Evergreen

Evergreen #1

by Buck Turner

Welcome to Evergreen... Cole Mercer is a young man angry at the world...and for good reason. At sixteen-years-old, he's forced to grow up fast when he loses his father in an air disaster that is front-page news for every paper in the country. To make matters worse, his mother informs him she is moving Cole and his younger sister from their home in Rochester, New York, to the small town of Evergreen, North Carolina. There, he struggles to keep his head above water in a sea of casseroles, bible-beaters, and southern drawls. Fortunately, Cole finds refuge in Amanda Davenport, the girl who lives in the house across the street. Recognizing Cole is a fish out of water, she befriends him and opens his eyes to life in a small town. But despite the beauty of his surroundings, Cole quickly realizes that lurking beneath the veneer of southern gentility is an unsolved triple homicide. And at the heart of it all is an enigmatic man of the mountain named Thaddeus Finch.

From Amazon bestselling author Buck Turner comes the coming-of-age novel, Evergreen . Follow Cole Mercer as he navigates the wilds of small town living, makes friends, and enemies, falls in love, and is forced to make a decision that will forever change his life and the lives of those around him.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Teen

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2012

About the author

Buck is a beloved storyteller, best known for his diverse writing style and subject matter. Author of the bestselling romance novels The Long Road Back To You and I'll Wait, Buck explores both the pleasure and the pain that come with finding that once-in-a-lifetime love, and the lengths we'll go to keep it.

As a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University, Buck holds a Fine Arts degree as well as an MBA. Having spent his childhood in East Tennessee, Buck focuses on what he knows best-the south, including its rich traditions, diverse characters, and religion. When he's not busy writing, Buck enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, fishing, drawing, and painting.

Reviews

[Lotta Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this ARC! All thoughts are my own!

🎉 Publication Date: 20th of January 2026 🎉

🤍 Tropes 🤍
🔞 Young Teens
🏘️ New Small Town
🏫 New Kid at School
🫆Murder Mystery
✞ Faith/Loss of Faith
🫂 Friendships
🤍Clean Romance
💥Shotgun - Key Plot Element
♟️ Chess - Key Plot Element

⚠️ Warnings ⚠️
╰➤ Aircraft Disaster - Resulting in Death
╰➤ Hurricanes/Storms
╰➤ Death & Terminal Sickness
╰➤ Murder
╰➤ Grief
╰➤ Divorce - Mentioned
╰➤ Bullying
╰➤ Theft
╰➤ Child Abuse
╰➤ Alcoholism
╰➤ Brawling
╰➤ Firearm
╰➤ Crude Language - Mild
╰➤ Faith References
╰➤ Supernatural Elements - Premonitions, Dreams, Healings, Miracles, Talisman, Unusual Lifespans, Selling of Soul. (Mostly from a Christian slant but some elements I believe would fall outside of that.)
╰➤ Terrible Nickname, if you know, you know XD

I really enjoyed this one! It is quite a short book but it does pack a punch!

I loved the small town vibes of Evergreen. Cole Mercer, our MMC, 16, find his whole life being uprooted from Rochester, New York after a tragic accident. This story is a coming of age tale of a young boy trying to deal with new friends, bullying, starting to think about dating, and what the future holds for him.

However, this small town of Evergreen that the MMC finds himself in holds secrets. I loved the murder mystery and detective elements of this story. It was so much fun trying to work out who did it!

I also enjoyed the commentary on Cole’s faith, or lack thereof, at different points in the story. There were moments of questioning, of losing faith, at difficult times in the MMC’s life. This seemed realistic to me and there was nothing cringy about the portrayal of faith in this book which I really liked!

The author’s writing style was great, the pages just pulled you in and kept you wanting more. I also really liked some of the author's description, like this one about the MMC’s anger:

‘I never really understood where my anger came from, like it was drawn from some mysterious well deep within my soul. But at that moment, regardless of where it began, it surged through me like electricity when you touch a live wire.’

I also really liked this description of faith in hard times:

‘ “I don’t think faith works like that,” she said gently. “It’s not like a magical spell that can prevent bad things from happening. It’s more of a compass, a guiding light during the darkest of times. It may not change the course of events but it can change the way you perceive and react to them.” ’

The friendship and rivalries between the MMC and the boys from Evergreen was also really fun. I really enjoyed how that all turned out.

The MMC’s grief for me was written well too, I thought. I always like it when the grief seems real to the characters. They say things they don’t mean. Anger is quick to rise. They act out. That is my experience of grief as a teenager and I was glad to see that in the MMC.

The supernatural element of the ‘Watchers’ was quite interesting to me as well and not something I have seen before in a book. ‘ “They are cursed, after all. Doomed to eternal longing, witnessing human life but never really partaking in it. But the old tales also say that they carry wisdom from their timeless existence. Wisdom born of sadness and regret.” ’

I’m still not sure about the Old Man Finch and what he actually is! Was he a watcher? Does that make him demonic? I’m not sure, but he definitely had supernatural powers if not was supernatural himself. He must have started out human? I wasn’t such a fan of the giving up your soul element. That was a bit dark for me personally. The ending of the book turned very supernatural which was surprising to me as most of the story didn’t seem to have any supernatural elements at all.

One thing that I did find a bit strange was that Tabitha (MMC's sister) and the MMC had almost no interactions together at all. It was like they did not live together. I almost feel like Tabitha should not have bothered being in the story as she added nothing to the plot and Cole spent no meaningful time with her at all. Having the MMC's mother there was enough I think, but that is just personal preference.

Pick up this one if you like a fast-paced, murder mystery style, coming of age stories!

Thanks all for reading!

🤍🤍🤍

[Joan mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read in YEARS

The story of a boy coming of age. It is his thoughts, trials, decisions. This book is about real love. The ultimate sacrifice. It is touching, funny, tragic, confusing and has the absolute best surprise ending ever. I don’t have words to describe what it made me feel. I. Crying over a story for the first time in a very long time. Read this story!!!

[Jan McAmis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never write reviews…

I read all the time - it agrees with my soul a lot more than the violent aggressive try too hard brand of entertainment via Netflix. All of the books go in and out of my kindle like a revolving door leaving me dizzy with the same old plots. But Buck Turner is one of the old fashioned storytellers- the Pat Conroy type. Everyone needs to read this man’s stories- I am. I’d like to meet him one day.

[F Parden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have numerous favorite authors, yet rarely do I leave a review. I have now read all, save one, of Buck Turners books. This author truly has a God given gift. I am not one to often shed tears when reaching the end of a novel, but this one got me. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Buck Turner.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGallery and Tantor Media for this Audio ARC
And of course Buck Turner!
This review contains NO spoilers! And all that is said is my honest and non-biased opinion.

I am not going to give spoilers or massive details of what happens in this book. That would be silly and counterproductive!

Release date for this book is 20th Jan 2026

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶 (only kissing)

Well, this book took me by surprise!
There are mentions of the following they may upset some readers:
- death
- guns
- religious beliefs
- aeroplane disaster resulting in death
- cancer
- hanging (not described, only the result)
- natural disasters (floods, storms)
- divorce
- child abuse (parent & child, brief sight of father fight with child)
- murder
- mystery deaths
- missing children

This is not a horror or thriller. This is ultimately a teen/ YA love story that has surprising twists and dilemmas that can happen in anyone's lives, but also includes mysterious deaths and Cole trying to achieve an honest outcome. But do not forget the Religious beliefs. The world building and character building are amazing, I felt like I was in this little town.

Single male POV.
Ending in a very surprising ending!

Would love it if this was written like a diary with dates and timings! but I very much enjoyed it. It was 3⭐️ until the twist at the end.

Thank you again to NetGallery And Tantor Media

#NetGallery #TantorMedia #EVERGREEN

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one took me by surprise. While I certainly went in expecting to enjoy it, I didn’t anticipate the emotional impact it would have. The story lingered with me long after I finished, and it’s one I’ll be enthusiastically recommending to teacher friends and parents to offer to their student and children. Though categorized as young adult, I think mature middle grade readers would absolutely embrace and enjoy it as well. I also especially appreciated the male protagonist; he’s a strong, thoughtful character and a wonderful role model for readers to connect with.

I consumed this via audiobook, expertly narrated by Alexander Cendese. He truly understands how to portray a teenage male voice without veering into caricature or sounding overly young. His tone and inflection pulled me fully into the story, keeping me engaged from start to finish.

The small-town atmosphere practically seeps from the pages, populated by familiar, almost stereotypical denizens that feel authentic rather than flat. Watching the MMC, Cole, navigate these relationships as the new kid from the big city was compelling and well done. The plot skillfully weaves together a coming-of-age story with paranormal elements, a sweet, age-appropriate romance (no spice), and a mystery that Cole and his friends set out to solve. Each subgenre is thoughtfully balanced, creating a cohesive and satisfying read for both younger readers and adults alike.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Tantor Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

[Karen Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprise is what this story is.

Big city life transitions into small town wonder, eclipsing ideas of secrets, mysteries, coming of age and the power to transform regrets into redemption, all with a little help of something called, Faith.

Standing up for what is right and believing in oneself, that one person, can truly make a difference, if 100% effort is put in.

If you’re a fan of old school young adult suspense, this gives off a tiny vibe of “Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators” with a slight macabre twist of some truly dark characters.

First time reading this author, pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for this arc and a new author to look forward too.

[Eloise Vermeulen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read in years. This one will stay with me for a very long time. It is beautifully written.

[Twobchelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story….

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A soul searching story

Such an interesting read. I loved the mystery of where the story was heading. While this is a story of young love, it is so much more. It’s about a son not knowing how to process a father’s death, a boy learning right from wrong, and understanding that whatever it takes you have to right your wrongs. Then the surprise ending of good verses evil and what will you choose.

So much to think about once you finish this read. It took me forever to get to sleep that night as the wheels turn in my head.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evergreen by Buck Turner is a YA coming of age tale with some spiritual overtones which I have to admit did not entirely work for me.
The book tells the story of Cole Mercer, a young man whose life comes crashing down when his pilot father is killed in a plane crash and he is forced to move with his mother and younger sister back to her home town of Evergreen, North Carolina. Settling in a new town and a new school is not easy but Cole does start to find his feet and make friends. When he learns about the disapperance of three teens from the area several years before, he decides to investigate which leads to him meeting the reclusive Old Man Finch, a strange and solitary man believed by some of the townsfolk to be involved with the disappearances. As the story unfolded it becomes clear that there is more to Finch than meets the eye and this was where the story lost my interest somewhat as I acively avoid books with religious overtones.
I am also confused as to who the target audience is for this book, the writing and level of spook seems aimed at the younger end of the teen market but some of the topics discussed include graphic depictions of physical abuse as well as discussions of alcoholism and terminal illness which would seem more appropriate for an older audience. I thought Cole's grief was depicted quite well but I wish we had seen more of his interactions with his family and how they were all coming to terms with the tragedy. I don't know why the author even bothered to give him a sister, she is barely mentioned except in passing. As for the romance , it really did not work for me , I strongly dislike when the female character is written to be "not like the other girls" and unfortunately this was the road the author went down. It feels outdated and cliche, which is shame as so few books in this genre are written from the male perspective. As the book ventured deeper into the religious aspects towards the end I was quite uncomfortable with some of the decisions Cole made.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[Traci Co · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a young adult story that has a little bit of young first love, a touch of high school drama, a bit of intense mystery, and a dash of paranormal happenings.

The story is primarily focused on Cole as he moves to a new town with his mother and younger sister, having to adjust to a new high school, make new friends, and ultimately assumes a mission to solve a murder that happened a couple of years before his arrival to town. The characters and their adventures provided me with a little bit of nostalgia as they would ride through town on their bikes, plan weekends to hang out, play games, and eat pizza, and simply experience small town living.

There are moments of abuse and bullying, as well as murder, so be aware of any triggers you might have in that regard. The intense details of these happenings are not the primary focus of the story - but are certainly a part of it.

The good guys are all likeable; the bad guys are what you need and want them to be so that you can adequately hope for their comeuppance. Cole, the main male character, starts out as an emotional and angry teen (appropriately so, all things considered), and the reader gets front row seats to watch him develop into his own while letting his compassionate personality come through. I have to say that I really liked how it ended; it wasn't what I expected and was a fun and interesting outcome.

The opinions expressed here are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and SourceBooks Fire for providing me with an advanced free e-copy of this book.

[Leslie Oberhaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal rating: 3.75 stars

This story had all the elements of home run read for me - a mystery, a sweet romance, supernatural elements, self-reflection, Christian themes, a southern setting, I could go on. I did enjoy it quite a bit but the thought that kept coming up as I was reading was, "This could be even better".

I felt that the pacing was off in some places -- Amanda's condition is barely touched on until late, some story elements are slow burn while others move quickly, etc. -- and that the story missed some chances to be even stronger. This was a rare case where I think a little bit more "tell" vs "show" would have been good - certain feelings, decisions, thoughts, developments are casually dropped into Cole's dialogue so often that it was distracting to me. The supernatural/spiritual element wasn't discussed very thoroughly and left the ending feeling confusing (keeping vague to avoid spoilers). I also thought that Amanda, for as large a part as she played in the book, felt like a caricature until very late in the book.

All this being said, I realize that this book is listed as YA, which may contribute to some of these aspects. I don't read a large amount of YA these days and I'm not sure if shorter page counts / less complicated story arcs and exposition are the norm at this time. (Ironically, I'm all about short page counts -- it is very rare that I'll say I would have liked more pages.)

Overall, I will definitely share this book and recommend it.

I received an early copy of this book for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buck Turner’s books are good with unusual and powerful storylines that always catch my attention and keep me fully engaged. Evergreen is a coming-of-age story with bits of fantasy added to Cole and Amanda’s relationship. A bittersweet story set in the small town of Evergreen with some heartbreaking moments, along with a variety of characters -- landing in both the good and bad categories.

The ending felt rushed and wasn’t clearly settled in my mind. I’ve found that to be the case with other books by Turner as well. He always leaves me pleading for a bit more.

The biggest negative with this author's work is the number of editing problems found in each book that I’ve read. I would love to see him get a better editor – his stories deserve much better than the poor quality they’ve been receiving.

I enjoy Turner’s creative writing style and the unique and interesting characters he brings to life on the pages of his books. I’ll continue making my way through his backlist and look forward to any new releases from him.

[LoveBooks2119 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buck Turner has a real gift for storytelling. In this novel he skillfully blends fantasy, religion, friendship, young love, and the challenges of loss and terminal illness. Although it’s categorized as a young adult book, I found Cole, the 16-year-old main character, easy to connect with regardless of age. His journey, personal growth, and the difficult moral choice he faces were thought-provoking. This story is memorable and leaves a lasting impression.
That said, I personally struggled with the narration of the other characters while listening to the audiobook. I think my experience might have been more enjoyable if I had read the physical book instead.
*The book has Christian themes and religious elements, but those aspects weren't mentioned in the synopsis or genre classification. It might help readers who are looking for specific themes to be forewarned about the religious context.*
I would like to thank the publisher and author for providing me with a complimentary advanced copy. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Fátima Chib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sending me this book!!
I went into this one expecting a quick young adult mistery with maybe a little romance but OH MY... This was so much more than that!!
Usually I'm not a fan of books mixing different genres or themes in a book but this one was done perfectly, you get the intriguing murder mistery in this small town, you get a beautiful romance and your pretty much are following our main character through all of the hard choices and unlikely alliances that he has to make along the way.
Also I did not expect this to be as emotional as it was!! It had me in tears at some parts with some really resonating quotes that talk to your soul.
This book is so much more than just a young adult book, this is a story that matures and evolves through heartache and faith, a story that shows you how life after all is a game of chess.

[JennaJustReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I knew nothing of the author or the book when I started it and was immediately sucked in. The characters are well defined and grew and developed over the story. I especially liked the relationship between Lenny and Cole. They were the two characters that grew the most. The murder mystery which drove a lot of the action was a little under-developed. It would have been nice to have that wrapped up a little more neatly. Learning more about Finch's background would also have added to the overall story.

I loved the ambiance of the book. In the same way the pacific northwest was another character in the Twilight series, so too are the woods and the town of Evergreen in Turner's story. This was a super fun read - very quick as I couldn't put it down. I will definitely been reading more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Media for the advanced copy.

[JoJo_theDodo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story started out slow and almost lost me about half way through. The setting is in the Bible belt, so there is a good amount of bible verses being thrown around and I didn't feel it was blended well with the story. It felt more like you were being preached at. About three quarters of way into the story it started to wind up a little, but the ending felt rushed. I wasn't a big fan of the narrator, I'm not sure if it was something in the tone or maybe I just didn't feel like the voice matched the main character or especially the female characters very well.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Emma Ferrier · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

I don't know how to categorise this book but romance would not be my first choice. I thought it was going to be a good mystery, maybe a thriller but then it became like some sort of biblical fantasy at the end?? I am so lost.

This primarily lost stars from me due to the narrator. Maybe it's how the book is written but it felt like he was skipping over pauses for breaths and it just didn't flow nicely at parts. He also put on a voice for female characters I found really grating and I nearly DNF'd very early on.
I don't wish I had DNF'd but I'm going to forget about this book unfortunately.

[Kayla Siebert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was weird… but interesting. It kind of felt like I was reading 3 stories in one. I think the premise was captivating, but written in a choppy way. So much happened in, what, a years time? If the book was fleshed out a bit more, it might have had better flow..? The typo errors killed me, as these type of books often do, making me wish I could be an editor for everyone. Also in a coming of age book, I didn’t realize death would be such a main element. So much death! It was depressing. Interesting concept and characters, but unfortunately… not well executed, in my opinion.

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the plot of the story and found it really engaging at first, but sadly this book just wasn’t for me. I honestly believe it was the narration. The narrator didn’t bring the story to life. It felt flat and the voices didn’t match the characters, specifically the narrator’s female voice.

I plan to read a physical copy and hope that will improve my reading experience. This book has promise, but the narration does absolutely nothing for me. Sadly, I cannot recommend this audiobook.

[Ashli Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evergreen by Buck Turner is a beautifully told coming-of-age story with a haunting twist. Cole Mercer’s grief feels raw and real, and the quiet town of Evergreen, North Carolina, holds far more than it first appears — especially the surrounding forest, which feels alive with secrets.
The southern charm, slow-burn romance, and creeping unease are perfectly balanced, and the love story at the heart of the novel lingers long after it ends. Alexander Cendese’s narration adds depth and warmth, making this an especially strong audiobook experience. Atmospheric, emotional, and memorable.

[Scott Lovelace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the best YA coming of age books that I have read in quite a while. New kid in town, Cole, is struggling with the decision his mother made to move back to her hometown. Welcome to Evergreen North Carolina. Cole is finally making friends and finding his way in the new town. He even forms a friendship with the town recluse Mr Finch, whom many of the town believe that he is responsible for the murder of three people. This book has it all, suspense, drama, first love, religion, secrets and so much more. This was a very enjoyable and entertaining book.

[Julie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story of a young man who at a young age loses his father and his whole world is turned upside down. He has to deal with a move to a very rural area, being the new kid, and then understanding his feelings. It is a love story - boy meets girl and boy meets God. The ending of the book has more religious under tones then the beginning and as a surprise ending. Book is well written with compelling characters.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better every time

I have read one after the other of Mr. Turner's books. Each time I think this was the best. As tears stream down my face, and I remember my life and the life I just read, I'm amazed that God gave Buck Turner a gift that can turn black words on white paper in to people's story's I will never forget! Thank you Mr. Turner for portraying the meaning of true undying love!

[MEL Oh My That’s a lot of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evergreen by Buck Turner tells a grounded, emotional story about confronting the past and finding a way forward when life feels stuck on pause. As the narrative unfolds, relationships, choices, and long-buried truths come into focus, pulling you into a journey that feels real and deeply human. The story is steady, reflective, and quietly gripping, making it easy to get invested in the characters and where they end up. A thoughtful read that stays with you once it’s over.

[Jessica]

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

I was so intrigued by the premise of this book, but unfortunately, I ended up stopping at the 23% mark.

I'm disappointed that I didn't like this because it sounded interesting. It's set in a small town in NC in the 1980s and has a male protagonist. Unfortunately, | just didn't like the writing style. It also deals with some very heavy topics early on in the story.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small town, a young man, come together to learn and grow and find their fate together. Growing up is hard, but with wisdom from “a friend”, and challenges in his path he becomes who he is.
Enjoyed the narration of this story. Flowed smoothly and it felt like someone was reading the story to me.

[Wanell Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! All I can say is read it!!

WOW!!! All I can say is read it!!! No where near the type of books I normally read… but could not put it down…I am not sure I will ever understand the ending!!
Thank you Buck Turner for such an awesome book as have all your books have been… now waiting on book 2 on the Silver Falls series!

[Rob Grieshaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely astounding

First I thought I'd mischosen a book for young adults, but soon I realized this book is for those of us old enough to understand the depth and complexities of the life we're dealt. This is a wonderful book and I'll be certain to read more of Mr. Turner's work.