This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

How she tells a story is magnificent. I love Venice, war and love stories and this book had it all. Very well written with rat story telling. Highly recommend!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and I have trouble believing this is a debut author. The story is so engrossing and so well told, it could have been written by a seasoned successful author. I’m not sure of the official category for this book, but I would classify it as literary fiction.

The plot jumps back and forth between the present day in Connecticut and Venice in 1571, and the connection is not completely clear until the very end, at which point I was quite surprised to be provided with some unexpected details, kind of an epilogue, if you will (but not). There are some elements of the paranormal, with an alchemist who might be able to turn into a crow(?) and a budding relationship between Rose and Wiliam which seems like it may be a case of reincarnation of past lovers. But William is married and nobody likes a cheater so Ms. DeRoux wisely chose to avoid stepping over the line. Rose and William share a deep connection, which may or may not be related to the past, but a romantic relationship is not meant to be—although both will be profoundly changed for having known one another. Both will learn important truths about themselves.

Scenes depicting battles between the Muslims and the Christians, though clearly important to the story, were not my favorite. There were some brutal things they did to one another, as any student of history knows, and I wasn’t thrilled about being reminded of such acts. Likewise, reading about the subjugation of women and Jews was unpleasant and made me anxious. I had not realized that the ghettos had originated in Venice, complete with yellow stars the Jews were forced to wear. It seems the Nazis were not exactly original, and sadly, history repeats itself more often than we might like. Needing a scapegoat to blame for societal ills is a recurring theme in this world.

The other thing that made me nervous, particularly when reading about events in 1571, was the feeling that something terrible was going to happen to the characters. I made the fatal error of trying to read Pillars of the Earth a few months ago, and although I could not finish it, I am still haunted by scenes from that book that were so disturbing, they return in my nightmares. I was on edge, fearful that something equally terrible would happen in this book. I’d like to thank the author for NOT doing that. The worst in this book was the depiction of the leader of an army who was flayed alive before his skin was stuffed with straw and paraded around the city. Yes, it was ghoulish and disgusting, and I had trouble reading it, but it was nothing like Pillars of the Earth, which was unrelenting in its horrors. That said, I could have done without that particular scene in this book.

Margaux DeRoux has the voice of a poet conveying the visions of an artist. Images like Rose walking down the street as “she watched fragments of herself slip past in store windows” were so easy to visualize, reminding me of times I have done something similar, never giving it a second thought. The ordinary became extraordinary because of the attention given, like Gio’s observation about Chiara:

“Her voice was soft, with a scratch inside it like a fingertip curling: come closer… She was dazzling in a way only something that won’t last can be. In a few years’ time, he knew her face would be hardened, her posture settled into the architecture of a body accustomed to use.”

There are so many wonderful images and profound universally-applicable observations—too many to list, really. For example, we are briefly introduced to Ali Pasha, admiral of the Ottoman fleet, who ponders the illogical nature of faith. “He could never understand the shortsightedness of the Christians. How could they despise the Jews for not recognizing Jesus, even as they themselves refused to perceive that the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) was sent to continue His very work? How could they not recognize that this was the advocate Jesus Himself had foretold?” When we are convinced of the truth of our beliefs, we will go to any lengths to prove the truth of them, even ignoring facts that may contradict these “truths.”

By the time I had reached the end of this book, I was crying. It was so very touching, the characters so real and so relatable. Truly, I fell in love with them and felt their anguish. Life is hard. It is filled with lessons to help us grow along the way and the most resilient amongst us take the lessons and apply them to create better lives. I keep thinking of Gio’s words, and his desire to hold onto something when he knows he must let it go: “—to know in the very act that his mind would surely circle back again and again to these minutes, the way a desperate creature returns to a place where there once had been water.” I feel like my mind will keep returning to this book, to these characters, to their story.

A descendant of Giovanni Lomazzo brings his art treatise to a book restorer, who discovers the palimpsest, Giovanni's journal of his illicit love affair. DeRoux beautifully portrays the artist's impossible romance amidst the terror of the Ottoman Empire. The attraction between between Giovanni's descendant and the book restorer pales by comparison, and is not as interesting. Perhaps this is because it's too familiar, or it may be that the mores of the time are more mundane, a simple married man and single woman. In any case, this historical fiction is worth it for Giovanni's tragic romance with the courtesan of Venice's powerful military commander. I was fortunate to receive a digital copy from the publisher Ballantine Books through NetGalley.

Unfortunately this book didn't show up on my kindle even though it's on my list and shelf, so I'm obligated to provide a review and a rating even though I can't figure out how to get the book. I wish there was a way to alert netGalley when this happens. Sorry.

this was a really interesting read, the characters were great and I loved the use of the two storylines. I had a great time reading this book.

Dual timelines, with one set in 1571 Venice, and the other in a current time college town in Connecticut. In Venice Chiara is the beautiful courtesan to Viero, a Venetian military leader, and he has retained Giovanni Lomazzo, to paint her portrait. During the sittings for the portrait, Chiara and Gio discover their mutual interest in the arts, her in music, and his in painting Unbeknownst to most is the fact that Gio is loosing his eyesight, and this may be his last portrait. Centuries later, William Lomazzo, an artist looking for direction, has undertaken to sift through his deceased relative's belongings and discovers an extremely old palimpsest, which is a document written over a hidden text that has purposely been scraped away. He hopes to have it restored so he takes it to Rose, professional book restorer in the college town. The process of separating the two texts and the process of creating Chiara's portrait took a lot of my attention, but the salons of Venice Swirl with politics as they prepare for the invasion of the Ottoman fleet, while the rest of Venetian society is dictated by antisemitism, superstition, and the inequality of women. The characters in the Venetian timeline have stronger details and plot lines, but William's unspoken responses to the marriage counselor were priceless.

"The Lost Diary of Venice" features stories from the past and from modern times, woven together in one narrative. The details and background on art and on book restoration make this book interesting for me. I enjoyed the storyline on Giovanni and Chiara quite a lot, as I find historical novels to be intriguing. The lush details and descriptions draw the reader into the stories of both past (Venice) paralleling current times (Connecticut) and provide a fitting background for the action. The story was well-researched as well as imaginative.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The ideas expressed here are entirely my own.

The Lost Diary of Venice by Margaux DeRoux also weaves together two captivating narratives. In the present day, Rose Newlin is a bookseller and book restorer whose client, artist William Lomazzo, brings in a manuscript dated 1571, likely written by his ancestor, Giovanni Lomazzo. That manuscript, a palimpsest, is both an art treatise and a chronicle that recounts the personal and political machinations Gio gets mixed up in as the Ottoman fleet nears Venice. Sparks fly between Rose and William—and between Giovanni and Chiara, his patron’s courtesan—and the result is utterly enticing.

3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this book a great deal, though wish the pacing could have been a tad quicker. I don't mind books that alternate between the historical and modern narratives, but I could have spent all my time in the ancient story in this work and done without the modern one entirely. The story of Giovanni and Chiara was wonderful, and I loved the rich detailed backdrop giving us insight into art as well as the historical and social context of the Ottoman-Venetia era. I felt it ended too abruptly and we didn't see their endings through. The modern narrative of Rose and William is fine but didn't serve as a great foil to Giovanni and Chiara.

For all of that, it was very well written and cohesive. Enjoyed very much and will read further from this author.

I liked the opening . I liked Rose. I liked the atmosphere and descriptions. there was not a lot happening. I wasn't hooked in the story

Lovely book that travels back in time through the eyes of a book restorer and the wonderful streets of ancient Venice. I loved all the characters and the intrinsic way their lives melded together. It's a story of love, life, hardship, war and forbidden love. Forbidden love always being the constant. This book is destined to become a book club favorite.

The Lost Diary of Venice
Mrgaux DeRoux

The Lost Diary of Venice is a seamless story - one in present day Connecticut and the other 5 centuries prior during the Renaissance period in Venice. This skillfully weaved tale of forbidden love between Rose and William, and Giovanni and Chiarra. The story is very well researched and I enjoyed the historical revelation of the historical art piece. Really enjoyed this immersive read.

This was an interesting dual timeline book. The present time was easier to keep straight…as well as the characters. However, the 1571 time had too many characters so that it was difficult to remember everyone. That made it difficult to connect with them.

I enjoyed reading about Italy and the art. Traveling to Italy is on my bucket list. Hopefully one day!

I definitely think some will enjoy this book and encourage anyone reading this review to read those of people who rated it higher than me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Lovers of Italian historical fiction will adore this dual timeline story, set in present-day Connecticut and Renaissance Venice, There is a bit of war and peace within the story and I did find the romances more intriguing than the details of the war, but all in all, it's beautifully written, emotionally gripping, and full of historical factoids that kept me reading till the very end.

This book was just so so to me. It took me awhile to read it mainly because I just didn't have the desire or urge to pick it up again and again. The writing wasn't bad. Sadly it didn't grab me and pull me in.

I love historical reading. This is full of facts from the past. It has an interesting weave of a time from the past with a story of today. Thanks for the advanced copy by netgalley and the publisher.

I enjoyed this book that told two stories in different timelines almost 500 years apart.

In present day, William, an artist, brings a book written by his ancestor, Giovanni, to a woman named Rose to be restored. As she works on the books, she discovers diary entries and sketches of a woman which start to consume her and draw her dangerously close to William, who is married.

In 1570's Venice, Giovanni is conducting an affair with a courtesan named Chiara. With the Ottoman-Venetian War as a backdrop, their love story is one for the ages.

Two forbidden romances with unforgettable characters, this book was intricate and well-researched. I couldn't put it down.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House/Ballantine Books and the author for an ecopy to review.

To me this book was very interesting in that it had information on art and history in the Renaissance Era and also was set in Venice, Italy. There is a good bit written about the Ottoman Empire trying to take over Venice in the Battle of Lepanto and also about art. You will find, upon reading this book, that women were not considered smart enough to write a book, play and write music, or participate in the activities that women do now.

However, having said the above, the book is actually about Giovanni Lomazzo an artist who is slowly losing his eyesight and Chiara a courtesan to Venier a statesman in Venice and their love for each other in the Renaissance Era and Rose, William and Lucas in today's time period.

Gio is asked to paint a portrait of Chiara by Venier to outdo the artist Tintoretto who had promised him a portrait and reneged on his promise. Venier wants Tintoretto to be upset he did not paint Chiara. Also in the picture are Margherita and Veronica, two other courtesans to Venier. Also, more primary in the story, is Corvina, an assistant to Venier, who is primarily out for advancement to a higher position through Venier and other politicians, statesmen, church officials and others.

Rose is a book restoror and is asked by William (who, by the way, is married with 2 children) to restore a book given to him when his great-grandmother passes away. In this book is found the portrait of Chiara; but, underneath the portrait are drawings and notations Gio has drawn regarding his and Chiara's love affair and also a treatise by Giovanni on art. William is attracted to Rose upon meeting her in the bookshop she owns and where she does restorations. Rose is also attracted to William; even after finding out he is married.

While doing research on the book for William, Rose meets Lucas in the University library where he retrieved archived books for customers in subjects they requested. He brings Rose books on Renaissance Venice and art books by artists of that time period.

There are many twists and turns in this book which made it an interesting and very enjoyable read. I have only given a very tiny bit of the story in this review. You will find a few more characters presented who are very interesting also. I don't want to give the whole story away in this review.

I found the writing by Ms. DeRoux excellent and I was very satisfied with the ending (although, maybe 1 more chapter with a little bit of explanation would have been more satisfying)! I will look forward to reading another book by Ms. DeRoux if it is as well written and researched as this book.

I received this ebook through NetGalley for a fair and honest review, which I have given. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing be to read this advanced copy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions in this review are completely my own.

I love books that take place in present day and in the past. This particular book is about a present day Book restorer and an artist in 1571 Venice. There is war, intrigue, romance and a maniacal bad guy.

I think the most fascinating part of this book is the Jewish ghetto. In the authors note, she said that she was inspired by reading an article about the 500th anniversary of the first Jewish Ghetto. They even wore yellow badges to denote their status. History truly is damned to repeat itself.

I definitely recommend this book to my fellow historical fiction friends.