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Venice

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"VENICE is a beautiful novel, it has a wonderfully vivid and engaging plot, and characters that go on a tremendous journey. Well worth a read." Goodreads Reviewer

"'Venice' is an enchanting tale of romance, friendship, and betrayal." Amazon Reviewer

"Loved this story. It had everything! I read it in two days because I couldn’t put it down! This would be a beautiful movie to watch!" Amazon Reviewer

"Burke writes wonderful, lyrical prose. When you read her books, you can see the setting - smell it even. She understands the mood of the south." Amazon Reviewer

"I love a good romance but with the war and plague took this to another level and had me biting my nails." Netgalley Reviewer

"VENICE is a wonderful read, it has a beautifully poignant plot and characters that go on an amazing adventure. Definitely worth checking out." Netgalley Reviewer

"As a long-time New Orleans resident I loved this book! It had lovely and vivid descriptions of historic New Orleans as well as an entertainingly dramatic romance at the center. Venice was such a memorable character." NetGalley Reviewer
A girl from wealth. A poor shrimper’s son. Impossible in 1916 New Orleans.
Will love defy the overwhelming odds against them caused by family and war? 1916
Venice Arial is the dull and boring daughter of an elite society family in the Garden District of New Orleans. She lives under the control of her status and wealth-obsessed mother, and at twenty, Venice’s future is planned—even with the selection of her future husband.

But Venice is miserable and retreats to her beloved summer home, “Belle Haven,” on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. There she meets Etienne Armand, a poor shrimper’s son who introduces her to an unfamiliar way of life without affluence and structure—deep love and reality.

When viciously torn apart from Etienne, Venice must return to New Orleans and the misery of her mother’s influence. But Etienne is her heart and soul and she must take drastic measures to find him again. Does she have the courage to defy her mother and give up affluence and "Belle Haven?" But will she find Etienne again? Is their relationship doomed to fail?

1991
The old woman awakes and has again dreamed of Etienne Armand—her first and only love. At ninety-five, Venice’s memories are quickly fading, but Etienne must remain vivid and clear. Her memories and dreams are all she has left of him as well as the bittersweet days at her beloved “Belle Haven.”

Living in the Garden District mansion with her granddaughter as her caretaker, Venice wants to tell the story of Etienne Armand. But remembering the greed and cruelty that seeped into her life all those years ago, she isn’t so sure it’s a good idea. Perfect for fans of southern historical fiction, strong southern heroines, and the beautiful setting of old New Orleans.

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

51 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

About the author

Jaye Burke

6 books5 followers

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5 stars
39 (43%)
4 stars
29 (32%)
3 stars
10 (11%)
2 stars
9 (10%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,440 reviews98 followers
September 24, 2020
3.5⭐️
A debut novel by Jaye Burke. I love this cover, isn’t it beautiful? A historical romance with hate, love and lies. I loved Venice and Ettiene. They were precious.
The story was told with duel timelines and somewhere around 70% I wanted to throw this across the room. Man!!! I was so mad. Things just weren’t working out and the stubbornness going on!
I love a good romance but with the war and plague took this to another level and had me biting my nails.

Some of the story felt underdeveloped. Maybe a little rushed. I can’t really explain it. But having said that, I will definitely read another by this author.


Thank you NETGALLEY and the publisher for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review. ♥️
Profile Image for Teresa.
505 reviews169 followers
July 10, 2020
I was drawn to this book by the lovely cover, but it wasn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be. This is the story of Venice Arial, daughter of high society of New Orleans, whose life has been decided for her in the late 1910’s. Her controlling mother has arranged a marriage for her, but allows her to visit their summer home, Belle-Haven, on Lake Pontchartrain where she meets Etienne Armand, a local boy with few opportunities. They fall deeply in love, but her mother rips them apart and drags Venice back to New Orleans. Venice finds her voice and refuses to accept the marriage her mother has arranged. Etienne has followed her and after a few miscommunications, they meet up again and are eventually married. Unfortunately, he is drafted into the army and sent to Europe. From here things go seriously wrong.

Venice is pregnant when Etienne leaves and waits eagerly for word from him. Etienne waits for word from Venice. Talk about star-crossed lovers. Modern people just cannot understand the difficulties that were had without phones, email, texts, etc. Imagine waiting weeks, months or even years for a message to reach your loved one - it is unimaginable.

Due to miscommunication and male pride the lovers are separated for an exceedingly long time. The story is told by Venice in her later years with much love and bittersweet emotions. I enjoyed this book although I felt frustrated at times with the characters. I gave this book 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Profile Image for Jessica Reads It.
573 reviews44 followers
December 9, 2020
Did the cover of this book make me want to read it- you betcha! I love the simplicity and beauty of the gold mask design and the gorgeous cheekbones.

Venice was a slow build kinda book featuring star-crossed lovers Venice and Etienne, who were separated by war, plague, pride, and sheer stubbornness. The forbidden love of the high society gal with the local village boy was iconic. I enjoyed the unraveling of the story through Venice's eyes as I felt all her bitter resentment and pain but thought Etienne's perspective would have enhanced the story.

Another aspect of Venice that I enjoyed was the dual timelines, Venice and Etienne are such a complex couple and the juggling of the timelines gives the reader an accurate representation of their struggles both independently and as a couple. Their journeys were beautifully detailed by the author and really tugged at your heartstrings.

While the plotline was nothing new (rich girl meets poor boy and defies parents), I think the aspects of high society and the pressures of being born into privilege definitely set this novel apart. The intensity of the lies and deception were so intricately woven from the very beginning that at the end I was amazed at the lengths some people will go through to see their own agenda.

While I enjoyed most of it, there were some frustrations as I wanted them to communicate more. This is a shortfall on my part because it's not like if they could pick up their cellphone and send a message. Venice was an extremely hard lesson in the struggles of the limited communication methods of that era.

This is a must-read for all the historical romance lovers out there who enjoy love stories about stubborn-headed star crossed lovers who

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this book.
Profile Image for Andrea Hicks.
Author 42 books47 followers
July 24, 2020
Thank you to Jaye Burke, IBPA, and Netgalley for the ARC of VENICE.
This is an amazing read, the story nothing as I imagined it to be. When Venice falls for Etienne at a holiday house away from her home in New Orleans, her spiteful, social climbing mother does everything she can to prevent Venice from marrying him. With her friend, Amy's encouragement she disobeys her mother and returns to Belle-Haven, on Lake Pontchartrain to find him, only to discover he has gone to New Orleans to tell her how he feels about her. They find each other by chance and marry. By the time Etienne is drafted into the army to fight in France, Venice is pregnant.. She writes to him constantly, but never receives a reply. Her letters cease and he wonders why she has stopped writing, but there is a devil at work here, one who is determined that VENICE should remain in the social privileged class she was born into. A fabulous story, set in two time frames which is well done.
3 reviews
July 12, 2020
I loved this book.

My main reason was because it reminded me of when my parents met and married in a 3 week whirlwind romance when my dad was on shore leave in New Orleans during WW II. My father left after his 3 week leave and fought around the world. My mother gave birth to their daughter ( older sister) during his time on different supply ships as a gunner. I had a lovely experience reading about Venice's tenacity and chaotic relationship these main characters had. This was a great read about their fierce love affair.
Profile Image for Janie Anderson.
395 reviews12 followers
July 28, 2020
Author #Jaye Burke has a new novel ‘#Venice’ out that is a story of love, the brutality of The Great War, extreme greed and deception. How Venice and Arial Will again believe in the power of forgiveness. Born into wealth and privilege, Venice Arial is a product of the elite society in New Orleans. Her life is arranged for her by her hateful mother Lorraine. Arial Mansion, is a palatial prison, and her only escape is the family’s summer home, Belle-Haven. Drama will follow......
Thank you,
#Netgalley, #Jaye Burke and #Vintage South Books
Profile Image for JP.
684 reviews25 followers
September 27, 2020
3.5 ⭐️
I liked it, I really did. But it could have been more. There were times I wanted to throw my kindle across the room. It just wasn’t ever going to work out for them!!! I wanted more romance and communication.

And I’ll tell ya, sometimes I just don’t understand why, why, why some would act like that if they were so in “love”?

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my ebook, in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jewels Tate.
80 reviews
July 27, 2020
The first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful golden cover. This book was beautifully written with wonderful characters, excluding the mother acourse. Great character development, and the author makes a huge impact. You feel all of their emotions with your own heart. The couple goes through a journey of love, and heartbreak. I highly recommend this book.
284 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2020
I really loved this book – it’s an enthralling story, haunting in its every detail, so beautifully written. The character development is quite exceptional – and the whole book had an unforgettable impact. Highly, highly recommended.'
4 reviews
July 14, 2020
As a long time New Orleans resident I loved this book! It had lovely and vivid descriptions of historic New Orleans as well as a entertainingly dramatic romance at the center. Venice was such a memorable character.

Thanks to Netgalley for letting me check this book out early!
1 review
July 23, 2020
Hooked on the first page. Characters were well defined, and I had a visual and connected immediately. Love that period of history and this did not disappoint.
Love, sadness, redemption and joy filled the pages until the last word.
Profile Image for TBHONEST.
885 reviews11 followers
July 5, 2020
VENICE is a beautiful novel, it has a wonderfully vivid and engaging plot, and characters that go on a tremendous journey. Well worth a read.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
409 reviews22 followers
August 17, 2020
#netgalley #venice
VENICE is a wonderful read, it has a beautifully poignant plot and characters that go on an amazing adventure. Definitely worth checking out.
17 reviews
May 1, 2022
sophomoric.

Interesting story. Poorly written
Incredibly “simple”. I kept waiting for the adult in the room to take over writing this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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