Old Girls Go Off the Rails: A BRAND NEW feel-good story of friendship, mischief and adventure for 2026

A one way ticket to misadventure! 🚂🎟️💼

When Lizzie Stevens was eighteen, life took a wrong turn. While her best friends Harriet and Anna went interrailing across Europe, Lizzie stayed behind—shunted into a dusty bank job and a sensible life that never quite got back on track.

Now sixty-four, freshly divorced from terminally dull Freddie and wondering how she ended up here, Lizzie is unexpectedly reunited with the friends who left her behind. This time, she’s not missing the train.

Their plan? A gloriously reckless rail adventure across Europe. The women are older, allegedly wiser, and considerably less flexible—but their bags are packed and they’re ready to depart.

Yet once the train pulls out of Worcester, it’s clear this journey won’t be smooth. Old secrets derail fond memories, Harriet and Anna barely tolerate each other, and Lizzie discovers the trip she idolised for decades wasn’t quite first-class.

As they rattle from city to city - Paris to Venice before embarking on a cruise along the Croatian coast - the old girls are fuelled by laughter and questionable decisions. And Lizzie begins to realise it’s never too late to change direction—and that the best adventures are the ones without a timetable.

All aboard for another hilarious and heartwarming adventure with bestselling author Maddie Please

Praise for Maddie Please:

'Sea, sunshine, romance and fabulous characters; Maddie's light touch and sense of fun will lift your spirits!' Bestselling author Judy Leigh

'Warm, funny and poignant with engaging characters, it reminds us that you’re never too old for fun, romance and to learn new things!' Bestselling author Karen King

'A new lease of life under the Greek sun. As fresh and delicious as chilled retsina!' Sunday Times Bestselling author Phillipa Ashley

'For a book that’s as cheering and restorative as a long lunch with your very best friend, Maddie Please is the author you need to know!' Bestselling author Chris Manby

'Genuine and life-affirming...a wonderful, lighthearted novel about how it is never too late to find happiness.’ Bestselling author Kitty Wilson

'A heart-warming story filled with friendship and fun. It's official - I want to be an Old Duck!' Bestselling author Maisie Thomas