This Train Is Being Held in The Nerd Daily Book Club

Feb 27, 2020 The Nerd Daily rated it really liked it

Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Vinny MS

Featuring an unexpected subway encounter, Ismée Williams’ newest contemporary, This Train Is Being Held, is going to make you swoon over the slow-burn romance between Isabelle Warren, a girl who does her dance routines in secret due to a strict mother, and Alex Rosario, a boy who plays baseball in pressure in attempt to make his father proud. Heavily centered around Spanish culture and heritage in the current timeline, Isa and Alex’s jou Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Vinny MS

Featuring an unexpected subway encounter, Ismée Williams’ newest contemporary, This Train Is Being Held, is going to make you swoon over the slow-burn romance between Isabelle Warren, a girl who does her dance routines in secret due to a strict mother, and Alex Rosario, a boy who plays baseball in pressure in attempt to make his father proud. Heavily centered around Spanish culture and heritage in the current timeline, Isa and Alex’s journey in this book was absolutely eye-opening, not just in regards to their romance, but also to their family, friends, and surroundings.

Isabelle Warren is a half-Cuban high-schooler and passionate dancer in secret. She’s your typical privileged girl, though I’d say that she’s more than aware of her privilege and family’s wealth, which makes her character more bearable to follow. With a mother suffering from unstable emotions and a brother who suffered from depression, you soon realise that she doesn’t have it all. Enter Alex Rosario, a Dominican-American high schooler and forced-baseball player. Living with a controlling father who expects his son to be all athletic, the idea of Alex becoming a poet might as well become a death-sentence for him.

Isa and Alex’s first encounter may or may not be the most swoon-worthy material in this story. As a matter of subjectivity, I’d personally consider it as realistic, which makes the whole narrative feel way more real and believable. The two didn’t immediately get love-struck with one another, yet the attraction was clearly showing on this first meeting. Aside from the romance, which was slow yet delightful to follow, what piqued my interest the most about this story is the richness of the Latino culture and representation. It accentuated many important and sensitive topics as well from parental pressure for their kids, to heavy mental disorders and racism.

Told in an alternate point-of-view, Isa and Alex’s perspective was completely contrast yet beautifully complement each other. With two main leads who come from different backgrounds and social classes, you may want to hold your tongue before judging this book as your typical cheesy YA novel because This Train Is Being Held is far from that. Williams eloquently incorporated this classic trope into something that’s way more heartfelt, meaningful, and raw.

As I previously mentioned, I cherished the rich representations included in Williams’ newest book. Although one thing quickly becomes a challenge for me, which is the heavy-use of Spanish in this story. While I enjoyed the incorporation of Spanish in both dialogues and internal monologues of the characters, I was hoping there’d be a guide for non-Spanish speakers such as myself.

In conclusion, This Train Is Being Held is an evocative and heartfelt slow-paced realistic fiction. It’s the perfect companion to bring on your next train ride while enjoying the after-work hours. ...more

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Feb 25, 2020 Simone rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, ya

You know what, when I finished listening to this audiobook yesterday, I went on here and gave it 4 stars. Because I liked it, I really did. But it didn't immediately go up there to where my all time faves are. Then again, it is quite a feat to reach my all time faves...
Then, I went through a whole day before coming back on here and changing my 4 star review to a 5 star review. Or, more precisely, a 4.5 star review. Because this is a great book. An amazing book that I enjoyed immensely and that You know what, when I finished listening to this audiobook yesterday, I went on here and gave it 4 stars. Because I liked it, I really did. But it didn't immediately go up there to where my all time faves are. Then again, it is quite a feat to reach my all time faves...
Then, I went through a whole day before coming back on here and changing my 4 star review to a 5 star review. Or, more precisely, a 4.5 star review. Because this is a great book. An amazing book that I enjoyed immensely and that while it does not reach my all time faves list (yet), it is definitely worth more than the 3.81 average it currently has. Here's why: This book stayed with me. I kept thinking about it all day and I kept thinking back to my favourite moments, my favourite quotes. THAT, ladies and gents and everyone in between, is an amazing book.

Let me tell you why this is an amazing book.
When I decided to listen to it, I thought the cover looked cute. I thought the title sounded adorable and I was so ready for a cute, no brainer YA romance. This is what this book is not. Sure, it is a romance but it's so much more than that.

Meet Isa and Alex, two teens who meet on the subway in New York City, and no, they don't immediately fall for each other. But there is some immediate attraction. Which I LOVED. To walk the line between "they meet as strangers and leave as strangers" and "two strangers meet and it's unrealistic love at first sight" is a thin one to walk. Ismée Amiel Williams walked it beautifully. As I said, there is attraction at first sight. Some gentlemanliness from Alex (but I choose to believe that that was because he's just that much of a good person who would've done it for everyone). The love story between them is beautiful. It has so many of my favourite things, there is pining, love-letter-poems hidden on the subway, nervousness, love confessions - ALL of that good stuff.

And then, this novel hits you with this: racism, because Alex is Dominican-American and Isa's mother is Cuban. Mental illnesses in the family. Strict families, families who are so strict it almost suffocates their children (The pressure on Isa to consider becoming a doctor, the pressure on Alex to become a baseball-pro). Insecurity (because of society-made issues). There is violence and street gangs and injuries.

Of course, the book has more positive things to offer than just the romance. Isa's friend who is there for her no matter what. Isa and her brother's relationship. Alex and the way he cares for his little brother, his mother and his friends. The poetry, the going to dance performances, the texting, the hidden Instagram messages - so many things that are highly, HIGHLY enjoyable.

For me personally, the heritage of the two characters is amazing. I loved the usage of Spanish in this book and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into a culture that is very different from mine. I enjoyed seeing family dynamics that are very different from what I know. I enjoyed the descriptions of the food, of the traditions, of the heritage (and I'll also happily listen to Gary Tiedemann speak Spanish for forever).

Let me just tell you this. Do yourselves a favour and get this book. I promise you, you will not regret it. ...more

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