With The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and his other beloved novels, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks has given voice to our deepest beliefs about the power of love. Now he brings us the long-awaited follow-up to The Notebook-a story of an ordinary man who goes to extraordinary lengths to win back the love of his life... After thirty years, Wilson Lewis is forced to face a painful truth: the romance has gone out of his marriage. His wife, Jane, has fallen out of love with him, and it is entirely his fault. Despite the shining example of his in-laws, Noah and Allie Calhoun, and their fifty-year love affair (originally recounted in The Notebook), Wilson himself is a man unable to express his true feelings. He has spent too little time at home and too much at the office, leaving the responsibility of raising their children to Jane. Now his daughter is about to marry, and his wife is thinking about leaving him. But if Wilson is sure of anything, it is this: His love for Jane has only grown over the years, and he will do everything he can to save their marriage. With the memories of Noah and Allie's inspiring life together as his guide, he vows to find a way to make his wife fall in love with him...all over again. In this powerfully moving tale of love lost, rediscovered, and renewed, Nicholas Sparks once again brings readers his unique insight into the only emotion that ultimately really matters.

The wistful, reflective tone of Sparks's newest love story shines through in Wopat's competent telling, but his characterizations, particularly of the book's Southern-bred females, are hampered by the deep tenor of his voice and his accent-less approach. However, his portrayal of methodical attorney Wilson Lewis is spot on. Realizing for the first time that his "innocent neglect" has led his relationship with his wife of 30 years to become stale, Wilson decides to court her. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how or where to start. Enter Noah Calhoun, Wilson's sage-like father-in-law, whose picture-perfect romance is depicted in Sparks's 1996 debut, The Notebook. Wilson now lives in a home for the elderly and spends his days watching over a swan that he believes holds his late wife's spirit. With Noah's patient guidance, and with the wedding of Wilson's daughter fast approaching, Wilson learns how to be the husband his wife deserves. Snippets of music announce the beginning and end of each chapter and complement particularly emotional moments. While this sweetly sentimental audio may be too subdued for a long, tiring drive, it will satisfy listeners looking for a calming nighttime diversion. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Forecasts, Aug. 11). (Sept) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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