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Lamar D. Vine is an American novelist whose raw, introspective works explore the lingering echoes of troubled childhoods, fractured families, and the quiet search for redemption.
His standalone novellas—Sanctuary Row, You Can Never Go Back, SHE, and Flashes of You—blend psychological depth with vivid coming-of-age stories, drawing from the grit of 1970s–80s America without relying on sequels or sensationalism.
A digital nomad currently based abroad, Vine writes with unflinching honesty about inner tension, resilience, and the moments that shape us forever.
Film/TV rights inquiries welcome.
Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
Flashes of You by Lamar Vine is a moving story that follows Quan, a 45-year-old Korean woman in a loveless marriage. She travels to Bangkok to help her daughter, Cindy, in her first days of university life, and all her daughter asks for as a present is a vintage Polaroid camera. What starts as a trip to get a gift for her daughter ends with resurfacing memories about a young love that she had put at the back of her mind. Quan is photographed by the camera seller, Jake, and the flash from the Polaroid camera makes her remember Johnnie, an American she fell in love with during her youth, who left her pregnant. Quan’s passion is reawakened as she starts making new memories through a forbidden affair.
Flashes of You is a story that will make you think about love, passion, regrets, and self-discovery. Quan’s story is about expressing suppressed emotions that she thought she did not have anymore. Many readers will resonate with her and her journey. I loved her relationship with her daughter, who is not judgmental but supportive, understanding her mother’s pain and sadness that she has kept hidden for years. Lamar Vine is very descriptive, transporting readers to Quan’s past and present, and capturing her feelings perfectly. The story is short and fast-paced, but it has depth and is impactful. The book has mature themes about family expectations, infidelity, and unplanned pregnancy. It also has intimate scenes. There is something alluring about forbidden love and finding someone who ignites a fire in you. Overall, this is a great read that will make you reflect on love, passion, and missed chances.
