"The Lost Diary of Venice" by Margaux Deroux offers a glimpse into the historical tapestry of Venice through the lens of a fictional diary. Deroux's narrative follows the protagonist as they navigate the city's labyrinthine canals and encounter a cast of characters from its storied past. While the premise holds promise, the execution may leave some readers wanting. The prose lacks the depth and nuance needed to fully immerse oneself in the narrative, and character development feels somewhat shallow. Additionally, the pacing occasionally falters, with moments of tension diluted by lengthy exposition. Despite these shortcomings, Deroux's vivid descriptions of Venice's architecture and atmosphere may appeal to readers with a penchant for historical settings. Overall, "The Lost Diary of Venice" offers a middling literary journey through a captivating city.

The story is told in a dual timeline and is very intriguing
This is very romance driven so if you don’t like romance like me I would avoid this book.
It’s more a historical romance

A glorious, richly captivating story of love and mystery!
I love how this meticulously entwines two timeframes, the present-day New York where an artist takes an old book which appears to be defaced by his ancestor to a restorer; Rose, it's only as Rose starts to begin the restoration process that she comes across the love story of Giovanni and a mystery woman, Rose is completely transfixed with the story, the more she reveals the more things start happening in her own life, things that could have comes right out of the book itself. Wiz back to the 16th Venice courtesan Chiara is has a forbidden affair with Giovanni.

Both women are captivating and their secret forbidden affairs are magical and sensual, they are women who follow their hearts and just happen to love men they can't have.
I love how this is written, it's so consuming and compelling and high;y addictive.

It's a meticulously researched, beautifully written story full of passion and rich history.

This mystery is engaging and eminently readable, with plenty of chemistry from the off between the opening characters. Slightly confusing the sudden switch to the past, which some readers might not like, but it’s well worth sticking with as Gio’s world is where this book comes alive. The evocative descriptions of Venice through an artist’s eyes transported me there, and the political machinations of higher ranking characters was interesting. The dual timeline isn’t announced but blended, so it is not immediately obvious so that’s why some readers might not take to it immediately. I would recommend to lovers of historical fiction and mysteries alike.

The book opens by introducing us to the introverted book restorer, Rose, who has shut out the world and found solace in her work, after her beloved father’s death. Then one rainy Connecticut afternoon, in steps the handsome conflicted artist, William Lomazzo into her dusty bookstore, bringing with him a remarkably intact sixteenth-century treatise on art. Rose discovers the pages are a palimpsest, and as she works to clean up and reveal the hidden text below, her own life begins to open up too.

I just loved getting to know Rose and all the little incidental details of her life: cycling to work, collecting a coffee, opening up the shop, the shop cat, the crammed bookshelves, her modern workroom at the back, and her trips out to the university libraries for research. Yep, I just wanted this to be my life! Add to this a mysterious text and a reawakening of her feelings, then this may have been my favourite thread of the narrative, which is unusual for me as I usually find the past the biggest draw.

Talking of which, the second narrative takes place five centuries earlier, where we are introduced to the respected Renaissance portrait artist, Giovanni Lomazzo, who is grappling with the decline in his vision, as well as the death of his wife and young son, all amidst the chaos of an encroaching Ottoman fleet heading for Venice. When he is commissioned to paint the enchanting courtesan of Venice’s most respected military commanders, which inspires him to document his life, love and art before he is plunged into a completely dark, colourless world.

To be fair to Giovanni I did enjoy getting to know him too, along with the beautiful courtesan Chiara, seeing how he worked, went to lavish balls and carnivals, coped with his sight loss, and reacted to the prejudice and fears of his time towards people seen as ‘different’. I had never read anything set in this place or time before, and so I learnt a fair bit, particularly about Venice’s war with the Ottoman Empire. But at the end of each chapter, I must admit I did look forward to getting back to Rose and her story!

This is no comment on DeRoux’s writing though, both narratives I thought were very well written, with lovely minutiae details that made me very happy. My preference for Rose’s narrative is completely down to personal taste more than anything else. However what both narratives do deliver equally well is a heartbreakingly vivid portrait of entrancing, unrelenting, and impossible love, across time and vastly different worlds. All of which is fatefully brought together by one artistic legacy, lay hidden in the pages of an old book.

So overall, I thought The Lost Diary of Venice was a richly detailed page-turner, with a lovely cast of characters, set in beautiful locations, that I enjoyed escaping into. I probably would have raced through this even quicker if hadn’t been for the confusing formatting of my ARC, but even that couldn’t put much of a dampening on what was a very… Good read. ⭐⭐ I look forward to seeing more by this author.

The Lost Diary of Venice by Margaux DeRoux is a dual timeline novel; the present day narrative follows Rose, an expert in book restoration from Connecticut, and the historical one is set in Renaissance Italy. The connection between the two comes when William, an artist, brings a 16th century manuscript into Rose’s bookshop. Rose quickly discovers that the document is a palimpsest, where one set of words has been written over another which has been scraped away. On the surface it is a treatise on art by the great Italian painter Giovanni Lomazzo, but it’s the hidden diary entries and sketches underneath that really intrigue Rose and William.

It’s often the case that when a novel is set in two time periods, I like one much more than the other; with this novel, however, I didn’t find either of them very compelling. The book is well written, with some beautiful descriptions of Venice in the historical sections, but I didn’t feel any emotional connection to any of the characters. Rose’s relationship with the married William didn’t interest me and I was unmoved by Giovanni’s romance with the courtesan Chiara too (although I did have some sympathy for Giovanni as he discovered that he was losing his sight, a terrible thing for an artist to have to come to terms with). I also loved the glimpses we are given of the political situation in Venice at that time, the conflict between the Venetians and the Ottoman Empire, and the events taking place in Cyprus ahead of the Battle of Lepanto. I wished more time had been spent on all of this, as every time I started to become gripped by what was happening, the chapter ended and we switched back to the modern day story. This is not a book I can say I particularly enjoyed, but I’m pleased I was at least able to learn something from it.

I absolutely adore historical fictions as i find myself endlessly inspired by the characters that overcome such odds and this book absolutely lived up to my expectations of a fantastic hist-fic. I felt like i was on an incredible journey and didnt want it to end.

Two timelines: a lost diary is recovered by William, who takes it to Rose to restore. At the same time, we live the days the diary is being written, in Venice, just before the battle with Ottomans.

Giovanni, an artist who is losing his sight, falls in love with Chiara, a courtesan and they must leave their love in secrecy.

Meanwhile, as their story is uncovered by Rose and William, there is also a connection developing.

Good book that dips into art and history.

I was given an ARC by Netgalley in exchange of a honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Orion and Margaux DeRoux for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. I'm a big fan of historical fiction so I absolutely loved this book as I'm a sucker for a dual timeline. Interesting concept and sumptious descriptions.

Wow. I did not expect this book to be so good. What vivid descriptions! It is a well-researched and well-written book. I could not put it down! Loved it!

Oh my, what a lovely surprise this was. I went into it expecting it to be a bit long-winded and drawn out but was pleasantly surprised. Straddling two-time frames, The Lost Diary of Venice is an intriguing glimpse into the past.

I must confess that I love the depictions of old Venice, the opulence and grandeur. Venice always makes me think of a grand of dame, who has lost a bit of her sparkle and fallen on hard times, but still wears the trailing magnificent skirts - now torn at the edges, and indulges in her red wine from beautiful silver goblets, now a little tarnished. The story was fascinating, I am an absolute history buff, and love reading about the past, especially when the characters are brought to rich, vivid life as these were.

The story starts off when a sixteenth-century manuscript ends up in the hands of book restorer Rose, who runs a bookshop which houses her book-restoring workshop. Now, this is a worthy profession! I would love a bookshop, and even more so to be a restorer of books! Anyway, the book turns out to be a palimpsest, and Rose gets to work on what must really be the most wonderful task, coaxing to life the world of Renaissance Italy from the age-old pages.

William was a bit annoying, Lucas was lovely, and Chiara was someone I would have loved to have known. As was Giovanni. I must also say, the author's note was fascinating, and a definite added attraction to the book.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Orion and Margaux DeRoux for my ARC.

The premise of two illicit love affairs set five hundred years apart has the potential to make a good – or even great – story. The over-florid writing, however, frequently distracts from its essential elements. The use of too many candied chick-lit like clichés further dilutes early expectations. The history into medieval manuscripts and contemporary restoration practices appear to be well researched. The inclusion of the war against the Ottoman Empire, told in vapid end-of-chapter vignettes, feels like a clumsy, unnecessary add-on and does nothing to enhance the story's plotline. A novel which promises so much, but is weak on delivery.

Many thanks to the Orion Book Group and Netgalley.co.uk for my ARC.

This is one of those "two stories in one" books where the present day protagonists are trying to uncover a story from 16th century Venice. Rose is a book seller and restorer who is given a palimpsest to restore by painter William. The similarities and contrasts between the two stories gradually unfold as Rose restores the document. Interesting.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

This is a new author to me but I shall be looking out for more
I absolutely loved this - couldn't put down

This is well researched and written. So atmostpheric and vivid
Loved the characters and the story
I was totally drawn in and absorbed

A superb read
I rarely give 5 stars and wish I could give it more!!

All the elements in these book are amongst my favorite tropes and I wasn't disappointed.
I found it hard to put down, well written and entertaining.
The historical background is vivid and well researched, the characters are rounded and the plot flows and never drags.
It was an excellent read and it's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

It did take a little while to get into this story but then I was gripped and just had to find out what happened. The timelines are linked by the discovery of the diary. There were many detailed descriptions of the scenes, whether it was the tools Rose used for her restorative work or the sights and sounds of Venice. The tension was palpable as the build up to the sea battle was described. Some of the events were historically accurate and these were woven successfully into the story and the affect it had on the fictional characters. Giovanni Lomazzo was the artist from the 16th century and was losing his sight. He was smitten by Chiara, the courtesan of an important man, Venier. Rose, in the present day, was working on the project for William, also an artist. They felt a special connection but William was married with children. There was so much to this story and it will be one that I will remember for a long time. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a lovely read this was! It all starts off in a bookshop in America. That storyline takes us into the world of a manuscript, restored books and missing pieces of puzzles from the past. The second thread of the story then leads us into Renaissance Italy, the story behind that manuscript and the love story between two unexpected souls.

I won't repeat the blurb or go into the plot as this is more of a reading experience than just a novel. You have to go in without knowing a great deal and allow the world of Renaissance Italy, real life history, historical figures and art..oh the art! to envelope your senses.

Wonderfully created, this is an author who has done some serious research but leaves most of it seeping from the pages, not written blindly across it. ~The characters tell the story for you and you travel with them.

Ps The author note is very detailed and very interesting in its own right!