Firstly, this cover is absolutely beautiful!

Heartfelt, full of friendship and found family through an appreciation of literature, love, mystery, and absolutely stunning and vivid descriptions of Dubrovnik in Croatia, this book is truly a book for book lovers showing how powerful they can be. A diverse cast of characters who come together through their love of books, each with their own history, struggles, and story, this novel delves into history and culture, and respectfully engages with some heavy themes. The way the book club members are able to help one another in different ways is so poignant, and truly shows the beauty of empathy.

I so look forward to reading more by Eva Glyn!

I highly recommend this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the e-ARC of this book! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Unfortunately, this novel never connected with me as I wanted it to.

I found the novel's writing beautiful, and the descriptions of Dubrovnik were gorgeous and so atmospheric I felt like I was there as I read it. While the writing was lovely, I felt as though that was what carried most of the novel for me, and the rest felt like background noise.
Claire's story is sweet and healing, about friendship and finding your place; Eva Glyn does a brilliant job communicating that experience to the reader.
However, as sweet as Clarie's story was, I never felt connected to her on a level that felt real and personal. This left me feeling as though I read from an outsider's perspective, only observing, and I found that to be a shame.

The Dubrovnik Book Club is undoubtedly worth visiting, if not alone, for its beautiful atmospheric experience.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced reading copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a charming and heartwarming tale that transports readers to the enchanting city of Dubrovnik. The story follows a group of diverse individuals who come together to form a book club, finding solace, friendship, and a sense of belonging in the company of literature and each other.

The author's vivid descriptions of Dubrovnik's stunning landscapes and rich history create a captivating atmosphere that draws the reader in. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique struggles and aspirations. Their interactions are filled with wit, warmth, and a genuine connection that makes it easy to root for them.

The mystery element woven into the narrative adds an intriguing layer of suspense, keeping readers guessing until the very end. However, the heart of the story lies in the power of friendship, the healing nature of books, and the importance of finding one's place in the world.

If you're looking for a delightful escape filled with beautiful scenery, engaging characters, and a touch of mystery, *The Dubrovnik Book Club* is a must-read. It's a perfect choice for fans of cozy mysteries, literary fiction, and travel narratives.

A great story with breathtaking descriptions of the location - it made me want to visit. Highly recommended.

This was an easy read, about a bookshop in Dubrovnik (love me a book about books!), that covered several deep topics (long covid, alleged murder, sexuality, Yugoslavian war ptsd) yet kept it pretty surface level (which made it a palatable summer read).
I loved the setting of Croatia and i loved the sprinkling in of Croatian words (there's a glossary at the back). It had a bit of a cozy mystery vibe going for it, but in the end, i think it tried to tackle too many different things, and i realize now i'm over the inclusion of any covid in books post covid lol.

A really good book, loved the mix of the characters and the story was a proper good read.
I'm looking forward to reading more books by Eva Glyn
Thank you netgalley

I really struggled with this read. I’m not sure whether it was the writing style or the Croatian that was dotted throughout. As much as I wanted to, I could not warm to the characters and found the overall story quite dull.

I was optimistic about the Croatian setting, being a place that I would love to visit in future. Glyn pays particular attention to the historical background of the place, which I think really added to the story. Indeed, I think I would have liked a more vivid flashback when it came to Karmela’s story because I think Glyn would have been able to really bring this element alive.

I wanted to enjoy the story because of the book theme. Claire works in a bookshop and starts to run a book club. This is a significant milestone for her: having suffered from Long Covid, the threat of the virus is still ever-present for her – even if those around her have moved on. The characters that attend Claire’s book club are broad and varied and I enjoyed how the writer tied in the book club reads to events in the plot.

However, I don’t think it ever really got started for me. Although there is a mystery behind Vedran’s fiancée, I thought the way the characters responded to this made the revelations quite anti-climatic. Luna’s background felt a bit like an overused cliché and I didn’t care too much for Karmela. Instead, this created a rather dry book, that felt as dusty as the back bookcases of a bookshop!

Personally, I thought the story was a bit long in places and I was frustrated by some of the lengthier chapters. I don’t really want to read about Covid any more and, although this book is not a recent release, I don’t think my attitude towards this would be any different if I had read it sooner. The ending was not especially surprising as each character finds themselves and is grateful to the book club for being the catalyst of this change. I think a bit of dual timeline would have livened up the story and added some much needed energy to an otherwise slow-paced novel.

Ultimately, the setting and title captured my heart. Alas, the plot development and characters never established themselves with me and my interest waned as the story progressed.

With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn't love a book set in a bookstore? Interesting setting as well in Croatia. Characters are well developed and made this an enjoyable read. 3.5 rounded to 4. Many thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

EXCERPT: Claire did not let Luna down. Once everyone was settled she welcomed them warmly, her voice shaking only a tiny, tiny bit.
'Good evening. I am Claire Thomson and I'm the manager of The Welcoming Bookshop. It really is wonderful to see you all and I hope, through the books we read, we will become friends. In a moment I'm going to ask you all to introduce yourselves and tell us about what you like to read, but in the meantime I'm going to explain the club's rules.'
Rules? They hadn't said anything about rules. what the hell was she on about? This was meant to be fun. Luna was about to fold her arms in front of her but stopped just in time. Claire was smiling.
'There is just one rule; a simple one. As its name implies, this shop is for everyone and so is the book club, so all I ask is that you leave any prejudices you may have about people and their reading choices outside. Let's learn from each other.'
There was a murmur of agreement. Luna wriggled more comfortably into her chair. It was going to be all right.

ABOUT THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB': In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins…Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson’s life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.

But when their first book club pick – an engrossing cosy crime – inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group’s heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine…

MY THOUGHTS: I wanted to fall in love with The Dubrovnik Book Club, but it just didn't happen.

I found it difficult to connect with the characters. It seemed every main character had some form of PTSD - Claire from Long Covid; Luna from denying her sexual orientation; Vedran because of a missing person/alleged murder case; and Karmela from fleeing the war in Sarajevo with her parents. There was just too much going on for any one thread to be explored properly and done justice.

I thought Karmela's research into the history of the Ragusan women was interesting and I would have liked to have seen this more fully developed.

The same can be said for the disappearance of Vedran's girlfriend. There was a whole story there that was not fully explored. (view spoiler)

Although there was a lot going on, too much as I said, a lot of it is dealt with very superficially. I love a read where I can get my teeth into it and, although I loved both the setting and the history, The Dubrovnik Book Club failed to draw me in.

An average read which would have been better as four separate books. I did appreciate the glossary of Croatian words/expressions used throughout the book.

⭐⭐.5

#NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.

Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and has been lucky enough to have been married to the love of her life for more than twenty-five years. She also writes as Jane Cable.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Dubrovnik Books Club by Eva Glyn for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Set in Croatia’s beautiful Dubrovnik, this is a fascinating story of modern history, interesting characters and business…with some fab scenery thrown in. Beautifully written, we see how all the main characters overcome, or start to overcome, problems in their lives.
I also found the post Covid references very interesting.
It’s nice to read a book about friendship, rather than romance, for a change!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review.

I always enjoy stories about books, bookshops, book clubs and libraries. This one set in Dubrovnik was especially interesting and took a different slant on things. Very enjoyable. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I feel like Dubrovnik was really brought alive by this story and it feels like I have spent time there myself. The bookshop and its bookclub bring together an unlikely group of people that become friends working together to solve a mystery. Each person in this book club has their own story that we get to know, many dealing with very serious things, some that really pull at your heartstrings. I was moved by many of these stories and the characters came across as real people dealing with real problems and challenges. It did not feel like fiction. I think that's what I really liked about this story... it was all real and in many instances were relatable in one way or another. I may not have had lung covid like Claire, but I could still relate to the fear she felt.
The story has many very serious storlines, but it is also full of heart and warmth and book love. The new friendships are touching and Claire and her grandparents have a wonderful relationship. Overall a really good story to read or listen to.

The Dubrovnik Book Club is a sweet, comfy story for readers everywhere. Author Eva Glyn crafts a sweet story in a captivating city. She captures the specific magic bookstores offer around the world. Unfortunately, there are several aspects of the story that don’t quite come together. There is a healthy dose of wanderlust sprinkled throughout this story, which makes it engaging. Even at its weakest, this is still a fun summer read to delve into.

I absolutely loved the setting of this book, I love Croatia & the author brought me right back there through the pages.
This was a really enjoyable read with great quirky characters that are the real heart of the story. The author did a fantastic job on the descriptions in this book and you felt like you were right there in the story.
This is a feel good heartwarming perfect summer read.

Thank you NetGalley, Eva Glyn, and One More Chapter for the free ARC copy.

"Dubrovnik Book Club" by Eva Glyn is a mesmerizing journey through the cobblestone streets of Dubrovnik, where secrets lie buried beneath layers of history, and love blossoms amidst the shadows of the past. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Croatian coast, this novel captivates readers with its richly woven narrative and compelling characters.

At the heart of the story is Emily, a young woman grappling with the recent loss of her beloved grandmother. As she navigates the complexities of grief, Emily discovers an old book club journal hidden among her grandmother's possessions, offering tantalizing glimpses into a world she never knew existed. Intrigued by the entries chronicling the lives of the book club members and their shared love for literature, Emily embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries of the past.

Glyn is able to masterfully intertwine past and present, seamlessly shifting between timelines to unveil the secrets of Dubrovnik and its enigmatic residents. From the sun-drenched terraces overlooking the Adriatic Sea to the ancient alleyways steeped in history, the vividly depicted setting serves as both a character in its own right and a backdrop for the unfolding drama.

The characters in "Dubrovnik Book Club" are imbued with depth and nuance, each harboring their own secrets and desires. Emily's journey of self-discovery is poignant and relatable, as she grapples with questions of identity and belonging. The members of the book club are a diverse and eclectic bunch, united by their love for literature and their shared experiences of love, loss, and redemption.

As Emily delves deeper into the mysteries of the past, she uncovers long-buried secrets that threaten to shatter the delicate equilibrium of Dubrovnik. Glyn keeps readers guessing until the final pages, expertly crafting twists and turns that leave them eagerly turning the pages in anticipation of the next revelation.

"Dubrovnik Book Club" is a masterfully crafted novel that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, romance, and historical fiction. Eva Glyn's evocative prose brings the beauty and mystery of Dubrovnik to life, inviting readers to lose themselves in its enchanting streets and captivating story. A must-read for fans of compelling storytelling and atmospheric settings, "Dubrovnik Book Club" is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Really liked this well written feel good cosy read.
I have been to Croatia, so it brought back some lovely memories for me, from the authors wonderful descriptive scene setting.
Well developed characters with an interesting storyline that soon pulls you in.
A heartwarming story where people are brought together & build lasting friendships.
They each have their own struggles & are striving to get through them.
The story is set in the old town of Dubrovnik where a book club begins.
Claire Thomson who has just arrived starts work
at a local bookshop with Vedran her cousin.
With employee Luna & professor Karmela they form a book club.
There first chosen book gives them the inspiration to form an investigation into something close to their hearts.
They soon learn the value of new found friendships.
Absolutely loved this wonderful story.

In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins… How could I not read adn like this book. What a great story and a fun read. Love the old town setting and the characters are wonderful, quirky and just the type of people you could imagine in a group of any sort.

I love that they want to save the bookshop and love the descriptiveness of the writing, the city, the bookshop, the food and history. This is such a heart-warming read which highlights the struggles of people and places as well. It is a book that takes you on a journey of the characters as well as the town and bookshop. Loved it and would give it 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book..

I loved the Croatian setting in this story and the descriptions are so vivid, I felt I was there. I also loved the themes of healing and connection that the characters experience. This book is a perfect summer escape.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I enjoyed travelling and learning about Croatia. The description the author made of Croatia had been wanting to visit there. I enjoyed the characters and they made the story more enjoyable.

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4

I found out after reading this that some of the characters in this book are in other of Glyn's book which I love when authors do that! It makes me want to read more of her novels. This was my first novel by Glyn and it was a really cute, feel good read. I just did my honeymoon in Croatia so this was a very appropriate book for me. The book goes to show how reading can really bring people together. If you're a historical fiction fan like I am, then you'll enjoy this too as some parts talk about the Croatian War and the earthquake that happened in the 1600s. It's a bit slow at times and it is long, it covers a lot - long Covid, attitudes toward the LGBTQ community, but is well done, and an overall good novel.

I had the opportunity to read this in advanced thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley, but my opinions are entirely my own.