The Last Valentine (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Susan Allison guided the rented Lexus slowly down the quiet, magnolia-lined Pasadena street, her fingernails tapping in annoyance against the console as she tried to..." (more)
Key Phrases: last valentine, ammo box, Union Station, Neil Thomas, Lieutenant Thomas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

On February 14, 1944, their first anniversary, Navy Lt. Neil Thomas bids his wife, Caroline, farewell at Union Station, Los Angeles. They never meet again. Before he can set eyes on the son born in his absence, Neil's fighter plane goes down in the Pacific. He is declared missing in action, but love never dies in this avowedly "inspirational" first novel from Utah executive Pratt. Each anniversary, Caroline returns to Union Station to await her husband. On their silver anniversary, two days after learning that Neil died a hero's death among Philippine partisans, she makes her final pilgrimage?with supernaturally happy results. The telling of the story by Neil Jr., himself a lonely widower, to cynical reporter Susan Allison, spawns a parallel romance. Originally self-published, the novel is steeped in roses and friendly songbirds. Pieces of the puzzle fall thuddingly into place. Sentence fragments abound. The point of view shifts alarmingly. Yet the book's sincerity is palpable, and the war scenes add a little grit to its anodyne message: that love triumphs over death. Doubleday Book Club and Literary Guild alternates; author tour.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Writer Neil Thomas Jr. wants to share his parents' love story with the world, and unenthusiastic TV reporter Susan Allison is given the "fluff" assignment. Unexpectedly intrigued, both by widower Thomas and his parents' story, Allison feels compelled to learn more about Lt. Neil Thomas Sr. and his wife, Caroline. The novel moves between 1944, with Lt. Thomas stationed in the Pacific and Caroline awaiting the birth of their child in Pasadena, and present-day California, where Susan and Neil Jr. fall in love as he describes events that took place 50 years ago. While the book would have benefited from tighter editing, the story is an interesting and moving one, and readers will be eager to learn how it all ends. Only the most cynical will feel that the word love is used a little too often. This sweet, nostalgic story is recommended for most public libraries. Motivational speaker Pratt's novel was originally self-published, selling over 10,000 copies and netting the author an agent and a major publisher.
-?Elizabeth Mellett, Brookline P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 274 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; First Edition edition (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312181213
• ISBN-13: 978-0312181215
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #337,934 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Last Valentine, November 7, 2003

By	Kyleigh Cowger (Martin, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Valentine (Mass Market Paperback)

THE LAST VALENTINE, written by James Michael Pratt is a book of faith, hope, devotion, and most of all never-ending love. A writer Neil Thomas Jr. wants to share the amazing story of the unconditional love his parents shared. Susan Allison just happens to be looking for a love story that she believes cannot exist. The story is of Lt. Neil Thomas and his wife, Caroline. Lt. Thomas must leave his wife and unborn child for war on their first anniversary, February 14, 1944. From Union Station, he gives her a long goodbye and a promise. For fifty years, on the very day they said good bye she returns to Union Station, hoping for the promise he made. On their fifith anniversary, just two days after finding out the true story of her husbands heroic death, she recieves his last valentine. The story of Neil Jr's parents gives him the hope that maybe he will be able to find a love as pure as the love his mother and father shared, and give Susan Allison the faith that there really is love that is strong enough to last through anything.
The Last Valentine was one of the best books I have ever read. At times, I would get confused when the book would continue changing from the past to the present and back to the past, I was unsure of what time era I was reading about. However, I really enjoyed how James Michael Pratt, the author, set up the reading of his book. Even though it could be confusing it allowed for me to understand the whole story. The book allowed for romance and the action of war to keep the story going and it allowed for me to feel and imagine what was happening during the whole book. I would recommend this book for people who don't mind emotional books, and who enjoy reading about romance continuing to last through the burden of World War II.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For all Cynics and Hopeless Romantics: READ THIS BOOK!!!, July 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Valentine (Mass Market Paperback)

You are reading the confessions of a reformed cynic. This book has a love story in it's purest form, without all the junk that sometimes clouds things. In it you see what true Love is, and it makes you hope. These are not the ramblings of some young love-sick girl, these are the words of someone who had lost faith in real, time-honored, make-it-through-at-any-cost love....this book restored that faith. A Thank you to Mr. Pratt for a novel that touched my heart.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Valentine, January 22, 2003

By	Mary Barrett (Nashville, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Valentine (Mass Market Paperback)

It was an emotional book to read with tears coming from my eyes as I read it. I got so involved in the book that I lost track of all time. I did not want to put it down. I have read The Paradise, Ticket Home, and I will be ordering your latest book, The Christ Report. I can't wait for your next book to come out.