The Dogs of Venice

Author: Steven Rowley
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, 2025
Pages: 80
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis:  After months of planning a romantic holiday getaway in Venice, Paul is blindsided when his five-year marriage suddenly unravels. Fueled by heartbreak, Paul endeavors to take the trip alone. Soon after arriving in Italy, he notices a small, scruffy, self-assured dog trotting alongside a canal with the confidence he so desperately wants for himself. When their paths cross again, Paul feels compelled to learn how his new four-legged friend thrives on his own. Amid the food, sights, and welcoming people of Venice, Paul's journey culminates in a magical encounter that leads him to feel real connection - to a dog, to a foreign city, and most importantly, to himself.

Review: Steven Rowley is also the author of The Guncle, which I loved. This book was just okay. I wanted a bigger take-away from the novella.

Steven Rowley Novels
The Guncle

The Guncle

Author: Steven Rowley
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, 2021
Pages: 336
Rating: Highly Recommend 

Synopsis: Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for week long visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick's brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of "Guncle Rules" ready to do, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled acting career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year old. Quickly realizing that parenting - even if temporary - isn't solved with treats and jokes, Patrick's eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being la
rger than life means you're unfailingly human.

Review: I expected this to be over-the-top and silly, but it surprised me by being heart felt and with some depth. Really a cute novel. This author knows kids, and I'm sure anecdotes he's picked up from the children in his life were woven into this story.