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kalliste's review against another edition
2.0
The blurb for this book might be the most exciting part of it. The actual story is anything but exciting.
That said, I did enjoy the descriptions of the places and the countryside the train went through.
I was surprised by the insta-love that occurred after one whiff of perfume, though if I were a woman in the 1800s I probably wouldn't be interested in men either.
I was hoping Hattie would befriend Julia, as she seemed the most interesting character on the train, but it wasn't to be. At least not to a level where we actually knew anything about her.
By the end, I was eye-rolling at every new obstacle that occurred and was glad when this slow-going train trip was finally over.
That said, I did enjoy the descriptions of the places and the countryside the train went through.
I was surprised by the insta-love that occurred after one whiff of perfume, though if I were a woman in the 1800s I probably wouldn't be interested in men either.
I was hoping Hattie would befriend Julia, as she seemed the most interesting character on the train, but it wasn't to be. At least not to a level where we actually knew anything about her.
By the end, I was eye-rolling at every new obstacle that occurred and was glad when this slow-going train trip was finally over.
lezreadalot's review against another edition
3.0
“Only to know that it is your pain. You may give it to someone else, but you can’t give it away.”
2.5 stars. I feel like I have almost nothing to say about this book. It was... kinda dull!! An absolute nothing of fiction!! In my defence, I really did think I would enjoy learning about trains, and this being the first transcontinental train journey in the US but girl... I didn't. I entertained thoughts of DNFing early on, but I kept on going because I really liked Hattie! There's something about a headstrong, slightly obnoxious heroine that is very endearing to me, especially in historical fiction when women are expected to be anything but. Sometimes she was a bit too annoying, but the important thing is that she wasn't immune to growth. The romance between her and Louisa isn't front and centre, but I really enjoyed it, and the slow way they realised their feelings. That's pretty much what kept me going. I really did like their friendship and relationship. But the actual plot? I did not care. Why did we keep getting Leland's POV? Useless. And all the stuff about the mechanics of the train and then the cover-up... boring. Alas, I am not a train girlie. Also, I'm not sure I loved how the one and only significant Native character was used.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Emily Sutton-Smith, which blessedly sped things along. Good accents as well. I'm not mad I read this book, because I am coming away from it with genuine affection for Hattie and Louisa. But also, I'm glad it's over.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
murder, gore, decapitation, PTSD/scenes of war recounted, racismmichieknee's review against another edition
4.0
At some point it became clear to me that my rating for A Transcontinental Affair would live or die by it's ending and I'm confident in saying it landed splendidly! Very much a slow burn but the action of the final third turned into quite an emotional rollercoaster. I was uncertain about Hattie and Louisa but their pairing won me over. The supporting cast was also enjoyable (the ones that were meant to be at least) but I'm especially fond of Julia.
If anyone's listening to this random Goodreader I would love a sequel following up on Hattie and Louisa's journey.
If anyone's listening to this random Goodreader I would love a sequel following up on Hattie and Louisa's journey.
mheruth's review against another edition
1.0
This book was very hard to follow. The author described the scenes of the different train cars, but characters would just appear and disappear and move between them in a way that made it incredibly difficult to follow. Also, very little happened the entire book, and all interesting parts of the plot were neatly tied up in the span of about 5 pages.
kittietta's review against another edition
3.0
I tried to like this book. Picked it up several times and just couldn't get interested in the story. The writing seemed to drag and I just didn't care about the characters. Quit reading half way through. My apologies to the author. 3 stars because I didn't finish and I am sure its a good book, just not my taste.
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy....all thoughts and options are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy....all thoughts and options are my own.
linz's review against another edition
2.0
I always struggle with writing reviews for books I didn't enjoy, and I typically try to avoid it, but I made a personal goal to review every book I read in 2020 and I don't want to fail this early in the year. That being said, I will do my best to review this book fairly, as someone may enjoy it even if I didn't.
Judging by the Goodreads blurb, I was expecting a "sweeping tale of adventure and danger", but I don't feel like the book ever reached that. It never seemed to hit its stride and as much as I hate to say it, I felt bored the entire time.
I ended up having to skim after I reached the 34% mark, which is something I never do, but it felt better to skim than to give up entirely. Maybe I missed something, but I never picked up on any adventure. There were a couple moments of "danger," but the story moved so quickly at that point that I had to go back and reread a couple of pages to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
The pacing was typically far too slow for my taste and the plot felt like it was all over the place, but never with any satisfying conclusion. The characters were a bit flat, and the romance that was hinted at was a bit of a letdown. I liked the idea of it and was hoping for more, but it wasn't executed well, and I feel like the romance could have been so much better.
On the plus side, the historical setting and description of the train were interesting, and while I found the way it happened a little odd, I was happy with the way it ended for two of the characters.
I always say that just because I didn't enjoy a book doesn't mean that someone else won't like it, so I am in no way saying that someone shouldn't give it a try if it sounds interesting to them. Set in the 1800s, it was well-researched and I did enjoy the descriptions of train travel, and it held my interest enough to be able to at least skim through so I could find out what happened at the end.
If you're a fan of well-researched historical fiction about traveling by train in the 1800s, this may be one that would interest you, but if you're looking for a "sweeping adventure" with f/f romance, you may want to try something else instead.
Judging by the Goodreads blurb, I was expecting a "sweeping tale of adventure and danger", but I don't feel like the book ever reached that. It never seemed to hit its stride and as much as I hate to say it, I felt bored the entire time.
I ended up having to skim after I reached the 34% mark, which is something I never do, but it felt better to skim than to give up entirely. Maybe I missed something, but I never picked up on any adventure. There were a couple moments of "danger," but the story moved so quickly at that point that I had to go back and reread a couple of pages to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
The pacing was typically far too slow for my taste and the plot felt like it was all over the place, but never with any satisfying conclusion. The characters were a bit flat, and the romance that was hinted at was a bit of a letdown. I liked the idea of it and was hoping for more, but it wasn't executed well, and I feel like the romance could have been so much better.
On the plus side, the historical setting and description of the train were interesting, and while I found the way it happened a little odd, I was happy with the way it ended for two of the characters.
I always say that just because I didn't enjoy a book doesn't mean that someone else won't like it, so I am in no way saying that someone shouldn't give it a try if it sounds interesting to them. Set in the 1800s, it was well-researched and I did enjoy the descriptions of train travel, and it held my interest enough to be able to at least skim through so I could find out what happened at the end.
If you're a fan of well-researched historical fiction about traveling by train in the 1800s, this may be one that would interest you, but if you're looking for a "sweeping adventure" with f/f romance, you may want to try something else instead.
bookanonjeff's review against another edition
5.0
One of the More Intriguing Historical Fiction Novels I've Ever Read. The title says it all. In this story of a legendary train ride from coast to coast - just a year after doing so was even possible - Daynard manages to put some aspects into this tale that were very much unexpected, but does so in a way that is at least possible. Indeed, for much of the back half of the book the reader constantly expects something to happen - whether or not it does is up to you to read and find out. ;) Very much recommended.
readingwithanxiety's review against another edition
2.0
This is the story of Harriet and Louisa and their cross-country train excursion on the Pullman Hotel Express. Harriet is a teenage rebel who, much to her father's chagrin, chooses to wear pants and doesn't want to get married unless it is for love. Louisa is a pastor's daughter with a club foot, which he left to grow unevenly for too long because of his resentment over her mother's infidelity. When the two girls end up on a train together, Harriet on her way to meet the man she is to marry in San Francisco, and Louisa as a governess to an unbearable rich man, his gold digging wife, and their ill-behaved children, they spend more and more time in each other's company and little by little, fall in love. When an incident happens on the train, they start to suspect that maybe all the glitter and glam of the Pullman Express isn't as innocent as it seems.
I received this book as an Amazon First Reads exclusive. I was delighted to see a lesbian historical fiction novel available and jumped at the chance to read it. Sadly, that was where my excitement died. The book description makes this book sound like it's going to be a raucous train ride (literally) filled with scandal and intrigue, with a love story developing throughout and culminating in a final, blow out last stand with the girls on one side and the world on the other. That is not the book that I read. At all points of conflict, when the story could have been fleshed out and made into something captivating and beautiful, Jodi chose to cash it in and make each scene as boring as possible. Even the action scenes - of which there are about two - are just . . . boring. The ending feels slapped together, like the author realized she had to end her book somehow but had left herself very few options.
I'm giving it 2 out of 5 stars because I love the concept, but hate the execution. It's not unreadable - I was just left wanting at the end of the book. This was an opportunity to bring light to the struggles of the LGBT community in the 19th century, and especially those of women who were expected and required to find husbands and bear children. This book did absolutely none of that, and fell far flat of its potential.
See more reviews on my blog at http://www.theblondeintheoffice.com
I received this book as an Amazon First Reads exclusive. I was delighted to see a lesbian historical fiction novel available and jumped at the chance to read it. Sadly, that was where my excitement died. The book description makes this book sound like it's going to be a raucous train ride (literally) filled with scandal and intrigue, with a love story developing throughout and culminating in a final, blow out last stand with the girls on one side and the world on the other. That is not the book that I read. At all points of conflict, when the story could have been fleshed out and made into something captivating and beautiful, Jodi chose to cash it in and make each scene as boring as possible. Even the action scenes - of which there are about two - are just . . . boring. The ending feels slapped together, like the author realized she had to end her book somehow but had left herself very few options.
I'm giving it 2 out of 5 stars because I love the concept, but hate the execution. It's not unreadable - I was just left wanting at the end of the book. This was an opportunity to bring light to the struggles of the LGBT community in the 19th century, and especially those of women who were expected and required to find husbands and bear children. This book did absolutely none of that, and fell far flat of its potential.
See more reviews on my blog at http://www.theblondeintheoffice.com