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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
duchessofreadin's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting read. It has a few twists and turns that one is not expecting along the way. Perfect for summer and a weekend beach read, or just sitting in the backyard.
Get lost in the story of Louisa and Hattie, as they traverse across the frontier and the dangers that it holds.
Get lost in the story of Louisa and Hattie, as they traverse across the frontier and the dangers that it holds.
surrrrrrrmmmmmma's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
abookwormwithwine's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
[b:A Transcontinental Affair|44080341|A Transcontinental Affair|Jodi Daynard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557506776l/44080341._SX50_.jpg|68546359] is my first time reading a novel by [a:Jodi Daynard|713012|Jodi Daynard|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1556639157p2/713012.jpg] but it definitely won't be my last. This was such a great historical fiction novel, and one that I will remember for a long time to come.
A Transcontinental Affair focuses on the Pullman Hotel Express, which is the first train to travel cross-country from Massachusetts to California. Before reading this book I knew absolutely nothing about this train or even when the first train traveled from coast to coast (1870). There was such a plethora of information in this book and I really enjoyed learning about this piece of our history that I knew nothing about.
I really loved the main three young women that the book mostly focuses on which are Hattie, Louisa, and Julia. Hattie is traveling to San Francisco to marry a fiancé she has never met, Louisa is the daughter of a Reverend sent aboard to work for a wealthy family as a governess, and Julia is on board with her father who also ends up being Hattie's chaperone so to speak. Hattie was such a strong character and she was so knowledgeable and inquisitive about so many things that I loved reading from her viewpoint. It took me longer to warm up to Louisa, but in the end she was completely endearing.
A Transcontinental Affair is only the second book I have read with a LGBT theme, and it definitely wasn't too strong in this novel which might be why I didn't even know it was there until I read it. There is also some violence towards both animals and people which could end up being a trigger warning for some. This book is set in the days when Native Americans were still called 'Injuns' if that tells you anything.
Even though there was violence, there were also so many things that made me laugh and usually it was because of Hattie. Basically the only reason that I didn't give this book a 5 is because it tended to get a little confusing, especially when there were a lot of things going on. Other than that I absolutely loved the gem that is A Transcontinental Affair.
Final Thought: I think most historical fictions lovers will be a fan of this book, and if you love setting details you will definitely find them in A Transcontinental Affair. I actually felt like I was on the train while reading which was something I personally really enjoyed. I also really loved the ending and was so satisfied with what happened. I can't wait to read more books by Daynard!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
[b:A Transcontinental Affair|44080341|A Transcontinental Affair|Jodi Daynard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557506776l/44080341._SX50_.jpg|68546359] is my first time reading a novel by [a:Jodi Daynard|713012|Jodi Daynard|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1556639157p2/713012.jpg] but it definitely won't be my last. This was such a great historical fiction novel, and one that I will remember for a long time to come.
A Transcontinental Affair focuses on the Pullman Hotel Express, which is the first train to travel cross-country from Massachusetts to California. Before reading this book I knew absolutely nothing about this train or even when the first train traveled from coast to coast (1870). There was such a plethora of information in this book and I really enjoyed learning about this piece of our history that I knew nothing about.
I really loved the main three young women that the book mostly focuses on which are Hattie, Louisa, and Julia. Hattie is traveling to San Francisco to marry a fiancé she has never met, Louisa is the daughter of a Reverend sent aboard to work for a wealthy family as a governess, and Julia is on board with her father who also ends up being Hattie's chaperone so to speak. Hattie was such a strong character and she was so knowledgeable and inquisitive about so many things that I loved reading from her viewpoint. It took me longer to warm up to Louisa, but in the end she was completely endearing.
A Transcontinental Affair is only the second book I have read with a LGBT theme, and it definitely wasn't too strong in this novel which might be why I didn't even know it was there until I read it. There is also some violence towards both animals and people which could end up being a trigger warning for some. This book is set in the days when Native Americans were still called 'Injuns' if that tells you anything.
Even though there was violence, there were also so many things that made me laugh and usually it was because of Hattie. Basically the only reason that I didn't give this book a 5 is because it tended to get a little confusing, especially when there were a lot of things going on. Other than that I absolutely loved the gem that is A Transcontinental Affair.
Final Thought: I think most historical fictions lovers will be a fan of this book, and if you love setting details you will definitely find them in A Transcontinental Affair. I actually felt like I was on the train while reading which was something I personally really enjoyed. I also really loved the ending and was so satisfied with what happened. I can't wait to read more books by Daynard!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
inkell's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Was not in the mood, might pick up later
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Animal death, and Murder
emiwan_kenobi's review against another edition
1.0
The tl;dr version: - boring plot, flat characters, problematic depictions of native Americans, lazy writing, very little in the way of any actual “romance”.
The one star is strictly for the attempt at making an LGBT+ book, even if it turned out badly.
The longer version:
I’m curious about what genre this is even supposed to be. It can’t be a romance, given that the “romance” didn’t even begin until over 50% of the way in and was so poorly done, abruptly introduced, and lacking in any actual romantic features. It’s not an adventure because, for all the (rather problematic) talk of “Indians”, explosions, and gruesomely described deaths (like, shot in the head, face burned off, etc described in unnecessary detail), nothing happens for 60% of the book and when it does happen it’s so abrupt and so poorly described to the point where it’s not interesting to read.
It’s just a bad book, honestly. Poorly written with no plot to speak of, and full of racist, rude, pathetic, or otherwise unlikable characters. Hattie, our main character, is rude, petty, jealous, spiteful, heartless, a bully, and honestly doesn’t ever do a single nice thing in the book that isn’t in some way selfish. Louisa is a strange perfect waif of a girl who’s resigned to everything. Julia is a polite piece of furniture. The men are all mostly idiots or villains who stare or scowl constantly.
Overall the writing is sloppy, with numerous inconsistencies, unnecessarily gruesome descriptions of death, and full of borderline-if-not-absolutely racist depictions of native Americans and appropriations of their culture (the fact that a “squaw” dubs a white female a “two-spirit” which a white man then has to define is just one example). The plot is repetitious, dull, and full of abrupt happenings, with low/no stakes anywhere, not to mentione absolutely unbelievable in so many ways. The characters range from flat as paper to utterly unlikable.
1 star, 2/10, won’t recommend or read again.
The one star is strictly for the attempt at making an LGBT+ book, even if it turned out badly.
The longer version:
I’m curious about what genre this is even supposed to be. It can’t be a romance, given that the “romance” didn’t even begin until over 50% of the way in and was so poorly done, abruptly introduced, and lacking in any actual romantic features. It’s not an adventure because, for all the (rather problematic) talk of “Indians”, explosions, and gruesomely described deaths (like, shot in the head, face burned off, etc described in unnecessary detail), nothing happens for 60% of the book and when it does happen it’s so abrupt and so poorly described to the point where it’s not interesting to read.
It’s just a bad book, honestly. Poorly written with no plot to speak of, and full of racist, rude, pathetic, or otherwise unlikable characters. Hattie, our main character, is rude, petty, jealous, spiteful, heartless, a bully, and honestly doesn’t ever do a single nice thing in the book that isn’t in some way selfish. Louisa is a strange perfect waif of a girl who’s resigned to everything. Julia is a polite piece of furniture. The men are all mostly idiots or villains who stare or scowl constantly.
Overall the writing is sloppy, with numerous inconsistencies, unnecessarily gruesome descriptions of death, and full of borderline-if-not-absolutely racist depictions of native Americans and appropriations of their culture (the fact that a “squaw” dubs a white female a “two-spirit” which a white man then has to define is just one example). The plot is repetitious, dull, and full of abrupt happenings, with low/no stakes anywhere, not to mentione absolutely unbelievable in so many ways. The characters range from flat as paper to utterly unlikable.
1 star, 2/10, won’t recommend or read again.
alicia_joy's review against another edition
3.0
All I cam say is "eh." I've read worse books, but I've certainly read better.
mibookobsession's review against another edition
3.0
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book follows the first trancontinental train trip in the Pullman Express through the eyes of two unconventional women. Hattie, the daughter of a congressman, is on the journey to meet her fiancée in San Francisco for the first time. She prefers trousers over dresses and the mechanics of the train over the opulent trappings inside. Louisa is the daughter of a reverend, a constant reminder to him of his wife's infidelity. Born with a club foot, she is considered unmarriagable, and her only chance of escape is to become a nanny to a rich and extremely spoiled pair of children on the journey. These two courageous women meet by chance and become fast friends, and then discover they've fallen in love.
This book has beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the rich furnishings of the train. The attitudes of the men against women of the day, especially women like Hattie and Louisa, were a reminder of how far women's rights have come. Need an escape? Take a journey through this great adventure.
This book follows the first trancontinental train trip in the Pullman Express through the eyes of two unconventional women. Hattie, the daughter of a congressman, is on the journey to meet her fiancée in San Francisco for the first time. She prefers trousers over dresses and the mechanics of the train over the opulent trappings inside. Louisa is the daughter of a reverend, a constant reminder to him of his wife's infidelity. Born with a club foot, she is considered unmarriagable, and her only chance of escape is to become a nanny to a rich and extremely spoiled pair of children on the journey. These two courageous women meet by chance and become fast friends, and then discover they've fallen in love.
This book has beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the rich furnishings of the train. The attitudes of the men against women of the day, especially women like Hattie and Louisa, were a reminder of how far women's rights have come. Need an escape? Take a journey through this great adventure.
lsmoore43's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you #NetGalley and #LakeUnion for the ARC of this book. This is my own thoughts on the book.
It started out very slow and I kept putting it down. I would go back and try again only to put it back down again. Somewhere along the line it did pick up speed, so to speak. It would have been a great book if not for the slow parts that keep you dragging. Or at least it did me.
The author did a good job eventually with the characters. The trip across the country with all it’s ups and downs and the scenery was well written. The fact that it was history in the making was great. I liked that it was a subject that most never read in this era. Gay people did not just appear in our century but you never read about it back in the 1800’s. Or I haven’t anyway. I think it would have been a great book if only it would have started out strong and stayed that way. The cover up, Indians, and many other things that happened were interesting but that beginning almost made this one I didn’t finish.
I’m giving it a 3.5 star rating and will recommend it but with a slow start warning.
It started out very slow and I kept putting it down. I would go back and try again only to put it back down again. Somewhere along the line it did pick up speed, so to speak. It would have been a great book if not for the slow parts that keep you dragging. Or at least it did me.
The author did a good job eventually with the characters. The trip across the country with all it’s ups and downs and the scenery was well written. The fact that it was history in the making was great. I liked that it was a subject that most never read in this era. Gay people did not just appear in our century but you never read about it back in the 1800’s. Or I haven’t anyway. I think it would have been a great book if only it would have started out strong and stayed that way. The cover up, Indians, and many other things that happened were interesting but that beginning almost made this one I didn’t finish.
I’m giving it a 3.5 star rating and will recommend it but with a slow start warning.
piepieb's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book more. I really liked the setting of the train, how the bulk of the novel took place on the Pullman Hotel Express. I wish there was more "spark," more "fire," to this unique love story that had so much potential and could have been even lovelier. Instead, the novel fizzled out for me.