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The Night Train to Berlin
Two lost souls brought together by the chaos of war.
A train journey into the past.
A love that echoes through time.
Paddington Station, present day
A young woman boards the sleeper train to Cornwall with only a beautiful emerald silk evening dress and an old, well-read diary full of sketches. Ellie Nightingale is a shy violinist who plays like her heart is broken. But when she meets fellow passenger Joe she feels like she has been given that rarest of gifts…a second chance.
Paddington Station, 1944
Beneath the shadow of the war which rages across Europe, Alex and Eliza meet by chance. She is a gutsy painter desperate to get to the frontline as a war artist and he is a wounded RAF pilot now commissioned as a war correspondent. With time slipping away they make only one promise: to meet in Berlin when this is all over. But this is a time when promises are hard to keep, and hope is all you can hold in your heart.
From a hidden Cornish cove to the blood-soaked beaches of Normandy in June 1944, this is an epic love story like no other.
A train journey into the past.
A love that echoes through time.
Paddington Station, present day
A young woman boards the sleeper train to Cornwall with only a beautiful emerald silk evening dress and an old, well-read diary full of sketches. Ellie Nightingale is a shy violinist who plays like her heart is broken. But when she meets fellow passenger Joe she feels like she has been given that rarest of gifts…a second chance.
Paddington Station, 1944
Beneath the shadow of the war which rages across Europe, Alex and Eliza meet by chance. She is a gutsy painter desperate to get to the frontline as a war artist and he is a wounded RAF pilot now commissioned as a war correspondent. With time slipping away they make only one promise: to meet in Berlin when this is all over. But this is a time when promises are hard to keep, and hope is all you can hold in your heart.
From a hidden Cornish cove to the blood-soaked beaches of Normandy in June 1944, this is an epic love story like no other.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
November 25, 2021
The Night Train to Berlin is a historical fiction story with a dual timeline, it seamlessly goes between the present time and World War Two. It takes you from the pretty idyllic beaches of Cornwall and to the blood soaked beaches of France.
Ellie Nightingale is on her way to stay at her Great Grandmother Nancy’s cottage in Penzance, in Cornwall and she catches a restored sleeper train from Paddington Station. Ellie teaches music to children online, she can play the violin, guitar, cello and ukulele. She’s has her violin with her, a beautiful green couture evening dress and a diary full of wartime sketches. Aboard the same train is Joe Burton from Leeds, they have a magical night of dancing to 1940’s music, for Ellie it’s a memory she will always treasure, that’s all it can ever be and due to her being born with a heart defect.
Eliza Grey is traveling to her cottage Meadowsweet in Cornwall, she’s going home to think about her life, future and paint. Leaving Paddington Station aboard the same train is Alex Levine, he’s an ex spitfire pilot and is now a war correspondent. Eliza has been working as a nurse in London, she desperately wants to be on the front line and be a war artist. The people in charge don’t want women anywhere near the action, or involved with the invasion and are nothing but a nuisance. Alex and Eliza feel a connection, they spend a wonderful week together in Cornwall and promise to meet each other in Berlin. Eliza makes it to France, she’s a nurse on a hospital ship, despite taking care of people injured during the Blitz, and nothing prepares her for the carnage on the beaches of Normandy and as the allies slowly fight their way towards Paris.
The Night Train to Berlin is a story about Ellie and Eliza being linked together by friendship, a cottage in Cornwall, Nancy, a small clock, a trip on a historic train, secrets, and fate. Both are caught up in situations that they can’t change, and they don’t regret meeting Alex and Joe, and if only they were both free to fall in head over heals in love. I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review, and it's beautifully written by Melanie Hudson and she also wrote The Last Letter From Juliet. Reading about the D-Day landing was heartbreaking, horrific and very graphic, the story is a tribute to a generation of brave men and women serving on the front line during WW II and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
Ellie Nightingale is on her way to stay at her Great Grandmother Nancy’s cottage in Penzance, in Cornwall and she catches a restored sleeper train from Paddington Station. Ellie teaches music to children online, she can play the violin, guitar, cello and ukulele. She’s has her violin with her, a beautiful green couture evening dress and a diary full of wartime sketches. Aboard the same train is Joe Burton from Leeds, they have a magical night of dancing to 1940’s music, for Ellie it’s a memory she will always treasure, that’s all it can ever be and due to her being born with a heart defect.
Eliza Grey is traveling to her cottage Meadowsweet in Cornwall, she’s going home to think about her life, future and paint. Leaving Paddington Station aboard the same train is Alex Levine, he’s an ex spitfire pilot and is now a war correspondent. Eliza has been working as a nurse in London, she desperately wants to be on the front line and be a war artist. The people in charge don’t want women anywhere near the action, or involved with the invasion and are nothing but a nuisance. Alex and Eliza feel a connection, they spend a wonderful week together in Cornwall and promise to meet each other in Berlin. Eliza makes it to France, she’s a nurse on a hospital ship, despite taking care of people injured during the Blitz, and nothing prepares her for the carnage on the beaches of Normandy and as the allies slowly fight their way towards Paris.
The Night Train to Berlin is a story about Ellie and Eliza being linked together by friendship, a cottage in Cornwall, Nancy, a small clock, a trip on a historic train, secrets, and fate. Both are caught up in situations that they can’t change, and they don’t regret meeting Alex and Joe, and if only they were both free to fall in head over heals in love. I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review, and it's beautifully written by Melanie Hudson and she also wrote The Last Letter From Juliet. Reading about the D-Day landing was heartbreaking, horrific and very graphic, the story is a tribute to a generation of brave men and women serving on the front line during WW II and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
April 14, 2021
Paddington Station, present day: A young woman boards the sleeper train to Cornwall with only a beautiful emerald silk evening dress and a well- read diary full of sketches. Ellie Nightingale is a shy violinist who plays like her heart is broken. But when she meets fellow passenger Joe, she feels she's been given a second chance.
Paddington Station, 1944: Beneath the shadow of the war, Alex and Eliza meet by chance. She's a gutsy painter desperate to get to the front line as a war artist and he is a wounded RAF pilot now commissioned as a war correspondent. They make a promise to each other: to meet in Berlin when the war is over.
This story is told over a duel timeline - 1940's and the present day. This is a lovely historical romance story. A love story of two couples decades apart. The pace is slow to start but it does eventually pick up. The characters are likable. I absolutely love Cornwall, a beautiful setting for any story. The story is descriptively written.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter for my ARC of #TheNightTrainToBerlin
Paddington Station, 1944: Beneath the shadow of the war, Alex and Eliza meet by chance. She's a gutsy painter desperate to get to the front line as a war artist and he is a wounded RAF pilot now commissioned as a war correspondent. They make a promise to each other: to meet in Berlin when the war is over.
This story is told over a duel timeline - 1940's and the present day. This is a lovely historical romance story. A love story of two couples decades apart. The pace is slow to start but it does eventually pick up. The characters are likable. I absolutely love Cornwall, a beautiful setting for any story. The story is descriptively written.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter for my ARC of #TheNightTrainToBerlin
April 22, 2021
I was drawn to this book because of it’s partial World War 2 setting and, in particular, because elements of the story unfold en route to Cornwall. I’m familiar with the line from London Paddington to Penzance on which Eliza and Ellie travel from my own holiday trips, although never on the sleeper service.
The story unfolds in chapters that alternate between Eliza in 1944 and Ellie in the present day. The plot relies on large helpings of coincidence, requiring a belief in fate or destiny, and bringing to mind the oft-quoted line, “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine” from the film Casablanca. As it happens, the film is referenced several times in the book.
The relationship between Eliza Grey and Alex Levine that begins after a chance encounter on a wartime train journey had a real fizz to it, even if Eliza’s initial reaction is less than promising. ‘She had never, in all of her life, met such an arrogant, self-opinionated, curt and, quite frankly, rude individual.’ As we learned from Pride and Prejudice, first impressions can be deceptive. On the other hand, Joe, whom Ellie meets in similar fashion, although pleasant enough, didn’t feel like a fully fleshed out character and I didn’t find myself as invested in their relationship as I did in that between Eliza and Alex.
I found it easy to imagine the glamour of the 1940s sleeper train to Cornwall; less so its modern day equivalent which, I suspect, would be considerably more utilitarian even when dressed in its costume of 1940s themed party train. And with all due respect to car attendant, Rihanna, she’s no match for her 1940s equivalent, the stately Jeffries.
I thought Eliza’s wartime story was by far the most successful element of the book so much so that, at times, the sections with Ellie felt like mere interludes. In fact, the main purpose of the modern storyline seemed to be to act as a framing device for telling Eliza’s story. Even though the author injected some jeopardy into Ellie’s personal story, I felt the modern day timeline could have been shunted off to the sidings. Having said that, there were some neat parallels between the two timelines, such as the eavesdropping couple across the aisle of the railway carriage and Joe’s choice of costume. And was his fluffy canine companion a nod to WW2 RAF hero Wing Commander Guy Gibson, portrayed in the film The Dambusters by Richard Todd?
The wartime sections of the book include some memorable scenes such as when Eliza, deployed as a nursing auxiliary to a hospital ship on the South coast, records in her sketchbook the preparations for D-Day. Or when she experiences the heady days following the Allied liberation of Paris.
The author sheds a fascinating light on the role played by war artists and war correspondents in documenting conflict, and the risks they took in doing so. The hardships too, living alongside the troops in often spartan conditions. Eliza has conflicted feelings about her role as a war artist. Is she right to depict the truth of the atrocities she sees, or should she be mindful of their potential impact on morale back home and present a more ‘sanitized’ picture?
Although compelling in parts, I felt The Night Train to Berlin spent a little too much time travelling along branch lines rather than speeding to its destination.
The story unfolds in chapters that alternate between Eliza in 1944 and Ellie in the present day. The plot relies on large helpings of coincidence, requiring a belief in fate or destiny, and bringing to mind the oft-quoted line, “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine” from the film Casablanca. As it happens, the film is referenced several times in the book.
The relationship between Eliza Grey and Alex Levine that begins after a chance encounter on a wartime train journey had a real fizz to it, even if Eliza’s initial reaction is less than promising. ‘She had never, in all of her life, met such an arrogant, self-opinionated, curt and, quite frankly, rude individual.’ As we learned from Pride and Prejudice, first impressions can be deceptive. On the other hand, Joe, whom Ellie meets in similar fashion, although pleasant enough, didn’t feel like a fully fleshed out character and I didn’t find myself as invested in their relationship as I did in that between Eliza and Alex.
I found it easy to imagine the glamour of the 1940s sleeper train to Cornwall; less so its modern day equivalent which, I suspect, would be considerably more utilitarian even when dressed in its costume of 1940s themed party train. And with all due respect to car attendant, Rihanna, she’s no match for her 1940s equivalent, the stately Jeffries.
I thought Eliza’s wartime story was by far the most successful element of the book so much so that, at times, the sections with Ellie felt like mere interludes. In fact, the main purpose of the modern storyline seemed to be to act as a framing device for telling Eliza’s story. Even though the author injected some jeopardy into Ellie’s personal story, I felt the modern day timeline could have been shunted off to the sidings. Having said that, there were some neat parallels between the two timelines, such as the eavesdropping couple across the aisle of the railway carriage and Joe’s choice of costume. And was his fluffy canine companion a nod to WW2 RAF hero Wing Commander Guy Gibson, portrayed in the film The Dambusters by Richard Todd?
The wartime sections of the book include some memorable scenes such as when Eliza, deployed as a nursing auxiliary to a hospital ship on the South coast, records in her sketchbook the preparations for D-Day. Or when she experiences the heady days following the Allied liberation of Paris.
The author sheds a fascinating light on the role played by war artists and war correspondents in documenting conflict, and the risks they took in doing so. The hardships too, living alongside the troops in often spartan conditions. Eliza has conflicted feelings about her role as a war artist. Is she right to depict the truth of the atrocities she sees, or should she be mindful of their potential impact on morale back home and present a more ‘sanitized’ picture?
Although compelling in parts, I felt The Night Train to Berlin spent a little too much time travelling along branch lines rather than speeding to its destination.
January 31, 2022
This is a historical fiction book that is told by two timelines (1944 and present day). I loved all the characters in this book, but my favorite character was Eliza. I really loved the beginning of this book. I think this is one historical fiction book that I loved both the timelines, and I feel both the timelines worked very well. The only thing I did not love about this book was the ending to the 1944 timeline, but I loved the present day timeline so much. I feel that this book was a sweet romance that also covered hard topics and heart warming. This book does have some WWII parts in it, but I think this book as a good mixed of romance and WWII/historical parts. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (One More Chapter) or author (Melanie Hudson) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
January 29, 2025
This book has two timelines, one at the end of WWII and one in modern times. The story in 1944 follows Eliza Grey, a war artist and Alex Levine, an ex-RAF pilot who converted as a war correspondent after being shot down during the Battle of Britain and surviving horrific burns.
The story in modern times follows Ellie, the great granddaughter of Eliza’s best friend Nancy and a young man from Leeds named Joe.
I found that the war story was well developed and interesting. I did not enjoy the modern tale as much. If the author has concentrated on the war story the book may have been better. Although the early part of the book is slow it is good banter between the main characters and interesting. I cannot say the same for the modern story. The end feels rushed too and I would have liked to know what happened to Alex and Eliza as well as Ellie and Joe. But it is up in the air. One doesn’t know for sure. This was disappointing to me. I like to dot my i and cross my t.
The story in modern times follows Ellie, the great granddaughter of Eliza’s best friend Nancy and a young man from Leeds named Joe.
I found that the war story was well developed and interesting. I did not enjoy the modern tale as much. If the author has concentrated on the war story the book may have been better. Although the early part of the book is slow it is good banter between the main characters and interesting. I cannot say the same for the modern story. The end feels rushed too and I would have liked to know what happened to Alex and Eliza as well as Ellie and Joe. But it is up in the air. One doesn’t know for sure. This was disappointing to me. I like to dot my i and cross my t.
December 1, 2023
Boring, slow paced, along the tracks to Cornwall, not Berlin as inferred in title, though is inclusive in last few pages. Characters from dual timelines a good idea but seemed more like a filler as they were not fully rounded; possibly the WW2 character, the war artist, Eliza, was the most.
But her journey into war torn Europe was, finally, when the pace picked up but it felt more of a non-fictional read then. I'd also lost interest several times and found it difficult to pick up again.
The love interest, the romantic links, the clock, the Cornish seaside scenery against the inhumane setting of war later, captured me for a while, only....in snippets.
There was too much time spent on a train where the foundation of two couples, from the past and present, was given in this book. Clothes, food, emotions, waiters & waitresses etc created a romantic normality of sorts that waffled on forever. Get to the end of the track! Where's it going? Where's Berlin? The title was wrong!
The only persuasive element was the frontline, when it came. Bold women too; those that risked their lives. Nora was an annoying character though. The ending, one can assume, was that neither brother or sister survived. Unsatisfactory and too quickly brushed aside after the long train trip to get here!
But fate, and a clock with a message, ensured that a three-fifteen rendezvous on a Cornish beach, many, many, years later, connects the past to the present, and a chance of love once more. Some hopefulness lives on.
Overall it was a 2-2.5* The cover was alluring! However, with only some moments of invested interest, the long-winded and slow pace, did not, unfortunately, arouse a higher rating.
(Further editing required and grammatical errors noted; even spelling/names. Ch 32 is one .... Eliza and Nora? got off the truck...should be Nancy).
Having just finished The Librarian of Auschwitz, perhaps this was too much like a fairy tale in comparison.
But her journey into war torn Europe was, finally, when the pace picked up but it felt more of a non-fictional read then. I'd also lost interest several times and found it difficult to pick up again.
The love interest, the romantic links, the clock, the Cornish seaside scenery against the inhumane setting of war later, captured me for a while, only....in snippets.
There was too much time spent on a train where the foundation of two couples, from the past and present, was given in this book. Clothes, food, emotions, waiters & waitresses etc created a romantic normality of sorts that waffled on forever. Get to the end of the track! Where's it going? Where's Berlin? The title was wrong!
The only persuasive element was the frontline, when it came. Bold women too; those that risked their lives. Nora was an annoying character though. The ending, one can assume, was that neither brother or sister survived. Unsatisfactory and too quickly brushed aside after the long train trip to get here!
But fate, and a clock with a message, ensured that a three-fifteen rendezvous on a Cornish beach, many, many, years later, connects the past to the present, and a chance of love once more. Some hopefulness lives on.
Overall it was a 2-2.5* The cover was alluring! However, with only some moments of invested interest, the long-winded and slow pace, did not, unfortunately, arouse a higher rating.
(Further editing required and grammatical errors noted; even spelling/names. Ch 32 is one .... Eliza and Nora? got off the truck...should be Nancy).
Having just finished The Librarian of Auschwitz, perhaps this was too much like a fairy tale in comparison.
March 21, 2022
A lighter touch on WWII - more love story (stories, I should say), but of the "fade to black" variety. Not too graphic as to war-related carnage, but it definitely delves in several times. A pleasant read.
April 13, 2021
I enjoyed the story line of this book, but I found it very difficult to get into. Towards the end it began to hold my attention but I admit this wasn’t one of my favourites.
November 23, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
British author Melanie Hudson experienced a great deal of success with her second novel The Last Letter from Juliet, which was a USA Today bestseller. Hudson’s latest release, The Night Train to Berlin is a touching historical novel, that is rich in emotion, sentiment, love, adversity, acceptance and hope. Filled with messages of strength and endurance, The Night Train To Berlin is an inspiring wartime read.
Providing a lasting reminder about the power of all-encompassing love and the need to embrace hope when life is tough, The Night Train To Berlin is a dual timeline style novel that crosses the present day with life in wartime Britain. In contemporary times, a modest young woman steps on board a train and little does she know that her life will be forever changed by this journey. This young woman named Ellie is acquainted with another passenger on board the train who will mend her broken heart. This quiet violinist’s story is interchanged with the lives of Alex and Eliza in the year 1944. As the war wreaks havoc across the world, fate brings Alex and Eliza together. Despite their very different pathways in life and current responsibilities, they vow to meet again once the war is over in Berlin. But life has other ideas for this war artist and former pilot, can they keep their promise to one another? Will hope trump sadness in this heartfelt wartime story?
Melanie Hudson has been publishing books since 2012, but this is my first taste of the bestselling author’s work. Based on my appreciation of The Night Train To Berlin, I’ve added Hudson’s three previous releases to my wish list. I hope to read all three novels in the near future as I enjoyed The Night Train To Berlin very much. Melanie Hudson has a very engaging style of writing.
Nothing beats a good past to present narrative and The Night Train To Berlin is a fantastic example of a book from this engrossing genre. Hudson does a fine job of spacing out her narrative for the best interests of her reader. The perspectives in this tale alternate evenly between Ellie in the present day and Eliza in the past. Hudson also adds a couple of extra chapter perspectives from Alex in the past, which proved to be quite vital to the overall narrative picture. Ellie’s contemporary train journey is also sign posted with location updates. I really loved this arm of the novel and I found I looked forward to each new setting change. I am familiar with many of the areas included in Ellie’s modern train journey, having lived in Britain and undertaken a good many train trips while living in the south of England. I really relished this nostalgic train based sojourn down memory lane.
Hudson brings to light the wartime experiences, the different vocation choices, the heartbreak and challenges of living in a country engulfed by the onset of the war. The past threads in The Night Train To Berlin provide a realistic and informed picture of life during this trying period in our history books. With hope, friendship, support, aspiration, horror, risk, tragedy, destiny and courage leading the way, The Night Train To Berlin is an enlightening tale of the past. I appreciated the depiction of some strong and determined women of the war, thanks to Hudson’s character selections. I admired the lead character Eliza and I loved hearing about her adventures as an aspiring war artist. I’m really glad that Hudson chose to shine a light on this aspect of female participation during the Second World War.
A good deal of air time in The Night Train To Berlin is devoted to romance and this theme carried well across the two different timelines. Hudson is acutely aware of the high emotions and feelings associated with love during the wartime years. Hudson handles this aspect of The Night Train To Berlin with intuition, understanding and care. It is hard not to root for Alex and Eliza as they try their hardest to reunite, despite the chaos of war. In the present day, Ellie is a broken young woman with dreams and hopes for the future. I didn’t enjoy her journey as much as the past serving, but I still found Ellie’s story very readable. Hudson has definitely produced a story that will make your heart beat that touch harder as you become involved in the lives of these compelling characters.
The Night Train To Berlin shunts it way to the final station stop as a satisfactory conclusion is delivered to the reader. I would pitch Melanie Hudson’s book to historical fiction lovers and those who enjoy a well-crafted past to present story.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
British author Melanie Hudson experienced a great deal of success with her second novel The Last Letter from Juliet, which was a USA Today bestseller. Hudson’s latest release, The Night Train to Berlin is a touching historical novel, that is rich in emotion, sentiment, love, adversity, acceptance and hope. Filled with messages of strength and endurance, The Night Train To Berlin is an inspiring wartime read.
Providing a lasting reminder about the power of all-encompassing love and the need to embrace hope when life is tough, The Night Train To Berlin is a dual timeline style novel that crosses the present day with life in wartime Britain. In contemporary times, a modest young woman steps on board a train and little does she know that her life will be forever changed by this journey. This young woman named Ellie is acquainted with another passenger on board the train who will mend her broken heart. This quiet violinist’s story is interchanged with the lives of Alex and Eliza in the year 1944. As the war wreaks havoc across the world, fate brings Alex and Eliza together. Despite their very different pathways in life and current responsibilities, they vow to meet again once the war is over in Berlin. But life has other ideas for this war artist and former pilot, can they keep their promise to one another? Will hope trump sadness in this heartfelt wartime story?
Melanie Hudson has been publishing books since 2012, but this is my first taste of the bestselling author’s work. Based on my appreciation of The Night Train To Berlin, I’ve added Hudson’s three previous releases to my wish list. I hope to read all three novels in the near future as I enjoyed The Night Train To Berlin very much. Melanie Hudson has a very engaging style of writing.
Nothing beats a good past to present narrative and The Night Train To Berlin is a fantastic example of a book from this engrossing genre. Hudson does a fine job of spacing out her narrative for the best interests of her reader. The perspectives in this tale alternate evenly between Ellie in the present day and Eliza in the past. Hudson also adds a couple of extra chapter perspectives from Alex in the past, which proved to be quite vital to the overall narrative picture. Ellie’s contemporary train journey is also sign posted with location updates. I really loved this arm of the novel and I found I looked forward to each new setting change. I am familiar with many of the areas included in Ellie’s modern train journey, having lived in Britain and undertaken a good many train trips while living in the south of England. I really relished this nostalgic train based sojourn down memory lane.
Hudson brings to light the wartime experiences, the different vocation choices, the heartbreak and challenges of living in a country engulfed by the onset of the war. The past threads in The Night Train To Berlin provide a realistic and informed picture of life during this trying period in our history books. With hope, friendship, support, aspiration, horror, risk, tragedy, destiny and courage leading the way, The Night Train To Berlin is an enlightening tale of the past. I appreciated the depiction of some strong and determined women of the war, thanks to Hudson’s character selections. I admired the lead character Eliza and I loved hearing about her adventures as an aspiring war artist. I’m really glad that Hudson chose to shine a light on this aspect of female participation during the Second World War.
A good deal of air time in The Night Train To Berlin is devoted to romance and this theme carried well across the two different timelines. Hudson is acutely aware of the high emotions and feelings associated with love during the wartime years. Hudson handles this aspect of The Night Train To Berlin with intuition, understanding and care. It is hard not to root for Alex and Eliza as they try their hardest to reunite, despite the chaos of war. In the present day, Ellie is a broken young woman with dreams and hopes for the future. I didn’t enjoy her journey as much as the past serving, but I still found Ellie’s story very readable. Hudson has definitely produced a story that will make your heart beat that touch harder as you become involved in the lives of these compelling characters.
The Night Train To Berlin shunts it way to the final station stop as a satisfactory conclusion is delivered to the reader. I would pitch Melanie Hudson’s book to historical fiction lovers and those who enjoy a well-crafted past to present story.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
January 10, 2023
Eliza and Alex deserve a happy ending and though it wasn’t written out in the end, I came up with one myself. I was left on a cliffhanger what else was I supposed to do??
I honestly ship Nancy and Nora together even though they didn’t really give off gay vibes (I lied, actually. Nora does.) and I would’ve loved to see them together.
At the end of the day, war is a bitch and does nothing good for anyone except make love stronger. Loved the dual-pov’s. My favorite thing in historical fiction novels is observing from different angles and getting a feel for how others are feeling throughout the book from their side.
Very nicely written and quite enjoyable.
I honestly ship Nancy and Nora together even though they didn’t really give off gay vibes (I lied, actually. Nora does.) and I would’ve loved to see them together.
At the end of the day, war is a bitch and does nothing good for anyone except make love stronger. Loved the dual-pov’s. My favorite thing in historical fiction novels is observing from different angles and getting a feel for how others are feeling throughout the book from their side.
Very nicely written and quite enjoyable.
March 22, 2021
Toot! Toot! All aboard! A 1940s themed sleeper train car journey from London to Penzance? With champagne and silver service? Sign me up.
This is an absolutely delightful dual timeline historical fiction featuring an epic romance set against the backdrop of WW2 and the rugged Cornish coast. Hop aboard! It’s a train journey into the past and you’ll be witness to love that echoes through time.
Paddington station present day:
As we journey along we’ll meet Ellie Nightingale, a woman in an emerald green vintage Christian Dior silk dress who meets romantic Joe Burton from Leeds. Having brought a book each to dinner thinking they’d rather be absorbed in a tale, they set aside their books and take a chance on conversation. It changes the direction of the rest of their life. Thinking they’d said their goodbyes on the train, they went their separate ways until fate and a note tucked away in an antique clock brought them together once again.
Paddington station, 1944:
The second story also begins on the Cornish Riviera, a sleeper train. A wounded RAF pilot, Alex Levine, takes a chance and strikes up a conversation with the lovely lady, Lady Arbuthnot, seated beside him at dinner. He soon finds out that she’s going to her cottage to paint and have time to make a life-changing decision. After disembarking in Penberth Cove, this couple, too, find a second chance at love. When war sends them into the battle as correspondents, the dream of meeting up again gives them the fortitude to continue.
Stuffed full of emotion with rich, engaging characters (including strong, intelligent women) set against the backdrop of WW2, you won’t want to miss this read. It’s extremely obvious that the author has poured her heart and soul into the pages; in every chapter there’s a giant hug reaching out from the pages. This is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time. I took the whole first day of my week off to deliciously savour every word of this incredible book. It took forever for me to find the words to express myself...and even then, they aren’t adequate enough. You MUST read this book - it’s historical fiction at its finest!
This is my first book by this author and I quickly added her to my 'auto-buy' list. If I could give this more than 5-stars, I definitely would do it.
Thank you Melanie Hudson, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for this spectacular advance copy. I received it for free and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
This is an absolutely delightful dual timeline historical fiction featuring an epic romance set against the backdrop of WW2 and the rugged Cornish coast. Hop aboard! It’s a train journey into the past and you’ll be witness to love that echoes through time.
Paddington station present day:
As we journey along we’ll meet Ellie Nightingale, a woman in an emerald green vintage Christian Dior silk dress who meets romantic Joe Burton from Leeds. Having brought a book each to dinner thinking they’d rather be absorbed in a tale, they set aside their books and take a chance on conversation. It changes the direction of the rest of their life. Thinking they’d said their goodbyes on the train, they went their separate ways until fate and a note tucked away in an antique clock brought them together once again.
Paddington station, 1944:
The second story also begins on the Cornish Riviera, a sleeper train. A wounded RAF pilot, Alex Levine, takes a chance and strikes up a conversation with the lovely lady, Lady Arbuthnot, seated beside him at dinner. He soon finds out that she’s going to her cottage to paint and have time to make a life-changing decision. After disembarking in Penberth Cove, this couple, too, find a second chance at love. When war sends them into the battle as correspondents, the dream of meeting up again gives them the fortitude to continue.
Stuffed full of emotion with rich, engaging characters (including strong, intelligent women) set against the backdrop of WW2, you won’t want to miss this read. It’s extremely obvious that the author has poured her heart and soul into the pages; in every chapter there’s a giant hug reaching out from the pages. This is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time. I took the whole first day of my week off to deliciously savour every word of this incredible book. It took forever for me to find the words to express myself...and even then, they aren’t adequate enough. You MUST read this book - it’s historical fiction at its finest!
This is my first book by this author and I quickly added her to my 'auto-buy' list. If I could give this more than 5-stars, I definitely would do it.
Thank you Melanie Hudson, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for this spectacular advance copy. I received it for free and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
December 21, 2021
Invoking historical fiction, the author takes readers back to WWII when the world was a very dark place. The writing is decisive and indicative of a time in history that can be endlessly plumbed. Readers will be drawn into the drama and heartache. Thanks to One More Chapter and Edelweiss for the early read.
May 11, 2021
I've previously read The Last Letter from Juliet by this author which I absolutely adored, and so I had high hopes for this story too. Sadly, I was quickly disappointed when I found I was not enjoying it as much as I'd expected. The blurb ticks all the boxes: WWII, duel time line, romance, coastal location... I was wrong-footed by the title. I thought the action would be aboard and around the night train heading for Berlin. Instead, for the greater part, it was a night train heading to Cornwall.
I felt the pace was too slow at the begining, and that's probably a lot to do with why I struggled to get into it. When the pace did quicken, I wasn't sufficiently invested in any of the characters or their stories to become totally absorbed in the story.
I managed to finish the book, but felt the ending was rushed. It left me without any satisfactory answers to my questions about the characters - how the two couples were linked and their stories were concluded.
I felt the pace was too slow at the begining, and that's probably a lot to do with why I struggled to get into it. When the pace did quicken, I wasn't sufficiently invested in any of the characters or their stories to become totally absorbed in the story.
I managed to finish the book, but felt the ending was rushed. It left me without any satisfactory answers to my questions about the characters - how the two couples were linked and their stories were concluded.
June 25, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
A duel timeline story, mainly set during 1944 sees 2 couples meet on the night train from Paddington to Penzance. There are overlaps in their stories which are lovely to discover. My only complaint is the ending (no spoilers) doesn't feel complete.
A duel timeline story, mainly set during 1944 sees 2 couples meet on the night train from Paddington to Penzance. There are overlaps in their stories which are lovely to discover. My only complaint is the ending (no spoilers) doesn't feel complete.
April 24, 2021
The action is set in two time periods, 1944 as World War II is nearing the end and present day. There are two protagonists, Eliza (aka Lady Arbuthnot) who is a painter with nursing ability and Eliza her granddaughter who is a violin player with a heart condition.
The WWII Eliza’s story was more interesting; she is married to a much older man, but falls for Joe who is a journalist and their lives become a series of brief meetings but with the promise ‘to meet in Berlin’. Joe scoffs at Eliza’s painting as he feels it has no depth and that she is not being true to herself. He encourages her to be brave and ‘tell the real story of the war with her paintings’. And so she does!
Meanwhile back in the present, Eliza armed with her forebear’s notebook/diary and a green silk dress sets out on the night train to Cornwall. She has inherited the cottage that features large in her grandmother’s story and is visiting it for the first time. Strong links to the earlier story – is it fate that intervenes when she meets Joe a fellow passenger on the night train?
I was more interested in the ‘WWII’ Eliza, but only just. It is true that Ms Hudson’s description of Eliza’s circumstances as a Lady resounds with the clang of privilege of that time, and the entre she had with the people that could help her cause. It is also true that there are details of the horror that doctors and nurses faced in the battlefield hospitals and nursing stations. It is also true that the descriptions of the concentration camps still horrifies. However, it did not resonate with me. I was not captivated by the romance; I was not spellbound by their love story. Sadly, I just didn’t care.
As for our younger Eliza – I just found the whole train ride dreary. As for the lady who was serving drinks etc. – I pity the other passengers, they must have been sadly ignored whilst she hovered over Eliza and Joe. This story line just did not ring true to me.
Having said all that, I cannot dispute that it is well-written. Sadly, and with apologies, I must just confess that it didn’t work for me – perhaps that says more about me than the book though. I do apologise Ms Hudson and I wish you great success.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
March 20, 2021
I was delighted to receive this read from the publisher as I enjoyed the "The Last Letter from Juliet" written by author, Melanie Hudson. I am not fond of reading stories that toggle between two time periods, however I decided to give it a try. The story involves two couples and their love story...Ellie and Joe in the current day, and Eliza and Alex, from the past.
What to say about this book...Only that I wished the pace would have been a bit faster in the beginning. I became bored early on and by the fourth or fifth chapter I had to put it down. Although, the story itself seemed interesting from the description, I just couldn't get past the grammatical and run on sentences. The numerous mistakes clearly distracted me from enjoying the story at that point and detracted from the flow of it as well. In fairness to the author, I decided to continue the story and surprisingly it picked up and held my attention...especially the end that I truly found to be profound and loveable,
Oh, there was a clock and hope of meeting the one you loved...whether in the past or in the future...there would be a meeting. It would be a meeting at the same place, same time and hoping to meet that same person that you loved. Thats when my heart warmed for Ellie and Joe but turned heartfelt for Alex and Eliza. I enjoyed the second half of this story more than the first. Not sure how to quantify my rating as there was parts that were good and some that were not so good. I believe my rating would have been a little higher had it not been for the editorial mistakes. There is still an interest in this author's works but hope to read something a bit different than historical war genre.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are those of my own.
What to say about this book...Only that I wished the pace would have been a bit faster in the beginning. I became bored early on and by the fourth or fifth chapter I had to put it down. Although, the story itself seemed interesting from the description, I just couldn't get past the grammatical and run on sentences. The numerous mistakes clearly distracted me from enjoying the story at that point and detracted from the flow of it as well. In fairness to the author, I decided to continue the story and surprisingly it picked up and held my attention...especially the end that I truly found to be profound and loveable,
Oh, there was a clock and hope of meeting the one you loved...whether in the past or in the future...there would be a meeting. It would be a meeting at the same place, same time and hoping to meet that same person that you loved. Thats when my heart warmed for Ellie and Joe but turned heartfelt for Alex and Eliza. I enjoyed the second half of this story more than the first. Not sure how to quantify my rating as there was parts that were good and some that were not so good. I believe my rating would have been a little higher had it not been for the editorial mistakes. There is still an interest in this author's works but hope to read something a bit different than historical war genre.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are those of my own.
April 21, 2021
Paddington Station, present day
A young woman boards the sleeper train to Cornwall with only a beautiful emerald silk evening dress and an old, well-read diary full of sketches. Ellie Nightingale is a shy violinist who plays like her heart is broken. But when she meets fellow passenger Joe she feels like she has been given that rarest of gifts…a second chance.
Paddington Station, 1944
Beneath the shadow of the war, which rages across Europe, Alex and Eliza meet by chance. She is a gutsy painter desperate to get to the frontline as a war artist and he is a wounded RAF pilot now commissioned as a war correspondent. With time slipping away they make only one promise: to meet in Berlin when this is all over.
This is the first book I’ve read of the author & I was drawn to it as it’s a dual timeline. I found it to be well written but the pace at the start was very slow & it took me a few days to read it in dribs & dabs. However I’m glad I did stick with it as the pace increased & I found myself captivated by the two love stories. I liked how the broken clock features in both stories. The characters were well portrayed but I would have preferred more depth of character. I also was left feeling that not everything was resolved & I wanted to find out what happened next
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A young woman boards the sleeper train to Cornwall with only a beautiful emerald silk evening dress and an old, well-read diary full of sketches. Ellie Nightingale is a shy violinist who plays like her heart is broken. But when she meets fellow passenger Joe she feels like she has been given that rarest of gifts…a second chance.
Paddington Station, 1944
Beneath the shadow of the war, which rages across Europe, Alex and Eliza meet by chance. She is a gutsy painter desperate to get to the frontline as a war artist and he is a wounded RAF pilot now commissioned as a war correspondent. With time slipping away they make only one promise: to meet in Berlin when this is all over.
This is the first book I’ve read of the author & I was drawn to it as it’s a dual timeline. I found it to be well written but the pace at the start was very slow & it took me a few days to read it in dribs & dabs. However I’m glad I did stick with it as the pace increased & I found myself captivated by the two love stories. I liked how the broken clock features in both stories. The characters were well portrayed but I would have preferred more depth of character. I also was left feeling that not everything was resolved & I wanted to find out what happened next
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
November 2, 2021
I’m a fast reader, but after 3 weeks have just managed to get to page 139. I’ve now abandoned it.
February 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. The story was told between two timelines, one during WWII and one in the present day. There were things that tied them together like Eliza’s drawings and the clock,. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down, the war scenes were vividly told, as was the feel of the Cornwall train. I definitely recommend this book, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 24, 2021
Unexpected Encounters
A tale of two sets of lonely people. Both meet on the night train to Berlin. Ellie and Joe in present time, Alex and Eliza in 1944 during WWII. Both couples are escaping from their current life to find peace and make choices about their futures. Both couples fall in love and spend time in a cottage in Cornwall on the beach.
As they ride the Night train they have a magical evening and fall in love. Circumstances will take them in different directions, but they end up finding each other again. A broken clock figures in both stories and is a prominent part of the story. I liked the sentence used "Choosing to live a life with an open heart and an attitude of hope rather than one of dread and fear." as well as the phrase they used with each other "And All Shall be Well."
The book was a good clean romance story, the conversations they had were insightful and meaningful. The description of the countryside both during and after the war were very descriptive. During the war scenes the story was rather real and true to life.
I did like reading the story, especially that of Alex and Eliza. I liked how Eliza was strong and held up for her rights as a woman, good story. I felt sorry for Alex, it was very sad. I did not care for the ending, it rather left me hanging. I kept waiting to see what would happen....and the book was done.
It was a good read and I would recommend it, but you have to make up your own ending, I made up a few different ones.
Thanks to Melanie Hudson, Harper Collins U.K. , One More Chapter, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and advanced copy for an honest review.
A tale of two sets of lonely people. Both meet on the night train to Berlin. Ellie and Joe in present time, Alex and Eliza in 1944 during WWII. Both couples are escaping from their current life to find peace and make choices about their futures. Both couples fall in love and spend time in a cottage in Cornwall on the beach.
As they ride the Night train they have a magical evening and fall in love. Circumstances will take them in different directions, but they end up finding each other again. A broken clock figures in both stories and is a prominent part of the story. I liked the sentence used "Choosing to live a life with an open heart and an attitude of hope rather than one of dread and fear." as well as the phrase they used with each other "And All Shall be Well."
The book was a good clean romance story, the conversations they had were insightful and meaningful. The description of the countryside both during and after the war were very descriptive. During the war scenes the story was rather real and true to life.
I did like reading the story, especially that of Alex and Eliza. I liked how Eliza was strong and held up for her rights as a woman, good story. I felt sorry for Alex, it was very sad. I did not care for the ending, it rather left me hanging. I kept waiting to see what would happen....and the book was done.
It was a good read and I would recommend it, but you have to make up your own ending, I made up a few different ones.
Thanks to Melanie Hudson, Harper Collins U.K. , One More Chapter, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and advanced copy for an honest review.
April 30, 2021
The Night Train To Berlin by Melanie Hudson is a beautiful dual time-line love story that will lodge deep in your heart.
The stories are set in 1944 and present day. There were parallels in the two time periods between the two couples who meet on a night train to Cornwall. The two females are linked by a friendship thread from 1944. The chapters alternate the action as present day is aiming to recreate the war period. It is romanticized. The reader hears about the true horrors of war as we follow a war artist from Britain to mainland Europe.
Running alongside the love story in 1944 is the tremendous bravery of all those involved in the war effort – whether civilians or servicemen. It was a time of great sacrifice and courage. There are some truly dreadful scenes to be witnessed.
Throughout it all the characters hang on to the hope that “all shall be well.”
The Night Train To Berlin is beautifully written. The love radiates from the pages as we realise that true love never dies.
I received a free copy of the book from the Facebook group OMC Blogger Community via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
The stories are set in 1944 and present day. There were parallels in the two time periods between the two couples who meet on a night train to Cornwall. The two females are linked by a friendship thread from 1944. The chapters alternate the action as present day is aiming to recreate the war period. It is romanticized. The reader hears about the true horrors of war as we follow a war artist from Britain to mainland Europe.
Running alongside the love story in 1944 is the tremendous bravery of all those involved in the war effort – whether civilians or servicemen. It was a time of great sacrifice and courage. There are some truly dreadful scenes to be witnessed.
Throughout it all the characters hang on to the hope that “all shall be well.”
The Night Train To Berlin is beautifully written. The love radiates from the pages as we realise that true love never dies.
I received a free copy of the book from the Facebook group OMC Blogger Community via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
February 15, 2022
Ya’ll know how much of a sucker I am for WWII romances and historical fiction (which generally includes some kind of romantic element). I just can’t say no and that lovely cover just drew me in. Lately I’ve been reading some easy romances and a couple of solid thrillers so I haven’t really been in the mood to snag a more emotional war time novel but this one just stood out and I knew it was something that I would most likely love.
I also love the Cornish coast so any book set there is a win-win for me. Author Melanie Hudson’s debut novel, The Last Letter from Juliet, was a bestseller and secured many new fans for her work. I haven’t read her debut novel but it sounded like a bit hit! So when this one came up for review, I didn’t hesitate to review it knowing how popular her first book was even if I hadn’t read it.
This book is certainly for fans of Kate Quinn as well as Pam Jenoff, this book has so many great things, history, war, emotion, love, loss, and all the feels. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to more books from Hudson! As a relatively new voice in historical fiction, it is exciting to see how strong this novel was!
One of the things that really stood out to me in this book was the authenticity feel. Sometimes with war novels, it can be hard to capture the conditions of the war both on the battlefield and the home front when the author is far removed from the time period and setting. What I have seen that some authors have done is drawn from primary sources in some way to give the story and authentic feel and that’s how this novel felt. Hudson did a great job capturing the atmosphere of the time period and the tension of the war. The characters also felt very authentic with depth and historically fitting. I loved the historical parts of the novel for this very reason. I felt like I was reading very relatable people who fit within a believable historic setting.
This book also has a modern day portion to it and I actually felt really invested in that storyline as well. That isn’t always the case for me but in this one it felt balanced like the author was intentional about making both stories stand out. Sometimes the modern day part is just to serve as the catalyst for the larger historical narrative but in this one it felt important in its own right too. The stories of Ellie and Eliza were compelling and interesting and didn’t feel like the ‘typical’ duel narratives that I have read. Both of the women have unique circumstances that lead them to Cornwall and for Eliza to France.
There were a couple of chapters from Alex’s perspective which were important to the larger story though I don’t know if I would have chosen to add another POV to the story but generally it worked and it did have an impact to the story but for me it felt off to have his POV sprinkled in this one. Overall though this was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed the romance, the history and the narratives. If you love historical fiction set during WWII with some romance to it then this is a book you want to get on your radar for the spring! I loved how unique it felt in a sea of WWII novels, this one stood out and distinguishes itself!
I also love the Cornish coast so any book set there is a win-win for me. Author Melanie Hudson’s debut novel, The Last Letter from Juliet, was a bestseller and secured many new fans for her work. I haven’t read her debut novel but it sounded like a bit hit! So when this one came up for review, I didn’t hesitate to review it knowing how popular her first book was even if I hadn’t read it.
This book is certainly for fans of Kate Quinn as well as Pam Jenoff, this book has so many great things, history, war, emotion, love, loss, and all the feels. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to more books from Hudson! As a relatively new voice in historical fiction, it is exciting to see how strong this novel was!
One of the things that really stood out to me in this book was the authenticity feel. Sometimes with war novels, it can be hard to capture the conditions of the war both on the battlefield and the home front when the author is far removed from the time period and setting. What I have seen that some authors have done is drawn from primary sources in some way to give the story and authentic feel and that’s how this novel felt. Hudson did a great job capturing the atmosphere of the time period and the tension of the war. The characters also felt very authentic with depth and historically fitting. I loved the historical parts of the novel for this very reason. I felt like I was reading very relatable people who fit within a believable historic setting.
This book also has a modern day portion to it and I actually felt really invested in that storyline as well. That isn’t always the case for me but in this one it felt balanced like the author was intentional about making both stories stand out. Sometimes the modern day part is just to serve as the catalyst for the larger historical narrative but in this one it felt important in its own right too. The stories of Ellie and Eliza were compelling and interesting and didn’t feel like the ‘typical’ duel narratives that I have read. Both of the women have unique circumstances that lead them to Cornwall and for Eliza to France.
There were a couple of chapters from Alex’s perspective which were important to the larger story though I don’t know if I would have chosen to add another POV to the story but generally it worked and it did have an impact to the story but for me it felt off to have his POV sprinkled in this one. Overall though this was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed the romance, the history and the narratives. If you love historical fiction set during WWII with some romance to it then this is a book you want to get on your radar for the spring! I loved how unique it felt in a sea of WWII novels, this one stood out and distinguishes itself!
December 28, 2021
This book broke my heart and put it back together. Two timelines and finding love on the night train made it feel like history playing out twice.
I loved that art really showed the passion of the characters in this book, Eliza through her drawings and Ellie through her music. Only if we could be frozen in time to really enjoy those special moments.
The imagery in this book is done very well from the beaches, to the front lines, to Paris and the train of course. I left this book wanting more.
This is a fantastic WWII and present day story that really brought out the passion and love through the wonderful characters. If we could all meet at the beach at 3:15 at some point in our lives!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
I loved that art really showed the passion of the characters in this book, Eliza through her drawings and Ellie through her music. Only if we could be frozen in time to really enjoy those special moments.
The imagery in this book is done very well from the beaches, to the front lines, to Paris and the train of course. I left this book wanting more.
This is a fantastic WWII and present day story that really brought out the passion and love through the wonderful characters. If we could all meet at the beach at 3:15 at some point in our lives!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
October 14, 2021
Loved this historical romance set in two timelines - 1944 and present day. It is quite a poignant love story which you have to keep wondering if it will ever reach a conclusion with everything that is thrown in their way. Very atmospheric and a bit of a history lesson - I knew nothing about war artists previously. Very well written characters who I became invested in. Need to see if this author has written anymore books as I would love to read them.
February 6, 2022
A clean read brimming with hope and inspiration aboard the same train in this multi period novel.
January 30, 2025
I’m actually not okay.
Some really heavy content with difficult themes to digest but such a beautiful story in two different timelines that line up so cohesively. I will think about Alex and Eliza until my grave honestly
Some really heavy content with difficult themes to digest but such a beautiful story in two different timelines that line up so cohesively. I will think about Alex and Eliza until my grave honestly
August 13, 2025
I’ve been on a WW2 historical fiction reading run. And I think it filled that gap perfectly. I ATE UP the similarities of the two timelines. Everything went exactly the way it was meant to. I’m also a sucker for the once in a life time/right place right time trope, so the fact that it went down through generations actually destroyed me. BUT, I felt like Eliza’s story didn’t end the way I wanted, WHICH IS FAIR, but I think it was too abrupt. I’m all for authors letting people yearn for the perfect ending but damn, it just didn’t hit emotionally hard.
March 22, 2021
I received a free e-ARC through Netgalley.
Trains are a big part of this book which goes back and forth from present-day with Ellie and Joe and then back to the Second World War with Alex and Eliza. They each fall in love during a train journey to Cornwall and their stories interconnect in several ways. Each must learn to make the most of the opportunities that come their way to be happy and not dwell in regret. A captivating story with the romance of the 40s leading the way.
Trains are a big part of this book which goes back and forth from present-day with Ellie and Joe and then back to the Second World War with Alex and Eliza. They each fall in love during a train journey to Cornwall and their stories interconnect in several ways. Each must learn to make the most of the opportunities that come their way to be happy and not dwell in regret. A captivating story with the romance of the 40s leading the way.
February 12, 2022
Absolutely brilliant.
This is one of those books that I didn't want to end.
A brilliantly written and researched dual timeline of love and coincidences, amid the atrocities of war.
The reader is taken from Cornwall to the battlefields of Europe, both timelines beginning with a train journey from London to Penzance.
I love Melanie Hudson's writing, and cannot recommend this fantastic story highly enough.
This is one of those books that I didn't want to end.
A brilliantly written and researched dual timeline of love and coincidences, amid the atrocities of war.
The reader is taken from Cornwall to the battlefields of Europe, both timelines beginning with a train journey from London to Penzance.
I love Melanie Hudson's writing, and cannot recommend this fantastic story highly enough.
December 12, 2024
The crisp white tableclth, the silver cutlery, the crystal...were all symbols of a pre-war age. Such things...were both wonderfully decadent and inappropriately elitist during a time when deprivation rampaged through the world.
But still. It was nice..
p20
Extravagant romance collides with grim reality in this uneasy historical documentary fiction exploring the role of women in WWll. Alternating timelines emphasize the gap and the parallels between generations and the role of destiny, chance, and fate.
The roles we choose for ourselves, which are interchangeable, dont always suit ourtrue character, which is not.....p43
Tradition and societal pressures notwithstanding, what holds women back from actualizing their own potential? Lack of role models is definitely a factor even stronger than lack of confidence which only comes with practice.
Both timelines begin at Paddington Station, and both protagonists carry little luggage but a small suitcase and a book. It is no spoiler to reveal that inside each siutcase is the same emerald gown, and that it is Elizas journal and sketchbook that Ellie is reading.
Ellie is the great granddaughter of Nancy, best friend of Eliza, who at some point left her the cottage in Cornwall as well as her journal. Ellie is finally following Nancys wish in taliking this trip alone, setting up the resonance between Ellie and Eliza.
Wisely, MH allowed Elizas war time experience and her relationship with Alex to dominate. In fact, I could have done without Ellie altogether. As lovely and talented as she is portrayed, I could not find her credible. One of my main deal breakers verges on a spoiler but it must be noted that with the restrictions placed on her because of her condition, it is not at all plausable that at such a young age she would have had the time and energy to master the diverse array of instruments.
Am I being overly nitpicking here? Why not just keep reading and enjoy the fizz of the story?
...the sort of exciting lives that women who do not feel the need to conform seem to live. p27
I asked myself this as I carried on reading and as I finished, even more uncertain as to what botheredme so. If this was a romance, where was the happy ending? The precise details that enlivened much of the story evaporate and the reader is left in a chilling void.
Its up to us to imagine the connections, the trajectory and even who survived.
As a pacifist, it could be that I am incapable of nostalgia or sympathy for anything that glamorizes war, which seems to be the case here. Not entirely, but subtly and in the background, enough to spoil the message.
3 1/2 stars rounded down for GR
5/7
But still. It was nice..
p20
Extravagant romance collides with grim reality in this uneasy historical documentary fiction exploring the role of women in WWll. Alternating timelines emphasize the gap and the parallels between generations and the role of destiny, chance, and fate.
The roles we choose for ourselves, which are interchangeable, dont always suit ourtrue character, which is not.....p43
Tradition and societal pressures notwithstanding, what holds women back from actualizing their own potential? Lack of role models is definitely a factor even stronger than lack of confidence which only comes with practice.
Both timelines begin at Paddington Station, and both protagonists carry little luggage but a small suitcase and a book. It is no spoiler to reveal that inside each siutcase is the same emerald gown, and that it is Elizas journal and sketchbook that Ellie is reading.
Ellie is the great granddaughter of Nancy, best friend of Eliza, who at some point left her the cottage in Cornwall as well as her journal. Ellie is finally following Nancys wish in taliking this trip alone, setting up the resonance between Ellie and Eliza.
Wisely, MH allowed Elizas war time experience and her relationship with Alex to dominate. In fact, I could have done without Ellie altogether. As lovely and talented as she is portrayed, I could not find her credible. One of my main deal breakers verges on a spoiler but it must be noted that with the restrictions placed on her because of her condition, it is not at all plausable that at such a young age she would have had the time and energy to master the diverse array of instruments.
Am I being overly nitpicking here? Why not just keep reading and enjoy the fizz of the story?
...the sort of exciting lives that women who do not feel the need to conform seem to live. p27
I asked myself this as I carried on reading and as I finished, even more uncertain as to what botheredme so. If this was a romance, where was the happy ending? The precise details that enlivened much of the story evaporate and the reader is left in a chilling void.
Its up to us to imagine the connections, the trajectory and even who survived.
As a pacifist, it could be that I am incapable of nostalgia or sympathy for anything that glamorizes war, which seems to be the case here. Not entirely, but subtly and in the background, enough to spoil the message.
3 1/2 stars rounded down for GR
5/7
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