Buckeye is a sweeping novel about two families whose lives become deeply intertwined in a small Ohio town before, during, and after WWII and the Vietnam War. An act of infidelity in the wake of VE Day celebrations sets off a decades-long connection and trauma that echoes through generations. This is a very real story that confronts uncomfortable truths about generational trauma, the costs of war, and what it means to come home from it—not just for soldiers, but for their families as well. I was sure I would love this book, since it ticks so many boxes for me: historical fiction, the ripple effects of war, character-driven storytelling, and a multi-generational family saga. I’ll admit it took me a little while to settle in—the story begins with the characters’ early years, and it wasn’t clear at first how everything would connect. But once it did, I was in, hook, line and sinker. I highly recommend Buckeye to fans of historical family dramas, especially readers of Kristin Hannah and William Kent Krueger—two of my favourite authors.

A slow-paced masterpiece focusing on the lives of two families and how their lives entwine after a long buried secret comes to light and affects each member of the families. When beginning the read it was hard to keep track of where we were in place and time with jumping from family to family with no obvious break, but once the backset of the story is established an engrossing story comes to life and is unputdownable. As the novel progresses we learn about the patriarchs and matriarchs and how their upbringing, life experiences and choices effect each and everyone they meet and bring into their lives. Although not so good decisions are made you can’t help but feel protective of them and sympathise when the secrets begin to be revealed and unforgivable choices are made. This isn’t one that I would normally pick up, but I’m so happy did. As the reader you are the only one privy to all the secrets held by each and every character. Their thoughts and feelings stay with you throughout and it’s like your physically in their space absorbing their emotions and energy. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury publishing for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Buckeye by Patrick Ryan This novel quietly drew me in and didn’t let go. Set across sixty years in a small Ohio town, Buckeye explores the lives of two families whose stories gently intertwine through time, touching on love, grief, forgiveness and the search for identity. The emotional depth of the characters was quietly explored. The storyline captured the intimacy and complexity of small town life with a calm confidence. The historical sweep adds weight, but the real strength is in how he brings to life the everyday family dynamics, secrets, and the slow work of understanding the people closest to us. Thoughtful, layered and full of subtle insight. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven fiction with heart.

This is a beautifully written , slow-paced, character-driven story focusing on the lives of two families in Ohio. The story is set across 40 years, from WW2 to the late 20th century and allows the reader to become fully immersed in all of the characters. Choices made by individuals reverberate across generations and lives continued to overlap decades later. Themes of sexuality, forgiveness, war, parenting, love, loss and relationships are sensitively explored and I was fully engaged with all of the different characters. The pacing was slightly questionable at times in my opinion but generally a very enjoyable read. I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.

A bit difficult to review this without giving too much of the plot away . In a fictional American town of Bonhomie this story works on the interaction between 2 families The Jenkins, Cal and Becky and the Salts, Margaret and Felix. The different upbringings of the 2 families start with Margaret having being brought up in an Orphanage until leaving at 18 to go and find work in the big city ,eventually meeting up with Felix and marrying him., Felix was a handsome young college graduate and through family connections got a well paid job and they moved to Bonhomie with his work. Beckie was the daughter of a successful businessman with a number of interests,including a Hardware Store where Cal got a job around the outbreak of WW2 , after he was unable to enlist due to a leg defect. His wife Beckie had the ability to see dead people and convey messages to their loved ones.. They had a son called Skip. Felix enlisted in the navy and was eventually in a shipwreck where he lost his "friend" Augie who drowned near him.Felix was reported as missing Margaret was interested in dancing and having a good time and at one stage went to the hardware store and met Cal and a sexual affair started which they ended as she found out Felix was coming home after being in Hospital for some time , around 9 months later their son Tom was born but Margaret was unsure of the father but later abandoned Felix and Tom and went back to the city life she used to enjoy,.As they grew older Skip and Tom became friends despite the2 year age difference. Later Skip had to do National Service in the Vietnam war , where he lost his life..A lot more to this story with very good characters involved.