The Rescue

The search for Kyle is one of the most gripping openings in any Sparks novel, but the book is really about what comes after. Taylor, a kind and fearless man who throws himself into dangerous rescues, finds himself drawn to Denise and her son, and he becomes a steady presence in their lives. Kyle's slow progress with language, and Denise's patient work with him, are portrayed with real tenderness and are among the best parts of the book.

The obstacle is Taylor himself. He has been running from intimacy since his father died when he was a boy, and every time a relationship gets serious, he pulls away. Sparks builds the romance slowly and honestly, and a later tragedy forces Taylor to face what he has been avoiding. The small-town setting, with its friendly neighbours and slow summer days, is warmly drawn. As usual with Sparks, have tissues nearby.

It is one of his most hopeful novels, with a satisfying ending. Readers who love The Notebook will feel right at home, and the bond between Taylor and Kyle may win over even sceptics. About 432 pages in the Grand Central mass-market paperback.