A haunting, deeply emotional tale of love, longing, and betrayal set in a small Virginia town just after World War II.
 
In Heading Out to Wonderful, Robert Goolrick delivers another beautifully written, emotionally charged novel of passion, obsession, and consequence.
 
In 1948, Charlie Beale arrives in Brownsburg, Virginia, carrying two suitcases — one full of butcher’s knives, the other full of money. A quiet stranger with a mysterious past, Charlie soon becomes part of the community. But when he falls in love with Sylvan Glass, the young wife of the town’s wealthiest man, their affair ignites a chain of events that will shatter lives and challenge the very idea of innocence.
 
Set in the pastoral beauty of postwar Virginia, the novel explores the intersection of desire and morality, the secrets that lie beneath quiet lives, and the danger of love that refuses to be contained. Goolrick’s lyrical prose captures both the tenderness and tragedy of human longing — a story that begins with the promise of happiness and ends with an unforgettable reckoning.
 
With its rich sense of place, timeless themes, and powerful emotional core, Heading Out to Wonderful is Southern literary fiction at its finest.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
Lush, lyrical writing that captures both love and heartbreak.
A small-town story with universal emotional resonance.
Explores passion, secrets, and moral consequence.
Perfect for readers who love atmospheric, character-driven fiction.
A compelling companion to A Reliable Wife.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of The Bridges of Madison County and Cold Mountain.
Readers who enjoy Southern and postwar American fiction.
Book clubs exploring love, guilt, and redemption.
Anyone drawn to intimate, tragic, and beautifully told stories.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Heading Out to Wonderful, you might also like:
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick — passion, betrayal, and consequence.
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin — quiet strength and heartbreak in rural America.
Serena by Ron Rash — ambition and tragedy in the Carolina mountains.