Book Review: Winter Magic on Railway Lane by Alison Sherlock

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I recently picked up Winter Magic on Railway Lane by Alison Sherlock, and let me tell you, it felt like wrapping myself in a cozy blanket on a chilly evening. This book takes us back to the charming village of Cranfield, where we reunite with familiar faces for one last festive adventure.

The storyline revolves around Libby Jacobs, a globetrotting chocolate enthusiast who finds herself jobless but hopeful as she returns to her hometown. She has dreams of transforming her chocolate-making hobby into a full-fledged business. However, there’s a catch—Ethan Connolly. Once childhood soulmates, their relationship took a nosedive after a disastrous prom date, and now they’re thrown together again. Ethan, who typically avoids Cranfield due to reminders of his tumultuous family history, is back to help realize his grandfather’s dream of a Christmas train. As disaster strikes, both he and Libby must confront their pasts and decide if they can work together—and possibly rekindle their relationship.

First off, can we talk about the cover? It’s so charming and perfectly captures the essence of the story. Being in Cranfield felt like coming home to me. Alison Sherlock has a beautiful way of weaving heartfelt narratives, and this one set during the festive season really tugged at my heartstrings. The community surrounding the railway serves as a brilliant backdrop for the story.

Libby's relationship with her father is messy, filled with unspoken grief and emotional barriers. And let’s not forget the chemistry between Libby and Ethan! Their dynamic is fraught with tension and nostalgia, making for some genuinely sweet moments.

In conclusion, Winter Magic on Railway Lane is a delightful read that captures the magic of second chances against the backdrop of a close-knit community. It’s sweet, nostalgic, and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside—definitely worth picking up if you’re looking for a cozy winter read. I’m giving it a solid 3.5 stars!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

What a fabulous way to end a series, and although it is s shame that this is the conclusion of a series, I'm already keen to see what the author will be writing next.

Dodgy Del makes a final appearance too in this, he has been in the authors previous series too which is interconnected, and it's always fun to see what mess of things he is likely to make!

Finally it is Libby's turn in the spotlight, and we get to at last discover why she constantly bickers with Ethan, when she isn't avoiding him, and I loved the reasoning. I also loved how Ethan was the only one who could provide her with a kitchen big enough for her new massive Chocolate order.

All the descriptions of chocolate in this story were enough to have my mouth watering a lot.

But what really make my heart sing with joy in this story, is the culmination of the railway line / train storyline has been running throughout the series. It really made me despair at times, while many plotlines had a really community feel to them, which is always lovely to see.

There is so much to love for fans of the series in this book, it probably can be read as a standalone but honestly why deny yourself the pleasure for four incredibly great books to read!

Lovely festive feeling to this, and another great book from this author.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

It's a cosy romance, with all the right ingredients for a proper wintery romcom. Unfortunately, the fact that this is book 4 and that I had read none before it kind of showed. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow outside looking in, never managing to properly get into the story. Don't get me wrong, it can most certainly be read as a standalone, but I personally don't like jumping right into the middle of a series. I'm more of a one-shot kind of romance reader.

Winter Magic on Railway Lane by Alison Sherlock was a great read, read in one sitting I really enjoyed it. Chocolate and romance is just a great combination and there was plenty of both in this fab book. Great to go back to Railway Lane and to relive what all the characters are up to in this new book. Made me feel all Christmassy and looking forward to Alison’s next book.

A perfect, cosy read. Beautifully written and full of delightful characters, I really enjoyed this book

I have really enjoyed this series and was keen to see fiery Libby have her turn in the spotlight, even if this is the last book set at Railway Lane. Libby’s story is just as good as the others of this series, although I did find that her chocolate making meant I felt constantly hungry!

I loved how this book reflected the time I was reading: starting off in autumn, it moves to Halloween and then Christmas. It is a great winter read and I don’t think there was too much of the Christmas vibes if you are not a fan of festive fiction.

When we first meet Libby, she is returning home after losing her job. She isn’t thinking straight and is particularly, and understandably, cross with the world. Libby’s backstory is rather touching as Sherlock reveals how Libby is pretty much looking after her dad and has been hiding her skills as a chocolatier because of fears it will bring back painful memories of her mother.

Yet, an opportunity arises for Libby to make money once again, except doing something she loves. Libby’s life as an airhostess is portrayed as lonely and exhausting: she is ready to put roots down in Cranfield – a lot like her nemesis, Ethan. I loved how their paths cross from the beginning of the story and, whilst you know how this relationship will conclude, I relished in seeing them move from enemies to lovers.

This was a great story because Sherlock brings the steam train alive for the finale. Reading the entire series, this trainline is a significant feature in the story and I think it was fitting to see the steam train bring Cranfield together once and for all. It emphasised the community spirit that I have come to associate with Sherlock’s books and it was lovely to see Ethan’s family (including the infamous Dodgy Del!) have the train serve Cranfield for the festive season and beyond.

I don’t think this story was too obvious and I enjoyed finding out about Libby and Ethan’s secret. Furthermore, the change that Ethan and Libby’s father undergoes is quite touching. Many of the characters in this series are in some sort of recovery and I found it sweet how Libby’s father moves from being an isolated recluse to becoming involved in the community and helping others.

Undoubtedly, this is a feel-good read and I have really enjoyed all of the books. The characters are warming and ones you would consider as friends. The closeness portrayed is idyllic and I will be sad not to see these characters in the future.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for the chance to read this book.

I have loved everything about the Railway Lane series from Alison Sherlock. This is book 4, and I assume the last book. The friendships and community depicted throughout the stories give you warm and fuzzy feelings. There is always plenty of drama to be had which keeps things interesting.

In this story, we finally get to find out what went on between Libby and Ethan. Libby's character has been the most reserved throughout the series, so I enjoyed getting to understand her better.

It's such a great series that I highly recommend.

o how i do like to read these books by alison and this christmas one is no exception back in the village of cranfield telling a christmas story of all the friends who live there along with the trains involved this story revolves round libby and ethan through their ups and downs they finally get it together at last and create a merry christmas

Lovely story of trying to get an old railway back up and running and an.old romance back on track. This is very Christmasy and perfect to get into the Christmas season and with the added joy of chocolate lol.

Welcome back to Railway Lane! Winter Magic on Railway Lane is a fabulous follow up to the other Railway Lane series by Alison Sherlock.
In Winter Magic, we get to hear Libby and Ethan’s story and learn what happened to these childhood friends. In previous books, you know Libby has a lot of disdain for Ethan, but we do not know why. Not only do we learn what happened, we also find out a shocking secret that no one else knows about! Trust me - it is a good one!

Libby Jacobs has been a flight attendant and while her friends all think she leads an exciting life, she spends too much time in hotels dreaming up chocolate recipes. When she loses her job, she wonders if this is her chance to do more with her chocolate making. but worries about supporting her Dad who has suffered a stroke.

She also needs a bigger kitchen and the only person with one available for her use is Ethan Connolly. The only problem is Ethan and Libby are no longer friends and he is the last person she wants to ask for help.

Ethan just purchased the old schoolhouse and is converting it into his home - at least for when he is in town. Ethan has been living abroad for years and only making rare visits back. He still has too many bad memories of his parent’s marriage.

Libby does end up using Ethan’s kitchen and they have a tentative truce, but Ethan is scheduled to leave for another long-term job. When his grandad collapses and ends up in the hospital, Ethan knows he will stay and help both his dad and granddad see their dream of reviving the Christmas train. They want to see it run once more, but it will mean getting the steam engine literally back on track and having the entire village pitch in.

Both Ethan and Libby have their own pasts to deal with before they can see what the future holds. They will need the magic of winter on Railway Lane for their second chance to become a reality.

I enjoyed finding out more about Libby and Ethan as well as revisiting the other characters. The other storyline about Libby’s dad was great too. Definitely a feel-good story with a holiday twist. 4.5 rounded up to a 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a chance to review an advance copy of Winter Magic on Railway Lane in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the first three books in this series and this book, book 4 was just as lovely. You could read it as a stand-alone as the focus is on other characters, but I would once again highly recommend reading the whole series in order as the characters from the first three books reappear in this story.

I feel like I can't say it enough... these bugs are just like a great big warm hug and with the Christmas time and the whole atmosphere it was just all that much better. I simply love the people in the village of Cranfield and would happily buy myself a one way ticket there! Libby and Ethan were great characters both scared of commitment and love, but also clearly both already in love with each other even if they could not admit it to anyone, let alone themselves. It's a real slow burn and closed door romance story, but the whole community is just as important here as the romance side of the story.
I loved it!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cozy, heartwarming, delightful Christmas novel. I enjoyed it a lot!

A lovely wintery tale of love, friendships, priorities and trains!
As you read through this story and get to know our characters better (it is part of a series but easily read as a stand alone) you will become more invested in them and their futures!
The writer really gets across what this small village looks like as well as the sense of community there. All the characters will tug on your heart strings in this one.
I did enjoy it, centred around Christmas and trains but it just didn’t grab me quite as much as some other books of this genre. I’m not sure why, it was well written, I could imagine everything well. Maybe I’ve read a few too many stories where our main characters have denied themselves love for several decades!
Sometimes I did just want to reach into the book and tell them just to be honest and talk to each other!!

All in all a lovely read.

I love a Christmas tale and what's better than a Christmas tale featuring characters and a community that you already know and love!?

This might be potentially the last book in this series as all the main characters now have their happily ever afters. It is a heartwarming tale of forgiveness, finding your own path and staying true to your feelings. This book features Libby, who has always had a love-hate relationship with Ethan. We've known these characters throughout the other books but not really known their back story or Libby's family history before.

Featuring heavily in this book is also the Cranbridge and Connolly steam train that has been getting done up for what seems like forever! Fantastic ideas, chances to be an entrepreneur, businesses thriving and locals looking out for each other. I love the community in these books, its like coming home to a warm hug each time I open a new Alison Sherlock book!

I hope there is a new series on the horizon, I'll be signing up in a heartbeat!
My thanks to Alison Sherlock for a beautiful book and Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read it. All opinions expressed are my own.

A nice read with a different storyline - trains! I enjoyed reading about the friends’ relationships and the chocolate making however I did find that the overall feel of the book was a little stilted and I was hoping for more descriptions of the chocolates being made

This book is actually the last book - book four - in the Railway Lane series. They are all written as a stand alone book but do have a lot of cross over characters and themes.

In this story we find out all about Libby and Ethan who used to be childhood best friends but fell out due to an unfortunate misunderstanding.

I absolutely loved the small-town setting and honestly just wanted to go and live in this story!

I really enjoyed this gorgeous, festive story, it was heartwarming and Christmassy and also had that all important happy ever after…..

Winter Magic is the fourth and sadly the final book in the Railway Lane series.

Cranfield is another of those places that's always a delight to return to and catch up with friends old and new.

This was Libby's story and it took us on quite the emotional journey, but she had the love and support from the community rallying round her, so she wasn't alone with her feelings.

It's heartwarming, uplifting and it's Christmas, so was a definite win for me!

I absolutely loved the book and the series, and I'm definitely going to miss Railway Lane.

This book aproaches so many things. We can see grief, sadness, disabilities and at the same time friendship, kindness, a sense of community and love. 

Libby returns home after being fired from her job as a flight assistant. But.. hey, maybe it's a good thing as she can now go all in as a chocolate maker (her dream job and passion). 
Ethan's a electric engineer, that is home for a small amount of time to help his dad and grandad help with the steam train. In the beggining he feels that he doen't belong and then he starts to crave all the familiar thing he once wanted to run away from. 

Libby and Ethan were once friends, but even in their teen years, they had a thing for each other, but some bad things happened, and they grew very appart. Being in the same small town and constantly into each other company makes them reignite their friendship and them makes them fall for each other all over again. But it's a slow, slow, slow burn in this one. 
Their path isn't an easy one. They must struggle to find their place and feel worthy of what they can accomplish.  They have an amazing support system (friends and family) to help them, and it's endearing to see them all helping them when they need!

The story has a fall kind of vive and then all of a Chistmassy feeling. It makes us want a cozy blanket and just enjoy the ride!

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

In this cozy winter romance novel, Alison Sherlock brings readers back to Railway Lane for a snowy December. Libby Jacobs might have lost her job, but time in her home village of Cranfield will allow her to spend more time on her chocolate making hobby, perhaps turning it into a business. Ethan Connolly has a large kitchen she can use, but they’ve been on the outs since high school. Ethan has his own troubles with fulfilling his granddad’s dream of a Christmas train in time for the holiday. Libby and Ethan might get a second chance at realizing their dreams and finding the magic of winter in Cranfield after all. Libby and Ethan are complex but realistic characters, and their problems parallel each other nicely as the novel unfolds. Their complicated history only adds to the challenges and plot points of the novel, and it builds up the tension and will-they-won’t-they between Libby and Ethan. As for the setting of Cranfield and Railway Lane, they are charming and sentimental, bringing the idea of home and winter to the forefront of the novel. With all of the charm and heart in this novel, fans of Sherlock’s other books are sure to love this return to a snowy Railway Lane.