Book Review - The Floating Venice Bookshop by Annabel French - #HolidayReading Dom Rep

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Title: The Floating Venice Bookshop

Author: Annabel French

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 12th February 2026

Rating: 4 Stars

Can a bookshop bring two hearts together?

Beth loves everything about living in Venice. The meandering canals and the cobbled streets have captured her heart, so when she loses her job and fears she’ll have to return to England, she’s devastated.

When she stumbles upon a book barge for sale, it seems like fate. Beth has always dreamed of opening a bookshop that combines her two passions: art and books. She just needs to be brave enough to take the leap.

Enter Marco, a gorgeous, passionate Venetian art promoter. Their chemistry is instant and electric, but Beth needs Marco’s local knowledge to launch her business and the last thing she wants is a distraction. However, as they work together, it becomes clear how hard it is to ignore the sparks flying between them.

The closer they become, the more their attraction grows. Soon, they will have to choose: should they face their fears and give love a chance? Or walk away forever?

A heartwarming, escapist romance, perfect for fans of Julie Caplin and Cressida McLaughlin.

I'm really enjoying Annabel French's floating shop series.  I love escaping to new locations via a book, and these books are hitting all the right notes for me. 

This one is set in Venice, and Beth who tends to be a planner in most of her life, suddenly starts making life changing decisions based on gut instinct. 

And this change of approach leads her to buying The book barge, despite never having worked in a bookshop before. 

But she is a massive book lover, and thus, she knows what could be done to make this barge reach its full potential. 

Well with a little help from her friend Cesca, and her new friend Cesca's brother, the smoking hot Marco. 

I enjoyed seeing how Beth and Marco's connection started to grow, both professionally and personally. 

And I loved getting to know Venice through Beth's eyes, in addition learning more bout the city during Carnevale. 

This was a highly enjoyable story, that kept me interested throughout. 

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.