Title: Love & Olives (Love & Gelato, #3)
Author: Jenna Evans Welch
Genre: YA Romance
Published On: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: paperback
Pages: 528
Liv Varanakis doesn’t like to think of her father much, which makes sense—he fled to Greece when she was only eight, leaving her with just a few painful memories of their shared love for the lost city of Atlantis. So when now-teenage Liv suddenly receives a postcard from her father explaining that National Geographic is supporting a documentary about his theories on Atlantis—and asks if she will fly out to Greece and help—Liv is less than thrilled.
When she arrives in gorgeous Santorini, things are just as awkward as she imagined. There are so many questions, so many emotions that flood to the surface after seeing her father for the first time in years. Liv doesn’t want to get sucked back into her father’s world. She also definitely doesn’t want Theo—her father’s charismatic so-called “protégé”—to witness her struggle.
Even so, she can’t help but be charmed by everything that Santorini has to offer—the beautiful sunsets, the turquoise water, the sun-drenched villages, 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.
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.
My thoughts
(very mild spoilers)
Last summer, I enjoyed bingeing and getting lost in Jenna Evans Welch’s first two travel-themed books Love & Gelato set in Italy and Love & Luck set in Ireland. When the third installment Love & Olives published in November of last year (and I didn’t get approved for an ARC), I decided to save it for summer, as well. I finally picked this one up, and I enjoyed it as much as the previous two.
“Sometimes moving forward is as simple as admitting what you already know.”
Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Olives
Greece is my number one dream destination, and just like with her two previous novels, I couldn’t resist googling each place Welch included in her story. So instead of doing my typical review, I decided to use pictures, as well. When I think of Love & Olives, it’s the visuals that come to mind. The blue-domed white buildings, the curve of the Santorini caldera, the stunning sunsets that the island is known for. The main character Liv is an artist and seeing Santorini through her eyes made it an even more visual experience.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was discovering the bookstore Liv’s father helps to run in Oia (pronounced EE-UH) was completely inspired by the real bookstore Atlantis Books on the island. Even down to the rooftop book section and the hidden loft area where Liv sleeps. I even stalked their Instagram to see the pictures.
I came for the atmosphere but I stayed for the sweet romance. Theo was a perfect guide to introduce Liv (and us) to Santorini. I enjoyed his confidence and optimism when Liv was understandably negative. And one particular scene had me swooning with all the romantic feels. Love & Olives earns a place on my favorites shelf next to Love & Gelato and Love & Luck, and is definitely one I’ll reread someday.
Rating:
Photo by Tania Mousinho on Unsplash
Map from theartistontheroad.com
Photo by James Ting on Unsplash
Photo by Aris Sfakianakis on Unsplash
Photo by Ryan Christodoulou on Unsplash
Photo by Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash
Photo by Charlie Gallant on Unsplash
Photo by Carolina Sánchez on Unsplash
Photo by Jesse van Vliet on Unsplash
Photo by John Moeses Bauan on Unsplash
About the Author
A Song For A Book
I’ve chosen “Electric Love” by BØRNS to highlight for Love & Olives. I can imagine it playing in the background as Liv and Theo run around the island. And the lyrics are perfect, too. And, of course I made my own playlist to accompany the book. It’s included below. 🙂
Baby, you’re like lightning in a bottle
I can’t let you go now that I got it
And all I need is to be struck
By your electric love (Ohh)
Baby, your electric love (Ahh)
Electric love
Drown me (Drown me), you make my heart beat like the rain
Surround me (Oh), hold me deep beneath your waves
Have you read Love & Olives? Did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
Wonderful review, Dedra. Greece is on my bucket list, so maybe I should check this book out, it might be as close as I will get. It sounds fun as well.
Hopefully we can both get to Greece someday! But, yes, at least we have books. 😉
This sounds like a neat series! Travel-themed books are always fun to read, and seem perfect for summer reading!
Yes, travel-themed books are my favorite to read in summer. 🙂
I enjoyed this book, but felt it had a different feel from the other two. A bit heavier given the content, but still very enjoyable.
Yeah, I don’t usually mind some heavier subject matter as long as there’s still a romance and it has a somewhat happy ending. 😉