"Will move readers to tears of happiness"

As his daughter Anna announces her plans to marry, North Carolina attorney Wilson Lewis wonders when the romance left his relationship with his wife. He observed the loving relationship of his in-laws even after five decades together and wispily wants that too, however, with the woman he loves, his wife. Wilson blames himself that his beloved Jane no longer loves him. He neglected her as work was more important than family. He plans to rectify his error if Jane allows him by showing his love for her for the rest of his life. Wilson knows exactly where to start his midlife transition by going to the living model of a loving husband, his father-in-law, Noah Calhoun.

The widow Noah resides in Creekside Extended Care Facility, a home for the elderly. He nurtures a swan whom he believes hosts the spirit of his beloved deceased wife Allie. Mentoring his son-in-law, Noah helps Wilson makes a major effort to regain what he now knows is most important in his life.

This sequel to the delightful NOTEBOOK (story of Noah and Alice) is a strong second chance at love tale that displays the spark lacking in recent works by the author. Though Jane's motives for planning to leave her spouse is not quite clear from her perspective, Wilson is a great protagonist whose understanding of what he wrought is brilliantly described as is his metamorphosis into a loving person. Though seeing Noah as a senior citizen and Allie dead is a shock, readers will appreciate THE WEDDING as Nicholas Sparks is at his romantic best with this charming story.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 18, 2003

Summary

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks comes the long-awaited follow-up to his classic tale of enduring love, The Notebook. After 30 years, Wilson Lewis, son-in-law to Noah and Allie (of The Notebook fame), is forced to admit that the romance has gone out of his marriage. Despite the shining example of his in-laws' 50- year love affair, Wilson himself is a man unable to express how he truly feels. With the distractions of his daughter's upcoming wedding he is forced to realize how close he is to losing his own wife Jane. But if Wilson is sure of anything, it's this: His love for his wife has only intensified over the years, and he wants nothing more than to make their marriage work. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' inspiring life together as his guide, Wilson pledges to find a way to make his wife fall in love with him...again.