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

Grabs The Reader...Does Not Let Go

The movie by the same name and storyline is a great, yet often unknown movie, but like all movies, it skips so much of the beautiful details contained in the book.
Be prepared to have your emotions and heart pulled and tugged in more directions than trying to stay atop Big Ugly Critter for a Full Ride...8-seconds.
My Bride (my equivalent to Ruth) and I have followed the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) for many years. And we both love art, albeit not to the level of the book. For me, this book covers Cowboys, Ranchers, Art, Artists and the common thread that binds them all together and ties the package with Love. Happy Reading

Best Love Story Ever

This book was amazing and the people who read it out loud did a super job. I questioned why I bought but thought I would give it a chance and I was hooked within the first minute. The characters were so alive and the story line seemed so real. It had everything you could want in a book, love, romance, violence, scary, and so much more. A most definite book you need to listen to.

Excellent book!!!

I absolutely loved this book the story and the narration we’re done to perfection. I highly recommend the book to any audible listener. Nicholas Sparks has done what he does best!!!!!

Good story with amazing narration!

I enjoyed the bridging of generations. This book isn't just for young or old. There's something for everyone. It's wholesome while still acknowledging the trends of today. The narrators were wonderful and I'll be keeping an eye out for more.

Excellent Listen

This book was fantastic! I highly recommend it. It was emotional and such a great story. I'm so glad I read it.

Fantastic!!

I didn't know if I would like this book, but asvI kept reading I grew to love it! You may feel the same way...

Heart warming

I loved this book. The narration was excellent. It was easy to stay involved with each character. I will read more by Nicholas Sparks .

Loved it!

What a true love story; was brought to tears many times. I kind of figured out the ending but have already recommended to others

Perfect Love Story

I really enjoyed this book. I usually stay away from sappy love stories but someone recommended this one to me and I decided to try it. What I liked most about this book is how the author bounced back and forth between two different couples and how they came together at the end...it was like reading two books in one. I found both of the stories very interesting and enjoyed the authors style. I will probably try another one of his books.

WOW!

Loved the story! Performance was excellent. I didn't want it to end. Nicholas Sparks did it again!