Review: 'See Me' by Nicholas Sparks (2015)

Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. At 28, he's focused only on walking a straight line -- getting his teaching degree, working out at the gym religiously, and avoiding all the places and people that proved so destructive in his earlier life. The last thing he's looking for is a serious relationship. But when Maria Sanchez crosses paths with him on a rainswept night in North Carolina, his plans are upended in a way that will rattle the foundations of his carefully structured life. As for Maria, the hardworking lawyer and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Colin will challenge every notion she's ever had about herself and her future, making her question what truly makes her happy.
Before the couple has a chance to envision what a life together might look like, however, menacing reminders of events in Maria's past begin to surface. And as the threat of violence begins to shadow her every step, she and Colin will be tested in increasingly terrifying ways. Will demons from their past destroy the tentative bonds they have forged, or will their love protect them, even in the darkest hour?
I am SO incredibly excited about the review I get to share with all of you today, I don't even know where to begin! If you visit my blog more often, you will probably know that I'm: 1) a hopeless romantic and 2) Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite authors of all time. I've fallen in love with all of his books and films and I wish I'd have a new Nicholas Sparks novel waiting for me every few months. His last novel 'The Last Ride' was released in 2013, so it has been a bit of a wait, but his newest book is finally here! 'See Me' was released on October 13th and I couldn't believe my luck when I found an exclusive review copy of the book on my doormat a few weeks ago. I couldn't wait to start reading it and hoped I would enjoy it as much as his other novels!
In his past, 28-year-old Colin Hancock has made a number of mistakes; mistakes he is ready to leave behind and focus on building up a new life for himself. He is focused on getting his teaching degree and spends a lot of time working out in the gym, staying away from places that could get him into trouble. If there is one thing he certainly isn’t looking out for, it is love. But when he meets Maria Sanchez, he is immediately taken in by her and can’t seem to get her out of his mind. Maria starts to fall for Colin as well, but the start of their relationship is quite troublesome as things from Maria’s past start to come back to haunt her and the ones she loves. Will Colin and Maria be able to overcome everything that is thrown their way to be together or will it simply be too much…?
I can’t believe ‘See Me’ is already Nicholas Sparks’ 19th novel and I have to say I was, as with all his works, once again completely intrigued by the characters and the storyline. The two main characters in the novel are Colin Hancock and Maria Sanchez and they both had their own background story and personality, which the author managed to convey in his own distinctive way. I was immediately taken in by Colin, who is unlike other Nicholas Sparks male characters, and it was incredibly easy to warm to Maria. While the chemistry between the two of them didn’t necessarily spark off the pages straight away, there was definitely a connection between them, and it’s wonderful how this came across and how the story between them developed.
The novel is, of course, a romance read, but there is definitely a good dose of mystery/detective added to it this time around, which actually had me guessing until the end. Nicholas Sparks’ writing style is just fantastic and no matter what he writes about, I am always intrigued and captivated from the start and sad when I’ve reached the very last page, and this was also the case with ‘See Me.’ I wouldn’t say this is my favourite one of his novels, but it’s another stunning read and one I can’t recommend to any romance fans out there, or someone who is just looking for their next good read. ‘See Me’ is an enthralling, stunning and well-written romance read with that distinctive Nicholas Sparks touch; I loved it and already can’t wait for the next one!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.