Nicholas Sparks, the author who made readers swoon with his romantic novels including "The Notebook," is separating from his wife of 25 years.
"Cathy and I have separated," Sparks told People magazine in a statement. "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."
The couple married in 1989 and has three sons and twin daughters ranging in age from 12 to 23, People reported.
Nine of the 49-year-old writer's novels have been made into movies.
Enduring love is the topic of all of
Sparks’ novels, ABC News reported. "The Longest Ride" is currently being made into a movie starring Scott Eastwood. Other titles include "The Best of Me" and "A Walk to Remember."
Sparks has credited his wife with being his muse.
"Every morning when I wake up and see my wife. That is the kind of love that I write about in the
novels," he said, according to the New York Daily News.
Twitter users commented on the split.