Title: “What Happens in Amsterdam” by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Rating: 4/5
There are times when the overall story is good, but the setting of the book just elevates it so much. This was the case when reading “What Happens in Amsterdam.” Rachel Lynn Solomon is a new author for me, and I will definitely be picking up more of her books after finishing this one, which I read within three days. It was that much fun to read!
Let’s talk about the setting, which seemed to be a character within itself. The book is set entirely in Amsterdam. There aren’t many books set in that specific European city, so that made it even more unique. I recently took a trip to Amsterdam, and this book resparked my love for the city surrounded by canals and leaning houses. The author does a wonderful job of illustrating the city through her writing. Even if I hadn’t visited Amsterdam, Solomon describes the city in a way in which you can picture the scenes while reading. It was a different setting that was enjoyable to read about — there were so many fun facts about the city that the author included.
As far as the characters and romance, this was a second-chance romance trope. Normally, I don’t especially love that trope, but for this story, it worked. The overall story focused on Dani, a thirty-year-old, finding herself while in a new country after some set backs in LA. I like books that center around characters in their late 20s/early 30s trying to find themselves because it is so relatable. It was fun to see Dani reconnect with Wouter, a former exchange student who lived with her family for a year in high school who broke her heart. The two characters found themselves reigniting their love, but not without some hesitances and drama along the way. This book also had the marriage of convenience — I will say, I am a sucker for that trope.
I wouldn’t say I LOVED the two main characters, but I also didn’t dislike them. They were fine — there were a couple things that annoyed me, but because the story was so good, I didn’t mind. I think the author did a great job fleshing out the characters; you knew who they were and why they acted the way they did. Another aspect I liked that was included within the book was Dani’s struggle with her mental health. The author handled the subject in a really good way.
The romance was pretty darn spicy. If that’s not your thing, it’s skippable and doesn’t solely focus on that throughout the story. The relationship is a slow burn, so you get a lot of build up and background before jumping into the spice. Because when the spice hits, it SPICES.
Overall, I would recommend with this to anyone who likes the second-chance or marriage of convenience tropes, as well as any Amsterdam enthusiasts! It was a quick-paced read that’s perfect for summer and will have you looking up flights to the Netherlands. Seriously, I am reconsidering a trip back to hit up some of the spots Solomon mentioned in the book.
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