Love hurts. There is nothing as painful as heartbreak. But in order to learn to love again you must learn to trust again. When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small American town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet unassuming, Katie is determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community.

This is Nicholas Sparks's 15th novel, six of which have been made into major motion pictures: The Last Song, Dear John, Nights in Rodanthe, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and The Notebook. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and five children.