It began with an unexpected kiss. Cal was working at his father-in-law's hardware store when a beautiful red-haired young woman ran in and asked if he had a radio. He couldn't sell her one but he had one down in the store basement. As he maneuvered downstairs with his shorter leg stepping first, the woman followed him and mentioned that there was important news. Turning it on, they both heard that the war had ended in Europe-V-E Day! Surprisingly, she kissed him full on the lips.

Cal was married to Becky, a high school classmate of his from Bonhomie, Ohio. Both were small town people but Becky's family was fairly well off while Cal's mother had died when he was young, and his father was a hermit who lived in a cabin in the woods. Her father approved of Cal and gave them a nice prefab house in a good neighborhood and a job at the hardware store that paid well. They had a son, Skip, and were told that if Becky had a second child, she probably would die. Becky had a talent since childhood-she could communicate with the dead.  As an adult she helped people who were in mourning or had missing relatives, and she had many clients who needed her services during the war. She never charged for her readings.  Cal felt ashamed of his short leg as he could not participate in the armed services, and was falling into depression-that was before the kiss changed his life.

A few blocks away, Felix and Margaret lived with their son Tom, who was two years younger than Skip. Margaret came to Columbus from a tiny Ohio town, where she was raised in an orphanage-she was the only girl who was never adopted. With her green eyes and beautiful red hair, she immediately got a job and a lot of male attention, which she adored. A co-worker asked her to double date with her and her boyfriend's buddy, who was smitten by Margaret and chastely dated her before proposing. Felix was making a good salary in a management position and Margaret could have and do whatever she wanted. She grew to love the arts and culture of the big city and made friends easily. That life came to a halt when her husband was kicked upstairs, and Felix became the manager of a large plant in Bonhomie. While this was a good career move, Margaret found little to occupy her time-especially since Felix seemed unable and unwilling to satisfy her needs. When war broke out, Felix tried to enlist as a pilot, but was found to be color-blind. The Navy was happy to have him. He served on a transport boat, where he met a younger sailor who felt the same way about him, and they had a seven day R&R that tested their relationship. This soon came to an unfortunate end, and Felix came back to Bonhomie, a changed man. Tom was born nine months later.

Ryan weaves his four characters in and out of each other's lives in a way that almost seems like a complicated square dance. While the novel is beautifully written and has much to charm the reader, it is also a page-turner that I breathlessly whipped through, as I really wanted to know where it would go next. That is a rare combination. Known for his short stories, Ryan will now be known as a master of the novel-and you heard it here first!

This is a wonderful story of two families from the end of WWI through the Vietnam era. It tells the complexities of love, betrayal, friendship and the capacity to overcome greif and guilt with love and compassion.

I loved the way Patrick Ryan weaves the events of the time into the story to make it richer and believable.

Take the time to savor this book!

I would like to thank Random House and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. Buckeye is the story of 2families in a small town in Ohio. It spans the town from post World War 1, through World War 2, Korea, Viet Nam and the turbulent 70"s. There are 2 families, the Jenkins, Cal Becky and Skip, and the Salts, Felix, Margaret and Tom. The book traces their lives and the people around them. I liked the first part very much, and the characterizations were deep and ingratiating. The middle was a bit slow, then the end was, to my liking, rushed. However the writing through out was excellent and the story telling was clear. I really enjoyed this book.

Book Review: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
TBR September 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fantastic story! At times I cried 😭, at times I screamed out “Come on!”, and more than once I woke up my husband laughing out loud. 😂

Set in a small, growing town in Ohio called Bonhommie, this novel takes us through WWII to the Vietnam War. Through the lives of 4 main characters, we are immersed in the complexities of identity, marriage, war, and secrets that shape our lives. One moment in time has consequences that forever intertwine their lives in ways that are devastating and beautiful.

The writer skillfully weaves historical events through the novel, keeping the reader up-to-date with the time period. The characters were well fleshed out and the story was unforgettable. I feel like this was a combination of literary and historical fiction. I loved it and would highly recommend it. This was a five ⭐️ book for me. Thank you @NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

#PatrickRyan #Buckeye

I admire the author's ambition in attempting to cover roughly 40 yrs in these characters' lives. For the most part, he succeeds admirably. The time period (mid 20th century) is expertly conveyed. I found the pacing to be a bit uneven, especially as the beginning is slow to get going. But the characters steal the show here -- they are multi-faceted and flawed, and you'll find yourself changing sides as the narrative develops.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

This begins as a story of a multi-generational family, as well as a story of wars, both World War II as well as the Vietnam War. A story of how this affected the families involved, including their child's life as time passes over four decades.

A very touching story of the struggles of navigating lives.


Pub Date: 02 Sep 2025


Many thanks for the opportunity to read 'Buckeye' by Patrick Ryan

I was lucky enough to win an e-ARC of BUCKEYE by Patrick Ryan from a Shelf Awareness/Publisher's Weekly giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe and happy summer!

This book was good, but not what I expected. The description of this book promised me a multigenerational family saga. It was not that. From start of the book to the end was about 40 years. It followed two couples and their two sons, but the sons' adult lives were not really a main feature of the story, except for brief parts. I would classify this as historical fiction, because what it did highlight for me was the reality of the mid-20th century and how the various wars shaped the lives of people in America.
The characters were well-developed. I changed throughout the book as to which characters I "sided" with. They all had at least some flaws. But I did feel an attachment to them. This might be a book that once I sit with for a while, it grows on me more.

My main complaint is it is SLOW, especially in the first half. The event that is alluded to in the first sentence of the description of the book happens right about at the 50% point. A lot of backstory, some of which seems only marginally relevant to the story. The second half of the book spans the next 40 years.

I recently finished reading a 5-star book that I’m confident will make it to my list of the Top Three books of 2025. It’s set to be released on September 2, 2025.

Author Patrick Ryan weaves a captivating story about two families spanning from World War II to the Vietnam War. From the very beginning, I was drawn to these intricate characters. Ryan’s writing style kept me engrossed, and I couldn’t put the book down.

Fans of “Ask Again, Yes” will undoubtedly enjoy this book!

Wow, this is a multifaceted story with so many surprises that keep you wanting more.

The author handles all of the delicate situations tastefully, and I don’t remember any unwarranted language. This book covers so much, not sure I can give it justice in this review, how an orphan deals with being rejected, how a childless woman cares for so many, how dysfunctional families fall out on their children, and the baggage we carry throughout are lives based upon lack of communication, fear of discovery or not feeling our worth. It also takes us along with some government decisions, the Vietnam war, the draft, etc. But most of all, it is about love, the love we have for our parents, children, siblings, spouses and just for each other.

The ending was perfect, maybe not what I was expecting, but perfect.
High 5 stars for this one. I only had one con, a couple times the story jumped to the past, and it took me a minute to catch up. Otherwise, this is a great read! Well done, Mr. Ryan, well done!!!

This is my own opinion expressed in this review. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing.

If you are a lover of historical fiction, look for Buckeye, coming out September 2nd.

Patrick Ryan's new novel concentrates on two Ohio couples - Cal and Becky Jenkins and Margaret and Felix Salt - and how their lives become so intensely interconnected.

I loved the setting of the book, small town Ohio spanning four decades, from WW II to the fall of Vietnam. Moreso than dwelling on the actions in the wars, the novel concentrates on the effects the wars have on those who stay behind and those who return. Its plot is excellently crafted. You empathize with so many of its characters.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for this wonderful glimpse into these characters' lives during the four tumultuous decades of the '40s through our country's '70s.

A strong story of family, sacrifice, and how to navigate complicated those relationships. Starting before WWII and extending to the post-war era, Patrick Ryan captures the readers hearts.

3.5 stars generously rounded up. A multi-generational tale of Midwest families spanning decades. I enjoyed most of this story. Many of the characters were memorable and well-developed, and the personal journeys were realistic and well-crafted. But I struggled with some who seemed a major focus at the beginning, but petered out to obscurity/bit players in the end. And the main female character seemed to have very little character arc that demonstrated any kind of personal growth -- maybe that was the point of her though?

Overall, enjoyed, but was ready to be done by the end.

+++
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. The Jenkins and the Salts are two entirely different type of married couples. Cal Jenkins, who was born with one leg shorter than the other, is unable to serve in WWII. His wife, Rebecca, is a homemaker with the gift of being able to contact loved ones who have passed on, which is a comfort to the people that seek her out. Margaret Salt is an orphan from birth, trying to put her past far behind her and by marrying the handsome Felix she aims to complete her mission. Buckeye begins during WWII and follows the lives and the children of couples through the 1970's. An affair between Cal and Margaret leads to heartbreak in the future that is unimaginable. Felix has a secret of his own that's devastating. Buckeye is an excellent work of historical fiction with characters and lives that seem to have really existed.

An epic sweeping novel set against decades in Ohio, hence the title ‘Buckeye’ it tells the story of two families in fictional Bonhomie. Cal Jenkins, and Margaret Salt, a woman trying to obscure her past and Cal’s wife, Becky, who is a seer and 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. The novel spans WWII to the later part of the 20th century. Recommended for public libraries.

Once I started reading this book it was hard to put down. The characters bring you in and make you want to learn more. Sometimes I liked them and sometimes I didn't agree with them in a good way. The relationships and small town drama were very involved and twisted. The weaved in history was very good! Loved this book. Recommend.

Buckeye spans decades in the quiet town of Bonhomie, Ohio, tracing the fallout from one fateful moment between two couples: Cal and Becky Jenkins, and Margaret and Felix Salt. Cal, unable to serve in WWII, is haunted by what might have been, while Becky offers a spiritual gift that connects grieving families with the dead. As the town evolves and the country changes, the effects of that long-ago decision ripple across generations. It’s a novel of secrets, regret, community, chosen family, and the quiet heroism of enduring love.

While I appreciated the scope and themes (many of which are exactly the kind I typically enjoy) I struggled to stay engaged. Despite the richness of the setting and the emotional resonance of certain moments, the pacing felt slow for me, and I found myself losing interest at times. I don’t think this is a flaw in the writing, which is thoughtful and moving I just think this book wasn’t quite for me. Based on the other reviews I am definitely in the minority! And think maybe because of external factors it may just not be the right time for me to read it. I look forward to coming back to the novel in the future and re-reading again.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Patrick Ryan for a free e-ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweeping, somewhat old-fashioned social novel set in the MidWest and spanning the Depression, war years, the Fifties, and on into the near present. Although it's set against the major events of its era, it's thoroughly---and pleasingly==character-based. It's also a sad, moving tale of ambitions thwarted and compromises made. Ryan is a brilliantly talented author who can tell a tale with pace, suspense, and much empathy. He has a great future. I'm anxious to follow his work closely in the days to come.

What a gorgeous, glorious novel The characters stayed in my mind even when I wasn't reading it, and are still there now that I've finished. What better recommendation for a novel can there be than that? Patrick Ryan writes with such compassion and heart to create characters so real that you'll wonder if you've known them, and if you had, would you have the vision to have seen them as he does.

"Buckeye" is a wonder. So many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely loved Patrick Ryan’s Buckeye! What a rich, emotional ride. It’s filled with family secrets, tangled love stories, and the kind of historical depth that makes you feel like you’ve lived through generations. Each character felt so real, and I was constantly amazed at everything they endured—personal losses, sweeping historical events, heartbreak, healing. And somehow, they always managed to keep going. We need more books that capture the resilience of everyday lives like this. So thankful for Patrick Ryan and this beautiful, layered story.