Nicholas Sparks once again has written another book that pulls you in and tugs on your heartstrings. As with his previous books, I was drawn in to the characters and found them to be (for the most part) realistic and believable. 
 I liked this book....but I just couldn't give it more than three stars. At the end of the day, it followed the same vein as his other books. Boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl's relationship is tested (in this case by Luke's riding and the risk for death), and one of them makes a sacrifice resulting in them getting together and living happily ever after. 
 I just...the ending was too unrealistic for me. I enjoyed it, and was drawn in, but at the end I felt let down. I don't know what it is that really bothered me. I just kind of felt like it was a cop out. I didn't like how it was ended with Ira.... 
 That being said, the last letter Ira wrote to Ruth broke my heart, and made me teary. I also loved Luke's character. 
 All in all, I'm really glad I read it, and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Nicholas Sparks.