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The Last Valentine
Television reporter Susan Allison is looking for the perfect story about true love, yet she doubts where such a thing really exists, Neil Thomas, Jr. wants to share his parents' bittersweet love story with the world. On February 14, 1944, Caroline Thomas said good-bye to her beloved husband, a Navy pilot sent to the Pacific. For fifty years, she waited for him--until a miracle happened, and she received his last valentine. In the present day, when Susan and Neil meet, can the story of Neil's parents bring them together in a love as powerful as she dreams of and he remembers?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
February 13, 2014
Opening Line: "It had been exactly fifty years since she'd seen him."
This was just the perfect Valentine’s Day read. In the style of (The Notebook), a heartbreaker with flashbacks to the second World War, religious undertones and a love story that knows no bounds.
Betty White starred in the Hallmark movie version of this which is how I first became aware of the story. I liked the book even better though, even if it did jump around a lot with different time periods and up to 10 POV's including some very minor secondary characters. The battle scenes from the Philippians were particularly well done.
As well as the main 1940’s war time romance we’re also given a modern day older man/younger woman second chance romance (as the son of our couple tells his parents love story to a TV reporter) I enjoyed it equally as much.
The Last Valentine is just an all-round, beautiful, albeit bittersweet love story that left me believing in magic, requiring some tissues and unable to forget. Cheers ~4.5~
350jb45
This was just the perfect Valentine’s Day read. In the style of (The Notebook), a heartbreaker with flashbacks to the second World War, religious undertones and a love story that knows no bounds.
Betty White starred in the Hallmark movie version of this which is how I first became aware of the story. I liked the book even better though, even if it did jump around a lot with different time periods and up to 10 POV's including some very minor secondary characters. The battle scenes from the Philippians were particularly well done.
As well as the main 1940’s war time romance we’re also given a modern day older man/younger woman second chance romance (as the son of our couple tells his parents love story to a TV reporter) I enjoyed it equally as much.
The Last Valentine is just an all-round, beautiful, albeit bittersweet love story that left me believing in magic, requiring some tissues and unable to forget. Cheers ~4.5~
350jb45
March 25, 2008
If you enjoy romance without the "R" rated stuff then you will appreciate this awesome love story. I so appreciate a author who doesn’t need lewdness to sell romance, but can do it tenderly. If you are a romantic you can't help but love this story. I would completely trust Michael Pratt when I was in the mood to read romance.
April 23, 2009
Twoo wuv, the bread and butter of romance and inspirational fictional. Where would we be without that first moment of two strangers realizing they are soul mates. Now add put in a war to keep the lovers apart from their happily ever after and you either get a tragedy or you get schmaltz. The Last Valentine by James Michael Pratt is the latter.
February 14, 1944 Caroline Thomas says goodbye to her husband as he ships off the Pacific. They last embrace at Union Station in Los Angeles and he promises to be back in a year. Every year after that Caroline goes to the station to wait even though there is no evidence that he has survived the war. In the present, Caroline's son from that very short marriage tells this story of eternal love to a local television reporter and together they witness the miraculous return of the missing husband. Because of course twoo wuv transcends everything.
The World War Two pieces of the book are interesting. As a historical novel, The Last Valentine is pretty good. The details are convincing and the coverage of the war has some dramatic moments. Likewise, the reporter's skeptical approach the son's story has some mystery and could have been fine by itself. The weaving of the two together with the over-wrought theme of true love didn't work for me.
If Caroline and Neil had known each other longer and been married longer their love for each other would have felt more real. Caroline's devotion to a husband she knew only for a few months doesn't explain why after fifty years of waiting she hasn't moved on with her life. I know that present day me with nearly two decades of shard experiences with my husband would be far more willing to wait for him to return if he disappeared than I would have been at the start of our relationship. For a better and more believable example of transcendent true love, read Persistence of Memory by J. M. Snyder.
February 14, 1944 Caroline Thomas says goodbye to her husband as he ships off the Pacific. They last embrace at Union Station in Los Angeles and he promises to be back in a year. Every year after that Caroline goes to the station to wait even though there is no evidence that he has survived the war. In the present, Caroline's son from that very short marriage tells this story of eternal love to a local television reporter and together they witness the miraculous return of the missing husband. Because of course twoo wuv transcends everything.
The World War Two pieces of the book are interesting. As a historical novel, The Last Valentine is pretty good. The details are convincing and the coverage of the war has some dramatic moments. Likewise, the reporter's skeptical approach the son's story has some mystery and could have been fine by itself. The weaving of the two together with the over-wrought theme of true love didn't work for me.
If Caroline and Neil had known each other longer and been married longer their love for each other would have felt more real. Caroline's devotion to a husband she knew only for a few months doesn't explain why after fifty years of waiting she hasn't moved on with her life. I know that present day me with nearly two decades of shard experiences with my husband would be far more willing to wait for him to return if he disappeared than I would have been at the start of our relationship. For a better and more believable example of transcendent true love, read Persistence of Memory by J. M. Snyder.
September 3, 2013
"I love you isn't good enough- Not for you Caroline."
A beautifully written story that has a lot to teach you!
Full of important messages, poems, quotes...
Loving, strong and true characters that you'll fall in love with from the first page!!
I love both the book and the movie!!
“Once in a while, our thoughts drift and fade, back into the recessed hiding places where our memories are stored. At times we recall them- the memories of our loves, our youths, our life experiences. These dreams appear to us, and for seconds, minutes, or hours we are there once again."
Even roses have thorns!
If i had a boyfriend like Neil Thomas... I think i would be forever happy!!
Happy reading and.... don't forget ...
“Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.”
A beautifully written story that has a lot to teach you!
Full of important messages, poems, quotes...
Loving, strong and true characters that you'll fall in love with from the first page!!
I love both the book and the movie!!
“Once in a while, our thoughts drift and fade, back into the recessed hiding places where our memories are stored. At times we recall them- the memories of our loves, our youths, our life experiences. These dreams appear to us, and for seconds, minutes, or hours we are there once again."
Even roses have thorns!
If i had a boyfriend like Neil Thomas... I think i would be forever happy!!
Happy reading and.... don't forget ...
“Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.”
July 22, 2011
Well, most of my friends (the three active ones I have) would have been surprised to even see this book appear on my list. I feel inclined to explain myself:
My creative writing professor/mentor had given me a constructive criticism about my writing, well more about me as a person. “Cherylann, you have one problem: You are allergic to sentimentality.”
What I wanted to say was, “So?” but if this lack of emotion was negatively affecting my writing, I couldn’t afford to just ignore it. As much as I’d like to say I have reached my ultimate potential in creative writing, I really can’t. I also respect/adore my mentor, so instead of “So?” I said, “How can I fix it?”
She had a rather odd assignment for me: Read a sappy romance novel. I was picturing the books in the romantic section of Borders (R.I.P) with the women in clingy nightgowns and the half naked glistening centaur-men on the cover. She quickly clarified that she meant a “sweet” novel, not an erotic one.
Well, this book was the sappiest looking one I could find. It has some old looking love letters with a thornless rose covering them on the cover. The contents of the book were no more promising than the cover. The characters were utterly inhuman, every situation more cliché than the next. The parallel love stories just about threw me over the edge. Not only was the plot boring, I didn’t even care what happened to the characters. Unfortunately I cannot stop reading a book once I have started, a “virtue” my 4th grade teacher Mr. Ito instilled in me at an early age. Once I reached the last scene, the whole “going into the light” one I actually had to put it away for a few minutes, literally put it out of my sight, The only consolation was I didn’t waste money buying this book, I checked it out from the library.
I may be allergic to sentimentality; however if there is any caring in my cold, black heart, this certainly was not the book that could squeeze it out of me. In order to become sentimental about a character, that character has to be somewhat real. These characters were stagnant and typical. I probably would have been better off with the centaurs.
My creative writing professor/mentor had given me a constructive criticism about my writing, well more about me as a person. “Cherylann, you have one problem: You are allergic to sentimentality.”
What I wanted to say was, “So?” but if this lack of emotion was negatively affecting my writing, I couldn’t afford to just ignore it. As much as I’d like to say I have reached my ultimate potential in creative writing, I really can’t. I also respect/adore my mentor, so instead of “So?” I said, “How can I fix it?”
She had a rather odd assignment for me: Read a sappy romance novel. I was picturing the books in the romantic section of Borders (R.I.P) with the women in clingy nightgowns and the half naked glistening centaur-men on the cover. She quickly clarified that she meant a “sweet” novel, not an erotic one.
Well, this book was the sappiest looking one I could find. It has some old looking love letters with a thornless rose covering them on the cover. The contents of the book were no more promising than the cover. The characters were utterly inhuman, every situation more cliché than the next. The parallel love stories just about threw me over the edge. Not only was the plot boring, I didn’t even care what happened to the characters. Unfortunately I cannot stop reading a book once I have started, a “virtue” my 4th grade teacher Mr. Ito instilled in me at an early age. Once I reached the last scene, the whole “going into the light” one I actually had to put it away for a few minutes, literally put it out of my sight, The only consolation was I didn’t waste money buying this book, I checked it out from the library.
I may be allergic to sentimentality; however if there is any caring in my cold, black heart, this certainly was not the book that could squeeze it out of me. In order to become sentimental about a character, that character has to be somewhat real. These characters were stagnant and typical. I probably would have been better off with the centaurs.
February 1, 2011
It was kind of like "The Notebook" it was such a sweet short story. There was a hallmark movie based off this book starring Betty White as Caroline Thomas (older) and Jennifer Love Hewitt as Susan. The movie as per usual took some allowances and changed some of the stuff from the book but it was really good. I liked the book a lot, this is the first book I have ever read by this particular author. He's kind of like a Nicholas Sparks and James Patterson (Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas) and maybe even a touch of Nicholas Evans. I like these kind of stories. Especially since I don't like romances with any "R" rated material. It maybe fine for the movies, but I don't necessarily want to read about that stuff. It just has to fit really well in the story to make it work and not really have me care. But reading for once a nice clean romance was just what I needed for the month of Feb. This would even be a perfect valentine's day gift for a reader.
October 2, 2017
I already saw the movie before I read the book. And what can I say, both made me teary-eyed :P
Though the story is quite similar to "The Notebook", I like it because they have part where they mentioned Philippines and they have Filipino guerrillas cast involved which made me think of reading more about the Pacific War during World War II. Kinda bias about my comment but I really liked the story of the book. :)
Though the story is quite similar to "The Notebook", I like it because they have part where they mentioned Philippines and they have Filipino guerrillas cast involved which made me think of reading more about the Pacific War during World War II. Kinda bias about my comment but I really liked the story of the book. :)
October 28, 2017
this is a great book filled with inspiration and good values. It is also a tear jerker, but well worth reading
February 8, 2022
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded up to 5). This book was recommended to me for a book challenge I am doing this year…12 books for 12 months recommended by 12 friends. When I saw the title I knew it needed to be my pick for February. I love the cover of this book and I love the title. When you read any WWII romance novels, you need to prepare yourself for lots of tears and sadness. This was no exception. From the start, I immediately loved both Caroline and Neil’s characters. They had an amazing love story. Even though they only had one year together before Neil went off to war (and didn’t return as promised on their one year anniversary), their love still stretched over a 50 year time span. I love how the book was written. I could vividly picture Caroline making her yearly trip to the train station. I also liked that we were able to find out what happened to Neil throughout the whole story and not just at the end. Speaking of the ending….the conclusion of Caroline and Neil’s love story was so beautifully written. As far as why I knocked a half of a star off…well I felt like the parts with Susan and Neil (son) was just “added fluff”. Even through it’s not mentioned that much, I just didn’t think that it needed to be in there at all. In my opinion, the whole book should have focused only on Caroline and Neil. This was a beautiful book and I highly recommend it!
February 21, 2021
This book, let me express the feelings this book gave me. If you want a book to help you fall in love, real love - this is your book. I was a big fan of the movie several years a go and went out and bought the book to read. I just now picked up the book to read it and it left quite an impression on me. This book really holds true love to it. Each character is written so wonderfully that you can see who they are and how they adapt as the story changes. It is not a story about romance, it is about love.
August 10, 2021
I started it today but I can already tell it’s going to be way too cheesy and predictable. Not gonna finish this no thank u
June 28, 2022
sweet story line but not as good as I was expecting
August 21, 2022
The story from WWII deserves 4 stars, the modern story from the 1990s was way too sappy and melodramatic for me and earns 2 stars. So, I'm compromising on 3.
While I enjoyed the love story and the insights on what love really is, the idea that living your life alone for 50 years is showing more love and fidelity to a dead spouse than moving on and finding happiness again really rubs me the wrong way. There's no right way to grieve and self-imposed loneliness doesn't make you a better person. 🤷🏼♀️
If you're a sucker for sappy insta-love, you might enjoy it. If you really like WWII stories, you might enjoy it. If you like both, definitely give this one a try.
While I enjoyed the love story and the insights on what love really is, the idea that living your life alone for 50 years is showing more love and fidelity to a dead spouse than moving on and finding happiness again really rubs me the wrong way. There's no right way to grieve and self-imposed loneliness doesn't make you a better person. 🤷🏼♀️
If you're a sucker for sappy insta-love, you might enjoy it. If you really like WWII stories, you might enjoy it. If you like both, definitely give this one a try.
February 25, 2017
A very sweet story with lots of romance and a bit of history and action too. I need to watch the movie now.
May 11, 2011
The Last Valentine was overall a good book. Not great, not bad just good. First of all it was slow, so if you're looking for a suspenseful action-y book this isn't it. It was also predictable. By the second chapter I knew the two main characters would end up falling in love and living happily ever after. But- that is the sort of book that I enjoy so I liked it. It was an easy read, I got through it without a problem and I never dreaded reading it but I never encountered a time where I couldn't put it down. It gave some good historical information about WW1 while incorporating not one but two love stories. I liked that the book was told from two different time periods, it made it a little more interesting, gave some different insight into what was happening, and made it easier to understand the families history. The characters were easy to love, as they all had great personalities. So overall, I recommend this book- but if and only if it is the type of book you're looking for (a beach read chick-flick), as I feel that is the only way a person can enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2011
I'm a cheesy kind of girl, but this book was a bit too cheesy, even for me. ;) Still, it was a nice, quick read, with a good message about love. 3.5 stars.
I'm looking forward to watching the movie now.
Update 3/25/11:
I just watched the movie, which was a real tear jerker. I'm glad I read the book before seeing the movie. While I liked the book, I definitely thought the movie was better. There were some major differences between the two, and I liked certain elements of both. Good story.
I'm looking forward to watching the movie now.
Update 3/25/11:
I just watched the movie, which was a real tear jerker. I'm glad I read the book before seeing the movie. While I liked the book, I definitely thought the movie was better. There were some major differences between the two, and I liked certain elements of both. Good story.
April 14, 2012
I can't say the last time, or if ever, that I finished a book and immediately wanted to read it again. I'm not even sure what to say, well I do but I'm going to have to bring out my cheesy side and say it kind of made me believe in love. To be specific the kind of love Caroline and Neil shared.
My only complaint: it could have done without the side story of Neil Jr. and Susan. While I liked the few moments it took us away from the main story, I just didn't get it's point. Other then telling the reader what they were suppose to gain from the original story.
My only complaint: it could have done without the side story of Neil Jr. and Susan. While I liked the few moments it took us away from the main story, I just didn't get it's point. Other then telling the reader what they were suppose to gain from the original story.
August 25, 2011
Demasiado sentimentalismo en este libro!No es mi gusto y no tiene una secuencia (eso me vuelve loca)... A parte de que no me gustan las historias de Guerras... La canción de este libro sería: "Mi amor se fue a la guerra, que dolor que dolor que pena, mi amor se fue a la guerra y no se cuando vendra..."
Pero aún así no descartaría ver la movie =)
Pero aún así no descartaría ver la movie =)
June 26, 2012
I loved this book. It is a great World War II Love story. Like it had been said before, "It transports you back in time to the events and helps you immerse yourself into its emotions of the story."
This book has so many great quotes throughout, I had to write them down so I won't ever forget them.
This book has so many great quotes throughout, I had to write them down so I won't ever forget them.
June 24, 2014
As far as fictional love stories go, this one left me in tears. While you don't really get to "know" Caroline or the other supporting characters I believe that Neil Sr. carries the story well. I was moved by Neil Sr.'s conclusion, such a great character, it hurt to part with him. I could've done without the second romance, it was rushed and unnecessary but overall it had a satisfying ending.
June 3, 2018
One of my favorite books. A love story that stands the test of time. Set between modern day and WWII, Pratt weaves an intricate tale of love, loss and the redeemable value of hope. the film was good also but the book was much better.
February 15, 2011
I loved the movie on Hallmark Hall of Fame. Of course I cried! So when I seen the book I knew I had to read it. I cried reading the book, also. A great story.
September 1, 2011
a book in slow motion...
August 8, 2021
I wasn’t a fan of the insta-love component of this book, but it was emotional and described the author’s depth of feeling for the concept of love and family extending beyond the grave. That makes it worth reading.
Television Reporter Susan Allison is jaded and certain that love belongs to others and never to her. She draws an assignment to do a Valentine’s Day story about a 50-ear romance that survived the separation of the couple and the death of the husband in World War II.
Convinced the story will be a dud, Allison arrives at the house owned by Neil Thomas’s parents to do the interview with their surviving son, Neil, Jr.
This is a story within a story as you transport back to the 1940s and an extraordinary love between the couple. He dies on their second wedding anniversary, but not before leaving her some letters. She never stops loving him, and 50 years later, as an old dying woman, she goes to the train station in Los Angeles where they last saw one another.
This is an emotionally rich book, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether the author is a member of my faith, since his perspective on the eternal nature of the family struck familiar chords.
Television Reporter Susan Allison is jaded and certain that love belongs to others and never to her. She draws an assignment to do a Valentine’s Day story about a 50-ear romance that survived the separation of the couple and the death of the husband in World War II.
Convinced the story will be a dud, Allison arrives at the house owned by Neil Thomas’s parents to do the interview with their surviving son, Neil, Jr.
This is a story within a story as you transport back to the 1940s and an extraordinary love between the couple. He dies on their second wedding anniversary, but not before leaving her some letters. She never stops loving him, and 50 years later, as an old dying woman, she goes to the train station in Los Angeles where they last saw one another.
This is an emotionally rich book, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether the author is a member of my faith, since his perspective on the eternal nature of the family struck familiar chords.
May 23, 2017
1944, what would you do in times like this you don't know but there is just the most perfect story in the history of story's. in the present Susan Allison is looking for the perfect love story and she almost feels like giving up or should she keep trying.
Neil Thomas Jr want's to share his parents love story, knowing that it just might be the best, Neil Thomas has to leave his home and his wife.... 50 years in the future she receives her last valentine from her Neil and it is known to be the best romance story ever..
i love this book it makes you laugh, also makes you cry, a lot. but hey it is a love story. and i recommend lots of tissues, but it will all be worth it.
Neil Thomas Jr want's to share his parents love story, knowing that it just might be the best, Neil Thomas has to leave his home and his wife.... 50 years in the future she receives her last valentine from her Neil and it is known to be the best romance story ever..
i love this book it makes you laugh, also makes you cry, a lot. but hey it is a love story. and i recommend lots of tissues, but it will all be worth it.
March 14, 2022
This was a truly inspiring love story for News Reporter Susan Allison when she was looking for what she doubted could really exist...
Neil Thomas, Jr. was raised by his mom, Caroline Thomas, who taught him of the bittersweet love between her and his father, navy pilot in WW2 who was missing for 50 years. Every year on Valentines Day... their wedding anniversary... and one year to the day that Neil left to serve his country... she would sit in the train station and wait for him to keep his promise and come home to her.
Even though this is a work of fiction, I'm sure there were many such love stories back them.
Hallmark made a wonderful movie based on this...:)
Neil Thomas, Jr. was raised by his mom, Caroline Thomas, who taught him of the bittersweet love between her and his father, navy pilot in WW2 who was missing for 50 years. Every year on Valentines Day... their wedding anniversary... and one year to the day that Neil left to serve his country... she would sit in the train station and wait for him to keep his promise and come home to her.
Even though this is a work of fiction, I'm sure there were many such love stories back them.
Hallmark made a wonderful movie based on this...:)
June 6, 2024
I have to admit, I was skeptical about this book at first, and even through the first 100 pages. It just seemed like a simple love story that was scattered and clumsily pieced together. However, the last 100 pages brought the book full circle, and all of the pieces clicked into place.
The beginning of the book was definitely a bit confusing. I had a hard time discerning who was who and what time period the narration was in. It was also confusing to bounce back and forth between so many events. But, again, it all made sense at the end.
This was a cute, light romance that left me satisfied.
The beginning of the book was definitely a bit confusing. I had a hard time discerning who was who and what time period the narration was in. It was also confusing to bounce back and forth between so many events. But, again, it all made sense at the end.
This was a cute, light romance that left me satisfied.
October 14, 2020
An enduring love story that spans 50 years. Prior to their first anniversary, Neil and Caroline are separated by World War II. He promises to return and bring with him the Valentine that he carries with him. Caroline waits, until one day...
Sure to make you cry. My go-to book when I need a good cry!
Follow up reading this book by watching the Hallmark movie, The Lost Valentine, starring Betty White.
Sure to make you cry. My go-to book when I need a good cry!
Follow up reading this book by watching the Hallmark movie, The Lost Valentine, starring Betty White.
October 30, 2020
A beautiful love story set in the time of WWII. It not only was a love story between a man and a woman and how it endured from beyond but a love story about mankind; our hope for the future when there will be no hatred and war. Love cannot survive where there is no peace.
Lucinda at the Library
Lucinda at the Library
January 26, 2021
This was an absolutely beautiful story. When Susan is put on a Valentine assignment, she is taken on a journey through a beautiful love story that spans 50 years. Neil Thomas, Jr is a widower that wants to share his parents love story, the story of The Lost Valentine. Told between two life times, The Lost Valentine is the story of true love and loving with all your heart no matter the circumstances. Grab the tissues my friends.
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