What do you think?
Rate this book
He Never Forgot How to Love
Jake escapes his horrific captivity as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Cassie is a caregiver at the military hospital and nurses Jake back to health. Their love begins over a bowl of Jell-O and carries them back home to the Kansas farm. Everywhere life takes them, there are others with the same haunting dreams of war. Some have only one leg and some have none. Some have just lost their way home. Cassie and Jake begin with one person at a time and over 27 years, hundreds of vets find a little peace on the bank of the farm pond, and they learn to reach back and help another buddy up the hill. The best and the worst of us live in these pages and the depth of Jake and Cassie’s love can be understood only in the context of the world they dared to change.
- GenresHistorical FictionEbooks
205 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 21, 2019
This book is one of the best I've read. I got it for free on Amazon but it's worth a whole lot more.
The story revolves around Jake, a soldier serving during the Vietnam War. After being taken a prisoner of war and suffering horrific treatment, Jake manages to escape, a miracle in and of itself. That he survives the escape despite the high odds against him are another miracle. He lands in a hospital with horrific wounds where he meets a caregiver, Cassie, whose tender care for all the wounded is largely responsible for Jake's health becoming much, much better.
The characters are people you will come to love and care about. The horrors of war, while described, are done so as tastefully as possible while still managing to bring the horror to light. You will root for Jake and Cassie, and all the other wounded soldiers under her care. If you are old enough, you will remember that the Vietnam Veterans were not exactly greeted with love when they returned home. They should have been. Their suffering was real, and it didn't end on the battlefield - far from it.
Jake and Cassie's story is beautiful, and what they do for others is inspirational. This book is well worth reading - probably more than once.
The story revolves around Jake, a soldier serving during the Vietnam War. After being taken a prisoner of war and suffering horrific treatment, Jake manages to escape, a miracle in and of itself. That he survives the escape despite the high odds against him are another miracle. He lands in a hospital with horrific wounds where he meets a caregiver, Cassie, whose tender care for all the wounded is largely responsible for Jake's health becoming much, much better.
The characters are people you will come to love and care about. The horrors of war, while described, are done so as tastefully as possible while still managing to bring the horror to light. You will root for Jake and Cassie, and all the other wounded soldiers under her care. If you are old enough, you will remember that the Vietnam Veterans were not exactly greeted with love when they returned home. They should have been. Their suffering was real, and it didn't end on the battlefield - far from it.
Jake and Cassie's story is beautiful, and what they do for others is inspirational. This book is well worth reading - probably more than once.
July 5, 2019
Loved this book. Beautiful love story about Cassie (nurse at a medical hospital) and Jake (who's a captive in the Viet Nam War).
In addition to the love story, it portrays the anguish many war veterans have but are unable to share with others. Cassie and Jake are able to identify with many of these men and help some to a better life.
This book will be added to my Kindle Keep collection and reread.I
In addition to the love story, it portrays the anguish many war veterans have but are unable to share with others. Cassie and Jake are able to identify with many of these men and help some to a better life.
This book will be added to my Kindle Keep collection and reread.I
February 12, 2019
Sweet isn’t the correct word to describe this story with all the horrible acts wounded warriors experienced in Vietnam. Love exists to help the veterans in Hays, Kansas from a farm boy that lived horrors in Vietnam. He devotes his life helping other veterans suffering from PTSD like himself while raising a family. Slow moving story that I didn’t want to read, but kept coming back to read about the goodness some people share.
February 19, 2020
Heart rendering story of Vietnam Veterans.
This was a very touching story about the veterans of the Vietnam Conflict. He touched on the pain of losing fellow soldiers, returning home to unkind words from people that did not understand what these young men went through. The pain these men mentally endured, but with brotherhood and love can bring hope back into the lives of fellow veterans. The love they found along the way and the love that grew.
It was a wonderful read!
This was a very touching story about the veterans of the Vietnam Conflict. He touched on the pain of losing fellow soldiers, returning home to unkind words from people that did not understand what these young men went through. The pain these men mentally endured, but with brotherhood and love can bring hope back into the lives of fellow veterans. The love they found along the way and the love that grew.
It was a wonderful read!
February 21, 2020
You will be sorry if you miss this one!
First, situate yourself close to a box of hankies, then be prepared to take a journey back through time to the late sixties and the VietNam war era, when young guys who answered the draft were sacrificed for nothing! If they weren't killed, they came home to a country that despised them!
This story is a ray of hope for the rehab of their bodies and minds and souls!
First, situate yourself close to a box of hankies, then be prepared to take a journey back through time to the late sixties and the VietNam war era, when young guys who answered the draft were sacrificed for nothing! If they weren't killed, they came home to a country that despised them!
This story is a ray of hope for the rehab of their bodies and minds and souls!
June 17, 2026
This was such a good read on kindle!! It made me laugh and cry. It started with the story of Jake who is stationed in Vietnam. And follows him home along with all the troubles that a lot of the vets from Vietnam seemed to find themselves in. Thanks to the help of his parents, a girlfriend and another buddy he was stationed with they decided to help other veterans. This book will not only rip your heart out but warm it later. You’ll love it!!
February 6, 2019
What great writing.
I loved this book so much. I was too young to remember the Vietnam war but I always heard stories of the men who came back, scarred internally and externally. Being able to put all those feelings into words and make people understand how those heroes felt is an amazing gift. I recommend that everyone read this book.
I loved this book so much. I was too young to remember the Vietnam war but I always heard stories of the men who came back, scarred internally and externally. Being able to put all those feelings into words and make people understand how those heroes felt is an amazing gift. I recommend that everyone read this book.
February 8, 2019
Well worth reading
A well written novel. Positive, silly, simplistic, emotional novel of a Viet Jam era family that fights emotional and physical scars of combat. The story is about a positive direction taken to heal wounds in themselves but most importantly in others. A hidden story is how poorly the government treats it soldiers after they leave the military.
A well written novel. Positive, silly, simplistic, emotional novel of a Viet Jam era family that fights emotional and physical scars of combat. The story is about a positive direction taken to heal wounds in themselves but most importantly in others. A hidden story is how poorly the government treats it soldiers after they leave the military.
February 4, 2019
Incredible book, Vietnam Nam Vets learning to live again. The horrors of war, maligned & tormented upon return home, learning to live again, to build a life of love & hope.
The writing felt so lyrical, I wanted to sing the words. I’ve never before read such a book....
The writing felt so lyrical, I wanted to sing the words. I’ve never before read such a book....
February 13, 2019
Easy read, uplifting story
An inspirational story of post Vietnam and how love, determination and commitment can heal the trauma of the past. A great lesson in compassion for the heroes of all wars.
An inspirational story of post Vietnam and how love, determination and commitment can heal the trauma of the past. A great lesson in compassion for the heroes of all wars.
March 1, 2019
Amazing story
This is the book you don’t want to end. Takes you through the Vietnam Nam war through the eyes of returning veterans. The hurt and love that comes through is a wonder to behold. Well written. Stunning descriptions. Would make an excellent movie.
This is the book you don’t want to end. Takes you through the Vietnam Nam war through the eyes of returning veterans. The hurt and love that comes through is a wonder to behold. Well written. Stunning descriptions. Would make an excellent movie.
February 3, 2019
War, family, love
Great story about family and love but the hardship of war. Everyone pulls their load is this story. The love of family, not always blood kin.
Great story about family and love but the hardship of war. Everyone pulls their load is this story. The love of family, not always blood kin.
May 11, 2019
Well written. Waiting for the next book to continue the story. I might have read the entire book in one evening.
February 5, 2020
This writer does not write from his head, he writes from his heart and his emotions. I greatly recommend this book and courage, love, and determination.
February 9, 2020
Mesmerizing Story
Such a heartfelt story, found it hard to put down. Couldn’t wait to hear what the next project was. We need more people in real life to carry on those legacies.
Such a heartfelt story, found it hard to put down. Couldn’t wait to hear what the next project was. We need more people in real life to carry on those legacies.
May 13, 2020
Love this story as it was very nostalgic for me. I was in hugh school during the Vietnam war and had friends who came back with baggage. The whole story for me was a trip down memory lane.
June 25, 2020
A heartfelt, straightforward and honest story about the Vietnam War experience and a soldier’s wrenching return home. Well worth reading.
September 1, 2020
He Never Forgot How to Love is a beautiful story about overcoming trauma through purpose and love. Jake’s story is one that you won’t likely forget as a reader, and his thoughts will leave a long-lasting impression on your heart.
Like many other stories of the Vietnam War, this one is a hard hitter. There are some really difficult themes in this story, but most of them are told in a way that makes them both easy to digest and highly impactful. I will say, however, that Eddie’s story hit me really hard. I had to tell my husband about it as soon as I read it, and I thought about it for days after reading it.
This is story that will tear your heart in two, but it will also help you mend it. Jake and his family, both in blood and in experience, make this story one of love, compassion, and support. I love how Plummer wrote in the synopsis, “The best and the worst of us live in these pages and the depth of Jake and Cassie’s love can be understood only in the context of the world they dared to change.” What a poignant way to express it.
In fact, I generally loved Plummer’s writing style. The book is written in first person, which, though limiting, is perfect, because it tells us the story through Jake’s eyes. I loved Jake’s voice throughout the story. It was a once full of pain and fear, but also love and determination.
Plummer also had a wonderful way of expressing thoughts and feelings. He was capable of tying everything up in a single one-liner, which always made me lean back and think. Though they’re simple, they’re powerful, and Plummer used them expertly.
Personally, I can’t recommend this book enough. I couldn’t find fault with it if I tried. Even if historical fiction or human drama is not really your thing, this is a book worth reading for its emotional impact, as well as its literary brilliance. I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
Like many other stories of the Vietnam War, this one is a hard hitter. There are some really difficult themes in this story, but most of them are told in a way that makes them both easy to digest and highly impactful. I will say, however, that Eddie’s story hit me really hard. I had to tell my husband about it as soon as I read it, and I thought about it for days after reading it.
This is story that will tear your heart in two, but it will also help you mend it. Jake and his family, both in blood and in experience, make this story one of love, compassion, and support. I love how Plummer wrote in the synopsis, “The best and the worst of us live in these pages and the depth of Jake and Cassie’s love can be understood only in the context of the world they dared to change.” What a poignant way to express it.
In fact, I generally loved Plummer’s writing style. The book is written in first person, which, though limiting, is perfect, because it tells us the story through Jake’s eyes. I loved Jake’s voice throughout the story. It was a once full of pain and fear, but also love and determination.
Plummer also had a wonderful way of expressing thoughts and feelings. He was capable of tying everything up in a single one-liner, which always made me lean back and think. Though they’re simple, they’re powerful, and Plummer used them expertly.
Personally, I can’t recommend this book enough. I couldn’t find fault with it if I tried. Even if historical fiction or human drama is not really your thing, this is a book worth reading for its emotional impact, as well as its literary brilliance. I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews