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The Venice Sketchbook

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About this listen

Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the New York Times best-selling author of The Tuscan Child and Above the Bay of Angels.

Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper...Venice. Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than 60 years.

It’s 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. For her students, it’s a wealth of history, art, and beauty. For Juliet, it’s poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and they’re forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever.

Key by key, Lettie’s life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. It’s one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins.

©2021 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2021 Audible, Inc. 20th Century Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Italy Heartfelt Romance
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Loved the story, the dual narrative worked really well and kept me hooked.

I would have given 5 stars, but was disappointed by the American narrator trying to do an English accent! Why, oh why, pick an American to narrate this?! Some of the pronunciation was terrible and completely unnatural. At times, it sounded like a computerised voice. That said, the other accents were very good.

A great story, fascinating history and a beautiful depiction of Venice. A real page turner. I'll definitely read/listen to her other works.

Great story, shame about narrator.

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This is quite a page-turner; it's on the go all the time without any boring bits. It stays to the story without veering off. I felt the end was a little rushed it could have gone on to tell of the journey between Catherine and Luca. I still very much enjoyed the listen.

Great story

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beautifully read,such descriptive narrative it brought the characters & Venice in wartime to life

Venice heartwarming & heartbreaking

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fabulous listen. Great narrator , very entertaining and interesting storyline, with goid historical information. would definitely recommend.

loved it

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An easy “beach read” story of women’s magazine ilk. I wasn’t sure I was going to last but persevered and did enjoy it once the stories got underway. The layering saved the day for me, as the author foreshadows, giving the reader information that the character doesn’t yet have.

The narration was excellent. It was easy to follow who was speaking.

Nice holiday story.

Layered love story

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