The Last Promise

Rating:
Summary: Unremarkable Love Story
Review: 3.5 Stars would be more accurate. I was reminded of Nicholas Sparks while reading it, but Evans fell short of the 4 star mark that I began to anticipate. Publishers Weekly did an excellent summary, but after reading the book, I don't feel that I know much more about what is probably a beautiful story. It just doesn't live up to its potential. His descriptions occasionally evoked beautiful images of Italy, but more often fell flat. It wasn't precisely a waste of time, but the hardcover was a waste of money.

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: 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: 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....

Rating:
Summary: i fell in love w/this story
Review: Wow. I absolutely loved this book! After reading it, I had a new goal in life...to go to Italy & paint. The story was so beautifully told, and told so well! Anyway,an artitst named Eliana is a mother to an asthmatic little boy named Alessio. Her husband(Maurizo) is never home. He's always out on business or w/someone else. One day, an American art buff named Ross Story moves in to the apartments that Eliana's husband owns in the Italian countryside. THe two are immediatly attracted to eachother, but allow some time to let them fall in love. The only complication is that now Maurizio is jealous. Can Eliana find a way for her & her son to escape her terrible marraige? Can they find a happy life with Ross? I admired the incredible depth of the characters in this story. They were wonderful and believeable. I liked how this wasn't an "everything is going according to plan" book, because since it wasn't, it was much more believeable and unpredictable. READ