Member Reviews
Wrong Train to Paris is a sweet clean romance that takes you to the French countryside. It is the second book in the Romance on the Orient Express series written by multiple authors.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit more than the first book in the series. Julia and Luc were great characters. I enjoyed watching as they made their mistakes and learned and grew from them. I was also intrigued by Nicholas, who was only a minor character in this book but also played a part in the first book. I am curious to find out more about him as the series continues.
If you enjoy clean historical romances, I think you will enjoy this book. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
This is a fun series with the Orient Express as the thing that ties them together. I felt like this one didn't spend much time on the train but did come back to it in the end so I felt better about that. It is something of an insta-love story since this couple falls in love over the course of 5 days. There is also an element of a fake relationship since Julia and Luc allow others to believe they are married for propriety's sake. Julia gets herself into a seemingly constant stream of trouble. Some of them are kinda humorous and some of them are pretty serious. She uses poor judgement so often I found myself saying, "No, don't do it again" a number of times through out the book. She can't seem to help herself though. I liked that Julia was able to learn about the folly of judging people even if she didn't learn to stop acting before learning about things. She tends to think she knows best all the time. She didn't seem to outgrow that over the course of the book.
I liked Luc but he was a bit snippy when it came to fixing Julia's messes. It was hard to believe that he was falling in love at first because he never communicated much but annoyance about everything.
It is a cute story. There is a little intrigue about the man with the odd smelling pipe. We never really learn about who he really is. It would be interesting to hear more about his story and the part he plays in people's lives. And why. Also, I enjoyed Luc's aunt.
Overall it was an enjoyable read with amusing moments and sweet tenderness.
No sex, language or violence (unless you count unintended harm to a goat)
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.
I enjoyed The Wrong Train immensely. It had a sweetness that I didn’t expect. This quote from the novel expresses how I felt reading about Julia’s experiences of the people and places in Provence:
“The air here was fragrant, the sounds were dampened by the trees, and the way the light played over everything was simply bewitching.”
Julia is a very loving and caring young woman who has been sheltered by her family, and raised to conduct herself in the high standards expected of young ladies during the
Victorian era. She desperately wants to please her family and everyone she comes across. She is not genuinely happy, but she doesn’t realize it.
Following a mistake in getting back on the wrong train during a brief stop (which was caused by, once again, trying to please and win the approval of her father) she finds herself stranded in the middle of nowhere—she is lost—but as a wise man once told her, “Sometimes one must lose himself to find himself.”
From this point on in the novel, I was enchanted by the people and experiences Julia encounters in this small Provençal town of Riv. Luc is the only other passenger that disembarks in the tiny town. He comes to her aid by inviting her to stay with him and his aunt until the next train can return her to Paris.
Initially, she thinks of Luc as a country bumpkin who lives in a village without art or culture, but as the story unfolds, she sees that she is wrong about him. Although she lives the life of a sophisticated lady, this does not bring her happiness. As she gets to know Luc better she changes her previous assumptions: “Life moved slower in Provence, and Julia had come to find that she enjoyed the simplicity of home and family and friends instead of the constant worry of schedules and traffic that she navigated in the city. Life here felt somehow fuller of the things that brought happiness—essential things, important things.”
Luc is a wonderful character. He is a talented artist, but family obligations have prevented him from embracing his abilities. Julia is a lovely person, but she feels she must help everyone she encounters, even if she doesn’t really know what would be best for them. They are lovely together.
I loved this book. All the characters we’re enchanting, yet realistic. The historic background of the World’s Fair was fascinating. I also enjoyed the very brief reference to Book 1 of the series.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this his my honest opinion.. #WrongTraintoParis #NetGalley
I liked this book quite a bit more than the first in the series. The first was more gothic, which isn't something I particularly enjoy. This story is a light-hearted romance set in pastoral France, which is much more aligned with my reading preferences. Julia was both annoying and charming--she made quite a few mistakes by rushing into things but always had good intentions, and the reader, along with Luc and others Julia encounters can't help but forgive her for her mishaps and appreciate her spirit. This is a great choice for those looking for an upbeat romance.
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the author via #NetGalley.
This book tells the adventures of Julia Weston who is taking a train ride to Paris to meet her father at the World's Fair. At one stop, she got off the train and purchased a cake for her father, and when she got back on the train, she realized it was the wrong train -- hence the name of the book. Alone at a train station in Rivulet, a local olive farmer, Luc Paquet invites her to stay with her aunt until she can take another train to Paris.
I really enjoyed this novel as I stepped back in time with the glory of the Orient Express. In this novel, Julia a girl used to the arts and conveniences of the city, learned and grew as the house guest of Luc's aunt in a small village in France where life is a lot more simple. There she discovers that there is a lot more to Luc than just being a dedicated olive farmer in Provence. As an aside, I loved the mystery of the pipe smoking man named Nicholas that both Julia and her father encountered on the train at different times..
This is a very sweet love story. A favorite line in the book was when Julia's father said, "Went out for a cake, and came back with...this bloke asking to marry my daughter."
Wrong Train to Paris was a beautiful sequel to It Started in Budapest. With the amazing landscapes of rural France to the awe-inspiring wonders of the world exposition. Julia has the heart of an angel while her good intentions lead to trouble. Luc's gruff exterior makes his heart of gold inside all the more special. From a wrong train to a week spent in the middle of nowhere, this story has a romantic feeling start to finish. This was such a feel-good story that I couldn't wait to turn the next page. A perfect sweet romance.
Wrong Train to Paris by Jennifer Moore is a delightful historical fiction, carrying 19 years old Julia Weston from Vienna to Paris. Traveling on board the Orient Express in early 1900, Julia decides to prove she is independent and capable of traveling by herself, when she leaves the train in search of Gugelhupf cake. Only to become lost and redirected to a different train.
Julia and her father have made this trip many times before. Her father having gone on before her assigns a chaperone, which Julia thinks she does not need. However when Julia finds herself aboard the wrong train, heading in the opposite direction of Paris, she is deposited in the middle of nowhere. With no where to go, Luc Paquet offers to help. As Julia tries to help others, she finds her enthusiasm causes more problems than a help. Some of the situations Julia finds herself in were very humorous.
The story was a perfect clean romance. A sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I love Provence! It is my favorite region of France and I was so excited it was highlighted in this book. Oh, I miss the fields of lavender and poppies. I am so glad Julia got herself lost there. I loved her story of discovery. She had several mishaps along the way, but she was so sweet and earnest in her desire to help. Luc seems rather surly in the beginning, but you see that start to change. I wish these two every happiness. This was a sweet and touching story. This is part of a series, but the book stands on its own.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.
Julia, a seasoned traveller but definitely a city girl, got off the train to buy a cake and prove her independence - and got back on the wrong train. As soon as she realised (the next morning), she got off at the next station, only to find that there was no one around except an olive-grower, Luc Pacquet - who informed her that the next train to Paris was not until Friday (this was Monday). Welcomed by Luc's aunt into her house in the country, a completely foreign existence, Julia plunges into one mishap after another, always with the best of intentions. Julia got into this predicament because she was trying to prove herself to her father - can her sojourn prove herself to herself and others, or will she end up back in Paris with a broken heart?
I have to say that Nicholas' role in this story is distinctly peculiar, and I did find some of Julia's attitudes at the start quite annoying, but despite that, I really enjoyed the book and hope to read more by the author. The writing was great, the descriptions had me right there with Julia and Luc, and I enjoyed getting to know them both - and his aunt too. My other comment would be that some of Julia's mishaps were a bit too predictable and she did spend a bit too much time falling into them - to the point where whatever she started, you knew that something had to go wrong. Nevertheless, a good, satisfying story - recommended.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
Wrong Train to Paris is not your typical romance with balls and gowns and flirting in the park. Julia and Luc are introduced by a kind gentleman named Nicholas on a train. Julia, trying to prove to an absent father she is old enough to travel alone, gets lost at the train station. Bumping into Nicholas again, asks for his help, she finds herself waking up in the wrong compartment on the wrong train. Getting off, she sees Luc again and asks for help.
At first, I was suspicious of Nicholas and his odd ways. (Not wanting to spoil this for you, you will find out more about Nicholas late in the book). Yet, that chance meeting with Luc is meant to be. Julia believes herself to be very worldly, but finds out she really isn’t. Luc is so very kind to Julia helping her to his aunt’s home to have a place to stay until the next train comes later in the week.
Julia is hilariously, and sometimes devastatingly, a kind of a Calamity Jane, messing up when she really wants to help. Those few days spent with Luc and his Aunt Gabi are some of the most revealing and sweet days of Julia’s life. She learns a lot about herself and about her presumptions of others. She even falls in love with Luc.
Luc is a hard one to describe for me. There did not seem to be as much character development for him. He certainly has a kind streak, but I did not feel the connection with Julia at first as I would have expected, maybe due to the novella length. This is still a sweet romance, but Luc’s character did not satisfy me at the beginning. Ms. Moore ended the romance well with the connections we did see, especially with Luc’s painting and artistic talent. So, overall, I enjoyed this quick romance with its train connections. As with any book, it’s best to read for yourself to see if it is to your taste.
So much humor and lessons learned in this book, I was smiling from beginning to end! At first I was intrigued by the idea of a young woman being lost and taking shelter with a man she doesn't know - it sounds like a great recipe for a fantastic romance. Then as I began reading, I realized it was going to be so much more than a girl-meets-boy sort of story, as there were class differences to consider. A story set in France, with a woman of British descent used to living in the city and a man from generations of French farmers living in the countryside, is bound to produce a happy ending to remember.
Julia Weston has something to prove to her father. Saddled with an elderly companion, she knows her father doesn't trust that she can make it to Paris on her own. Determined to prove that she is an adult, capable of traveling alone, she makes her way off the train at a stop to pick up a cake from a local vendor. Upon returning, she bumps into a fellow traveler and his friend, almost missing her train before it leaves the station. Exhausted, she falls asleep, and when she awakens, she comes to realize that the train is not her train after all, and now she is stranded in a small town where she knows no one. With the next train no leaving for another week, she is forced to accept the offer of shelter from a young man named Luc Paquet, the man she was introduced to do the previous day. As they spend more time together at his aunt's home, they butt heads frequently, but eventually their angst turns into something more. However, both know that their time together is drawing to a close, and love is not always enough to live on.
I really enjoyed both characters, even though their prejudices annoyed me at times. That was exactly what the author wanted me to feel, however, because it allowed the reader to see their individual growth as the story progressed. Julia started out as a fairly spoiled young woman, unaware of how others lived and not realizing how her actions affected other people. When she met Luc, all that changed as she was forced to rely on someone who had no reason to coddle her. Luc was an aloof man, not someone who was prone to talking or company, so it was an interesting contrast to Julia's friendly personality. It was comical watching them dance around each other, particularly when Julia kept causing problems each time she tried to help. Each time she stumbled, I would laugh while Luc would get frustrated, until eventually he saw that she wasn't trying to make life difficult. Her heart was in the right place, and that was what Luc needed to understand - Julia just wanted to do the right thing. While I wasn't a fan of her actions towards the end of the book, as I felt she took a step back in her maturity level, I understood why she did what she did. It was gratifying to see Luc hold her accountable but also learn forgiveness. They were a couple perfect for each other.
This was my first book by this author, and I look forward to reading more in the future!
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
This is such a fun book. I loved Julia. She is trying to be so helpful but usually winds up causing some kind of trouble. Luc is a mystery at first, but he becomes so lovable. Gabi is hilarious. I loved her. This book is engaging and fun from the beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun sweet romance.
A wonderful second installment in Romance on the Orient Express. A sweet, clean and endearing book that takes you to the French countryside; you will not be disappointed. Julia is headstrong and determined, but has a kind, loving heart. Luc is a common, everyday farmer trying to be content, who is gracious enough to help Julia. The chemistry heats up quickly between these two and things just cannot go back to the way they were. The help of a mysterious stranger helps move things along as well. This is an excellent book for young adults who enjoy romance and some adventure.
I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
What a fun, even magical book. This is the second book in a multi author series. The premise of this one, a girl is travelling with her companion on the Orient Express. She gets off at a specific station to go and get a cake for her father. Someone she met on the train "helps" her when she finds herself disoriented at the train station. She finds herself on the wrong train but doesn't realize it until she gets off the train and doesn't have any hope of getting to Paris in the next few days.
Julia is a force of nature with a good heart. She likes to keep busy and she likes to help. While these are good traits, they tend to contribute to chaos around her on her adventure. She is helped by Luc when she finds herself in an unfamiliar area. Oddly enough she is introduced to Luc by the same person that "helps" her find the wrong train. This is where I think a little magic happens.
I love this book. The story is fun and with a heroine who is a force of nature, the unexpected happens. We catch a glimpse of our heroine from It Started in Budapest once Julia makes it to Paris.
I love the characters, I love the story, I love its heart. The story has a lot of heart and I could spend more time in this world. I will definitely be purchasing a hard copy and be reading it again.
I was given an electronic copy and this is my honest review.
Jennifer Moore has crafted a wonderful story with beautiful settings, rich with detail, and endearing characters. Their flaws and mistakes drive the storyline; their emotions and struggles make them relatable and memorable. I loved the sights, sounds, and smells of this adventure story and enjoyed the thread of connection to the other book in the Romance on the Orient Express series (note this book stands alone).
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was a sweet, simple story that I enjoyed a lot! It was easy and quick to read. Humorous at times and more thoughtful at others. I was able to finish it in less than three hours.
The characters were likable and fun. I liked Julia with her vivacious spirit and kind heart. Luc was an interesting character that I found myself wanting to learn more about. Gabi was just an all-around likable characters that made me smile. They were simple characters but each had their own personality and I enjoyed reading about them!
I found the simplicity of the plot refreshing. It didn’t take a lot of concentration and focus but rather it was just an easy book to pick up and enjoy. Sometimes, that’s exactly what I need.
The content was clean, so of course I appreciated that a whole lot!
In conclusion, I think if you enjoy historical fiction and romance, you’d enjoy this one.😊
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
The Wrong Train to Paris is a lovely and sweet story of a young woman finding herself in Provence, France by mistake. 3.5 stars.
When I came to this book, I was expecting a mystery story, some suspense and a more history based story related to the Orient Express. In turn, I encountered myself with the story of a young woman that takes the wrong train and ends up in a little farmers town, in which she finds herself in the middle of some turmoils caused mostly by her good-intended decisions.
This is a very pleasant read, a romance novel, which takes some time to pick pace specially on the mid part of the book, has a simple plot but is a nice read and gets a bit more interesting towards the end of the book by exploring more in depth the lives of the local villagers.
I would highly recommend this book to young readers (13-17) as the adventures this young lady endures are quite exciting and it is a very clean love story, they can easily relate to.
I received this advanced copy through #netgalley and the author Jennifer Moore in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I really enjoyed Wrong Train to Paris! I really like Moore's writing style and always enjoy reading her books! Julia and Luc were great characters and I loved their interactions with each other and my favorite part was the trip to get the goats. I really want a goat after reading this! Overall it was a great read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. (This is part of a series, but is still a standalone novel.)
Will her need to help turn against her ...
I did not pay much attention in the first book to some of the characters the heroine met, but while reading this one, everything came back.
This person, Nicholas, is a very peculiar matchmaker.
The story is told from Julia’s point of view. Like in the previous book, she is young and in need of acknowledgment, that she can be trusted with a bit more freedom than she is actually.
But her first act of autonomy leads her to the wrong train, far away from her destination, with complete strangers.
She is no silly girl, just a little spoiled by a loving parent, alas when she tries to prove she is efficient, her stubbornness changes her many acts of kindness in a mess, she takes matter in hand without second thought, which leads to some chaos. But she is not bad at heart, just gullible to not understand the scope of her actions.
But with Luc, she will grow to make amends, all the while discovering a different life. He will introduce her to a world of patience, hard work and quietness.
It was fun to see the south of France during this area, still favoring the ancient world with a dash of modernity.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
Fun book to read. Julia tries so hard to help those around unfortunately it usual didn’t go as she hoped. Poor Luc has a hard time getting done what he needs to because he keeps having to help her out.Aunt Gabri is a fun and lively character. This story is fun, sweet and a feel good romance.