It’s 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. For her students, it’s a wealth of history, art, and beauty. For Juliet, it’s poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and they’re forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever.

The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen | Goodreads The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen | Goodreads

This is not a genre I read very often (historical/WWII fiction) or even enjoy very much but there are exceptions, and the fact that it was largely set in Venice called to me. Caroline’s story is not especially interesting and I find it detracts from Juliet’s which has much more meat on the bones. However, the pace of the book is that of a snail as we take a sllloooowww plod around Venice rather than whisking along at a brisk pace and there’s little excitement. There’s too much Venice, too much sustenance (is the author obsessed with food? On a diet and torturing herself? 😁) and not enough substance. We get a whiff of war, a scent of a love story but there’s not much depth to either. There’s little sense of danger during the German occupation of Italy and the ending should have been dynamite and instead is a briefly ignited Roman Candle. There’s a lot of coincidence, contrivance and plot convenience especially at the end. Talking of which, what an abrupt end - what are we meant to make of it? It’s like the storytelling ran out of steam. Juliet's "voice" seems so melancholy throughout her story and she has reason to feel that way. After her 1928 visit to Venice, Juliet's plans to attend art college are cut short by her father's financial losses and she must take a teaching job to support herself and her mom, after her father's death. In 1938 and then 1939, Juliet is able to travel to Venice and each time she runs into Leo. It's on what should be her year long visit to Venice in 1939 that Juliet knows she is in love with the married Leo. War is coming closer and closer but Juliet refuses to return to her home where she would be safer. Another dual time line story. This one is easy to follow as each chapter is headed up with the person, date and place. In the modern-day timeline, Caroline is led to Venice after the passing of her great-aunt Lettie. With only a sketchbook, a set of keys, and a few jumbled words, Caroline’s story contains a little mystery and a little love as she strives to uncover the truth behind her aunt’s deathbed whisperings.Georgie and Darcy are finally on their honeymoon in Kenya's Happy Valley, but murder crashes the party in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling series. In the current time Juliet’s great niece Caroline is struggling with an unhappy marriage and an unsatisfying life. Juliet leaves her with a sketchbook, three keys and her final breath – the word Venice. Caroline takes the book and the keys and heads to Venice to try and understand what her aunt wanted her to find. What follows is the story of two women; Caroline coming into her own and Juliet’s story being told.

The Venice Sketchbook – The 52 Book Club The Venice Sketchbook – The 52 Book Club

Ich habe das Buch in einem Rutsch gelesen so gefangen war ich von der Geschichte. Tiefgründig, spannend und hoch emotional. Caroline’s story (2001), to me, was superfluous and just took up space and I did not care for the idea of cousins getting together.Caroline Grant (2001), young mother, who is trying to accept the end of her marriage and to move forward in her life. When her great-aunt Lettie died she received a task to go to Venice to scatter aunt's ashes and find the truth about Juliet's youth. was Josh’s manipulation of her—that her son’s shrink said it would be traumatizing for him to fly and the fact that he was now rich and powerful so if it came to a court case she couldn’t possibly win. She feels powerless until Luca gives her new belief in herself. A clever prologue referring to Romeo and Julietsets the stage for Bowen’s…diverting romantic adventure in Venice, complete with intrigue, mystery, and, woe…This novel’s engaging entertainment is enhanced by its dual time line that uncovers Juliet’s secrets, and a plot enlivened by coincidences and romance. A must-read for Bowen fans and historical fiction enthusiasts.” ― Library Journal(starred review) Bowen’s vivid storytelling style holds readers enrapt…Bowen has written a tender, poignant story balancing dark and light.” —Historical Novel Society i didnt care about caroline at all and im sorry girl idc if youre second or third cousins....maybe itd be one thing if something had already happened between them before she knew but EVERYTHING HAPPENED AFTER SHE KNEW THEY WERE RELATED.