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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In You Can Never Go Back by Lamar D. Vine, John looks back on a decades-long connection with his first love, Tammy. He first knew her as a teen, and it took many years for them to reconnect. She’s in a seemingly unhappy marriage, and he’s divorced. Their renewed contact begins with quick online messages and a simple coffee meetup. What seems casual soon turns into a not-so-innocent secret affair. They’re able to forget about their everyday lives and responsibilities during their weekends away. They begin traveling together, staying at hotels or attending various events. He lives a solitary life in the country with his animals, while her home life is strained by her husband’s lack of attention. There are moments of fun, but there are also some intense scenes leading up to a change John makes in his life. Will she leave her husband for him? Will their relationship last?
You Can Never Go Back by Lamar D. Vine first pulled me in with its intriguing cover. I really appreciated hearing about their relationship from a male perspective. I felt conflicted as I was reading, though, because while I know having an affair is bad, I couldn’t help but want John to find happiness. It almost felt like John was telling me the story personally, as if I were an old friend. The author doesn’t pretend their story is easy or normal, so that’s probably why I felt the way I did. It’s also a very engaging read, with plenty of details that will appeal to many readers. For example, the shape of Connecticut, where I live, was discussed. Fans of emotionally honest, character-driven stories about flawed adults, midlife reinvention, and complicated relationships will enjoy this book. This is the kind of story that lingers after the last page and might leave you thinking about the choices people make that you may or may not agree with.
