Top 5 (ok 7+) Paris (and France) Based Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2026!
- Parisian Niche
- Nov 2
- 6 min read
After another incredible year of reads, here we are again, overcome with appreciation that this little book club driven blog just keeps going. We just celebrated our 7 year anniversary - le wow! We still adore sharing Paris (and beyond) through the written word. You can learn more about the Parisian Page Turners Book Club here. Come read with us!
We have a new prize to award this year, in honor of our dearly departed friend and P'Nicher, Leslie, who we miss so dearly and think of with true fondness, inspiration, and gratitude...
The Winner of the Leslie Reid Book of the Year Award for our highest rated read of 2025 was Oil and Marble by Stephanie Storey.
You'll feel as though you are wandering the streets of Renaissance Florence in this gorgeous debut novel. Given her exquisite taste and artistic flair, our beloved Leslie would definitely approve!
Et alors, without further ado, for 2026, our most anticipated (non-sponsored) reads are (in order of anticipated publication date):
The Lady at the Louvre by Helen Constantine
Ok, Ok, so this year we have 5+ books listed and in candor, I've already read this one! I enjoyed it so much that I am officially naming it the first official new book club read / discussion of the 2026 cycle.
Inspired by a true story, here, we meet Juliette and Alice, separated by decades, but united in spirit by a deep love of art and defiant heroism.
The read is a "compelling tale of both courage and resilience, shining a light on a forgotten heroine of World War II."
Think The Monuments Men, but make it Girl Power!
Published October 01, 2025
Huguette by Cara Black
While typically noted for her well received mystery series, this time author Cara Black is heading to Liberation era Paris - post war, but not post drama.
Our heroine, Huguette Faure finds herself at a loss (of family and safety) but not entirely out of luck as she takes on a job with legendary film director Claude Leduc.
Yes, we can imagine he is related to star of the mystery series, Aimee Leduc - he is her grandfather! Let's call this foreshadowing of the best kind...
It will be interesting to see how this feisty Parisienne finds her way.
Expected Publication Date: Dec 02, 2025
Skylark by Paula McLain
We're in an intriguing dual timeline here in both 1664 (focusing on Alouette Voland and the famed Gobelins factory) and the 1940s of occupied France (where we meet Kristoff).
Touted as a "spellbinding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few - the underground city that is a mirror reflection of the glories above, this novel will chronicle two parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that connect in ways both surprising and deeply moving."
Quite frankly, in a market flooded with World War II reads, we are very interested in this new 1600's perspective...
Expected Publication Date: January 6, 2026
The Queen's Maid by Rozsa Gaston
Tudor Fans rejoice! We're finally leaving the shores of ye olde England for France and the royal court and Palace of Tournelles.
Arriving to the palace, Anne Boleyn finds herself serving as the main translator to Mary Tudor, king of Old King Louis (dream job if ya can get it!)
What's a royal maid to do when she finds herself torn between royals wishes, family loyalties, personal ambitions, and intrigues alike. She must keep a calm head upon her shoulders (DUN DUN DUN) as she works her way up the royal ranks.
Expected Publication Date: Jan 16, 2026
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
Oh, the things a mother will do for her daughters...
P'Nicher, you had me at a retelling of Cinderella (hashtag Princess Life!) It's told from the Evil Stepmother's POV, and let's be honest, behind every villain lies a true heart. Hurt people hurt people.
"If Bridgerton met Circe and exhilarating to its core, Lady Tremaine reimagines the myth of the evil stepmother at the heart of the world's most famous fairy tale. It is a battle cry for a mother's love for her daughters, a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes."
Birdgerton meets Circe? Say Less - I have my cocoa ready to go!
Expected Publication Date: March 03, 2026
In the Spirit of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge
Not gonna lie, this series started off lukewarm for the Parisian Page Turners, but it has gotten more compelling as the books have progressed and we are now eagerly anticipating this 4th installment.
"After moving to France, Tabitha Knight (heroine in question) has a new friend in Cordon Bleu student, Julia Child, whose culinary tips can come in quite handy. But something is cooking in postwar Paris and it isn't just a cheese soufflé."
This book is a cozy mystery that will come at just the right time to tide you over until springtime (in Paris)...
Expected Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel
We'll actually be covering two books by Kristin Harmel in 2026, as we will lead with 2025's The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, but this one, too, looks extraordinary.
"Nine Americans in Paris. Seven Uniquely Intertwined love stories. One City of Light.
Love Actually meets The Notebook in a tale of love, loss, and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris."
As the cool kids say these days, "bet!" Or as P'Niche says - sign me up for another great Harmel summer read!
Expected Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Now, it goes without saying that we have a few solid honorable mentions published in the 2025 calendar year (and a few from before!)
His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert
I am going to give it to you straight - I love Debra and I love her books. She didn't take the prize for highest rated read in our group for Her Own War in 2024 for nothing (not to mention the BookFest Award First Place Historical Romance!) Will she take it in 2026 as well?! Speaking of awards, this gem has already taken the Page Turner Awards 2025 Shortlisted Screenplay Award, and is shortlisted for several others - bravo!
Here, we wander the magical Christmas markets of France, where Claire unwraps not only gifts, but layers of intrigue stemming from a photo she finds in her late husband's pocket. Do you believe in later in life chances, hope, and the magic of the holiday season, gentle P'Nicher? If so, this is the read for you! TRY THE COOKIE RECIPE INCLUDED from fictitious (or is she?) Sister Georgette!
Date Published: Nov 07, 2025
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Ok, so, I know I am about ten years late to the party (do we call it fashionably late at this point or just negligent?!) and prolly the only person in this group who has not yet read this blockbuster book.
That said, as this wildly acclaimed story is set to become a film, I want to make sure we read it and have fun with our playful game at book club (if you know you know).
The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters separated by years and experience, ideals, passions, and circumstance. It's a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women." WOW.
Date Published: February 03, 2015
The Iron King by Maurice Druon
Whoa, if George RR Martin says this is the "Original Game of Thrones" (did someone say dragons?!) I am IN...
This is the first installment of a series of seven books, and don't we all love a good series to dig into?
"France became a great nation under Prince Philip the Fair - but it was a greatness achieved at the expense of his people, for his was a reign characterized by violence, the scandalous adulteries of his daughters-in-law, and the triumph of royal authority."
Think tyranny, but make it Templar Knight!
Date Published: March 26, 2013
Needless to say, this is only a sampling of some of the Paris or France based reads we are eager to explore this coming 2026. It's always such a thrill to share these literary journeys with you. We're consistently making strides to our next goal - 100 books read and discussed by the Parisian Page Turners - can you imagine?!
Are you excited for these reads, P'Nicher? Which will be on the top of your "to read pile?" Sound off in the comments below et à bientôt!
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Such a lovely tribute to dear Leslie. She would be so thrilled and honored. Please drink a glass of prosecco while you read her dedicated book, for that was her favorite celebratory beverage!