An enjoyable read. I did however feel that the story dragged somewhat in the middle. The characters were wonderful and likeable to the reader, and the setting was beautiful. A lovely book to lose yourself in.

The characters in this book were well written and very likeable. It was an enjoyable read but I felt it dragged too much in the middle and the story was very unbelievable. It's a great book for some escapism and I enjoyed visiting the various places the book takes you to.

Enjoyed this story. Though I felt it dragged in the middle, I have to admit I was in a bit of an impatient-with-everything phase when I read it, and at some other time, I would probably have loved that this is a story one can sink into and settle down comfortably with, that it goes into so much beautiful detail and sketches its characters so well that you feel you are getting to know them as you turn the page. The intrigue about the letters kept me enthralled, and the last 10% gave me a lot of happy sighs. Just, I was in a place where I wanted to rush this book, but it is definitely one to be savored and appreciated for each page and every line.

The story held me and I read on with anticipation, waiting to see how it turned out. Lots of surprises along the way. The characters were real and one became engaged with them and with their problems as well as their successes. Plenty of travel interest as well. I never really knew how things would work out for them all but I enjoyed finding out.

Lovely book to read. Perfect beautiful location to get lost in. It was very well written and a magical story to read.

Joanna, a travel writer based in London, returns to her family home in Dorset after her marriage breaks down. Joanna's sister Harriet and her Mother still live at Mulberry Farm Cottage, a working farm that has been in the family for almost a century. She discovers some old love letters in the attic of the farm house that are connected to a painting in her bedroom, of a bridge in Venice. Joanna enjoys the slower pace of life once she's back home but is happy to receive a writing assignment from her London based boss. She sets of on an overseas trip that follows in the footsteps of the artist that painted the Venice bridge. This whimsical story has several threads that tie together nicely at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy of this book

The story starts out with the death of a marriage. I usually don't like that sort of scenario, but it's an obvious one to provide the catalyst for a foreign adventure. Only this one starts out with the wife going home to her family's farm, which has problems of its own. Joanna is a journalist and her job, along with some letters found in the attic of the old farmhouse, lead her to several European cities, starting with Venice.

I have to admit, what I had hoped for from this story was a far more vivid experience of Venice than I got. The story focused more on relationship issues of both Joanna and her sister Harriet and the problems with a mother going senile, plus financial difficulties on the farm. It isn't the sort of story I would normally pick up and at one point I seriously considered skipping to the end.

However, as things developed I got involved in the sisters' separate journeys to find direction. The story became multi-layered with Harriet's adventures in online dating and a stalker who keeps turning up on the farm, plus Joanna's dilemma about whether her marriage should be saved or chucked and some weird shared hallucinations of the people in her letters in the places she visits for her travel article. Then of course there's the mother who keeps calling out workmen to do things they can't afford and the neighbour who is always helpful and coming around to help out. I figured I had him worked out early in the story and it turned out I was right, but the stalker did surprise me.

The travel descriptions were better for Lisbon and Prague, two places I've never been but could go to when travel is functional again. The story balanced somewhere between Romance and Mystery and trying to work out who Emmy was kept me guessing through to the end. Overall I enjoyed the story, though I felt the reveals were being spoon-fed to me. The writing was good but lacked the artistry of a real seat-of-your-pants novel. It might appeal to someone looking for an easy read or beach read.

A wonderful read with lovely characters. Part romance, mystery and travel guide I really enjoyed reading about Joanna’s travels wandering through the cities over the bridges. The mystery behind the letters is intriguing and the relationship between the sisters and their mother believable. I enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend as a light holiday read.

A story of discovery for many characters. Well written but some bits slightly far fetched and i felt they took from the story line.

Rosanna Ley is one of my favourite novelists, which is the main reason I signed up for one of her writing retreats. That, of course, transported me to Spain, but her novels have taken me all over the world. From Venice with Love is no exception, as I followed Joanna not only to Venice, but to Lisbon and Prague, each city so beautifully described I felt I was really there. But it was Joanna’s sister Harriet’s story that held me, and she doesn’t even leave the Dorset village where they both grew up. She is an exquisitely drawn character, warts and all, and I felt as I was at her shoulder as she made a very different type of journey to her sister. Highly recommended.

What a beautiful book. This book covers many different topics about families and relationships. It drew me in looking at things from different view points both modern and historical. The story was interesting and I was keen to keep reading.
Thank you to Netgalley for the early e book copy.

An interesting book by Rosanna Ley. This took me a while to get into. It is about 2 sisters who have led very different lives. Very interesting stories when Joanna visits Venice, Lisbon and Prague with lots of history involved.
Not my favourite book by this author but definitely worth reading. Thanks to Netgalley for an A.R.C.
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This is my first book of Rosanna's that I have read and what a wonderful story. A romance, intertwined with history and geography which made me look up and read more about the places, bridges, statues and monuments that appear in the book. Looking forward to reading more of her books

A beautiful story. It took me a while to get used to the style of writing from one character to another between chapters. Harriet the prickly one who missed her father so much. Joanna who had lived away from the family home for so long. Personal circumstances brought them back together and a few home truths finally cleared the air.

Joanna's travels to Venice, lisb6on and Prague and writing her travel brochures brought Nicholas into her life eventually.where we were able to see how his life had panned out.

Then we have Emmy and Rufus!! All is explained eventually.

It is a fascinating read , pure escapism.

Thank you netgalley for the Arc. I'm sorry I'm a but late reviewing but boring things got in the way!!!

Thank you Rosanna for the book.

The book tells the story of 2 sisters, both of whom are going through some tough times in their lives. The sisters are reunited in the family home to try and pick up the pieces. The book travels from Dorset to Venice, Lisbon Prague and Rome and each location is described so well. A little bit of mystery is thrown in with the hidden letters from Emmie.

On the whole I enjoyed this book - some parts were a little unbelievable but then aren't books meant to be like that? We want to be taken away from reality - even more so in the current climate. This was a nice easy read and would be perfect for taking on holiday - if only we could do so. I will definitely be reading those books on my shelves now and recommending this author.

A Journey Of Discovery.....
When painful circumstances lead Joanna to return to her childhood home she begins a journey of discovery and self discovery. With beautifully described settings, atmospherics, solid character description and a satisfying mystery this is a tale to provide some guaranteed escapism. Very enjoyable.

It’s not often that I fan-girl over an author, but if I had to choose an author to fan-girl over, then it would absolutely be the magnificent Rosanna Ley. It’s been a fairly long time since I last devoured a Ley novel, so it’s fair to say that I’d quite forgotten what it was like to be in the hands of such a skilled and capable writer. Rosanna transports her readers in a way I don’t feel is done very often. I mean, sure, there are plenty of talented authors out there who will whisk you away from reality for a couple of hours, allow you to forget about your worries and anxieties, and it really is incredible, don’t get me wrong. But what Rosanna manages to do feels as though it is on an entirely different level to simply ‘whisking’ one ‘away’. I’m very much of the persuasion that Rosanna Ley is in a league all of her own.
Prepare to be taken on a truly sweeping, romantic and epic adventure in From Venice With Love by Rosanna Ley. Allow yourself to be enchanted by the sights, smells and sounds of Venice, Prague and Lisbon, as Joanna sets out to discover the mystery and secrets hidden within the very place she grew up. Rich with history and peppered with forbidden love, flowing with family tensions and the glorious journey towards self-discovery, this was a truly invigorating, inspiring and uplifting novel, positively bursting at the seams with that Rosanna Ley dazzle that draws me in each and every time. It was utterly mesmerising, and riveting to the point that there was little room for much else in my mind other than this juicy, sun-dappled story that swept me out of my front room and dropped me right between the pages.
From Venice With Love is a tale of sisters. Joanna and Harriet may have grown up together, but now, their worlds seem to have been split completely down the middle, leaving them appearing to be the polar opposites of each other. Joanna is the ever-busy city girl, a travel writer with a lifestyle that Harriet could only dream of, whereas Harriet never managed to leave the place she grew up in, feeling responsible for their mother, despondent and not herself, ever since their father passed away. Rosanna captures the differences between the two women in a captivating way. Having sisters myself, I find that the topic of sisters explored within fiction is something I thoroughly enjoy, because I feel you can sort of understand it that little bit better, and it feels much closer to your heart too, because you try to fit yourself into the picture and imagine how you’d react and feel about the scenarios and situations written on the pages. If there’s one thing Rosanna Ley does perfectly, then it’s capturing family dynamics in a genuine and believable way. Ley explores not only the bonds between sisters in this novel, but also the glaringly different experiences of a shared childhood. Ley brings to light how two children, later two teenagers, and finally two women, can experience the same situation yet take away such different things from it, and it was fascinating to say the least. Ley also explores the relationships between mother and daughter, and father and daughter, and I really felt that this was such an authentic take on how unique every family situation can be. The author also highlights, importantly, how not every family is as perfect as they first appear to be and even those within that family circle can sometimes be blind to the truth, blinkered by love and adoration.
Rosanna Ley is the queen of travel within her novels. Each book I’ve read of Ley’s has taken me to some far off location, allowing me to escape to a place I’ve never ventured to before, yet a place I feel as if I know inside out by the time I’ve finished reading. Rosanna Ley is so incredibly gifted at making a setting positively glisten and shine. Her vibrant, vivid descriptions and partiuclar focus on the senses have remained the absolute best I’ve ever read, and I’m certain they will remain so. The way in which Ley opens up a world to her readers never fails to take my breath away, and reading From Venice With Love only served as a reminder of how fantastically thrilling it is, to escape with this author. Joanna, after discovering a trunk of mysterious letters in the loft of her childhood home, is led on an exciting journey, following the footsteps of a woman she believes is one of her ancestors. Driven by love and passion, and an uncertainty that Joanna can’t put her finger on, these love letters unravel a thread from the past that takes Joanna on a journey she’ll never forget. We head to beautiful Venice, Prague and Lisbon, each destination a step towards the cracking of a long-hidden secret running deep within the very essence of these places. I was utterly mesmerised by these stunning locations and found myself absolutely immersed in each of them, as well as fascinated by the mystery of the letters and the incredible amount of history and depth that Rosanna had included within the pages. It was captivating, and took my breath away on numerous occasions.
Alongside the dreamy arm-chair travel aspect of this novel, and the deep exploration of family dynamics, there is also the added sparkle of romance which develops when Nicholas arrives on the scene, seemingly oblivious to the link that ties him to Joanna. Added to this, there is the promise of love for Harriet also, in a most unexpected place. Rosanna weaves these themes together beautifully, each of them dipping and diving above and below each other. Throughout the progression of the plot in From Venice With Love, there were so many surprises awaiting me and I savoured every moment spent discovering them.
I adored the striking contrasts between Joanna and Harriet’s lives, both of which were explored within their own chapters throughout the novel, the narrative switching continuously, allowing me a full 360 degree view of both of their separate journeys. While admiring Venice with Joanna, I also had the opportunity to watch Harriet going about her daily chores back at Mulberry Farm Cottage, their childhood home, alongside overseeing the antics of their mother who seemed to have a penchant for beckoning workmen to their home. Mulberry Farm Cottage was an undeniably wholesome setting, endlessly making me feel warm and cosy. It had such an endearing quality to it that I love so much, and I felt such an insane urge to go there myself, to revel in the Dorset countryside. Seeing into this corner of Harriet’s life certainly had me feeling sympathetic towards her in a way that I completely understood. It wasn’t hard to see that there was a small hint of bitterness when it came to her sister, Joanna, which we later begin to understand stems from their childhood, and the relationship each of them had with their mother and father. Following on from that though, it appears that Harriet has always felt tethered to the house, after making a promise to her father that she would take care of their mother. A promise, I think, she takes very seriously, resulting in Harriet only ever living a half-life while wistfully watching Joanna leave home, get married, forge herself a career in travel writing and head off to all of the beautiful locations she writes about. I really enjoyed seeing Harriet and Joanna engage with each other when Joanna heads back to Mulberry Farm Cottage. Their conversations, mannerisms and emotions towards each other positively leapt from the page and just felt so authentic and real to me, making their bond all the more memorable.
As if this wasn’t enough, there is the added mystery of the ‘prowler’ who appears in the novel a little later on, and Harriet’s late-night sneaky computer visits, layering yet more juicy mysteries within the plot. Intriguing to say the least, I really didn’t see the twisty little story of the ‘prowler’ coming and certainly couldn’t have predicted the turn that the book took later on in regards to this sneaky so-and-so who instantly has Harriet’s nerves on high-alert. There’s also the womens’ problematic mother to contend with and again, Rosanna tackles this topic with grace and integrity, something else I’m sure some readers will be able to relate to. Really, there is just so much to sink your teeth into in Rosanna’s latest book. The ending blew me away and I cannot reccomend this beautifully epic, breath-taking story enough.
My reading of From Venice With Love has only reminded me of how much I adore and enjoy reading Rosanna Ley’s books. Rosanna’s stories are incredibly well written, with so much attention to detail and emotion, it’s impossible to ignore the effect they have on you as the reader. From first page to last, this story wrapped me up tight within its magic and transported me to a world full of mystery, enchantment and secrets, a world I couldn’t bring myself to depart from. From Venice With Love by Rosanna Ley was absolutely stunning in a way words fail to describe. The depths in which this author dives in order to give her reader the most authentic and rich experience really is extraordinary. It’s fair to say I’m already waiting for news of Rosanna Ley’s next novel. Pure reading bliss.
With thanks to the publisher for the advanced reading copy of this book, that of which has no reflection on me providing a fair and honest review.

Follow a mysterious love story throughout Europe in this captivating novel from Rosanna Ley

Book Review: From Venice with Love
By Sally Akins - 19 June, 2020

Follow a mysterious love story throughout Europe in this captivating novel from Rosanna Ley


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I received a copy of From Venice with Love* for review purposes

When Joanna’s husband confesses to having an affair, she packs her bags and heads back to her childhood home, Mulberry Cottage Farm in Dorset. Her sister Harriet lives there with their elderly mother, and she’s been harbouring a simmering resentment for the younger sister who escaped the responsibilities of farm and family to work as a travel journal.

Joanna discovers a bundle of letters written by Emmy, an artist in the early 20th century,to her lover Rufus. Fascinated by the love story enclosed in their pages, Joanna travels to Venice, Lisbon and Prague to try and discover who Emmy and Rufus were, and what became of the lovers.

Meanwhile, back in Dorset, Harriet is trying to discover who she really is, apart from a loyal daughter and farmer. She’s trying to rekindle her rocky relationship with her sister, and also has the added worry of a prowler who she keeps on seeing around her home and in the local area.

With Love from Venice* is a tale of love on different levels. Joanna is keen to learn more about the love between Emmy and Rufus, and in doing so she also learns more about her feelings about her own marriage. Harriet is on a painful journey to learn to love herself, to forgive her own faults and those she sees in her sister and mother

There’s also a third strand to the story. Nicholas buys the travel brochure that Joanna writes about Venice, and follows her walking tour of the city’s bridges. They start an email correspondence that grows into a kind of friendship, and this helps Nicholas to heal after the break up of his own marriage.

But With Love from Venice* also has an element of mystery that will keep you hooked right up to the end. Not only the mystery of who Emmy and Rufus really were, and the mystery of Harriet’s prowler, but also the strange visions that both Joanna and Nicholas see as they journey across Europe.

Rosanna Ley cleverly weaves all of these different elements into a book that will keep you guessing right up to its very last pages.

This is quite a slow burning novel, and I have to admit that I didn’t particularly like Harriet for much of the first half of the book. But it’s worth sticking with it, because the lyrical prose and intriguing plotlines build towards a very captivating conclusion.

I always look forward to a new novel from Rosanna Ley, and to have one partially set in my favourite country of Italy is an added bonus. Joanna’s marriage has fallen apart after her husband’s affair so she decides to go home to see her mother and sister at Mulberry Farm Cottage in Dorset, where her sister Harriet has problems of her own, financial and personal. Whilst there she finds love letters from Emmy, to her lover Rufus, from Venice, Prague and Lisbon, and decides to combine a job of writng for travel guides and her interest in Emmy’s letters, and follow in her footsteps. Both Joanna and Harriet find themselves reassessing their lives in very different ways, and trying to find out who they really are. Family secrets, love, loss and lots of fun make this such a pleasure to read.

One of the things I love about Rosanna Ley’s books is that she always takes me to some wonderful destinations around the world. In From Venice With Love, I was spoilt as she took me to Venice, Rome, Prague, Lisbon, Feurteventura and of course the beautiful Dorset and Cornwall. One of Rosanna Ley’s skills is writng warm and personable characters that you feel you know so well, and who have everday problems. Joanna and her sister Harriet seem very different but beneath the surface they are looking for the same thing. Joanna feels she has compromised her real self in her marriage, whereas Harriet feels she has sacrificed her real self at the expense of taking over the farm and looking after her mother. Joanna’s discovery of the letters from Emmy take her mind off the end of her marriage, and as she looks into her families past she is motivated to move forward, and see her own potential. I think that many readers will identify with both Harriett and Joanna, as along the way we can all lose a bit of ourselves along the way in life, as we grow older and take on responsibilites. There are other wonderful characters including Audrey, Joanna and Harriet’s mother, Owen their neighbour and Nicholas who finds a connection with Joanna through her travel guides, but you need to read this book to learn more.

There is no doubt that Rosanna Ley is a masterful storyteller, whose writing just draws you in, makes you feel comfortable with the characters, and brings the settings of the books to life. Her writing is sensual in the way that you can see the beautiful locations, smell the food, flowers, and fauna and feel the atmosphere, as if you were there with the characters. I really loved the descriptions of how the canals in Venice refelected the light, and how the old and the new stand side by side, showing Venice at its best; like in life our past and future are both important and make us the best we can be. Joanna’s journey is influenced by the letters and paintings of the famous bridges of the cities, but these bridges are also an allegory, a place to pause where you have the choice to move forward with your life, of move backwards. Marriage, in all its diffrent guises, love and family are other important themes that run through Joanna and Harriet’s story.

From Venice With Love is an enchanting and beautifully told story. I literally just fell into this book with the engaging story, and personable characters; it is like putting on you favourite pyjamas where you feel happy and comfortable. I loved the locations, and how they were seen by Emmy in the past and Joanna and Nicholas in the present, and the link between the two. This really is the perfect summer read, with romance, secrets, stunning settings to escape to and characters that you feel you know. Simply stunning

I thought that the format of Joanna and Harriet narrating their own chapters worked really well in this story. For one thing, it highlights how perceptions can be so different (which lead to misunderstandings!). There is another narration that adds more mystery and intrigue – even though I hoped I knew what was coming – how exactly did this tie in? What was the link?

Joanna’s travels as she undertakes to write a tourist guide with a difference has the underlying mystery of Emmy and where she belongs in the family history. I loved this aspect of trying to trace her and wondered who would have the key that would bring it all together. I had no idea! The experiences Joanna has in Venice, Lisbon and Prague are sprinkled with magic … There are some things in life that can’t be defined or explained and this theme of the intangible plays out beautifully in this story.

Harriet is carrying the burden of a promise made which has skewed her perception, not only of herself but the life she is living. I’ve enjoyed watching her blossom and finding her place in the world. I’ve felt very protective of her!

Both sisters’ situations lead to introspection and we become a part of those musings and realisations.

The settings are amazing. I really felt myself there. It was great to be striding along those Dorset hills, seeing old architecture mixed with the new, sitting outside near the mulberry trees or walking across the bridges. At a time when travel is restricted it was great to be able to experience other places vicariously.

Not only is there the mystery of Emmy but also the intrigue about the prowler. What did he want? Why was he spying on them? The answer is a world away from what I thought. It explains so much.

From Venice with Love is a story about the search for self, no matter what age you are. Sometimes you need to lose yourself to find your way back to that centre of calm and balance. It’s about the importance of family and the bonds that hold even when the secrets are laid bare. It’s about repairing and renewal and beginning again. And love in all its shapes and sizes. 🙂

Don’t miss this one!