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Description edit see section history

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant... read more

Summary edit see section history

When a seemingly shy and mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

When a seemingly shy and mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven. Awesome Book!

Characters edit see section history

  • Katie Feldman/ Erin Tierney: Main character abused wife/escaped to freedom -
  • Alex Wheatley: Widower, father of two, and a local store owner. A former detective in Army CID.
  • Josh: Alex's son and Kristen's brother.
  • Kristen: Alex's daughter who is often at the store with him. She befriends Katie and treats her like her own deceased mother.- H.S. Has a younger brother.
  • Roger: In charge of the grill at the shop
  • Bill: Works with Kevin
  • Coffey: Works with Kevin
  • Ivan: Owner of the restaurant that Katie/Erin waitress' at.
  • Carly Jo: Katie's neighbor. Professionally, she's a grief counselor.
  • Rachel: A hair stylist Erin visited in Boston.
  • Ivan Smith: Owner of the diner where Katie works.
  • Bill Robinson: Kevin's boss, the captain of the Boston Police Department. -H.S.
  • Todd Vannerty: Kevin's new partner @ Boston Police Dept.
  • Ricky: A friendly cook at Ivan's resturant who helps Katie gain her trust of people back. He also gives her a stable job so she can pay support herself. -H.S.
  • Vanessa: Kristen's barbie-like doll that makes numerous appearances though out the book. It acts as one of her only friends.
  • Gladys Feldman: A neighbor of Kevin and Erin's who lives across the road with her husband.
  • Karen Feldman: The daughter of neighbors Gladys and Larry Feldman.
  • Larry Feldman: Add a description of this character.
  • Katie Feldman: The name of Larry and Gladys' deceased daughter, whom Erin takes the identity of.
  • Roger Thompson: Works at the grill in Alex's shop. Used to work on Wall Street. Helps Alex by watching the store, register, and the kids sometimes.
  • Joyce: An older lady who works at the store for Alex. She helps with the kids whenever Alex needs help. A wonderful woman.
  • Dickens: MONTEGO BAY BONUS :)
  • Kevin Tierney: Ex husband to Katie
  • Dave
  • Mr. Benson
  • Ramirez
  • Callie
  • Melody
  • Terry Canton
  • Emily
  • Lorraine Preston
  • Carly
Show all 32 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “"...in everyone's life, there's one undeniable moment of change, a set of circumstances that suddenly alters everything...."”
    Carly
  • “He called them (seagulls) rats-with-wings, and he'd already patrolled the railing twice wielding a wooden plungers, trying to scare them off.”
  • “Gossip, Katie thought, was Melody's real profession.”
  • “There are dreams that visit us and leave us fulfilled upon waking, there are dreams that make life worth living.”
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • Everyone has a past, but that’s just it—it’s in the past. You can learn from it, but you can’t change it.
    Highlighted by 693 Kindle customers
  • “I’m not sure anyone’s life turns out exactly the way they imagine. All we can do is to try to make the best of it. Even when it seems impossible.”
    Highlighted by 681 Kindle customers
  • People will tell you most of the story… and I’ve learned that the part they neglect to tell you is often the most important part. People hide the truth because they’re afraid.”
    Highlighted by 642 Kindle customers
  • “That’s the thing about life. A lot of the time, it isn’t easy at all. We just have to try to make the best of it.
    Highlighted by 615 Kindle customers
  • “Love doesn’t mean anything if you’re not willing to make a commitment,”
    Highlighted by 542 Kindle customers
  • “Maybe I don’t want to be defined by what I do. Maybe I’d like to be defined by what I am.”
    Highlighted by 453 Kindle customers
  • “Besides, every couple needs to argue now and then. Just to prove that the relationship is strong enough to survive it.”
    Highlighted by 386 Kindle customers
  • That in the end, people who are grieving have to want to move on—that first step, that motivating spark, has to come from within them. And when it does, it opens the door to the unexpected.”
    Highlighted by 325 Kindle customers
  • Long-term relationships—the ones that matter—are all about weathering the peaks and the valleys.
    Highlighted by 311 Kindle customers
  • But I truly believe that while love can hurt, love can also heal…
    Highlighted by 310 Kindle customers
Show all 14 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

First Sentence edit see section history

As Katie wound her way among the tables, a breeze from the Atlantic rippled through her hair.

Table of Contents edit see section history

43 unnamed chapters.

Glossary edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 2 of 15 in New York Times Bestsellers - Fiction (Current). (authoritative list)
This is book 4 of 11 in Publishers Weekly Bestselling Novels in 2010. (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Nicholas Sparks (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Country: USA
Publication Date: September 2010
ISBN: 978-0-446-54759-8
Page Count: 340

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PS3569.P363 S24 2010
  • Dewey: 813.54

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

I'm a kid and thought it was good.

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
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  • At First Sight
  • Nights in Rodanthe
  • Legacy
  • 1022 Evergreen Place
  • Dear John
  • The Guardian
  • The Last Song
  • The Lucky One
  • The Rescue
  • Message in a Bottle
  • The Choice
  • The Wedding
  • This Charming Man
  • The Murderer's Daughters

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