What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon is an enjoyable, emotional forced proximity, second chance, marriage-of-convenience romcom with strong chemistry, and self-discovery, set against the dreamy backdrop of Amsterdam’s canals with a meet-cute involving a bicycle accident.

Thirty-year-old Dani Dorfman desperately needs a fresh start after a messy break up that gets her fired. Having fallen in love with Amsterdam, after hearing the descriptions and the memories she had from the cute exchange student she fell in love with at 17, Dani applies for a job in Amsterdam in hope to escape her current reality. Life in Amsterdam isn’t as smooth as she hopes: her apartment floods, her job is not what she expected, and she’s struggling to adjust. A chance encounter with that exchange student, Wouter van Leeuwen, through a bike accident, changes everything. Wouter offers her his lower-level apartment, which is in far better shape than her dark, damp basement unit.

When Dani suddenly loses her job and faces the possibility of being forced to leave Amsterdam, Wouter proposes a mutually beneficial solution; a green card marriage. Wouter needs to fulfill his grandmother’s condition of marriage to inherit the family apartment, and Dani needs the stability of a visa. The arrangement is simple: they’ll pretend to be happily married for a year while keeping the secret from Dani’s parents and appeasing Wouter’s family. One year should give Dani enough time to decide her next steps; whether to find a new job or return home.

As they share an apartment, their chemistry reignites the sparks they once shared; becoming impossible to ignore. Soon pretending to be in love quickly becomes less of an act and more real. When the truth comes out, Dani must decide: can she trust her heart to the same man who reshaped her views on love so many years ago.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Berkley #WhatHappensInAmsterdam

4✨ 3🌶️

my favorite trope mixed with one of my favorite places?!?! i loved this so much. plentyyyyyy of yearning, pining and excellent spice.

this felt like one of the more “realistic” second chance romances ive read; in the sense that, these characters’ did not spend all of their time apart pining for one another. life happened, they dealt with it and went on with their lives, and then found themselves drawn back together. i appreciated that—though i do always love when i man stays obsessed with his one that got away.

wouter is a dream, and i love how he is with dani. the post it notes absolutely killed me (in a good way!). dani is definitely flawed and a bit frustrating at times but i so felt for her and her struggles. her character development was really lovely to see all the way up to the very end of this one.

anyway, brb, gonna go learn to speak dutch now!

thank you so much berkley for the e-ARC of one of my most anticipated reads of the year!

Very grateful to the publisher @berkleyromance for my #gifted copy through @netgalley , opinions are my own
This was such a sweet and cozy romance set against the beautiful backdrop of Amsterdam. I loved the mix of second-chance romance and marriage of convenience—it made the story feel fresh and fun. Dani was a great character, especially as she tried to figure out her life after a breakup and job loss. Wouter was an absolute dream: calm, kind, and supportive. Their chemistry felt natural, and their connection grew in such a believable way. I appreciated how the book explored self-discovery and personal growth, not just love. Dani’s insecurities and journey to confidence added depth to her character. The setting was a huge highlight—it really made me want to book a flight and met a friend in Amsterdam and ride bikes along the canals!
While some parts felt a little slow , it has its well deserved steam that I love in romance stories. Overall it’s a heartwarming and enjoyable read.

I absolutely adored this book. It’s a slow-burn, second-chance romance (which doesn’t always work for me, but this one was perfection), with a fake marriage trope that somehow felt both heartwarming and emotional. And yes… it was deliciously steamy in all the right ways.

It’s more than a romance though, it was also about rediscovery and growing into yourself. Our FMC, Dani, was born a micro-preemie with a port-wine birthmark, and I loved how her internal struggles were explored with so much empathy and honesty. And Wouter? A walking green flag - swoony, and absolutely unforgettable.

Solomon’s writing is also incredibly vivid. It was like I was there in Amsterdam with Wouter and Danika. Reading this book legit had me looking up flights to the Netherlands and planning my next Europe trip.

⭐4/5 Rating

OUT ON: MAY 6, 2025

Review: When I saw the cover of this book I knew I wanted to read it immediately and I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy to jump into (thank you so much @berkleypub | @netgalley for the advanced digital copy 🤍🥹).
I have to start with the fact that I’ve never had a desire to visit a place that I’ve read about before (other than some fantasy worlds obvs) but this book and the writing about how picturesque and stunning Amsterdam is, made me want to book a flight! The way Rachel Lynn Solomon was able to describe the beauty of this country had me looking up pictures so I could better understand just what she was talking about. I really loved her descriptive language and the setting was just perfect honestly!

Danika and Wouter (pronounced Wow-ter) were a lovely couple to follow. I think the way it was so obvious that both of them were down bad for one another throughout the whole book was all kinds of sweet. I think their conflicts were handled very maturely and I wish that they had talked about it earlier in the book, as it would have deepened their relationship even more! I really enjoyed the growth we got to see Danika go through as the story progressed. However, her parents… The audacity these people had to talk to their thirty year old daughter the way they would a petulant child made me aggressively upset. Oh man. We did see some growth here too, but in the moment I was absolutely RIPPED for her.

Anyways, this book was as sweet as the pastries it described but if you’re looking to read it without the spicy scenes (like I do), check out my open door warnings below!

⛔️Open Door Scenes: 14, 17, 20 & 22

📖Genres: Romance | Contemporary | Contemporary Romance

After a breakup and a firing, aimless Dani Dorfman lands a job—and a fresh start—in Amsterdam. When she literally crashes into her high school ex, Wouter, sparks fly and a marriage-of-convenience follows. But as pretend feelings start to feel real, Dani must decide if this second chance is worth the leap.

Bike rides and tulips and massages and museums galore! These elements always call my name—but the dreamy backdrop of Amsterdam and Wouter’s accent added a cottage-core vibe I didn’t know I needed. The author masterfully meshes a second chance at first love with a believable marriage of convenience. While the sensual aspects were a bit too direct for me, anyone who loves rekindled romance with a side of self-discovery will swoon.

Elizabeth Lamont deserves an Oscar for her performance on this audiobook—perfectly Dutch for Wouter and delightfully dainty for Dani.

Perfect for you if you like:
European settings with romantic flair
Second chances through marriage of convenience
Self-discovery in your 30s

Similar to:
You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon
Passion Project by London Sherry
The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

⛔️chapters 14, 17, 20 & 22 contain explicit romance (open door)
⚠️explicit language, anxiety, asthma, traumatic birth story, burnout, cheating ex, toxic/overprotective parents

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this but had my issues. The setting was absolutely the highlight for me. Rachel Lynn Solomon did an amazing job capturing the vibe of the city. It felt like she truly put time and energy into bringing Amsterdam to life.
The romance between Dani and Wouter was sweet and had its moments. However, I did find myself a bit frustrated with Dani at times.
However, Dani's feelings of being lost and "behind" in life resonated with me. As someone currently navigating job applications and career uncertainties, her struggles felt authentic. That said, I've encountered other romances with this theme that hit harder for me.
The second-chance romance trope, especially when rooted in a high school relationship, can be hard for me to believe. The idea that a teenage romance was the best you ever had… idk maybe I can’t relate?
still a charming read that’s perfect for spring!

I have been thinking about this book for days since I finished it. Initially rated 4.5 stars but bumping it up to 5 because it's living a long time in my memory!

Thank you so much to PRH AUDIO for the gifted audiobook and to Berkley Romance for the eARC!

I loved this one with my whole heart. Second chance... marriage of convenience (she needs a visa, he needs to inherit his home). Mental health rep. Grief of the loss of a parent. Remembering to figure out who we want to be, + that it's okay to still be figuring it out in your 30s...

This is ultimately a love story about moving to Amsterdam, something that author Rachel Lynn Solomon knows a lot about. Our main character, Danika, runs away from her life and family in L.A. because she's suffocating from imposter syndrome. After being born a premie with a port wine birthmark on her face, she's never felt like she lived up to the hype around her birth and survival as a tiny baby. Her friends all seem to be doing the perfectly right thing for them and thriving in life, when Dani is stuck in a tired job, in relationships that don't go beyond surface level, and with parents who care just a little bit too much about her and her health.

The only man she's ever loved was from Amsterdam... the foreign exchange student her family hosted during her senior year of high school. When he left, they promised to work it out. However, upon Wouter's return to his home, things quickly fell apart for them, leaving behind two broken hearts.

17 years later, Dani's moved across the world to work at a startup for a fresh start. Things don't go exactly as she planned, but they work out just as they're meant to. Along the way, we get some pining and tension and drama, some self-actualization, some dreaming and planning and discovery, and, maybe most important of all, some healing.

I loved this story so much. I was moved multiple times by the emotional portrayal of these characters by narrator Elizabeth Lamont. She so beautifully captured all of the emotions that both Dani and Wouter went through, AND HER DUTCH ACCENT. She really brought their connection to life. This might be one of my favorite audiobook narrations of all time. It did this story justice.

READ IF YOU LOVE:
- Second chance
- Marriage of convenience (she needs a visa, he needs to inherit his home)
- Mental health rep
- Grief of the loss of a parent
- Port wine stain birthmark rep
- Tattoos
- Jewish rep
- Only one bed
- THE CUTEST NICKNAME (lief)
- Roommates to lovers (twice?)
- Remembering to figure out who we want to be, + that it's okay to still be figuring it out in your 30s...

5 stars. This one is out May 6th and you definitely need to check it out!

You really can’t go wrong with Rachel Lynn Solomon’s work. With When in Amsterdam, Solomon is as charmingly steamy as ever and she makes this romp through Amsterdam as fun as ever. I really enjoyed this novel, despite not being a huge fan of the marriage of convenience trope, but Solomon writes such amazing chemistry it really elevates the entire work. The only thing I didn’t love was how the third act break up occurred however it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book.

Leave it to Rachel Lynn Solomon to make me want to drop everything and move overseas. This book was such a beautiful, magical, brilliant love letter to Amsterdam and being true to yourself and second chances and lost love. This was swoony, sweet, hella spicy at times, and an absolutely beautiful love story that I couldn’t put down. Thank you so much @berkleyromance for this early review copy!

Wouter and Dani are what I love in a book couple. They’re real, age-appropriate, flawed in the most authentic ways, and completely and utterly in love. The pining! The years and years and years of missing each other. It was palpable in their story. Their second chance at love was so hard earned, and there’s something so fun and exciting about it coming WITH A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE. Oh, and I can’t forget the secret tattoos they have because when I tell you I teared up…well, I cried a lot in this book.

Wouter is the biggest golden retriever - dog dad (to George Costanza, no less), handyman (and handy man, iykyk), artist at heart, “it’s always been you” vibes. He was sweet and gentle and kind and literally so happy to have had Dani fall back into his world. The man is the definition of “if he wanted to, he would” and the absolute biggest acts of service loverboy ever.

Rachel brought Dani to life in such a brilliant way. While this is a romance, it’s so much about Dani also finding out who she is and finding her happiness. Dani’s lived a life sheltered and always feeling like she was disappointing people - like she isn’t living up to their expectations. Getting to see her break free of her old life but also starting to give herself some grace in living and making mistakes was so magical. I love the way her mental health and overall growth journey was woven in with the rekindling of her romance with Wouter, and falling in love with Amsterdam.

It’s so clear how much this city means to Rachel and how much magic it has brought to her own life. The way she describes scenery, locations, foods is vivid and beautiful.

Getting to read this book, getting to KNOW Rachel (through it and offline), and knowing that we have more from her coming makes me so beyond excited.

When I saw Amsterdam, I knew I would enjoy this as I have been waiting for MCs travelling to Europe and finding some spice in life trope since some Scottish romcoms. This was a tad bit more spicier than the author's previous books, Dani finds herself in pretty bad situation both personally and professionally and moves to Amsterdam to start afresh but things become even more chaotic there and I enjoy chaos for sure. As she encounters Wouter from her past, there begins marriage of convenience trope. Dani might seem like immature for her age but I felt her circumstances were causing her to act that way and who knows how people would react to different situations.. But I felt there was growth in her personality as the plot thickened. Overall, a cute second chance romance and Amsterdam settings don't hurt!!

When a bad situation ends with Dani getting fired, she applies to a job in Amsterdam. She is coming to the realization that the job may not be exactly what she was hoping for when she crashes her bike….into her ex. He was an exchange student with her family years ago, and broke it off when he left, leaving Dani heartbroken. Could things get any worse?



Imagine my surprise when this book was a bit spicier than Solomons other books! I was listening to this one on my drive for work and was shocked when the spice kicked in! I loved Amsterdam when I visited so I loved reading about the beauty of the city! Dani was so relatable, I feel like we all went through a period of time not knowing what we wanted to do with our lives…some of us may still be in that zone! I also really loved how the love re-developed with Wouter. I enjoyed this one and was glad to have it to accompany me on a very long day of driving for work!

Thank you to @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for my gifted copy of this book!

I always know to expect the absolute best story when I open one of Rachel's books! And What Happens in Amsterdam was no different!

I loved getting to meet Danika and getting to know her character. She has gotten to a point in her life where she feels like everything is going completely wrong and she's nowhere near where she should be at this stage. She just got out a relationship where the guy cheated, she got fired from her job. Her solution is to move to Amsterdam and start fresh!

Only things aren't working out the way she planned in Amsterdam as well. The company disbands immediately, her apartment floods, and now her visa is in jeopardy if she doesn't get a new job soon. Oh and let's throw in the fact that she literally rams into her ex boyfriend that happened to be an exchange student that was staying in her home 13 years ago that didn't end on the best terms!

Wouter is just as shocked to see Dani there and that's where the story gets interesting...

I love anything fake dating and marriage of convenience! I love that they get to play this part to convince others they're madly in love enough to marry each other out of the blue, and then the characters are slowly blurring the lines. The yearning from Wouter was so good and Dani knew immediately that her feelings for him had not completely gone away the day Wouter texted her that they wouldn't work long distance.

In this new relationship, they get to explore and learn more about themselves. Dani with finding out what she is meant to do in life and Wouter with dealing with his grief and realizing he doesn't need to take care of everyone. It was a beautiful story to see bloom and I'm so grateful I got an early glimpse of it!

Dani moves to Amsterdam after a bad breakup and losing her job. The job she secured in Amsterdam is less reliable than she expected, so when she runs into her ex, who proposes a marriage of convenience so she can stay in the country, she takes up his offer.
What I love about Solomon's books is that she writes about regular people falling in love. It feels so natural and sweet. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the novel. The descriptions of Amsterdam made it feel like I was there. The side characters were also great. They felt like fully rounded people rather than just supporting roles.

Thank you to Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

This is the first book I’ve read by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and she’s been on my radar for a while—so I was excited to dive in.

Dani Dorfman is feeling unmoored. Recently fired from her job and reeling from a breakup with her cheating ex-boyfriend Jace, she’s struggling with the weight of expectations. Her parents, who have always been overprotective due to the miraculous circumstances of her survival as an infant, believe she’s destined for something great. But Dani feels stuck and lost.

In a bold move, she relocates to Amsterdam—seeking distance from her parents and hoping to build a career and a life of her own. Years ago, her family hosted an exchange student, Wouter van Leeuwen, who became her first love before breaking her heart when he returned to the Netherlands. She never quite got over it—and dreads the idea of running into him again.

Shortly after arriving, Dani discovers her new rental is a disaster: a dark, basement flat with no windows and serious water issues. Things take an unexpected turn when she gets into a minor biking accident—and of all people, it’s Wouter who comes to her aid. He offers her a much better place to stay in his family’s building, and from there, their story begins to unfold once again.

This is a heartfelt and sweet story with a good dose of spice. The steamy scenes are not only frequent, but also refreshingly creative—standing out from many others in the genre. If you enjoy romance with emotional depth and some inventive heat, this one is worth picking up.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Romance for this ARC!

3.5 Stars

What Happens in Amsterdam is a marriage of convenience full of tender moments, sticky notes, and "only you" vibes. This setting for this book is Amsterdam and Rachel described it so vividly that I could imagine myself there. I absolutely adore Dani and Wouter. They have a second chance romance, and the yearning I felt from both of them had me in a puddle.

What didn't work for me was that I found the fmc, Dani, to be lacking in multiple parts. She is 30 years old, which I loved, but I found her character to be so indecisive for her age. In a lot of the romantic scenes, I got more from Wouter than her. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with Dani because of those.

thank you to netgalley for the arc 💌

i feel so bad dnf’ing purely because this is an ARC. i got to about 30% and i couldn’t do it anymore already.

I loved the descriptions of Amsterdam and the author does such a great job of putting you right into the setting and making it feel real. She also had a humor infused into the story which i liked.

I enjoyed the initial set up but as soon as her ex came in the picture, i just did not enjoy it at all. I felt like she trusted him again so quickly with no explanation, they didn’t even talk about it?

I also didn’t enjoy how the glimpses of the past were thrown into the chapter because I couldn’t connect with the characters at all. Second chance is one of my favorite tropes but it has to be done in a way where the main character isn’t a door mat and i felt that this main character was exactly that. Like u met him again after him ghosting you for so many years and ur just gonna start going around town with him, move into his apartment, fake marry him THEN move in with him in the span of like a week and u guys never once spoke about what happened??? it doesn’t sit right at all.

What Happens in Amsterdam:

Thank you @prhaudio @berkleyromance for my gifted copies! #PRHAudioPartner #BerkleyPartner

“Yes, this city is brutal for all of us. But it’s beautiful, too.”

I can’t help but think of Zoey Deutch as Dani Dorfman. I felt like this romance just recalibrated my romantic heart back to its factory settings in the best way. It gives me 90s/00e movie romances with an amazing soundtrack. I’m just.. my heart is so happy with all the hope and feels after Amsterdam.

Marriage of convenience and second chance romance? Let’s go. I’ll be honest, at first I didn’t like Wouter at first. How you gonna do that to our girl Dani.. over text? But then I remembered they were teenagers so it’ll slide. The audio was phenomenal and again, Zoey Deutch. I clearly am horrible at pronunciations so audio did its job on helping understand how to pronounce every and anything in Amsterdam. Absolutely recommend.

Overall, a high ranking romance with lots of other heavier topics dealt with in a great way. Out Tuesday, the 6th.

I loved this second-chance romance that turns into a marriage of convenience. The audiobook was incredible--so vivid and well-performed, it truly felt like I was walking the streets of Amsterdam right alongside the characters.

My heart broke for Dani after everything she went through, from heartbreak to losing her job. But Wouter--and especially his amazing, supportive family--completely stole my heart.

This story isn't all fluff; it's raw, emotional, and honest in a way that made it even more powerful. I'll definitely be grabbing a physical copy for my bookshelf as soon as it's available!

Can’t believe this is my first RLS novel?! So cute! This is for my travel lovers who enjoy a second chance romance with a little spice!
Thank you @berkleyromance for my earc! <3