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Steven Lewis first meets Kelly Brennan in a high school Humanities class. Even though they seem to hit it off from day one, Steven hasn't the courage to either ask her out on a date or the prom. After graduation, the two part ways and head in different directions. Years roll by, and Steven's thoughts about their missed moments turn into an obsession. His preoccupation on Kelly has a negative affect not only in job choices, but also his relationship with Nancy, a new gal who has come into his life. Steven deliberately takes a low paying job at a pharmacy in Kelly's neighborhood. While hoping to bump into her at some point, Steven is unaware of all that will transpire, especially when he meets Emily, Kelly's mom.
Duffy spins a unique romantic tale in his latest novel. Set in the later 20th and early 21st centuries, Duffy's narrative immediately draws readers into a common human-interest theme known as the "what ifs." In the case of Duffy's principal character, Steven wonders what life would have been like if he had pursued Kelly. Keeping to a small cast, Duffy surrounds Steven with well-meaning people who frequently offer unsolicited advice. Duffy's slow-moving plot is sprinkled with plenty of emotional tension. Steven hesitates on pretty much everything, which leaves him moving toward progress at a pace slower than a sloth. Duffy concentrates heavily on dialogue to develop both his storyline and characters. Readers may feel as though there is lack of depth in Duffy's cast and his plot is full of banality. Don't be fooled! There are good reasons why his characters function as they do. In addition, Duffy subtly throws in plot twists and turns when you least expect it. That said, To Never Know is nothing less than a timely coming of age read.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review