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.

After his husband announces suddenly that he wants a divorce, shocked and devastated Paul takes a prior planned vacation to Venice. Here Paul becomes obsessed with a stray dog. During this trip he discovers the strength that he never realize he possessed and obtains some personal growth. Rowley’s stories never disappoint. Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.

The Guncle is probably my most recommended book so I was excited to get this advanced reader copy. I didn’t realize that this short story had been previously released as an audiobook in 2020, narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. While I’m not a audiobook listener, I could see how that would enrich the experience of this story. There were elements of this that I loved - Venice! Dogs! - but I found myself wanting more character development and backstory. This is one short story I wish was a full length novel. Thanks to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Like everything Rowley writes, this was a direct hit to my soul. He perfectly captures loneliness and the longing to move on when life hands you a curveball that kinda sucks and you have to figure out how to be okay again.

Also, now I really wish I was in Venice. With my dog.

Chicken soup for the soul - this was lovely. A man goes solo to Venice although he planned to go with someone else. There is beauty and growth on each page as Paul goes through an awakening that is lovely and relatable. I read it a few days ago and said to my partner last night - I think we should plan a trip to Venice. I immediately thought - why not go alone? This is a one-sitting novella that you shouldn't miss. Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.

This story follows Paul who travels on a planned romantic getaway to Venice by himself after his marriage unravels. As he contemplates the end of his relationship and what may come next for him, he sees a dog making his way through the city. He envies the dog’s independence and sense of adventure, which brings him to introspective conclusions about his own life and future. This short story is full of heart and hope.

Recommended to fans of this author and other readers looking for a short, uplifting read.

Thank you to Netgalley and GP Putnam’s Sons for a copy provided for an honest review.

This book was pure magic and just what the world needs during these uncertain times. Thank you one million times over for publishing this story. I cannot wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with The Dogs of Venice.

The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley is a charming novella featuring Paul, a man at a crossroads in his life. Paul is blind sided by his husband, Darren, who asks for a divorce on the eve of their long planned vacation to Venice. Paul decides to take the trip solo in an effort to regain his self confidence. I was quickly rooting for Paul on his journey of self discovery, set in Venice, which also features a stray dog. “But while he was there, Paul had traded in other commodities: self-doubt for self-confidence, heartbreak for renewal, an old love for a new sense of self.”

Favorite quote:
“The world was full of wonders to experience and he, alone, was enough to discover them.”

I should mention that Steven Rowley can do no wrong in my mind. This novella was just as heartwarming as I could have hoped. Loved it! 5/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I was given an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review, thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Putnam. A sweet yet sad redemptive story, this is a character study of a man who goes on a romantic Christmas trip solo to Venice. His husband asked for a divorce and he was in denial, but decided to go on his own. Paul seems like a lost soul, and he does a lot of soul searching and seeking connection on his trip.

Obviously this is a shorter story, I can't help but want to know more about Paul. It is almost a creative writing challenge to tell a story in this short of a format. It has sweet dialogue and I found Paul to be relatable. Although he is heartbroken, he is not pathetic and grows over time.

If you have the chance to read this, it is worth the hour it will take to read. It was released as audible only a few years ago, and now it is being released in hardcover. Nice that it will reach a larger audience, but it is a pretty short book to cost $22.

When I picked up this story, I expected it to be about dogs - or, at least, in relation to dogs. The dog was more of an undercurrent, a metaphor for the main character’s inner turmoil. This story explores the codependent tendencies of a recently-divorced man as he explores Venice on his own. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. Lacking compassion and a view of the world outside of himself, the main character comes off as self-absorbed and whiny. All other characters in the story are two-dimensional and only exist as they relate to the main character’s ego. It wasn’t terrible, but overall, I expected more.

This was a cute short story of self-discovery about a man, Paul, who travels to Venice alone after his husband, Darren, leaves him after they'd already planned the trip. While in Venice, he starts to notice all of the street dogs and the way they live happily and independently amongst the locals and tourists. He internalizes this and starts feeding them scraps from his meals, as he tries to learn to live happily and independently himself. I liked the writing in this story (as I've liked Rowley's writing in previous books), but wanted a bit more meat to it as it almost felt too short and surface-level for the deeper emotional story it was trying to tell.

This novella is short, sweet, and inspirational. It's a reminder to take chances to grow and expand your world when opportunity presents itself.

Enjoyable quick read. Paul is a bit of a downer character (with very good reason) and that can be a bit much by the end. But he's lost in the midst of a huge shocking life change so it makes sense. It'd be weird if he wasn't. It also makes the plot work because when that happens that's when you search for meaning in every. little. thing. Something to make it all make sense. But there's never an answer. Life is just life. People are just people. Dogs are just dogs.

The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley is a short story about Paul, alone on a trip in Venice after a sudden breakup with his husband. He is enamored by the free roaming dogs of Venice, particularly one who he just names The Dog. Paul is grappling with the seemingly out-of-nowhere end of his marriage and how to truly be alone.

As a lover of Italy, Venice, and dogs, I figured this would be right up my alley. It was short and sweet but lacked much depth. At only 80 pages I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but it still fell a little short of what I want out of a novella. I felt bad for Paul but things seem to wrap up too neatly by the end.

This was my first time reading anything by Steven Rowley and I would consider reading a novel by him.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I've really enjoyed a couple of Rowley's other books -- "Lily and the Octopus" and "The Guncle" -- so was pleased to get the ARC of this one. A few pages in, it started to seem familiar, and I realized I'd read it already -- as a Kindle Single, I think, though it's no longer available under that rubric.

Trouble is, as a Kindle Single it was fine, expectations managed, etc.; considered as "a book," though, it's thin. "Show, don't tell" isn't as strict a rule as all that, but there is such a thing as too much telling, when you feel as if you're reading outline for a characterization, rather than the story of a fully emotionally realized character. Or, to put it another way, "The Dogs of Venice" wanted to be a novel, even if Steven Rowley wasn't up for making it into one.

2.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to Penguin/Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a somber, but ultimately hopeful short story. It was originally published as an audio exclusive, but was expanded and reimagined. It’s a well written quick read, that pulls on your heart while also making you laugh. I’m impressed by how much of an emotional punch this little story packed. The Dogs of Venice was more melancholy than I was expecting, but I loved the overall message of self discovery and worth.

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this title*

When Paul's husband of 5 years announces that he wants a divorce. Paul, who suffers from anxiety and now, heartbreak, is left to make their planned trip to Venice on his own. Going alone is a major event for Paul and puts him way outside his comfort zone. He vacillates between anxiousness and fearlessness - trying to find a happy medium and the self-confidence that he has lost somewhere along the way.

Venice is home to a lot of street dogs. Dogs wandering the city, don’t bother anyone. Paul finds himself identifying with a particular dog who seems, to Paul, to have the instincts for survival that Paul wishes he himself had. After an initial glance, Paul looks again for the dog with little success. An unusual sighting at an even more unusual location helps Paul to see his life more clearly.

A sweet story about the importance of taking care of yourself first. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ This short story is made by audible; however, it will be out in kindle format and in hardcover in October 14, 2025. Thanks to Stephen Rowley, Neil Patrick Harris, NetGalley and Audible Originals

#EmptyNestReader #audibleoriginals #audible #TheDogsofVenice #StevenRowley #NeilPatrickHarris #fiction #FebruaryReads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #audibleoriginal #audiobooks #emptynestreaderaudiobooks🎧

The Dogs of Venice finds it protectionist in a reflective period after a breakup of a long term relationship. Everything he sees is through the lense of grief and loneliness. Until he sees a dog on the streets of Venice. He then proceeds to use the dog as inspiration for living a different life, to be in the moment and ruminate less.

This book was cute, like a Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil type snap shot of someone observing the little details while on vacation, but while also hyper fixating on a dog.

Wow, I needed this book! *The Dogs of Venice* is a short story by bestselling author Steven Rowley of Guncle fame. This book definitely captures the same vibe— and melting any readers icy hearts. It served as a balm for me during what has been quite a toxic political week, restoring faith in humanity by showcasing the beauty of others, our resilience, and the quirks of life.

The premise follows Paul, who, stunned by a breakup, decides to take the Christmas trip to Venice that he had originally planned with his then-husband. Although he is not someone who typically adventures alone, Paul pushes himself out of his comfort zone. While exploring the city and meeting new people, he notices that Venice is filled with unattended dogs, as cars are not a threat and tourists keep them well-fed. Drawn to a dog in his neighborhood, he begins to ponder why this dog seems so happy and confident. Are they simply living in the moment?

The story unfolds with humorous and fun encounters with strangers, sightseeing, and moments of introspection. By the end of his trip, Paul realizes he will not be returning home the same person. This story is about learning to love yourself, embracing change, and discovering beauty—plus DOGS. Though it’s a short read, it will leave your heart and mind grateful for the experience. A big thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC!