What do you think?
Rate this book
Five Days in Venice
He’s the old flame she’s tried to put out. But should they rekindle their love—one more time?
When bestselling romance novelist Olivia Sackville arrives at Venice’s prestigious winter literary festival, she’s prepared for everything except seeing Leo Greene—Britain’s number-one crime author and the man who’s forever turning her life upside down. The festival’s demanding schedule keeps throwing them together, and in a city like Venice, there’s no escaping the past—or each other.
While Leo seems determined to prove he’s changed, Olivia battles against the magnetic pull between them—twenty years of almost-love have taught her that falling for Leo Greene only leads to heartbreak.
Between champagne receptions and foggy canal walks, their undeniable chemistry resurfaces. But with both harbouring devastating secrets and the scars of old betrayals still fresh, they must decide if their story deserves a second draft—or if some loves are better left unfinished. As the festival’s five days draw to a close, will they finally find the courage to write their own ending?
When bestselling romance novelist Olivia Sackville arrives at Venice’s prestigious winter literary festival, she’s prepared for everything except seeing Leo Greene—Britain’s number-one crime author and the man who’s forever turning her life upside down. The festival’s demanding schedule keeps throwing them together, and in a city like Venice, there’s no escaping the past—or each other.
While Leo seems determined to prove he’s changed, Olivia battles against the magnetic pull between them—twenty years of almost-love have taught her that falling for Leo Greene only leads to heartbreak.
Between champagne receptions and foggy canal walks, their undeniable chemistry resurfaces. But with both harbouring devastating secrets and the scars of old betrayals still fresh, they must decide if their story deserves a second draft—or if some loves are better left unfinished. As the festival’s five days draw to a close, will they finally find the courage to write their own ending?
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2026
About the author
Fiona Collins
9 books120 followersFiona Collins grew up in an Essex village & after stints in Hong Kong and London returned to the Essex countryside where she lives with her husband & three children. She has a degree in Film & Literature & has had many former careers including TV presenting in Hong Kong, traffic & weather presenter for BBC local radio & film/TV extra. Fiona writes contemporary women's fiction.
As a reader, I like to read on my Kindle in bed or on the sofa on a weekend afternoon, with a paperback. From Valentine’s Day 2020, I’m setting myself a challenge to read 50 women’s memoirs/autobiographies in one year. I'll be posting my thoughts about them on my website https://fionacollinsauthor.com/
You can follow Fiona on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks or find her on Instagram @fionacollinsauthor
As a reader, I like to read on my Kindle in bed or on the sofa on a weekend afternoon, with a paperback. From Valentine’s Day 2020, I’m setting myself a challenge to read 50 women’s memoirs/autobiographies in one year. I'll be posting my thoughts about them on my website https://fionacollinsauthor.com/
You can follow Fiona on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks or find her on Instagram @fionacollinsauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 27, 2026
I was excited for the Venice setting and liked the time‑switching structure, which added a bit of intrigue. But the pacing felt slow for me, with a lot of extra scenes and side characters that didn’t feel essential. I also struggled to connect with the main relationship and some of the character choices. The concept and setting had potential, but overall, the story didn’t land for me the way I hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy.
April 2, 2026
When this book turned up in my email, I was very keen to read it, while in Venice, because set in Venice.
The city is music, and history, and sunshine, and drama, and feelings. And the book delivered these, I suppose, but much, much too slowly. So many diversions, so many secondary figures, so many squandered chances at happiness.
By the second half of the back story I was crawling out of my skin trying to figure what on earth was wrong with the two main characters.
Every book teaches us something about ourselves, I suppose. I am weary of second chance romances at the best of times, and this one - beautifully written as it was, and partially set in what is now one of my favourite cities - did not do it for me.
The city is music, and history, and sunshine, and drama, and feelings. And the book delivered these, I suppose, but much, much too slowly. So many diversions, so many secondary figures, so many squandered chances at happiness.
By the second half of the back story I was crawling out of my skin trying to figure what on earth was wrong with the two main characters.
Every book teaches us something about ourselves, I suppose. I am weary of second chance romances at the best of times, and this one - beautifully written as it was, and partially set in what is now one of my favourite cities - did not do it for me.
March 11, 2026
Italian romance
Set amongst the beautifully described setting of Venice, Olivia, a successful author, meets Leo, another successful author who has broken her heart in their conjoined past. Revisiting their previous encounters, in London and Tuscany, when they were just aspiring writers, we gradually learn the heartbreaking secrets that have made Olivia so reluctant to let Leo into her heart properly.
A lovely ‘will she, won’t she’ dilemma in the true romance style.
Set amongst the beautifully described setting of Venice, Olivia, a successful author, meets Leo, another successful author who has broken her heart in their conjoined past. Revisiting their previous encounters, in London and Tuscany, when they were just aspiring writers, we gradually learn the heartbreaking secrets that have made Olivia so reluctant to let Leo into her heart properly.
A lovely ‘will she, won’t she’ dilemma in the true romance style.
April 28, 2026
This book was a bit frustrating. Olivia drove me crazy after a while. I couldn’t figure out her deal. I was honestly surprised by the ending.
April 13, 2026
It didn’t have as much Venice as I’d hoped, but it was hard to put down!
April 24, 2026
This is the story of British authors Olivia Sackville and Leo Greene who are attending an author's conference in Venice and trying to find their way back to each other.
After a meet cute in London, young reviewers for sister publications (he food/restaurants, she film) keep popping in and out of each other's lives, as they make the leap from writing review columns to writing their first books, to eventually becoming very successful authors (he in the crime/mystery genre, she in romance). They circle around each other being interest, being friends, being jealous, being in love, being secretive, and it all comes to a head in a disastrous road trip in Italy. The problem is that this story is NOT told in a linear fashion. The jumps are from the current multi day event to several different points in the past. At times it becomes tricky to decern where their relationship stands at any given point and what happened just before that informs why they are behaving the way they are at any given point. They are clearly very attracted to each other, but life gets in the way.
Olivia's father dies at an inopportune time making it clear they won't pursue their feelings. Leo shuts her down when they are about to sleep together, she walks away from a passionate embrace, his book is a hit and she struggles to sell her first book and grows jealous, his family is hideous and unpleasant, and back and forth and back and forth. It grows quickly grows tiresome. In the end there is some 20yrs worth of near misses for the otherwise charismatic, intelligent protagonists.
There is a go nowhere issue with Olivia's god mother who was her father's best friend since childhood; and a pseudo arranged marriage for Leo and family friend Cressida so that her father might invest in his father's business, but this doesn't pan out.
A booktok super fan named Beth points out that in Leo's current novel featuring a crime solving chef, and Olivia's current romance novel both feature a scene where the characters share the exact same meal at an Italian restaurant. It seems like this was supposed to be a big deal but once again, nothing really come of it at the conference. We are to understand that Leo and Olivia shared this meal at some point in Italy and it was memorable enough that they both chose to write it into their books, but as the author keeps pointing out that by the time authors are out promoting a book, they have already written one or two more books and so the timeline isn't necessarily indicative of anything. Fact of the matter when we jump to the past again, I wasn't really sure if any of the meals they shared together was "the" meal and I didn't care enough to scroll back and check the details.
The other authors at the present event are barely sketched out and could have been left out altogether if it would have given more development of Olivia and Leo's issues.
In the end it seemed like the author worked overtime to try and keep apart two characters who so clearly wanted to be together, just for the sake of filling out a certain number of pages.
After a meet cute in London, young reviewers for sister publications (he food/restaurants, she film) keep popping in and out of each other's lives, as they make the leap from writing review columns to writing their first books, to eventually becoming very successful authors (he in the crime/mystery genre, she in romance). They circle around each other being interest, being friends, being jealous, being in love, being secretive, and it all comes to a head in a disastrous road trip in Italy. The problem is that this story is NOT told in a linear fashion. The jumps are from the current multi day event to several different points in the past. At times it becomes tricky to decern where their relationship stands at any given point and what happened just before that informs why they are behaving the way they are at any given point. They are clearly very attracted to each other, but life gets in the way.
Olivia's father dies at an inopportune time making it clear they won't pursue their feelings. Leo shuts her down when they are about to sleep together, she walks away from a passionate embrace, his book is a hit and she struggles to sell her first book and grows jealous, his family is hideous and unpleasant, and back and forth and back and forth. It grows quickly grows tiresome. In the end there is some 20yrs worth of near misses for the otherwise charismatic, intelligent protagonists.
There is a go nowhere issue with Olivia's god mother who was her father's best friend since childhood; and a pseudo arranged marriage for Leo and family friend Cressida so that her father might invest in his father's business, but this doesn't pan out.
A booktok super fan named Beth points out that in Leo's current novel featuring a crime solving chef, and Olivia's current romance novel both feature a scene where the characters share the exact same meal at an Italian restaurant. It seems like this was supposed to be a big deal but once again, nothing really come of it at the conference. We are to understand that Leo and Olivia shared this meal at some point in Italy and it was memorable enough that they both chose to write it into their books, but as the author keeps pointing out that by the time authors are out promoting a book, they have already written one or two more books and so the timeline isn't necessarily indicative of anything. Fact of the matter when we jump to the past again, I wasn't really sure if any of the meals they shared together was "the" meal and I didn't care enough to scroll back and check the details.
The other authors at the present event are barely sketched out and could have been left out altogether if it would have given more development of Olivia and Leo's issues.
In the end it seemed like the author worked overtime to try and keep apart two characters who so clearly wanted to be together, just for the sake of filling out a certain number of pages.
May 2, 2026
I hate giving such low ratings, but I don't think I can justify even the second star here. I liked the book well enough in the first third, but it just went downhill from there.
The very first thing that I expect out of a romance novel is for the characters to have chemistry with one another and to be able to root for them and their relationship. They can have flaws (they're supposed to be human after all!), but it's really hard to sympathise and enjoy the relationship if they are genuinely bad and self-centered people. While I do not hold such contempt for Olivia, it is very much the case for Leo. There are things that I find rather stupid and bordering on unforgivable when one is nineteen years old, but you just can't have the character repeat those mistakes and worse when they are forty. Even worse, you can't justify them with "he went to therapy and became a better man" and expect that to overwrite an entire novel's worth of shitty behaviour, especially in a romance novel in which the ending is supposedly happy, desirable or aspirational. What is desirable about a man who still does the bare minimum after twenty years? Olivia was not particularly likeable either, but it was still within 'flawed person' limits.
The plot was also not particularly well-made: the jumping back and forth between the present and the past broke the flow of the present-time arc, the secondary characters were far too many and far too unimportant for the most part, and the way it kept reminding you of the "mystery" of what happened three years prior every three paragraphs became irritating pretty quickly. The emotional blows and twists also felt too predictable, which is pretty bad considering how much the landing of the emotional blows relied on their shock.
Overall, this was not an enjoyable read for me and I would not recommend it. I still want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of the book and the opportunity to review it.
The very first thing that I expect out of a romance novel is for the characters to have chemistry with one another and to be able to root for them and their relationship. They can have flaws (they're supposed to be human after all!), but it's really hard to sympathise and enjoy the relationship if they are genuinely bad and self-centered people. While I do not hold such contempt for Olivia, it is very much the case for Leo. There are things that I find rather stupid and bordering on unforgivable when one is nineteen years old, but you just can't have the character repeat those mistakes and worse when they are forty. Even worse, you can't justify them with "he went to therapy and became a better man" and expect that to overwrite an entire novel's worth of shitty behaviour, especially in a romance novel in which the ending is supposedly happy, desirable or aspirational. What is desirable about a man who still does the bare minimum after twenty years? Olivia was not particularly likeable either, but it was still within 'flawed person' limits.
The plot was also not particularly well-made: the jumping back and forth between the present and the past broke the flow of the present-time arc, the secondary characters were far too many and far too unimportant for the most part, and the way it kept reminding you of the "mystery" of what happened three years prior every three paragraphs became irritating pretty quickly. The emotional blows and twists also felt too predictable, which is pretty bad considering how much the landing of the emotional blows relied on their shock.
Overall, this was not an enjoyable read for me and I would not recommend it. I still want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of the book and the opportunity to review it.
March 13, 2026
Loved the book cover
The book cover looked very inviting and the title drew me in, Five days in Venice at a book festival and a second chance romance, I couldn’t wait to start reading it.
But it wasn’t just five days in Venice, it was five days plus multiple visits to the past to read about Olivia and Leo’s past interactions over a 20 year period, drip feeding information to explain where it went wrong. Sadly, I’m not a fan of stories that leap from the present to the past throughout.
I thought that the book started well and the first few chapters drew me further in to the story. As a part of the book festival the authors had sit on the stage and talk about their books, then take questions from the audience. Olivia and Leo were alongside one another at the table, they talked about their books, but it was obvious there were tensions between them. The audience questions threw up some interesting points which surprised both of them and made some people look at them differently and ask about how they met. However, before we got an in depth reply, it was 20 years earlier and we were at their first meeting.
The story continued in this vein, we got a some information each time the story went to the past, but not much and by the time we were a half way through the book I had lost interest in the why there were not together and whether they ever would be.
Both of them seemed to be stuck emotionally, neither made good decisions which meant that they were unable to find happiness.
Olivia felt guilty that she’d gone to university, refined her accent, moved away from home and enjoyed her life in London. She thought that her Father was disappointed in her, though evidence would suggest he was proud of her and all she had achieved.
Leo, didn’t have a Father, but he had a step-father whom he was still trying to impress, despite the fact that he was a bullying, manipulative boor who interfered in his life to suit his own ends.
Neither Leo nor Olivia seemed to analyse their behaviours or even talk about where things had gone wrong, I found it frustrating.
I am sure that others will enjoy this book but I found it a bit tedious.
The book cover looked very inviting and the title drew me in, Five days in Venice at a book festival and a second chance romance, I couldn’t wait to start reading it.
But it wasn’t just five days in Venice, it was five days plus multiple visits to the past to read about Olivia and Leo’s past interactions over a 20 year period, drip feeding information to explain where it went wrong. Sadly, I’m not a fan of stories that leap from the present to the past throughout.
I thought that the book started well and the first few chapters drew me further in to the story. As a part of the book festival the authors had sit on the stage and talk about their books, then take questions from the audience. Olivia and Leo were alongside one another at the table, they talked about their books, but it was obvious there were tensions between them. The audience questions threw up some interesting points which surprised both of them and made some people look at them differently and ask about how they met. However, before we got an in depth reply, it was 20 years earlier and we were at their first meeting.
The story continued in this vein, we got a some information each time the story went to the past, but not much and by the time we were a half way through the book I had lost interest in the why there were not together and whether they ever would be.
Both of them seemed to be stuck emotionally, neither made good decisions which meant that they were unable to find happiness.
Olivia felt guilty that she’d gone to university, refined her accent, moved away from home and enjoyed her life in London. She thought that her Father was disappointed in her, though evidence would suggest he was proud of her and all she had achieved.
Leo, didn’t have a Father, but he had a step-father whom he was still trying to impress, despite the fact that he was a bullying, manipulative boor who interfered in his life to suit his own ends.
Neither Leo nor Olivia seemed to analyse their behaviours or even talk about where things had gone wrong, I found it frustrating.
I am sure that others will enjoy this book but I found it a bit tedious.
April 7, 2026
Five Days in Venice by Fiona Collins is everything I love about a slow burn romance and then some. This was a beautifully written four star read that had me completely swept up from start to finish.
The premise at the heart of this book is so romantic and unlike anything I have read in a while. Two writers, a chance meeting, and decades of missed opportunities make for such a compelling and emotionally rich story. It makes you feel like you are right there alongside Olivia and Leo, willing them to finally find their way to each other.
The setting is absolutely gorgeous. Venice feels so vividly alive throughout and added such a dreamy, atmospheric quality to the whole story that made it feel truly special and transporting.
What I loved most was how the story trusts its romance to breathe. There is no rush here. The slow burn is deliberate and deeply satisfying, and the flashback chapters weave the past and present together in a way that kept me emotionally invested throughout. Every near miss between these two characters felt genuinely heartbreaking in the best possible way.
The narration by Lucy Rayner was a wonderful companion to the story. Her gentle and measured delivery suited the tone of the book perfectly and made for such a relaxing and immersive listen.
A tender, soul-warming love story that lingers long after the final chapter. Highly recommend!
Pub Day: April 1, 2026
Categories: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers, Women`s Fiction
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC.
The premise at the heart of this book is so romantic and unlike anything I have read in a while. Two writers, a chance meeting, and decades of missed opportunities make for such a compelling and emotionally rich story. It makes you feel like you are right there alongside Olivia and Leo, willing them to finally find their way to each other.
The setting is absolutely gorgeous. Venice feels so vividly alive throughout and added such a dreamy, atmospheric quality to the whole story that made it feel truly special and transporting.
What I loved most was how the story trusts its romance to breathe. There is no rush here. The slow burn is deliberate and deeply satisfying, and the flashback chapters weave the past and present together in a way that kept me emotionally invested throughout. Every near miss between these two characters felt genuinely heartbreaking in the best possible way.
The narration by Lucy Rayner was a wonderful companion to the story. Her gentle and measured delivery suited the tone of the book perfectly and made for such a relaxing and immersive listen.
A tender, soul-warming love story that lingers long after the final chapter. Highly recommend!
Pub Day: April 1, 2026
Categories: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers, Women`s Fiction
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC.
April 12, 2026
Five Days in Venice had all the ingredients for a captivating escape: an evocative setting, emotional stakes, and a journey of self-discovery...but for me, it didn’t quite reach its full potential.
Venice itself was, of course, a beautiful backdrop, and there were moments where the atmosphere really shone through. However, I never fully felt transported. I wanted to be swept away by the city’s charm, but the descriptions, while pleasant, didn’t quite immerse me as much as I’d hoped.
The pacing was a bit uneven. Some sections felt slow and dragged on longer than necessary, which made it hard to stay fully engaged. I also struggled with the main character. She spent a lot of the story holding back and playing it safe, and while I understand that was likely part of her arc, it went on for too long. When she was faced with lifes tough situations, her lack of strength and decisiveness made it difficult for me to connect with or fully respect her.
The writing itself was easy to read, but at times it felt quite basic and lacked the depth or emotional punch that could have elevated the story. That said, there were still elements I appreciated as the premise is appealing, and there are glimpses of a more compelling story beneath the surface.
Overall this was an okay read, but one that left me wishing for a bit more depth, stronger character development, and a richer sense of place.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Venice itself was, of course, a beautiful backdrop, and there were moments where the atmosphere really shone through. However, I never fully felt transported. I wanted to be swept away by the city’s charm, but the descriptions, while pleasant, didn’t quite immerse me as much as I’d hoped.
The pacing was a bit uneven. Some sections felt slow and dragged on longer than necessary, which made it hard to stay fully engaged. I also struggled with the main character. She spent a lot of the story holding back and playing it safe, and while I understand that was likely part of her arc, it went on for too long. When she was faced with lifes tough situations, her lack of strength and decisiveness made it difficult for me to connect with or fully respect her.
The writing itself was easy to read, but at times it felt quite basic and lacked the depth or emotional punch that could have elevated the story. That said, there were still elements I appreciated as the premise is appealing, and there are glimpses of a more compelling story beneath the surface.
Overall this was an okay read, but one that left me wishing for a bit more depth, stronger character development, and a richer sense of place.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy
My prime first read for March and I'm not sure how I feel about it.
Whilst the title is five days in Venice, what feels like the majority of the book is not set there. Instead we have a lot of backstory telling the history of Olivia and Leo. Their story reminds me of the film When Harry Met Sally in that it's pretty obvious the two will get together in the end, but they take their time getting there, often hurting each other in the process.
I struggled to like either character, Olivia felt whiny at times and was overly preoccupied with her lower social status. Leo felt like a caricature, all novelty cowboy boots and silk shirts. Neither made me care enough about them to really be invested in the outcome of their relationship.
The writing style was also not to my liking. Far too much time was spent on irrelevant details which slowed things down so much I was bored in places. For example the opening chapters take place at an author Q&A event, we are told every question, who asked it, and every response. Not just for the two lead characters but the other authors as well, it seemed to go on forever when I just wanted the story advancing.
Despite this I didn't dislike the book either so I'm sitting firmly in the middle on this one with 3 stars.
Whilst the title is five days in Venice, what feels like the majority of the book is not set there. Instead we have a lot of backstory telling the history of Olivia and Leo. Their story reminds me of the film When Harry Met Sally in that it's pretty obvious the two will get together in the end, but they take their time getting there, often hurting each other in the process.
I struggled to like either character, Olivia felt whiny at times and was overly preoccupied with her lower social status. Leo felt like a caricature, all novelty cowboy boots and silk shirts. Neither made me care enough about them to really be invested in the outcome of their relationship.
The writing style was also not to my liking. Far too much time was spent on irrelevant details which slowed things down so much I was bored in places. For example the opening chapters take place at an author Q&A event, we are told every question, who asked it, and every response. Not just for the two lead characters but the other authors as well, it seemed to go on forever when I just wanted the story advancing.
Despite this I didn't dislike the book either so I'm sitting firmly in the middle on this one with 3 stars.
April 19, 2026
I enjoyed the story and What im about to say may feel like i didnt.. but I loved the narrators! I think she did a great job of keeping me interested and listening! Honestly, I think all the back and forth and having so many (too many?) secondary characters that I was getting confused on the timelines… the first third of the book was great at setting the story up, but then I felt like the story went down too many rabbit holes and side stories that I was loosing interest because I kept thinking.. sooo…. Why are you telling me this? Why does this matter to the story?
In the last 3rd of the book….FINALLY we figure out the ‘epic’ fight…. And the ending felt a little anti climactic? I was also getting frustrated with Olivia and Leo’s indecisiveness… I get that life gets in the way.. and there are missed opportunities, but man.. this one took slow burn to a whole new level and even though it was a sweet ending.. I felt like I was still missing something. And im not just talking about smut.. I just didn’t feel satisfied.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸…
🩵Slow Burn
🩵Missed chances
🩵Then and Now
🩵FMC & MMC are authors
🩵Family Drama
🩵Third Person Single POV
🩵No Spice
I received an advance listening copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In the last 3rd of the book….FINALLY we figure out the ‘epic’ fight…. And the ending felt a little anti climactic? I was also getting frustrated with Olivia and Leo’s indecisiveness… I get that life gets in the way.. and there are missed opportunities, but man.. this one took slow burn to a whole new level and even though it was a sweet ending.. I felt like I was still missing something. And im not just talking about smut.. I just didn’t feel satisfied.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸…
🩵Slow Burn
🩵Missed chances
🩵Then and Now
🩵FMC & MMC are authors
🩵Family Drama
🩵Third Person Single POV
🩵No Spice
I received an advance listening copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 7, 2026
A very good listen... A soul wrenching, years long yearning love story.
Told in third person, this is a slow paced and well written story about Olivia who is a romance writer and Leo who is a crime writer. They meet and are attracted instantly when they are young; however, self induced circumstances have them missing opportunities over the years. After two decades they finally get their HEA. There is no smut in this book and it is absolutely not needed.
The narration by Lucy Rayner is well executed. Her voice is gentle and guiding leading to a more relaxed and gentle listen. I was able to listen at 1.5x speed with no problems. I could not go any faster than that because the story does flashback-to-the-past chapters and found if I went faster, I missed the intro to the dates at the beginning of new chapters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this gem.
Told in third person, this is a slow paced and well written story about Olivia who is a romance writer and Leo who is a crime writer. They meet and are attracted instantly when they are young; however, self induced circumstances have them missing opportunities over the years. After two decades they finally get their HEA. There is no smut in this book and it is absolutely not needed.
The narration by Lucy Rayner is well executed. Her voice is gentle and guiding leading to a more relaxed and gentle listen. I was able to listen at 1.5x speed with no problems. I could not go any faster than that because the story does flashback-to-the-past chapters and found if I went faster, I missed the intro to the dates at the beginning of new chapters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this gem.
April 9, 2026
Five Days in Venice
By: Fiona Collins
- second chance romance
- forced proximity
- two writers
- slow burn
Olivia Sackville is a bestselling romance novelist attending a literary convention in Venice. She arrives only to be shocked to find that her former fling—crime writer, Leo Greene—is the festival’s featured guest. Their history spans decades of missed chances, professional rivalry, and emotional wounds that neither has fully healed. As they reunite in the canals and cafes of Venice, secrets surface, old feelings are reignited, and both must decide whether to let the past go—or finally give their love a real chance.
This was a good book and I enjoyed the career rivalry aspect of the plot!
The narrator was great and added much personality to the characters!
Content/trigger warnings: grief & loss
Thank you to NetGalley & the author for access to this ARC in return for my honest review!
By: Fiona Collins
- second chance romance
- forced proximity
- two writers
- slow burn
Olivia Sackville is a bestselling romance novelist attending a literary convention in Venice. She arrives only to be shocked to find that her former fling—crime writer, Leo Greene—is the festival’s featured guest. Their history spans decades of missed chances, professional rivalry, and emotional wounds that neither has fully healed. As they reunite in the canals and cafes of Venice, secrets surface, old feelings are reignited, and both must decide whether to let the past go—or finally give their love a real chance.
This was a good book and I enjoyed the career rivalry aspect of the plot!
The narrator was great and added much personality to the characters!
Content/trigger warnings: grief & loss
Thank you to NetGalley & the author for access to this ARC in return for my honest review!
April 12, 2026
ALC from NetGalley - I really enjoyed this book. The writing is wonderful and I was very engaged in the story. I loved the characters and felt for them as every part of their history was revealed.
I have two reasons I gave the book 4 stars. One was the narrator. Right off the back I couldn’t understand her. Her voice was too breathy and even with my volume turned all the way up I was struggling to figure out what she was saying because it was being whispered. It got better as the book when on but in the beginning it was difficult.
The other reason is Olivia’s character although lovable made me want to slap her so many times, especially towards the end. Without giving any spoilers I felt for her in the story, I really did, but at some points I just wanted to yell at her “get over yourself”. The first few times she resisted I understood but after the 3rd time I was over it. That’s just my hot take.
I have two reasons I gave the book 4 stars. One was the narrator. Right off the back I couldn’t understand her. Her voice was too breathy and even with my volume turned all the way up I was struggling to figure out what she was saying because it was being whispered. It got better as the book when on but in the beginning it was difficult.
The other reason is Olivia’s character although lovable made me want to slap her so many times, especially towards the end. Without giving any spoilers I felt for her in the story, I really did, but at some points I just wanted to yell at her “get over yourself”. The first few times she resisted I understood but after the 3rd time I was over it. That’s just my hot take.
April 14, 2026
🌶️
Five Days in Venice
Fiona Collins
Narrated by @lucyrayner
Lucy did a great performance in this audiobook. Really brought Olivia and the story to life.
I found this book entertaining, but frustrating (so many chance encounters but something always comes up), amusing and sometimes it was a little slow. Also nothing like a last minute HEA.
QOTD: 🍕 or 🍝
Side Note: this photo of the Rialto Bridge is mine I took during a family holiday. Venice is amazing place to visit and loved revisiting during this book.
Thank you to @netgalley, @brilliancepublishing and Fiona for the audiobook.
Words and moments that Linger:
🍷“Then you can take me to the station at midnight, like f ucking Cinderella.”
🍷They both wrote the same scene in their different books.
🍷”It always been you”.
Tropes:
🍝Slow Burn
🍝Second Chance Romance
🍝Two Writers
🍝Forced Proximity
#bittersweet_chapters_aus #netgalley #fionacollins #fivedaysinvenice #audiobook
Five Days in Venice
Fiona Collins
Narrated by @lucyrayner
Lucy did a great performance in this audiobook. Really brought Olivia and the story to life.
I found this book entertaining, but frustrating (so many chance encounters but something always comes up), amusing and sometimes it was a little slow. Also nothing like a last minute HEA.
QOTD: 🍕 or 🍝
Side Note: this photo of the Rialto Bridge is mine I took during a family holiday. Venice is amazing place to visit and loved revisiting during this book.
Thank you to @netgalley, @brilliancepublishing and Fiona for the audiobook.
Words and moments that Linger:
🍷“Then you can take me to the station at midnight, like f ucking Cinderella.”
🍷They both wrote the same scene in their different books.
🍷”It always been you”.
Tropes:
🍝Slow Burn
🍝Second Chance Romance
🍝Two Writers
🍝Forced Proximity
#bittersweet_chapters_aus #netgalley #fionacollins #fivedaysinvenice #audiobook
April 16, 2026
ALC Review 3.5
The narrator fit the main character for this story and did a wonderful job telling the story.
I visited Venice a few months ago, so when I saw the title of the book I was drawn to it. I would love to go back. While parts of the story take place in Venice, it isn't the main location. This story spans decades and they find each other in different parts of the world, and the transition between past and present was well done. I had hoped to be more immersed in Venice and its surroundings, but as soon as I was pulled in the story changed.
The chemistry between the main character and the love interest was there, but I ended up disliking the love interest toward the end. 17 years also seems like a long time for their on and off again relationship.
Overall I did enjoy the audiobook.
Thank you Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
The narrator fit the main character for this story and did a wonderful job telling the story.
I visited Venice a few months ago, so when I saw the title of the book I was drawn to it. I would love to go back. While parts of the story take place in Venice, it isn't the main location. This story spans decades and they find each other in different parts of the world, and the transition between past and present was well done. I had hoped to be more immersed in Venice and its surroundings, but as soon as I was pulled in the story changed.
The chemistry between the main character and the love interest was there, but I ended up disliking the love interest toward the end. 17 years also seems like a long time for their on and off again relationship.
Overall I did enjoy the audiobook.
Thank you Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
April 18, 2026
Five Days in Venice is a solid read with an interesting premise and enough emotional tension to keep you engaged. The dual timelines add a layer of intrigue, and the story does a good job exploring relationships, choices, and personal growth.
That said, the book can feel repetitive at times, especially in how the characters revisit the same emotional conflicts. Certain thoughts and struggles come up again and again without much new insight, which slows the pacing. Some of the emotional responses also feel a bit immature for the characters’ ages, making it harder to fully connect with them.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable and easy read with a compelling concept, but the repetitiveness and uneven character depth keep it from standing out more.
That said, the book can feel repetitive at times, especially in how the characters revisit the same emotional conflicts. Certain thoughts and struggles come up again and again without much new insight, which slows the pacing. Some of the emotional responses also feel a bit immature for the characters’ ages, making it harder to fully connect with them.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable and easy read with a compelling concept, but the repetitiveness and uneven character depth keep it from standing out more.
April 13, 2026
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I really wanted to like the story and the characters, but found it difficult. The writing was great and the plot unfolded at a good pace, but I still just couldn't vibe with it. There seemed to be strong underlying themes of MC's being soulmates/destined/meant to be. I personally felt the Olivia could have done much better than Leo, but maybe my bias against cheaters is showing. He was literally dating or engaged to someone else two of the times they kissed and had "moments" during their history. It just felt too much like overlooking red flag behavior because he's "perfect" for her.
No language. Closed door.
I really wanted to like the story and the characters, but found it difficult. The writing was great and the plot unfolded at a good pace, but I still just couldn't vibe with it. There seemed to be strong underlying themes of MC's being soulmates/destined/meant to be. I personally felt the Olivia could have done much better than Leo, but maybe my bias against cheaters is showing. He was literally dating or engaged to someone else two of the times they kissed and had "moments" during their history. It just felt too much like overlooking red flag behavior because he's "perfect" for her.
No language. Closed door.
Review of advance copy
A perfect example of a romance novel: two strong protagonists, deeply attracted to each other but kept apart by circumstances, misunderstandings or their own characters. Will they achieve their HEA and if so, how long will it take them to realise it's what they want.
The twin settings of a literary event and Italy were beautifully presented by an author who appears to be writing from experience. It certainly made me want to visit Venice - although maybe in late spring rather than January.
I read this is just over 24 hours; a great curl-up-and-lose-yourself book. Highly recommended.
The twin settings of a literary event and Italy were beautifully presented by an author who appears to be writing from experience. It certainly made me want to visit Venice - although maybe in late spring rather than January.
I read this is just over 24 hours; a great curl-up-and-lose-yourself book. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy
An enjoyable romance overall and while I enjoyed the European settings, I didn’t quite connect with the two main characters. At times, I found both of them to be irritating, albeit for different reasons. I also struggled occasionally with the shifting timelines, particularly as two strands of the story are set in Italy (though I recognise this may simply be down to my not paying close enough attention to the chapter date markers). If you’re not a fan of narratives that move between different time periods, this may not be the book for you.
A solid 3.5 stars.
A solid 3.5 stars.
April 15, 2026
The editor's description sounded amazing and drew me in. I loved the time in Venice. The descriptions of the city, the history, sights, smells, etc read like a travelogue and it was wonderful. The two main characters, Olivia and Leo fell flat for me and their chemistry didn’t seem real (and yes, I know they’re not real and this is fiction). I love a will they, won't they storyline, but I felt there were too many missed opportunities and it took way too long to get to their HEA. Slow burn is great, but this felt like it dragged to me.
April 21, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up
At first, this slowly paced novel was like a leisurely stroll through Venice and I loved it! As the story went on, however, it told of years of missed opportunities between the 2 main characters. What seems obvious to the reader is a mystery to them. They each had some family issues that complicated their stories. I did enjoy the glimpse into the publishing world, but it might be too much for some. Although it was somewhat predictable, I liked the ending, it just seemed to take too long to get there.
Thanks to the publishers at NetGalley for the advance copy.
At first, this slowly paced novel was like a leisurely stroll through Venice and I loved it! As the story went on, however, it told of years of missed opportunities between the 2 main characters. What seems obvious to the reader is a mystery to them. They each had some family issues that complicated their stories. I did enjoy the glimpse into the publishing world, but it might be too much for some. Although it was somewhat predictable, I liked the ending, it just seemed to take too long to get there.
Thanks to the publishers at NetGalley for the advance copy.
May 11, 2026
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook.
This book was exactly what I needed as an escape from everyday life.
The story is set in Venice, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to read it in the first place. At the beginning, we meet two writers and former lovers, between whom there is an immediate sense of tension and unresolved emotions.
The novel is written in a way I really enjoy in romance books, with plenty of flashbacks that slowly reveal their shared past, from their first meeting to their eventual breakup, until they unexpectedly reunite again in Venice.
This is the ultimate feel-good read and one of those books you finish in a single breath. If this story ever gets adapted for the screen, I would gladly watch it. I honestly hope it happens someday.
Audiobook, English
This book was exactly what I needed as an escape from everyday life.
The story is set in Venice, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to read it in the first place. At the beginning, we meet two writers and former lovers, between whom there is an immediate sense of tension and unresolved emotions.
The novel is written in a way I really enjoy in romance books, with plenty of flashbacks that slowly reveal their shared past, from their first meeting to their eventual breakup, until they unexpectedly reunite again in Venice.
This is the ultimate feel-good read and one of those books you finish in a single breath. If this story ever gets adapted for the screen, I would gladly watch it. I honestly hope it happens someday.
Audiobook, English
April 13, 2026
I received an audio ARC of this book thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Five Days in Venice is a romance that it told across two time periods. The present and then the characters history together. It was wonderfully done. And completely heartbreaking over and over again. I love the characters and watching their relationship evolve again and again. Chance encounters will never look the same way again. This is a must read!
Five Days in Venice is a romance that it told across two time periods. The present and then the characters history together. It was wonderfully done. And completely heartbreaking over and over again. I love the characters and watching their relationship evolve again and again. Chance encounters will never look the same way again. This is a must read!
April 15, 2026
🎧2.5⭐️ This second chance romance is told from multiple points of view across multiple timelines, which is nice to get so many perspectives, but also made the story drag at several points and I found myself just wanting to get to get past all their history and to the present day to know what would happen.
I loved the narrator though and really enjoyed how she voiced the characters.
I received an ALC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the narrator though and really enjoyed how she voiced the characters.
I received an ALC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
March 7, 2026
I really enjoyed the setting of this love story in beautiful Venice and other parts of Italy. The will they, won’t they sliding doors story unfolded against the present day book festival in a believable fashion, with both tender and tense episodes. I’ve not read anything by this author before but will look out for more.
Review of advance copy
An intertwined story over 20 years of "will they, won't they?" Waiting 2 decades for a guy to go to therapy to realise what he has always been missing because he had commitment and daddy issues. Two decades of waiting for bare minimum... Pass. This is not a love story, this is actually sad that a female author would write a book like this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
A very slow burn romance. I found Olivia and Leo engaging. The settings were interesting too, particularly beautiful Italy. But the story bounced back and forth over twenty years, which I found confusing. Which was a shame, because the core story was strong. It was a slow read for me, as I found it hard work in places. Ultimately, I did enjoy it.
April 11, 2026
I enjoyed the story, loved revisiting Venice in my mind’s eye. I am not a great fan of going backwards and forwards in time, it can be very confusing. Leo is a lovely character, Olivia however is a bit frustrating in her search for perfection in all things, wasting her life regretting things over which she had no control.
Worth reading.
Worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews