The Longest Ride was written by Nicholas Sparks. In this novel, Ira Levinson is in his early nineties when he sets out to fulfill a long standing commitment. It is snowing outside and Ira, who has had problems with his vision, misses a curve and wrecks his car. Ira is stuck in the car for several days before he is found by a young couple returning home from a brief weekend retreat. This couple, Luke and Sophia, have only been seeing one another for four months. However, in those four months they have forged a bond that is like no other. Their chance meeting with Ira will change all their lives in new and unexpected ways. The Longest Ride is a novel of life and love. Chance meetings that have such a huge impact on the direction that life takes are part of the story.

Ira Levinson was married to the love of his life for more than fifty years. Although they were never able to have children, Ira and Ruth lived a fulfilling life together. Now, more than nine years since Ruth’s death, Ira has accepted that lung cancer will soon take his life as well. Before he goes, Ira wants to fulfill a longstanding tradition for Ruth, but the trip ends in a car accident that leaves Ira stranded alone in his wrecked car.

Four months before Ira’s accident, Sophia, a college student at Wake Forest, is dragged out to the rodeo with her roommate in an attempt to help her get over a recent break up. At the rodeo, Sophia is confronted by her ex-boyfriend who becomes unexpectedly violent. A cowboy comes to Sophia’s rescue, and she finds herself having a long, pleasant conversation with him.

Sophia invites herself to see Luke’s ranch. The first visit turns into a second date, then a third. Before they know it, Sophia and Luke settle into a warm, committed relationship despite the basic differences in their lives. Sophia even supports Luke’s return to the rodeo circuit despite the inherent dangers of bull riding. When Sophia learns that a past accident with a bull has left Luke with a life threatening condition, she refuses to stay with him if he chooses to continue bull riding. Faced with losing his family’s ranch or his own life, Luke chooses the ranch despite the ultimatum Sophia has presented to him.

Sophia returns to college, anxious to find a job in her chosen field of art history before she graduates in the fall. Luke returns to bull riding. However, when Luke is faced with riding the bull that caused his life threatening injuries, he begins to think twice about his choices. Luke rides the bull, but he walks away from his career. Luke and Sophia reunite to face the uncertain future together.

Luke and Sophia are on their way home from a weekend retreat when Luke spots tire tracks on the edge of the highway. Luke gets out to inspect them and discovers a car crashed over the side of the road. Luke and Sophia try to comfort Ira as they wait for the ambulance. Ira asks them to take a letter he has written to Ruth and keep it safe. At the hospital, Sophia reads the letter of undying letter from Ira to Ruth.

Months after Ira’s death, Sophia is planning on going to an art auction when she realizes the art collection belonged to Ira. At the auction, the first painting put up for bid is a child’s portrait of Ruth. Aware that the painting must have been deeply important to Ira, Luke buys the painting for four hundred dollars. Moments later, Luke learns that because he bought the painting, Ira has left his entire art collection to him. With an act of kindness, Luke has not only gotten the money to save his mother’s ranch, but enough to help him live comfortably for the rest of his life. Soon after, Luke and Sophia become engaged.