Beth’s commute could lead to love – unless mysterious forces win.
After moving house, lonely librarian Beth meets Isaac – a handsome man with timeless manners – on her way to work. Sharing the same antiquated tram day after day, the pair become close and Beth suspects she’s falling in love.
But Isaac has a secret that threatens their budding romance. Something dark and as magical as the tram that picks her up every morning and evening.
Why does he suddenly push her away? Does he really not care for her? How could she have got the signals so wrong?
Then Isaac and the tram go missing and Beth begins to discover the truth. But it might be too late…
I am a bubbly and unconventional actress and writer living in Porirua, New Zealand. After studying linguistics at university, I followed my dream and moved to Australia for a two-year acting course. During that sojourn, I discovered a talent for writing (yay!) When I was a kid, I used to get between four and eight books out of the library at once and plough through them really quickly. I unfortunately lost that habit when I grew up, but I missed it and so am getting back to it. Though I've been courageous sometimes, I have spent far too many years stuck behind a desk doing administration. The main force behind my ultimate release is my husband Robert, whom I married in 2010. He is my inspiration and enabler par excellence and I truly don't deserve him.
What This Book Is About Beth goes to work to what she thought was going to be a bus, but ended up being a tram, she works as a librarian and each day she takes the tram to and from work. Beth becomes friends with a few on the tram, Willis the tram driver and also Issac who she falls head over heels with. As the trips become frequent Beth realises there is something very weird and strange on the tram. One day the tram doesn't turn up and Beth is forced to figure out what happened to it. With Beths love of Issac hanging on the rails, she discovers a frightful explaination of why the tram stopped dead in its tracks. What did Beth find? Will she be able to find her own true love on the love tram? ⭐ What I Thought Of This Book Susan Holt brings this book that is fantasy into what we feel as readers as a realistic situation, it is surreal and captivating and you will definately have problems, like myself at putting this book down. . Susan Holt is a New Zealand Indie Author, who asked me in July 2017, to read this in an exchange for an honest review. I find Susan's writing exhilarating, grip taking and she has a nature talent of endlessly drawing you in. The first sentence was enough for me "You have got to be kidding me." . This book comes highly recommended by me, and will suit any YA/fantasy readers, romance readers, anyone who enjoys suspense and the supernatural . Follow/Contact me on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6... Blog http://paulinereidbookreviewer.blogsp... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/paulinereidb... Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/paulinerei... Instagram http://www.instagram.com/paulinereidb... You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEW... Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/2cbi4as... BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/32512...
This book is a charming fantasy romance that is a cross between The Twilight Zone and any unrequited love at first sight story. I enjoyed this sweet novella and finished it in one sitting in a couple of hours. When it was over I just wanted more of it. I wanted to know what happened to the passengers on the tram in the future (here's hoping there is a sequel)!
At the start of this story Beth is rushing to catch her bus and not be late for work. Imagine her surprise when instead of the usual smelly diesel bus a beautiful partially wooden tram pulls into her bus stop. As the other waiting passengers complain that a tram is too slow and will make them late for work; Beth is exhilarated about this turn of events. After all, she has never ridden on a tram before now.
Soon Beth is taking the tram to and from work every day and loving her experiences on it. She meets the concerned bus driver who is always ready with a smile and making sure she watches her step. There is the sweet elderly woman who always miraculously has a hot homemade pastry for her. Then there is Isaac with his beautiful blue eyes and debonair manners. He always has a seat waiting for her and smiles when he sees her get on the tram. As the days pass Beth realizes she is developing feelings for Isaac.
As Beth tries to get the courage to ask Isaac if he is available, since he doesn't seem to be getting any of her hints about how she feels about him, she starts to notice strange things about this tram and its passengers. How can Isaac not own a cell phone or not know they are also cameras. How come he has never been to a library and can't give Beth an address to get him a library card. How is it possible that the pastries, so kindly baked, are always warm like they're straight from the oven. Why did Beth's roommate say that there are no more trams left in the city when Beth has been riding one every day.. None of this makes sense to Beth.
As we take this journey with Beth on the tram we start to care for this eclectic group of riders not knowing when the ride will be over and at what stop we will all have to get off the tram.
I had some questions at the end of this novella, which in no way takes away from the author's ability to write a continuously flowing story filled with wonder, curiosity, and a bit of supernatural magic. There are answers to Beth's earlier questions at the end of the book. However, there are some things left open for the reader 's imagination to fill in. I can't really give examples without spoiling the end of the story. Like a lot of Twilight Zone episodes the ending is open to interpretation.
I highly recommend this novella. It did leave me with a smile and hoping there is more story for the author to tell us readers. Those are feelings every reader wishes to have when they close the book at the end and I think what most writers hope to achieve when they are done with their story.
I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An excellent read. The story is woven together so nicely. It builds in really interesting ways and always left me wondering what was going to happen next. A great mix of romance, suspense, and the supernatural. I highly recommend it.
- Review from hubby (author's brother for full disclosure), as I haven't read it yet.
ETA: Okay, I read it. It wasn't my genre at all, and didn't much do it for me. I kept getting confused about what time period it was set in, because the main character is so old-fashioned in the way she talks and acts that she seems out of place, but then I'd remember that it's set now, because cell phones. Was that on purpose so that it seemed more likely she'd fall for a guy There were a few moments that made me squirm. Like when Beth talks about Red Indians. She's an educated librarian who's curious and keen to learn about everything, but she calls Native Americans Red Indians? Plus I'm not a fan of viewing the past with rose-tinted goggles, so all the digs at modern people being rude and unfriendly (feministy business woman and male with earrings and make-up) while the characters from the past were kind and friendly and simple - that just rubbed me up the wrong way. But that all depends on where you stand. Personally I like that the world is getting less restricted by gender norms and the like, so this is obviously just a personal reaction which not everyone will have. So, I'm not the target audience at all. More for quite conservative romance readers, I'd say - maybe fans of Outlander? Another series that I tried but found not to my taste and too conservative, and again, I just didn't buy that romance either. But having said that, I know the author is a talented writer. Because one of her short stories still stays with me a few years later, it made such an impression on me. This just wasn't the right book for me.
That was incredible. From start to finish and, I suspect, for long after.
This piece has an air of 'Inside No.9' about it (a TV show somewhat akin to, though less skin-crawling and more enjoyable than, Black Mirror - for those unaware) and I recommend it to those who have enjoyed either broadcast.
It is a captivating mystery about a tram which most do not recognise continues to travel through the city in which Beth newly resides (as the above summary suggests, and I need not repeat).
The narrative has made a great evening read, though it's taken an effort not to drop other commitments just to finish it and understand it all quicker!
Guessing the mystery early on did not detract from the enjoyment of the read, nor from finding the ultimate outcome - once revealed - satisfying, and I remain tantalised and intrigued by the questions I now have, rather than disappointed (or anything close).
Overall, a great piece of work - I look forward to seeing what else Susan Holt has to offer and in the mean time shall happily encourage friends to read it!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. When I first started the book I wasn't quite sure what to expect. A young woman find a tram that she begins to take to and from work everyday, where she meets a group of interesting people. Only, she soon finds out that the tram hasn't run in years. Is she hallucinating? Is it magic? She must investigate to find the truth of the tram and it's passengers.
I love a good mystery, but this was more of a paranormal book. Not that I have anything bad to say about the genre, but it wasn't as full of details as it could have been. The story was good, but I wouldn't say it was excellent: the suspense and fear could have been dragged out more in order to create a deeper plot. The climax is very quick, and could be stronger. I was disappointed when I came to the end of the book because I thought I was only in the middle of the story. I was expecting more to happen, then it just comes to the climax and ending abruptly. I have to say it would be a great book if there was more to the story and greater detail.
I’m going to be clear from the start, I was gifted this book for free from voracious readers only in exchange for a review which I am doing voluntarily.
I was a bit skeptical of this book at first, possibly because it is away from my usual genre, I decided to choose it as I wanted something a little different. And I was pleasantly surprised when I started as I felt it was easy to delve in to, I felt as I read on the characters were easy to relate to and connect with, i felt the more I learnt about the characters the more I connected and related to them.
I love how the story flowed and continued to leave me wondering what was going to happen next. This is a wonderfully written book and does not take long to read as you are turning the pages constantly wanting to know what happens next. I think I have found a new favourite author! ❤️
I have recently obtained a wonderful book called 'Catching The Last Tram' by Susan Holt via Voracious Readers. This book is about a lonely librarian called Beth who has moved to a new city. She meets the man of her dreams on her travels to work yet not everything is as it seems. I feel like I knew the main character 'Beth' and I experienced her emotions as she went through the roller-coaster of this journey.
The story is original and beautifully written. I was hooked to this story and I was gripped to know what happened next. I normally prefer a clear cut ending, however the clif hanger' type ending in this story was done very well. I would recommend this book to fantasy, mystery and romance genre Fans. I hope there is a sequal to this story.
Thanks goodness. When someone you know writes a book and encourages you to be "honest" in your review, do you have to be nice? Well, with this little page turner, it's an easy review. I read it (devoured it really) this afternoon. Fastest I've ever read a book. It is short but it's a really interesting story that hooks you from the get go. Part love story, part mystery, entirely satisfying right to the end. No spoilers here. I think most of my friends will enjoy this one. I will def read another of Susan's stories. A winner.
I received a Complimentary Copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only. I Enjoyed this book. It is a pleasant book to read. This book was original. I enjoyed the characters. This book would a Great read on a day off or on a trip.
A thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish. Hard to put down! I'm just hoping that Susan will write a sequel as I want to know what happens next.
Catching the Last Tram, the charming breakout novella by Susan Holt, is the ideal quick read for a lazy Sunday afternoon. The characters are believable, the setting is appealing, and the twists and turns of the story line are sure to keep readers entertained from beginning to end.
The story follows Beth, a librarian who has recently moved to the city, as serendipity intervenes to bring her and an unusual group of strangers together during their daily commute. What begins as a wholesome love-at-first-sight kind of story quickly turns into a curious mystery that consumes Beth in her quest for answers.
When I began reading this novella, which I received as complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had some idea of how I thought the story might end, but the final chapters were definitely not what I had anticipated. And although I can appreciate the ending that Holt delivers, it felt a little abrupt; I still had some unanswered questions. It may be that Holt planned on leaving her readers hungry for a sequel in which the backstory is further developed, but until such a sequel is released, we the readers will just have to consider the possibilities.
If you enjoy little love stories and subdued paranormal mysteries, you will likely enjoy Catching the Last Tram and I recommend you give it a read.
Romance is not usually my go to genre of literature, but after receiving this novel in order to give an honest review, I decided to give it a try— and I am so glad I did! The novel begins when Beth moves to a new neighborhood and takes a tram to her job at the library. She’s quiet friendly to her companions on the route and falls for a dashing, character named Issac. But, to her dismay, no one but her roommate believes her stories about her new friends and how she gets to work each day because in this city, trams haven’t been in commission for years! This is where The mystery begins! Once I began reading, I could not put this book down. It’s a very quick read, and left me wanting to know more about her beloved group of friends and what the future holds for Beth after the book concluded. This is a must read for those who live romance, mystery, and edge of your seat suspense. But, even if you don’t, this is one book you should definitely give the chance.
Words cannot express how absolutely charming this book is! Catching the Last Tram introduces us to Beth, a librarian who has just moved to the town the book is set in. When Beth rushes to commute to work she watches as a beautiful wooden tram pulls up, rather than the normal bus she was expecting. The waiting passengers around her complain that the tram will too slow but Beth loves the tram's charm. It was at this moment I decided Beth and I were kindred spirits.
On her daily commutes Beth meets some amazing characters, from Willis the tram driver who is always happy to see her, Margie who has warm baked goods to share, Tilly who loves to share scone recipes, Gareth the kind gardener, to Isaac (or Mr Handsome as Beth refers to him). What follows is a wonderful mix of romance, mystery, and twists, all of which will keep you wondering what will happen next.
Other reviewers have said they found the ending a little unsatisfying and would have liked the ending to be fleshed out a bit more. I can only say that I spent days obsessively thinking about it, filling in the "what ifs" with my imagination. Definitely the sign of a great book, and one I think will stay with me for a very long time.
I received a free copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via "Voracious Readers Only".
I found this book to be short and easy to read, easily finished within a couple of days. I enjoyed the author’s voice and writing style, she providing vivid imagery which made it easy to picture the scenes and grabbed my attention. There’s an old-fashioned/quaint feeling to the story, which I found a little bit at odds with the modern setting. The main character is relatable but perhaps a bit naïve than I would expect for a modern, educated woman as well. However I didn’t find that this detracted from my enjoyment of the story, in fact it was refreshing in a way. I would have liked there to be more development of the climax and denouement. The story focused mainly on relationship development, which was excellent, however I was left with questions and loose ends. Overall I do recommend this book for anybody looking for a quick, lighthearted read and those who enjoy a simple romance with a twist.
As a Voracious Reader, I INHALE books as fast as I can. I believe I finished this book in about an hour total. It's pretty short. But it's full of so much story. I enjoyed this book very much. I was a bit skeptical when I first downloaded my copy, but I wasn't disappointed. I don't want to spoil the mystery of the book, but I do want to say that to me, it was like Beauty and the Beast, but on a mysterious disappearing tram. The writing is simple, and is an easy read. Even without the paragraphs of descriptions, this story paints a pretty picture. I may be rambling a bit, but I highly recommend this book.
A sweet little story. It started off well, but did tend to drag a bit until the abrupt ending. The characters were good, the dialogue and interactions were very well written and natural. The story felt almost boring at times. This may be due to it taking place almost entirely on very short tram rides. It really didn’t give any of the characters a chance to build believably strong bonds. The protagonist was a little too good to be true. Her character comes across as quite meek and mild, but at the same time she has no problem initiating conversations with strangers and standing up to bullies that no one else is willing to face. Whilst it is true that people are complex, this just didn’t ring true. I was disappointed with the ending. It was rather abrupt and too simple for my liking. Overall an enjoyable read. I received a complimentary copy from VRO in return for an honest review.
It was a quick read and the characters were likable. The mystery aspect was intriguing, but I wish the ending was more fleshed out and I wish that the last fourth of the book was expanded upon. Also I’m not so sure the mystery aspect was all that hidden because I’m pretty sure I guessed it from the synopsis. However, it was done in a slightly different way than I anticipated and it still felt worthwhile. But above all I’m kind of left wondering if the main couple should be together at all due to some key differences between them, but my concerns probably would have been alleviated by explaining more about how the situation occurred and expanding on the last fourth in general.
**I was given a copy of this book to read and review by voraciousreadersonly
I received a complimentary copy of this story from the author through Voracious Readers.
I loved her description of the tram. I wish I could ride along with the characters for a while and get to know them better. Beth is a wonderful heroine with a heart of gold. She is kind and stands up for her beliefs while maintaining her respect for those around her. I love that she is a librarian! Each character is believable and I can see them in my mind.
Beth's belief in what's right and true helps her in her quest to save her friends even when she doesn't know what she's saving them from.
Join Jay, Isaac, Tilly, Willis and the rest of crew for an amazing ride on the tram. Your heart will thank you.
I really enjoyed this book from the moment I picked it up the story pulled me into the world of librarian - Beth.
Beth travels to work on the tram daily and makes friends with some of the passengers...especially Isaac, who is handsome and has impeccable manners. But Isaac holds a sad secret that will shatter Beth.
Infact Beth starts to think that something weird is happening...But what?
Why do all the passengers know each other?
And what happens when Beth confronts the school bullies?
A lovely easy read with a bit of love, magic and suspense all rolled into the story.
Its a recommended read for young adults too, both my teenage daughter's (16 & 18) have read it and enjoyed it.
What a lovely little story! Beth starts a new job and on her way to work catches a tram, where she meets Isaac. Their relationship grows on the journey to and from work.
Beth’s encounter with Isaac and with other tram regulars develops into an interesting mystery.
I received a free copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only, in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly enjoyed this story. The only thing I didn’t like was that I figured out what was happening long before Beth did, and I kept wanting her to see what was right in front of her. For an intelligent woman she wasn’t very clever!
Such a wonderful read it was. My fastest read of the year.. took less than two days to finish it off. No book has hooked me like this recently. What will you do if you found your friends disappeared all of a sudden...None can guess the mystery over mystery in this captivating narrative..Surprises, disappearances...many things that never make sense...Beth, in an entanglement of mystery...She sets out without knowing what awaits her...Beth, the tram and her anxieties... all are simply interesting and breathtaking... Narration plays key role in this book-I was amused at how easily I merged with Beth and her tram...
At first, it's hard for me to imagine about riding a tram because I've never seen nor ride a tram before until I googled it.
Reading about Beth meeting Isaac while riding an antiquated tram to work made me imagining myself being Beth meeting Mr Darcy in a tram! I was choked when the budding romance between Beth and Isaac are perturbed by some unexplained mystery.
I was totally on the edge of my seat and I didn't expect the twist! After reading this book, I feel I have more questions to be answered. I hope there's a prequel or sequel of this book from the author.
I received this book via Voracious Reader in exchange for my review.
A lovely, quick read. The premise was fascinating, the characters delightful. I really enjoyed it. On the downside, I felt that it was a story in two parts - two thirds building relationships and the last on the mystery, without much blending between the two. The mystery itself could have been developed further and I still have questions. It was definitely a romance with a mystery thrown in for dramatic effect. The book was, however, wonderful and I had a good time reading it. Would definitely recommend.
I was sent a copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only and couldn't put it down once i started reading. While some may find this starts slow, the book soon finds it pace and you just want to keep turning the page. I found the mystery of this book keeps you on edge until the few last pages, you want to know if Beth will find a way to help her friends. Lovely writing, with well written simple characters this book is definitely one to recommend. Great for lovers of mystery and fantasy. I will definitely be looking for more of Susan's work in the future.
I don't want to go into much detail as the story is not very long so one can give away a lot if i have to break this down.
I can admit that I could not stop reading, it was gripping from the beginning to the very end. It kept me guessing as to what the end is going to be and how this story is going to end.
I connected with all the characters, i could feel Beth's love for each and everyone and how they feel for her, my heart was reaching out to all of them.
It was a very enjoyable short story and i would recommend anyone to read it.
I remember reading the synopsis of this story and my first thought was "I need to know more." This book had my attention right from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was left with this strong feeling of satisfaction and content when I reached the end of this story. I truly felt that I was on a journey with all the characters who resonated with me at different levels. Susan truly has a wonderful writing style. A big thank you to VoraciousReadersOnly for giving me a complementary review copy of this book! :)
I really liked this story. I read it in just a few hours and I couldn't put it down. I just had to know what it was all about. The romance part of the story is good, up until the moment it all of a sudden gets flowery and, I kid you not, I said out loud 'dude, chill!'. The end, though explaining the mystery of it all, felt a bit rushed, and I really want to know what happens after. There's some questions that haven't really been answered that I feel should be for everything to make sense. Overall, an enjoyable read.