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The Long Road Back to You: A Novel
It only takes a moment to fall in love with someone, but a lifetime to forget them!
Prepare to be swept away by the mesmerizing storytelling of award-winning author Buck Turner, as he unravels a tale of love, sacrifice, and second chances in the heart-wrenching novel, The Long Road Back to You.
In the small town of Greeneville, TN, the young and spirited Charlie Ross had everything—a bright future, a devoted sweetheart in Anna Cochran, and dreams that reached for the stars. But when duty calls and Charlie is thrust into the chaos of the Vietnam War, their once unbreakable bond is tested beyond measure. Anna's unwavering pledge to wait for his return is shattered with the devastating news of his capture and presumed death.
Years later, as Charlie returns home bearing the heavy burden of war's toll, he finds himself facing a new battle—winning back the heart of the woman who made him believe in love. Yet, fate is not done playing its twisted games as Charlie discovers Anna's marriage to the very man who left him behind in the jungle. The echoes of betrayal and longing reverberate through their intertwined pasts, pushing them to confront the haunting shadows that threaten to tear them apart once again.
Will love find a way to mend what war has torn apart? Or is this the end of the road for these star-crossed lovers?
Prepare to be swept away by the mesmerizing storytelling of award-winning author Buck Turner, as he unravels a tale of love, sacrifice, and second chances in the heart-wrenching novel, The Long Road Back to You.
In the small town of Greeneville, TN, the young and spirited Charlie Ross had everything—a bright future, a devoted sweetheart in Anna Cochran, and dreams that reached for the stars. But when duty calls and Charlie is thrust into the chaos of the Vietnam War, their once unbreakable bond is tested beyond measure. Anna's unwavering pledge to wait for his return is shattered with the devastating news of his capture and presumed death.
Years later, as Charlie returns home bearing the heavy burden of war's toll, he finds himself facing a new battle—winning back the heart of the woman who made him believe in love. Yet, fate is not done playing its twisted games as Charlie discovers Anna's marriage to the very man who left him behind in the jungle. The echoes of betrayal and longing reverberate through their intertwined pasts, pushing them to confront the haunting shadows that threaten to tear them apart once again.
Will love find a way to mend what war has torn apart? Or is this the end of the road for these star-crossed lovers?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2025
1855 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Buck Turner
26 books759 followersBuck 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 20, 2025
Sometimes, you just need to read a book like this one...
August 8, 2025
Best book
I have read many books in my lifetime now going on 90+ years and I can state truthfully , it .is the best one by far. I love Keeps of the Stars and the other two in the series. Mr Turner has such a gift of writing! I would wholeheartedly recommend this book and all his other ones. Thank you Mr Turner !
I have read many books in my lifetime now going on 90+ years and I can state truthfully , it .is the best one by far. I love Keeps of the Stars and the other two in the series. Mr Turner has such a gift of writing! I would wholeheartedly recommend this book and all his other ones. Thank you Mr Turner !
September 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
The Long Road Back To You by Buck Turner is hands down the best book I’ve ever read. It’s powerful, moving, and beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down. A story that will stay with me forever.
The Long Road Back To You by Buck Turner is hands down the best book I’ve ever read. It’s powerful, moving, and beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down. A story that will stay with me forever.
June 22, 2025
I loved this book! It's not my usual genre to read, but I was quickly hooked by the idea of this story and how the characters lives turned out. I would highly recommend for its beautiful writing and its emotional storyline.
October 11, 2025
The Long Road Back to You. Is a beautifully written book. A wonderful story of 2 people in love
September 27, 2025
great story, but didn’t always add up
The story was excellent, but there were many things that just didn’t make sense to me, like the 18 year old son of a poor farmer having the freedom to just fish and draw all summer, or why Charlie would just come back after being released as a POW without anyone in his small town knowing. Also, there were many misspellings, incorrect grammar, and other mistakes that detracted from the reading.
The story was excellent, but there were many things that just didn’t make sense to me, like the 18 year old son of a poor farmer having the freedom to just fish and draw all summer, or why Charlie would just come back after being released as a POW without anyone in his small town knowing. Also, there were many misspellings, incorrect grammar, and other mistakes that detracted from the reading.
September 10, 2025
Buck Turner may have just wrote the most remarkable timeless love story that I have ever read!
When I first read the blurb, the first thing that stood out to me was the location: Greeneville, TN! This is where my roots are from, and I can absolutely say that Buck Turner's details had me feeling like I was back standing on a hill in Greeneville, TN!
Not only did Buck do an exceptional job with the details but the love story that unfolded was so powerful that my heart and soul will never be the same after reading this one!
This story unravels a tale of love,grief,heartbreak,and second chances. And most importantly the journey back to the one you love!
We follow along with Charlie Ross who goes from a young boy enjoying a summer of love and joy when his earth shatters and he is called to war. But when fate turns its ugly head things don’t plan out the way he thought they would. Now years later Charlie returns back to Greeneville, TN. But when he finds out the woman he left is now married Charlie will have to endure yet another war inside. Will the fates bring Charlie back to the woman he loves or will it yet again tear them apart?
This book honestly made me smile, laugh and cry like a baby. And I will forever recommend this one! If you’re looking for a love story that will forever change your soul then this one is it!
When I first read the blurb, the first thing that stood out to me was the location: Greeneville, TN! This is where my roots are from, and I can absolutely say that Buck Turner's details had me feeling like I was back standing on a hill in Greeneville, TN!
Not only did Buck do an exceptional job with the details but the love story that unfolded was so powerful that my heart and soul will never be the same after reading this one!
This story unravels a tale of love,grief,heartbreak,and second chances. And most importantly the journey back to the one you love!
We follow along with Charlie Ross who goes from a young boy enjoying a summer of love and joy when his earth shatters and he is called to war. But when fate turns its ugly head things don’t plan out the way he thought they would. Now years later Charlie returns back to Greeneville, TN. But when he finds out the woman he left is now married Charlie will have to endure yet another war inside. Will the fates bring Charlie back to the woman he loves or will it yet again tear them apart?
This book honestly made me smile, laugh and cry like a baby. And I will forever recommend this one! If you’re looking for a love story that will forever change your soul then this one is it!
November 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Long Road Back to You is a heartfelt story with some genuinely touching moments, but overall it landed in the middle of the road for me. Buck Miller creates an emotional journey between the characters, and there are definitely scenes where the writing shines—especially when exploring the themes of forgiveness, healing, and second chances.
That said, the pacing felt uneven at times, and certain plot points didn’t connect as smoothly as they could have. While the story has charm and depth, it didn’t fully pull me in the way I hoped it would.
Still, fans of contemporary romance with a reflective tone may find a lot to appreciate here. It’s a solid read with memorable moments, just not one that consistently kept me hooked from beginning to end.
The Long Road Back to You is a heartfelt story with some genuinely touching moments, but overall it landed in the middle of the road for me. Buck Miller creates an emotional journey between the characters, and there are definitely scenes where the writing shines—especially when exploring the themes of forgiveness, healing, and second chances.
That said, the pacing felt uneven at times, and certain plot points didn’t connect as smoothly as they could have. While the story has charm and depth, it didn’t fully pull me in the way I hoped it would.
Still, fans of contemporary romance with a reflective tone may find a lot to appreciate here. It’s a solid read with memorable moments, just not one that consistently kept me hooked from beginning to end.
June 12, 2025
A well told story of life and love!
Buck Turner has a very unique writing style of putting together incidents in life that are full of the realities of life we all face, the good,bad and heart warming. No really ugly in his style. Live is rarely (if ever) a straight line. It has ups, downs, twists and turns and he points out that how we deal with them is what makes our lives either enjoyable or filled with hate and sadness. It's a thought provoking story without the gore and sex filled chapters.
Buck Turner has a very unique writing style of putting together incidents in life that are full of the realities of life we all face, the good,bad and heart warming. No really ugly in his style. Live is rarely (if ever) a straight line. It has ups, downs, twists and turns and he points out that how we deal with them is what makes our lives either enjoyable or filled with hate and sadness. It's a thought provoking story without the gore and sex filled chapters.
June 16, 2025
This novel begins with Lincoln, an author, at a crossroads in his own marriage and experiencing the inability to write when his publisher convinces him to listen to Charlie’s story.
This is a complicated yet beautiful love story that spans the length of time. It’s love, loss, hope, happiness, friendship, tragedy, heartbreak and new beginnings.
Charlie and Anna's stories unfold together through Lincoln, who reads her journal and letters.
The entire novel is wonderful but the final part is especially touching. We all need a Charlie in our lives.
This is a complicated yet beautiful love story that spans the length of time. It’s love, loss, hope, happiness, friendship, tragedy, heartbreak and new beginnings.
Charlie and Anna's stories unfold together through Lincoln, who reads her journal and letters.
The entire novel is wonderful but the final part is especially touching. We all need a Charlie in our lives.
July 7, 2025
Charlie
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I recommend it to my daughter. There wasn't anything I disliked. The love between Charlie and Anna was everlasting. A true fairy tale in its own right. Anyone reading this book could relate on some level, I'm sure. It made me smile and cry. The strength and endurance of Charlie was commendable. It was a story that, you couldn't wait to find out how it would end, but also, when I finished, I missed reading about them. If you enjoy a good love stoey, you won't be disappointed. Kudos again to Buck Turner!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I recommend it to my daughter. There wasn't anything I disliked. The love between Charlie and Anna was everlasting. A true fairy tale in its own right. Anyone reading this book could relate on some level, I'm sure. It made me smile and cry. The strength and endurance of Charlie was commendable. It was a story that, you couldn't wait to find out how it would end, but also, when I finished, I missed reading about them. If you enjoy a good love stoey, you won't be disappointed. Kudos again to Buck Turner!
September 13, 2025
An absolute must read!
My heart had so many emotions rushing through it as I read this book. From anger and wanting to fight Troy myself to tears of a love that I thought was gone forever to an anticipation for a future of understandable resolve. As I told others about this book, I could only try to convey what it made me feel. I love this book so much, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! Thank you so much, Buck Turner, for this story, for the emotional roller coaster that is love and life and for all the laughter, the tears and every emotion in between!
My heart had so many emotions rushing through it as I read this book. From anger and wanting to fight Troy myself to tears of a love that I thought was gone forever to an anticipation for a future of understandable resolve. As I told others about this book, I could only try to convey what it made me feel. I love this book so much, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! Thank you so much, Buck Turner, for this story, for the emotional roller coaster that is love and life and for all the laughter, the tears and every emotion in between!
August 22, 2025
beautiful, yet haunting story, that reminds me, anything is possible, given enough time.
This is a beautifully written true story of a young couple who grow up in a small town, and their lives, with happiness, tears, true heartache and honor. Vietnam soldier Charlie’s harrowing experience, and what transpires changes the course of the couples lives forever.
Honor~One young man has it, it’s innate, for another who tries, well let’s just say read and see.
This is a beautifully written true story of a young couple who grow up in a small town, and their lives, with happiness, tears, true heartache and honor. Vietnam soldier Charlie’s harrowing experience, and what transpires changes the course of the couples lives forever.
Honor~One young man has it, it’s innate, for another who tries, well let’s just say read and see.
January 27, 2026
Doing the right thing, can bring you to the love of your life!
Reading “the Long Road back to you”, brought back so many memories, of my own life, It will do that to you too! I loved Charlie, what a great guy! Anna’s love could have been devastating, but Charlie knew he had to get away. In doing so he found the love of his life again without any complications, you have to read this book to mature and nurture your love!
Reading “the Long Road back to you”, brought back so many memories, of my own life, It will do that to you too! I loved Charlie, what a great guy! Anna’s love could have been devastating, but Charlie knew he had to get away. In doing so he found the love of his life again without any complications, you have to read this book to mature and nurture your love!
July 4, 2025
Absolutely wonderful!
No one can craft a story like Buck Turner can. This one is loving, heart breaking, hopeful, dangerous and thoughtful. I’ve read all of his books and loved each one. No two are alike. Please, please do your self an immense favor and get your hands on this or any of his books. After reading one you’ll want to read more from Buck Turner.
No one can craft a story like Buck Turner can. This one is loving, heart breaking, hopeful, dangerous and thoughtful. I’ve read all of his books and loved each one. No two are alike. Please, please do your self an immense favor and get your hands on this or any of his books. After reading one you’ll want to read more from Buck Turner.
August 21, 2025
The Ross Family
An amazing book, I have read it all today.! Your way with words kept me glued to it. In real life, my Dad was Jim Ross, and his older brother, my Uncle Charlie Ross! True! I am wondering how you decided on those names, and if you know some Rosses! Thank you for this lovely story. Sad, happy, delightful, so moving.
An amazing book, I have read it all today.! Your way with words kept me glued to it. In real life, my Dad was Jim Ross, and his older brother, my Uncle Charlie Ross! True! I am wondering how you decided on those names, and if you know some Rosses! Thank you for this lovely story. Sad, happy, delightful, so moving.
September 23, 2025
1 of the best books I've read in a long time
It was a terrific love story Of Charlie and Anna. I think you always remember your 1st love but it doesn't mean you can't love someone else and be truly happy. And we have to remember our decisions affect other people So we always have to keep that in mind
It was a terrific love story Of Charlie and Anna. I think you always remember your 1st love but it doesn't mean you can't love someone else and be truly happy. And we have to remember our decisions affect other people So we always have to keep that in mind
September 28, 2025
Life is a Peculiar Journal
This is the first of Buck Turners books I’ve read but will not be the last. I absolutely loved The Long Road Back to You. I got caught up in the life of Charlie, Annie and Lincoln and felt like they were friends. I highly recommend this book. The only problem was the story ending, I wanted to know about Lincoln and his wife and children.
This is the first of Buck Turners books I’ve read but will not be the last. I absolutely loved The Long Road Back to You. I got caught up in the life of Charlie, Annie and Lincoln and felt like they were friends. I highly recommend this book. The only problem was the story ending, I wanted to know about Lincoln and his wife and children.
September 28, 2025
Wonderful Story
What a story—historical fiction. I think think of his Viet Nam war facts are true. What our service men endured is unbelievable. As for the love story, I am curious how much is true and how much is fiction.
I love Turner’s writing style. I had a difficult time putting the book down until I read the wonderful letter at the end.
What a story—historical fiction. I think think of his Viet Nam war facts are true. What our service men endured is unbelievable. As for the love story, I am curious how much is true and how much is fiction.
I love Turner’s writing style. I had a difficult time putting the book down until I read the wonderful letter at the end.
October 2, 2025
Beautiful
I was 15 in1965 . Vietnam was my generations war. Although I didn't know a lot of guys who served I did know some. This is a wonderful story and brought memory and feelings of this time to the front again. Charlie and Anna 's love touched my heart deeply and now a quite contentment.
I was 15 in1965 . Vietnam was my generations war. Although I didn't know a lot of guys who served I did know some. This is a wonderful story and brought memory and feelings of this time to the front again. Charlie and Anna 's love touched my heart deeply and now a quite contentment.
October 7, 2025
deeply profound
This is probably one of the very best books I have ever read. It's so hard to put into words how deeply profound this was to my own life . Yes we do have power over writing our own story... even through all the painful events that get thrown our way we must write the ending ourselves
This is probably one of the very best books I have ever read. It's so hard to put into words how deeply profound this was to my own life . Yes we do have power over writing our own story... even through all the painful events that get thrown our way we must write the ending ourselves
November 4, 2025
wonderful journey with a great author.
This was such a vivid ,colorful description of the happenings of a person’s lifetime experiences. The book has all the ups and downs as most people have in their lifetime and ends in an ending that seems to have been the perfect conclusion of a successful journey.
This was such a vivid ,colorful description of the happenings of a person’s lifetime experiences. The book has all the ups and downs as most people have in their lifetime and ends in an ending that seems to have been the perfect conclusion of a successful journey.
July 1, 2025
Amazing Full Circle Story!
This story was so beautifully written and for a non-mystery type of book, I didn’t see the ending coming. Grab some tissues and make sure you have lots of time because it’s a page turner!
This story was so beautifully written and for a non-mystery type of book, I didn’t see the ending coming. Grab some tissues and make sure you have lots of time because it’s a page turner!
July 4, 2025
a story like life itself
This read was the BEST book I have ever read. In it I saw me and learned much. I know I’m a little sappy when it comes to love. But I’m starting to re-read it today.
This read was the BEST book I have ever read. In it I saw me and learned much. I know I’m a little sappy when it comes to love. But I’m starting to re-read it today.
August 2, 2025
Wonderful!
Great story! I didn’t know where it was going in the beginning but then it grabbed me and pulled me in and I couldn’t stop reading! Strong characters you can almost picture them in your mind! Loved this story!
Great story! I didn’t know where it was going in the beginning but then it grabbed me and pulled me in and I couldn’t stop reading! Strong characters you can almost picture them in your mind! Loved this story!
August 3, 2025
Couldn't Put Down!
Loved this book! I also love the way this author writes. Looks like I've found a new favorite author. Lots of interesting ups and downs in this book. Keeps you hooked.
Loved this book! I also love the way this author writes. Looks like I've found a new favorite author. Lots of interesting ups and downs in this book. Keeps you hooked.
August 15, 2025
Wow!!!
This book was so incredible, I loved it. I'm hoping there will be a follow up novel. There's not a thing I didn't like but everything I loved. Ill be looking for more Buck Turner books.
This book was so incredible, I loved it. I'm hoping there will be a follow up novel. There's not a thing I didn't like but everything I loved. Ill be looking for more Buck Turner books.
August 20, 2025
Love always wins
Beautiful heart wrenching story of love. Could hardly put it down and read it in two days. Recommend it to anyone who loves a romantic novel which has great depth to it.
Beautiful heart wrenching story of love. Could hardly put it down and read it in two days. Recommend it to anyone who loves a romantic novel which has great depth to it.
September 12, 2025
A Beautiful Story
I really enjoyed this book! I experienced a variety of emotions while reading it & loved the ending! I will recommend this to my friends & family & start following this author for more great books!
I really enjoyed this book! I experienced a variety of emotions while reading it & loved the ending! I will recommend this to my friends & family & start following this author for more great books!
September 15, 2025
Such an awesome book
The Long Road Back to You by Buck Turner is a pageturner! I couldn’t wait to see what happened next! All the characters are memorable and the story is heartwarming! I would recommend this book to everyone!
The Long Road Back to You by Buck Turner is a pageturner! I couldn’t wait to see what happened next! All the characters are memorable and the story is heartwarming! I would recommend this book to everyone!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews