[Skye’s Review:] Love & Olives (Love and Gelato #3) by Jenna Evans Welch

Love & Olives
by Jenna Evans Welch
Series: Love & Gelato #3
Pages: 352
Published by Simon Pulse
Release Date: November 10th 2020
Genres: Contemporary Romance, YA
Source: Publisher
Format Read: ARC
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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.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I have been a fan of Jenna Evans Welch’s books since I read her debut, Love & Gelato. I absolutely adore that book and her second book, Love & Luck. So, it should come as no surprise that I feel the exact same way about Love & Olives. Jenna Evans Welch knows how to write a sweet, emotional, contemporary book. (By the way, you don’t have to read either of those books before you read Love & Olives. Each of these books is a standalone following different characters.)

Love & Olives is a story about forgiveness, second chances, and the stories we tell ourselves to cope with difficult times and situations. This book has everything you could want. A gorgeous, rich setting? Check. Romance? Check. A slow-burn friends to lovers romance? Check. Atlantis? Check.

Now I know you’re probably thinking, “wait, did she just say Atlantis?” And the answer is yes! This book is set in Greece, where Liv, our main character, is visiting her estranged father to assist him with his quest to find Atlantis. Expect adventure, romance, heartwarming scenes, and self-discovery.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. The writing is easy to read, and the story is captivating and utterly raw. You’ll blow through the pages just like I did. I connected with Liv right away. You can feel her pain in regards to her father’s absence in her life, though she always tries to act like she’s okay. She’s a great main character: headstrong, relatable, and creative. The love interest, Theo, is a cinnamon roll who will steal your heart from his very first appearance. He’s outgoing, charismatic, and funny. I want him to be my best friend.

You should expect to smile, laugh, and cry while you read this book. Seriously. You might want to keep some tissues nearby. Just saying. But, whatever you do, read this book. Liv’s story is one of pain, joy, discovery, and growth. Oh, you should also expect to desperately want to travel to Greece after reading this book. Does anyone want to plan a trip when it’s safe to travel again?