Love & Olives
A New York Times Bestseller
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Community Reviews
4.5 rounded up!
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.
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. (Check out the pics on my blog link below!) 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.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
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.
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. (Check out the pics on my blog link below!) 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.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
I loved this. I picked it up to read right before a trip to Greece and finished it right as the ferry was pulling in to the Santorini port. I enjoyed it so much that I ventured to Oia in search of the real Atlantis bookstore that inspired some of the book. Definitely got misty-eyed several times and was surprised at some of the heavy topics covered since it was listed as a YA book. Would definitely recommend.
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