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On Track for Love: A Christmas Sapphic Romance
The last person Zoe needs cramping her style on this holiday train is the one woman she can't stop watching.
Forty-something Zoe Hawkins has sworn off romance just in time for the most romantic season of the year. All she wants is her annual Christmas escape—several days of twinkling lights and snowy vistas on the rails from Chicago to San Francisco with her train enthusiast club. No complications. No falling for anyone.
Especially not Samantha “Sam” Borchard.
The librarian with strawberry blond hair peaking out of her Santa hat landed the AV position Zoe wanted, and now they're stuck working side-by-side. Sam is nursing a broken heart—her ex just got engaged—and bristling every time Zoe tries to help (which may have something to do with Zoe stepping on her ankle during boarding).
But as the train chugs through the winter landscape, something shifts. There's the way Sam's breath catches when Zoe leans in close, the electricity when their fingers brush, and the heat in Sam's gaze when she thinks Zoe isn't looking.
This Christmas, love is the one journey neither of them planned to take.
All aboard for mistletoe, winter magic, and a second-chance-at-love interracial holiday romance that proves the best gifts are the ones you never saw coming.
Forty-something Zoe Hawkins has sworn off romance just in time for the most romantic season of the year. All she wants is her annual Christmas escape—several days of twinkling lights and snowy vistas on the rails from Chicago to San Francisco with her train enthusiast club. No complications. No falling for anyone.
Especially not Samantha “Sam” Borchard.
The librarian with strawberry blond hair peaking out of her Santa hat landed the AV position Zoe wanted, and now they're stuck working side-by-side. Sam is nursing a broken heart—her ex just got engaged—and bristling every time Zoe tries to help (which may have something to do with Zoe stepping on her ankle during boarding).
But as the train chugs through the winter landscape, something shifts. There's the way Sam's breath catches when Zoe leans in close, the electricity when their fingers brush, and the heat in Sam's gaze when she thinks Zoe isn't looking.
This Christmas, love is the one journey neither of them planned to take.
All aboard for mistletoe, winter magic, and a second-chance-at-love interracial holiday romance that proves the best gifts are the ones you never saw coming.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
50 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Andre
31 books46 followersElizabeth Andre writes lesbian romance and cozy paranormal mysteries. She is a lesbian in an interracial same-sex marriage living in the Midwest. She hopes you enjoy her stories. She certainly loves writing them.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 6, 2026
On Track for Love by Elizabeth Andre is a sweet contemporary romance set on a train journey from Chicago to San Francisco. This annual trip for the Great Railways Aficionado Society sees long-time member Zoe get off on the wrong foot with the new AV/social media manager, Sam. They quickly realize their attraction, despite the non-meet-cute.
This one-night-to-forever relationship builds over just a few days, and though it is well-written, it just isn't as convincing as I hoped for.
The train ride and the club activities are interesting, but do not overwhelm with train information. It is a nice balance.
I like the diverse group of characters and that Zoe is a lovely woman of color. Zoe's friends are nice, but pushy. I really like Sam's sister, Meg, and their relationship is so pure.
Bonus points for Zoe's inner voice that she sometimes responds to out loud because it made me laugh.
There is technically nothing wrong with this story. The writing style is easy to read and well-edited. The characters are likable and easy to root for. The setting is interesting. It is just okay for me and might not be very memorable.
I am giving it 3.5 stars, rounded down.
#onenighttoforever #trainride #Chicago #SanFrancisco #interracialrelationship #socialmedia #audiovisual #librarian #ecommerceanalyst #HEA
I received a free ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
This one-night-to-forever relationship builds over just a few days, and though it is well-written, it just isn't as convincing as I hoped for.
The train ride and the club activities are interesting, but do not overwhelm with train information. It is a nice balance.
I like the diverse group of characters and that Zoe is a lovely woman of color. Zoe's friends are nice, but pushy. I really like Sam's sister, Meg, and their relationship is so pure.
Bonus points for Zoe's inner voice that she sometimes responds to out loud because it made me laugh.
There is technically nothing wrong with this story. The writing style is easy to read and well-edited. The characters are likable and easy to root for. The setting is interesting. It is just okay for me and might not be very memorable.
I am giving it 3.5 stars, rounded down.
#onenighttoforever #trainride #Chicago #SanFrancisco #interracialrelationship #socialmedia #audiovisual #librarian #ecommerceanalyst #HEA
I received a free ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
January 8, 2026
2.5⭐️.This was a sweet, quick read. I liked and didn't like the relationship between Sam and Zoe at the same time. I liked that they were stuck on a train and had to interact, but I didn't really like the way the balance between rivalry/wariness and attraction was handled. The push and pull was good, but sometimes I didn't understand how their feelings evolved from A to B. I was a bit lost because one minute they didn't really like each other and the next they did. Trains aren't really my thing. As a result, it took me a bit of time to understand what this group was doing on this journey, and I found myself skipping some parts. In the end, they kind of grew on me with their quirkiness. Overall, it's a cozy read for the holidays, but it did not steal my heart.
December 24, 2025
Finished it while I was travelling by train. It couldn't be more fitting! This was such a cute, short read. I really wanted to to read atleast one sapphic christmas romance, so I'm happy I finished it before christmas evening!
December 25, 2025
A short rail journey with a group of quirky railway enthusiasts as the background was different. The characters’ motivations were believable but they sometimes sounded younger than they were. However, the plot line which confined the characters to the train wasn’t easy to write. Good HEA.
October 30, 2025
Busy start, and I had a bit of trouble picturing everything that was going on.
Something that struck me was that the description of the food and drink doesn’t really inspire me to do a long trip by train….. coffee cool and on the weak side, tonic flat, gin weak….. the scenery sounds gorgeous but the general public, also on the train, not so much. I am sure it is all realistic….. but I am not sure I am looking for realism.
I like the cover, it looks like a romanticised picture…… but the romanticism is all on the cover. The first intimate scene is realistic to a point, but the words used pulled me out. I know it is difficult for authors to not keep reusing the same words and this author has used many different words tho the one they have chosen to overuse, pulls me out the scene every time.
There are some bits I really enjoyed, a good turn of phrase “she could only manage to eat saltine crackers, washed down with her tears.” The hot and cold of the main relationship was however a bit frustrating at points.
Something that struck me was that the description of the food and drink doesn’t really inspire me to do a long trip by train….. coffee cool and on the weak side, tonic flat, gin weak….. the scenery sounds gorgeous but the general public, also on the train, not so much. I am sure it is all realistic….. but I am not sure I am looking for realism.
I like the cover, it looks like a romanticised picture…… but the romanticism is all on the cover. The first intimate scene is realistic to a point, but the words used pulled me out. I know it is difficult for authors to not keep reusing the same words and this author has used many different words tho the one they have chosen to overuse, pulls me out the scene every time.
There are some bits I really enjoyed, a good turn of phrase “she could only manage to eat saltine crackers, washed down with her tears.” The hot and cold of the main relationship was however a bit frustrating at points.
January 22, 2026
An honest ARC
Under the clock at Union Station. What a wonderful setting for a Christmas train trip from Chicago to San Francisco
The twin sisters have a cheery, familiar dialogue. Sam is the social media AV recorder to promote the trip. Her sister Meg is unsure of her love life. They are turning 40.
Zoe , is taking a break from romance and ready to enjoy the train trip. She is doing a family presentation on the history of the Porters on the train.
Great descriptions of the train ride. I travelled by train every day to high school and that rocking and rumbling took me back.
I love the tension and awkwardness of the crush conversations. Wow what an embarrassing moment which is so well written. A gorgeous love story
Re read in January 2026 and thoroughly enjoyed it again. Maybe I need a train journey
Under the clock at Union Station. What a wonderful setting for a Christmas train trip from Chicago to San Francisco
The twin sisters have a cheery, familiar dialogue. Sam is the social media AV recorder to promote the trip. Her sister Meg is unsure of her love life. They are turning 40.
Zoe , is taking a break from romance and ready to enjoy the train trip. She is doing a family presentation on the history of the Porters on the train.
Great descriptions of the train ride. I travelled by train every day to high school and that rocking and rumbling took me back.
I love the tension and awkwardness of the crush conversations. Wow what an embarrassing moment which is so well written. A gorgeous love story
Re read in January 2026 and thoroughly enjoyed it again. Maybe I need a train journey
November 8, 2025
This story felt like instalove and slow burn at the same time. I’m not sure that’s a good thing. The story takes place over four days on a scenic train trip from Chicago to San Francisco. Each day is divided into several chapters corresponding with the time of day. Our main characters are both older: Zoe (41) a longtime member of the Great Railways Aficionado Society and Samantha/Sam (40) a librarian who is hired to produce social media AV content for the club during their trip. There is a bit of rivalry between the main characters at first because Zoe wanted to do the AV content for the Society. Eventually they do come to collaborate on some ideas together and seem to get along well. There is definitely physical attraction between them which leads to the only sex scene about halfway through the book. The sex was awkward and the writing during this scene was a turnoff for me. I didn’t care for the descriptive terminology the author used and almost wished there hadn’t been a sexual encounter in this story. I did like all the side characters and enjoyed the banter between them. I also enjoyed the concept of a romance taking place on a scenic train ride. I felt the setting could have been played up more and the romance of the scenery better utilized. As another review mentioned some of it was realistically portrayed (weak drinks, lackluster food, rowdy frat boy types) which didn’t help the story. I gave this book three stars for the unique train setting and quality editing.
November 3, 2025
‘On Track for Love’ is a sweet contemporary romance.
It takes place on a cross-country train journey. Zoe is a long-time member of a train enthusiasts’ club, and Sam is the club’s new social media manager. Their first meeting isn’t exactly cute (or even positive), but with both characters on the same train, it’s not hard to run into each other a few more times. And with each encounter, the sparks begin to fly.
I love the setting of this story. A bit of forced-proximity, with a quirky group of fellow travellers as well as a bit pushy friends. The overall cozy atmosphere was captured perfectly.
Zoe is a lovely character. Funny, thoughtful and awkward at times. I didn’t particularly liked her conversations with her inner voice, but I can see the general appeal to it. Sam is equally likable, although her actions frustrated me at times. It’s a push-and-pull kind of dynamic. I especially liked Sam’s sister — Meg. She’s a delightful character and I loved their genuine sibling bond. It was a real treat.
It’s a well-written, sweet, short story. It definitely made me smile and chuckle a few times. Great book for a quick read, especially under a blanket with a warm drink for more cozy vibes.
I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.
It takes place on a cross-country train journey. Zoe is a long-time member of a train enthusiasts’ club, and Sam is the club’s new social media manager. Their first meeting isn’t exactly cute (or even positive), but with both characters on the same train, it’s not hard to run into each other a few more times. And with each encounter, the sparks begin to fly.
I love the setting of this story. A bit of forced-proximity, with a quirky group of fellow travellers as well as a bit pushy friends. The overall cozy atmosphere was captured perfectly.
Zoe is a lovely character. Funny, thoughtful and awkward at times. I didn’t particularly liked her conversations with her inner voice, but I can see the general appeal to it. Sam is equally likable, although her actions frustrated me at times. It’s a push-and-pull kind of dynamic. I especially liked Sam’s sister — Meg. She’s a delightful character and I loved their genuine sibling bond. It was a real treat.
It’s a well-written, sweet, short story. It definitely made me smile and chuckle a few times. Great book for a quick read, especially under a blanket with a warm drink for more cozy vibes.
I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.
November 1, 2025
This story is just delightful! Imagine a really heartwarming and modern romance between two lovely women, all wrapped up in the festive magic of a train journey during Christmas. Honestly, what truly makes it shine are the amazing, diverse, and wonderfully quirky characters you get to meet along the way – they're such a fun bunch!
Now, about the main couple... bless their hearts! Their push-and-pull dynamic got a little intense for me at times. I was rooting for them, but all the hot-and-cold moments made me want to gently nudge them in the right direction.
Just a little personal observation of the intimate scenes: it felt very realistic and genuine, which I appreciated. However, there was specific word choices that, for me, kept popping up and sort of broke my immersion a little. I know it's incredibly tough for authors to find fresh ways to describe spicy scenes but the word choice kept taking me out of the story.
All in all, it was a charming read with some really lovely parts!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Now, about the main couple... bless their hearts! Their push-and-pull dynamic got a little intense for me at times. I was rooting for them, but all the hot-and-cold moments made me want to gently nudge them in the right direction.
Just a little personal observation of the intimate scenes: it felt very realistic and genuine, which I appreciated. However, there was specific word choices that, for me, kept popping up and sort of broke my immersion a little. I know it's incredibly tough for authors to find fresh ways to describe spicy scenes but the word choice kept taking me out of the story.
All in all, it was a charming read with some really lovely parts!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 13, 2026
Zoe is an integral part of the Great Railways Aficionado Society, a group based in Chicago which every year on 26th December does a slow rail trip to San Francisco, taking five days and having meetings and lectures on board, usually lots of fun.
Sam, with her twin sister Meg, is joining the Great Railways Aficionado Society’s annual journey as a working guest this year, being tasked with the social media, and live-streaming the lectures.
These women meet on board the crowded train, being pushed together by the confines of the train, by the circumstances, and especially by Lou and Shep, the founders and leaders of the society.
This is well written, but I found the style a bit distant, and difficult to follow. A lot of things are inferred, not spelled out specifically, and for someone whose first language isn’t English, it’s hard to read between the lines.
I liked this book - it’s worth reading as a quite light and somewhat festive story.
Sam, with her twin sister Meg, is joining the Great Railways Aficionado Society’s annual journey as a working guest this year, being tasked with the social media, and live-streaming the lectures.
These women meet on board the crowded train, being pushed together by the confines of the train, by the circumstances, and especially by Lou and Shep, the founders and leaders of the society.
This is well written, but I found the style a bit distant, and difficult to follow. A lot of things are inferred, not spelled out specifically, and for someone whose first language isn’t English, it’s hard to read between the lines.
I liked this book - it’s worth reading as a quite light and somewhat festive story.
December 22, 2025
Zoe Hawkins is hurrying to catch a special Christmas train, when she runs into Sam and steps on her foot, triggering a argument.
Sam and her sister Meg are on the train, Sam to work on Social Media content, Meg because her boyfriend dumped her. Meg thinks Sam and Zoe would be cute, but Sam is dubious.
They meet again, Zoe apologizes, and they even flirt a bit before it gets awkward. Zoe is taking a break in relationships, and Sam us nursing a freshly wounded heart on learning her ex, Jenna, is getting married.
They sleep together... then Sam calls out a certain name. Oops. Adding to the mess they loose the free room they were using, and mild conflict over the social media stuff.
Meg talks to Zoe and Sam, they get together, wrap up one year later.
3 out of five. For a relatively short novella it drags a bit.
Sam and her sister Meg are on the train, Sam to work on Social Media content, Meg because her boyfriend dumped her. Meg thinks Sam and Zoe would be cute, but Sam is dubious.
They meet again, Zoe apologizes, and they even flirt a bit before it gets awkward. Zoe is taking a break in relationships, and Sam us nursing a freshly wounded heart on learning her ex, Jenna, is getting married.
They sleep together... then Sam calls out a certain name. Oops. Adding to the mess they loose the free room they were using, and mild conflict over the social media stuff.
Meg talks to Zoe and Sam, they get together, wrap up one year later.
3 out of five. For a relatively short novella it drags a bit.
November 3, 2025
A sweet, sapphic romance set aboard a slow-moving train where our two leading ladies keep throwing roadblocks up in their own path. But we've also got a bit of a blind date setup in a forced proximity situation going on as well.
Elizabeth again delivers a very enjoyable holiday romance, filled with exes getting engaged, train enthusiasts, competing A/V techs, and two not so sneaky setup artists.
I loved that it also included some information about trains as part of the immersion, most especially the Pullman Porters, now I have something new to research. Overall, it's sweet, a little spicy, angsty, and absolutely worth the fare.
Elizabeth again delivers a very enjoyable holiday romance, filled with exes getting engaged, train enthusiasts, competing A/V techs, and two not so sneaky setup artists.
I loved that it also included some information about trains as part of the immersion, most especially the Pullman Porters, now I have something new to research. Overall, it's sweet, a little spicy, angsty, and absolutely worth the fare.
October 31, 2025
A short and sweet sapphic romance with the unique setting of a slow moving train during Christmas holiday. Zoe is a long time member of a train loving club and Sam is a librarian just gets hired as social media assistant for the club. They meet and fall in love in the five days on the moving train. The writing is smooth and the story interesting, I appreciate the diversity and all inclusiveness.
January 12, 2026
Hmmm…. Where to start.
This was a very interesting read and I really enjoyed the nerdy side of both leads. I love that the book ended in such a way that we saw the aftermath of them coming together. The only critique I have is that I wish the emotions were a little more flushed out. I could tell they had lust for each other and they both had things they were dealing with prior to meeting, but I wanted to dive deeper into how they handled it while together.
This was a very interesting read and I really enjoyed the nerdy side of both leads. I love that the book ended in such a way that we saw the aftermath of them coming together. The only critique I have is that I wish the emotions were a little more flushed out. I could tell they had lust for each other and they both had things they were dealing with prior to meeting, but I wanted to dive deeper into how they handled it while together.
November 1, 2025
A good book to get you started on your Christmas reading journey. Very apt when it’s a romance story taking place on a train. Follow this sweet story of Zoe and Sam as they journey across America on this scenic train journey. It won’t be all plain sailing but, their destiny is written in the tracks!
November 5, 2025
This is a very sweet short read!
Elizabeth Andre is gifting us with this light, railroad love story! The setting is awesome if you love trains, especially old trains. The love springs up quickly then is pulled back by circumstance but eventually wins out. There is almost enough heat, yes I like spice but it is ok. All in all it is delightful for a short holiday read.
Elizabeth Andre is gifting us with this light, railroad love story! The setting is awesome if you love trains, especially old trains. The love springs up quickly then is pulled back by circumstance but eventually wins out. There is almost enough heat, yes I like spice but it is ok. All in all it is delightful for a short holiday read.
December 8, 2025
Sweet, quirky novella for the holidays!
I enjoyed this quirky holiday story about Sam and Zoe on a holiday train ride. It made me think of my own wonderful uncle who worked for the railroad all his life. The writing was sweet, the inner dialogue added lots of emotion and the secondary characters were all so quirky. Cute story for the holidays!
I enjoyed this quirky holiday story about Sam and Zoe on a holiday train ride. It made me think of my own wonderful uncle who worked for the railroad all his life. The writing was sweet, the inner dialogue added lots of emotion and the secondary characters were all so quirky. Cute story for the holidays!
Read
December 24, 2025NR. More train romances and more hobby clubs! Such a fun read. Technically a holiday romance, but the Christmas angle was nice and light.
It did feel a bit too insta-love for my taste, and the high stakes in the final chapters didn’t match the actual situation at hand. Also, Zoë trying to take over Sam’s job drove me CRAZY as a comms girl.
Overall excited to read more from Elizabeth Andre!
It did feel a bit too insta-love for my taste, and the high stakes in the final chapters didn’t match the actual situation at hand. Also, Zoë trying to take over Sam’s job drove me CRAZY as a comms girl.
Overall excited to read more from Elizabeth Andre!
January 6, 2026
Was an enjoyable read. Makes me want to try riding a train, but also the main group that the book focuses on is such a niche category that it is really interesting to see how it can be portrayed. I think it was well done. The story progression also. It wasn't just one unrealistic poor-communication mess up that causes the main conflict. It is believable little things.
November 2, 2025
On Track for love by Elizabeth Andre was a truly delightful and sweet sapphic Christmas romance perfect for the holidays. Zoe and Sam's journey on the train was absolutely heartwarming getting a second chance at love.
I received a free copy from the author and leaving an honest review
I received a free copy from the author and leaving an honest review
October 31, 2025
There's a lot going on in this story, from funny till sadness. Lots of quirky characters. I liked the train ride very much, it was like you feel the motion of the train while reading. A swift read.
dnf
December 20, 2025ableist slur in the first chapter kind of threw me
December 24, 2025
a cute story
I tripped sometimes over the colloquialisms that are sprinkled through the story. It makes the story look dated. Otherwise, a feel good Christmas story.
I tripped sometimes over the colloquialisms that are sprinkled through the story. It makes the story look dated. Otherwise, a feel good Christmas story.
December 31, 2025
I got "On Track for Love" by Elizabeth Andre thru Jae's sapphic advent calendar last year & it did not disappoint. A quick read set on a train from Chicago to San Francisco between Christmas and NYE, the MCs were easy to like & the secondary characters added good side plot and drama for the storyline. I'm not a huge train fan and don't particularly like the word sn*tch as an anatomical reference but overall it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to those looking for a quick sapphic read during the holiday season.
December 30, 2025
Good book
I liked this book. I liked how they didn't like each other at first but then they started working tog. Even though they were both scared they ended up with a happy ending.
I liked this book. I liked how they didn't like each other at first but then they started working tog. Even though they were both scared they ended up with a happy ending.
January 2, 2026
sweet
This story puts real life into perspective while melding the past with the future and lesbian drama. A good read for the new year.
This story puts real life into perspective while melding the past with the future and lesbian drama. A good read for the new year.
Read
January 3, 2026I found this a real struggle to finish. Lots of characters but not sure why as nothing much happened.
December 29, 2025
Enjoyed this one. Was a nice feel-good story, well written and encompassing. The personalities of characters were intriguing and the story unique, which let's face it, is kinda hard to do.
Nice work Elizabeth Andre and thank you for the opportunity to read and review. Recommended.
Nice work Elizabeth Andre and thank you for the opportunity to read and review. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews