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Meet Me on Platform 3
Two people. One journey…
Millie loves her city life, her city friends and writing her true(ish) confessions column – but she’s starting to wonder if the grass really is greener on the other side, or if her heart really belongs back in Northumberland, with her mum who is struggling after the death of Millie’s dad.
Joe is happy doing what he does, writing games. He could do it anywhere, but since leaving home he’s lived believing that looking back means you’ve failed, and life is about taking chances and seeing the world.
So when the two meet up surely it can never work, their lives are moving in opposite directions. On different tracks…
Millie loves her city life, her city friends and writing her true(ish) confessions column – but she’s starting to wonder if the grass really is greener on the other side, or if her heart really belongs back in Northumberland, with her mum who is struggling after the death of Millie’s dad.
Joe is happy doing what he does, writing games. He could do it anywhere, but since leaving home he’s lived believing that looking back means you’ve failed, and life is about taking chances and seeing the world.
So when the two meet up surely it can never work, their lives are moving in opposite directions. On different tracks…
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2022
67 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Zara Stoneley
34 books346 followersZara Stoneley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Date.
Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years, and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true.
She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.
Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.
Zara’s bestselling novels include 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.
Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years, and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true.
She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.
Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.
Zara’s bestselling novels include 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 29, 2022
I’m going to be honest and say that the mention of Northumberland in the description was the main reason I gave this book a go (I’m from the north east but don’t currently live there and I guess I was just feeling a little homesick).
This follows Millie and Joe, 2 northerners who live in London, who have a few coincidental meetings at Kings Cross before Millie starts writing about their encounters for her column, and they start intentionally using the commute to get to know each other.
I just found the whole thing a bit bland. It’s very sweet but almost sickeningly so. The main thing that I think put me off is that the characters have very similar personalities which in the end made me feel like I was reading the same thing twice. One character would agonise over something and the other would spend the next chapter doing the same and I just got bored.
This follows Millie and Joe, 2 northerners who live in London, who have a few coincidental meetings at Kings Cross before Millie starts writing about their encounters for her column, and they start intentionally using the commute to get to know each other.
I just found the whole thing a bit bland. It’s very sweet but almost sickeningly so. The main thing that I think put me off is that the characters have very similar personalities which in the end made me feel like I was reading the same thing twice. One character would agonise over something and the other would spend the next chapter doing the same and I just got bored.
August 30, 2022
This was a lovely boy-meets-girl story and I fell in love with both protagonists. Stoneley’s narrative is heart-warming and it felt like Millie was talking directly to the reader with her confessions of her feelings for Joe.
If you are after a romance story, this one has it all. It is such a meet-cute between Joe and Millie: raining in London, busy at the station and then their worlds collide. What I particularly liked was the uncertainty of their relationship developing when they were merely passing through the station for their respective journeys. Millie is incredibly conscious of the slim chances of meeting her ‘train-guy’ again, especially as her boss has jumped on this meeting as an opportunity to expand on in Millie’s weekly columns. Using this encounter with Joe means Millie can perhaps get recognised for her writing at long last, but how can she product the goods when her train-guy is nowhere to be found?
I liked how Stoneley switches the narrative to Joe’s perspective as this meant the story wasn’t all about Millie and her feelings. Furthermore, I enjoyed how Joe exposes a vulnerable side to his character, making him more believable and realistic. It felt refreshing to read how Joe doesn’t feel completely confident in his connection with Millie and I felt invested in his wishes for a happy ever after. As Joe wears his emotions on his sleeve, I could understand why he fears being hurt by Millie, especially when he discovers what she is writing about.
The lack of certainty about this couple helps to drive the narrative forwards and I found myself impatient for the characters to cross paths again. Add in the many miles between the two and it felt like an impossible task. I could not foresee how Stoneley would develop the narrative and even though I expected a happy ever after, I was unsure how this would be achieved when miles and emotions seem to drive Millie and Joe apart. They appear the perfect couple, but could circumstances alter their fate?
Although I have read many romance novels, this felt different and interesting. It definitely helped that I liked Joe and Millie so much, cheering them on to belong together. It is such a romantic tale of two people developing a connection whilst on a lengthy train journey, yet never knowing when they could meet again. In my opinion, this is what would make such a good film, especially as Millie is such an entertaining character.
There are highs and lows in this story as we are taken on a journey very similar to Millie and Joe. It was a great read from Stoneley and one that left me feeling very satisfied afterwards. Who knew travelling by train could be so rewarding?!
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you are after a romance story, this one has it all. It is such a meet-cute between Joe and Millie: raining in London, busy at the station and then their worlds collide. What I particularly liked was the uncertainty of their relationship developing when they were merely passing through the station for their respective journeys. Millie is incredibly conscious of the slim chances of meeting her ‘train-guy’ again, especially as her boss has jumped on this meeting as an opportunity to expand on in Millie’s weekly columns. Using this encounter with Joe means Millie can perhaps get recognised for her writing at long last, but how can she product the goods when her train-guy is nowhere to be found?
I liked how Stoneley switches the narrative to Joe’s perspective as this meant the story wasn’t all about Millie and her feelings. Furthermore, I enjoyed how Joe exposes a vulnerable side to his character, making him more believable and realistic. It felt refreshing to read how Joe doesn’t feel completely confident in his connection with Millie and I felt invested in his wishes for a happy ever after. As Joe wears his emotions on his sleeve, I could understand why he fears being hurt by Millie, especially when he discovers what she is writing about.
The lack of certainty about this couple helps to drive the narrative forwards and I found myself impatient for the characters to cross paths again. Add in the many miles between the two and it felt like an impossible task. I could not foresee how Stoneley would develop the narrative and even though I expected a happy ever after, I was unsure how this would be achieved when miles and emotions seem to drive Millie and Joe apart. They appear the perfect couple, but could circumstances alter their fate?
Although I have read many romance novels, this felt different and interesting. It definitely helped that I liked Joe and Millie so much, cheering them on to belong together. It is such a romantic tale of two people developing a connection whilst on a lengthy train journey, yet never knowing when they could meet again. In my opinion, this is what would make such a good film, especially as Millie is such an entertaining character.
There are highs and lows in this story as we are taken on a journey very similar to Millie and Joe. It was a great read from Stoneley and one that left me feeling very satisfied afterwards. Who knew travelling by train could be so rewarding?!
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2022
Zara Stoneley is back to her witty best, in this light hearted rom com that had me giggling and smiling throughout.
It's a will they-won't they sort of a story, after a fabulous meet cute between Millie and Joe at King's Cross Station, we have no idea if or when they may meet again. And they have no idea if the initial attraction they felt is reciprocated. As a reader we do as we have chapters from both perspectives.
Millie is a journalist and has a "confessions of" column and one of my highlights of this novel was any time we saw her latest column. They were brilliantly funny and she had a way of describing a situation to a tee without giving up too many intimate details.
Filled with likeable and believable characters, and situations that I could easily see could happen, this is just a lot of fun. I loved it and it certainly is a great way to liven up a long train journey.
Very entertaining, I really had a great time reading this.
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
October 26, 2022
I enjoyed this British, dual POV romance between two strangers who meet on a train platform and have to find their way back to one another. Millie and Joe keep bumping into one another as they travel from the city to their families in the country. Along the way they start to develop a strong connection but Joe doesn't realize the whole time Millie has been using their encounter as fodder for her online columns. Good on audio and steamier than I was expecting for a British romance. I would have liked a little more interaction between the couple themselves though, they tended to spend a lot of time apart or talking to friends/family members about one another.
April 23, 2023
Cover: Whimsical and cute, I like it.
Another book from Zara Stoneley—I read and appreciated Hot Desk when it first came out—another romantic comedy 😀
Let’s preface this by saying that Meet Me on Platform 3 captivated me a little less than Hot Desk, probably because of the premise: a chance meeting between Millie and a mysterious, handsome guy leads to big changes in Millie’s life. Not that a basic premise is wrong, per se, and the plot is funny and upbeat. I like the interactions between Millie and Carla, just as much as the relationship she has with her mom. Stoneley is good at handling subplots with secondary characters!
First pov again, both Millie and Joe’s, but this time the I syndrome is rather prevalent, and the flows suffers because of it. On the other hand, the stream of consciousness that comes with this pov is a bit subdued, leaving more space for actions and dialogues. Well-done.
Grammar and syntax, well. Meet Me on Platform 3 doesn’t work out for me at all under that aspect. Unnecessary capitalizations to emphasize words, brackets to expand concepts, and chatspeak just cheapen a story.
3 stars on GR.
[Want more? Check out Bookshelves & Teacups]
Another book from Zara Stoneley—I read and appreciated Hot Desk when it first came out—another romantic comedy 😀
Let’s preface this by saying that Meet Me on Platform 3 captivated me a little less than Hot Desk, probably because of the premise: a chance meeting between Millie and a mysterious, handsome guy leads to big changes in Millie’s life. Not that a basic premise is wrong, per se, and the plot is funny and upbeat. I like the interactions between Millie and Carla, just as much as the relationship she has with her mom. Stoneley is good at handling subplots with secondary characters!
First pov again, both Millie and Joe’s, but this time the I syndrome is rather prevalent, and the flows suffers because of it. On the other hand, the stream of consciousness that comes with this pov is a bit subdued, leaving more space for actions and dialogues. Well-done.
Grammar and syntax, well. Meet Me on Platform 3 doesn’t work out for me at all under that aspect. Unnecessary capitalizations to emphasize words, brackets to expand concepts, and chatspeak just cheapen a story.
3 stars on GR.
[Want more? Check out Bookshelves & Teacups]
September 22, 2022
I liked the concept of this book. A chance meeting in a train station, instant chemistry between the characters, not exchanging details and then hoping to meet again on the platform.
It is a sweet book, but it wasn't for me. I missed the tension. I missed banter between the characters.
If you like romances that slowly unfold, this might be for you.
It is a sweet book, but it wasn't for me. I missed the tension. I missed banter between the characters.
If you like romances that slowly unfold, this might be for you.
December 27, 2022
Enjoyable but didn’t blow me away. Funny but not laugh out loud. Heart warming and romantic but formulaic and predictable. The characters are likeable and the changing point of view story telling is easy to follow. A pleasant read but unlikely to be a repeat read.
Thank you Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley
August 28, 2022
I am a massive fan of Zara Stoneley and this book just swept me up and carried me away.
When Millie & Joe meet in the pouring rain, you have no idea where the story is headed. Millie is a fun character with a love of life and a tendency to over share. Whereas Joe is a bit more serious and likes to keep his business to himself whilst balancing helping his parents and his job in London.
I love a book that I pick up and don't want to put down and this story captured me early on and encouraged me to just keep reading. I loved the dynamics of the characters and the way the story was based around a chance meeting on Platform 3.
If you haven't already, grab a copy!
When Millie & Joe meet in the pouring rain, you have no idea where the story is headed. Millie is a fun character with a love of life and a tendency to over share. Whereas Joe is a bit more serious and likes to keep his business to himself whilst balancing helping his parents and his job in London.
I love a book that I pick up and don't want to put down and this story captured me early on and encouraged me to just keep reading. I loved the dynamics of the characters and the way the story was based around a chance meeting on Platform 3.
If you haven't already, grab a copy!
September 2, 2022
Thank you @rararesources and @Zarastoneley for letting me part of this tour and reviewing this book. You can purchase meet me on platform 3 from Amazon Meet me on the platform 3 is Romcom. Millie made me laugh and she is very Dixie which reminds me of me. I am very like Millie falling over snd toulet tissue on her foot. Millie writes on column about her life and she than comes across this gorgeous man at the train station platform 3 called Joe and they both have the hots for each orher but dont reslise untill they both purposely try to run into each other in the train station. The story did make me smile snd Zara Stonley writing style is easy to get into. This is a lovely love story snd it was nice to see Millie and Joe develop through the book. 4 stars if you love romcoms you will love this book.
September 3, 2022
A brilliant lighthearted will they- won’t they story about Joe and Millie. Zara Stoneley writes such realistic and engaging characters and I immediately fell for both Millie and Joe as they struggled to find their place in the big smoke. The slow build of their relationship was the perfect story and I loved the setting of the station and trains for their fledgling romance. Millie was a fun glass half full character for sure and although struggling with her own emotions I loved how she worked through what she wanted in life. A great story to escape in.
September 11, 2022
Must haves for a romcom - a meet cute, a misunderstanding, a happy ending. These are my basics in a book to fall in love with and Meet Me on Platform 3 has them all and much more!
Millie and Joe are such sweethearts, I loved their chemistry and seeing the story from both their viewpoints.
The column that Millie writes was really funny, to be honest I'd love to read the book that Millie writes!
It had all the makings and the warmth of a Hallmark special and I could easily see this made into a movie!
Millie and Joe are such sweethearts, I loved their chemistry and seeing the story from both their viewpoints.
The column that Millie writes was really funny, to be honest I'd love to read the book that Millie writes!
It had all the makings and the warmth of a Hallmark special and I could easily see this made into a movie!
July 22, 2022
A good concept, and one I enjoyed.
Fun and interesting.
I thought having both characters in the 1st person was a little odd, and potentially a bit repetitive. It can be more interesting when you don't know how the other one is thinking.
Easy enough read.
Fun and interesting.
I thought having both characters in the 1st person was a little odd, and potentially a bit repetitive. It can be more interesting when you don't know how the other one is thinking.
Easy enough read.
July 23, 2022
This was cute but it was missing something. I think it should have been a little bit longer so that we could get a proper conclusion. I don't feel as though we have an actual solution to their conundrum and I would like one.
I received an arc through netgalley.
I received an arc through netgalley.
October 27, 2024
Great, easy read, especially on the train home. Didn't find Joe on the train either.
September 1, 2022
Easy to read romantic novel. Keeps enticing you to keep reading to find out what happens next. A story of loss and finding out what is important to you in life. It is written from the perspective of the two central characters, which although covers some of the same ground, works well in my opinion. It shares the thoughts and emotions of both characters as they get to know one another. I would recommend if you want something that isn't too challenging.
September 6, 2022
I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.
This book is actually book 9 from the ‘Zara Stoneley Romantic Comedy Collection’
Meet Me On Platform 3 is a wonderful rom com that had me laughing along with it and made my heart happy.
The characters, Millie and Joe were very real and down to earth and I can imagine their story happening for real!
Millie is the fun one and Joe is a bit more serious but between them it seems to work!
A wonderful, easy read and I found myself quickly turning the pages to find out what happens next!
This was a fun, light read and a perfect little rom com…..
This book is actually book 9 from the ‘Zara Stoneley Romantic Comedy Collection’
Meet Me On Platform 3 is a wonderful rom com that had me laughing along with it and made my heart happy.
The characters, Millie and Joe were very real and down to earth and I can imagine their story happening for real!
Millie is the fun one and Joe is a bit more serious but between them it seems to work!
A wonderful, easy read and I found myself quickly turning the pages to find out what happens next!
This was a fun, light read and a perfect little rom com…..
August 23, 2022
This was a light hearted romance which I flew through. I was rooting for Millie and Joe from the beginning. I loved how the story developed throughout and it was a lovely ending. I recommend this one to romance fans
November 15, 2022
ZARA STONELEY: MEET ME ON PLATFORM 3.
THE PLOT:
Two people. One chance meeting. Two lives heading In different directions. Can it ever work?
MY THOUGHTS: I’ve read a few books by Zara Stoneley, and I have to say I have enjoyed them all immensely.
Meet Me On Platform 3 is a sweet love story. Millie and Joe are well written and likeable characters, who I desperately wanted to find their happily ever afters.
This is of course a love story, but the story is so much more, and has real depth.
Zara Stoneley writes with fluid ease. The words bounce off the page.
Over all, this is a delightful read, full of warmth and some great humour.
A solid story, that will melt your heart and leave you full of all the feels.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out now on all formats.
LINK TO BUY: Meet Me on Platform 3: The brand new uplifting and romantic romcom of summer 2022!: Book 9 (The Zara Stoneley Romantic Comedy Collection) https://amzn.eu/d/en9S5Mu
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Uk One More Chapter for a digital arc of this title.
THE PLOT:
Two people. One chance meeting. Two lives heading In different directions. Can it ever work?
MY THOUGHTS: I’ve read a few books by Zara Stoneley, and I have to say I have enjoyed them all immensely.
Meet Me On Platform 3 is a sweet love story. Millie and Joe are well written and likeable characters, who I desperately wanted to find their happily ever afters.
This is of course a love story, but the story is so much more, and has real depth.
Zara Stoneley writes with fluid ease. The words bounce off the page.
Over all, this is a delightful read, full of warmth and some great humour.
A solid story, that will melt your heart and leave you full of all the feels.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out now on all formats.
LINK TO BUY: Meet Me on Platform 3: The brand new uplifting and romantic romcom of summer 2022!: Book 9 (The Zara Stoneley Romantic Comedy Collection) https://amzn.eu/d/en9S5Mu
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Uk One More Chapter for a digital arc of this title.
July 18, 2022
I really tried my best with Meet Me on Platform 3, but unfortunately it wasn’t my cup of tea. I struggled a lot to get through some chapters that almost only contained train of thoughts that weren’t driving the plot. The pacing was too slow for me and the dialogues felt repetitive and off. Some of the dialogues just didn’t seem to go anywhere, but that’s probably because Meet Me on Platform 3 wanted to address too many issues. It had some interesting ideas (such as sharing everything online versus keeping things private, changing family dynamics due to loss, finding your way in work and life) but the execution didn’t match the potential.
But seeing other readers’ raving reviews, I guess I’m the odd one out.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
But seeing other readers’ raving reviews, I guess I’m the odd one out.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2022
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC to review.
I wanted to like this based on the summary. There was a huge potential for some great character development. However, by 13% in I was wondering if I would finish it. I found myself skimming just to get through some parts because it felt so slow and repetitive. The main characters’ voices felt too similar to distinguish between. I’m giving it 2 stars because I did manage to make it through and didn’t absolutely hate it, but I can’t even remember the character names 3 days after finishing the book.
I wanted to like this based on the summary. There was a huge potential for some great character development. However, by 13% in I was wondering if I would finish it. I found myself skimming just to get through some parts because it felt so slow and repetitive. The main characters’ voices felt too similar to distinguish between. I’m giving it 2 stars because I did manage to make it through and didn’t absolutely hate it, but I can’t even remember the character names 3 days after finishing the book.
August 31, 2022
Pleasant and sweet, but very slow and repetitive. This could have been so brilliant but the execution didn’t live up to the promise of the premise.
I found it difficult to like Millie - not only for her treatment of Joe but also of her mother. It was as if she felt her mourning for her father was more important than that of her mother for her husband.
I found it difficult to like Millie - not only for her treatment of Joe but also of her mother. It was as if she felt her mourning for her father was more important than that of her mother for her husband.
September 30, 2022
This book was hard to finish. I really liked the potential it had, but everything just felt a bit too much. There was a lot of internal rambling and after a while it just got tedious. Overall, even though I had been so excited about this, I'm sad to say that this was a bit of a miss.
Thank you to the publisher for kindly providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for kindly providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 30, 2022
Can love be found as easy as in a station?
Millie has always wanted to live in London, and is happy that she finally is. She loves her city friends, her city life and her city job as writing confessions columns. But as her career isn’t taking off as she imagined, she starts wondering where ‘home’ truly is. Is it in London, or is it still in Northumberland, where her mother still lives? When going back to visit her mother, one day she literally clashes with Joe in King’s Cross Station. And Millie seems unable to forget her ‘Train – guy’, who becomes her inspiration for her weekly columns. But Joe doesn’t know that Millie is writing about him, and the last thing he wants, is to be in the spotlights. While he loves going back home ‘up North’, he feels his future lays in London. And going back home is a sign of failure, right? With their first meeting being so random, what are the odds Millie and Joe will meet again? And if they do, will it appear that the initial attraction was just a figment of imagination? Or even worse, just being one – sided?
Oooooh, Zara Stoneley surely knows how to captivate her readers! And the way this book starts, is just perfect! While taking public transportations, haven’t we all seen someone who caught our attention, and haven’t we all secretly hoped that once we caught his/her eyes it would be the start of an amazing romance? And exactly how often does that happen in real life? Exactly, almost never! So what if it would happen?
But what I liked about this book, was not how immediately the romance started, but how it was a game of ‘will they – won’t they’. Millie knows that meeting her Train Guy is nearly impossible, as what if he were there just by sheer accident? What if he normally takes the train on another day, or was just in London for one day? So I loved how she remained hopeful that somehow she would see her guy again. And that is only one of the things I liked about Millie.
While I don’t approve of writing about your personal stuff all over the place, I could understand that Millie just had to do it for her job. And I appreciated how she kept tings vague, so that not everyone would know who she was taking about. I also had so much fun how she used her bumping into Joe as an inspiration and while writing her column used her imagination to exaggerate a little bit.
It saddened me a little bit although, to read how Millie seems to have it all in London, but yet has doubts about where here ‘real home’ is. Realizing that reality doesn’t match with your dream is a bitter pill to swallow…
And then there is Joe, who is going through the exact opposite… He feels his future lays in London, but he isn’t ready to ‘abandon’ his parents and his sister, who still rely on him. While Millie is a real extravert, and on the verge of ‘oversharing’ (hmmm, makes me think of someone who looks like me 😊), Joe is rather introvert, and doesn’t want everyone to know his business.
With being at so different points in their lives, and wanting to know how and when they would meet again, made me turn page after page. Their second meeting was both hilarious as sweet. I can never think of a red scarf without thinking of Joe! 😊
It truly warmed my heart on these warm summer days seeing how Millie and Joe are meeting more and growing closer and realize that sometimes one clash can make you find love. But as we read both point of views, we know that they are both also struggling with their blooming relationship. Can Joe live with the fact that his dates with Millie will be known to her readers? And what about Millie starting to feel restless in London?
I truly enjoyed reading this book from start till end. It made me smile, laugh out loud, swoon, some bits made me a little bit sad. But I found it also nearly impossible to put it down! Zara Stoneley wrote a book that almost made me want to walk to my nearest train station in the rain, hoping to clash with my own Train Guy!
Millie has always wanted to live in London, and is happy that she finally is. She loves her city friends, her city life and her city job as writing confessions columns. But as her career isn’t taking off as she imagined, she starts wondering where ‘home’ truly is. Is it in London, or is it still in Northumberland, where her mother still lives? When going back to visit her mother, one day she literally clashes with Joe in King’s Cross Station. And Millie seems unable to forget her ‘Train – guy’, who becomes her inspiration for her weekly columns. But Joe doesn’t know that Millie is writing about him, and the last thing he wants, is to be in the spotlights. While he loves going back home ‘up North’, he feels his future lays in London. And going back home is a sign of failure, right? With their first meeting being so random, what are the odds Millie and Joe will meet again? And if they do, will it appear that the initial attraction was just a figment of imagination? Or even worse, just being one – sided?
Oooooh, Zara Stoneley surely knows how to captivate her readers! And the way this book starts, is just perfect! While taking public transportations, haven’t we all seen someone who caught our attention, and haven’t we all secretly hoped that once we caught his/her eyes it would be the start of an amazing romance? And exactly how often does that happen in real life? Exactly, almost never! So what if it would happen?
But what I liked about this book, was not how immediately the romance started, but how it was a game of ‘will they – won’t they’. Millie knows that meeting her Train Guy is nearly impossible, as what if he were there just by sheer accident? What if he normally takes the train on another day, or was just in London for one day? So I loved how she remained hopeful that somehow she would see her guy again. And that is only one of the things I liked about Millie.
While I don’t approve of writing about your personal stuff all over the place, I could understand that Millie just had to do it for her job. And I appreciated how she kept tings vague, so that not everyone would know who she was taking about. I also had so much fun how she used her bumping into Joe as an inspiration and while writing her column used her imagination to exaggerate a little bit.
It saddened me a little bit although, to read how Millie seems to have it all in London, but yet has doubts about where here ‘real home’ is. Realizing that reality doesn’t match with your dream is a bitter pill to swallow…
And then there is Joe, who is going through the exact opposite… He feels his future lays in London, but he isn’t ready to ‘abandon’ his parents and his sister, who still rely on him. While Millie is a real extravert, and on the verge of ‘oversharing’ (hmmm, makes me think of someone who looks like me 😊), Joe is rather introvert, and doesn’t want everyone to know his business.
With being at so different points in their lives, and wanting to know how and when they would meet again, made me turn page after page. Their second meeting was both hilarious as sweet. I can never think of a red scarf without thinking of Joe! 😊
It truly warmed my heart on these warm summer days seeing how Millie and Joe are meeting more and growing closer and realize that sometimes one clash can make you find love. But as we read both point of views, we know that they are both also struggling with their blooming relationship. Can Joe live with the fact that his dates with Millie will be known to her readers? And what about Millie starting to feel restless in London?
I truly enjoyed reading this book from start till end. It made me smile, laugh out loud, swoon, some bits made me a little bit sad. But I found it also nearly impossible to put it down! Zara Stoneley wrote a book that almost made me want to walk to my nearest train station in the rain, hoping to clash with my own Train Guy!
September 3, 2022
I have been a fan of Zara's work for a while. I have been eagerly trying to catch up with her earlier work whilst at the same time keeping pace with her new releases. When I read the synopsis for 'Meet Me On Platform 3' I knew that it sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Zara- a feisty and fun romantic comedy. Well it was certainly all that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Meet Me On Platform 3' but more about that in a bit.
As soon as I started reading, I had an inkling that I wouldn't be putting the book down any time soon. I started chuckling away to myself at the beginning and I kept chuckling all the way through the story. I had originally picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and a couple of hours later. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. I had warmed to the two main characters so well that they began to feel more like friends rather than characters in a book. I hope that makes sense. I had to keep reading to see how the story panned out for them and whether or not they both got the happy ever after ending that they so deserved. I soon got to the end of 'Meet Me On Platform 3'. I found 'Meet Me On Platform 3' to be a delight to read and the true definition of an unputdownable page turner of a read.
'Meet Me On Platform 3' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing else from Zara Stoneley. Zara has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Zara's books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Zara has a way of creating loveable characters who you can't help but take into your hearts. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout. The story is divided up into chapters which are written from the point of view of the main characters. This way of telling the tale works really well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. I love the way in which Zara makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. As I alluded to earlier on in my review, this was one of those books that made me giggle continuously and left me feeling as though I had had a 'hug from a mug of hot chocolate' in the sense that the story left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
In short, I totally and utterly adored reading 'Meet Me On Platform 3' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Zara's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
As soon as I started reading, I had an inkling that I wouldn't be putting the book down any time soon. I started chuckling away to myself at the beginning and I kept chuckling all the way through the story. I had originally picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and a couple of hours later. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. I had warmed to the two main characters so well that they began to feel more like friends rather than characters in a book. I hope that makes sense. I had to keep reading to see how the story panned out for them and whether or not they both got the happy ever after ending that they so deserved. I soon got to the end of 'Meet Me On Platform 3'. I found 'Meet Me On Platform 3' to be a delight to read and the true definition of an unputdownable page turner of a read.
'Meet Me On Platform 3' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing else from Zara Stoneley. Zara has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Zara's books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Zara has a way of creating loveable characters who you can't help but take into your hearts. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout. The story is divided up into chapters which are written from the point of view of the main characters. This way of telling the tale works really well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. I love the way in which Zara makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. As I alluded to earlier on in my review, this was one of those books that made me giggle continuously and left me feeling as though I had had a 'hug from a mug of hot chocolate' in the sense that the story left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
In short, I totally and utterly adored reading 'Meet Me On Platform 3' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Zara's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
November 11, 2022
4.5 Stars
Meet Me on Platform 3 was such a sweet story. I fell for these characters in the same way they fell for each other. Do you ever bump into someone in the street and then picture your entire life with them and then they’re gone? If yes, then read this book.
Mille is a writer for a confessions column, living in London, but she starts to wonder whether she would prefer to live her life back home in Northumberland. Joe writes games and works for a company that send him to different companies for certain periods of time. At the beginning of this book, he is based in London but commutes home to Northumberland on Thursday evenings. Millie travels home a day early (on a Thursday evening) to spend the time with her mum who is struggling with the death of Millie’s dad. On her way into the station, she almost gets drenched by a man and his umbrella, and when she looks up to meet him, he is the most gorgeous man she has seen. And yes, it is Joe!
‘Well, whatever you decide, decide what’s best for you, Millie. But remember to take care of your heart as well as your head.’
From this chance encounter brews an adorable romance, where both parties search the station for the following two weeks to try and bump into one another again. Eventually, it happens and they grow closer on their weekly commutes up North. Millie has been struggling to write an article her boss loves, until she writes about her first encounter with Joe. Her boss and their readers love this story and are glued to the column for the next updates. The only issue is Joe is a very private person and is unaware that the moments he thought private are being shared nationally.
‘Home can be anywhere if you’re with the person you love. Where they are is where you’re meant to be.’
I honestly couldn’t put this book down as I was desperate for these two to get their happy ever after. They went through their share of their ups and downs and I was rooting for them to figure out how they could be together and still live the lives they wanted to. Overall, this was such a cute romance and I really enjoyed it!
*Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and OneMoreChapter for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Meet Me on Platform 3 was such a sweet story. I fell for these characters in the same way they fell for each other. Do you ever bump into someone in the street and then picture your entire life with them and then they’re gone? If yes, then read this book.
Mille is a writer for a confessions column, living in London, but she starts to wonder whether she would prefer to live her life back home in Northumberland. Joe writes games and works for a company that send him to different companies for certain periods of time. At the beginning of this book, he is based in London but commutes home to Northumberland on Thursday evenings. Millie travels home a day early (on a Thursday evening) to spend the time with her mum who is struggling with the death of Millie’s dad. On her way into the station, she almost gets drenched by a man and his umbrella, and when she looks up to meet him, he is the most gorgeous man she has seen. And yes, it is Joe!
‘Well, whatever you decide, decide what’s best for you, Millie. But remember to take care of your heart as well as your head.’
From this chance encounter brews an adorable romance, where both parties search the station for the following two weeks to try and bump into one another again. Eventually, it happens and they grow closer on their weekly commutes up North. Millie has been struggling to write an article her boss loves, until she writes about her first encounter with Joe. Her boss and their readers love this story and are glued to the column for the next updates. The only issue is Joe is a very private person and is unaware that the moments he thought private are being shared nationally.
‘Home can be anywhere if you’re with the person you love. Where they are is where you’re meant to be.’
I honestly couldn’t put this book down as I was desperate for these two to get their happy ever after. They went through their share of their ups and downs and I was rooting for them to figure out how they could be together and still live the lives they wanted to. Overall, this was such a cute romance and I really enjoyed it!
*Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and OneMoreChapter for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
January 12, 2023
"He said that life is about making goals and going after them, but not at any cost. That changing your mind isn't failure, it's a choice. That sometimes you have to admit doing something else might be better." - Meet Me on Platform 3 by Zara Stoneley
This is the kind of wholesome and humbling romance that I greatly enjoyed reading during my commute to and from work. It is a breeze to read, a beautiful and dreamy homage to chance meetings and serendipity.
Millie is a columnist who has been shuttling back and forth between London and her hometown of Northumberland, eager to be there for her widowed mother while still grieving for her late father. Searching for inspiration for her next column, she finally finds her muse at the train station - the charming and handsome man with the red scarf with whom she instantly becomes smitten with.
Millie writes about her wistful encounter with the mystery "train guy" on her next column, and finally receives approval and praise from her readers and her demanding boss - except now, she has to continue the story as everyone is eager for Millie to have her happy ending with the "train guy." If they ever meet again.
This story is a pretty wholesome and light-hearted romance. It touches lightly on grief, though it focuses more on how a person quietly misses the people they love and lost. It is also a wonderful portrayal on the importance of having, and being in a loving home.
I liked how Millie is witty and smart, yet is also portrayed as immensely vulnerable and insecure as she sought out her path in life. The reader would spend the whole time rooting for Millie to truly have her happy ending with "train guy", yet is eager to continue to read her whimsical columns. Much like her columns, this was a light and breezy read.
This is the kind of wholesome and humbling romance that I greatly enjoyed reading during my commute to and from work. It is a breeze to read, a beautiful and dreamy homage to chance meetings and serendipity.
Millie is a columnist who has been shuttling back and forth between London and her hometown of Northumberland, eager to be there for her widowed mother while still grieving for her late father. Searching for inspiration for her next column, she finally finds her muse at the train station - the charming and handsome man with the red scarf with whom she instantly becomes smitten with.
Millie writes about her wistful encounter with the mystery "train guy" on her next column, and finally receives approval and praise from her readers and her demanding boss - except now, she has to continue the story as everyone is eager for Millie to have her happy ending with the "train guy." If they ever meet again.
This story is a pretty wholesome and light-hearted romance. It touches lightly on grief, though it focuses more on how a person quietly misses the people they love and lost. It is also a wonderful portrayal on the importance of having, and being in a loving home.
I liked how Millie is witty and smart, yet is also portrayed as immensely vulnerable and insecure as she sought out her path in life. The reader would spend the whole time rooting for Millie to truly have her happy ending with "train guy", yet is eager to continue to read her whimsical columns. Much like her columns, this was a light and breezy read.
January 23, 2025
I regret this book didn't work for me. I just kept reading because I wanted to finish it and move on to something better. There were brief highlights of emotion or wit (of which I've found plenty in other books by this author). However, the main feeling when I finished it was relief it was over and disappointment, because it didn't provide the escape and absorption I delight in when reading.
The setup is promising: two people bump into each other at the train station and feel an instantaneous connection. Later, through a series of encounters (many at the station or on the train), the romance grows. However, the development of the story is not up to my initial expectations. Overall, it was slow and (except for some very specific bits) not that engaging.
I think the problem (at least, partially) lies in the use of a first person narrator (here with a dual point of view). I have found that in many cases (and this is one of them) this style of narrative for this kind of book leads to at few problems. First, instead of making me feel closer to the main character (the narrator) I become less engaged. That's because I'm told what the character feels and I just have to take it at face value, instead of deducting it by myself (and feeling it) through their actions, their dialogues... Second, it gets repetitive and boring (let's face it, in romance books, the internal thoughts are not about deep and important questions, such as the meaning of life, but more of the kind "I wish...", "I feel...", "I regret..."). In the end, *I feel* like a therapist, listening to a patient rambling on and on about their love life and poor life choices, biting my tongue not to tell them to grow up and stop repeating themselves.
The setup is promising: two people bump into each other at the train station and feel an instantaneous connection. Later, through a series of encounters (many at the station or on the train), the romance grows. However, the development of the story is not up to my initial expectations. Overall, it was slow and (except for some very specific bits) not that engaging.
I think the problem (at least, partially) lies in the use of a first person narrator (here with a dual point of view). I have found that in many cases (and this is one of them) this style of narrative for this kind of book leads to at few problems. First, instead of making me feel closer to the main character (the narrator) I become less engaged. That's because I'm told what the character feels and I just have to take it at face value, instead of deducting it by myself (and feeling it) through their actions, their dialogues... Second, it gets repetitive and boring (let's face it, in romance books, the internal thoughts are not about deep and important questions, such as the meaning of life, but more of the kind "I wish...", "I feel...", "I regret..."). In the end, *I feel* like a therapist, listening to a patient rambling on and on about their love life and poor life choices, biting my tongue not to tell them to grow up and stop repeating themselves.
August 7, 2022
Meet Me on Platform 3
I like the idea of MEET ME ON PLATFORM 3.
It’s an adorable concept of a meet-cute at a train stop. Where the two main characters have instant chemistry in this somewhat awkward situation. And when they don’t exchange numbers you inwardly groan and wonder what are the odds these two will meet again?
Though the kernel of the story is what drew me in, the writing and the storytelling did not. There wasn’t the clever banter that makes you ache for more. Not much sexual tension where you’re literally screaming “Kiss already!” There’s no yearning readers feel when two people connect on the page. It felt like a process trying to make my way through the novel, rather than enjoying page after page of something that could be close to a cute romance.
Even though this book wasn’t for me, readers who enjoy romances about searching for that missed opportunity, and finding safe ground when your romance hits the internet, then make sure to grab a copy of MEET ME ON PLATFORM 3.
Happy Reading ~ Cece
Visit my blog to grab a copy and chat with me if you're planning on reading this one.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK for the advance copy for review.
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September 4, 2022
Meet Me on Platform 3 is a charming, feel-good, witty and hugely enjoyable read!
I loved the opening, fate (and rain) pushing two people together in the most natural of ways on a train station platform it starts off with tension after being soaked to the skin but ends in attraction as it usually does in these cases.
I have to admit that I haven’t read as many of Zara Stoneley’s books as I think I should, but those I have read I have taken them into my heart and loved instantly. I was thrilled to finally get the opportunity to delve into her books once again.
I have to admit that despite thoroughly enjoying this and absolutely falling head over heels in love with Joe, who is a real sweetie, this many stole my heart completely. I do have to say that Millie didn’t fully appeal to me most of the time, there was something rather rushed or col about her at times and then other times she seemed full of life. I did end up liking her, but it took me most of the book to get there. I think how she treated others such as her mother, I found her behaviour towards her mother a little too harsh especially considering the loss they share. But as I say, she soon won me over, eventually!
I flew through this book, and I read it in a blink of an eye. I loved how it flowed and swept me away transporting me right into the centre of Millie and Joe’s story. It’s such a gentle-paced book, a story of finding love by chance in the most normal of settings. It’s a story that could be anyone's love story, a chance meeting whilst heading in different directions and then hoping to meet again. It’s wonderful, full of fun and warmth.
I loved the opening, fate (and rain) pushing two people together in the most natural of ways on a train station platform it starts off with tension after being soaked to the skin but ends in attraction as it usually does in these cases.
I have to admit that I haven’t read as many of Zara Stoneley’s books as I think I should, but those I have read I have taken them into my heart and loved instantly. I was thrilled to finally get the opportunity to delve into her books once again.
I have to admit that despite thoroughly enjoying this and absolutely falling head over heels in love with Joe, who is a real sweetie, this many stole my heart completely. I do have to say that Millie didn’t fully appeal to me most of the time, there was something rather rushed or col about her at times and then other times she seemed full of life. I did end up liking her, but it took me most of the book to get there. I think how she treated others such as her mother, I found her behaviour towards her mother a little too harsh especially considering the loss they share. But as I say, she soon won me over, eventually!
I flew through this book, and I read it in a blink of an eye. I loved how it flowed and swept me away transporting me right into the centre of Millie and Joe’s story. It’s such a gentle-paced book, a story of finding love by chance in the most normal of settings. It’s a story that could be anyone's love story, a chance meeting whilst heading in different directions and then hoping to meet again. It’s wonderful, full of fun and warmth.
August 17, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book is meant to be a fun, rom-com read so I know to throw the specific details of realistic life away but there were moments that had me questioning the believability. These two bump into each other and immediately Millie starts thinking of kissing this absolute stranger. I got the feeling that his “hot” appearance is the only reason she ended up being nice to him, otherwise her anger would have shown through much more. This kinda irked me a bit but not too much. And meeting more than once in the middle of rush hour at a busy train station… I voluntarily chose to ignore that impossible factor completely lol.
I almost feel like I was dragging myself through some of the chapters, especially with the long inner dialogues. It added onto why I found this book to be a bit too slow-paced for my liking. And since the two weren’t even together for a good chunk of the book, I had trouble connecting with the characters. Nonetheless, I continued rooting for the two and enjoyed how the book ended. “I can hardly breathe, But I’d give you the last breath in my body if it meant you were here for just another second with me.”A bit cliche but then again… I’m a sucker for a good rom-com cliche.
The concept of meeting someone at a train station and everything stemming off there is such an interesting idea, that was what initially drew me in. A bit disappointed because I didn’t feel that the plot reached the potential it could’ve but I wouldn’t necessarily say it was “bad” or that I regret reading it.
This book is meant to be a fun, rom-com read so I know to throw the specific details of realistic life away but there were moments that had me questioning the believability. These two bump into each other and immediately Millie starts thinking of kissing this absolute stranger. I got the feeling that his “hot” appearance is the only reason she ended up being nice to him, otherwise her anger would have shown through much more. This kinda irked me a bit but not too much. And meeting more than once in the middle of rush hour at a busy train station… I voluntarily chose to ignore that impossible factor completely lol.
I almost feel like I was dragging myself through some of the chapters, especially with the long inner dialogues. It added onto why I found this book to be a bit too slow-paced for my liking. And since the two weren’t even together for a good chunk of the book, I had trouble connecting with the characters. Nonetheless, I continued rooting for the two and enjoyed how the book ended. “I can hardly breathe, But I’d give you the last breath in my body if it meant you were here for just another second with me.”A bit cliche but then again… I’m a sucker for a good rom-com cliche.
The concept of meeting someone at a train station and everything stemming off there is such an interesting idea, that was what initially drew me in. A bit disappointed because I didn’t feel that the plot reached the potential it could’ve but I wouldn’t necessarily say it was “bad” or that I regret reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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