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A Bend In The Road Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of A Bend In The Road


Miles Ryan, a Deputy Sheriff, had a perfect life, living with his high school sweetheart Missy and their son Jonah. That was until Missy was killed in a hit-and-run accident two years ago. After the accident, Miles spent months searching for evidence, trying to find the anonymous murderer. Jonah started doing worse in school, requiring extra help from his teachers.
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His new second grade teacher Sarah Andrews had just moved from Baltimore, and was still recovering from a divorce. Her husband Michael divorced her when they found out she was incapable of producing a child. With Sarah tutoring Jonah after school, and parent/teacher conferences, Miles and Sarah met often, and both feel a sense of attraction to the other. They started to meet at other times; going out on dates, and eventually fell in love.

But Missy's killer tells Miles how a dog had jumped at Missy and she took one step too many into the street. Although the killer turned out to be the person that Miles least expected, Miles gets extremely angry that the killer said it was Missy's fault. At the end, Miles must make an important decision. Either he gets revenge against the killer, and loses Sarah, or he forgives the killer, and keeps Sarah, the new love of his life.
The review of this Book prepared by Christina




Miles Ryan's life changed the day his wife was killed by a hit and run driver. Grief and pain drive him everyday to find the unknown driver to justice. Sarah Andrews, the 2nd grade teacher of Miles' son, Jonah, left Baltimore after a difficult divorce to start over. For the first time in years, they both find themselves falling in love. But the past rears its ugly head and the secret that has been kept will force them to question everything about themselves and their relationship.
The review of this Book prepared by Darcey




Losing his wife in a freak accident a few years ago has kept Miles Ryan busy with investigative work about what really happened. He is very concerned about his son and how he is dealing with the loss. When Miles meets Sarah and begins falling for her, the accident gets less and less important. Until a twist in the story sends him searching again for answers. The one person he would least expect to hold the answers, does. How will he handle the information? The closer I got to finding out who was driving the car that killed Miles' wife, the faster I read. I absolutely could not put this book down. I finished this book in one day. I think this is one of Sparks' best!
The review of this Book prepared by Kara




A small town deputy sheriff has lost his wife in an unsolved hit and run accident case. Though he is vigilant in trying to solve this mystery, he struggles to move on with his life and raise his son.

A second chance for love comes his way in his son's 2nd grade teacher. The depth of their relationship grows quickly and they seem naturally made for each other. Both are overcoming great difficulties, and they are nurturing and supportive of each other. You can feel they are in love. However an extraordinary development of incredible human proportions in the unsolved case threatens the future of this relationship.

Sparks writes once again an incredible story. It is rich in characters who bounce off the pages and into your imagination.   This story will pull at your heartstrings - and keep you thirsting for more!

Ed



The review of this Book prepared by Ed




It's about a man trying to find new love while still searching for answers from the loss of his first love years earlier.
The review of this Book prepared by Michele




This book contains the story of a man whose wife was killed by a hit-and-run driver. He spends much of his time searching for the killer and trying to bring a sense of justice to himself. Meanwhile, he falls in love with his son's school teacher. He finally learns to love again and move past all the horrible things in his life until he learns who the driver of the car is. Once the truth comes out, he has to decide whether or not to seek revenge. It isn't the person he thought it was, and that is what makes the decision so difficult. This book leaves you with such a sense of happiness at the end.
The review of this Book prepared by Cristin




A Bend in the Road is a story of a man struggling with the loss and unsolved hit and run of his wife. His life takes a positive turn when he meets the newest school teacher in town who is struggling with her own demons of betrayel from her past marriage. Nicholas Sparks' newest novel is a love story about two hurt souls searching for love, but due to circumstances beyond their control, the road is very bumpy.
The review of this Book prepared by Lisa Cuthrell




Wonderful love story once again from Nicholas Sparks. Keep a box of tissues handy for the last few chapters.
The review of this Book prepared by Ashley Yarborough




Policeman, trying to seek resolve in death of wife, befriends sons teacher. Son tries to set them up, which works eventually. But as policeman unfolds the truth of wife's death, he is forced to make a tough decision about his love.
The review of this Book prepared by Lauren






Warner, Sep 2001, 23.95, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0446527785

    Two years ago in New Bern, North Carolina Deputy Sheriff Miles Ryan learns how quickly a joyful life can turn to ashes when a still unknown hit and run driver kills his beloved wife, Missy. Miles feels he died that day too and survives through their young son Jonah. Neither Ryan male has come to grips with their loss as both still mourn Missy's death.

    All Sarah Andrews wanted from life was the same kind of love her parents have for one another and always showered on her. She thought Michael was her life mate, but when they learned her eggs could not produce a child, he divorced her. She left Baltimore to start anew in New Bern.

    Sarah, Jonah's elementary school teacher, is sympathetic towards the young child's grief; still she is concerned with his behavior and schoolwork. At a parents-teacher conference, Miles and Sarah meet and feel a shocking attraction. As they begin to fall in love, both wonder if a relationship is the right thing for them and for Jonah. Then there is the “Italicized” individual who deliberately killed Missy and will murder again to remain anonymous.

    Very few writers of romantic suspense can send off more sparks and sugar in the same mix than Nicholas Sparks. The story line is sweet as two walking wounded heal through the magic of love, which in a Mary Poppins kind of way softens everyone else except for the murderer. The lead couple is a warm, engaging duo struggling with ghosts, love, and a killer, which make for a fine cotton candy of a tale.

Harriet Klausner

The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner



Chapter Analysis of A Bend In The Road

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of story    -   1980's-1999 Action/suspense subplot?    -   Yes Action:    -   chased by/chasing kidnapper/killer Inner struggle subplot    -   Yes Struggle with...    -   angst over dead lover If one lover chases another...    -   they alternate Children/Pregnancy    -   Yes

Main Male Character

Profession/status:    -   police/lawman Age/status:    -   20's-30's Sex makes him    -   confident    -   sensitive Unusual characteristics?    -   Super sensitive soggy jelly muffin

Main Female Character

Age/status:    -   20's-30's Profession/status:    -   teacher Effect of sexing    -   confident    -   blissful Unusual characteristics:    -   Super sensitive soggy jelly muffin

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Southeast Small town?    -   Yes Small town people:    -   nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   moderately detailed references to deaths What % of story is romance related?    -   50% How explicit is the sex?    -   vague references only    -   descript of kissing Focus of story    -   equally on him and her How much dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like A Bend In The Road

Nicholas Sparks Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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