I am a tough chick. I’m a tattooed, beer-drinking, swearword-slinging broad who loves punk rock and outlaw country.

And? Nicholas Sparks books.

I recently picked up The Lucky One in paperback after being barraged by the commercials for the film (which isn’t so bad, because that Zac Efron is easy on the eyes) and I knew I would see it when it came out on DVD someday, but also, I wanted to read the book.

Nicholas Sparks has a gift for writing sweet stories; he has flawed characters who have interesting (if sometimes predictable) story lines. His stories are almost always focused in North Carolina (I can’t say all of them because honestly, I haven’t read them all), and some of them have been made into great movies… some not so great movies. But he always weaves a great story.

The Lucky One focuses on a soldier (Logan) who finds a picture and he believes this picture keeps him lucky in the face of danger. He finds the girl in the picture (Elizabeth) using his problem-solving skills and, well, luck; drama ensues. The conflict for Logan is trying not to come off like a crazy person (when, by all apparent facts, he is) and trying to figure out why he really went to find Elizabeth… was it just to find this girl who was considered his lucky charm? Or is there more that he’s meant to find?

Though not for everyone (not if you’re not a fan of slightly formulaic, sweet stories), this one was for me. Find it where you find books–and if you see the movie let me know how it was!