So different from the movie - SPOILERS.

This book was depressing. Right from the first page, you know it it not going to end well. This writing technique puts a pall over the entire book. I read the book before I saw the movie. More about that later.
So, the girl in the story is a little high maintenance. She didn't love John as much as he loved her. She found it too difficult to be away from him while he was away from home fighting for our country; he re-upped after 9/11 - had to or he wouldn't have been the good guy. She promised herself to him and then started going out with TIm, her neighbor and best friend. She ended up marrying Tim. Then the only two reasons that would cause a reader to look down upon her if she left Tim and went back to John are put forth: Tim has a brother with autism who requires full time care (parents died, of course) and Tim gets the big CA.
I must say I did not like the heroine very much, especially after she started drinking and made a play for John who was too noble to respond, since he knew it would only cause her to be plagued with guilt.
The hero was damn noble - he not only gave her up, he also used all of his inheritance to anonymously save Tim from the cancer. What a guy.
Here's the thing - this would have made a lousy movie - we hate sad endings, so in the movie, he sent her money anonymously, but only to prolong Tim's life. Then Tim dies and then John and what's her name can get together without any guilt. TOTALLY not the point of the story, which was about the sacrifice John made for the woman he loved and the country he fought for.
I wouldn't recommend this book, bc, as I said it is thoroughly depressing.