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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.
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.
289 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
1212 people are currently reading
56793 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
930 books354k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,654 reviews
April 11, 2021
You can also see my review @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
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--sharing 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 #UltimateReadingChalleng (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. 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. 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, it caused some tears, 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 maybe 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.
5*****
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--sharing 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 #UltimateReadingChalleng (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. 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. 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, it caused some tears, 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 maybe 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.
5*****
July 28, 2007
This book was the worst I've read. I actually felt less intelligent when I finished it. I feel empathy for people who think this is quality writing. Put it this way, the book was so bad that the movie was better. I actually liked the movie a lot, which means it wasn't the story, it was the author. Patterson needs to stick to mystery or whatever he does...
...Did I mention I didn't like this book at all?
...Did I mention I didn't like this book at all?
February 16, 2020
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas is an amazing love story, for me it was a page turner that I read in less than 24 hours (quite a feat with a nursing baby)! It is an incredible fictional love story set in New York and Martha’s Vineyard. Part of the book includes experiences from the author’s life.
It starts out with Katie, whose lover of 11 months, Matt, (from whom she thought a marriage proposal imminent), unexpectedly leaves with no explanation. He sends Katie an apologetic letter, saying he is to blame and that he hopes she can understand better by reading Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas.
We feel a tremendous amount of joy and heartache sharing in Katie’s experience reading Suzanne’s diary for her son Nicholas. Throughout the novel, one is anxiously reading on to find out the mystery of why Matt would leave, and what happened to turn upside-down a once picture-perfect life. There are so many interesting twists in the plot which capture one’s interest. In addition, the book imparts some important life lessons along the way. Messages that come from it are the importance of a balanced life, the importance of finding the right person to be with, and the importance of family and love. As a mother to three young children, I wholly related to Suzanne’s feelings toward her son, Nicholas. I also related to the loving relationship between Suzanne and her husband.
I think I might want to name my next son Nicholas after reading this book (if I have another)!
Here are sweet poems written to Nicholas which imparts the joy of having a beautiful, innocent, baby:
1)
You’re my little Nicky Knack
I love you so, you love me back.
I love your toes, your knees, your nose,
And everywhere a big kiss goes.
I kiss you tons, and know what then?
I have to kiss you once again.
2)
Nickels and dimes
I love you in rhythms
I love you in rhymes
I love you in laughter
Here and ever after
Then I love you a million
Gazillion more times!
Here is the story of the 5 balls:
Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls- family, health, friends, integrity- are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.
Other good thoughts:
“Life doesn’t go on forever. Enjoy every moment of it.”
“Isn’t it lucky?”
“You are growing up before our eyes, and it is such a glorious thing to watch. I savor each moment. I hope all the other mommies and daddies are remembering to savor these moments and have the time to do so... I love watching you grow, but at the same time I don’t like seeing this time fly by so fast. It’s hard to explain; I don’t really know how. But there’s something so precious about watching your child day after day after day. I want to hold on to every moment, every smile, every single hug and kiss. I suppose it has to do with loving to be needed and needing to give love.”
“It’s late, and Daddy and I are being silly geese... We couldn’t resist, so we sneaked into your room and watched over you for several moments. We held hands and blew you kisses... [we] hugged each other as we watched you sleep- which is one of the greatest pleasures in the word- don’t miss watching your child sleep.” [Eric and I LOVE to watch little Michael sleeping... we can’t help going in to look at him several time between when he goes to bed and we go to bed.]
It starts out with Katie, whose lover of 11 months, Matt, (from whom she thought a marriage proposal imminent), unexpectedly leaves with no explanation. He sends Katie an apologetic letter, saying he is to blame and that he hopes she can understand better by reading Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas.
We feel a tremendous amount of joy and heartache sharing in Katie’s experience reading Suzanne’s diary for her son Nicholas. Throughout the novel, one is anxiously reading on to find out the mystery of why Matt would leave, and what happened to turn upside-down a once picture-perfect life. There are so many interesting twists in the plot which capture one’s interest. In addition, the book imparts some important life lessons along the way. Messages that come from it are the importance of a balanced life, the importance of finding the right person to be with, and the importance of family and love. As a mother to three young children, I wholly related to Suzanne’s feelings toward her son, Nicholas. I also related to the loving relationship between Suzanne and her husband.
I think I might want to name my next son Nicholas after reading this book (if I have another)!
Here are sweet poems written to Nicholas which imparts the joy of having a beautiful, innocent, baby:
1)
You’re my little Nicky Knack
I love you so, you love me back.
I love your toes, your knees, your nose,
And everywhere a big kiss goes.
I kiss you tons, and know what then?
I have to kiss you once again.
2)
Nickels and dimes
I love you in rhythms
I love you in rhymes
I love you in laughter
Here and ever after
Then I love you a million
Gazillion more times!
Here is the story of the 5 balls:
Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls- family, health, friends, integrity- are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.
Other good thoughts:
“Life doesn’t go on forever. Enjoy every moment of it.”
“Isn’t it lucky?”
“You are growing up before our eyes, and it is such a glorious thing to watch. I savor each moment. I hope all the other mommies and daddies are remembering to savor these moments and have the time to do so... I love watching you grow, but at the same time I don’t like seeing this time fly by so fast. It’s hard to explain; I don’t really know how. But there’s something so precious about watching your child day after day after day. I want to hold on to every moment, every smile, every single hug and kiss. I suppose it has to do with loving to be needed and needing to give love.”
“It’s late, and Daddy and I are being silly geese... We couldn’t resist, so we sneaked into your room and watched over you for several moments. We held hands and blew you kisses... [we] hugged each other as we watched you sleep- which is one of the greatest pleasures in the word- don’t miss watching your child sleep.” [Eric and I LOVE to watch little Michael sleeping... we can’t help going in to look at him several time between when he goes to bed and we go to bed.]
June 1, 2013
Ovaj romantični iskorak u Patersonovom opusu ne zaostaje za Nikolasom Sparksom... :)
February 3, 2008
I still rue the day I picked up this book from the library and even more, reading the first page. The overly-contrived plot contains unbelievably "perfect" characters and comes off as just hokey and ridiculous. Oh, how I regret reading to the end. The sappy sentimentality. The over-the-top crude attempts at "tear-jerker moments." I resent James Patterson's theft of the three hours of my life it took to read this (although it would have been less had I not kept putting it down to debate whether to invest any more time). When the book ended, I hated the characters. My contempt for this book ranks right up there with the movie "City of Angels", which I still regret going to see. Any tears I shed were from rage and frustration.
July 26, 2007
I've read more of James Patterson's novels than I care to admit, and from what I've observed, their general pattern is a little bit of exposition followed by some drama and suspense, which is mostly boring or unbelievably contrived (or both), followed by some sappy, overly-sentimental, unimaginative, and highly predictable denouement.
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas is a deviation from Patterson's mode of operation in the following respect: it isn't suspenseful or even remotely thrilling. Not even if you stand on your head, squint your eyes, and read it backwards. While preparing to jump out of an airplane. Flying over the Marianas Trench. It's just plain cheesy, in a vomit-inducing kind of way. And that's a bold statement, coming from a cheese-lover.
On principle, I like to finish anything I start, but I couldn't even get through this one. This book is the sappiest, corniest, lamest, most boring and unromantic piece of crap since... well, probably since the Patterson novel that immediately preceded it. Love story? Please. Do yourself a favor and watch "The Notebook" instead.
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas is a deviation from Patterson's mode of operation in the following respect: it isn't suspenseful or even remotely thrilling. Not even if you stand on your head, squint your eyes, and read it backwards. While preparing to jump out of an airplane. Flying over the Marianas Trench. It's just plain cheesy, in a vomit-inducing kind of way. And that's a bold statement, coming from a cheese-lover.
On principle, I like to finish anything I start, but I couldn't even get through this one. This book is the sappiest, corniest, lamest, most boring and unromantic piece of crap since... well, probably since the Patterson novel that immediately preceded it. Love story? Please. Do yourself a favor and watch "The Notebook" instead.
December 12, 2017
I know opinions vary hugely about this book but I have got to say I really enjoyed it! I must also admit I only read it for a Xmas Challenge - read a book with the name Nicholas in the title:)
In my opinion Patterson took his skills at writing suspense and applied them to a romance instead. There were his short, choppy chapters which always end in such a way that you are forced to go straight on to the next one. Then there was the actual suspense - the fact that the reader has to wait until the very end to find out what happened. And of course there was the final twist which always comes just when you think you know it all.
It is a very sad book too with many tear jerking moments. Of course it was a bit corny and the characters a bit too perfect but most of the best romances are a bit that way. Only perfect people have perfect romances after all. That's why us ordinary people like to read them!
Anyway it turned out to be a very pleasurable read and I am very glad that taking part in challenges often delivers me these little gems I would otherwise never have read.
In my opinion Patterson took his skills at writing suspense and applied them to a romance instead. There were his short, choppy chapters which always end in such a way that you are forced to go straight on to the next one. Then there was the actual suspense - the fact that the reader has to wait until the very end to find out what happened. And of course there was the final twist which always comes just when you think you know it all.
It is a very sad book too with many tear jerking moments. Of course it was a bit corny and the characters a bit too perfect but most of the best romances are a bit that way. Only perfect people have perfect romances after all. That's why us ordinary people like to read them!
Anyway it turned out to be a very pleasurable read and I am very glad that taking part in challenges often delivers me these little gems I would otherwise never have read.
January 6, 2025
“But what is life if you don't live it?”
I was given this book to read in my "12 books from 12 friends" challenge. I most likely would of never picked it up on my own and then I would of missed out on a beautiful story. That is the point of the challenge though. I read this book in just a few hours and I suggest if you read it to have tissues.
This story follows Katie, who has fallen in love with her boyfriend, and they have the most beautiful relationship. They understand each other on a level Katie has never felt, until one day he takes off, leaving Katie confused and lost! Shortly after he leaves, Katie receives a book in the mail titled, "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas", with a note in her boyfriends writing. Katie is shocked but decides to read the diary learning about Suzanne and her child Nicholas. The diary includes Suzanne's life before her son, working her way through relationships, through her wedding and pregnancy, and even after she gives birth. Katie can't help but like Suzanne and feel connected to her in more ways than one!
Some reviews talk about the writing and how poorly it was written but I listened to the audio which gave me a different perspective. I found myself angry at moments and tearing up the next. This is truly a beautiful story of heartbreak and hope!
“Life is such a miracle, a series of small miracles.It really is, if you learn how to look at it with the right perspective.”
“There's a saying I remember from my grandmother: One today is worth two tomorrows.”
re-review: I am doing 12 books from 12 of my friends! This is my first one and I heard it will tear me apart!
July 27, 2020
This is not the James Patterson I knew. It takes a lot of confidence to move into a different genre and Patterson has accomplished that move spectacularly. When I was about half through, I wondered why I was still reading. It was a nice story but ...
... then, with an exquisite sense of timing, Patterson tightened the screws and "nice" became became "hypnotic" and then "riveting" ... Still I was not prepared for the ending, which I will of course not reveal.
... then, with an exquisite sense of timing, Patterson tightened the screws and "nice" became became "hypnotic" and then "riveting" ... Still I was not prepared for the ending, which I will of course not reveal.
May 11, 2012
I have never read any James Patterson books and after reading this one I don't think I'll ever read another. There were so many things wrong with this book I don't know where to begin. This book is a love story, and I usually love a good romance, but it was so saccharine-sweet it made it unbelievable! I didn't find it at all touching, okay, maybe when the second twist was revealed, but everything before and after that was so sappy and overly sentimental that it was hard to stand. Thank goodness this was a quick read! For me, a love story has to at least give me a good cry for it to be any good and this one left me unemotional.
Most of the story is about a woman writing a diary to her newborn son. The diary contains how her and her son's father met and their undying love for each other and their newborn son. I like this idea but even the way this was written made it unbelievable! There were times where I asked myself, "Who is she writing this diary to?", "Is she really writing in this diary about how her son's father unbuttoned her blouse, slipped her blouse off, put his hands on her hips and bed her?", "Really, is that something you would tell your son?" I was confused.
I think Patterson also meant for this book to me somewhat inspirational leaving us with cheesy metaphors and quotes, like those you'll find in fortune cookies, inspirational daily calendars or mass chain emails. Like I said, completely unmoved. I was left only with its sticky, syrupy sweetness that I can't seem to remove. Yuck!
Most of the story is about a woman writing a diary to her newborn son. The diary contains how her and her son's father met and their undying love for each other and their newborn son. I like this idea but even the way this was written made it unbelievable! There were times where I asked myself, "Who is she writing this diary to?", "Is she really writing in this diary about how her son's father unbuttoned her blouse, slipped her blouse off, put his hands on her hips and bed her?", "Really, is that something you would tell your son?" I was confused.
I think Patterson also meant for this book to me somewhat inspirational leaving us with cheesy metaphors and quotes, like those you'll find in fortune cookies, inspirational daily calendars or mass chain emails. Like I said, completely unmoved. I was left only with its sticky, syrupy sweetness that I can't seem to remove. Yuck!
December 6, 2013
I absolutely LOVED this book from start to finish.
Katie Wilkinson has found the love of her life and couldn't be any more in love with Matt if she tried. Matt is a writer and a house painter and he is also very much in love with Katie. But then one day out of the blue Matt disappears with no explanation and Katie is left wondering what went wrong when things were so perfect between the two of them. Then Katie finds a package on the front door step which turns out to be a diary left by Matt. With the diary Matt leaves a note which says, maybe this diary will explain things better than I ever could. If you have the heart, read it. It's about my wife and son and me.
And so Katie begins to read the diary and she finds out so much more about Matt than she could ever imagine. At times whilst reading the diary Katie is overwhelmed with what she reads and learns about Matt's life.
Although this story was heart wrenching, touching and at times quite sad it was still a beautiful love story. I have no hesitation in recommending this wonderful page turner. Don't forget to have a box of tissues handy.
Katie Wilkinson has found the love of her life and couldn't be any more in love with Matt if she tried. Matt is a writer and a house painter and he is also very much in love with Katie. But then one day out of the blue Matt disappears with no explanation and Katie is left wondering what went wrong when things were so perfect between the two of them. Then Katie finds a package on the front door step which turns out to be a diary left by Matt. With the diary Matt leaves a note which says, maybe this diary will explain things better than I ever could. If you have the heart, read it. It's about my wife and son and me.
And so Katie begins to read the diary and she finds out so much more about Matt than she could ever imagine. At times whilst reading the diary Katie is overwhelmed with what she reads and learns about Matt's life.
Although this story was heart wrenching, touching and at times quite sad it was still a beautiful love story. I have no hesitation in recommending this wonderful page turner. Don't forget to have a box of tissues handy.
December 18, 2015
Katie, a book editor in New York, has been left by the man that she hoped to marry someday. Matt, a poet from Martha's Vineyard, drops off a diary by Katie's door to help her understand his actions. His first wife, Suzanne, wrote this diary to their son Nicholas, telling him about her move to Martha's Vineyard, falling in love with his father, and the happiness she found in motherhood.
When Suzanne had health problems, a friend told her a story about getting better balance in one's life. Life is a game in which you are juggling five balls--work, family, health, friends, and integrity. You're trying to keep them all in the air. But work is a rubber ball that will bounce if it is dropped. The other four balls are made of glass, and will be harmed or shattered if they are dropped.
The author had the experience of losing a woman he loved when she developed a brain tumor. Years later he married his present wife. In the book Patterson shows that a person can fear to love again, wondering if they are setting themselves up for more heartache.
The book had some good messages about love, and about keeping balance in one's life. But it was overly sweet with a predictable plot. The author seemed to follow a similar formula as Nicholas Sparks, so fans of Sparks' romance novels would probably enjoy this story.
When Suzanne had health problems, a friend told her a story about getting better balance in one's life. Life is a game in which you are juggling five balls--work, family, health, friends, and integrity. You're trying to keep them all in the air. But work is a rubber ball that will bounce if it is dropped. The other four balls are made of glass, and will be harmed or shattered if they are dropped.
The author had the experience of losing a woman he loved when she developed a brain tumor. Years later he married his present wife. In the book Patterson shows that a person can fear to love again, wondering if they are setting themselves up for more heartache.
The book had some good messages about love, and about keeping balance in one's life. But it was overly sweet with a predictable plot. The author seemed to follow a similar formula as Nicholas Sparks, so fans of Sparks' romance novels would probably enjoy this story.
May 8, 2011
This book is my ALL-TIME favourite book :) I absolutely love it. James Patterson has done a brilliant job with the story and its presentation. I've read this book a thousand times. It makes you think about a 101 things related to life and its twists & turns. The story helped me understand that life is not always sweet, not always fair and things do not always turn out the way we want them to. But if we are patient and just keep going - we'll eventually find things that are sweet, that are fair and somewhere along the way true love as well :)
September 17, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolute tear jerker, heartbreaking and full of love and compassion!
Absolute tear jerker, heartbreaking and full of love and compassion!
June 14, 2016
Book on CD narrated by Becky Ann Baker
ZERO stars (but I'll give Baker 1 star for her narration)
Quick, I need a blood glucose test to be sure I haven’t developed diabetes! Think Nicholas Sparks and Robert James Waller, but nowhere near so good – and that’s saying a lot, as they aren’t all that great. This is just too awful for words. Patterson is shamelessly cashing in on the trend for male authors to write saccharine tear-jerker love stories. Kate has just been dumped by her perfect boyfriend, Matt, without warning, but he sends her a package – it’s his wife’s diary and is supposed to explain why he’s left Kate. The whole thing is predictable, melodramatic, and just plain stupid. Mercifully (for the reader) this is a quick read (or listen), so the pain doesn’t last too long.
ZERO stars (but I'll give Baker 1 star for her narration)
Quick, I need a blood glucose test to be sure I haven’t developed diabetes! Think Nicholas Sparks and Robert James Waller, but nowhere near so good – and that’s saying a lot, as they aren’t all that great. This is just too awful for words. Patterson is shamelessly cashing in on the trend for male authors to write saccharine tear-jerker love stories. Kate has just been dumped by her perfect boyfriend, Matt, without warning, but he sends her a package – it’s his wife’s diary and is supposed to explain why he’s left Kate. The whole thing is predictable, melodramatic, and just plain stupid. Mercifully (for the reader) this is a quick read (or listen), so the pain doesn’t last too long.
September 5, 2007
I read this one on a plane and at some point the stewardess came up to my row and gave me tissues. If a book is written well or talks about a touchy subject, I can be a tad emotional. This book did it for me.
Im used to Pattersons murder mystery novels so this was a definite change from the norm. I would say I probably prefer the murder mysteries over the sappy stories but he did a pretty good job with this one.
**************************************
Amazon.com
James Patterson, author of such bestsellers-turned-blockbuster-movies as Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls, exposes his sensitive side in his new novel, Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. Katie Wilkinson's boyfriend Matt dumps her; not a total cad, he leaves her a gift, a diary kept by Suzanne, his first wife, for their son Nicholas. Though it's not exactly the diamond ring Katie was hoping for, she's unable to make herself destroy the diary--against her better judgment, Katie begins to read.
Drawn against her will into the other woman's world, Katie learns of physician Suzanne's heart attack at age 35 and her decision to slow down, accomplished by a move to Martha's Vineyard and a new job as a simple country doctor. When love comes knocking, in the form of housepainter-cum-poet Matt Harrison, Suzanne is ready to listen to her newly repaired heart. Though painful for Katie, she begins to know and like Suzanne and her infant son Nicholas. Suzanne's devotion to Matt and their son shines through, as well as her plainspoken wisdom. While the journal helps Katie understand Matt, whether they can write a future together remains in question.
Im used to Pattersons murder mystery novels so this was a definite change from the norm. I would say I probably prefer the murder mysteries over the sappy stories but he did a pretty good job with this one.
**************************************
Amazon.com
James Patterson, author of such bestsellers-turned-blockbuster-movies as Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls, exposes his sensitive side in his new novel, Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. Katie Wilkinson's boyfriend Matt dumps her; not a total cad, he leaves her a gift, a diary kept by Suzanne, his first wife, for their son Nicholas. Though it's not exactly the diamond ring Katie was hoping for, she's unable to make herself destroy the diary--against her better judgment, Katie begins to read.
Drawn against her will into the other woman's world, Katie learns of physician Suzanne's heart attack at age 35 and her decision to slow down, accomplished by a move to Martha's Vineyard and a new job as a simple country doctor. When love comes knocking, in the form of housepainter-cum-poet Matt Harrison, Suzanne is ready to listen to her newly repaired heart. Though painful for Katie, she begins to know and like Suzanne and her infant son Nicholas. Suzanne's devotion to Matt and their son shines through, as well as her plainspoken wisdom. While the journal helps Katie understand Matt, whether they can write a future together remains in question.
April 23, 2007
All I know is that it was a love novel written by a man. Yep, this didn't work out one bit. Basically it felt like a book written by one of the guys off of "This Old House." Damn they are good with building things but expressing love and the intricacies of the heart... yeah no. Stick to his crime novels because this one leaves you wanting to kick yourself in the balls for even had read it, if that was possible.
September 5, 2025
Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson is a wonderful, beautiful, heart wrenching book. I seldom cry reading but this one did me in.
May 18, 2013
This was a very fast read. I wanted to read a sappy book, and this was sappy at its worst form. However, that being said, I like my sap to be a little more realistic. I want sap that resonates with real life, not one that is so full of perfect people that it never comes across as true.
There were so many things wrong with this book. I hate reading books that I am picking apart as I read them and this book was like that from start to finish.
The book title was a bit misleading for me. I thought this book was going to be about a dying mother (Suzanne) who writes her son (Nicholas) a diary so he can have something to remember her by, but really what this story is more about is the love story between Suzanne and Matt...and Katie. But back to picking the book apart:
--You can basically throw out the diary part of this. Why? Nobody writes in their diary like this. Not that I keep one, but I definitely cannot see anyone writing in their diary like this. Mental dialogue is written down, descriptions of sex (I thought this was a diary for your son, Suzanne) are noted, narrative descriptions of objects (such as a car speeding down the road). It would have rang more true if the author had stuck to a narrative-type format.
--Every charachter is simply beautiful. And even when the character claims they are not beautiful, you know the reader is supposed to think they are and that the character is even more beautiful on the inside because they possess a humilty about their looks. I can't stand this in a book. There's an art about being subtle in describing characters in a book, but I really hate when a book starts off by letting you know you will be reading about gorgeous people who's only flaw is the drama they will be faced with as the story goes on.
--I hate quirkiness that sounds contrived. People here quote Walt Whitman in normal conversation, have dogs and cats named Gustavus and Guinevere (and yes, it's two separate owners). One can't help but roll their eyes when reading this.
The drama in the book was too maniopulative for me. We were supposed to like both Suzanne and Katie and Matt. Oh, what a dilemma! There were no characters to really hate. None of the characters rang true and so I could never be brought to care about them.
Not quite sure why I gave this two stars. Maybe cause it read fast and so I'm grateful that I did not have to yawn through the story. These one teetered between a one and a two, closer to a one.
There were so many things wrong with this book. I hate reading books that I am picking apart as I read them and this book was like that from start to finish.
The book title was a bit misleading for me. I thought this book was going to be about a dying mother (Suzanne) who writes her son (Nicholas) a diary so he can have something to remember her by, but really what this story is more about is the love story between Suzanne and Matt...and Katie. But back to picking the book apart:
--You can basically throw out the diary part of this. Why? Nobody writes in their diary like this. Not that I keep one, but I definitely cannot see anyone writing in their diary like this. Mental dialogue is written down, descriptions of sex (I thought this was a diary for your son, Suzanne) are noted, narrative descriptions of objects (such as a car speeding down the road). It would have rang more true if the author had stuck to a narrative-type format.
--Every charachter is simply beautiful. And even when the character claims they are not beautiful, you know the reader is supposed to think they are and that the character is even more beautiful on the inside because they possess a humilty about their looks. I can't stand this in a book. There's an art about being subtle in describing characters in a book, but I really hate when a book starts off by letting you know you will be reading about gorgeous people who's only flaw is the drama they will be faced with as the story goes on.
--I hate quirkiness that sounds contrived. People here quote Walt Whitman in normal conversation, have dogs and cats named Gustavus and Guinevere (and yes, it's two separate owners). One can't help but roll their eyes when reading this.
The drama in the book was too maniopulative for me. We were supposed to like both Suzanne and Katie and Matt. Oh, what a dilemma! There were no characters to really hate. None of the characters rang true and so I could never be brought to care about them.
Not quite sure why I gave this two stars. Maybe cause it read fast and so I'm grateful that I did not have to yawn through the story. These one teetered between a one and a two, closer to a one.
January 14, 2008
Predictable garbage trying to be deep and passionate. NO! Truly awful writing. Never cared an ounce for the charters. Patterson has written about 800 books. He should really think about quality first. AVOID!
March 16, 2011
HE DIED!!! :'((((( GUS DIED!!! WHY OH WHY???? :'((( POOR DOGGIE!!!! :((((
SHE SAID YES! SHE SAID YES!!!! OH MY GODS!!! :')))))
---
SHE READS HARRY POTTER , TOO!!!! :DDDDD
--
ISN'T IT LUCKY?
--
THIS IS WHERE MY REVIEW REALLY REALLY STARTS : :)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
It's heart breaking, heart replenishing
Life changing
Perspective changing
AND EVERY CHANGE IN LIFE AND HOW YOU LOOK AT IT!
I NOW HAVE THE STORY OF THE FIVE BALLS to guide me! :D Though I haven't figured that out yet. I'll get there on the later years of my life.
This book actually reminded me of my own story. A story when a very close, dear, sister friend left me without a word. The first few pages reminded me of that part of my life and I just wanted to cry but I held myself together because I was at school and I hate crying with a lot of people around. So, anyway, yeah. Mostly, it was her that I remembered in this book and how I wished the we got back together again. But we didn't--in reality.
I have a new-old-new-old (whichever) friendship back but I can't deny the fact that I miss the old times with that best friend of mine who left me. True, ours is not a love story like Katie and Matt, but it can be somehow connected and I can connect it with that because I haven't really been in love :)
SO... Suzanne and Nicholas... I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!
I THOUGHT, when Matt wrote on the diary...
Nicholas...
...would be able to read it.
BUT WHAT DID I FIND OUT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE WRITTEN ACCOUNT???
I FOUND THE OPPOSITE AND THAT MADE ME CRY HARDER!!!!
YES, I cried. I cry when I read sad, touching, or some passage that reminds me of something that happened in my life. But I DO NOT cry in front of a person. No, I don't do that. I HATE THAT. Especially when I can't control my tears.
ANYWAY, this isn't about me. So, never mind :)
I just want to add a comment about the ending before I end this.
KNEELING...this is totally CUTE!!! I LOVE IT! :D I LOVE THE MEANING! :)
I wish a guy like Matt does exist. I wish I'll meet someone like him.
OKAY. YOU KNOW MY RULES :) READ THIS TO UNDERSTAND IT. YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT!!! :D
SHE SAID YES! SHE SAID YES!!!! OH MY GODS!!! :')))))
---
SHE READS HARRY POTTER , TOO!!!! :DDDDD
--
ISN'T IT LUCKY?
--
THIS IS WHERE MY REVIEW REALLY REALLY STARTS : :)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
It's heart breaking, heart replenishing
Life changing
Perspective changing
AND EVERY CHANGE IN LIFE AND HOW YOU LOOK AT IT!
I NOW HAVE THE STORY OF THE FIVE BALLS to guide me! :D Though I haven't figured that out yet. I'll get there on the later years of my life.
This book actually reminded me of my own story. A story when a very close, dear, sister friend left me without a word. The first few pages reminded me of that part of my life and I just wanted to cry but I held myself together because I was at school and I hate crying with a lot of people around. So, anyway, yeah. Mostly, it was her that I remembered in this book and how I wished the we got back together again. But we didn't--in reality.
I have a new-old-new-old (whichever) friendship back but I can't deny the fact that I miss the old times with that best friend of mine who left me. True, ours is not a love story like Katie and Matt, but it can be somehow connected and I can connect it with that because I haven't really been in love :)
SO... Suzanne and Nicholas... I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!
I THOUGHT, when Matt wrote on the diary...
Nicholas...
...would be able to read it.
BUT WHAT DID I FIND OUT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE WRITTEN ACCOUNT???
I FOUND THE OPPOSITE AND THAT MADE ME CRY HARDER!!!!
YES, I cried. I cry when I read sad, touching, or some passage that reminds me of something that happened in my life. But I DO NOT cry in front of a person. No, I don't do that. I HATE THAT. Especially when I can't control my tears.
ANYWAY, this isn't about me. So, never mind :)
I just want to add a comment about the ending before I end this.
KNEELING...this is totally CUTE!!! I LOVE IT! :D I LOVE THE MEANING! :)
OKAY. YOU KNOW MY RULES :) READ THIS TO UNDERSTAND IT. YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT!!! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2014
So I picked this book up not intending on reading it at that moment but I opened the first page and then the next and then before I knew I was hooked. I am so glad I grabbed this book off of my shelf and started reading it. An emotional roller coaster for sure.
This is a love story between a man, wife, son and a bystander named Katie. Katie is in love with Matt until one day he disappears and she has no idea where he has gone. He leaves behind a diary called Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. She opens the diary takes a plunge into Matt's world that she never knew existed and she fell in love with all the characters and even deeper in love with Matt.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book because I read another contemporary by Patterson and did not really like that one. This one was very good IMO and I enjoyed it so much. First of all this was wrote in Diary form for the most part until we come to Katie's part. I was immersed into another side of this love story that made me feel so much.
I had read several of the other reviews with people saying how dumb, dry, and boring this story was, but I just can't see that at all. I see a very heart felt story that makes you grab a Kleenex, a story that you wont soon forget, and a story that made my heart fill with so many emotions. I guess emotional, heart felt books are not for everyone.
As far as the characters go, I think they are beautiful characters, maybe not the best developed that I have ever read, but I can say that reading them makes you love them. I grew so fond of all of them and wanted to know them, wanted to know more about them.
I loved watching Katie go through this diary and feeling those same things she felt at the same time. What can I say about Matt? He is a strong person? Or what about Suzanne or maybe Nicholas, they are beautiful, caring and understanding? I wont say much more about the characters, I will just recommend you read this book and decide what you think about them yourself. Don't let the bad reviews steer you away from this book, because there is truly something special to take from this story.
Isn't it lucky?
This is a love story between a man, wife, son and a bystander named Katie. Katie is in love with Matt until one day he disappears and she has no idea where he has gone. He leaves behind a diary called Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. She opens the diary takes a plunge into Matt's world that she never knew existed and she fell in love with all the characters and even deeper in love with Matt.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book because I read another contemporary by Patterson and did not really like that one. This one was very good IMO and I enjoyed it so much. First of all this was wrote in Diary form for the most part until we come to Katie's part. I was immersed into another side of this love story that made me feel so much.
I had read several of the other reviews with people saying how dumb, dry, and boring this story was, but I just can't see that at all. I see a very heart felt story that makes you grab a Kleenex, a story that you wont soon forget, and a story that made my heart fill with so many emotions. I guess emotional, heart felt books are not for everyone.
As far as the characters go, I think they are beautiful characters, maybe not the best developed that I have ever read, but I can say that reading them makes you love them. I grew so fond of all of them and wanted to know them, wanted to know more about them.
I loved watching Katie go through this diary and feeling those same things she felt at the same time. What can I say about Matt? He is a strong person? Or what about Suzanne or maybe Nicholas, they are beautiful, caring and understanding? I wont say much more about the characters, I will just recommend you read this book and decide what you think about them yourself. Don't let the bad reviews steer you away from this book, because there is truly something special to take from this story.
Isn't it lucky?
March 27, 2015
In Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas, Katie likes a guy named Matthew who she wants to marry and be with for the rest of her life. For reasons unknown to Katie, Matthew can't seem to commit to her. Matthew leaves Katie a diary to read, a diary which will explain secrets to his past, a diary written by Matthew's ex-wife, Suzanne, to their son Nicholas.
As Katie spends her time reading the diary she becomes more aware of Matthews past life. This diary reveals heart breaking secrets to Katie as she reads along and re-lives all the tragic incidents that happen. Finally Katie comes to realize why Matthew couldn't commit to her. It is so hard for him and she starts to understand - but is it too late?
If they will ever spend the rest of their lives together is all hidden inside the book.
As Katie spends her time reading the diary she becomes more aware of Matthews past life. This diary reveals heart breaking secrets to Katie as she reads along and re-lives all the tragic incidents that happen. Finally Katie comes to realize why Matthew couldn't commit to her. It is so hard for him and she starts to understand - but is it too late?
If they will ever spend the rest of their lives together is all hidden inside the book.
November 27, 2021
My first James Patterson book, from years ago. So very sad, but still a very good read
March 1, 2015
I have some pet peeves when it comes to books. One of my pet peeves is "perfect" (and therefore unrelatable) characters. But Patterson is quite a trickster- making you think that at least one of these characters has a fatal flaw. But nope. In the end we discover that all characters were perfect after all- perfect looking (well, there is the one girl who thinks she's too tall. Like a model), perfect acting (always thoughtful, always kind, always good-humored, open and loving and talented with good taste), rich, educated, sociable, beloved by all...
Sorry. I just puked in my mouth a little.
I mean the leading man, Matt, is not only tall and handsome and humble and handy, but he's also an emotionally sensitive poet that dances with his wife on the beach and makes love like a fierce tiger. He never gets mad, he never leaves his socks on the floor. He smells like the sun.
Sorry. Happened again.
The women aren't any better. Highly successful, gorgeous (but don't know it). Neither understand how to use birth control but FORTUNATELY they're both fabulous natural mothers- of course. Never a moment post-partum. Never a night when, going on two hours sleep she freaks out at her Ken-Doll husband in the middle of the night- yelling at him to get his sorry- arse out of bed and help her before she burns down their glorious beach house along with their yuppie CD collection, fresh produce, and romantic lighting.
Even the baby is perfect. Never fusses. Never poops all over the adorable crib crafted from beachwood by his perfectly toned and tanned father. Never throws a tired-tantrum in the middle of the family photo.
"Isn't it lucky?"
I'd say. The luckiest fabricated family in the friggin' world. But then, I've never been to Martha's Vineyard.
Having said that, there was one thing in the book that made me feel something- a mother's love for her baby- THAT felt real. THAT was touching. THAT was devastatingly sweet and sad. Still. It would have been more real and touching if mother and baby had been human.
Props to Patterson for attempting to write from a woman's perspective. It just wasn't this woman's.
Sorry. I just puked in my mouth a little.
I mean the leading man, Matt, is not only tall and handsome and humble and handy, but he's also an emotionally sensitive poet that dances with his wife on the beach and makes love like a fierce tiger. He never gets mad, he never leaves his socks on the floor. He smells like the sun.
Sorry. Happened again.
The women aren't any better. Highly successful, gorgeous (but don't know it). Neither understand how to use birth control but FORTUNATELY they're both fabulous natural mothers- of course. Never a moment post-partum. Never a night when, going on two hours sleep she freaks out at her Ken-Doll husband in the middle of the night- yelling at him to get his sorry- arse out of bed and help her before she burns down their glorious beach house along with their yuppie CD collection, fresh produce, and romantic lighting.
Even the baby is perfect. Never fusses. Never poops all over the adorable crib crafted from beachwood by his perfectly toned and tanned father. Never throws a tired-tantrum in the middle of the family photo.
"Isn't it lucky?"
I'd say. The luckiest fabricated family in the friggin' world. But then, I've never been to Martha's Vineyard.
Having said that, there was one thing in the book that made me feel something- a mother's love for her baby- THAT felt real. THAT was touching. THAT was devastatingly sweet and sad. Still. It would have been more real and touching if mother and baby had been human.
Props to Patterson for attempting to write from a woman's perspective. It just wasn't this woman's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2010
And here I thought that LDS fiction was bad. Wow. This book is what happens when an old guy who writes suspense tries to write a book about a thirty-something woman's love story. Wow. So bad. So, so bad. I feel used. Words like: ravishing, french braid, blouse and goof (as in Matt and Katie used to ride the circle line as a goof.) have no place in a book written in the 2000's. Emotional Manipulation at it's highest and most nauseating. The only thing I can think that would come close to rivaling the horrific snivel of this novel would be if James Patterson and Debbie Macomber co-authored a book.
May 28, 2016
I adored this book. It was, to me, a beautifully written story which describes a mothers love for her child and husband in the most colourful fashion. The only criticism I have, is that the conclusion felt a bit blunt. All in all, a good read which touches the heart.
July 4, 2019
Dar viața, oricât de mult noroc îți dă, îți mai aruncă și cate o greutate; Suzanne încearcă să treacă peste toate cu curaj și cu zâmbetul pe buze. Am iubit-o pe Suzanne, cunoscând-o prin intermediul jurnalului. Nu prea citesc eu cărți romantice, dar aceasta mi-a atins o coardă sensibilă – poate pentru că a fost sub formă de jurnal, poate pentru că a fost scrisă cu o sensibilitate aparte, poate pentru că Suzanne, Matt și Nicholas au avut o poveste atât de emoționantă. Am simțit cartea ca pe o ploaie de vară, deși previzibilă, mi-a încântat sufletul cumva.
„Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day, you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.”
https://mbuubooks.blogspot.com/2019/0...
„Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day, you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.”
https://mbuubooks.blogspot.com/2019/0...
January 26, 2013
SPOILERS!!!
A while back someone suggested that I read a James Patterson book to help me get into writing. The first one I picked up was "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas", thinking that anything by him would do. It was one of the worst mistakes that I ever made. There are just so many issues that I had with this book, I’m amazed that it was published. It seems that Patterson was just set out to insult the intelligence of his readers, hoping that they would see his name and grab up this book, giving him his one chance to tell a story based off a tragic life event he experienced first hand. While the story is “tragic” and yes it is a “romance” it’s just poorly written.
"She gripped the carousel horse with her thighs as it went not just up and down, but also around and around." Yes, those are the lines you get while reading this book and in fact I noticed that if you broke down the paragraphs and took out just random sentences, you would have no clue as to what was going on. A lot of three word sentences just thrown around made this an easy read for even a seven year old. I think even Harlequin's most romantic author would be ashamed to publish these cloying phrases. The whole discourse of the story is sickeningly predictable. I felt like I was reading a very, very long Hallmark card, even though I think Hallmark wouldn’t publish this either. Sappy, trite, pre-packaged sentiment expand it into a novel, this is a DREADFUL book, predictable and poorly written. It reads like the work of a love struck teenager who writes really bad poetry. The editorial staff must have been on some heavy drugs if they thought this was a work of art. If you love good writing, stay far away from this one.
Besides the bad poetry, Patterson name drops all throughout the book. Short and simple, he lacks in the area of imagery and expects his readers to know all these people and places that he’s talking about. Sorry, never been to Martha’s Vineyard, no clue if it’s a beach, city or just tourist attraction. I’m sure that he thought that the references to pop culture sprinkled throughout would make him seem hip but instead came off cheesy and desperate. I mean, every time we went to a new place we were told that we were in “Tavern Inn” nothing more, nothing about how it looked, none of the five senses touched. Half of the people he named dropped, I had no clue to who they were. He threw in movies, t.v. shows, actors, singers, books, authors, big companies…it was sad.
The characters are flat and improbably perfect. Katie, the pregnant heroine of the story who completely understands everything and loves unconditionally no matter what, is left by the wonderful poet Matt Harrison, who gives her the perfect diary that his perfect, dearly departed wife Suzanne wrote for their much-loved, perfect baby Nicholas, in order to explain why he can’t give his heart to her fully. She is rich and beautiful and tragically wounded, he is rich and beautiful and tragically wounded. One acts upon his grief or anger by doing something hurtful to the one he loves and loves him. So now it’s time to find out why the hurt and anger and how can they find happiness and come to their senses and woo the other back. The situation is totally contrived.
Another issue I had was with the style and tone of voice. You go from each character and yet they say the same catch phrases “Isn’t it lucky?” “Mat, Suzanne and Nicholas as one” all written in the same voice, all sounding like the same person. This was a book written for their son and yet the mom is constantly with the “Mat did this, Mat did that. You should have seen Mat Nicky.” Isn’t Mat his father? Why not say “Your father did this. You should have seen your father Nicky.” What was worst was that every time Mat talked to his wife he asked her questions and made statements using her first name. Never was there “Hey do you like this poem? What do you think about the house? I want to go down to the beach.” No, always “Hey Suzanne would you like to go to the beach with me Suzanne?” Come on! And what was worst, she talked the same way, and so did Katie, written in exactly the same voice. I also noticed that the tense was off in this book. One second she’s talking about how she loves “Nicky Mouse” little toes and the next second she can’t wait to meet him…Confused? So was I. She also knows things that she shouldn’t know, like Mat making plans for her, how Mat thinks and feels even though he’s not said a word about it. And why does she bother to tell about the other guy she was dating and her relationship with him…and the one before him. Let alone the sex details with her husband and just stuff that you wouldn’t tell your child. She talks more about her relationship with her husband then she does about the child…sad.
The suspense falls flat, you know what is going to happen as soon as Katie gets the dairy. You have to be slow not to see that there is an issue here, why would someone have a diary that is meant for someone else to read unless both the writer and the recipient didn’t still exist. It ignores all realities of motherhood. Suzanne continues working as a doctor and her husband as a painter, where’s the childcare? She has this heart condition and yet is home with the baby even though she loses consciousness tons of times and can’t seem to use birth control. She’s a doctor, she knew that having another baby would be a risk and yet she doesn’t use birth control and has this “Surprise” preg. She’s a doctor!!! And why leave her at home with the baby after she was on the verge of death so many times?? How many heart patients are there out there who are encouraged to lug a kid around after all she’s been through?.
If you think there is the slightest mystery about the ending, there isn't.
Well, yes, there is one tiny surprise near the end, but it's a surprise only because the author manipulates the reader into believing that a certain fact is true. Honestly, Patterson must have taken the worst kind of novel-writing workshop ever. It seems as if he went through and checked off everything that would get someone to shed a tear. The careful contrivance shows through on every page and with every step of the plot. While the premise is good, the improbable behavior of the characters is just…well there are so many words but none are good. Matt is overdrawn to the point of nausea, Suzanne cheerfully writes details that she could not have been aware of, shares intimate details, and is cloyingly smothering, and the ending is just plain laughable. I haven't read anything this overwrought and predictable in ages…well, never. It seems that all you have to do in order to get a book out is have a few best sellers, grab up a weak plot, flat characters, forget about your setting and imagery and just drop names and places instead, preach your them by using cliché and sappy phrases, switch around your pov like crazy, use the same style and voice for all your perfectly flat characters and of course grab your readers by making one character cry, the other suffer and the other die.
All this story did was remind me that anyone can get published. All you have to do is kill off a mother or child…maybe abuse the kid some. In short, we all look at the news and say “Oh that’s tragic!” but when it comes to reading a book, you can’t just kill people off and call it a work of art, you have to know how to show the story, not just tell it.
A while back someone suggested that I read a James Patterson book to help me get into writing. The first one I picked up was "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas", thinking that anything by him would do. It was one of the worst mistakes that I ever made. There are just so many issues that I had with this book, I’m amazed that it was published. It seems that Patterson was just set out to insult the intelligence of his readers, hoping that they would see his name and grab up this book, giving him his one chance to tell a story based off a tragic life event he experienced first hand. While the story is “tragic” and yes it is a “romance” it’s just poorly written.
"She gripped the carousel horse with her thighs as it went not just up and down, but also around and around." Yes, those are the lines you get while reading this book and in fact I noticed that if you broke down the paragraphs and took out just random sentences, you would have no clue as to what was going on. A lot of three word sentences just thrown around made this an easy read for even a seven year old. I think even Harlequin's most romantic author would be ashamed to publish these cloying phrases. The whole discourse of the story is sickeningly predictable. I felt like I was reading a very, very long Hallmark card, even though I think Hallmark wouldn’t publish this either. Sappy, trite, pre-packaged sentiment expand it into a novel, this is a DREADFUL book, predictable and poorly written. It reads like the work of a love struck teenager who writes really bad poetry. The editorial staff must have been on some heavy drugs if they thought this was a work of art. If you love good writing, stay far away from this one.
Besides the bad poetry, Patterson name drops all throughout the book. Short and simple, he lacks in the area of imagery and expects his readers to know all these people and places that he’s talking about. Sorry, never been to Martha’s Vineyard, no clue if it’s a beach, city or just tourist attraction. I’m sure that he thought that the references to pop culture sprinkled throughout would make him seem hip but instead came off cheesy and desperate. I mean, every time we went to a new place we were told that we were in “Tavern Inn” nothing more, nothing about how it looked, none of the five senses touched. Half of the people he named dropped, I had no clue to who they were. He threw in movies, t.v. shows, actors, singers, books, authors, big companies…it was sad.
The characters are flat and improbably perfect. Katie, the pregnant heroine of the story who completely understands everything and loves unconditionally no matter what, is left by the wonderful poet Matt Harrison, who gives her the perfect diary that his perfect, dearly departed wife Suzanne wrote for their much-loved, perfect baby Nicholas, in order to explain why he can’t give his heart to her fully. She is rich and beautiful and tragically wounded, he is rich and beautiful and tragically wounded. One acts upon his grief or anger by doing something hurtful to the one he loves and loves him. So now it’s time to find out why the hurt and anger and how can they find happiness and come to their senses and woo the other back. The situation is totally contrived.
Another issue I had was with the style and tone of voice. You go from each character and yet they say the same catch phrases “Isn’t it lucky?” “Mat, Suzanne and Nicholas as one” all written in the same voice, all sounding like the same person. This was a book written for their son and yet the mom is constantly with the “Mat did this, Mat did that. You should have seen Mat Nicky.” Isn’t Mat his father? Why not say “Your father did this. You should have seen your father Nicky.” What was worst was that every time Mat talked to his wife he asked her questions and made statements using her first name. Never was there “Hey do you like this poem? What do you think about the house? I want to go down to the beach.” No, always “Hey Suzanne would you like to go to the beach with me Suzanne?” Come on! And what was worst, she talked the same way, and so did Katie, written in exactly the same voice. I also noticed that the tense was off in this book. One second she’s talking about how she loves “Nicky Mouse” little toes and the next second she can’t wait to meet him…Confused? So was I. She also knows things that she shouldn’t know, like Mat making plans for her, how Mat thinks and feels even though he’s not said a word about it. And why does she bother to tell about the other guy she was dating and her relationship with him…and the one before him. Let alone the sex details with her husband and just stuff that you wouldn’t tell your child. She talks more about her relationship with her husband then she does about the child…sad.
The suspense falls flat, you know what is going to happen as soon as Katie gets the dairy. You have to be slow not to see that there is an issue here, why would someone have a diary that is meant for someone else to read unless both the writer and the recipient didn’t still exist. It ignores all realities of motherhood. Suzanne continues working as a doctor and her husband as a painter, where’s the childcare? She has this heart condition and yet is home with the baby even though she loses consciousness tons of times and can’t seem to use birth control. She’s a doctor, she knew that having another baby would be a risk and yet she doesn’t use birth control and has this “Surprise” preg. She’s a doctor!!! And why leave her at home with the baby after she was on the verge of death so many times?? How many heart patients are there out there who are encouraged to lug a kid around after all she’s been through?.
If you think there is the slightest mystery about the ending, there isn't.
Well, yes, there is one tiny surprise near the end, but it's a surprise only because the author manipulates the reader into believing that a certain fact is true. Honestly, Patterson must have taken the worst kind of novel-writing workshop ever. It seems as if he went through and checked off everything that would get someone to shed a tear. The careful contrivance shows through on every page and with every step of the plot. While the premise is good, the improbable behavior of the characters is just…well there are so many words but none are good. Matt is overdrawn to the point of nausea, Suzanne cheerfully writes details that she could not have been aware of, shares intimate details, and is cloyingly smothering, and the ending is just plain laughable. I haven't read anything this overwrought and predictable in ages…well, never. It seems that all you have to do in order to get a book out is have a few best sellers, grab up a weak plot, flat characters, forget about your setting and imagery and just drop names and places instead, preach your them by using cliché and sappy phrases, switch around your pov like crazy, use the same style and voice for all your perfectly flat characters and of course grab your readers by making one character cry, the other suffer and the other die.
All this story did was remind me that anyone can get published. All you have to do is kill off a mother or child…maybe abuse the kid some. In short, we all look at the news and say “Oh that’s tragic!” but when it comes to reading a book, you can’t just kill people off and call it a work of art, you have to know how to show the story, not just tell it.
January 25, 2023
Perskaičiau per du vakarus. Trumpi skyreliai. Labai maloniai skaitėsi. Gražus, romantiškas, šiltas romanas, bet pagalvojus, jog tai rašo vyras - sužavidar labiau. Ir rašytojas, kuris pasirodo kiek detektyvų ir trilerių parašęs! Ne kiekvienas vyras taip jausmingai ir šiltai parašytų. Todėl norėsiu perskaityti ir kelis jo kitus romanus.
Bet taip - buvo saldoka. Ne per ikyriai, bet pabaiga turėjo būti prailginta, o visos meilės seilės - patrumpintos. Reziumė - gražus ir vertas dėmesio romanas!
Bet taip - buvo saldoka. Ne per ikyriai, bet pabaiga turėjo būti prailginta, o visos meilės seilės - patrumpintos. Reziumė - gražus ir vertas dėmesio romanas!
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