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The Secret Daughter of Venice
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…
A gripping, emotional historical novel of love and art that will captivate fans of The Venice Sketchbook, The Woman on the Bridge and The Nightingale.
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…
A gripping, emotional historical novel of love and art that will captivate fans of The Venice Sketchbook, The Woman on the Bridge and The Nightingale.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2024
About the author
Juliet Greenwood
10 books107 followersJuliet Greenwood is the author of seven historical novels, her latest being with Storm Publishing. She has long been inspired by the histories of the women in her family, and in particular with how strong-minded and independent women have overcome the limitations imposed on them by the constraints of their time, and also with the way generations of women hold families and communities together in times of crisis, including WW2.
After graduating in English from Lancaster University and Kings College, London, Juliet worked on a variety of jobs to support her ambition to be a full-time writer. These ranged from running a craft stall at Covent Garden to collecting oral histories of traditional villages before they are lost forever, and more recently as a freelance editor and proof-reader.
She finally achieved her dream of becoming a published author following a debilitating viral illness, with her first novel being a finalist for The People’s Book Prize and her first two novels reaching #4 and #5 in the UK Kindle store.
Juliet now lives in a traditional quarryman’s cottage in Snowdonia, North Wales, set between the mountains and the sea, with an overgrown garden (good for insects!) and a surprisingly successful grapevine. She can be found dog walking in all weathers, camera to hand.
After graduating in English from Lancaster University and Kings College, London, Juliet worked on a variety of jobs to support her ambition to be a full-time writer. These ranged from running a craft stall at Covent Garden to collecting oral histories of traditional villages before they are lost forever, and more recently as a freelance editor and proof-reader.
She finally achieved her dream of becoming a published author following a debilitating viral illness, with her first novel being a finalist for The People’s Book Prize and her first two novels reaching #4 and #5 in the UK Kindle store.
Juliet now lives in a traditional quarryman’s cottage in Snowdonia, North Wales, set between the mountains and the sea, with an overgrown garden (good for insects!) and a surprisingly successful grapevine. She can be found dog walking in all weathers, camera to hand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
May 24, 2024
The Secret Daughter of Venice was a very captivating historical fiction book by Juliet Greenwood. I had not read the first book in this series previously but that did not hamper my enjoyment of this one. The Secret Daughter of Venice was the second book I had read by Juliet Greenwood. After reading both of her books, I was quite impressed by her writing, impeccable research, choice of characters and points of history she had chosen to write about. There was a strong element of mystery throughout The Secret Daughter of Venice as well as a touch of love, romance, friendship, belonging and an overwhelming desire to find and solve a puzzle that lay just beyond reach.
Kate Arden had been told that she had been adopted by the Arden family for as long as she could remember. She lived with her very controlling father, Leo, her sisters, Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia and her two brothers, Will and Jamie at the Arden estate located in Brierley at Stratford- Upon-Avon in England. Her mother had died and she had a stepmother now. Even though Kate loved her sisters and brothers dearly, she never quite felt as if she fit in, belonged and was truly a part of this influential and wealthy family. There had always been a nagging thought in back of her mind that she was not able to quite capture about her true identity and who her real family had been.
In 1941, Kate found herself at the Arden Estate missing her sisters and brothers. She tried to help with the plantings and gathering of vegetables as much as possible on the farmland they still possessed. Arden Estate, once very grand, was in great disrepair. Kate’s brother Jamie had unearthed and discovered remains of a Roman structure from long ago buried on their property. One day, as Kate worked in the garden, she came upon a beautiful cup made from glass. She was excited to discover the origins of the cup so Kate convinced her stepmother to let her accompany her to the market. Once in town, Kate planned to consult Miss Parsons, the local teacher and also the proprietor of the local museum, about the cup’s history. Miss Parsons had been a very close friend and confidant of the late Mrs. Arden. Celia Arden had asked Miss Parsons to present each of her daughters with a book of Shakespeare’s sonnets upon her death. Buried in each book was a hidden message from Celia that pertained to her hope for each of her daughter’s futures. After Miss Parsons examined the cup and promised to clean it up and try and trace its roots, Miss Parsons inquired if Kate had discovered the hidden message her mother had left for her in the book. Kate had forgotten about the book since she had found no hidden messages initially. She just assumed that her mother had left the message out of her book. After all, Kate had been adopted. Miss Parsons assured Kate that there was indeed a message hidden somewhere in her book and Miss Parsons encouraged Kate to keep looking. When Kate arrived back at Arden Estate, she went directly to her room to re-examine the book. What she found hidden in the spine of the book both surprised Kate and triggered memories she had only glimpsed at in her dreams. Before her, Kate stared at the drawings of places that she was sure had something to do with her and her past. She recalled a time long ago when someone had taught her lovingly and patiently to draw, too. Those drawings would be the catalyst to help Kate discover who she was and who her real mother was. Kate embarked on a journey that took her from Stratford-Upon-Avon to Cornwall, to Naples, to Pompeii, to Mount Vesuvius to Venice. She was able to cultivate her artistic talents, teach and care for innocent orphan children who were victims of the war, use her art as a healing mechanism to help the orphans cope with their losses and their grief and form several meaningful relationships and friendships on her journey. Would Kate be able to discover her own story and fill in the gaps that had been beyond her reach for all these years of her life? Will Kate be able to finally find her mother and pursue her dreams of becoming an artist?
I really enjoyed reading The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood. At some point, I may go back and read the first book in this series but I am definitely excited about reading the next one. There were several secrets that were hinted at throughout the book. They were all presented by the conclusion of this very memorable book. I was totally caught off guard when one particular secret was revealed. I had not seen it coming. The Secret Daughter of Venice captured the love for art Kate encompassed, her natural artistic talent, mother/daughter relationships, love, taking control of other’s lives, loss, deceit, greed, friendship and family. All my emotions were stirred while reading The Secret Daughter of Venice. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for allowing me to read The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kate Arden had been told that she had been adopted by the Arden family for as long as she could remember. She lived with her very controlling father, Leo, her sisters, Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia and her two brothers, Will and Jamie at the Arden estate located in Brierley at Stratford- Upon-Avon in England. Her mother had died and she had a stepmother now. Even though Kate loved her sisters and brothers dearly, she never quite felt as if she fit in, belonged and was truly a part of this influential and wealthy family. There had always been a nagging thought in back of her mind that she was not able to quite capture about her true identity and who her real family had been.
In 1941, Kate found herself at the Arden Estate missing her sisters and brothers. She tried to help with the plantings and gathering of vegetables as much as possible on the farmland they still possessed. Arden Estate, once very grand, was in great disrepair. Kate’s brother Jamie had unearthed and discovered remains of a Roman structure from long ago buried on their property. One day, as Kate worked in the garden, she came upon a beautiful cup made from glass. She was excited to discover the origins of the cup so Kate convinced her stepmother to let her accompany her to the market. Once in town, Kate planned to consult Miss Parsons, the local teacher and also the proprietor of the local museum, about the cup’s history. Miss Parsons had been a very close friend and confidant of the late Mrs. Arden. Celia Arden had asked Miss Parsons to present each of her daughters with a book of Shakespeare’s sonnets upon her death. Buried in each book was a hidden message from Celia that pertained to her hope for each of her daughter’s futures. After Miss Parsons examined the cup and promised to clean it up and try and trace its roots, Miss Parsons inquired if Kate had discovered the hidden message her mother had left for her in the book. Kate had forgotten about the book since she had found no hidden messages initially. She just assumed that her mother had left the message out of her book. After all, Kate had been adopted. Miss Parsons assured Kate that there was indeed a message hidden somewhere in her book and Miss Parsons encouraged Kate to keep looking. When Kate arrived back at Arden Estate, she went directly to her room to re-examine the book. What she found hidden in the spine of the book both surprised Kate and triggered memories she had only glimpsed at in her dreams. Before her, Kate stared at the drawings of places that she was sure had something to do with her and her past. She recalled a time long ago when someone had taught her lovingly and patiently to draw, too. Those drawings would be the catalyst to help Kate discover who she was and who her real mother was. Kate embarked on a journey that took her from Stratford-Upon-Avon to Cornwall, to Naples, to Pompeii, to Mount Vesuvius to Venice. She was able to cultivate her artistic talents, teach and care for innocent orphan children who were victims of the war, use her art as a healing mechanism to help the orphans cope with their losses and their grief and form several meaningful relationships and friendships on her journey. Would Kate be able to discover her own story and fill in the gaps that had been beyond her reach for all these years of her life? Will Kate be able to finally find her mother and pursue her dreams of becoming an artist?
I really enjoyed reading The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood. At some point, I may go back and read the first book in this series but I am definitely excited about reading the next one. There were several secrets that were hinted at throughout the book. They were all presented by the conclusion of this very memorable book. I was totally caught off guard when one particular secret was revealed. I had not seen it coming. The Secret Daughter of Venice captured the love for art Kate encompassed, her natural artistic talent, mother/daughter relationships, love, taking control of other’s lives, loss, deceit, greed, friendship and family. All my emotions were stirred while reading The Secret Daughter of Venice. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for allowing me to read The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2024
The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood
Synopsis /
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.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Juliet Greenwood, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for May 14, 2024.
Have you ever wondered where your 'love' for something has originated from? Your love of a particular type of music, art, or history. Did it come from a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, or some other family member, or mentor?
Kate Arden has a passion for sketching, drawing, and painting. She's loved art, particularly sketching and drawing since she was a child. She has fading snippets of memories of elegant fingers and slender long arms guiding her own as she was drawing. A smooth velvety voice lovingly encouraging her to pick up and pencil and draw. She can't remember the face, but she can remember that voice and how it made her feel - loved and cherished.
Kate Arden grew up in England on the family estate. She had brothers and sisters, a loving mother, but her father was a very controlling patriarch. Although Kate loved her siblings dearly, she always had a niggling feeling that she was somehow different from those surrounding her in her immediate family. Her earliest memories are not from England, but from someplace else. She dreams about water, grape vines; of a villa filled with paintings. Before she died, Kate's mother gave her a book and told her that inside that book were the answers to her questions about her past. Taking a closer look, Kate discovered a series of sketched drawings hidden within the binding of the old book. Kate knew that these sketches were meant for her and the more she looked at them, the more her memories of a time long ago started to resurface. And now she begins her journey to discover the truth about her original heritage.
Author, Juliet Greenwood has written Kate's story in three parts, and I must confess to enjoying the later parts more. Chapters alternate between two locations: England and Venice; and two voices: Kate's and Sofia's (Kate's mother). And although the main plot thread is Kate's story, I enjoyed reading Sofia's story a little more. I think because Sofia's family dynamic was more interesting. I was a little detached from Kate and that detachment left me distanced from her part in the story - I needed something more to pull me in.
I did enjoy the Venetian setting. The descriptions of the waterways, waterbuses, and gondolas. The sights and the smells; the descriptions of the buildings and cafes; the artwork and the people - that all made compelling reading. It was just unfortunate that Kate's plot thread was slow and dare I say(?), became a little boring to wade through. I started skimming (not a good sign).
I did enjoy the ending, and thought Greenwood did a good job of combining the two stories together to end with a satisfying conclusion.
Finishing this one has sparked an interest to learn more about Venice and this time-period. The author also mentions Pompeii, archaeological excavations, and artifacts, which I'm also keen to know more about.
This is my first Juliet Greenwood read and am keen to read some of her other works to see how they compare.
#NetGalley #The Secret Daughter of Venice
Synopsis /
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.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Juliet Greenwood, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for May 14, 2024.
Have you ever wondered where your 'love' for something has originated from? Your love of a particular type of music, art, or history. Did it come from a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, or some other family member, or mentor?
Kate Arden has a passion for sketching, drawing, and painting. She's loved art, particularly sketching and drawing since she was a child. She has fading snippets of memories of elegant fingers and slender long arms guiding her own as she was drawing. A smooth velvety voice lovingly encouraging her to pick up and pencil and draw. She can't remember the face, but she can remember that voice and how it made her feel - loved and cherished.
Kate Arden grew up in England on the family estate. She had brothers and sisters, a loving mother, but her father was a very controlling patriarch. Although Kate loved her siblings dearly, she always had a niggling feeling that she was somehow different from those surrounding her in her immediate family. Her earliest memories are not from England, but from someplace else. She dreams about water, grape vines; of a villa filled with paintings. Before she died, Kate's mother gave her a book and told her that inside that book were the answers to her questions about her past. Taking a closer look, Kate discovered a series of sketched drawings hidden within the binding of the old book. Kate knew that these sketches were meant for her and the more she looked at them, the more her memories of a time long ago started to resurface. And now she begins her journey to discover the truth about her original heritage.
Author, Juliet Greenwood has written Kate's story in three parts, and I must confess to enjoying the later parts more. Chapters alternate between two locations: England and Venice; and two voices: Kate's and Sofia's (Kate's mother). And although the main plot thread is Kate's story, I enjoyed reading Sofia's story a little more. I think because Sofia's family dynamic was more interesting. I was a little detached from Kate and that detachment left me distanced from her part in the story - I needed something more to pull me in.
I did enjoy the Venetian setting. The descriptions of the waterways, waterbuses, and gondolas. The sights and the smells; the descriptions of the buildings and cafes; the artwork and the people - that all made compelling reading. It was just unfortunate that Kate's plot thread was slow and dare I say(?), became a little boring to wade through. I started skimming (not a good sign).
I did enjoy the ending, and thought Greenwood did a good job of combining the two stories together to end with a satisfying conclusion.
Finishing this one has sparked an interest to learn more about Venice and this time-period. The author also mentions Pompeii, archaeological excavations, and artifacts, which I'm also keen to know more about.
This is my first Juliet Greenwood read and am keen to read some of her other works to see how they compare.
#NetGalley #The Secret Daughter of Venice
May 14, 2024
3.5★s
The war was rumbling through England and the continent in 1941 and Kate Arden, of Arden House, had never felt more separated from her family. Her Papa almost seemed like he hated her - she was desperate to get away, and when the opening to accompany orphans to Cornwall fell in her lap, she grabbed it with both hands. Kate loved to sketch and knew her fleeting memories of the long ago past, had something to do with that. Her deep emotional feelings toward Venice - even though she was assured she'd never been there - made her vow that once the war was over, she'd go to Venice.
Would Kate make it to Venice and would she find the people from her past? Her mother - her real mother - beckoned in a shadowy fashion. Kate was determined to find her if it was the last thing she did...
The Secret Daughter of Venice is my first by Juliet Greenwood and I enjoyed it. The last third of the book kept my interest more deeply than the earlier pages; Venice, the war damage, the volcano eruption and the urgency of finding someone lost. I enjoyed Cornwall and caring for the orphans in the castle, along with the terror of bombers that flew overhead while mothers and children were on the beach. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The war was rumbling through England and the continent in 1941 and Kate Arden, of Arden House, had never felt more separated from her family. Her Papa almost seemed like he hated her - she was desperate to get away, and when the opening to accompany orphans to Cornwall fell in her lap, she grabbed it with both hands. Kate loved to sketch and knew her fleeting memories of the long ago past, had something to do with that. Her deep emotional feelings toward Venice - even though she was assured she'd never been there - made her vow that once the war was over, she'd go to Venice.
Would Kate make it to Venice and would she find the people from her past? Her mother - her real mother - beckoned in a shadowy fashion. Kate was determined to find her if it was the last thing she did...
The Secret Daughter of Venice is my first by Juliet Greenwood and I enjoyed it. The last third of the book kept my interest more deeply than the earlier pages; Venice, the war damage, the volcano eruption and the urgency of finding someone lost. I enjoyed Cornwall and caring for the orphans in the castle, along with the terror of bombers that flew overhead while mothers and children were on the beach. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2024
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.
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.
May 14, 2024
I read part of the book and listened to part of it. I did finish this book. This book was a disappointment for me. I’m sure I will be in the minority. The second half was definitely better than the first half. I rarely give a 3 star. I’m glad there was a happy ending. I did learn a bit about the assistance given to citizens in England and Italy. I was blessed with a free ARC, and I’m voluntarily leaving my review. Outstanding narrator, 5 stars for narration.
May 25, 2024
Coming of age during world war 2 set in England and Italy from a female point of view all while trying to find her birth family. This story give a heartwarming twist on a tragic time in history.
May 13, 2024
I love books like this ~ someone who discovers a secret that challenges how they identify themselves!
First of all, THAT cover! Dare I say the best I’ve ever seen?!
Secondly, Greenwood’s ability to share her character’s journey was stellar. Kate Arden embarks on an emotional journey when uncovering a family secret. Greenwood carried her through the multitude of emotions after showing us how discombobulating the discovery was. Readers are aware of Kate processing the secret; dealing with the shame and anxiety and working through anger and denial. I loved that Greenwood allowed Kate space to realize the importance of not discounting her past while she was forging ahead with a new identity. Likewise, I appreciated the flip side. Reading about Sophia Armstrong's anguish and lack of choices was heartbreaking. Greenwood's ability to pull me into the story made all the difference in the world.
Greenwood had the perfect balance of history, mystery and romance. I was captivated by this story about unlocking secrets. I lost track of time and wasn’t aware of the 400 pages. I had to know the challenges in Kate’s background and why they occurred. Venice has a special place in my heart and I make sure we stop there every few years, so this made the story that much more appealing to me. I loved being transported back to the magical surroundings of La Serenissima.
Historical fiction lovers will want to put this story about what ‘finding yourself’ really means on your reading list this Spring!
I was gifted this copy by Storm Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
First of all, THAT cover! Dare I say the best I’ve ever seen?!
Secondly, Greenwood’s ability to share her character’s journey was stellar. Kate Arden embarks on an emotional journey when uncovering a family secret. Greenwood carried her through the multitude of emotions after showing us how discombobulating the discovery was. Readers are aware of Kate processing the secret; dealing with the shame and anxiety and working through anger and denial. I loved that Greenwood allowed Kate space to realize the importance of not discounting her past while she was forging ahead with a new identity. Likewise, I appreciated the flip side. Reading about Sophia Armstrong's anguish and lack of choices was heartbreaking. Greenwood's ability to pull me into the story made all the difference in the world.
Greenwood had the perfect balance of history, mystery and romance. I was captivated by this story about unlocking secrets. I lost track of time and wasn’t aware of the 400 pages. I had to know the challenges in Kate’s background and why they occurred. Venice has a special place in my heart and I make sure we stop there every few years, so this made the story that much more appealing to me. I loved being transported back to the magical surroundings of La Serenissima.
Historical fiction lovers will want to put this story about what ‘finding yourself’ really means on your reading list this Spring!
I was gifted this copy by Storm Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
June 29, 2024
It is World War 2, 1941 and Kate Arden is living in England with her family but she does know that she is not truly an Arden although she does not know the full story of her arriving at Arden House when she was a very young girl, but she has found some paintings of Venice in a book of sonnets left to her by her adoptive mother and this brings back some memories of when she was young, of a boat journey and this has her wanting more, she wants to know about her past, will she ever find out.
Venice 1941 and Sofia Armstrong has returned to Venice arriving at the home she grew up in with her terrible mother The Contessa, she is not in residence but Magdalena her mother’s maid is still there troubling times are coming their way with the Germans just about to arrive but Sofia wants to finally find out where her daughter is, will she find her after all of these years?
I did enjoy this story, the characters, the mystery, and the settings were all so good, it was a bit slow to begin with and it took me some time to get into the story, but once I did the characters came to life.
This is one that I would recommend to any reader who loves a good historical story unravelling the mystery of what happened to Kate was well told.
My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Venice 1941 and Sofia Armstrong has returned to Venice arriving at the home she grew up in with her terrible mother The Contessa, she is not in residence but Magdalena her mother’s maid is still there troubling times are coming their way with the Germans just about to arrive but Sofia wants to finally find out where her daughter is, will she find her after all of these years?
I did enjoy this story, the characters, the mystery, and the settings were all so good, it was a bit slow to begin with and it took me some time to get into the story, but once I did the characters came to life.
This is one that I would recommend to any reader who loves a good historical story unravelling the mystery of what happened to Kate was well told.
My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
March 29, 2024
Honestly, I just found this kind of boring. The last 20-30% was the best part of the book, but even the reveals at the end were kind of anticlimactic and disappointing. I liked Kate as a character for the most part but found it hard to connect to the plot as a whole.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.
May 21, 2024
It was very entertaining and atmospheric. Some parts of the book ended too abruptly, leaving me wanting more from it. But I still enjoyed the book.
May 14, 2024
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 cruelly 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.
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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 cruelly 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.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
April 12, 2024
I absolutely adored The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood! It captured my heart from the first page. (The cover is gorgeous, too!) This is a story about family roots and understanding who you are. The age old question of nature versus nurture comes to mind. This quandary is analysed and its effects are visible in the story. It is obvious that genes play a big part in our abilities, mannerisms and appearance. Our personality and our reactions are a product of our parents, too, along with the world around us. Character Kate is a good example of this and although her years on the Arden Estate have contributed to her development, she feels unfulfilled and needs to connect with her birth mother and the past to feel whole. And, most importantly, to move forward.
Kate has grown up feeling like a misfit in the Arden family. She loves her siblings—even her controlling Papa and hard-working stepmother. But there is a lot of mystery surrounding her origins that nobody seems to want to talk about. There are many hidden secrets that have kept her in the dark. But why? With ongoing flashes of images from her early childhood haunting her, she must get to the source of these troubling visions. And to do that, she must revisit locations that have been part of her past life. It is quite a puzzle to solve but her mother has left clues in some artwork for her. Of course, she also wonders why her mother gave her up in the first place. The answer to this question is a lot more complex than first thought— which becomes obvious when information slowly comes to light.
Art is Kate Arden’s passion. Where does this love of drawing and painting come from? She remembers loving arms and hands guiding her, encouraging her to exercise this gift. Kate is most at home with a pencil in her hand. It is her happy place away from the jeers of the towns people caught in the throes of gossip who claim she is illegitimate. Kate differs from other family members. She has dark hair and olive skin indicating her Italian heritage. But she has grown up in a long standing English noble family whose historic foundation is crumbling. A family who is fighting to save its legacy and regain its wealth. This creates real friction among its members. And it is a dangerous situation to be in for a girl. As various options are considered such as marrying the Arden daughters off to wealthy men. Kate, of course, rejects this proposition and as she escapes to follow the path her heart wants to go, she begins to grow, learn new things and find her feet.
During World War II, Kate finds a way to leave the Estate by taking part in a volunteer program. This sends her to another part of England where she teaches children who have lost family. Her search for her mother begins here and she finds some intriguing clues. She also ends up in Venice and I found this part of the story very fascinating. It was lovely to see her artistic talent blossom in such a beautiful setting and to see her meeting artists who help her feel a sense of belonging.
The story presents another perspective: Sophia. This provides additional insight and allows us to get to know the woman Kate seeks. My heart was racing many times when she also sets out on a journey to find her daughter. The trail is a hit and miss for a while as mother and daughter pass each other at various check points. But everything comes together in a fine blend with a positive resolution that brought happy tears to my eyes.
I must not forget to mention the one they called Lady MacBeth (Contessa). She was a real Ice Queen and it was hard to imagine any chance of warmth or kindness flowing from her heart. Kate gets to see who she is and shakes her head that someone could be so cruel and uncaring of their daughter and granddaughter. It just proves how the ruthless pursuit of money and position can twist the mind of an individual and drive them to horrid ends. Wealth can become a wicked taskmaster. Yes, this woman never wanted to go back to being poor again but her endless hateful schemes brought her nothing but failure and grief.
This is a fabulous novel that left its mark on my heart. I highly recommend The Secret Daughter of Venice but be prepared to free up many hours in your day as you won’t want to set this book down until you are done! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
Kate has grown up feeling like a misfit in the Arden family. She loves her siblings—even her controlling Papa and hard-working stepmother. But there is a lot of mystery surrounding her origins that nobody seems to want to talk about. There are many hidden secrets that have kept her in the dark. But why? With ongoing flashes of images from her early childhood haunting her, she must get to the source of these troubling visions. And to do that, she must revisit locations that have been part of her past life. It is quite a puzzle to solve but her mother has left clues in some artwork for her. Of course, she also wonders why her mother gave her up in the first place. The answer to this question is a lot more complex than first thought— which becomes obvious when information slowly comes to light.
Art is Kate Arden’s passion. Where does this love of drawing and painting come from? She remembers loving arms and hands guiding her, encouraging her to exercise this gift. Kate is most at home with a pencil in her hand. It is her happy place away from the jeers of the towns people caught in the throes of gossip who claim she is illegitimate. Kate differs from other family members. She has dark hair and olive skin indicating her Italian heritage. But she has grown up in a long standing English noble family whose historic foundation is crumbling. A family who is fighting to save its legacy and regain its wealth. This creates real friction among its members. And it is a dangerous situation to be in for a girl. As various options are considered such as marrying the Arden daughters off to wealthy men. Kate, of course, rejects this proposition and as she escapes to follow the path her heart wants to go, she begins to grow, learn new things and find her feet.
During World War II, Kate finds a way to leave the Estate by taking part in a volunteer program. This sends her to another part of England where she teaches children who have lost family. Her search for her mother begins here and she finds some intriguing clues. She also ends up in Venice and I found this part of the story very fascinating. It was lovely to see her artistic talent blossom in such a beautiful setting and to see her meeting artists who help her feel a sense of belonging.
The story presents another perspective: Sophia. This provides additional insight and allows us to get to know the woman Kate seeks. My heart was racing many times when she also sets out on a journey to find her daughter. The trail is a hit and miss for a while as mother and daughter pass each other at various check points. But everything comes together in a fine blend with a positive resolution that brought happy tears to my eyes.
I must not forget to mention the one they called Lady MacBeth (Contessa). She was a real Ice Queen and it was hard to imagine any chance of warmth or kindness flowing from her heart. Kate gets to see who she is and shakes her head that someone could be so cruel and uncaring of their daughter and granddaughter. It just proves how the ruthless pursuit of money and position can twist the mind of an individual and drive them to horrid ends. Wealth can become a wicked taskmaster. Yes, this woman never wanted to go back to being poor again but her endless hateful schemes brought her nothing but failure and grief.
This is a fabulous novel that left its mark on my heart. I highly recommend The Secret Daughter of Venice but be prepared to free up many hours in your day as you won’t want to set this book down until you are done! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
May 6, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Juliet Greenwood for an ARC audiobook of The Secret Daughter of Venice! I got so caught up in listening to this book that I didn't want to stop - at first I thought the pacing was a bit slow, but as the story began to unfold and more and more was revealed, the pace organically increased and I couldn't wait to just find out more. I liked that we learned more about Kate's past at the same she learns, with secrets unfolding and hints of her past slowly piecing together, even though we are occasionally getting Sofia's perspective at the same time. As Kate and Sofia start to circle each other and come so close to meeting again and again, I was gripped by excitement and anxiety - will this FINALLY be it?? I was not expecting a secret heir reveal, and I'm so glad that there was a piece that ended up being unpredictable. The "villains" of the story (Lord Arden, the Contessa) were a bit one-dimensional, but I don't think that they necessarily needed more elaboration. I thought the resolution at the end, with all of the cousins/siblings coming together to manage the Arden estate, was very satisfying. Kate gets to continue to do what she loves, which is paint, and live on her own terms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2024
Kate Arden has always felt like a misfit in the Arden family. It seems like her father hates her, but her mother tries to make things better. Before she dies, she gives Kate a book that will give her some answers about her past. When she finds some sketches in the book, they bring back memories. She knows she was brought to England on a ship, but knows nothing about her birth mother. It's 1941 and the war is raging in Europe, so Kate takes the opportunity to leave home and work in an orphans home. She eventually wants to find her mother, or at least find out who she was and why she gave her up for adoption. She finds her way to Venice and begins to learn some secrets. What she doesn't know is that Sophia, her birth mother is also looking for her.
I really liked Kate. She has a passion for art, sketching, drawing and painting. She has sold a few pictures of the seaside, but beyond that, she doesn't think she will be able to make a living with her art. When she makes her way to Venice, she meets a woman who knew her as a baby, but will not tell her anything. We know why as we read the book, but Kate doesn't. She does help her by sending her to an artists colony where she can stay and work on her art if she chooses. She remembers a woman guiding her hands as a young child, and she wants to remember. She is stubborn and won't give up. Sofia is a character that I sympathized with. Her mother was evil and had stolen her child, but she had decided that she will find her child no matter what. This was a beautifully written story, that moved slowly and allowed the reader to experience life through Kate's and Sofia's eyes. The story is written in three parts with the story switching between England and Italy. When there are two storylines that eventually come together, I often enjoy one more than the other. I think Sofia's story stole my heart, as her family and situation grabbed my heart. The setting was wonderfully described, delighting this armchair traveler. My only concern is that Kate's story was slow and plodding at times, but as the story progressed it did speed up as the two stories come together. If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend this one. There are mentions of Pompeii, digs, and artifacts found that have piqued my interest in this time. Overall, an enjoyable read in a lovely setting with interesting characters. I did a read/listen with the audiobook narrated by Hannah Curtis. She does a nice job with the various voices and accents and adds interest to the story.
I really liked Kate. She has a passion for art, sketching, drawing and painting. She has sold a few pictures of the seaside, but beyond that, she doesn't think she will be able to make a living with her art. When she makes her way to Venice, she meets a woman who knew her as a baby, but will not tell her anything. We know why as we read the book, but Kate doesn't. She does help her by sending her to an artists colony where she can stay and work on her art if she chooses. She remembers a woman guiding her hands as a young child, and she wants to remember. She is stubborn and won't give up. Sofia is a character that I sympathized with. Her mother was evil and had stolen her child, but she had decided that she will find her child no matter what. This was a beautifully written story, that moved slowly and allowed the reader to experience life through Kate's and Sofia's eyes. The story is written in three parts with the story switching between England and Italy. When there are two storylines that eventually come together, I often enjoy one more than the other. I think Sofia's story stole my heart, as her family and situation grabbed my heart. The setting was wonderfully described, delighting this armchair traveler. My only concern is that Kate's story was slow and plodding at times, but as the story progressed it did speed up as the two stories come together. If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend this one. There are mentions of Pompeii, digs, and artifacts found that have piqued my interest in this time. Overall, an enjoyable read in a lovely setting with interesting characters. I did a read/listen with the audiobook narrated by Hannah Curtis. She does a nice job with the various voices and accents and adds interest to the story.
May 25, 2024
Kate Arden has always known that she wasn't really an Arden. She had a vague memory of a life before she came to live at Brierley. Those memories are on the periphery of her brain, slight glimpses but nothing solid to grasp on to.
She also knows that she needs to get away from her home. She loves Brierley, with it's grand but crumbling house, the Roman mosaics that are just waiting to be further uncovered, and her three sisters, Rosalind, Cordelia and Bianca. But her father is domineering, determined to marry one of his daughters off to a wealthy member of the aristocracy. It actually doesn't matter which one of them really. More than anything though, she needs to pursue her passion for art.
When her Mama passed away she left each of her daughters an illustrated book of Shakespeare with the hint that there is a clue in the book for each of them.
Kate has looked through her book and could see no clues, until one day, she does find something. She finds an image of a terrace with a mountain in the background, which is something similar to one of the memories she has. She also finds a picture of Venice. What could it possibly mean?
And so Kate begins to follow a trail of clues that lead her first to Birmingham where she helps out a charity that is involved with children who have been orphaned during the war, to St Ives in Cornwall and then to Italy. Can this trail of clues help her to find out what or who she is looking for.
This is a dual storyline book, not timeline, but storyline. Whilst we follow Kate as she tries to work out what her story is, we are also following Sofia who has returned to Italy after many years of living in America. She is also searching for her true self, for the facts about what happened many years ago which prompted her to run away to America.
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April 22, 2024
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. SLIGHT SPOILERS NEXT - 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 more closure.
Overall, a really interesting historical fiction and mystery read. Thank you to Juliet Greenwood and NetGalley for the ARC!
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. SLIGHT SPOILERS NEXT - 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 more closure.
Overall, a really interesting historical fiction and mystery read. Thank you to Juliet Greenwood and NetGalley for the ARC!
May 25, 2024
In this story we meet Kate Arden, Kate has always known she’s not a true Arden, she knows her Mama wasn’t her Mama but her brothers and sisters have never treated her any different. However she still feels a longing to find out the truth surrounding her birth.
She has vague memories of travelling across the sea and then arriving at Arden House, where she is told her name is Kate and not Katerina.
As she grows older the longing to find the truth grows too, the war is on and Kate, helps orphaned and evacuated children, she eventually travels to St Ives .with some of the children and while there makes a discovery, which leads her on a quest to find the truth and hopefully her mother. Over time, as the war ends, she travels to Venice a place she has long felt drawn too. Can she find the truth?
We also meet Sophia, she has returned to Venice after many years. She is recently widowed and wants to right the wrongs of the past.
I enjoyed the narrator, and the way the story unfolded. I enjoyed listening to this and felt drawn to most of the characters. They were well written and like able.
She has vague memories of travelling across the sea and then arriving at Arden House, where she is told her name is Kate and not Katerina.
As she grows older the longing to find the truth grows too, the war is on and Kate, helps orphaned and evacuated children, she eventually travels to St Ives .with some of the children and while there makes a discovery, which leads her on a quest to find the truth and hopefully her mother. Over time, as the war ends, she travels to Venice a place she has long felt drawn too. Can she find the truth?
We also meet Sophia, she has returned to Venice after many years. She is recently widowed and wants to right the wrongs of the past.
I enjoyed the narrator, and the way the story unfolded. I enjoyed listening to this and felt drawn to most of the characters. They were well written and like able.
May 16, 2024
Kate has always felt out of place in her adoptive family. She’s felt like something is missing even though she’s given every opportunity in the aristocratic society in England. During WWII she helps with caring for orphan children which eventually brings her to Italy after the war in search of answers about who her parents were after finding sketches left behind in an abandoned cottage in the English countryside. This book was really good and I was rooting for Kate to find answers the whole story.
*4.25*
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC of this book.
*4.25*
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC of this book.
April 3, 2024
A family saga told between 1941 and 1946 following the Arden Family and the mysterious Kates parentage
WW2 is still in full swing as the storyline begins and different family members are at war whilst others keep the home fires burning. Kate wants to find out who her biological parents are but can she find this information out with a strict home life and an even stricter Grandmother The Contessa. My only criticism is that I wanted more at the end of the book. Thanks to Juliet and her publisher.
WW2 is still in full swing as the storyline begins and different family members are at war whilst others keep the home fires burning. Kate wants to find out who her biological parents are but can she find this information out with a strict home life and an even stricter Grandmother The Contessa. My only criticism is that I wanted more at the end of the book. Thanks to Juliet and her publisher.
May 9, 2024
Kate Arden has been raised in a well-known English society family, but she has always known there was something different about her origins from that of her other siblings. She has a unique passion and talent for art, and fleeting, patchwork memories of being removed from her first family as a very small child.
As World War 2 rages around her and she strives to find her place in the world while also helping out with the war effort, she sets off on a journey of self-discovery. Where did she come from, and what are her real ties to the Arden family? Is her birth mother still alive, and if so, where? All clues and instincts point towards Italy, which seems out of reach due to the rise in fascism. As the war evolves and Italy becomes accessible, Kate sets off on a quest to find answers and reunite with her birth mother.
This was a book that had me interested and hooked right away.
The book alternates between the point of view of Kate and another woman, who will be revealed as the story unfolds.
I appreciated the alternate viewpoint of Italy during WWII; this was the first novel I've read that focused on this storyline of the war.
The second half of the book felt a little stretched out, and a few "near miss" encounters had me groaning in frustration and just wishing the story would wrap itself up. Overall I give this book a solid 3.5/4 stars, and will recommend it to lovers of historical fiction. I do feel like the book would have been better if the last 1/3 of the book would have been condensed down a lot more.
I received a copy of The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
As World War 2 rages around her and she strives to find her place in the world while also helping out with the war effort, she sets off on a journey of self-discovery. Where did she come from, and what are her real ties to the Arden family? Is her birth mother still alive, and if so, where? All clues and instincts point towards Italy, which seems out of reach due to the rise in fascism. As the war evolves and Italy becomes accessible, Kate sets off on a quest to find answers and reunite with her birth mother.
This was a book that had me interested and hooked right away.
The book alternates between the point of view of Kate and another woman, who will be revealed as the story unfolds.
I appreciated the alternate viewpoint of Italy during WWII; this was the first novel I've read that focused on this storyline of the war.
The second half of the book felt a little stretched out, and a few "near miss" encounters had me groaning in frustration and just wishing the story would wrap itself up. Overall I give this book a solid 3.5/4 stars, and will recommend it to lovers of historical fiction. I do feel like the book would have been better if the last 1/3 of the book would have been condensed down a lot more.
I received a copy of The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
May 24, 2024
This book is told in dual timelines. Sophie is looking for her daughter and Kate is searching for her mother.
It’s a nice descriptive book. I found Kate’s story more interesting. I did think the story was a bit wordy at times. I do think historical fiction fans will enjoy this book.
It’s a nice descriptive book. I found Kate’s story more interesting. I did think the story was a bit wordy at times. I do think historical fiction fans will enjoy this book.
March 15, 2024
England 1941: Kate Arden has spent most of her life with her brothers and sisters in the family estate of Arden. She has always felt that she was an outsider, that her family was not really her family and when she discovers a secret stash of drawings hidden in an old book, her breath catches as she 'remembers' being torn from loving arms when she was a child. Kate has dreams of a time in Italy, of a villa with grape vines and the warmth of the love of a mother. Even in a time of war, she vows to go to Italy to find her true parents and to find out who she really is.
Kate discovers, through people who care for her, a part of her story...her dreams or memories make her determined to find out the truth. To help with the war effort, Kate, in the company of friends, travels with children orphaned and displaced by the bombing in London to the countryside in Cornwall. In the grounds of the castle where they are staying, Kate discovers a small, deserted cottage which gives her more clues to her past.
I loved this story by Juliet Greenwood. The family dynamic is interesting and encourages the reader to follow the dreams and hopes of not just one person, but several. I loved the characters, both good and not so good, the family mystery and Kate's journey to Cornwall and eventually to Italy.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful story prior to the book's release.
Kate discovers, through people who care for her, a part of her story...her dreams or memories make her determined to find out the truth. To help with the war effort, Kate, in the company of friends, travels with children orphaned and displaced by the bombing in London to the countryside in Cornwall. In the grounds of the castle where they are staying, Kate discovers a small, deserted cottage which gives her more clues to her past.
I loved this story by Juliet Greenwood. The family dynamic is interesting and encourages the reader to follow the dreams and hopes of not just one person, but several. I loved the characters, both good and not so good, the family mystery and Kate's journey to Cornwall and eventually to Italy.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful story prior to the book's release.
March 11, 2024
It was a nice easy story, just a bit too predictable for me. I was not fully convinced by the characterization. Kate was a bit too negative about her place in her adopted family. It did not work with the apparent relationships she had with her siblings and step-mother. Repetitions of the same thoughts or events appeared a bit too often. I also wish we had been given more details about the work with the children. I found it interesting though to read about the archeological details.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
April 13, 2024
Set during WWII, The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood has wonderful descriptions of Venice, the waterways, the culture, and the art. It also discusses the eruption of Pompeii and the destruction of the war. There are two main characters Kate and Sofia. Kate remembers parts of her past and that the mother of her siblings isn't her other. She longs to find her true heritage, but the war inconveniently intervenes. Sofia, Kate's biological mother, is searching for Kate and risks the dangers of war to travel various places.
I felt the plot was predictable and the characters were not easily engaging for the reader. The last part of the book was the best to me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I felt the plot was predictable and the characters were not easily engaging for the reader. The last part of the book was the best to me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 4, 2024
This one ticked all the boxes for me. Historical fiction and an elusive mystery, set during and after World War 2., with a very likeable strong female character. Kate Arden doesn’t want to get married and take on that female role, she has painting in her heart. As her feelings of never quite belonging and her desire to find out more about her background strengthen, she accumulates clues, however, the start of the war impacts her life. The stories of her time looking after children who were bombed and evacuated were really interesting. After the war, the truth gradually comes out, despite the attempts of a couple of villains to thwart this. I enjoyed the characters and the way the pieces of the mystery fitted together, and I hope to read more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC to read and give an honest review of.
May 21, 2024
To fight for her future, she must solve the mystery of her past...
So this is my second read by Juliet Greenwood, my first having been "The Ferryman's Daughter" which I absolutely loved! Unfortunately, anything that followed had big shoes to fill in that respect and unfortunately, this one just didn't live up to my expectations. I really struggle with any story set in and around Italy and during the war. I can read them set in Britain, France or even Germany but for some reason I struggle with Italy. Maybe it's the language and pronunciations of places and names, I don't know, but then I would have that problem with Germany since I don't read German either. I don't know but I struggled with this story. Even moreso because it runs on from "The Shakespeare Sisters" which came before it and I haven't read. Although I do believe both books are standalones in themselves but they do feature some of the same characters. Namely the Ardens and Arden House.
This story however, was about Kate. She is something of a ring-in with the village with her olive complexion and jet black hair. She didn't look like the other Arden children and yet she was brought up alongside them as one of them. It is this that makes Kate always feel like the odd one out in the family. Kate has three sisters - Rosalind, Cordelia and Bianca - the first two having been banished by their father for some such slight as not accepting the hand of some local gentry which is pretty much a woman's lot. She also has two brothers Will and Jamie who are away fighting the enemy. But with her Italian looks, doesn't that make her an enemy also?
Kate works alongside the land girls digging for victory in their garden, growing vegetables to feed the nation and whatnot, when she unearths what appears to be an old Roman artefact. She takes it off to Miss Parsons, the local school teacher who also runs the museum, but Kate knows her brother Jamie will love the artefact. Miss Parsons however gives her a book of Shakespeare sonnets left to each of the girls by their late mother, looking for something that is to allude to her future. After much fruitless searching and Miss Parsons' encouragement not to give up, Kate comes across a collection of sketches which immediately brings back flashes of memories. A woman, a boat and learning to draw.
Kate is a talented artist but her father wouldn't allow her study art instead wanting her to marry well and keep Arden House in the family. But in these flashes of memories, she sees a woman who taught her to draw. Who is she? Is this her long lost mother?
Sofia Armstrong returns to Venice after twenty years just as the war has broken out in Europe. Her own mother has fled leaving her maid Magdalena. But Sofia is on a mission. She wants to find her daughter. The one who was stolen away from her two decades before and she has no idea where she is now. How will she find her?
We are taken on an emotion journey but it is rather long filled with unpronounceable names and I could visualise myself on the canals of Venice, sadly. The closest I could get was a 1980s Madonna dancing in a gondola, wearing a wedding dress and dipping beneath the bridges across the canal whilst singing "Like a Virgin".
Nevertheless, it is an engrossing read for one who is enraptured by the surroundings and the language but I felt something of a WiFi signal blocker preventing me from feeling all that the reader is meant to feel.
I would read her again, as I loved "The Ferryman's Daughter" so I know how the author can capture my heart. But this one was just not for me,
I would like to thank #JulietGreenwood, #Netgalley, #StormPublishing and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheSecretDaughterOfVenice in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
So this is my second read by Juliet Greenwood, my first having been "The Ferryman's Daughter" which I absolutely loved! Unfortunately, anything that followed had big shoes to fill in that respect and unfortunately, this one just didn't live up to my expectations. I really struggle with any story set in and around Italy and during the war. I can read them set in Britain, France or even Germany but for some reason I struggle with Italy. Maybe it's the language and pronunciations of places and names, I don't know, but then I would have that problem with Germany since I don't read German either. I don't know but I struggled with this story. Even moreso because it runs on from "The Shakespeare Sisters" which came before it and I haven't read. Although I do believe both books are standalones in themselves but they do feature some of the same characters. Namely the Ardens and Arden House.
This story however, was about Kate. She is something of a ring-in with the village with her olive complexion and jet black hair. She didn't look like the other Arden children and yet she was brought up alongside them as one of them. It is this that makes Kate always feel like the odd one out in the family. Kate has three sisters - Rosalind, Cordelia and Bianca - the first two having been banished by their father for some such slight as not accepting the hand of some local gentry which is pretty much a woman's lot. She also has two brothers Will and Jamie who are away fighting the enemy. But with her Italian looks, doesn't that make her an enemy also?
Kate works alongside the land girls digging for victory in their garden, growing vegetables to feed the nation and whatnot, when she unearths what appears to be an old Roman artefact. She takes it off to Miss Parsons, the local school teacher who also runs the museum, but Kate knows her brother Jamie will love the artefact. Miss Parsons however gives her a book of Shakespeare sonnets left to each of the girls by their late mother, looking for something that is to allude to her future. After much fruitless searching and Miss Parsons' encouragement not to give up, Kate comes across a collection of sketches which immediately brings back flashes of memories. A woman, a boat and learning to draw.
Kate is a talented artist but her father wouldn't allow her study art instead wanting her to marry well and keep Arden House in the family. But in these flashes of memories, she sees a woman who taught her to draw. Who is she? Is this her long lost mother?
Sofia Armstrong returns to Venice after twenty years just as the war has broken out in Europe. Her own mother has fled leaving her maid Magdalena. But Sofia is on a mission. She wants to find her daughter. The one who was stolen away from her two decades before and she has no idea where she is now. How will she find her?
We are taken on an emotion journey but it is rather long filled with unpronounceable names and I could visualise myself on the canals of Venice, sadly. The closest I could get was a 1980s Madonna dancing in a gondola, wearing a wedding dress and dipping beneath the bridges across the canal whilst singing "Like a Virgin".
Nevertheless, it is an engrossing read for one who is enraptured by the surroundings and the language but I felt something of a WiFi signal blocker preventing me from feeling all that the reader is meant to feel.
I would read her again, as I loved "The Ferryman's Daughter" so I know how the author can capture my heart. But this one was just not for me,
I would like to thank #JulietGreenwood, #Netgalley, #StormPublishing and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheSecretDaughterOfVenice in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
May 19, 2024
This review is being posted as part of the The Secret Daughter Of Venice blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.
The Secret Daughter Of Venice is the latest enchanting novel from historical fiction author Juliet Greenwood. Her last novel The Last Train From Paris was one of my standout reads from 2023 so I was eagerly anticipating the release of her next novel and it certainly did not disappoint.
Exploring themes such as identity, family and belonging, we follow Kate Arden as she tries to piece together her identity using the few memories she has of her life in Italy before she was sent to be raised in England. She also discovers that her birth mother has left her clues within a Shakespeare book and Kate uses these to help her discover who she is and where she belongs, after growing up feeling different to the rest of her family.
The Secret Daughter Of Venice is perfect for readers who are looking for a generally lighter historical read. Anyone who likes a good historical mystery will also enjoy following Kate’s journey and trying to piece together all of the clues as they are slowly uncovered. I was kept guessing throughout the story and thought the ending tied everything together really nicely.
Our story is split into three parts, with chapters set in both England and Italy, during and in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. I particularly loved the chapters set in Naples and Venice as Juliet Greenwood’s captivating storytelling really made the Italian settings come alive on the page. With most WW2 fiction ending in 1945, it was really interesting to have the third part of the book set in 1946 to see how both Italy and England were recovering after the war. I also loved the vivid descriptions of Cornwall and exploring Kate’s work with the child evacuees.
Kate was a fantastic strong female protagonist. I particularly loved the feminist aspect to the story through her and her sisters’ refusal to marry men picked out by their father and have their lives controlled by a husband, even if it was the ‘done thing’ in the 1940s. Connecting Kate and her birth mother was a passion for art and through them we got to explore communities of female artists which existed in pre and post war Europe, which was really interesting.
Sofia was another brilliant strong female character. I loved how similar Kate and Sofia’s voices were within the story, showing the similarities between mother and daughter. The Contessa was a fantastically written antagonist whose story I thought would make a fantastic book in itself. She was cold, cruel and uncaring; completely opposite in character to what you’d expect from a grandmother.
Overall, The Secret Pianist is a powerful and easy read for fans of historical fiction. It has further cemented Juliet Greenwood’s place as a real must-read author for me within historical fiction.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I have posted my review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk
*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published are completely honest and my own, and are in no way influenced by the gifting opportunity. Thank you to Juliet Greenwood, Rachel’s Random Resources and NetGalley.
The Secret Daughter Of Venice is the latest enchanting novel from historical fiction author Juliet Greenwood. Her last novel The Last Train From Paris was one of my standout reads from 2023 so I was eagerly anticipating the release of her next novel and it certainly did not disappoint.
Exploring themes such as identity, family and belonging, we follow Kate Arden as she tries to piece together her identity using the few memories she has of her life in Italy before she was sent to be raised in England. She also discovers that her birth mother has left her clues within a Shakespeare book and Kate uses these to help her discover who she is and where she belongs, after growing up feeling different to the rest of her family.
The Secret Daughter Of Venice is perfect for readers who are looking for a generally lighter historical read. Anyone who likes a good historical mystery will also enjoy following Kate’s journey and trying to piece together all of the clues as they are slowly uncovered. I was kept guessing throughout the story and thought the ending tied everything together really nicely.
Our story is split into three parts, with chapters set in both England and Italy, during and in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. I particularly loved the chapters set in Naples and Venice as Juliet Greenwood’s captivating storytelling really made the Italian settings come alive on the page. With most WW2 fiction ending in 1945, it was really interesting to have the third part of the book set in 1946 to see how both Italy and England were recovering after the war. I also loved the vivid descriptions of Cornwall and exploring Kate’s work with the child evacuees.
Kate was a fantastic strong female protagonist. I particularly loved the feminist aspect to the story through her and her sisters’ refusal to marry men picked out by their father and have their lives controlled by a husband, even if it was the ‘done thing’ in the 1940s. Connecting Kate and her birth mother was a passion for art and through them we got to explore communities of female artists which existed in pre and post war Europe, which was really interesting.
Sofia was another brilliant strong female character. I loved how similar Kate and Sofia’s voices were within the story, showing the similarities between mother and daughter. The Contessa was a fantastically written antagonist whose story I thought would make a fantastic book in itself. She was cold, cruel and uncaring; completely opposite in character to what you’d expect from a grandmother.
Overall, The Secret Pianist is a powerful and easy read for fans of historical fiction. It has further cemented Juliet Greenwood’s place as a real must-read author for me within historical fiction.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I have posted my review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk
*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published are completely honest and my own, and are in no way influenced by the gifting opportunity. Thank you to Juliet Greenwood, Rachel’s Random Resources and NetGalley.
May 25, 2024
An engaging and compelling story with a mystery at its core, quite beautifully told, and with the most wonderfully drawn strong female characters and a range of enticing locations – my goodness I enjoyed this one!
Kate has never felt that she belonged with the aristocratic family who brought her up near Stratford-upon-Avon, and the threat of a convenient marriage and the discovery of some drawings in the spine of a volume of poetry hidden by her birth mother set her on a path to self discovery. First, she needs to escape – and, with the help of a friend, finds fulfilment caring for wartime evacuee children at a castle near St Ives in Cornwall. But her search is destined to take her to Italy – first to Naples, then to Venice and the island of Burano, where the pieces begin to fall into place as she slowly uncovers the secrets of her past. But her mother has also been on a difficult personal journey, betrayed by her family and surviving the dangers of the wartime fascist regime in the hope that her life too can follow a different path.
The settings are quite wonderfully described – this is writing that makes you feel present in the moment, whether in Kate’s childhood home, standing on the rim of a smoking Vesuvius, walking Pompeii’s ruins, and especially wandering the alleyways of Venice. I particularly enjoyed the time spent at the community of female artists – a feature in both women’s stories at different times, sharing the same passion. The historical period was also perfectly captured – the social landscape in 1940s rural England, and the rarely seen aftermath of wartime privation in Italy.
And then there are the women. Both Kate and her mother Sofia are particularly sympathetic and well drawn characters, but there’s also a very intriguing supporting cast. Kate’s grandmother, the Contessa, really is evil personified – but with a back story that’s entirely fascinating. Servant Magdalena is an equally complex character, ultimately showing the unexpected kindness that helps the women complete their search. And I also very much liked Miss Parsons, the village schoolmistress who had nurtured Kate’s artistic talents, passed on her mother’s legacy (while keeping a few secrets that weren’t hers to share), and played a significant part in facilitating her escape from her father’s control.
I will mention that this book follows on from The Shakespeare Sisters – which I hadn’t read, and that perhaps made getting a handle on Kate’s family relationships and history in Brierley-on-Arden a little more difficult at first – but I had no real problem catching up, and no-one would have any problem reading this book as a standalone. It’s such a powerful read, a story that explores the limits society imposed on women, the complications of family, the theme of belonging, and the importance of establishing your own identity – but it’s also a compelling mystery, with a conclusion that’s both emotional and wholly satisfying. I very much enjoyed it – and it’s a book I’d very much recommend to others.
Kate has never felt that she belonged with the aristocratic family who brought her up near Stratford-upon-Avon, and the threat of a convenient marriage and the discovery of some drawings in the spine of a volume of poetry hidden by her birth mother set her on a path to self discovery. First, she needs to escape – and, with the help of a friend, finds fulfilment caring for wartime evacuee children at a castle near St Ives in Cornwall. But her search is destined to take her to Italy – first to Naples, then to Venice and the island of Burano, where the pieces begin to fall into place as she slowly uncovers the secrets of her past. But her mother has also been on a difficult personal journey, betrayed by her family and surviving the dangers of the wartime fascist regime in the hope that her life too can follow a different path.
The settings are quite wonderfully described – this is writing that makes you feel present in the moment, whether in Kate’s childhood home, standing on the rim of a smoking Vesuvius, walking Pompeii’s ruins, and especially wandering the alleyways of Venice. I particularly enjoyed the time spent at the community of female artists – a feature in both women’s stories at different times, sharing the same passion. The historical period was also perfectly captured – the social landscape in 1940s rural England, and the rarely seen aftermath of wartime privation in Italy.
And then there are the women. Both Kate and her mother Sofia are particularly sympathetic and well drawn characters, but there’s also a very intriguing supporting cast. Kate’s grandmother, the Contessa, really is evil personified – but with a back story that’s entirely fascinating. Servant Magdalena is an equally complex character, ultimately showing the unexpected kindness that helps the women complete their search. And I also very much liked Miss Parsons, the village schoolmistress who had nurtured Kate’s artistic talents, passed on her mother’s legacy (while keeping a few secrets that weren’t hers to share), and played a significant part in facilitating her escape from her father’s control.
I will mention that this book follows on from The Shakespeare Sisters – which I hadn’t read, and that perhaps made getting a handle on Kate’s family relationships and history in Brierley-on-Arden a little more difficult at first – but I had no real problem catching up, and no-one would have any problem reading this book as a standalone. It’s such a powerful read, a story that explores the limits society imposed on women, the complications of family, the theme of belonging, and the importance of establishing your own identity – but it’s also a compelling mystery, with a conclusion that’s both emotional and wholly satisfying. I very much enjoyed it – and it’s a book I’d very much recommend to others.
May 20, 2024
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and Juliet Hardwood for the NetGalley ARC! A shoutout to Hannah Curtis for the captivating narration.
This is my first time listening an audiobook, and it was narratef with a british accent. While English isn't my first language and british accent isn't my strongest area but I gradually adapted and ended up really enjoying it.
"The Secret Daughter of Venice" tells the story of estranged mother, Sophia Armstrong, and daughter, Kate Arden, on a parallel journey to find each other amidst the drama of World War II. Their paths are winding and long, but ultimately culminate in a happy reunion for both.
The narrator's vivid descriptions bring every scene to life, making me feel the emotions even through the audiobook format. The story doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of war, with a couple of devastating scenes that evoked fear and trepidation in me. Fair warning for those sensitive to war violence. However, this portrayal is crucial. It emphasizes the war's impact on civilians, a message worth highlighting. The journey is packed with suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat, but ultimately delivers a satisfying conclusion.
Hannah Curtis' narration elevates the experience. Her perfect pacing and intonation bring the excellent writing to life. Each character, regardless of background – British, Italian, male, female, young, or old – is distinctly portrayed, allowing for clear visualization. The crystal-clear audio quality further enhances the listening experience.
History fans of emotional family dramas will find themselves captivated by "The Secret Daughter of Venice." This historical fiction is packed with both heart-wrenching moments and a compelling narrative that keeps you turning the pages.
This is my first time listening an audiobook, and it was narratef with a british accent. While English isn't my first language and british accent isn't my strongest area but I gradually adapted and ended up really enjoying it.
"The Secret Daughter of Venice" tells the story of estranged mother, Sophia Armstrong, and daughter, Kate Arden, on a parallel journey to find each other amidst the drama of World War II. Their paths are winding and long, but ultimately culminate in a happy reunion for both.
The narrator's vivid descriptions bring every scene to life, making me feel the emotions even through the audiobook format. The story doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of war, with a couple of devastating scenes that evoked fear and trepidation in me. Fair warning for those sensitive to war violence. However, this portrayal is crucial. It emphasizes the war's impact on civilians, a message worth highlighting. The journey is packed with suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat, but ultimately delivers a satisfying conclusion.
Hannah Curtis' narration elevates the experience. Her perfect pacing and intonation bring the excellent writing to life. Each character, regardless of background – British, Italian, male, female, young, or old – is distinctly portrayed, allowing for clear visualization. The crystal-clear audio quality further enhances the listening experience.
History fans of emotional family dramas will find themselves captivated by "The Secret Daughter of Venice." This historical fiction is packed with both heart-wrenching moments and a compelling narrative that keeps you turning the pages.
May 6, 2024
This story takes place, for the most part, during World War 2 in England. Kate lives at Arden House, her family home, but feels something is missing. Her papa is not approachable. Her step mom is not much help. Her brothers and sisters have left her alone. Kate must rely on Mrs. Parsons from the village for guidance.
The Secret Daughter of Venice is riddled with mystery. Kate will have to leave in order to solve the truth of her mother. She has clues that had been left for her teasing her memories. She has memories of a different country. She has memories of drawing with a woman. She remembers sailing on a boat across the water. All of these memories will have to wait. With the war raging; it must all be put aside.
Kate finds her escape from Arden House. She travels to Cornwall to help with evacuated children. They arrive at Tregannon Castle, a place known for catering to women artists. Kate is getting closer to discovering the truth, but someone is doing what they can to stop her.
Kate does not give up. She is soon unraveling her story but pieces are missing. Little did she know, as she was searching for her mother, her mother was searching for her. Between the two of them they unravel the past, and it isn't pretty.
The Secret Daughter of Venice is not just a story of WW2. It is a reminder that no matter what is happening in the world, greed still influences. There are people that only care about their own interests. They do not care who is hurt as long as they get their way. The suspense and mystery had me hoping for a happily ever after.
The Secret Daughter of Venice is riddled with mystery. Kate will have to leave in order to solve the truth of her mother. She has clues that had been left for her teasing her memories. She has memories of a different country. She has memories of drawing with a woman. She remembers sailing on a boat across the water. All of these memories will have to wait. With the war raging; it must all be put aside.
Kate finds her escape from Arden House. She travels to Cornwall to help with evacuated children. They arrive at Tregannon Castle, a place known for catering to women artists. Kate is getting closer to discovering the truth, but someone is doing what they can to stop her.
Kate does not give up. She is soon unraveling her story but pieces are missing. Little did she know, as she was searching for her mother, her mother was searching for her. Between the two of them they unravel the past, and it isn't pretty.
The Secret Daughter of Venice is not just a story of WW2. It is a reminder that no matter what is happening in the world, greed still influences. There are people that only care about their own interests. They do not care who is hurt as long as they get their way. The suspense and mystery had me hoping for a happily ever after.
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