For those of us who were coming-of-age in the late 90s and early 00s, Nicholas Sparks is a household name. The Notebook in particular was so many readers’ first touchpoint with the romance genre (and, to be fair, Ryan Gosling) and ignited a lifelong love of these heart-filled books. It is a timeless love story that can still sweep us away anytime it’s streaming, but it’s simply one among a huge backlist of beloved titles.

In the near future, Sparks will be celebrating 30 years as a published author. That kind of longevity and popularity is rare. With eleven of his titles having already been adapted for film and The Notebook even making its way to the stage with a musical adaptation, his work as one of the world’s favorite authors already has a far and wide reach.

But he isn’t slowing down.

In October of 2025, his latest release, Remain, hits the shelves and this new direction combined with the ever-expanding BookTok world is creating something of a revival for this author we’ve known for decades.

A Slight Departure and a Big Collaboration

One of the ways in which Sparks is finding new audiences is through the recent partnership with iconic filmmaker, M. Night Shyamalan. Remain is described as a supernatural love story, and for the true millennial, could be described as The Notebook meets The Sixth Sense. For some of us, this is all we need to hear to fire up our nostalgia and get us excited.

For younger readers who may not be as familiar with these storytelling titans, it captures so many high points in today’s reading interests:

  • Cozy: Set in the fictional town of Heatherington (Cape Cod) you get the New England feel that makes you want to curl up for fall.
  • Supernatural: Romance that tugs at the mysterious and unknown has become a category we can’t stay away from. Whether it’s dragon riders, shifters or—in this case—ghosts, we love a splash of the peculiar.
  • Guaranteed Adaptation: With this partnership, we don’t have to wonder if a film is coming along. It’s already in the works.

This project alone has given new readers reason to check him out for, perhaps, the first time and those who are familiar an exciting re-entry point into Sparks’ work. But it isn’t the only thing fueling this new wave of interest.

BookTok and Social Media

When Sparks first entered the scene, there was no social media. And by the time it came along, he was well established. Still, that didn’t keep this group of ravenous online readers from finding his work. In fact, it’s become something of a trend to go back and binge Nicholas Sparks book and rate your favorites. Having so many companion films also gives readers a good excuse to dive headfirst into his catalog. As this BookToker explains, Nicholas Sparks has always been a soft entry for those who are just getting into—or back into—reading.

@kasandra.reads Nicholas Sparks started my reading journey. He has remained one of my top favorites for romance. Here is my TBR #booktokfyp #books #BookTok #booktoker #booklover #bookish #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #readingrecap #bookworm #bookgirl #fyp #bookfyp #reading #bookhaul #romancebooks #tbr #tbrlist #nicholassparks ♬ original sound – Kasandra Reads

And time and time again, readers are discovering why he is so popular as they have their hearts ripped open by this master of romance.

@bookfluenced Was it predictable? Yes. Did I still love it and cry my eyes out? Yes and yes😭 #nicholassparks #thewish #bookish #booktok ♬ original sound – Bookfluenced📚

Craving for Comfort

Let’s face it, we’re living through dark times and reading often offers an escape. Some people escape into darker worlds. But there’s many people who are seeking out those lighter reads. From cozy mysteries to clean romance, there’s a time and a place where you just want something light that has the potential to fill your heart with hope or give you a good excuse to get that cry out you’ve been holding in. This could also be part of the reason readers are flocking to Nicholas Sparks once again. He offers that. That homie, cozy, seaside story that has heart and healing packed into every page.

@los_life_ Hey anxious girlies 👋🏻 if you’re currently into feel good, romance books, I recommend these Nicholas Sparks books! #booktok #booktiktok #nicholassparks #anxiousgirl #anxiety #anxiousreader #books #underratedbooks ♬ original sound – Lauryn

If you’re digging for your next read, let this be an opportunity where you reignite your interest in a worldwide favorite.

Remain

Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan

Remain follows the story of a man named Tate whose lost his sister and is carrying around her haunting revelation that she can speak with ghosts. In an effort to start fresh, he heads to Cape Cod to design a home for his best friend. At the bed and breakfast where he’s staying, he meets an intriguing woman who he quickly starts to fall for. But there’s more than meets the eye. Her troubled past and the town’s secrets lead Tate into a mystery that will not only expose the truth, but also bring him in touch with the pain of his own history.

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