On the Fly

Rail Riders #4

by Nicky James

Everything is changing.

When her core group of freight-hopping friends start settling down, Willow is left adrift and all alone to ride the rails.
She can’t quit like everyone else. For eight years she’s been on a quest for answers about her past, and LA is where she suspects she’ll find them.
With a serial killer still loose on the rails and no one else to ride with, Willow’s lifelong best friend, Billie, insists on coming along.
Riding with Billie is a dream come true. They know each other inside and out, and Billie’s presence in Willow’s life has always kept her grounded.
But Billie has always had strong feelings for Willow that go beyond friendship, and Willow has always insisted on keeping things the way they are.
Why mess with a good thing and risk losing the one person who keeps Willow grounded?
Can Billie prove to Willow that she will be there no matter what, that she will never let go no matter how bad things get?
As secrets from Willow’s past unfold, their relationship is tested and hard choices must be made, but sometimes the only way to move forward is to make a decision on the fly.

** On The Fly is a best friends to lovers, female/gender fluid romance. Billie uses the pronouns she/her and they/them interchangeably. It is the last book in the Rail Riders series and should be read in sequence for full enjoyment. **

Genres: Friends To Lovers, LGBT, Romance, Found Family, Queer

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2022

About the author

I live in the small town of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada and I am a mother to a wonderful teenage boy (didn't think those words could be typed together...surprise) and wife to a truly supportive and understanding husband, who thankfully doesn't think I'm crazy.

I have always had two profound dreams in life. To fall back hundreds of years in time and live in a simpler world, not bogged down by technology and to write novels. Since only one of these was a possibility I decided to make the other come alive on paper.
I write mm romance novels that take place in fantastical medieval type settings and love to use the challenges of the times to give my stories and characters life.

Reviews

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ☆

She tipped her head down and looked at me. The dark pits of her soulful eyes were bursting with suppressed emotion. She reached out and took my hand, weaving our fingers together. "If the sun burned up tomorrow, it would change the course of humanity."
"We'd be extinct."
"Exactly. We need the sun. Without it, we're doomed."
"You're not making any sense."
"You're my sun, Billie."
A smile tickled the corner of my mouth. "You're a dork."
~ god i love them so much. they're my dorks. 🥺

OKAY HEAR ME OUT. while a part of me was hoping to like this (bc it's Willow and i've loved her since the first book and Billie's appearance in the previous book only had me more intrigued with their dynamic), i held off on reading it for a while bc of the mixed reviews and i refuse to have Willow be ruined for me so, to my surprise, i ended up loving this SO much?? i understood others' frustration with Willow and her obsession of discovering her past to the point where it broke her, but i honestly just wanted to give her a hug. there were times when i felt frustrated, sure, but it was never to the extent where my enjoyment of the book overall faltered and i'm glad for it bc i was terrified this would disappoint me. the loml, Billie? i loved her so fucking much. her love, loyalty and patience towards Willow was unmatched. 😌

if you ask me if i thought Billie deserved better, i may have considered it for a second in the beginning, but the thought immediately flew out of my mind the moment Willow revealed Billie's feelings for her had always been reciprocated. i hate mixed signals (i've experienced it irl and it's not pretty) but, to me, if the mixed signal is more of a "i love my best friend in a romantic way, and always have, but i just don't want to fuck up our friendship if our relationship goes to shit bc i cherish it too much" situation, it's something i can handle, compared to a "do i like this person or do i not? should i get their hopes up, even if i'm still unsure of my feelings right now?" mixed signal. in this case, i'm glad we also had Willow's perspective (even though she is technically more of the mc between the two of them so it wouldn't make sense if we only had Billie's lol) bc i feel like it was easier to understand why she had always put a wall, or distance, between them whenever they would cross that line past friendship. also, i personally loved the tension between them whenever a lil moment would happen.

i just simply adored the dynamic between Willow and Billie. their banters, deep friendship and the way they understood one another? i loved everything about them. Willow had her "selfish" moments, but i feel like her good traits were more than enough to surpass it. there were moments when their romance had me feeling emotional af and i just wanted them to be happy. 🥹

in a way, it feels bittersweet to say "goodbye" to my favorite Rail Riders bc i've loved and adored each book in this series and have grown attached to each character/couple, but i'd highly recommend the whole series, if you're debating whether or not to pick it up. <3

For the final picture, Billie shuffled away so it would be just me in the frame. I covered my face, angling my head so a curtain of hair blocked the view.
"Don't. Hands down."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because you're incredibly beautiful, and I don't have nearly enough pictures of you. Indulge me."
Sighing, I dropped my hands, screwing up my face into a dramatic frown. Billie wasn't deterred. She brushed the hair from my face and traced a thumb over my bottom lip.
"Smile," she whispered. "For me."
I wasn't sure what my face did at that moment, but Billie scooted back and snapped a picture. The emotions on my face were raw and revealing.
Billie admired the picture she'd taken. "Perfection."
"Happy?"
"Yes."

***
Rail Riders series:
#1 End of the Line — 4.5 stars
#2 Lost at the Crossing — 4 stars
#3 Catching Out — 4.5 stars
#4 On the Fly — 4.5 stars

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irony. The title is apt yet ironic. Yep, it’s true Willow has been living life on the fly. But recently, everyone has been settling and planting roots. She’s the last of the group to find their soul mate and settle down. Or is she? Perhaps her other half has been there all along? Willow’s been riding the rails for years, searching for the missing piece. It hasn’t been easy, but she can handle it. Growing up with an absent father and four rowdy brothers left her with thick skin. She has one weakness, Billie. Her best friend hasn’t only had her back since she was in grade school, but she’s guarding her front and both sides. If it was up to Billie, no one would harm a hair on her head. Billie confessed her true heart in high school, but Willow can’t go there. Billie is sacred. Nothing and no one can risk Billie. She is the chink in Willow’s armor. But what if Billie’s meant to own what’s beneath her vest? Can she give Billie her heart and risk her one and only truth? That’s the burning question.

Willow should be living on the fly, but this time, things have changed. Her trustworthy trio has abandoned her. They didn’t mean to or any ill will…it just happened. But just because Killer, Ty, and Dodger have found what they were searching for doesn’t mean she has. No, she’s still on the hunt for any trace of her mother’s life. She must know. She can’t move forward until she understands the past. Why did her mom run to LA? Who was she with? Did she love them more than her? The unknown burns within her. Even with the CP rail killer at large, she can’t stop. She couldn’t find anyone to ride with her and was determined to press on alone. Billie wasn’t having it. If Billie can’t stop her reckless behavior, at least she can be there to hold her. Because there’s one thing for sure, Willow is going to fall. And Billie will be damned if she isn’t there to catch her.

Billie has been living half a life. She pastes on a smile and tosses cocktails like a pro. She hits the gym, chasing her cloud nine with false contentment. Billie is many things, but there’s one thing she isn’t, and that’s a fool. She knows what she needs, what she’s desperately missing. She has dark hair and an addicting raspy voice with a direct line to her soul. Billie has tried to make peace with what Willow can give her. But when she chases after her, jumping on trains and living life on the rails, things change. Willow loves her but refuses to risk them by crossing her invisible line. Billie is determined to prove her permanence. Considering everyone in Willow’s life (besides her riding family) has forsaken her, her mission isn’t going to be quick or easy. Good thing she likes a challenge. I loved their comfort and wanted to ease their suffering. I loved Billie’s frankness and Willow’s apprehension. I loved how smoothly Billie slipped into Willow’s rail life. I loved how Billie kept Willow grounded, even when she flitted around. I loved the innocent and peculiar people they encountered. I beamed when Willow’s rider family stood tall and defensive, ready and willing. But most of all, I loved their long sought-after HEA. *sigh* What an ending!!

*whispers* Unless Nicky has some type of reunion planned? I would love to see them, like happy little larks, settled into their nests but still flying high. I can only hope…and maybe cross every finger and toe!

Beware of: Holes in your past can lead to a rocky future…if you let them. Family, found or flesh is only as close as you allow. And often the best gift is the hardest won…and most treasured.

This book is for: Rail rider friends gather around…this exclusive ride is for those of you with badges of honor- if Killian, Ty, and Troy haven’t stamped your heart, you can’t proceed here. Best to start at the beginning…I assure you, this is no hardship. Grab on, hold tight and enjoy the ride!

Book UNfunk

[Ana Nimity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this series from the very first paragraph of the first book, and On the Fly only strengthened that love. This book won't be for everyone, since it is Female/Genderfluid, but Nicky James is a master storyteller and in my opinion, she nailed Willow's story. You really do need to read the other books first, - every one of them gave me massive book hangovers, but if you're starting now, you'll only have the one at the end.

Some people may choose not to read because they didn't care for Willow in the earlier books, and that's their prerogative, but they're missing a compelling story about a lost little girl who basically raised herself. A product of her environment. At times, she's not very likeable in this book, but hold on to the end, because she redeems herself. Definitely a HEA.

Nicky is known for angst and inflicting emotional upheaval on her characters. While On the Fly is certainly emotional - I shed a couple of tears - it's no more emotional than the Hometown Hearts series, at least not to me. It's hot, but the sex scenes are well timed and don't overshadow the story. I love, love, love Billie, and think that anyone who's gotten hooked on LesbianTok should at least give this couple a try.

I'm so sad the series is over. I know I'll read it again, and hopefully we'll get some sort of bonus novella in the future to catch up on the Rail Riders gang!

[alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.25] my inability to rate this higher physically pains me as i absolutely adore the rail riders crew, but Willow is so caught up in her obsession that the Willow i've grown to love over the books was nowhere in sight for basically the entire length of her story 😔 even once we got further context and i could understand the why, it didn't change the fact that she was too closed off to shine. the pacing was also slightly wonky, with a snail-slow start teasing us for a tad too long where her head is at and a rushed ending to top it off.

Billie no doubt saved the story for me. my gender fluid star took the spotlight and carried the story on her strong shoulders 🤩💪🏼 i don't read f/f often, but i'm open to any recs 👀

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Have you been wondering what draws Willow to Los Angeles every winter? The excellent On the Fly gives you that answer, and it’s not the warm weather. Nicky James grabbed my attention on page one and I was intrigued to discover Willow’s secret. Come along as Willow returns to Los Angeles one last time seeking the answers to dull the ache deep inside her. Circumstances keep Willow from traveling alone – Fish, the CP Rail serial killer, is still on the loose and she promises Dodger she won’t travel alone. To ensure her safety, Billie, Willow's childhood best friend, begrudgingly joins Willow on her freight hopping expedition from Toronto to California.

This is a childhood friends-to-lovers story combined with an equally as important mystery that goes hand in hand. It's not necessarily romantic, but it is the story of Billie’s profound, unrequited love of many years. It’s a love she’s willing to sacrifice when she has to make a decision to save Willow from self-destruction, even though Willow will hate her for her actions. And it’s a love eventually reciprocated in full.

Willow and Billie were both outcasts growing up together. Willow was bullheaded, moody, defensive, and didn’t like to be told what to do. Billie, well, she was just different and didn’t fit into societal norms. She’s gender fluid, meaning that some days she identifies as a woman, while on other days it’s as a man. She presents more androgynous or masculine. Willow accepts her friend in any form and has never questioned it. She herself is pansexual so attraction defies gender or binary constructs.

Willow is a tough cookie, and as her story unfolds, you’ll see why. She won’t even open up fully to her “brothers” Dodger, Killian, and Tyler, even thought they exist in a judgment-free zone and support her 100 percent. She’s struggling with the changes to her found family as the guys’ priorities change. They’ve all met their life partners, have given up their lives as rail riders, and are spreading out across Canada. Willow feels she’s not only losing her friends but the only family important to her.

Willow shares only so much with Billie, too, her search for answers keeping her partially closed off. They’ll never be truly close until Willow can let go of her obsession, complete her quest, and find her truth. For now, she’s haunted by it. Tormented.

Once in L.A., Willow is impulsive and mercurial in her moods. L.A. hardens Willow and Billie doesn’t like it. She is unnerved that Willow has a whole side to her Billie doesn't know. She has to fight the urge to be protective and possessive, which Willow hates. But as Willow's obsession takes hold, her behavior becomes riskier and she retreats into herself. Billie doesn’t know what to do.

There were two times I got emotional during this read. Billie’s turmoil and sacrifice was one of them. The other moment involved a side character who stole my heart and made me laugh. Nicky James wisely utilized comic relief to break up the heaviness of the plot. Another secondary character is, um, bizarre in the most entertaining way. Wait until you meet him! Tyler called him strange, which is the understatement of the century. It’s like calling the sun hot. Billie’s uncle and his husband – with their unconditional love – provide depth and interest, too.

I enjoyed On the Fly a great deal. Billie is engaging and heroic; the guys are entertaining, as always; and Willow is a survivor, written true to character – bristly and closed-off – but once you understand her, you’ll see she’s a victim of her deteriorating mental health. She's undoubtedly a caring, devoted friend to Billie and the boys. This is not a typical romance but that’s not a bad thing. It’s a story of deep love that rises above all else to unite two characters who need each other like oxygen. And there’s an absorbing mystery to uncover, also. Even if you don’t think you’ll like a F/GF relationship, give it a try like I did. This is a worthy end to the Rail Riders series and brings closure to all of the character arcs. I’m very sad to see the end of Rail Riders. I’ve loved traveling along the tracks with this family of four – now eight – and being a part of their adventures and romances. Sniff, sniff.

ARC kindly provided to Love Bytes Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

[Szidi ☼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth and the last book in the series. It was bittersweet because I didn't want to say goodbye to the gang, but after all everyone got their perfect HEA, so what more a reader could ask for? :)

Billie and Willow - best friends to FINALLY lovers. Loved their relationship and how in love they were. Willow's fear was real and it was well portrayed that she was afraid to BE IN LOVE with Billie. Their journey was really good and when they finally accepted what they wanted, just mhmmm!

This book isn't m/m, and it's a first for Nicky to write about f/gf (genderfluid) characters together, but I really, really enjoyed reading it. The sex scenes were hot too ;)

I know that every story is differently paced and not everyone needs 24/7 rail riding, but I feel that the first book has the most hopping in it and I just constantly miss those in every book. This time too. Billie and Willow were rail hopping too, but those weren't as exciting as before.

The created drama at the end was a bit too much for me and it was a slightly boring topic to be a main focus of Willow's 'background'.

Loved the epilogue, I love this gang so much.

[AGandyGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely my least favorite of the series. And not because it was FF. That was definitely new for me but honestly Willow just bugged the shit out of me. I didn’t really find her nearly as likable as a lead character. Billie was great and I loved Boa. Could do a spin-off with him for sure.

The series wrapped up well with the other characters.

[Tracy Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Glowing Stars
Sniff…Sniff… What a brilliant series and the ending was bittersweet! I’m glad Willow got her story, it was heartbreaking to read, I was after crying three times and I was on on nineteen percent, and more crying ensued and I finished the book in happy tears. I cried, laughed(Saul is something else,lol) and awed. Billie was good for Willow and I’m glad she finally decided to catch the rails with her and be there for her and to make the decisions when Willow was over her head, I’m glad their well on the way of getting the HEA they deserve. It was awesome to read more on the guys and their lives, I’m going to miss them so much!! A Must Read but you have to read books in order!

[AL♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the Fly is the last book in NJ's Rail Riders series and what at journey she took us on!!
This entire series is so unique. A found family, riding the rails (illegally catching freight trains on the fly) from Toronto to LA.

NJ popped my F/GF 🍒 with this book!
Willow has always been the sounding board for the other guys in the family, she was the level headed one. However, with all the talks she had with the guys, she never imparted personal information about herself. She always invoked their rider's code.

Now on a quest to get answers about her past, she finally convinced her bestfriend Billie to ride with her.
We briefly met Billie in previous books, but never really got to know them. Going in, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book, but I also knew that NJ would not disappoint.
I loved Billie. Strong, reliable, Willow's anchor.
On the Fly is a slow burn romance. It's a friend to lovers story. It's finding your person and never letting go.

If you are looking for a series that takes you on a different path, I highly recommend Rail Riders series.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh I can’t believe it’s over. I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters and the family they’ve created.😭😭😭 But, at the same time, I think this did an awesome job at wrapping up the series. The group scene in the last chapter was bittersweet. Hurts that it’s over but it made my heart so happy.🥰

I LOVED this series so much! It was different, refreshing, fun, and filled with adventure, friendship, hurt/comfort, self discovery, action, steam, and, of course, found family. I’ve never read anything like it and found the freight hopping so fascinating. Before reading the series, I was aware people did freight hopped, but I wasn’t very knowledgeable or familiar with it. And wow did the topic make for an interesting and fun series!

I’ve loved Willow since book one and had been curious about her story and her relationship with Billie. We finally got to meet the mysterious Billie in Dodger’s book, and it made me that more excited for Willow’s book. And overall, this did not disappoint! I’ve become a huge fan of MM and rarely read books with FMCs anymore, but I really loved both Willow and Billie. Also, this was the first FF book I’ve read and was pleasantly surprised. I still favor and gravitate toward MM, but I think this was the perfect book for my first FF.😊

Willow and Billie were such great characters. I really enjoyed reading their POVs and going on this journey with them. It filled in a lot of blanks for me and questions I’d had about them in the first three books. They fit well together, and I loved their friendship, chemistry, and bond. They were truly each other’s ride-or-dies. I also felt for Billie and her unparalleled (and unrequited) love and longing for Willow. And for Willow and her confusion and hesitance toward furthering her relationship with Billie. I felt their thoughts, actions, and motivations were really well done. They felt authentic, which made both MCs that much more relatable and likable. I also LOVED the gender fluid rep in Billie’s character. I felt that on such a deep level. Nothing makes me happier than people being their true selves, especially when it goes against societal stereotypes and “norms.” There’s something so refreshing, liberating, and genuine about it, and it just calls to me. And I loved how both Willow and Billie really embodied that. They were confident, didn’t care what others or society thought, and were just badass people. I loved their energy, vibes, personalities, and views on things. Willow stringing Billie along annoyed me at times, but I understood where both were coming from, and I think it only added to the tension, buildup, and feels between them. Billie was so supportive, loyal, protective, and caring, and I was here for it. Both MCs were a little closed off and guarded at first, so it was rewarding to see both slowly come out of their shells as the book and their relationship progressed.

I also loved Saul and Boa.🤣 They were such great side characters! Especially Boa. Loved it! They both added something special to the story.

And of course, I loved all the group scenes🥲. This group of characters and the friendship they have and the family they’ve created makes me so happy. They’ve each come such a long way since book one, and it’s always sad for a life chapter to come to an end and for friends/family to “grow up” and move on with their lives and go in different directions. But like Willow said (I’m paraphrasing), their riding days may be over and things may not be the same, but they’re family and always will be.🥺😭❤️

Overall, this was a fantastic series. I really loved and enjoyed it, and it’s definitely become a favorite for me. This fourth and final book was a fitting end to the series and did a great job at wrapping things up. I’m sad it’s over, but my heart is happy I experienced it and went on these characters’ journey. I know it’s something I’ll think of often.😊

[Isa Tis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 *


C’est avec On the fly que la très chouette série Rail riders de Nicky James s’achève, à la joie de retrouver toute la bande et spécialement Willow, s’est mêlé un sentiment de tristesse. Le voyage s’achève, et c’est forcément un peu douloureux de dire au revoir à tout ce petit monde mais vraiment, ce 4ème tome finit la série en beauté !
Cette fois, il ne s’agit pas d’un M/M mais d’un F/GF (gender fluid) et cela n’a vraiment fait aucune différence dans mon ressenti, l’histoire d’amour que partage Willow et Billie est juste magnifique et émouvante (tout comme la dédicace de l’autrice !).

Jusqu’au bout, j’ai pris un grand plaisir à partager les périples de cette bande unie par des liens d’amitié et de loyauté très forts. Tout a changé, les garçons ont chacun trouvé leur pièce manquante et ont fini par se poser, laissant Willow désormais seule. Mon cœur s’est vraiment serré de la voir dans cette situation. Animée par une quête qui la dévore, poussée par des réponses qu’elle cherche désespérément, nous retrouvons Willow en chemin vers Los Angeles où elle risque de se brûler les ailes. Mais heureusement, la fidèle Billie est là et veille...

En y réfléchissant bien, je pense que Willow est pour moi le personnage le plus attachant de cette petite famille s'y atypique formée sur les rails. Mais je dois bien reconnaître qu’elle est parvenue à mettre mes nerfs à rude épreuve... Malgré son côté inaccessible et une dureté de façade, Willow a toujours présente pour ses compagnons de route, elle est la confidente et la mère poule, celle qui écoute, rassure et qui ose aussi dire des vérités qui fâchent parfois.
Dans les tomes précédents, Willow était restée assez mystérieuse et j’ai aimé en découvrir plus sur sa vie et sur cette amitié si puissante qui l’unit à Billie. Dans Catching Out, cette dernière avait fait une apparition remarquée et les promesses ont été tenues, c’est un personnage que j’ai adoré ! Je vais évoquer Billie en utilisant le pronom personnel « elle », tout simplement car c’est le choix de Willow. Billie est terriblement touchante, elle aime Willow depuis le lycée et s’est un peu résignée à ce que leur relation ne prenne pas une autre dimension. Mais même si cela reste une souffrance, jamais elle ne renoncera à cette amitié avec Willow, comme cette dernière l’exprime si bien, elle est sa « constante ». Billie est un vrai roc, une ancre dans la tempête, sa maison qui offre reguge et apaise. Et pourtant, Willow ne lui fait pas de cadeaux ! Mais elle a des circonstances atténuantes, donc je lui pardonne. Tout ce que je peux dire c’est que j’ai éprouvé un immense bonheur et une sensation de plénitude car une nouvelle dynamique apparaît. Que d’émotions !

L’absence de Killian, Dodger, Tyler et de leurs chéris respectifs aurait été un sacrilège, j’ai adoré les revoir même si ce n’était pas assez à mon goût. Billie et Willow croiseront aussi la route d’un personnage étonnant et un peu flippant, je ne l’oublierai pas de sitôt celui-là !

C’est donc avec un gros pincement au cœur que j’ai achevé ma lecture mais j’ai adoré sortir des sentiers battus auprès de ce petit groupe et m’aventurer dans cette saga originale et entraînante !

[Heike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final installment of the Rail Riders series and follows Willow, the only female rider in the gang. And Billie, her childhood best friend, who is in love with Willow.
I love Nicky James and her writing - so it’s really hard for me to say this but somehow it took me really long to get into the story. Maybe I just wasn’t in the right mindset.
I didn’t connect with Willow as much as with all the other riders and characters created by Nicky James. That aside, the story is beautifully written and has complex characters. Even if I didn’t connect with Willow, I could see beneath her outer strong appearance and got to see a lost girl who desperately wants any connection with her family. And because she doesn’t have one with her brothers and her father she’s been on a mission of finding out anything there is about her deceased mother.
This winter she convinces Billie to ride with her, so that she won’t have to go alone while the rail road killer is still on the loose.
I LOVED Billie. This was my first read with a gender fluid character and I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know this is a thing. I wasn’t aware there are people whose gender identity is fluid and can switch on a daily basis.
So I really loved that my ignorant self got insight into that topic.
Billie is such a strong character. Not only physically but also mentally. She confessed her love for Willow and still, after being rejected, she is the best friend anyone could wish for. Her unwavering love and support are amazing. Even if she doesn’t agree with Willow’s decisions, she’s always there for her and catches her when she falls (figuratively). Their deep connection was palpable.
Overall the story line somehow wasn’t as enthralling for me as I’d have wished. 😬 The whole mission for information about Willow’s mother didn’t captivate me as much as the other books in the series. I’m glad the rail road killer storyline got resolved, even though I’d have preferred it to be a bit more present throughout the book. But I understand there just wasn’t the place for it in Willow’s story.

All in all this is a well written, beautiful and emotional story, even if it isn’t my favorite.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

On The Fly is the 4th and final book in the Rail Riders series by Nicky James, and this is Willow’s story.

We finally get to meet Billie and finally get to unravel the mystery of Willow’s yearly trips to LA.

As her friends gradually settle down with their partners—Dodger with Brady, Tyler with Elian, and Killian with Leo—Willow starts to feel left out. Despite her sadness, she remains determined to go to LA on a quest to uncover the truths about her past, which has consumed her for a long time.

With a serial killer on the loose, Billie refuses to let her stubborn friend rail ride alone and offers to ride with Willow and be by her side.

We learned about Billie and had a brief encounter with her in previous books, but we knew little about her. Willow and Billie, childhood friends, meant everything to each other. Their deep connection was evident in every action they took, every look, every touch, every thought, and every embrace.

I loved Billie. She was strong, reliable, and independent. Billie, who had been in love with Willow since she was sixteen, would go to the ends of the earth for her. She was Willow's anchor, a silent, grounding, and comforting presence, always there whenever needed. Throughout the book, we get an insight into both of their worlds and witness their love bloom as they ride the rails together.

Billie witnessed firsthand how much Willow's quest for answers was affecting her. She observed Willow spiraling downwards, unraveling. Feeling concerned and risking their longstanding friendship and bond, Billie reached out to some key allies to help Willow find the answers she needed.

This wonderful conclusion to the series was beautifully written and emotional.
Most importantly, it featured a long-awaited, heart-warming reunion with Willow's found family, the boys who have always played a significant role in her life. The strong bond and love for one another was just so heart-warming and endearing. I was thrilled beyond measure that they all got their HEA.

Thank you, Nicky James, for taking us along on the rail rider series with all the diverse, lovable characters. This was the perfect ending to a wonderful series.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!!

I've been riding the rails with this group of friends since we first caught out with Killian and Leo last summer in book 1 and it has been such a glorious ride that I never wanted it to end.  Willow grabbed me from the start and I am thrilled we are getting her story now.  I am almost solely a MM romance reader, but I am also a huge fan of Nicky James, and a huge fan of this unique and captivating series, so I dove right in! Boy am I glad I did. It was fantastic! I think it was my favorite of the series and it had one of the strongest connections and bonds between two people that I've read in a long time. Willow and Billie were everything to each other. You could feel it in everything they did, every look, every touch, every thought, every kiss. We got glimpses of Billie here and there throughout the series, and honestly I was worried I wouldn't like her. I was afraid she'd be too rough around the edges, too cold, but I could not have been more wrong. Billie was an amazing character!  She was strong, independent, loved with her whole heart, and would go to the ends of the earth for Willow.

This book really made me feel so much. Not only the fierce bond between the 2 MCs, but the bond between the core group of friends that have literally traveled the world a few times over together. Their love for each other is the real deal and, although present throughout all the books, I felt it so strongly here it made me tear up a few times. They have each other's backs no matter what and it just made me happy to spend time with them all again.

This was just an absolutely wonderful series. It was a subject I never thought I'd be reading about, but I was pulled in to every book and just mesmerized by it all. I loved every minute of the thrills, the intrigue, the love, and the character growth along the way. While it is hard to say goodbye to this found family, I am so glad I took the ride with them!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry to say this was such a disappointment to me :( I’ve absolutely loved the rest of the Rail Riders series and rated them all 5 stars but it all fell flat for me here. I was really disappointed that the serial killer storyline that we have been building up to for the whole series, and which the last book was entirely focused on, was resolved in literally one line at the very end of the book 😭 I wanted to like Willow but her story just bored me and as much as I appreciate the gender fluid character of Billie I just wasn’t invested in these two as a couple. The whole LA thing lost all my interest and I mostly skimmed this to find out what happened with the serial killer plot and for glimpses of the other MC’s and their new lives. It would have been nice for a bit of Elian as Willow had a pretty strong connection with him when he was struggling so would have been great to see her opinions of his current mental health. And to see some more interactions between her and Dodger. With her being the last character and having mother henned them all I feel like there was so much potential to see more through her eyes and would have loved more group interactions but just the standard epilogue which updated us on their job statuses didn’t give me the deeper interactions I was hoping for and which had existed so well in the previous books. Even the freight hopping aspect felt flat here. I feel bad rating this 2 but it was really disappointing after loving the rest of the series and the entire last book building up to the serial killer plot for it then to just be dropped…so sad.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I just loved Willow and Billie’s story! I’ve been so intrigued with Willow, and who she is, and what Billie meant to her throughout this amazing series. I loved getting to know more about Willow, and see her relationship bloom with Billie. The love that Billie has carried for Willow since high school was so sweet. They never wavered, and knew where their heart belonged. I could totally feel Willow’s hesitation in taking their relationship to the next step. She had so much loss in her life, Billie was her constant, and was afraid to lose that relationship that kept her so grounded. Billie was patient, and helped Willow see how she could never lose her even if their relationship didn’t move to the next level. I loved going in this journey with Willow, finding the answers she’s been searching for in LA for so long. It was wonderful seeing Willow and Billie find their happiness. I loved getting to see glimpses of the rest of the friends throughout their story, and see their connection develop with Billie along the way. I’ve been loving this Rail Riders series with all of these amazing friends who have formed a family through their freight jumping. Even as they begin to hang up their balaclavas, fingerless gloves and rucksacks their connection to each other continues to hold and grow. This is a series that is going to stick with me for a long time, and I also know I’ll always look twice for rider on the next freight I see!

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is I have book hangover. I don’t know if it is because the series is ended and I like it so much or the story grabbed me right from the start and I didn’t want it to end. I never read FF books but since this is by Nicky James and I am so invested in the series I had to read it. I’m so glad I did. Only this author can not only come up with original ideas and characters but her stories just hold on to me from the beginning to the end. I had mixed feelings about Willow and this explained her idiosyncrasies. It made me feel sad for a totally dysfunctional family. I think the reason was well explained but I still feel bad for all of them. I am glad in the end Willow seems to be headed in a good direction.
Billie is another story. I had to love her. How selfless can one person be. She has been dealt a hand not wonderful either but thanks to her uncle she had a lifestyle she was somewhat happy with, missing is her BFF. I love the uncle Stephen and his husband, Carter. They are a humor break in this intense story. They are people I really enjoyed.
This story and series ended great in my opinion. I would love to know where all these characters are ten years down the road but now I just am mourning the ending.

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

*le sigh*

I feel like I wanted *more* from this one, but I still liked it.

While it wasn’t my favourite of the series, it was a great farewell to the lives and times of the Rail Riders. Willow didn’t get left out of finding her peace and her HEA, and that’s the important thing.

I loved Billie. Holy hell, were they awesome. I can see why some said Willow came off as extremely selfish, but I think the subtext of how she was written and the story was done well. It showed her working through her demons, even if she spent a lot of that time lost and entrenched in the upheaval of her trauma. I honestly wasn’t expecting her to give into Billie at all until closer to the end of the book from the reviews I scoped out, so I’m not sure where she “used” Billie’s love for her, but maybe that’s my interpretation of the book.

The mechanics were.. sometimes frustrating, but not bad. I’m just never not going to believe there’s any other way but the Oxford comma way, and I’ll die on that hill.

4.5/5! Overall series, 5/5!!

PS
RaptorZ and Boa the Constrictor are legends, and hopefully Saul had his own HEA, because he chose one hell of a place to be broke and starting over, and he succeeded. A toast to the background characters that did the most👏🏽🍾

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Willow gets the final book in what has been a great series. I've been looking forward to getting to know her better.

Willow is tough on the outside and hides secrets and a vulnerability she doesn't often let anyone see. Her long time gender fluid friend Billie joins Willow as she freight hops south to L.A. on a journey to seek the truth.

Their ever strengthening long time bond gradually morphes into something they both want so much, but Willow is scared to reach for.

"If the sun burned up tomorrow, it would change the course of humanity. "
"We'd be extinct."
"Exactly. We need the sun. Without it, we're doomed. "
"You're not making any sense. "
"You're my sun, Billie. "

Again, like previous books in the series, the author writes in a way that makes you feel the rattle of the train as it moves and you can feel the wind and rain in your hair.

It was great catching up with the other guys too. Seeing their lives and relationships growing and evolving, seeing them happy.

It's an engrossing story of friendship, love, adventure, family and secrets. I truly enjoyed this book and the whole series.

[Joyfully Jay]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

On the Fly is the final book in the Rail Riders series and gives us more insight on Willow, who has been a part of the riding crew since the first book. Everyone is settling down, but Willow still needs to be on the move. She doesn’t have a family life, as her mother died when she was a baby and her father has always refused to talk about her. Willow has four older brothers and growing up was a struggle and she’s been on the move for years. She intensely and obsessively wants to know more about her mother and since Willow keeps herself locked down tight, no one knows how she is feeling and as a character there was never an indication of just how deep her need to know about her mother goes.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Louise Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s sad to reach the end of this wonderful series with so many loveable characters. Willow has been a mystery since we first encountered her so it was interesting and intriguing to find out her secrets and watch her come to terms with them. Willow was very frustrating at times in her single minded focus and refusal to accept Billie’s love and I went back and forth between liking and disliking her and her behaviour. Billie is a great and lovely person and her unconditional love for Willow is beautiful and heartbreaking depending on where you are in the book. I absolutely adored Saul and hope and wish and pray we may get to see him and Ira and his surrogate grandma in the future. Nicky writes a lot of a angst so a comedy with Saul’s adventures as the focus would be a change of pace but I would lap that up! It was nice to catch up with all the gang at the end but poignant to leave them behind.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet review. I am glad we got Willow’s story and I’m impressed that a primarily MM series that involves a female as one of the group actually gave her a book! And an FF/genderfluid one at that. Kudos to Nicky James.

I have to admit that Willow frustrated me at times, but with the revelation at the end I now understand her better and that goes far in my satisfaction with the book. Without that, I probably would have less empathy for her. Billie is just a solid true-blue steadfast hero. I loved her.

The epilogue was everything I hope it would be and a chance to say goodbye to the gang. I have major book hangover now though so I need something light and fluffy stat!

Please do yourself a favour and read this series.
Oh, and does anyone else NEED Saul’s book? My precious precious puppy.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final instalment of the Rail Riders series, and we get Willow’s story. We’ve seen Willow withdraw a little bit each time her fellow riders find their person. It’s the beginning of a new stage in all of their lives, things are changing quickly whilst the serial killer is still out there. As Willow decides what to do over the winter we learn about her close friendship with Billie, her difficult childhood and what she’s always been searching for. Billie is gender fluid and has always loved Willow. Over the course of the book, we get to see into both their worlds, see their love bloom whilst riding the rails together. This book has all the feels, reunions with the boys that are such a part of Willow’s life and of course happy endings. What a great end to the series. I will definitely miss hanging out with the gang!

[Myeshia Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I won't lie, Willow's story was the most anticipated story of the series for me. She kept so much close to chest and we really didn't know much about her, despite her being so prominent in the previous three books. We knew about Billie and their friendship with Willow and it was clear to see that there were chemistry between the two. I enjoyed this story bunches. Willow was always a likeable character and there were many times that I was just frustrated with her, but her story was so worth it. She is strong and a real badass. Billie was perfect for Willow. They are the most stable and solid force in Willow's life and Willow really needed that. Sad that the series is over, but this was a great book to close it out.

[Maude · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Willow’s story. She’s been the only female rail rider of this motley bunch. She’s watched all her friends couple up and she left alone and adrift. She goes home and when I say home I mean she runs to Billie. Billie is her best friend, confidant and the one person who loves her unconditionally.
In this story we learn all of Willow’s secrets and why she goes to LA every year. We see how Billie has been Willow’s “Person”. We see their story. We see the good and the bad and the straight up ugly. We see how secrets can fester and cause years of damage. We also see the whole gang again and we learn the outcome of the mystery serial killer.
This was a fitting end to an amazing series

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicky is one of my favorite authors and I love her books. That's why it's hard for me to rate this one a 3. It is my least favorite of the series, probably my least favorite of everything of Nicky's that I've read. This book just felt rushed to me. There was all this buildup but it felt anticlimatic. I haven't read the F/F or F/GF genre much, and think Nicky did a great job with that. I loved Billie. They are and incredibly patient and interesting character. Saul was amazing and I'd love a book about him. Just because this one wasn't my favorite doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. It just wasn't up to my expectations. 🙊

[Mandy Tunstill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Brilliant 💖💖

I'm not one for ff but because of this amazing series & Nicky James I had to see how this group of friends all moved on and OH... Wow........ I was simply blown away you're taken on a roller-coaster of a journey. Willow and Billie best friends and soul mates meant to be together Saul is so cute and adorable wanted to give him a big hug & not let go to protect him what a character also loved uncle Stephen and his husband Carter so funny sad its the end but what a fantastic journey for all. 💖💖

[Jennifer Veer-Boyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Conclusion to this Series

I loved and hated Willow. Once I got the end of the book I realized why I hated her half the time and why I really loved her as a female character. I’m very picky about female characters, they tend to get annoying, but Willow was written perfectly.

She was strong, focused, and pig headed most of the book, but it worked in the book. By the end she was more open and less pig headed.

I hope this review make sense, it’s late and I got sucked into the last quarter of the book and couldn’t put it down. I’m sure I’ll regret that come morning.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book as much, as I liked the other books in this series! But it was really not my cup of tea. It is not about the female/genderfluid romance: those were actually some of the best scenes in the book. But the atmosphere is missing, the group dynamic, being on the rails together as friends. It is a sad, depressing story and I really don’t like those. In the first book the scenery and the plot totally won me over. But what started fantastic, unfortunately ended lukewarm.

[♥J ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ONLY reason I read this book was because it was the last in the series and I wanted to know how the rail serial killer storyline ended. I have to say, I was really disappointed in what was a really enjoyable series. The serial killer storyline was wrapped up in one sentence at the end of the book, there was nothing about it in the whole book, and the story of Willow just didn't grab me at all.