Nicholas Sparks Won't Get A Storybook Ending: 'The Notebook' Author Splits From Wife Cathy After Being Married For 25 Years [PHOTO]

Nicholas Sparks and his wife Cathy are getting a divorce after being married for 25 years, proving to at least some of his fans that he won't be getting a storybook ending. Sparks, who is a best-selling author known for writing "The Notebook" and "A Walk to Remember," made the official announcement this past Tuesday.

According to The Huffington Post, he stated, "This is, of course, not a decision we've made lightly... We remain close friends with deep respect for each other and love for our children. For our children's sake, we regard this as a private matter."

People Magazine reports that Sparks and his wife married in 1989, just seven years before "The Notebook" made him a literary star. They have three sons and twin daughters, ranging in age from 23 to 12. 

In the past, Sparks has been reluctant at giving relationship and marriage advice, despite his romantic literary prowess. In a 2003 interview with People Magazine, he stated, "I don't like to give marriage tips... There are people who are probably much better at marriage than I am - they've lasted a lot longer. I could probably learn from them."

However, he does have one good piece of advice made public. He continued, "The marriage relationship has to be primary - it's one of the best things you can teach your children... So we don't feel guilty if we go for a walk, just the two of us." 

Some fans wondered - why couldn't Sparks sweep Cathy off her feet with one of those telltale kisses in the rain he often wrote about? Or maybe they could have stargazed together until their love came back to them? Others question whether his fans can ever trust the romantic stories he writes again.

Ah, well. Love is not entirely dead. Mr. Sparks may get his happy ending yet.