Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Review: Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Title: Love & Gelato
Author: Jenna Evans Welch
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Simon Pulse (May 3, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
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 even herself.

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












There is something to say about an author that can capture of the emotions of loss and love. Of despair, heartache and of hope and life that just appeals and calls to me.

When I saw Love & Gelato I just knew that I needed to open it up and see what it had to offer.

With a main character that is almost quiet in her grief and a supporting parental role that almost stole the whole show, this was set in a time and place that was every bit as appealing as the storyline.

With a few slow parts that were at times drawn out but with a main character that made them all worth it in the end, this was a great coming of age story about finding your way after losing someone close to you and discovering new things, places, and people to love.


This was an endearing read that really is worth the time and lovers of the genre in general will adore.  






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

46 comments:

  1. I've had my eyes on this one for awhile. I really love the cute cover! Good to hear that you enjoyed it :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. So happy to see you enjoyed this!! I have it coming up myself shortly and hadn't seen many reviews yet. Great review!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can be slow at times but it was really good. I hope you enjoy it too!

      Delete
  3. Beautiful review, Ali! I sounds like you really connected with it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow great review! I've been eyeing this one on Goodreads, but I haven't been 100% sure if I want to read it. I'll definitely have to pick this one up now sometime. It sounds fabulous! Thanks for the wonderful review Ali! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds like a great summer book! YESSS SUMMER IS AROUND THE CORNER!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. GELATO!!!! Now I'm craving it Ali! This has been on my list for a while, so I'm thrilled to know you enjoyed it:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. This sounds well done. Looks like truffles might be needed. I love when an author allows you to connect and feel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooo truffles. I think any book with food in it, needs food to go along with it. :)

      Delete
  8. Oh Ali this one I want what a great premise and I love the title and cover. thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That cover makes me want gelato. This sounds like a great contemporary!!
    Tori @InToriLex

    ReplyDelete
  10. That's such a cute cover and the book sounds like such a great read.

    Simply Angela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a good read, deeper than I thought it would be.

      Delete
  11. This sounds lovely. And what an adorable title and cover. Glad you enjoyed!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the cute summery cover, probably why I got an ARC. I am glad to hear that it was a sweet read, I have it up on the blog soon. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yay for a supportive parent. I'd love to visit Italy! This sounds like a really good one. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really would as well Lauren, maybe someday. ;)

      Delete
  14. I love books that have good/great parents esp books with this theme where you often find dysfunctional family relationships and the blame is usually laid on the parents

    ReplyDelete
  15. I’ve seen this cover somewhere, but haven’t actually read a blurb. This cover is not appealing to me and gives this silly optimistic vibe, that I dismissed this book on sight. Thanks so much for you helpful review, Ali. This sounds wonderful, I added to my tbr.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cover really doesn't match the actual content very much because it really is a more serious read instead of cutsey.

      Delete
  16. This sounds like it has all the feels and that I may cry. Still, you make it sound very good. Might have to check this one out.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is one of my wish list books! Can't wait to read it myself. I love the setting more than anything. Glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Aww cute, I'm gonna read this one!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Italy and gelato? SOLD!! This one is coming up on my TBR very soon. I can't wait to read it! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't wait to see what you thought about it!

      Delete
  20. I've seen this one around a lot but this is the first review I've read -- I think you really captured the feelings you had while reading this one! Sounds great and thanks for the review!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Really love this cover! And I'm glad it matches the inside. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sorry just found this lost in my email. I have to say this does sound good. Is the main character 16 or has her dad just not been around for 16 years? I think I would probably love this so thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete