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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This is surprisingly my first Nicholas Sparks novel. They're right up my alley of what I like to read so I don't know why its taken me this long, but I loved it!! I knew this would he a good one to start with because I have quite a weakness for cowboys, which my husband is fully aware of. It was a very good book. I hadn't seen the movie in a while so I wanted to experience the book before I watched it again, because we all know books are always better!
UPDATE: 10 minutes into the movie and I am disappointed. The saying still holds true. Books are always better than movies!!
UPDATE: 10 minutes into the movie and I am disappointed. The saying still holds true. Books are always better than movies!!
I’m a sucker for romance novels and this one did not disappoint. Definitely my favorite Nicholas Sparks book by far. Ugh so cute and beautiful. 10/10.
There are two separate stories here that go back and forth. One is the tale of Ira and Ruth. Ira is over 90 years old and has been in a car accident in the snow. As he nurses his injuries and waits for help, he reflects on his relationship with Ruth, who has been deceased for almost 10 years.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is the story of Sophia and Luke, two people who are at the start of a relationship. Luke is a bull rider and trying to save the family ranch with his winnings. Sophia is an unlikely candidate for his affections, as she is a college art history student with no experience in living on a ranch.
The whole book waited for someone to die because, if you've read Nicholas Sparks, someone dies.
I enjoyed the juxtaposition of a couple who spent 70+ years together along with a new couple. I didn't find the back and forth aggravating. Maybe I'm acclimating to this style that more and more authors seem to use. I actually found it refreshing because I would tire of the reminiscing (in Ira and Ruth's case) and the new relationship drama (in Luke and Sophia's case), so I was usually looking forward to the change of perspective when I approached the end of a chapter.
While a tad schmaltzy (it's Nicholas Sparks, after all), I think this is one of his better books.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is the story of Sophia and Luke, two people who are at the start of a relationship. Luke is a bull rider and trying to save the family ranch with his winnings. Sophia is an unlikely candidate for his affections, as she is a college art history student with no experience in living on a ranch.
The whole book waited for someone to die because, if you've read Nicholas Sparks, someone dies.
I enjoyed the juxtaposition of a couple who spent 70+ years together along with a new couple. I didn't find the back and forth aggravating. Maybe I'm acclimating to this style that more and more authors seem to use. I actually found it refreshing because I would tire of the reminiscing (in Ira and Ruth's case) and the new relationship drama (in Luke and Sophia's case), so I was usually looking forward to the change of perspective when I approached the end of a chapter.
While a tad schmaltzy (it's Nicholas Sparks, after all), I think this is one of his better books.
What can I say?! This is [a:Nicholas Sparks|2345|Nicholas Sparks|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1332884095p2/2345.jpg] at his best! It was such a heartwarming and heartbreaking read all at the same time. I left this story feeling content with its conclusion.
The Longest Ride is set in the mountains of North Carolina and revolves around three main characters: Ira Levinson, Luke Collins, and Sophia Danko. As the reader we alternate among these character's POV. We start with Ira and I love his introduction so much, I will let him tell you who he is:
You know Deedee's parents from the Rugrats? Anyways, where was I? Oh! So Ira experiences a near-death accident at the beginning of the book and he nostalgically recalls his life from his parents, to fighting in WWII, to his beautiful life with his wife Ruth (who also is an ancillary character). It's a sweet story and one that I can only hope to be my own romance with my husband.
The next character we are introduced to is Sophia. She is a senior in college, having just broke up with her narcissistic, cheating boyfriend, and is in desperate need of having some fun. At least according to her best friend and roommate who drags her out to a rodeo. Enter Luke who happens to be a full-fledged cowboy and rodeo star. Here's what I picture when I read about his description:
(FYI: This is real cowboy Jory Markiss!) Anyways, Luke comes in being the hero and basically embarrasses Sophia's ex when he is trying to get her to leave with him despite her persistent No's. So two people who couldn't be more different, strike up a friendship that develops into more in true Sparks fashion.
I loved the imagery in this book. Having been raised near the Appalachia mountains I could easily picture Luke's ranch and the beautiful winter that is described. I loved the characters too! They each were described in such detail that by the end of the story I felt these people were real and Sophia could easily be my best friend or a girl I went to college with. Probably my favorite scene in the whole book is Luke taking Sophia horseback riding for the first time. She had never been and her descriptions of the experience made me feel like I was doing it myself! Ugh, And the ending....the way Sparks brings these three characters together and interweaves their lives is something only Sparks can do! It was again heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time!
If you are a fan of Nicholas Sparks or romance novels, you will enjoy this book! It was an easy read (I read it in one sitting) and unlike some of Sparks other works, it did not leave me feeling upset and heartbroken, rather it left me content and nostalgic!
The Longest Ride is set in the mountains of North Carolina and revolves around three main characters: Ira Levinson, Luke Collins, and Sophia Danko. As the reader we alternate among these character's POV. We start with Ira and I love his introduction so much, I will let him tell you who he is:
I sometimes think to myself that I'm the last of my kind.In my head I picture some version of this:
My name is Ira Levinson. I'm a southerner and a Jew, and equally proud to have been called both at one time or another. I'm also an old man. I was born in 1920, the year that alcohol was outlawed and women were given the right to vote, and I often wondered if that was the reason my life turned out the way it did. I've never been a drinker, after all, and the woman I married stood in line to cast a ballot for Roosevelt as soon as she reached the appropriate age, so it would be easy to imagine that the year of my birth somehow ordained it all.
You know Deedee's parents from the Rugrats? Anyways, where was I? Oh! So Ira experiences a near-death accident at the beginning of the book and he nostalgically recalls his life from his parents, to fighting in WWII, to his beautiful life with his wife Ruth (who also is an ancillary character). It's a sweet story and one that I can only hope to be my own romance with my husband.
The next character we are introduced to is Sophia. She is a senior in college, having just broke up with her narcissistic, cheating boyfriend, and is in desperate need of having some fun. At least according to her best friend and roommate who drags her out to a rodeo. Enter Luke who happens to be a full-fledged cowboy and rodeo star. Here's what I picture when I read about his description:
(FYI: This is real cowboy Jory Markiss!) Anyways, Luke comes in being the hero and basically embarrasses Sophia's ex when he is trying to get her to leave with him despite her persistent No's. So two people who couldn't be more different, strike up a friendship that develops into more in true Sparks fashion.
I loved the imagery in this book. Having been raised near the Appalachia mountains I could easily picture Luke's ranch and the beautiful winter that is described. I loved the characters too! They each were described in such detail that by the end of the story I felt these people were real and Sophia could easily be my best friend or a girl I went to college with. Probably my favorite scene in the whole book is Luke taking Sophia horseback riding for the first time. She had never been and her descriptions of the experience made me feel like I was doing it myself! Ugh, And the ending....the way Sparks brings these three characters together and interweaves their lives is something only Sparks can do! It was again heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time!
If you are a fan of Nicholas Sparks or romance novels, you will enjoy this book! It was an easy read (I read it in one sitting) and unlike some of Sparks other works, it did not leave me feeling upset and heartbroken, rather it left me content and nostalgic!
Just as good as the film, two love stories two different couples but one amazing heart wrenching tale!!
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
| The Longest Ride is certainly long. It is not just about the romance. It has more element into it. There are 2 stories here. Divided by time line.
Do I like it? Not really. My problem os the the length of the book. Too long. It got boring, to be honest.
Overall, an OK book.
Do I like it? Not really. My problem os the the length of the book. Too long. It got boring, to be honest.
Overall, an OK book.
Nicholas Sparks never fails me! I love how the separate stories of two couples come together flawlessly. I ended up loving both stories (Ira and Ruth, Luke and Sophia) so no matter which part I was reading, I was enjoying it. Can't wait to watch the movie!
Loved it! Nicholas Sparks has done it again! I laughed, cried, and enjoyed every page. His books never disappoint!
I got this book as a gift from a former student, so I had to give it a shot. That being said, I must say that it should have been called The Longest Read. It was awful. That, and Nicholas Sparks has clearly never experienced a true snowstorm. The way he described the "treacherous" weather was laughable. Also, it just reaffirmed my hatred for the entire romance genre. It's so trite. I'd give it half a star if I could.