When
I began working as a counselor, I started gathering
“tools” that would help patients recognize the
underlying issues of their problems. One of those tools is called
SUD’S, an exercise that encourages people to examine
Seemingly Unimportant Decisions. THE CHOICE reminds me of that
exercise and reinforces the theory that all choices, no matter how
seemingly unimportant, have consequences. And the choices often
have far-reaching, rippling effects.

Nicholas Sparks has become a favorite storyteller because of his
ability to take ordinary people, put them in extraordinary
situations and create unexpected outcomes --- though, I confess, I
sometimes rewrite the endings in my mind. For example, in MESSAGE
IN A BOTTLE, the ship definitely was not wrecked! Regardless of our
wishes, however, his stories never fail to tug on the heart and
bring tears of sorrow and joy to the reader.

THE CHOICE has all of the elements that we have come to expect from
Sparks, not the least of which is characters a little larger than
life who have made some choices that were bolder than the ones we
ourselves made. For example, Travis Parker chose to backpack around
Europe instead of settling into a job right after college. Gabby
Holland chose to move away from where her boyfriend lived in order
to establish her individuality. Neighbors and family members go
beyond the call of duty to help one another and expect nothing in
return.

Yet, despite the seemingly idyllic life that people lead in
Beaufort, North Carolina, and regardless of the fact that Travis
Parker epitomizes the man from "Venus" who so many women are
searching for, Sparks manages to reveal conflicts that keep us
turning the pages to see how the characters will work them out. And
we care because these are individuals we can empathize with and
feel sympathy for. Even so, we pause to ponder what we would do in
the same situation if we were faced with the consequences of a
seemingly unimportant decision that we made a long time ago and
then quickly forgot about.

It would be difficult to say more about the plot without spoiling
the ending. Suffice it to say that THE CHOICE is a great choice if
you're looking for a change of pace from the mysteries and
thrillers that you usually enjoy reading. Like a scoop of sorbet
during an Italian feast, it cleanses the palate with an enjoyable
romance (sans the seamy sex) and provides subtle lessons in love
and hope. While you may not need as many tissues as you did while
reading THE NOTEBOOK, it wouldn't hurt to have them handy.