The Little Venice Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin - #bookreview #blogtour

In the distance, the rocky mountains of Missoula sit sombrely under an expanse of sky so big it feels like we're the only ones left in the world. On the velvety grass, I lie back on my elbows as Mom loops daisies together like the ultimate flower child.

'It's time for you to fly free, baby girl.' She always knows.

'How...?'

Mom gives me a slow smile. 'You don't think a mother recognises when her own child has itchy feet? Wanderlust can be a curse as much as it can be a cure. But I have to let you go - as hard as it'll be. I expect phone calls every week.'

***

A bundle of mysterious letters. A trip to Venice. A journey she’ll never forget.

When Luna loses her beloved mother, she’s bereft: her mother was her only family, and without her Luna feels rootless. Then the chance discovery of a collection of letters in her mother’s belongings sends her on an unexpected journey.

Following a clue in the letters, Luna packs her bags and heads to Venice, to a gorgeous but faded bookshop overlooking the canals, hoping to uncover the truth about her mother’s mysterious past.

Will Luna find the answers she’s looking for – and finally find the place she belongs?

***

Who can resist a book about a book shop? I certainly cannot and this was such a lovely book. Truth be told, it was a little slow to get going but it was absolutely worth hanging in there.

Luna, the main character of this story, was easy to identify with. I could understand her grief and her need to explore her feelings. I loved her adventurous spirit and enjoyed accompanying her on her personal journey while she considers her place in life now that she has lost her mother. Her story did not pan out entirely the way I had expected but that made for an even greater reading experience. 

I enjoyed reading about the secondary characters too. Oscar, Giancarlo and Gigi were equally well rounded... and let's not forget all the cats which inhabit the bookshop.

It was set in the titular Venice and I almost felt as though I was there. The book did not get bogged down in description but it was sufficient to make me want to pack my bags and go there.

It is a heartwarming read in which books that are damaged are given a new lease of life before being restored and loved again by new customers. The books served as a metaphor for Luna's life and echoed her own feelings and situation.

I will defintely be checking out more titles from this author.

ISBN: 9780008559366

Publisher:  HQ Digital

Formats:  e-boo, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  272 (paperback)

About the Author:

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

(ARC & author info courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)