What I Read Wednesdays: The Lucky One

I used to write a separate blog about what I read, but it got to be too much to keep up with. Instead, I added a page to this blog for my reading list, but as I add to the list, I find myself wanting to tell you all about each book, whether good or bad! I wasn't sure how I wanted it to fit into my blog, so I took my queue's from other bloggers that I follow.

I recently started Movie Mondays here at Musings of a Cul-de-sac Mom. Nikki at Chef-in-Training has a feature called Tuesday Talent Show.  Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts has a weekly blog feature called What I Wear Wednesdays. Pocket Full of Pink has Friday Frolics. I like the alliteration of the names of these features. I also like that it gives bloggers something to write about every week on a certain day. Unfortunately, no day of the week goes with reading, or books, or anything along those lines. So I decided to go with What I Read Wednesdays. It's not perfect, but it will work!

First up: The Lucky One by Nicolas Sparks,

I devoured the Hunger Games over the holidays like my kids tore into their presents on Christmas morning. The books consumed me, and I am now waiting not-so-patiently for the movie to come out next month.While I wait, I've decided to read other books that have been made into movies.

A few weeks ago I went to the theater to see One for the Money. One of the previews that they showed was for The Lucky One, based on Nicolas Sparks' book. The preview was sexy and alluring, and made me want to read the book. I came home from the movies and immediately downloaded the ebook onto my Nook. I read it in a day and a half. I was pulled into the story from the very beginning and had a hard time putting it down.

A little bit about the story:
A deployed soldier finds a picture of a beautiful woman that he carries with him everywhere. It becomes his good luck charm, winning him money at the poker table and saving his life when his fellow soldiers aren't so lucky. He decides that he has to meet her, so he travels on foot with his dog, all the way from Colorado to North Carolina. He starts working at her Grandmother's kennel and they form a bond. He also forms a bond with her son, who has a hard time connecting with his father.

Without giving the everything away, the ex-husband causes trouble and alienates the son. Their relationship is in jeopardy, but there is a catastrophe that brings them back together.

Overall, I loved the book, and would highly recommend it. It was fast moving and engaging. The characters were believable, and so were their struggles. The only downfall?  There was a lot of heat between the main characters, but no descriptive love scene. Judging by the trailer, the movie will make up for that oversight!

Have you read this book? Did you like it as much as I did? I'd love it if you would share your comments below!



Next up: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, and Divergence by Veronica Roth.