One Way Street by R. L. Herron is about the lives of people living in Reichold Street, a typical residential neighborhood in the city of Brickdale. Paul grows up in this street and he shares fond and not so fond memories of the other boys he grew up with. When his family moves out, Paul realizes that one of the reasons why Reichold Street is different from his new neighborhood is because Albert lives there. Coming from a dysfunctional family, Albert is a troubled young man who is the neighborhood thug. As a newcomer, he beats Puz, who used to be the unbeatable neighborhood toughie. The story continues in the Vietnam War when countless young Americans are sent to the horrors of a protracted war. When Albert dies in the war, Paul finds himself volunteering and, luckily, he survives the war. But will he survive civilian life back home in the US?

One Way Street is the second book written by R. L. Herron whose first novel, Reichold Street, is a 2012 Readers Favorite Gold Medal winner, endorsed by Compulsion Reads. In the first few pages, the author delights his readers with the narration of youthful indiscretions that remind us of our own childhood memories. The narrative is told in the first person perspective and this gives the feeling of intimacy between the storyteller and the reader. As Paul, the narrator continues and there is also a growing maturity in his voice. So we follow him as he finishes school, goes to the Vietnam War, settles down as an up and coming author, and the day he suffers the greatest loss in his life. Through all this, he returns intermittently to Reichold Street, seemingly to keep in touch with a childhood memory that haunts him throughout his life. With his life in danger, he will discover a painful truth that will change his life forever. This is a mesmerizing thriller that can haunt you long after you put the book down.

After praying for years that he doesn't get drafted to the military, Paul finally finished college and he knew the inevitable would now happen. Instead of waiting around to be drafted, he opted to voluntarily enlist; after all, he felt like he owed it to his old friend Albert who was killed in Vietnam. After three months of intensive training, he was sent off to Vietnam where he took part in a very grisly covert mission which succeeded, but not before claiming several lives on both sides and taking part of Paul's soul with it. Paul finally got to go back home as a civilian, but the atrocities that he had witnessed in Vietnam went back with him. Paul came back, a broken man, to a community that did not understand and he had no one to talk to. Finally he started rebuilding his life, fulfilling dreams he did not even know he had, falling in love and surviving tragic losses.

One Way Street by Ronald L. Herron is an emotional story that details years of a young man's struggle to find his place in a messed-up world. From the very beginning of the book, I could clearly sense Paul's pain as he narrated his story: from his life with Albert, his family shifting, him going to college, Albert's death, going away to Vietnam and then back, and trying to make a connection with his past life. The minute-by-minute account of Paul's life gives you a clear view into his burdened soul as he tried to give meaning to his life. The pain he went through in the process is so heartbreaking and his triumphs are simply stirring.

It's magical when an author can visually transport you back in time so that you can be a part of the story. This is what Ron L. Herron has been able to do with his Reichold Street series. His first book introduced us to the inhabitants of Reichold Street, letting us gain insight into their personal lives. In 'One Way Street' Herron focuses more on Paul and expertly weaves a path through the complexities of the Vietnam War and its aftermath.

Just when you think you are comfortable in the story, he cautiously slips in a warning sign of potential danger ahead. I was thoroughly immersed in the story and the ending twist didn't disappoint. Ron Herron is a true storyteller and I eagerly await the next segment of his series.

I thouroughly enjoyed this sequel to 'Reichold Street.' It brought me on a roller coaster ride of emotions through believable plot, characters, and story line - all the way through -- culminating in an intense ending! Give this book a read - it will be well worth your time! I am looking forward to more stories from R.L Herron.