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

Loved most of it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes - great story lines….lots of depth! Great Characters!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ira & Ruth were my hands down favorite! Just wish Nicholas could have kept the 'sex before marriage part' out of the equation. That was a bit of a downer in the book and the reason I did not rate it a 5 star.

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

No, this was my first

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A story of enduring love….

Extremely good read included range of ages in characters, historical happenings, and modern age living.

Hard to stop listening, waiting for next major happening. Would easily recommend to anyone for good entertainment.

Loved it!

I laughed, I cried and was fully engaged throughout the entire story. I can’t wait to share it with my daughter! I listened to it in one sitting!

Two sweet stories!

The beautiful love story of Ira and Ruth with and a sweet story of young love with a happy ending ❤️

Very sweet an real story

Was wonderful to read, Nicholas Sparks NEVER disappoints mean, Was sad/happy, and kept my attention. Wonderful story

wonderful

a truly wonderful story that took me in from the moment I started to listen.

It met my expectations

Of the wonderful writings of this author. I have loved every one of them that I have read, or listened to.

Feel Good Story

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

This book rates about average

What other book might you compare The Longest Ride to and why?

What you expect from Nicolas Sparks

Which character – as performed by Ron McLarty and January LaVoy – was your favorite?

Both do GREAT

If you could rename The Longest Ride, what would you call it?

Feel Good story. Universe collides

It will be a great ending!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Longest Ride to be better than the print version?

I did not read the printed edition, I listened to audio book.

What did you like best about this story?

It was written to hold your interest all the way to the last chapter...

What does Ron McLarty and January LaVoy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I did not read the book.

Who was the most memorable character of The Longest Ride and why?

Ruth and the husband...they brought suspense to the story..

Any additional comments?

I would like to have more books similar to this one....

I love this book!

I loved the characters, found the story very interesting, suspenseful, and moving. I enjoyed the narration. Really caring about the characters, and having ideas about what was going to happen (which weren't always correct) contributed to the suspense for me.

I have read or heard many of Nicholas Sparks' books, and have enjoyed them all, but this is by far my favorite.