If you’re looking for a great romance movie, your search is over. Any Nicholas Sparks book-to-film adaptation is a great place to start. He sure does know romance.
Sparks has published 18 novels and two non-fiction books, and several of his fiction novels have become international bestsellers. Eleven of these novels have been adapted to movies with multi-million dollar box office grosses.
They're all great, but here are some favorites (in reverse order):
6. "The Best of Me" (2014)
Childhood sweethearts are brought back together when a mutual friend dies. That man left all his belongings to the both of them. When they reunite after so many years, things are awkward at first, but they slowly fall into place as they reconnect. After spending time together, they have to find a way to put their separate lives together.
5. "Safe Haven" (2013)
A woman in an abusive relationship finds a way to escape her miserable marriage. She doesn’t know where to go; she just has to get out. She changes her look and identity. When she stops running and settles down, she meets a man who does her favors and just wants to help. They fall in love and things are going great, but what about her husband?
4. "The Lucky One" (2012)
A military man finds a picture of a woman while he is overseas. When he returns to the States, he begins his search for the woman in the picture, whom he thinks kept him safe. His adventure leads to her, and they fall for each other. But what he doesn’t know about her could make their relationship more difficult.
3. "The Last Song" (2010)
When a high school girl goes to visit her dad for the summer, she starts off with a bad attitude and outlook for how the summer will go. As the summer goes by, she meets some not-so-great friends and a new boy, and her relationship with her dad takes a big turn.
2. "Dear John" (2010)
When an Army soldier returns home for a couple weeks, he meets a girl on the beach, and unexpectedly, they fall for each other. This story follows his life in the Army and her life back in the States. Their relationship has its ups and downs, and things become difficult.
1. "The Notebook" (2004)
When a young girl visits her summer home with her family, she is introduced to a new guy through a friend. The story follows their lives both together and separately. In the end, they figure out what is right for the both of them.
But really, who hasn’t seen "The Notebook"?
Nicholas Sparks is full of wonderful, romantic ideas, and these are portrayed through his writing. Each book-turned-movie has been a hit, and they continually match Sparks’ original ideas.
Sparks has been and will always be one of my favorite authors, and having the pleasure to hear him speak and meet him was one of the best experiences. Although the characters always have a sad or tragic event occur, his books are also filled with happiness, humor, lessons and love.
