TWO BY TWO (Nicholas Sparks) - May 31/17

Well, Jesus Sparksy. I was actively hating this book for most of its insanely overlong first half, as Sparks emphasizes the main character's crumbling marriage. But the problem is, his wife is portrayed as the uber bitch to such a degree that it makes no sense that the guy is still with her and eventually sad/surprised when she leaves. But the book improves once it's more about Russ' friendship with old flame Emily and the expected Sparks melodrama, this time involving a dying sister, is admittedly affecting. But goddamn did this ever feel long! ** out of ****