The Best of Me Audiobook, by Nicholas Sparks Play Audiobook Sample

The Best of Me Audiobook

The Best of Me Audiobook, by Nicholas Sparks Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Lloyd James Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.75 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781611139051

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

104

Longest Chapter Length:

07:30 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:27 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

05:33 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

48

Other Audiobooks Written by Nicholas Sparks: > View All...

Publisher Description

Everyone wanted to believe that endless love was possible. She'd believed in it once, too, back when she was eighteen.

In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.

Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined—and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew—about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear—was not as it seemed. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?

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"I can't decide how I feel about his books, because they don't usually have happy endings, but they always keep you hoping for the best. This book was full of emotion and had choices that many face in their lives. A very sweet book."

— Miriam (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “A charming story…Sparks’ ability to capture the truths of this affair makes the story both heartfelt and heartbreaking. It’s quite possibly his best work in years.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Has all the ingredients that keep [Sparks’] millions of enthusiasts enthralled.”

    — Barnes & Noble, editorial review

Awards

  • A #1 USA Today bestseller
  • A #1 New York Times bestseller
  • A Los Angeles Times bestseller
  • A San Francisco Chronicle bestseller
  • A Publishers Weekly bestseller
  • A Wall Street Journal bestseller
  • A Washington Post bestseller

The Best of Me Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.425 out of 53.425 out of 53.425 out of 53.425 out of 53.425 out of 5 (3.43)
5 Stars: 8
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 3
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book read like a lifetime movie. "

    — Linda, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " This is the first Nicholas Sparks book I've read. After about four or five chapters I could tell what was going to happen. I had no desire to finish, so I just skimmed through to the end. My predictions were right. I also thought it was boring and cliche. "

    — Rindy, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " i my god! so ironic. you never ecpect the ending, i'm going to stop before give it away. "

    — Countrygirl, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I will always be a Nicholas Sparks fan. He knows how to write a story that draws you in, makes you care about the characters, and leaves you wanting more. "

    — Lexi, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Oh Nicholas, you are such a cliche. How rare it is to be a cliche of oneself. I do have to hand it to him, a novel that takes place in three days and the pace is quite even and fitting. Peculiar characters abound and a forced romance. The clincher was the ending. I'm not sure I felt sorry for anyone at the end, and in romance, isn't that the point? "

    — Willa, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Light enjoyable reading. This would make a good beach book. "

    — Terri, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was my least favorite book by Nicholas Sparks. Very predictable and not in a good way. "

    — Connie, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Not my favorite Nicholas Sparks story, but it had its moments. "

    — Jennifer, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was amazing, I have only read a few other Nicholas Sparks book and this book has rekindled my love for his books. I felt like I was part of the love story while reading this book. I could not put it down. "

    — Jessica, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this book....some surprises, some predictable events, and lots of good reading. "

    — Marie, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " As with his other stories, this one, too, brought tears to my eyes. True to his form, another great Nicholas Sparks novel!! A great read. "

    — Happygirl, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A simple romance with a sad ending :( "

    — Maria, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A normal Nicholas Sparks book, but it was good. "

    — Kim, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I can't believe how it ended!!! "

    — Kimberly, 11/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I threw this book across the room when I was done with it. Hated everything about the ending. "

    — Terri, 11/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Pretty good. I enjoyed the story and it kept me engaged enough to read it in a couple of days. A little language, but relatively clean as far as best-sellers go. "

    — Latisha, 11/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Its always a pleasure to read Nicholas Sparks books. Good story "

    — Margaret, 11/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was the first Nicholas Sparks book I had read, and despite that, it was very predictable. I still enjoyed this book, and will most likely read more of his books in the future. "

    — Kathleen, 11/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I've read all of Nicholas Sparks books. This one was a little slow to start, but I had tears in my eyes at the end. Not one of his best, but still one that has me going over parts of it as I write this review. Has left an impression on me. "

    — Lmmuzyka, 8/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Light read.... But enjoyable. "

    — Jen, 4/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Beautifully written like any other Nicholas Sparks novel, but after reading so many of his works, the plot gets a little predictable "

    — Audria, 2/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Loved the characters, loved the idea. however, the plot for me was basically predictable and the story line could have been a lot more interesting. This whole book just says "rushed to finish" for me. it doesn't appear like Sparks took careful time writing this..... "

    — Lauren, 1/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I love Nicholas Sparks, but this book was painful to get through. Don't waste your time. "

    — Debi, 12/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Gag, predictable cheesy hated it. Read it for book club and gagged all the way through. No More NS for me.....please loonies "

    — Pam, 11/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Spark shone on this one. It is tragic. The ending was expected. But the thing is, it so much beautifully written that it will make you cry. Even after I finished it and closed the book I just can't. stop. crying. "

    — Joviemar, 10/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I am a sucker for romance so this book was no let-down! It was a very good story line in my opinion and I couldn't put it down. It's one of my favorite books now! "

    — Candice, 8/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " One of Sparks best novels. Could not put it down till I finished "

    — Niza, 8/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved this book because aside from the love story, it was kind of a thriller. If you're not totally into hopeless romance but want to try Nicholas Sparks, I suggest this book. "

    — Katie, 3/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " So far, I just finished chapter 2 and I really enjoyed this book. I'm excited to continue reading "The Best of Me". "

    — Jessica9-2, 12/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Couldn't put it down...and totally didn't expect the ending until right before ...can't tell you! "

    — Dara, 11/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " WOW!!!!!!! Just when you think the last book he wrote was the best he beats it again....... "

    — Denise, 11/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Definitely not one of my favorite books by Nicholas Sparks. It was interesting enough to get through but not riveting or even close. "

    — Sarah, 11/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Although somewhat famaliar to some of his other books (and I have read them all) it was still a pretty good read, at least the ending was different. "

    — Midge, 11/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This book was disappointing to me.. just a little too romance novel-esque for my liking. And I saw the ending coming well before it came. I'm generally a fan (and was so before he became huge), but this one just wasn't up to snuff. Oh well :-) "

    — Bednarzterry, 11/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A delightful happy romance. I predicted the ending:) "

    — Sarahb., 11/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was an easy and enjoyable read. I loved that this story was about young love in a small town in North Carolina. "

    — Colleen, 11/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not my favorite by him but still pretty good. "

    — Shannon, 11/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All I can say is that this book took me home in many ways. As with all Sparks books it left me saddened yet fulfilled. "

    — Shelly, 11/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I could not stand how Dawson never got to have anything truly good last in his life. The story was just too sad in my opinion. "

    — Michelle, 11/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The ending seemed predictable, but I enjoyed the story. "

    — Lorie, 11/5/2011

About Nicholas Sparks

With over 100 million copies of his books sold, Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. His novels include twelve #1 New York Times bestsellers. All his books have been New York Times and international bestsellers, and were translated into more than fifty languages. Ten Sparks novels have been adapted into major motion pictures, with The Choice in February 2016.

About Lloyd James

Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been narrating since 1996 and has recorded over six hundred audiobooks. He is a seven-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award and has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award. His critically acclaimed performances include Elvis in the Morning by William F. Buckley Jr. and Searching for Bobby Fischer by Fred Waitzkin, among others.