Book Review: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Is there really such a thing as a good luck charm? Ex-soldier Logan Thibault thinks he just might have found one. Haunted by memories of the friends he lost in Iraq, Logan knows how fortunate he is to be home. He believes that a photograph he carried with him, a picture of a smiling woman he’s never met, kept him safe. Even though he knows nothing about this woman, he hopes she might hold the key to his destiny. Resolving to find her, Logan embarks on a journey of startling discovery. Beth, the woman whose picture he holds, is struggling with problems of her own: her volatile ex-husband won’t accept their relationship is over and threatens anyone who gets too close to her. And, despite a growing attraction between them, Logan has kept one explosive secret from Beth: how he came across her photograph in the first place . . .

Nicholas Sparks tells another beautiful love story.  I have to admit, part of the appeal was that Zac Efron would be playing Logan in the film but nevertheless I'm glad I picked this book up (or rather, downloaded it).  I thoroughly enjoyed this book although I was a little confused during the final pages as to what was going on - although the epilogue soon clarified everything for me. The book features romance, dogs and stalkers which make for a surprisingly good story. It's an easy, light read, perfect for a holiday and grips you from the start.  If you enjoy chick flicks with a bit of drama then I recommend this to you.  

I watched the film last night to compare the two together, and as always the book won.  Although the film was a great watch, it lacked so much from the book.  For example, one of the main themes in the novel is dogs - Zeus was as much of a main character as Logan and Beth yet the film failed to portray this.  By doing so we lost Ben and Zeus's friendship.  Also, in the film they make out that Logan knew how Drake died - something that didn't happen in the book at all! I know film adaptations are always different but I felt that they could have kept closer to the original storyline.  Nonetheless it was a good film, one I would watch again.      

Just finished: Fifty Shades of Grey

Currently reading: Fifty Shades Darker