I have a morbid curiosity about novels with a Venice theme in them.Whenever I see the name of that romantic, unusual and illusive City in the title I feel I have to read that book.Unfortunately Venice in the title does not always draw me into the story because the subject matter isn’t interesting.However this book doesn’t spend all of its time in that city so there is added interest as there is further travel around other European cities adding beautiful descriptions of Lisbon and Prague.The bait of Venice in the title had been taken by me very early on though.
Basically this is well crafted love story where people look at love as it affects them at different times of their lives.The two main characters are two sisters Harriet and Joanna who have grown apart as adults.having both been brought up in the countryside.
Harriet,the eldest, stayed at home to look after the family farm with her parents and continued to look after her mother on her father’s death.The potential for any romantic liaisons seem to disappear the older Harriet got and the more isolated she was on the farm.
Joanna however escaped from the drudgery of the farm and she became journalist whose briefs often gave her huge travelling potential..She married and lived in London with her husband but had no children.All seemed exceedingly rosy for her until she learnt of her husband’s affair with a close friend’s wife.This brought her world crashing down with a need to get away.The family farm in Dorset seemed a perfect place to reflect on her work and married life. Here she takes up residence in the farm and finds various things there which intrigue her one of which is a painting of a bridge in Venice.
The story yo-yoes between the two sister’s lives and where they are on their journey.Then intriguingly an additional person is introduced called Nicholas.He brings a different dimension to the story and gives an opportunity for the story to ramp up a notch.In the back of your mind you keep wandering where he fits into the lives of the sisters.Keep reading!There are lots of ‘ Happy Ever After‘ moments and none of them are too saccharine coated to be unbelievable.The end scene makes me think that there might be another book as a sequel to this one.

When her marriage falls apart Joanna returns home to Mulberry Cottage Farm, to her mother and sister , Harriet. The farm is falling apart and her mother is becoming more and more eccentric.
Joanna finds some letters in a trunk in the attic and through her work sets out to follow them to Venice, Lisbon and Prague.
Back at home, Harriet has seen a mystery stalker and is trying to sort out her own life. Is the answer nearer to home than she thinks.
Can Joanna find out the identity of the letter writer and what is the connection to the farm?

This is an enjoyable book with some interesting characters although the reader has to slightly suspend belief at times, unless they believe in the supernatural. The contrast between the lives of Joanna and Harriet is marked and they only come to a better understanding of each other when Joanna leaves her husband and moves back home. The romantic outcomes are predictable from quite early on but there is another twist which is better hidden. The storytelling makes up for this, both the characters and the locations.

Very readable.

Perfect escape story, the characters are believable and likeable which always helps with an escape from reality. Their situations aren’t so far removed from real life to be irritating but also not so real that the whole storyline is depressing. Altogether a very satisfying couple of hours spent to cheer you up in times of stress or pass the time when relaxing.

Although the title suggests that it is based in Venice it features equally two other places, Dorset and Godrevy, I know well (lucky me, all three places are stunningly beautiful). This of course makes it, for me, the perfect ‘lockdown’ escape and also a great travel destination read for a time less constricted.

Thank you Netgalley for ARC and Rosanna for always being a very sound choice for pleasant reading.

I found the title misleading- in fact I double checked that I hadn’t accidentally clicked on the wrong book!! Most of the events do not take place in Venice, and actually visit Lisbon and Prague as well.
That being said, this was a very enjoyable read. Characters were well crafted and as a reader I cared about each of them. There was also some very funny/unfortunate meetings from a dating website...
The descriptions of Venice,Lisbon and Prague were vivid and evocative, showing real skill and attention to detail. Made me wish I could go back for a city break myself!
This book has romance, mystery, a forgotten love story and a realistic portrayal of the importance of family bonds.
Highly recommended for a summer read!

Oh, I loved this story. It grabbed my attention from the very first page and didn't let it go till the last. With wonderful plot lines which just kept me guessing throughout, twists and turns I didn't see coming, it was a riveting read. It was a really beautiful tale and I just had to know what happened. The mixture of the old and the new story combined really gave this story a different feel.

The characters in the book are great, well written and easy to like. I wanted to know where the story would take them and how their various lives would collide. I really wasn't disappointed.

This is the second book of Rosanna Ley's I have read and like the first, this one was a fantastic read. I highly recommend it.

This book would be an ideal holiday read.

Unputdownable, I read this in a day.

Joanna comes home to her sister Harriet and her mum, not really revealing why and what’s happened.

When she goes up to the loft to see how much space is up there and if it can be converted, in a trunk she discovers some love letters, written by someone called Emmy.

She’s intrigued and this then sets her on an adventure she didn’t expect to find out as much as she can “who is Emmy or was”.

Enjoyable Read

With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Fabulous Author and outstanding intriguing book a total delight to read.

A wonderful trip through three European cities with letters and clues to guide you. There’s a lovely thread of interweaving memories throughout and it’s a sure fire winner for Rosanna who writes such immersive novels.

Full review to come but I had to give it five stars now!