This book hooked me from the start. I love it when a book can immediately
draw you in, and this book did just that. Love & Gelato is full of so many
loveable characters, and it’s so heartwarming to watch them bond. While I
did feel that for a romance book it did take a while to fully uncover the whole
romance, it is very well written, and has many other factors other than just
the main romance. We learn more about the main character's distrust with
her new home, and follow her through her journey when she finds out that
those around might not be who they claim to be.
“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’s no doing or
trying, you just let go and hope that someone’s going to be there to catch
you.”
― Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Gelato
This book has so many things I look for in books; chaotic adventures, deep
characters, and an overall heartwarming message. Not to mention the setting
— to die for. This book literally has me planning my next trip to Italy. I’m
ready to hop on the next flight out. Just the way that the town is depicted, it
sounds so utterly delectable, I can’t even. This book will leave tears in your
eyes, your heart remade.
I do feel like the book has a few boring parts, but they are definitely
necessary for the story overall. The book takes place after Lina’s mother had
passed, and she discovers a journal of her mother’s when she moves to Italy
with her father. So basically, the book had pauses throughout it where we
read parts of her mother’s journal. While I don’t think that the writing of the
journal was necessarily boring, I’m the kind of person who prefers a book to
stay in the present, though many other people don’t feel that way. However,
without the journal the whole story would be lost, so it’s definitely important
to how the whole book plays out.
“I thought I wanted caprice and fire, but it turns out that what I really want is
someone who will wake me up early so I don’t miss a sunrise.”
― Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Gelato
Love & Gelato is the first in a three book series, but they don’t all follow the
same character. Love & Luck is the second book, and follows main character
Addie (who is mentioned as the best friend in Love & Gelato) and towards
the end of the book Lina (main character in Love & Gelato) actually makes an
appearance. Love & Luck takes place in Ireland. The third book is Love &
Olives, which follows Liv in her journey throughout Greece.
Although I wouldn’t say these are my favorite books ever, they are definitely
very good, and very popular. Likes: Setting (I’m in love with Italy now),
characters, and background of the main character (Lina has a lot going on).
Dislikes: Very slow romance (didn’t really find it until the very end), lots of
outside details (just a few too many), and lack of deep/meaningful
relationship. I would definitely recommend, but not a crazy amount of hype
for me.