A couple of months ago I borrowed a book by Lynne Shelby from the library but I had to return it unread because that's just what happens with library books right? I had initially heard about the author who as author of the day in an online group I am in and I thought I liked the sound of her books. They feature fun locations like Venice in this book.
When this book came up for a blog tour, I jumped at the chance to read it, and I am really glad I did! I feel like I got a fun reading experience, a visit to Venice, some art history and a whole lot more!
Rose Bennet is down on her luck but thanks to a friend she gets the chance of a lifetime. She goes to Venice to work on a restoration of a 16th century painting. No one knows who the subject of the painting is or who painted it. After years of neglect, it is up to Rose to restore it and bring it back to life!
The painting, which is called Portrait of a Young Woman in a Blue Dress, is part of a significant art collection owned by Luca Casserini. Luca is the head of one of the historically important families in Venetian history and owner of the Ca’ D’Ambra, a six hundred year old palazzo that he is in the process of turning into an art gallery. Like many old homes, the Ca’ D’Ambra takes a lot of money to upkeep and the hope is that by turning it into a gallery with a private living quarters he can save the beautiful home from becoming a luxury hotel or something similar. Luca is head of the family in more ways than one. He is also responsible for caring for his much younger sister, a task he takes very seriously. Like many old homes, the Ca’ D’Ambra takes a lot of money to upkeep and the hope is that by
As Rose works on restoring the painting, she begins to reveal previously hidden details such as the young woman's hair colour and features, what she is holding in her hand, and she begins to wonder who this young woman really was. She also begins to wonder about the broody Luca who likes to play the guitar in the garden when he is thinking things through. When Luca offers to show Rose the sights of Veniice, is he just being polite as her boss or is there something more. If it is something more, Rose has to be careful. After all, she is only in Venice for the summer.
The Venice that the reader is introduced to in these pages is a combination of touristy Venice but also the Venice that only Venetians know. Short walks down laneways take us to unexpected areas of the city, or a water taxi takes us to other locations. We also get to see glamourous Venice with art, music, and yes, even a masked ball colliding on the pages.
One of the things that I enjoyed was a surprise dual timeline where, as Rose wondered about the girl, the reader meets the young woman in question and we learn her history. There is nothing in the blurb to indicate this so it was a lovely surprise to me. Whilst as far as I can tell the art history was based on real people but imagined for the purpose of the story, I was fascinated by all the art, and history, that was mentioned throughout the book.
Now that I know that I enjoy Lynne Shelby's work, it might be time for me to reborrow that book and see where her next books takes me!
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour below too!
Rating 4/5
About the book
A Venice Summer
Art conservator Rose Bennet is still reeling from a bad break-up when she is offered a dream job in Venice, restoring an art collection in the Ca’ D’Ambra, a six-hundred-year-old Venetian palazzo. Despite her fears about travelling to a foreign country on her own, Rose is soon heading to Italy for the summer.
While she is awestruck by the breathtaking beauty of Venice, Rose finds the owner of the palazzo, the arrogant and short-tempered Luca Casserini, insufferable. When he questions her ability to do her work, she almost heads straight back to London, but decides that she won’t let herself be intimidated or driven away before she’s even had a chance to ride in a gondola.
Losing her way in Venice’s picturesque maze of canals and alleyways, the last person Rose wants to see is her employer, but when they meet by chance and, to her surprise, he offers to show her around the city, she feels it would be churlish to refuse.
Spending sunlit summer days exploring Venice with Luca, Rose discovers a passionate side to him, very different to her first impression, and her feelings towards him begin to change …
Rose knows she can restore a damaged painting, but can she mend Luca’s damaged heart?
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Venice-Summer-sunlit-summer-romance-ebook/dp/B0GGX58TWJ/
https://www.amazon.com/Venice-Summer-sunlit-summer-romance-ebook/dp/B0GGX58TWJ/
Lynne Shelby writes contemporary and dual-timeline women’s fiction/romance. Her debut novel, ‘Meet Me In Paris,' (originally titled French Kissing), won the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing Competition, and her fifth novel, Love On Location, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novelists' Award. When not writing or reading, Lynne can usually be found at the theatre or exploring a foreign city, writer's notebook and sketchbook in hand. She lives in London with her husband, and has three adult children who live nearby.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynneShelbyWriter
Instagram: lynneshelbywriter
Website: www.lynneshelby.com
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