Counting Miracles
by Nicholas Sparks
Summary
Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents, following in his grandfather’s military footsteps to become an Army Ranger. His whole life has been spent abroad, and he is the proverbial rolling stone: happiest when off on his next adventure, zero desire to settle down. But when his grandmother passes away, her last words to him are find where you belong. She also drops a bombshell, telling him the name of the father he never knew—and where to find him.
Tanner is due at his next posting soon, but his curiosity is piqued, and he sets out for Asheboro, North Carolina, to ask around. He’s been in town less than twenty-four hours when he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mom. They both feel an immediate connection; Tanner knows Kaitlyn has a story to tell, and he wants to hear it. To Kaitlyn, Tanner is mysterious, exciting—and possibly leaving in just a few weeks.
Meanwhile, nearby, eighty-three-year-old Jasper lives alone in a cabin bordering a national forest. With only his old dog, Arlo, for company, he lives quietly, haunted by a tragic accident that took place decades before. When he hears rumors that a white deer has been spotted in the forest—a creature of legend that inspired his father and grandfather—he becomes obsessed with protecting the deer from poachers.
As these characters’ fates orbit closer together, none of them is expecting a miracle . . . but that may be exactly what is about to alter their futures forever.
My Review
Once again, Nicholas Sparks knocks it out of the park with a tender, touching, and heartwarming story. True to his signature style, this novel follows three characters across alternating points of view, gradually revealing how their lives intertwine in meaningful and emotional ways. It’s a clean, closed-door romance with no explicit content or strong language—perfect for readers who enjoy wholesome love stories with emotional depth.
I listened to the audiobook while reading my ARC, and while the narrator wasn’t my favorite, his delivery occasionally grated on me, it was still a decent performance overall.
The story centers around themes of family dynamics, long-held secrets, belonging, forgiveness, and second chances. I found each character compelling in their own way, and the romance subplot offered some truly sweet, tender moments. On the flip side, there were also heartbreaking scenes, particularly those involving Jasper, the older gentleman. His backstory was emotional and layered, and the bullying he endured was difficult to read at times. These moments tugged at my heartstrings and even brought me to tears.
Though not labeled as Christian fiction, the story includes strong spiritual undertones, with references to God, faith, and biblical themes. I appreciated these moments—they added depth and offered some thoughtful reflections on life and personal growth.
The pacing starts off slow, and I did have trouble getting into the story at first. But around the halfway point, I found myself more engaged and eager to see how everything would come together.
While this isn’t my absolute favorite Nicholas Sparks novel, it’s still a beautiful and worthwhile read. It’s filled with heartfelt moments, meaningful life lessons, and characters you’ll root for. Sparks continues to be a go-to author for cozy, emotionally resonant stories—and he hasn’t let me down yet.
Highly recommend!