Remain by Nicholas Sparks, M. Night Shyamalan
on October 14, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Paranormal / General, Fiction / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Women
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
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Remain is an unprecedented collaboration between two storytelling giants—Nicholas Sparks, master of heart-stirring love stories, and M. Night Shyamalan, creator of chilling psychological thrillers. Together, they deliver a novel that grapples with life, death, and the mysteries in between.
The story follows New York architect Tate Donovan, who arrives in Cape Cod to design a summer home for his best friend while seeking a fresh start after treatment for depression. Still reeling from his sister Sylvia’s death—and her revelation about their family’s gift for seeing spirits—Tate isn’t prepared for Wren, a captivating young woman whose presence defies his logical worldview. As Tate and Wren’s connection deepens, he’s drawn into a haunting mystery that forces him to question not only her past but also the very boundaries between love, sorrow, and the afterlife.
From the opening chapters, Remain gave me a strong Ghost meets The Sixth Sense vibe—which makes perfect sense given the authors behind it. I went into this book curious to see how Sparks’s trademark romance would blend with Shyamalan’s signature suspense, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The pacing begins slowly, easing readers into Tate’s grief and his tentative bond with Wren. But as the mystery unfolded, the tension steadily built, and I found myself on edge more than once—especially during the eerie bathroom scenes that had my heart racing. The story creates a constant undercurrent of unease; I never quite trusted any character fully, which kept me guessing all the way through.
Even though Wren’s story is revealed fairly early, there was always the sense that something more was lurking beneath the surface. At times, I felt like pieces were missing—but then, at the end, everything clicked together in a twist that left me smacking my forehead, saying, “I should have seen that coming!” That moment of revelation made the journey worthwhile.
Character-wise, Tate and Oscar stood out as a strong pair; their interactions added depth and balance to the tension. The chemistry between Tate and Wren was subtle but compelling, just enough to pull me in without overshadowing the suspense.
Overall, Remain is atmospheric, unsettling, and surprisingly moving. The blend of supernatural suspense and tender romance makes it a unique read—and one that I could easily see adapted into a movie. It might start slowly, but stick with it: the payoff is satisfying, and the story lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC.
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