On the Book Train to Paris

by Norie Clarke

Could Paris be the place to turn a new page? The heartwarming and uplifting new novel from the author of The Library of Lost Love.
'All aboard the book train for Paris, filled to the brim with a fabulous story' Sue Moorcroft

Carly longs to make-over the family's Edinburgh bookshop, but her father is resisting change.
Upstairs, Fran is stumped by her next novel - and with how to fix her marriage.
In the flat below, Elsa cares for her husband, in need of a short breather to gather her strength.

So when a customer drops in and asks for help at his book festival on a train to Paris, it's the chance of a petit escape. And when a book mysteriously appears in the shop that Fran inscribed to a lover in Paris years ago, it seems too serendipitous to ignore. Boarding the train with Carly and Elsa, Fran wonders if revisiting her past will help her move forward.

But there are plot twists ahead. Could the book train to Paris be a passport to joie de vivre?

Readers ADORE On the Book Train to Paris

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'An absolute joy. I read this in one sitting because I simply didn't want to leave it'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A warm hug in book form. My perfect escape to Paris. The ultimate comfort read'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'I absolutely loved this book. Highly recommended'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A warm and totally enchanting read'

Praise for Norie Clarke's

'The warmest, most completely charming story to sink into' Jenny Colgan
'A wonderful tale proving change is always possible' Katie Fforde
'One of the sweetest love stories I've ever read' Sue Moorcroft

Genres: Chick Lit

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2026

Reviews

[Isabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes

A bookish journey worth taking.

((3.5 stars))

👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Women Bound by Family, Friendship and Books | 📖 Character-Driven Story | 🔗 Intertwined Lives | TRW: Dementia | 🌍​ Edinburgh and Paris

On the Book Train to Paris by Norie Clarke tells the story of three women whose lives are deeply intertwined, bound by family, friendship, and a shared love of books.

First, there’s Carly, who has just lost her job at a children’s literacy charity. Determined not to drift, she wants to help save her father’s struggling bookshop in Edinburgh but he stubbornly refuses her help. Then there’s her mother, Fran (short for Frances), a bestselling romance author who, despite her success, is completely stuck. Writer’s block has settled in, and with it, unanswered questions about her past. Finally, there’s Elsa, a long-time family friend who lives with in Fran’s house while caring for her husband, whose dementia is steadily reshaping their lives.

The story truly begins when an unexpected visitor arrives at the bookshop asking for help with a book festival train traveling from Edinburgh to Paris. Soon after, a mysterious book appears in the shop—one Fran inscribed to a lover in Paris many years ago. Coincidence or fate? When Fran, Carly, and Elsa board the train together, Fran can’t help but wonder whether revisiting her past might finally allow her to move forward.

Honestly, doesn’t that premise sound wonderful? A train full of authors, readers and bookish people heading to Paris feels like the ultimate bookish fantasy. This was my first Norie Clarke novel, and on paper, it had everything I normally adore: a unique and cozy premise, relatable and likable characters, a strong bookish theme, gentle emotional depth, and—of course—Paris. What’s not to love?

And yet… while I truly enjoyed reading it, something was missing. I can’t quite pinpoint what it was, only that I kept waiting for the story to fully sweep me off my feet. It was lovely, comforting, and charming but it didn’t quite wow me. I found myself hoping for just a little more emotional punch or actually something more to happen.

That said, this is a character-driven novel with a good pace and a thoughtful focus on growth, love, memory, reflection and finding yourself. The relationships between the women are tender and realistic, and the themes of caregiving, creative identity, and second chances are handled with care. One absolute highlight for me was the Paris guide at the end of the book, which allows readers to visit the locations mentioned in the story—a delightful and very on-theme bonus.

On the Book Train to Paris is a heartwarming, bookish journey filled with reflection, second chances, and a soft touch of Paris. A comforting, character-driven read that may not dazzle—but still leaves you smiling.

I kindly received this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Headline.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Whilst this isn't always a happy book, it is a comforting book, a hug in a book, and I loved pretty much everything about it.

It is a wonderful premise: a beautiful train journey full of authors, books, and readers, and full of love - what more can you ask for.

I did get a little confused at first because there's a lot of characters across the three POVs, and they crossover so that took me a little while to get on top of.

It is generally a happy, romantic, uplifting story, but it doesn't ignore the hardships in life: relationship troubles, unemployment, feeling lost and isolated, money problems, and ill health.

There is a plot and it's an intersting one but for me this is a character-driven story. We have three main POVs, all women of different ages, but they love each other and it's that love that connects the three of them.

It is relatively predictable but that's not necessarily a bad thing because it's the journey to get to that place that was interesting. Equally, it's nothing new, but again that's not bad. This is a comforting story, one to read when you don't want to think too much and just want to relax. It doesn't thrill; it comforts and holds your hand and leads you into the city of love.

It's very bookish, which obviously I liked. If you're a real bookworm you'll really enjoy this as it shows the importance of books, storytelling, and a creative life.

I loved the section set in the Shakespeare and Company bookshop in Paris, it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit, but even though I've ben to Paris a few times, I've never found it.

There's new love, old love, and lost love, family, friendship, adventure, peril, old memories, new memories, and opportunities. It's about growth, moving forward, finding yourself, reflection, and identity.

It's perfect reading for a long evening wanting to unwind with a heartwarming story.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title and synopsis of this book caught my attention and I knew it was a had-to-read book. However, it was just an okay read. It did not grab me and hold me captive until I had finished reading it. The characters are well developed and are pretty much what drives the storyline. There is no real wow factor. It is just a story of friendships between the women. Their three POVs is interesting and the way they truly care for each other is touching. I think the best way to describe this book is it is a comfortable read. There is no wow factor. But the journey through the pages will explore the influence of books and storytelling on our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Review for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Book Train to Paris is exactly the kind of novel that feels like a gentle exhale — warm, hopeful, and quietly brimming with the magic of second chances. From the cozy corners of an Edinburgh bookshop to the romantic hum of a train bound for Paris, this story celebrates the small, brave decisions that help us turn a new page in our lives.

Carly, Fran, and Elsa are three women at very different crossroads, yet their struggles feel wonderfully intertwined: a bookshop in need of fresh energy, a marriage fraying at the edges, and the exhaustion of caring for someone you love. Each woman is drawn with tenderness and authenticity, and their desire for a little escape feels instantly relatable.

The invitation to help with a book festival on a train to Paris arrives like a breath of fresh air — and the serendipitous reappearance of a long‑lost, inscribed book adds just the right touch of mystery. As the three women board the train, the novel shifts into something beautifully reflective. Paris becomes less a destination and more a catalyst: a place where past choices can be revisited, friendships can deepen, and long‑buried hopes can quietly resurface.

What I loved most is how uplifting the story feels without ever becoming saccharine. There are real emotions here — regret, longing, resilience — but they’re handled with a lightness that makes the journey feel restorative. The plot twists are gentle but satisfying, and the atmosphere is pure joie de vivre.

Heartwarming, bookish, and full of charm, On the Book Train to Paris is a delightful reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. A perfect read for anyone who loves character‑driven fiction, found connections, and a touch of Parisian sparkle.

My thanks to Norie Clarke, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young man enters a failing bookshop in Edinburgh and through him many lives are analysed, reawakened, and changed for the better. For all the passengers on the Book Train, it’s a voyage of self-discovery, digging deep to discover their purpose and finding direction.

The passengers and clients mingle and find themselves pampered by their grand surroundings on both the Scotsman and later their upmarket Paris hotel. It’s not just a novel of the Edinburgh library, books and authors, as each character has their own individual story, their desire to break loose from the past, but find their path for the future.

A strong theme runs throughput giving the characters confidence for a refreshed purpose in life and new relationships. An enjoyable train ride and anticipation of what awaits the passengers.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Book Train to Paris was a warm and totally enchanting read. The concept of travelling on a train and meeting authors/workshops is very cool. Told from three POV: Carly, who runs the book shop, her mother Fran, a romance author, and family friend Elsa, who is the caregiver to her husband and in need of some respite on their train journey to Paris. This is a character-driven novel with a perfect pace; it’s about growth, love, and reflection.

Bonus at the end of the book, Clarke has included a Reader’s Guide to Paris, which is a list of the tourist attractions the characters would see on their trip, less well-known places they visit and some attractions that she regrettably could not include in the book, but we can visit!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story told from the perspective of 3 women, Carly, Fran, and Elsa. Carly is working at the family bookstore in Edinburgh, trying to figure out what she wants to do next with her life. Fran is a famous romance author with writer's block, and Elsa is a close family friend who is caring for her husband, who is dealing with dementia. When a stranger comes into their bookstore and invites them to a book festival on a train to London, it might just be the fresh start that they all need.

I loved this story and the characters. I read this in almost one sitting. It was a fun romance, set mostly on a train to Paris with a fun group of characters. Carly, Fran, and Elsa were all looking for fresh starts when they participated in the book festival on the train to London. While on the train to Paris for the book festival, they meet new friends and old loves and come out with a fresh understanding of where they want their lives to go in the future.


Thanks to @headline, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.

[Afton Chaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest review and here we go.

this book was fine, it was very character driven and they were interesting but the dialog was very off putting for me. It happened a few times where one of the POVs would think something in their head and instead of just saying it to the others the author would say 'I explained' so and so situation to them. it felt more like her notes then true dialog.

There was also some moments where I felt like something was going to happen and it didn't. this really drove me away from the book and I had to drag myself back. it didn't catch me.

[Tami Jurgens · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a hot minute to get all the characters straight in my head but after that it was great. Nice to see different generations of characters.

[Lori Schwartz · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF.