** spoiler alert ** 
 I feel like every time I pick up a Nicholas Sparks book I expect it to go a little bit differently. I didn't really like Amanda, and that made it hard for me to fully appreciate The Best of Me. I felt really really bad for Dawson-almost as though the poor guy could have had a little break. His family was scum, and that was expressed well. I just couldn't get over some points which really impacted the effect this book had. 
 For one, I really could not stand Amanda's mother. I felt that her about-turn at the end when Amanda's son was hurt was almost ... silly. Having her react so (annoyingly?) carelessly about Amanda's daughter's death and then turning around and being supprotive didn't make a ton of sense. 
 The ghost.... I mean I know it bothers some people but I knew what was going on pretty early so I was able to make my peace. I don't know if this is something that Sparks' books will have from this point on-and if so, I'm not sure I like that. 
 I just felt so sorry for Dawson that it took away from the entire book. Abusive dad, check. Accidental homicide, check. Girl doesn't write to him in jail, check. Literally forever alone, check. Doesn't even get the girl, check. Dies and saves girl's son, check. THIS POOR GUY NEVER ONCE HAD IT GO WELL. 
 Amanda's husband is also an asshole but that's just me being irritable. 
 I like Nicholas Sparks, and I enjoy his books but more and more I am finding that I am getting irritated. I'll probably keep going though because, I guess I can't help myself.