The Christmas Train...Review

About the book:
Anna Spano is on the train to meet her father while she befriends Eva Stephens, an older woman who occasionally thinks she’s traveling to her home village in pre–World War II for the holidays. Recognizing Miss Eva’s disorientation as the same dementia her late grandmother experienced, Anna isn’t sure who is actually taking care of whom on the journey.

At the far end of the journey, Tom Thurston is anxious about what to expect when his daughter arrives. So he’s doubly shocked when a teary old woman embraces him, convinced that he is her long-lost brother.

At Anna’s insistence, he reluctantly agrees to bring the woman home with them and try to locate her family. And as Anna clings loyally to her new friend, and Tom struggles to be who Miss Eva needs him to be, both father and daughter begin to understand one another. And through Miss Eva, they learn the true meaning of family, and of love.

Anna Spano's neglectful, slacker mom has decided that it's too much to care for her anymore and loads Anna on a train to meet the father she doesn't know. Because a 10 year old can't travel alone, Anna's mom asks Eva Stephens, an elderly woman traveling on the same train, to look after Anna. As the journey begins, it's Anna who ends up caring for Miss Eva who struggles with dementia and keeps believing herself to be back during World War 2, rather than the present. As Miss Eva struggles with her memories, Anna looks ahead with some fear and trepidation.

Tom, Anna's father, waits at the end of the line for the daughter he has never met. When Anna and Miss Eva finally arrive, Miss Eva mistakes him for her long-lost brother. Anna refuses to leave Miss Eva at the station when it becomes apparent that there is no one to meet her. Tom reluctantly concedes to Anna's wishes that Miss Eva come home with them.

As father and daughter negotiate their new relationship, they must also find a way to help Miss Eva.

Anna is such a sharp, precocious child, wise beyond her years. Her care and tenderness towards Eva is lovely. Tom isn't sure what parenthood will bring to him, but he's determined to be a good father to Anna and their interactions are sweet.

A tender, sweet Christmas novella that will tug at your heartstrings while it brings a tear to your eye and a smile to your face.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 11/14

* * * *
4/5 Stars

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