My third Nicholas Sparks novel in almost as many days is my least favourite so far. That’s not to say it wasn’t a great read. It just means it’s the least of a truly awesome lot in all.
The Return slightly deviates from the author’s themes of love and redemption, dwelling on human relationships and sense of duty.
Trevor Benson, heir to more than he could ever need, finds himself in small-town U.S.A., where he has to put his late grandfather’s affairs in order, while chasing a vague lead that is essentially the man’s dying breath. His search will lead him to a unique discovery, helping him rediscover his sense of belonging and love.
Natalie, on the other hand, is a woman with many secrets. As her life interweaves with Trevor’s, she must make the most difficult choice in a position that no woman in the world would envy.
I thought it was refreshing to see Nicholas Sparks write a male character with a few personality and physical flaws. Yes, Trevor is rich. But he’s pretty flawed on many behavioural, mental, and even physiological levels.
His growth and development were rather well defined over just a couple of hundred pages, making him an interesting character to follow.
Callie’s story arc, while less prominent at the start, thankfully got some much-deserved focus towards the end. And, as far as Nicholas Sparks’ female leads go, Natalie ranks among the strongest personalities.
The romance in The Return doesn’t end the way you’d expect, which may come as a bit of a disappointment for fans of straightforward happy ever afters. But it’s realistic. Love doesn’t always turn out the way we want, and even if we eventually get what we want, it doesn’t always happen how we expect.
Our two lovers ultimately get together. But the circumstances are far from easy.
