book review

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life–until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. “Dear John,” the letter read…and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love—and face the hardest decision of his life.

My review:

John comes from a single parent home, and had a rough relationship with his father. He joins the army a few years after high-school, because he realized he didn’t like where his life was headed. John meets and falls in love with Savannah one week’s time while he is on leave. They make plans to spend the rest of their lives together; however the world gets in their way. John, feeling patriotic after 9/11, re-ups in the army and heads off to the middle-east for 3 years. I thought the story was realistic in the way they grew apart. Well, Savannah grew, and John didn’t because he is stuck in a war zone and all he has to focus on is his love at home. I have no doubt this happened too many times throughout this war. 

John’s relationship with his father was really interesting. Savannah, a special education psychology major, helps John understand that his father has Asperger’s. Knowing this, it changes how he’s felt about him his entire life. 

The heroine is a little too sugary, and the story is a little sad, but I did really like Dear John. The title alone is enough to make you depressed. Apparently I am a glutton for punishment, because I am now a fan of the author. Whatever, Mr. Sparks.