Stacey Ritz Books
  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Poetry
  • Reviews
  • Book Blog
Picture

Book Review: Two by Two, Nicholas Sparks

1/23/2017

 
Picture
Picture


Buy the book:
Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Recently I re-read Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. It had been 20 years since it's first publication and it's a book I've enjoyed revisiting many times over the years. I wondered if I would still enjoy it. After all, when we open a book, we come to it with our own life experiences which curtail the impact the book may (or may not) leave on our hearts. I re-read The Notebook and enjoyed it yet again. So when it came time to review Sparks' latest novel, Two by Two, I was excited. I've read nearly all of his books. The first 7 of Sparks' novels are my favorite and I would happily revisit them anytime. But after the first 7, I often found myself disappointed with the stories, such as The Wedding and Three Weeks With My Brother. Two by Two started out with strength. I quickly fell in love with the book, although the story was depressing and unsettling. I was caught up in the characters and relationships and wanting to know what would happen next. Half way through the book, however, everything changed. The story about Russ and Vivian, a couple who's marriage is falling apart, switches to a story of Russ and his sister Marge. It felt as if the story I'd invested my time into had nearly disappeared and been replaced by another.
Picture
My dog Zoey with my iPhone/Kindle Reading App...Two by Two, Nicholas Sparks
I continued reading, hoping the story would switch back to the relationship between Russ and Vivian- the story the reader wanted to know more about - only to be disappointed with each flip of the page. The dissolution of a marriage is incredibly sad. It's heartbreaking. Add to that, Russ and Vivian have a five-year old daughter, London, who is stuck in the middle of the separation between her parents. But when the story switches gears completely, a little past the middle of the book, our hearts our torn to pieces even further.

Two by Two is well-written, but the flaws of A) switching stories halfway through the book, and B) the overwhelming sadness of the stories had be wanting to finish the book sooner rather than later. Instead of feeling satisfied with a good story as I turned the last page, I felt grateful to be finished and ready to move on to reading a light romance (with a bit of humor). I was ready to take a deep breath and move forward.

If, like me, you turn to a Nicholas Sparks novel for a happily-ever-after, for a love story that will make your heart sing- this is not that book. That being said, if I'd been asked to rate the book after reading only the first 50%, I would have rated it 5-stars. Yes, it was sad and depressing. But it was also honest and real. It was a well-told story, up until that point. But in reviewing the book in its entirety, I have to give it 3-stars. The second half was off base. The story changed too much. The main characters we'd come to follow, all but disappeared and were replaced with the stories of the background characters. Adding to that, the story grew even more upsetting and sad; nearly too much to bear. After writing this review I logged into Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo to read others reactions and reviews of the book. I found that many other readers expressed similar views. If you're up for a tear-jerker, if you're looking for a book that details the painful heartbreak of separation/divorce, you may enjoy the book. However, if you're searching for a happily-ever love story, this is not it.

Picture
Stacey Ritz is a bestselling author and award winning writer. An empathetic and compassionate storyteller, Ritz wrote for a plethora of local and national news outlets, magazines, blogs, and websites (copywriter), prior to becoming a novelist. Her book, Covered in Pet Fur  has gained attention from RIVA Media and Animal Planet. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that has saved more than 11,000 lives (and counting). She currently resides in Ohio. Ritz is published through Rockville Publishing. You can interact with Stacey online via Stacey's Book Blog, on Pinterest, and Instagram.
Ritz writes the following genres:
Non-Fiction:
Motivation/Inspiration
Writing/Publishing
Animal Welfare

Fiction:
Contemporary Romance


Click here to view Stacey's fiction books.

Click here to view Stacey's non-fiction books.

Picture

    Join the Book Lover's Club for giveaways, sneak peaks, exclusive behind-the-scenes stories & more (only available here)! And, it's free!

Join Now!
Picture

Comments are closed.

    Stacey's Book Blog

    Welcome! Stacey's Book Blog shares book reviews on a wide array of non-fiction and fiction books, along with tips for both readers and writers. Find your next great read here! Also enjoy author interviews, and more.

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Attention Writers
    Author Interviews
    Book Club
    Childrens Books
    Fiction Books
    Giveaways
    Non Fiction Books
    Top Lists

    Picture
    The Lost Years: A Novel, explores the question - Why do some relationships fall apart while others endure?
    ​ 
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Find motivation, inspiration & helpful advice from bestselling author Stacey Ritz! Click the cover to purchase now.
    Picture
    Learn how to become a writer. Click cover.
    Picture
    90 Treadmill Workouts to get you in shape.
    Click cover for more.

    Picture
    Do you find Stacey's Book Blog helpful? Donate a cup of cocoa here!

    Picture
    A quiet life, an idyllic marriage. Until tragedy strikes. How far would you go for love? 
    Picture
    Picture
    Who rescued who? Meet the little senior rescue dog who helped transform her rescuers life.
    Picture
    Picture
    Raise significant funds for your non-profit, school or cause!
    Picture
    Picture

    This blog contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.

Books by Stacey Ritz...


Fiction

The Lost Years   

Intriguing Illusions       
Sixty Seconds of Love

The Perfect Divorce

Inconceivable Lives

The Obsession

Keeping Up Appearances
​
All the Little Choices

Goodbye, Hello

The First & Last Everything

Motivational

Be Awesome: How to Live your Best Life!
Pursuing Greatness: Strategies to Gain a Mental Edge in Sports and Life

Writing

Write Your Story: How to Jump Start Your Writing Career

Must Love Writing: The Magic of Living a Creative Life
Animal Welfare 
Covered in Pet Fur: How to Start an Animal Rescue the Right Way

Pawsitive Connection: Heartwarming Stories

Cat Connection: Heartwarming Rescue Tales

Letters From Cats: Hilarious & Heartfelt Notes

Not Your Average Grandma: The Story of a Little Senior Rescue Dog with Big Life Lessons

​Fun(D)Raising: 150 Money Making Ideas

Poetry

 Love & Courage
Picture
Picture
Picture
Copyright © 2020 Stacey Ritz Books / Stacey's Book Blog  | Website design by ASEL Designs
  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Poetry
  • Reviews
  • Book Blog