When he was sixteen years old, Dawson left his father's home and began living in the garage of a local mechanic, Tuck Hostetler. As a child, Dawson tries to stay within the boundaries of the law and is repeatedly beaten and abused by most of his family, more specifically his father Tommy Cole and two older cousins, Abee and Crazy Ted. For this reason, Dawson lived an isolated life in his hometown. Dawson is not like his family, but no one really believes that a Cole could be honest or law abiding. Dawson rushes home to fulfil Tuck’s final wishes, even though he has not been home in 20 years.ĭawson was born into a notorious criminal family who are allowed to get away with many petty crimes, out of the fear the town feels toward this family. Months later, Dawson learns of the death of his good friend, Tuck Hostetler. One day an explosion on the rig nearly took Dawson's life, but a stranger in the water showed Dawson where to go, saving his life. As for Dawson, his family are a group of notorious criminals, who pose a danger that could not only alter Tuck's plans but Dawson's future irrevocably.ĭawson Cole works on an oil rig off the coast of Louisiana. In fact, it soon becomes apparent that Tuck’s intention was to have Dawson and Amanda rekindle their old romance, however Amanda is married. When he arrives, Dawson is surprised to find that Tuck arranged for Dawson's high school girlfriend, Amanda, to join him in fulfilling these last wishes. In the novel, Dawson Cole returns to his hometown for the first time after twenty years to fulfill the last wishes of his dear friend and surrogate father, Tuck Hostetler. The Best of Me is an American romance novel, written by Nicholas Sparks.

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