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Train Wrecked Hearts
The past brought her home. The future might just keep her there.
After eight years away, Sarah Beth McAllister returns to Rossville, Georgia with nothing but a suitcase full of regret, a four-year-old daughter, and a prayer that her mama will take her back in. Estranged and pride-worn, Sarah Beth knows coming home means facing the mess she made. And the mother who warned her about men like the one who left her in ruins.
But Rossville isn’t the town she left behind. Mama’s taken to bed, the family-run motel is hanging on by a thread, and some smooth-talking stranger has wedged himself smack dab in the middle of the mess.
Aaron Cooper rides the rails, just like his daddy and granddaddy before him. But with the railroad fading and a new dream rising, he's set his sights on the rundown motel next door. The land it sits on? Prime real estate—if he can just outlast the sharp-tongued matriarch who refuses to sell. But when her equally headstrong daughter returns home with a wide-eyed little girl, a needy puppy, and secrets of her own, Aaron’s smooth plan goes off track. And so does his heart.
As past mistakes bubble to the surface and a long-buried mystery starts to unravel, Sarah Beth and Aaron will have to decide if the wreckage between them can be cleared—or if some hearts are better left on the tracks.
Warm, witty, and rich with Southern soul, Train Wrecked Hearts is a story of forgiveness, second chances, and the beauty of building something new from the pieces of the past.
Crack open this Southern tale of grit, grace, and unexpected love today.
After eight years away, Sarah Beth McAllister returns to Rossville, Georgia with nothing but a suitcase full of regret, a four-year-old daughter, and a prayer that her mama will take her back in. Estranged and pride-worn, Sarah Beth knows coming home means facing the mess she made. And the mother who warned her about men like the one who left her in ruins.
But Rossville isn’t the town she left behind. Mama’s taken to bed, the family-run motel is hanging on by a thread, and some smooth-talking stranger has wedged himself smack dab in the middle of the mess.
Aaron Cooper rides the rails, just like his daddy and granddaddy before him. But with the railroad fading and a new dream rising, he's set his sights on the rundown motel next door. The land it sits on? Prime real estate—if he can just outlast the sharp-tongued matriarch who refuses to sell. But when her equally headstrong daughter returns home with a wide-eyed little girl, a needy puppy, and secrets of her own, Aaron’s smooth plan goes off track. And so does his heart.
As past mistakes bubble to the surface and a long-buried mystery starts to unravel, Sarah Beth and Aaron will have to decide if the wreckage between them can be cleared—or if some hearts are better left on the tracks.
Warm, witty, and rich with Southern soul, Train Wrecked Hearts is a story of forgiveness, second chances, and the beauty of building something new from the pieces of the past.
Crack open this Southern tale of grit, grace, and unexpected love today.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2025
75 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Sienes
19 books495 followersAward-winning author Jennifer Sienes is college-educated but discovered life experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance, and writing and puts it all together in inspirational contemporary fiction/romance. Her Apple Hill Series takes place in Northern California, and her Southern fiction Bedford County Series and Norfolk Southern Series are set in Tennessee where she now resides. When she isn’t writing, she works in her garden, refinishes old furniture, and dabbles with home décor.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 13, 2025
I can always count on a blessing when I read anything by this author. The characters in this story are life like with their everyday problems and flaws that real people face daily. You see that past pain and unresolved forgiveness may cause extreme bitterness which seeps into every area of life. This type of bitterness is on full display in the life of Georgina Pickett.
Sara Beth McAllister has come back home to see her mom, Georgina. She has not seen her mom in 8 years, and their relationship is not a loving one. It is stilted at best. Georgina is a bitter woman with a prickly personality, but Sara Beth and her daughter need a home. She is shocked to find her mother's hotel is in shambles, and her mother is in a bad place, both physically and mentally. A granddaughter and a little puppy bring a little light to Georgina's eyes. She is carrying pain from her past that her daughter cannot even fathom.
Aaron Cooper is a railroad man who lives next door. He has been quietly being a good neighbor to Georgina, although he does have ulterior motives. As Aaron and Sara Beth get to know one another better and he helps her find a piece of her past, their relationship grows. However, there is so much more at stake, and Sara Beth has some pretty high walls around her heart as well. She has allowed the hurts of her past to cloud her view of the future.
This book was dripping with so many emotions from happiness to sadness as well as gut wrenching grief. Ultimately both characters find their strength in their faith, which plays a huge part of this story. Redemption, grace and forgiveness ultimately give comfort to these characters as they work through the difficulties in their lives.
There is a point toward the end of the book when Sara Beth is pondering how faith is a funny thing in that she does not doubt the Creator, but sometimes she has to be reminded about more than just creation. "And yet, I sometimes forgot He had an excellent plan for my life - beyond my mistakes."
This satisfying inspirational book will make you count your blessings.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sara Beth McAllister has come back home to see her mom, Georgina. She has not seen her mom in 8 years, and their relationship is not a loving one. It is stilted at best. Georgina is a bitter woman with a prickly personality, but Sara Beth and her daughter need a home. She is shocked to find her mother's hotel is in shambles, and her mother is in a bad place, both physically and mentally. A granddaughter and a little puppy bring a little light to Georgina's eyes. She is carrying pain from her past that her daughter cannot even fathom.
Aaron Cooper is a railroad man who lives next door. He has been quietly being a good neighbor to Georgina, although he does have ulterior motives. As Aaron and Sara Beth get to know one another better and he helps her find a piece of her past, their relationship grows. However, there is so much more at stake, and Sara Beth has some pretty high walls around her heart as well. She has allowed the hurts of her past to cloud her view of the future.
This book was dripping with so many emotions from happiness to sadness as well as gut wrenching grief. Ultimately both characters find their strength in their faith, which plays a huge part of this story. Redemption, grace and forgiveness ultimately give comfort to these characters as they work through the difficulties in their lives.
There is a point toward the end of the book when Sara Beth is pondering how faith is a funny thing in that she does not doubt the Creator, but sometimes she has to be reminded about more than just creation. "And yet, I sometimes forgot He had an excellent plan for my life - beyond my mistakes."
This satisfying inspirational book will make you count your blessings.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 30, 2025
A Southern Gem with Heart, Depth, and Redemption
I love this author—Jennifer Sienes never disappoints! Her storytelling is top-notch, her dialogue laced with wit and grit, and her characters feel like they’ve stepped right off a front porch in the deep South. Authentic, raw, and real, they carry flaws, heartbreak, and unfinished business that mirror our own human journey.
Three rich, emotional threads weave through this unforgettable Southern romance: the battle of faith over fear, the choice between forgiveness and bitterness, and the beauty of second chances. It’s not preachy in the slightest, but the author’s heart to write for the Father—is felt in every subtle nudge of grace and truth.
And the ending? Pure satisfaction. One of those rare books you close slowly, wishing there were just one more chapter. Five stars, no hesitation. A must-read for anyone who loves redemptive stories that linger long after the final page.
I love this author—Jennifer Sienes never disappoints! Her storytelling is top-notch, her dialogue laced with wit and grit, and her characters feel like they’ve stepped right off a front porch in the deep South. Authentic, raw, and real, they carry flaws, heartbreak, and unfinished business that mirror our own human journey.
Three rich, emotional threads weave through this unforgettable Southern romance: the battle of faith over fear, the choice between forgiveness and bitterness, and the beauty of second chances. It’s not preachy in the slightest, but the author’s heart to write for the Father—is felt in every subtle nudge of grace and truth.
And the ending? Pure satisfaction. One of those rare books you close slowly, wishing there were just one more chapter. Five stars, no hesitation. A must-read for anyone who loves redemptive stories that linger long after the final page.
November 7, 2025
A story about a young woman growing up with a bitter mother, escaping by marrying an abusive man who passed away from a DUI accident. Returning home with a four year old to her embittered mother living in a rundown motel, she has no other options. The proclaimed bachelor next door who turned over houses as a side to working on the RR irritates mother & daughter by wanting to buy their motel. Although starting out at odds, his kindness soon wins her and her daughter over. Yet, Sarah Beth still needs to unravel secrets her mother has kept from her. Complicated relationships to unravel resulting in a mistrust of letting go and to find love again using analogies with a southern dialect makes it an entertaining read. (Very eye-catching and creative title)
May 22, 2025
The underlying theme of faith over fear is felt throughout this story, a story that held my heart within its depths as I literally devoured every word. Each character was so real, each plot so believable, each emotion so deeply shared, this book could be a parallel to one’s own life, one’s own experiences from victim to victory! This could only be accomplished from an author’s heart in tune with the heart of our Father, an author’s heart whose goal is to lead each one who reads these words to be filled with the hope of an eternity with the Saviour of all mankind. Extraordinary narrative!
September 22, 2025
I’m loving Southern Fiction stories. Especially since moving to the South.
Jennifer depicted stunning visuals in the town’s region, setting, and the verbiage between characters. I was right there with Sarah Beth McCallister in Georgia. Sights, sounds, and aromas pulled me in. As a reader, I could feel the story all around me, and at times I was an eavesdropper hungry for more information. The author wisely fed me one bite or hint at a time. Well done, Jennifer Sienes!
Jennifer depicted stunning visuals in the town’s region, setting, and the verbiage between characters. I was right there with Sarah Beth McCallister in Georgia. Sights, sounds, and aromas pulled me in. As a reader, I could feel the story all around me, and at times I was an eavesdropper hungry for more information. The author wisely fed me one bite or hint at a time. Well done, Jennifer Sienes!
October 13, 2025
There are many things to love about this book: the southern setting, believable and interesting characters struggling to live. How can Sarah Beth McAlister move beyond her anger toward her mother to acceptance, forgiveness, and love? Aaron Cooper is the kind of neighbor every single mom should have. My favorite character was four-year-old Gracie Lynn. This heart warming novel is about more than just renovating a motel, but mostly about "fixing" family relationships.
December 20, 2025
I picked this book because it's set in Rossville, Georgia, which is where I grew up! Small world.
It's true southern fiction, with a gritty storyline, of which I'm always a fan. I really enjoyed the characters and following their messy, broken past toward a satisfying ending.
My one complaint is that everything tied up very neatly in the epilogue, but we didn't get to see how Sara Beth's parents resolved their deep issues.
It's true southern fiction, with a gritty storyline, of which I'm always a fan. I really enjoyed the characters and following their messy, broken past toward a satisfying ending.
My one complaint is that everything tied up very neatly in the epilogue, but we didn't get to see how Sara Beth's parents resolved their deep issues.
May 22, 2025
I love how the author uses real-life struggles to engage me as a reader. The situations the characters face are not glossed over or 'Christianized.' And I can hear the characters speak as I read - very characteristic of how folks in the South talk. I couldn't put this book down until the conclusion.
November 11, 2025
I liked it
This story had me interested because it takes a look into peoples lives -the characters- I otherwise would have not known, the writing was that real, and I enjoyed this aspect of the story very much.
This story had me interested because it takes a look into peoples lives -the characters- I otherwise would have not known, the writing was that real, and I enjoyed this aspect of the story very much.
November 15, 2025
Great story
This story line was well done. Good characters and some great Christian modeling—Garrett especially.
I just wish the book had better editing.
This story line was well done. Good characters and some great Christian modeling—Garrett especially.
I just wish the book had better editing.
November 29, 2025
A beautiful and compelling read.
May 22, 2025
The underlying theme of faith over fear is felt throughout this story, a story that held my heart within its depths as I literally devoured every word. Each character was so real, each plot so believable, each emotion so deeply shared, this book could be a parallel to one’s own life, one’s own experiences from victim to victory! This could only be accomplished from an author’s heart in tune with the heart of our Father, an author’s heart whose goal is to lead each one who reads these words to be filled with the hope of an eternity with the Saviour of all mankind. Extraordinary narrative!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews