Immersive. Atmospheric. Seamless. The Venice Sketchbook was a beautiful story of courage, perseverance, self-discovery, secrets, loss, and love that wove between two POV’s and a WW2 and present day storyline.

Something that stood out to me here was Bowen’s delightful writing. I absolutely loved getting lost in the art, the history, and the beauty of Venice that was encapsulated here. It was all so very descriptive without bogging down the story one bit and I just really appreciated how well the author captured the depth and feel of the characters, the situations they were in, and their surroundings. Combined it created such a rich reading experience.

That said, there were some things that I felt kept this book from reaching its full potential, the biggest one being that some elements of the story and the characters were a bit cliche and too coincidental. I wish the author would have gone a slightly different direction to propel the story along. It also seemed as if the romance (one of the big parts of the storyline) and historical events surrounding the lead up to WW2 never quite reached their pitch and landed on a surface level.

In some regards I really loved this one and others I found it lacking. It’s kind of a mixed bag as you can see, but at the same time I still am glad I picked it up. It definitely held my attention and I easily got caught up in it! Especially if you’re a lover of art and travel, and are looking for a lighter historical fiction read to escape into, I’d still recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the gifted e-copy!

I chose to read this book because I've liked some of the other books by the same author. A dual timeline with a mysterious past is also quite a draw. In this book, one timeline shows a woman facing the end of her marriage and struggling with the role she chose to play in the relationship. The other timeline is actually split into three different parts. All of these pieces were individually well done, but I wanted more order and lesser bouncing around. When I first started reading historical fiction like this, I liked the back and forth, and by this time, I think I am just tired of the effort it takes to sometimes switch emotions. I am stating this fact so that the rating and my comments on this book make more sense, coloured by facts and personal preference.
The characters, the timing and the situations are all vividly described making it a very active storyline. There is always something happening, with some parts being predictable while others were not.
The plot revolves around wartime but focuses more on the growth arc of the women, one more than the other.
I think people who like the genre and the author will enjoy the book.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

What can I say about Rhys Bowen's The Venice Sketchbook that over 19,500 reviewers might have said better? I can say that Bowen is a master, creating 4 popular series, and a slew of award winning historical novels. She is a New York Times Best Selling Author. Her commitment to the craft, and candor regarding the writing process have made her a pillar in the mystery community. The Venice Sketchbook is currently the number one best seller in the category of Historical Italian Fiction. Rhys had a billboard on Times Square last week, showing the Venice Sketchbook.

In Rhys' own words (Jungle Red Writers, April 13, 2021), "The mystery is a dying woman entrusting her great niece with three keys and a sketchbook of Venice and the layers of a hidden past being peeled away one by one."

Rhys has the ability to transplant the reader to the past. Visiting the location for the setting of her books, researching in libraries on location, and taking copious notes and photos before beginning writing, she gives the reader a novel that allows entry into both the past and the present. The light, the canals, the festivals and the lovely sound of bells form a 'virtual package tour' as Rhys shares a tale of love and transformation.

Highly recommended for those who love Venice and those who love historical mysteries. Violence occurs off set, making this novel suitable for Young Adults to Senior arm chair travelers.

I love Rhys Bowen's mystery series, and her standalone historical novels are great, too. This really soaks up the atmosphere of Venice as we journey with Caroline in the present day and Juliet in WW2, and through the titular sketchbook discover the hidden secrets of the past.

Caroline Grant’s married to Josh, they have a little boy Teddy and she works as an editorial assistant at a women’s magazine. Josh is offered his dream job in New York, she and Teddy stay behind in England and it doesn’t take long for Josh to meet another women, Caroline’s marriage is in tatters and he wants Teddy to spend the summer in New York.

Caroline's close to her grandmother Winnie and her great-aunt Lettie, she visits them in Surrey and she’s in need of some moral support. Aunt Lettie lost her sight years ago, she’s getting very frail and she passes away. She leaves Caroline her sketchbook, three keys and with her last breath whispers the word Venice. Juliet Browning wants Caroline to scatter her ashes in Venice, the city she first visited as a teenager in the 1920’s and she will discover her great-aunt's shocking secrets that have been kept hidden for over sixty years.

In 1938, Juliet Browning is an art teacher, she arrives in Venice with twelve students, for them to experience the cities, art, history, culture and food. A beautiful city built on water, getting around Venice is a challenge, lots of bridges, canals and boats are needed. For Juliet it brings back memories of her trip as a teenager, she visited Venice with her aunt Hortensia and she met the handsome Leonardo Da Rossi. He comes from one of the oldest, wealthiest and most powerful families in Venice.

Juliet returns to Venice in 1939, she’s studying art at the academia and Leonardo is now married. The outbreak of another war is looming, her fellow art students start leaving Venice and Juliet decides to stay. Juliet has friends in Venice, she can help the British government with vital information and eventually she can’t leave due to a change in her circumstances.

Caroline arrives in Venice, with three keys and her beloved great-aunts ashes. Once she solves the mystery of the first key, key by key she unlocks her aunt’s wartime secrets, she discovers the sacrifices Juliet made, and her undercover work for British intelligence.

The Venice Sketchbook is a story about love, loss, courage, friendship, secrets and self-discovery. For Caroline her time in Venice is valuable in so many ways, she comes to terms with the end of her marriage, she can see things from a different perspective, she has great admiration for her great-aunt Juliet and the lasting legacy she left behind. I received a copy of The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, I was totally engrossed by Juliet’s story, I highly recommend the book and five stars from me.

I can't say that this is my favourite book by this author, she have way more interesting books written. Still this was a nice book. Easy to read with beautiful descriptions of Vance, pleasant and interesting characters.
Enjoyable 😊

I have been a long time fan of Rhys Bowen’s books, but the Venice Sketchbook was a disappointment. What started out as an interesting story became predictable and monotonous.

In my journey into historical fiction over the last year, I have really come to enjoy the stories that connect the past and present. I love how a granddaughter discovers secrets her grandma had, or her great aunts, etc and how those apply to the lives of everyone. While this book didn’t capture every piece of my heart, I was definitely glad to have read it. And I definitely will be looking into others by this author.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I love visiting Venice, and I was excited to read this book and read about places I recognized. I liked the dual timelines, they kept the book interesting and kept it moving. I’m such a fan of Rhys Bowen’s historical mysteries, and she surpassed herself with this book. I highly recommend this book, 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This book was a wonderful walk through Venice, you could almost hear the waves of the canal lapping on the banks. The story was intricately weaved through the past and the present. In the present we have the story of Caroline, smarting from her husband leaving her and his time with their son becoming way more than it should have been due in part to unforeseen circumstances. She then is called to her grandmother’s house as her great aunt, Juliet is dying and asking for her. Her grandmother and great aunt are all the family she has and they have a special relationship. Juliet gets there in time for cryptic last words from Juliet that end up leading her to Venice to try to figure out her aunts secret past. In that past, we have the story of Juliet and her life as a young woman, from a chance meeting with handsome stranger, Leo, when she is 18 in Venice to her visits to Venice afterwards and the love story that she kept secret from all those who knew her. She led an extraordinary life and it leads Caroline to a new life for herself.

This was a lovely book. I enjoyed it and loved all the little surprises in the story and the side characters were well rounded and memorable. I look forward to more books by this author.

The Venice Sketchbook is an enjoyable book. Rhys Bowen writing is so vivid told in dual timelines. Love and secrets come alive in the story told between 60 years.

Thank you @NetGalley, @LakeUnionPublishing @RhysBowen for the Advance Readers Copy for my honest review.

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Venice Sketchbook is the story of Caroline and her great-aunt Lettie. This is a multiple POV, multiple time frame novel set in Venice. Lettie's story takes place from 1920s through 1944 whereas Caroline's is in 2001. When Lettie passes in 2001 Caroline inherits her estate and with it a box that holds sketchpads of Venice and a set of keys. Caroline had no idea Lettie had ever been to Venice but she is now on her own adventure to find out what happened while she was there.
What I loved is that not a lot of WWII era novels are set in Italy let alone Venice so it was nice to be able to have the story set in a different place and it be one where they lead a different live during that time. I also love reading Rhys Bowen novels because no matter how long they are you get drawn in and read them in one day (in this case the 400+ page novel took two days but one really late night).

Great story. Love the cross storylines and the love shared in this beautiful city.

Brave young woman searching for her own story. Enjoy this sweet story. You may mark your calendar to reread this every couple of years. It’s just that good.

Loved this book! Rhys Bowen has outdone herself with this book. A look at her family's past gives Carolyn hope and help with her own future. She inherits her Aunt Juliet "Lettie" Browning's estate with a request to scatter her ashes in Venice. Along the way, she finds 60 year old secrets, some of them bombshells, exploding accepted family lore about Aunt Lettie.

Thank you to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

Having never read Rhys Bowen before (but always having wanted to!), I went into this book with a lot of anticipation - and that might have been my downfall.

I genuinely liked the writing (especially the descriptions of Venice!), and both timelines held my attention ... but I wouldn't necessarily say that I overly enjoyed either timeline or any of the characters. I *liked* everything, and I would for sure give Rhys Bowen another try, but this one didn't really stand out for me.

(It also employs one of my least favorite historical fiction tropes, the "girl has no understanding of anatomy or sex and of COURSE the most unlikely thing to have happen after ONE time happens" - which, in all fairness, is probably not historically inaccurate, but it's still not my favorite.)

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I enjoyed the description of Venice in the two time periods covered in this novel. The characters were well developed and the story connected the families from WWII to the early 21st century. The sketchbook provides the link across the years.

This story blends elements of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy your tour of Venice!

Bowen’s vivid descriptions had me feeling as if I were in Venice with Caroline and Leo. I was hooked from the beginning. This is easily one of my favorite books of the year.

When 18 year old Juliet travels to Venice before enrolling in art school, she could never have known the impact of the trip on the rest of her life. Moving between Juliet’s WWII life in Venice and Charlotte’s Venice visit in 2001, an interesting story unfolds.

This was a great book. Easy to read, kept me interested with beautiful descriptions and pleasant characters. Very enjoyable