This was such a beautiful book that I thoroughly enjoyed! I was instantly drawn in by Abbie & Toms initial interaction and loved both their characters. Then I was absolutely blown away by the first few chapters because of how unexpectedly emotional they were! The writing based around what they experience was brilliantly done. In the following chapters I found myself liking Abbies character more and more as the story went on, she was just such a real and likeable character who even though you wanted to shake her at times, her experiences, mistakes and everything in between made you love her. What I loved most about the story was that it was just so realistic, there was so many relationships and life changes and choices that were so true to the real world and even though you could see characters making bad decisions, you could absolutely see why they were and it just showed how choices and actions can shape so much in peoples lives. I was surprised by how emotional this story really was! And Toms character development was PERFECT. It was a great story with some witty characters and overall it was lovely, emotional, thought provoking and I definitely recommend it

I was lucky enough to read this author’s previous book and adored it, so this novel had a hard battle to win to impress me further.

It is a beautifully written love story. There are elements of ‘One Day‘, particularly early on - but this is a stonking novel on its own merit. The characters are completely absorbing and it’s the story moves at a perfect pace. I also enjoyed the length of the story - too often they are very short and, whilst I was disappointed to leave the characters behind, it is easy to see that this is a well edited, story of perfect length.

Highly recommended. Will wait for the next novel now!

This story spans 7 years and follows the lives of Tom and Abbie after they share a chance meeting in extraordinary circumstances. Their relationship is told through both of their perspectives and there were times I was totally feeling what they were feeling as I read. I was completely drawn into their lives and honestly just wanted to pick this book up whenever a window of opportunity presented itself!
I really cared about these two people ( and developed a little crush on Tom) because I think Elle Cook writes her characters so well that you really get to know them. This book is about the impact of trauma, the complexities of adult relationships and how the deep connections we develop with individuals are worth fighting for.

I stayed up until 4am to finish this book!
It caused so many emotions to go through what Tom and Abbie experienced and I was still heartbroken at the end and yet so happy. This beautifully written love story is born from a tragedy and an awkward beginning of friendship that is evidently something that should be so much more and yet timing, circumstance and misunderstanding leads to years of nothing, with just glimmers of hope for even just friendship that ends up causing more pain and heartache. And yet through all of it you want to believe that they are meant to be, that whomever they meet in their lives is never going to be good enough.
I appreciated how interlaced with their friendship and their own lives progressing there was always this underlying trauma that they were coming to terms with and it was dealt with in what I think is probably a very realistic acceptance that people don't talk about trauma and their struggle.
Elle Cook has written two wonerful books I have really enjoyed now and I will certainly look forward to reading more from her!

I received this ARC for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Having loved Elle Cook's previous novel, The Man I Never Met, I was looking forward to reading this one. I wasn't disappointed, the book had a great storyline and flowed along nicely. I wanted to know what happened to these two characters who were thrown together in terrible circumstances, would they become friends, could a friendship last under these pressures? The story is written over several decades and had lots going on to keep me interested and wanting to pick the book up and continue reading at every opportunity.

Abbie and Tom were well-written characters, both traumatised by events and needing each other to get through it. They did at ties need a bit of a push and I just wanted them to talk to each other, but then if they had, I suppose, there wouldn't have been so much of a story to tell.

Elle Cook writes a really good romance, there is plenty going on and lots to keep the reader intrigued. I would recommend this story and look forward to future books from this author.

I was so grateful to receive an ARC of The Last Train Home after I read, LOVED and reviewed another of Elle Cook’s novels, The Man I Never Met. I knew I was in for a good time!
The premise really hooked me in – two people thrown together by shocking and traumatic circumstances and then having to get on with life. It was a real page-turner for me, especially after the first third, I couldn’t put it down and had to binge-read! The pacing was really great.
It’s difficult to express why I loved this book and the complex emotions it brought out in me without spoilers. I loved the way that Cook explored the never-ending different types of family relationships. It had me in floods of tears at one point!
I’d really recommend it, especially if you need help getting out of a reading slump!

Elle Cook is just so so good at this, isn't she? Such a heartwarming and engrossing story - I was immediately pulled in by the two leads and didn't want to put the book down!

Sometimes you read a book and don’t think about it again after finishing. Then there are the rare times when you finish a book and know that it will stay with you for a long time. The Last Train Home easily falls into the latter category.

This book is beautiful. From start to finish I was fully engaged. I couldn’t put the book down and didn’t want it to end.

Abbie and Tom are so well written. I was invested in their story from page one. I applaud the author for creating such magnetising work and cannot wait to read future work from her.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

The Last Train Home is a contemporary romance set in London, starting off in 2005. It gives off similar vibes to One Day by David Nicholls, except the big accident is at the beginning instead of the end, and is what forces the two main characters together. Most chapters jump several months at a time and the entire book spans across 7 years. You do hear from both Abbie and Tom’s perspective which I liked, especially seeing as most of the book is a ‘will they/won’t they’ romance and they do spend the majority of the story apart.

After a bit of a questionable start where I had very little hope, I’ve upped my rating from 2 stars to 3. In the beginning, the writing felt stiff, very matter of fact with little depth to the characters which made it hard for me to jump into. Having started reading without reading the blurb first, I was very surprised by the accident taking place - I didn’t see this coming at all. Despite the introduction of Abbie and Tom, along with the drama happening right at the beginning, most of the reactions and emotional responses seemed surface level. I struggled to feel drawn in by the characters as the events unfolded, which meant I was pretty detached the majority of the book.

The first and last 50 pages were probably the most enjoyable for me. In a similar way when reading One Day, I found it difficult to get through the relationships you just know aren’t going to work out, trudging through each new twist and turn as the plot inevitably winds the main characters back together again. Despite being an easy read that I fired through in 3 sittings, overall I probably wouldn’t recommend this one, especially to an avid romance reader.

What a clever story. Sad , happy and lots of other emotions thrown in. The two main characters meet on the tube and their timings and lives are intertwined over time. Amazing ..Set mainly in London. I won’t spoil it but it is brilliant and a great ending. Intresting two sets of parents can be so different in supporting their children

3.75* from me.

I thought this book was okkkk. The characters kind of annoyed me a bit and I thought they were both lacking a big of backbone in their respective relationships but I did start enjoying it more when they actually piped up and stuck up for themselves.
I really liked their relationship and the way the story panned out (loved Tom and Teddy together 🥺) but I feel they should have been more found family dynamic as opposed to romance imo.
Also really loved Abbie’s relationship with her parents and Natasha/Gary which I felt could have been a larger part of the story.

ARC via. NetGalley thank you! 💛

It’s rare to find a romance book that you can’t put down, but this is one of them, relatable characters and a believable storyline, what’s not to like!

SUCH a cute book, I loved this so much and am so happy with how it ended!! it felt so realistic and just “normal” - writing was so good.

I absolutely loved this book, I couldn’t put it down! The characters are so relatable and the depth of feeling portrayed in the writing cut me in pieces and built me back up so many times.

Truly brilliant writing

Thank you so much for the invite to read this book ahead of publication.

Elle Cook has done it again! I read this book on a rainy morning and honestly, I just couldn't put it down.

Fate brings both Abbie and Tom together. They meet on the tube in 2005 and whilst having a drunken conversation, the train derails. Tom carries Abbie out of the wreckage. Over the next few weeks, they bond, become friends and almost become more than friends. The story then follows their respective lives told through a dual narrative. Their thoughts and emotions throughout the book felt quite realistic and at times some of the choices that they made; especially Abbie's, were quite frustrating to read.

Abbie and Tom may have been soulmates but they didn't become picture perfect instantly and that is what made The Last Train Home quite an interesting read.

Lovely romcom, full of lots of missed opportunities, twists and turns, really enjoyed this story, would be great as a film or a short TV series

After reading and loving The Man I Never Met earlier this year, I was delighted to be invited to read The Last Train Home before it’s released later this year. I cannot put into words how much I LOVED this book. It was perfect. Just perfect.

It’s 2005. Abbie and Tom meet on the Tube on the way home from their separate nights out. They wouldn’t usually talk to strangers on their commute, but they’re drunk so why not? Their chat turns into a bit of flirty banter and the pair really hit it off. But then tragedy strikes, and suddenly Abbie and Tom are forever bonded through the most traumatic of events.

Initially, they’re friends. Their friendship verges off into a more than friends direction, but on the evening that they finally kiss, Tom receives some shocking news and as a result, rejects Abbie in their moment of passion, leaving her feeling humiliated. After that, things are never the same, and despite their obvious feelings for each other, it’s very much a case of right person wrong time. We follow the pair though the next 5 years and watch them live their separate lives, that remain inexplicably intertwined. They are each other’s ones that got away. Can they find a way back to each other?

This book broke my heart. Put it back together again. Broke it some more. Etc etc 🤣 it gave me all the feels. I cried at multiple points - sad and happy tears. I loved the 2005-10 nostalgia. But most of all, I loved loved loved Abbie and Tom. I want to be friends with them in real life. Two of the most heartwarming, genuine, loveable characters I’ve ever had the privilege of reading about. A great concept overall and I just want to go back and read it all over again. My review doesn’t do justice for how incredible this book is.

The latest from Elle Cook and it’s another cracker. A butterfly-effect beginning almost two decades ago.
I loved the writing style and practically read the book in one sitting. It’s gentle but captivating. A perfect read when you want relax and enjoy. The sections dealing with mental-health and trauma are handled sensitively and appear well researched.
I’m very grateful to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.

I don't think I could have loved this book more! Absolutely delightful. Two of the most vivid characters I've read in a romance for a long time. I think this all stems from that shock start.

Warning to readers: I do not recommend reading this on your commute!

I got Sliding Doors vibes a bit with this, and their life pathways misaligning was only encouraging me to read on.

Passionate, Perfect, Proper romance.

In 2005 Abbie and Tom meet on the tube in London after a night out they get to talking and have a great connection. Then their train derails and as much as it brings them together it also tears them apart. Told over the course of 7 years in alternating povs can Abbie and Tom get their happy ever after.

This was amazing I love Elle Cook! This broke my heart and fixed it repeatedly. I loved Abbie and Tom they were both such well written characters but there were so many times I wanted to bang their heads together and get them to communicate their feelings. If your looking for a nostalgia hit this is definitely for you as we're taken back from 2005 to 2012 through Abbie and Tom's eyes. I also loved Teddy he was so cute. And I would love a spin-off for Natasha as I would like to see how her relationship plays out.

Overall I highly recommend I will definitely be reading more by Elle Cook in the future.