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The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Synopsis:

Seventeen year old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father…until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels–first love, love between parents and children — that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts…and heal them.

Nicholas Sparks is another author that I love ♥ I am slowly reading my way through his novels and am yet to find one I don’t like. I loved this novel. the story follows Ronnie as she is shipped off to Wilmington to spend the summer with her father – a man who she hasn’t spoken to since he left the family. She does not want to go, and sulks all the way there. And when she gets there she almost immediately finds herself in trouble. But her father surprises her and doesn’t yell at her; in fact he is extremely reasonable. This opens up doors which had been closed for a long time. This is a summer of changes and growing up for Ronnie. She patches up her relationship with her father – to have her heart broken, she changes her attitude and best of all, she falls in love.

This novel is gorgeous. Sparks explores two loves: that between parent and child, and first love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book – in fact as I think about it all I can do is gush! Many changes occur during this novel – in Jonah, Ronnie’s brother, her father, and of course, Ronnie. I liked all three of these characters, in particular Jonah. He was so cute – so excited to see his Dad and I loved how even though he was younger than Ronnie he looked out for her. I loved Will as well – handsome, caring and athletic. He was sensible, volunteered and best of all: he chose Ronnie even when his mother dismissed her.

The story was lovely, but also heartbreaking. Secrets are kept – and the main one nearly broke my heart when I found out. I had tears in my eyes a lot while the book was drawing to a close. I love a book that pulls on my emotions – and The Last Song did just that. There are many other things that remain in my mind too – I liked how it was nature, turtles to be precise, that softened Ronnie; and the image of the stain glass window that Jonah and their Dad was building was beautiful.

Sparks writes gripping novels – and this was no exception. I was hooked from the first page and I sped through this book. And I was gutted when it ended – I wanted more! I think every issue raised in this book was dealt with wonderfully – with compassion and intelligence. This is a romance novel and I guess would be classed as chick-lit, but it is a mature novel and well worth reading. Top marks from me!

It is worth noting that this has been made into a film (one I am eagerly awaiting the release on DVD of!)