[image error]The Longest Ride is a sweet novel based on two love stories: one that happened in the past (that of Ruth and Ira) and one happening in the present (that of Sophia and Luke), perhaps aiming to highlight the importance of love in every way and temporary space and teach us that love requieres sacrifice.

[image error]On the one side, we have Ruth and Ira, who are two jewish inmigrants whose families arrived in North Carolina escaping the holocaust and are trying to leave behind a tormented past, full of pain and loss. These two characters will obviously fall in love, irremediably, and their love will have to overcome obstacles such as war, economic difficulties and starting over in a new country with a different language.

Now, nine years after the death of his beloved whife, Ira remembers their love story and teaches us about the importance of trust, holding on to good things in life and not getting caught in a stormy past while he patiently waits to be reunited with Ruth.

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On the other side, Luke and Sophia come from different worlds: while he owns a ranch with his mom and they are going through economic difficulties, Luke risks his life riding bulls in rodeos to gather the money he needs to save his mother’s state. Sophie is an art student at college, she is the daghter of Slovakian immigrants raised in New Jersey and dreams of working as a curator in a museum. When she breaks up with her boyfriend, Brian, who cheated on her on several ocassions, her roomie insists they go out to the rodeo where she meets Luke.

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Eventually, both stories meet in the present and the novel reaches the ending.

Reading this book was very nice. Personally, I could relate to a lot of my granpa’s stories, which made the experience even sweeter for me!

Here are some quotes from the book:

“If we’d never met, I think I would have known my life wasn’t complete. And I would have wandered the world in search of you, even if I didn’t know who I was looking for.”

“Trust people, until they give you a reason not to. And then never turn your back.”

“Remember me with joy, for this is how I always thought of you. That is what I want, more than anything. I want you to smile when you think of me. And in your smile, I will live forever.”

“I know I’m not going to be able to change the world, but I think it’s important to try to make a difference.”