Dogs of Venice is a 2020 novella from Steven Rowley. It was originally released as an Audible Original in 2020, and now in 2025, Rowley has expanded and reimagined it as a holiday novella. Loved this. So many aspects to the book: a break-up, a solo trip to Europe, a dog, Christmas in Venice. Hope for the future. What’s not to love?

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this little treasure in exchange for an honest review!

Steven Rowley, the darling who brought us such queer delicacies as the Guncle and The Celebrants, is back with a meaningful, life-affirming novella about loss, evolution and finding yourself again and again. We follow Paul, reeling from his husband’s decision to ask for a divorce, as he embarks on a trip to Venice that was meant for two. When arriving, he’s still hoping for some sort of romantic grand gesture, some fix for what’s been broken. Yet, before long he’s been taken in by the city streets, by the people, and by the dogs who explore with the other tourists, running free. And as one life comes to an end, another begins.

Steven Rowley always creates worlds with thoughtful and poignant themes, and The Dogs of Venice is a short n’ sweet commentary on starting again. It really highlights the importance of moving forward, in whatever way possible. As hard as it is to let go, in doing so, you open yourself up to so much more. Paul is relatable, as he is not the most outgoing or satisfied by independence. Yet, jumping out of his comfort zone proves worthy. And that’s always something to celebrate. Stay afraid, Paul - but do it anyway.

I love everything Steven Rowley writes and this book was another hit. My only complaint was that it wasnt long enough. I want more of the story!!! Go read this little gem of a book. You won't regret it.

I'm sorry, I did not like this at all. It felt as if there was supposed to be this emotional depth to the narrative yet it fell flat. Paul annoyed me for the half that I read and realized, I can't finish this. I read over 40 of the 80 pages knowing if i continue. it'll just annoy me more. It was the way he navigated the city and language that got on my nerves while again providing no real grounded emotion to this sad moment in his life.

(I was also worried about the use of garlic in the food he wanted to offer the dog, but that's a me problem.)

A Short Gem

Steven Rowley's "The Dogs of Venice" is about eighty pages long. In this short novel, Rowley introduces the reader to Paul, a newly separated man on a journey of discovery in Venice at Christmas time. As he explores the city, Paul begins to identify with a dog roaming the streets. He longs for the dog's independence and self-reliance. As the days progress, we meet some delightful characters who challenge Paul and his beliefs in himself. With beautiful prose and witty dialogue, Rowley's story is a poignant exercise in self-reflection that I highly recommend.

This was a short story. E book version not listening to on audible. I wasn't sure what to think of Paul at first. With a broken heart alone in the romantic city of Venice he finds The Dog. Having been to venice myself missing my own pup I related to Paul's sudden obsession and longing for The Dog. There are no twists surprises and gasping ah ha moments. Only peaceful, emotional and turning a new page of a new book type of feelings. The Dog represents more than just a stray animal. He is what Paul is looking for. Only to find when he has it the answer to the question he never asked himself. Want something short and sweet with some emotion and a "happy" ending. Give it a read.
Dont worry the dog does not die for those of you like me and need to know.

What a cute, quick, easy read. Paul is in Venice while his ex husband moves out of their shared house and while on the trip they were supposed to take together, he finds himself obsessed with a homeless dog, with his lack of attachment and ability to keep moving through his days.
It was one of those stories where I wish we knew more about Paul, what happens next, and how he heals from his loss, but I think it captured so much in such a short read.

Thanks to netgalley for the e-arc.

I truly enjoyed every page of this book. I found the main character charming and endearing. Such a quick read but so uplifting. I found the main character’s determination to move on from his past relationship inspiring.

I was able to read this novella by one of my favorite authors thru NetGalley. The journey of the main character as he navigates traveling alone after a breakup is short but sweet. The author describes Venice in such a way I felt as if I was walking the streets along the canals and all the magic of a Venice. I enjoyed the main character’s progression and would love to read what happens next in his travels.

I really enjoyed this quick story. We've all felt the fear of being alone, and you don't really face it until you're forced to. Finding yourself after being attached to someone is difficult, and I think it was captured perfectly here. I like how quick paced the novel was, and would definitely recommend giving it a chance. I think we can all take a lot of lessons away from our four legged friends, but I think this one has been my favorite. The importance of being present, even if alone.

The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley didn’t quite live up to my expectations, though I was excited to dive into his newest release, especially after hearing good things about "The Guncle" (which I’ve yet to read). Unfortunately, this novella didn't resonate with me in the way I hoped. I was surprised by its brevity and lack of depth, and I found myself wishing for more development in both the plot and the characters. Rowley’s writing style, while quirky and fun, didn’t quite click with me this time. There’s definitely a polished, T.J. Klune-like charm to his prose, but I wasn’t as captivated by it as I have been with other quirky authors like India Horton. While I can see how some might enjoy Rowley’s approach, it didn’t quite work for me here. I may still try "The Guncle" at some point, but for now, I think I’ll hold off. It wasn’t a bad read, but it didn’t leave me with that “must-recommend” feeling I was hoping for.

Thank you to Steven Rowley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute story but kind of forgettable. I'm not much of a short story/novella reader though. Others may find this story more interesting than myself due to this.

This novella is full of beautiful descriptive language. I felt fully immersed and flew through the short tale.

Venice at Christmas time as the setting gives The Dogs of Venice a whimsical feel as Paul tries to navigate his loneliness and newfound single hood.

I highly enjoyed this and will certainly be adding more of Steven's books to my TBR list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group PUTNAM for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was overall a sweet short story, but I think I would have liked it more if it was a novel. There were many things happening in such a short novella, and I think that felt a bit messy. I appreciated that Paul is learning to be on his own and rediscover himself after his divorce, and the descriptions of various parts of Venice were lovely.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for access to this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have never met a Steven Rowley book I didn’t like, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Dogs of Venice. The novella follows Paul, who had been planning a dream vacation to Italy with his significant other—until an unexpected breakup changes everything. Instead of canceling, Paul decides to go anyway. Good for him. I loved that he followed through despite his heartbreak, using the trip as a way to search for love, answers, and himself. Along the way, he sees reflections of his own journey in the street dogs of Venice, leading to a poignant, introspective story. I really enjoyed Paul’s path to self-worth and discovery—this one is another heartfelt win from Rowley.

A quick and sweet read. I loved the premise at first. It was funny and emotional, but then it was just so rushed. It felt like there was a page maximum, and the author needed to keep the book under the max but didn't want to delete some of what they had previously wrote.
It was still cute, but I think it would have just been better if it was longer and more spaced out (which is a surprising take for me because I enjoy fast paced books)

I really wish I liked the ending more, because the beginning was so good, but I just unfortunately didn't.

As a big fan of “The Guncle,” I was excited to check out “Dog of Venice.” I was thrilled that I loved this book just as much as that one.

“Dogs of Venice” is a charming, heartwarming tale that blends humor, friendship, and a touch of adventure.. Rowley’s writing is witty and engaging, The novel delves into themes of loyalty, love, and self-discovery, all while celebrating the quirks of life in a beautiful, romantic city of Venice. With its delightful narrative and lovable characters, *Dog of Venice* is a perfect read for animal lovers and adventurers alike.

Initial Impressions

I first came across this short story while browsing NetGalley, and when it was Goodreads where I saw that it had been released in 2020 and had a 3.38-star rating. Not the best, but still intriguing. The premise seemed promising: a heartbroken Paul takes a solo trip to Venice while his ex-husband moves out of their shared home. During his journey, he encounters a dog along the canal, which supposedly serves as a metaphor for his inner turmoil (according to a reviewer). Simple, yet potentially powerful.

Reading Experience

At just 80 pages, this novella is a quick read, and the writing jumps straight into the story. Within the first page, we’re already on the plane with Paul as he embarks on his trip. The pacing is rapid—perhaps too rapid. The book almost reads like a book proposal, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the script Harris performed was later bound and published with minimal expansion. This format made it feel like a SparkNotes version of a novel rather than a fully fleshed-out story. It felt to me a collection of scenes to get a publisher interested in reading a full draft. The scenes were short and we hit a lot of "rom-com" self discovery tropes. 

Themes & Execution

At its core, The Dogs of Venice is about self-discovery, heartbreak, and renewal. Paul is struggling to let go, and he finds himself drawn to a stray dog in Venice, seeing it as a symbol of freedom and resilience. There are moments of humor, romance, and introspection, and the book has a certain charm reminiscent of Eat, Pray, Love—if Eat, Pray, Love had a canine sidekick.

However, the execution left something to be desired. The relationship between Paul and the dog felt underdeveloped. He fixates on one dog among many, claiming it as his without much actual interaction. This attachment felt more like a plot device than an organic part of the story. While I understood the metaphor, it didn’t land as powerfully as intended.

Final Thoughts

By the time I reached the end, I felt conflicted. The foundation for a beautiful, emotional story was there, but it was rushed. This could have been a full-length novel—250 to 300 pages—and I think it would have thrived with that extra depth. Instead, it felt more like an idea than a fully realized book.

Would I recommend it? I’m not sure. It’s a decent read, and if you’re looking for a quick, introspective story, it might be worth your time—especially in audiobook form. But if you’re hoping for deep emotional resonance, you may find it lacking. For me, it lands at a solid three stars—good, but not great.

4 stars! Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this novella!

After planning a trip together, Paul is blindsided when his husband announces they will be getting divorced. Now solo, Paul decides to still take the trip to Venice. Upon arrival he notices how many dogs are in Venice, and one terrier in particular who has the confidence Paul so desires. The dog’s confidence sets the tone for Paul’s trip, and keeping the little dog in mind, Paul embarks on getting outside of his comfort zone and making the most of this vacation.

As the proud companion of a tiny terrier who was once a stray, and a fan of the Guncle series, I was SO excited to receive this ARC. This story was incredibly heartwarming. I also loved the history & information about Venice that helped to illustrate the landscape - it’s such a unique European city! The main theme is that we have to make the most of the hand we’ve been dealt, and even though bad things happen, we can still move forward. This was a quick read, taking only about half an hour, and I very much enjoyed it!

3.5⭐️ After learning his husband wants a divorce, Paul decides to take their vacation to Venice alone. While there, Paul seeks solace in those he encounters as he searches for what is missing in his life.

This had all of the elements I love, so I’m left puzzled as to why I didn’t go gaga over this one. And I come away, ultimately, realizing Steven Rowley’s writing cannot be contained to such a short book. His beautiful storytelling shines in the characters he develops and the themes he explores. And while Paul is a loveably flawed MC (who is very much like me and cannot live without his coffee) I never fully got a chance to know him properly, nor the sweet pup he encountered who caused such big self reflection.

While the story is a fun shorter read as we head into the holiday season, it really only begins to hit the nail on the head. My hope is it will be expanded to a full length novel. In the meantime, this story is still enjoyable and worthy of a read. And I am sure this will be fabulous on audio.

Read if you like:
▪️novellas
▪️holiday(ish) reads
▪️Venice setting
▪️books about dogs
▪️heartfelt humor

Thank you Putnam for the advanced copy.