Stranded at Night is book number one of the California Express series. Intrigued by the plot, sprinkled with a non-traditional Christmas story, I decided to pick up this book. The story's aspects will keep you hooked, and the mystery gave me some serious 'Murder on the Orient Express' vibes. The author does a great job of delivering an immersive experience by presenting incredible landscapes—props to Rebekah for dropping revelations throughout the book, which complements the fast-paced plot and the characters. However, realism morphs into parallel lines, and the protagonists are not adequately fleshed out. I wasn't convinced of the chemistry between Jesse and Maggie. Sometimes, too much goes on in the pages, deviating from the main plot and confusing. But there's always hope as this is the first book of the series. I'm not giving up on Jesse and Maggie just yet. I appreciated the author's note on the inspiration behind the story. A 3.5 star read.

I read and reviewed this book with no obligation. This honest review is left voluntarily.