A. W. Slack

The following is my book review for Remain by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan.

A one-of-a-kind novel that grapples with the supernatural mysteries of life, death, and human connection – an unprecedented collaboration between the globally bestselling author of love stories and the renowned writer and director of blockbuster thrillers.

Tate Donovan intends to spend time in Cape Cod for a number of reasons. Mainly, to design the summer vacation home for his friend, Oscar. But also to find peace in the loss of his sister Sylvia, whose death spiraled him into depression and treatment at a psychiatric facility. Her loss haunts him almost as much as her deathbed confession: that their family is gifted with the ability to see spirits still tethered to the living world.

Tate takes residence in a historic bed-and-breakfast. This is where he meets Wren, a beautiful young woman whom he feels an immediate connection. Upon talking with the inn’s caretakers, Tate learns a devastating fact about Wren – she died three years ago in an accidental drowning. He soon becomes entangled in a small-town drama as he attempts to discover what is keeping Wren’s spirit from passing on while also battling complicated feelings from growing stronger as he gets to know her more.

Note: I listened to Remain on audiobook, so I apologize if some names are misspelled. I am writing this review from personal notes I made while listening.

This book took me by utter surprise. I was scrolling through Everand’s latest audio releases and came upon Remain’s cover, which featured the collaboration of Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan. Now, I have never read a Sparks book, but I am an avid Shyamalan movie fan. The collaboration was simply too intriguing to walk away! (Sorry, TBR.)

The authors’ do a wonderful job setting this story up for a winding ride of twists and turns. Tate and Wren’s individual introductions construct a solid foundation for their character development, and even the side characters like Oscar and Lorena have thorough depth. Perhaps it was knowing Shyamalan’s role in the story-telling, but I felt the setting and character building were very theatrical. I am excited to see this book made into a film in 2026!

It is clear from the start that Wren’s death is no accident, but the buildup of possible suspects is pure perfection. I waited with bated breath as the climax crawled closer, wondering who was truly at fault and why. Remain fit the bill for my ideal suspense thriller!

There is nothing I dislike more in a suspense book than figuring out the ending far too soon. Fortunately, this did NOT happen during my reading of Remain: A Supernatural Love Story. As you’ll see, I gave this book a solid 5-star rating. This is due in large part to the fantastic “whodunit?”

It is clear from the first evening apparition that Wren did not die by accident in the bathtub. As the story progresses, we learn a number of possible suspects in the death of Wren:

• Nash – Wren’s high school friend turned business partner. Shortly before her untimely demise, Wren learned about some fiscal delinquencies he’d made. She admitted she was scared how he might retaliate after she confronted him.
• Griffin – Wren’s estranged husband who wrestled with alcoholism and drug addiction. Wren stated she had filed for divorce, but he disputed that information. Instead, he told the town he “agreed to take Wren back” right before she died.
• Dax – According to Wren, an obsessive stalker who proposed they each leave their spouses to focus on their relationship. Wren said she let him down easily, saying he misinterpreted their friendship. Tate later finds a love letter from Dax to Wren hidden in the inn’s shed.
• Reese – Wren’s cousin and the inn’s current caretaker, along with his wife Louise. Considered Wren “spoiled and unable to keep friends” and mentioned her minor arrests frequently. He blames Wren for their grandmother’s death, saying she was too stressed over Wren’s poor behavior and could not overcome COVID.
• Tessa – Dax’s wife who openly despised Wren since they fought over the same guy in high school. Publicly accused Wren of cheating with Dax as well.

There are several times throughout this twisting tale where I also questioned Wren’s own culpability in her death. I asked more than once, “Is she playing Tate? Does she know she’s dead and is manipulating the story of her death?” Many people in the town had positive feelings towards her, but there were others who were not so admiring.

However, those questions subsided as I got to know the main female character better. The one-on-one interactions between her and Tate are absolutely adorable. Through their conversations, you learn that Wren was simply human. She had dreams to travel but feared leaving her comfort zone. She had various seasons of friendships, just like we all do. She adored her grandmother and felt responsible of taking care of the bed-and-breakfast she so loved.

It was obvious why Tate fell hard and fast for her – she was real to a fault. The tension between these two is tangible. They mirror one another’s desire and affection so much that when the moment finally comes for them to touch… BAM! Wren disappears. I mean, can you say heart wrenching? And that “I want to draw you” scene? Ugh! Uglier tears have not fallen, my friends!

The other love stories in Remain are not to be downplayed either, though. Oscar and Lorena are the perfect example to Tate of a healthy relationship. (Plus, I literally laughed out loud as the L-named children and Oscar’s jokes as to why he “allowed” them.) Then there is the love story in terms of the friendship between Tate and Oscar. Oscar, though extremely logical, never implied that Tate’s newly discovered power of communicating with ghosts was crazy. Instead, he listened to his friend and offered him support.

Besides the characters, certain scenes in this book will remain (see what I did there?) with me for awhile. Most potent, the haunting evening shower scenes. Remain is a thriller, after all. And the evening scenes are horrific. I also found the magic of Tate and Sylvia interesting. Their gift allows them to see and communicate with spirits, but it also provides “flickers of intrigue.” It was like the spirits knew something wasn’t right and would flicker that information in certain ways so Tate would become aware. Such as when he saw the flicker near the shed and found some hidden clues to Wren’s mystery. It brought the supernatural to a higher tier in this overtly romantic story.

I loved the entirety of this book. Only thing not to my taste? The fact Wren would marry a guy like Griffin. He was a walking, talking red flag, and I hope he gets his comeuppance post-credits.

In case I haven’t made it clear, I absolutely adored this book. I did figure out the final outcome a bit before the climax, but that does not alter my feelings at all. Instead, the book ended with some well-written action and connecting of hanging threads. I am excited to see how M. Night Shyamalan directs this into the 2026 film, which will star Jake Gyllenhaal as Tate and Phoebe Dynevor as Wren.

Also, I think it’s a missed opportunity if Shyamalan does not play Oscar.

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO A FRIEND?

Absolutely! This book is a 5-star masterpiece, in my opinion. Remain has a bit of something for everyone: romance, suspense, horror. I believe the majority of readers would enjoy it, if simply for the love story or for the “whodunit” aspects.

Have you read this book? Find me on Instagram @wordsandash and comment on my post there so we can discuss more! (Please do not reveal any spoilers in the comment section here in case other readers still have this book on their #TBR.)

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