I'm not sure why now, but at first, I was a little skeptical about this book. But as the hype for the book built up, I decided I should at least give it a try, and am I glad I did.
I love young adult contemporary romance stories but have never really read one about falling in love on a train. I really enjoyed seeing the different towns and the different trains that Hugo and Mae traveled on.
I also enjoyed that they both had their own struggles prior to the trip: Hugo has just broken up with his girlfriend and going on his first trip without his 5 other sextuplet siblings (2 sisters and 3, not including Hugo, brothers). Only child Mae is going on the trip to get inspiration after the film school she applied to didn't accept her into their film program. She is also leaving 2 loving dads and a doting grandmother. The struggles with each character made them feel realistic.
The love story didn't feel rushed or too drawn out, but like it was happening in real time. I hate stories that feel like they're rushing to get the couple together before the end of the story, and ones that take FOREVER to get the 2 leads together, but this wasn't like any of those stories. You could see Mae and Hugo falling in love with each other, and not willing to admit it.
I'd love to say more, but I really don't want to spoil it. If you like young adult realistic contemporary romance stories, travel stories, or love-on-train stories, or train stories for that matter, you should really give this one a try.