4 stars

I really enjoyed this one! There was a lot to love.

A while back, I picked up Welch’s Love & Gelato and really enjoyed that one too. There was so much fun in it–I loved seeing Italy, I thought the romance was really adorable, and I loved the themes about dealing with grief.

Love & Luck definitely has a lot of similarities, but it’s also its own category, which is honestly a good thing. I was almost hoping that it would be really similar to Love & Gelato, just in Ireland instead of Italy, but it turned out to be different and this was really good.

The most notable difference was how little romance there was. There were maybe a couple of heart-twinges at a certain character, but overall, Addie wasn’t spending the book falling in love, she was spending it getting over heartbreak.

And I actually really liked this. Addie’s journey was very different because she’s a different person from Lina and has different needs to succeed in life. And I loved seeing her get over heartbreak and all the things she left across the Atlantic, especially with the help of one quirky guidebook.

Speaking of the guidebook, it was basically the most adorable thing ever. I loved reading the short guidebook tourist entries because the voice was so quirky and adorable and used pet names like “pet,” “love,” “kitten,” and even weird ones like “pettiest of pets.” I really enjoyed these sections because they were so unique and individual and took on a distinct voice that wasn’t too cringey.

What I didn’t like so much was that the ending felt a bit rushed. Although a lot is happening and they only have three days in Ireland (making this whole book really short in general) and that the book ends during day three, it felt a little rushed at the end.

This is realistic because they only have so much time, but I did wish there was a little more resolution to really tie everything together, especially with the issue of Addie’s heartbreak.

Also, I felt like Welch strung us along for a little too long. It felt frustrating not knowing what Addie was trying to get over and I think this almost prevented me from enjoying this storyline as much as I could have because Addie’s growth in the time period that we were in the dark wasn’t as impactful as it could have been if we knew what was going on.

I took a wild guess at page 37 about what was happening, and I was right, but I didn’t get enough details that whatever happened could have been anything from a teen pregnancy to a soccer injury. I wish there were just a few more hints dropped along the way to make it a little more engaging because in the end, I was more frustrated than curious about this storyline.

Despite this, I really did enjoy Love & Luck and found it to be a quick, well-paced read with awesome themes about heartbreak and getting over heartbreak as well as family and friendship as Addie has some great connections with her family (three older brothers!) and her best friend in Italy.

If you loved the first book, I’d totally recommend this. If you didn’t love the first book, I’d still recommend it because it’s notably less romantic. Definitely check it out!

Thank you so much to Simon Pulse, Netgalley, and the Fantastic Flying Book Club team for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review! The review will go live on Goodreads and my blog on May 15th, and also be shared on Twitter.

*I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind.

So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism.

And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.

That is if they don’t get completely lost along the way.

-Goodreads

If you loved Welch's first novel, Love & Gelato, as much as I did you were probably sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for her next novel to come out. Trust me Love & Luck does not disappoint. All the same feelings of wanderlust come rushing back in full force. Welch has a way of making you ache to be traveling along side Addie, her brother, and Rowan.

While there is the same theme of traveling in both novels, this book is vastly different. With the help of a quirky guide book and fellow heartbroken travel companion, Addie learns to love herself and works towards healing her heart. Romance the only part I feel was lacking in the novel. After reading Love & Gelato I was slightly disappointed with the lack of romance. The tiny bits of romance included is predictable and forced. I do appreciate Welch's focus on something besides romance though. The strong focus on family and healing before loving again this novel easily earns a 4/5.

The use of a guidebook as a "mentor" for Addie is a clever idea. Throughout Addie's journey she is there with a tidbit of funny and quirky comments always urging Addie to confront her feelings.

Another part of the novel I loved was the family dynamic of the Bennett was something significant throughout Addie and Ian's travels. You can feel the love and support between the siblings even when they may have not felt it.

I also really enjoyed Ian's story line. His strength and desire to be more than his jock label is inspiring. He risked everything to chase his dreams no matter what anybody else would think. This determination is something I greatly admire.

All in all, Welch delivers a sweet novel about what happens after heartbreak that is sure to make you smile. Once again proving how traveling is somehow therapeutic. If I ever have the opportunity to travel to Ireland, every stop they made will be on my must see list!

This was a 3.5 stars for me. I liked it but I didn't love it as much as the first.

Addie is running away from a broken heart and keeping a secret that is causing problems with her brother Ian. While attending their aunt's wedding in Ireland, their mom tells them to fix their problems or wish their extracurricular activities goodbye. When Ian tries to get out of it, Addie doesn't back down and forces them to try to work things out.

I figured this would be an easy 5 stars since I love all things Irish, road-trips, and fun mishaps. The problem I came across was the characters. I didn't really start liking them until about halfway through. I also didn't really like their mom's ultimatum. It honestly seemed a bit harsh. I would recommend it to those who have read the first one but with advice to give it a few chapters.

NetGalley only gave me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review, they did not throw in coffee or wine.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Pulse for a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Addie has carried a big and scary secret with her all the way to Ireland, where she is taking part in her HGTV-famous aunt’s wedding and trying not to let her family drive her crazy. Addie is excited to travel to Italy after the wedding to see her best friend Lin (Love and Gelato), who moved to Florence after the death of her mother ... that is, she WILL be excited to see her as soon as she finds a way to tell her about her secret. But on the morning of her flight, Addie discovers that her plans have done a complete 180, and she soon finds herself on a wild and crazy road trip through Ireland with her brother, Ian, and his newfound Irish friend, Rowan. With a guidebook titled Ireland for the Heartbroken in hand, Addie takes in the sights and sounds of Ireland while trying to come to terms with what happened between her and the boy she left behind in the States.

The enchanting Love and Luck by Jenna Evans Welch takes readers not only on a trip through the beautiful and magical Emerald Isle, but also into the heart and soul of a teenage girl finding herself on the road. Welch masterfully throws in a dash of teenage heartbreak, a bit of sibling rivalry, and a sprinkle of Irish sightseeing to create a young adult novel that is full of spunk and heart. Readers who enjoyed Welch’s Love and Gelato, will delight in reading about Addie’s adventures abroad (complete with a cameo by Lin!) Love and Luck is not all fun and games, however. The novel tackles tough issues currently facing young adults in the form of Addie’s secret. Welch drives home the point that while no actions are without consequences, there is nothing you cannot get through with the support of your friends and family. In all, Love and Luck is a fun, fast-paced read, which astutely deals with the topics of family, self-worth, and finding and being true to yourself.

Ever since I heard there was going to be a follow up to Love & Gelato, I have been obsessed! Especially when I heard the follow up would be set in Ireland--my family's homeland generations back and a place near and dear to my heart. And an Irish leading man? Sold!

As much as I really enjoyed this book, particularly Addie aka Maeve, I was a bit frustrated with their journey. The secret of why Addie and Ian are fighting wasn't revealed until I was 3/4 done with the book, much to my dismay. I loved the guide's stories and advice about the various places they visited. That was very interesting. The sibling love between Addie and Ian was inspiring. Rowan was not as much a love interest as I would have liked either. I really wanted a bit more romance with this one. Overall, it is always tough when sequels or continuations come out because it's tough to live up to the original, but I think Love & Luck did a good job.

*Thank you for the ARC from Netgalley and Simon and Schuster. All opinion are my own.

Many thanks to Simon Pulse / Simon and Schuster for the chance to read and review this novel early.

I'm all for poor man's traveling, also known as reading about teenagers traipsing around the Irish countryside. When I read Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch last year, I was already excited about this book, knowing it wouldn't be released for close to a year. I loved Lina's adventures around Italy and essentially being able to tag along for the ride through Welch's vivid descriptions of the locations.

As luck would have it, Love & Luck offered the same experience I came to enjoy in the last book. This time, readers are transported to Ireland with Lina's best friend, Addie, and her family. After mysterious horrific events at the end of the school year, Addie is eager to put an ocean between her problems and herself. Though, she can't seem to escape the drama of high school with her brother, Ian, reminding Addie of her problems every step of the way, including at their aunt's wedding at the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. Even the windswept landscape can't seem to sweep Addie's thoughts of home away. However, Addie hopes her trip to Italy with Ian to visit Lina will give her the peace she needs, until Addie finds herself trapped in a minuscule car with Ian and his cute Irish friend, Rowan. Instead of heading toward Italy, she ends up on an unexpected Irish adventure.

My favorite part of this story was the pieces of advice included in the pages from the "Ireland for the Heartbroken", the fitting travel guide Addie happened upon at her hotel's library. This unconventional guide gives Addie locations to visit in an attempt to cure her heartbreak, along with homework to complete, allowing her... and Rowan, to face their issues head-on. 

There was never a dull moment in this cute story for ages 12 and up. As readers might imagine, driving around Ireland in the likes of a clown-car with a bumper sticker reading "This car is powered by pure Irish luck" comes with its share of mishaps and hilarity. From Lina's texts to Addie to the moments of fighting between the siblings, I couldn't help but chuckle from time to time as I was swept away by the descriptions of the green landscapes and barren scenes in Burren.

By the end of the story, I was still craving more and wishing the book could go on a bit longer. I hoped for a little more explanation regarding the aftermath of Addie and Ian's decisions upon returning home, but the implication served its purpose. A good writer leaves readers craving more and I was by no means unsatisfied with this story. I hope Jenna Evans Welch will continue the with this series in some form because I can't get enough of the adventurous stories she crafts. She sparks my wanderlust while simultaneously quenching my desire for an exciting trip. I'm also impressed with her ability to please all ages with her writing. Though this is geared for a younger audience, I can't help but love the simplicity of the stories while the author maintains my interest and enjoyment of the characters throughout. This would be a book for both mothers and daughters to enjoy together. I almost can't imagine anything more fun than a mother-daughter buddy-read, except for maybe going to Ireland myself!

Though this is a continuation of Love & Gelato, it reads perfectly as a standalone. If you're looking for a light and fun read, be sure to pick up Love & Luck on May 8th!

When I first started this book I wasn't a fan, put it down and came back a week later. I am so glad I did. The book was moving, magical, and healing. The story was absolutely heartbreaking in the beginning but the way the author moved through the story you took you along with the healing process.
I would buy the guide book used by Addie because it was hilarious, believable, and the homework worked with the story. The fact that they follow the map and grow as individuals and friends just brings you in and makes you part of the story. I cried, I laughed, and in the end I felt resolved. The ending didn't leave you hanging or try to do a fix all. Instead it was very believable.

I thought this book was adorable in a unique way. Rather than being intrigued with the plot, I was enamored with the characters. I feel that the Bennett family has a unique feel to them, from the parents down to each of Addie's brothers, and then Addie herself. If I were to have three older brothers, I'd want them to be Walt, Archie, and Ian! And can I get a Rowan of my own, please??

The story did capture my interest right away with the mystery of 'what did Cubby do to Addie and why doesn't she want to tell her mom what's going on? And how does Ian know?' When Addie realizes that she's going to be stuck in Ireland with Ian because of his hare-brained scheme, my heart swelled up when Lina just says that she and Ren would meet up with them... talk about an amazing best friend!!

And can we talk about how adorable Rowan is??? Seriously. He's almost like an Irish version of St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss. Almost. Still, his laid back demeanor and amusement with Addie's sometimes over-the-top actions is adorable.

The sibling relationship between Addie and Ian was great as well. It was a ride to see how they were constantly butting heads after always being so close, and then working to mend their relationship during this road trip through Ireland. It felt real because as we all know, siblings fight, but sometimes the only thing stopping them from making up can be their own stubbornness. I was very happy to see their relationship mend and how much Ian really cares about his little sister.

Love & Luck was a cute, fun read. It's a book that can easily pull you from a reading slump, but it did not capture me as much as Love & Gelato did. It might just be because of where I am at this time - finals week during graduate school can pull the fun out of reading, sadly.

I got this book from Netgalley. I adored Love and Gelato, so it was exciting to see Welch continue writing. This book revealed a glimpse of great sibling relationships, and the bond and camaraderie between Addie and Ian was enjoyable. The plot line being revealed in bits and pieces was good, but a bit annoying because I wanted to know this horrible thing that broke her heart much earlier in the book. But it kept me reading. I think fans of Love and Gelato will enjoy Addie, Ian and Rowan, but I think they may be a little put off with the Ireland Guidebook excerpts. Younger readers might be a bit confused with what the book is trying to do. All in all, another cute read by Jenna Evans Welch.

I really enjoyed how the book tied into Love and Gelato. It tells the story of Lina's best friend Addie. I loved how it was extremely descriptive of the scenery and the romance was pretty understated so it didn't draw away from the imagery. But then again, it was so understated what is hinted at the end is extremely unexpected.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book but didn't care too much for how 'whiny' Addie is, and I wish the ending would have gone more into detail.

Addie is in Ireland for her aunt's destination wedding. She's trying to leave her mistakes back home, although it seems her family is making this impossible. Then she comes upon a guidebook called Ireland for the Heartbroken. She takes this as a sign, and follows the book's advice: she starts on a journey of her own, taking a self-tour of Ireland. Will this be the cure she needs to help her turn things around for the better?

I loved the format of this book so much. I did not read love & gelato before reading this book (which didn't matter) but now I really want to. I loved the main character Addie so much. I identified with her a lot as she goes on a journey to find herself and get over her first love. What better place to grow as a person then travel through Ireland? Ireland is personally one of my favorite places in the world and I could picture myself there right alongside Addie and her journey. I was kept on my toes through out the whole book and there was not one dull moment. Yes, the novel was a little predictable. Which is why I give it four stars but other then that this is the fluffy young adult contemporary I had been craving, I would highly recommend picking up this beautiful novel. You will fly through it like I did. This book spoke to me about learning from your mistakes and how to move on.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Ever been trapped in a car during a particularly brutal thunderstorm ? The cliffs are that kind of beautiful. Think drama, rage, and peace all packed up into one stunning package." Set mostly in Ireland, Love and Luck follows Addie, best friend of Lina from Love and Gelato. Addie is in Ireland for her aunt's wedding along with her mother and three brothers. After the wedding, Addie and her brother Ian are supposed to spend a week in Florence, Italy with Lina, the rest of her family staying to tour Ireland. The beginning of the book begins with obvious friction between Addie and Ian and there is some big "thing" that happened over the summer that Ian is pressuring Addie to tell her mom.

I loved Love and Gelato and was prepared for another lighthearted read. I enjoyed this book for the most part, it's short and easy to read. I love the descriptions of Ireland. However, I wasn't as attached to the characters in this story as I was with Love and Gelato. I think this happens for me when there is a travel/road trip part to books. A lot of character development gets lost when the majority of the book is focused on the characters traveling from place to place. Again, I loved all the places they visited in Ireland, I thought she did a good job setting the scene. I also went into the story assuming it was about the main character finding a love interest, but I feel like the "love" portion is more about the relationship between siblings, but that is just my interpretation. I also felt that the story was more about Ian than Addie, at least at times in the story.

I thought the book did a good job balancing descriptions/world building with dialogue. Too much of either can be too dense. I liked the characters: Addie, Ian, and Rowan, but I didn't love any of them. Back to the "thing" that Addie has been hiding. I was impatiently waiting to find out what it was, and once revealed, it was a pretty big deal but it kind of comes out and then fizzles. I won't spoil anyone, but it's a serious thing that happened and it's discussed a few pages and then you don't really hear about it again until the end, and even then it's just a brief mention. It seems weird to build it up from the very beginning and then once it is out in the open to just brush it to the side.

Overall, I recommend for a quick and easy read. Maybe if you read it while in Ireland it will have a deeper impact. I think focusing on both Ian and Addie's story in only 320 pages took away time from adequately developing the characters and the story. Making the story about just one of them and their journey in Ireland would have been more powerful. I did really enjoy the ending, there were some really touching moments. I give this book a solid 3.5/5 stars.

I recieved a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have been waiting for this book for months. I read Love and Gelato and feel in love, not only with the story, but also with the author's beautiful writing. Lina was an amazing character that I related to. That being said, I was a little afraid that this book wouldn't come close. It blew me away though. Addie had made a regrettable choice, her and her brother are in a huge fight, and nothing is going right. I laughed, I cried, and I annihilated this book in about an hour and a half. It was AMAZING. I'm so glad I found Love and Gelato, because it led me to Love and Luck.

Addie needs a break. From the moment her brother, Ian, whispers into her ear, her final nerve just SNAPS...hence, the undignified moment where the siblings topple over a cliff, mid-wedding.

Jenna Evans Welch's Love & Luck was an endearing story about the sibling bond and rediscovering yourself when heartbreak and hard times have taken you far from who you want to be. Love & Luck follows Addie, and up-and-coming high school junior through the last few weeks of a summer that has TOTALLY gone wrong.

She and her third oldest brother, Ian, tell each other everything...or so they both thought. While Addie's secrets threaten to ruin her reputation at school and possibly her brother's future, Ian has been hiding a dream and passion that no one in the family knows about. Unfortunately for both of them, both of their secrets are just not meant to stay that way.

Welch's plot was fun and easy-to-follow. After Addie's luck spirals out of her control, she's stuck with her brother (who's a bit ticked at her) and his friend (who she never knew about) road-tripping through Ireland.

The narration of their trip trip is filled with funny, sassy entries from a guidebook that Addie fatefully found at their family's hotel. Each entry provides a little education about popular spots in the Emerald Isle as well as "homework" for the broken-hearted. I really liked this little asides, and I could even picture them panning out on the small (or big) screen as little lighthearted cameos in a film version of the novel. Rowan, Ian's mysterious Irish friend with some heartbreak of his own, adorably stumbles through the homework with Addie, neither of them really caring about how silly they might seem in their quest to have a full heart once more.

The pacing moves along well, with the adventurers never lingering in one spot for too long. Rowan, Ian, and Addie have an easy chemistry despite the turmoil between the siblings. When they're all in an open, cheery mood, their camaraderie makes you want to jump in the car (soggy seats and all).

Addie was an enjoyable character even though she's made some mistakes. I DID groan when I finally found out what her terrible secret was, but, come on...she's supposed to be a high school student. I totally found her secret believable, and my heart went out to her for what she had to deal with. That being said, I was thinking it would be MUCH WORSE than it really was because I felt like it was quite built up.

Addie is a funny, caring, and competent person. She's the family mechanic, and she's not afraid to speak her mind. I liked that she held her own against all of the boys, especially since she was the "little sister".

For me, Ian felt a little flat compared to Addie. She's really given more of an opportunity to shine than him, but he was interesting enough to keep my attention.

What I'd really like is a follow-up novel featuring Rowan. I was interested in his story, but I think his conflicts got swallowed up by the drama between Ian and Addie. I'd totally jump into a sequel where we got to see what happened in his life after his American friends leave him to go back to the States for school.

Overall, Love & Luck was a quick and fun read. I had no idea that it was a bit of a follow up to another book, Love & Gelato, so I feel confident saying that other readers could totally pick up Love & Luck as their first Welch experience and not be left behind.

Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Did I mention I loved this book? Jenna Evans Welch does not disappoint. I read her first book, Love and Gelato, last summer and I absolutely adored it. So, it didn't surprise me when I devoured Love & Luck. Love & Luck was exactly what I was hoping it would be: a fun, light, happy read.

Love & Luck is about Addie's journey to accepting a mistake she made with a boy, getting over her heartbreak, and fixing her relationship with her older brother Ian. The plan: Addie and Ian are supposed to fly to Italy so she can spend time with her best friend, Lina while the rest of her family explores Ireland with her aunt and her wedding party. However, Ian has been keeping a secret of his own because he has no plans of going to Italy, instead he is going on a mini road trip in Ireland with an Irish friend Addie has never heard of before.

I fell in love with each and every character in this story: Addie, Ian, Rowan, Archie, and even Walt. I simply adored Addie's whole family. Then, how could I not fall in love with Rowan? He's such a sweetheart. Where can I find one? Jenna Evans Welch continues to do an amazing job in creating relatable, fun characters.

The writing in this story is superb just as it was in Love and Gelato. It's a fun story but it still deals with serious topics such as accepting your mistakes no matter how big or small, and accepting yourself for who you are and sharing that version of yourself with others. If you want a fun, sweet, and humorous read, then I definitely recommend Love & Luck.

I am a fan of Love and Gelato, and I have several students who enjoyed it, so I was excited to get this companion volume. I had a hard time getting into it at first, largely owing to some odd turns of phrase ("your hair being whipped into a single dreadlock"?), but once Addie and Ian set out on their road trip, I was hooked. In fact, I think I enjoyed it more than Love and Gelato; Rowan, in particular, is a gem of a character (though at first I thought he was going to be Ian's love interest, not Addie's). I do think the voice of Guidebook Lady got to be a little cloying in places - reminiscent of Cheryl Strayed writing Dear Sugar, but with the volume turned up - but that is a minor quibble. I will gladly share this book with my students.

Love & Luck is a very sweet, fast paced contemporary companion novel to Rachel Evans Welch’s Love & Gelato, following Addie as she takes a summer road trip through Ireland with her brother Ian, learning along the way how to repair all facets of her broken heart.

This was a really cute story about all different types of love and heartbreak. I loved getting to see Addie and Ian repair their sibling bond after something that happened at the beginning of the summer drove a wedge between them. They’re the kind of siblings who are best friends, and getting to see them come back to that point and learn new things about each other was really nice.

Rowan is a fantastic addition to their road trip as well. He starts out as Ian’s friend, but quickly becomes close to Addie, sharing information with her about his own heartbreak regarding his family. I loved to see the relationship between the two grow stronger throughout the novel. They were fast, supportive friends with the potential for so much more.

I think overall, I enjoyed Love & Gelato a little bit more, but I still really loved this one as well, and I will read any and everything Rachel Evans Welch writes.

*Thank you to Simon Pulse and Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Love and Luck is easy quick read that will pull you out of a reading slump instantly.

I think what sets this book apart from any romance filled contemporary is the little excerpts from The guidebook lady, it enhanced the narrative style, as it kept me engrossed.

Addie was highly relatable, as she struggles emotionally and finding out who she is. It was lots of fun to read about a family relationship. It was adorable and fun to see the bickering. It was written splendidly and resembled a true family dynamic.

Also another fun thing about Love and Luck was that as I assumed that the romance would have a bigger part from the amount of romance that Love and Gelato however, the romance took a back step in this book. The family dynamic was so much of a bigger part. As the romance, it was so much slower, it was build up throughout he whole novel. By, the end you could tell that Rowan and Addie had a deep emotional connection. And the banter was so much sweeter and endearing.

Welch created a wonderful execution with a blending of strong themes and having a light,cute and fluffy read.

I highly recommend this book as it made me laugh out loud.