James Patterson has written a love story!--a powerfully moving and suspenseful novel about families, loss, new love, and hope.
Katie Wilkinson has found her perfect man at last. He's a writer, a house painter, an original thinker--everything she's imagined she wanted in a partner. But one day, without explanation, he disappears from her life, leaving behind only a diary for her to read.
This diary is a love letter written by a new mother named Suzanne for her baby son, Nicholas. In it she pours out her heart about how she and the boy's father met, about her hopes for marriage and family, and about the unparalleled joy that having a baby has brought into her life. As Katie reads this touching document, it becomes clear that the lover who has just left her is the husband and father in this young family. She reads on, filled with terror and hope, as she struggles to understand what has happened--and whether her new love has a prayer of surviving. Book Summary from Bookbrowse.com
I've read most of the Alex Cross series that Patterson wrote, really liked it, even though it was truly violent stuff. Still, the stories were well told, the characters incredible -- the good and the evil -- and they were a great example of psychological thrillers. Suzanne's Diary is a complete departure from that genre. I think Patterson does a pretty good job of writing a book from the woman's point of view. He also does a good job of putting suspense in the story which probably isn't easy in a romance novel. The book reminded me of a Nicholas Sparks novel, only better. I liked the use of a diary to convey the story of Matt's previous life before Katie. But I didn't get a feel for who Katie was, she was more of a peripheral part of the story; and Suzanne and Matt were almost too perfect. Of course, Nicholas was the best part because he's a baby; but even he was way too precocious. In spite of all that and the fact that it was pretty sappy, I quite liked the book. I didn't really see the twist at the end of the book, pretty sure I didn't like it; but I'm still giving the book a pretty good rating. Rating: 4
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I have never heard of James Patterson till I read Sunday at Tiffany that he wrote with another author.I thought it was cute. Then I read one of his YA books , Maximum Ride, didnt like it as much. His violent stuff doesnt like my cup of tea but Suzanne's Diary sounds OK??
ReplyDeleteI've only read one or two of Patterson's books, but I did read this one a few years ago. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did. Yes, it reads a bit like a Nicholas Sparks book, but I think the quality of writing is better. Not great literature, but not simplistic writing a la Sparks or Grisham. I don't remember how the book ended, but I kept it, so I must've decided I might want to read it again at a later date. I'd like to give Sunday at Tiffany's a try, too.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading this book when it first came out. I think I would have probably given it a 4 as well. Pretty good book.
ReplyDeleteI'm adding you to my blog roll!
I really enjoyed this one, too.
ReplyDeleteLes ~ Sunday at Tiffany's = BLECK!