The Last Promise

Rating:
Summary: i would read it again and again
Review: I absolutley loved this book. I kind of stoped reading since highschool, and a friend passed it over as a suggestion. I read it and it jump started my reading and infact gave me an idea. Now i combine my reading with wine drinking, i would have finished the book earlier if i took smaller sips while reading. This is a great book to break you back into the world of reading. I was completly taken into the story as i was reading. i think richard paul evans is a great author and ive read many of his books since then, and i haven't found one that i didn't like. but my favorite is by far 'The Last Promise' you will get so emotionally involved with this book.

Rating:
Summary: I've read it 4 times.
Review: I am such a fan of Richard Paul Evans, when I got this book, I expected it to be good. I did not expect it to be as wonderful as it is. There are no words to describe how much I love this book. The way Eliana and Ross's love unfolds, and the way Evans describes the beautiful Italian landscape, and way of life, makes you feel like your actually sitting there, watching this story happen. I've gotten many a person to read this book and they usually finish it in one day. And like I said, I've read it four times, when I usually don't read a book more than once.
I totally recommend this book to anyone, b/c I guarentee you'll love it, and most likely read it in one day!

Rating:
Summary: This book should have had a Harlequin warning on its cover
Review: I have really enjoyed other Richard Paul Evans books--such as the Carousel, the Looking Glass, and, of course, The Christmas Box. But, after reading this book, I wondered if Mr. Evans has been attending mindless romance novel workshops.

Rating:
Summary: love crosses all oceans
Review: i really enjoyed the book. i read it twice and would recommened it to everyone who enjoys a true love story. it may be predictable but the point is that there is tru meaning behind it. love crosses the ocean to come as one. the book is much better on audio. the language is most beautiful and the charcaters are truly meaningful. even the husband. we all think of fairytale and hope for our pumpkin to turn into a carriage. but it always isn't so, that is why we have Richard Paul Evans. we all need that spark of romance and here is the match. enjoy it like i have. i believe it is beautifully written and very well spoken on the audio version. everyone needs a little hope and learn a new language like Italian.

Rating:
Summary: It's a romantic story
Review: I would have given it a five ~~ but towards the end, the story seems to have been rushed ~~ and it wasn't satisfying as I had hoped!

However, this is an incredibly romantic story of a married woman who falls in love with an American who has a dark secret. Eliana is married to the owner of a vineyard in Florence, Italy, and is the mother of an ashmatic son. Left behind at the vineyard while her husband Maurizo travels 350 days out of the year ~~ Eliana never realizes that she is lonely till Ross Story, a mysterious American, rents one of the apartments in the villa. Drawn to one another through a love of art ~~ they quickly realizes that they are soulmates. And this is their story.

It is a quick read ~~ one to inspire sighs over the Tuscany landscape and art museum and the descriptions of food makes your mouth water. And the writing is artful ~~ leading you to the conclusion. If you're looking for a wonderful book to take to the beach this summer, this book is it. You can escape into the landscape and the romance ~~ and finish it in an afternoon.

3-16-03

Rating:
Summary: Absorbing!!
Review: I've always been a fan of Richard Paul Evans, and his mastery of story telling has never been better!

Set in Italy, The Last Promise tells the story of a lonely wife and mother, Eliana, who is forced to make a horrible choice after falling in love with an American who moves in next door to her.

In pure Evans fashion, you become totally absorbed in the lives of these characters. No matter where you are when you begin this book, you heart and mind are thwarted into classic Italy, with images so vivid and rich you swear you were there.

For simple storytelling that will take your breath away, The Last Promise will soon become a prized volume amongst your collection!

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful descriptions, somewhat disappointing ending
Review: If you've got any interest in Italian art, give this book a try. If you enjoyed studying Italian literature in college, again, it's worth a go. There's a bonus if you've actually been to Florence, seen the art and read the literature--Evans' descriptions of the city and the art, and allusions to the culture are right on (at least, in my humble estimation). This aspect of the book does not disappoint--in fact, Evans' detail and fine grasp of the culture were what earned this book all three stars in my rating. It's a beautiful read.

The story itself was delightful until the last quarter of the book. I agree with the reviewer who said the pace of the plot seemed to be rushed toward the end, I think to the detriment of the reader's experience. It was one of those reads that you can't put down, yet when it's over, that feeling of satisfaction isn't QUITE there. At times the formulaic nature of the writing is distractingly obvious. And I was particularly disappointed in the lack of detail surrounding Maurizio's "transformation."

If you're trying to decide whether to buy this book, I say--eh. Don't bother. It's not worth the money to own. But do definitely check it out from the library. It IS worth your time to read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Story Line And Nicely Written!
Review: In this story, the main character, Eliana will leave her home in the USA to go live in Italy with her husband Maruzio, and son Alessio. Life is grand and they own a villa. But Maruzio seems to be gone for longer periods of time, and Eliana suspects he is having many affairs.

Their tenant,Ross, moves in the villa and seems to take an interest in getting to know Eliana and her son well. When Alessio, who suffers from severe asthma, has a severe attack with it, it is Ross that rushes mother and son to the hospital to save his life. And from then on, Ross is always around. Eliana feeling lonesome, spends a lot of time with this gentleman, and as her marriage falls apart, you can guess what happens next.

It's predictable as to what will happen, but still is a good story.

Rating:
Summary: An Enduring Favourite...
Review: It is difficult, if not impossible to critically assess something you love. Subsequently, this review is not a critical assessment of character development or the other technical components of what makes a good book. This is a purely emotional, subjective and heartfelt reaction to a beautiful love story.

After reading "The Last Promise", I could not stop crying. For so many reasons. The sheer beauty of the prose - poetic and provocative. The descriptions of Florence were so evocative and real that I was often shocked to glance up from reading and not see Italy outside my window. Ross and Eliana ~ their passion and love were palpable. I loved them both; felt such a deep emptiness to have finished reading. The closer I came to the end the more frenetically I read, yet the more I wanted to savour each and every word. When the story ended I felt utterly bereft to no longer share their world. As I sat there with tears streaming down my face and clutching the book, my seven year old son wandered into the room and I had to explain to him how it is possible to miss people you don't even know, people who are characters in a book, yet real and living spirits in our hearts.

I am not often so deeply moved within the pages of a book, yet I identified with Eliana in so many ways. The line "Maybe there's another woman out there, another Eliana, trapped and wondering if life has forgotten her." How often I have felt that very sentiment. To read my thoughts written by someone else's hand was startling, yet comforting all at once. This book was my introduction to Richard Paul Evans. I have since enjoyed all of his books, though this one holds a special place in my heart.

I highly recommend "The Last Promise".

Rating:
Summary: Evans Is Never Disappointing
Review: Though not as good as some of Evan's books, this is lighter, but nonetheless thought provoking. Yes, his Italian is not quite accurate, but for an American hero, it is better than some might expect. Yes marriage is forever;however, even God acknowledges adultery as grounds for moving on with your life and Eliana's husband frequently changed lovers.

Her husband's only redemption.....his love for his son finally made him realize his own shortcomings and allowed both his son and Eliana to "move on to happiness".

Some reviewers have called it a "quick read" lacking in the emotional pull of some Evans' novel.......however, I read this book twice and find that if you read it fully....not quickly you will be surprised at the "meat" and emotional pull of this work. The beauty of Florence is touted thoroughly, but I would have liked to have had more incite of the harvest time and the people therewith.

In short and in retrospect...I would choose this book again for a romantic and heartwrenching story of a young, lovely, lonely woman whose husband's straying has left her with a life centered only on her son and her religion....everyone needs validation that they are not only needed but loved for themselves.

I recommend this book to anyone with tender heart....