Small Town

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan is a slow, steady read delving into different family relationships.

I finished this book a couple weeks ago so my memory is a bit fuzzy! Here goes-

Multiple character perspectives are explored as their lives eventually intertwine in unexpected ways.

There is the beautiful orphan Margaret who eventually finds love with the very dependable and handsome Felix. Their relationship lacks passion which readers discover is due to Felix being gay. He discovers love and loss while at war. He returns a shell of himself which creates further tension in his marriage. They conceive a son, Tom, shortly after his return, but Margaret knows he has another potential father, Cal. Cal works in the local hardware store.

Cal’s wife Becky is the local medium. She is able to communicate with spirits and offers her services for free. They have a son named Skip. Eventually, their families crash together when Felix begins visiting her hoping to connect with his deceased love. The truth finds its way out and Margaret ends up leaving Felix and her son.

As mentioned, this is a complex story with many characters and rich detail. It is a story of love, loss, betrayal, family and war.