The Little Venice Bookshop

Read this today. you will enjoy it a lot and want more. Read it, read it , read it. Enjoyed it from start to finish.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The story of a woman who loses her mother but finds letters from a bookseller in Venice who might be her dad. She and a girl friend take off and she gets a job at the bookshop without telling the owner of her motives.

A bittersweet book of lost and found... Luna loses her mother, her best friend, after years of traveling the world with her, and sets off on a quest to find her father. Along the way she meets a few boys, picks up a job, reinvents a bookshop, and finds family in the most unexpected places.

A wonderful summer read from a favorite author of mine. Plenty of heart and light drama to keep the pages turning. I will definitely be able to recommend this to a wide variety of readers.

This was an adorable little read. I went into this book with no information other than what was on the cover, but based on my love of Venice and stories that take place in bookstores, I jumped into this. It was a great palette cleanser after reading a tough slavery era historical fiction. It was just what I needed. A little over halfway through I thought I had the ending sorted out. I ended up being half right, but I like to think that over time the rest of my prediction would have come true. I love the character growth that Luna and Giancarlo had. I can't say much more without touching spoilers, but if you're in need of a light read, I would highly recommend this one. I do wish there had been better/more descriptions of Venice, but I did enjoy the descriptions of the bookstore. I'm not one of those people that sees the "movie" in my head, but I was still able to picture the bookstore clearly with the descriptions given. This was my first book by Raisin, but I'd be open to reading more of her works!

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

A charming book set in one of my favorite places! After losing her mother, Luna discovers a pile of letters written by her mother’s long ago love from Venice. Since Luna had never heard of this man, she hops a plane to Venice to try and find out who this Giancarlo might be and why her mother had never mentioned him. Once there, she finagles her way into Giancarlos’ bookstore as a summer employee. What you expect might happen does happen, and Luna’s Venice visit turns into much more than she expected.

For me, this was literally a beach read (waves lapping the shore as I speak), so I didn’t expect much depth in this book, and that’s what I got. There was essentially no conflict here; even sticky matters resolved themselves positively. That’s okay. I would, however, liked to have had a bit more description of Venice itself and life there. It’s a fascinating place and could have been more of a presence.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cozy PG rated romance read of searching for family/meaning of your life. The book is mostly based in a used bookstore in Venice with tons of shop cats that also demand themselves to be main characters (if you have a cat, you understand).

I loved the vibes of this book. The beginning starts out with Luna losing her mom, a hippie soul whom Luna was deeply connected to. While I don’t personally connect with some of the ideas and beliefs told in the book, I was intrigued reading about it and their lifestyle.

I really enjoyed the character personalities in the book - the boho vibes, the traveler, the food connoisseur, the book lover

If you’re looking for a cozy, warm, easy beach read, this one is for you. Get lost in the Venice bookstore and enjoy this story of found family.

Thank you NetGalley, Rebecca Raisin, and HarperCollins Publishers - Harper360 for an advanced copy of this book!

This story was heartbreakng and sweet at the same time. Luna and her BFF Gigi were traveling around the world when she heard that her mother had died. She finds some letters from a man named Giancarlo from Venice and decides she is going there. Gigi falls in love and stays. What Luna finds out from Giancarlo breaks her heart and then helps to heal it. The Luna, in the end, really doesn't understand how her mother left and never told her, but she knew her mother had some issues. The had traveled around the world and never really settled anywhere until the last 10 years of her mother's life. So Luna was just doing what she had always done traveling around. Being in Venice was wonderful, she loved book and working in the bookstore and the treasures she found there. I've been to Venice and it was like a sweet visit for me. I liked the story and the ending. It was uplifting and full of hope

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

After global nomad Luna loses her mother, she finds a collection of love letters among her mom's things, and the letters send her on a journey to Venice, to the owner of a second-hand bookshop on the canal.

This book is both heart wrenching and heartwarming. Luna has to deal with her grief and come to terms that she has no family left. The little quest her mother sent her on by leaving the letters for her to find begins a new journey of discovery, about her mom's past, but also about the future of her place in the world.

This was a lovely read. I loved the bookshop vibe. All of the characters in this book were amazing - Luna's friend Gigi, her mom's bff Loui, the bookshop owner Giancarlo. I feel they are my friends now too. ❤️ 🙂

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Little Venice Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

4/5 stars

This is SUCH a fun read. I thought it would be a bit more heavy, considering the protagonist, Luna, Is grieving her mother’s death. But she’s also finding her LIFE in Venice.

At its heart, this book delves into female friendship and family. The love story is secondary.

I will definitely be reading more of Rebecca’s books.

After her mother’s death Luna travels to Venice in hopes of learning if the man who wrote to her mom could possibly be the father she’s never known.

Took me awhile to get vested in the story—a little too much silliness. But glad I stuck with it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for making an early release of this book available in exchange for an honest review.

When Luna's mother dies unexpectedly, her life suddenly feels anchorless. While going through her mother's effects, she comes across a bunch of letters from a man in Venice who has a book shop...and might possibly be the father Luna never knew, and about whom her mother had always refused to speak. She decides to go with her best buddy to Venice to see if she can discover the truth. The majority of the book takes place in Venice, where she gets a job in the bookstore and tries to get to know the taciturn store owner. I've never read Raisin before but will definitely be looking for her other books after reading this. A warm, caring book about finding family, whether biological or not.

The Little Venice Bookshop is a heartwarming novel to add to your list if you enjoy armchair travels! Primarily set in Venice as well as Thailand and Montana, Rebecca Raisin draws you into the beauty of the location. With quirky, lovable and relatable characters this novel is an enjoyable read that will stay with you. Luna who grew up on communes with her free spirited mother is on a mission. After her mothers death she discovers letters which make her question not only her mother but herself. She travels to Venice to find answers and discovers so much more.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper360 for my copy of The Little Venice Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin in exchange for an honest review. It publishes October 3, 2023.
Once again, (as always), Rebecca Raisin knocks it out of the park. I just love the detail and care put into all of her books, and this book raises the bar. Goodness, I felt like I was in Venice every time I picked up this book, and now I feel like I need to do a deep dive into researching it! I loved the character development, I loved all the book talk, I loved the mystery, basically, I loved it all!
The only thing I personally didn't like was the tarot card stuff, but that didn't detract from the book as a whole.

#TheLittleVeniceBookshop #NetGalley is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be my last.
Luna is in Thailand when she suddenly feels the pull to go see her mother. Born under unusual circumstances, Luna has the ability to feel things, very deeply, and her urge to see her mother brings devastating news, her mother has passed away.
Returning to her mother's home opens a door to secrets and most if the answers will be found in Venice.
Travel with Luna, her bestie Gigi, and Aunt Loui, as Luna learns the truth, which opens up the possibility for so much more love in her life.
I read this book Friday night, after a long work week.
It was just what I needed, and I enjoyed every aspect of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love Rebecca Raisin and she has done it again. This is such a cute story about a book shop. Read this.

The Little Venice Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin has world traveler Luna dealing with the death of her free-spirited mother. She discovers letters her mom had saved, letters that appear to be from Luna's father, a man she has never known. Luna heads to Venice and finds a job in what she hopes is her father's bookstore. Giancarlo's store is lacking in customers and profit so he hires both Luna and a young writer-to-be Oscar to compete for the job and to find ways to save the bookstore. In doing so, Luna also hopes to discover if Giancarlo is her father.

The best word to describe The Little Venice Bookshop is sumptuous as it offers the rich flavors of Venice and, better still, the hope of love in Venice. The readers get to experience everything from the grumbles of a socially distant bookseller, the smells of slightly sodden vintage books, the fragrance of freshly made pasta, the happiness of book lovers and the charms of Venetians in love.

Thanks to Harper 360, Rebecca Raisin and NetGalley for this delightful ARC.

Venice is absolutely my favorite place on earth. Second hand bookshops on their last leg in desperate need of something/anything to keep them afloat always grabs my attention right away. Throw in a little romance and you have an irresistibly winning combination every time. THE LITTLE VENICE BOOKSHOP by Rebecca Raisin is just that book.

As Luna is going through her mother’s thing after her death, she finds a pack of letters that just may hold the answers she has been searching for all her life. Luna and her best friend Gigi thus begin the journey that change their lives forever.

This is the first book by this author I have read. It was charming and heartwarming and altogether delightful. This enjoyable fast, easy read was one I didn’t want to put down. I will be looking for more from the author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this escape to Venice. The story was unique and full of bookish fun! I’d LOVE to work in this Venice Bookshop!
This was my first book of Raisin’s and I’d happily pick up another….
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

I loved reading Rebecca Raisin's little novels. They are a perfect read for relaxing and enjoying your afternoon. Lots of beautiful words describing the places where the story takes place. Her characters are always fascinating, funny, kind, loving and different. I would love to take a trip like one of Rebecca's characters. For the genre I give Rebecca Raisin's novels all five stars.

Boy, am I glad I stuck with this book, The Little Venice Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin. At first I thought it was going into (possibly) witchcraft as the characters were living as free spirits or in communes, using tarot cards, etc. But, that didn't happen. I fell in love with Luna who was on a quest to find her past....and... her future. After the death of her mother, Luna found old letters from a mysterious Giancarlo in Venice. Would her trip result in finding out about her past and give her a future?

A copy was provided for my review, but all opinions are my own.

This title was slow, but for me that wasn't a bad thing. For a reader that's looking for a light, fun, easy read, then this book is perfect. I'm a sucker for any book about a bookstore, and the international setting gave it such an adventurous feeling. I definitely got Hallmark feels from this title.

Raisin brings the charm of Venice, the adventure of a bohemian lifestyle, and the cozyness of an old, secondhand bookstore to life in this beautiful fictional novel. After her mother’s death, Luna discovers some strange secret letters between her mother and a mysterious Giancarlo hidden away in the attic. Naturally, of course, Luna travels to Venice and investigates this hidden chapter of her mother’s life -- but not everything works out the way that she expects. Luna is certainly not alone in Venice, accompanied by a friend and meeting potential suitors almost immediately upon her arrival, but these do not bring her the sense of belonging and acceptance the way that Giancarlo’s bookstore, his many bookstore cats (all named for books, of course), and her workplace competitor Oscar do. Raisin’s characters are beautiful and realistic, and she has crafted so many wonderful individuals, all of whom have backstories and vibrant personalities, to populate the pages of her and Luna’s Venice. The bookstore itself is a character and a setting, with a charming, cozy personality of its own -- readers may feel that they really are in this bookstore, or at least know it, already! This is a fascinating, cozy, heartwarming novel with wonderful characters which readers are sure to enjoy.

This one was a very slow start for me. The main character is a wanderer, into tarot cards, with hippie vibes - it was definitely enlightening. It took awhile for anything exciting to happen, but I’m glad I finished the story.
While I wouldn’t categorize this as a romance, there was a lot of heart, found family, loss/heartbreak, and some mystery! I loved the setting in Venice, the book store, and the cats - but the ‘love’ part of the story fell short for me. I wanted the characters to end up together, but there wasn’t any romance or spice. It was a heartwarming story about a woman grieving her mother and hoping to find her way in the world🌎
Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollins360 for this ARC!💫

A cute overall read but not one of my favorites. I found the romance with Giancarlo to be an unnecessary addition to the book. However, any story about a wonderful bookstore always captures my interest! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

A story of self discovery, Luna decides to try and figure out her lineage after cryptic messages and letters appear from her mother. With her best friend along for the ride, the two head to Venice and adventures begin. A fan of Raisin’s books, I found The Little Venice Bookshop to have more depth and substance than her others, as Luna explores her origins while also helping some new friends forge their futures. A good stand alone, though I would like a follow up too!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and have written an objective review.

Luna has just enough hippie and empath in her to make her appealing to me.
Put her in a bookshop setting and I'm hooked! Add in a little intrigue and romance and… sounds like a perfect story to me.

The Little Venice Bookshop, by Rebecca Raisin, is a sweet, nostalgic, somewhat unusual story. You get glimpses into the main character’s previous life traveling about the world, as well as her cozy days working in a bookshop with the store cats. This story is part self-reflection, part mystery and part self-discovery with a bit of family drama mixed in.

The story starts with Luna, who was raised in communes in various worldwide locales and has carried on her single mother’s wanderlust ways. She is traveling in Thailand when she feels compelled to see her mother, only to find out upon her arrival that she has passed away. While there, she discovers some secret love letters related to someone in Venice whom her mother corresponded with, and she decides to travel with her friend, Gigi, and her aunt to unravel this mystery of her mother’s. Luna gets a job in a quaint bookshop with the mystery man her mother wrote to and they begin to piece together this facet of her mother’s story.

The Little Venice Bookshop spends quite a bit of time in the past and does share a heavy dose of New Age philosophy and practices, which won’t be for everyone. It features love and loss, family dynamics, personal growth and friendship. It’s not my favorite book by this author, but it does capture a feel-good, seasons of life vibe that is endearing in it’s own way.

A story that takes us through the streets of Venice to a rundown bookshop, belonging to Giancarlo, who is seeking staff. Luna and Oscar both interview for the position and both receive a trial. Also at this point, the incredibly handsome Sebastiano is trying to woo Luna. The story takes us through Ruby’s life and how she and Giancarlo met and their shared history.
I enjoyed it and give it 3 1/2 stars!