The Night Train to Berlin: The most heartbreaking and gripping epic historical novel of the year! Paperback – 22 July 2021

I very rarely write a review as books don’t generally stir up emotions that compel me to do so. However, I am in total awe of Melanie Hudson’s writing talent. I never thought she could maintain the momentum she has for taking a reader through every conceivable human emotion as she did in “Dear Rosie Hughes” or “Last letter from Juliette” but how wrong I was. With “The Night Train to Berlin” Hudson has once again delivered. Her characters have such depth and the storyline is so cleaver and believable that it is extremely difficult to put down once one has started. The historical framework on which the book is weaved is very well researched and makes one appreciate in much greater depth the hardships and sacrifices that had to be constantly faced during the years of WW2. Hudson’s books have an quality that very very few books deliver and one of those qualities is one feels a real sense of loss when the book finishes, a kin to coming to the end of a fabulous summer holiday. But more than this, her books never fail to evoke thoughts of parities in ones own life story. “The Night Train to Berlin” will stay in my mind for a very long time (in a very very good way). If already a Hudson fan, this book will not disappoint. If you have not read a book by this author then you really must take the plunge as you are seriously missing out.

A good story, well plotted and well told. Too much coincidence for my taste, but a pleasant, relaxing read.

Simply spellbinding from the opening lines to the last word. There's something about trains, war and star-crossed lovers - magic ingredients that bind together to deliver a wonderous recipe. One that you'll want to return to again and again. There's something about Melanie Hudson's fantastic plots and gorgeous writing, that will have you laughing, crying, and sometimes doing both at the same time. Adored this one. I was totally invested in the characters from the start. Alex is on a cattle train on Christmas Day 1944 thinking about a woman he let slip through his fingers. How many questions does that throw up? Is he going to be liberated before he's killed in the camps? It is 1944 after all. Will he survive and be reunited with his lost love? Or will the very worst happen? I was hooked by these questions and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Then we meet Ellie in the present day. She's on a train too off to Cornwall. Cornwall! What a brilliant setting. So many possibilities. How are Ellie and Alex linked? Are they related? Why does she keep a button toggle given to her by a stranger? I know the answers to all these questions because I have read the book. I strongly suggest you do, because it's a story that will stay with you for a very long time. Highly recommended. If I could give it 10 stars I would!

The story really drew me in to begin with. The dialogue was gripping and intelligent and I couldn't stop reading. However, after the first part where Alex and Eliza get to know each other it flagged for me. Instead of a story of love and unselfishness I felt cheated. The characters were generous in their courage and sacrifice. It wasn't that but more their motives. I found all the jolly hockey sticks humour annoying. It seemed the women were more interested in the excitement and proving themselves of the daring, horror and nasty side of things than real involvement as human beings. It detracted from the story for me. If it had started out differently it would have made a different sense of this, and I doubt I'd have read it at all. I kept hoping it would get better but it went on and on about battles, soldiers and women doing their bit.I thought that Alex could have been a much stronger pro-active charater. He seemed just to be pulled along by events no matter what he did. Only the women made things happen and the ending for Alex and Eliza was, for me, disappointing and a way to prove that only women can prevail. It probably wasn't intended to do that but that was the effect it had on me. I know women did wonderful things in the war and it was different from any other but why can't people just be who they are? It's so boring when all they show is how different they are trying to be in order to be the same as the men.As for the story of Ellie and Joe, it was a contrast but rather twee. The writing held such promise and yet didn't, in my opinion, deliver the exciting and intelligent and promising story it started out as. I wish this author all the best and obviously she pleases plenty of others so has no need to pay any attention to my comments. After all, writing a long book with so much research is a big achievement in itself. Everyone to their preferences.

Given this four stars as I was hooked, and the writing style was good. But oh dear I so hoped that the reader would know what had happened to both Eliza and Alex ….. who seemed to be under the thumb of his sister…. Not just leave it in the air….I guess I worked out that she went home to her aging husband and he ended up , well, not making it back to Cornwall. How did the clock come into Leo’s possession …. bought in a shop in Berlin? How did it get to the shop? Ok, I tied the knots myself, but I’ve literally just finished it, and feel very “down”…. Let down in a way. I know how awful the camps were…..I have so many friends whose stories of survival have stirred my admiration for the human spirit….and love helped them to survive. Sheer determination to get back to loved ones. It also sees that it’s only the women that were strong and courageous, and the men a bit wimpy, which is utterly not true. But who am I to criticise! Would I be that brave? Courageous? Plus….I’ve not even had the courage to write a book of any kind, and historical novels are tough because the writer has so much research to do, and will says get critiqued for some lack of historical “fact”.

This was such a lovely story, the past meets the present, inspirational and brave , I felt as if I was there with the character's

This book was so intriguing I couldn’t stop reading it! Such a great story based a horrific time in history! Everyone should read it to understand the true importance of hope, faith and gratitude. Thanks to Melanie Hudson for writing this inspiring book!

I love the story and how it took you back and forth thru time.The only thing that disappointed me was that at the end, there was no real ending, it left me expecting more, but overall a great book. Filled with adventure, love and friendship.

It was a good read.

An interesting and unusual look at WW2 and current day a surprising twist along the way. Would make a beautiful film.

The story takes place in different decades. The first is set in the year 1944 - and also in this day and age. We are introduced to the four principal characters who are taking the train to Cornwall.I must admit though, that for me personally it was not useful to know right from the beginning how the book would end! Maybe it was for that reason that I was not too happy with the story until the middle. After that my heart went out for the two main characters Alex and Eliza. I believe sincerely that the journey into our time with 'Joe and Ellie' did distract from the fascinating love story between War journalist 'Alexander Levine' and 'Lady Arbuthnot' painter.I would have preferred to read about their lives before they met on that faithful train journey. And maybe then a sequel with the other two characters 'Ellie and Joe'. It was the first time I read a book from this author - but it will not be the last time.