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American West #1
Last Train Home
A freshly divorced man… In 1879, Missouri, Jack Dryden's heart is broken and not because his gently bred wife left him for life back east. Their divorce was a long time coming, just like their adopting three Orphan Train riders was. The children arrive before he can send word back to the orphanage, and he goes to meet the children. He expected love at first sight for the orphans because they’re wonderful children, but falling for their lovely adoption agent surprised him. Now all Jack needs to do is convince her how plenty of men raise children on their own, and so can he. A responsible young woman… Alice McCarthy takes her responsibilities to the orphans' home seriously. In charge of the Jack Hays children's adoption, the rules for her are clear. She can’t let a single man adopt her orphans even if he seems kind and especially not just because he's attractive in mind and body. Alice must stick to the rules no matter how tempted she is to give in to Jack’s request for a family. A trio of wonderful children… Jack never expected to find another love, and Alice had a direction for her life. Except now, adults and children alike bonded at first sight. Now they must find a way to break the rules to become a real family.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2018
561 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 8, 2023
Cute storyline, but not much going on. There’s no growth in characters, I don’t find the Instalove believable especially since his wife just left him. I know kids are heartwarming (I have 3) but I also don’t see how they could become so attached in a few hours. The beginning was really confusing too with Alice going back and forth about whether or not the adoption could go through. It’s like each time he mentioned his wife having left him, it was like a shock to her. Really choppy.
March 23, 2019
Whereas the story-line was good and the basic concept alright, I need a bit more development of characters to really get into the book. Also, the situation of a man adopting children really wasn't resolved. Yes, it was discussed but the book ended abruptly.
June 15, 2022
Very good
I read this because a friend recommended it. I’m glad I did. Such as sweet tale. I recommend it to anyone who loves sappy endings.
I read this because a friend recommended it. I’m glad I did. Such as sweet tale. I recommend it to anyone who loves sappy endings.
October 30, 2018
Jack's wife walked out on him the day before they were supposed to collect the children they adopted from the train station. He goes to the station with the intent of letting the orphan's chaperone know that he can't take them in anymore. Then, he actually meets the trio of kids, and he knows that he can't leave without them. The orphanage will not let a single father adopt three children, but he is going to have to try. The chaperone, Alice, decides to stay at the ranch for a few days to see if the children will be a good fit there. Soon, Jack and Alice get closer, and Jack loves the children. Even though he has to fight to divorce his wife and adopt the children, he is determined to try his hardest to make the five of them a family.
I love Western romance stories, and this one combined the orphan train storyline with the unique absent lover storyline. Usually, it is the husband or fiancee who leaves the wife, and the wife finds a better man out west, but this time it was the man abandoned and the perfect wife who appeared.
The family connection was really strong in this story, as the brothers and sister had to get used to living with Jack. He almost instantly stepped into the fatherly role, and he was amazing at it. I got to see the different personalities of all three children through his interactions with them. And Alice, even though she was just a love interest, was a very good substitute mother for them. She had known them for the longest, and she was fiercely protective of them.
The plot of this book moved smoothly without any POV shifts or random breaks in character. I didn't notice any grammar errors in this advanced version of the novel, and I didn't notice any formatting errors either. Each character seemed to be well developed, and there were not many noticeable plot holes at the end of the story. It is left a bit open, but it doesn't stop that abruptly.
I would recommend this book to lovers of western historical fiction romance novels or orphan train romance novels.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
I love Western romance stories, and this one combined the orphan train storyline with the unique absent lover storyline. Usually, it is the husband or fiancee who leaves the wife, and the wife finds a better man out west, but this time it was the man abandoned and the perfect wife who appeared.
The family connection was really strong in this story, as the brothers and sister had to get used to living with Jack. He almost instantly stepped into the fatherly role, and he was amazing at it. I got to see the different personalities of all three children through his interactions with them. And Alice, even though she was just a love interest, was a very good substitute mother for them. She had known them for the longest, and she was fiercely protective of them.
The plot of this book moved smoothly without any POV shifts or random breaks in character. I didn't notice any grammar errors in this advanced version of the novel, and I didn't notice any formatting errors either. Each character seemed to be well developed, and there were not many noticeable plot holes at the end of the story. It is left a bit open, but it doesn't stop that abruptly.
I would recommend this book to lovers of western historical fiction romance novels or orphan train romance novels.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
December 15, 2019
I liked this story until it ended very abruptly, leaving the reader to wonder if there really was a “happily ever after” as promised beforehand. The main character was still married at the end, planning to try a different strategy to finalize his divorce so he could marry his lady love and adopt the three children he wanted. But none of it actually happened. The reader is left perlpexed as to the outcome. That made me very angry and unhappy I read the book. I will not read another book from this author, even though it is a genre I love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2019
The premise of this book sounded interesting, but it was so poorly written that it was just cheesy. Then it just ended without a real resolution.
not-for-me
February 23, 2026No rating, DNFed before 20%.
So many 4-5 star reviews for this series! Baffles me. The actual storylines in this series are promising and had potential to be adorable… and even though this was a clean and sweet romance series, I was willing to risk trying it because I liked the idea of heartwarming stories of orphans finding a good family with two adults that come together and fall in love.
There are a few lower rated reviews, but not many with WHY they gave that rating.
So for me, the way the story was written was rather confusing. I couldn’t pin point it at first…. I was constantly stopping to see if I missed something, or was I just too tired to read, but after picking it back up later, it was still just choppy for me. Add to that, the hero was way too nice and sweet. I like my hero to have a little grump/angst that needs to be worked thru. None of that here. Emotions moved way too quickly and people were too hunky dory.
I dnf rather quickly as I did not like the hero or heroine, or how fast the story was moving. Too corny.
So many 4-5 star reviews for this series! Baffles me. The actual storylines in this series are promising and had potential to be adorable… and even though this was a clean and sweet romance series, I was willing to risk trying it because I liked the idea of heartwarming stories of orphans finding a good family with two adults that come together and fall in love.
There are a few lower rated reviews, but not many with WHY they gave that rating.
So for me, the way the story was written was rather confusing. I couldn’t pin point it at first…. I was constantly stopping to see if I missed something, or was I just too tired to read, but after picking it back up later, it was still just choppy for me. Add to that, the hero was way too nice and sweet. I like my hero to have a little grump/angst that needs to be worked thru. None of that here. Emotions moved way too quickly and people were too hunky dory.
I dnf rather quickly as I did not like the hero or heroine, or how fast the story was moving. Too corny.
April 1, 2019
I might have given the book above a 4 on the rating scale because, as a whole, I enjoyed it. Jack and Alice were likable characters, and the drama of their situation was something believable.
There were a few issues, the most important was the need for tighter editing. For example, in Chapter 1, she is Alice McCarthy. The twins call her "Miss Rogers." Later, she introduces herself to the hero as "Alice Wedgewood." Even the book blurb calls her "Alice McCarthy." I was confused.
The author likes her split infinitives: to even write, to not let, to never touch, to not wake, to graciously apologize, to not laugh, etc.
On my Kindle the story stopped at 87%. The rest is back matter.
There were a few issues, the most important was the need for tighter editing. For example, in Chapter 1, she is Alice McCarthy. The twins call her "Miss Rogers." Later, she introduces herself to the hero as "Alice Wedgewood." Even the book blurb calls her "Alice McCarthy." I was confused.
The author likes her split infinitives: to even write, to not let, to never touch, to not wake, to graciously apologize, to not laugh, etc.
On my Kindle the story stopped at 87%. The rest is back matter.
August 19, 2018
WOW - another awesome book by Laura Stapleton!!! And I see that it is going to be another series -woohoo!!!
Jack Dryden and his wife were trying to adopt some orphan's. The only problem being that Jack's wife decided to leave him a few weeks before the children arrived. When Alice McCarthy arrived with the children, Jack was going to refuse the children. But then he had a change of heart. I can't tell you anymore without giving away the story.
This is really a must read - and I'm looking forward to more in this series!!!
Jack Dryden and his wife were trying to adopt some orphan's. The only problem being that Jack's wife decided to leave him a few weeks before the children arrived. When Alice McCarthy arrived with the children, Jack was going to refuse the children. But then he had a change of heart. I can't tell you anymore without giving away the story.
This is really a must read - and I'm looking forward to more in this series!!!
July 3, 2023
Jack is dealing with his wife leaving and is expecting orphans on the train that he and his wife were to adopt. Jack heads into town with the premise to tell the orphanage he cannot take the kids because his wife has left but once he sees the children it's harder than he thinks. Alice has chaperoned the children from the orphanage to meet with Jack and things don't go as planned once she gets there. The story is sweet with characters that are easy to follow and fall in love with. I was a little disheartened the way the book left off but overall good read.
July 14, 2019
Love brings Changes
Jack wants a family so arrangements were made to adopt. He is getting 3 children, a girl and twin boys. The problem is his wife leaves him a week before they are due to arrive, leaving signed divorce papers and no desire to work things out.
Alice is in charge of delivering the children, making sure the living conditions are adequate, and adoption is finalized. How she works this out is a sweet love story that brings surprising changes.
Jack wants a family so arrangements were made to adopt. He is getting 3 children, a girl and twin boys. The problem is his wife leaves him a week before they are due to arrive, leaving signed divorce papers and no desire to work things out.
Alice is in charge of delivering the children, making sure the living conditions are adequate, and adoption is finalized. How she works this out is a sweet love story that brings surprising changes.
October 9, 2019
I enjoyed Laura Stapleton’s characters in this book, Jack is an honorable rancher/farmer who has been left by his wife and wants to keep the family they had committed to. Alice feels she owes her life to the orphanage and finding forever homes for the orphans left there. I really wasn’t quite ready to have this story end and would have liked an epilogue or a little bit more but the story is interesting and kept my interest.
January 17, 2020
Last Train Home: An American West Story (American West Series Book 1)
The love story of Jack and Alice. Jack's wife has just left him and now the children he and his wife plan to adopt have come. Can he still adopt them.
Alice and the Hay children have arrive and no one is there to met them. When Jack come he tell her that his wife had leave him but he still want the children. Can Alice make his dream come true? Great story.
The love story of Jack and Alice. Jack's wife has just left him and now the children he and his wife plan to adopt have come. Can he still adopt them.
Alice and the Hay children have arrive and no one is there to met them. When Jack come he tell her that his wife had leave him but he still want the children. Can Alice make his dream come true? Great story.
December 12, 2019
"A Very Heartwarming Story"
Jack Dryden's wife has left him. The timing was all wrong as he waits for their newly adopted children to arrive on the train. The year is 1879 in Mississippi. This story is amazing. It's a story of love and difficult decisions. A great, well written story. Highly recommend.
Jack Dryden's wife has left him. The timing was all wrong as he waits for their newly adopted children to arrive on the train. The year is 1879 in Mississippi. This story is amazing. It's a story of love and difficult decisions. A great, well written story. Highly recommend.
June 14, 2020
My Musings
This reading is a mixed bag for me. While I loved the characters, including the delightful children, it needs an epilogue desperately. Set at least six months in the future to show that their instant love and family worked. More depth to the characters would have helped as well. I will continue on with the next book in this series. Happy ☺reading 📚!
This reading is a mixed bag for me. While I loved the characters, including the delightful children, it needs an epilogue desperately. Set at least six months in the future to show that their instant love and family worked. More depth to the characters would have helped as well. I will continue on with the next book in this series. Happy ☺reading 📚!
December 27, 2022
SWOONING for Jack
Jack never even considered finding another wife, but when Alice smiled at him with a twinkle in her eyes? He was smitten.
This is such a sweet love story! I absolutely fell on love with Jack, who is a man of great integrity.
The story is sweet and charming, an absolute gem amongst its kind!
Jack never even considered finding another wife, but when Alice smiled at him with a twinkle in her eyes? He was smitten.
This is such a sweet love story! I absolutely fell on love with Jack, who is a man of great integrity.
The story is sweet and charming, an absolute gem amongst its kind!
September 1, 2018
Great Book
A great story about what happens to some siblings who are orphaned in MY and take the train to find a new fanily.Lots of twists and turns on their road to adoption.Couldn't out it down it aS so good.
A great story about what happens to some siblings who are orphaned in MY and take the train to find a new fanily.Lots of twists and turns on their road to adoption.Couldn't out it down it aS so good.
December 19, 2018
Sweet story
Really good, except I wasn't thrilled about the ending. It seemed to leave unanswered questions! But the characters were great, exciting plot, and a lot of humor! Well worth the time to read, just wish there had been an epilogue of maybe a sequel?
Really good, except I wasn't thrilled about the ending. It seemed to leave unanswered questions! But the characters were great, exciting plot, and a lot of humor! Well worth the time to read, just wish there had been an epilogue of maybe a sequel?
April 22, 2020
Sweet and clean 1800s romance
This was a very good story. Jack and Alice's story was a good one and the 3 kids were the perfect addition. I just wish it had an epilogue of some sort.
This was a very good story. Jack and Alice's story was a good one and the 3 kids were the perfect addition. I just wish it had an epilogue of some sort.
April 30, 2020
Jack and Alice
This is a sweet love story written by Laura Stapleton. She has done an amazing job with the characters and the plot. You will enjoy discovering if they call in love and if they agree to adopt the three orphans.
This is a sweet love story written by Laura Stapleton. She has done an amazing job with the characters and the plot. You will enjoy discovering if they call in love and if they agree to adopt the three orphans.
May 14, 2020
Loved it
Alice is determined to do what is best for the orphans she is attempting to deliver to their new family. Little does she know the Mrs. has left the Mr. and has already filed for divorce. I absolutely love the children in this book.
Alice is determined to do what is best for the orphans she is attempting to deliver to their new family. Little does she know the Mrs. has left the Mr. and has already filed for divorce. I absolutely love the children in this book.
May 22, 2020
Do not recommend
This book was such a chore to read. There was nothing to hold my interest, and I struggled to finish it. Overly simplistic plot that left nothing to the imagination.
This book was such a chore to read. There was nothing to hold my interest, and I struggled to finish it. Overly simplistic plot that left nothing to the imagination.
September 3, 2025
Sweet Story, Sweet Characters
A very quick and easy read with believable character actions that made me wish I was 50 years younger and had an adventure to live!
I’m looking forward to all the books in this series!
A very quick and easy read with believable character actions that made me wish I was 50 years younger and had an adventure to live!
I’m looking forward to all the books in this series!
July 5, 2018
First read from this author
While the storyline was there, the characters weren't developed enough for a truly good read. I wish the Author would have done more.
While the storyline was there, the characters weren't developed enough for a truly good read. I wish the Author would have done more.
July 10, 2018
If the whole series is as good as this, I'm hooked! Last Train Home is a wonderful, quick read with great characters and I can't wait to read more in this series.
July 27, 2018
Early adoption.
Very good reading . Couldn't put it down. Tells about one man adopting three children and his difficulties and how they solve the problems.
Very good reading . Couldn't put it down. Tells about one man adopting three children and his difficulties and how they solve the problems.
August 5, 2018
Lovely story
Enjoyed this book very much. The storyline and characters were very well developed. Very good book and a lively sweet story.
Enjoyed this book very much. The storyline and characters were very well developed. Very good book and a lively sweet story.
November 29, 2018
Fantastic Instant Family Story
I inhaled this book-the pace was fantastic,the characters were charming, and the romance was sweet. I'm ready for the next book in the series!!!!
I inhaled this book-the pace was fantastic,the characters were charming, and the romance was sweet. I'm ready for the next book in the series!!!!
August 3, 2019
Good story, weak ending
I loved the story, the hope, the family dynamic. But the ending sort of fell off for me. It didn't go far enough.
I loved the story, the hope, the family dynamic. But the ending sort of fell off for me. It didn't go far enough.
January 11, 2020
Ok
The premise of this book was good, but it it felt rushed. This book could have been longer and more drawn out. The romance was too rushed.
The premise of this book was good, but it it felt rushed. This book could have been longer and more drawn out. The romance was too rushed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews