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Bookish Escapes #1
The Dubrovnik Book Club
In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins…Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson’s life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.
But when their first book club pick – an engrossing cosy crime – inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group’s heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine…
Readers can’t get enough of Eva Glyn’s writing gets better and better. I love this book.’ USA Today bestselling author Angela Petch
'Another beautiful book from Eva Glyn. Captivating, poignant and wise, I absolutely loved it.’ Kitty Wilson
‘A warm and compelling story filled with sensory detail and emotion.’ bestselling author Rosanna Ley
'A touching story about friendship, the power of books to bring people together, and finding the courage to live fully and truthfully.’ Luisa Andreou-Jones
'I found myself sneaking away at all hours of the day to read a little more and was totally wrapped up in their stories.’ Jayne Hall
'Makes me want to join every book club I can find!’ Reader review
'This is Eva Glyn's best book yet. Written with a light touch, it will make you feel that you’re sitting at a table on the pavement outside the local cafe, watching events unfold. A book to be treasured.’ Bestselling author of The Railway Girls series, Maisie Thomas
'A story to savour, complete with a magical Croatian setting.’ Reader review
But when their first book club pick – an engrossing cosy crime – inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group’s heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine…
Readers can’t get enough of Eva Glyn’s writing gets better and better. I love this book.’ USA Today bestselling author Angela Petch
'Another beautiful book from Eva Glyn. Captivating, poignant and wise, I absolutely loved it.’ Kitty Wilson
‘A warm and compelling story filled with sensory detail and emotion.’ bestselling author Rosanna Ley
'A touching story about friendship, the power of books to bring people together, and finding the courage to live fully and truthfully.’ Luisa Andreou-Jones
'I found myself sneaking away at all hours of the day to read a little more and was totally wrapped up in their stories.’ Jayne Hall
'Makes me want to join every book club I can find!’ Reader review
'This is Eva Glyn's best book yet. Written with a light touch, it will make you feel that you’re sitting at a table on the pavement outside the local cafe, watching events unfold. A book to be treasured.’ Bestselling author of The Railway Girls series, Maisie Thomas
'A story to savour, complete with a magical Croatian setting.’ Reader review
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2024
279 people are currently reading
940 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
August 5, 2024
EXCERPT: Claire did not let Luna down. Once everyone was settled she welcomed them warmly, her voice shaking only a tiny, tiny bit.
'Good evening. I am Claire Thomson and I'm the manager of The Welcoming Bookshop. It really is wonderful to see you all and I hope, through the books we read, we will become friends. In a moment I'm going to ask you all to introduce yourselves and tell us about what you like to read, but in the meantime I'm going to explain the club's rules.'
Rules? They hadn't said anything about rules. what the hell was she on about? This was meant to be fun. Luna was about to fold her arms in front of her but stopped just in time. Claire was smiling.
'There is just one rule; a simple one. As its name implies, this shop is for everyone and so is the book club, so all I ask is that you leave any prejudices you may have about people and their reading choices outside. Let's learn from each other.'
There was a murmur of agreement. Luna wriggled more comfortably into her chair. It was going to be all right.
ABOUT THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB': In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins…Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson’s life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.
But when their first book club pick – an engrossing cosy crime – inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group’s heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine…
MY THOUGHTS: I wanted to fall in love with The Dubrovnik Book Club, but it just didn't happen.
I found it difficult to connect with the characters. It seemed every main character had some form of PTSD - Claire from Long Covid; Luna from denying her sexual orientation; Vedran because of a missing person/alleged murder case; and Karmela from fleeing the war in Sarajevo with her parents. There was just too much going on for any one thread to be explored properly and done justice.
I thought Karmela's research into the history of the Ragusan women was interesting and I would have liked to have seen this more fully developed.
The same can be said for the disappearance of Vedran's girlfriend. There was a whole story there that was not fully explored.
Although there was a lot going on, too much as I said, a lot of it is dealt with very superficially. I love a read where I can get my teeth into it and, although I loved both the setting and the history, The Dubrovnik Book Club failed to draw me in.
An average read which would have been better as four separate books. I did appreciate the glossary of Croatian words/expressions used throughout the book.
⭐⭐.5
#NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.
Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and has been lucky enough to have been married to the love of her life for more than twenty-five years. She also writes as Jane Cable.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Dubrovnik Books Club by Eva Glyn for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Good evening. I am Claire Thomson and I'm the manager of The Welcoming Bookshop. It really is wonderful to see you all and I hope, through the books we read, we will become friends. In a moment I'm going to ask you all to introduce yourselves and tell us about what you like to read, but in the meantime I'm going to explain the club's rules.'
Rules? They hadn't said anything about rules. what the hell was she on about? This was meant to be fun. Luna was about to fold her arms in front of her but stopped just in time. Claire was smiling.
'There is just one rule; a simple one. As its name implies, this shop is for everyone and so is the book club, so all I ask is that you leave any prejudices you may have about people and their reading choices outside. Let's learn from each other.'
There was a murmur of agreement. Luna wriggled more comfortably into her chair. It was going to be all right.
ABOUT THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB': In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins…Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson’s life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.
But when their first book club pick – an engrossing cosy crime – inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group’s heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine…
MY THOUGHTS: I wanted to fall in love with The Dubrovnik Book Club, but it just didn't happen.
I found it difficult to connect with the characters. It seemed every main character had some form of PTSD - Claire from Long Covid; Luna from denying her sexual orientation; Vedran because of a missing person/alleged murder case; and Karmela from fleeing the war in Sarajevo with her parents. There was just too much going on for any one thread to be explored properly and done justice.
I thought Karmela's research into the history of the Ragusan women was interesting and I would have liked to have seen this more fully developed.
The same can be said for the disappearance of Vedran's girlfriend. There was a whole story there that was not fully explored.
Although there was a lot going on, too much as I said, a lot of it is dealt with very superficially. I love a read where I can get my teeth into it and, although I loved both the setting and the history, The Dubrovnik Book Club failed to draw me in.
An average read which would have been better as four separate books. I did appreciate the glossary of Croatian words/expressions used throughout the book.
⭐⭐.5
#NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.
Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and has been lucky enough to have been married to the love of her life for more than twenty-five years. She also writes as Jane Cable.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Dubrovnik Books Club by Eva Glyn for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 7, 2024
Claire Thomson goes to stay with her grandparents in Dubrovnik, in Southern Croatia. Simeon the owner needs someone to run the tiny bookshop on the cobbled streets in historic Old Town and he employs Claire. She has been suffering from long Covid, she’s over it now but the mentally it took it's toll and she lost her job in London. Claire's turned into a germaphobe, she worries about being in crowds and small places.
When her co-worker Luna tells her about the book club, in the tiny shop and it freaks her out, but she doesn’t want to let the owner, Luna and the people who have signed up down. The Dubrovnik Book Club is made up of a couple of university students, her gran and her best friend, her cousin Vedran, Luna and Karmela a history professor. Claire has to pick the book, and lead the discussion and the first one is a crime story and Luna becomes invested in solving a mysterious cold case.
The members of the book club all become good friends, Claire wasn’t expecting this to happen, it creates a safe place, Luna who’s gay and is too scared to tell her religious parents comes out and Karmela, who escaped the war as a child in Sarajevo and she lets down her walls, Claire has to face her fear of Covid and Vedran the speculation around his girlfriend disappearing and was he responsible?
I received a copy of The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn from HarperCollins UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What an incredible book, I couldn’t swipe the pages fast enough and I how did I know so little about Croatia? The main theme of the narrative is about the historic bookshop and reading, what each person gets out of the book they read and the discussion around it and the topics they explore.
Croatia is a fascinating place, the city of Dubrovnik, especially the old part of town which is a world heritage site and while reading the novel you feel like you’re walking the ancient streets, and it mentions the culture, food and coffee, and the Dubrovnik Defenders. Social issues are included in the story, like being gay and coming out and forms of domestic violence and people suffering from PTSD, how catching Covid can be really scary for some of us and I must admit this scenario really hit home with me.
A wonderful mixture of diverse and interesting characters, I won’t forget them, their struggles, brave decisions and friendships made and how the others backed them. Five stars, Ms. Glyn nailed it, one of the best books I have read so far this year and I highly recommend.
When her co-worker Luna tells her about the book club, in the tiny shop and it freaks her out, but she doesn’t want to let the owner, Luna and the people who have signed up down. The Dubrovnik Book Club is made up of a couple of university students, her gran and her best friend, her cousin Vedran, Luna and Karmela a history professor. Claire has to pick the book, and lead the discussion and the first one is a crime story and Luna becomes invested in solving a mysterious cold case.
The members of the book club all become good friends, Claire wasn’t expecting this to happen, it creates a safe place, Luna who’s gay and is too scared to tell her religious parents comes out and Karmela, who escaped the war as a child in Sarajevo and she lets down her walls, Claire has to face her fear of Covid and Vedran the speculation around his girlfriend disappearing and was he responsible?
I received a copy of The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn from HarperCollins UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What an incredible book, I couldn’t swipe the pages fast enough and I how did I know so little about Croatia? The main theme of the narrative is about the historic bookshop and reading, what each person gets out of the book they read and the discussion around it and the topics they explore.
Croatia is a fascinating place, the city of Dubrovnik, especially the old part of town which is a world heritage site and while reading the novel you feel like you’re walking the ancient streets, and it mentions the culture, food and coffee, and the Dubrovnik Defenders. Social issues are included in the story, like being gay and coming out and forms of domestic violence and people suffering from PTSD, how catching Covid can be really scary for some of us and I must admit this scenario really hit home with me.
A wonderful mixture of diverse and interesting characters, I won’t forget them, their struggles, brave decisions and friendships made and how the others backed them. Five stars, Ms. Glyn nailed it, one of the best books I have read so far this year and I highly recommend.
January 12, 2024
In January 2022, Claire Thomson travels to Dubrovnik to stay with her grandparents for a while to help her recover from long Covid. She has worked in Foyles in London, so is a great fit for a job in the Welcoming Bookshop, helping the owner whose wife is ill and she’s to work alongside Luna. Sadly, the bookshop is struggling financially and so they form a book club, hoping to encourage more custom in the slacker winter months. A small, disparate group attends, each with issues of various kinds. Luna herself carries a burden, there’s Karmela, a professor visiting from Zagreb, who has a difficult past in Sarajevo and there’s Claire’s cousin, Vedran. Claire and Luna become committed to wanting to help him by solving the mystery of what happens to his girlfriend Didi Kelmendi, who has disappeared whilst swimming. A huge cloud hangs over Vedran who has suffered much social media toxicity amongst the suspicion. So, there’s plenty going on in this book club in glorious Dubrovnik.
For me, the star of the show is Dubrovnik and I’m transported back there. I recall being very upset as I watched the footage of this stunning historic city being bombarded in the war of the early 1990s and became desperate to visit once peace has established itself and I fell asleep n love with the place. The atmosphere jumps from the pages, there’s a lot here on its recent and less recent history and I enjoy this as you can see signs of what has happened everywhere and so it’s highly relevant. There’s also a good sense of the culture which makes me want to revisit. There are other other elements too that are good, the mystery of Didi and the relationship with Vedran is immersive and it also touches on some heartbreaking issues such as loss and the attitudes towards the LGBTQ community. However, it’s chiefly a novel about friendship and about how books can bring people together and in this case of quest to save a bookshop that they grow to love. The friendship angle is very well done as it as at times it is both touching and poignant.
I do think the book is over long though, and because of this at times, I find the storytelling falls a bit flat. I’m not keen either on the Covid angle, but that’s a personal feeling as I wish to move on from it despite its continuing presence. Whilst I cannot say the ending is predictable, what I can say is that it’s not especially surprising.
When I started this book, I was unaware that it is part of a series, but the author does a good job as it can be read as a standalone. I dare say readers who have already enjoyed the previous books may have enjoyed this a bit more than I have.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
For me, the star of the show is Dubrovnik and I’m transported back there. I recall being very upset as I watched the footage of this stunning historic city being bombarded in the war of the early 1990s and became desperate to visit once peace has established itself and I fell asleep n love with the place. The atmosphere jumps from the pages, there’s a lot here on its recent and less recent history and I enjoy this as you can see signs of what has happened everywhere and so it’s highly relevant. There’s also a good sense of the culture which makes me want to revisit. There are other other elements too that are good, the mystery of Didi and the relationship with Vedran is immersive and it also touches on some heartbreaking issues such as loss and the attitudes towards the LGBTQ community. However, it’s chiefly a novel about friendship and about how books can bring people together and in this case of quest to save a bookshop that they grow to love. The friendship angle is very well done as it as at times it is both touching and poignant.
I do think the book is over long though, and because of this at times, I find the storytelling falls a bit flat. I’m not keen either on the Covid angle, but that’s a personal feeling as I wish to move on from it despite its continuing presence. Whilst I cannot say the ending is predictable, what I can say is that it’s not especially surprising.
When I started this book, I was unaware that it is part of a series, but the author does a good job as it can be read as a standalone. I dare say readers who have already enjoyed the previous books may have enjoyed this a bit more than I have.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
March 4, 2024
3.5 ⭐
An eclectic group of people (some from previous books of Glyn’s) form a book club in the Welcome Book Shop in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Each has struggles and relies on the other bibliophiles for validation and friendship. As the members begin to feel comfortable with each other, the book takes on a cozy mystery vibe and the author’s sense of place rises quickly. Glyn’s ability to show how books can unite and transform us is stellar, as is her investigation into trust, friendship, forgiveness, truth, tolerance, pride, loneliness, literature, and love. Her main theme may be about belonging, but she offers readers so much more.
My love of history kept me engrossed in this book as I learned about the Croatian War of Independence, Dubrovnik Defenders, the earthquake of 1667, Sponza Palace, Ragusa Republic, and the island of Sipan, and the former Yugoslavia to name just a few. I loved my time in this beautiful city and was in awe of the beautiful buildings, friendly people, and great food. This book has me yearning to have another adventure in this part of the world.
Readers like me may appreciate a heads up that this book spotlights Long Covid, abusive/toxic relationships (references to suicide), LGBTQ representation, and the refugee experience.
I was gifted this book by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
An eclectic group of people (some from previous books of Glyn’s) form a book club in the Welcome Book Shop in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Each has struggles and relies on the other bibliophiles for validation and friendship. As the members begin to feel comfortable with each other, the book takes on a cozy mystery vibe and the author’s sense of place rises quickly. Glyn’s ability to show how books can unite and transform us is stellar, as is her investigation into trust, friendship, forgiveness, truth, tolerance, pride, loneliness, literature, and love. Her main theme may be about belonging, but she offers readers so much more.
My love of history kept me engrossed in this book as I learned about the Croatian War of Independence, Dubrovnik Defenders, the earthquake of 1667, Sponza Palace, Ragusa Republic, and the island of Sipan, and the former Yugoslavia to name just a few. I loved my time in this beautiful city and was in awe of the beautiful buildings, friendly people, and great food. This book has me yearning to have another adventure in this part of the world.
Readers like me may appreciate a heads up that this book spotlights Long Covid, abusive/toxic relationships (references to suicide), LGBTQ representation, and the refugee experience.
I was gifted this book by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
March 17, 2024
A perfect holiday read, with a great sense of place.
Four individuals, each with very different reasons for shying away from living their lives, find friendship and support in a Dubrovnik book club.
Claire has arrived in Dubrovnik to live with her grandmother for a year while she takes over the management of The Welcoming Bookshop in the Old Town. Having only recently recovered from long COVID, Claire is nervous of not just being out and about, but also of just being around other people, not wanting to risk the loss of another 18 months of her young life. Despite this, she is determined to start a book club at the shop.
Luna loves her job in the bookshop and hopes she will get on with Claire. Her job means everything to her, because if she loses it she may have to return to the small, conservative island where she was brought up, and where she has no hope of being her authentic self. Luna has a secret.
Vedran's life has been turned upside-down since the disappearance of his partner Didi, presumed drowned or worse. Public opinion has treated him harshly, despite not having been arrested. Vedran also has a secret. He is emotionally shut-down and living the life of a hermit until his cousin Claire arrives. He's not much of a reader, but he wants to support Claire's new book club.
Karmela is an academic on sabbatical, researching women of the historic Ragusan Republic. She joins the book club mainly to get an opportunity to study the ancient building in which the book shop is housed. She doesn't know many people in Dubrovnik, but as she gets to know her disturbed neighbour Rafael, her own complicated feelings about the Yugoslav Wars, in particular the siege of Sarajevo, come to the fore.
I enjoyed this story, although I felt there were missed opportunities. Each section of the book was named after the book club's book of the month, and some of these were woven into the story more successfully than others. As I'd read most of the books myself, I found this a little disappointing. But at the end, when I discovered that several of the characters had appeared in an earlier book, I was keen enough to add it to my TBR. So overall, a good read.
With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK (One More Chapter) for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Four individuals, each with very different reasons for shying away from living their lives, find friendship and support in a Dubrovnik book club.
Claire has arrived in Dubrovnik to live with her grandmother for a year while she takes over the management of The Welcoming Bookshop in the Old Town. Having only recently recovered from long COVID, Claire is nervous of not just being out and about, but also of just being around other people, not wanting to risk the loss of another 18 months of her young life. Despite this, she is determined to start a book club at the shop.
Luna loves her job in the bookshop and hopes she will get on with Claire. Her job means everything to her, because if she loses it she may have to return to the small, conservative island where she was brought up, and where she has no hope of being her authentic self. Luna has a secret.
Vedran's life has been turned upside-down since the disappearance of his partner Didi, presumed drowned or worse. Public opinion has treated him harshly, despite not having been arrested. Vedran also has a secret. He is emotionally shut-down and living the life of a hermit until his cousin Claire arrives. He's not much of a reader, but he wants to support Claire's new book club.
Karmela is an academic on sabbatical, researching women of the historic Ragusan Republic. She joins the book club mainly to get an opportunity to study the ancient building in which the book shop is housed. She doesn't know many people in Dubrovnik, but as she gets to know her disturbed neighbour Rafael, her own complicated feelings about the Yugoslav Wars, in particular the siege of Sarajevo, come to the fore.
I enjoyed this story, although I felt there were missed opportunities. Each section of the book was named after the book club's book of the month, and some of these were woven into the story more successfully than others. As I'd read most of the books myself, I found this a little disappointing. But at the end, when I discovered that several of the characters had appeared in an earlier book, I was keen enough to add it to my TBR. So overall, a good read.
With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK (One More Chapter) for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 20, 2024
Claire, a UK native staying with family in Dubrovnik, has recovered from long Covid. Her experience with the disease has made her leery of mixing with people in public. She must overcome her fear as she has been hired as the temporary manager of the Welcoming Bookstore. There, she meets co worker Luna who is struggling with coming out in a somewhat non tolerant culture. Their weekly book club at the store includes Karmela, a visiting professor of history doing research. She tends to be a self isolate, an after effect of her experiences when her family fled Sarajevo at the start of the Yugoslav War. Claire also enlists her cousin, Vedran, to help with the club. Vedran is dealing with his own issues, having once been falsely accused of the murder of his girlfriend after she mysteriously disappeared and then the target of vicious social media postings.
Although there is a bit of, as Claire puts it, navel-gazing, the book is beautifully written and an endearing story. Written from the POVs of the four MCs, overlying all the storylines is the beauty that is Dubrovnik along with the pain, tragedy, loss of the War. It is about the bond of friendship and moving forward in life, no matter your adversities.
I have spent time in Dubrovnik; Glyn’s picturesque descriptions of the old city brought it back to life for me. I also appreciated the refresher on some of the background of the city, including its early history as the Republic of Ragusa as well as the Siege of Dubrovnik. It was enough information to be interesting but not weigh down the plot.
Although some of the characters are in an earlier book by Glyn, this is not part of a series.
Thanks to #Netgalley and @harpercollinsUK @onemorechapterHC for the ARC.
Although there is a bit of, as Claire puts it, navel-gazing, the book is beautifully written and an endearing story. Written from the POVs of the four MCs, overlying all the storylines is the beauty that is Dubrovnik along with the pain, tragedy, loss of the War. It is about the bond of friendship and moving forward in life, no matter your adversities.
I have spent time in Dubrovnik; Glyn’s picturesque descriptions of the old city brought it back to life for me. I also appreciated the refresher on some of the background of the city, including its early history as the Republic of Ragusa as well as the Siege of Dubrovnik. It was enough information to be interesting but not weigh down the plot.
Although some of the characters are in an earlier book by Glyn, this is not part of a series.
Thanks to #Netgalley and @harpercollinsUK @onemorechapterHC for the ARC.
March 19, 2024
I’ve read previous books by Eva Glyn under her other name of Jane Cable and knew that I wouldn’t be disappointed. I have fond memories of Dubrovnik, I’ve been there a few times and its one of my favourite destinations – I was delighted on my last visit to be able to walk the city walls for magnificent views of the old town. With the book’s vivid and evocative descriptions, I could easily imagine being back in this wonderful city. The Welcoming Bookshop and its bookclub is exactly that. Welcoming to anyone and everyone thanks to the kind hearts and enthusiasm of everyone involved – no prejudices are allowed in the bookclub.
Claire Thomson isn’t a native to Dubrovnik but is there temporarily for 12 months staying with her grandparents Saffranka and Jadran. Having suffered very badly from Long Covid she is fearful of any public interaction which could make her ill again however she attempts to overcome her fears by taking up a position as manager of the bookshop. Assisting her is Luna, a young girl facing her own issues which she is scared to reveal.
The story is told from various perspectives with Claire and Luna being the driving force however there are other characters who are just important including Claire’s cousin Vedran, a lawyer who is suffering in silence because of past events – I felt there was a mystery element attached to him inspired by the intriguing prologue. Professor Karmela Simic has unresolved issues relating to the Serbian war. Her happy place is her research into the history of Ragusan women and her interest in the bookshop is primarily because of historical relevance of the building to her research. She joins the bookclub primarily for her own reasons but despite her naturally reserved nature slowly finds herself drawn into the lives and problems of her fellow book lovers.
The bookshop whilst being at the centre of this story shares its focus with other themes too, some of which affect the diverse characters here including mental health issues involving trauma and PTSD, whatever the cause. It’s about inclusion without religious or personal prejudice regardless of sexuality. Above all its focus is acceptance and friendship. Fun and romance give a lighter touch to the story and of course there is bookish chat too. The books chosen by the fictional bookclub are listed with each having a relevance to the story.
There was so much I loved about this book, the location, the bookshop and its heritage, the characters each with their own backstory and personal hurdles to overcome. Eva Glyn has written a superb multi faceted story that is authentic and entertaining. I was a little sad at the end to have to say goodbye to characters such as Karmela that I had grown extremely fond of. On the back of reading this I’ve purchased another of Eva’s books The Collaborator’s Daughter, historical fiction rather than contemporary being set in 1944 in war-torn Dubrovnik but which features one or two of these characters.
Claire Thomson isn’t a native to Dubrovnik but is there temporarily for 12 months staying with her grandparents Saffranka and Jadran. Having suffered very badly from Long Covid she is fearful of any public interaction which could make her ill again however she attempts to overcome her fears by taking up a position as manager of the bookshop. Assisting her is Luna, a young girl facing her own issues which she is scared to reveal.
The story is told from various perspectives with Claire and Luna being the driving force however there are other characters who are just important including Claire’s cousin Vedran, a lawyer who is suffering in silence because of past events – I felt there was a mystery element attached to him inspired by the intriguing prologue. Professor Karmela Simic has unresolved issues relating to the Serbian war. Her happy place is her research into the history of Ragusan women and her interest in the bookshop is primarily because of historical relevance of the building to her research. She joins the bookclub primarily for her own reasons but despite her naturally reserved nature slowly finds herself drawn into the lives and problems of her fellow book lovers.
The bookshop whilst being at the centre of this story shares its focus with other themes too, some of which affect the diverse characters here including mental health issues involving trauma and PTSD, whatever the cause. It’s about inclusion without religious or personal prejudice regardless of sexuality. Above all its focus is acceptance and friendship. Fun and romance give a lighter touch to the story and of course there is bookish chat too. The books chosen by the fictional bookclub are listed with each having a relevance to the story.
There was so much I loved about this book, the location, the bookshop and its heritage, the characters each with their own backstory and personal hurdles to overcome. Eva Glyn has written a superb multi faceted story that is authentic and entertaining. I was a little sad at the end to have to say goodbye to characters such as Karmela that I had grown extremely fond of. On the back of reading this I’ve purchased another of Eva’s books The Collaborator’s Daughter, historical fiction rather than contemporary being set in 1944 in war-torn Dubrovnik but which features one or two of these characters.
January 11, 2024
I received a free copy of, The Dubrovnik Book Club, by Eva Glyn, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Claire Thomson moves to Croatia to work in a book shop, she decides to start a book club and solve a mystery. This was an enjoyable read. Croatia is such a beautiful country, great setting for a book club.
March 8, 2024
I was excited to read this book because I had vacationed in Dubrovnik and also love the book club I am in. The description intrigued me as well but unfortunately I was not a fan of this book. I didn’t love the writing style, the characters, and I thought that there would be more drama. I was excited about the thrill of murder suspect but then it was pointless. I also love historical fiction and thought there could have been more history mystery aspect. I also felt like there were weird gaps in the book and found myself confused. Overall disappointed.
August 19, 2024
I really struggled with this read. I’m not sure whether it was the writing style or the Croatian that was dotted throughout. As much as I wanted to, I could not warm to the characters and found the overall story quite dull.
I was optimistic about the Croatian setting, being a place that I would love to visit in future. Glyn pays particular attention to the historical background of the place, which I think really added to the story. Indeed, I think I would have liked a more vivid flashback when it came to Karmela’s story because I think Glyn would have been able to really bring this element alive.
I wanted to enjoy the story because of the book theme. Claire works in a bookshop and starts to run a book club. This is a significant milestone for her: having suffered from Long Covid, the threat of the virus is still ever-present for her – even if those around her have moved on. The characters that attend Claire’s book club are broad and varied and I enjoyed how the writer tied in the book club reads to events in the plot.
However, I don’t think it ever really got started for me. Although there is a mystery behind Vedran’s fiancée, I thought the way the characters responded to this made the revelations quite anti-climatic. Luna’s background felt a bit like an overused cliché and I didn’t care too much for Karmela. Instead, this created a rather dry book, that felt as dusty as the back bookcases of a bookshop!
Personally, I thought the story was a bit long in places and I was frustrated by some of the lengthier chapters. I don’t really want to read about Covid any more and, although this book is not a recent release, I don’t think my attitude towards this would be any different if I had read it sooner. The ending was not especially surprising as each character finds themselves and is grateful to the book club for being the catalyst of this change. I think a bit of dual timeline would have livened up the story and added some much needed energy to an otherwise slow-paced novel.
Ultimately, the setting and title captured my heart. Alas, the plot development and characters never established themselves with me and my interest waned as the story progressed.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was optimistic about the Croatian setting, being a place that I would love to visit in future. Glyn pays particular attention to the historical background of the place, which I think really added to the story. Indeed, I think I would have liked a more vivid flashback when it came to Karmela’s story because I think Glyn would have been able to really bring this element alive.
I wanted to enjoy the story because of the book theme. Claire works in a bookshop and starts to run a book club. This is a significant milestone for her: having suffered from Long Covid, the threat of the virus is still ever-present for her – even if those around her have moved on. The characters that attend Claire’s book club are broad and varied and I enjoyed how the writer tied in the book club reads to events in the plot.
However, I don’t think it ever really got started for me. Although there is a mystery behind Vedran’s fiancée, I thought the way the characters responded to this made the revelations quite anti-climatic. Luna’s background felt a bit like an overused cliché and I didn’t care too much for Karmela. Instead, this created a rather dry book, that felt as dusty as the back bookcases of a bookshop!
Personally, I thought the story was a bit long in places and I was frustrated by some of the lengthier chapters. I don’t really want to read about Covid any more and, although this book is not a recent release, I don’t think my attitude towards this would be any different if I had read it sooner. The ending was not especially surprising as each character finds themselves and is grateful to the book club for being the catalyst of this change. I think a bit of dual timeline would have livened up the story and added some much needed energy to an otherwise slow-paced novel.
Ultimately, the setting and title captured my heart. Alas, the plot development and characters never established themselves with me and my interest waned as the story progressed.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2024
Taken away to beautiful Croatia, this is a story of friendship and belonging. I loved how each part of the book was for the bookclub read, and how each choice gave us those little clues to the characters as they opened up to their new found friends.
The mystery running alongside the bookclub was intriguing and I enjoyed seeing the new friends come together, share their experiences and hurt, before trying to move on with their lives.
The mystery running alongside the bookclub was intriguing and I enjoyed seeing the new friends come together, share their experiences and hurt, before trying to move on with their lives.
April 24, 2025
4 stars might be a little high as this wasn’t the most engrossing book and I had a hard time connecting to the characters, but the descriptions of Dubrovnik were enough to keep me going. Cute read highlighting one of my favorite cities!
April 26, 2025
Boring. Do you ever feel like you just don’t relate to an author and their characters? What the characters feel is shocking, or hilarious, or mortifying, just… falls flat for you? I kept hoping this book would lead up to more but it was just so lukewarm, non-starter Gone Girl subplot and all. Not mad that I read it, but it did nothing for me.
February 18, 2024
The Dubrovnik Book Club appealed to me for a variety of reasons: a book about books, set in a place I have never been, and the fact that I will be visiting Dubrovnik in 2025 on a cruise. When I was invited to participate in the blog tour, it was a no brainer.
The story features several characters all involved with a book club held at a small local bookstore. Claire Thomson travels to Dubrovnik to stay with her grandparents while dealing with her fear of going out in public. She had long covid and is still afraid to be around people she doesn't know or to be in a crown. Her grandmother gets her a job managing the Welcoming Bookshop, helping the owner whose wife is ill. Luna is the only other employee in the store. She is a wonderful young woman who loves decorating the windows and is great with the customers. She has a secret, she is gay and has not yet come out. Croatia is not very welcoming to gay people. Vedran is is Claire's cousin and he was recently suspected of killing his girlfriend. He is a bit of a pariah now, but even though he has evidence that might remove the cloud of suspicion, he is ashamed of things about the relationship. Karmela is a professor visiting from Zagreb to research Dubrovnik's history. She has a difficult past also involving the war, where her family fled Sarajevo and she keeps herself walled up. She meets her neighbour who has PTSD from his role in the war. How does this unconventional group come together?
As I read this book and learned about everyone's issues, I was a bit worried that it would be a book that would be extremely depressing, but I was wrong. Yes, there are heartbreaking moments in some of the revelations, but the best thing is how the books helped them come about. I loved how this odd group become friends and support each other as they heal and make important decisions about their live moving forward. The story is told from four points of view, Claire, Luna, Vedran and Karmela. The author does a good job bringing the various issues to light, and tying them together in a cohesive story. There are many issues dealt with in this book, but mental health is a large part of it. I was worried about the covid part, but it was really well done and people who are not ready to read about the pandemic and it's aftermath, shouldn't have a problem with this story. I have to say something about the descriptive and beautiful writing. I could picture the countryside, the buildings, the food and the people so easily. I can't wait until my visit to the area after reading this book. If you enjoy books about people and books, especially how they bring people together and help them to heal, then I highly recommend this book.
The story features several characters all involved with a book club held at a small local bookstore. Claire Thomson travels to Dubrovnik to stay with her grandparents while dealing with her fear of going out in public. She had long covid and is still afraid to be around people she doesn't know or to be in a crown. Her grandmother gets her a job managing the Welcoming Bookshop, helping the owner whose wife is ill. Luna is the only other employee in the store. She is a wonderful young woman who loves decorating the windows and is great with the customers. She has a secret, she is gay and has not yet come out. Croatia is not very welcoming to gay people. Vedran is is Claire's cousin and he was recently suspected of killing his girlfriend. He is a bit of a pariah now, but even though he has evidence that might remove the cloud of suspicion, he is ashamed of things about the relationship. Karmela is a professor visiting from Zagreb to research Dubrovnik's history. She has a difficult past also involving the war, where her family fled Sarajevo and she keeps herself walled up. She meets her neighbour who has PTSD from his role in the war. How does this unconventional group come together?
As I read this book and learned about everyone's issues, I was a bit worried that it would be a book that would be extremely depressing, but I was wrong. Yes, there are heartbreaking moments in some of the revelations, but the best thing is how the books helped them come about. I loved how this odd group become friends and support each other as they heal and make important decisions about their live moving forward. The story is told from four points of view, Claire, Luna, Vedran and Karmela. The author does a good job bringing the various issues to light, and tying them together in a cohesive story. There are many issues dealt with in this book, but mental health is a large part of it. I was worried about the covid part, but it was really well done and people who are not ready to read about the pandemic and it's aftermath, shouldn't have a problem with this story. I have to say something about the descriptive and beautiful writing. I could picture the countryside, the buildings, the food and the people so easily. I can't wait until my visit to the area after reading this book. If you enjoy books about people and books, especially how they bring people together and help them to heal, then I highly recommend this book.
March 19, 2024
I was so excited to dive into this book, especially because of the dictionary at the beginning, where Glyn explains the Croatian swear words in a funny and unique ways, but also translates some other words used later on. Her writing is really appealing, it pulls you into the story, but as I read and read, the story kept dragging on. There was a lot going on since there are 4 main characters. There was a problem to be solved every few chapters and it got solved almost immediately, which bothered me a little bit. It didn’t leave space for tension, for reader to be on the edge of their seat. But what I loved about this book is especially the Croatian setting of the story, which reminded me of my summers that I’ve always spent in Croatia. It’s also a book about friendship, what it teaches you and what it brings. How it can change us for the better. There is also some history for the people that are not acquainted with it. To sum it up, it’s a really cute summer read.
(2,5/5 stars)
(2,5/5 stars)
January 26, 2024
Dubrovnik! Who'd have thought there was so much to love in a city I have not visited, but this author has done quite the job of convincing me that I should. The bookshop at the centre of the story sounds just perfect, a refuge for a disparate band who are as different from each other as it's possible to be and yet turn out to be a perfect combination together.
There is a lot more to this book than I had expected, the cover is so pretty, this is a book worth settling down for - a five star read for certain - this is your summer holiday reading sorted between two very pretty covers!
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy of this lovely book.
There is a lot more to this book than I had expected, the cover is so pretty, this is a book worth settling down for - a five star read for certain - this is your summer holiday reading sorted between two very pretty covers!
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy of this lovely book.
September 11, 2025
"Román o slnkom zaliatom prístave, výnimočných knihách, skvelom jedle a odvážnych srdciach." -> slová, ktoré vystihujú podstatu celého príbehu.
Moje očakávania a predstavy o knihe podľa obálky boli také, že to bude letná romantická oddychovka podobná xy iným letným knižkám. A vôbec to tak nebolo. Táto knižka je celkom o niečom inom, spracovaním aj dejovo.
Príbehom nás sprevádzajú 4 hlavné postavy, ktoré majú svoje tajomstvá, svoje vlastné traumy, s ktorými sa snažia bojovať a vyrovnať sa s nimi. Samým im to nejde, ale keď sa spoja a spriatelia, majú neoceniteľnú podporu jeden v druhom.
Je to príbeh o ich odvážnych napredovaniach, o silnom priateľstve, o komunite ľudí a to sa mi na celej knihe páčilo najviac. Ta sila priateľstva ma chytila najviac za srdce.
V knihe nechýbajú krásne opisy chorvátskych miest ani samotnej histórie,či dokonca spomínané chutné jedlá, kvôli ktorým som bola ustavične hladná a chcela sa preniesť do príbehu, aby som ich mohla ochutnať.
Prijala by som však, keby boli v knihe detailnejšie opisy stretnutí knižného klubu. Krásna myšlienka, aj náhľad do takého knižného klubu sa mi páčil, len by som prijala keby sa aj tomu autorka viac venovala.
Vedela by som o tejto knihe básniť aj naďalej, ale nie je na to miesto. Skúsim sa o nej rozlecať na youtube alebo tiktoku. Rozhodne ju odporúčam, zaslúži si vašu pozornosť a čas. Krásna knižka, nie len na letné dni.
Moje očakávania a predstavy o knihe podľa obálky boli také, že to bude letná romantická oddychovka podobná xy iným letným knižkám. A vôbec to tak nebolo. Táto knižka je celkom o niečom inom, spracovaním aj dejovo.
Príbehom nás sprevádzajú 4 hlavné postavy, ktoré majú svoje tajomstvá, svoje vlastné traumy, s ktorými sa snažia bojovať a vyrovnať sa s nimi. Samým im to nejde, ale keď sa spoja a spriatelia, majú neoceniteľnú podporu jeden v druhom.
Je to príbeh o ich odvážnych napredovaniach, o silnom priateľstve, o komunite ľudí a to sa mi na celej knihe páčilo najviac. Ta sila priateľstva ma chytila najviac za srdce.
V knihe nechýbajú krásne opisy chorvátskych miest ani samotnej histórie,či dokonca spomínané chutné jedlá, kvôli ktorým som bola ustavične hladná a chcela sa preniesť do príbehu, aby som ich mohla ochutnať.
Prijala by som však, keby boli v knihe detailnejšie opisy stretnutí knižného klubu. Krásna myšlienka, aj náhľad do takého knižného klubu sa mi páčil, len by som prijala keby sa aj tomu autorka viac venovala.
Vedela by som o tejto knihe básniť aj naďalej, ale nie je na to miesto. Skúsim sa o nej rozlecať na youtube alebo tiktoku. Rozhodne ju odporúčam, zaslúži si vašu pozornosť a čas. Krásna knižka, nie len na letné dni.
September 22, 2024
This is a heartwarming and inspiring story about friendship and overcoming fears. The beautiful Dubrovnik setting was a standout for me, and I enjoyed learning bits of history throughout the book. While reading, it’s difficult not to draw parallels with the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, and it’s truly heartbreaking to witness the lasting devastation that war leaves behind, even long after it’s over.
I found all the characters and their personal journeys engaging, especially how they supported each other in living fuller lives.
A story centered around books is always a win for me, and I’ve definitely added a few of their book club picks to my own reading list.
I found all the characters and their personal journeys engaging, especially how they supported each other in living fuller lives.
A story centered around books is always a win for me, and I’ve definitely added a few of their book club picks to my own reading list.
September 22, 2024
Lovely book and even more enjoyable to read across from Dubrovnik Bay 😍
March 8, 2024
An interesting read!
Claire Thompson has relatives in Croatia but this visit is different; she is going to work there for a year as a bookshop manager. After contracting long covid, she is rather nervous to be among others following lockdown so it's a big step to both travel and work where there is contact with others. With the help of others, she sets up a monthly book club and that is a huge turning point - and not only for Claire.
This is a lovely read, with amazing details about Dubrovnik and the history of the city and I was riveted to learn so much. It's a fine amalagamation of characters and how the book club affects each of them, and also a lesson in what can be achieved when people work together. However, I did notice that it was said that knowing Claire would improve the English of Luna, the shop assistant, but there was no evidence that Luna wasn't completely conversant in the language, include the liberal use of idioms. I realise I'm being a bit pedantic, but these things irritate me and definitely detract from the story. For me, 4*.
Claire Thompson has relatives in Croatia but this visit is different; she is going to work there for a year as a bookshop manager. After contracting long covid, she is rather nervous to be among others following lockdown so it's a big step to both travel and work where there is contact with others. With the help of others, she sets up a monthly book club and that is a huge turning point - and not only for Claire.
This is a lovely read, with amazing details about Dubrovnik and the history of the city and I was riveted to learn so much. It's a fine amalagamation of characters and how the book club affects each of them, and also a lesson in what can be achieved when people work together. However, I did notice that it was said that knowing Claire would improve the English of Luna, the shop assistant, but there was no evidence that Luna wasn't completely conversant in the language, include the liberal use of idioms. I realise I'm being a bit pedantic, but these things irritate me and definitely detract from the story. For me, 4*.
August 13, 2025
okay so
let me start with the bookish elements: I feel like the premise of this book is misleading, because the mystery elements aren't really expanded on that much, and every scene that's supposed to be a big reveal or plot twist just happens right away and gets lost in the story, which in turn feels like it's not quite sure what it wants to be
the writing style just wasn't that great - a lot of the dialogue felt unnatural, some parts were a slog to get through, and the characters were just there, none of the 4 protagonists more interesting than watching paint dry
the plot begins with talk of the pandemic, which I was not aware would be a part of this book, and mentions of covid are prominent throughout Claire's storyline, all of which just made me confirm that I would rather not have covid plotliens in the stories I consume
so, story-wise and character-wise, this was quite a miss for me, but let's talk about the most important reason why I picked this book up in the first place: the setting
this was rhe 2nd book set in Croatia that I've read this year out of curiosity, and I took issue with how the country and its people were portrayed in both
firstly, it was incredibly irksome that the use of diacritics was on and off throughout the entire book without reason or rhyme - if you're using Croatian names for people, places, everyday objects, then use their proper spelling every time, not just half of the time; also, there were several instances of words being in wrong cases
(special mention to the name of the very bookstore in which the titular book club is held at, whose translation to English is simply not quite the right translation)
also irksome was the fact that the author sprinkled in some Croatian swear words into the narration, and they appeared quite a lot, which, combined with using Croatian names for streets etc, created this disjointed feeling of which language are these characters supposed to be talking? in my reading experience, especially considering that the narration is quite full of certain sayings and structures that felt very British and would not be a part of how someone from Croatia would speak
now these two point above are made even more irksome by the fact that, in the acknowledgments, the author names a couple of people she has met during her travels to Dubrovnik, who she claims have become friends to her and have helped with her questions about the language and such - I must ask, how is the Croatian language aspect of this book so flimsy then?
furthermore, after finishing this book I realized this was the author's 4th book set in Croatia, and there are bits and pieces in this story that show the author has done some research on the country's history, so I would expect these things to have been handled better by now
and yet what's probably the most problematic thing I took away from this book is the way certain social issues were portrayed - in particular, the question of LGBT rights
I don't know if this is how the author views this country (there were bits and pieces of other issues that felt like the author's personal views were leaking through the characters' decisions and views but I digress) or if, in her research, she got the opinion of maybe 3 people and decided to run with it as absolute truth
Luna, one of the protagonists, is gay, but not out to anyone, which is the focal point of her storyline - she comes from a small, religious island, where she feels like coming out would have negative consequences and responses, and so she comes to Dubrovnik and often laments how there are no places that seem like they would be supportive of members of the LGBT community
don't get me wrong, Croatia is still far from being a modern, accepting country, but the way these characters talk and act makes it seem like kissing a person of the same gender in the street is going to ruin your life, which is frankly insulting to all the people here who are simply not bigots, especially in one later scene, in which , and there's a literal moment of collective silence, as if the expectation is that it is so difficult to find anyone who would be accepting here
honorable mention to this quote from the book: "And I suspect in Croatia, like gay rights and mental health, this sort of thing isn't talked about at all." like how backwards does the author think the people here are?
all in all, curiosity made me pick this book up and curiosity made me finish it (although I really should get into the habit of DNF-ing books), and this was just a frustrating reading experience mixed in with a bad execution of a story that had potential to be something more
let me start with the bookish elements: I feel like the premise of this book is misleading, because the mystery elements aren't really expanded on that much, and every scene that's supposed to be a big reveal or plot twist just happens right away and gets lost in the story, which in turn feels like it's not quite sure what it wants to be
the writing style just wasn't that great - a lot of the dialogue felt unnatural, some parts were a slog to get through, and the characters were just there, none of the 4 protagonists more interesting than watching paint dry
the plot begins with talk of the pandemic, which I was not aware would be a part of this book, and mentions of covid are prominent throughout Claire's storyline, all of which just made me confirm that I would rather not have covid plotliens in the stories I consume
so, story-wise and character-wise, this was quite a miss for me, but let's talk about the most important reason why I picked this book up in the first place: the setting
this was rhe 2nd book set in Croatia that I've read this year out of curiosity, and I took issue with how the country and its people were portrayed in both
firstly, it was incredibly irksome that the use of diacritics was on and off throughout the entire book without reason or rhyme - if you're using Croatian names for people, places, everyday objects, then use their proper spelling every time, not just half of the time; also, there were several instances of words being in wrong cases
(special mention to the name of the very bookstore in which the titular book club is held at, whose translation to English is simply not quite the right translation)
also irksome was the fact that the author sprinkled in some Croatian swear words into the narration, and they appeared quite a lot, which, combined with using Croatian names for streets etc, created this disjointed feeling of which language are these characters supposed to be talking? in my reading experience, especially considering that the narration is quite full of certain sayings and structures that felt very British and would not be a part of how someone from Croatia would speak
now these two point above are made even more irksome by the fact that, in the acknowledgments, the author names a couple of people she has met during her travels to Dubrovnik, who she claims have become friends to her and have helped with her questions about the language and such - I must ask, how is the Croatian language aspect of this book so flimsy then?
furthermore, after finishing this book I realized this was the author's 4th book set in Croatia, and there are bits and pieces in this story that show the author has done some research on the country's history, so I would expect these things to have been handled better by now
and yet what's probably the most problematic thing I took away from this book is the way certain social issues were portrayed - in particular, the question of LGBT rights
I don't know if this is how the author views this country (there were bits and pieces of other issues that felt like the author's personal views were leaking through the characters' decisions and views but I digress) or if, in her research, she got the opinion of maybe 3 people and decided to run with it as absolute truth
Luna, one of the protagonists, is gay, but not out to anyone, which is the focal point of her storyline - she comes from a small, religious island, where she feels like coming out would have negative consequences and responses, and so she comes to Dubrovnik and often laments how there are no places that seem like they would be supportive of members of the LGBT community
don't get me wrong, Croatia is still far from being a modern, accepting country, but the way these characters talk and act makes it seem like kissing a person of the same gender in the street is going to ruin your life, which is frankly insulting to all the people here who are simply not bigots, especially in one later scene, in which , and there's a literal moment of collective silence, as if the expectation is that it is so difficult to find anyone who would be accepting here
honorable mention to this quote from the book: "And I suspect in Croatia, like gay rights and mental health, this sort of thing isn't talked about at all." like how backwards does the author think the people here are?
all in all, curiosity made me pick this book up and curiosity made me finish it (although I really should get into the habit of DNF-ing books), and this was just a frustrating reading experience mixed in with a bad execution of a story that had potential to be something more
February 23, 2024
Claire has a new job.
The Dubrovnik Book Club was a total surprise. I’d anticipated a light, entertaining story about developing friendships through a love of reading – and certainly that is one of the aspects of the narrative – but there is so much more besides, making this a book perfect for any reader.
With a book club as a pivot, Eva Glyn creates a story that moves around this central feature like a literary orrery. Her themes are deep and universal, from Vedran’s trial by media when Didi goes missing and his relationship with her, through Luna’s sexuality, to Claire’s psychological state following severe illness caused by Covid. These aspects add considerably to the reader’s engagement with the story, giving much to ponder. There are other motifs that add further interest to The Dubrovnik Book Club too, from family and friendship through the impact of societal and religious expectations, to feminism and the patriarchy.
I think what works so well is the fact that, although Eva Glyn encompasses so many threads in her narrative from PTSD to addiction, none of them feels forced. Rather, the characters dealing with the themes of the story are flawed and believable and their experiences seem to arise naturally even in the most dramatic aspects. These are real people whose struggles are identifiable and realistic. The author displays considerable humanity and sensitivity in her excellent storytelling. All of that said, there’s a real sense of hope and optimism that leaves the reader totally satisfied at the end of the story as both characters and reader alike learn that life is for living and it’s up to us to grasp opportunities in both hands rather than dwell too much in the past. And of course – there are books too!
Consequently, there’s a little bit of everything in The Dubrovnik Book club to appeal to everyone. I loved the mystery as Luna and Claire try to clear Vedran’s name. I loved the developing romances between several of the characters, and I loved the sense of place and history.
Indeed, Dubrovnik is incredibly well depicted. Eva Glyn creates beautifully described settings with a real eye for detail so that it is as if the reader is standing in Dubrovnik’s streets. There’s meticulously researched history that adds colour and authenticity, and the smatterings of indigenous language (supported by a glossary at the end of the book) give a vivid sense of place. It really does feel as if you’re there in the old town. Dubrovnik is every bit as much a character as any of the people.
The Dubrovnik Book Club is a multi-faceted story that is thoroughly entertaining and completely engaging. It’s also far more layered and interesting than might be expected from the title alone and I really, really enjoyed it.
The Dubrovnik Book Club was a total surprise. I’d anticipated a light, entertaining story about developing friendships through a love of reading – and certainly that is one of the aspects of the narrative – but there is so much more besides, making this a book perfect for any reader.
With a book club as a pivot, Eva Glyn creates a story that moves around this central feature like a literary orrery. Her themes are deep and universal, from Vedran’s trial by media when Didi goes missing and his relationship with her, through Luna’s sexuality, to Claire’s psychological state following severe illness caused by Covid. These aspects add considerably to the reader’s engagement with the story, giving much to ponder. There are other motifs that add further interest to The Dubrovnik Book Club too, from family and friendship through the impact of societal and religious expectations, to feminism and the patriarchy.
I think what works so well is the fact that, although Eva Glyn encompasses so many threads in her narrative from PTSD to addiction, none of them feels forced. Rather, the characters dealing with the themes of the story are flawed and believable and their experiences seem to arise naturally even in the most dramatic aspects. These are real people whose struggles are identifiable and realistic. The author displays considerable humanity and sensitivity in her excellent storytelling. All of that said, there’s a real sense of hope and optimism that leaves the reader totally satisfied at the end of the story as both characters and reader alike learn that life is for living and it’s up to us to grasp opportunities in both hands rather than dwell too much in the past. And of course – there are books too!
Consequently, there’s a little bit of everything in The Dubrovnik Book club to appeal to everyone. I loved the mystery as Luna and Claire try to clear Vedran’s name. I loved the developing romances between several of the characters, and I loved the sense of place and history.
Indeed, Dubrovnik is incredibly well depicted. Eva Glyn creates beautifully described settings with a real eye for detail so that it is as if the reader is standing in Dubrovnik’s streets. There’s meticulously researched history that adds colour and authenticity, and the smatterings of indigenous language (supported by a glossary at the end of the book) give a vivid sense of place. It really does feel as if you’re there in the old town. Dubrovnik is every bit as much a character as any of the people.
The Dubrovnik Book Club is a multi-faceted story that is thoroughly entertaining and completely engaging. It’s also far more layered and interesting than might be expected from the title alone and I really, really enjoyed it.
March 9, 2024
A group of people find friendship in a small book group, and it alters each of their lives.
A young British woman named Claire arrives in the Croatian town of Dubrovnik to live with her beloved grandmother and try to reboot her life. After struggling to recover from Long COVID, Claire still grapples with a fear of contracting the illness yet again, and the very thought of being in an enclosed space with other people, any of whom might reinfect her, causes her great anxiety. Her grandmother is determined to help her move past that chapter in her life and has found her a job managing The Welcoming Bookstore in the historic Old Town. Working in the store with her is Luna, a cheerful young woman from a small island town who relishes having escaped the constraints of the strait laced insular community where she was raised and who is trying to summon the courage to tell the people in her life that she is gay.. As a way to drum up business in the off-season, the two decide to form a book club and pull in friends and customers to get it started. Claire’s Gran is there, as is her cousin Vedran, who like Claire has been leading a very sheltered existence after the disappearance of his girlfriend Didi (whom many have decided Vedran must have killed) and Karmela, a rather formal professor doing research in the area who may have ulterior motives for joining the group. The first book they read is a cozy mystery, which inspires some in their midst to look into the disappearance of Didi and clear Vedran’s name. Subsequent titles will help different members come to terms with something they’re going through in life, and bonds of friendship develop between them. When the landlord raises the store’s rent and it looks like the shop will need to close forever, can this band of unlikely friends work together to find a solution?
With a little bit of mystery and a great many people discovering things about themselves and the world around them, The Dubrovnik Book Club is a lovely read, particularly for readers of authors like Elizabeth Berg, Kate Jacobs and Ann Hood. As the story unfolds, the reader learns about each character, what their personal struggles are, and how they are coping with their lives. The real star of the story however is Dubrovnik itself, as author Eva Glyn describes the buildings, the history, the people and the food. It would be difficult to read this book and not want to hop on a plane and head there for a spell, or at least is was for me. If you are looking to read a story that celebrates friendship and the love of reading, be sure to pick up a copy of The Dubrovnik Book Club. Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for allowing me early access to this charming novel.
A young British woman named Claire arrives in the Croatian town of Dubrovnik to live with her beloved grandmother and try to reboot her life. After struggling to recover from Long COVID, Claire still grapples with a fear of contracting the illness yet again, and the very thought of being in an enclosed space with other people, any of whom might reinfect her, causes her great anxiety. Her grandmother is determined to help her move past that chapter in her life and has found her a job managing The Welcoming Bookstore in the historic Old Town. Working in the store with her is Luna, a cheerful young woman from a small island town who relishes having escaped the constraints of the strait laced insular community where she was raised and who is trying to summon the courage to tell the people in her life that she is gay.. As a way to drum up business in the off-season, the two decide to form a book club and pull in friends and customers to get it started. Claire’s Gran is there, as is her cousin Vedran, who like Claire has been leading a very sheltered existence after the disappearance of his girlfriend Didi (whom many have decided Vedran must have killed) and Karmela, a rather formal professor doing research in the area who may have ulterior motives for joining the group. The first book they read is a cozy mystery, which inspires some in their midst to look into the disappearance of Didi and clear Vedran’s name. Subsequent titles will help different members come to terms with something they’re going through in life, and bonds of friendship develop between them. When the landlord raises the store’s rent and it looks like the shop will need to close forever, can this band of unlikely friends work together to find a solution?
With a little bit of mystery and a great many people discovering things about themselves and the world around them, The Dubrovnik Book Club is a lovely read, particularly for readers of authors like Elizabeth Berg, Kate Jacobs and Ann Hood. As the story unfolds, the reader learns about each character, what their personal struggles are, and how they are coping with their lives. The real star of the story however is Dubrovnik itself, as author Eva Glyn describes the buildings, the history, the people and the food. It would be difficult to read this book and not want to hop on a plane and head there for a spell, or at least is was for me. If you are looking to read a story that celebrates friendship and the love of reading, be sure to pick up a copy of The Dubrovnik Book Club. Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for allowing me early access to this charming novel.
January 20, 2024
I only have three experiences of book clubs – one being an online book club called The Pigeonhole, of which I have been a member for six or seven years. In that time I have made ‘friends’ all over the world, shared our love of playing detective, and discussed as we read along – usually over a period of 10 days – a few chapters each day.
Number two was supposed to be Cheltenham’s ‘best book club’. We met in a pub and there were over 20 of us. We didn’t read the same book – we each brought our BYOB and talked about it to encourage others to read it. At least two-thirds were non-fiction which I don’t read. I was bored and never went back, though Covid arrived before the next meeting so I didn’t need to make any excuses.
The third is an online version of The Dubrovnik Book Club – we all read the same book and discuss at the next meeting, then vote for the next book out of a few as suggested by the members. Once we even had the author with us (Janice Hallett no less). And that’s what attracted me to this book. And the fact that I have always fancied visiting Croatia. It sounds beautiful.
But while Dubrovnik is a fabulous setting for the book, it’s the characters that make it special. Having just arrived in Dubrovnik where she will stay with her grandmother Fran, and her second husband Tetak, 23-year-old Claire Thomson starts working in The Welcoming Bookshop. It’s a challenge for her as she was very unwell with Long Covid for fifteen months and is still wary of mixing with people. But together with her cousin Vedran, employee Luna, and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club. Their first pick is a cosy mystery by a now famous author. But the next picks are more interesting and for some, very emotional.
Claire is always trying to fix everyone else’s problems. Vedran’s girlfriend Didi disappeared a year ago and everyone thinks he killed her. Luna is gay but terrified of ‘coming out’ as her parents are very religious and would never understand. Karmela is a refugee, whose father escaped with his family from Sarajevo during the war in the 1990s, while others stayed to fight, and she still feels guilty. I loved Karmela – I think I would go so far as saying she is my favourite character (apart from Mis the cat of course).
The book was very enjoyable and I could sense the atmosphere and the beauty of Dubrovnik, as well as the emotions of the characters. I felt as though I was there with them much of the time. The writing is beautiful and descriptive (in a good way), and everyone is brought to life with real depth. Even the more minor characters like Fran, Tetak, and especially poor Rafael feel rounded with their back stories. Thank goodness Claire’s fear following Covid is only mentioned a few times as I really don’t want to revisit that awful time, but if a book is set in the last few years, there will always be references. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for a review copy.
Number two was supposed to be Cheltenham’s ‘best book club’. We met in a pub and there were over 20 of us. We didn’t read the same book – we each brought our BYOB and talked about it to encourage others to read it. At least two-thirds were non-fiction which I don’t read. I was bored and never went back, though Covid arrived before the next meeting so I didn’t need to make any excuses.
The third is an online version of The Dubrovnik Book Club – we all read the same book and discuss at the next meeting, then vote for the next book out of a few as suggested by the members. Once we even had the author with us (Janice Hallett no less). And that’s what attracted me to this book. And the fact that I have always fancied visiting Croatia. It sounds beautiful.
But while Dubrovnik is a fabulous setting for the book, it’s the characters that make it special. Having just arrived in Dubrovnik where she will stay with her grandmother Fran, and her second husband Tetak, 23-year-old Claire Thomson starts working in The Welcoming Bookshop. It’s a challenge for her as she was very unwell with Long Covid for fifteen months and is still wary of mixing with people. But together with her cousin Vedran, employee Luna, and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club. Their first pick is a cosy mystery by a now famous author. But the next picks are more interesting and for some, very emotional.
Claire is always trying to fix everyone else’s problems. Vedran’s girlfriend Didi disappeared a year ago and everyone thinks he killed her. Luna is gay but terrified of ‘coming out’ as her parents are very religious and would never understand. Karmela is a refugee, whose father escaped with his family from Sarajevo during the war in the 1990s, while others stayed to fight, and she still feels guilty. I loved Karmela – I think I would go so far as saying she is my favourite character (apart from Mis the cat of course).
The book was very enjoyable and I could sense the atmosphere and the beauty of Dubrovnik, as well as the emotions of the characters. I felt as though I was there with them much of the time. The writing is beautiful and descriptive (in a good way), and everyone is brought to life with real depth. Even the more minor characters like Fran, Tetak, and especially poor Rafael feel rounded with their back stories. Thank goodness Claire’s fear following Covid is only mentioned a few times as I really don’t want to revisit that awful time, but if a book is set in the last few years, there will always be references. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for a review copy.
March 12, 2024
Set among the historic background of Dubrovnik, Claire, Vedran, Luna and Karmela are struggling. Englishwoman Claire has ventured to her grandparent's house on Croatia in order to recover from a bout of Covid and Long Covid that nearly killed her. Vedran, her cousin, is reeling from the end of an abusive relationship that had him painted as a murderer. Luna is struggling to reconcile her sexuality with her religious upbringing and the law. And academic Karmela is retreating into history to deflect from her survivors' guilt at having fled Sarajevo at the start of the war.
All four find friendship and support from unexpected quarters, and is firmly cemented when the location of their beloved Dubrovnik Book Club is threatened by a fast food outlet.
This is a heartwarming tale of friendship, of love, of acceptance, of resolution, and of triumph. It has a deliciously satisfying ending that both wraps up the storylines and leaves openings for further tales of these four characters.
I enjoyed the setting of Dubrovnik and the smatterings of Croatian language (mostly expletives or foodstuffs) as well. Some books make you want to explore the locations mentioned, and this is one of them.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
All four find friendship and support from unexpected quarters, and is firmly cemented when the location of their beloved Dubrovnik Book Club is threatened by a fast food outlet.
This is a heartwarming tale of friendship, of love, of acceptance, of resolution, and of triumph. It has a deliciously satisfying ending that both wraps up the storylines and leaves openings for further tales of these four characters.
I enjoyed the setting of Dubrovnik and the smatterings of Croatian language (mostly expletives or foodstuffs) as well. Some books make you want to explore the locations mentioned, and this is one of them.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 1, 2024
A wonderfully told story set in the city of Dubrovnik. Claire has come to live with her grandparents after suffering the aftereffects of Long Covid for far too long. Here, she has a job to manage a small bookstore with one employee, Luna.
They host a book club, and strong friendships are forged through this meeting. Karmela, a professor, is a reluctant member. Vedran, Claire's cousin, is another person who is only there to support his cousin and would much rather be back in his apartment alone.
Each of these four characters has a history they are either trying to escape or a secret they need to be able to open up about. Through the book club, the characters become closer, but not without their own ups and downs, and help one another to come to terms with their lives.
So many heartrending issues are touched upon within this book: loss, grief, being unable to be yourself, LGBTQ and religion, and all handled with sensitivity.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the whole story, as well as learning more about a beautifully historic place: Dubrovnik.
It was part of a series, but I didn't need to read the first at all, so it was a great stand-alone.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for an ARC.
They host a book club, and strong friendships are forged through this meeting. Karmela, a professor, is a reluctant member. Vedran, Claire's cousin, is another person who is only there to support his cousin and would much rather be back in his apartment alone.
Each of these four characters has a history they are either trying to escape or a secret they need to be able to open up about. Through the book club, the characters become closer, but not without their own ups and downs, and help one another to come to terms with their lives.
So many heartrending issues are touched upon within this book: loss, grief, being unable to be yourself, LGBTQ and religion, and all handled with sensitivity.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the whole story, as well as learning more about a beautifully historic place: Dubrovnik.
It was part of a series, but I didn't need to read the first at all, so it was a great stand-alone.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for an ARC.
March 8, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher & author for an ARC of this book.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the title & setting. I spent a week in Dubrovnik last year and loved the city. The author does a great job of portraying the city, I felt like I was back in the Old Town, recognising the famous locations and the area in general.
There are a wide range of characters, all brought together through the Book Club at The Welcoming Bookshop. The characters bring an equally wide range of issues - adapting to life after Long Covid, LGBTQ issues in a less tolerant culture than the UK, domestic violence, impact of the war in the Former Yugoslavia and PTSD, trial by media. At the heart of the book is friendship, and how the characters help each other to face their individual issues.
The characters are all likeable, and all feel real, they could be people we know, or we could relate to a particular character and their issues. The chapters are written from the POV of the main characters which works well. It is easy to differentiate between the POVs.
There's definitely a lot more to this book than I expected from the title, and I would be interested to read other books by this author.
Despite the many serious issues, this doesn't feel like a heavy book. It's interesting
The first thing that drew me to this book was the title & setting. I spent a week in Dubrovnik last year and loved the city. The author does a great job of portraying the city, I felt like I was back in the Old Town, recognising the famous locations and the area in general.
There are a wide range of characters, all brought together through the Book Club at The Welcoming Bookshop. The characters bring an equally wide range of issues - adapting to life after Long Covid, LGBTQ issues in a less tolerant culture than the UK, domestic violence, impact of the war in the Former Yugoslavia and PTSD, trial by media. At the heart of the book is friendship, and how the characters help each other to face their individual issues.
The characters are all likeable, and all feel real, they could be people we know, or we could relate to a particular character and their issues. The chapters are written from the POV of the main characters which works well. It is easy to differentiate between the POVs.
There's definitely a lot more to this book than I expected from the title, and I would be interested to read other books by this author.
Despite the many serious issues, this doesn't feel like a heavy book. It's interesting
March 14, 2024
The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glynn is a book that readers everywhere will enjoy for its focus on the importance of friendship and the power that a good book has to bring people together. Set in the current day the book tells the story of Claire Thompson who has just moved to Croatia, and is starting to work in an English language bookshop in the old town. It is a fresh start for Claire, and a chance to regain some of the confidence and get over some of the anxieties that a bad case of Covid 19 caused her. She did not expect to be leading a book club, but it seems like a popular idea so along with her cousin Vedran and fellow employee Luna, she agrees to give it a go. Vedran is reluctant at first as he wants to support his cousin but hates being in public because of a scandal in his past, and Luna has a secret that she is longing to let go of, but needs to find the courage to get it off her chest. Through the book group they all become fast friends and end up working together on not one but two campaigns that could change all their lives for the better.
This was a really charming read but one that was not afraid to touch upon difficult topics including health anxiety, trauma in the aftermath of war, domestic violence and homophobia. For me the strongest aspect of the book was the character work, I loved all of them and felt like the author had done a wonderful job of bringing a diverse group to life in a way that really resonated with me as a reader. If I had to pick a fault I would say that the book felt quite choppy in places, probably because of the shifting character perspectives, but that is a minor quibble.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own,
This was a really charming read but one that was not afraid to touch upon difficult topics including health anxiety, trauma in the aftermath of war, domestic violence and homophobia. For me the strongest aspect of the book was the character work, I loved all of them and felt like the author had done a wonderful job of bringing a diverse group to life in a way that really resonated with me as a reader. If I had to pick a fault I would say that the book felt quite choppy in places, probably because of the shifting character perspectives, but that is a minor quibble.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own,
April 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, it is all about the trials and tribulations of 4 people living in Dubrovnik who are members of a book club, The Dubrovnik Book Club which is started by Claire who has escaped England and moved in with her Grandmother and now lives in Dubrovnik. Claire is extremely nervous of people having had a bad experience with Covid and then Long Covid afterwards. Claire's life is about to change when she starts a new job at a local bookshop, she meets Luna here and they quickly become good friends.
With her cousin Vedran, who is suffering from the disappearance of his fiance, employee Luna who is trying to come to terms with her lifestyle and Karmela, a professor, studying history, they form an unlikely book club. Beautifully written and thoroughly recommended.
With her cousin Vedran, who is suffering from the disappearance of his fiance, employee Luna who is trying to come to terms with her lifestyle and Karmela, a professor, studying history, they form an unlikely book club. Beautifully written and thoroughly recommended.
September 5, 2024
I wanted to be part of the Dubrovnik Book Club … not so much for the books 📚 but for the Croatian 🇭🇷 food fancies🥘and the obligatory wine 🍷 Yes, the lovable characters in this book faced their past traumas and started to overcome their demons 😈but they did so thanks to the friendship and support of those around them.
The key themes were the value of friendship and the need to be true to yourself. With that in mind … any chance of you me becoming your BFF, Fran? I really fancy trying your Krofne 🍩😋
The key themes were the value of friendship and the need to be true to yourself. With that in mind … any chance of you me becoming your BFF, Fran? I really fancy trying your Krofne 🍩😋
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