Rose, a book restorer, meets William when he brings to her an ancestral manuscript. The manuscript dates to the 1570s. During the restoration process Rose discovers that the manuscript is a palimpsest. This means that the original writings in the text were removed or washed away and new text was written over it. However, Rose can clearly see some of the writings and the drawings from the original text. These discoveries lead Rose and William to meet various times to discuss the book and art. These meetings make them both yearn for more but William is married.

In a secondary timeline we have flashes back to the 1570s, during the Ottoman-Venetian War. We meet Giovanni Lomazzo, William's ancestor. Gio is a painter who is going blind. He is commissioned to paint a courtesan names Chiara. A romance develops with war, and societal conflict as a backdrop.

I was honestly not impressed at all with Rose's or William's characters and their sullen ways of looking at life and love. However, Gio and Chiara's relationship was a fascinating story with a few twists and surprises. If you want to learn a little about Venetian history this book is worth the read; otherwise, it is ok to give it a pass.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a book that I was looking forward to reading because of its inclusion of the Arts in Venice. Sadly, it let me down in places. The basic premise was interesting and I liked the layered stories, as well as the palimpsest, but it never really seemed to fully flesh itself out.

The concept was a bit ambitious and of a sort that can get very confusing if not handled carefully. DeRoux deserves credit for keeping everything very clear and easy to move between time periods. Although, this simplicity was also the downfall of the story itself. There were times when more detail was needed, especially in relating the characters between the past and the current time frames. Sometimes I felt as though I was imagining a connection that wasn't really there all for the sake of filling out the depth of the story.

The portions that took place in the past were, in my opinion, more interesting. Having an Arts background, I especially appreciated references to the artistic process. With that said, I still found it rather weak and wanted to read so much more about that. I wanted the author to paint a picture of what was going on rather than limit the writing to what seemed to be only random swatches of the scenes. Rich, enhanced details like that are what could have taken this book to a higher level.

The modern story, especially the almost romantic relationship between the protagonist and her client, was what I thought to be the weakest link in the entire book. I'm not certain if it was because it never went anywhere or if it was just all too diluted to hold my interest. The reason for their interactions was good and extremely relevant to the story, but it just never presented us with anything interesting other than allowing us to have a peek into the diary. The relationship with the Librarian was very sweet yet also very predictable rendering it to be only a mediocre part of the story.

These are the reasons that I lean towards believing that this book will do well with the reader who likes a basic Romance novel but won't satisfy those of us who prefer our novels to have more depth and refinement.

This historical romance was an enjoyable, intriguing novel that prompted me to investigate Venetian history and the people involved in the Battle of Lepanto in 1570. I was aware of several Aegean islands belonging to Italy, although not Cyprus, but never knew how that came about. Both Sebastian Venier and Giovanni Lomazzo were the real people about whom the story was developed.

I enjoyed the Venetian story in 1570 over the contemporary romance as it opened my eyes to the major work of Lomazzo on how to paint. This well respected Italian artist was gong blind but has a commission to paint the courtesan of Venier's at the end of 1570. The author described the (forbidden) relationship that developed between the two as well as the perils that occurred as a result. The villain in this story was introduced along with an ominous crow- symbol of bad luck/death. She obviously researched the dress and customs of the day and brought the characters to life. I liked the way she described the elements of Renaissance art, introduced alchemy, religious wars (between the Christians and Turks), and even anti-semitism (which I didn't realize existed that far back).

The contemporary story took place in New Haven, CT, where Rose - a bookstore owner and restorer meets William. While the author deftly wove the 2 love stories together to have them mirror each other, I felt that this relationship was too one sided, and seemed adolescent and superficial. I think the ending was alright, although a little contrived. I do not think that she developed Rose's character as well as the Venetian characters and setting.

I am grateful to NetGallley and Ballentine books for sending me an ebook to read in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Forbidden love and two timelines. This was an enjoyable read and I especially enjoyed the historical aspect. The writing was very atmospheric.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for the loan of this book. I just love historical fiction, particularly one with two timelines - one in the past and one in the present. The jacket summary on this book looked like it was just perfect for me; however, I struggled with the two timelines and really getting to know the characters. I kept waiting for more to happen, something really exciting, and it just didn't. The historical accuracy was very commendable but, at times, felt as if it was just a laundry list of details stuck into the book. For the modern timeline, I wanted more about Rose and the librarian - I didn't find the attraction between Rose and William authentic.

Having recently had my family Bible restored, I was interested in this from the start because I find the restoration process intriguing. At first, I had a little trouble understanding the story because it flips from modern times to the Renaissance where this takes place in Venice. However, once I was on track, the images formed in my mind sucked me in and kept my attention to the point where I didn't want to stop reading. The story line is compelling the way the author paints a picture of two very different relationships forming. I always admire a writers ability to lead a reader along a certain path which then takes a sharp turn in an unforeseen direction. A very enjoyable read.

An engaging tale with parallel storylines. In a college town in the Northeast, introverted Rose is a book restorer who owns an on campus shop. Her life is a matter of routine and loneliness following the death of her beloved father.

The day William arrives, bringing her a manuscript found in his grandmother’s possessions, plunges her deep into the life of an artist in Renaissance Venice.

As she works through the restoration project she discovers the magical world of artists and alchemists, the social allure of the courtesan life at salon, wartime against the Ottomans, along with prejudice and hysteria.

The project engrosses her, with Rose anxiously waiting for William’s visits. They delve into the story, which is a treatise on art, and they discover it was written by one of William’s ancestors.

I love a historical fiction novel, and Renaissance Venice always engages.

Thank you @margaux_deroux @penguinrandomhouse
@netgalley for this e-book
#ballantinebooks #historicalfiction
#kindleeditition #ebook

I think this might be a case of right book, wrong time, but I just could not sink into this story. I wanted to know more about William and Rose, but the other story wasn't holding my attention at all. The setting was set up well and the bookshop was a great backdrop for the modern timeline, but the characters weren't doing it for me.

Fascinating story of two worlds centuries apart. Love, unrequited love, forbidden love. Some things never change, only the circumstances. A charming novel that succeeds in moving back and forth between centuries, continents, and lovers. A great escape.

I received an electronic Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I enjoyed this book. It follows the currently 'hot' trend of switching back and forth between two time periods, the Renaissance in Venice and the current time in Connecticut. The characters are well established, and likeable, and the details in both time frames are richly drawn. I read this book as slowly as I could, to enjoy the lush scenes that the author lay out on the pages. I would recommend this book as an excellent beach read, and a great way to start off your fall reads as well!

Author #Margaux DeRoux is sure to win you over in her ‘#The Lost Diary of Venice’.Two impossible love stories are fatefully connected.Then add in a dual timeline and you have a winner.Rose the main character is still grieving the loss of her father.A handsome man comes in from the rain with an un unexpected package and the story begins.
Thank you,
#Netgally,#Margaux DeRoux and #Random House

This book is aching beautiful. DeRoux sets up each character perfectly: the tragic painter who lost his wife and child in childbirth, the stunning courtesan who has so many secrets she could fill the canals with them, and even dark, tormented Corvino whose devotion is twisted and bitter.
Chiara is the toast of the Venetian town. She sees a painting of another woman and insists that the same author paint her. This is how Gio and Chiara meet. Chiara is the paid companion of a powerful Commander. Gio is in the middle of losing his sight.
This is the story that Rose is hired to restore, hundreds of years after both Gio and Chiara are gone. She ends up developing feelings for William, the ancient pages' owner and Gio's own descendant. However, William is a married man. Will Rose and William have the same torrid affair that shapes and torments the characters from Gio's life so many centuries ago?
It has so much and is so full, and yet the book never feels like it's rushing the reader along. It lets you explore the clash between Christianson and the Ottoman empire. It tells you how women were beginning to emerge as forceful artists in their own right. It shares the sorrows of the Jewish ghetto. All this, perfectly interwoven with the story of how Gio gave his heart away to a woman who could never truly have it.
Read it. It's fantastic.

Rose Newlin is a book restorer in a small college town whose life has been in stasis after the death of her father. But when William Lomazzo, an artist who Rose is instantly attracted to, brings in a sixteenth century palimpsest for restoration Rose finds her spark again. The treatise on art that’s the primary text is fascinating in its own right, but it’s the sketches and writings that had been scraped away underneath that truly capture William and Rose’s attention. As Rose works on the book, she and William are drawn to one another. But William is married and struggling with his troubled marriage. Past and present start to bleed together as they uncover a tale of forbidden love…

In the sixteenth century, Giovanni Lomazzo has already lost his wife and son. Now he’s losing his sight and despair is taking hold of him. He’s been tasked with one last commission: a portrait of a courtesan who takes his breath away. There’s more to Chiara than meets the eye and as she and Gio are drawn toward each other, the threat of what happens if they are discovered becomes more and more of a possibility…

The Lost Diary of Venice is a bittersweet tale. Margaux DeRoux weaves together two love stories, one set in the present and one set in a sixteenth century Venice on the cusp of war with the Ottoman empire.

Ms. DeRoux brings Venice to life quite well. The gorgeous clothing and scenery we like to envision is there, but also the darker elements. Antisemitism, sexism, religious zealotry, harsh conditions, and more aren’t overlooked and are, in fact, major elements of the story. Gio is the most well-drawn of all the main characters; an artist on the cusp of losing his sight who finds love when he’s close to giving up hope. I wish his relationships with secondary characters had been better fleshed out because it would have made the world stronger and the story richer. And I desperately wish we’d had more than brief moments in Chiara’s point of view. She’s hands-down the most fascinating character in the book, lovely and intelligent, bold and secretive. She’s a mystery in many ways throughout the book and as the pieces come together I wish we got to see her inner thoughts and feelings more. It’s a case of missed opportunity, for as Chiara’s past is revealed I found I could read a whole book just about her. The love story between Chiara and Gio is one of stolen moments and it’s beautiful and sad. Perhaps if the book were solely set in the sixteenth century the characters and the background scenes involving the battle over control of Cyprus would have had more depth, making the story go from good to great.

The modern-day storyline is where I struggled the most with The Lost Diary of Venice. I enjoyed the bits of the story where Rose was working on the restoration of the palimpsest and found those interesting. But the attraction between Rose and William never lived up to its potential, and not just because William was married. William and Rose’s love story is set up as a parallel of Gio and Chiara’s and it just doesn’t work. Rose and William aren’t as well drawn as their historical counterparts and their parts of the book felt flat to me. I couldn’t get emotionally invested in the modern day storyline so the book dragged in parts because of that. Still, though The Lost Diary of Venice takes a while to build steam, once it does it’s an engaging read. I had mixed feelings when I finished the book but the potential was there and I would be interested in reading more of Ms. DeRoux’s work.

Spoiler free review!
This book has 2 time lines. One in present day and the other in the 1500's. Rose's job is to restore a rare ancient book for a wealthy painter
Second timeline is a painter, a relative of the current artist, and a courtesan.
I do say I enjoyed the book and two timelines, but I didn't like how they jumped back and forth with no warning. I feel like maybe the chapters could have been labled with dates ro make the reading easier and more fluid.
I also felt like the past characters thoughts and speech seemed too modern.

mini review // Where are my historical fiction lovers at? Now where are my historical fiction lovers that really only read WWII era books at? No? Just me?
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I will read anything related to WWII - and there are so many great books about that era, so why not? But I am truly terribly at reading outside that time frame. I will pick up a few here or there, largely based on recommendations from friends, but am trying to do better!
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All this to say, thank you to @netgalley and Ballantine Books for an e-ARC of The Lost Diary of Venice! With a dual timeline - set in modern day and in Renaissance-era Venice - The Lost Diary of Venice has war, love, book restorations, mystery, and loss. Plus, I so enjoyed a look into a different part of history than I normally expose myself to. {4/5 stars}
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#bookstagram #bookworm #bookblog #reading #goodreads #bookreviews #library #newbookstagram #bookreview #bookish #TheLostDiaryofVenice #historicalfiction #MargauxDeroux @margaux_deroux

The story begins in present-day Connecticut with Rose, a book restorer. She is asked by William Lomazzo to restore a book about art by an ancestor of his, Giovanni Lomazzo.

We then find ourselves in Renaissance Venice. Where a painter of some renown, Giovanni Lamazzo, is commissioned by Sebastiani Venier to paint his beautiful courtesan, Chiara. Venier is a statesman of some import who wishes to be appointed admiral, in case Venice is forced to go to war with the Ottoman Empire. A win over the Ottomans would give him a doge seat, his greatest wish. Meanwhile, the Ottomans are fast approaching the island of Cyprus, which is held by Venice. Taking over Cyprus would be in their best interest and give them a good position in taking over the city-state of Venice.

I thought that the author did an excellent job with research. It was very engrossing and I loved the historical background she included in her story. There was another part she included which I really liked and doesn't seem to be touched on by many authors. That is that very few women, let alone men, were able to read in the 16th century. It is a fact that Venetian courtesans were some of the most educated women. They were allowed into libraries which gave them access to many books. Such a fascinating fact.

I would like to thank Margaux Deroux, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a wonderful read--I'm a huge fan of art history, history, especially Renaissance history. DeRoux carefully plots out the relationship between Gio and Chiarra, as well as Rose and Will, and how each relationship experiences some type of forbidden love.

It is always fascinating to me how authors can carefully craft novels with two different time periods happening, and connect the two in a way that is seamless.

I look forward to reading more novels by this author, and can't wait to recommend this to others!

This very interesting story is told between 2 time periods. During present day, a woman who owns a bookstore and is a book restorer is asked to help translate and recover an old book for an artist. The relationship between them grows. During the 1570s, an artist befriends a courtesan of a powerful man, and starts to write a treatise on art while slowly going blind.

Destined to be a bestseller

This is a book that has everything this reader looks for; good strong characters, an amazing plot, and well researched back story that makes for a story that stays with you after you turn the last page.

The story is told in two different time periods. The modern time takes place in the United States with Rose and William. Willam just inherited a book that is very old, and would like it restored. Rose is a highly regarded book restorer and while looking at it notices that the book is not just one book, but two. A palimpsest. One book on top of one that had been partially scraped off.

As she begins to decipher it, her contact with William increases, and she becomes drawn to him despite his being married. He, too, is drawn to her, but as a married man with children, tries to fight the draw. This part of the story was written so well, I had rollercoaster feelings about their getting together or not as I progressed through the story. I felt I was part of their relationship, and that I, too, had an agenda in how it would turn out.

The second time period is about the author of the book which is to be restored. Gio lives in Venice, Italy and is an artist who is slowly going blind. He is commissioned to paint the portrait of a courtesan of a man who is destined to be a doge. Gio is entranced with her, and his art and life are forever changed by meeting her.

Through this story there is woven the history of Venice at that time, and the battle of Lepanto. The details, though factionalized, are based on actual facts, as well as historical characters of the past. I was more often than not fascinated enough with some of the details to look them up, only to find that the details were so amazingly accurate. For instance, the use of fireworks in Venice at the time period was something new I learned reading this book.

I highly recommend this book to any and all, and will be recommending it for my book club. And, even though I was given an advance reading copy digitally, I can honestly say I will most likely be one of the first to buy a print copy to have in my library. And, I have a few folks I think would enjoy this as a gift.

This was a very well written and very well researched book. It took you on a journey through Venice in the 1500s. This author showed you what life was like for an artist during the Renaissance and showed you what Venice was like during a tumultuous time of war. This book really played with your emotions and kept your attention engaged. I loved reading the love story of Giovanni and Chiara. I also really loved the idea of a hidden diary in a art treatise. I also liked that she wrote about real people even if she took some creative license with telling their story. Overall I thought this was a really good book.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.