Let's Meet on Platform 8

With this book, Carole Matthews is now on my insta-buy list! I don't know how she does it, but she makes these characters so real and poignant that you don't want the book to end. And you don't want any of them to suffer, but they do in a realistic and sympathetic way. She easily could've created the lecherous husband or the pathetic "other woman." But those characters could easily be you or me. Will Ms. Matthews' write a follow up to this novel, especially with Teri's uh, unexpected ending? If she does, I'll be at my local store with my copy and my wallet in hand!

I received this book as a trade on bookcrossing.com and all I knew about it, was that it was "chick lit," one of my favorite genres. I could see how this book would offend some people. Two people meet, one of them is married, yet they continue to see each other. I was one of those people, but I chose to read it anyway. I feel that it's important, as a reader, to separate my personal feelings from the subject, and find a good story and writing within. I am happy to say that I did. Teri met Jamie on Platform 8 (in London) after falling down and having the insides of her briefcase scattered everywhere. As a true gentleman, he helped her up and even bought her some new stockings. Out of guilt and attraction, they shared a cab to their respective houses. He had yet to tell her that he was married, even though he knew that was something that should have been done. They continued to see each other every morning, she getting up earlier than usual to catch the train to work. After they had the "drink after work," she discovered his marital status, and of course was crushed. They had both developed feelings for each other, and they still kept meeting every morning. Pamela, Jamie's wife and a stay at home mom starts to notice that there is something funny going on, late nights, less attention paid to her, and decides to "fake an affair" to get Jamie back. Will her made up extra curricular love activites drive Jamie into Teri's arms, or will she get him back? Will she find something that she has been looking for in her staged affair? The ending may surprise you. I liked that even though the book disagreed with my morals, it kept me locked into the story, and I really wanted to know what happened. Of course I was rooting for the family to stay together because the characters of Jamie and Teri could be irritating and unlikeable. But, then again, it could be my emotions talking because I didn't like how they built their relationship on a lie. It was a little bit longer than it should have been, but it was well written, and went beyond the usual boy-meets-girl, boy-wants to-be-with-girl-even-though-boy-is-married story. Recommended!

This book has a really cute storyline, but really,how many guys would be gracious enough to want to be as helpful as Jamie is? Nevertheless,it is a good book,it is fun to see Jamie and Teri's evolving relationship,and in a way reminds me of Name and Address Witheld (another RDI book). It is basically the same storyline,with the innocent girl falling for the perfect in every way guy,except for the fact that he's married. Both end in very different ways though, but all I can say is that if you enjoyed Name and Address Witheld,then you will definitely enjoy Let's Meet on Platform 8 (maybe even more so)!

While rushing to catch the 6:07 from London on Platform 8, Jamie Duncan cannonballs through Teri Carter. Instead of continuing his mad dash, Jamie stops to help Teri by bandaging her scraped knee, giving her new stockings to replace the ones he ruined, allows her to place her feet on his lap, and finally takes her home. Teri thinks she has finally found a sensitive charming soulmate. However, Teri learns there is one obstacle to her having a permanent relationship with her dream. He is married to a nice woman. Though Jamie wonders if that is all there is, Teri has doubts about braking up a marriage although she believes he is Mr. Right. This is an interesting chick lit tale that stars several perceptive nice people stuck in a commuter triangle. The story line is terrific when it emphasizes relationships (the good, the bad, and the boring) to include that of Teri's best friend. The story slows down when the tale delves into the specifics of the commute as it seems to target Londoners. When the plot digs deep into the feelings of real people, LET'S MEET ON PLATFORM 8 is fabulous as the lead couple, his wife, and her pal make for a strong character study that provides multiple perspectives. Harriet Klausner