Xiomara Sanchez has dreamed of making it big on Broadway, and she was almost there, until the sudden death of her sister. Since then, Xiomara has been splitting her time between two less-than-ideal jobs, barely making ends meet. She's also drowning in her grief, taking on a cynical view of the world. One day, the perfect opportunity presents itself. Xiomara, going against her normal aversion to open casting calls, decides to audition for an up-and-coming musical. Quickly, she is sucked into the darkest side of the entertainment industry, doing whatever it takes to get the role she thinks should be hers. Meanwhile, Santi, her new coworker at one of her jobs, starts to break down her apathetic side. As her life seems to continue to spiral out of control, Xiomara must decide if it's worth chasing her old dreams or if starting over is just what she needs.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and OneWorld for this digital e-arc.*

“My problem in life is how badly I want to be seen.”

I went into this ARC blind but was quickly drawn in by quotes like this one. For me, this book got better and better as it went on, and I really enjoyed how it was structured.

This book is about Xiomara Sanchez, who is twenty-nine years old and lives with her mother.

This book is about grief.

This book is about starting over.

This book is about wanting more for yourself.

This book is about love.

This book is about speaking up.

This book is about finding contentment where you are.

This book is about life’s unexpected joys.

This book is about West Side Story—sort of (iykyk).

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and found myself truly rooting for Xiomara as we grew closer to the end. I feel like I rode the New York subways with her as she struggled to find herself, and it was a good place to spend a chunk of time.

The cover of this one caught my attention (gorgeous, right?), and the words grabbed onto me.

I am also determined to try a Washington Heights margarita (Capri Sun and Casamigos) now—is this a real thing?

Xiomara loves big but has been hurt by life enough times that its hardened her. Will the people that care about her and the power of show tunes be enough to remind her of who she really is?

Have you seen West Side Story (musical theater or film)?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I loved Xiomara and all of the other messy characters in this book. Well, not all of the other characters, Manny and Alek can kick rocks, but each scene Xiomara had with them was so raw and honest. As a reader, you wanted to scream at Xiomara to make better choices when it came to men, but unfortunately, most women can probably relate to these situations. I started to feel the ending wrapped up a little too neatly, but ultimately, I was happy that Xiomara found a life that fulfilled her.

Truly stunning debut novel. I was totally captivated by Guerrero’s writing and enjoyed following Xiomara’s developments. I’d recommend this for someone looking for an emotional book, with a character who doesn’t have it completely figured out yet by 30. Refreshing. Can’t wait to have the physical book!

My Train Leaves at Three by Natalie Guerrero follows Xiomara whose Broadway ambitions have been put on hold as she grieves the recent loss of her sister and struggles to support herself and her mother in New York City. I thought that the depiction of Xiomara’s grief was very raw and realistic especially in the way that it guided her, often self-destructive, decision-making. I felt that the plot was slightly disjointed which sometimes kept me from fully investing in Xiomara’s story, but I was definitely still interested to see how everything played out. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced ready copy!

Raw. Tender. Furious. Hopeful. My Train Leaves at Three is a knockout debut that will rip your heart out and hand it back stitched with gold.
Natalie Guerrero delivers the kind of novel that grabs you by the collar, makes you look at all the messy, beautiful, infuriating parts of life, and then dares you to love them anyway. It’s not just a coming-of-age story—it’s a coming-into-yourself story, teeth bared, middle fingers up, mascara streaked from crying.

🎭 Plot in a nutshell:
Xiomara is an Afro-Latina singer/actress from Washington Heights who is drowning after the sudden death of her sister Nena. She’s pushing thirty, living with her strict Catholic Puerto Rican mother, and stuck between shitty men and worse jobs. (Serving tourists at Ellen’s Stardust Diner while singing Broadway classics? It’s almost too real.)
But then: a chance audition with Manny Santos, the It director everyone worships. Suddenly her dead-in-the-water dream flickers back to life. Meanwhile, there’s Santi, a co-worker at the print shop who’s a quiet, unexpected spark of something real.
But the closer she gets to her dreams, the uglier the truth becomes. Powerful men. Brutal rejection. The fear of selling out the very soul that made her want to perform in the first place.

✨ What absolutely SLAPS:
✅ Xiomara’s voice. God, she’s so alive. Angry, grieving, hilarious, cutting. She’s not a “likable” heroine—she’s real.
✅ The NYC grit. Washington Heights pulses on every page. Ellen’s Stardust Diner is a heartbreak in itself. Guerrero knows the city, knows the hustle, knows the grind.
✅ Grief done right. Nena’s death is a ghost haunting every scene. Xiomara’s anger, numbness, and jagged memories feel painfully true.
✅ The Industry. This book gets the price of chasing a dream. The sexism. The racism. The sleaze. It doesn’t blink away from any of it.
✅ Romance subplot. Santi isn’t a “fix her” dude. He’s quiet support, a mirror, a question mark. Their connection is subtle, authentic, and complicated in the best way.
✅ Family. Xiomara’s mother is infuriating and loving and complex. That relationship alone is worth the price of admission.

🪶 What might make people bounce:
⚠️ It’s not “feel-good” in a neat way. It’s messy. Xiomara makes awful choices. She’s hurting people—including herself.
⚠️ The pacing is unhurried, even meandering at times. But honestly? That is grief. That is a life stuck between ambition and despair.
⚠️ Some readers might want more “redemption” for the industry critique—it’s not tidy, and that’s the point.

🌟 Final thoughts:
My Train Leaves at Three is a gut-punch love letter to dreamers who can’t forget where they came from. It’s about art, survival, family, sex, self-sabotage, and the tiny shreds of hope you cling to even after you’re sure you’re done.
Natalie Guerrero is one to watch. This debut isn’t just promising—it’s proof she’s already there.

Perfect for fans of:
🎭 Angie Cruz’s Dominicana
🗽 Elizabeth Acevedo’s Family Lore (but more adult, messier)
🎤 A Star Is Born for girls who’ve worked three service jobs and still showed up for the audition.
🖤 Readers who want NYC in all its beautiful, ugly glory.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Xiomara’s voice will stick with me for a long time.

A messy largely realistic coming of age story that takes place in the mind of Xiomara, a young woman who wants and works so much. She's hobbled by grief for her sister. She's toiling in a print shop and as a waitress. But she's meant to be an actress and singer. I liked Xiomara even when she made unwise choices and I rooted for her. My quibble is with the ending, which was not what I was expecting and which just felt like a fairy tale. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Regardless, great storytelling and a fresh perspective make this a good read.

What an emotional novel. While dealing with the grief of losing her sister, Xiomara is also trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s a reminder that you’re on your own timeline in life.

My train leaves at three follows Xiomara as she navigates her life and NYC after her sisters death. She’s working two dead end jobs and supporting her grief stricken mother. This book was rough for me. The main character X was extremely crude in everything she does. She makes illogical decisions and then is surprised at the consequences. She is an extremely hard character to like.

This book starts out slow and a bit all over the place, but eventually builds to a really moving story of overcoming grief. As a native New Yorker from Washington Heights, I loved the vividly authentic depiction of the neighborhood and the people in it. Some parts were very dark and graphic to the point that it felt gratuitous, but overall it was a good story that kept me interested.

[4.25 stars]

Xiomara Sanchez has dreamed of making it big on Broadway, and she was almost there, until the sudden death of her sister. Since then, Xiomara has been splitting her time between two less-than-ideal jobs, barely making ends meet. She's also drowning in her grief, taking on a cynical view of the world. One day, the perfect opportunity presents itself. Xiomara, going against her normal aversion to open casting calls, decides to audition for an up-and-coming musical. Quickly, she is sucked into the darkest side of the entertainment industry, doing whatever it takes to get the role she thinks should be hers. Meanwhile, Santi, her new coworker at one of her jobs, starts to break down her apathetic side. As her life seems to continue to spiral out of control, Xiomara must decide if it's worth chasing her old dreams or if starting over is just what she needs.

I loved, loved, loved this book! So much that I read it in two sittings. I will admit that at points, I found Xiomara insufferable. However, her character arc is well worth the slight moments of annoyance. I was rooting for Xiomara the entire way, though. Her journey is tough, but so is she. The story was fast-paced and easy to keep up with, too. This is an excellent debut, and I cannot wait to see what else Guerrero has up her sleeve! If you are looking for a new coming-of-age book that will make you root for the underdog, this one is for you! I cannot say enough good things about it without spoiling it. Just go read it ASAP!

This novel is a raw, emotional exploration of grief, identity and complicated family dynamics, especially the fraught bond between a Latinx mother and daughter. Xiomara is deeply flawed and often frustrating, but incredibly real. I found myself rooting for her even when I didn’t agree with her choices.

The character development is strong and grounded, showing the messy, unfiltered parts of life, dreams lost, family tension, and the slow journey toward healing. While the pacing dragged at times, the emotional impact and relatability kept me invested.

If you enjoy adult coming-of-age stories that make you reflect on your own life and relationships, this one’s worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

This book made me think - about dreams, disappointment, grief and family. I loved the character development - I found them to be so realistic and not picture perfect. I loved the insight into their choices and decisions, the good, the bad and everything in between. I loved that this book was not about a picture perfect life, but more a realistic, flawed and life filled with challenges. Unfortunately, I found that the story itself moved too slowly for me. I wanted to read to find out what happened to the characters, but I would find myself getting easily distracted while reading. Overall, if you are looking for a book that is going to make you think about your own life and dreams, pick this one up!

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Xiomara Sánchez, an Afro-Latina actress, is a mess, impoverished, and burdened by grief after her sister’s sudden death. She juggles two low-wage jobs in Washington Heights, one at a print shop and the other at the famed Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Times Square, where she performs between tables. She feels safe living with her mother in a tiny apartment, but knows she must move on.

When an audition opportunity lands her in front of the renowned showrunner Manny Santos, she knows it's the opportunity of a lifetime. She is hopeful, but soon discovers that the path to Broadway is fraught with power dynamics, manipulation, and self-sacrifice.

This was a quick read, at under 300 pages, and Xiomara is instantly likeable and relatable, as we all struggled to find ourselves in our 20s. A lot of her struggles are real as a Latina immigrant woman of color in NY, as she struggles to prove herself to her mother, and others. I loved how she grew and changed, and learned from her mistakes. Not all coming of age stories need to have unhappy endings and all Xiomara's talent and hard work eventually pay off. You end up rooting for her and her family and are glad to see where she eventually ends up. An inspiring, uplifting story.

A raw and visceral novel that accurately describes the fraught relationships and dynamics of a Latin family, especially a mother-daughter relationship. An amazing portrayal of trying to find oneself while navigating the world and adult responsibilities.

I loved this book! Thoughtful, beautifully written, a complicated character that you can’t help but root for, New York, Broadway musicals - an absolutely wonderful book that everyone should read!

Natalie Guerrero’s My Train Leaves at Three is a great debut novel with a strong voice from its protagonist Xiomara Sanchez. Born and raised in Washington Heights, Xiomara is an aspiring Broadway performer, hustling to make her dreams come true — until her sister Nena dies unexpectedly and Xiomara’s life is thrown off course, sending her from the verge of success to deep grief and letting go of her goals. A year on, Xiomara is just getting through, working at Ellen’s Stardust Diner (a great NYC detail) and a print shop to make ends meet while no longer auditioning or even really singing at all. The book kicks off when Xiomara is tempted by a new musical and decides to audition for the director/writer Manny Santos’ new show, and spirals into desperation to please him and succeed in her career and dreams. At the same time, she’s balancing relationships with her mother, who is overtaken by grief; her friends and coworkers/rivals in musical theater; and Santi, her new coworker at the print shop who she instantly feels a connection with.

Xiomara is talented and tough but struggling with grief, guilt, and a loss of passion. She’s a true New Yorker character I really recognized from the moment the book started. She’s messy and self-destructive at points, but it’s rewarding to see her journey through the book to a promising new role and attitude. I’m glad Guerrero devoted some time to her next act as a teacher as she started to really grow and move on. I think there were some loose threads and underdeveloped points here, but Xiomara’s strong characterization and emotional journey and the book’s detailed look at the theater world and Xiomara’s community were all very rich and well-written.

Goodreads and Fable reviews posted 7/4
TikTok and YouTube reviews posted 7/5

I’ve never disliked a main character so much while simultaneously rooting for them and wishing everything works out. Xiomara Sanchez is down on her luck after almost making it big before losing her sister, Nena. After spending all of her money on Nena’s funeral, Xiomara misses countless casting calls and moves back in with her mother. She’s currently trying (and failing) to make ends meet by working two jobs. While understandably being upset as she can’t properly mourn the loss of her sister while dealing with money issues and family drama, Xiomara projects her insecurities and emotions on to others. Out of nowhere, X gets an unexpected guests at the diner she works at that could just changer her life forever.

I LOVE an adult coming of age story, and I definitely connected with the story told here. The familial tensions, grieving, and character development were beautifully portrayed and felt so real. I saw a lot of my past self in Xiomara - the immaturity, self destruction, and insecurity, but I want nothing but the best for her!

After Nena’s death, Xiomara fell into a depression and lost out on a job that could have skyrocketed her career. She is pushing 30, still trying to figure out what to do with her life, living with her mother, and struggling to pay rent. When she gets the opportunity to audition for Manny, a huge director, she is thrilled to have the opportunity. With a potential romance on the horizon though, everything starts to fall together and apart at the same time. Xiomara feels so close to her dreams yet still so far, and she has to decide what she is willing to lose to get what she wants.

I just love an older coming of age/finding yourself story! Xiomara was so passionate about her dreams, but I think we have all faced a moment where we realized that our dreams maybe weren’t going to happen, or that they weren’t what they thought were. Xiomara had so many moments of just pure unfiltered messy, and I for one was here for it! The end felt a but far fetched, but I still really loved how it all came together, even if slightly unrealistic. Xiomara was such a fighter and I truly enjoyed every second of this book. I know I was rooting for her from page one!

Thank you to @prhaudio for my gifted copy of this book!

I really wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this book heading into it, but I immediately got sucked into the story. I loved Xiomara as a protagonist - flaws, dreams, and all. NYC, as described by the author, is just as big of a character in this book as Xio, and makes the whole reading experience much more real. I'm already thinking about friends who would enjoy picking up this read.

Thank you, Netgalley and One World, for the ARC!