WW2 historical fiction is one of my favourite genres. Greenwood did such a wonderful job with the descriptive settings that I felt like I was right there. I kept finding a few minutes in between my daily tasks to sneak in a few more pages because I just kept wanting more. Well done.

This is my favourite genre of books, WW2 history and as usual I thoroughly enjoy getting lost in Kate’s story. From the West Midlands to Naples and Venice I could picture the locations clearly, I was rooting for Kate to discover her history and avoid the bad guys Henry and Lance. I has definitely been left open for the Shakespeare sisters to continue their individual stories as they are still only young women.

"England, 1941. When Kate Arden discovers a secret stash of drawings hidden in the pages of an old volume of poetry given to her as a baby, her breath catches. All her life, she has felt like an outsider in her aristocratic adoptive family, who refuse to answer any questions about her past. But the drawings spark a forgotten memory: a long journey by boat.. warm arms that held her tight, and then let go"
Firstly, thank you to @netgalley and @stormbooks_co for the advanced copy of The Secret Daughter of Venice.
A work of historical fiction that moves between Venice and England during and immediately after WII.
This is perfect for readers who enjoy books focused on this time-period. Told from Kate and Sofias view points the descriptions of their surroundings are evocative and compelling, from the green fields of Stratford-upon-Avon, to the picturesque canals and architecture in Venice.
While the plot does seem to heavily rely on out of this world coincidences (my only negative) the story is still enjovable and it has made me want to read more in this series

This is an excellent read. It had a f8n de siecle feel about it where the old patriarchal order governed by patronage is ending to be replaced where people, women in particular follow their heart and develop their talent in order to attain independence and self determination. I wondered if it would be a romance but any romantic theme was a side issue. Instead it was a carefully woven tale of self discovery and reunion with an estranged mother. It made this a well crafted, enjoyable novel

Set mainly during, and a little after, the Second World War, this is different to the typical ‘home front’ story because the war forms the backdrop, rather than being centre stage.

This is above all a family mystery. Kate Arden has always known she is different to her siblings, and has vague memories of being brought to the family home as a child. When a family friend reminds her there is a message for her in a book of Shakespeare sonnets, it sets her on a journey to find where she really belongs.

Most of the narrative is from Kate’s point of view, the rest from her mother Sofia’s, and it is clear from the beginning that the art world of Venice, which is beautifully drawn, will play a large part in their story. Although this is one of Juliet Greenwood’s Shakespeare Sister novels, it can easily be read as a standalone.

The author uses lovely and evocative prose to tell this atmospheric take of family secrets. I loved the settings and the intricacy of it all. The perfect book for lovers of historical fiction and romance.

Kate Arden has always felt like the odd one out in her family and she looks different to her siblings, she has three sisters Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia and two brothers Will and Jamie. They live near the village of Brierley at Stratford-up-Avon, and her father Leo owns Arden House a crumbling estate.

Miss Parsons is the local school teacher and runs the museum, she’s given girls the volumes of Shakespeare left to them by their late mother and her friend Celia, hidden between the pages is a message and they need to find it and it gives each of them an idea of what she wants for their futures. After looking at her book of Sonnets, Kate can't find anything and Ms. Parson’s tells her not to give up. Sure enough Kate finds a collection of sketches, they bring back flashes of memories, of a place and a lady who taught her to draw. She knows she travelled to England by boat, where she used to live was warm and a woman accompanied her on the ship and Kate doesn’t think she's her mother?

Kate is a talented artist, her father wouldn’t let her go to Slade School of Fine Art, instead he wants her to marry and boost the coffers and so Arden House will remain in the family and especially with Will and Jamie away fighting in World War Two.

Sofia Armstrong returns to Venice, the family maid Magdalena thinks she’s crazy and tells her it’s not safe and her vindictive mother has fled. Sofia wants to find her daughter, the one that was stolen away from her twenty years ago and she has no idea where she is and how will she locate her now?

The reader is taken on a long and emotional journey starting in 1941, from Stratford-up-Avon, to Cornwall, Naples, Pompeii, the Roman ruins and Mount Vesuvius, and Venice and its jewellery made from Murano Glass. Jamie Arden thinks he found remains of a Roman mosaic near Arden House in the first book of the series The Shakespeare Sisters and Kate finds a little glass Roman bottle in the second.

I received a copy of The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood from Storm Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This book focuses on Kate, her finding her mother, why she was taken to Arden House and two big secrets are revealed and I didn’t see them coming.

Full of new and old characters, I really like Alma, Miss. Parsons, Cordelia, Gina and Peter Sidoli, Doctor Conti, Kate and Sofia, Marco and grumpy Magdalena. A captivating and memorable historical drama, about art, lost love, treachery, greed, control, and the destruction of Naples, hundreds of orphans left to wander the streets and the homelessness caused by the war was really sad. Five stars from me, I enjoyed The Shakespeare Sisters and I adored The Secret Daughter of Venice and Juliet Greenwood has really upped the ante with her latest novel and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

A wonderfully written historical story of the main character Kate's quest to discover where she belongs. She feels that she never fits in with her adopted family. Set in World War 2 with Venice as on of the main locations, this is a really good read and fans of Vitoria Hislop would love this story, Looking forward to Juliet's next book.

A compelling historical fiction story set against the backdrop of WWII in England and Italy.
Katerina (Kate) has never felt like she really belongs in England; her dark hair and Italian looking features have always been evident even though her English family, The Arden’s, love her she has always known she isn’t one of them. As the war rages on Kate works for a charity assisting orphaned children and begins searching for her past and her mother.
In Venice, Sofia is searching for the child that was taken away from her by her controlling mother The Countess.
Kate and Sophia are both on a path of discovery and take us the reader along with them.
This is story of heartache, deceit, mystery and family secrets.

The paper is stiff and brittle with age as Kate unfolds it with trembling hands. She gasps at the pencil sketch of a rippling waterway, lined by tall buildings, curving towards the dome of a cathedral. She feels a connection deep in her heart. Venice.

England, 1941. When Kate Arden discovers a secret stash of drawings hidden in the pages of an old volume of poetry given to her as a baby, her breath catches. All her life, she has felt like an outsider in her aristocratic adoptive family, who refuse to answer any questions about her past. But the drawings spark a forgotten memory: a long journey by boat… warm arms that held her tight, and then let go. Could these pictures unlock the secret of who she is? Why her mother left her? With war raging around the continent, she will brave everything to find out…

One of the biggest reasons I loved this book was because Kate was such a realistic, well-written character. I love WW2 historical fiction, but there's so much of it that it's hard to stand out. I really enjoy Greenwood's writing, and the ending was beautiful. Wonderfully written gem that I would highly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

A lovely story about finding out who you are and looking for answers. Beautiful scenery from Shakespeare country to Naples/ Sorrento to Venice. A great holiday read.

I really enjoyed The Last Train from Paris so I was eager to get an ARC of Greenwood’s next book, The Secret Daughter of Venice.

This book was really enjoyable if not a little confusing at first mostly because I didn’t expect that the two sides of the story were actually happening at the same time. With hazy memories of painting and Italy, Kate is searching for her past while a woman in Italy is searching for a future that was stolen from her. Both characters are likable and interesting to follow. I would say that where I thought the book could improve was the villains. We meet several of them, one clearly the orchestrator of a great deal of pain, but I just felt it all a bit lacking. I know it’s a book in WW2 and the immediate aftermath so maybe the point was just “some people are terrible and will do anything for power” but I would’ve enjoyed some sort of confrontation or closure.

Overall, a really interesting historical fiction and mystery read. Thank you to Juliet Greenwood and NetGalley for the ARC!

One of my only complaints with Juliet Greenwood's previous book, The Shakespeare Sisters, was that it pretty much skipped over the WWII years, so we didn't get a chance to see what the sisters were doing during the war. So, I really enjoyed this chance to see what was happening with Kate during that time! I loved The Secret Daughter of Venice. The story was compelling, and everything the characters did felt true to how they had been written in The Shakespeare Sisters.

Set in England and Italy, this is a
spellbinding tale full of deceit and drama. It is,the touching story of a young woman's quest to discover where she belongs., a well crafted and unforgettable book. It is a gem to read. I enjoyed it immensely.

The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood

Set during ww11 and in Venice , a n interesting take about a young girl who doesn't feel like she fits in with those around her and a few fleeting memories of before.
A good story , well told.

I have read a few, but by no means all of Juliet Greenwood's novels. The first one was nearly twenty years ago, although she is an author I have always been aware of I have not read as many of her books as I would like to have done.

Set in an Italy ravaged by war, the story follows the protagonist Kate Arden as she yearns to discover why she has never been told who her biological mother is. Unaware of each other's search Sofia her birth mother is also trying to find out what happened to the baby that was https://www.instagram.comcruelly taken away from her.

An emotional and intriguing story with a great cast of characters. This will appeal to Italophiles and those interested in the period setting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A story of World War II and the ravages heaped upon Europe. Of the children left homeless and women and mothers who struggled to make a living while their husbands were gone. A story of a daughter torn from her mother’s arms because of treachery and greed. A story of that daughter, Kate who never fit in with her adopted family and always felt a longing to travel to another place that she felt held her future. The story of Sofia, Kate’s mother, that never stopped looking for her daughter and how painting and Venice brought them back together. A thoroughly enjoyable book. A glowing story of a love lost and found again. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for a complimentary copy. This review is my personal opinion.

I always love Juliet Greenwood’s books, partly because of the gorgeous qualities of her writing, but also because the very things she likes to explore are those which interest me. Aspects such as the complexities of family relationships, the impact of war on ordinary people and especially women, and how women’s choices have been affected by historical and cultural norms, make for fascinating and deeply engaging stories.
This book was intriguing from the start, with a mysterious premise and strong female characters. The aspects of WWII and women’s history were well-researched but these were seamlessly woven into the story so it never felt like a dry history lesson. Rather, I was able to immerse myself in the sense of place and period, and understand the motivation and actions of these complex and interesting characters in the context of their world. Following Kate, Sofia and the secondary characters as they navigated their many challenges was a real pleasure to be savoured.
The settings were beautifully captured and it was wonderful to follow Kate on her travels.
I’m left hoping there may be another book in this series, to find out what Kate and her siblings will do following the revelations late in the book. Ms Greenwood has left a rich seam of material which I hope she plans to mine in due course!
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC which I received in exchange for an unbiased review.

"The Secret Daughter of Venice" is the story of Kate Arden's voyage of discovery to find out who she is and search for her mother. Kate has always known that she isn't the true daughter of the man she calls father, but it takes a lot of effort to find out who her real parents are. This is made more challenging by the fact that the country is in the middle of a war. Armed with some of the facts, Kate has to wait until 1946 to uncover the full truth of her existence. This involves a trip to Italy, a country which she remembers in snippets in her dreams.

This a great page turner of a book with wonderful descriptive prose and great characters. Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Sometimes when reading historical fiction, you feel a sense of uneasiness, you did not with this
It was filled with so much emotion that I instantly told my friends to add it to their lists.