When Norah meets Gianluca in Venice, having started a ten-week internship, she is instantly attracted. However, she is not sure whether she is ready for romance, feeling quite bitter about her accident, which has left her with a cane. She also realises that she is not looking for a long-term relationship particularly as she is returning home at the end of summer. Gianluca is also reluctant to face the heartache of a holiday romance. Yet as they spend more time together, the more their relationship leaves them wondering if there is a possibility for more than just friendship.
The dialogue and romance between Norah and Gianluca was the highlight of this book, and it didn’t hurt that the backdrop was Venice. These two intelligent people are witty, and it was so much fun to see how they engage, especially trying to stay ‘just friends’. The secondary characters also given added depth to the story, as family issues and how they are dealt with are cleverly explored.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a gorgeous book! I loved following the developing relationship between Norah and GIanluca as they go from strangers to friends to more. Even though I knew it was a romance, at times I couldn’t help wondering how they would overcome the obstacles between them but the resolution was perfect. As always, Leonie Mack’s descriptions are vivid and bring the culture and people of Venice to life.
A perfect read for any time of the year.

The reviews I saw for this book when I picked up up were wonderful! I was so excited to dive in to the story! Though I enjoyed the beginning of the book, I quickly found that there was a lot lacking here for me. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad story. However, I generally just felt bored reading it. It's clearly a me issue, as so many others have loved this book! For me, it was a fast read, but was too slow for my liking.

An enjoyable read, the sort of book that would be fun to take on the beach to while away those hot summer days

When Norah arrives in Venice for a ten week long internship, she discovers that her gondolier, Gianluca, is not only gorgeous but sweet too. Reeling from a serious accident and a break up, there is no way Norah has time for love in the city that invented it. Besides, she’s leaving. Norah is serious about why she initially came to Venice - for her career. But the more time her and Gianluca spend together, it becomes harder to deny their feelings. After a stranded night in the middle of a bad storm, things start to take a different turn. With Norah eventually leaving and Gianluca swearing against tourist flings, is their friendship something more?

I thought this book was super cute once it started picking up. I felt as though the first half of the book was very slow, and it took me a bit to get into. But, I’m happy I stuck with it because it ended up being such a cute read. I loved how Gianluca made Norah feel, and their love was fated from the start. I loved the Italian dialect being depicted throughout the book as well! Makes me want to visit Venice and go on a gondola ride ☺️

I feel like I just got back from vacation after reading this book. The way the buildings and water were described are so detailed that I think I got transported directly to Venice for the day! Filled with witty remarks, light spice, and charismatic people, this book envelops you in the Italian culture.

The character development takes the main stage here in every aspect. Norah’s initial bitterness, Gianluca’s love life, and even Saffron’s wild ways all come under the microscope through this book and makes you take a good look at yourself as well. Going into it, I didn’t know this is the second book in the same world as A Match Made In Venice because it read wonderfully as a standalone. But if you do read the other one, some of the same characters make an appearance here as some entertaining sidekicks.

I really appreciated that Norah has a physical impairment. It is rare to see a female character who isn’t already perfect and, from someone who also has metal rods screwed into their spine, it was a surprising and wonderful revelation to read about someone else going through those struggles both physically and mentally.

Gianluca is fantastic and the banter between the two was really fun and kept the book light! The plot twists kept coming at points where I least expected it and I have to say I didn’t expect that ending.

My only complaint was that it felt a little slow at times, but it did give you the impression of what a lazy Sunday morning in Venice would be like. The writing and descriptions are spot on and as a slow burn, this is very much an enjoyable read.

When I first started this book, I thought it would be a sappy romance that takes place in Venice. I'm glad that the scenery kept me reading the book as it ended up being more than a romance. It's a story of love and rejection, sisters and mothers along with wonderful descriptions of the sights and people of Venice.

Norah has been living with her mother and sister for the last year while she recovers from a horrific accident that left her with pins in her legs and needing a cane to walk plus ended a long-term relationship that she thought would be her happily ever after. Even though she loves her family, her life is becoming sheltered as they try to take care of her even as she wants to get back to life. When she's offered an internship in Venice, she is thrilled at the chance. She's a microbiologist working on her PhD and is thrilled to get back to her chosen career with the ten week internship. She feels immediately that she made the right decision for her life - to work on her algae project with no disruptions. That ends when she meets Gianluca, a gondolier and craftsman who lives in Venice. He has been assigned to take her to the small islands around the city to do her study. At first, they aren't real impressed with each other but the more they get to know each other, the more they realize that there is a possible romance. Norah is determined that she will leave Venice in ten weeks, she doesn't need a man to interrupt her work and she wants to be just friends with him. They spend an increasing amount of time together and it gets more difficult to remain 'just friends' What will happen at the end of her internship? Will they both be able to discard all of their baggage and their memories of relationships gone bad and be able to fall in love?

This was a well written and fun books to read. I really enjoyed the banter between the two main characters and enjoyed the way that their romance progressed. I loved the fact that the main female character is an intelligent and career driven woman. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Venice. I've been there several times and was able to take a mental vacation back based on the descriptions of the beautiful city in this book.

I received this novel as an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This novel makes a great beach read. Beautiful setting and great chemistry between the two main characters!

If you like Venice, you'll love the lagoon!🌅

I enjoyed this romance which had a good share of very touching moments and the setting was sublime. Gianluca, the Venetian craftsman with a big heart that's been battered by family and an ill-fated romance, was a really appealing male lead and his slow build friends-then-more relationship with Norah, a visiting British marine biologist, was complex and drew me in. Their playful banter, texts and selfie exchanges made their growing physical and emotional closeness very realistic. Good secondary characters too.

While most people think of the Grand Canal and the historic serene city when they hear the setting is in Venice, this story also throws the focus on the small islands and peaceful stretches of the lagoon that have served as a protective barrier for the city for centuries. The author's descriptions really took me back to my trip to Burano and the further parts of the lagoon from forty years ago. She paints the scenery so lovingly and, at least in my experience, accurately.

I found this a long read for some reason but ultimately a good one. I loved the way Norah and Gianluca worked to come up with a solution for the major stumbling block keeping them from a happy life together. Although this novel is a follow-up to A Match Made in Venice, Norah's older sister's romance, it can totally be enjoyed as a standalone.

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

I love the vibe of Venice.. the cover of the book is Very pretty!

After an injury that left her with pins in her back and reliant on a cane, marine biologist and 25-year-old Norah York, is determined to get her science career back on track. When a 10-week internship opportunity to study the Venetian lagoon arises, she steps out on her own leaving Bridezilla’s (her mom) drama and her sister’s overly attentive care behind. It doesn’t take too long in Venice before she knows she’s made the right choice. It’s everything she needed; a distraction-free environment…that is, until she meets the perfect guy. The distraction? A gondolier and craftsman! Gianluca is a remèr (Venetian oar maker) and one of four forcola-makers in Venice. He’s been allocated to transporting Norah around the lagoon for the duration of the stay. Don’t let this hunk fool you - he’s got brains between those ears. Once these two get past their baggage, can they be friends?

I absolutely LOVED this swoon-worthy romance! Boiled down, it’s a friendship pact that goes horribly wrong. The banter between the two main characters is spectacular as is the romantic chemistry and tension. I loved the sarcasm and witty exchanges and could easily see myself spending time with these two people. I also like the serendipitous phoenix in the adornment above Norah’s door! Most of all, I loved the fact that Norah is a STEM heroine. There are so few romance books written with intelligent females. I think I shouted a loud “YES!” when I discovered Norah’s career focus. Gianluca is the perfect distraction; a laid back craftsman hero hiding a physics degree. A slight foot in the open door regarding the romance - three ‘only-one-bed’ scenes - yet, tastefully written.

This is the second book I have read from Leonie Mack and definitely not my last, I also read the first book “A Match Made in Venice” and just knew I had to read this one as well. I loved the crossover in knowing that Norah was Dirk’s younger sister.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading We'll Always Have Venice. Although the first few chapters moved slowly for me, I got hooked not long after and read the remainder in a very short period of time. I truly love how the author gave Norah and Gianluca a deep friendship before anything else. Yes, there was physical attraction but I enjoy when the characters have time to get to know each other on a deeper level first. Also we love a woman in STEM, childhood me would have loved to be a microbiologist like Norah! Through the entire book, I supported them. This book was fun and sweet and enjoyable, just as I suspected it would be!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of We'll Always Have Venice in exchange for my honest review.

What a lovely story. Beautiful descriptions of Venice. The perfect amount of love and heartbreak. Gianluca and Nora’s story will stay with me for a long time. I couldn’t put this down

I completely and utterly loved this book!

From the moment it started I was hooked, and I loved getting to know Norah, and could see the chemistry with Gianluca immediately. Of course they are from very different worlds, so I was never completely sure how it would end or if it would end as I hoped, and Leonie Mack has surpassed my expectations with it.

I hadn't realised until a few pages in, that this is a second book to A Match Made in Venice, this time featuring Didi's sister Norah as the main character. But it does mean we get to catch up with Didi and Piero which as a fan of the author I'm always happy to see characters again! It can though easily be read as a standalone.

I loved the descriptions of Venice, although I was less enthralled by the descriptions of Algae, and testing it etc.. just because I have no interest in the subject matter, but it's Norah's job and she seems to enjoy it! Gianluca is an oarmaker, which I would on the other hand, would have loved to have heard more details of!

I felt transported to Venice and also to another location that I won't name that was completely unexpected but added another dimension to the book! I do love some armchair travel. And I also really enjoyed getting to know Gianluca's friends, and his family.

I just loved everything about this book, and it's once again a gem of a story from Leonie Mack. I already can't wait to read what she writes next!

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

I loved this book!!!!!! I mean, actually loved it!! The setting was perfect, the character build up was amazing and I fell in love instantly!!! The perfect escapism

A super cute and cozy read. Leonie Mack has the ability to transport the reader directly into Venice. I’m really enjoying reading all of her Italian adventure books and I hope there are more in the future. A wry sense of humor plays a key role in giving these characters life. Lighthearted and touching, it was a quick relaxing read.

I always put a lot of thought into my reviews. I break up my thoughts neatly and put them down as well as I can. However, I am not going to do that this time. Why? Because I adored this book and it deserves every ounce of my unbridled excitement.

I absolutely just found my new comfort read. It was sweet, the characters were perfection, and it is set in my dream location. I flew through this book because once I fell in love with Norah and Gianluca, I couldn’t stop. Norah was brilliantly written. She was smart, sassy, and trying to figure the world around her out. Once she decided that she wouldn’t let her accident set her back, she was truly unstoppable. Then there is Gianluca. I don’t have words for him because he’s just perfect. Their banter was everything I ever want in witty back and forth banter and when you couple that with the tension… I repeat, perfect.

Don’t get me started on the Venice descriptions. If Venice hadn’t already been my dream vacation, it would be now. The descriptions had me totally immersed to the point where I forgot to look up at the world around me because I was too busy in the lagoons of Venice.

This was a book where I was so sad that it was over because I had to come back to reality. That was when I realized that this was the SECOND BOOK. There is more where this came from! More importantly, I will get to learn more about Norah’s sister Didi. Please excuse me if I cut this review short, I’m going to order the other book now so that I can keep obsessing.

Basically, my thoughts amount to one thing, this book made me happy.

5/5 stars

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much for letting me review this amazing book! I absolutely loved the characters and the story! Had me hooked from the very beginning! I couldn't put the book down! I highly recommend this book to enjoy!!! You will love it too!

Another great one from Leonie Mack!
Norah is a marine biology student freshly recovered from a terrible accident and a bad breakup. Gianluca is a Venetian gondolier with family issues and a fear of being left by a tourist he develops feelings for. The two meet when Gianluca is hired to be her “personal driver” for Norah's marine biology expeditions. A fast friendship is formed, but pretty soon deep feelings are developing.

We’ll Always Have Venice is a sweet read. The first few chapters are a little slow with background, but the rest fly by in the best way. I appreciated that the author gave Norah and Gianluca the friendship, before anything else, though the chemistry is fantastic as well. I rooted for them throughout the book, and also loved all the supporting characters. This book was sweet and enjoyable, just as I would expect from Leonie.

Definitely give this one a go, especially if you've ever wanted to visit Venice!

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Leonie Mack for the opportunity to read and review.

“i’m not going to keep you here and i’m not going to resent you for going, because i know how important your research is to you and i love that about you – i love everything about you.”

literally the perfect summer read! two people in venice who swear they’re just friends but still there’s a spark between them? sign me up! this was the cutest book i’ve read in such a long time! i absolutely loved the vibes to it and it makes me want to go to venice to find my own gianluca😭

norah was such a sweetheart! after what she’s been through i wanted to give her the biggest hug of all time. she has such a big heart and is such a big ray of sunshine! and a woman in STEM? WE LOVE!!

gianluca was literally the cutest ever! he was so incredibly sweet to everyone and was so passionate about what he does. he’s such a wholesome guy and i swear i want a boyfriend like him😂

overall, this is the perfect summer read and i 100% recommend it if you love a cute friends to lovers book! thank you netgalley for the arc!

I was really looking forward to this book but it took me ages to get into it. I persevered so I could give fair feedback and I’m glad I did as the last quarter of the book I quite enjoyed. It was a sweet story in the end and the characters were pleasant, just took a long time to get going x