The Wedding, by Nicholas Sparks
Jane and Wilson have been married for 30 years, almost. Their thirtieth wedding anniversary is fast approaching and Wilson has planned something special. Wilson feels really guilty because he realizes he hasn't been a very good husband and father to his family, as he always cared more about work and providing for his family than actually being with his family. He even forgets their wedding anniversary. Once he realizes this, he begins to try and make up for the many "lost" years of romance in his wife's life. Shortly after Wilson begins to turn his life around, his daughter Anna comes to the house one night to announce she is engaged. Furthermore, Anna wants to get married exactly two weeks from the engagement night, which, coincidentally, is her parents' wedding anniversary. Jane freaks out at first, but eventually gets excited and starts helping Anna plan her wedding. Wilson also lends his hand to help plan for the big day by using his contacts and associates. Through planning their daughter's wedding, Jane and Wilson remember their youth when they were so in love, and are able to rekindle that love once again, much to Wilson's joy.
Warning: spoilers follow here.
Wilson is the narrator of the book and we see everything from his point of view. We see how much he hurts because he feels as though he has been such a bad husband to Jane. All he wants to do is make that up to her. At the end of the book, he finally gets to. On the day of Anna's wedding, Jane is ready to walk up the aisle and be Anna's Matron of Honor, when Anna comes downstairs and is suddenly undressed. Anna pulls a bridal veil from behind her back and gives it to Jane. We find out that "Anna's" wedding was really Jane's wedding, and that Wilson had been planning the event for over a year. It is no longer Anna's wedding, but a vow renewal ceremony for Jane and Wilson. When they originally got married, Jane and Wilson married at the courthouse because Wilson was profoundly atheist and didn't feel marrying in a church was appropriate. And now Jane gets to have the wedding she never got to have. The entire family comes together in ways unforeseen, and the love Jane and Wilson once shared finally starts to be rekindled.
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I really loved this book. I love how Sparks tied up all the loose ends and how everything came together so nicely at the end. I don't think it should be counted as the sequel to The Notebook, but rather as another book that takes place in the same world. I love how sweet Wilson is and that he feels so bad and how that feeling of defeat is presented throughout the book. And the feeling of accomplishment when things turn out right will have you cheering at the end. At first, I didn't like the ending, but upon further reflection, I don't see any other way to end it. It makes sense to the rest of the book, which means a lot to me. Congratulations, Sparks, you did it again.
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For Next Time
Murder Past Due, by Miranda James
There's a cat in the stacks...and he makes the purr-fect partner for a librarian-turned-sleuth. Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows librarian Charlie Harris-and his Maine coon cat named Diesel that he walks on a leash. They also know his former classmate-turned-famous bestselling novelist, Godfrey Priest. But someone in Athena took Godfrey off the bestseller lists- permanently, and with extreme prejudice. Now, Charlie and Diesel must browse through the history section of the town's past to find a killer.-Borders.com
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