Member Reviews

I always enjoy stories about books, bookshops, book clubs and libraries. This one set in Dubrovnik was especially interesting and took a different slant on things. Very enjoyable. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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I feel like Dubrovnik was really brought alive by this story and it feels like I have spent time there myself. The bookshop and its bookclub bring together an unlikely group of people that become friends working together to solve a mystery. Each person in this book club has their own story that we get to know, many dealing with very serious things, some that really pull at your heartstrings. I was moved by many of these stories and the characters came across as real people dealing with real problems and challenges. It did not feel like fiction. I think that's what I really liked about this story... it was all real and in many instances were relatable in one way or another. I may not have had lung covid like Claire, but I could still relate to the fear she felt.
The story has many very serious storlines, but it is also full of heart and warmth and book love. The new friendships are touching and Claire and her grandparents have a wonderful relationship. Overall a really good story to read or listen to.

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The Dubrovnik Book Club is a sweet, comfy story for readers everywhere. Author Eva Glyn crafts a sweet story in a captivating city. She captures the specific magic bookstores offer around the world. Unfortunately, there are several aspects of the story that don’t quite come together. There is a healthy dose of wanderlust sprinkled throughout this story, which makes it engaging. Even at its weakest, this is still a fun summer read to delve into.

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I absolutely loved the setting of this book, I love Croatia & the author brought me right back there through the pages.
This was a really enjoyable read with great quirky characters that are the real heart of the story. The author did a fantastic job on the descriptions in this book and you felt like you were right there in the story.
This is a feel good heartwarming perfect summer read.

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Thank you NetGalley, Eva Glyn, and One More Chapter for the free ARC copy.

"Dubrovnik Book Club" by Eva Glyn is a mesmerizing journey through the cobblestone streets of Dubrovnik, where secrets lie buried beneath layers of history, and love blossoms amidst the shadows of the past. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Croatian coast, this novel captivates readers with its richly woven narrative and compelling characters.

At the heart of the story is Emily, a young woman grappling with the recent loss of her beloved grandmother. As she navigates the complexities of grief, Emily discovers an old book club journal hidden among her grandmother's possessions, offering tantalizing glimpses into a world she never knew existed. Intrigued by the entries chronicling the lives of the book club members and their shared love for literature, Emily embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries of the past.

Glyn is able to masterfully intertwine past and present, seamlessly shifting between timelines to unveil the secrets of Dubrovnik and its enigmatic residents. From the sun-drenched terraces overlooking the Adriatic Sea to the ancient alleyways steeped in history, the vividly depicted setting serves as both a character in its own right and a backdrop for the unfolding drama.

The characters in "Dubrovnik Book Club" are imbued with depth and nuance, each harboring their own secrets and desires. Emily's journey of self-discovery is poignant and relatable, as she grapples with questions of identity and belonging. The members of the book club are a diverse and eclectic bunch, united by their love for literature and their shared experiences of love, loss, and redemption.

As Emily delves deeper into the mysteries of the past, she uncovers long-buried secrets that threaten to shatter the delicate equilibrium of Dubrovnik. Glyn keeps readers guessing until the final pages, expertly crafting twists and turns that leave them eagerly turning the pages in anticipation of the next revelation.

"Dubrovnik Book Club" is a masterfully crafted novel that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, romance, and historical fiction. Eva Glyn's evocative prose brings the beauty and mystery of Dubrovnik to life, inviting readers to lose themselves in its enchanting streets and captivating story. A must-read for fans of compelling storytelling and atmospheric settings, "Dubrovnik Book Club" is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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Really liked this well written feel good cosy read.
I have been to Croatia, so it brought back some lovely memories for me, from the authors wonderful descriptive scene setting.
Well developed characters with an interesting storyline that soon pulls you in.
A heartwarming story where people are brought together & build lasting friendships.
They each have their own struggles & are striving to get through them.
The story is set in the old town of Dubrovnik where a book club begins.
Claire Thomson who has just arrived starts work
at a local bookshop with Vedran her cousin.
With employee Luna & professor Karmela they form a book club.
There first chosen book gives them the inspiration to form an investigation into something close to their hearts.
They soon learn the value of new found friendships.
Absolutely loved this wonderful story.

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In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins… How could I not read adn like this book. What a great story and a fun read. Love the old town setting and the characters are wonderful, quirky and just the type of people you could imagine in a group of any sort.

I love that they want to save the bookshop and love the descriptiveness of the writing, the city, the bookshop, the food and history. This is such a heart-warming read which highlights the struggles of people and places as well. It is a book that takes you on a journey of the characters as well as the town and bookshop. Loved it and would give it 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book..

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I loved the Croatian setting in this story and the descriptions are so vivid, I felt I was there. I also loved the themes of healing and connection that the characters experience. This book is a perfect summer escape.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I enjoyed travelling and learning about Croatia. The description the author made of Croatia had been wanting to visit there. I enjoyed the characters and they made the story more enjoyable.

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3.5 Stars rounded up to 4

I found out after reading this that some of the characters in this book are in other of Glyn's book which I love when authors do that! It makes me want to read more of her novels. This was my first novel by Glyn and it was a really cute, feel good read. I just did my honeymoon in Croatia so this was a very appropriate book for me. The book goes to show how reading can really bring people together. If you're a historical fiction fan like I am, then you'll enjoy this too as some parts talk about the Croatian War and the earthquake that happened in the 1600s. It's a bit slow at times and it is long, it covers a lot - long Covid, attitudes toward the LGBTQ community, but is well done, and an overall good novel.

I had the opportunity to read this in advanced thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley, but my opinions are entirely my own.

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Set in the charming backdrop of Dubrovnik's Old Town, "The Dubrovnik Bookclub" is a heartwarming tale of friendship and discovery. Claire Thomson's arrival in Croatia leads her to an unexpected adventure as she joins a book club with her cousin Vedran, Luna, and Karmela. What begins as literary discussions soon turns into a captivating investigation, intertwining their lives in unforeseen ways.
Eva Glyn's storytelling shines in this poignant exploration of community, the power of books, and the bonds that unite us. "The Dubrovnik Bookclub" is a delightful reminder of the joy found in shared stories and the courage to embrace life's adventures. With its warmth and wisdom, Glyn's novel is sure to enchant readers seeking a captivating read.

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I really really loved this book!

I have visited Croatia (both Dubrovnik and Cavtat) mentioned in the book and Eva did a wonderful job of setting the scene and culture, and describing just how beautiful Croatia is.

This book has such a wonderful mixture of diverse characters, all with their own struggles and interesting stories.

Eva's ability to show how books can transform people was a real highlight for me.

I just couldn't recommend this book enough & it is up there with one of my favourite reads this year.

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Claire goes to stay with family in Dubrovnik and agrees to run a bookshop along with its book club. They take it in turns to choose a book to share. We're going to Dubrovnik in the autumn and I was keen to get a sense of the area. I loved this book and getting to know the characters and the quirky book group.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Told from four different points of view it could get a bit confusing to follow. Not a bad book but a bit complicated and slow moving.

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Very cute book. A bit confusing on what is happening at first and the relevance of the events. At one point I was considering not finishing it but it turned out pretty good in the end. It was not what I was expecting. Adding a star for the ending.

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I was on the blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources

http://ramblingmads.uk/2024/03/21/blog-tour-the-dubrovnik-book-club-eva-glyn/

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A mystery drama set in the fascinating city of Dubrovnik, it's turbulent past still resonating with it's residents. I found the pace slow and meandering and could not engage with the characters. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

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While this was an interesting mystery, I couldn't connect with the characters. No deep thinking involved on my part, the book just meandered along. I was provided with a complimentary digital ARC by NetGalley and the publisher. This review is my own.

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In the book we follow the 4 character and their POV. They all have their own problems, and Eva did a great job describing all of them, without making it seem like those problems are impossible to have. What was also great that no problem was made unimportant. We all carry our baggage, and it is important to know that. I had to say that I connected the most with Luna and her struggles with coming out to her parents. It is sad to say that Croatia isn’t very open to LGBTQ+ community, but that will hopefully change in the future.

What really got me in the book was the friendship of all the different characters. They all were so different, but they all made an amazing group of friends. It is a kind of friendship that I long for, to have a group of people who support and love you without asking for anything in return. I have to say that those were the scenes that got me to tears for sure.

If you want to be taken away to beautiful Croatia and the beautiful town of Dubrovnik, learn about it’s history at least a bit, you should read this book. Especially with the spring coming up, this would be a perfect book to read while you are waiting for sunnier and warmer days. There are some deeper topics that this book touched on, but it makes this book more special.
“You have so much courage – can you be brave again?”

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The Dubrovnik Book Club is a beautifully written book that follows the courageous stories of four strong individuals who are facing difficult and personnel challenges. Claire, who has just survived Long Covid, is struggling to get herself out of isolation. Crowds, coughing individuals, confined spaces, and public locations leave her with extreme anxiety. Claire moves to Dubrovnik in hopes of getting a semblance of her old life back. Claire's cousin Vedran went through an abusive relationship in which social media made him the villain, Now, he can't escape the dark stares and awful gossip whenever he steps outside. In Claire's attempts to venture out, she takes a job at a local bookshop where she meets Luna, a young woman who is struggling with the prejudices of her small island village. Finally, Karmela, an academic studying historic Croatian women, joins the bookshop's book club. Between the friendships she makes at the book club and her relationship with her neighbor, Karmela relearns to have relationships and makes peace with her past.

The writing is absolutely gorgeous and the stories are elegantly entwined. I loved all the main characters, as well as the side characters. The author describes the setting with beautiful detail. I honestly felt like I was wandering the small alleyways of the Balkans. Speaking of the Balkans, I craved all of the food that was described. I loved how the author incorporated the language, the food, and the culture throughout the entire book. I highly recommend The Dubrovnik Book Club. It's a fantastic piece of literature.

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