This was a cute short story. I am a big Steven Rowley fan. This was a much better ending than his other dog book! I highly suggest this one and all of his other books.

The Dogs of Venice is a novella that was published about five years ago, but is being re-released in October 2025. If you're looking to for a Pride Month pick, or you enjoy a bit of Christmas in July, then I highly recommend you select this sweet story by Steven Rowley!

Although reeling from his husband leaving him and requesting a divorce, Paul still decides to embark on their pre-planned Christmas vacation to Venice solo. I've read a few of Rowley's full-length novels, and always enjoy his character descriptions, witty humor, and poignant insight into the human experience. I especially recommend this for those who enjoy stories with dogs as a featured character!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC of this title.

4.75⭐
Touching, heartfelt, and kind.

After being sucker punched with news of his husband wanting a divorce, Paul ventures to Venice in search of solid ground and understanding his upturned world.

A fantastic novella from Steve Rowley! You can tell a writer's ability when they can deliver fleshed out characters and themes in so few pages. This work offers deep introspection, paired with heartfelt connection, and a dash of levity and joy that culminates in a delightful and sincere romp through an iconic destination.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an ARC of this title!

Pub date: Oct. 14, 2025

Steven Rowley’s The Dogs of Venice is such a cute little romp -- I mean, it’s set in Venice and includes an adorably confident dog, mouth-watering food, delectable wine, chance encounters, and such a sweet, empowering message.

I was wary in the beginning as it rushed past a lot of what happened between Paul and his (ex)husband, which I wish was less telling me what happened and more showing me what happened since it took a while to really get into feeling this story alongside with Paul, the main character. I also never got the chance to feel how Paul and his ex were during their relationship/marriage, which made me feel disconnected to these emotions as well. However, we do get more glimpses into Paul as a person as the story progresses, and given that it’s a novella, there isn’t much wiggle room for including a lot of backstory; it’s just difficult to process emotions with Paul when we aren’t given what those emotions are until further into the book.

All that aside, I felt a connection to Paul in the end, especially as he is so determined to find meaning in everything around him, only to realize…well, you’ll have to read it to see what he realizes… and I wish I could read more of where his story goes from here. This book makes me want to travel to Venice to experience the dogs, the food, the wine, and the people (although maybe not that one seductive waiter, iykyk). Overall, I feel like this novella was the perfect length to achieve what it set out to do, and the message hits close to home as someone who, much like Paul, has had to learn what it is to be alone.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

You know Steven Rowley is an incredible writer when he can get me this invested in a short story! Paul's story of self-discovery in Venice was heartwarming and I found myself attached to the story even in a short time. In typically Rowley fashion, there were laugh out loud moments sprinkled throughout the more serious story. I laughed incredibly hard at Paul's speculation about the patron saints of hiccups & sex with strangers along with his interactions with his Italian landlord. This is definitely a novella worth a read!

Oh Paul.

Our guy Paul comes home one day and receives some unexpected news. His husband, Darren, feels he has had enough, and tells him so. Their five year marriage had run its course. They just weren’t the couple they thought themselves to be.

To add insult to injury Paul had spent months planning a getaway for them both. A trip to Venice, Italy during the Christmas season. It had all the makings for a romantic getaway. But now, it’s a romantic getaway for one.

You see, Paul is a little clingy and Paul can be anxious at times. Maybe neurotic, too. Darren. But make no mistake, Paul is also a very dear man and a hopeful soul. He is easy to root for.

Not long after arriving he sees a street dog. A bit scruffy. A little worse for wear. He went table to table getting scraps and ear scratches. But it was his confidence that caught Paul’s attention. There was a self assurance he had that Paul wanted. So, he followed him. He wanted to learn how this dog thrives on its own and walks with the confidence of a lion. Because he wanted to do that too.

A novella that is typical Steven Rowley - charming, engaging, well thought out and funny - we play witness to a good man finding an independence he didn’t know he was missing. Furthermore, he is doing it all in the most romantic city on earth.

With a sincere thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, The Dogs of Venice is set to be released October 14. Not coincidentally in time for Christmas.

It was very sweet. I completely enjoyed it and Paul - as I said already - is a hopeful soul. Those are some of our best people.

And when you’re done with this, go read his book The Guncle. It’s rare that a book has me laughing out loud. Like, OUT LOUD. The Guncle did … often.

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy.

I love dogs, and I love Steven Rowley's writing, so it was pretty much a guarantee I would love this novella. I related to the main character, Paul, a clingy, neurotic, anxious, but ultimately hopeful man who travels alone to Venice after being left by his husband the night before their Christmas trip. On his solo adventure, he learns a little bit about life and forging his own path through it. I only wish this were a full-length novel because I wanted more.

This was a cute short story of self-discovery about a man, Paul, who travels to Venice alone after his husband, Darren, leaves him after they'd already planned the trip. While in Venice, he starts to notice all of the street dogs and the way they live happily and independently amongst the locals and tourists. He internalizes this and starts feeding them scraps from his meals, as he tries to learn to live happily and independently himself. I liked the writing in this story (as I've liked Rowley's writing in previous books), but wanted a bit more meat to it as it almost felt too short and surface-level for the deeper emotional story it was trying to tell.

Thank you to Putnam for the eARC!

Dogs of Venice is a 2020 novella from Steven Rowley. It was originally released as an Audible Original in 2020, and now in 2025, Rowley has expanded and reimagined it as a holiday novella. Loved this. So many aspects to the book: a break-up, a solo trip to Europe, a dog, Christmas in Venice. Hope for the future. What’s not to love?

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this little treasure in exchange for an honest review!

Steven Rowley, the darling who brought us such queer delicacies as the Guncle and The Celebrants, is back with a meaningful, life-affirming novella about loss, evolution and finding yourself again and again. We follow Paul, reeling from his husband’s decision to ask for a divorce, as he embarks on a trip to Venice that was meant for two. When arriving, he’s still hoping for some sort of romantic grand gesture, some fix for what’s been broken. Yet, before long he’s been taken in by the city streets, by the people, and by the dogs who explore with the other tourists, running free. And as one life comes to an end, another begins.

Steven Rowley always creates worlds with thoughtful and poignant themes, and The Dogs of Venice is a short n’ sweet commentary on starting again. It really highlights the importance of moving forward, in whatever way possible. As hard as it is to let go, in doing so, you open yourself up to so much more. Paul is relatable, as he is not the most outgoing or satisfied by independence. Yet, jumping out of his comfort zone proves worthy. And that’s always something to celebrate. Stay afraid, Paul - but do it anyway.

I love everything Steven Rowley writes and this book was another hit. My only complaint was that it wasnt long enough. I want more of the story!!! Go read this little gem of a book. You won't regret it.

I'm sorry, I did not like this at all. It felt as if there was supposed to be this emotional depth to the narrative yet it fell flat. Paul annoyed me for the half that I read and realized, I can't finish this. I read over 40 of the 80 pages knowing if i continue. it'll just annoy me more. It was the way he navigated the city and language that got on my nerves while again providing no real grounded emotion to this sad moment in his life.

(I was also worried about the use of garlic in the food he wanted to offer the dog, but that's a me problem.)

A Short Gem

Steven Rowley's "The Dogs of Venice" is about eighty pages long. In this short novel, Rowley introduces the reader to Paul, a newly separated man on a journey of discovery in Venice at Christmas time. As he explores the city, Paul begins to identify with a dog roaming the streets. He longs for the dog's independence and self-reliance. As the days progress, we meet some delightful characters who challenge Paul and his beliefs in himself. With beautiful prose and witty dialogue, Rowley's story is a poignant exercise in self-reflection that I highly recommend.

This was a short story. E book version not listening to on audible. I wasn't sure what to think of Paul at first. With a broken heart alone in the romantic city of Venice he finds The Dog. Having been to venice myself missing my own pup I related to Paul's sudden obsession and longing for The Dog. There are no twists surprises and gasping ah ha moments. Only peaceful, emotional and turning a new page of a new book type of feelings. The Dog represents more than just a stray animal. He is what Paul is looking for. Only to find when he has it the answer to the question he never asked himself. Want something short and sweet with some emotion and a "happy" ending. Give it a read.
Dont worry the dog does not die for those of you like me and need to know.

What a cute, quick, easy read. Paul is in Venice while his ex husband moves out of their shared house and while on the trip they were supposed to take together, he finds himself obsessed with a homeless dog, with his lack of attachment and ability to keep moving through his days.
It was one of those stories where I wish we knew more about Paul, what happens next, and how he heals from his loss, but I think it captured so much in such a short read.

Thanks to netgalley for the e-arc.

I truly enjoyed every page of this book. I found the main character charming and endearing. Such a quick read but so uplifting. I found the main character’s determination to move on from his past relationship inspiring.

I was able to read this novella by one of my favorite authors thru NetGalley. The journey of the main character as he navigates traveling alone after a breakup is short but sweet. The author describes Venice in such a way I felt as if I was walking the streets along the canals and all the magic of a Venice. I enjoyed the main character’s progression and would love to read what happens next in his travels.

I really enjoyed this quick story. We've all felt the fear of being alone, and you don't really face it until you're forced to. Finding yourself after being attached to someone is difficult, and I think it was captured perfectly here. I like how quick paced the novel was, and would definitely recommend giving it a chance. I think we can all take a lot of lessons away from our four legged friends, but I think this one has been my favorite. The importance of being present, even if alone.

The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley didn’t quite live up to my expectations, though I was excited to dive into his newest release, especially after hearing good things about "The Guncle" (which I’ve yet to read). Unfortunately, this novella didn't resonate with me in the way I hoped. I was surprised by its brevity and lack of depth, and I found myself wishing for more development in both the plot and the characters. Rowley’s writing style, while quirky and fun, didn’t quite click with me this time. There’s definitely a polished, T.J. Klune-like charm to his prose, but I wasn’t as captivated by it as I have been with other quirky authors like India Horton. While I can see how some might enjoy Rowley’s approach, it didn’t quite work for me here. I may still try "The Guncle" at some point, but for now, I think I’ll hold off. It wasn’t a bad read, but it didn’t leave me with that “must-recommend” feeling I was hoping for.

Thank you to Steven Rowley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute story but kind of forgettable. I'm not much of a short story/novella reader though. Others may find this story more interesting than myself due to this.