Giveaway and Review: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (audiobook)

Dear John is one of my favorite novels by Nicholas Sparks. I first read the novel over a year ago. My FLICKS book club picked Dear John for our January book; therefore I listened to the audiobook version of the novel to remind myself of the plot details. I found the story to be a very engaging bittersweet romance.

John Tyree has led the life of a rebel. Finding that his life is leading nowhere, he joins the military. While home during a furlough, John meets Savannah, a beautiful young college student. Savannah is with a group of students who are on a habitat for humanity mission. John and Savannah quickly discover that they are soul mates and fall deeply in love. John has to return to the military, but the two know that they will be together when John’s stint in the military is up. Unfortunately September 11th happens and John reenlists. Savannah finds it difficult to not have John with her . . . and as the title of the books suggests, there are difficult choices ahead for our two lovers. The ending was unexpected for me.

Overall, I loved this book. I loved the romance between John and Savannah. I also loved that Savannah was able to help John understand his father and have a better relationship with him. I loved John’s dad, he was my favorite secondary character. What drove me and my book club crazy was some of the choices that Savannah made, but I will not discuss them here and ruin the plot! I thought John was a wonderful hero, lover, and man. I loved his character development from a troubled youth to a self sacrificing man. It was also great having characters that were my age living through the same times as myself. It made it easy to connect with them. I also loved the old fashioned romance and that Savannah is a Christian and is proud to talk about her beliefs.

The audiobook is read by Holter Graham, who also read The Choice (which I also listened to and enjoyed recently). Graham does a fantastic job. I love his Southern lilt and the unique “voice” that he gives each of the characters. I also liked how this audiobook has a picture from the new Dear John movie that arrives in theatres on February 5th. Our Book and Movie Club really wants to see this movie so hopefully we are able to make it happen!

Audiobook Source: A Review Copy from Hachette Book Group. Thank-you!

Giveaway Details
Anna of the Hachette Book Group has been kind enough to offer three audiobook copies of Dear John by Nicholas Sparks for this giveaway.

If you would like to enter this contest do any of the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post. You must include an email address. If I can't find a way to contact you I will draw another winner. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this giveaway or post about it on your sidebar. (1 entry)

3. Become a follower or leave a comment that you already are a follower of this blog. (1 entry)

There are three ways to enter, but you can put all three entries as one comment.

I will be using random.org to pick the winners from the comments.

This contest is only open to US and Canadian residents (Sorry!).

No P.O. Boxes.

The deadline for entry is midnight, Friday January 29th.

Good luck!