The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

I can see why so many Nicholas Sparks books are made into movies: entertaining story, nice (& beautiful) people, not always a "happy" ending, but a satisfying one, emotional at times. This one was no different. Two different love stories, developing during two different time periods, that merge at the end. Actually, I waited and waited for the two to merge, and it really didn't happen until the very end!  I knew that one would "save" the other, and I knew it had to do with the art collection, but I certainly couldn't figure out how until it was laid out for me in the end. Throw in bucking broncos, a ranch, a handsome cowboy with a life-changing injury, money problems, college (including a sorority house and all its relationship antics), a jealous ex-boyfriend, an art history major, an old man slowly dying in a car accident, a dead wife who talks to him, two romantic relationships, and a world-class art collection....and you have a story!! :)

I probably enjoyed reading about Luke & Sophia's relationship more than Ira & Ruth's, but that might have been because I felt so incredibly sad for Ira and his situation. It made his story harder to read. Then again, sometimes when I was reading about the college "angst": hurt feelings between best friends, angry ex-boyfriends, cheating boyfriends, sorority life, I felt old - and very glad I am done with all of that! A phrase that often came to mind: "Good grief". ;)

I have never understood why people want to ride bucking broncos - any more than I understand why people want to box or do extreme fighting. All I can think of is CONCUSSION!! Our bodies aren't made to withstand that kind of punishment. Too much permanent damage that will effect your brain for the rest of your life!! 

I loved the ending. Nicholas Sparks doesn't always have his main characters live, so I wasn't sure who would die, but I figured someone would. I also wasn't sure how the ranch could be saved with a realistic solution. This ending was very satisfying for me. Now I plan to see the movie!

Wendy's Rating: ****