The Last Song

Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
ISBN: 978--446-57097-8

The last thing Ronnie Miller wants is to spend her summer with her dad in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. She has successfully avoided him since her parents divorce, refusing to talk to him or visit with him. Now, at seventeen, Ronnie cannot believe her mom is making her spend her summer away from New York City and all her friends. She is sure her mom is just trying to punish her, after all they haven’t been getting along lately and she is only a few months away from turning eighteen. Forced to spend the summer with her father and little brother, Ronnie is miserable. She has no friends and the small town has nothing to interest her, not to mention she has to share a room with her little brother. While still trying to overcome the pain and hurt of her parents divorce, Ronnie meets Blaze, Marcus, Will and Pastor Harris, each of who contribute to her summer making it one she will never forget. Ronnie will learn faith, trust, forgiveness and unconditional love along with truth. She will grow up and blossom, never leaving the summer behind.

The Last song is a beautifully written story of a father’s love for his daughter. Steve Miller knows his daughter is hurting and wants a chance to ease her pain and make things right. Despite his own sufferings, Steve shows unconditional love, support and sacrifice for Ronnie. Ronnie is intent on not letting her father in but slowly lets her guard down as she starts to understand her father and feel his love. Through events of the summer Ronnie remembers who she is and who she loves. Her fathers unwavering love and acceptance tears down her walls, allowing her the relationship she has needed all along. Ronnie meets will, and discovers true love like never before. As in every relationship, love does not promise things will be easy. Ronnie’s summer is equally full of trial and blessings as her life changes and she grows into a young woman and leaves the teenage girl in her behind.

Sparks does a wonderful job of writing this novel. It is easy to read and captures the readers interest from the start. Written from the view points of each main character, the book is divided into chapters by the character in focus. I personally love when books take this approach. It enables the reader to see all different angles and viewpoints of the story. The story feels like real life because three chapters could be happening in the same time frame, just to different characters and in different places. The novel is one for any age reader. It is sweet, heart warming and honest. It reminds the reader of the truly important things in life. It gives the reader a look at love, joy, peace, patience and kindness while urging against their opposites. While I would really like to see Nicholas break out of his comfort zone with his next novel, this novel was wonderful and did not let me down. I would highly suggest it for others to read. It was charming and insightful. A truly emotional novel on many levels.

Reviewed for Author Exposure