4 Stars

One Liner: Heartwarming and sweet
 

Libby Jacobs just lost her job as a flight attendant. She doesn’t miss the job but worries about having enough money to support herself and her father. Can she turn her chocolate-making hobby into a living? But for that, she needs a kitchen big enough to accommodate her work. 

Ethan had been running away from family and relationships since he saw his parents’ marriage fail. The recent love stories in Cranfield may have warmed him a little but his first instinct is to up and leave. However, he needs to make better decisions if he wants more from life. 

With Christmas challenges looming overhead, Libby and Ethan need to sort a lot more than their careers. They have a shared past that went sour. Can they find a way forward? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Libby and Ethan. 

I’ve been waiting for Libby and Ethan’s story since I read the first book in the series. It makes sense to wait until the end to write theirs. They needed to let go of a lot to move on. 

The book covers autumn and winter (starts sometime in August and the main story ends at the end of Jan). 

The focus is not just on the couple but their families and the community as well. The MMC had to learn to step up and take responsibility, while the FMC had to learn to ask for help when she needed it. I could understand Libby’s determination to do everything on her own. 

Despite being a cozy read, it covers themes like broken families, secrets, health concerns, lost jobs, career risks, and second chances. The MMC has much learning to do, mainly about himself and getting rid of the toxicity dumped on him by his mother. 

The side characters are, as always, quite involved in the plot and play an active role. Paddington is back too, showing his silent furry support whenever necessary. 

The setting is, of course, beautiful. I think this series covered the lovely village in all major seasons. I could relocate there maybe… if it existed and someone sponsored a ticket. ;) 

The pacing is steady and keeps the story moving. I like how all relationships come under the spotlight. It’s not just about Libby and Ethan realizing they are meant to be. It is also about mending their relationships with their family and allowing their people to provide support when necessary. 

Dodgy Del also has a bigger role this time. I won’t say what he does. It’s for you to find out! 

To summarize, Winter Magic on Railway Lane is a beautiful conclusion to the series and a satisfying read if want a cozy read. While the book works as a standalone, those who read the series can see the growth of the main characters. 

I look forward to the author's next series. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley