as easy as some would think. This is a story that is written in the form of a diary from a woman named Suzanne to her son Nicholas. Matt gives this diary to Katie a woman that he has fallen in love with but is unable to commit to. He hopes that this diary will help explain the way he is and why he had to leave her. In this diary Suzanne tells of how she met Nicholas' dad Matt and how their love grew over time and the various obstacles that stood in their way. Eventually though Suzanne's health condition makes itself known and you realize that this happy ever after love is really living on borrowed time. While reading this diary Katie soon begins to understand the man that she loves and through the diary finds a connection not only with Suzanne but with little Nicholas as well. She continues reading because she has to find out what happened to this family and how Matt came to be in her life and if it's possible for Matt and Katie to ever find a happy ending as well. Again this story was great in the fact that I was completely drawn into the storyline right from the beginning. Yes, I realize that this novel may not be for everyone. In fact stay clear if you are bothered by sentimentality, emotional ups and downs, love stories, and did not care for the movies Steel Magnolia's or Terms of Endearment. If the formally mentioned warning does not include you, then by all means pick this book up. You're in for a tremendously emotional read by a very talented author.
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