Member Reviews
Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is a heartwarming and emotional story about love, loss, and finding where you truly belong. The novel follows three main characters—Tanner, Kaitlyn, and Jasper—whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Tanner, a man who has never settled anywhere, searches for his long-lost father in Asheboro, where he meets Kaitlyn, a divorced mother of two, and Jasper, an older man haunted by a tragic past.
The characters are well-developed, and the story beautifully weaves together themes of family, healing, and redemption. I especially enjoyed how Jasper’s heartbreaking backstory added depth to the novel, while Tanner’s journey of self-discovery and Kaitlyn’s resilience were equally compelling.
While the romance between Tanner and Kaitlyn was sweet, I wished there had been more focus on their relationship towards the end. Overall, it’s a touching read that offers valuable life lessons and showcases Sparks’ signature style of storytelling. A must-read for fans of heartfelt, uplifting stories.
Absolutely brilliant, read it in pretty much one sitting, couldn’t put it down wanting to know what happened next. I was in bits by the end.
A definite must read
Counting Miracles is a truly beautiful read, filled with a heartfelt and emotional story. This is the first time I've read a book from three peoples POV. I loved how the story intersected and how perfectly Jaspers early life flashbacks fit in. Jasper's tragic loss of his entire family is so heartbreaking and I felt that Nicholas Sparks writing captured the sensitive nature of the story. The book provides some valuable life lessons and portrays the true ups and downs of people's lives. Tanners story shows that even when you're lost, life has a way of leading you down the right path to settle down.
I enjoyed reading about Tanners and Kaitlyn's romance, however I would have loved to hear more about how things developed towards the end. I felt that the relationship was a little lacking in places. I do understand that the focus was more on Tanner's need to find his father and Jasper's backstory.
The symbolism of the white dear was written perfectly, but I feel the sub story of the two boys hunting it was at some points unnecessary. Considering no action was taken against the Littleton Boy's, I the story was lacking there life lessons also,
I really liked this book and would recommend to others looking for a warm and family orientated feel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
This was a powerful emotional read. Heartwarming and hopeful.
Tanner Hughes is trying to find his natural father following the death of his grandmother who brought him up. This brings him to Asheboro and to meet Kaitlyn Cooper - local medic and single mum. There is an immediate attraction.
83 year old Jasper lives alone with Argo, his old dog in a cabin by the National forest. He is obsessed with protecting the white deer.
The story of each connects and each finds a way to look towards the future with hope.
One to be recommended.
I just loved this book from the start so much so that I read it in one go and one day it was such an amazing story and so heartbreaking and heartwarming too. I just thought it was beautiful and it just shows that you need to have hope as you never know what is going to happen to you and yes some can be bad but also some can be good too and that’s what you have to hold on too.
I would highly recommend reading this book if you love Nicholas Sparks books but also if you love that no matter what you think will happen something can always change the outcome but in a good way.
I would like to thank Sphere and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.
This is the first Nicolas Sparks book I have read and it won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were well written and believable and the storyline intense.
Beautiful new book from Nicholas Sparks, full of wisdom, love and life.
Tanner has never lived in one place for long but now retired from the armed forces, he has tried various paths to heal his past. With the loss of his last remaining relative his grandmother says something that he has to explore, When his journey takes him to Ashboro in Virginia he meets a very special family.
Kaitlyn is a divorced mother of two, a doctor who cares about her community. Then there is Jasper who has been dealt some seriously low blows through life, and keeps himself to himself with his dog Arlo.
The sensitivity and loving insight within this story is truly beautiful. There were no second guesses or predictability for me in the tale, which surprised me. On one level a pure and simple love story and on another a way of living a true and fulfilling life. A lot of wisdom and great food for thought, and although there is a lot from the Bible you don’t need to be a devout Christian to see the true meaning and value here. Charming engaging warm and just brilliant.
A gorgeous treasure and treat to read.
Thank you NetGalley and Sphere was a wonderful gift of an early read!
The best book I have read so far this year!
Tanner was raised my his grandparents after his mum died shortly after birth. He never knew who is dad was. On her death bed his Grandma reveals the name of his father. The book follows his search to find him along with the lives of people he meets along the way.
5* would highly recommend
A sweet, heartfelt, and emotional read that had me in tears by the ending. It was so beautiful and simple, yet a depth of emotion that felt so real and heartbreaking.
We 5 the story from three different people as they navigate the present tense that unfolds as we read, and we get little glimpses of the past that paint a heartbreaking tale.
Tanner is navigating a major change in his future after the death of his last living relative, his grandmother, who questioned the direction his life was headed in. As he visits the families of his fellow soldiers after their deaths, he takes a brief detour to investigate a startling revelation his grandmother passed on to him on her death bed. Whilst in the small town of Asheboro, he meets Kaitlyn, a doctor who is also a single mother and feels in instant connection that surprises them both. Exploring the possibility of each other proves difficult with him leaving and all. Kaitlyn tells her own part of the story.
We also hear from Jasper, an old man who has an incredibly tragic and heartbreaking past that will tear your heart out. Prepare yourself!
I really enjoy this easy to read story that really put me through the ringer. Loved it!
This was a gorgeous read by an author I had never read before - loved the characters with such depth and the writing was excellent - you were rooting for the characters to get their happy endings all throughout the book. This is one I'll definitely be recommending to others when published.
What a beautifully written powerful story. Tanner was raised by his grandparents after the death of his mother during childbirth. He followed in his grandfather’s footsteps in the military. He’s never had any interest in settling down, his career is his life.
Following the death of his grandmother she tells him to find where he belongs and dropping the bombshell of the town his father was from. Tanner has accepted another contract in Cameroon but has a few months until his posting so heads to Ashboro to try to find his father.
The first night in town his new car is hit by a young girl Casey, not wanting to let he drive herself home he comes to the rescue no drives her back. He meets her mother Kaitlyn and is instantly drawn to her and the feelings are mutual but Kaitlyn is wary as she’s not interested in a fling. I loved how their story developed, the family dynamics felt so real to life which as a parent I truly appreciated.
In between their developing story we also follow Jasper, an 83 year old gentleman who lives in a cabin with dog Arlo. Learning his backstory is so humbling and heartbreaking.
How their stories interlink as it develops is wonderful, coming together in the end, I was in tears. I highly recommend, such a beautiful read.
Thank you NetGalley, Nicholas Sparks and Little Brown Book Group for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.
This is a new author for me. A group of interesting characters who are well drawn; I particularly liked Jasper. There are themes of love and loss and starting again against almost impossible odds. There were obstacles for all of the characters but I liked the neatly tied up ending where all the issues were drawn together.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for this eCopy to review
I just finished reading “Counting Miracles” by Nicholas Sparks, and I have to say, it was an absolutely beautiful and heart-wrenching experience. From the very first page, I was drawn into the lives of the characters and the picturesque setting of Asheboro, North Carolina.
The story revolves around three main characters: Tanner Hughes, Kaitlyn Cooper, and Jasper. Tanner, a former Army Ranger, is on a quest to find his unknown father after his grandmother’s deathbed revelation. Kaitlyn, a dedicated single mom and doctor, is juggling her demanding career and raising her two children. And then there’s Jasper, an elderly recluse haunted by a tragic past, whose only companion is his loyal dog, Arlo.
What I loved most about this book was how Sparks weaved their stories together. Tanner and Kaitlyn’s romance was both tender and realistic, filled with moments of joy and heartache. Jasper’s journey to protect a rare white deer in the forest added a layer of mystery and depth to the narrative.
The themes of love, loss, and second chances are explored with such sensitivity and insight. Sparks has a way of making you feel every emotion the characters go through, and by the end of the book, I was left with a sense of hope and belief in the power of miracles.
Overall, “Counting Miracles” is a testament to Nicholas Sparks’ storytelling prowess. It’s a book that will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt and moving read.
Book Review: Counting Miracles
Reading Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks was an emotional journey that resonated with me on so many levels. From the very first page, I felt Tanner’s struggle with belonging. Having spent his life moving from place to place, his search for identity felt painfully relatable. When he learns about his father’s location from his dying grandmother, I could sense his mix of hope and trepidation.
Kaitlyn’s character brought warmth to the narrative. A strong woman who has rebuilt her life after divorce, she represents the strength of community and the power of second chances. The chemistry between her and Tanner was electric, and I found myself rooting for their connection, wishing for Tanner to find the home he had longed for.
Jasper’s storyline added another layer of depth. His haunting past and the companionship of his dog Arlo tugged at my heartstrings, and I appreciated how Sparks wove his story into Tanner and Kaitlyn’s. The way their paths intertwined felt both organic and poignant, illustrating how our lives can touch others in unexpected ways.
Sparks has a unique ability to capture the complexities of love, loss, and redemption. As I turned the pages, I was struck by the themes of forgiveness and the importance of finding where you truly belong. The emotional weight of the characters' experiences lingered long after I finished reading.
Counting Miracles is a beautifully written novel that reminded me of the beauty in our shared journeys and the miracles that can happen when we least expect them. It’s a story of hope, love, and the healing power of connection. I can confidently say this book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt lost, as it beautifully captures the essence of finding home within ourselves and with others.
Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
I enjoyed this book.
We meet Kaitlyn, who is a doctor and Jasper, who is her patient and one of her son’s friends.
When her daughter encounters Tanner when he comes to their town, all their lives change and will never be as they were.
The stories characters and how they are linked kept you engrossed throughout.
I recommend this book.
Another smash for Nicholas Spark. I don’t know how he does it. Great story and characters. Thoroughly enjoyed Sparks latest novel.
My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Counting Miracles’ written by Nicholas Sparks in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Just before she died Tanner’s grandmother handed him a piece of paper with the name of the town where his father lived. He’s never met his father so five weeks later he drives into Asheboro and while searching for anyone who knew his father he meets Dr Kaitlyn Cooper. An elderly man, Jasper, lives in a cabin nearby with just his dog Arlo for company. When these three strangers meet their worlds are about to change irrevocably.
‘Counting Miracles’ has been an amazing story to read with the most wonderful characters who’ve been described to perfection. I’ve enjoyed reading of the growing attraction that develops between Kaitlyn and Tanner who came across as a genuinely nice man, but the star in my opinion is Jasper who despite his age and infirmities, and with his devoted dog Arlo by his side, is determined to protect the white deer from poachers. This novel is part family drama and part love story and I was totally bewitched from the beginning, unable to stop reading until I’d reached the final page. I’ve enjoyed every single minute of this novel and would love for it to continue with a sequel as I’m desperate to know what happens to the characters and if there’s a happy-ever-after ending.
3.5 stars
Tanner Hughes has just lost his Grandmother, the last family member that he thinks he had. But as a final act, she gives him a clue to the location of his long-lost father. He has a few months before he needs to start his new job so decides to go and see if he can find him, but a literal bump into a local girl in a pub car park may derail his plans completely.
I got such great vibes from the first quarter of this book and thought it was going to be this epic story, but while it was a very good read, the build up at the start had me a little underwhelmed with the rest!
Another wonderful read from Nicholas Sparks. Great storyline along with great characters. A book not to be missed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
I loved the characters in this book. Tanner’s story was really interesting and I loved how it all came together in the end. Recommended.