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The Long Road Back To You
Being called THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN LOVE STORY!!!
They say it only takes a moment to fall in love with someone, but a lifetime to forget them!
From the author of Evergreen and Between Your Heart and Mine comes a stirring story that proves it is never too late for love.
This heartrending read tells a once-in-a-lifetime tale about love: In small-town Tennessee, eighteen-year-old Charlie Ross wagers a kiss from Anna Cochran, the prettiest girl in town, and wins. But before their burgeoning romance can take flight, Charlie is drafted to fight in the Vietnam War.
Anna promises she'll wait for him, no matter how long it takes. But when Charlie is taken prisoner, and later presumed dead, Anna is left to pick up the pieces of her shattered world.
Eight years later, Charlie comes home. But his triumphant return is short-lived when he discovers the love of his life has moved on and is married to the man who left him for dead in the jungle.
Unable to let her go, Charlie will stop at nothing to win Anna back. But is this the end of their story, or is there one final chapter yet to be written?
Praise for The Long Road Back To You:
"One of the best books I've ever read!" - Amazon Customer
"An amazing love story...couldn't put it down!" - Barbara Dean
"Captivating from the first sentence to the last..." - Elsie Montgomery
They say it only takes a moment to fall in love with someone, but a lifetime to forget them!
From the author of Evergreen and Between Your Heart and Mine comes a stirring story that proves it is never too late for love.
This heartrending read tells a once-in-a-lifetime tale about love: In small-town Tennessee, eighteen-year-old Charlie Ross wagers a kiss from Anna Cochran, the prettiest girl in town, and wins. But before their burgeoning romance can take flight, Charlie is drafted to fight in the Vietnam War.
Anna promises she'll wait for him, no matter how long it takes. But when Charlie is taken prisoner, and later presumed dead, Anna is left to pick up the pieces of her shattered world.
Eight years later, Charlie comes home. But his triumphant return is short-lived when he discovers the love of his life has moved on and is married to the man who left him for dead in the jungle.
Unable to let her go, Charlie will stop at nothing to win Anna back. But is this the end of their story, or is there one final chapter yet to be written?
Praise for The Long Road Back To You:
"One of the best books I've ever read!" - Amazon Customer
"An amazing love story...couldn't put it down!" - Barbara Dean
"Captivating from the first sentence to the last..." - Elsie Montgomery
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
About the author
Buck Turner
24 books806 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 398 reviews
September 25, 2021
The enduring power of love wrapped in a long, difficult and emotional journey. There were times I didn't always agree with Charlie's decisions, but I could understand his actions. Tears of sorrow, happiness and joy are certain to fall.
The editing isn't the best -- but the author leaves a piece of his heart on every page.
The editing isn't the best -- but the author leaves a piece of his heart on every page.
August 28, 2023
Love isn’t always pretty it can be emotionally draining and tough. Add in 10 years of being a POW and Charlie has gone through it all. I could not put this book down and HAD to find out about Anna and Charlie.
November 15, 2022
I don’t consider this “The Next Great Love Story”, since it’s not.
I know many reviewers loved this story but I guess since I am of the Viet Nam era myself (old as dirt) it just was too coincidental and I am a skeptic at heart so it’s hard for me to take this story as more than just another love story and certainly not “The Next Great Love Story.
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway.
I know many reviewers loved this story but I guess since I am of the Viet Nam era myself (old as dirt) it just was too coincidental and I am a skeptic at heart so it’s hard for me to take this story as more than just another love story and certainly not “The Next Great Love Story.
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway.
September 20, 2025
Sometimes, you just need to read a book like this one...
August 31, 2023
This book grabbed me by the neck and wouldn't let me go. I could've finished this in one setting if I didn't have to do chores and run errands. As soon as I was done with everything, I came back to finish. This is the type of story you want to keep reading to figure out what happens next. Now that this one is complete, I'm on to the next one. I believe Mr. Turner is going to be one of my favorites.
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 !
June 2, 2025
This was a good story packed into a few pages. It is a great love story and human life story. The story is about the resilience of the human heart. Sometimes you need to spend some time reading a book that makes you feel good in the end. This one does.
November 17, 2024
Great Book
It was a great book but the numerous “god damn’s” were unnecessary. The constant use of those words took away from the book
It was a great book but the numerous “god damn’s” were unnecessary. The constant use of those words took away from the book
January 13, 2023
The Long Road Back to You
Wow such a great story.
Charlie loves Anna and she loves Charlie but when he returned from Vietnam 10 years later, most spent as a POW, she had married the man who left him to die and be captured.
Charlie’s story is haunting and beautiful with some very hard times in between.
This story will stay with you long after you finish it. A literary masterpiece!
Wow such a great story.
Charlie loves Anna and she loves Charlie but when he returned from Vietnam 10 years later, most spent as a POW, she had married the man who left him to die and be captured.
Charlie’s story is haunting and beautiful with some very hard times in between.
This story will stay with you long after you finish it. A literary masterpiece!
August 31, 2023
Such an amazing story!
I cried with Charlie and I laughed with him too. For such a short story, I felt like I lived all those years with Charlie and Anna. Went through all their ups and downs with them from the war to life after to cancer. Ugh I can’t even explain my love for them.
I cried with Charlie and I laughed with him too. For such a short story, I felt like I lived all those years with Charlie and Anna. Went through all their ups and downs with them from the war to life after to cancer. Ugh I can’t even explain my love for them.
March 8, 2025
This is the first book by Buck Turner that I have read and I loved it! If you like Nicholas Sparks you will love this author. He writes a lot like him. This story is so good with a lot of twists and turns. I compare it to The Notebook. I will now read all of Mr. Turner’s books!💕💕💕
December 24, 2024
a fantasy
This was a little too maudlin for me. I didn’t cry. It was kind of stupid, really. The most moving part was the depiction of the Vietnam War.
This was a little too maudlin for me. I didn’t cry. It was kind of stupid, really. The most moving part was the depiction of the Vietnam War.
January 3, 2025
Oh my heart ❤️❤️ what a sweet story of a rough life to a happy ending!
January 26, 2025
Buck Turner is one of my new favorite Authors, this book made me teary eyed and happy at the same time
May 17, 2025
I don’t typically like books regarding historical events, but I enjoyed this read a lot.
July 5, 2025
Grabbed my heart. Love isn’t always easy, but true love is enduring. Easy read. Couldn’t put it down.
October 28, 2025
This was a very short read and interesting but not super great.
May 13, 2026
Loved this book —the story of Charlie—his first love —Anna—and the Vietnam war taking him away—being told through someone writing his story—just a great read—loved it so much—truly felt like someone’s true story —enjoyed every minute of this book!!!
June 14, 2022
Heartbreaking
This was great book, Not only the story itself but the way it was written. It is heartbreaking to know the majority of the men that fought in Vietnam are still going through years of nightmares.
This was great book, Not only the story itself but the way it was written. It is heartbreaking to know the majority of the men that fought in Vietnam are still going through years of nightmares.
April 19, 2025
Loved the story!
April 14, 2026
Trite
Trite and predictable, but I finished it for book club. I guess the genre is not for me, but may be for others.
Trite and predictable, but I finished it for book club. I guess the genre is not for me, but may be for others.
March 3, 2026
This was a really beautifully written love story. I loved the way the author wrote; it was easy for me to picture and read with tone and Inflection. The bounce back and forth to read the same story from two point of views provided so much insight and… yeah. It was a good one. I would recommend it!
((There were a lot of typos and I don’t know if that’s the fault of the author, the editor, the publisher, or whatever they use to prepare for digital production but it’s a huge pet peeve of mine.))
((There were a lot of typos and I don’t know if that’s the fault of the author, the editor, the publisher, or whatever they use to prepare for digital production but it’s a huge pet peeve of mine.))
March 10, 2026
How did this book get such raving reviews?!! Must be friends and family reviewing it for the author. Sorry man. No offense to you Buck, but I think if you didn’t try so hard to force it things might work more in your favor. What I mean is that this whole story felt forced. The emotions felt forced on the reader which left me feeling absolutely nothing. The characters weren’t actually developed. I think that’s due primarily to the way the story is put forth as a retelling to another “author”. If the story was allowed to unfold naturally as a first person narrative I think it would have been much better.
The whole time I had an understanding that Charlie and Anna would end up together but I didn’t know how and I felt like it just dragged on and on and on. So, needless to say, I wasn’t surprised when they found each other again.
I did not enjoy Lincoln’s part of the story at all. I felt like he was just in the way. Nothing about his story or his thoughts mattered to me at all and it felt like a waste of time to read his story. The redundant parts of Anna’s perspective could have been more interesting if it wasn’t nearly an exact play by play of Charlie’s. I feel like I read the same thing twice so many times!
Worst part of this book? The lack of editing!!!!!! It took so much from the story for me when I was regularly frustrated with poor editing. The spelling was correct but the words often were the wrong ones used or other inaccuracies came up. These were sprinkled evenly throughout the entire book. Makes me think no one actually edited this and he just had the computer do a spell check? So weird! Did he self publish this? That would make sense as I can’t see a respectable publisher approving this for print. It’s just no good. Worst part is I couldn’t quit reading it cuz this was for book club and even worse is that it was my suggestion! I’m so embarrassed! The reviews tricked me into thinking it was good.. I will read more of the negative reviews in the future before choosing a book again. I think the great reviews are fakes! They must be. This just sucked. Not a single tear from me and I’m an easy crier.
The whole time I had an understanding that Charlie and Anna would end up together but I didn’t know how and I felt like it just dragged on and on and on. So, needless to say, I wasn’t surprised when they found each other again.
I did not enjoy Lincoln’s part of the story at all. I felt like he was just in the way. Nothing about his story or his thoughts mattered to me at all and it felt like a waste of time to read his story. The redundant parts of Anna’s perspective could have been more interesting if it wasn’t nearly an exact play by play of Charlie’s. I feel like I read the same thing twice so many times!
Worst part of this book? The lack of editing!!!!!! It took so much from the story for me when I was regularly frustrated with poor editing. The spelling was correct but the words often were the wrong ones used or other inaccuracies came up. These were sprinkled evenly throughout the entire book. Makes me think no one actually edited this and he just had the computer do a spell check? So weird! Did he self publish this? That would make sense as I can’t see a respectable publisher approving this for print. It’s just no good. Worst part is I couldn’t quit reading it cuz this was for book club and even worse is that it was my suggestion! I’m so embarrassed! The reviews tricked me into thinking it was good.. I will read more of the negative reviews in the future before choosing a book again. I think the great reviews are fakes! They must be. This just sucked. Not a single tear from me and I’m an easy crier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2026
One of the best books I have read in a while! Go read this book now if you haven't already!!!
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!
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.
June 8, 2023
Good in so many ways
I loved this book overall and would have given it five stars except that the author kept using God' s Name in vain. I am a Christian and I hate this! Not only did I find that offensive but kept was so unnecessary to the Story. I would have stopped reading but the book was so good except for that. I just tried not to notice it as best as I could.
I loved this book overall and would have given it five stars except that the author kept using God' s Name in vain. I am a Christian and I hate this! Not only did I find that offensive but kept was so unnecessary to the Story. I would have stopped reading but the book was so good except for that. I just tried not to notice it as best as I could.
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.
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.
October 11, 2025
The Long Road Back to You. Is a beautifully written book. A wonderful story of 2 people in love
Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews