Author Annabel French has taken three wishes of mine and combined them to produce a wonderful destination read.

1) Libreria Acqua Alta is on my bucket list. I’ve been to Venice a handful of times, but never made it to ‘the most beautiful bookstore in the world.’
2) Word on the Water in Regent’s Canal in London is also on my bucket list, although slightly further down. The idea of taking a floating bookstore on a canal and placing it in Venice appeals to me; hence my curiosity in reaching for this book.
3) I’m working on embracing risk-taking and it was wonderful to see a character flourish after breaking the chains that held her helpless and hopeless. Nothing prepares Beth for the roadblocks she faces in working abroad, but it’s how she deals with them that kept me reading.

This story centers around ‘La Libreria delle Parole’ (library of words), a floating book barge on one of Venice’s beautiful canals, and the main character who learns the freedom and beauty there is in taking risks.

If you find fleeting references to same-sex secondary characters or discussion about IVF treatment a deal breaker, this book has both.

I’ve previously enjoyed four of French’s books, and now I’m eagerly awaiting the next in this floating shop series! I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Wow wow wow. I needed a cheerful read and this was fantastic. I read in a night..The descriptions of Venice were amazing and a beautiful love story . Not cliche at all. Loved the two best friends . A floating book shop is so magical. I can’t wait for Annabel’s French next book. She is an ace writer . A great story line. You will love it.

This is book 2 in the Floating Shop Series (the first was The Floating Amsterdam Flowershop published 19th June this year - I absolutely loved this book, review on my grid).

​This book offers a beautiful escape that combines the charm of the Venetian setting with the warmth of a classic romantic comedy. Katie Ginger perfectly captures the magic of Venice, making the setting feel like a character itself. While Beth is determined to get her floating bookshop off the ground, it's her beautiful & often frustrating dance with local art promoter Marco that truly steals the show!

​A wonderful story on finding the courage to take a leap, both in career & in love.
​If you love books about new beginnings, dreamy locations, & passionate romance that makes you root for the couple, then make sure this one is on your 2026 TBR! It's available to pre order now, & if you've not read the first book, then I'd definitely recommend reading that while you're waiting (they are stand alone reads) it's just lovely 🤩

​I'm now patiently waiting for the Floating Copenhagen Cafe, coming next summer!

Beth's just discovered she's lost her job that she loves in Venice. Just by chance she stumbles upon a floating bookshop that's up for sale. She bumps into Marco who she hopes can put her in touch with artists that she can show in the barge

This was such a beautifully written novel. It's the perfect book to read for when you want to escape from everything for a little while. From the very first page I was hooked and swept away with the characters in the story. It was easy to follow, had good pacing and a great cast of characters. I loved Beth's character and I wanted her to have the happy ending that she deserved. Plus the place settings in the story sounded beautiful. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the author Annabel French/ Katie Ginger and the publisher, Avon books for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely second story in this series! Thankyou so much for my copy, i loved it from start to finish, truly amazing!

Thank you to the publisher Avon Books UK for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was such a beautiful story set amongst the backdrop of the magical city of Venice, I loved the descriptions of the architecture of Venice, the people and the artisans and rather from distracting from the story this added to the magic of it. I was completely blown away with the authors descriptive writing and I felt like I was alongside Beth and Marco as they were falling in love. I really liked Beth, like Beth I’ve always played it safe but sometimes but have to jump completely out of your comfort zone like Beth did when she brought a book barge.

I loved her best friends, Cesca, Daisy and Elsa, they always had her back, I loved Cesca’s family. I liked Marco too even if I did want to whack him over the head with one of Beth’s books for being so dense and stubborn. I truly enjoyed this book, it was beautifully written and incredibly romantic.

Gorgeous scenery an d love story. When Beth loses her job and changes her life by being spontaneous and buying a floating bookstore on Venice’s waterways. Her bee friend Cesca introduces her to her gorgeous brother Marco. As in all good love stories they have sparks. Set in gorgeous Murano and Venice this book is truly wonderful by one of my favourite authors. Already looking forward to reading the next addition.Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Art gallery manager, Beth, is enjoying a secondment in Venice when the funding for her post is suddenly pulled and she faces the unwelcome prospect of a return to London. She is offered first refusal on a barge bookshop that’s for sale and, against her usually cautious nature, makes the purchase.

She finds herself the owner of not only a tired, overstocked shop but also the resident cat, Polo. Her first task is to weed the books and, with the help of her carpenter friend Cesca, refashion the existing furniture and build new shelving to provide a much-need update. (I loved these scenes. As an ex-librarian who ran several library new-build and refurbishment projects, I was itching to jump into the pages and help her.)

Calling on her gallery management skills, she plans to allocate space on the barge for temporary art exhibitions. Enter Marco, Cesca’s brother, who runs a PR agency that represents local artists. Despite a mutual instant attraction, Beth and Marco keep their business heads on to collaborate. Beth hopes for more from the handsome Italian, but every time he seems to warm to her on a personal level, something makes him retreat.

This is a delightful escapist novel with lots of descriptions of Venetian architecture, culture and food. The central characters are likeable and the plot is engaging.

This is an independent review of an early copy. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Upon publication I will post my review on my blog and GoodReads.

This is the second book in the floating shop series but can be read as a standalone. Although I would recommend book one as it’s a great read.

Fate brings Beth to buy a book barge which has always been her dream. With the help of good friend Cesca and her very lovely brother Marco she soon settles into her new role and is living her best life in stunning Venice.

I enjoyed seeing Beth’s relationships grow and also the conversations with her best friends from home and to see their perspective on her life. Marco was a great character and it was nice that he had some flaws like real people do rather than a stereotypical perfect man.

A lovely 5 star read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Annabel French and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This is a gorgeous romance set in Venice with all of the beauty of the city laid out in the many chapters. Beth needs a new job and a new apartment quick through no fault of her own. In chatting things happen quickly and somehow she ends up negotiating the purchase of a barge. The barge is a Bookshop and comes with a snooty cat who loves a good cuddle. The city and especially the glass blowing island of Murano showcased with the water the restaurants and the people all described with emotion and care. Beth starts to fall for her good friend’s brother Marco. Like the cat Marco doesn’t share his emotions and Beth doesn’t know what this might mean should they get together?

This book was so fun! I loved to see Beth basically living my dream and buying a floating book barge! This was such a good book for anyone who's ever daydreamed about just up and leaving the country for something different. Beth and Marco's chemistry was so good to read, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop and change over the course of the book! I would definitely recommend!

This book is a heady mix of beautiful Venice, social issues, and relationships.
It highlights life on a rollercoaster of mixed emotions and events. A message of challenge and trust for everyone. I found this story very interesting and refreshing to read.

Firstly thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

Such a beautifully written book, following the story of Beth and her journey in Venice. She buys a book shop on a barge, meets Marco and never stops checking in on her friends. It was lovely to read a book which wasn't focused on love and having a family. This is part of a series, but you don't miss out. A lovely, feelgood read.