While on a two-week furlough, he visits Wilmington, North Carolina. This leave gives him the opportunity to get away from his regiment. It is love at first sight when he encounters Savannah Curtis. She and a group of his friends are spending the summer working for Habit for Humanity. For two weeks, their love grows to staggering heights. At the end of his two week leave, she vows to wait for him until he finishes his two-year tour of duty.

The couple stays in touch through heartfelt letters. Each passing day gets them closer to the day when John will be free of his military obligations. Then the unthinkable occurs: September 11, 2001. War is declared and John is faced with the decision to follow his heart or to enlist four more years to fight for his country. He decides to fight and reenlist. His decision brings the one letter that he never would expect.

Nicholas Sparks is a master at heartfelt emotion. His books weave their way deep into his reader’s heart. His characters are so richly developed you get to feel as you know each and every one of them. Dear John will make the reader stop and realize the price that war exacts on a personal level.

John is faced with a very difficult decision to fight for his country or to go to the woman he loves. Each one of these choices comes with grave consequences and the reader is able to share his anguish in this very addictive novel.

Very highly recommended.