A compelling historical fiction story set against the backdrop of WWII in England and Italy.
Katerina (Kate) has never felt like she really belongs in England; her dark hair and Italian looking features have always been evident even though her English family, The Arden’s, love her she has always known she isn’t one of them. As the war rages on Kate works for a charity assisting orphaned children and begins searching for her past and her mother.
In Venice, Sofia is searching for the child that was taken away from her by her controlling mother The Countess.
Kate and Sophia are both on a path of discovery and take us the reader along with them.
This is story of heartache, deceit, mystery and family secrets.

The paper is stiff and brittle with age as Kate unfolds it with trembling hands. She gasps at the pencil sketch of a rippling waterway, lined by tall buildings, curving towards the dome of a cathedral. She feels a connection deep in her heart. Venice.

England, 1941. When Kate Arden discovers a secret stash of drawings hidden in the pages of an old volume of poetry given to her as a baby, her breath catches. All her life, she has felt like an outsider in her aristocratic adoptive family, who refuse to answer any questions about her past. But the drawings spark a forgotten memory: a long journey by boat… warm arms that held her tight, and then let go. Could these pictures unlock the secret of who she is? Why her mother left her? With war raging around the continent, she will brave everything to find out…

One of the biggest reasons I loved this book was because Kate was such a realistic, well-written character. I love WW2 historical fiction, but there's so much of it that it's hard to stand out. I really enjoy Greenwood's writing, and the ending was beautiful. Wonderfully written gem that I would highly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

A lovely story about finding out who you are and looking for answers. Beautiful scenery from Shakespeare country to Naples/ Sorrento to Venice. A great holiday read.

I really enjoyed The Last Train from Paris so I was eager to get an ARC of Greenwood’s next book, The Secret Daughter of Venice.

This book was really enjoyable if not a little confusing at first mostly because I didn’t expect that the two sides of the story were actually happening at the same time. With hazy memories of painting and Italy, Kate is searching for her past while a woman in Italy is searching for a future that was stolen from her. Both characters are likable and interesting to follow. I would say that where I thought the book could improve was the villains. We meet several of them, one clearly the orchestrator of a great deal of pain, but I just felt it all a bit lacking. I know it’s a book in WW2 and the immediate aftermath so maybe the point was just “some people are terrible and will do anything for power” but I would’ve enjoyed some sort of confrontation or closure.

Overall, a really interesting historical fiction and mystery read. Thank you to Juliet Greenwood and NetGalley for the ARC!

One of my only complaints with Juliet Greenwood's previous book, The Shakespeare Sisters, was that it pretty much skipped over the WWII years, so we didn't get a chance to see what the sisters were doing during the war. So, I really enjoyed this chance to see what was happening with Kate during that time! I loved The Secret Daughter of Venice. The story was compelling, and everything the characters did felt true to how they had been written in The Shakespeare Sisters.

Set in England and Italy, this is a
spellbinding tale full of deceit and drama. It is,the touching story of a young woman's quest to discover where she belongs., a well crafted and unforgettable book. It is a gem to read. I enjoyed it immensely.

The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood

Set during ww11 and in Venice , a n interesting take about a young girl who doesn't feel like she fits in with those around her and a few fleeting memories of before.
A good story , well told.

I have read a few, but by no means all of Juliet Greenwood's novels. The first one was nearly twenty years ago, although she is an author I have always been aware of I have not read as many of her books as I would like to have done.

Set in an Italy ravaged by war, the story follows the protagonist Kate Arden as she yearns to discover why she has never been told who her biological mother is. Unaware of each other's search Sofia her birth mother is also trying to find out what happened to the baby that was https://www.instagram.comcruelly taken away from her.

An emotional and intriguing story with a great cast of characters. This will appeal to Italophiles and those interested in the period setting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A story of World War II and the ravages heaped upon Europe. Of the children left homeless and women and mothers who struggled to make a living while their husbands were gone. A story of a daughter torn from her mother’s arms because of treachery and greed. A story of that daughter, Kate who never fit in with her adopted family and always felt a longing to travel to another place that she felt held her future. The story of Sofia, Kate’s mother, that never stopped looking for her daughter and how painting and Venice brought them back together. A thoroughly enjoyable book. A glowing story of a love lost and found again. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for a complimentary copy. This review is my personal opinion.

I always love Juliet Greenwood’s books, partly because of the gorgeous qualities of her writing, but also because the very things she likes to explore are those which interest me. Aspects such as the complexities of family relationships, the impact of war on ordinary people and especially women, and how women’s choices have been affected by historical and cultural norms, make for fascinating and deeply engaging stories.
This book was intriguing from the start, with a mysterious premise and strong female characters. The aspects of WWII and women’s history were well-researched but these were seamlessly woven into the story so it never felt like a dry history lesson. Rather, I was able to immerse myself in the sense of place and period, and understand the motivation and actions of these complex and interesting characters in the context of their world. Following Kate, Sofia and the secondary characters as they navigated their many challenges was a real pleasure to be savoured.
The settings were beautifully captured and it was wonderful to follow Kate on her travels.
I’m left hoping there may be another book in this series, to find out what Kate and her siblings will do following the revelations late in the book. Ms Greenwood has left a rich seam of material which I hope she plans to mine in due course!
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC which I received in exchange for an unbiased review.

"The Secret Daughter of Venice" is the story of Kate Arden's voyage of discovery to find out who she is and search for her mother. Kate has always known that she isn't the true daughter of the man she calls father, but it takes a lot of effort to find out who her real parents are. This is made more challenging by the fact that the country is in the middle of a war. Armed with some of the facts, Kate has to wait until 1946 to uncover the full truth of her existence. This involves a trip to Italy, a country which she remembers in snippets in her dreams.

This a great page turner of a book with wonderful descriptive prose and great characters. Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Sometimes when reading historical fiction, you feel a sense of uneasiness, you did not with this
It was filled with so much emotion that I instantly told my friends to add it to their lists.

This is a very enjoyable read, with a plot of convoluted family secrets that must be unraveled for Kate to understand who she really is and to peacefully pursue her passion for drawing and painting. Although a bit slow-moving at times, the story is intriguing and the characters are well written. Kate grows up feeling that somehow she doesn’t truly belong in the Arden family and always longing to know the identity of her mother. She has vague childhood memories of having been pulled from the loving arms of her mother and remembers scenic places that could only have been in Italy. Set during World War II, Kate’s quest to find the truth that has been hidden from her takes her from the grand estate of Arden House near Stratford-upon-Avon to Italy, primarily the picturesque and romantic city of Venice. The ending is very satisfying with unexpected twists. A good read.

Set during WWII, The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood has wonderful descriptions of Venice, the waterways, the culture, and the art. It also discusses the eruption of Pompeii and the destruction of the war. There are two main characters Kate and Sofia. Kate remembers parts of her past and that the mother of her siblings isn't her other. She longs to find her true heritage, but the war inconveniently intervenes. Sofia, Kate's biological mother, is searching for Kate and risks the dangers of war to travel various places.
I felt the plot was predictable and the characters were not easily engaging for the reader. The last part of the book was the best to me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was my first exposure to Ms. Greewood's work, and I must say it was rather enjoyable. She tells a tight tale, without a lot of fluff while keeping the story moving during one of history's more tumultuous recent periods. The Contessa is one you will certainly love to hate while Kate and others you will fall in love with. I was hoping for an epilogue to know if anything comes of the budding romance at the end, but I suppose the author felt it was enough to leave it open-ended with opportunity, instead of spelling it all out,

Either way, I found The Secret Daughter of Venice an entertaining tale with lots of vivid descriptions and sensitivity toward the great loss experienced by those who lived and died during WWII. Venice has always been somewhere I'd like to go, now all the more so.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book- it had everything I look for A wartime saga, great characters and beautiful settings. Even though the story was a little slow at times I still really enjoyed it. Recommended.

I always try to find something good in every book I read. Especially if the book is by a new author to me. It took me a very long time to get into this book. That is something I do not like in a book. I don't know if it was because its a war background book and I have read so many.

I did love the premise behind the book and the character of Kate herself. The book was beautifully written characters grew within the book which is something I always look for in a book. Maybe it was me and the subject matter that I found very hard to get into.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm for the ARC. Ms. Greenwood I would love to read something else by you. .

I absolutely adored The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood! It captured my heart from the first page. (The cover is gorgeous, too!) This is a story about family roots and understanding who you are. The age old question of nature versus nurture comes to mind. This quandary is analysed and its effects are visible in the story. It is obvious that genes play a big part in our abilities, mannerisms and appearance. Our personality and our reactions are a product of our parents, too, along with the world around us. Character Kate is a good example of this and although her years on the Arden Estate have contributed to her development, she feels unfulfilled and needs to connect with her birth mother and the past to feel whole. And, most importantly, to move forward.

Kate has grown up feeling like a misfit in the Arden family. She loves her siblings—even her controlling Papa and hard-working stepmother. But there is a lot of mystery surrounding her origins that nobody seems to want to talk about. There are many hidden secrets that have kept her in the dark. But why? With ongoing flashes of images from her early childhood haunting her, she must get to the source of these troubling visions. And to do that, she must revisit locations that have been part of her past life. It is quite a puzzle to solve but her mother has left clues in some artwork for her. Of course, she also wonders why her mother gave her up in the first place. The answer to this question is a lot more complex than first thought— which becomes obvious when information slowly comes to light.

Art is Kate Arden’s passion. Where does this love of drawing and painting come from? She remembers loving arms and hands guiding her; encouraging her to exercise this gift. Kate is most at home with a pencil in her hand. It is her happy place away from the jeers of the towns people caught in the throes of gossip who claim she is illegitimate. Kate differs from other family members. She has dark hair and olive skin indicating her Italian heritage. But she has grown up in a long standing English noble family whose historic foundation is crumbling. A family who is fighting to save its legacy and regain its wealth. This creates real friction among its members. And it is a dangerous situation to be in for a girl. As various options are considered such as marrying the Arden daughters off to wealthy men. Kate, of course, rejects this proposition and as she escapes to follow the path her heart wants to go, she begins to grow, learn new things and find her feet.

During World War II, Kate finds a way to leave the Estate by taking part in a volunteer program. This sends her to another part of England where she teaches children who have lost family. Her search for her mother begins here and she finds some intriguing clues. She also ends up in Venice and I found this part of the story very fascinating. It was lovely to see her artistic talent blossom in such a beautiful setting and to see her meeting artists who help her feel a sense of belonging.

The story presents another perspective: Sophia. This provides additional insight and allows us to get to know the woman Kate seeks. My heart was racing many times when she also sets out on a journey to find her daughter. The trail is a hit and miss for a while as mother and daughter pass each other at various check points. But everything comes together in a fine blend with a positive resolution that brought happy tears to my eyes.

I must not forget to mention the one they called Lady MacBeth (Contessa). She was a real Ice Queen and it was hard to imagine any chance of warmth or kindness flowing from her heart. Kate gets to see who she is and shakes her head that someone could be so cruel and uncaring of their daughter and granddaughter. It just proves how the ruthless pursuit of money and position can twist the mind of an individual and drive them to horrid ends. Wealth can become a wicked taskmaster. Yes, this woman never wanted to go back to being poor again but her endless hateful schemes brought her nothing but failure and grief.

This is a fabulous novel that left its mark on my heart. I highly recommend The Secret Daughter of Venice but be prepared to free up many hours in your day as you won’t want to set this book down until you are done! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.

Kate has grown up in the English noble family of Ahern, in an historic but crumbling family estate. But she has grown accustomed to whispers around town that she is an illegitimate heir, with her dark hair and olive skin hinting at her Italian providence.

Kate has hazy memories of her life before England, of sun-drenched villas and learning art techniques that are now her passion, but not appreciated by her family. The need for volunteers during WWII allows Kate to journey away from her family estate, and also begins her search for her mother, whom she believes was an Italian artist who spend time in Italy. Her investigations take her to post-war Italy, to Naples, the Campagna countryside around Pompeii and, finally, to Venice. Slowly, Kate begins to piece together the mysteries of her past, thereby allowing her to project her future.

This was an engaging and fast-paced historical fiction novel, set in Britain and Italy, which slowly uncovers layers of mysteries and lies that help Kate to unravel the story of her past.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Juliet Greenwood, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for May 14, 2024.

Have you ever wondered where your 'love' for something has originated from? Your love of a particular type of music, art, or history. Did it come from a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, or some other family member, or mentor?

Kate Arden has a passion for sketching, drawing, and painting. She's loved art, particularly sketching and drawing since she was a child. She has fading snippets of memories of elegant fingers and slender long arms guiding her own as she was drawing. A smooth velvety voice lovingly encouraging her to pick up and pencil and draw. She can't remember the face, but she can remember that voice and how it made her feel - loved and cherished.

Kate Arden grew up in England on the family estate. She had brothers and sisters, a loving mother, but her father was a very controlling patriarch. Although Kate loved her siblings dearly, she always had a niggling feeling that she was somehow different from those surrounding her in her immediate family. Her earliest memories are not from England, but from someplace else. She dreams about water, grape vines; of a villa filled with paintings. Before she died, Kate's mother gave her a book and told her that inside that book were the answers to her questions about her past. Taking a closer look, Kate discovered a series of sketched drawings hidden within the binding of the old book. Kate knew that these sketches were meant for her and the more she looked at them, the more her memories of a time long ago started to resurface. And now she begins her journey to discover the truth about her original heritage.

Author, Juliet Greenwood has written Kate's story in three parts, and I must confess to enjoying the later parts more. Chapters alternate between two locations: England and Venice; and two voices: Kate's and Sofia's (Kate's mother). And although the main plot thread is Kate's story, I enjoyed reading Sofia's story a little more. I think because Sofia's family dynamic was more interesting. I was a little detached from Kate and that detachment left me distanced from her part in the story - I needed something more to pull me in.

I did enjoy the Venetian setting. The descriptions of the waterways, waterbuses, and gondolas. The sights and the smells; the descriptions of the buildings and cafes; the artwork and the people - that all made compelling reading. It was just unfortunate that Kate's plot thread was slow and dare I say(?), became a little boring to wade through. I started skimming (not a good sign).

I did enjoy the ending, and thought Greenwood did a good job of combining the two stories together to end with a satisfying conclusion.

Finishing this one has sparked an interest to learn more about Venice and this time-period. The author also mentions Pompeii, archaeological excavations, and artifacts, which I'm also keen to know more about.

This is my first Juliet Greenwood read and am keen to read some of her other works to see how they compare.

#NetGalley #The Secret Daughter of Venice