Remain
by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan
Summary
A one-of-a-kind novel that grapples with the supernatural mysteries of life, death, and human connection—an unprecedented collaboration between the globally bestselling author of love stories like The Notebook and the renowned writer and director of blockbuster thrillers like The Sixth Sense
When New York architect Tate Donovan arrives in Cape Cod to design his best friend’s summer home, he is hoping to make a fresh start. Recently discharged from an upscale psychiatric facility where he was treated for acute depression, he is still wrestling with the pain of losing his beloved sister. Sylvia’s deathbed revelation—that she can see spirits who are still tethered to the living world, a gift that runs in their family—sits uneasily with Tate, who struggles to believe in more than what reason can explain. But when he takes up residence at a historic bed-and-breakfast on the Cape, he encounters a beautiful young woman named Wren who will challenge every assumption he has about his logical and controlled world.
Tate and Wren find themselves forging an immediate connection, one that neither has ever experienced before. But Tate gradually discovers that below the surface of Wren’s idyllic small-town life, hatred, jealousy, and greed are festering, threatening their fragile relationship just as it begins to blossom. Tate realizes that in order to free Wren from an increasingly desperate fate, he will need to unearth the truth about her past before time runs out . . . a quest that will make him doubt whether we can ever believe the stories we tell about ourselves, and the laws that govern our existence. Love—while transformative—can sometimes be frightening.
A story about the power of transcendent emotion, Remain asks us all: Can love set us free not only from our greatest sorrows, but even from the boundaries of life and death?
My Review
When I first heard about this collaboration, I could not wait to read it. It quickly became one of my most anticipated reads of the year. A romance author and a filmmaker known for thrillers/horrors creating a story together might seem unexpected, yet the result is a moving exploration of how love can endure even after deep pain and hardship. I never pictured these two creative voices blending so well, but the outcome truly impressed me.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the two narrators who brought the dual perspectives to life. I always love hearing Julia Whelan and wish she had been featured even more, but overall, the audio experience was captivating. The story felt heartbreaking, romantic, eerie, and suspenseful. I finished it in only a couple of days because I simply could not stop listening.
There is no language, though there is one nude scene. There are no on-page spicy moments, so while it is not fully closed-door, I would give it about one pepper simply for that brief bit of nudity.
The best way I can describe the mood is to imagine The Notebook meeting The Sixth Sense, with a touch of Ghost and a hint of The Lake House. What you get is a haunting and tender tale that explores grief, connection, and the mysterious spaces that exist between worlds. The pacing is slower, but it never dragged, and I loved spending time with these characters as their relationship unfolded.
It is clear which moments reflect Sparks’ signature romantic tone and which scenes carry Shyamalan’s atmospheric tension and supernatural elements. Sparks brings emotional depth and heartfelt love to the forefront, while Shyamalan layers in mystery, unease, and unexpected turns. I would have welcomed even more supernatural moments, but I loved the eerie touches we did get. The mystery element also kept me guessing right up until the big reveal.
I recently learned that a film adaptation is scheduled for release in October 2026, and I am already excited to see how this story translates to the screen.
If you enjoy paranormal love stories with a touch of creepy horror, this is a wonderful book to read. The audiobook is excellent, and the story is short enough to finish in a day or two. It feels perfect for autumn and Spooky Season. I truly hope this creative duo works together again.