The last third of this book was actually so good, but torturing me with the first 200 boring pages is unforgivable. And he killed the dog. 2 stars.

for a second there, i was going to rate this four stars, but i’d like to have a word with nicholas about the ending

I wish that I could give this book 3 stars. I really wish that I could. I mean there are a lot of parts of the book that I really liked. But in general the story was a little familiar...I read a book earlier this year that was almost exactly the same plot line but of course was not as well put together as a Nicholas Sparks' book! And up until the last chapter and epilogue, I was going to give it 3 stars. But that last bit ruined it for me. Not to spoil anything for any readers, but seriously, the guardian is not at all what I, being a reader, wanted it to be. I mean, the book is based around a love story with a thrilling secondary plot, and the love story in the end has nothing to do with the ending. What the heck?!? It left me incredibly underwhelmed.

This was about the dumbest book I think I've ever read. I know with Nicholas Sparks novels not to expect anything earth shattering, they're mostly just good for some heart-stringy escapism, but COME ON, DUDE.

The two main characters had no redeeming value. He *talked* about how strong Julie, the protagonist, is and how she overcame this super tough childhood, blah blah, etc., but then a bad dude starts doing bad things to her and she cannot even deal. She does NOTHING intelligent as she realizes she's being stalked. Pretty much she cries a lot and thinks about how awful everything is (except for when she finally changes her phone number, and then she laments about how no one ever calls her anymore...I AM NOT KIDDING).

Her main love interest, Mike? Is hands-down THE WORST leading male in the history of time. He's no more of a grown man than my 4-year-old. He conducts himself like a moody teenager, at one point LEAVING HER ALONE in her home when she's in the midst of being actively stalked by a crazy dude, one they just found out probably broke INTO her home, because he's upset about something she did BEFORE THEY STARTED DATING.

Long story short, the writing was poor (we were "told" pretty much EVERYTHING in this book, not "shown" one single thing), characters were crappy, plot was trite (which I'll forgive him on, because I went into it with this expectation), and I'm really not sure why I finished it.

Estaba entre 4 o 5 estrellas… me gusto mucho y hay un momento que te súper picas. Me gusta que empieza como novela romántica y después se pone de suspenso, hace mucho que un libro no me ponía así. Sólo que hubo momentos donde me canso y el final final no me encanto, pero estaba difícil de dar otro final! Recomendado!

The Guardian - Nicholas Sparks: 5/5⭐

Yo no soy una huge fan de este autor, la verdad, pero eso no me quita nada de decir que este va para la pila de los mejores libros que he leído en 2021.

Este libro tiene una preciosa historia de amor, está llena de giros que no me esperaba para nada y que me tuvieron al borde todo el tiempo. El final, no tengo palabras. Yo a este punto era una bolita de ansiedad y lágrimas. Pero lo amé.

Frases favoritas: "The world is a better place when you smile."

"You always have a choice. It's just that some people make the wrong one."

Este fue el libro con el que le di una nueva oportunidad a Nicholas Sparks y estoy increíblemente contenta de hacerlo. Me dejó sin palabras. Siento que si escribo más, voy a comenzar a llorar de nuevo.

رواية جميلة وشيقة ..
يبدو أني أدركت مبكرًا أن هذه الرواية ستعجبني
و يبدو أيضًا أني أحب قراءة الأفلام الأجنبية .. وليس مشاهدتها فحسب
.
على الرغم من أن "تيمة" الرواية تبدو معتادة .. إلا أن سباركس استطاع بلغته وتفاصيل روايته أن يجذبني إلأى عالم هذه الرواية الخاص، وإن بدا لي أن عنوان "الحارس" لم يكن هو الأنسب للرواية ..
.
هناك كوارث إنسانية قامت بها المترجمة دعد سيحاسبها عليها القانون
وإن كانت الترجمة جيدة، ولكن الأخطـاء مثيرة (أقصد كثيرة) وقابلة (قاتلة) ا
....
.

This was very good. A change of pace for me for sure, but basically my style just with a little romance. I will not be commenting about the ending even in vagueness for risk of spoiling it for anyone out there who deserve to be just as shocked, appalled, but also in awe of the sweetness at the same time.

September10, 2008
Edit: Septmeber 22, 2008-
The Gaurdian by Nicholas Sparks, is a touching love story of death and a leap a faith. Julie Barenson's husbands death left her with to unexpected gifts, a Great Dane puppy named Singer and the promise that he would be watching over her always. After, four years of mourning Julie is now finally emotionally ready to begin the journey of finding Mr. Right again. While working one day in the small hair salon of her mother-like friend Mable, Richard Franklin walks in. In his dress suit, dark hazel eyes, perfect tan, and nice smile Julie finds herrself attracted to the stranger. After dating a few times Richard falls madly in love while Julie falls for another man, Mike Harris, her late husband best friend. Unfortunately, the rejection is too much for Richard to handle and he just can't cut his losses and be friends with her. This is where the pace of the book really gains momentum. Instead of being a gentleman about the whole thing, Richard turns into a menacing creep and calling Julie over and over and hanging up the phone when she answers. Will Julie make it out or have to live with her consequences.


Text to Text:

The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks shows similarities to many love stories however, the book reminded me greatly of the book P.S. I love you!. The two main characters both share the tragic lose of their young husbands to horrible fights with brain cancer. Left alone the two women both struggle to perceiver in every day life. Then one day unexpected love comes knocking at both the women's door. The main event that connected the two stories together however is that both of the women’s husband leave letters and objects to help the women move on with life. The two stories both share the plot that “one that truly loves wants you to love again.”

I've never written a review before, but I thought that this book really qualifies for one.
Sometimes you just want something that you can indulge yourself into without the analysis and critical thinking, and this one was perfect for it.
I love the whole story between Mike and Julie and the slow realization of Julie as she comes to love Mike.
and of course I love Singer, The Guardian.
This book is full of twists that I didnt expect at all.
I was surprised by the ending, But I loved it.
This is the first time I read to Sparks and I'm really glad that I did.
The book is just beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. ♥

ICH HABE GEHEULT!

This Book Made Me Cry

A classmate of mine recommended this book to me when I was looking for a realistic fiction with some romance. Little did I know that this book would be the best I've ever read in this genre. Nicholas Sparks made me want to keep reading and kept me on the edge making me want to read more. Since I hated Richard from the start I was cheering for Mike. At first it was because the dog like Mike and not Richard. I had the same feeling in my gut the entire time and it was later proven. The events that followed the relationship between Julie and Richard was what really made me want to read more. Sometimes I would have to force myself to put it down and go to bed. In the end, I cried for a solid half an hour. This wasn't what I was expecting for a romance, but I loved it even more.