Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Title: Love & Gelato

Author: Jenna Evans Welch
Length: 256 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Classification: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Source: e-galley via Edelweiss (Thank you, Simon Pulse!)

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 from Lina for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything she knew about her mother, her father—and ever herself.
People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more. 

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***I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review***


As soon as I read the synopsis for Love & Gelato, I knew it was a must-read book for me! I really enjoy stories where the main character travels/moves abroad. So, I was VERY EXCITED to read it!

I LOVED this book. It was so easy for me to get swept up in the story. I couldn't put it down. I think Love & Gelato is a lovely debut full of emotion, acceptance, love, and a bit of mystery. This book is bittersweet romance that would make a great summer read!

I absolutely loved the journal and how Lina was able to still have that piece of her mother. As well as, being able to explore and see the same things that her mother saw. It definitely pulled at my heartstrings.

I think the writing is delightful and paints a beautiful image of Italy. It was easy for me to picture in my head and really makes me long for the chance to one day go there myself. (Also, this story really makes me want some gelato!)

The characters are entertaining and interesting. I really enjoyed the relationship developments. Especially the one between Lina and Howard. Lina is a wonderful main character. She is really going through a lot and has some big changes to face. She is strong and sweet. I really liked Ren. He is a fun and funny character. He is also sweet. I really enjoyed their interactions.

I also really liked that even though Lina is all the way in Italy, she still kept in touch with her best friend. Their conversations were a lot of fun and made me smile. I think it is an excellent friendship!

My Recommendation:

I really enjoyed reading Love & Gelato. It is a very quick read. If I wouldn't have started reading it so late at night, I definitely would have read it in one sitting. It instantly grabbed my attention and kept me turning the pages. It is full of emotion, love, and mystery. I enjoyed the story, the writing, and the characters. I recommend giving it a read if you like Contemporary Romance books.

My Rating: