A summer in Venice.
A summer fling in Venice.
Two things that go together perfectly even with some bumps along the way. I lived vicariously through Norah as this is the closest to travelling I've done in a while and it's killing me. Gianluca didn't hurt as the perfect diversion for us both. I loved that she had some issues but that didn't make up her entire existence. With her writing will definitely check out her other books.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

This was like taking a vacation without ever having left my comfy reading spot. It took you to places you've longed to see, with characters you weren't likely to forget. I liked the blend of life, issues, science, family, and love. Okay, that was a mouthful, but it's true and I shall try to explain my reasoning....

Norah's life wasn't perfect, in fact, she was recovering from some pretty big issues, but she made the most of things, determined like heck to carry on. The issues stemmed from a life changing accident that took place barely a year ago. She survived, but is not without lasting scars, both to her body, and soul. The science comes into play with her field of work, or study. Who knew algae could be considered for a biofuel source? Apparently, she did, as did Manu...but she's another story altogether (so much history there!). The family...well, it starts with her mother (getting married for the first time, well over the hill!), continues with her sister, and carries right on over to Gianluca, Nona, and Manu...which require more explanation than I am willing to type here, but suffice it to say that if you've ever met someone and they felt like family from the start, this is totally like that. Finally, we have the love, and while you've think being where they were, it would have happened in a flash...but you'd be wrong. Yes, there were a few sparks thrown here and there, but anything worth having takes time, and these two (Norah and Gianluca) were so busy getting in their own way, it was definitely going to take some time.

In the end, they made it though...and that's all one can really hope for in fiction and life! My favorite parts were when they were "stranded" on the deserted island (not really deserted) and inadvertantly startled the friar (totally worth the awkward breakfast!), and when a certain Artic tern showed up where least expected. Take a trip around the world to discover a place to call home for your mind and your heart...

What a truly stunning read this book is and Leonie never fails to disappoint. Heart warming and beautifully written.

I was desperate to be whisked back to the romance of Venice when I picked up the new book by Leonie Mack, having enjoyed my last trip there with her so much. Last time it was winter in The Floating City, so it was fun to anticipate how different it might look when we take a trip there in summer with Norah, as she embarks on her summer internship studying the algae that grows in its famous lagoon. (Bear with me, this is way more interesting than it sounds!)

Norah is the younger sister of Didi, who found love with a Ventian glassmaker in the first book in this series. You don’t need to have read, A Match Made in Venice, to enjoy We’ll Always Have Venice, but I highly recommend picking it up anyway because it is a fantastic read. Norah is determined not to follow in her sister’s footsteps though – she has a career to focus on which requires her to leave Venice at the end of summer and, anyway, she’s been let down by people before, best keep herself aloof. It’s going to be hard, though, when she is in such close proximity to Gianluca all summer…

We all know what comes at the end of romance novels, it’s how we get there that is important, and the journey that Leonie takes us on in this book is full of charm, tenderness and truth. She really draws a portrait of two damaged souls who have been hurt so badly in the past that fear is preventing them admitting their feelings for one another in a way that feels very realistic and honest. Watching their relationship grow despite their best efforts in engrossing and immensely touching, and I was completely captivated by their story.

Aside from the romance aspect of the story, what draws me to Leonie’s books is the setting, and the very different and fascinating approach she always takes to showcasing it. Here, Norah’s profession takes us to areas of Venice that are well off the tourist track and ones we would never expect to see normally in this type of book. She has obviously put in a huge amount of research to make this career for Norah sound convincing, there was so much detail woven in to the writing, I was really impressed with how it was done. The way she has used this so integrally to the plot, as opposed to just a mechanism to get her to Venice and in to the arms of Gianluca, is brilliant and I think it makes this book stand out from the herd of travel romance novels.

I continue to be excited by Leonie’s writing and, early in her career as she is, I’m eager to see what she does next. To be so bold and confident at this stage bodes well for her future, and is promising for us as reader that there is more and better to come. Aren’t we lucky?

Thank you Net Galley for a review copy of We'll Always Have Venice by Leonie Mack. I really tried to like this book. Nora is a likable character. For me, it just dragged. I just DNF'd it at 67%. I didn't know this was part of a series. Maybe I would have liked it better if I'd read the first one.

The book is emotional and inspiring. I like how fierce Norah is and how despite how much she’s lost, she comes out stronger. I hate Manu’s character. Sure, I feel pity for her at times but she will never be a good character in my opinion. Towards the end, when she apologizes and accepts what she’d done to keep Norah and Gianluca away, I was furious, and no matter how much remorse she carried, it’d be stupid to forget that she had, indeed, used everyone, even if she thought it was for a noble cause, which let’s be honest, it wasn't. I feel proud of Gianluca for leaving his insecurities apart but the story didn’t pique my interest as much as I’d hoped it would. The scenery of Venice was beautifully described, though in excessive detail, which made me want to stop reading. Along with the few moments where they were alone, I would’ve loved to read Norah and Gianluca’s interactions where they were more honest with each other. The book is a fair read though, and I would recommend it to those who like a summer romance turned love (along with a particular grand track down, if I may).

A very touching story that I finished in a little over a day. The way in which the author described Venice kept me interested and of course the budding relationship between Norah and Gianluca. I thought her career made this story more interesting as well! Gianluca was sweetness. No drama or crazy surprises. Easy read.

A very big thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy and opportunity to share my thoughts!

I would just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.

We’ll Always Have Venice is set in a gorgeous Summer in Italy and it was a wonderful, romantic, escapist read and I loved everything about it.
Norah and Gianluca were two wonderful characters and I loved following their journey and they had amazing chemistry too!!
There are also a few other characters who all add to the overall story and they all work well together.
This was a wonderful, heartwarming romance and I loved being transported to Venice from the comfort of my armchair!!
I will definitely be coming back for more from this author…..

I was in Venice and also to Murano and I could immagine the place where the book is settled. I also know a lot of italian coulture and was nice to read a little about again.

I loved the main characters, the possibility to find friends or love in an other country is so exciting. The author wrote nice dialogs with some words that are local. It was really a refreshing story.

Thank you Bookandtonic and Netgalley for this possibility

I requested a copy of this book, because Venice is one of my favourite European cities, and I wanted to read a book set here. I finished reading this over a month ago, so I forget the specifics, but I do remember enjoying the story. I found it a bit frustrating that there were some Italian phrases or words that were never translated, so I got kind of lost from time to time. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone wanting to read a light romance.

Both main characters in this were really endearing and I was rooting for them all the way through. A good story and something I will recommend to others.

A summer in Italy – yes please! Everything about We’ll Always Have Venice from the eye-catching cover to the enticing blurb promised escapism and romance in a beautiful setting and I wasn’t disappointed.

The chemistry between Norah and Gianluca is delicious, their friendship and flirtation developing to the backdrop of Venice and its lagoon, which microbiologist Norah is there to study during her summer internship. Needless to say, she discovers more than just algae…

The story is interwoven with a sprinkling of other characters who all bring an extra dimension to the story in friendship, family, tension, past regrets and second chances, which add an extra depth to this romance. The setting of Venice is a character in itself, and Mack’s descriptions paint a vivid picture of the watery city, much-needed and welcome alongside my own hazy memories of visiting Venice twenty-five years ago.

We’ll Always Have Venice is heart-warming and uplifting in equal measure and ultimately a satisfying romance. I loved it!

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

I absolutely loved this book and the beautiful setting. Reading it felt like I was in Venice enjoying the places visited by the main character..

The book followed on from A Match Made in Venice, so we meet up with Didi and Piero too. The study is about Norah, Didi’s sister, as she goes to Venice for to collect algae samples from lagoons to test them.

After she had a very bad accident, she’s not looking for love, so being with Gianluca, who makes oars is not what she was expecting as he’s a hunk.

As they’ve both had bad relationships previously, their feelings and friendship start to develop.

Will they be able to overcome what’s happened in the past and welcome a future with each other.

I recommend this book.

The second book in this series.
After an accident ends her phd, Norah accepts a place in Venice on a research project. She is not expecting to meet and fall for Gianluca, but what is his relationship with her boss Manu and what will happen when it is time for Norah to remain home.
A great read. Loved the setting.

I love nothing better than to sit and read a book featuring women in science. This once was adorable. I struggled with the beginning, a lot of the terms or phrases were foreign to me and their definitions were not always apparent in the writing. Halfway through however I started seeing things defined. It has a great plot and a heartwarming story.

I'm not sure what it was about We'll Always Have Venice, but I came away...underwhelmed. I keep trying to pin down what made it less than stellar for me, but I can't quite figure it out. The book was just solidly okay in every metric I care about.

The characters? Okay. Likable, but neither stood out to me on any front. The setting? I'm never going to say no to Venice, and Mack did have some lovely descriptions of the lagoon, but it didn't take front and center. The plot? It was slow. Sometimes painfully so. But I understood why the author paced it that way. Dialogue? Nothing stood out, good or bad.

So. I'm not sure. I can't NOT recommend it to romance readers And likely many reviewers won't be as lukewarm as I am; Leonie Mack is clearly a skillful author. Something for me, was just missing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ebook ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and mine alone.

I was expecting and hoping for a light fluffy romance. But it ended up being a book with much more substanance. While it was beautifully written and I did enjoy it, it wasn't the book that I hoped it would be. I did really end up absolutely loving Norah. I recognised so much of myself in her! And I now desperately want to visit Venice! I'm rating it 4/5 stars, because it wasn't fully what I expected but it was a great read and I highly recommend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for gifting me an eARC, in return for an honest review.

I love Italy and so this gorgeous book set in Venice was always going to be. A winner. Norah and Gianluca made a great couple as they insist they only want friendship but the chemistry said so much more. I could relate to Norah with her feelings about her accident but she was much more determined than I would ever be. A great summer read.

I must say, I really identified with Norah, I also walk with a stick after a particularly nasty broken ankle and subsequent arthritis. I’d love to think that I may be as feisty as she is, but I do share her positive and determined outlook.
Gianluca is a perfect leading man. A perfect study in the genre of tall, dark, and handsome. At least that was how he was in my imagination. My habit of casting a movie version saw him played by Bobby Cannavale – Ok, a younger version, but you get my drift. He had a calmness and patience that added to his allure. Despite guarding a family secret, he still maintained a kindness that was able to penetrate Norah’s romantic armour.
Having been abandoned by her former partner, at the worst time in her life, Norah is determined not to be drawn into any form of summer romance and she’s convinced that Gianluca wouldn’t give her more than a passing glance. She is confident of her professional abilities but lacks that same confidence when viewing herself from a more personal standpoint.
Of course, there is an array of supporting characters and they each add to this gorgeous story. From Gianluca’s nonna to Norah’s mother there is a wonderful range of differing personalities. I even warmed to Manu, Norah’s success-driven boss, in the end.
My favourite character was the Lagoons and Islands of Venice. The descriptions of the sights and sounds had me imagining that I was reclining on a boat in the sunshine with the tips of my fingers trailing in the water. What I didn’t realise was the difference between the various watercraft of Venice, not every boat is a gondola and not every pilot is a gondolier.
This was a wonderful escape which has certainly inspired me to seek out the sights and sounds of Venice.

This book was so cute! After and during reading it, it just made me want to travel again. The story between Norah and Gianluca was such a good one where they decided to only be friends, but always were spending time together out on the water that feeling are obviously going to grow. I mean how could they not in Venice! I love Norah’s story where she had to overcome her injury and her back out there to finish her work. Overall an amazing and fun read