Seventeen-year-old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside down when her parents divorced her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, particularly her father ... until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she and her younger brother spent the summer with him in North Carolina.Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will be the centerpiece of a local church. Resentful and rebellious, Ronnie rejects all of his attempts to reach out to her and threatens to return to New York before the summer's end. But soon Ronnie meets Will. the town's local heartthrob, and the last person she thought she'd ever be attracted to. As Ronnie slowly lets her guard down, she finds herself falling deeply in love, opening herself up to the greatest happiness-and pain-that she has ever known.
An unforgettable story of love in all its myriads forms-first love, love between parents and children-THE LAST SONG demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.
Title: The Last Song
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Format: hardcover, 390 pages
Genre: young adult, coming of age, romance
Source: personal shelf
Published: September 2009 by Grand Central Publishing
Buy the book: The Book Depository
My Thoughts
I think y’all know by now that Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors. I am a HUGE fan. The guy is on my auto-buy list; any book he writes, I buy and read. I don’t even need to read the blurb, I just know that I’m going to enjoy reading it. And that was exactly the case with The Last Song. When I first heard of The Last Song, it was being made into a movie first, a book second. I found it really interesting that Sparks completed the screenplay prior to finishing the novel since it usually works the other way around. Also, another first, The Last Song is the longest novel that Sparks has written to date.
I have to admit, when I saw the movie trailer for The Last Song, I got a little worried. Right off the bat, I knew what was going to happen to one of the characters. Not because the movie trailer gave anything away, it’s just that I know Sparks all too well. While reading the book, I tried to prepare myself for what was to happen but I didn’t anticipate connecting with Ronnie in such a deep way because of what happens in the novel. There is one part of the storyline that hit real close to home to for me - I was in Ronnie’s shoes. I went through all the emotions that she went through. It was a bit painful to read that through that part of the book because it was so real for me. I cried (and I mean I really CRIED!) reading it. I’m even crying right now as I’m typing out this part of my review. That’s what Sparks does; he writes these stories that are so real, so convincing, so passionate that it brings me to tears. He has a way of connecting with the reader through his characters. And that’s why I will always come back for more. Now, I’m just like the next person who likes to read as an escape. But it’s nice to read a realistic story from time to time. Sparks generally releases a new novel about once a year and for me, that’s perfect timing for my tear ducts.
One of the things I look forward to when reading a Sparks novel is finding out the meaning behind the title (and sometimes, there’s a double-meaning). Just thinking of the title The Last Song and its tie-in to the story brings tears to my eyes. And the cover for this book (the one you see in this review, not the movie-tie-in version) is one of my favorites. The covers for his novels don’t usually tickle my fancy but the one for this book is nice.
The only gripe I had with The Last Song was the religious tone brought into the book. It was a bit overwhelming though I can understand how religion comes in the play with a particular part of the story. Other than that, I found The Last Song to be a great summer read. I got exactly what I expected from Sparks; a realistic love story with an array of emotions. I’m not sure if Sparks’ goal is to make his readers cry; if it is then he definitely succeeded with this book! I swear, the guy must have stock in a tissue company!
Some people who have yet to read one of his novels (or have read maybe one or two of them) may be hesitant to read his books because some of them do not have a HEA (happy ever after). I cannot say that The Last Song has a HEA for every character . It’s a bittersweet HEA. If you’ve read one of Sparks’ novels before, then you’ll definitely enjoy reading The Last Song. If you’re a Sparks newbie, this book is a great book to start with, especially if you enjoy reading YA. Sparks will capture your heart and at the same time take your breath away.
Where to find Nicholas Sparks online
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Have you read any of Nicholas Sparks’ novels? If so, which one’s your favorite?
Great review! I haven't read this book or seen the movie yet, but it's on my TBR. My favorite Nicholas Sparks book has to be The Notebook. I just couldn't put that one down.
ReplyDeleteNice review.
ReplyDeleteI have never read a book by him, but I have seen the movies and they are always so sad :(
HEA = Nicholas Sparks? Not so much. His stories are undeniably beautiful and yes, his stories have the "aww thank God" moments, but none of them are particularly happy in the end.
ReplyDeleteA Walk To Remember - Jamie dies (plus the entire book was based around religion)
The Notebook - they both die
Nights In Rodanthe - Paul dies (again region through acceptance)
(just a few examples)
They all get closure/inner peace in some cases, but the HEA in the traditional since is non-exsistant.
you know: "he kissed her soft cheek and they walked into the sunset"
Sparks is more of a "I finally realized I loved her, she loved me back, we lived peacefully for a few years then I die of cancer" (<-- ok that was a little harsh but you get my point)
regardless (sorry for rambling) lovely review, keep up the great work.
KindleObsessed :)
I enjoyed this book as well. I recently read it as part of the Busy Moms Book Club selection.
ReplyDeleteGreat review....
I absolutely loved The Last Song, and I'm sad the film butchered it haha great review :)
ReplyDeleteI had just typed out responses to everyone's comments and Blogger ate it!!! Let's try this again...
ReplyDelete@READFREEK - I haven't seen the movie adaptation for The Last Song but I will be getting the DVD to add to my collection. My obsession with Sparks all started with the movie The Notebook. Great movie, great book. Hope you get to read The Last Song soon :)
@Blodeudd - As a NS newbie, I would recommend that you start with The Lucky One, The Rescue or A Bend in the Road as those 3 have HEA. The books, in my opinion, are all better than the movies.
@KindleObsessed - You're right, NS is not known for HEA. But I'm okay with that. I love reading his novels for the passion and emotion. As the saying goes, It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
A Walk to Remember was heavy on the religion. I just overlooked it while reading.
I loved A Walk to Remember, but it was the only book I've read of his. I've seen his movies. Notebook (Repeatedly), Walk to Remember, and Nights in Rodanthe. I wanted to through the TV through the window when I watched that one.
ReplyDeleteI think Sparks will have to be on my reading list now. :)
ReplyDeleteI have read The Wedding and loved it. And of course I have watched The Notebook, I actually have the book in my TBR pile. I am seriously thinking that I need to get more of his books now that I see how much his writing evokes emotions so amazingly. :) Thanks for sharing.
What is your favourite Nicholas Sparks book?
I saw the movie for this one recently but I haven't read the book yet. The movie was really good and even hubby liked it. I've read some of his other books, but not everything. I typically prefer the HEAs, so I have to be in a certain mood to read his stuff. I'm surprised that the movie came before the book, since I've found that usually ends up with a bad book that comes off looking like "fan fiction".
ReplyDeleteThis was a great review. TLS was not my favorite of Sparks' novels, but it was reliably good. You are right---once a year is perfect for the mega-cry his books induce!
ReplyDelete