The Longest Ride
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
From the dark days of WWII to present-day North Carolina, this New York Times bestseller shares the lives of two couples overcoming destructive secrets -- and finding joy together.
Ira Levinson is in trouble. Ninety-one years old and stranded and injured after a car crash, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together - how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can't possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.
A few miles away, at a local bull-riding event, a Wake Forest College senior's life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death - loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he's keeping doesn't destroy it first.
Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Nicholas Sparks’ gripping 17th novel weaves together two different love stories. Ira is an elderly widower struggling to stay alive after a car accident. As he reflects on his life story, we meet young lovers Luke and Sophia, who face their own daunting obstacles. It’s no surprise that The Longest Ride—like other Sparks bestsellers, including The Notebook and A Walk to Remember—has been made into a major movie. While connecting the dots of how his compelling characters are related, Sparks wows us with unexpected twists and grand romantic gestures.
Customer Reviews
See AllEasy read, cute love story. Not like the movie
I read this just over a couple days. It was easy to get through, even though it was from the perspective of three different people throughout.
I saw the movie first and loved it, but they did change a lot from the book. While I like the book better overall, I like the aspect of Ira and Sophia’s relationship better in the movie, honestly.
The Longest Ride
I have read all of Nicholas Sparks books, and they are so sad. While this book had sad moments, it was a beautiful love story woven into the story of a well lived life. Yes it was Sparks and I cried, but it was happy tears.
The Longest Ride
I think this is Nicolas Sparks best book. I have all his books and I love them all but this one truly touched me. I enjoyed it from start to finish and would recommend it to everyone who loves a great tear jerker romance. I can't wait till he writes his next book, he really has a gift from God and I'm happy he is sharing it with everyone. Thank you Mr. Sparks