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    The Longest Ride
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    The Longest Ride
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    The Longest Ride
    Audiobook (abridged)7 hours

    The Longest Ride

    Written by Nicholas Sparks

    Narrated by Ron McLarty and January LaVoy

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    In the tradition of his beloved first novel, The Notebook, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with the remarkable story of two couples whose lives intersect in profound and surprising ways.

    Ira Levinson is in trouble. Ninety-one years old and stranded and injured after a car crash, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes 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 bull-riding event, 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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHachette Audio
    Release dateSep 17, 2013
    ISBN9781619691858
    Unavailable
    The Longest Ride
    Author

    Nicholas Sparks

    Nicholas Sparks nació en Estados Unidos en la Nochevieja de 1965. Su primer éxito fue El cuaderno de Noah, al que siguió Mensaje en una botella, que han sido llevadas al cine, al igual que otros de sus éxitos como Noches de tormenta, Querido John y La última canción. Es autor de más de 20 novelas que han sido traducidas a más de 50 idiomas y publicadas en 25 países.

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    Reviews for The Longest Ride

    4/5

    449 ratings50 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Two love romances. Lots of integrity. There is a lot of detail in the stories and it moves slowly, but I loved every bit of it.

      The two narrators were both great. Even the interlude music was beautiful.
    • 3/5
      The book starts slowly but keep with it as it does get more interesting. There are three main characters and two storylines that don't intersect right away. Ira Levinson is an old man who has crashed his car. We learn about his life through a series of reminisces that he shares with a "vision" of his late wife Ruth. The other two are Sophia Danko and Luke Collins. Sophia is an art history major in her last year of college and Luke is a bull rider whose mother owns a ranch. They meet at a rodeo after-party.Throughout the book, I found myself more drawn to Sophia's and Luke's story. I did appreciate the long marriage of Ira and Ruth and the fact that they loved each other through all those years, but otherwise, I didn't find the story very compelling (though it does provide clues to the ending of the book).I guessed in general how the ranch would be saved but I wasn't sure of the specifics of how until just before the author revealed it in the book.
    • 4/5
      Both stories are sweet. Didn't like Ira's story at first then it got better.
    • 5/5
      Great book!
    • 4/5
      A Nicholas Sparks romance is at his best when he combines the threads of young love and mature, lived-life love. He does it wonderfully here.
    • 5/5
      A brilliantly told story. A friend recommended I read one of Nicholas Sparks' books. This is the one that was available at my local library. I was so drawn to the characters. I was hooked by the end of the first page and could not put it down. It only took me two days to read, which is fast for me since I must read every word and savor the story, and I had to work in that time period.Very excited to read more by Sparks.
    • 4/5
      The longest ride refers to a seriously injured bull-rider, Luke, and his sorority girlfriend, and Ira who is an elderly man who is seriously injured in a car accident and reminises his live that his had with his wife, Ruth. The book went back and forth between the two couples and I tried to figure out how their lives would be entertwined. Sparks finally intersects their lives toward the end. A quick read that reminds the reader throughout that people are more important than wealth. As Ruth stated, "You are smart. You are important. You can be anything you want to be. You can change the world."
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this novel, for the most part, although it was fairly predictable, at least to some degree. I knew almost from the beginning who would be the main romantic pair. I enjoyed the stories that went back and forth, about Sophia and Luke and Ira and Ruth. I could not figure out, however, how the stories would come together. When they did, it was again fairly predictable, especially when I quickly recognized the source of the ending. Still, I got bored in parts of the book and skimmed through some pages. I also found the description of sorority life and college life in general very shallow. I was in one of those sororities, and it was nothing like Sparks portrays it. Also, I've never seen so little studying among a college population. I'm sure Wake Forest does not appreciate the idea that all its students do is drink and party! There was even a line in the book about the shallowness of college life with its endless parties and dramas. I would quote it if I could find it. Sparks is way off with that one!
    • 5/5
      So for my choice book I decided that I wanted to read The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks. This was a really hard decision for me because before I knew that it had to be an American novel that was published in the last 50 years, I had thought that I wanted to read the second book in the Outlander series. I am really excited that I picked this novel by Nicholas Sparks because I really want to see the movie that just came out and I have read a lot of his other books and loved them so I was hoping for the same with this book. I realized after finishing reading the book, that it is pretty different from what the movie is. This is because they changed some of the early setting, like where and how they met.
    • 4/5
      Throughout most of the book, I found the elder man's voice hard to believe, but by the end I changed my mind and, well, it's an awesome Nicholas Sparks book.
    • 5/5
      ** spoiler alert ** Captivated me from the beginning. Made me cry at some points. Its nice that the little boy that ruth had loved when he was a child was somehow brought back towards the end. Totally captivating. Its nice to have read a nicholas sparks book where the good guy did not die in end. A definite must read for any sparks fan. Very well written. would love to this as a movie.
    • 5/5
      Wow. There are no words to describe how amazing this book was. Ira was a great man and loved his wife so much. I wasn't sure how Sophia and Luke's love story was going to intertwine with Ira and Ruth's, but it was a spectacular way to tie them all together. The ending was the best and I had a few tears in my eyes, but this story just warmed my heart.
    • 4/5
      My reading tastes have changed over the year but I still love a Nicholas Sparks novel. If an author makes me care about what happens to the people in his book, he has done his job. This book is touching, as you follow two couples to their inevitable meeting.
    • 4/5
      I always enjoy a Nicholas Sparks romance. Different spin from some of his others, combining two stories.
    • 4/5
      I did enjoy this novel. It was a book that was hard to put down, but I have just enjoyed other books by Nicholas Sparks a lot more. Nothing wrong with this book, and it would be a great beach read, I just thought it was a little predictable for Sparks.
    • 4/5
      The Longest Ride is Nicholas' Sparks latest warm, fuzzy, and addictive romance novel. Thankfully, I didn't need the tissues like I did for The Guardian and Dear John. If you love a down-to-earth man in cowboy boots, you'll devour this story!Told in alternating narratives, The Longest Ride is comprised of two love stories of couples who are brought together by fate. Ira and Ruth are an elderly couple who have had a lifetime of happiness and heartache, while Luke and Sophia are young and just starting out. Much like Safe Haven, there's a small supernatural twist on the plot, which gives this romance a little something extra.In typical Nicholas Sparks' style, girl meets boy and in spite of coming from completely different worlds, they fall in love. They question whether or not they can make it work, a jealous ex causes problems, and life nearly ruins it all, but in the end, love wins out. The story is a little predictable, and I never teared up; it's commute-friendly! It's not his most powerful novel, but Sparks never fails to put a smile on my face.I really only have two complaints about the book. Firstly, Sparks doesn't write a convincing female character. Sophia is a senior in college, a sorority girl, immature, dramatic, and above all, stereotypical. Sparks has been long out of the university scene, so I know I can't blame him too much for this, but I'm surprised his editor didn't help mould Sophia into a more believable heroine. The sorority house, her relationship with her jackass of an ex, etc. made no sense for her character.Worst of all is Sophia's admitting to having suicidal thoughts after she and her ex break up the first time. The relationship doesn't warrant the reaction. It's unrealistic, which undermines the seriousness of the subject. It would have made more sense in a book like Safe Haven, where the character is exposed to abuse, but not in a story of a healthy, happy university student.Secondly, Sparks hit my biggest pet peeve of them all: an unrealistic medical emergency. (I have training; I'm allowed to complain!) Ira spends most of the book trapped in a crashed vehicle, injured, and slowly dying. Given his age and injuries, he should have died of shock, if not from exposure, around the 24-hour mark. This is standard first aid knowledge! Yes, I know it's more dramatic to keep him alive, but it cheapened the story for me. And I don't see Nicholas Sparks as a cheap romance writer; he's one of the best! I'm saddened by the lack of substantive editing in both instances. Sophia's suicidal thoughts were not congruent with her characterization and clearly were thrown in for shock factor, and there clearly was no basic medical research performed to see if a major story arc would work. An elderly, bleeding man, who is dehydrated and trapped in cold car in the winter does not equal a survivor.Regardless, The Longest Ride is an endearing and heartwarming story of couples that love each other, through thick and thin. Luke is a heartthrob in cowboy boots, and Ira's love story is as sweet and timeless as Noah and Allie's in The Notebook. A great book to warm up to this winter, but it'll also make a great beach read. This is a wonderfully written romance that will sweep you off your boots!4 Stars
    • 5/5
      This is now my favorite book of Nicholas Sparks. I did not see how the two stories were going to come together. But when they came together, it ended up being a wonderful love story.
    • 4/5
      The Longest Ride by Nicholas SparksThe book follows two couples. Sophia is in college and meets Luke at a barn dance where she's stalked by an old boyfriend. They start dating and find out about one another, their hopes and dreams and family life's.The story also follows Ira who's in his early 90's and his car has run off the road and it's some time before anybody will even see his car. He's visited by Ruth his wife that had passed away and they reminisce about their life together over the years.Mystery of how these stories connect to one another has me wondering...Love the art Ruth and Ira collect and what it signifies.The love Sophia and Luke have for one another and the choices their paths have yet to make-him especially due to his career and his future life.Such heartbreak and it comes to a full circle in time...
    • 4/5
      The longest ride refers to a seriously injured bull-rider, Luke, and his sorority girlfriend, and Ira who is an elderly man who is seriously injured in a car accident and reminises his live that his had with his wife, Ruth. The book went back and forth between the two couples and I tried to figure out how their lives would be entertwined. Sparks finally intersects their lives toward the end. A quick read that reminds the reader throughout that people are more important than wealth. As Ruth stated, "You are smart. You are important. You can be anything you want to be. You can change the world."
    • 3/5
      Two stories of romance intertwined. In one, a 91 year old man crashes his car and is trapped in the auto, he feels alone but is visited by his dead wife and they go over their courting and marriage.The other story deals with a college student who meets a rodeo star and they fall in love.
    • 4/5
      A classic Nicholas Sparks' novel from beginning to end!

      When elderly Ira ends up in a car accident on the side of a snowy hill - he becomes stuck. His only companion is his deceased wife, Ruth, who helps keep him conscious as they reminisce about their life together. Meanwhile, Sophia, a senior at Wake Forest, is dealing with a recent breakup and meets Luke, a bullrider who has problems of his own. These characters tell his heartwarming story in all their varying perspectives, providing hope, encouragement, love, determination, and even regret to readers. Like all of Sparks' novels this one holds nothing back and offers insights into a loving and successful marriage. It is well worth the read and will bring you to tears several times with how touching a story it is. I don't know how Sparks is able to do it but he continues to writes gems.
    • 5/5
      Very sweet story, well, two sweet love stories that eventually meet on a snowy road. The two stories then divide, as one ends with an amazing gift as the other begins.
    • 5/5
      I just loved this book. Everything about this story hit home for me.
    • 5/5
      This was an amazing audiobook! I loved the way it brought the people together
    • 5/5
      I’m not for sappy love stories but this book had a flow and natural rhythm that made it very interesting! Well written with a great ending! Worth the read!
    • 4/5
      This is a story of 2 different lives across 2 different generations and how fate can bring things together that do not seem possible like all Nicholas Sparks books the story is full of true love which must face inevitable hardships. The characters in the story are relatable and inspiring. The challenges they face are things any of us could encounter on any day. The story left me trying to understand what the relationship between the 2 story lines would be right up until the end. In the end I found myself happy and feeling filled by the way the author allowed love to ultimately win.
    • 3/5
      My review posted twice, I deleted one... now they're both gone! Yes, this book started very slowly, but the characters were well fleshed out, Nicholas Sparks is wonderful at creating characters to care about. But... it stayed slow. I listened to the audio book and just waited for some connection between the two stories, a reason for them to be in the same book. So it did drag on until the end. I expect a lot from Sparks, I think he is a beautiful storyteller. This just wasn't a fave. But always looking forward to his next tale.
    • 5/5
      It’s an amazing story of two lives intercepting and how one decision can change everyone’s lives.
    • 5/5
      I was looking for something more in touch with reality and came upon "The Longest Ride" by accident. I couldn't have been more blown away, I haven't cried or enjoyed a book this much ever... It is now permanently a go-to book in my collection. I now own it in hardcover, audio, and kindle. I am 70 and I remember when people where all looking for this kind of relationship
    • 5/5
      This is my favorite Sparks book so far. Ira's story was so sweet and I loved the ending. I felt like this was a great book.