I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher via LibraryThing in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book chronicles two forbidden love stories separated by many years but connected by one artistic legacy. The story is told through Alternating time lines from Late Renaissance in Venice, Italy and present day Connecticut.

Rose is a highly educated and skilled book restorer in Connecticut. Since her father died she manages the book store on the university campus. Being an introvert, Rose enjoyed the solitude of working in the quiet bookstore. She had her restoration studio in the back room which she used for her special projects.

A unique document was presented to Rose one day when struggling painter William Lomazzo enters her bookstore with a rare palimpsest. He discovered that it belonged to one of his ancestors, Giovanni Lomazzo, who was also an accomplished artist in Venice, Italy. William is married to Sara with two daughters who recently moved to the area in an attempt to work on their marriage following her affair with a work colleague at the law firm. Likewise, Giovanni is commissioned to paint a portrait of Charia, the courtesan of Venier, an influential men soon to be named an admiral. Giovanni had lost his wife and baby son during childbirth and had never remarried.

Despite the difference in time periods, both men are hopelessly drawn to a woman who would definitely complicate their lives. The dreams and desires of the past seem to be captured in this palimpsest that Rose has been painstakingly translating and uncovering the layers which hide a deeper story. William and Rose become very invested in uncovering the secrets of the his ancestry. The book seems to relay a secret relationship that developed between Gio and Charia during their painting sessions.

There is a thread which strings the past to the present in this touching novel. ( )

A very detailed historical novel, with equally impressive details about preserving books in modern times. The back and forth between past and present made it hard to really get into either storyline, but the writing is impeccable (even if it did seem a bit pompous at first). Two interesting snapshots of moments in time, but ultimately neither kept my attention. ( )

"The Lost Diary of Venice" features stories from the past and from modern times, woven together in one narrative. The details and background on art and on book restoration make this book interesting for me. I enjoyed the storyline on Giovanni and Chiara quite a lot, as I find historical novels to be intriguing. The lush details and descriptions draw the reader into the stories of both past (Venice) paralleling current times (Connecticut) and provide a fitting background for the action. The story was well-researched as well as imaginative.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The ideas expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

This book definitely was intriguing. Forbidden love, the discovery of a secret diary and a time filled with courtesan's and powerful men.
Told in two timelines, one in present day and the other in 1570 Venice. Rose is a book restorer in Connecticut. When William enters her store with an old manuscript from a relative, Rose immediately discovers there is a hidden story etched behind the original pages. She finds herself attracted to William even though he is married.
In the 1570's, Giovanni is an artist who has been hired to paint the portrait of the beautiful courtesan, Chiara. In the background, a war threatens Venice. An Ottoman fleet is on it's way.
I wish the love story was a bit more pronounced, it barely hinted at an attraction, but it did help the characters gain the momentum they needed to continue on their life's journey. I received a complimentary book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. ( )

This is a fairly pedestrian historical novel that has two stories on parallel tracks: The modern story of a book restorer discovering a book that is a palimpsest with a diary written underneath the document and the story of a fifteenth century painter who is losing his sight in a town menaced by the Ottoman navy, Yikes! What else could there be? Oh yeah, his final commission to paint one of Venice' most beautiful courtesans. Oy veh! ( )