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

Longest Ride Review

The narration was exceptionally good. The story was excellent. It seemed to drag on a bit in the first few chapters. Once I caught on to the story it was great.

No disappointment, wonderful

I do love a great romance! Nicholas Sparks tells such good stories. He will always grasp my attention.

Loved it!

Wonderful love story. I enjoyed how the two stories intertwined. The ending pulled everything together neatly.

My new favorite Nicholas Sparks book

This book was so well written and the narration top notch. Everyone loves the Notebook and my favorite has always been Message in a Bottle until now. The Longest Ride just tugged at my heart and reminded me what life is really about. I really enjoyed this book.

The best story of love ever

This story touched me in so many ways as I too am approaching the final stages of my life with my “Sandy”. Ira, I understand.

The way the two stories come together.

I wish the book could have continued. What happened to them after the Auction, where did they move? So many questions still to be answered.

circle about story

A book that took a while to connect all the pieces but once they did, they fit together like a puzzle, creating a clear and concise picture of true love, heartbreak and happily ever after 

Could not stop listening

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

This book is by far one of the best ever!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ira...I just have a soft spot for the elderly and he was just so sweet and compassionate.

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

They were great! Just the right amount of energy and I liked the change in voices and personalities

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

Love conquers all

Any additional comments?

I absolutely loved this book and Nicholas Sparks is one of the best authors ever

a must listen to

If you could sum up The Longest Ride in three words, what would they be?

Made me cry.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ira. I loved the way he loved his wife.

What about Ron McLarty and January LaVoy ’s performance did you like?

They both did a terrific job.

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

Big mean critter.

Any additional comments?

Just a delight to listen to. Have the tissues close by.

Great story. Caution: A box of tissues required

Wow. Nicholas Sparks really knows how to pull the heartstrings. I found myself crying and sniffling dozens of times. Ron McLarty did a marvelous job with Ira’s part of the story ( major tissue use for that!) I had to stay up late into the night to hear the end of it, couldn’t go to sleep until I knew the ending. Now I just have to unstuff my nose after all the tears so I can breathe again. Worth it!!