Another FANTASTIC read from Leonie Mack! I love her storytelling and the way she weaves in so much detail about the locations and the characters' vocations, as well as the depth of the characters' journeys.

Read this and prepare to fall in love with Venice, Murano and the troubled artist Piero. You may also become suddenly obsessed with buying pretty things made of glass!

Completely brilliant.

🌊🛥Venice the star🎭

3.5🌟 stars
The best part of this novel for me was the way it threw me back to my memories of Venice in winter. By having super-practical Brit businesswoman Didi meander around Venice and Murano in December and January with and without her host, the author painted an accurate picture of Venice as its mist-shrouded, quiet time. Bone-chilling but beautiful in all its faded glory. And though she doesn't gloss over the weary, decaying architecture, its charm comes through time and again.

But I'm afraid Didi and Piero's story did not move me as much and as often as I had hoped. I can't identify it precisely, but their constant dialogue about relationships and glass making just did not do it for me. Too much friction in their families, too many details about the glass sculptures that were difficult to envision, too much skirting around the issue of where they were going emotionally. I felt the story started strong, faltered for a good chunk of the middle and then picked back up to end well.

Piero's a tortured artist and I was never allowed to forget that. Every time Didi's mother Saffron popped in seemed to put the main story on hold. And the whole issue about why he does not want to accept the commission Didi's London employers offer him: I did not get it! I did like the romance of their gestures at the story's climax and conclusion, though.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This was a decent, light read but it felt liked it dragged and was a bit too long. I really loved the descriptions of Venice and learning more about glass blowing. Overall a good book.

Such a heartwarming and sweet romance this was!
Adorable characters with exceptionally backdrop of Venice made it even better.

This book fulfills every woman’s fantasy of going to another country and being swept off your feet by a local - but with a twist. Loved the character development and love story!

it's romantic. it's VENICE, a city i've visted and loved. it's a tortured artist. so so much to love in this story, and i loved kicking off with the holidays! cute and i would read more from this author.

Thanks to Boldwood Books publishing and NetGalley for an early review copy.
While I did enjoy the atmosphere of a Venice setting, the characters fell flat for me. I honestly didn't like Didi that much and I felt like the chemistry between the characters was forced. Maybe I was looking for more of a slow burn enemies-friends-lovers because this one did not do it for me.
If you're a fan of a fast paced romcom, then I would definitely recommend this book. This book did give me the travel bug though because I am dying to go to Venice now, especially during the Holidays!

Who ever said only Paris was the city of love hasn't read a Match made in Venice. Not only did I fall in love with the characters I fell in love with the city of Venice between it's pages. It was a fairy quick read and it was wonderful to travel to a city on my travel bucket list even if it was only through the pages of a book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip to Venice and the romance that went alongside it. A lovely read which kept me happily entertained

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book. It made me feel like I was transported to Venice. And I loved the characters!

An amazing book! The descriptions of Venice really brought it to life and made you want to visit out of season to see it without all the tourist hoards. The glassblowing was vibrant and gave the book an added depth to the romance. I loved it.

In Leonie Mack's A MATCH MADE IN VENICE, pragmatic London marketing manager Didi unknowingly becomes the muse of uninspired Venetian glass artist Piero after offering the famed glassmaker a department store commission.

Set amid the whimsical beauty and culture of Venice, Mack beautifully details the artistry of glassmaking and crafts a transformative love story between Didi and Piero.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Didi works in a department store in London, travels to Venice to meet artist Piero Zanetti to ask him to create something for her stores Christmas window display. But upon arriving at his studio, she’s shocked to see the state of it, on top of which Piero, informs her he won’t do it.

Piero is a man who has lost his muse and is moody, but Didi makes him feel like he wants to make something again. She leaves after her visit, unsuccessful. Piero comes to London and somehow convinces Didi to return with him to Venice, under the promise, that he’ll think about making something for her.

The characters were well developed, they grow as the story progresses. Starting as friends, the chemistry builds between them until they can’t deny how they feel. Exploring Venice together, they risk losing their hearts. Can they make themselves believe it’s worth it?

It was lovely to read about Murano glass, the way it’s made and the traditions of it and the island of Murano. Piero is a genius when it comes to glassblowing, but is struggling before he meets Didi, but she re-ignites his passion for glassmaking.

What also runs throughout the story is family, the relationships and the healing of rifts and misunderstandings for both Didi and Piero.

The descriptions of Venice were beautiful and I felt as though I was there with the characters. It was also nice to see a character with diabetes, seeing how it can affect your day to day life.

Absolutely loved it.

Set against a stunning backdrop of Venice and Murano, this slow burn romance is a fun escape.

When pragmatic, sensible and resolutely single Deirdre York (Didi to her friends) is sent to Venice for work she is determined not to be taken in by the romantic clichés. Winter in the floating city may be breathtakingly beautiful, but she’s here with a clear purpose and will not let the magic of Venice distract her.

Piero Zanetti is the epitome of the handsome yet tortured artist. Heart-broken by the end of his love affair with a glamorous opera singer, he has lost his ability to work, and his inspiration has drained away, along with his zest for life.

But Didi needs Piero working – she has been tasked with commissioning him to do a glass centrepiece for a luxury department store Christmas display – somehow Didi has to cheer Piero up or at least find him a new muse…

As Didi and Piero slowly become friends, and as Venice starts to melt Didi’s heart and gently nudge Piero out of the blues, something special begins to happen. Can Venice – the City of Love – work a Christmas miracle and help Didi and Piero to find their happiness at last…

Admittedly it took me a while to warm up to the characters in this book. They are both so stubborn! But as you read along you learn more of their backstories and get to know them better, the story deepens along with their likability. I even ended up really liking the fact I didn’t love them right off the bat!

Didi is smart, successful and complicated. Growing up with an irresponsible mom meant she always had to be the responsible one. She is goal oriented and doesn’t tolerate deviations from her plans. She doesn’t have time for folly and romance. In fact, she wouldn’t know what to do with romance if it slapped her in the face! Piero meanwhile, is the ultimate tortured artist type. Coming out of a “big crazy love” he can’t work and his life is a mess. He might sound like a stereotype, and he is a little, but Mack does a great job of crafting a character full of layers that moves Piero beyond the stereotype. As each of them learned to love themselves, I realized I too was learning to love their characters as a reader.

The romance here is the slowest of slow burns. When you have two adults this intense, they need to do some healing before they can move forward. Although it was at times excruciating, in the end you will find a satisfying ending that makes it all worthwhile. And it’s a refreshing storyline for the reader that prefers deeper connections leading to romance over a fireworks and insta love style.

The scenery in this book is off the charts fabulous. Mack’s descriptions of Venice and Murano make you feel like you are really there, wandering the narrow streets, tromping over ancient bridges, navigating the galleries, museums and sights. It really is like a trip in a book. I couldn’t get enough of the scenery and I devoured every word.

Overall this book was not what I was expecting and I’m glad for it. If you need an escape to a magical city or want to read something outside the usual tropes, give this one a try.

A Match Made in Venice is a delightful contemporary romance. The heartwarming tale of Match Made in Venice is sweet, romantic, and full of life. This book is so much alive due to the descriptions of the city, the art, and the feelings. It was interesting to learn about everything that Venice offers in great detail. It has been on my bucket list to visit for years.

The friendship-to-love romance between Didi and Piero is so sweet. In the story, they grow so much, and they are such unique and well-developed characters. As this couple explores Venice they become closer to each other and learn more about each other. When they first meet, they are reluctant friends. However, they find out they are very compatible after a short while. Their relationships are enriched by their enjoyment of each other's company, and they seem to understand each other more than they understand themselves. As a result of their friendship, they grow to love and respect each other, though they are reluctant to acknowledge it.

This book caught my eye because of its cover, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Reading this book was an enjoyable experience, and I'd highly recommend it to romantic fiction readers. Thanks so much to Boldwood Books, and Leonie Mack for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

With every book I'm reading from Leonie Mack, my overwhelming feeling is that I want to read more. I am loving this author and her writing.

And what better setting than Venice, and although it has hints of Christmas, this is not a Christmas book not in the way I'd think. It is all about designing a massive window display for a department store for the following Christmas, and the season is present but it's not at the heart of the book.

What is, is a clear love of Murano Glass, the techniques, and traditions of it, the island of Murano and a rather troubled but genius glassblower Piero Zanetti. He is at the start struggling, but when Didi comes to him with a proposition well he's not keen but Didi herself seems to re-ignite Piero generally!

And there is a theme of family relationships, and healing rifts and misunderstanding between family members, both for Piero and for Didi. It was wonderful seeing how their stories and personal journeys developed over the course of the book.

Then some of the descriptions of Venice made me feel as though I was there alongside the characters, And I thought it made a nice change to have a main character with diabetes and seeing how that can affect your day to day considerations.

A really entertaining story that transported me to the island of Murano, and to Venice in winter, and gave me a new view of the place when it isn't drowning in tourists! And a romance that will delight and frustrate in equal measure!

Thank you to Boldwood Book and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A Match Made in Venice is a charming contemporary romance. Sweet, romantic and full of life, Match Made in Venice makes for a heartwarming read. Leonie's descriptions of the city, the art and the feelings breathes so much life into this book. Piero's passion for his work is so palpable and the history and magic of one of the worlds most romantic cities really seeps through the pages. This isn't an all-encompassing, sweep you off your feet, burn bright and fast kind of romance...this is the real world kind of romance filled with many sweet little moments, and a slow and subtle ignition that burns forever.

When Didi travels to Venice to commission artist Piero Zanetti to create something for her work, Piero shows no interest. A moody and brooding man who has lost his muse, Piero balks at the idea of selling out for consumerism, but he can’t deny how Didi makes him feel. She inspires him, and Piero convinces Didi to return with him to Venice with the promise that he’ll think about commissioning a piece. As the pair explores Venice and their feelings, they both risk losing their hearts. Can they be convinced it’s worth the risk?

Didi and Piero’s friends-to-lovers romance story is beautiful. They are both such unique and well-developed characters and grow throughout the story. Both characters fear falling in love for different reasons, but their attraction slowly builds until they can’t deny their feelings. I like how this couple grows closer and learns about each other as they explore Venice. The couple actually starts off as reluctant friends and realize they have a lot of fun together. They enjoy each other’s company and really seem to understand each other, sometimes better than they know themselves. From this friendship blooms a deep respect and love for each other, though both are slow to admit it.

Piero and Didi both have complicated relationships with their family, which has definitely affected their feelings toward love. Past hurts and fear of vulnerability, as well as the fear of abandonment, add to their conflicted emotions. I enjoyed how the story explores all facets of their lives – from their relationships with family, to their ties to their community, to their feelings about their careers, the story shows how all the pieces of one’s life affects one’s decision-making, relationships, and future. Plus, their chemistry is fantastic. They have so many wonderful moments, some light and fun, others more serious and deep, but all are memorable.

The Venetian setting is vivid and romantic, and I loved learning about pieces of Venice that tourists wouldn’t ordinarily experience. I’ve never been to Italy, but this story reaffirmed my desire to visit at least once in my life. The glass blowing is fascinating and I could see how one would lose track of time watching the masters create their art. It all made for a very romantic backdrop to Piero and Didi’s story, and I enjoyed learning more about the glass blowing process and the beautiful pieces Piero created. I thought this was a charming read, and I highly recommend it to readers of contemporary romance. The characters are wonderful and well-layered, and I loved the romantic setting! Powerful messages of embracing love, finding happiness, following your heart, and your dreams add to the optimistic charm of the story.

Sensible and logical Didi York feels immune to, and perhaps even actively dislikes romance.

Being so different from her, the handsome, tortured, Italian artist Piero Zanetti is surely the wrong person to change her mind.

Isn’t he?

Leonie Mack goes much further than merely capturing the romance of Venice. She compellingly displays the authentic and epic beauty of the city through the eyes of a character who doesn’t even believe in romance. I devoured this book in under 24 hours, I was so invested in Didi and Piero’s story. The descriptions were mesmerisingly vivid, and the emotions both heart rending and soul stirring.

The cover was really cute and gave me this romantic vibe.
But the story felt a little bland. Didi was annoying, bland and meh Piero seemed okay. But their chemistry felt non-existent.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I would definitely classify this story as a slow burn, with the main characters getting to know each other first before becoming romantic.
The people and places the author described did make it feel like Venice, and the glass blowing aspect made the story feel quite historical.
An easy, sweet read.