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The sequel (that’s not a sequel) to The Midnight Library.
No one can change the past, but the Midnight Train can take you there. The chance to re-live the moments that meant most. To see what kind of person you really were.
For Wilbur his best days were with Maggie, the love of his life. On his honeymoon in Venice. Before he gave it all away. He wishes he could go back and live differently. But to do so risks everything . . .
A magical, time-travelling love story, from the world of The Midnight Library. (Goodreads Blurb)
Let’s dive right into this, I have a lot of issues with this book. Even Matt Haig says it’s a sequel, but not really a sequel to the midnight library. I really enjoyed the Midnight Library. I disagree wholeheartedly with reviewers who are saying if you liked the Midnight Library, you will love the Midnight Train.
The Midnight Library was dark and reflective. The Midnight Train is a borderline romantic rip off of the Christmas Carol. It’s not the dark, sci-fi of the library Haig previously created.
I think I hated the name, Wilbur, and every time that came up (which was a lot) I felt annoyed.
I never felt like I cared about Wilbur. I don’t feel like he did anything that interesting that I felt compelled to bother to care. Which is interesting because I love books and Wilbur was a book seller. You would think that would be an easy pull in for me, it just wasn’t.
I never got pulled in to this love story that one could say the entire story is reflecting on.
From the very beginning, I never had the buy in. Now that I think about it, if you can’t fall in love with the characters at the beginning, I’m not sure you will ever get pulled in. If you also don’t get pulled in with Wilbur, I wouldn’t bother continuing on.
This is a book I finished and I wished I wouldn’t have, because I don’t feel any better for it.
I do seem to be in the minority here, so maybe don’t take my word for it. It’s not that big of a book where you have that big of a commitment.
While writing this review and reflecting on the story, I’m actually downgrading my star rating from three stars to two stars. I feel bad because I really loved the Midnight Library. I purchased it so I can be on my shelf and it was so good. I wasn’t expecting a sequel, much less ‘this’ to be the sequel.
Stats: 304 pages – Expected publication May 26, 2026
**Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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