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Railed: A Why Cho-Cho-Choose Romance
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Expected 1 Apr 26Emma was happy with her life. Sure it wasn't normal, but she wasn't built for normal. As a train-sexual, yes those kind of trains, her hometown island was paradise. Full of railways and trains that the locals didn't pay much attention to, she was usually free to not so discretely indulge in her urges while riding the rails.
Except now that her ex-boyfriend’s car company is threatened to rip up the tracks and destroy the trains, Emma’s at risk of losing far more than just reliable transportation.
If she wants to save the trains, she'll have to open her heart a little and ask for help. Lucky for her, she caught the attention of a trio even more determined to save the rails than she is…the trains.
Railed is a spicy why-cho-cho-choose romance between a woman and her three train shifters (f,m,x) full of train puns and trains arriving...loudly.
Except now that her ex-boyfriend’s car company is threatened to rip up the tracks and destroy the trains, Emma’s at risk of losing far more than just reliable transportation.
If she wants to save the trains, she'll have to open her heart a little and ask for help. Lucky for her, she caught the attention of a trio even more determined to save the rails than she is…the trains.
Railed is a spicy why-cho-cho-choose romance between a woman and her three train shifters (f,m,x) full of train puns and trains arriving...loudly.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 1, 2026
7 people want to read
About the author
Zane E. Stori
1 book1 followerZane E Stori (she/her) is a chaos bisexual who lives for a good pun. Zane has never met a bit she wouldn't commit to. Her entire goal as an author is to make you tilt your head in confusion and ask yourself and others why these books exist. Packed full of puns and queer joy, Zane hopes her stories bring a little bit of humor and queer joy back into the world.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 17, 2026
My goodness. When I saw this pop up on NetGalley, I was like “…say what now?” My son is obsessed with trains and I’m far more attuned to train sounds than I ever have been before, so I figured I had to read this.
It is as off the rails (pun intended) as you’d expect. What I didn’t anticipate was how hilarious, queer, inclusive, and great at consent it would be! There are three train characters who are poly, one of whom is nonbinary. It’s told in an alternate POV between the trains and our human protagonist. There are SO MANY TRAIN PUNS. I laughed out loud multiple times and was reading passages to my husband and sending them to friends.
There’s also a lot more plot than I expected? The protagonist is running a save the railways project because her bitter ex boyfriend, a car company nepo baby, is trying to tear up all the train tracks to bring more cars to the island in a quest for revenge. It’s of course super easy barely an inconvenience solved away at the end, but hey, this is a train-sexual erotic novella, what did you expect? 🤪
Every time a train got off and went WOOOO WOOOO I died. This book was too funny.
Rating solely based on enjoyment, not on its quality as ~literature~
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!
It is as off the rails (pun intended) as you’d expect. What I didn’t anticipate was how hilarious, queer, inclusive, and great at consent it would be! There are three train characters who are poly, one of whom is nonbinary. It’s told in an alternate POV between the trains and our human protagonist. There are SO MANY TRAIN PUNS. I laughed out loud multiple times and was reading passages to my husband and sending them to friends.
There’s also a lot more plot than I expected? The protagonist is running a save the railways project because her bitter ex boyfriend, a car company nepo baby, is trying to tear up all the train tracks to bring more cars to the island in a quest for revenge. It’s of course super easy barely an inconvenience solved away at the end, but hey, this is a train-sexual erotic novella, what did you expect? 🤪
Every time a train got off and went WOOOO WOOOO I died. This book was too funny.
Rating solely based on enjoyment, not on its quality as ~literature~
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!
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March 29, 2026RTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for an arc. All opinions are my own.
★ Rating: 4/5
Genre: Sentient object/shifter romance
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅
This book is incredibly unserious and by the author's own admission, a huge bit. But like, it's fun if you have a heart full of whimsy and a willingness to suspend your disbelief entirely.
What I liked: This book is a silly fun time that's very queer. I saw the tagline, and the fact this book was about train shifters and immediately knew I had to read it. It delivered exactly what I was hoping it would to be honest. The plot is barely there, and you won't get explanations for anything (for example the fact that no one has ever noticed that the trains drive themselves), but I didn't care that much. If you pick up this book expecting it to be high level literature, that's a you problem.
What I didn’t like: No Jamie pov chapters :( In fact we kind of gloss over Emma's relationship with Jamie in my opinion, which was a shame.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
★ Rating: 4/5
Genre: Sentient object/shifter romance
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅
This book is incredibly unserious and by the author's own admission, a huge bit. But like, it's fun if you have a heart full of whimsy and a willingness to suspend your disbelief entirely.
What I liked: This book is a silly fun time that's very queer. I saw the tagline, and the fact this book was about train shifters and immediately knew I had to read it. It delivered exactly what I was hoping it would to be honest. The plot is barely there, and you won't get explanations for anything (for example the fact that no one has ever noticed that the trains drive themselves), but I didn't care that much. If you pick up this book expecting it to be high level literature, that's a you problem.
What I didn’t like: No Jamie pov chapters :( In fact we kind of gloss over Emma's relationship with Jamie in my opinion, which was a shame.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
March 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
What a fun, quirky, and unapologetically unique read!
I actually picked this up on a rough day while sitting in the hospital, and the title and cover alone made me laugh out loud for the first time in days. I immediately knew I had to see how this one played out - and I’m so glad I did.
At just over 100 pages, this is a quick, steamy read packed with train puns and innuendos that had me smiling (and sometimes fully laughing) the whole way through. I especially loved how the author swapped out common phrases for train themed ones. It really helped immerse you in this slightly absurd, but very entertaining world.
Is it a little silly? Absolutely.
But that’s part of the charm. This isn’t about deep, complex plotting - it’s about having a good time, and it delivers on that.
I do wish we got more depth when it came to the characters and the lore behind the train shifters. It all felt a bit surface level and fast paced, and I would’ve loved more insight into how they came to be on Emma’s island.
That said, the queer joy in this story really stood out to me. In a world that can feel heavy, this was a bright, playful escape. My bisexual heart was very happy with this chaotic, loving group, and I’m so glad Emma the train sexual got her HEA.
What a fun, quirky, and unapologetically unique read!
I actually picked this up on a rough day while sitting in the hospital, and the title and cover alone made me laugh out loud for the first time in days. I immediately knew I had to see how this one played out - and I’m so glad I did.
At just over 100 pages, this is a quick, steamy read packed with train puns and innuendos that had me smiling (and sometimes fully laughing) the whole way through. I especially loved how the author swapped out common phrases for train themed ones. It really helped immerse you in this slightly absurd, but very entertaining world.
Is it a little silly? Absolutely.
But that’s part of the charm. This isn’t about deep, complex plotting - it’s about having a good time, and it delivers on that.
I do wish we got more depth when it came to the characters and the lore behind the train shifters. It all felt a bit surface level and fast paced, and I would’ve loved more insight into how they came to be on Emma’s island.
That said, the queer joy in this story really stood out to me. In a world that can feel heavy, this was a bright, playful escape. My bisexual heart was very happy with this chaotic, loving group, and I’m so glad Emma the train sexual got her HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I saw the "why cho-cho-cho-choose romance", and I needed nothing more to decide that I needed to read this book. I don't think I ever tried to get a hold of a book this quickly.
🚂💨💨💨
I hoped the book had just as funny train puns as the "cho-cho" part of the title had, and I was not disappointed. There were a few epic ones in there! And also, the plot was fun! (Yes it had an actual plot besides the 'railing'!) The way the story was written was also great, because the pace was very quick and it was easy to read.
I kind of wish I got to know all the characters a little bit better, even if it was just a little tiny bit more, because I feel like the characters deserve a lot more depth than they have now, but besides that, I had a great time.
Disclaimer: I got this book as an ARC (thank you to the author and the publisher!), and I'm cho-cho-choosing to leave this review 100% voluntarily. (See what I did? -lol-)
If you'd like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile.
🚂💨💨💨
I hoped the book had just as funny train puns as the "cho-cho" part of the title had, and I was not disappointed. There were a few epic ones in there! And also, the plot was fun! (Yes it had an actual plot besides the 'railing'!) The way the story was written was also great, because the pace was very quick and it was easy to read.
I kind of wish I got to know all the characters a little bit better, even if it was just a little tiny bit more, because I feel like the characters deserve a lot more depth than they have now, but besides that, I had a great time.
Disclaimer: I got this book as an ARC (thank you to the author and the publisher!), and I'm cho-cho-choosing to leave this review 100% voluntarily. (See what I did? -lol-)
If you'd like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5⭐️ okay so…this one was weird. And I am sorry to report that it is weird in a good way…
The story focuses on a girl with a little more love for trains than the average person who is trying her best to save her islands trains from “Big Car-ma.” Along the way she ends up meeting three beautiful strangers who she finds herself shockingly attracted to and- you see where this is going.
I picked this up while scrolling through NetGalley and the title just made me pause for a minute. I mean, a train themed why choose romance? Sign me up! And i’m glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. A few things felt rushed but not enough to cause any major concern and the A plot seemed a little paw patrol villain to me, but boy did I have fun reading it.
Pick this book up if you’re a fan of quick, hot, and weird romances and I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with this ARC!
The story focuses on a girl with a little more love for trains than the average person who is trying her best to save her islands trains from “Big Car-ma.” Along the way she ends up meeting three beautiful strangers who she finds herself shockingly attracted to and- you see where this is going.
I picked this up while scrolling through NetGalley and the title just made me pause for a minute. I mean, a train themed why choose romance? Sign me up! And i’m glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. A few things felt rushed but not enough to cause any major concern and the A plot seemed a little paw patrol villain to me, but boy did I have fun reading it.
Pick this book up if you’re a fan of quick, hot, and weird romances and I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book really said all aboard and never got off the pun train 😂
It's chaotic, silly and absolutely packed with train jokes. I was almost derailed with the amount. At times I felt personally attacked by the bit. That said, underneath all the nonsense is actually a pretty wholesome story about preserving history and accepting who you are, finding your person (or people or aliens or...). I didn't expect to care about Emma and the trains, but I kinda did.
The romance was cute if strange at times. The vibes unhinged. I had a decent time. But I couldn't fully invest because I was too busy bracing for the next train-related wordplay to hit me at high speed. I do get that is part of this book's charm. So, not a total (train)wreck, but definitely a niche ride. All in all, I'm glad I bought a ticket.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zane E. Stori for the ARC in exchange for my review.
It's chaotic, silly and absolutely packed with train jokes. I was almost derailed with the amount. At times I felt personally attacked by the bit. That said, underneath all the nonsense is actually a pretty wholesome story about preserving history and accepting who you are, finding your person (or people or aliens or...). I didn't expect to care about Emma and the trains, but I kinda did.
The romance was cute if strange at times. The vibes unhinged. I had a decent time. But I couldn't fully invest because I was too busy bracing for the next train-related wordplay to hit me at high speed. I do get that is part of this book's charm. So, not a total (train)wreck, but definitely a niche ride. All in all, I'm glad I bought a ticket.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zane E. Stori for the ARC in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was everything I want from a weird sexy romance. It was well written with a bit of plot, full of sexy scenes, and topped with lots of corny train puns. What's not to adore?
Plus, it's poly and very queer, and did I say super sexy? Because 🥵I'll never see a train the same way.
I don't know if I would recommend you read it on a train or not? It depends on how badly you can blush, and how much you care about blushing in public, I guess.
I don't want to say more, because I don't want to spoile how trains are trains but also people, and how it all plays out, but I found it hilarious. Definitely one I'd recommend and an author I'll keep my eyes on for more.
A copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Plus, it's poly and very queer, and did I say super sexy? Because 🥵I'll never see a train the same way.
I don't know if I would recommend you read it on a train or not? It depends on how badly you can blush, and how much you care about blushing in public, I guess.
I don't want to say more, because I don't want to spoile how trains are trains but also people, and how it all plays out, but I found it hilarious. Definitely one I'd recommend and an author I'll keep my eyes on for more.
A copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 23, 2026
This short, hilarious, 113 page book was exactly what I hoped it would be. Whimsical and fun with just the right amount of crazy! Described as a why choo-choo-choose, this book has Polyamorous alien trains and the woman who loves them all fighting for their little island and slice of paradise. The best part, the writing and story are actually good. This book isn’t just smut, it has plot that’s interesting.
The puns were over the top in the BEST WAY! Some swear words that made me cackle: Engines. Scrapyard. Tracks 🤣
This is a book you buy and gift to your friends to make them laugh or to display proudly on your shelf because why wouldn’t you?! Love it! Keep writing these Zane, you’re my SHEro!
The puns were over the top in the BEST WAY! Some swear words that made me cackle: Engines. Scrapyard. Tracks 🤣
This is a book you buy and gift to your friends to make them laugh or to display proudly on your shelf because why wouldn’t you?! Love it! Keep writing these Zane, you’re my SHEro!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ok so this was pretty funny! I wasn't sure how I'd feel about train shifters and how they'd practically fit into the story, but they really do easily. I wish there was more time spent on backstory & originating poly relationship dynamics, but it is a novella, so fair. What we do get was pretty good! The plot was suspenseful and ended with a satisfying conclusion.
Yes if: Train vibrations can be stimulating
No if: Nepo baby ex-boyfriends who won't take no
🚂 Poly - MMFFX
🚇 Train shifters
🚂 Tourism Marketer
🚇 Cars coming to the island
🚂 Evil ex-bf
🚇 Riding the rails
Yes if: Train vibrations can be stimulating
No if: Nepo baby ex-boyfriends who won't take no
🚂 Poly - MMFFX
🚇 Train shifters
🚂 Tourism Marketer
🚇 Cars coming to the island
🚂 Evil ex-bf
🚇 Riding the rails
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, but why was I so shocked at how much I loved this book even though I know I love the author’s other books?! This was my first read of this type and I was curious but honestly didn’t know if I’d end up liking it. I throughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to dive further into the genre of wacky sexual interests. Zane does such a great job with the train puns and it just worked so well as a concept! I’m looking forward to more Zane E. Storis and to the world of nontraditional shifter romances!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author for a copy of this book.
This was a fun train shifting alien MFFX why choose romance where everyone is with everyone else. Emma is a train-sexual, and she falls for the trains that steam around her island. Little does she know that they want her back! This was full of steam and train puns and surprisingly more plot than I expected going in!
This was a fun train shifting alien MFFX why choose romance where everyone is with everyone else. Emma is a train-sexual, and she falls for the trains that steam around her island. Little does she know that they want her back! This was full of steam and train puns and surprisingly more plot than I expected going in!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"I preferred the bumpy ride."
This was such a fun read!!
I loved the puns and was here for the ride.😉🚂
The story was well paced, the main characters just stupid enough to make the plot believable and the spice kept me turning the pages!🌶️
"My trains certainly were reliable in getting me to my destination every night, usually multiple times a night." LOVE IT!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC!!
This was such a fun read!!
I loved the puns and was here for the ride.😉🚂
The story was well paced, the main characters just stupid enough to make the plot believable and the spice kept me turning the pages!🌶️
"My trains certainly were reliable in getting me to my destination every night, usually multiple times a night." LOVE IT!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m not usually a fan of why choose but I guess a why cho-cho-choose is where I needed to be 🤣. Honestly, when I saw this I expected a short dirty romp with plenty of puns but I was pleasantly surprised to find the plot quite interesting as well. I liked the idea of the •Save The Train• initiative and also a •trainssexual• is a term I never even dreamed of but now I can put a picture to. Who knew? Magical.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the wonderful opportunity to read this book and it was wholesome, and silly, and spicy. Really a 10/10 book and I would absolutely read it again. The about your conductor section was awesome 😂 and I was giggling reading that too. I’m so proud of you Sarah and honored I go to be an advanced reader of this wonderful novel. It is creative and fun and I loved it ❤️
March 20, 2026
This book is a why choose romance between Emma and the three trains on her island, Gauge, Jamie and Rosie. This confused me at first since it was unclear if Gauge was a train or a person. But overall a solid plot and interesting romance. 3/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy
This was a good, easy and fun read. l have never read a book like this one and I will definitely save another read for it if I need to get out of a slump.I loved the banter and puns! I recommend reading it, if you thinking about reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Outlandish and entertaining, Railed: A Why Cho-Cho-Choose Romance is fuelled 🥁(badum-tush) with spicy scenes and train puns by the gallon.
I don't know if it says anything about me that I absolutely loved it and only wish it could have been longer.
Zane E Stori indeed.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.
I don't know if it says anything about me that I absolutely loved it and only wish it could have been longer.
Zane E Stori indeed.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was just as much fun as I expected it to be! Original themes, good writing, perfectly punny. Absolutely ridiculous in the best way! Can't wait for more shenanigans from this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC READER
This book is steeaaammy! ( Pun intended ). But what else did I expected when I picked up a why cho Cho choose romance involving 3 train shifters and their sweet little train lover passenger. It's hilarious, sexy and entertaining all at once and I looved it !
This book is steeaaammy! ( Pun intended ). But what else did I expected when I picked up a why cho Cho choose romance involving 3 train shifters and their sweet little train lover passenger. It's hilarious, sexy and entertaining all at once and I looved it !
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by NetGalley and Victory Editing <3
Y'all already know I love this kind of story. It's silly, it's fun, it's unhinged (or derailed, one might say).
I adored all the characters and their clearly different personalities, and I will definitely be watching this author going forward.
Y'all already know I love this kind of story. It's silly, it's fun, it's unhinged (or derailed, one might say).
I adored all the characters and their clearly different personalities, and I will definitely be watching this author going forward.
Review of advance copy
This book was blatantly plagiarized by another sentient object author.
March 26, 2026
I haven’t felt this much joy while reading a book in ages. Art.
This author has done more in 120 pages than some authors could do with 1000.
CHOO CHOOO 🚂🚂
This author has done more in 120 pages than some authors could do with 1000.
CHOO CHOOO 🚂🚂
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews