This novella is full of beautiful descriptive language. I felt fully immersed and flew through the short tale.

Venice at Christmas time as the setting gives The Dogs of Venice a whimsical feel as Paul tries to navigate his loneliness and newfound single hood.

I highly enjoyed this and will certainly be adding more of Steven's books to my TBR list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group PUTNAM for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was overall a sweet short story, but I think I would have liked it more if it was a novel. There were many things happening in such a short novella, and I think that felt a bit messy. I appreciated that Paul is learning to be on his own and rediscover himself after his divorce, and the descriptions of various parts of Venice were lovely.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for access to this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have never met a Steven Rowley book I didn’t like, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Dogs of Venice. The novella follows Paul, who had been planning a dream vacation to Italy with his significant other—until an unexpected breakup changes everything. Instead of canceling, Paul decides to go anyway. Good for him. I loved that he followed through despite his heartbreak, using the trip as a way to search for love, answers, and himself. Along the way, he sees reflections of his own journey in the street dogs of Venice, leading to a poignant, introspective story. I really enjoyed Paul’s path to self-worth and discovery—this one is another heartfelt win from Rowley.

A quick and sweet read. I loved the premise at first. It was funny and emotional, but then it was just so rushed. It felt like there was a page maximum, and the author needed to keep the book under the max but didn't want to delete some of what they had previously wrote.
It was still cute, but I think it would have just been better if it was longer and more spaced out (which is a surprising take for me because I enjoy fast paced books)

I really wish I liked the ending more, because the beginning was so good, but I just unfortunately didn't.

As a big fan of “The Guncle,” I was excited to check out “Dog of Venice.” I was thrilled that I loved this book just as much as that one.

“Dogs of Venice” is a charming, heartwarming tale that blends humor, friendship, and a touch of adventure.. Rowley’s writing is witty and engaging, The novel delves into themes of loyalty, love, and self-discovery, all while celebrating the quirks of life in a beautiful, romantic city of Venice. With its delightful narrative and lovable characters, *Dog of Venice* is a perfect read for animal lovers and adventurers alike.

Initial Impressions

I first came across this short story while browsing NetGalley, and when it was Goodreads where I saw that it had been released in 2020 and had a 3.38-star rating. Not the best, but still intriguing. The premise seemed promising: a heartbroken Paul takes a solo trip to Venice while his ex-husband moves out of their shared home. During his journey, he encounters a dog along the canal, which supposedly serves as a metaphor for his inner turmoil (according to a reviewer). Simple, yet potentially powerful.

Reading Experience

At just 80 pages, this novella is a quick read, and the writing jumps straight into the story. Within the first page, we’re already on the plane with Paul as he embarks on his trip. The pacing is rapid—perhaps too rapid. The book almost reads like a book proposal, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the script Harris performed was later bound and published with minimal expansion. This format made it feel like a SparkNotes version of a novel rather than a fully fleshed-out story. It felt to me a collection of scenes to get a publisher interested in reading a full draft. The scenes were short and we hit a lot of "rom-com" self discovery tropes. 

Themes & Execution

At its core, The Dogs of Venice is about self-discovery, heartbreak, and renewal. Paul is struggling to let go, and he finds himself drawn to a stray dog in Venice, seeing it as a symbol of freedom and resilience. There are moments of humor, romance, and introspection, and the book has a certain charm reminiscent of Eat, Pray, Love—if Eat, Pray, Love had a canine sidekick.

However, the execution left something to be desired. The relationship between Paul and the dog felt underdeveloped. He fixates on one dog among many, claiming it as his without much actual interaction. This attachment felt more like a plot device than an organic part of the story. While I understood the metaphor, it didn’t land as powerfully as intended.

Final Thoughts

By the time I reached the end, I felt conflicted. The foundation for a beautiful, emotional story was there, but it was rushed. This could have been a full-length novel—250 to 300 pages—and I think it would have thrived with that extra depth. Instead, it felt more like an idea than a fully realized book.

Would I recommend it? I’m not sure. It’s a decent read, and if you’re looking for a quick, introspective story, it might be worth your time—especially in audiobook form. But if you’re hoping for deep emotional resonance, you may find it lacking. For me, it lands at a solid three stars—good, but not great.

4 stars! Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this novella!

After planning a trip together, Paul is blindsided when his husband announces they will be getting divorced. Now solo, Paul decides to still take the trip to Venice. Upon arrival he notices how many dogs are in Venice, and one terrier in particular who has the confidence Paul so desires. The dog’s confidence sets the tone for Paul’s trip, and keeping the little dog in mind, Paul embarks on getting outside of his comfort zone and making the most of this vacation.

As the proud companion of a tiny terrier who was once a stray, and a fan of the Guncle series, I was SO excited to receive this ARC. This story was incredibly heartwarming. I also loved the history & information about Venice that helped to illustrate the landscape - it’s such a unique European city! The main theme is that we have to make the most of the hand we’ve been dealt, and even though bad things happen, we can still move forward. This was a quick read, taking only about half an hour, and I very much enjoyed it!

3.5⭐️ After learning his husband wants a divorce, Paul decides to take their vacation to Venice alone. While there, Paul seeks solace in those he encounters as he searches for what is missing in his life.

This had all of the elements I love, so I’m left puzzled as to why I didn’t go gaga over this one. And I come away, ultimately, realizing Steven Rowley’s writing cannot be contained to such a short book. His beautiful storytelling shines in the characters he develops and the themes he explores. And while Paul is a loveably flawed MC (who is very much like me and cannot live without his coffee) I never fully got a chance to know him properly, nor the sweet pup he encountered who caused such big self reflection.

While the story is a fun shorter read as we head into the holiday season, it really only begins to hit the nail on the head. My hope is it will be expanded to a full length novel. In the meantime, this story is still enjoyable and worthy of a read. And I am sure this will be fabulous on audio.

Read if you like:
▪️novellas
▪️holiday(ish) reads
▪️Venice setting
▪️books about dogs
▪️heartfelt humor

Thank you Putnam for the advanced copy.

After his husband announces suddenly that he wants a divorce, shocked and devastated Paul takes a prior planned vacation to Venice. Here Paul becomes obsessed with a stray dog. During this trip he discovers the strength that he never realize he possessed and obtains some personal growth. Rowley’s stories never disappoint. Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.

The Guncle is probably my most recommended book so I was excited to get this advanced reader copy. I didn’t realize that this short story had been previously released as an audiobook in 2020, narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. While I’m not a audiobook listener, I could see how that would enrich the experience of this story. There were elements of this that I loved - Venice! Dogs! - but I found myself wanting more character development and backstory. This is one short story I wish was a full length novel. Thanks to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Like everything Rowley writes, this was a direct hit to my soul. He perfectly captures loneliness and the longing to move on when life hands you a curveball that kinda sucks and you have to figure out how to be okay again.

Also, now I really wish I was in Venice. With my dog.

Chicken soup for the soul - this was lovely. A man goes solo to Venice although he planned to go with someone else. There is beauty and growth on each page as Paul goes through an awakening that is lovely and relatable. I read it a few days ago and said to my partner last night - I think we should plan a trip to Venice. I immediately thought - why not go alone? This is a one-sitting novella that you shouldn't miss. Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.

This story follows Paul who travels on a planned romantic getaway to Venice by himself after his marriage unravels. As he contemplates the end of his relationship and what may come next for him, he sees a dog making his way through the city. He envies the dog’s independence and sense of adventure, which brings him to introspective conclusions about his own life and future. This short story is full of heart and hope.

Recommended to fans of this author and other readers looking for a short, uplifting read.

Thank you to Netgalley and GP Putnam’s Sons for a copy provided for an honest review.

This book was pure magic and just what the world needs during these uncertain times. Thank you one million times over for publishing this story. I cannot wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with The Dogs of Venice.

The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley is a charming novella featuring Paul, a man at a crossroads in his life. Paul is blind sided by his husband, Darren, who asks for a divorce on the eve of their long planned vacation to Venice. Paul decides to take the trip solo in an effort to regain his self confidence. I was quickly rooting for Paul on his journey of self discovery, set in Venice, which also features a stray dog. “But while he was there, Paul had traded in other commodities: self-doubt for self-confidence, heartbreak for renewal, an old love for a new sense of self.”

Favorite quote:
“The world was full of wonders to experience and he, alone, was enough to discover them.”

I should mention that Steven Rowley can do no wrong in my mind. This novella was just as heartwarming as I could have hoped. Loved it! 5/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I was given an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review, thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Putnam. A sweet yet sad redemptive story, this is a character study of a man who goes on a romantic Christmas trip solo to Venice. His husband asked for a divorce and he was in denial, but decided to go on his own. Paul seems like a lost soul, and he does a lot of soul searching and seeking connection on his trip.

Obviously this is a shorter story, I can't help but want to know more about Paul. It is almost a creative writing challenge to tell a story in this short of a format. It has sweet dialogue and I found Paul to be relatable. Although he is heartbroken, he is not pathetic and grows over time.

If you have the chance to read this, it is worth the hour it will take to read. It was released as audible only a few years ago, and now it is being released in hardcover. Nice that it will reach a larger audience, but it is a pretty short book to cost $22.

When I picked up this story, I expected it to be about dogs - or, at least, in relation to dogs. The dog was more of an undercurrent, a metaphor for the main character’s inner turmoil. This story explores the codependent tendencies of a recently-divorced man as he explores Venice on his own. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. Lacking compassion and a view of the world outside of himself, the main character comes off as self-absorbed and whiny. All other characters in the story are two-dimensional and only exist as they relate to the main character’s ego. It wasn’t terrible, but overall, I expected more.

This novella is short, sweet, and inspirational. It's a reminder to take chances to grow and expand your world when opportunity presents itself.

Enjoyable quick read. Paul is a bit of a downer character (with very good reason) and that can be a bit much by the end. But he's lost in the midst of a huge shocking life change so it makes sense. It'd be weird if he wasn't. It also makes the plot work because when that happens that's when you search for meaning in every. little. thing. Something to make it all make sense. But there's never an answer. Life is just life. People are just people. Dogs are just dogs.

The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley is a short story about Paul, alone on a trip in Venice after a sudden breakup with his husband. He is enamored by the free roaming dogs of Venice, particularly one who he just names The Dog. Paul is grappling with the seemingly out-of-nowhere end of his marriage and how to truly be alone.

As a lover of Italy, Venice, and dogs, I figured this would be right up my alley. It was short and sweet but lacked much depth. At only 80 pages I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but it still fell a little short of what I want out of a novella. I felt bad for Paul but things seem to wrap up too neatly by the end.

This was my first time reading anything by Steven Rowley and I would consider reading a novel by him.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.