Derailed Hearts Book Review from N.N. Light's Book Heaven

This review for Derailed Hearts made my day!

"Derailed Hearts is a delightful contemporary romance which takes place on a train. Falling in love on a train is so romantic, especially when there is a sweet little girl playing matchmaker. What makes Derailed Hearts such a wonderful romance are the characters and the fact it’s forced proximity aka on a train. Ethan captured my heart from the opening scene with him talking on the phone with my matchmaking grandmother. He’s a single dad who’s dealing with a heartbreaking scenario with his young daughter. Tears formed in my eyes almost from the get-go. Jenn is also a tortured soul. My heart broke for her as well. The descriptive narration is also very emotional and tugged at my heartstrings. The setting is a train ride across Canada. Darlene Fredette nails the world-building and the train ride. It brought me back to when my husband and I took the train to the East Coast almost twenty years ago. The romance is slow-burn with some much emotion. I couldn’t read fast enough. One of my favorites in the series, Derailed Hearts will steal your heart."

My Rating: 5++ stars. Reviewed by Nancy.

Full review from N.N. Light's Book Heaven Substack

https://nnlightsbookheaven.substack.com/p/book-review-derailed-hearts-a-redford

Derailed Hearts - Word Search

My word search for Legacy Lies Loyalty was such a hit, I decided to create one for Derailed Hearts.

Put your search skills to the test and find the following words:

Derailed, Hearts, Railway, Scenic, Adventure, Mountains, Prairies, Ocean.

Derailed Hearts - Q & A

Grab a ticket and board the train!

A rare author's peek behind the story with Nana Marley's Q&A for Derailed Hearts.

Q: What inspired the idea for Derailed Hearts? 

A: I wanted to write a story that blended emotional depth with a sense of adventure. A cross Canada train ride felt like the perfect backdrop. Romantic, scenic, and full of possibility. Trains are the perfect romance setting with close quarters, gorgeous views, and absolutely nowhere to run when feelings show up uninvited. 

Q: This is your first book featuring a single parent. What drew you to that dynamic? 

A: I loved the idea of exploring love through the lens of someone who’s already carrying so much responsibility. It adds tenderness, vulnerability, and a different kind of courage to the journey. 

Q: There’s a touch of sign language in the story. Why include that? 

A: Like Jenn, I learned to sign the alphabet when I was younger, and it stayed with me. Adding that detail felt like a quiet, meaningful way to connect my own past to the characters. 

Q: Have you ever taken the train trip across Canada like your characters do?

A: Not yet, but it’s high on my bucket list. Until I can see the country from coast to coast myself, I’m living the dream through my characters. 

Q: What’s one thing or vibe you hope readers feel when they finish the book? 

A: A sense of warmth, hope, and maybe tempted to book a train ticket. Love and adventure make a pretty irresistible combination.

Praise for Derailed Hearts

Reviews are pouring in for Derailed Hearts!

Here's what NanasBookReviews had to say on Goodreads...

    Derailed Hearts by Darlene Fredette is the sixth book in the Redford Falls series.
    Ethan Marley is an ER doctor and a single father to his five-year-old daughter, Avery. Wanting a fresh start, he decides to move back to his hometown, Redford Falls. During their train journey, he meets a beautiful woman who instantly takes his breath away.

    Jenn Martini is a fashion designer traveling to the same destination to visit her father. The three of them end up spending a lot of time together during the ride, and their connection grows naturally. At first, Ethan only wants friendship, but that quickly changes. Seeing how wonderful Jenn is with Avery completely melts his heart. And of course… is Thumper about to work his magic again?

    This was such a beautiful story. It includes some of my favorite tropes: single father, close proximity, and a touch of insta-love. It’s a fast-paced romance that somehow doesn’t feel rushed at all. I really loved how the romance blends with the emotional healing two of the characters go through after their past struggles.

    The train scenes were especially cozy and heartfelt, almost like they were already a little family. And that scene near the end? It genuinely brought tears to my eyes. My favorite moment, though, was the one with Avery and Jenn in the forest… so soft and special.

    If you enjoy single-parent romances, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss.

Derailed Hearts - In The Beginning

It all starts with a rabbit and a wish…

Before the romance even gets rolling in Derailed Hearts, Ethan’s grandmother is already plotting—with the help of a rabbit. In the prologue, she has a very serious chat with Thumber, a mysterious bunny who may or may not have matchmaking powers. Her mission? Find her grandson a soulmate, preferably before he notices she’s meddling again.

It’s a delightfully chaotic kickoff that proves one thing...when Grandma and a magical rabbit team up, nobody’s love life is safe.

Derailed Hearts

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0GV3BRJJL

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0GV3BRJJL

Derailed Hearts Available Now

Derailed Hearts is now available on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0GV3BRJJL

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0GV3BRJJL

I'm beyond thrilled to have all seven books from my Redford Falls available to readers again.

More promotion for the full series will come soon, but until then, visit Amazon and grab a copy of Derailed Hearts, which takes a train ride through Canada from west to east coasts.

Derailed Hearts Excerpt

He let his gaze roam over the train.

A tall, slim woman stood inside, looking out the glass windows. She met his stare.

Ethan sucked in a breath.

Beautiful eyes stole his awareness. He could get lost in those eyes.

Her cheeks were flushed. He could warm those cheeks with the palm of his hand.

Her dark brown hair, curling above her shoulders, swayed. He suddenly wanted to slip his fingers through that hair.

Her lips glistened with pink lip gloss. He was tempted to kiss those lips.

She smiled.

Her gesture made him suck in another breath. Instinctively, he smiled back. A tugging on the hem of his jacket jolted his sanity. He shook his head and looped his scarf around his neck. What just happened?

He returned his attention to his daughter.

Avery pulled him toward a man walking a large dog.

Ethan glanced back over his shoulder toward the dome. The woman was gone.

Relief collided with disappointment. Had he imagined her? No. She was real. His erratic pulse confirmed the sighting. He hadn’t felt such an instantaneous attraction to a woman in…well, he couldn’t remember how long.

COPYRIGHT © DARLENE FREDETTE

Derailed Hearts - Cover Reveal

Derailed Hearts

A Redford Falls Story - Book 6

With a matchmaking grandmother and a mythical rabbit at work,

two hearts on a cross country train are destined to collide.

COMING SOON!

 (Previously published as Derailed Hearts 2022)