When I first picked up James Patterson’s Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Then to find out that it’s also a movie was a surprise too. (speking of videos, here’s a link to my vlog!)
The story is told in part by Katie Wilkinson, a New York City book editor who is in love, with a Matt Harrison…who has mysteriously left her. Equally mysteriously, and in the midst of depression over his sudden break up, a diary shows up on her doorstep.
This diary belongs to her beloved Matt’s former wife, Suzanne; and the diary is her collection of thoughts to their son, Nicholas.
Suzanne is the other primary narrator (Matt himself very briefly speaks for himself) and she describes her own love story with Matt.
So, boom. Instant love triangle. Except for the fact that Katie begrudgingly likes Suzanne, is jealous of her even. But what happened to her? Why had Matt never mentioned her before?
Well, let me tell you, the reason is emotional and evocative and keeps you turning the pages. There were a couple of times I had to put the book down because the vivid imagery and emotion was almost too much!
That said, I really enjoyed it. Patterson hooks you in–why did Matt leave Katie? And then he keeps feeding you little morsels that excite and move you, all while bringing up new questions. Is Suzanne really all that? Is she okay? What about Katie? Why don’t we ever hear from Nicholas???
And then, HELLO! Plot twist (sorta) and the end of the book.
It was so good, I was engaged and invested and then the book just ended.
I think that’s my biggest complaint. I spent like two hundred pages getting solidly invested in Katie and Suzanne’s lives and then the book ends with a nice little bow. I mean, I’m all for happy endings, but it just felt a little rushed to me, especially after all the emotional heavy lifting throughout the beginning, middle, and beginning-end of the book.
So… did he “combine amour and mystery [into] a page-turning love story” (Arizona Daily Star)? Yes.
Was it “a sweet love story…for sentimental readers this Patterson’s for you” (USA Today)? Yes to the first part, eh, maybe to the second half of their comment.
Did “Patterson hit a home run” (WA Post)? Honestly, I don’t think so.
If you like romance and like a little mystery, definitely check it out. But I don’t think I’d give it a second read/keep it in my library for all of eternity.
That’s all I’ve got for this week! Look out for next week’s post on
Happy Reading!
A Little Bit of Happiness 