Loved all the fascinating detail - and the story was eventful too.
Great immersion into place and period.
I received a copy from Niche Reader but my opinions are my own.

The Virgins of Venice by Gina Buonaguro takes the reader back in time to 1509 in Venice. Once there, the reader is introduced to Justina Soranzo and her family. Born noble but due to bad investments by her father, Justina thinks she is going to marry her brother's best friend who she loves deeply, but instead is sent away to a convent while her younger sister Rosa marries into a rich family but her new husband is cruel. Things only go downhill from here for these characters and their friends. Th...

This was an entrancing story. Historical Venice is really brought to life, and it’s like stepping through a time portal to watch the story unfold. It’s clear the author did plenty of research to make this so realistic. I loved Justina from the start, and found her to be a compelling lead. She faces odds that seem insurmountable at times, but does an excellent job of confronting them head-on. Despite women at the time being treated more as property than individuals, Justina is determined to set h...

This is a pretty long book, but interesting nonetheless. I haven't read much historical fiction before and this was enjoyable. In fact, I think this might be pretty good as a TV show because of the drama and events that unfold. Every time you think that things begin to cool down, something happens. It keeps one on the edge.I did feel sorry for Rosa. Being forced to marry a man she doesn't know or love. I am not spoiling anything, this is all stated at the beginning of the book. I think after thi...

It is 1509 in Venice and two sisters, Rosa - 13 and Justina -16, are happily pondering their future. Rosa likes the gondolier, Teodor, and Justina is in love with Luca. However, their father, who is in debt, has other plans. He sends Justina to the convent at San Zaccaria and promises Rosa to a nobleman, Zago Zane. Both the girls are dismayed. This novel follows their lives over the next few years as they try to navigate their forced paths vs. their heart. Additionally, Justina tries her hand at...

Where there’s a will, there’s a way! This was a superb read! I absolutely loved the opportunity to travel back to sixteenth-century Venice and see behind the walls of the San Zaccaria convent as much as I loved the chance to see how women fared with the social stratification, class barriers and social class rigidity in this maritime republic. I always feel the pull to read books about strong women who question social norms and push against them. In this case, 16-year-old Justina Soranzo dares to...

This book is a page-turning, historical drama that took me through all the feels!I won't give any spoilers, but I found the historical details fascinating. Gina Buonaguro does an excellent job of bringing the era to life, including the horrific treatment of women and girls. I wasn't always comfortable reading about the experiences of the young protagonists, but that's what makes this book so wonderful. It brings the reality of their situation to life.This is no wishy-washy historical romance. Gi...

Justina is the oldest daughter of a Noble family in 16th century Florence and like most families of the day sent their oldest daughter to a convent. Instead of getting the religious education she was sent therefore she instead got an education on scandal in the debauchery, butmost of all secrets. Christina was in love with her brother Paul Lowe’s good friend a lord name Lucas he intern was in love with her. When he approached his father to say he wanted to claim Justine is his wife his father to...

The Virgins of Venice - there are only a handful of books that keep you so engaged from the beginning to the very end and Gina has brilliantly done it with this book.A page turner story provides insight into life for noble women - marriage to a man or marriage to the church. Being with your true love is only a desired path that rarely transpires. The subtleness of forbidden love, combined with the vivid images of Venice set in the 16th century - Gina captivates imagination and immersed me in a d...

The Virgins of Venice: A Novel by Gina Buonaguro is a well-written and meticulously researched historical novel that takes place in Venice, Italy during the Renaissance. The level of detail is what sets the tone for this noteworthy novel as it propels you back in time. Add in a healthy dose of romance and you have a book that is eminently readable. All of the smells, textures, politics, conflicts, mores, and emotions come to life in this intriguing and stunning novel. Read this book for total im...