This isn't your typical "Dear John" letter story

Nicholas Sparks is famous for making women cry when they read his novels. The depth of emotion and eloquence with which he describes the emotions tearing at his characters' souls makes him one of my favorite authors on my bookshelf. This was one of the most moving novels I have read in a long time.

This is the story of John, a high-school dropout, troublemaker turned Army hotshot. His father was never able to help him break his behavior due to his undiagnosed condition and John feels he is more a burden than a parent. One summer he meets Savannah, a girl spending her vacation building houses for unfortunate families in North Carolina. She comes from a prosperous family with good morals. John seems just the opposite with such a colorful past. When he rescues her purse from the ocean, Savannah invites him into her world... and he never wants to leave. They fall in love so easily and so quickly and it feels like it should never end. However, John has to go back to the Army to fulfill his commitment and Savannah vows to write him everyday. When he is on leave again, he spends all his time with Savannah and they make plans for their future together. Seems like happily ever after.

Then 9/11 happens and John reenlists. Although they try to maintain their relationship, Savannah sends one final "Dear John" letter ending it. When his father dies, he goes to see her and finds her married on a horse ranch with custody of her husband's disabled brother. Her husband is in the hospital dying of cancer. John sells his father's prized coin collection and donates the money anonymously for Tim's expensive treatment.

Does Tim live? Do John and Savannah reunite? You'll have to read it to find out!