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!

Xiomara is a twenty-something half Puerto-Rican and Dominican woman who lives with her mother in Washington Heights. Xiomara is a musical theater singer and dancer, but as she is not in a musical, she works at Ellen's Stardust Diner in New York, beside her work in copy and print shop, where she has to work with her terrible bos Alek.

There is a shadow over her life since her beloved younger sister Nena died a few years ago, something Xiomara and her mom will never get truly over.

When she gets the chance to audion for famous producer Manny Santos who is producing a musical on Broadway, she auditions in the hope to finally to sing on a real stage again. There is also a new coworker at the print shop, Santi, and something starts between Xiomara and him. But then he dissapears all of a sudden and her abusive boss Alek tells Xiomara that Santi has a girlfriend already.

Her audition process with Manny goes well, he praises her and gives her the feeling she is the only true candidate for the leading part. But soon Manny, who also gives her money for no reason, wants more from Xiomara then just singing at the audition and invites her to his apartment, which leads to an innapropriate relationship, and where in the end Xiomara also doesn't even get the part in the musical, as Manny is doing the same tric with many other girls who also auditioned for the part, and a girl who also works at the same diner as Xiomara eventually gets the part. Then Xiomara leaves her work at the diner at the print shop, to find a better job for herself, at a school teaching musical theater classes, where she earns more than ever, and finally gets rid of the landlord who was after her and her mom, because they where months behind in paying rent.

Xiomara is woman who lives in New York, struggles with the dead of her sister, and with work and her relationship with men, especaily in the last part she makes a not so wise decision not to say no to Manny, who really felt like an abusive kind of sick man who uses her. Some points in this book where quite raunchy and nasty and explicit, which might not be everyones cup of tea. Xiomara truly felt to me like a girl who is in her twenties, but sometimes still act like a teenager, also because she has trouble landing the job she wants in a rough city like New York.

I liked most of the story of this books, but there where also parts that I disliked or that didn't add much to the story. It doesn't have a lot of plot twist, the storyline is mostly about Xiomara and her daily struggles in life. It is a good inbetween coming of age novel, but nothing more than that.

Out July 15th, 2025
Xiomara, an Afro-Latina singer and actress from Washington Heights, is reeling from the sudden death of her sister, Nena. Nearing thirty, she’s stuck in a cycle of grief, low-paying jobs, and self-sabotaging relationships. Her days are split between singing show tunes at a tourist diner and photocopying headshots at a print shop.

But when a rare audition opportunity with a hotshot Broadway director lands in her lap—and a mysterious coworker named Santi begins to stir something in her—Xiomara is forced to confront the question: How much of herself is she willing to sacrifice to chase her dreams?

Thank you so much to NetGalley, One World, and Random House for this ARC!

Review posted on StoryGraph and Goodreads on 6/29/25. Review will be posted to Amazon on release date.

Following the death of her sister Xiomara finds herself lost and shuffling through life trying to figure out what to do if she doesn’t follow her dream in music. When a potential new musical opportunity presents itself Xiomara has to ask herself what she wants and how to navigate that reality. We follow Xiomara during the hustle that surrounds auditioning and the less than savory side of the world she’s desperate to get into.

This book is so New York. I loved following Xiomara during her day-to-day trying to juggle work (a copy store and a singing diner), dating (hello Santi…good bye Manny), and reconciling what it means to live after losing her sister. I loved the way the story shifted and found myself cheering for Xiomara as she found the path she was meant to be on.

Xiomara has dreams of becoming a Broadway star, but the sudden death of her sister, her strongest
supporter, has her missing possible opportunities. As she and her mother struggle to earn enough for
rent and expenses, Xiomara meets someone who may be able to help her with her career. As she
becomes more entangled with this manipulative individual, her relationships with her mother and
friends take a turn for the worse. When she is at the lowest point, a friend offers her a lifeline that will
change the course of her life.
#MyTrainLeavesatThree #RandomHouse #OneWorld #NetGalley

Book: My Train Leaves at Three
Author: Natalie Guerrero
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, One World, for sending me an ARC. I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I honestly expected this to be a three-star rating, just based on the summary. However, I found myself quickly pulled into the story. It’s almost a five-star read, but not quite.

After her sister Nena’s sudden death, Xiomara, an Afro-Latina singer and actress born and raised in Washington Heights, is numb. With her sister gone, Xiomara is painfully close to thirty, living in a tiny apartment with her ultra-Catholic Puerto Rican mother, and having the same shitty sex with the same shitty men that she’s been entertaining for years. Behind on rent despite two minimum-wage jobs, one of which involves singing show tunes while serving pancakes to tourists at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Xiomara is bitingly cynical, especially in her grief, and is barely treading water. But when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to audition for Manny Santos, the most charismatic director of the moment, falls into her lap, it seems to Xiomara like a second chance to pursue the dream she thought she’d left behind has finally come. Meanwhile, something about Santi, a new coworker at the print shop where she spends half of her days photocopying other performers’ headshots, starts to tug at the threads of her apathy. Nothing is simple, and soon Xiomara finds herself interacting with the ugliest sides of the industry and the powerful men that control it. While Xiomara grapples with the hard truth that sometimes the closer you are to your dreams, the further away from yourself you become, she is forced to ask herself if she has what it takes to build a new, shiny life without losing the truth of her old one.

This book is very much one of those slice-of-life books. We follow Xiomara, who is grieving her sister. Not only that, but she seems to be going nowhere. She works jobs just to get by, she doesn’t sing anymore, and her mother is just barely hanging on. They can’t afford their rent, and there is no money to go around. She is bitter, which makes sense. Then, things change or seem to. It seems like her dreams are finally going to come true.

Xiomara is a very real character. Her actions and reactions to certain things are very human and are very much things that we would do if we were in her situation. She is struggling with living in the past while trying to move forward. She is, essentially, in a rut. She feels like everyone is getting what they want, and she is not. Again, this is something that most, if not all, of us have felt at some point. We see our friends, neighbours, and family members achieving their dreams, while we just seem to be stuck. This book and Xiomara’s character are an honest look at how humans act. Yes, there are times that Xiomara does come across as very immature, but don’t we all when we don’t get what we want? Don’t all pout, sulk, and lash out when we think we have finally gotten the very thing that we have been working for, and it is all taken away from us in the blink of an eye? If you have ever felt this way about anything, then I think you will find Xiomara to be a very relatable character.

Not only is Xiomara very flawed and very human, but the side characters are as well. Now, we do only get to see them through her eyes, but we can see bits of ourselves and those around us in those characters. We have characters who have it all, but are just putting up a front. We see how we can interact with the same people every day and still not know them. We also see that what we think we want in life is not always what turns out to be. The book comes across as messy at times, but our characters are messy and flawed. The book showcases this and does it well.

Now, the ending of the book, I thought, was highly unrealistic. I do love a happy ending, but the way it happened is not how real life works. Xiomara ends up doing something, and it happens to be the thing that I work in. If you work in this field, then you will quickly be able to see that the author did not do her homework. Those who are not in the field may not pick up on it, but I can tell that is not how it works, and those who think that is how it works are out of their element. Please, when it comes to this field, do your homework. I know I am being vague, but I don’t want to spoil the ending.

Overall, a solid book and read. If you are looking for a book that captures the human element, then I highly recommend this one.

This book comes out on July 15, 2025.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/00wBb0Gq_h0

Natalie Guerrero's debut novel delivers a powerful, unflinching portrait of grief, ambition, and the messy journey toward self-discovery. Following Xiomara, a nearly thirty-year-old Afro-Latina woman reeling from her sister's death, this story redefines what it means to come of age when life has left you feeling perpetually behind. What struck me most was the exceptional pacing and tone—Guerrero expertly balances raw emotional intensity with quieter moments of reflection, creating a rhythm that mirrors grief's unpredictable nature while immersing readers in the vibrant world of Washington Heights.

Xiomara is a beautifully complex protagonist—flawed, sometimes infuriating, but utterly authentic. She's mean at times, makes self-destructive choices, and stumbles through life with an emotional immaturity that initially frustrated me, yet this is precisely what makes her so compelling. Her struggles aren't romanticized; instead, Guerrero presents an honest portrayal of someone drowning in grief while chasing a long-dormant dream of making it as a performer. The relationship between Xiomara and her tough but loving Puerto Rican mother emerges as one of the novel's strongest elements, while even her deceased sister Nena becomes a fully realized presence through memories that pulse with fierce sisterly love.

The novel doesn't shy away from difficult territory, particularly Xiomara's experiences with exploitation in the entertainment industry, written with painful authenticity. Guerrero skillfully weaves in the challenges faced by immigrant communities of color—the weight of expectations, financial struggles, and what it means to survive in an increasingly expensive world. These scenes are uncomfortable but serve the larger story of a woman learning to value herself beyond others' validation. I found myself simultaneously rooting for Xiomara and wanting to shake her, which speaks to Guerrero's skill in creating genuinely human characters.

While I was initially skeptical of the ending where opportunities seem to align almost magically for Xiomara, I ultimately embraced this choice. Sometimes good things do happen, and people deserve happy endings that don't require endless suffering to earn them. My Train Leaves at Three succeeds as both an intimate character study and a broader exploration of identity, family, and the courage required to rebuild after loss. This coming-of-age story acknowledges that self-discovery doesn't end in your twenties—sometimes it's just beginning, and I left feeling both satisfied and hopeful about Xiomara's journey.

Xiomara is struggling to find her place in the world after the death of her sister. Described as a coming of age story, but she's almost 30, which is a reflection of how behind she feels in life. She's sometimes mean, immature, and awkward, but she's real and relatable. She goes through some disturbing scenario, all in an effort to finally make it as a dancer. I enjoyed seeing the growing relationship she has with her Puerto Rican mother, tough but loving. The story is honest and raw and gives a realistic portrayal of life in Washington Heights and New York.

Very interesting story. I enjoyed it, and would recommend it to a friend. I enjoy the cover art as well, very cool

This was beautifully written and completely drew me in. I found myself both fighting with and for Xiomara. The way grief was portrayed truly captured how loss can sometimes swallow you whole. I loved reading how Xiomara came into her own—rising from rock bottom to become the kind of character you can’t help but root for.

A must-read! I would love to read how her journey continues.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

solid book!!! I had some issues connecting to our main character, but think that’s down to personal issues, as the story itself was great. I think the pacing for me was a little all over the place but honestly enjoyed my time with this book!

The main character is messy and immature and emotionally stunted, and makes enough mistakes and self-destructive decisions to fill three lifetimes, but she is real and honest in her messiness in the way anyone drowning in grief from the death of their sister would be. Her struggles as a Black Latina in upper Manhattan weren’t romanticized, and I found it relatable to a lot of the challenges that immigrant communities of color without generational wealth face in an ever exorbitantly expensive world. Also loved the extent of the characters’ development - they were fully fleshed out and complex and contain multitudes. Even posthumously I felt like I came to know Nena and the fierce love between her and Xiomara.

The ending of the book with Xiomara’s life suddenly and magically falling into place and her finding happiness, stability, and a deep sense of purpose through a coincidental networking connection feels quite idealistic and unrealistic…but you know what, I’m choosing to believe that people of color don’t always have to suffer to deserve a happy ending and to have things work out for them, and that sometimes, good things can just miraculously fall into our laps.

Some lines that hit me:

“No matter where I go, I always seem to be catching my breath. I worry I’ll never outrun myself. That after everything that’s happened, I’ll always have some great load of catching up to do.”

“I think that love must be tender when women do it together.”

“This is my mother, and I think if I stay right here, nothing can hurt me.”

“I hear the mundane melody of ending something that was never meant for me at all.”

“Spinning pure gold from a thick and brutal stack of hay.”

Thank you, Random House!

My Train Leaves at Three is a raw, emotionally resonant debut that blends grief, ambition, and identity into a vibrant, unflinching narrative. The story follows Xiomara, an Afro-Latina singer and actress grappling with the sudden death of her sister Nena. Rooted in Washington Heights and boxed in by family expectations, financial struggle, and years of emotional stagnation, Xiomara’s life teeters on the edge of collapse. She’s barely surviving—emotionally and economically—until a rare audition opportunity jolts her back to life.

Guerrero crafts a complex protagonist in Xiomara—brash, weary, and heartbreakingly human. Her internal journey is just as compelling as her external one: even as she chases a long-dormant dream in the cutthroat world of performance, she must navigate the murky waters of misogyny, self-worth, and what it means to honor both the past and the self she hopes to become. The arrival of Santi, a new co-worker with an unexpected softness, brings a glimmer of possibility, challenging Xiomara to open up to connection and reimagine what a fuller life might look like.

The novel shines in its depiction of the artistic grind and emotional toll of life on the margins. Through rich, evocative prose and sharp, often darkly humorous dialogue, My Train Leaves at Three paints a vivid portrait of loss and reinvention. It’s a coming-of-age story not of a teenager, but of a woman almost thirty, asking the hardest questions about who she is and what she’s willing to risk for the future she wants.

Ultimately, this is a story about holding space for grief while daring to hope—and it sticks with you, long after the final page.

4 stars

Guerrero expertly captures the angsty, creepy phase we all go through of trying to find ourselves, taking known risks just because we're feeling reckless, and dating maniacs. Xiomara is going through it, but it's to the great benefit of Guerrero's readers.

When Xiomara's sister dies, she understandably crashes out. Her financial situation is bleak, she's working unappealing jobs (especially for her age), and she has a clear dream but no sense of how to realize it without doing herself incredible harm in the process. Much of that harm comes in the form of being exploited by a man who has the power to make her professional goals come true and the money to keep her on the hook. Their interactions are just PAINFUL to read, increasingly so over time, and Guerrero writes this situation so realistically. I suspect many readers will relate to aspects of Xiomara's experiences and deeply wish they didn't.

While I enjoyed the read throughout, I especially appreciate the way things wrap up for Xiomara. This isn't a hopeless novel, and Xiomara is capable of growth. She also doesn't have to receive some outlandish prize or be borderline magical to change her circumstances. The whole time I read, I thought of folks I'd like to recommend this to so that they feel less alone and more seen as they chart their own bumpy courses.

I already look forward to more from Guerrero.

A nice quick read. It was nice to have a realistic ending where she did not get exactly what she wanted. I wish it had more Broadway behind the scenes for auditions.

I connected with this book and enjoyed reading it. Xiomara is utterly lost and a mess, in the best, most relatable way. She’s in her late 20s, dealing with grief, identity, and trust issues, all while navigating new experiences that feel both exciting and overwhelming. Like so many younger adults, she makes messy choices and has decisions forced on her, ones that left me hurt, confused, and reeling right alongside her.
I saw so much of myself in her, especially how she tries to carve out her path while carrying the weight of family and cultural expectations.
Natalie Guerrero captures that in-between space of not having it all figured out. It’s raw, emotional, and so real. Highly recommend if you're into stories about growth, identity, and learning to let go.

🚉 My Train Leaves at Three by Natalie Guerro — A Powerful Journey Through Grief, Identity, and Hope 🚉

I was approved for this book through NetGalley, and let me tell you—I devoured it in just two days. I couldn’t put it down. From the very first page, I was swept up into the world of Xiomara, a half-Dominican, half-Puerto Rican woman living in Washington Heights. As a fellow New Yorker, the familiar references, the essence of a Latina mom, and the raw portrayal of family struggles hit so close to home.

Xiomara is a train wreck—and I say that with all the love. She’s dealing with so much tragedy and trying to navigate a life that seems to be unraveling at every turn. She’s lost, she’s hurting, and she’s just trying to find her way back to herself after losing someone incredibly significant. The way Natalie Guerro writes her story is so real, so raw, and painfully relatable. I found myself rooting for her, aching for her, and completely wrapped up in her journey of self-discovery.

This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions—grief, hope, heartbreak, and resilience. I could feel every struggle, every bit of confusion, and every small victory that Xiomara experienced. And the representation? Beautifully done. It brought me right back to the heart of Washington Heights, capturing the culture, the community, and the grit of living in that space.

I’m giving this book a solid 4.5 stars because it was everything I wanted and more. If you’re looking for a story that’s unapologetically real and full of heart, this is it. Natalie Guerro delivered a powerful tale of identity, healing, and finding your way—even when life feels completely off track.

I enjoyed this book about an aspiring Broadway actress struggling to find herself again after her sister’s death. Xiomara is working two jobs to support herself and her mom while struggling with grief for her sister as well as her own life and where she thought she’d be by now. At times it was hard for me to understand some of her decisions, leading to my three star rating. Overall a good read with a rom com ending that satisfies.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group for providing the copy of My Train Leaves at Three by Natalie Guerrero.I don't think this book was for me though because my old person energy kept interfering! I was so frustrated with Xiomara and her life choices and I found myself yelling “no no don’t do that!” a number of times. Of course it was because I cared about her and I’m used to being asked for advice by young people, so kudos to Guerrero for creating a vivid character that I worried about. I think readers in their 20s and early 30s might be able to identify with Xiomara’s struggles and take note of her perseverance. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

A coming-of-age novel that tackles grief and sexuality as a young woman. This wasn't totally "up my alley" - it was a bit too heavy for me but I think it touches on important topics of growing up as a woman, and the struggles teens experience when growing up.