The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, book synopsis: A compelling family drama and a heartrending tale of young love. 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 alienated 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. An unforgettable story of love on many levels--first love, love between parents and children -- that demonstrates, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.

So before my review I must take the time to say I have a bone to pick with you Mr. Sparks!!! Why is it that after I read one of your books, I find myself blubbering like a baby with a head full of snot and a lump in my throat the size of a golf ball? I must thank you for the raging headaches I get and the desperate need I’m in of two Tylenol and a king size Hershey Bar!!

Even with my three bucks lost on a box of tissue and my thighs bubbly from the chocolate fat I ate... I LOVED this book!! Only this author can write a love story so bittersweet that it makes you laugh, cry and get so ticked off you want to hit something. Ronnie was a surprisingly lovely character, the opening of the story told the small tale of an angry rebellious teen, which had a bad attitude and a lot of issues to work through but nonetheless Ronnie was an amazingly bright, caring and mature girl.

Ronnie and her brother Jonah are sent to North Carolina to spend the summer with their estranged father. Steve (the father) left his prestigious position at Julliard to pursue his dream of being a concert pianist. Spending weeks away from his family puts stress on and eventually ends his marriage. A bitter Ronnie never forgave her father for ruining their family. In fact, she hasn't spoken to him in three years. She's livid that her mother is forcing her to spend the summer with him and as soon as she sets foot in on her dad’s property she is bound and determined to put distance between them. She spends her first night away from his home. It's on this night that she meets Will and Blaze. It's on this night that will change her summer and ultimately the course of her life forever.

The Last Song is told in four differing points of view: Ronnie who is telling the story to her mother after the events have happened and Will, Steve and Marcus. Through each perspective, more of the story is revealed and flash’s back to the past to provide more depth to the characters. Each point of view has something to add to the events of that summer and reading it in their own voice's added to the richness of the story. I really disliked Marcus but the way he was written in the story made you loathe him!! The background characters of Scott and Ashley were big pains too fortunate for me I didn’t have to read any of their perspectives. Blaze is a toss-up, you don’t really get to connect with her but I think she added the good girl gone bad element to the story and showed you the drastic difference between a teen on the edge of danger (Ronnie) and a girl completely lost like Blaze.

Once I hit midpoint the book was very predictable but in a sweet way. Even though I had the ending pegged I was a blubbering fool as I read through the hard parts. The depth of emotions Ronnie faces as she matures about 5 years in a short six month span was brilliantly written. She suffers anger, depression, sadness but she also falls in love for the first time and learns to forgive and also learns who she is.

Steve throughout the book spends time quietly reading his Bible, showing us a side of the Christian elements Sparks added to the book. I thought the lovely way he wrote of faith and peace helped connect you to the hope of the story. So unless you are a heartless wench be prepared to shed some tears!!! For sure worth the read and by far one of Sparks best books yet.

5/5, Romance, Coming-of-age

On a personal note: My only problem is with the impending movie coming out next year.
I really liked Ronnie's character and I’m not excited that Miley Cyrus ( I guess she named the main character Ronnie and had some influence on this book) will be playing the part. Already I’m thinking for real Hannah freakn Montana....come on!!! I hope she can muster the emotion and depth Ronnie encapsulates, I’ve loved all of Sparks’s books but when they make them into movies it usually becomes a big piece of you know what. Although the Notebook was awesome!!! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this one and for Dear John , but for sure will go see both of them!! Chick-Flicks Rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!