Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas
Beautifully captures the joys of a new family as it builds to an overwhelmingly moving climax. This is an unforgettable love story, at once heartbreaking and full of hope.
James Patterson has written a love story!–a powerfully moving and suspenseful novel about families, loss, new love, and hope.
Katie Wilkinson has found her perfect man at last. He’s a writer, a house painter, an original thinker–everything she’s imagined she wanted in a partner. But one day, without explanation, he disappears from her life, leaving behind only a diary for her to read.
This diary is a love letter written by a new mother named Suzanne for her baby son, Nicholas. In it she pours out her heart about how she and the boy’s father met, about her hopes for marriage and family, and about the unparalleled joy that having a baby has brought into her life. As Katie reads this touching document, it becomes clear that the lover who has just left her is the husband and father in this young family. She reads on, filled with terror and hope, as she struggles to understand what has happened–and whether her new love has a prayer of surviving.
Written with James Patterson’s perfect pitch for emotion and suspense, Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas captures beautifully the joys of a new family as it builds to an overwhelmingly moving climax. This is an unforgettable love story, at once heartbreaking and full of hope.
My Thoughts:
Katie and Matt had the perfect relationship. They had much in common and a completeness, but when Matt suddenly leaves the relationship, Katie is left with many questions and wonders what went wrong. Matt is someone Katie could’ve shared the rest of her life with. How could she have been so wrong about their relationship?Not long after Matt’s departure, she receives a package in the mail. She recognizes Matt’s handwriting on the package instantly, and when she opens it, she finds a book titled Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas. As Katie reads the diary, she’s shocked. All at once she learns about a woman named Suzanne and her son Nicholas. In the diary, Suzanne writes about her life before Nicholas, her journey through relationships, and the joyous times she had with Nicholas from his birth up through the first year of his life. She writes directly to Nicholas and shares memories with him about his father. She wants him to understand how much she loves him and his father, and just how special their life was together.
I first read this book in 2006 when I was pregnant with my second child. In hindsight, there’s no doubt that hormones played a part in my reaction because I bawled and bawled over the book which is why I decided to read this one for my February #UltimateReadingChallenge–tear jerker. I can still remember gushing over it to everyone and influenced all my friends to read it. I honestly couldn’t say enough about it. I think the majority of my emotions stem from the fact that it’s a mother writing to her baby son about old memories and how her life was complete once he came into the world. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do (write to my children about our time together so they can read about it later in life). Another reason I was moved was because I personally went through similar health experiences, just like Suzanne, and her story felt real to me. I know some might say the writing isn’t spectacular, but I thought the narrative was, particularly Suzanne’s writings. Just when you think you know what’s happening, a surprising twist is thrown in–even at the end.
I was thoroughly involved in this story for the second time and flew through it, however, I don’t think I was as emotional when reading it this time around. Don’t get me wrong, I teared up for a bit, but I didn’t feel as affected by it this time. There were parts that I forgot and the story felt quite fresh to me, but I prepared myself ahead of time for the end because I remembered how emotional I was after the first reading. There was one part in the book that felt a little confusing and maybe a little unrealistic to me, but it was easily overlooked. Regardless, it still gets five stars from me.
Find this on Goodreads and Amazon:
- Hardcover
- Publisher: LITTLE BROWN & CO @ (July 16, 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 5559609080
- ISBN-13: 978-5559609089
This is my February pick for the #UltimateReadingChallenge which can be found HERE.
ReadRantRock&Roll 
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I have always been curious about this book. I am happy to see you enjoyed it so much. I am always up for a good tearjerker! Great review!
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I think it’s worth a try. Some people say the writing is bad and others just don’t like that it’s a love story/romance, but I still enjoyed my second time around. You’ll have to let me know if you end up trying it. ❤ Thank you!
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I’ve never read the book, but I saw the movie and cried my eyes out! After researching I found out that it was based on James Patterson’s book.
Thanks for a great review. I hope your health challenges have improved. 😊
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I want to see the movie! I was so excited to see they made one and not sure how I missed it. The story surely is heart-wrenching. ❤
All is well! I hope everything is going great with you too. Thank you for checking out my review and for your kind words. 😀
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I read this book over 10 years ago and I still get cold chills when I think about it! I haven’t seen the movie (honestly didn’t know there was one) but looks like I need to. I tried reading other James Patterson after this but I can’t get on board with the gore he writes about in most of his other novels. Great review!
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Wow! I’m glad to hear that you liked it as well. I want to see the movie too! I have heard others say that this is way out there compared to his other books. I personally haven’t read a lot of Patterson, but I plan to add a few more at least. He has so many! lol. 🙂 Thank you for checking out my review! 😀
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I adore the cover art for this book! Great review and I like how you drew parallels to when you read it before compared to now as well as the things you can relate to in the story cause you experienced them. One day I’ll read a Patterson! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Nel! I do love the cover as well. I hope you try this one. I know it’s different from what he normally writes, but I think it’s worth a try. Have a good day my friend! 😀 ❤
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I have read a couple of reviews of this and am still confused as heck about what it’s all about. The names partway make me think of Nicholas Sparks books, so that could be folloing me somehow. I guess I would have to read it myself to find out what it is about. Thanks for the review.
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In my opinion, this one actually reminds me of Nicholas Spark’s books in a way. Mainly because there’s a beach involved lol and the location. he’s a fave! Basically, this is a book about a relationship that ends abruptly and Katie is left to figure out why Matt left her. She gets the diary and then it’s all explained. I think it’s worth a try and it’s a super fast read!! ❤ Thanks, Donna!
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I actually loved this book! I was impressed by how Patterson created a romantic story. Reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks in my view. Great review, my friend! 🙂 MRS N
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Exactly! It did remind me of Nicholas Sparks! He’s a fave and the location and setting of this sort of reminded me of his works. I need to get back into his novels again. This is my first Patterson book–believe it or not. I have a long way to go, lol. ❤ Thank you so much, friend! Hope we can chat soon. 🙂
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Great review! I added it after reading your review. I have to find out what this one is all about. 🙂
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Thanks so much! Excited to hear your thoughts! 💙😁
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It’s amazing what tough stories can do to the reader. Never do I begin a book thinking, ‘I want this book to bring out my emotions. Make me sad or cry or feel disgusted, anything but calm and happy’.
However, good books reflect and distill life, sometimes more than you can bear. And that goes for comical ones, too. Good books break rules.They pull you along on a journey.
Great books make you feel what the characters feel. Drama is trying, but it’s worth it. Fiction can’t hurt you. With easy books, I’m glad when I get to the end. An eventful story, especially one that’s thrilling and throws a nice, dandy twist takes my breath away. I’m glad for that.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, David. I feel exactly the same and this book definitely made me feel. 💗 Have a great evening!
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Wow this sounds like it was well executed and such an emotional read! It makes sense that it wasn’t the same the second time round- especially since you were able to emotionally prepare for it. Seriously sounds worth checking out!
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Thank you! I do think it’s worth a try. I still enjoyed it even the second time around. 😉
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You’re welcome! That’s great!
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Great review!
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Thank you! 💙
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Great review Mischenko. I find it amazing that a man who writes the thriller Cross series also writes drama and romance and I like both.
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