THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB-Eva Glyn
Harper Collins Publishers UK
ISBN: 9780008648114
E-book ISBN: 9780008648107
March 8, 2024
Fiction

Dubrovnik, Croatia- Present Day

Claire is scared. It is her first day at the Dubrovnik bookstore and she is not ready. After two years of having long Covid in London, she ready to start her life again, she thinks, in Croatia. Vedran, Claire’s cousin, is not ready to get on with anything. His life was completely derailed after his live -in girlfriend disappeared while going for her morning swim in the ocean. Her disappearance started an investigation, and Vedran was suspected of foul play. Luna is waiting to start her life. She left her small town in Croatia to come to Dubrovnik because she could not come out as a Lesbian where she grew up, and then there is Karmela, a Professor of History in Zagreb, who is here to do research on the Ragusans. All are dealing with their own problems, will the book club they all become a part of help them?

THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB follows these four characters as they try to make since of their lives and find a way to move pass their problems and find peace. Claire fears getting long Covid again, having lost her life as she was sick. Vedran is trying to overcome the wounds and bitterness he feels at being accused of possibly killing his girlfriend. Luna wants a social life and does not know how to go about it. Being gay in Europe can be a tricky thing, while it is legal to be gay in Croatia other places it is still illegal. She also hasn’t come out to her religious parents. Karmela, is considered a cold fish, trapped in the idea that she has no right to be upset about the war in Croatia because she and her family escaped.

The story has interesting historical facts about the war in Croatia and it serves as a backdrop for Karmela’s pain and that of her neighbor who was a soldier then. More problems ensue, as characters start to get a grasp on their pain, that the bookstore is going to close. What are they going to do now? Can the bookstore be saved?

THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB is a well -structured book, each chapter begins with the title of the book the book club will be reading and is an indicator of what the characters are going through, and the POV changes from Claire, Vedran, Luna, and Karmela, while well written it was at time hard for me to completely connect with the characters. Although, Vedran was my favorite character.

THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB is a book for readers that follows characters that are interesting and, sometimes, frustrating but, by the end of the book, they all are in a better place.

Avis Yarbrough

This is another page-turner from Eva Glyn. I loved it. She's an author who isn't afraid to write about difficult subjects, and does so with respect and love. Her characters are so easy to fall in love with, and it was hard to hard to let them go. It's a story that engages you, and makes you laugh and cry. Excactly what you want from a good story.

A bit tough to read about covid still in some contexts, but I enjoyed this as I do most books that take place in a bookstore and have quirky little characters

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for an ARC and Eva Glyn for the opportunity to review The Dubrovnik Book Club in exchange for a fair review.

The Dubrovnik Book Club is an entertaining, absorbing read that shows how people can lift each other up with care and kindness. Told through 4 character’s POV - Vedran, Claire, Luna and Karmela - each dealing with a different conflict or crisis in their lives needing to grow to move forward and heal. The story covers so many genres within plot – a mystery, a romance, a coming-of-age and self-discovery of a literary fiction. All interwoven around a Bookshop that opens hearts, heals wounds and gives courage to those feeling lost. I didn’t realise this book is part of a series upon requesting it, but it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone story as the plot is independent of the previous book. A beautiful read that shows the power of how books can bring people together and how a group of strangers can bond together to help one another heal, grow and move forward in their lives.

The description of Croatia and Dubrovnik is an artform in itself within this book. Almost like an entity/character in its own right. Before the pandemic in 2019, I spent 5 days in the gorgeous city of Dubrovnik exploring its beauty and rich history. Eva Glyn has captured the soul and vibe of the city with her vivid descriptions and attention to detail for city layout, niche little features you can only see on the group in person and the hardships of historical accuracy experienced by those in Dubrovnik.

I enjoy Eva Glyn’s writing, and the setting of The Dubrovnik Book Club comes to life brilliantly through her detailed depiction of the ancient city in which it is located. I greatly enjoyed seeing the city through the eyes of Karmela (perhaps my favourite character), a history professor with a passion for her subject and tenacity to uncover those hidden from history.

When I read a book by this author, I expect some characters to bring with them a dose of realism. The cast of The Dubrovnik Book Club are all such characters. They each carry their own battle scars – some from the literal battles they have fought defending their country and others borne from their life experiences.

The main characters, the supporting cast, and even the stray cat they befriend have a personal struggle that forms part of their story. It draws them together and ultimately makes them the ideal support for each other. As they work together to save the book shop (and related book club), mysteries are solved, friendships are formed, and personal growth and freedoms are found. To that extent, despite the scars of war, fear of Covid, homophobia, abuse and Cancer (all of which are sensitively raised within the pages of the novel), there is a good balance of warmth, hope, love and friendship.

It is an enjoyable and engaging read that will undoubtedly leave you wanting to visit Dubrovnik.

This book fell a bit flat for me and I unfortunately have paused /DNF. I might go back as there are some good reviews but I just couldn’t get there.

I liked the setting in Dubvronik and using the book club to bring a diverse set of characters together. Each character has their personal struggles from mourning the death of their girlfriend, to long COVID ptsd, to coming out as a gay. And I appreciated that the book club brought this crew together. A very good premise.

However I thought this would be more of a mystery style novel. And while there was a mystery, I found too much time spent on the characters personal situation. I wasn’t sure where to focus - their stories or the mystery. I found the story became disjointed and dragged on a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins uk, one more chapter for the ARC and allowing me to my personal options.

I had never come across writer Eva Glyn’s novels before. Upon realising that she commands quite a following, I was intrigued and was delighted to be able to be granted an ARC of The Dubrovnik book club by the publishers and NetGalley in return for my honest and unbiased thoughts, published in what follows.
The novel starts with a prologue that sets the scene, and all the way through, there is a strong sense of place that conjures up the architectural marks and street-life of this wonderful Southern Dalmatian city. The novel’s structure is easy to follow, as it places a different character firmly at the heart of each chapter, and additional insights into their personalities and issues are provided through the choice of the books for the book club. A warm, sensitively-written book that compels you to search for more of the author’s back catalogue – something I will definitely do now that I have to say goodbye to Dubrovnik on the page!

"The Dubrovnik Book Club" is set in the atmospheric city of the same name and features a few of the characters from "The Collaborator's Daughter". However, this can be read as a stand-alone novel as the characters are all given backgrounds and there are plenty of new ones.

This is a story of family, friendships and finding your path in life. The main characters work at a book shop in the old town, and/or participate in a book club held there. There are a mix of backgrounds, including a history professor, some students and a lawyer, and they are of various different ages. None of this matters as they all have a shared interest in books. This novel by Eva Glyn has wonderful characters as well as the great location, and a suitably interesting plot.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Rating: 2.5 stars rounded up

The Dubrovnik Book Club was a wholesome and cozy read about a book club set in the small town of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Four of the book club members are the main narrators, each facing their own struggles and pasts.

Claire had long COVID and still struggles with feeling safe in enclosed indoor spaces or large groups of people. She does not want to catch it again and be laid up in bed, forced to quit her job, worried about the future. She starts a job at The Welcoming Bookstore, the home of the book club, and meets Luna.

Luna moved from an even smaller town in Croatia to Dubrovnik to start fresh, away from her very religious and traditional parents. Luna is gay and struggling with how or when she wants to come out to her friends. She worries they will think differently of her, and Dubrovnik is still a small and traditional city, where she does not see a lot of queer support.

The two other narrators are Karmela, a visiting professor researching the Ragusen people who inhabited Dubrovnik centuries before and the strong women of their community. Vedran is Claire’s cousin who is struggling with the disappearance of his abusive girlfriend and the media assumption that he had something to do with it.

Each book they read teaches them something different about themselves and each other, and it really shows the importance of how books can open one’s mind. I enjoyed this book, but I did think it was a bit too descriptive and slow in parts. That’s why I rated it 2.5 stars but rounded up to 3.

Books in Dubrovnik, what's not to love? Great characters with their own stories to tell brought together by a book club. Modern day problems and the effect of historical events. Parts of Dubrovnik brought to life. I liked the fact that everything wasn't finished and that the characters had things to do t8 help themselves in the future.

Have never been to Croatia but after reading this book it made me want to go and be transported there right now. Lovely read.

This one wasn't really for me. I didn't connect with the characters and I found the writing a bit disjointed. I enjoyed reading about the setting but this one fell flat for me. A huge thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC.

***ARC received from NetGalley***

I had to DNF this book and usually, I wouldn’t leave feedback if that was the case.

The dialogue between characters is…odd. 20-somethings talking in strange formal language and everyone just flying off the handle about minor things. It didn’t make sense.

The whole time I felt like I was reading something that I wasn’t supposed to be.

I was excited about this because of visiting Croatia before and sort of reminiscing through this book, but it all fell flat for me.

As an avid reader and enthusiastic book club member, I enjoy seeing portrayals of book clubs in fiction, which is why I chose this book.

Initially, I expected a historical novel, but in fact, this story took place during the COVID pandemic. I still liked it very much. I liked how all the characters bonded with and supported each other. I also felt that each character had something different to give to the story, they were all on their own personal journey. It was a heartwarming and enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I liked the setting of the book, an ancient bookstore in Croatia. I thought the book was going to be more of a mystery, from the description. But it is a book about friendship. Most of the book was interesting, but parts were a litter too slow for my taste.

brilliant and captivating! a gorgeous work about friendship and growth through a book club. thanks so much for the arc!

This has most of the ingredients for a good book, but doesn't quite make it for me.
A good premise, but I just didn't find the characters especially engaging or believable. the author seemed to be trying to hard to get her messages across about long covid, LGBTQ, social media etc. and did not let the characters come to life.
Perhaps with some really good editing, this could become a good book.

Transport yourself to the city of Dubrovnik where you will meet a group of individuals who separately have individual demons to dispel. in this book the magic of friendship through the medium of a bookshop threatened with closure brings the characters to their own realisation of self worth and help them to move on. Basically about the value of friendship with some other undercurrents making it fall into different genres but interestingly put together

Set in Dubrovnik in a little book shop which included 4 main characters. Claire, Luna, Karmela and Vedran, Claire's cousin.

The storyline follows each characters journey from heartbreak, acceptance, discovery, a missing person but most of all the love they each have for the bookshop and the strong friendships beginning to form. When it looks like it may have to close, they pull together to fight hard to keep the little bookshop open.

An enjoyable read, a little hard to get into in the beginning but as the chapters flowed and the characters became more familiar I found it hard to put down.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Claire is both excited and nervous about starting a new job at a book store. Who doesn't love a good mystery. Her and her coworkers try to help solve a crime. That will take everything they have to solve . A good read.