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Five Days in Venice
Not yet published
Expected 1 Apr 26He’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?
- GenresRomance
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 1, 2026
187 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Collins
9 books110 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
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 9, 2026
A Lovely Story
I truly enjoyed this story. It felt steeped in nostalgia and I was at times smitten, frustrated, amused, entertained. And on occasion worried. This author does like to cut it close with the HEAs. Definitely worth a read.
I truly enjoyed this story. It felt steeped in nostalgia and I was at times smitten, frustrated, amused, entertained. And on occasion worried. This author does like to cut it close with the HEAs. Definitely worth a read.
Review of advance copy
This was an amazon first read. Definitely a romance and a few suspend your disbelief themes. That said some nice descriptions of Venice and it kept my interest enough to finish the book. If you like romance novels you will probably enjoy this one.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews