If The Train Arrives

by Heather Fellin Tierney

How can we go back and do it all again?

A neurodivergent ticket agent struggling with his ended marriage, a willful teenager searching for truth about her past, and a teacher harboring a painful regret: each passes through the Wisconsin train station one Friday in 1970. Their encounters, though seemingly serendipitous, are far from accidental; yet none of them realizes how deeply their lives have been shaped by one another.

For years, the depot has offered Lincoln an escape from his troubled past. But now, with the trainline left in question—and in an era when disorders like his are often left undiagnosed—Lincoln must search for new ways to understand who he is.

Rose, his fierce and faithful mother, has orchestrated her son’s life for years. In her close inner circle is the secretary who helped uncover devastating corruption at their psychology office. Now, the exposing of long-hidden secrets means facing life-changing choices—some seeped in regret.

Both somber and uplifting, unsettling and still, the healing of Lincoln and those he encounters builds in pace like the train at the heart of the story—and arrives at the destination of a gut-wrenching dilemma: How do we make peace with time?

Genres: Fiction

236 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lincoln. Vera. Violet. Evelyn. Anna.

Each has a backstory. It begins and ends at the train depot. Heart-felt. Heart-wrenching. Interwoven. Thoughtful. Unique.

Modern day 1970. As readers are transported back and forth in time, we are reminded that…

“If the train arrives at 5:39 then it is too late.”

Most importantly, as pages turn, we can’t help but want to dole out hugs and love to characters that may feel broken, deserve attention and compassion in a world that doesn’t always understand those that are different. But there is something about them that makes us want to know them and care. And, hope for a better world.

The author shares a masterfully told character-driven story, that was thought-provoking and heart-warming. The author’s historical investigative background brings a thoughtful warmth and dimension that brings the characters to life while adding heart and soul to the story. Readers can’t help but root for the characters. May we be so fortunate to have more neurodivergent people that guide us to see the world from their point of view.

One last thing…the book cover. It has special meaning. As you read, you will understand. Pay attention.

Publication Date: August 26, 2025

I want to thank the author and Vine Leaves Press for this complimentary book for our Little Free Library Shed. I am providing an honest review.

[Rosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A historical literary fiction focussed on three ordinary people and the way their paths cross with each other. Excellently sketched characters, a complex and thought-provoking plot, a realistic ending. Great use of the 1970s small-town Wisconsin setting. An amazing debut! Much recommended to lit fic lovers.

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Plot Preview:

1970. Every morning, one train leaves from Minneapolis to Chicago via Milwaukee. One small stop it makes is at the tiny station of Oconomowoc in Wisconsin.
Lincoln is a forty-year-old ticket agent at the Oconomowoc train station. Though it has been many years since his wife left him, he still struggles to move beyond.
Vera is a teenager determined to look for someone from her past. She is gearing up for her first ever train journey, boarding at Oconomowoc and going to Chicago.
Violet, a single woman in her fifties, has only one major regret from her past, and she hopes that this journey from Minneapolis can help her set right a mistake she made many years ago.
We hear from these three characters’ third-person perspectives, and see what drives them ahead on this ordinary day.

The storyline is much more intricate than what I have written above, but it is best to go into this novel blind. Keeping my review somewhat vague for this very reason.


Bookish Yays:
🚆 The main characters. Layered, somewhat grey at times, very realistic throughout.

🚆 The age range of the key characters, going from teen to eighty-somethings. Each character sound age-appropriate.

🚆 The interconnections across the characters, actual as well as metaphorical. All three are lonely, all have lost people from their past, and all are on some kind of redemptive path, whether they realise it or not.

🚆 The writing. Beautiful without being purple, focussed without being boring, and dramatic without going over the top. Excellent!

🚆 The character-oriented storytelling – effective without compromising on the plot development.

🚆 The setting of Oconomowoc and the nearby areas. I struggled a bit with the geography, but that’s not the book’s fault. It makes great use of the place and time.

🚆 The 1970s feel, whether through clothes or behaviour or attitudes or pop culture references. Very true to life!

🚆 The depiction of Lincoln’s neurodivergence without using that particular term. The diagnosis and approach is kept appropriate to the 1970s.

🚆 The incorporation of the flashbacks within the narrative. Though a tad tricky at times to follow, most are scripted in a really clever manner. I love how they smartly unfurl little details that gain relevance later in the plot.

🚆 The myriad journeys in the book, ranging from actual travel to emotional sojourns. The titular ‘train’ can be interpreted as literal as well as metaphorical.

🚆 Despite the character-oriented approach, the story is quite steady-paced. For just about 240 pages, the book packs in quite a lot.

🚆 The stunning cover – apt for the book, though you’ll realise the avian connection only on reading the book.


Bookish Mixed Bags:
🚂 Too many secrets at the start. This adds to the suspense but the style of keeping the secret wasn’t too convincing at times. It felt forced rather than genuine. This was the only major negative for me.

🚂 Two main characters with names beginning from V - Vera and Violet. I muddled the two many times even though the names and the characters were so different.

🚂 The ending – really smart, but also a bit too complex, especially with all the interconnections.


Overall, I relished this reading experience. It has been many months since I have been so gripped by a novel that I simply didn’t want to keep it aside. Given a chance, I would have read this book from start to end without interruptions. The character development and the writing deserve praise.

For a debut novel, this hits most of the right targets. I would love to read more by this talented indie author.

Definitely recommended to readers who enjoy character-oriented fiction. This isn't for those who seek instant gratification at airplane speeds, but to those who savour the slow chugga-chug-chug of a train and enjoy the view while it moves ahead.

4.25 stars.


My thanks to author Heather Fellin Tierney and Vine Leaves Press for providing a complimentary copy of “If The Train Arrives” via BookSirens at my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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[TheConnieFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was extremely heartfelt! I enjoyed the storyline, the characters and the historical setting. I also loved that it had a neurodivergent representation in the book. It is very well written, comes with a clear thesis and I found the plot to be well executed. This book made me feel emotional, hopeful and empathetic. It was thought provoking, reflective and atmospheric. I was fully immersed while reading this story. It is unique and beautiful.

My favorite character in the book was Lincoln. He is just a quiet guy, trying to get through life. I felt for him because he was living with untreated neurodivergence. This book is a medium paced read, with likable characters. I really enjoyed reading this book and I definitely recommend it! It is set in the 1970’s in Wisconsin. There’s definitely a calmness in this book, which I loved! This is character focused, with Lincoln being the main character. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

I think people that like to read literary fiction, that has a historical setting and a neurodivergent representation, would absolutely love reading this book! Content warnings are very minimal and include having a mental health challenge and guilt.

Thank you to the wonderful author Heather Fellin Tierney for the beautiful advanced reader’s physical copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on August 26, 2025!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for Readers! Giveaway offered to Reviewers of If The Train Arrives:

IF The Train Arrives is finally here, and as a new author working with a small press, I'm trying to get the word out there. Thank you for your thoughtful reviews! To share my appreciation, any reviewers of If The Train Arrives (by Jan. 1) will be eligible for a fun little giveaway.
Three reviewers’ names will be randomly drawn and may choose to receive either a section of If The Train Arrives that didn't make the final edit or a draft of my next book's first page.
If The Train Arrives is available now on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Train-Arrives-... or through the publisher at www.ifthetrainarrives.com or https://vineleavespress.myshopify.com...

Thank you so much for supporting an author just getting started. Please let me know your thoughts and questions about this giveaway!

Heather

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful book. It opens up the world of railroading with a gentle touch.

I absolutely loved the character Lincoln and how wonderful of a person he is.

Additionally, it was a quick read because of the quality of writing.

We need more stories like this one give this a strong recommendation.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jan Priddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's fair to say I loved this gentle story. I have neurodivergent family members, and as a teacher I worked with neurodivergent adults and students. Tierney gets these people, respects their potential, and illuminates their lives and hearts. She creates a tender balance between compassion and precision. If you have someone in your life who loves trains, whether or not they are autistic, this novel is about trains. And that's only one of the three central character. Just the other day, I heard someone question if there was such a thing as a "cozy" drama. This might be one.

If you have someone in your life who has messed up in tiny ways so consistently and for so many years they don't remember what they meant to accomplish or where they meant to go. For those whose life journey twisted around and seemed only punctuated by failure and there seems no point anymore to where they’ve gone and why, this is a novel about figuring things out, and accepting that forgiveness begins with forgiving the self.

I thank Vine Leaves Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy and share my honest review. Gorgeous cover.

My full review is posted at The Humanist: https://thehumanist.com/arts_entertai...

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If The Train Arrives by Heather Fellin Tierney is a quiet, deeply humane literary novel set in 1970s Wisconsin that follows the intertwined journeys of three deeply thoughtful characters; a neurodivergent train station ticket agent named Lincoln wrestling with life after his marriage ends, a willful teenager named Vera seeking connection with her father, and a reflective woman named Violet trying to make peace with her past all of whom pass through a small train depot on one transformative Friday and discover that even brief encounters can shape entire lives. The station and its departing trains become a powerful metaphor for time, love, regret, and renewal as each character confronts what it means to move forward, forgive themselves, and find hope in unexpected places.

What stayed with me most was how tenderly Tierney writes each character’s inner world, especially Lincoln’s quiet courage in a time before neurodivergence was widely understood or diagnosed, and how his mother’s unwavering devotion anchors their shared story with such warmth that I found myself wishing I could sit beside them on that platform. The portrayal of Vera’s anxious journey toward connection and Violet’s longing for redemption felt deeply authentic, weaving together sadness and possibility in a way that felt like a slow train pulling into the light after a dark tunnel. The pacing is reflective and gentle, and while some moments unfold slowly, this allowed me to savor the evolving emotional landscapes and subtle revelations that bind these three lives together.

Rating: 4 out of 5. I chose this score because If The Train Arrives made me feel deeply seen in its quiet grace and poetic reflection on life’s intersections, and because its emotional cadence lingers like the memory of a beautiful, unforgettable departure and arrival.

If you love character‑driven stories that feel like meaningful conversations about who we are, how we change, and what we carry with us, this novel will stay with you long after the last page.

[Emmerson Breyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite reads of 2025. This story is peaceful and heartwarming, and I found myself unable to put the book down.
Three main characters, Lincoln, Violet, and Vera, are connected in ways that they are unaware of, all revolving around a midwestern train station. Each are at very different points in their lives, and readers get to watch theirs stories unfold and slowly start to intertwine in unexpected ways.
This book explores parenthood, neurodivergence, loss of love, and more in a way that shows the importance of those things individually as well as together.
Heather Fellin Tierney’s writing is poetic in nature, which I adore. Her writing feels gentle and calm, but kept me engaged and unable to put the book down until the very end.
The stunning artwork on the cover, the gentle nature of the story, and the beautiful writing of Heather Fellin Tierney make this novel one that I will read again and again for years to come.

P.S. For readers of The Freedom of a Tangled Vine… do we think the Anna in that novel is the same Anna in this one?!🤭

[Sydney Driver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so peaceful and quiet in the best way. Heather Fellin Tierney writes with such a delicate, poetic style, it’s so gentle and beautifully written that I honestly couldn’t put it down.
The story follows three main characters whose lives are connected through the weight of their pasts:
Lincoln is a neurodivergent man trying to raise his teenage daughter and keep up with life after his wife, Evelyn, leaves. He’s worked at the same Wisconsin train station since high school, and it feels like home. He doesn’t handle change well, but throughout the novel, he’s learning how to adapt and grow.
Violet is a school teacher on a quiet journey to find peace with herself. She’s still carrying the weight of a decision she made when she was 19 and hasn’t been able to move past it.
Vera, who just turned 18, boards a train to Chicago to visit her father, someone she hasn’t seen in years. She’s anxious, unsure how to reconnect with him, and figuring out who she is in the process.
As the story unfolds, the characters’ lives begin to gently intertwine. Secrets surface, truths are shared, and each character is pushed to face what they’ve been avoiding. I found myself thinking about these characters even after I finished the book. I loved all three of their stories, but I think Vera’s journey stuck with me the most. And the little twist at the end? I loved it.
If you're in the mood for a quiet, reflective read about healing, family, and finding peace, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Marcia Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of
Heather Fellin Tierney’s just published book, “If The Train Arrives.” Although I had some slight difficulty getting into it in the very beginning, I became more interested as I continued to read until I became intrigued by the characters and engrossed in trying to figure out how they are connected. My review of this book is voluntary.

The chapters are told from the perspectives of several characters who don’t appear to have anything in common. It begins with the protagonist, Lincoln, who seems to be on the autism spectrum in a high functioning capacity. The story starts in the present and goes back in time, eventually filling in the gaps in his life. After a few chapters we meet a nervous young girl boarding a train to meet her father whom she hasn’t seen in several years. On the train she sits next to a woman who turns out to have a strong connection to Lincoln’s mother.

The book is unique in a number of ways, exposing a corrupt system of medical and psychological treatment and the people harmed by it. It also demonstrates the fierce power of love, particularly parental love, and the bonds of friendship. The story is uniquely structured, so that the ending is both familiar and heartwarming. Overall, the book sheds a positive light on the power people have to correct mistakes and to help themselves and others become the best they can be.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book with several things going on. A train station / train is the center of the story with other stories branching out but yet returning back for a nice conclusion.

It’s about love, acceptance, reflecting, and is written beautifully. Lincoln is one of the main characters, a neurodivergent ticket agent whose mother is trying to help him be independent, even in her old age. I found myself rooting for Lincoln throughout the whole story.

I recommend it and am looking forward to reading more from this author ! Thanks to Book Sirens for the opportunity to review this! I have posted this voluntarily.

[Bookishru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I'm genuinely thrilled this book crossed my path! It’s an absolute gem!! I enjoyed every chapter. It may start a little slow, but at 30% of the book everything makes sense and connects.
I felt such a strong connection to every character, and each of their individual stories resonated deeply with me. However, it was Vera's story that truly got me my heart ached for her throughout.🥹❤️
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a truly heartwarming story packed with unexpected plot twists!💗💗

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Madison Miller-Ortmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the Train Arrives by Heather Fellin Tierney is the kind of book that sneaks up on your heart, holds it gently, then squeezes, sometimes with sorrow, sometimes with joy.

From the first page, I was swept into a world where every character felt heartbreakingly real. The emotional depth of Lincoln’s journey absolutely gutted me. I ached for him, I rooted for him, and by the end, I felt like I knew him. And Evelyn. Her pains and joys and choices lingered with me.

The stories of these characters are masterfully interwoven. Tierney writes with such tenderness and insight that I found myself crying more than once! Not from dramatic moments, but from the quiet, honest ones that felt like truth. 🩷

There were twists I didn’t see coming, surprises that felt earned rather than shocking for shock’s sake, and moments of stillness that were just as powerful as the big reveals. The writing is stunning; it is soft, lyrical, and emotionally intelligent, changing subtley with each character's perspective.

This book is a quiet triumph. If you’re looking for something moving, reflective, and full of heart, If the Train Arrives is a must-read that you'll fly through. I so highly recommend!

[Kristi Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the Train Arrives by Heather Fellin Tierney is one of my favorite reads of 2025.

I didn't know the background of this story before I picked it up. I am really grateful that I didn't have any idea before jumping into the story. Sometimes autism or neurodivergence is portrayed inaccurately and it turns me off to the whole story. That is not the case with this book. I work as a special education teacher and Logan's story in this book made my heart smile. I loved his mother, his family, his coworkers, everything.

My favorite quotes would give too much away, but they are around the authors theme in the book that we are more than just a file, a name, a diagnosis, etc. We are unique and wonderful people. Everyone has a destination worth exploring.

Take time to explore this book. You won't be sorry and it will make your heart just believe a little more in humanity.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Josie Kolasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If The Train Arrives is an incredible novel that lingers in your heart long after the last page. Heather Fellin Tierney has crafted a moving, heartfelt, and beautifully written story that pulls readers into an emotional journey of love, loss, and the quiet strength of hope. From the very first chapter, If The Train Arrives is both heart-wrenching and deeply human—every word chosen with care, every scene rich with emotion and meaning. The characters feel real and complex, and their struggles are both unique and universally relatable. This is a book that speaks to the tenderness of second chances and the resilience found in unexpected places.
This book is a gem—honest, poignant, and quietly powerful. I can’t recommend it enough.

[Kristy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am shocked at how fully and thoroughly “If the Train Arrives” moved me. This novel is outside of the typical genre I read but I am so glad I took a chance on this one. It is beautifully written, thoughtful and thought provoking with a few surprises and unexpected plot points. I loved the representation and the way it explored both mental illness and those who are differently abled, especially from a historical context. Each of the characters is so well done and while the ending isn’t wrapped up neatly in a bow, the reader leaves feeling content and full of hope. I highly recommend!

I received an advanced review copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Annalisa Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quiet, emotive, rich, and beautiful novel. The characters are so well drawn I could imagine sitting beside them - the threads of each of them are pulled tighter with precision. This is a story which needs to be read carefully so you grasp every tiny detail.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a warm, tender hearted book that I thoroughly enjoyed. A couple of surprises, but nothing objectionable. It's a well thought out story with good character development and enough interest to keep it from the 'boring' category. A short read that slowly draws you in as you follow the lines of each character's life. It's a book that I would have liked to see continue a bit longer.

This ARC was provided by BookSirens and the publisher, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

[Chandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because I live in Wisconsin. I have also lived in the Milwaukee area years ago and know the area well. I was drawn to this book because I am the mother of many neurodivergent children. I am so glad I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book! I loved everything about this book. It is a story of love, patience, family, and found family. There are lessons learned, sacrifices made, and secrets kept and revealed. I fell in love with the MMC, Lincoln. As the mother of an autistic boy, he grabbed my heart and wouldn't let it go. This book is everything my heart needed right now. The only thing I found was if I wasn't fully paying attention, the characters can be hard to keep track of. However, the author ties everything into a neat little package with a bow at the end. I loved this book, and I am already planning my re-read.

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about this book and was so excited to read it. It was as beautiful as everyone said. I couldn't put it down - and now that I'm finished, I'm still missing the characters. I hope there's a second book!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If The Train Arrives is a story that slowly unfolds over intertwining years into a penultimate day. The novel is told through multiple character point of views, seemingly unrelated to each other and culminates in a meeting that brings the characters together in ways that reflect the depth of the human experience. The book blurb is an effective summary, so perspective readers enticed by the synopsis are likely to find the story enjoyable.

The author's use of the passenger train as a central focus and its evolution over time mimics the characters’ arch and is a useful and lovely plot device. The train anchors the narrative providing a structured timeline not unlike a train schedule, while moving the characters forward through points in their lives.

The novel is interesting, well written and takes its time to develop, yet it remains engaging in its initial character develpopment. By the time the book is nearing its middle, the reader is fully hooked and the pacing accelerates. The author has a keen sense of storytelling, as each detail dovetails into a satisfying ending without telegraphing each character connection in advance of the reveal.

I greatly enjoyed reading this book and would encourage others to read it as well. It would be an excellent book club selection; there are many relationships, ethical gray areas, and character decisions that are worth discussing.

This is the author’s second title and the first I have had the pleasure of reading. I am curious to read her first novel and any future stories she writes, as it is clear the author is a careful and delicate storyteller. Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the complimentary copy of this book. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Sharon S.]

If The Train Arrives (Heather Fellin Tierney)

Through the haze of memory and norms from a different time, “If the Train Arrives” is a sad and interesting trip back to the 1970s, when a child could be “put in a home” for having intellectual differences. The story is told through a half-dozen alternating narratives and characters – what they experienced and how they are connected to Lincoln, a ticket clerk at the local train station. Rose, a mother fiercely devoted to her son, Lincoln, is the glue that holds the story together, and her determination to protect him, keep him safe and independent drives the plot – and affects the lives of several other characters. It’s a compelling story, where the train station also is a character and touchpoint.

While interesting, the intersecting stories at times were hard to follow – the reader is in the same fog as the characters as they seek answers about their own history and family. While the end of the book attempted to tie up all the loose ends -- it left some details in the fog. I wanted more, but that’s how life is. We don’t always know the whole story.

Skillfully written, there are many sweet or sad ruminations about connection, love and aging tucked into the story.

“There is something to be said about dabbling in the past. There is the way time strikes you swiftly across the face. Then the way it touches, softly, your cheek – its palm cradling the years. There is something to be said about being fifty years old.”

Overall, a good read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1970 when the term “neurodivergence” had not yet been coined and autism was less understood than it is today, If the Train Arrives invites readers to walk alongside Lincoln, a ticket agent whose sanctuary is the train station where he works. Early on, we are given glimpses of Lincoln’s childhood, his marriage, his initiation into fatherhood, and, ultimately, the dissolution of his marriage, as he struggles to adapt to multiple changes and intense external stimuli. And now with the train station undergoing a major overhaul and its future in question, Lincoln must deal with more rapid, unsettling changes. Beginning slowly while introducing complex characters whose lives are intertwined, the novel picks up speed midway and carries the reader to a satisfying conclusion, almost as if the train itself is one of the book’s characters and has arrived at the station exactly on time. I was pulled into the story from the first page, and while I found it a little slow at first, I was eagerly turning each page toward the end. A very worthwhile read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreadx for providng a copy of this book to me for my honest review.

The book is written from one person to the next. I think there are six characters. They all have their personalities written with a heart. Their interactions flow from heartbreak and love and surprise.

I think the one most written about is Lincoln who is a worker at the train station. His mom, Rose, takes good care of him. He seems to need more guidance than usual.

I do think you have to focus about half way. The characters begin to integrate with each other. I had to go back and read a chapter because it is loaded with happenings between the characters.

The ending is not surprising and each character has there own life to deal with and move on. I was OK with this book. It is is filled with carefully placed words of descriptions of feelings by the author.

[Jenn4Gators · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the Train Arrives focuses on the lives of 4 people and how their paths cross at a train station on a fateful day in 1970. Told from their individual points of view and in different timelines, the story weaves together their lives leading up to this day. I enjoyed getting to know Lincoln and seeing the world through his eyes. He was the most well written character. The book is short so there isn't a lot of space to fully develop everyone so you are left making assumptions and filling in some of the details on your own. Overall it seems to be a story of time and forgiveness, second chances and new starts. I enjoyed it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Madison Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5

The best word that I have to describe this book is peaceful. It had layers to it that all wove together well. The book was written in the third person point of view, with chapters from the perspectives of different people, and it took place in the 1970’s other than memories that weren’t dated.

Lincoln, a neurodivergent father and train ticket agent, has difficulty with change and is trying to raise a teenage daughter after his wife left them. Vera, a teenage girl, is trying to figure out who her family is. Violet, a woman with regrets, is trying to find peace with her past and create a new future for herself. Rose, Lincoln’s elderly mother, is trying to show him that he has more strength than he knows.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I did find it very slow. It was well written and the characters each had character development throughout, but for a short book, I wasn’t very invested in the plot. It just fell short for me personally. I do want to give the author credit though, she wrote beautiful characters. I found Vera’s story to be the most interesting part of the book.

I believe this is a debut novel, and I would read more from this author in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karrie Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, this book is outside my usual genres. However, it absolutely exceeded all expectations. From the beautiful writing, to the detailed story telling and the interweaving of human stories, I literally could not put it down. The characters are so wonderfully written, layered and nuanced. The way their stories are woven together is beautiful. At the end of each chapter, I just wanted one more drop. And at the end, I was desperate for more. Captivating, heartwarming, complex, and brilliantly written.

[The Imaginary Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the Train Arrives is one of those books that feels like sitting in a quiet café and eavesdropping on strangers’ lives. Soft, steady, and full of moments that are almost profound. Heather Fellin Tierney does a beautiful job weaving the stories of her characters together, all loosely tethered by some form of love - whether it’s longing, loss, memory, or the kind that sneaks up when you’re not looking.

The prose is gentle and careful, and there are lines that land in that satisfying, underline-worthy way. You can tell the author cares deeply about each person on the page. The emotional threads are strong, pulling me right into their lives.

If you’re in the mood for something quiet and interconnected, this one might work for you.

Note: I received an advance review copy of If the Train Arrives for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a character-driven story alternating between two timelines which weave together all the characters over the course of the book.
As with any good writing, it requires a bit of focus on the reader’s part to pick up all the points which are relevant to the story later. I liked being able to remember how earlier incidents had a bearing on later happenings.
I felt the author did a very good job at developing Lincoln as a character and helping the reader understand things from Lincoln’s point of view. I wish I had better understood Evelyn, Lincoln’s wife, earlier in the book but her motivations and situation was made clear in time.
This is a very good book which would provoke great discussion for a book club. I enjoyed reading it and I recommend it.
I received an advance review copy gratis. This is an honest, voluntary review.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Great writing, beautiful plot, and fantastically developed characters. I always enjoy stories where multiple lives intersect and I really loved this one. Lincoln was my favorite character and he’s very relatable. Despite taking place decades ago, the themes in this novel and still relevant today. The comparison of a train to our life’s events was pretty cool too.