A book club brings together different people with different opinions, different backgrounds and different problems in their lives.
This book address’ s several serious topics that people cover up and hide, even from themselves.
The characters and their issues have been treated sympathetically by the author angle their back stories are very relevant to the central theme which is saving the bookshop and bookclub.
It was the small details which for me brought the setting to life; stone steps, cooking smells from the shared courtyard, cats and shops tucked away under arches. It was very easy to visualise.
I enjoyed the history lesson too.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher & author for an ARC of this book.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the title & setting. I spent a week in Dubrovnik last year and loved the city. The author does a great job of portraying the city, I felt like I was back in the Old Town, recognising the famous locations and the area in general.

There are a wide range of characters, all brought together through the Book Club at The Welcoming Bookshop. The characters bring an equally wide range of issues - adapting to life after Long Covid, LGBTQ issues in a less tolerant culture than the UK, domestic violence, impact of the war in the Former Yugoslavia and PTSD, trial by media. At the heart of the book is friendship, and how the characters help each other to face their individual issues.

The characters are all likeable, and all feel real, they could be people we know, or we could relate to a particular character and their issues. The chapters are written from the POV of the main characters which works well. It is easy to differentiate between the POVs.

There's definitely a lot more to this book than I expected from the title, and I would be interested to read other books by this author.

An interesting read!

Claire Thompson has relatives in Croatia but this visit is different; she is going to work there for a year as a bookshop manager. After contracting long covid, she is rather nervous to be among others following lockdown so it's a big step to both travel and work where there is contact with others. With the help of others, she sets up a monthly book club and that is a huge turning point - and not only for Claire.

This is a lovely read, with amazing details about Dubrovnik and the history of the city and I was riveted to learn so much. It's a fine amalagamation of characters and how the book club affects each of them, and also a lesson in what can be achieved when people work together. However, I did notice that it was said that knowing Claire would improve the English of Luna, the shop assistant, but there was no evidence that Luna wasn't completely conversant in the language, include the liberal use of idioms. I realise I'm being a bit pedantic, but these things irritate me and definitely detract from the story. For me, 4*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

A really enjoyable book!
Claire goes to Dubrovnik to manage a bookshop & Luna is the only employee. There is a book club already running at the shop & the members all have their own problems that are woven together. The characters are great & so interesting. They all come together to help save the bookshop from closing.
The friendships are wonderful & written so well by Eva Glyn.
Recommended read.

A young Englishwoman goes to Croatia to stay with her grandmother after a bout of long covid that left her socially isolated and anxious. Her grandmother encourages her to take a job in a bookstore in the old part of Dubrovnik. She conquers her fears, goes on to start a book club, and makes good friends, each of whom has their own challenges to overcome as we learn in alternating points of view. Eventually, they have to join together to save the store.

Enjoyable enough, if little formulaic, in the way each person discovers themselves and finds ways to overcome adversity, with books and a lot of local color included.

The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glynn is a book that readers everywhere will enjoy for its focus on the importance of friendship and the power that a good book has to bring people together. Set in the current day the book tells the story of Claire Thompson who has just moved to Croatia, and is starting to work in an English language bookshop in the old town. It is a fresh start for Claire, and a chance to regain some of the confidence and get over some of the anxieties that a bad case of Covid 19 caused her. She did not expect to be leading a book club, but it seems like a popular idea so along with her cousin Vedran and fellow employee Luna, she agrees to give it a go. Vedran is reluctant at first as he wants to support his cousin but hates being in public because of a scandal in his past, and Luna has a secret that she is longing to let go of, but needs to find the courage to get it off her chest. Through the book group they all become fast friends and end up working together on not one but two campaigns that could change all their lives for the better.
This was a really charming read but one that was not afraid to touch upon difficult topics including health anxiety, trauma in the aftermath of war, domestic violence and homophobia. For me the strongest aspect of the book was the character work, I loved all of them and felt like the author had done a wonderful job of bringing a diverse group to life in a way that really resonated with me as a reader. If I had to pick a fault I would say that the book felt quite choppy in places, probably because of the shifting character perspectives, but that is a minor quibble.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own,

I was lucky enough to have a brief visit to Dubrovnik which helped me visualise some of the settings. The damage caused in the conflict in the not so distant past was clearly visible, I found it difficult to believe that such things could happen in recent history - only things have become even worse over the last couple of years. Against this backdrop the central subject is a bookshop where the book club is being held. There we have Claire, who is visiting her grandmother and acting as manager of the shop, recovering from long Covid scared of catching it again and also Luna, a bundle of energy hiding a secret that shapes her life. After reading a cozy mystery they decide to help investigate the case of a missing person with the help of other members of the group. There are some parts of the story that make difficult reading, but they did make me appreciate the life that I have had and can recommend it for someone who wants a deeper, but ultimately satisfying, read.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn is set in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Dubrovnik. The title alone was enough to draw me in. And a book club? I'm here for it! Or so I thought.

I am very fortunate to live part time in stunning Croatia and appreciate Glyn's scenery, historical background and food descriptions. Croatia is every bit as lovely as she says...and more. However, the stilted writing style did not endear me. Croatia-isms such as way of speaking and mannerisms are unconvincing. I didn't connect with any of the characters and covid isn't something I am interested in reading about. My hopes were high. How sad that this novel didn't work for me!

Claire Thomson goes to stay with her grandparents in Dubrovnik, in Southern Croatia. Simeon the owner needs someone to run the tiny bookshop on the cobbled streets in historic Old Town and he employs Claire. She has been suffering from long Covid, she’s over it now but the mentally it took its toll and she lost her job in London. Claire's turned into a germaphobe, she worries about being in crowds and small places.

When her co-worker Luna tells her about the book club, in the tiny shop and it freaks her out, but she doesn’t want to let the owner, Luna and the people who have signed up down.The Dubrovnik Book Club is made up of a couple of university students, her gran and her best friend, her cousin Vedran, Luna and Karmela a history professor. Claire has to pick the book, and lead the discussion and the first one is a crime story and Luna becomes invested in solving a mysterious cold case.

The members of the book club all become good friends, Claire wasn’t expecting this to happen, it creates a safe place, Luna who’s gay and is too scared to tell her religious parents comes out and Karmela, who escaped the war as a child in Sarajevo and she lets down her walls, Claire has to face her fear of Covid and Vedran the speculation around his girlfriend disappearing and was he responsible?

I received a copy of The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn from HarperCollins UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What an incredible book, I couldn’t swipe the pages fast enough and I how did I know so little about Croatia? The main theme of the narrative is about the historic bookshop and reading, what each person gets out of the book they read and the discussion around it and the topics they explore.

Croatia is a fascinating place, the city of Dubrovnik, especially the old part of town which is a world heritage site and while reading the novel you feel like you’re walking the ancient streets, and it mentions the culture, food and coffee, and the Dubrovnik Defenders. Social issues are included in the story, like being gay and coming out and forms of domestic violence and people suffering from PTSD, how catching Covid can be really scary for some of us and I must admit this scenario really hit home with me.

A wonderful mixture of diverse and interesting characters, I won’t forget them, their struggles, brave decisions and friendships made and how the others backed them. Five stars, Ms. Glyn nailed it, one of the best books I have read so far this year and I highly recommend.

A perfect summer read. Full of lovely heartwarming characters and lazy summer landscapes and settings nideal For those summer holidays and bank holidays. Indulge yourself in this warm read this summer time you won’t regret it.

A book club, that meets in a book shop? Set in Croatia? Say no more!!

This was such a fun easy read! It featured a ton of characters and a beautiful setting that made it hard to put down!

I loved that there was mystery and romance alongside friendship in this one!

I could not get into this book and DNFd it at 20%. The story is told between the perspectives of 4 different characters and the bouncing around between them made the story disjointed and I struggled to get back into the narrative for the character in front of me. I also struggled to engage with the characters themselves. I had high hopes for Claire who is trying to get back into the work after recovering from long covid and having a lot of anxiety about it, but I didn't find her to be as sympathetic as I had hoped and struggled to connect. The other characters I just didn't find I had any interest in at all, and I found that I would have long periods between picking up the book and was not excited about it. Even the mystery aspect didn't keep me interested enough to keep reading.

I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley. All opinions are my own.

While the premise promises a blend of mystery and women's fiction, Glyn's narrative delves deeper into the intricacies of human connection and resilience. Claire's struggle with long Covid, Luna's battle with her sexual identity, and Vedrans' setback serve as poignant reflections of the challenges faced by individuals navigating personal adversities in a community marked by its own scars of the past, notably the Croatian War.

Through the lens of the book club's members, Glyn sheds light on themes of trauma, acceptance, and the enduring impact of historical events (Karmela is a refugee from Sarajevo and her neighbor Rafael fought in the Croatian War). However, the narrative's pacing occasionally falters, with uneven exploration of certain plot points and timelines.

Nevertheless, The Dubrovnik Book Club is a charming read set against the backdrop of the city's cobblestone streets and azure waters. As the story unfolds, unexpected twists and revelations leaves one guessing for more - the fate of the book club hangs in the balance.

3.5/5

The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn is a story about the power of books to bring people together. This is my first book by this author. The story is told from multiple points of view. There are individual stories for each main character. There is a mystery that ties them together.
Each character was well crafted. The reader becomes somewhat invested in their success and their happiness. Each character faces a battle of their own and shows their bravery.
This book takes place during COVID. This is the first novel that I read that talked actively about the pandemic and long COVID. Part of the story is about healing physically and mentally from the pandemic.
The setting is Dubrovnik, Croatia. While I have never been, the author describes the town and it’s main street very well. I was easily transported to Dubrovnik and could easily picture myself there. It was easy to imagine the beautiful views. The book store is lovingly described and you almost feel that you are there during the book club meetings.
My personal complaint was that the pacing felt off. Some things were rushed over while others felt like they dragged on. The flow was disrupted several times. The overall book encompasses the themes of forgiveness, healing, truth and finding your way.
I would like to thank One more Chapter, Harper Collins UK, the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Dubrovnik Book Club is a Harlequin romance-type book that's still an enjoyable read (even more so if you like romance novels). The old buildings and history of Dubrovnik come to vivid life, and I almost felt as though I were walking its streets along with the characters.

The Welcoming Bookshop lives up to its name, truly welcoming all to its door. The books the club members choose to read highlight inclusiveness and show how each of the characters grows.

I found all four main characters interesting. Each one of them feels that they have good reasons to hide away from others. Luna, a young, bubbly lesbian, is nervous about coming out because she's from a very restrictive and traditional family. Claire, an Englishwoman who used to work in London's Foyles Bookshop, has to overcome her fear of a recurrence of Covid. Claire's cousin, Vedran, has been pilloried by social media after his girlfriend disappeared, and it's this disappearance that fuels the mystery that the book club members work to solve. Karmela has felt like an outsider ever since her parents took her out of Sarajevo before the city was torn apart by war. She feels that there is some sort of shame in her escape, especially since it took her away from her dearest friends. Each one of these characters fights his or her demons with the help of the other book club members.

Each character's story is interesting, and I liked the solution to the mystery of the woman's disappearance. But, most of all, I enjoyed spending time in Dubrovnik, and I appreciated the Croatian glossary at the back of the book. If you're in the mood for a light, pleasant read in an exotic location, The Dubrovnik Book Club would be a good choice.

In The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn, the sun-soaked streets of Dubrovnik provide the enchanting backdrop for a tale of friendship, resilience, and the power of storytelling. Claire Thomson, seeking solace from long Covid, finds herself drawn into the heart of the city's Old Town, where she joins an eclectic group of individuals in forming a book club. As they unravel the mysteries of the past and navigate their own personal struggles, their bonds deepen amidst the cobblestone streets and ancient walls of Dubrovnik. Glyn's evocative prose breathes life into the city, capturing its allure and resilience, while exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for belonging. Despite occasional pacing issues, The Dubrovnik Book Club is a captivating journey that celebrates the enduring magic of friendship and the indomitable spirit of Dubrovnik.

Claire, who has just gotten to Croatia, starts working at a local bookshop and she and her cousin start a book club. From their first book club pick they begin to investigate.

Four people who each have their own problems form a book club.
Claire is recovering from long Covid and has been sent to stay with her grandmother. She now works in a bookshop with Luna who is gay but that is forbidden on the island.. Claire's cousin Verdan has been wrongly accused of murder and Karmela is a professor in a strange land.
As their lives intertwine they each realise they need each other and the friendships they have formed.

I’ll start by saying that the setting for this book is gorgeous. The author did an exceptional job of bringing Dubrovnik to life on the pages and giving us a taste of the beauty and culture of Croatia.

There were many characters and story lines to keep track of which bogged down the flow of the book at times. While I appreciated the arc of bringing people together to heal their individual trauma, I occasionally felt overwhelmed.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and I’m interested in reading more from Eva Glyn.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A book club that meets in a bookshop, each member with their own secrets. Some scared to come out, some eager to hide, but all make up an unlikely group of people. I loved the different POV chapters, each one building into the great novel this was. So many subjects covered in this, it felt like it was going to be longer, but whizzed by in no time.

What an amazing bunch of characters, not one I didn’t like - even the bully was turned around. Unusual friendships built and all pulled together when needed to help each other through their own troubles and unhappiness. I tried to guess the books they read as none of them are revealed (well, until you get to the end!) but only got 2 right.

I’d love another book to catch up with our characters after this one ended, just to see how they are all doing. They definitely became friends as i read this.