...because this isn't really good enough to be a mainstream novel. It's laughable in comparison to many, not because the story isn't good (it is a sweet story), but because it's obviously the work of an amateur writer (albeit a good one).

I think it's funny that considering Noah is supposed to be a poet--and I use the term loosely, the man doesn't even compose his own verse, he simply recites, like an actor who has all his lines written for him--shouldn't the title of the book be more, well, poetic? Think "Gone with the Wind". Doesn't that just sound like a sweeping, epic romance? Even though "The Thornbirds" title is "the" something, it's more creative, instead of titles like "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas". I'm not interested in reading some made-up diary. But, to give the author credit, "A Walk to Remember" is an inspiring title.

Anyway, this is a good book for what it is--light, romantic fiction, simply written, but somewhat forgettable. It is not a work of art. It's pop fiction. To give a book of this caliber five stars is insulting to the writers of the really great books out there.

Truthfully, I preferred Lon over Noah. I thought it was so cliche and annoying that the girl had only been with Noah, but the guy (I'm talking about Noah and not Lon) had shacked up with someone else (a more experienced woman with green eyes and black hair, as I remember). I guess Mr. Sparks didn't believe a thirty-one-year-old virgin male would be attractive (male virgins are always portrayed like some kind of freak), or realistic for that matter.

I actually think Allie could have been just as happy with Lon, who she said she loved (he just didn't rev her engine like Noah, or she would have probably already slept with him, or maybe it was Lon's idea to wait?), so there really was no particular hero who I was rooting for in this love story, except when I was young and naive.

It was obviously Noah and Allie's relationship was more than just lust because we do see that theirs was a lasting love, through sickness and in health...

As for the movie, though I think Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams were perfect as Noah and Allie, it was really really really boring.

The book is better.

If your looking to read the book because you loved the movie, just know that it's a lot different! But, it's also just as good.

I really enjoyed this story. For me it was a single sitting read, as was The Bridges of Madison County, and I really savored it. The concept was good, the writing natural and the story beautiful. The book itself is so lovely with the picturesque cover art and nice binding. I must admit that I think I liked the film version more, but I have no regrets about reading this absorbing love story. Recommended.