Basically this is one sad book, and the people who rate it low, are only doing so because this book doesn't have a cheerful "happily ever after" ending. While I read the book, especially the end, tears slowly streamed down my face as I tried to understand why the story went the way it did. The fact that Garrett was able to love his wife with so much emotion, just shakes you to the core because it comes to the point of obession.

Message in a Bottle is a story about a woman named Theresa Osborne, a newspaper columnist, who finds a bottle washed up shore one day. She proceeds to read the letter inside and there a history of unforgotten love unfolds. Garrett Blake, trying to cope with the lose of his deceased wife, Catherine, writes letters to her and send them out to sea, hoping that one day they'll reach Europe.

As the story progresses, Theresa finds Garrett and they give into the emotions that are growing between them and fall in love with each other. But Garrett isn't ready to let go of his deceased wife yet, so the problem is introduced... read the story and you'll be crying but still happy at the same time.

This book teaches us about the aspect of love and how it's possible to love once more even though you think that you'll never be able to love again. And the fact that love is solid, and so much stronger than simple lust. Recommended.

19 of 20 found the following review helpful:


Unique Romance  Sep 27, 2001 By C. Baker "cbaker"
Message in a Bottle is a unique romantic story and a fine novel. It all starts when Theresa Osborne is vacationing in Cape Code and comes across - you guessed it - a message in a bottle. The message is from a man "Garrett" to his wife about his intensely felt love. Osborne, a middle aged divorcee with little romance in her own life is intrigued enough to start searching out others who may have found similar messages. As she collects them, she herself falls in love with Garrett (although she has yet to admit it to herself) and decides to search for him. She finds him in a small, North Carolina town and the romance emerges. But of course - they are such different people that problems crop up. He is a widower feeling guilty and not over his wife and a small town kind of guy. She's a big city gal with a career. But the relationship develops with ups and downs nonetheless.

Sparks is excellent in fully developing the personalities of his characters and building empathy in the reader. He has done a fine job here. If you didn't like the movie - read the book anyway. It's much better.

12 of 13 found the following review helpful:


One of the most beautifully written books  Dec 25, 1999 By Grace
Not one for romance novels or any of this lovey dovey stuff, reminds me of those Mills and Boons Books :) I rented the video as a change from action/thriller and I have to say I never cried so much in my life! It was a beautiful film and I had to set about looking for the book as I know how Hollywood likes to 'butcher' some well written novels ie Grisham and the book was even better than I expected! Read the novel and you will not be disappointed. Even though are some story discrepancies between the movie and novel. Whilst I knew the ending was coming I still cried. It makes you believe that true love exists and you can love again. The cynical people will believe what they want. But why Mr Sparks did you let hollywood have its wicked ways with your book....

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


Can't believe it is the same author as The Notebook  Aug 24, 2008 By seabird
After reading The Notebook, I was excited to pick up another hyped Nicolas Sparks book. But boy oh boy was it such a let-down. A third of the way through I started rolling my eyes. When I was half way though, I found that I didn't really care about the two characters and how their "relationship" would become. Three quarter through, I was hoping for one of them to die (how horrible was that!?). I just wish it was Theresa who died. She was a creepy stalker who jumped into bed with a practical stranger. And she "forgave" him for what he had done!? She was the one who needed to ask for forgiveness for publishing other people's private thoughts and looking him up and stalking him.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


The Message in the Bottle is no Notebook.  Jan 11, 2000 By Kris Batista
After reading the Notebook, Sparks, a new author seemed to have captured the story of undying love. I had found myself amazed that a man who wrote fiction could grasp the underpinnings of unconditional love and move the reader to tears. However, this book paled in comparison. The characters were poorly developed and the plot seemed far fetched. The book droned on about the lead character's son Kevin, yet failed to develop a reason for even mentioning the son. Additionally, the relationship between Theresa and Garret did not appear to emmulate "love". I read that the Notebook, although fiction, had some basis in reality as it described Spark's grandparents relationship. However, Message in the Bottle left me with no message at all.

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