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All American Boy

Boy on a Train

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My best friend Tate and I have plans. Big plans.

1. Get the hell out of Merlot, California.
2. Ride trains around the world.

Though I have a secret third entry on the list of things I want to do ...

3. Tate Lemieux

But when my family gets a life-changing diagnosis just as I'm about to graduate, all my plans look like they’ll go up in smoke.

Right when I finally get the chance to be with the boy I’ve always loved ...

Will it end before it’s even begun?


Boy on the Train is a standalone new adult friends to lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Leslie McAdam full of sweet tension, fun banter & a side of family drama.

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2021

42 people are currently reading
381 people want to read

About the author

Leslie McAdam

35 books1,457 followers
Leslie McAdam is a California girl who loves romance and well-defined abs. She lives in a drafty old farmhouse on a small orange tree farm in Southern California with her husband and two small children. Leslie's first published book, The Sun and the Moon, won a 2015 Watty, which is the world's largest online writing competition. She's gone on to receive additional literary awards and has been featured in multiple publications, including Cosmopolitan.com. Her books have been Top 100 Bestsellers on both Amazon and Apple Books. Leslie is employed by day but spends her nights writing about the men of your fantasies.

USA Today interview: http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/20...

Cosmopolitan: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love...

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5 stars
91 (47%)
4 stars
65 (34%)
3 stars
26 (13%)
2 stars
6 (3%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance).
2,163 reviews75 followers
January 11, 2021
One of the BEST coming of age, new adult books I've read in a long time!

It brought back memories of my teenage years with a reverence and certainly made me wish I could go back in time and have a first boyfriend experience like Tate.  

Tate Lemieux is the absolute best when it comes having a first boyfriend. He put his all into learning and making sure he gave the best experience to Audrey when the time was right to dive into learning each other intimately. He not only was adorable about asking questions, but in searching out his answers. This book was full of laughter and that first moment of passion, well, I felt butterflies in my stomach for the two of them. 

Audrey has been in love with Tate for a few years, but afraid that he wouldn't return her affections, she never said anything, instead remaining his steady friend. When Tate makes his own feelings known to her they comfortably switch into a relationship, but it's only the knowledge that Audrey's mother is sick and that Audrey's future may now look different than it did just a short time before. How can Audrey ask for more from Tate when he leaves for college in just a few short weeks, when her own future hangs in the balance?

This book is so well written that my own face was flush over moments of passion, I truly felt like I was experiencing my first love all over again. I adored the relationship not only between Audrey and Tate, but also between Tate and his brothers. This is a book you don't want to miss. 
Profile Image for Karen.
1,644 reviews135 followers
January 10, 2021
I love, love, love, love Tate Lemieux. Genuinely. I want a do over of my first boyfriend and it to be him. He’s the sweetest, loveliest guy ever. Seriously going to make my teenage boys read this book to get tips on how to treat a girl properly, including practice with peaches.

Leslie McAdam has created an absolute treasure of a book. I loved everything about it from Audrey’s auburn curls to Tate’s brothers advice on sex (might make my teenage boys skip that chapter until they are at least 25).

A sweet, little book that’s lit up an otherwise dull and dreary Sunday.

Profile Image for Elle Golden.
Author 5 books61 followers
January 13, 2021
So, so sweet.

4,5 stars.

It's been such a long time since I've read YA romance. It's not exactly my cup of tea, but when I saw Leslie McAdam was the author, I was all in.
And I have no regrets.

This book was so adorably sweet. There was some deep topics mixed with wonderful friendship between Tate and Audrey (the main characters) and the growing of their feelings towards each other.

They were so captivating. Tate and Audrey have known each other for a few years and since the very beginning they started developing feelings for each other.
But instead of diving into it head first like a grasping teenager, they nurtured it calmly, letting their love marinate inside the wonderful relationship they were building without even aknowledging it.

The way they respected each other, their devotion to each other were so enthralling and heartwarming.
I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Sara Oxton.
3,803 reviews18 followers
January 13, 2021
Boy on a Train by Leslie McAdam is a sweet and smooth five-star read. I love a good romance, and love trains so this was always going to be a winner for me, then I realised that the main characters were graduating high school and I was worried, they would be immature, but they prove themselves over and over as sweet, intelligent and mature beyond their years. I adore friends to lovers and don’t often see it done this well, but my favourite part was definitely the end, that really got me in the feels.
Profile Image for Amanda Emke.
64 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2021
A very sweet coming of age book. I adore Tate and Audrey. They are so sweet and so perfect together. A wonderfully written book that I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Cynema.
602 reviews103 followers
February 19, 2021
GREAT 1ST LOVE, CLICHED CONFLICT **3.75 stars**

“Where do you want to go?” “Wherever you are.” -- OMG, this boy.


BOY ON A TRAIN is part of the All American Boy Series and takes place in the fictional California Wine Country town of Merlot. How cute is that. If only I’d read any of the other books in the series, I might have had an inkling that this book was potentially too YA for me. The concept is very sweet about high school seniors in a friends-to-lovers romance with plans of traveling the world by train to fulfill the girl’s romantic dream. She’s a dreamer and he’s planner, so they come up with the catchy idea of an anti-bucket list of things to see on their dream journey – after all, they’re too young for an actual bucket list.

“After we leave Merlot. When we’re really free.”

Rich boy Tate and middle class girl Audrey
have been besties through high school. They’re inseparable. Totally simpatico. Always in perfect sync and each other’s best cheerleader. He knows what she’s thinking before she does, and vice versa. They complete each other in every way … except one. The most important one. They secretly love each other but are too chicken shit to make a move. [It’s so adorable that I feel a cavity coming on!] Their only dilemma is friends, or more than friends? He’s been hiding his love for her all along, and is a virgin no less, to wait for her as his first. Awww. What guy does that? And she feels the same.

All those raging hormones, insecurities, yearnings of first young love. It was sweet in capital letters. Audrey has just 3 plans for her life:

#1 Get the hell out of Merlot.
#2 Ride trains around the world.
#3 Tate Lemieux


The first part of the book totally captured my heart with all their lovestruck fumblings, funny banter, and inner musings filled with teen insecurity and cute angst. The story lost ground once Tate finally had the gumption to lay a liplock on Audrey, and they declared their love. It was so ordinary after that and sad because an unforeseen conflict interferes with their plans. The train was mostly a gimmick.

“I’d always be George Bailey, dreaming about the round the world trip, but never being able to go.”


Once the big thrill of the train trip was dashed, it felt sad and depressing. The forced conflict was easily resolved after so much heartache, which was much ado about nothing. And a grand gesture that could have involved the train in a certain way was squandered by going in a completely different direction. The whole tone and story momentum just evaporated, and didn’t resume for me even though I totally rooted for them. Overuse of the conflict in other romances has left me emotionally drained, and not as sympathetic or involved in Audrey's emotions. Too clichéd. The whole dynamic was so much fun with great energy and humor before life butted in, and almost reminded me of the self-sacrifice of lovers in The Christmas Box. What one does to sacrifice for the one(s) we love.

The last moment that held my interest was the first kiss. It spoke of all the fun and youthful promise of their young love and dream trip.

“Tate gave me a game changer kiss. One that turned us from dancing around each other to dancing with each other.”
“He was such a keeper.” ~~ “You should tap that.”


After that, all the fun was sucked out of the room. The purity of the love was adorable, and I truly love this author. What she wrote was incredibly swoony and romantic for a YA story, but honestly it didn’t follow the story it promised, not even about the much-hyped train travel. The title isn’t technically accurate. Great first half though, and loved everything but the conflict.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,729 reviews27 followers
February 3, 2021
I fell in love with Audrey and Tate's story. They were cute, adorable and best friends. Tate was so swoony and exactly what the series is named for, an All American Boy! This is a definite must read!
Profile Image for Pam Nelson.
3,813 reviews124 followers
December 22, 2021
I loved it, why did I wait so long to listen to this one?!
Tate is smitten I loved that about him.
Audrey never thought her best friend could have the same feelings she does.
I swooned, this happens every time I read a friends to lovers trope, they make my heart happy.

I always find the coming of age stories to be the best all that hopeful love, will they won’t they. Can’t have it can’t live without it.
Just trust me this is a gem and the narrators do a phenomenal job giving these characters their own voices.
Profile Image for Jaime.
370 reviews44 followers
January 18, 2021
Sigh...this book took me back to first love. However, not many of us had a first love like Tate Lemieux. That boy is all the things. The devotion he had for Audrey was so special. He was so thoughtful in everything he did and said to her. It was so special! They have a love that is built on a strong foundation of friendship.

Boy on a Train is a sweet coming of age story! It made me laugh (thanks to Tate's brothers). It made me sad, but most of all, it made me happy!!

Profile Image for Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog).
5,884 reviews213 followers
February 3, 2021




Amazon / Universal / Audiobook / Paperback

Audrey and Tate have been best friends for years even though each has been hiding more than friendly feelings for fear of not only ruining their friendship, but the fear of rejection by said best friend. When those feelings start to show, will they rush headlong into them the way intense first love tends to do? Or act as the best friends they still are, with respect and love for the other?



This is a sweet, heartfelt coming of age, friends to lovers story. Tate and Audrey are adorable, quite unlike a lot of teens in fiction these days - not rushing into bed, not a ton of angst, and respecting their friendship all while coming to terms with the change in their friendship. I hope all the All American Boys are as good as this one because now I plan on reading them all.



ARC via Elle Woods PR for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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Profile Image for Jessica Alcazar.
4,404 reviews624 followers
February 3, 2021
5 ridiculously adorable STARS, plus MORE!

If I could go back in time, I’d have Tate give my first boyfriend a few pointers! *swoon*

I don’t read a whole lot of coming of age books so I’m no expert, but this story, this story felt a lot more grown than what I would expect from this age and it was glorious. I swooned people! This story is one you don’t want to miss. #trust

Available now for only 99c or read in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon -- https://amzn.to/37EJWh6
Universal -- getbook.at/BoyOnATrain
Also available ➡ Audiobook | Paperback
Profile Image for Jaime Seal.
321 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2021
I loved this sweet book so much! Best friends to lovers at it’s best! You’ll love Audrey and Tate! Tate is the perfect guy and Audrey is his perfect match! They’ve been friends for years! Can they cross that line and have no regrets? This book was such a sweet story! I couldn’t put it down!
Profile Image for Sheila Schoenauer.
1,090 reviews12 followers
January 19, 2021
I love fast paced quick reads but at the same time I don't. I usually end up wanting more. This book was no exception. I adored Audrey and Tate. They got to experience that slow growth toward forever. They were friends first, lovers forever. This book definitely wasn't what I was expecting from the blurb but I won't elaborate and spoil it. There was little drama, just a lack of communication. Loved the ending, enjoyed the epilogue. Oh and I wouldn't mind a book about Perry. He was interesting! Great short read I'm glad I read.

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
545 reviews9 followers
January 14, 2021
Aweeeee. Boy on a Train is such a sweet, cute coming of age read. Audrey and Tate were simply a delight and it was a treat to watch their friendship evolve into more. Leslie McAdam's brought so much fun to this read, but in true Leslie fashion, weightier issues were handled with care.
Profile Image for Lynn Stifle.
3,823 reviews69 followers
February 2, 2021
Such a wonderful coming of age story and best friends to lovers story! I loved everything about this book, from the first page until the last it kept me engaged and turning the pages. I adored Audrey and Tate, they were perfect together. A sweet and quick read that will give you all the feels. I highly recommend everyone read this book, you won’t regret it.
Profile Image for Jody.
2,089 reviews61 followers
February 3, 2021
From the moment I started reading this book I knew I was in for an entertaining journey, one that ultimately charmed me and put a smile on my face courtesy of its immensely appealing main couple. In this story of friends to lovers Ms. McAdam introduces readers to a pair who are on the cusp of adulthood, heading off to college with all the emotions surrounding the upcoming changes. Add in a life-threatening illness and this story took on an even more realistic turn that kept me frantically turning the pages. These characters may have started out young in age, but life and their choices showed a mature pair who I was rooting for every step of the way in a journey that pulled on every one of my heartstrings!

Tate Lemieux and Audrey have been in each other's lives for years, closer than close as friends with feelings that have slowly started turning romantic. Fear may have held Audrey back before from these feelings, but Tate's fully invested in these romantic changes and becomes determined to be the best boyfriend ever...the kind of boyfriend Audrey deserves. From that moment Tate reads and researches all he can, including an utterly endearing chat with his brothers, to give Audrey the perfect romance and along the way I added him to my list of Book Boyfriends. Tate's a sweet and caring young man, one with a heart of gold, who unwaveringly supports Audrey when she needs him most. He's what every young woman would want in their first romance and just thinking about him now gives me all sorts of warm fuzzies. Audrey too is very likable, easy to relate to, and watching her deal with both the joys of love and the sadness of family drama brought back memories of my own teen years. Watching this pair navigate life and love was the perfect slice of life and it was a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Through its emotional storyline, unforgettable main couple, and realistically crafted relationship Ms. McAdam has crafted a delightful read! It was heartwarming, endearing, with humor and a few tears along the way to fully immerse me in Audrey and Tate's journey to adulthood. Alongside this near-perfect main couple was Tate's brothers who made this story even richer and more endearing through their talks with him. From the first page to the last this was a story I wholeheartedly recommend, a story that had me wanting to start reading it all over again once I reached The End!
Profile Image for DJ .
36 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2021
A VERY BEAUTIFUL 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Boy On A Train
All American Boy Series
By Leslie McAdam
Narrated by Desiree Ketchum & James Cavanaugh

This was a sweet, beautiful friends to lovers story of Tate and Audrey who have a wonderful friendship that’s full of respect for one another. They’ve been best friends for years but both hide strong feelings of love but struggle to disclose due to the fear that it could ruin their friendship. As the story progresses their friendship begins to naturally turns in to more. Throughout the story there is no angst or rushing into anything and when they do decide the time is right it is such a beautiful moment. This was such a good feel book of young love and friendship and was delight to listen to. I look forward to listening to the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Sara.
2,365 reviews14 followers
February 3, 2021
An enjoyable YA read that is sweetly romantic. Tate and Audrey have been close friends for the last few years of high school and each has been hesitant to make any move to express their interest in being more than friends because neither one wants to jeopardize their friendship.

This book explores the wonder of first love and two 18 year olds on the cusp of venturing out into the world. They have planned together for where they are going to college and all of these plans come into question when Audrey’s parents throw her a curve ball. Audrey has a big decision to make and she’s torn on what to do even though she knows what she should do.

I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
12.3k reviews92 followers
February 3, 2021
Audrey was cautious about taking a chance that could destroy one of the best relationships she has in her life however Tate shows her by word and deed that some risks are worth the reward.

Over time Tate’s feelings for Audrey have turned into love and he wants them to be a couple rather than just friends. He is the perfect mix of sweet and sexy as he shows her that together they can overcome anything.

This is a heartwarming story about life, love and family that is sure to touch your heart.
Profile Image for LaTonja .
308 reviews25 followers
February 8, 2021
This is my first time reading Leslie McAdam. The book is the adorable story off best friends who become lovers. Audrey and Tate have been best friends all 4 years and college, but that's all they were. Over the years they both started to fall in love with each other. Too scared that they would be rejected by the other they kept their feelings to themselves. It was their senior year and all bets were off. It was now or never to make this a real loving relationship. It was a cute story and a quick read.
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,136 reviews39 followers
February 3, 2021
Audrey and Tate were absolutely adorable. Best friends since 9th grade and plans to head to college together. But how do you cross the line not knowing if the other feels the same? Tate finally makes the first move. He's the best boyfriend a girl could ask for. He's thoughtful, attentive, sweet, and wants to do everything to make Audrey feel special. Their story is first love at its best with all the feels!!!
92 reviews6 followers
January 31, 2021
This was one of the best new adult books I've read.

It's hard to capture thoughts and feelings of late teens, without making them seem older than they are. The thoughts and feelings rang true here...and that feeling, when you're leaving high school, that a year is eternity. That things can derail in an instant. That the future you didn't envision is no future at all.

Tate & Audrey are lovely. Go forth and read this!
Profile Image for evieo17 .
5,078 reviews51 followers
February 3, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining. It made me smile, laugh and feel young again. I would definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Demi.
1,426 reviews33 followers
January 29, 2021
Tate loves Audrey so very much that he is taking things very slow. Audrey loves Tate but isn't sure if they are friends or if he is interested in her. Tate just wants everything with Audrey to be perfect. Tate goes out of his way to learn all he can to make Audrey comfortable and satisfied. A diagnosis changes their future plans but Tate seems to have that under control too! Sweet story of young love
Profile Image for Michell Hall casper.
924 reviews12 followers
February 3, 2021
One of the best coming of age reads I've read.

This brought back so many memories of my relationship with my husband because we were highschool sweethearts. This was a quick, fun, sweet, emotional read. It was also nice to finally jump back into a Leslie McAdam read.
Profile Image for Emily Utsch.
591 reviews5 followers
January 29, 2021
This is the first book from this author that I have read and it is amazing!!!! I loved the best friends to lovers. This made me addicted to Tiktok where best friends play a song and then get up the courage to kiss their friend. Uggh just butterflies in the stomach!!!

Dont worry about too much cuteness, there is also plenty of hotness!!!
Profile Image for Gladys.
14k reviews162 followers
January 29, 2021
Oh, the feels you will get from Tate and Audrey's story. This shorter length read delivers a mighty amount of emotion and will totally have you swooning. Loaded with sweetness, offering some laughs and touches of drama and poignancy, this book was the perfect way to relax for a couple of hours. I am freely posting a frank review.
Profile Image for Katy Cuthbertson.
44 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2021
I am SO excited for the release of this book!
Swoony & sexy & sweet! And, my god, that first kiss was perfection!! Leslie McAdam has, again, crafted an exquisite story that feels more real than make-believe. You’ve got to check this one out!!
Profile Image for Shani Haim.
Author 6 books65 followers
March 16, 2021
This book was the cutest! ❤️
It's been a long time since I read a New Adult romance novel, and I'm glad I picked this one up! ❤️
Tate and Audrey's stories felt genuine, as we're all so weird around the opposite sex especially in theses ages.
I think Tate is the best teenage boyfriend a girl can ask for. He was so understanding and compassionate and wasn't afraid to admit he was clueless on many things when it came to Audrey.
Audrey's relentless love toward him and her family, putting them first, was so noble and good, and she deserved all the love she got from all of them in return. ❤️
Highly recommended ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews

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