I think I've made a "choice" of my own. Out of Nicholas Sparks' 12 romance novels, The Choice is simply not his best.

It pains me to say it, because Nicholas Sparks' romance novels have become something to rely on in my life, just like the rich Italian fare from Olive Garden is always tasty and an episode of Grey's Anatomy is always overly dramatic. However, Sparks let me down this time.

The first part of the novel starts off well enough. The story begins in 1996 in a coastal North Carolina town. Travis Parker is the kindhearted, attractive, down-home country veterinarian who enjoys the carefree life of a bachelor.

Parker spends most of his free time with his three best friends from college and their wives and children, though he often feels a pang of loneliness when he returns to his empty home.

That all changes when Gabby Holland moves in next door.

Gabby is a neurotic and somewhat unlikable physician's assistant who is in a bad relationship.

Sparks brings the pair together in an ingenious way when the irrational Gabby accuses Travis's mangy mutt of impregnating her perfect, gorgeous purebred collie. Suddenly, Travis, and his superb veterinarian skills, are a part of Gabby's life.

Realizing their similar perspectives on life and love, Gabby and Travis quickly start to spend more time together.

Gabby, who is still tied up in a relationship with a man who won't commit to marriage, has to make a choice. Whom does she really love?

Gabby finds a good friend in Travis and begins spending more time with him. He shows her a whole new world, replete with adventure and excitement. They go parasailing and motorcycling, cook dinner for each other and even go on a picnic. Quite frankly, it's adorable.

This part of the novel seems surprising. It is a sweet, simple tale of two ordinary people forming a friendship and a possible relationship. There is no leukemia like in Sparks' A Walk to Remember and no drowning incident like in Sparks' Message in a Bottle.

This optimism seems a little out of place for a Sparks novel, but admittedly, it is welcome, refreshing even. Sometimes an uncomplicated love story is all one really needs.

However, everything changes with the dawning of the second part of the novel. By the turning of one page, the action makes a 180-degree turn. Gone is the Southern charm of Travis and Gabby's budding relationship. The plot quickly becomes cold and callous.

The year is 2007, and a disastrous turn of events has taken its toll on the couple. Travis now has his own "choice." How far should he go for love?

The extremely sudden switch, matched with the unpleasant character found in Gabby, makes for a disappointing second part to the novel.

One would expect a little more from a writer who has made readers go weak in the knees over the past decade. What about the beautiful tale of two lovers ripped apart by Alzheimer's in The Notebook? What about the story of the clashing of the "good girl" and the "bad boy" in A Walk to Remember?

These are the types of romances that Sparks' fans have come to expect, and rightfully so.

When it all comes down to it, readers must ask Sparks this question: Where's the love? Perhaps Sparks is fresh out of swoon-worthy story ideas, and it's the ending of an era. I sure hope not, however, because the world would be a dark, unpleasant place without a little swoon every once in a while.

Bottom line: For a romance novel, The Choice is passable. For a Nicholas Sparks romance novel, it leaves much to be desired.

Grade: C-