The Venice Hotel (Tess Woods, Penguin)

The Venice Hotel by Tess Woods (Love and Other Battles) is a captivating tale that unfolds over the ‘12 days of Christmas’ at Il Cuore, a boutique hotel in Venice. Through alternating perspectives and leading up to an apparent murder, Woods explores themes of family life and the resilience of women, with the underlying threat of climate change wreaking havoc on the enchanting city. At the heart of the story are four women whose lives intersect in unexpected ways: Loretta, the hotel’s owner and a famous chef, who faces a life-altering choice that tests her loyalty and commitment; Sophie, an Australian food writer on assignment, who confronts her family’s past and gets much more than just a story during her stay; Elena, returning to Venice after years away, who seeks liberation from her suffocating marriage; and Gayle, an American grandmother, who learns to stand on her own two feet (despite her infuriating but often comical husband). Each character is written with such depth and complexity that, by the end of the novel, they feel like old friends. With its atmospheric setting, The Venice Hotel is a journey of intrigue, romance and, ultimately, hope. Woods delivers a compelling narrative that highlights the strength found in the connections forged between women in times of adversity—for fans of Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Hannah Cartmel is an editor, former bookseller and co-founder of The Rag & Bone Man Press Inc. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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