Author: Ismee Williams
Publication Date: 11 February 2020
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Page Count: 304
Reading Method: Physical ARC
Synopsis:
Alex is a baseball player. A great one. His papi is pushing him to go pro, but Alex maybe wants to be a poet. Not that Papi would understand or allow that.
Isa is a dancer. She’d love to go pro, if only her Havana-born mom weren’t dead set against it…just like she’s dead set against her daughter falling for a Latino. And Isa’s privileged private-school life—with her dad losing his job and her older brother struggling with mental illness—is falling apart. Not that she’d ever tell that to Alex.
Fate—and the New York City subway—bring Alex and Isa together. Is it enough to keep them together when they need each other most?
Review:
This book was so dang cute. Honestly. Two strangers meet on the subway and a whirlwind story of love, family, and friendship ensues. This story had me hooked from the first chapter, and I flew through it. While it maintains the lightheartedness of a young love story, it also manages to wonderfully tackle heavy subjects like mental health and racism. Isa and Alex are both complex characters who manage to find a bit of light when they are together. They encourage each other to pursue their dreams without being overbearing or pushy. The side characters are just as interesting, if not a bit frustrating.
Overall:
I really loved this one! I would highly recommend it to just about anyone, with the warning that there are some difficult topics discussed throughout.
You can purchase a copy of This Train is Being Held here
