Field Notes on Love

Hugo needs to use his train tickets for a cross-country journey, but there's a problem - they're booked under his ex-girlfriend's name, Margaret Campbell. He posts an ad seeking another Margaret Campbell to take the trip with him to avoid wasting the non-refundable tickets. Mae, an aspiring filmmaker from New York, sees Hugo's unusual request and decides to answer the ad, taking on the identity of Margaret Campbell. The two strangers agree to travel together on a train journey from New York to California, documenting their experiences along the way. During their rail adventure across America, Hugo and Mae discover new perspectives about their lives, careers, and what they want for their futures. Mae works on a film project while Hugo grapples with decisions about college and his identity beyond being a sextuplet. The novel explores themes of serendipity, self-discovery, and the transformative power of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Through its cross-country setting, the story examines how physical journeys can mirror internal growth and change.

Readers call this a light, feel-good romance that moves quickly but lacks depth. Many praise the train journey setting and chemistry between Mae and Hugo, with several reviews noting the authentic dialogue between the main characters. The dual perspectives and British-American cultural differences add interest. Likes: - Realistic portrayal of young love and self-discovery - Strong family relationships, especially Hugo's bond with his siblings - Mae's passion for filmmaking feels authentic Dislikes: - Plot relies heavily on coincidence - Secondary characters need more development - Some find the premise unrealistic - Romance moves too quickly for some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (230+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (40+ ratings) One reader summarized it as "sweet but forgettable," while another called it "the perfect escape read with just enough substance to make you care about the characters."

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🌟 Like the main character Hugo, Jennifer E. Smith has personal experience with train travel across America, having taken a similar journey that inspired parts of the book. 🚂 Amtrak's Empire Builder route, featured in the novel, is one of America's most scenic train journeys, covering 2,200 miles between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest. 💝 The author wrote the first draft of the book in just six weeks, which is unusually fast compared to her typical writing process. 🎬 Warner Brothers optioned the film rights to "Field Notes on Love" with Dove Cameron and Jordan Fisher attached to star. 📝 The book's unique premise was inspired by a real news story about a person trying to find someone with a specific name to use their ex's non-transferable travel tickets.