The Venice Sketchbook
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- Create Date：2021-04-15 08:31:17
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Rhys Bowen
- ISBN：B08TKLLT6G
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Summary
*Running Time => 11hrs。 and 55mins。*
Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the 'New York Times' best-selling author of 'The Tuscan Child' and 'Above the Bay of Angels'。
Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest。 Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook， three keys， and a final whisper…Venice。 Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than sixty years。
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。
Key by key， Lettie’s life of impossible love， loss， and courage unfolds。 It’s one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins。
©2021 Janet Quin-Harkin， writing as Rhys Bowen （P）2021 Audible， Inc。
Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the 'New York Times' best-selling author of 'The Tuscan Child' and 'Above the Bay of Angels'。
Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest。 Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook， three keys， and a final whisper…Venice。 Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than sixty years。
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。
Key by key， Lettie’s life of impossible love， loss， and courage unfolds。 It’s one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins。
©2021 Janet Quin-Harkin， writing as Rhys Bowen （P）2021 Audible， Inc。
Reviews
Darlene
，
While this book is marketed as a historical fiction， it reads much more like a romance to me。 That being said， I did enjoy the reading experience。 When the story begins， we are introduced to a scene between a woman and a man。 The man is recruiting the woman to be a spy for Britain while she is living in Venice。 The reader then expects to read a book about about a brave woman spying for her government。 Instead， the story is mostly about Juliet's romance with an Italian man she cannot have and the While this book is marketed as a historical fiction， it reads much more like a romance to me。 That being said， I did enjoy the reading experience。 When the story begins， we are introduced to a scene between a woman and a man。 The man is recruiting the woman to be a spy for Britain while she is living in Venice。 The reader then expects to read a book about about a brave woman spying for her government。 Instead， the story is mostly about Juliet's romance with an Italian man she cannot have and the city of Venice。 The war and the spying does not really enter the book until the last 20% of the book。 The best aspect of this book is the Venice setting。 The descriptions of the city and its canals and churches are beautifully detailed and create a lovely image for the reader。 The characters in this book are quite likable。 Juliet is a protagonist for whom the reader can feel sympathy。 She is talented and kind， and she tries to do what is right in most situations。 Her love interest can be a bit frustrating at times because of his lack of concern for decorum。 He often does not seem to realize the pain he is causing Juliet。 There is also a modern timeline featuring Juliet's great niece who travels to Venice after Juliet's death to scatter her ashes there。 She learns a lot about her aunt's history while in Venice and even meets some relatives of Juliet's lover。 This timeline is not as interesting and entertaining to read as the one that occurs in the time of the second world war。 Overall， I can say that enjoyed the book。 However， it is not the story I was expecting to read based on the start of the novel and its synopsis。 。。。more
Anne
，
The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen is a touching romance， well， two really， full of secrets and heartache。 As her great-aunt Lettie lies dying， she directs her great niece， Caroline Grant to a box in her closet and whispers， "Angelo，" into her ear。 Not understanding at all， Caroline secures the box， full of things that appear to be random and unrelated。 Foremost， a ring with keys on it and a portfolio of sketches。 There is also the bequest of 1000 pounds which Caroline's mother convinces her to The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen is a touching romance， well， two really， full of secrets and heartache。 As her great-aunt Lettie lies dying， she directs her great niece， Caroline Grant to a box in her closet and whispers， "Angelo，" into her ear。 Not understanding at all， Caroline secures the box， full of things that appear to be random and unrelated。 Foremost， a ring with keys on it and a portfolio of sketches。 There is also the bequest of 1000 pounds which Caroline's mother convinces her to use to go to Venice， which is where the mystery seems to begin。 Lettie had been there years before。 Caroline needed the break right now。 She had been having a rough time。 She had taken a job at a magazine to support she， her husband， Josh， and their son， while Josh attempted to make his way in the world of clothing design。 They had met as students in art school but financially only one could pursue their dreams， and that had been Josh。 He was invited to go to the US to design for a singer on tour。 Despite her misgivings he left and shortly thereafter announced that he was staying， pursuing his career and the singer， asking for a divorce。 As part of the settlement， their son was to spend the summer with his father。 Then came 9-11 and there were no planes; then， supposedly， the psychiatrist had said his mental health was at risk if he was forced to get on a plane。 It was a ruse to steal her son， Teddy， and she knew it。 There she was， bereft， no knowing what to do next。 A vacation was in order。 Upon her arrival in Venice， Caroline began to follow the leads her aunt had left: there were not many and what she discovered， she discovered by accident。 This story unfolded following two timelines: a literary way of telling two stories， which meet at some point。 Caroline's story was current; Lettie's took place during World War II。 They both involved the wealthy Da Rossi family， Italian nobility。 Both were beautifully told， expanding on personalities that were in part， hereditary。 Caroline was at a crossroads in her life and her great-aunt Lettie provided her the means， accidentally， to spread her wings and find her place in the world。 The two timelines melded seamlessly。 They elderly， spinster great-aunt had lead a much more exciting life than anyone had ever known。 As Caroline uncovered it， piece-by-piece， she was falling in love with the modern Da Rossi heir， Luca。 Life had changed in the years since the war， as had expectations， for both of them。 This was a beautifully written story， full of romance， horror， and betrayal。 Bravo， Rhys Bowen！I was invited to read a free ARC of The Venice Sketchbook by Netgalley。 All thoughts and opinions are my won。 #netgalley #thevenicesketchbook 。。。more
Kristine~ReadALittleAndWineAboutIt
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This is great lightweight WWII fiction。 If you’re not looking for something super heavy on your soul but you want to stick to historical fiction then this is the novel for you。 The setting descriptions are fantastic。 Venice was brought to life through her words。 It was beautiful。 I really enjoy Rhys Bowen novels， she’s incredible with her words。 Pulling you in and keeping you captivated， however this wasn’t my favorite of hers。 I did find it a little slow in parts especially the beginning。 It to This is great lightweight WWII fiction。 If you’re not looking for something super heavy on your soul but you want to stick to historical fiction then this is the novel for you。 The setting descriptions are fantastic。 Venice was brought to life through her words。 It was beautiful。 I really enjoy Rhys Bowen novels， she’s incredible with her words。 Pulling you in and keeping you captivated， however this wasn’t my favorite of hers。 I did find it a little slow in parts especially the beginning。 It took a bit of time to really take off。I also found things a little too convenient and easy， but that follows along with the easier lightweight read。 The romances fell a little flat for me， I just wasn’t as connected to the characters as I wanted to be。 I feel like this is a classic “it’s me， not you” moment。 I’ve been having a hard time connecting to anything meaningful as I have heavy thoughts on my shoulders。 There were definitely things I enjoyed though。 The duel time line worked well and figuring out the connections really kept my eyes glued to the pages。 It was compelling and intriguing。A great escape， for sure。Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this novel。 All thoughts are my own。 。。。more
BreeAnn （She Just Loves Books）
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This was a lovely trip to Italy spanning two timelines。 The beautiful descriptions of Venice truly transport the reader， making a vivid， picturesque story to read！Caroline has just had her husband leave her when she receives a letter that 90-year-old great aunt is dying。 She makes it to her aunt in time for her to give Caroline her dying wish。 Great Aunt Lettie gives Caroline a box， three keys， and a sketchbook， and mutters “Venice”。 So off to Venice she goes to unravel a great mystery。I really This was a lovely trip to Italy spanning two timelines。 The beautiful descriptions of Venice truly transport the reader， making a vivid， picturesque story to read！Caroline has just had her husband leave her when she receives a letter that 90-year-old great aunt is dying。 She makes it to her aunt in time for her to give Caroline her dying wish。 Great Aunt Lettie gives Caroline a box， three keys， and a sketchbook， and mutters “Venice”。 So off to Venice she goes to unravel a great mystery。I really enjoyed both Caroline and Juliet （Lettie’s） story。 I liked alternating between the two timelines， and found the romance storylines to be beautiful and emotional。 With Juliet’s story set during WWII， I was a little worried this would feel like so many other WWII stories， but this one had its own twists and turns to keep me glued to my seat！Bowen is a gifted author who can write a story that does more than just pull you in， she makes you become a part of the story。 You forget where you are， and look up to find yourself in the gondola in the Venice Canal。If you enjoy historical fiction and travel， I highly recommend this one！I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free。 I am leaving my review voluntarily。 。。。more
eyes。2c
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。。。 ahh Venice！Two seperate times， two women who travel to Venice to discover the art world that exists there。。 Juliet Browning has been before in 1928 but left hurriedly with her great aunt。 She travels there again in 1938 to attend La Accademia di Belle Arti， the Academy of Fine Arts， a life dream。 She’s reacquainted with a young man， Leonardo Da Rossi who Juliet had met on her previous visit。 When war breaks out Juliet remains in Venice—until she can’t！Caroline Grant， her great niece， who’d p 。。。 ahh Venice！Two seperate times， two women who travel to Venice to discover the art world that exists there。。 Juliet Browning has been before in 1928 but left hurriedly with her great aunt。 She travels there again in 1938 to attend La Accademia di Belle Arti， the Academy of Fine Arts， a life dream。 She’s reacquainted with a young man， Leonardo Da Rossi who Juliet had met on her previous visit。 When war breaks out Juliet remains in Venice—until she can’t！Caroline Grant， her great niece， who’d previous to her marriage had studied design， is in the midst of a divorce and child custody questions， all at the time of the Twin Towers attack。 From her Great-Aunt Lettie she inherits some money， a box with Caroline’s name on it， containing three old fashioned keys， a ring and necklace and two sketchbooks。Caroline decides to travel to Venice， to scatter Aunt’s ashes and to see if there’s anyway she can solve the mystery of the keys。 I loved the way she uses her Aunt’s sketchbook to follow in her footsteps。Questions are invoked， questions that open up the past and uncover some startling events that have had long term consequences。I really enjoyed this dance between times。A Lake Union ARC via NetGalley 。。。more
Linda
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Time changes everything。 We can never fully revisit those people and places we've kept frozen in still life hovering in chambers within our memories。Rhys Bowen presents The Venice Sketchbook which travels in a time-spanning arc from 1928， then to 1938 and then to 2001。 The points of destination leap from England and to Venice and back again。 The cast of characters adapt to the years， the changing of locations， and the deep impact of historical events。Juliet "Lettie" Browning first sets foot upon Time changes everything。 We can never fully revisit those people and places we've kept frozen in still life hovering in chambers within our memories。Rhys Bowen presents The Venice Sketchbook which travels in a time-spanning arc from 1928， then to 1938 and then to 2001。 The points of destination leap from England and to Venice and back again。 The cast of characters adapt to the years， the changing of locations， and the deep impact of historical events。Juliet "Lettie" Browning first sets foot upon the beauty of Venice in 1928。 She's being accompanied by her strict aunt， Hortensia。 Both are hardly seasoned travelers。 When Hortensia takes ill from an upset stomach， Juliet decides to tour the city alone。 It's here that she encounters the handsome Leonardo Da Rossi from a noble shipping family。 Although she and Leonardo are taken with one another， Leonardo is promised to marry another。 They eventually part company。The story fastforwards to 1938 when Juliet returns to Venice as an art teacher in charge of a group of students。 Wonderously， she comes upon the dashing Leonardo once again。 But the current times in Italy are lined with Mussolini's thugs and the seeping in of the Italian fascists。 The flames of their affection have never quite gone out。 But Leonardo is married and the thought of it dulls the spark and fills Juliet with deep regret。Bowen ushers in 2001 with Juliet's great niece， Caroline Grant。 Caroline faces the end of her marriage and the bitter fight over custody of their young son， Teddy。 Fate will place Teddy living in New York with his American father after the Twin Towers have been attacked。 The tremors of the time force Teddy to remain in America for the time being。Caroline will travel to Venice on behalf of her great aunt Lettie who has passed away。 Caroline wishes to honor her with dispersing her ashes in the lovely city。 It's here that we will come upon secrets in the lives of these women。I am an avid fan of Rhys Bowen and have read tons of her books。 The Venice Sketchbook seemed formulaic to me with a predictable plot and characters that we have run into time and time again。 Lost loves and all that。 World War II stories have almost taken over most readers' reading lists as of late。 Don't get me wrong。 The Venice Sketchbook is still a fine offering from the highly talented Rhys Bowen。 Perhaps there is a certain weariness nowadays during these times that have suppressed our mobility and put a damper on our usual desire and zest for life。 Perhaps we're searching for something more that catapults us into a different dimension。。。。。far from the pain of the past and far from the shadows of today。I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review。 My thanks to Lake Union Publishers and to the talented Rhys Bowen for the opportunity。 。。。more
Barbara
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I reviewed an e-galley of this book for Library Journal。 Please read my review there when it's published。 I reviewed an e-galley of this book for Library Journal。 Please read my review there when it's published。 。。。more
MsArdychan
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Please Note:I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 This did nto influence the opinions in my review in any way。As someone who has read a lot of historical fiction （one of my favorite genres）， I was really looking forward to this book。 Venice， WWII。。。 I should have loved it。 While it had wonderful historical detail about life in Venice in the 1930's through the end of World War Two， the story was full of cheesy， unlikely scenarios， meant to throw Please Note:I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 This did nto influence the opinions in my review in any way。As someone who has read a lot of historical fiction （one of my favorite genres）， I was really looking forward to this book。 Venice， WWII。。。 I should have loved it。 While it had wonderful historical detail about life in Venice in the 1930's through the end of World War Two， the story was full of cheesy， unlikely scenarios， meant to throw the main characters together。 It took me out of the story and had me shaking my head at how silly it got。 I would recommend this book as a library read only。Please read my full review on my blog www。ponderingtheprose。blogspot。com on April 13， 2021。 。。。more
Sue
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I found the reading slow in the beginning。 Yet another book about WWII， I really wish writers would find another place in time to write about。 That being said， the last chapters had me all in， and it turned out to be a beautiful story。
Sharlene
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There has never been a book written by Rhys Bowen that I did not enjoy and this one did not disappoint。 One of the things I enjoyed most was the setting of Venice。 We got so many books set during WWII in France， etc but not many in Italy and certainly not Venice。 Dual timelines is always a favorite of mine and I enjoyed both greatly。 I recommend this book for those that love great character development and a well told story。
Leah
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I’m a fan on Rhys Bowen and so I was excited to read The Venice Sketchbook。 It’s a dual timeline story about Juliette Browning who travels to Venice first with her aunt in 1928， then again in 1938 on a one year art scholarship， and Juliette’s niece Caroline who unravels her aunts mysterious past after her death。 Juliette’s story is really the star here。 Caroline’s role is really to unravel the mystery of her aunt’s past， and her side story is really uninteresting and lent nothing to the overall I’m a fan on Rhys Bowen and so I was excited to read The Venice Sketchbook。 It’s a dual timeline story about Juliette Browning who travels to Venice first with her aunt in 1928， then again in 1938 on a one year art scholarship， and Juliette’s niece Caroline who unravels her aunts mysterious past after her death。 Juliette’s story is really the star here。 Caroline’s role is really to unravel the mystery of her aunt’s past， and her side story is really uninteresting and lent nothing to the overall plot in my opinion。 Instead we learn about Juliette’s hidden past through her diary’s that she left behind and as Caroline reads them she unravels what turns out to be a very different and exciting past that what anyone thought her spinster aunt had led。 Venice is the supporting actor in the story， and Ms。 Bowen did a splendid job recreating it for us。 In her notes she tells us that she spent summers their with her parents growing up， so she writes from experience which I appreciate。Thank you to NetGalley， the publishers， and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review。 。。。more
joyce w。 laudon
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Rhys Bowen has written several beloved mystery series， including the stories about Molly Murphy and the “Royal Spyness” novels。 Readers may be less aware of her novels that relate to WWII， of which The Venice Sketchbook is one along with others including The Victory Garden and The Tuscan Child。This dual timeline story is an immersive read。 Readers share in romance， things to be discovered， keys， sketchbooks and more。 Also kudos to the author for bringing the city of Venice so vividly into being Rhys Bowen has written several beloved mystery series， including the stories about Molly Murphy and the “Royal Spyness” novels。 Readers may be less aware of her novels that relate to WWII， of which The Venice Sketchbook is one along with others including The Victory Garden and The Tuscan Child。This dual timeline story is an immersive read。 Readers share in romance， things to be discovered， keys， sketchbooks and more。 Also kudos to the author for bringing the city of Venice so vividly into being in these pages。Many thanks to NetGalley and this title。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Allison
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Every book I have ever read by Rhys Bowen is totally captivating。 She is one of the great storytellers of our times。 She is able to conjure up ordinary people and place them in extraordinary situations so the reader is carried along on a great adventure。 The Venice Sketchbook begins in 1928 and ends in 2001 and in between recounts life in Venice in the years of World War II。 If you have ever been to Venice or just dreamed of visiting， the scenes in this unique city are vivid and magical。 Add to Every book I have ever read by Rhys Bowen is totally captivating。 She is one of the great storytellers of our times。 She is able to conjure up ordinary people and place them in extraordinary situations so the reader is carried along on a great adventure。 The Venice Sketchbook begins in 1928 and ends in 2001 and in between recounts life in Venice in the years of World War II。 If you have ever been to Venice or just dreamed of visiting， the scenes in this unique city are vivid and magical。 Add to that the story of a love that can not be and the sacrifice and danger of war and you will find yourself inhaling this story as fast as you can。 Do yourself a favor and get your hands on The Venice Sketchbook。 。。。more
Courtney | Novel Maven
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Trigger warnings: war， antisemitism， POW camp， children taken from parentsCaroline is going through separation from her husband in 2001。 When 9/11 happens， her son is trapped in New York City with his father。 She uses this time alone to travel to Venice， where her great-aunt Juliet left her an apartment。Juliet's love of Venice started during a trip for her eighteenth birthday when she met the charming Leonardo da Rossi。 She never forgets him， and on a trip with her students 10 years later， she s Trigger warnings: war， antisemitism， POW camp， children taken from parentsCaroline is going through separation from her husband in 2001。 When 9/11 happens， her son is trapped in New York City with his father。 She uses this time alone to travel to Venice， where her great-aunt Juliet left her an apartment。Juliet's love of Venice started during a trip for her eighteenth birthday when she met the charming Leonardo da Rossi。 She never forgets him， and on a trip with her students 10 years later， she spots Leo at an art event。Juliet had dreamed of being an artist but had to leave art school when her family could no longer afford her tuition。 She takes a position as an art teacher at an all-girls school and lives a solitary life。 When an opportunity for one of the teachers to study in Venice comes up， Juliet jumps at the chance。Juliet's life in Venice is easier， with art classes and other foreign students to spend time with outside of classes。 She makes a friend with an Italian countess and art lover， who is also Jewish。 The political situation is charged， with Mussolini's anti-Jewish laws and the threat of Hitler looming。Juliet's situation becomes dire as the war progresses and it's unsafe to return to England。 She must stay in Venice as an enemy alien and struggle to find food without a ration card。Juliet's story is by far the more interesting of the two women， but Caroline's story also parallels Juliet's in many ways。 The majority of the chapters focus on Juliet so the reader isn't left with Caroline for too long。 This makes the novel fly by， as the chapters are focused on the wartime era。Recommended for fans of historical fiction， women's fiction， and World War II fiction。 Lovers of art and Venice will also find something to enjoy。I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。Read the review here: https://guenevol。wixsite。com/novelmav。。。 。。。more
Cindy Roesel
，
THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK （LakeUnionPublishing） by Rhys Bowen tells the duel-timeline narratives of Juliet "Lettie" Browning from 1928， WWII - the present and her great-niece Caroline Grant currently。 Aunt Lettie dies in 2001， while Caroline is in the middle of divorcing her husband， and missing her young son， Teddy who is in New York visiting his father。 When Aunt Lettie dies， Caroline is gifted a sketchbook， three keys and a message to go to her Aunt's beloved， Venice。I've been to cities around th THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK （LakeUnionPublishing） by Rhys Bowen tells the duel-timeline narratives of Juliet "Lettie" Browning from 1928， WWII - the present and her great-niece Caroline Grant currently。 Aunt Lettie dies in 2001， while Caroline is in the middle of divorcing her husband， and missing her young son， Teddy who is in New York visiting his father。 When Aunt Lettie dies， Caroline is gifted a sketchbook， three keys and a message to go to her Aunt's beloved， Venice。I've been to cities around the world， but have yet to visit， Venice。 When I picture the "Floating City，" I think of the Grand Canal， breathtaking art in museums， spectacular architecture， delicious food， music， religion and of course， beautiful Italian men。 Bowens beautiful prose captures all the picture postcard beauty of Venice。Aunt Lettie and Caroline both experience the magic of romance， but I'm not going to tell you anymore than that。 The novel is cinematic and will definitely be one of my favorite of 2001。 I suggest you pour yourself a glass of Prosecco and allow yourself to fully immerse in this novel。 。。。more
Stefanie
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A warm breeze caressed her skin and the soft chatter of birds accompanied her as she walked along the canal。 Gondolas moved swiftly by as the water lapped against the sides of the watercraft， endless voices of excitement as the tourists took in the sights。 She couldn’t help but smile at their excitement as they took in the wonder of this glorious city。 Even she could find beauty after all this time in the city that captured her heart。The Venice Sketchbook， a dual timeline novel that captured the A warm breeze caressed her skin and the soft chatter of birds accompanied her as she walked along the canal。 Gondolas moved swiftly by as the water lapped against the sides of the watercraft， endless voices of excitement as the tourists took in the sights。 She couldn’t help but smile at their excitement as they took in the wonder of this glorious city。 Even she could find beauty after all this time in the city that captured her heart。The Venice Sketchbook， a dual timeline novel that captured the life of a woman who fell in love with a life， a city， and a man that in the end she could not have。I loved Juliet’s character so much and loved her historic timeline in this book。 Rhys Bowen’s writing easily transported me to Venice and I felt as if I were right there beside Juliet as her story unfolded。The present timeline， with Juliet’s great niece， Caroline， wasn’t my favorite。 I preferred the historic timeline and luckily 3/4 of the book was told from Juliet’s historic perspective。 I just couldn’t connect with Caroline and didn’t love the present day scenario。That being said， with the 1940s timeline being the dominate tale， this book was so good and I highly recommend for those that love historical fiction， especially the WWII era。TW: Death of a Loved One， Infidelity， War （crimes， captures， questioning， brief mentions of the camps）， Abortion （briefly mentioned）， Loss of a Child （taken away）。*I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review。 。。。more
Kathleen Gray
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This may be a dual time line novel featuring Caroline in 2001 and Lettie in the 1930s but it's really Lettie's story。 Lettie's deathbed wish is that her niece Caroline go to Venice- she gives her keys and a sketchbook but why？ Lettie spent her youth in Italy and in love with Leo， who was married。 This is a surprisingly unemotional love story， given the setting and the time， especially once the Germans arrive。 Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC。 There are no real surprises here but it's a good read This may be a dual time line novel featuring Caroline in 2001 and Lettie in the 1930s but it's really Lettie's story。 Lettie's deathbed wish is that her niece Caroline go to Venice- she gives her keys and a sketchbook but why？ Lettie spent her youth in Italy and in love with Leo， who was married。 This is a surprisingly unemotional love story， given the setting and the time， especially once the Germans arrive。 Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC。 There are no real surprises here but it's a good read for fans of the genre and those who long for a trip to Venice for both the scenery and the food。 。。。more
Jeanie
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RATING 3。5 STARSI had high hopes for this one。 One of my favorite genres is historical fiction during World War II and in the romantic Italian city of Venice。 The narration is also one of my favorites of two time periods of the same family。 The time periods themselves have an irony of the World Trade Center and World War II。 There is more irony to the prose but I like the discovery of it myself。 Caroline Grant is about to discover there is more to her great aunt Juliet Browning。 Aunt Juliet has RATING 3。5 STARSI had high hopes for this one。 One of my favorite genres is historical fiction during World War II and in the romantic Italian city of Venice。 The narration is also one of my favorites of two time periods of the same family。 The time periods themselves have an irony of the World Trade Center and World War II。 There is more irony to the prose but I like the discovery of it myself。 Caroline Grant is about to discover there is more to her great aunt Juliet Browning。 Aunt Juliet has always lived life single and helping others。 They have a special relationship and her last words to her niece sends her to Venice with 3 very old looking keys。 Caroline feels the trip will clear her mind with her relationship problems with her ex who lives in the United States and is keeping their son from her。 Caroline's discovery of her aunt's past life is a discovery of her current life。The narration goes back and forth when Caroline uncovers where the keys goes to and what they represent。 Juliet's story is her love for the arts and finding love in Venice that becomes forbidden during war time。 The cost of love and the duties one must do。 The narration was stronger at first and my anticipation slowly went away。 Sometimes it can be because it didn't end the way I wanted it to how or it may have been to far fetched for me to connect。 I think it was a connection issue for me。 I did like the discovery of Venice and the descriptive narrative。 I just wanted more with the characters。A special thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review。 。。。more
Jenny H
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A story of two girls in Venice at different times: Juliet in 1939， just before war starts and her niece Caroline in 2001， not long after the Twin Towers in New York were destroyed by terrorists。 Juliet went to Venice on a scholarship to study art and revisits an old flame， a man she can never marry。 Caroline goes because she has inherited her aunt’s flat and to take her mind off her impending divorce。 Strong storylines with good characterisation and a satisfying ending make this a great book to A story of two girls in Venice at different times: Juliet in 1939， just before war starts and her niece Caroline in 2001， not long after the Twin Towers in New York were destroyed by terrorists。 Juliet went to Venice on a scholarship to study art and revisits an old flame， a man she can never marry。 Caroline goes because she has inherited her aunt’s flat and to take her mind off her impending divorce。 Strong storylines with good characterisation and a satisfying ending make this a great book to curl up with on a long weekend。 。。。more
Jane
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The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen is Historical Mystery Fiction set in World War II Europe。 Irresistible split time fiction with secrets， romance and mystery。 It is a story of family， enduring love， wartime resistance， love， sorrow and hope。 I never read a book by Rhys Bowen that I didn’t enjoy and I loved this one。 I received a complimentary copy of this book。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。 I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen is Historical Mystery Fiction set in World War II Europe。 Irresistible split time fiction with secrets， romance and mystery。 It is a story of family， enduring love， wartime resistance， love， sorrow and hope。 I never read a book by Rhys Bowen that I didn’t enjoy and I loved this one。 I received a complimentary copy of this book。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。 I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read， enjoy and review this book。 5 Stars 。。。more
Becka
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3。5 stars The Venice Sketchbook is a WWII historical fiction novel with a dual timeline。 The 1930-40s timeline follows Juliet Browning， a young woman who first visits Venice with her oh-so-proper aunt and meets a young man who will change her life in unexpected ways， even though their time together is short。 The second timeline follows Caroline， Juliet’s great-niece， who has inherited Juliet’s seemingly minute estate， along with the charge to unravel the importance of the contents of a small box 3。5 stars The Venice Sketchbook is a WWII historical fiction novel with a dual timeline。 The 1930-40s timeline follows Juliet Browning， a young woman who first visits Venice with her oh-so-proper aunt and meets a young man who will change her life in unexpected ways， even though their time together is short。 The second timeline follows Caroline， Juliet’s great-niece， who has inherited Juliet’s seemingly minute estate， along with the charge to unravel the importance of the contents of a small box。 Some dual timeline books would have benefitted from having only a single historical timeline， and this is one of them。 While for the most part， I feel the WWII historical fiction market is oversaturated （especially the WWII/present day dual timeline combo）， I did enjoy Juliet’s timeline very much。 I liked that we got to know her at several different stages of life， and could see how each of the previous stages was impacting her currently。 Personally， I would have enjoyed the book more if it had focused only on telling Juliet’s story in greater detail。 That would have eliminated the negatives to her story that existed， such as the very minor focus on her role in the war effort。 The prologue leads the reader to believe this will play a major role， but by the time it appeared in the plot， I had completely forgotten the prologue。 Had this been a single timeline， there would also have been time to develop the characters more fully， making some of their actions more believable。I never really felt a connection to Caroline and her storyline。 It wasn’t as developed as Juliet’s and the relationship that develops in her plotline just felt icky to me， despite the author’s assurances to the reader。Overall， an enjoyable book。 I would definitely pick up another book by this author。 Review will be posted on retail sites， Goodreads， and on YouTube Channel Hicks Picks Books。Thanks go to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Roselyn
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I was a little bit disappointed with The Venice Sketchbook。One of the first chapters suggests the book is going to be exciting over 3/4 of the way through the book the task Juliet is asked to carry out isnt mentioned。 This doesn't mean the book is bad， its just very slow paced compared to what I expected from the start。It's beautifully written， the descriptions of Venice really make me want to visit。 Although based loosely during WWII， Venice wasn't overly affected at the start so it's more talk I was a little bit disappointed with The Venice Sketchbook。One of the first chapters suggests the book is going to be exciting over 3/4 of the way through the book the task Juliet is asked to carry out isnt mentioned。 This doesn't mean the book is bad， its just very slow paced compared to what I expected from the start。It's beautifully written， the descriptions of Venice really make me want to visit。 Although based loosely during WWII， Venice wasn't overly affected at the start so it's more talking around the war and the effect it may or may not have。 This is a lovely book， definitely a slow enjoyable one rather than a fast paced exciting read。 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Venice Sketchbook
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Venice Sketchbook&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Venice Sketchbook&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0