What do you think?
Rate this book
Brambleberry Steam Railway #1
The Valentine's Express on the Brambleberry Steam Railway: A cosy, uplifting small town romance
Can one springtime in a sleepy village change the tracks of your entire life?
Poppy put her career on hold when she returned home to care for her mother. Now that her mum is better, Poppy can finally leave her job at the steam railway cafe and reclaim her old life.
Scott is grieving his lost wife and needs to get away from London and all that reminds him of her. When he volunteers at the local steam railway, the last thing he expects is to meet someone like Poppy.
As they prepare the Valentine’s Day dining train to puff through the Yorkshire countryside, an unlikely friendship blossoms. Scott encourages Poppy to dream big again, while Poppy helps Scott find his footing in a world that feels far too fragile.
But the big city is calling Poppy back. Can Scott overcome the ghosts of his past to follow her there, or will their paths diverge just as they’ve finally found each other?
An uplifting, emotional, low spice British romance perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley, and Jessica Redland.
This book was written by a human. The author and the characters are from England, so this book contains UK spelling.
Poppy put her career on hold when she returned home to care for her mother. Now that her mum is better, Poppy can finally leave her job at the steam railway cafe and reclaim her old life.
Scott is grieving his lost wife and needs to get away from London and all that reminds him of her. When he volunteers at the local steam railway, the last thing he expects is to meet someone like Poppy.
As they prepare the Valentine’s Day dining train to puff through the Yorkshire countryside, an unlikely friendship blossoms. Scott encourages Poppy to dream big again, while Poppy helps Scott find his footing in a world that feels far too fragile.
But the big city is calling Poppy back. Can Scott overcome the ghosts of his past to follow her there, or will their paths diverge just as they’ve finally found each other?
An uplifting, emotional, low spice British romance perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley, and Jessica Redland.
This book was written by a human. The author and the characters are from England, so this book contains UK spelling.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
About the author
Rhoda Baxter
30 books105 followersHi. I’m Rhoda. I write smart contemporary romantic comedy. In real life, I’m a former scientist who now works in intellectual property. The rest of the time I’m a sensible grown up Mum.
I prefer my heroes to be nice guys with a sense of humour and me heroines to be smart and independent. If you like Mhairi McFarlane or Sophie Kinsella, you'll probably like my books tool
I also write women's fiction, often featuring Sri Lankan characters, under the name Jeevani Charika.
A few of my novels have been shortlisted for prestigious awards. If you want to 'try before you buy', you can get a free novella by signing up to my newsletter via my website: www.rhodabaxter.com
I prefer my heroes to be nice guys with a sense of humour and me heroines to be smart and independent. If you like Mhairi McFarlane or Sophie Kinsella, you'll probably like my books tool
I also write women's fiction, often featuring Sri Lankan characters, under the name Jeevani Charika.
A few of my novels have been shortlisted for prestigious awards. If you want to 'try before you buy', you can get a free novella by signing up to my newsletter via my website: www.rhodabaxter.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 30, 2026
The Valentine’s Express on the Brambleberry Steam Railway is one of the most gorgeous books I’ve read in some time. The gentle pace and slow-burn romance are just perfect. Poppy and Scott are both emerging from personal issues which have left them unsure of their places in life.
I loved Poppy; she had left her secure future behind and returned to her hometown to look after her mother. This selfless decision had led to her feeling adrift from her dreams and somewhat overwhelmed. Now that her circumstances had changed, it was a leap of faith to return to the workplace that she had once loved.
Scott was equally vulnerable. His story was different, but the end result was just as difficult to overcome. Losing a partner had devastating effects on his confidence, and he was plagued by survivor’s guilt. Despite that, he was a gentle, kind soul who was more than ready to find his way back to his former self.
The author could have easily wrapped up this book with shortcuts to a happy ending, but she had a firm grip of the story and handled it perfectly, creating a totally satisfying conclusion.
There are some terrific characters in this book, and I am thrilled that this is the start of a new series. I am already looking forward to following their stories and seeing what this terrific author has in store for them. Based on this initial book, I know I will be invested from page one.
I thoroughly enjoy ensemble stories and believe the Brambleberry Railway will deliver gorgeous books as the series progresses. Rhoda Baxter has struck gold with this story and can’t wait to read more from her.
I loved Poppy; she had left her secure future behind and returned to her hometown to look after her mother. This selfless decision had led to her feeling adrift from her dreams and somewhat overwhelmed. Now that her circumstances had changed, it was a leap of faith to return to the workplace that she had once loved.
Scott was equally vulnerable. His story was different, but the end result was just as difficult to overcome. Losing a partner had devastating effects on his confidence, and he was plagued by survivor’s guilt. Despite that, he was a gentle, kind soul who was more than ready to find his way back to his former self.
The author could have easily wrapped up this book with shortcuts to a happy ending, but she had a firm grip of the story and handled it perfectly, creating a totally satisfying conclusion.
There are some terrific characters in this book, and I am thrilled that this is the start of a new series. I am already looking forward to following their stories and seeing what this terrific author has in store for them. Based on this initial book, I know I will be invested from page one.
I thoroughly enjoy ensemble stories and believe the Brambleberry Railway will deliver gorgeous books as the series progresses. Rhoda Baxter has struck gold with this story and can’t wait to read more from her.
April 17, 2026
What an utterly charming and cozy book!
I picked this up because the idea of a romance and steam trains sounded so unbelievably sweet and comforting that I couldn't resist. It provided everything it promised and more.
What a great group of characters who reside in a small town in Yorkshire.
Although it is lovely escapism, it also has a lot of depth, with the main character, Poppy, reclaiming her life and dreams after having to spend years caring for her mother after an unexpected stroke. Scott is trying to make sense of life since a car accident that claimed the life of his wife.
Although that may sound dark, I felt it struck a perfect balance, especially having read it in the volatile year 2026, it felt like it gave a nod to horrible things happening, yet love can still bloom amidst the mess.
The book was like a warm hug and a cup of tea and I was absolutely charmed by both the characters and the setting. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
I picked this up because the idea of a romance and steam trains sounded so unbelievably sweet and comforting that I couldn't resist. It provided everything it promised and more.
What a great group of characters who reside in a small town in Yorkshire.
Although it is lovely escapism, it also has a lot of depth, with the main character, Poppy, reclaiming her life and dreams after having to spend years caring for her mother after an unexpected stroke. Scott is trying to make sense of life since a car accident that claimed the life of his wife.
Although that may sound dark, I felt it struck a perfect balance, especially having read it in the volatile year 2026, it felt like it gave a nod to horrible things happening, yet love can still bloom amidst the mess.
The book was like a warm hug and a cup of tea and I was absolutely charmed by both the characters and the setting. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
May 13, 2026
Poppy is at a crossroads, now that she is no longer her mother's carer, she can go back to her dream job. The only problem is that she thinks her skills won’t get the management position in a hospitality trade she had previously declined.
Until she meets Scott, a man who’s come to Yorkshire to escape the big city and mourn the loss of his wife in a horrific accident. He is fragile and grief-stricken and Poppy is kind and caring. So when he volunteers at the steam railway where Poppy works in the heritage station’s cafe, a friendship develops. Scott encourages her to dream bigger and coaches her for a job interview in London.
When Scott and Poppy are thrust together on the Valentine’s day dinner train, they can’t deny their attraction. However, Scott is still reeling from panic attacks in big spaces and going back to London isn’t in his new life plan. And Poppy’s dreams are drawing her to the city and to the life she left behind. Can Poppy and Scott find a way to be together or are they destined to stay apart?
Baxter’s characters are relatable and likeable and it's the community that shines in this slow burn romance.
There’s a line Dora, the steam engineer and Poppy’s best friend says, “Well, you know what it’s like around here. You sneeze in your loo at three and the next day everyone’s asking if you have a cold.”
That sums up all you’d expect to read in a cosy romance, and to add to the main story we get a bromance too, if Adam hadn’t supported Scott through his grief, he wouldn’t now be in the village sending Poppy’s heart a flutter.
Highly recommended cosy romance, it’s not light though. Scott has a lot to deal with and Baxter has depicted perfectly the emotions associated with panic, grief and loss.
Until she meets Scott, a man who’s come to Yorkshire to escape the big city and mourn the loss of his wife in a horrific accident. He is fragile and grief-stricken and Poppy is kind and caring. So when he volunteers at the steam railway where Poppy works in the heritage station’s cafe, a friendship develops. Scott encourages her to dream bigger and coaches her for a job interview in London.
When Scott and Poppy are thrust together on the Valentine’s day dinner train, they can’t deny their attraction. However, Scott is still reeling from panic attacks in big spaces and going back to London isn’t in his new life plan. And Poppy’s dreams are drawing her to the city and to the life she left behind. Can Poppy and Scott find a way to be together or are they destined to stay apart?
Baxter’s characters are relatable and likeable and it's the community that shines in this slow burn romance.
There’s a line Dora, the steam engineer and Poppy’s best friend says, “Well, you know what it’s like around here. You sneeze in your loo at three and the next day everyone’s asking if you have a cold.”
That sums up all you’d expect to read in a cosy romance, and to add to the main story we get a bromance too, if Adam hadn’t supported Scott through his grief, he wouldn’t now be in the village sending Poppy’s heart a flutter.
Highly recommended cosy romance, it’s not light though. Scott has a lot to deal with and Baxter has depicted perfectly the emotions associated with panic, grief and loss.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Favourite author, so obvious must-read for me. 🙂
The "legacy steam railway" setting had intrigued me since the first time I saw it mentioned on social media, and it really is lovely. I particularly liked the old lady who watches the trains from her window, and the Valentine-themed event aboard.
Now, grieving characters can make a book way too sad for my taste, so the MMC having lost his wife (a year before the story starts) worried me a little but, again, favourite author, so I knew I could trust her to find the right balance for Scott's conflicted emotions when he finds himself attracted to Poppy. And Poppy has her own conflicted emotions, about the dream job she could finally get in London after years of feeling stuck in her Yorkshire village even if she made good friends while working at the railway café.
I really liked them both, so I hope to see them appear in the next books, in which I'm also looking forward to seeing secondary characters of this one become MCs and, of course, the steam trains again.
The "legacy steam railway" setting had intrigued me since the first time I saw it mentioned on social media, and it really is lovely. I particularly liked the old lady who watches the trains from her window, and the Valentine-themed event aboard.
Now, grieving characters can make a book way too sad for my taste, so the MMC having lost his wife (a year before the story starts) worried me a little but, again, favourite author, so I knew I could trust her to find the right balance for Scott's conflicted emotions when he finds himself attracted to Poppy. And Poppy has her own conflicted emotions, about the dream job she could finally get in London after years of feeling stuck in her Yorkshire village even if she made good friends while working at the railway café.
I really liked them both, so I hope to see them appear in the next books, in which I'm also looking forward to seeing secondary characters of this one become MCs and, of course, the steam trains again.
June 4, 2026
Collab with The Picture of Romance 💕
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
This was a different read to my normal picks especially with the low spice, but I enjoyed the change of pace.
As a UK girlie, I loved the setting of the book and thought it was a really cute, uplifting love story.
The back story does sound a bit grim I wont lie containing a grieving widow but as both main characters are aiming to rebuild their lives and heal from traumatic events this gives us a good plot to work with.
From strangers to friends this is a lovely story about finding yourself again. Perfect length and easy to binge read!
Slow burn romance and I also enjoyed a few of the side characters.
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
This was a different read to my normal picks especially with the low spice, but I enjoyed the change of pace.
As a UK girlie, I loved the setting of the book and thought it was a really cute, uplifting love story.
The back story does sound a bit grim I wont lie containing a grieving widow but as both main characters are aiming to rebuild their lives and heal from traumatic events this gives us a good plot to work with.
From strangers to friends this is a lovely story about finding yourself again. Perfect length and easy to binge read!
Slow burn romance and I also enjoyed a few of the side characters.
June 13, 2026
Honestly now, that was such a cosy and cute story, it made me wish there was more to it, though throughout this, there were sensitive topics of grief and moving on after loss, which I think the author handled and wrote well, which wove in to the cute and coziness of the romance
In this book it shows us a powerful story of how you are allowed loud to move on after grief and you don’t need to feel guilty about it!
Both our main characters had me feeling all the feels !!! It was a story that was hard to put down
- Small town
- Second chance romance after loss
- Found family
- Friends to Lovers 👩❤️👨
- Amazing side characters
- No spice 🌶️
- Yorkshire
- Steam railway
In this book it shows us a powerful story of how you are allowed loud to move on after grief and you don’t need to feel guilty about it!
Both our main characters had me feeling all the feels !!! It was a story that was hard to put down
- Small town
- Second chance romance after loss
- Found family
- Friends to Lovers 👩❤️👨
- Amazing side characters
- No spice 🌶️
- Yorkshire
- Steam railway
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love cosy romances and this one is utterly charming. A Yorkshire setting is always a win for me and, although this book deals with some dark themes, the light definitely wins through. Highly recommend if you're in search of a sweet and uplifting romance about second chances and following your heart.
June 8, 2026
A super cute romance book!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews