The Longest Ride

By: Nicholas Sparks

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, January LaVoy

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Romance, 2014

Ira Levinson is in trouble. At 91 years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus 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 rodeo, 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.

©2013 Nicholas Sparks (P)2013 Hachette Audio

well performed and good story

the narrators were both clear and expressive. the story kept my attention while commuting to work

Exquisite

This is the 1st book that I've had two entirely different stories going on at the same time. And how it was brought together, was dramatic. 💖

So incredibly beautiful.

This book was so well-written and so well spoken by the narrators. It really moved my heart. It's writing like this that makes you realize just how precious life really is.

Good easy read

Predictable but good. Hearing the stories of the two and how they come together was heartwarming. I recommend it for a light read

Loved it loved it

Perhaps one of my favorite Sparks novels. Even so, it would have been better if the ending wasn't so obvious or quick.... It could have been developed to provide some unexpected elements. Even so, loved it

one of the best books ever. so very sweet.

one of the best books ever. I would definitely recommend. love, surprise, hardship. and a great ending. loved it

Captivating

I was entranced and yearning for more after the first 5 minutes!! I remained fixated throughout even after the foreshadowing became obvious :)

stick with it

for me, didn't get going until chapter 19. But worth the read. I would recommend.

Good story

Where does The Longest Ride rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Good love story with a twist

What did you like best about this story?

The dialogues with Ira and his wife

Have you listened to any of Ron McLarty and January LaVoy ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Have not prev listened to them

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Ira passed

Any additional comments?

Great plot

IrA and Luke

Two great stories in one. Love a happy ending. Also liked ding out what happened to Daniel.