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On/Off romance novel set in 2018 VENICE
5th May 2026
Five Days in Venice by Fiona Collins, an on/off romance novel set in 2018 Venice.
Audiobook narrated by Lucy Rayner
The novel is set in January 2018 Venice at a Book Festival, where Leo Greene (“sexy bachelor of crime fiction” and “a publisher’s dream“) meets once again with his on/off squeeze Olivia Sackville. They are now both successful authors, working in different genres and their encounter here is guarded and awkward, as they have history. They have had too many beginnings….
The story is mainly set in 2018 but the history of their friendship / relationship, spanning almost a couple of decades, underpins the story of the 5 day festival, back to when they first met, then tentative get-togethers, then aborted explorations into something more.
Leo is the stepson of a famous chef, Isaac, and when he asks Olivia to accompany him as his plus-one to a family meal at the family estate, she not only feels like a bit of a fish out of water (the two main protagonists come from different sides of the class divide) but also, much to her horror, discovers what Isaac really thinks of Leo. It is far from positive. Isaac, however, is the only father figure Leo has had, and he strives to get parental acknowledgment, which is sadly generally unforthcoming, Isaac undermines Leo at every turn. Much to her disappointment, Olivia also discovers that Leo has a very close female friend from childhood, who clearly has an eye on Leo.
Olivia’s own father has just died and she is heartbroken, they were so very close. Joining the familial bond was Gillian, her father’s close friend and Olivia’s godmother, but since the funeral, something has soured between the two women. She now lives in Venice and Olivia is determined to get to the bottom of their rift, as she really doesn’t understand what happened.
Suffice it to say, there are many encounters and conversations that range from angry and hostile, to desperate, to unrequited and some that are simply loving. The ups and downs in the trajectory of their relationship is very nicely portrayed. For much of the time they hide their joint history from the public but – whoops – an astute onlooker spots that each author has portrayed an overly similar scene in their respective novels, and therefore they must have some kind of deeper connection! Surely!
Venice (as well as other parts of Italy and London) comes through very clearly and the author is at home using similes to embellish descriptions. I really felt I was there with the characters. There is even one author event in the wonderful Liberia Acqua Alta, which is a lure for anyone who loves books.
And if you fancy experiencing a Book Festival in Venice, you can certainly sigh up for Venice Noir, 12-15 November 2026, held at the beautiful Ateneo Veneto, which is not normally open to the public.
This is a well composed novel that kept me guessing: will they, won’t they, as they encounter stumbling blocks right up until the end.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
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