I thoroughly enjoyed being swept away to Venice, a place I’ve never been before but now I have a rough idea of this beautiful city.

Tess has penned a love letter to Venice and covers some very interesting scenarios in this big book that didn’t feel like one, the pages just kept on turning rapidly!

The story of four women in four different circumstances had me glued to the pages of this book. We have Gayle - the American on holidays with her husband who does his very best to get as much as he can for free. Elena who is with her husband - a handsome neurosurgeon who is living a life she hides from everyone. Sophia - the Australian food writer who is in Venice to write about the famous restaurant and its chef and Loretta who runs this restaurant and is working like a Trojan keeping everything ticking whilst keeping a secret herself. Tess also incorporates environmental issues, faith and of course Italian cuisine, all of which makes the story very believable and a pleasure to read. It’s always good to learn something when you read a book, despite it being fiction.

This book is an absolute masterpiece of women’s fiction. I’ve read everything Tess has written and I am so glad to see her back writing again, this book is a must read!
Thank you so much to Penguin Random house Australia and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion.

I loved this one so much, it grabbed me from page one and I fell into the story as I visited Venice and met four woman, woman who had issues that were playing on their minds, problems that had to be sorted, will they get there? Come along and meet these woman and the other fabulous characters and a sinking Venice, this story has everything that is sure to keep the reader turning the pages.

Signora Loretta Bianchi is the owner of Hotel II Cuore a boutique Hotel in the heart of Venice, she is also a famed and popular cook, married to Alberto for thirty years and the mother of twins Rocco and Marina, but when someone from her past arrives in Venice during the twelve Days of Christmas Loretta must make a decision, will it be the right one?

Sophie is Australian and writes for a Foodie Magazine and is on assignment for the famous restaurant at the hotel but when she arrives there is mayhem and she steps in to help rather than return home, she does not want to be with her mother over Christmas this year, but her time in Venice not only brings to light the dangerous water levels of the town it also is opening her heart to handsome Rocco but he comes with problem that she may not cope with.

Elena’s world in sinking just like Venice as she returns to her hometown from Australia where she is living with her Australian Doctor Christian for her Papa’s funeral, she has made a big decision she must run, leave her husband, but what will it cost her and others to do so?

Gayle is on holiday from America with her husband Mike she is a grandmother and very religious, but there are problems with her family back home and she is stressed but then her caring heart may put them in danger, how will things turn out for Gayle and her family?

This story not only takes in the problems Venice is having but it brings together these four woman and shows what they can do when they open up to each other, the strength to help one another when times are hard, this is a brilliant story and one that I highly recommend. I loved visiting Venice and meeting these woman and getting to know the city, the food, the descriptions took me there from my armchair, a must read.

Thank you Tess Woods for such an awesome story, so many emotions, tears and smiles from this reader, I can’t praise it enough.

My thanks to Penguin Random House AU and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

Another absolute winner by one of my favourite authors Tess Woods . The Venice Hotel is a wonderful novel . As with Tess's other novels it's character driven and touches on a lot of social issues without preaching.

Told in 4 voices of 4 very different women the story is set in Venice over a 10 day period .

I was so invested in all the characters , even the ones I didn't like ! A fantastic read .

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for and ARC to read and review .