The 5 best Nicholas Sparks books — and 5 you can skip
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- Nicholas Sparks is, without a doubt, the king of romance novels.
- Sparks has released 24 books, and 11 have been adapted into movies.
- "The Notebook," "Dear John," and "A Walk To Remember" are among his best.
Any romance reader knows Nicholas Sparks isn't just an author — he's practically a genre of his own: the kind that promises sweeping love stories, emotional gut-punches, and at least one moment that will have you staring at the page in disbelief.
The American writer has spent decades dominating bestseller lists with stories that blend heartfelt devotion with inevitable heartbreak.
From "The Notebook" to "A Walk to Remember," his books have become cultural staples, many of which have made the jump from page to screen with massive success.
But are they all unforgettable masterpieces? Not exactly.
Here are five of the best Nicholas Sparks novels and five you can skip. First: his must-read books.
Grand Central Publishing
A Nicholas Sparks must-read is "The Longest Ride," which follows two interconnected love stories: Ira Levinson, an elderly man reflecting on his lifelong love for his late wife, Ruth, and Sophia Danko, a college student who falls for Luke Collins, a professional bull rider. As Sophia and Luke navigate their own relationship and the obstacles in their path, Ira's memories unfold alongside theirs, revealing parallels between the two couples.
The New York Times bestseller, released in 2013, deftly weaves these two love stories together, creating a feeling that is deeply personal. The contrast between Ira and Ruth's enduring, decadeslong relationship and Sophia and Luke's more immediate, uncertain romance adds emotional depth and complexity.
The book shows how love can evolve over time through loss and amid difficult choices. There's also something moving about how art, memory, and sacrifice tie everything together, giving the novel a more reflective, lasting impact.
If you love the book as I do, the movie — released in 2015 and starring Clint Eastwood and Britt Robertson — is equally good.
"The Longest Ride" had a modest box-office performance, grossing about $63 million worldwide against a $34 million budget, making it a mild financial success but not a major hit, according to Box Office Mojo.
Plus, who doesn't want to stare at Scott Eastwood in a cowboy hat?
Grand Central Publishing
"The Last Song" is another Nicholas Sparks classic that balances romance with a deeper, more emotional story about family, forgiveness, and growing up.
The New York Times bestseller, released in 2009, follows Ronnie Miller, a rebellious teenager sent to spend the summer with her estranged father in a small beach town. Initially resistant, Ronnie slowly begins to reconnect with him through their shared love of music while also forming a relationship with a local boy, Will. As the summer unfolds, secrets are revealed, and relationships deepen, leading Ronnie to confront difficult truths about love, family, and loss.
Ronnie's journey feels especially real — she's not instantly likable, but watching her slowly open up, reconnect with her father, and find love makes the story more meaningful. It's not just about the relationship; it's about healing and second chances, giving it a different kind of emotional weight than a typical romance. The mix of love, music, and loss made it a story that really stayed with me.
The movie, released in 2010, stands out because it brings the story's emotion to life, with Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. Their on-screen chemistry feels genuine, especially given their real-life relationship that followed (but eventually ended).
"The Last Song" was a box-office success, earning about $89 million worldwide against a $20 million budget, driven largely by strong domestic performance, per Box Office Mojo data.
Grand Central Publishing
"Dear John" is another of my favorites by Sparks because it captures that specific kind of love that feels intense, real, and a little bit out of reach. The New York Times bestseller was released in 2006.
The story follows John Tyree, a soldier on leave, who falls in love with Savannah Curtis, a college student, during a brief summer together. As John returns to the Army, the two maintain their relationship through letters, navigating the challenges of distance and changing life circumstances.
Over time, their love is tested by duty, personal growth, and unexpected choices, turning their story into a bittersweet exploration of what it means to love someone even when life pulls you in different directions.
This feels like a realistic story: John and Savannah's relationship is affected by distance, timing, and real-life responsibilities.
There's something especially emotional about the way their connection unfolds through letters, giving their love story a sense of intimacy and longing. It's not a perfect or easy romance, and that's part of why it resonates — it shows how love can be powerful even when it doesn't work out the way you hope.
The "Dear John" movie keeps the book's emotional heart, while making the romance feel more like Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried brought the characters to life. Seeing their story play out in the 2010 film adds another layer to the longing and heartbreak, making the film hit just as hard as the novel.
The "Dear John" movie earned about $115 million worldwide against a $25 million budget, per Box Office Mojo, driven by a strong opening weekend despite mixed reviews.
Grand Central Publishing
"A Walk to Remember" is another Sparks staple, released in 1999. It tells a simple, heartfelt story that somehow hits incredibly hard.
The New York Times bestseller follows Landon Carter, a popular but aimless high school senior, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he's forced to participate in a school play and ends up spending time with Jamie Sullivan, the quiet, deeply religious daughter of the town's minister.
As their relationship grows, Landon begins to see the world and himself differently through Jamie's kindness, faith, and unwavering sense of purpose.
What starts as an unlikely connection develops into a profound love story, ultimately revealing deeper truths about compassion, sacrifice, and the lasting impact one person can have on another.
It doesn't rely on grand twists — it's the emotional buildup and inevitability of the ending that really stayed with me. It's one of those books that feels tender and honest, and it lingers long after you finish.
Not only is the book one to remember, but so is the film, which was released in 2002.
Mandy Moore and Shane West bring Jamie and Landon to life in a way that highlights their growth and chemistry, making their relationship feel authentic. These roles couldn't have been cast better.
According to Box Office Mojo, "A Walk to Remember" earned about $47.5 million worldwide against a $11.8 million budget.
If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, I'd highly recommend it. Don't forget the tissues.
Grand Central Publishing
"The Notebook" is, hands down, my favorite Nicholas Sparks book. Who doesn't love Noah and Allie's love story?
"The Notebook" was released in 1996. The two young lovers from very different backgrounds fall deeply in love one summer in North Carolina. When life pulls them apart, years pass, and they build separate lives, but their connection never fully fades.
The New York Times bestseller is framed by an older Noah reading their story to Allie in a nursing home, a level of devotion hard to top, turning the novel into something not just about falling in love, but about choosing it again and again.
The love between Noah and Allie feels both idealized and grounded, spanning years, obstacles, and, ultimately, memory loss, making it more powerful than a typical love story. I really admired Noah's strength and patience.
The movie adaptation of "The Notebook" is one of those rare cases where the film is just as good as the book.
It captures the same sweeping romance and emotional depth, while adding a layer of intensity through Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams' unforgettable chemistry.
Iconic moments like the rain-soaked reunion bring the story to life in a way that feels just as powerful as it does on the page.
The movie, which earned about $118 million worldwide against a $29 million budget, doesn't just complement the novel — it stands right alongside it.
Grand Central Publishing
In my opinion, "Nights in Rodanthe" is worth skipping because it feels less emotionally developed than Sparks's stronger novels.
I know some Sparks fans love this one, but "Nights in Rodanthe" didn't fully hold my attention. The New York Times bestseller felt a bit thin, with a romance that unfolds too quickly to feel deeply immersive or memorable.
The book "Nights in Rodanthe " was published in 2002, and a film adaptation was released in 2008, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane.
Adrienne and Paul's relationship never quite reaches the emotional depth of Sparks' more layered love stories, which made it harder for me to fully invest in their connection. While the novel includes his signature themes of longing and heartbreak, I think it ultimately lacks the lasting impact that defines his best work.
Random House
"Dreamland," one of Sparks' more recent novels and a New York Times bestseller released in 2022, follows two intertwining storylines — a man navigating a complicated relationship and a single father trying to protect his young son — as it explores themes of love, risk, and second chances.
To me, "Dreamland" felt more scattered than cohesive, juggling multiple storylines without fully developing any of them. While it touches on heavier themes, the emotional payoff didn't land as well for me as in Sparks' best novels, which made it hard for me to stay invested.
Compared to his more focused, deeply romantic stories, this one feels less memorable and a bit uneven overall.
Grand Central Publishing
"The Wish," which came out in 2021, follows Maggie Dawes, a successful photographer, as she reflects on a life-changing teenage romance and the choices that shaped her future, moving between her past and present to explore love, loss, and second chances.
Yes, the New York Times bestseller has the elements of romance and reflection you'd expect, but the story can feel predictable, and the emotional moments didn't hit me as hard as in his stronger novels.
In my opinion, compared to his best work, it lacks that lasting impact that really stays with you.
Random House
The next Nicholas Sparks book I'd skip is one of his newer books that came out in 2024, "Counting Miracles."
The New York Times bestseller follows a group of characters whose lives intersect as they grapple with love, loss, and the idea of fate, ultimately exploring how small, unexpected moments can shape a life.
I felt like "Counting Miracles" tried a little too hard to be emotional, without the depth that makes Sparks' best books stand out. Rather than being moving and uplifting, the story and characters felt pretty predictable, which made it harder for me to stay interested or really connect with it.
It just wasn't my favorite, to be honest.
Grand Central Publishing
My final skip goes to "The Return," released in 2020. The book follows Trevor Benson, a wounded Army doctor who returns home to North Carolina after his grandfather's death.
While adjusting to a quieter life, he becomes involved with a local sheriff's deputy, Natalie, and forms an unexpected bond with a young girl named Callie, who may hold answers about his grandfather's past. As Trevor navigates love and unanswered questions, the story explores themes of healing, trust, and second chances.
The New York Times bestseller feels less emotionally gripping and more predictable than Nicholas Sparks' strongest novels. While it has all the familiar elements — romance, mystery, and personal growth — it doesn't quite come together in a way that feels fresh or especially memorable, which made it hard for me to stay fully invested.
Ultimately, this story didn't give me the chills like "The Notebook" or "A Walk To Remember" did.