We Won't Go Back

by Charlene Wexler

We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Charlene Wexler's Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb of Chicago, devoting her time to her husband and two teen daughters. When the Supreme Court signals that it is going to overturn Roe v. Wade, Babs’ life changes as she reunites with her late mother’s fellow activists from the 1970s to take up the fight for women’s rights once again. But family matters continue to intervene—a close relative's death, meeting a previously unknown half-brother, an unplanned pregnancy, and a nostalgic great aunt who wants her 100th birthday party to be a pilgrimage to the now-downtrodden South Shore community. Through it all comes a determination that We Won’t Go Back to a time when women lacked basic rights.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Bill Bike · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Charlene Wexler's Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb of Chicago, devoting her time to her husband and two teen daughters. When the Supreme Court signals that it is going to overturn Roe v. Wade, Babs’ life changes as she reunites with her late mother’s fellow activists from the 1970s to take up the fight for women’s rights once again. But family matters continue to intervene—a close relative's death, meeting a previously unknown half-brother, an unplanned pregnancy, and a nostalgic great aunt who wants her 100th birthday party to be a pilgrimage to the now-downtrodden South Shore community. Through it all comes a determination that We Won’t Go Back to a time when women lacked basic rights.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a powerful and engaging sequel to the author’s first book in this series. The balance between relatable character developments amongst the main cast of characters and the complex storylines that embody the realistic world we live in, at least in the United States, made this a powerful narrative to get lost in. The tension that the author was able to build in the characters’ interactions with one another helped elevate the emotional climaxes of each storyline as they all came together so naturally that readers could connect with each character’s struggles.

The critical themes this book embodied were so relevant and memorable that they became the heart of this novel overall. Themes including women’s rights, the political division that has grown exponentially in recent years, and the impact that it has on everyone from friendships and relationships to families as a whole, all played a role in the dynamics and struggles that these characters endured, including personal losses and shocking revelations, allowing readers to connect on a much more personal level to the characters themselves.

The Verdict

Moving, emotionally charged, and compelling, author Charlene Wexler’s “We Won’t Go Back” is a must-read women’s fiction and political fiction novel. The narrative's twists and turns, the relatability of the characters and their struggles, and the relevance to our modern world make this one book readers won’t want to put down.

[Randie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We Won’t Go Back" was a wonderful read. I loved every word. I previously read "Farewell to South Shore" and didn't want it to end. I was thrilled when "We Won't Go Back" came out, allowing me to continue the story. The protagonist was a devoted wife and mother whose life changed dramatically when the "Roe v Wade" decision was threatened to be overturned. She becomes immersed in the fight for women's rights, and must learn to balance her loyalties and passions in this changing culture. I felt like I was going through her challenges with her. Very relatable. Highly recommend.

[Amanda Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I thought it took a unique approach by weaving current events into the storyline, which made it feel timely and relevant. As someone from Illinois, I especially appreciated the references to real places in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs—it gave the story a familiar, authentic touch. My only wish is that a few of the loose ends had been tied up a bit more at the end. Overall, it was an engaging and thought-provoking read.