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Buckeye
One town. Two families. A secret that changes everything.
“A small-town novel of epic proportions” (Tom Perrotta), this captivating story weaves the intimate lives of two midwestern families across generations, from World War II to the late twentieth century.
“I love this book with my entire heart.”—Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful
In Bonhomie, Ohio, a stolen moment of passion, sparked in the exuberant aftermath of the Allied victory in Europe, binds Cal Jenkins, a man wounded not in war but by his inability to serve in it, to Margaret Salt, a woman trying to obscure her past. Cal’s wife, Becky, has a spiritual gift: She is a seer who can conjure the dead, helping families connect with those they’ve lost. Margaret’s husband, Felix, is serving on a Navy cargo ship, out of harm’s way—until a telegram suggests that the unthinkable might have happened.
Later, as the country reconstructs in the postwar boom, a secret grows in Bonhomie—but nothing stays buried forever in a small town. Against the backdrop of some of the most transformative decades in modern America, the consequences of that long-ago encounter ripple through the next generation of both families, compelling them to reexamine who they thought they were and what the future might hold.
Sweeping yet intimate, rich with piercing observation and the warmth that comes from profound understanding of the human spirit, Buckeye captures the universal longing for love and for goodness.
“A small-town novel of epic proportions” (Tom Perrotta), this captivating story weaves the intimate lives of two midwestern families across generations, from World War II to the late twentieth century.
“I love this book with my entire heart.”—Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful
In Bonhomie, Ohio, a stolen moment of passion, sparked in the exuberant aftermath of the Allied victory in Europe, binds Cal Jenkins, a man wounded not in war but by his inability to serve in it, to Margaret Salt, a woman trying to obscure her past. Cal’s wife, Becky, has a spiritual gift: She is a seer who can conjure the dead, helping families connect with those they’ve lost. Margaret’s husband, Felix, is serving on a Navy cargo ship, out of harm’s way—until a telegram suggests that the unthinkable might have happened.
Later, as the country reconstructs in the postwar boom, a secret grows in Bonhomie—but nothing stays buried forever in a small town. Against the backdrop of some of the most transformative decades in modern America, the consequences of that long-ago encounter ripple through the next generation of both families, compelling them to reexamine who they thought they were and what the future might hold.
Sweeping yet intimate, rich with piercing observation and the warmth that comes from profound understanding of the human spirit, Buckeye captures the universal longing for love and for goodness.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2025
2970 people are currently reading
52307 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
September 4, 2025
A sweeping story that starts in the 1920’s through to the 1970’s, in a town in the mid-west of Bonhomie, Ohio. A story of 2 couples whose lives become entangled.
We meet Cal who is symmetrically misaligned with his legs. Because of this, he is rejected from signing up for the war. Betsy, his wife, is a spiritual healer. She conducts seances to reach the dead to provide closure for her clients. But Cal doesn’t believe what she does is real and hence, a distance grows between them.
Then there is Margaret, who we meet, as a young baby orphaned by her birth mother. Felix, her spouse, is gay but he’s attempted to keep that life separate from theirs until he returns from the war and realizes how difficult the duality has become.
Two boys from each family develop a kindred spirit and become close friends. They become the glue that cements these families together.
Secrets and regrets the cornerstones to each of these characters.
Homosexuality; infidelity; identity; abandonment; grief; ultimately, forgiveness.
And time. A luxury we think we all have. Sometimes it seems to stretch out eternally; and at other times, its end is abrupt.
5⭐️
We meet Cal who is symmetrically misaligned with his legs. Because of this, he is rejected from signing up for the war. Betsy, his wife, is a spiritual healer. She conducts seances to reach the dead to provide closure for her clients. But Cal doesn’t believe what she does is real and hence, a distance grows between them.
Then there is Margaret, who we meet, as a young baby orphaned by her birth mother. Felix, her spouse, is gay but he’s attempted to keep that life separate from theirs until he returns from the war and realizes how difficult the duality has become.
Two boys from each family develop a kindred spirit and become close friends. They become the glue that cements these families together.
Secrets and regrets the cornerstones to each of these characters.
Homosexuality; infidelity; identity; abandonment; grief; ultimately, forgiveness.
And time. A luxury we think we all have. Sometimes it seems to stretch out eternally; and at other times, its end is abrupt.
5⭐️
September 6, 2025
This is an emotionally poignant and beautifully written novel that follows two families through four decades living in the fictional small town of Bonhomie, Ohio.
Set against the backdrop of both World War ll and the Vietnam war.
Secrets don’t stay private in a small town.. and there is a big one here.
Great characters that I will certainly continue to think about.
I really enjoyed this one!
Set against the backdrop of both World War ll and the Vietnam war.
Secrets don’t stay private in a small town.. and there is a big one here.
Great characters that I will certainly continue to think about.
I really enjoyed this one!
August 31, 2025
“The things that we love, tell us what we are.”
Buckeye paints a beautiful portrait of small-town America. Spanning from the 1930s through the 1960s, this multilayered, poignant tale had me captivated. The book touches on so many things: identity, loss, family, friends, and love.
Written with so much heart and tenderness, Buckeye is one of those remarkable stories that I will not be forgetting anytime soon. I loved each of the characters and Patrick wrote their flaws so beautifully. The characters are very dimensional and I loved how the author delved into their insecurities. Following them from childhood to adulthood, and even their children's lives, was such a delight.
I listened to the audiobook version which is read by the amazing Michael Crouch. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format.
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan will be available on September 2. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
Buckeye paints a beautiful portrait of small-town America. Spanning from the 1930s through the 1960s, this multilayered, poignant tale had me captivated. The book touches on so many things: identity, loss, family, friends, and love.
Written with so much heart and tenderness, Buckeye is one of those remarkable stories that I will not be forgetting anytime soon. I loved each of the characters and Patrick wrote their flaws so beautifully. The characters are very dimensional and I loved how the author delved into their insecurities. Following them from childhood to adulthood, and even their children's lives, was such a delight.
I listened to the audiobook version which is read by the amazing Michael Crouch. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format.
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan will be available on September 2. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
September 4, 2025
"One town. Two families. A secret that changes everything."
“A small-town novel of epic proportions” (Tom Perrotta), this captivating story weaves the intimate lives of two Midwestern families across generations, from World War II to the late twentieth century."
So much love for this book and can't wrap my mind around this debut without all the emotions spilling out. Well-worth the slow build and descriptors of every flawed but lovable character. It encircles the small towns of America with average people experiencing love, loss and forgiveness. The characters are fully fleshed out with their hopes and challenges. They suffered betrayal, but found forgiveness in the process of over 40 years. A small kiss between two strangers tentacles into consequences that reach generations.
In Bonhomie, Ohio, Cal and Becky Jenkins & Felix and Margaret Salt are entwined in a remarkable story, connecting and disconnecting them in everyday life moments. You can't miss this opportunity to see how one kiss can be endearing and misunderstood. Capturing moments from WWII through the Vietnam war, and how it brought these people together, which would leave a trail of guilt.
Outstanding writing and so much heart and love went into it. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this outstanding ARC.
“A small-town novel of epic proportions” (Tom Perrotta), this captivating story weaves the intimate lives of two Midwestern families across generations, from World War II to the late twentieth century."
So much love for this book and can't wrap my mind around this debut without all the emotions spilling out. Well-worth the slow build and descriptors of every flawed but lovable character. It encircles the small towns of America with average people experiencing love, loss and forgiveness. The characters are fully fleshed out with their hopes and challenges. They suffered betrayal, but found forgiveness in the process of over 40 years. A small kiss between two strangers tentacles into consequences that reach generations.
In Bonhomie, Ohio, Cal and Becky Jenkins & Felix and Margaret Salt are entwined in a remarkable story, connecting and disconnecting them in everyday life moments. You can't miss this opportunity to see how one kiss can be endearing and misunderstood. Capturing moments from WWII through the Vietnam war, and how it brought these people together, which would leave a trail of guilt.
Outstanding writing and so much heart and love went into it. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this outstanding ARC.
August 28, 2025
4.75 stars “Wise and heartbreaking” (Ann Napolitano), this captivating epic weaves the intimate lives of two Midwestern families across generations, from World War II to the late twentieth century."
This sweeping saga is an intimate portrait of two families in the small town of Bonhamie, Ohio, set against the backdrop of WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It follows the families over a period of forty years. You learn of their hopes and dreams, their talents, their challenges, and insecurities. We learn everything about the Salt and Jenkins families over the years and how they are inextricably linked together. The character development is flawless. You know each and every character completely, including their motivations and flaws.
This is literary fiction at its finest. Fully fleshed out characters, intimate moments, raw emotions, and thought-provoking pearls of wisdom woven throughout the novel. Themes of love and loss, grief and forgiveness, parent-child relationships, motivation, ambition, betrayal, and misunderstanding are superbly explored. This is a highly character driven novel that can move slowly at times so be aware of that. For fans of literary fiction, this is a must-read. Highly recommended by Ann Patchett, Ann Napolitano, and Chris Whitaker.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Patrick Ryan for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
This sweeping saga is an intimate portrait of two families in the small town of Bonhamie, Ohio, set against the backdrop of WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It follows the families over a period of forty years. You learn of their hopes and dreams, their talents, their challenges, and insecurities. We learn everything about the Salt and Jenkins families over the years and how they are inextricably linked together. The character development is flawless. You know each and every character completely, including their motivations and flaws.
This is literary fiction at its finest. Fully fleshed out characters, intimate moments, raw emotions, and thought-provoking pearls of wisdom woven throughout the novel. Themes of love and loss, grief and forgiveness, parent-child relationships, motivation, ambition, betrayal, and misunderstanding are superbly explored. This is a highly character driven novel that can move slowly at times so be aware of that. For fans of literary fiction, this is a must-read. Highly recommended by Ann Patchett, Ann Napolitano, and Chris Whitaker.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Patrick Ryan for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 10, 2025
“ The things that we love tell us what we are.”
“ Nothing is quite as maddening as being angry at people who lovingly understand your anger.”
Welcome to the town of Bonhomie- a small American town that has stories to tell.
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan is simply a brilliant human-driven emotional novel about the lives of two couples mainly told over a period of four decades.
This is the story of Cal and Becky and Margaret and Felix.This is a story of the joys, the challenges, the intricacies of relationships and the tragedies that befall everyone in their lives. ( The character of Everett, Carl’s father is a wonder)
It is also the story of two boys - Tom and Skip - the children whose worlds are impacted upon by the actions of the adults in their lives.
It would be easy to describe some of the plot but that would give away too much; this is a book to dive into and escape into the lives of others . Patrick Ryan captures the emotional fragility of all the characters - the happiness in single moments but also the things unsaid or never explored in life that indelibly leave their deep marks. The small details that describe scenes ,key events and individuals and are what make this novel so compelling
As will be said by many, if you like the work of Elizabeth Strout and Ann Tyler, then Buckeye is highly recommended but move comparisons aside Patrick Ryan has written a superb novel capturing the everyday of American life during the 1940s to the. 1970s. Weaving the impact of two wars - and the futility and damage of conflict - this is much more than simply a novel about the lives of the characters, this is an all-embracing story of love and humanity that we can all relate to.
Be prepared for an emotional journey that will hook you - not sentimental in any way- but should leave all readers reflecting upon about what is sometimes unsaid or said too late in life and the lasting impact .
Patrick Ryan has written a modern day classic .A triumph of a great American novel .
“ Nothing is quite as maddening as being angry at people who lovingly understand your anger.”
Welcome to the town of Bonhomie- a small American town that has stories to tell.
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan is simply a brilliant human-driven emotional novel about the lives of two couples mainly told over a period of four decades.
This is the story of Cal and Becky and Margaret and Felix.This is a story of the joys, the challenges, the intricacies of relationships and the tragedies that befall everyone in their lives. ( The character of Everett, Carl’s father is a wonder)
It is also the story of two boys - Tom and Skip - the children whose worlds are impacted upon by the actions of the adults in their lives.
It would be easy to describe some of the plot but that would give away too much; this is a book to dive into and escape into the lives of others . Patrick Ryan captures the emotional fragility of all the characters - the happiness in single moments but also the things unsaid or never explored in life that indelibly leave their deep marks. The small details that describe scenes ,key events and individuals and are what make this novel so compelling
As will be said by many, if you like the work of Elizabeth Strout and Ann Tyler, then Buckeye is highly recommended but move comparisons aside Patrick Ryan has written a superb novel capturing the everyday of American life during the 1940s to the. 1970s. Weaving the impact of two wars - and the futility and damage of conflict - this is much more than simply a novel about the lives of the characters, this is an all-embracing story of love and humanity that we can all relate to.
Be prepared for an emotional journey that will hook you - not sentimental in any way- but should leave all readers reflecting upon about what is sometimes unsaid or said too late in life and the lasting impact .
Patrick Ryan has written a modern day classic .A triumph of a great American novel .
August 27, 2025
This is going to be the generational trauma novel of the fall. It is Ohio's Forrest Gump, without the grandiosity.
Imagine you are looking at an American history book from around 1920-1976. Then zoom into Ohio, then a town of 6,000 people called Bonhomie. Then zoom further onto two interconnected families. Cal Jenkins was exempt from military service because one leg is longer than the other. He marries local girl Becky Hanover, who soon discovers a special gift. Margaret Anderson was an abandoned infant who grows up in a girls' orphanage. She is happy to marry Felix Salt, although they barely know each other, and soon he is off to war.
“Is the future knowable? Will our older selves be anything like our younger selves thought we would be? We can only find out by writing it down and then putting it out of our minds and letting life take its course. The unraveling of time should be mysterious, don’t you think?”
Sweeping long periods of time, this descriptive book hits on most major historical events and how they may be experienced by small town white America. If it has any faults, it is probably a bit nostalgic, but those moments are always followed by a reality of the time that leaves this reader grateful to have been born later. Several songs are mentioned that keep me moving along with the Jenkins and Salt families. Every storyline is sandwiched within the context of American history.
In many ways, it is the story of every midwestern town. The story explores patriotism, duty, honor, and what makes a family. Cal's father Everett often writes letters to the current president expressing his dissatisfaction, these letters make me wonder what my great grandfather would have written.
The characters are far from perfect, with the possible exception of Becky, they are flawed and afraid to be who they are meant to be. I think the characters will stay with me for a long time.
For fans of Long Island Compromise, The Celebrants, Same As it Ever Was, and Blue Sisters.
Here is my Hollywood Cast
Cal- Adam Driver
Felix- Jeremy Allen White
Becky- Anne Hathaway
Margaret- Emma Stone
Everett- Tom Hanks
I think it is high time to ask if you have noticed that the ones who do the talking in war are never the ones who do the dying?
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. Book to be published September 2, 2025.
Imagine you are looking at an American history book from around 1920-1976. Then zoom into Ohio, then a town of 6,000 people called Bonhomie. Then zoom further onto two interconnected families. Cal Jenkins was exempt from military service because one leg is longer than the other. He marries local girl Becky Hanover, who soon discovers a special gift. Margaret Anderson was an abandoned infant who grows up in a girls' orphanage. She is happy to marry Felix Salt, although they barely know each other, and soon he is off to war.
“Is the future knowable? Will our older selves be anything like our younger selves thought we would be? We can only find out by writing it down and then putting it out of our minds and letting life take its course. The unraveling of time should be mysterious, don’t you think?”
Sweeping long periods of time, this descriptive book hits on most major historical events and how they may be experienced by small town white America. If it has any faults, it is probably a bit nostalgic, but those moments are always followed by a reality of the time that leaves this reader grateful to have been born later. Several songs are mentioned that keep me moving along with the Jenkins and Salt families. Every storyline is sandwiched within the context of American history.
In many ways, it is the story of every midwestern town. The story explores patriotism, duty, honor, and what makes a family. Cal's father Everett often writes letters to the current president expressing his dissatisfaction, these letters make me wonder what my great grandfather would have written.
The characters are far from perfect, with the possible exception of Becky, they are flawed and afraid to be who they are meant to be. I think the characters will stay with me for a long time.
For fans of Long Island Compromise, The Celebrants, Same As it Ever Was, and Blue Sisters.
Here is my Hollywood Cast
Cal- Adam Driver
Felix- Jeremy Allen White
Becky- Anne Hathaway
Margaret- Emma Stone
Everett- Tom Hanks
I think it is high time to ask if you have noticed that the ones who do the talking in war are never the ones who do the dying?
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. Book to be published September 2, 2025.
September 7, 2025
Stunning work of literature. 📕
“What is it about time that confounds us? We spend it. We save it. We while it away. We kill it. We complain about not having enough of it; or having too much of it on our hands. We regret what we’ve done with it. We give it away. We want it back. We say “time and time again” when something is bothering us “it’s time” when something is supposed to end….all we should ever want of time is more of it.”
At 448 pages it is rare to say I didn’t want this to end. This was such a character driven novel that I wasn’t ready to say good-bye to the people I had come to love and others loathe.
War, grief, sexuality and family. This book encapsulates small town living with all that entails. The impact that war has on family and the deep seated PTSD which was so eloquently written about. In a small town, the need to hide from our own true selves as there is no such thing as a closeted secret.
….And yet, there was a secret. A secret that was held onto for far too long.
I think this would be an amazing bookclub pick. There are so many moral dilemmas, parenting issues and general topics that would make for excellent discussion.
A definitive all-time favourite book for me. I can see why this book is creating such a buzz. 🐝
“What is it about time that confounds us? We spend it. We save it. We while it away. We kill it. We complain about not having enough of it; or having too much of it on our hands. We regret what we’ve done with it. We give it away. We want it back. We say “time and time again” when something is bothering us “it’s time” when something is supposed to end….all we should ever want of time is more of it.”
At 448 pages it is rare to say I didn’t want this to end. This was such a character driven novel that I wasn’t ready to say good-bye to the people I had come to love and others loathe.
War, grief, sexuality and family. This book encapsulates small town living with all that entails. The impact that war has on family and the deep seated PTSD which was so eloquently written about. In a small town, the need to hide from our own true selves as there is no such thing as a closeted secret.
….And yet, there was a secret. A secret that was held onto for far too long.
I think this would be an amazing bookclub pick. There are so many moral dilemmas, parenting issues and general topics that would make for excellent discussion.
A definitive all-time favourite book for me. I can see why this book is creating such a buzz. 🐝
September 1, 2025
Two strangers meet have an innocent kiss as they hear of the end of World WarII. So the story begins in a small town in Ohio.
Cal Jenkins was unable to serve in WWII because of one of his legs was shorter than the other. He marries Becky who becomes a spiritualist, who can communicate with the dead.
We meet Margaret who had a very difficult childhood going from one foster family to another.
She marries Felix Salt who serves in the Navy. She receives a telegram that her husband’s ship has been attacked in the Philippines.
This is a sweeping novel of two families facing the turmoil of two wars and dealing with everyday life.
Beautifully written with well developed characters. This story will just draw you in to the atmosphere of a small town. It is a captivating story of love, loss and grief.
This story will stay with you for a long time.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.
Cal Jenkins was unable to serve in WWII because of one of his legs was shorter than the other. He marries Becky who becomes a spiritualist, who can communicate with the dead.
We meet Margaret who had a very difficult childhood going from one foster family to another.
She marries Felix Salt who serves in the Navy. She receives a telegram that her husband’s ship has been attacked in the Philippines.
This is a sweeping novel of two families facing the turmoil of two wars and dealing with everyday life.
Beautifully written with well developed characters. This story will just draw you in to the atmosphere of a small town. It is a captivating story of love, loss and grief.
This story will stay with you for a long time.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.
September 3, 2025
5⭐️ I can’t express how much I loved this book! Being from OH and a child of the tumultuous 60’s and 70’s, it’s like a slice of life so familiar to me!
This is a beautifully written character driven, multigenerational story that encompasses the periods before WWII til post Vietnam War. It’s the characters that breathe life into this portrait of two families. We follow Cal and Becky, Cal crippled by a short leg, Becky who speaks with the dead. Felix and Margaret, Felix trying to fit into societal norms, Margaret an orphan abandoned at birth. Each of these people carry their own secrets and burdens that perpetuate into the next generation.
It’s a story of love, heartbreak, loss, grief, and forgiveness.
I can’t recommend it enough! Sure to one of the best of 2025!
Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishers,for the eARC in exchange for my honest review, but most of all to the author Patrick Ryan for writing this touching beautiful book!
This is a beautifully written character driven, multigenerational story that encompasses the periods before WWII til post Vietnam War. It’s the characters that breathe life into this portrait of two families. We follow Cal and Becky, Cal crippled by a short leg, Becky who speaks with the dead. Felix and Margaret, Felix trying to fit into societal norms, Margaret an orphan abandoned at birth. Each of these people carry their own secrets and burdens that perpetuate into the next generation.
It’s a story of love, heartbreak, loss, grief, and forgiveness.
I can’t recommend it enough! Sure to one of the best of 2025!
Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishers,for the eARC in exchange for my honest review, but most of all to the author Patrick Ryan for writing this touching beautiful book!
May 18, 2025
By the time I’d read the first chapter of “Buckeye”, by Patrick Ryan, I suspected this historical novel was going to be character-driven, and that I was going to fall in love with every single one of them. I was right.
Following two families from just before WWII to just after Vietnam, Ryan has skillfully given us a “Great American Novel” to happily immerse ourselves in.
Two young couples, Cal and Becky Jenkins, and Felix and Margaret Salt, live in a small town called Bonhomie, just an hour away from Toledo, Ohio.
Cal was born with one leg shorter than the other, which, among other hardships, prevents him from serving in WWII. Becky can converse with the dead and does so to help people in grief to find forgiveness (a major theme of the novel is forgiveness.)
Margaret was left in a basket at an orphanage as a baby. In and out of foster care until she was eight, she was eventually raised by Lydia who ran the orphanage. She left the orphanage to live and work in Toledo when she was 18 and rarely looked back, except to wonder why her mother left her.
Felix joined the Navy and served in the war. His experience was harrowing and life changing.
Something happens during the war that causes these families to be forever enjoined, even though most of them won’t know it until many years later.
I don’t want to give away any of the excellent and propulsive plot points, except to say that it is totally believable, and fits squarely in the America of the time.
I will say how this book made me FEEL, though. Ryan’s beautiful writing gave me “all the feels”! Often amusing (Cal’s WWI veteran father could have come right out of a Richard Russo novel), sometimes suspenseful, always interesting in the historical details of the time, and by turns heartbreaking and hopeful.
Reading the story of mid-century America within the stories of two mid-western families, was a pleasure. You’ll want to pre-order this one! It will be ideal for Book Clubs because each of these characters make decisions that can be strongly debated!
Thanks to Random House for an ARC of this Great American Novel!
Following two families from just before WWII to just after Vietnam, Ryan has skillfully given us a “Great American Novel” to happily immerse ourselves in.
Two young couples, Cal and Becky Jenkins, and Felix and Margaret Salt, live in a small town called Bonhomie, just an hour away from Toledo, Ohio.
Cal was born with one leg shorter than the other, which, among other hardships, prevents him from serving in WWII. Becky can converse with the dead and does so to help people in grief to find forgiveness (a major theme of the novel is forgiveness.)
Margaret was left in a basket at an orphanage as a baby. In and out of foster care until she was eight, she was eventually raised by Lydia who ran the orphanage. She left the orphanage to live and work in Toledo when she was 18 and rarely looked back, except to wonder why her mother left her.
Felix joined the Navy and served in the war. His experience was harrowing and life changing.
Something happens during the war that causes these families to be forever enjoined, even though most of them won’t know it until many years later.
I don’t want to give away any of the excellent and propulsive plot points, except to say that it is totally believable, and fits squarely in the America of the time.
I will say how this book made me FEEL, though. Ryan’s beautiful writing gave me “all the feels”! Often amusing (Cal’s WWI veteran father could have come right out of a Richard Russo novel), sometimes suspenseful, always interesting in the historical details of the time, and by turns heartbreaking and hopeful.
Reading the story of mid-century America within the stories of two mid-western families, was a pleasure. You’ll want to pre-order this one! It will be ideal for Book Clubs because each of these characters make decisions that can be strongly debated!
Thanks to Random House for an ARC of this Great American Novel!
September 8, 2025
5 stars. Excellent.
March 29, 2025
Ask (for a great Ohio book) and ye shall receive. Old fashioned in all the right ways. [attach: photo of me in my Glory to Columbus sweatshirt] A really wonderful Midwestern yarn!
September 9, 2025
Buckeye 🌳
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Buckeye by Patrick Ryan {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 9.2.2025
Pages: 464
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
"This is why old people seem distant and distracted… we aren't living in the past but the past is living in us and it's talking"
The author provided the most intimate details of his characters' lives — he showed their greatest triumphs, their darkest moments, the words they wish they could take back, the moments that they wish they could live again, and the choices they wish they hadn't made. The world and history unfurled within the pages of this book, and I was present for so many moments in history, witnessing their impact on every character of Bonhomie, Ohio.
About halfway through, I took a break from listening because I felt myself starting to pull away from the story and wished that it were done, as the pacing slowed substantially, but then it picked right back up. In hindsight, the author formulated the story this way. Not every moment of life feels important, but when you look back on the life lived, they really all add up to the finite moments that make you who you are.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The audiobook is narrated by Michael Crouch, who has also narrated Northwoods, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and They Both Die at the End. Crouch was the perfect narrator for this book, bringing every emotion to the surface. I completely lost myself in the story and let his voice transport me into the book.
Read if you enjoy:
📖Character driven
🫶🏼Multi-generational
🩷Stories of forgiveness
I recommend reading Buckeye if you enjoyed reading The Dutch House by An Patchett.
______
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Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Buckeye by Patrick Ryan {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 9.2.2025
Pages: 464
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
"This is why old people seem distant and distracted… we aren't living in the past but the past is living in us and it's talking"
The author provided the most intimate details of his characters' lives — he showed their greatest triumphs, their darkest moments, the words they wish they could take back, the moments that they wish they could live again, and the choices they wish they hadn't made. The world and history unfurled within the pages of this book, and I was present for so many moments in history, witnessing their impact on every character of Bonhomie, Ohio.
About halfway through, I took a break from listening because I felt myself starting to pull away from the story and wished that it were done, as the pacing slowed substantially, but then it picked right back up. In hindsight, the author formulated the story this way. Not every moment of life feels important, but when you look back on the life lived, they really all add up to the finite moments that make you who you are.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The audiobook is narrated by Michael Crouch, who has also narrated Northwoods, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and They Both Die at the End. Crouch was the perfect narrator for this book, bringing every emotion to the surface. I completely lost myself in the story and let his voice transport me into the book.
Read if you enjoy:
📖Character driven
🫶🏼Multi-generational
🩷Stories of forgiveness
I recommend reading Buckeye if you enjoyed reading The Dutch House by An Patchett.
______
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August 21, 2025
“The things that we love tell us what we are.”
Once in a blue moon, a book comes along that rattles your heart, shakes you to your core, and brings you back to earth.
Buckeye is one of those rare books that does just that.
We meet Margaret, born under unfortunate circumstances, left on a doorstep at an orphanage in Ohio. Years later, we meet Felix, Cal and Becky, four people, all different in background and soul, and brought together in a sudden moment of desperation.
While WWII, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War is not the the center stage of Buckeye, it’s ever lasting impact takes a pivotal role. We see Felix join the Navy and is out to sea for years with little to no contact with Margaret. Becky, with the ability to speak with the dead, uses her special gift with people who want to ensure their loved ones are ok after dying in the war. Cal, who could not enlist because one leg is higher than other. Through the decades of war, we see two midwestern families in Bonhomie, OH, in a sweeping decades epic.
Yes, they’re all flawed characters, but who isn’t?
There are daily descriptions of life in the 40s and 50s thrown in with dramatic precision. History is thrown in without a whisper and you are swept away by the complexities of it all.
“A polio vaccine had finally been approved. A place called Disneyland had opened in California (two of Cal’s customers were taking their families all the way across the country just to see it). Tensions around integration in the South. had said segregation was illegal in schools. Bigotry seemed to be a right some people thought they earned by paying taxes, and they weren’t about to have that right taken away. A teenaged Black boy named Emmett Till had been brutally murdered in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman, and his mother had asked that pictures of his body be shown in the newspapers.”
As children enter the fold, along do parents, drug issues, homophobia, affairs, careers, education, big city versus suburb, and what seems to define the American dream. I absolutely loved this book, took my time reading it so I could devour every word from the fictional town Ryan created in Bonhomie.
“He says he was hoping you would find him. He says he loves you, Felix. He wants you to know that. And he says this—that you have to keep swimming. You’re the one in the water, and you’re the one who has to swim.”
Whatever Patrick Ryan writes next, I will be there. In the vein of Ann Napolitano and Claire Lombardo, Buckeye is a masterclass in contemporary fiction.
Once in a blue moon, a book comes along that rattles your heart, shakes you to your core, and brings you back to earth.
Buckeye is one of those rare books that does just that.
We meet Margaret, born under unfortunate circumstances, left on a doorstep at an orphanage in Ohio. Years later, we meet Felix, Cal and Becky, four people, all different in background and soul, and brought together in a sudden moment of desperation.
While WWII, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War is not the the center stage of Buckeye, it’s ever lasting impact takes a pivotal role. We see Felix join the Navy and is out to sea for years with little to no contact with Margaret. Becky, with the ability to speak with the dead, uses her special gift with people who want to ensure their loved ones are ok after dying in the war. Cal, who could not enlist because one leg is higher than other. Through the decades of war, we see two midwestern families in Bonhomie, OH, in a sweeping decades epic.
Yes, they’re all flawed characters, but who isn’t?
There are daily descriptions of life in the 40s and 50s thrown in with dramatic precision. History is thrown in without a whisper and you are swept away by the complexities of it all.
“A polio vaccine had finally been approved. A place called Disneyland had opened in California (two of Cal’s customers were taking their families all the way across the country just to see it). Tensions around integration in the South. had said segregation was illegal in schools. Bigotry seemed to be a right some people thought they earned by paying taxes, and they weren’t about to have that right taken away. A teenaged Black boy named Emmett Till had been brutally murdered in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman, and his mother had asked that pictures of his body be shown in the newspapers.”
As children enter the fold, along do parents, drug issues, homophobia, affairs, careers, education, big city versus suburb, and what seems to define the American dream. I absolutely loved this book, took my time reading it so I could devour every word from the fictional town Ryan created in Bonhomie.
“He says he was hoping you would find him. He says he loves you, Felix. He wants you to know that. And he says this—that you have to keep swimming. You’re the one in the water, and you’re the one who has to swim.”
Whatever Patrick Ryan writes next, I will be there. In the vein of Ann Napolitano and Claire Lombardo, Buckeye is a masterclass in contemporary fiction.
July 10, 2025
Fans of Hello Beautiful should run for this. 3.5 rounded up
September 9, 2025
Just the best kind of an immersive story that made me fall in love with reading decades ago. A modern story presented in classic fashion with no flourishes, just well crafted, good old fashioned storytelling. But with modern plot twists. Three generations of two families in smalltown midwestern USofA, examining the effects of PTSD from the First "World" War on through, secrets, a gay protagonist, missed opportunity. Easy to see why this is considered the prestige book of the Fall.
September 7, 2025
Could not have loved Buckeye more. So much to say on life, love, secrets, war, small town America, motherhood, marriage…’Secrets, regrets and apologies’…oh my goodness this is the whole package and I couldn’t have hugged it tighter. There’s so much love here and empathy lines like ‘The things we love tell us what we are’….ahh Great American Novel feels. I adored it
August 29, 2025
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.
This is a beautifully written novel that resonated deeply with me. The author's descriptive prose brought the story to life, while the characters were expertly developed and emotionally complex. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finding myself fully invested in the characters' journeys.
A compelling and heartfelt read. A true literary fiction. I highly reccomend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury ANZ for the opportunity to read and review this Advanced Release Copy.
This is a beautifully written novel that resonated deeply with me. The author's descriptive prose brought the story to life, while the characters were expertly developed and emotionally complex. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finding myself fully invested in the characters' journeys.
A compelling and heartfelt read. A true literary fiction. I highly reccomend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury ANZ for the opportunity to read and review this Advanced Release Copy.
September 2, 2025
Resharing my review from July — Happy Publication Day!
Wow. If you haven’t heard of Buckeye yet, get ready — it’s going to be everywhere this year when it releases in September. Patrick Ryan sets his story in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, but there’s nothing small about this sweeping, multigenerational work of historical fiction. It’s brimming with love, joy, and often heartbreaking sorrow. You don’t just read about these characters — you feel them, as they navigate a world transforming before their eyes and wrestle with what that change means for their quiet corner of America. It’s one of my favorite books of the year and easily one of the best I’ve read in a long time.
At the heart of the story is Cal, a young man growing up during World War II. Due to a physical disability, Cal is unable to join his friends as they head off to war — some of whom never return. Instead, he remains in Bonhomie, where he meets and falls for Becky, a girl who can speak to the dead, and begins working at her family’s hardware store. Their relationship unfolds with all the tenderness and turmoil of young love. But things take a turn when Cal meets Margaret Salt, a married woman whose husband is serving overseas. When Margaret visits the store with news that the war may be ending and her husband might return home, the lives of two families become unexpectedly and irrevocably intertwined.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its cast of characters — each one richly drawn, with hopes and flaws that feel deeply human. While Cal remains the emotional anchor, the narrative occasionally shifts perspectives, expanding backward and forward through time. This structure adds depth, though it can be a bit disorienting in Part One, where the timeline jumps and focus briefly drifts from Cal. A more linear progression or tighter weaving of these threads might have improved the pacing.
My only other quibble is with the ending — not in its emotional power, which is immense, but in how quickly it arrives. After spending so much time immersed in the lives of these characters, the final chapters feel slightly rushed. I found myself wishing for just a little more time with them before saying goodbye. Still, the impact is undeniable. The conclusion left me in tears — a mix of heartbreak and hope — and it stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
Buckeye is set to release later this year, and I have no doubt it will land on many "must-read" lists. It deserves every bit of praise it receives. Patrick Ryan clearly poured his heart into this story — from its central characters to its vivid portrayal of small-town Ohio, from WWII through Vietnam and all the joy and grief in between. As I reflect on this novel, I feel genuinely emotional leaving these characters behind. Their lives, their losses, their love — it all lingers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!
Wow. If you haven’t heard of Buckeye yet, get ready — it’s going to be everywhere this year when it releases in September. Patrick Ryan sets his story in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, but there’s nothing small about this sweeping, multigenerational work of historical fiction. It’s brimming with love, joy, and often heartbreaking sorrow. You don’t just read about these characters — you feel them, as they navigate a world transforming before their eyes and wrestle with what that change means for their quiet corner of America. It’s one of my favorite books of the year and easily one of the best I’ve read in a long time.
At the heart of the story is Cal, a young man growing up during World War II. Due to a physical disability, Cal is unable to join his friends as they head off to war — some of whom never return. Instead, he remains in Bonhomie, where he meets and falls for Becky, a girl who can speak to the dead, and begins working at her family’s hardware store. Their relationship unfolds with all the tenderness and turmoil of young love. But things take a turn when Cal meets Margaret Salt, a married woman whose husband is serving overseas. When Margaret visits the store with news that the war may be ending and her husband might return home, the lives of two families become unexpectedly and irrevocably intertwined.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its cast of characters — each one richly drawn, with hopes and flaws that feel deeply human. While Cal remains the emotional anchor, the narrative occasionally shifts perspectives, expanding backward and forward through time. This structure adds depth, though it can be a bit disorienting in Part One, where the timeline jumps and focus briefly drifts from Cal. A more linear progression or tighter weaving of these threads might have improved the pacing.
My only other quibble is with the ending — not in its emotional power, which is immense, but in how quickly it arrives. After spending so much time immersed in the lives of these characters, the final chapters feel slightly rushed. I found myself wishing for just a little more time with them before saying goodbye. Still, the impact is undeniable. The conclusion left me in tears — a mix of heartbreak and hope — and it stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
Buckeye is set to release later this year, and I have no doubt it will land on many "must-read" lists. It deserves every bit of praise it receives. Patrick Ryan clearly poured his heart into this story — from its central characters to its vivid portrayal of small-town Ohio, from WWII through Vietnam and all the joy and grief in between. As I reflect on this novel, I feel genuinely emotional leaving these characters behind. Their lives, their losses, their love — it all lingers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!
July 19, 2025
This was a novel that revealed its storyline quietly and slowly in a family saga that spans two generations in small town America, spanning World War II and the end of the Vietnam War. It's a novel with vividly drawn characters, all with their own motivations, wants and desires. And it's the desires that come to haunt them - is it better to keep a secret or, faced with living proof that desire has happened, come clean and face the repercussions? And if you do come clean, is there ever a right time to do it?
It was beautifully written in parts, and reminded me of the novel, Stoner. It had me thinking for several days afterwards about the consequences of reckless acts and repressed feelings, which has to be a good thing in a novel.
I enjoyed the first and third parts but struggled with the middle, hence I'm giving it three stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of Buckeye.
It was beautifully written in parts, and reminded me of the novel, Stoner. It had me thinking for several days afterwards about the consequences of reckless acts and repressed feelings, which has to be a good thing in a novel.
I enjoyed the first and third parts but struggled with the middle, hence I'm giving it three stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of Buckeye.
July 23, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. What a realistic and engrossing story! This book takes a look at two families over the decades and how they navigate life and all that comes with it, in their small town of Bonhomie. I found it relatable and nostalgic in so many ways. Cal was an endearing character for me. This book focused on the effects of so many current events that happened over the decades in America and it was fascinating to see its affect on the town and people but also how they cope. This is a very human novel in its purest form.
September 9, 2025
BUCKEYE
By Patrick Ryan
Read by Michael Crouch
A slow-paced family drama, Buckeye interweaves the lives of two married couples in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, over a span of thirty years. A chance encounter between Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt on VE Day sets the stage for this intimate and layered story.
We are introduced to Cal’s wife, Becky, who possesses a spiritual gift, and Margaret’s husband, Felix, who is serving aboard a Navy cargo ship. The consequences of a long-held secret become the thread that binds these families together. Can secrets remain buried forever?
Even though the story takes its time, I really enjoyed the journey. Patrick Ryan’s prose captures the emotional depth and realism of these nuanced characters. His descriptions are vivid—clear and deeply felt—bringing each moment to life. While the story begins slowly, the pace picks up noticeably in the final portion. I found myself liking some characters more than others, but Ryan does a superb job exploring the complexities of each one.
Michael Crouch‘s narration was perfectly done for this story. He leaned into the reflective tone, allowing the prose to speak for itself—and I really liked that.
Themes of family, identity, secrets, memory, war, marriage, and small town life are woven throughout. I look forward to seeing what Patrick Ryan does next.
By Patrick Ryan
Read by Michael Crouch
A slow-paced family drama, Buckeye interweaves the lives of two married couples in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, over a span of thirty years. A chance encounter between Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt on VE Day sets the stage for this intimate and layered story.
We are introduced to Cal’s wife, Becky, who possesses a spiritual gift, and Margaret’s husband, Felix, who is serving aboard a Navy cargo ship. The consequences of a long-held secret become the thread that binds these families together. Can secrets remain buried forever?
Even though the story takes its time, I really enjoyed the journey. Patrick Ryan’s prose captures the emotional depth and realism of these nuanced characters. His descriptions are vivid—clear and deeply felt—bringing each moment to life. While the story begins slowly, the pace picks up noticeably in the final portion. I found myself liking some characters more than others, but Ryan does a superb job exploring the complexities of each one.
Michael Crouch‘s narration was perfectly done for this story. He leaned into the reflective tone, allowing the prose to speak for itself—and I really liked that.
Themes of family, identity, secrets, memory, war, marriage, and small town life are woven throughout. I look forward to seeing what Patrick Ryan does next.
September 2, 2025
I SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS BOOK BUT I WILL TRY MY BEST!!!
Buckeye tells the story of the Jenkins and Salt families, whose lives are forever intertwined after an innocent kiss to celebrate the Allied victory in Europe during World War II.
I love going into books knowing as little of the plot as possible so I won’t go into more detail, but you can expect that many timeless themes - love, loss, identity, betrayal, forgiveness - are explored as the families navigate major moments in history along with their own private reckonings.
The story is vast and sweeping yet feels so intimate due to the incredible character development and the raw emotion that comes along with it. We get to know and understand all the characters, their motivations, and their flaws, and when I say I was *rooting* for everyone in this book, I mean it. (Do you know how rare that is?!)
This is historical fiction meets literary fiction, written in the most beautiful and compelling way. I could not put this book down, and this story, its characters, and its message will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Buckeye tells the story of the Jenkins and Salt families, whose lives are forever intertwined after an innocent kiss to celebrate the Allied victory in Europe during World War II.
I love going into books knowing as little of the plot as possible so I won’t go into more detail, but you can expect that many timeless themes - love, loss, identity, betrayal, forgiveness - are explored as the families navigate major moments in history along with their own private reckonings.
The story is vast and sweeping yet feels so intimate due to the incredible character development and the raw emotion that comes along with it. We get to know and understand all the characters, their motivations, and their flaws, and when I say I was *rooting* for everyone in this book, I mean it. (Do you know how rare that is?!)
This is historical fiction meets literary fiction, written in the most beautiful and compelling way. I could not put this book down, and this story, its characters, and its message will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
June 9, 2025
Big old sweeping, meaty, old-fashioned storytelling to sink your teeth into. Everyone’s mom is going to love this.
September 8, 2025
"And he says this—that you have to keep swimming. You're the one in the water, and you're the one who has to swim." (294)
August 12, 2025
4 ⭐️
BUCKEYE by Patrick Ryan
This was my first Patrick Ryan novel. Set mostly in Bonhomie, Ohio, two couples marry right before World War II, and their trajectories change due to the war and the culture of the time. Cal was born with one leg longer than the other, and he can’t serve in World War II. He marries Becky and works for her father in his hardware store. There he meets Margaret, an orphan whose husband Felix was sent off to serve in World War II.
This character-driven novel shows two generations of families - those facts they were born with (such as being abandoned as a baby) as well as those decisions they made.
➕ I liked the Ohio setting during World War II.
➕ I don’t think I ever really comprehended that the soldiers during World War II were the fathers of sons who ended up serving in Vietnam.
➕ The characters were interesting - flawed as well as having strengths.
➖ There were some paths that I wished the author had explored more, specifically Becky’s interest in seances and Margaret’s path after Tom got a little older. As this is a male author, I get that he was more curious (and capable) to follow Cal and Felix’s stories.
➖ While I enjoyed components of this novel greatly, I don’t think it came together in that 5 ⭐️ way that I wanted.
BUCKEYE publishes September 2, 2025. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
BUCKEYE by Patrick Ryan
This was my first Patrick Ryan novel. Set mostly in Bonhomie, Ohio, two couples marry right before World War II, and their trajectories change due to the war and the culture of the time. Cal was born with one leg longer than the other, and he can’t serve in World War II. He marries Becky and works for her father in his hardware store. There he meets Margaret, an orphan whose husband Felix was sent off to serve in World War II.
This character-driven novel shows two generations of families - those facts they were born with (such as being abandoned as a baby) as well as those decisions they made.
➕ I liked the Ohio setting during World War II.
➕ I don’t think I ever really comprehended that the soldiers during World War II were the fathers of sons who ended up serving in Vietnam.
➕ The characters were interesting - flawed as well as having strengths.
➖ There were some paths that I wished the author had explored more, specifically Becky’s interest in seances and Margaret’s path after Tom got a little older. As this is a male author, I get that he was more curious (and capable) to follow Cal and Felix’s stories.
➖ While I enjoyed components of this novel greatly, I don’t think it came together in that 5 ⭐️ way that I wanted.
BUCKEYE publishes September 2, 2025. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2025
This has become my top contender for my favorite 2025 read!
I just finished this book a few minutes ago and I still have teary eyes - BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT IT TO END!
Margaret Salt is a housewife, married to Felix, during WWII. While Felix is away, Margaret meets Cal Phillips and this chance encounter changes the course of their lives, their spouses' lives, and their children's lives. This book is about finding true love, forgiveness, fate, loss, grief, and how small decisions can have unimagined consequences.
I loved this book so much. Patrick Ryan was a master at character development. Seriously, by the end of the novel, I was so attached to these flawed, yet wonderfully loveable, characters. The book dealt with some tough topics - WWI, Vietnam, death, civil rights - but they were all done so well that even the difficult passages were beautifully written.
The book was divided into three sections, Pre-WWII, WWII, and Post-WWII. But before that scares some people away, this is not what I would really classify as historical fiction. The book's divisions were more centered on life events that just happened to coincide with the war. And I thought that dividing it into sections helped the reader to reset after the big events that end each section.
I have been sitting here trying to think of a single negative thing to say about this book to balance out the review. No book is absolutely perfect, of course, but this one has come pretty close. I laughed with these characters, cried with them, celebrated, and empathized. 5 ⭐s from me!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. The book is already out, so get your copy and start reading! You will not be disappointed!
I just finished this book a few minutes ago and I still have teary eyes - BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT IT TO END!
Margaret Salt is a housewife, married to Felix, during WWII. While Felix is away, Margaret meets Cal Phillips and this chance encounter changes the course of their lives, their spouses' lives, and their children's lives. This book is about finding true love, forgiveness, fate, loss, grief, and how small decisions can have unimagined consequences.
I loved this book so much. Patrick Ryan was a master at character development. Seriously, by the end of the novel, I was so attached to these flawed, yet wonderfully loveable, characters. The book dealt with some tough topics - WWI, Vietnam, death, civil rights - but they were all done so well that even the difficult passages were beautifully written.
The book was divided into three sections, Pre-WWII, WWII, and Post-WWII. But before that scares some people away, this is not what I would really classify as historical fiction. The book's divisions were more centered on life events that just happened to coincide with the war. And I thought that dividing it into sections helped the reader to reset after the big events that end each section.
I have been sitting here trying to think of a single negative thing to say about this book to balance out the review. No book is absolutely perfect, of course, but this one has come pretty close. I laughed with these characters, cried with them, celebrated, and empathized. 5 ⭐s from me!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. The book is already out, so get your copy and start reading! You will not be disappointed!
September 9, 2025
First, I was taken in by the beautiful cover. Then, the blurbs by my favorite Anns - of the Napolitano and Patchett varieties, that is - and next, its status as a Read with Jenna pick. Last but definitely not least, I was rendered speechless by the story itself. Patrick Ryan takes us on a beautiful, emotional journey through small-town America during the period between WWII and the Vietnam war. Its themes endure and remind us that we've overcome the unthinkable and can do it again. Cannot recommend enough!
September 3, 2025
I was intrigued by the premise of Buckeye, although I hadn’t heard of Patrick Ryan before, so I decided to give it a try. Overall, I enjoyed the read, though I found the pacing a little uneven in places and felt it could have benefited from some judicious pruning.
The story centres around two couples—Cal and Becky, and Margaret and Felix—whose lives intersect during World War II and again during America’s involvement in Vietnam. On the surface, their only connection is the friendship between their sons, but a buried secret threatens to unravel both marriages. Cal, unable to serve due to a physical deformity, remains home while Felix joins the Navy aboard a cargo ship. Years later, their sons follow in their fathers’ footsteps, serving in Vietnam, echoing the generational weight of war and consequence.
Buckeye is a quietly ambitious novel that explores how personal choices reverberate across generations. Though its pacing may test some readers’ patience, the emotional depth and historical scope make it a rewarding read for those who appreciate character-driven storytelling with a touch of the uncanny.
The story centres around two couples—Cal and Becky, and Margaret and Felix—whose lives intersect during World War II and again during America’s involvement in Vietnam. On the surface, their only connection is the friendship between their sons, but a buried secret threatens to unravel both marriages. Cal, unable to serve due to a physical deformity, remains home while Felix joins the Navy aboard a cargo ship. Years later, their sons follow in their fathers’ footsteps, serving in Vietnam, echoing the generational weight of war and consequence.
Buckeye is a quietly ambitious novel that explores how personal choices reverberate across generations. Though its pacing may test some readers’ patience, the emotional depth and historical scope make it a rewarding read for those who appreciate character-driven storytelling with a touch of the uncanny.
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