Jenna Evans Welch

"After her mother dies, Lina travels to Italy where she discovers her mothers's journal and sets off on an adventure to unearth her mother's secrets"--

Love & Gelato

  Oamenii vin în Italia pentru două lucruri: love și gelato, i-a spus cineva odată. Dar uneori au parte de mult mai mult.

  Lina își petrece vacanța de vară în Toscana, dar nu pentru că ar fi fascinată de ținuturile însorite, ca de basm, ci pentru că a fost ultima dorință a mamei sale ca ea să vină aici să-și cunoască tatăl. Dar ce tată stă departe de familie timp de șaisprezece ani? Așa că tot ceea ce Lina vrea este să se întoarcă acasă.
Dar înainte de a-și pune în practică hotărârea, primește un jurnal pe care mama ei îl ținuse cât timp trăise în Italia. Dintr-odată, Lina descoperă o lume magică de iubiri ascunse, artă și brutării secrete, care o împinge, alături de foarte chipeșul Ren, pe urmele pașilor mamei sale și-i dezvăluie un secret ascuns de ea de prea multă vreme. Un secret care îi va schimba tot ceea ce știa despre mama ei, tatăl ei, și mai ales despre ea însăși.

Love & Gelato #1

Love&Gelato. Vacanta la Florenta

You may be slow to warm up, but once you do, you light up the whole room.

When someone walks out of a relationship, there’s nothing you can do to keep them there.

Florence is the perfect place to fall in love, which means it’s also the worst place to be heartbroken. Some days I just want to go home. Should I even stay through summer?

How is it that they were living, breathing people and all of a sudden they were just gone?

I guess it makes sense, but living in a cemetery has me thinking often about death. There’s an order here that doesn’t exist in real life, and I find it strangely comforting. Maybe that’s the beauty of death. Nothing is messy anymore. Everything is sealed up and final.

Carolina, but science has proven that the parts of the brain responsible for creativity and madness are the same.

“If you could photograph anything in the world, what would it be?” Before I could even think about it I blurted out “hope.” I know, cheesy, right? But I mean hope as in stillness, those moments when you just know that things are going to work out.

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

And remember, it isn’t over until it’s over.

‘A life without love is like a year without summer.’ 

Turns out there’s a reason they call it falling in love, because when it happens—really happens—that’s exactly how it feels. There no doing or trying, you just let go and hope that someone’s going to be there to catch you. Otherwise, you’re going to end up with some pretty hefty bruises. Trust me, I would know.

Love and Luck

Ashton Reed

Shannon Leigh Williams

tiffany 

Aubrey Hennig

A New York Times bestseller From the author of the New York Times bestselling Love & Gelato comes a heartwarming tale of a road trip through Ireland filled with love, adventure, and the true meaning behind the word family. Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind. So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism. And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother. That is if they don’t get completely lost along the way.

Love & Luck

Georgina :)

A New York Times Bestseller From the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato comes a Mamma Mia!–inspired tale about a teen girl finding romance while trying to connect with her absent father in beautiful Santorini, Greece. Liv Varanakis doesn’t have a lot of fond memories of her father, which makes sense—he fled to Greece when she was only eight. What Liv does remember, though, is their shared love for Greek myths and the lost city of Atlantis. So when Liv suddenly receives a postcard from her father explaining that National Geographic is funding a documentary about his theories on Atlantis—and will she fly out to Greece and help?—Liv jumps at the opportunity. But when she arrives to gorgeous Santorini, things are a little…awkward. There are so many questions, so many emotions that flood to the surface after seeing her father for the first time in years. And yet Liv doesn’t want their past to get in the way of a possible reconciliation. She also definitely doesn’t want Theo—her father’s charismatic so-called “protégé”—to witness her struggle. And that means diving into all that Santorini has to offer—the beautiful sunsets, the turquoise water, the hidden caves, and the delicious cuisine. But not everything on the Greek island is as perfect as it seems. Because as Liv slowly begins to discover, her father may not have invited her to Greece for Atlantis, but for something much more important.

Love & Olives

Sophie

A summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany in this sweeping New York Times bestseller filled with romance, mystery, and adventure.

Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn’t around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is get back home.

But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina’s uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires Lina, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother’s footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything Lina knew about her mother, her father—and even herself.

People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more.

Kirkus Reviews called Love & Gelato “a sure bet for fans of romance fiction,” while VOYA said readers “will find it difficult to put this book down.” Readers are about to discover a new place, a new romance, and a new talent.

Love and Gelato

This was an amazing book! I loved it so muchhhhhh! It made me really involved with Lina! 

The way she went through twist and turns, trying to overcome the grief of her mother. Reading the journal, and going to see her bio father. It all kept me waiting!

I loved the part where her and Ren get together! It made me tear up a little bit! 

POV: when Howard didn't know he was the real father. :/ 

Okay back to serious! Her and Ren were the best they were so cute together. The way they had a playful but meaniful teases. I knew they were meant for each other! Now byeeee ROMSSS

Bea </3

This was an amazing book! I loved it so muchhhhhh! It made me really involved with Lina! 

The way she went through twist and turns, trying to overcome the grief of her mother. Reading the journal, and going to see her bio father. It all kept me waiting!

I loved the part where her and Ren get together! It made me tear up a little bit! 

POV: when Howard didn't know he was the real father. :/ 

When he did: "HE IS NOT THE FATHERRR!"

Okay back to serious! Her and Ren were the best they were so cute together. The way they had a playful but meaniful teases. I knew they were meant for each other! Now byeeee ROMSSS

t. edwards

3 of 5 stars

----- 


This book was light, cute, sweet and a feel-good story. But if I'm being honest, it was not in any way great. I have a few issues with it, especially with the journal part. I was actually frustrated with Lina. I know a big part of this book was about the journal but I really didn't think it needs to be stretched out like that. I mean, it would not actually have to take too long to figure her mother's past if she just read the journal in one sitting. The answers to all of her questions were just right in her hand and she would definitely see it if she just keep flipping the pages. Why did she have to read it bit by bit and make it hard for herself? Maybe it was 'hard' for her to read it because she thought it was like seeing a completely different side of her mother, but I really think that if she just read all of it the first time, it would save a lot of time and wrong theories. Wrong theories just complicates things that shouldn't have. Having a huge part of the story focused on the 'mystery' of the journal, I think it robbed a potential good story between Lina and Ren themselves. As in the story that really focuses on them. But nevertheless, it was still good and I enjoyed it enough.

Paulina 

Katelyn Payne 

I have loved Jenna Evans Welch’s book since I first read Love and gelato when it came out. This book is no different. I was hooked on it from the first chapter. The characters are written in such a way that you fall in love with them. You get to learn and grow and discover new things with them. The way the love story is written in this. It isn’t all at once, but rather a gentle rise to the end. She had me shocked and happy and so frustrated throughout the book. This is definitely a story that I would reread forever.

Lauryn Page

I really really loved this book it brought me back to my time in Italy and made me wish I was back in Florence. This book definitely is super similar to Rachel Hawthornes “A Year in Europe”, which I loved, so if you are looking for something like this book definitely check out Rachel Hawthornes version and just fall in love with Italy, Scotland, and London all over again!

Love & Olives (Export)

Marloes

it started off kinda slow but it got better I liked all the characters but the plot twist was kinda a let down 

saya snyder 

A New York Times bestseller A summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany in this sweeping debut novel filled with romance, mystery, and adventure. Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn’t around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is get back home. But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina’s uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires Lina, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother’s footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything Lina knew about her mother, her father—and even herself. People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more. Kirkus Reviews called Love & Gelato “a sure bet for fans of romance fiction,” while VOYA said readers “will find it difficult to put this book down.” Readers are about to discover a new place, a new romance, and a new talent.

A really heartwarming, cute, quick read. I really ended up loving the characters 😊. I'm glad I read it although I initially thought the characters would be older. The writing wasn't cringe but exciting and captivating. 

Norma Alvarado

Fátima

olivia musick

OMG I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

ok, so i started this book and there were some moments where i was "eh, i don't know about this" but i pushed through and by the time i got to page 50, i literally couldn't stop. if it wasn't for work and the daily hustle-and-bustle of life, i probably would have finished it the day i started it. i haven't cried at the ending of a book in a LONG time. also there is an INSANE, but really good and much needed, plot twist at the end that makes reading this worthwhile.

Christy Pigott

I wish I could go back and read this book for the first time OVER AND OVER! It was literally SO good! It is 100% my new favorite book! It’s so cute and has so many cute and unexpected things happening! I couldn’t put it down! I wish I could give this 50,000 stars! (Side Note… DO NOT WATCH THE MOVIE AFTER READING THE BOOK! 0 out of 5 stars! They completely botched the movie!! NOTHING is the same!) But seriously.. BUY THE BOOK!!!!! I can’t wait to read Love And Olives!! :)

Sofia Nikolaidou

** spoiler alert **
           From my favorite books for this summer , devoured it in one sitting would recommend it to everyone

Lina, 17 ans, dont la mère vient de mourir, part en Italie pour faire la connaissance de son père. Mais pourquoi ne lui a-t-elle jamais parlé de lui ? A peine arrivée, Lina n'a qu'une envie : rentrer le plus vite possible aux Etats-Unis. Puis elle rencontre Ren, un garçon de son âge, qui lui sert de guide, et elle se laisse peu à peu séduire par ce pays. Lina entreprend alors de lire le journal que sa mère tenait à l'époque où elle vivait à Florence et s'aperçoit que sa vie renfermait bien des secrets. En suivant ses traces, elle découvre une vérité bouleversante...

Ashley Wendt

I wasn’t planning on reading/listening to this one, but the Netflix trailer had me intrigued and the audiobook was available through my library. It was adorable. I have some ish with some of the relationship building, but other than that I adored it and hope to devour the Netflix movie asap!!

Menna Khaled

This Book has awakened a dream in me that I have suppressed for so long. This dream is to travel especially to Italy but me being the poor human being I am (with all my money spent on books), I had to resort to the next best thing which is to fictionally travel to Italy through this amazing book.

I honestly don't know if these places the author JENNA EVANS WELCH described in the book are real or imaginary. The obvious way to find out is to google the places mentioned in the book but I am being a scaredy cat.
 
now you might go like 



BUT I AM TELLING YOU BELIEVE ME 
Yes I am afraid to look them up because I am currently smitten with these places so if I find out they are true real existing places I don't think I can hold myself back from booking a one way ticket to Italy and giving my current life plans the finger (LOL).



But there is a second possibility and it's the fact that they are unreal places the don’t exist in our world outside that amazing book :( I suppose my first reaction would be complete utter devastation due to the fact that when I become very rich in the future I won't be able to ride in my private billion dollar plane and go to those places once a month :( 



but then I believe that as soon as I am able to get rid of these depressing thoughts, I would forever be in awe of JENNA EVANS WELCH's mind that had the power to imagine and construct such lovable antique places with utmost details from nothing. 



Let's not forget the characters in this book who were portrayed brilliantly and had visible character developments.

I very much enjoyed how JENNA EVANS WELCH made this book into an amazing adventure and self discovery with a generous touch of love seen in different relationships ( couples, friends, family ..etc.) 
I also admired how the romance aspect didn't overshadow the other topics discussed in the book but still remained sweet and spicy addition to the plot.

My heart and my realistic mind appreciated that the love triangle was so simple and uncomplicated. It was like the " absent - present " aspect in the plot.


The writing style is simple and effortless but still remains intriguing. It kept me reading for long hours without getting bored or extra excited. Thus it is the perfect candidate for a relaxed one night stand book aka it's your excellent summer read as well :)



This book is PG, totally innocent and sweet, I recommend it to everyone at any age. 

While writing this review I came to know that this book is the first in a duology and the second book is called " LOVE & LUCK " and it's the story of Addie, Lina's bestfriend.



 So YAY one more great book to look forward to reading :) hopefully I could find it soon , Pray for me :)


Until next time, stay kind to one another and always read :) 


XX Menna Khaled XX

Cute story! Just want I needed to get out of this terrible reading slump.

taylor

this was such a quick, easy, heartwarming read. i just LOVED the love story in this book. it’s so adorable. my eyes filled with tears at how adorable it was. 

i usually don’t give books 5 stars unless i have a deeply personal connection with them. i mean, i am italian, but not as italian as lina. my ancestors are from italy, though. maybe one day i’ll get to experience all of the places lina and hadley visited myself. maybe i’ll have my own love & gelato. 

really, i relate to this book because my mom grew up in a different place. she has memories she tells me about, places she loved. i’ve never been there. i hope one day i can experience the places my mom loved, like lina.

Andrea

Aunque es el libro más largo de los tres (unas 200 páginas más largo), se me ha pasado volando. Me han encantado todos los personajes y ya tengo plan para cuando vaya a Santorini.

meha 

When I first heard about this book, I was so interested in it! I’m not even kidding when I say this book has been on my TBR since last to last summer and I finally got to read it! I absolutely love all the characters, Lina has my heart and Ren is such a cutie and I love him so much! I love how the writer Jenna explained Italy and how beautiful it was, and the places the character went to! It felt like you were with them in Italy! This book was definitely beautiful written and I love it so much! I think everyone should read this book, and it’s definitely a 5 star book for me!

loren

hermosa y muy adictiva, me enamoré de esta historia!!! ❤️

Kelly Cotton

Love & Gelato  is one of the cutest books I have read this year! I completely fell for Ren and loved the character of Lina. My heart broke for her mother. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a cute love story.

rylee m

beginning boring. middle sick. end alright 
i love howard and lina’s relationship 
and i love ren
but i don’t relaly like ren and lina. i think it’s the whole love thing. it’s been like a week u guys r not in love with eachother. idk i feel like we could’ve gotten more out of their relationship. and the whole mystery thing was relaly fun

marilynn

This was the cutest thing ever!! 

Gosh i love love stories like that they're so cute.

Also, Ren is most probably -no, most  definitely  the cutest person ever.

Lauren Tabor

** spoiler alert **
           This was my most anticipated book of 2020! I am so excited to have finally gotten my hands on it and READ it!! It did not disappoint! My immediate reaction when I finished this was to give it 5 stars because it's Jenna Evans Welch and I love her books with all my soul. But I've let myself sit for a minute and I've decided on 4-4.5 stars. (Probably 4.5 stars if I'm being really honest). 

This book felt like it really stayed true to the feeling of her other two books which I adore. I've always wanted to go to Greece so I was especially excited to read this and now it's made me want to go even more! The adventure in this was so fun and the family dynamics and friendships made along the way is so typical of her books (in the absolute best way possible). The tone is light-hearted while still hitting some heavier topics.



**SPOILER SECTION**
One of the things I was disappointed about was that she was so close to using my least favorite trope of all time which obviously is on me since I'm the one who doesn't like it (Lol). But Liv had a boyfriend the entire time she was in Greece (well most of it) so it was really hard for me to be on board this the new 'love interest.' I highly appreciated that Liv and Theo never **really did anything and that Liv was constantly making it a point that she was still dating. And though Theo was pretty forward in how he felt towards Liv he didn't push her to do anything more than being friends. (**they got close to kissing in one scene that would've been SOOO cute had I not been thinking of her boyfriend back home the ENTIRE time). With that being said I did always have that thought in the back of my head and therefore it was hard for me to appreciate the 'cute' scenes between Liv and Theo because they couldn't really be 'cute' because she was still dating someone. I really wish she could've ditched the bf before she made it to Greece and then I could've appreciated Theo and his adorable-ness the entire book. (of course I can still appreciate him--ha--but I felt like I couldn't root for them to be together until her and her bf broke up, ya know??--obviously you know they MUST get together in the end but it is still wrong to root for them and always want cute scenes from them when she was still dating). 

Anyway...all THAT being said. I do think that they had a lot of fun friendship scenes that weren't romantic and that was great! 
The visuals of Greece alone were incredible and make me want to fly there ASAP. This whole book felt bright and fun and the Atlantis aspects were great too!!

Love & Gelato

Reviews

Highlights