Oh, Buckeye. I have such a book hangover from this lovely historical fiction by Patrick Ryan about two couples in a small town in Ohio. When Cal – married to Becky – and Margaret – married to Felix – cross paths in a hardware store in the mid 1940s, all four lives are changed in ways that cause repercussions down the road for decades. I adored this novel, which is infused with empathy and kindness for these kind but tormented characters trying to do the right thing while staying true to themselves and getting what they need out of life. It’s about love, grief, forgiveness, sacrifice and the corrosive power of secrets. I also loved the hefty dose of American history from WWII through the mid 1970s. This is my favorite kind of book – character-driven, decades-spanning, kaleidoscopic and utterly satisfying. I wish I could start it all over again.