Author: Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks is one of the great fiction writers of love stories of our time. Not because he uses big words, or tries to impress you. He uses quiet and tender prose and traps emotion and lends it to his readers with genuine feeling. Like Man O’ War, he has great heart.
18 year-old Veronica Miller – Ronnie to her friends – lives in NY with her mother and her 9 year old brother Jonah. Bitter and angry because her parents divorced 3 years ago, she has not spoken to her Dad Steve since. When her mother decides that Ronnie and Jonah need to spend the summer with their father in his seacoast hometown of Wilmington, N.C., Ronnie argues with her mother the entire car trip. When she arrives, she ignores her father and Jonah and gets very angry when Steve plays the piano. An ex-concert pianist and professor at Juilliard, Steve now lives a quiet life on the beach in an old sun bleached cottage.
Once sharing his love of the piano and composing, Ronnie now hates it and hasn’t played in three years. Her father puts a wall up in the cottage to hide the piano so that Ronnie doesn’t have to see it, even though he will dearly miss his playing.
But Ronnie is dealing with other things, while her brother and father work on the stained glass window Steve is making for Pastor Harris. The church burned down in an arson fire the year before, and Steve is giving Pastor Harris the most beautiful thing that he can – a new window for his new church.
Ronnie, alone and scared, has fallen into a bad crowd. She has struck up a friendship with Blaze, a punker girl who hangs around with a guy named Marcus and his sidekicks, Teddy and Lance. They perform a fireball act on the pier to survive. When Marcus comes on to her, Ronnie immediately sees through him and wants nothing to do with the bully. But Blaze, in a jealous fit, sets Ronnie up when they are both in a record store. She slips valuable records in Ronnie’s purse and Ronnie is caught for shoplifting. Ronnie has shoplifted in NY – once – but now she has to get Steve to believe her. Ronnie hates Wilmington so much, she packs to leave for NY. But to her astonishment, her father not only believes her, he supports her. She decides to stay.
When she meets Will, it is by accident. Will is playing volleyball on the beach and runs into Ronnie, spilling his soda all over her shirt. He is gorgeous, but Ronnie steers clear. He is too preppy for her NY style, with her purple streaked hair. Also, Will’s ex-girlfriend, Angela, lies to her about Will and Ronnie believes her. With Marcus stalking her, Ronnie cannot leave Wilmington – she has a court date for the shoplifting case.
When Ronnie gets a job at the aquarium, she and Will reconnect – Will volunteers there. As Ronnie’s perspective about love changes, she begins to understand, and appreciate both her father and Will. She and Jonah have been protecting a nest of endangered loggerhead eggs on the beach, sleeping by the nest to protect it. Will gets the aquarium to put a barrier on top so that the eggs will be safe. Will joins Ronnie sleeping next to the nest and the sea soothes them into a tidal lull of happiness.
Will has his own secrets. As the novel progresses, Will and Ronnie make their own way through the currents of Will’s parents and Steve’s news that he is dying. Ronnie decides to stay with her father until the end. The lessons learned are heartfelt and I was crying at the end.
Maybe Mr. Spark’s best, we hear the refrains of love as Ronnie finishes her father’s last composition and sings it to him before he dies. A wonderful novel.
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Presentation: 5
Overall: 5
Review by Broad “A” – Ava
“The Last Song” can be purchased at Amazon.com for under $15.
Thank you to the Hachette Book Group for providing our review copy as well as copies to give away.
Remember to Enter Daily!
EXTRA ENTRIES
* Subscribe to The Review Broads for FREE
* Vote for The Review Broads in the Divine Caroline LOVE this site contest.
* Follow the Review Broads – on the sidebar
* Tell a friend – if they subscribe or follow The Review Broads you get an entry (with unlimited entries) – please put their e-mail address as well as yours in the comments.
* Link to this giveaway on your Facebook page
* Twitter this giveaway
* Add our badge to your blog/site
* Blog about this giveaway
* Be sure to leave a comment letting me know if you’ve done any of these (if you already subscribe – please note that in the comments as well).
Please make sure you leave your email address when adding a comment or I will not be able to contact you if you win.
* This giveaway is open to US residents, 13 and over and ends on September 19, 2009 11:59 EST.
* The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted via email.
* The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or an alternate winner will be chosen.
* Please make sure you check your junk mail folder
* Good Luck
I'm a follower thanks!
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
I'm a subscriber.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal.net
I subscribe to The Review Broads.
Carol M
mittens0831 at aol dot com
I'm a subscriber.
Carol M
mittens0831 at aol dot com
I am a subscriber! Great giveaway…I really like Nicholas Sparks books.
I voted for The Review Broads in the Divine Caroline LOVE this site contest.
I voted for you in the Divine Caroline Love this site. There were 43 votes before I voted. ybutler@oppcatv.com
I follow and want the extra entry. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com
I subscribe and want the extra entry. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com
I follow.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Please enter me in the drawing. I'm a follower
florida982002[at]yahoo.com
I have your badge in my sidebar
florida982002[at]yahoo.com
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/LMsMeeMaw/status/3764981768
I follow your bog as Sandy M
I subscribe to your feed
I subscribe to your blog's feed via google reader.
email in blogger profile.
I Voted for The Review Broads in the Divine Caroline LOVE this site contest.(Not today, but looks like we can only vote once)
email in blogger profile.
I follow your blog on google friends connect.
email in blogger profile.
tweet- http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/3765828368
email in blogger profile.
posted on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=1432554339&share_id=153881911030&comments=1&ref=mf#div_story_153881911030_153881911030
email in blogger profile.
I subscribed.luckylady4163@yahoo.com
I subscribe via email.
bgcchs@yahoo.com
I am a follower.
I voted for The Review Broads.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/taterbugtx/status/3771941448
I subscribe via google reader
dancealert at aol dot com
I have your button on my blog —
dancealertreads.blogspot.com
dancealert at aol dot com
I subscribed to your newsletter! Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
I Voted for The Review Broads in the Divine Caroline LOVE this site contest. Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
I tweeted your giveaway on twitter:
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3773068
Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
I subscribe!
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I follow!
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I have badge!
cdhawaiianoasis.blogspot.com
I tweeted! Thanks!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3773557525
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I blogged!
http://cdhawaiianoasis.blogspot.com/2009/09/last-song-by-nicholas-sparks-giveaway.html
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I subscribe with google
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com
I follow on the side
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com
I voted!
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/catss99/status/3776083511
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com
I follow thru email.
77willow@gmail.com
Nicholas Sparks is an author with heart.
rss subscriber
google follower
I voted for You!
blog follower
I tweeted your giveaway on Twitter. Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3785808363
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
I subscribe by email.
Samfor3@aol.com
I subscribe!
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3790070973
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
I follow!
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
Subscriber!
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3794725314
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3801077423
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
I now follow your blog. Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
I tweeted your giveaway again: Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3804264731
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
sign me up
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3814131513
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3825322687
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
Subscribed by email
sweetbabycakesnmore @ yahoo
I tweeted your giveaway: Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3828565153
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
fb name: Bridgette Groschen
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3835321968
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow your blog.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I suscribed to the boards
shortlilsinner@yahoo.com
I also voted
shortlilsinner@yahoo.com
I tweeted about this giveaway
mustxbexfate on twitter
shortlilsinner@yahoo.com
My daily tweet for your giveaway: Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3840954195
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
I am already a subscriber!
I voted
I am a follower!
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3848446055
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
i'm an email subscriber.
Just put your link on my Facebook page. Lots of readers there, most of the members of my book club.
smehary@comcast.net
Google reader subscreiber. jelly15301@gmail.com
Blog follower. jelly15301@gmail.com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3862609930
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
I am a subscriber!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3867247006
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I linked your giveaway to my Facebook Page. Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
FB name: Bridgette Groschen
I tweeted your giveaway on Twitter today (daily tweet). Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3875056976
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3882703511
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
I tweeted your giveaway today (daily tweet) Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3888381594
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
I follow!
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3898188714
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I posted a link to your giveaway on my Facebook page (daily fb link) Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
fb name: Bridgette Groschen
I tweeted your giveaway on Twitter today (daily tweet) Thanks!
Book Reviews & Giveaway – The Last Song
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
I subscribe
Voted for The Review Broads in the Divine Caroline LOVE this site contest.
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3917410565
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I follow you too!
Tweet
http://twitter.com/Deb55106/statuses/3918011686
I tweeted – @lawyer2be10
My email address is hannahcmiller(at)hotmail.com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3930224626
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3935057105
monkeyami1(at)yahoo.com
I tweeted your giveaway on Twitter today (daily tweet) Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3944663262
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
no thank you
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3962511735
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3962993546
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I tweeted your giveaway today (daily tweet) Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3965984059
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
I tweeted your giveaway today(daily tweet)Thanks!
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/3981985215
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
twitter id: joeandbridge
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3982028872
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3997087400
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/4000980921
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
I tweeted your giveaway today **daily tweet**
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/4009408547
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/4009835789
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I tweeted your giveaway today **Daily Tweet**
Book Reviews & Giveaway – The Last Song
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/4036298149
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/4039170582
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/4048363728
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
**Daily Tweet**
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/4055943628
Im a subsriber too!
tishajean@charter.net
Im a follower too!
tishajean@charter.net
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/4062373363
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I am a subscriber.
letessha@yahoo.com
I follow your blog
letessha@yahoo.com
I voted for you.
letessha@yahoo.com
I have your button.
http://someofmywinnings.blogspot.com
letessha@yahoo.com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/dahliamomma/status/4064329792
**Daily Tweet**
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/4079571628
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/4084306591
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
email subscriber
aunteegem@yahoo.com
follow blog
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/4092776515
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
Subscribed via email, thanks!
sasquatch1bmf[at]gmail[dot]com
Follower, thanks again!
sasquatch1bmf[at]gmail[dot]com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/4096419387
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
Daily Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/4099519932
monkeyami1@yahoo.com
I follow The Review Broads.
Voted for The Review Broads in the Divine Caroline LOVE this site contest.
Subscribed to The Review Broads
Tweet: http://twitter.com/hunniebee724/status/4103435094
**Daily Tweet**
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/4103558477
I finally figured out how to vote! I voted for you! 🙂
coolnatty12@yahoo.com
I'm already a follower on GFC. Thanks so much!
pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
I'm a subscriber.
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net
I'm a follower.
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net
I shared it on facebook http://www.facebook.com/doot65
I blogged about it here
I have your button
subscribe to email
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
follow your blog as kngmckellar
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
http://twitter.com/kngmckellar/status/4113538464
tweeted
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
http://kngmckellar-glorias.blogspot.com/2009/09/httpwwwthereviewbroadscom200909book.html#comments
blogged
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
I follow your blog and I'd love to read this book.
ncschools at yahoo dot com
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/ncschools/status/4114172360
ncschools at yahoo dot com
I'm a subscriber.
ncschools at yahoo dot com
Subscriber to The Review Broads
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
I subscribed thru email
Tweet:Swtlilchick
http://twitter.com/Swtlilchick/status/4117129760
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
I am following your blog
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
**Daily Tweet**
http://twitter.com/joeandbridge/status/4124230368
i love this novel :)people could relate and deeper emotion could be felt each on every chapter
i love this novel :)people could relate and deeper emotion could be felt each on every chapter