The Central Line

by Saskia Sarginson

What if you've already crossed paths with the love of your life?
Cora and Jacob live in London's vast metropolis; he at one end of the Central Line, she at the other.

Their paths have crossed a thousand times without them knowing.

When a chance encounter on the underground brings them together, it seems they're destined to fall in love.

But although they live in the same city, their worlds are miles apart.

Jacob's life is uncluttered, while Cora's is full of complications. And as events begin to divide them, they start to

Are they meant to be together, or were they never meant to meet?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, London, Contemporary Romance, Unfinished, Adult Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2022

About the author

Saskia grew up in Suffolk and now lives in London. She is the mother of four children, including identical twin girls. She has a B.A hons in English Literature from Cambridge and an M.A in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway. She's worked as a Health & Beauty Editor,freelance journalist, ghost-writer and script reader. As well as writing and reading, she loves tango dancing and dog walking,

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just re read the Blurb for this and it leaves a lot, A LOT, out…..but then to say much would spoil it so I get it BUT got to say this is more, much more than 2 people meeting and falling in love….The big theme is the Central Line and the Underground as a whole but then a whole array of mini stories and themes come off from this, not confusing as so well done and all are important and linked to the main story, some are refreshing and some very different topics than what I had expected 😎
Loved London being described in the book and part of it taking place on my street was great but tbh the story is so strong where it happens is a bonus not a must
The characters are instantly likeable although one tests this and they are so so honest and open and as non 1 dimensional as you could possibly get
A real treat of a read and think given a chance most readers of lovers of all genres would fall for this, unexpectedly maybe but you kinda have no choice….

10/10
5 Stars

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title and description of The Central Line really piqued my interest, as I have enjoyed other novels about couples meeting on trains and I also liked the idea that it’s about an older woman finding love again. Cora is a widow who lost her husband six years earlier in a tragic accident. She now lives as a single parent with her daughter who is in her twenties and a teenage son. The book wasn’t quite what I was expecting and it is not the usual light-hearted romance novel. There are some serious topics discussed, including bereavement and mental health issues and the storyline focuses just as much on these topics as it does on the romance. All of the main characters have their own spotlight, highlighting their own difficulties and problems.

At first I wasn’t sure about the mother and daughter falling for the same man, I could not imagine how it would pan out and I imagined it would not end well. However, it was nicely done, the author very sensitively addressed the situation and I loved how the initially volatile mother/daughter relationship developed as the story progressed.

The Central Line is an interesting family drama with some intriguing characters and a nice romance. The author has a lovely writing style and although the book wasn’t quite what I was expecting it was nevertheless an enjoyable, heartwarming and emotional read which kept me thoroughly entertained.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley.

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[Caroll-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

The book has so much potential. I really enjoyed the story but I wish it was more focused on Fran, Luke and Cora as a family and less on Cora’s relationship with Jacob. Ok maybe not less about Jacob but the book would’ve been so much better if we knew more about Fran’s and Luke’s story. I know that we touch on both a little but somehow I felt like their story deserved to be told in more detail. I would’ve loved to maybe get one or two chapters deom Luke’s point of view about his time and the university and his struggles internally. Also I feel like after getting such a build up about Fran’s story I wish we’d get more in the end of her love story..how they rekindled and all that. Like I said the story itself is beautiful, I just wish it did focus more on the family and their relationship with each other and their individual stories and not have the main focus be just Cora and Jacob. Other than that it was still an amazing and quick read.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read one other book by Saskia Sarginson, How It Ends besides this book, The Central Line. This was a super story with plenty to keep me entertained and wanting to read on. I have a fondness for tales about people meeting on trains and their dalliances which was an attraction for me. With many subplots as well as the main one this was a multi-threaded, fascinating read of family dynamics, struggles, guilt and drama as well as romance. The author's engaging characters made this an absolute pleasure to devour and many will find the book appealing.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Little, Brown via NetGalley.

[Hals · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an avid user of the Central Line, I loved the premise of this book & the title is what really captured my attention. I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into the book… and even the first 25% in, I wasn’t sure where it was heading, but ended up really enjoying it!

The characters were so multi-dimensional and just real, to the point where I almost felt like I knew them personally. Loved the character development and the story also explored some deeper themes but in such a brilliant way.

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Cute fluffy read. I love that I'm familiar enough with London that reading a book with central line tube stations for chapter names feels homey and cozy to me.

Some things felt a little spoonfed, and the theme of unexpected accidents/death felt overused at times. I appreciated the characters and their development over the book.

[MK07 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve given two stars only because I did actually finish this book, but I have to say it would not be one I’d recommend as a good read. It was entirely predictable, had a number of far-fetched scenarios and I found the two central characters of Cora & Fran really annoying in different ways. I thought Cora came across as insipid and quite dim, continually jumping to ridiculous conclusions about everything & possibly being the most clueless mother of all time. Fran was portrayed more like a stroppy teenager than a twenty three year old & did it really never enter her or Cora’s head that aspiring actors generally work at all sorts of jobs while waiting on their big break?? The very serious topics touched on involving Fran’s relationship with Hugo were subsequently dismissed & seemed to have no long term effect on Fran at all???I’d guessed Jacob’s back story very early on & the story arc involving Luke near the end was completely ridiculous given the character was barely developed at all up to this point. The many serious topics touched on including mental health issues, substance abuse, rape etc all seemed to be neatly wrapped up at the end with no ill effects for the sufferers at all. Unimpressive overall.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book!

Cora is a fifty year old mother of two. Luke who is busy with his A levels and Fran, who is a would-be actress in her early twenties. Her husband Andrew, died 6 years before.
When Fran is brought home late one night by a total stranger as she was passed out on the tube, neither her or Cora know what is going to happen next. Jacobs the knight in shining armour, lives at the opposite end of the central line on a canal boat. Cora asks him to come back the next day so that Fran can apologise to him. He does and this sets a chain of events in motion that affect more than on relationship.

This is a nice read and you have your fingers crossed for the characters the whole time.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I shy away from books that delve into sensitive, potentially triggering topics about mental health and trauma, but I am touched by how this book handled these topics with so much care! Reading the central line felt like a warm hug, and I have so much love for all the characters. This book read like a love letter written to all the mothers out there who work around the clock keeping the family in check. To me, it felt like a love letter to those in their early adulthood, trying our best amidst all sorts of mental illnesses and barricades, to make the right decisions. My takeaway after this read is to give my mother a big, warm hug (plus a copy of the book that I just purchased off of Amazon).

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has all you want. London, romance, heartache. A solid read and a good one for the romance fans out there. Such a great book to have read over a weekend period!

[Liv Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I really liked the authors writing style I like it when it gives little details. Like not much really happened but it was just a nice read

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reader touching on some sad topics, wish the characters had a little more time to expand! Seemed a bit rushed

[Shawn Wilke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but nothing crazy. Felt like it was for a younger audience

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this book as I love books based around trains, so this certainly piqued my interest with the title and description! We meet Cora, a widow who lives with her adult daughter, Fran and teenage son, Luke. I liked Cora and her family but they did seem a little disjointed. Cora did seem to favour her son more, and her daughter Fran seemed quite rebellious, particularly towards Cora. When Jacob, a fellow Central Line traveller like Cora, arrives on the scene, he seems to turn their lives into even more of a spin.

I did initially think this book was going to be a more lighthearted romantic jaunt through the life of a middle aged woman, but it was a little more serious than that! Don't get me wrong, the romance part was lovely - Jacob is an absolute dream! - but life gets in the way of all the romance (and sex!), and more serious topics of mental health issues, guilt and family relationships are thrown into the mix as the book moves on. Each of the main characters seemed to be having their own different life crisis, and as they all begin to unfold it does become make or break for each of them. I loved Luke's character so much, so quiet and studious at the beginning but then having the storyline which pulled at my heartstrings the most!

I loved the settings of the book throughout the different areas of London. I did really think there would be more meeting up on the Underground than what there was, which was a shame as I liked the idea of their eyes meeting across the carriage every morning! The story, however, showed an emotional, heart warming look into Cora's life, through the fun, flirty and romantic times, to the difficult, sad and heartbreaking ones! The characters are all likeable...eventually!, and as the story finishes it leaves you feeling happy and complete! Would recommend!!

[amal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so wholesome! It was a real slow burn, with a gradual build up, but it all paid off for such a wonderful happy ending. Only 3 stars because Fran's redemption really took a whole 300 pages and she was an insufferable character for most of the book (purposeful, I know, but still unbearable to read).

The book was structured into the POV of Cora and Fran Pollen, a mother-daughter duo who seemed to be perpetually at odds to each other. Themes of strain in parental relationships, the feelings of regret and lost opportunites are what made this book so real and immersive. I could have been any of those characters. With the death of Cora's husband and their children's father, Sarginson explored how grief looks amongst different people. Seeing Luke silently struggle with OCD, in contrast to Fran's substance abuse and loud angst at the world really highlighted a believable family dynamic. The power behind the writing made me feel each characters struggles acutely. I loved the development and growth of each person, each given an equal amount of importance throughout the book, despite it being told from the point of view of the two Pollen women.

I found the love story was not just a traditional man-woman affair, but also spanned different kinds of love. Between mother and children, between parents, between siblings, between friends, mentors and even strangers. Despite the main romance sometimes taking a backseat, I found the plotline, in it's entirety, riveting and quite realistic. To note, it is an age-gap romance, with 12 years between the main characters. I usually avoid age-gap reads (just personal choice tbh), but I found the issues in this novel were gracefully well-explored.

The plot really hit close to home for a Londoner like me who hardly sees the area I live in represented in books. I have taken the Central Line probably every week since I was born and seeing Jacob's parents live literally roads away from me was a delightful surprise. Similarly, reading about the guilt, the half-life Jacob lived looking after his disabled brother was so touching. Having a sister who also attends a hospice in Woodford, I really understood his struggles to open up to Cora fully.

I took this book with me on my way to watch As You Like It at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, getting some funny and inquisitive looks from fellow passengers on the Central Line. Yet, I hardly noticed - Sarginson writes with a magic, transforming the mundane, routine of the everyday into something more: a feeling of possibility and opportunity, of life, hung in the air around me as I was sucked into her version of London.

The ending on the River Lea was utterly cinematic and I felt a sense of true satisfaction, but not finality, in the book's denoument. The exploration of the London Underground as a network of connection in the bowels of the city shifted to a more relaxed, open-air unmooring of Jacob's narrowboat (and relationship reservations). Ultimately, this was a story about living. About making mistakes, regretting and still making the most of every precious and new opportunity or relationship. A beautiful exploration of chance encounters in a sprawling city, turning to choices and decisions about love, commitment and connection.

[Alice Stellar · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. If I could, I'd give this a 2.5.

I got about 38% into this novel and just had to give up. In some ways, this is an “It’s not you, it’s me” scenario. I really enjoyed Sarginson’s writing style, which combines simplicity with little poetic moments and phrases. But the book’s blurb is totally misleading, making it seem a bit like a “Sliding Doors” scenario, which it totally doesn’t seem to be, and much more lighthearted than what it actually is.

Despite being disappointed that this book wasn’t what I was told it would be, I was happy enough with the writing style to see how things would go. And that kept me going for a long while, because I probably would have given up a lot sooner. The melodrama, the utterly improbable scenarios in what otherwise seems to be a book that’s trying to be a somewhat realistic portrayal of a family and is set in the real world, the frequent, cringeworthy lines- ugh!

I can understand that "The Central Line" has a lot of appeal for some readers, but it just was not for me. I found it unbelievable when it was trying to be believable, and didn’t much like the characters, either - well, with the exception of Jacob, maybe, but he seems too perfect, and I figure he’s either an idealized male romance character or has a dark secret (which does seem to be hinted at) that will probably end up being just as improbable as the other things in this book.

I love a good twist and am a big fan of fantasy and imagination. But the things that happened here just didn’t seem grounded in the reality of the world the author is trying to portray. Also, I hated how Fran, the daughter, acts like a teenager but is supposed to be 23. I was wondering why the author didn’t just make her a teenager? There could still be a love triangle involving Jacob and her mom, especially since it’s pretty clear that her crush on Jacob is just a crush. I guess maybe because the stakes wouldn’t be as high to Cora (her mom)? No idea. But it’s a shame because a teenage Fran could have been an interesting coming-of-age character. Instead, she just rings false.

It’s hard to totally condemn this book because it’s often quite enjoyable to read based on its style alone, and especially because I know it will please certain readers a lot. I also really liked the graphic design of the chapter headings, the fact that London itself felt believable (as opposed to how cities in romantic novels are often just named and not actually well described or realistically portrayed by the author), and the fact that a friendly and mischievous magpie was involved (which may seem like one of those “unrealistic” things I’ve mentioned, but was actually MORE realistic than most of the other stuff!). But, starting with its misleading blurb, I was not in love with this book.

[Elisa Nwx · Rating 2 out of 5]

right. i was rather excited to read this book and don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a bad read but the blurb can be rather misleading (at least to me)

throughout the book i thought this would be a 2nd-chance romance / slip and catch arc but it fell flat.

i understand the author wishes to cover some sensitive issues, however, i take the view that it was brushed off quickly.
there was not much character development, especially for fran, and i find her unlikable. She is childish and irresponsible, so she felt like a lost teen than a 23yo.
there was no effort put in to be an adult (I think given the circumstances she should at least try to find an income, not drink and sleep around all day) and it seems like her identity is based on men’s validation.

i thought the love triangle could be expanded, like some drama would be great. more observations from 3 parties and i think i’d appreciate jacob’s pov of this.

i think cora’s character is pretty well written, but it would have been better if she didn’t jump into the conclusion that jacob already has a family by looking at ONE photo of a kid, especially when there are no signs (that can be assumed) to cement that inference.

for luke
uh
tbh besides him being the ‘reason’ j & c meets, I personally feel like he was there just to be given a psychological issue that the author hopes to address. unfortunately, it wasn't well done.

Jacob
yes he seems like an amazing dude.
yet again, could be further expanded. Simply giving him a backstory nearing the end of the book is a disservice to the main character.
the use of guilt towards his brother for an accident somehow gives off, again, need for validation vibes but I understand that it was traumatizing for him.

I would like to think because I find it hard to relate/ empathise with these characters, hence all of them
Just seem like approval seekers in a disappointing romance novel.

[Kena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora is a widow living in Shepherds Bush, West London with her teenage son Luke, and grown up daughter Fran. Cora’s thrown herself into work, Luke’s immersed in his A’Level exams and Fran has lost sight of what she wants to do in life.

One night Cora travels home on the tube and notices Jacob reading in her carriage on a Central Line tube. Their paths cross later when when Jacob assists Fran home one night to make sure she gets home safely. Jacob enters their lives and everything changes.

It’s essentially a love story, and as Shakespeare put it: ‘The course of true love never did run smooth’.

I loved the way in which the Central Line linked the characters, with Cora and her family in Shepherds Bush and Jacob in Bethnal Green. All of the characters are making their own journey of discovery / acceptance, which I thought fitted in nicely with the Central Line title.

I really enjoyed this book and would have loved to read it in one sitting, but I had to go to work! I really loved the characters, the fact an older woman could find love again - no-one is ever too old for second chances of happiness. I also felt a connection to the book as I used to live in Shepherds Bush and would travel on the Central Line into town.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Little, Brown Book Group UK, , for making this ARC available to me for a fair and honest review.

[Hal the Faerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant surprise. I'm really impressed with how Saskia writes, I found her writing style to be incredibly far from boring, it was interesting, and actually very lovely to read. So, I'll definitely be reading more of her work just to experience this. I liked the concept of meeting your person on the tube, and I liked how 2 complete strangers connected so deeply. I guess that made me love the beauty of London even more, there's so many strangers, and probably someone for everyone. I loved the depiction of OCD and other mental health issues. I also really liked how mother/daughter relationships were shown, and honestly it made me reflect on my own, and how at times I have very much been a Fran to my own mother. But it was interesting to learn how things are from the mothers point of view.
I must admit I wasn't a huge fan of both the daughter and mother liking the same man, but I guess it helped the book flow. I also think the plot execution could have been better, I thought the idea of meeting the love of your life on the tube seems sweet and lovely, and honestly kinda not impossible (which is what I'm hoping for 👀) but I didn't like how Jacob and Cora didn't really meet on the tube, and didn't really have their interaction on the tube. I wasn't a fan of how Fran got in the way of it, and made their first encounter be different to what I would expect for a 'tube love story'.
All in all, a great read.

[Chloe Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to @netgalley and @littlebrownbookgroup_uk for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Two weeks today until paperback release day!

This book tells the story of a mother and daughter, Cora and Fran, who are navigating life after the loss of their beloved husband/father. Their relationship is volatile, and Fran in particular comes across as quite spoilt. She’s 23 years old, living at home with no job or income, and her attitude towards her family and friends is quite poor. She seems much more concerned with herself than with anything or anyone else, and almost acts as if she is more the age of about 16.

Enter Jacob, a thirty something single man who captures the eye of both Cora and Fran. Reading Fran’s attempts at getting Jacob to notice her had me cringing at times. I honestly just wanted to shake her. To me it was very clear that Jacob was only interested in Cora and never even looked that way at Fran. Fran herself was clearly oblivious though, and very used to getting who she wants. I enjoyed reading about their family dynamic but I did feel that the Jacob situation became a bit repetitive throughout the book. And I also felt like Cora and Jacob’s relationship was very immature, and almost teenage like! For the most part, I felt like screaming at everyone - just talk to each other!!!!! But I appreciate that it’s representative of lots of mother-daughter relationships, although I’m not sure that Cora and Jacob’s relationship was that relatable.

I liked Zac and how he brought out a different side to Fran…a much nicer side! I think she just desperately needed someone in her life who she felt understood her in the same way that her Dad did when he was alive. This book showed the impact of grief well, and explored the different ways that people deal with it.

Overall, this was an interesting family drama, with splashes of romance thrown in. I’d recommend it if anyone wanted an easy read that isn’t too heavy.

[fulloff.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Nevyberieme si, kam sa narodíme, kedy a kde, akým rodičom, do akej viery a kultúry.“

Za každým človekom sa ukrýva neuveriteľne tragický príbeh. A ak si myslíme, že každý človek, ktorý vyzerá šťastne aj šťastný je, tak sme na omyle.

Jedného dňa v Londýne sa na centrálnej linke udialo niečo, čo spojilo dvoch ľudí. To niečo môžeme považovať za osud, za Boží zásah alebo len za náhodu. No toto stretnutie nevytvorilo len novú lásku. Toto stretnutie otvorilo staré rany, vytiahlo staré tajomstvá a dlho potláčanú vinu. Človek je vzácny tvor, ktorý sa dokáže uzavrieť do seba a zožierať ľútosťou po dlhé roky. Treba si ale uvedomiť, že nikto si nenesie ten kríž sám. Vždy máme okolo seba niekoho, kto tú ťarchu bude rád niesť s nami.

Jedného dňa v Londýne je veľmi pekný príbeh o láske a rodine. O ľudskej sile prekonať náročné a bolestivé životné situácie. Autorka píše pútavo a keď sa raz začítate, nebudete vedieť prestať. V kapitolách sa strieda rozprávanie matky a dcéry, ktoré majú medzi sebou obrovskú priepasť. Či ju prekonajú? Možno. A možno nie. To sa dozviete len, ak si knihu prečítate.

[Kirsty & Erin Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Central Line by Saskia Sarginson was an impulse ARC request for me via Netgalley largely due to the cover and title and my fondness for visiting London. What transpired was a novel that actually blew me away with how quickly I became invested in the story. Throughout the chapters are all named after tube stations and I loved the dedication to the theme throughout the book.

The story starts with a failed blind date and then a glimpse across the tube carriage from our main character Cora to a man lost in his book. What follows is the story of Cora and her daughter as they navigate their relationship as mother and daughter and how that changes with the introduction of Jacob to their lives - the stranger on the tube. At times it’s a heartbreaking read and anyone who has ever been a young adult will recognise the rebellious streak in Fran. The story also tackles some mental health issues and the development of Fran’s character really contributes to how that situation is dealt with.

I’d say if you’re a fan of Paige Toon you’ll enjoy this book.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Central Line by Saskia Sarginson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group and I am leaving this review voluntarily

What if you've already crossed paths with the love of your life?

Cora and Jacob live in London's vast metropolis; he at one end of the Central Line, she at the other. Their paths have crossed a thousand times without them knowing. When a chance encounter on the underground brings them together, it seems they're destined to fall in love.

The title of this really appealed to me, I am not sure why but it just spoke to me. This is a light-hearted and enjoyable read. The characters grow on you, but I enjoyed the way that Saskia had used two strong female characters from different generations to tell the story. Definitely an enjoyable read that I read in two sittings - it would have been one but unfortunately my lunch break ended.

Rating 4/5

[Tara Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Central Line, it’s a heartwarming and feelgood story. Cora is a widow with one adult and one nearly-adult child, and she meets Jacob on the underground. Then he turns up again, returning her drunken daughter safely home. This chance encounter is the catalyst for huge change in both their lives. It’s pretty realistic in that of course the course of love doesn’t run smoothly, and both have pasts that get in the way.

I thought the blurb made this sound like a bit more of an epic, high drama fairytale type obstacles thwart the characters, but it’s much more realistic than that. It is a love story, yes, but it’s really more about putting your life back together after trauma. It’s a very optimistic book, despite the various difficult situations. It’s realistic and has plenty of scenes where readers will identify – cringe, smile, shout, “Just talk to each other!”, cry and generally feel emotionally invested.

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a really well written book with flushed characters however the blurb of the book is misleading as the book not only follows Cora but Cora's daughter Fran. Fran's storyline has so many triggering events and I am disappointed it wasn't mentioned on the back of the book or the inside. The books deals with hard themes of drug abuse, s*xual a**ault, r*pe and revenge p*rn. In addition the book starts off with a love "triangle" between Cora, Fran and Jacob and that just gave me the ick and isn't mentioned in the blurb.

I got 50% through the book where I just had to put it down. Honestly if I knew how the book would really go then I wouldn't have requested it as it is not my taste but I still think this will be an enjoyable book for others who don't mind books with these triggers because the writing is well done.

[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ak máte chuť zrelaxovať pri nenáročnej oddychovke, ktorá sa číta ľahko, tak pri tejto knihe ste na správnej adrese.

Už len samotná magická atmosféra Londýna vás vtiahne do deja, v ktorom môžeme sledovať zložité rodinné vzťahy, o to zložitejšie, keď ide o vzťah medzi matkou a dcérou a pripletie sa doň chlap. Musím priznať, že Cora mi absolutne ako postava nesadla. Jej správanie mi bolo úplne proti srsti a od matky by som očakávala dospelejšie správanie. Popri rozvíjajúcej sa romantickej linke, ktorá na moje počudovanie nebola vždy klasické klišé, sa pri čítaní aj zasmejete, teda kniha zbehne ani sa nenazdáte. Trošičku zamotaný dej, miestami s ťažkopádnym nádychom, okoreneným náhodami a poznačením zložitými a nevypovedanými rodinnými vzťahmi sľubujú príjemnu jednohubku, ktorú oceníte hneď ako vstup do nového, aj knižného, roka.

[Mary Darlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been writing a review for this book in my head since a few chapters in. It’s one of those books that you don’t want to finish, yet you can’t put it down.
It’s a love story with real life twists and turns. I fell in love with the characters and loved the ones you were meant to love and equally disliked the ones that were not very nice. I felt the pain felt by the main character when she thought she was losing the love of her life. And felt elated when their lives realigned.
Saskia Sarginson is an author I am now officially obsessed with. I ordered her next book when I was only half way through this one. I love her writing style. It’s so clean and fluid. Going to be sad in the morning when I remember I have finished this book. But glad I have the next one lined up. But then I’ll be sad again when that finishes. Can’t win 🤣

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Central line is set in London, a place I know very well, and the imagery set made me miss London, which is always an enjoyable experience to see someone else love London as much as I. This gave me 'sonder' vibes, which if you don't know, which is the the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. This was a key theme in the plot, and this is such an interesting concept, let alone set in a book! I really loved the relationship between mum and daughter, I think it's one that a lot of us can relate to with our own mothers, before most of us then build a great relationship with them as we age and mature.

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more than a simple love story, this novel touches on loss, grief, early adulthood and family life. Cora and Jacob, the protagonists, fall in love following a chance encounter. Jacob helps Cora’s inebriated daughter, Fran, home after finding her passed out on the Tube. Their relationship blossoms from there, but isn’t without difficulty - Fran has also developed feelings for Jacob and Jacob appears to be hiding something. Sarginson depicts the complexities of love and life well, both from Fran’s young adult perspective and Cora’s more mature outlook. Likeable characters alongside well written descriptions of London made this an enjoyable read.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Five-star read that gets there in the end. This story was a real journey, I will be honest, I picked this up started it and got a couple of chapters in, and I just couldn’t get to grips, I wasn’t a fan of Cora, she just rubbed me the wrong way. I then read another story and went back to this, and I am so glad I did as once I got past the first couple of chapters I was hooked, I got to grips with everyone and started to really enjoy the story. This isn’t all happiness between the pages, but that made it better, there was balance, much like the line it is named after.