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

Great

Beautiful story. Nice reading. Great ending.
Enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Great listen. Great story line and enjoyable book

Love this story!!!

Nicholas has written the most wonderful stories. This story has topped my list!! This story is great! Thank you Nicholas

Great parallel story/stories!

Any additional comments?

The author captured the relationship of an older, long married couple perfectly. The parallel story development was a perfect way to tell the story/stories. Narrators did a great job. You hardly noticed they were there... they became the characters.

Great listen despite flaws

Great story, I don't regret buying this audio book. That said, there are quite a few things that I was not loving..

The book is very slow at parts. Up until maybe the last 2 hours of the book I dreaded when the storyline of the older couple began to play. (But was so into the younger couple's story line like addicted) I listen to audio books while I drive and twice I had to turn it off because I could feel myself starting to actually fall asleep listening to the old man's slow reflections and soothing voice.

The narrator for the younger couple, Luke and Sophia, was overall not bad but she RUINED Luke for me. Her voice for Luke was so dopey it was difficult to picture him as being extremely attractive, intelligent or confident. So that was kind of disappointing. But also my previous audio book was "See Me" also by Nicholas
Sparks and the narrator in that was absolutely brilliant in his character voices so that might have been part of the reason why I was so let down.

Like I said, overall it is a really good story. Just want to give my full honest opinion because I know I appreciate all of your honest reviews when I'm trying to decide on a book!

I felt the love.

I loved it.
Ira understood and so did Luke.
very moving story.
Emotional through out.

A story to remind me how much I love my Wife

I heard this in audible form. This is a great story of two separate couples and their journeys. At first I found myself only wanting to listen to the young couples story. Then I couldn't resist hearing about what what's happening to the older man. His story was one of time kindled love. I never thought that the two stories would intertwine. Then I thought of course they had to this is a book.
Sure I like action and suspense novels but this story was already in our library.
This story reminded me of how much I love my wife and why.

Excellent book

The book is excellent! Narration is good, memorable moments are reading Ruth's letter, the auction and him giving her the ring!

tearful love story

There are two story lines but they amazingly intertwine:) I cried for Ira and Rush but I also enjoy the love story between the cowboy and the college student. Nicholas successfully demonstrates how true love can overcome class gap and social status difference. I once believe in love again:) love the movie as well.

Wonderful story

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I plan to watch the movie As soon as I can get it at home!

Grab a box of tissues

This novel is written in a unique format, but in terms of content, it is true Sparks. It is an incredible love story! Enjoy!