Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Rachel Lynn Solomon for an advanced copy of What Happens in Amsterdam in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was phenomenal. I was in a little bit of a slump when I started What Happens in Amsterdam, but once I started it, I could not put it down. I was sucked in from the very first page. Dani felt so real as a character. Her ADHD and her experiences with it are so similar to my own and it felt so validating and comforting to read about her story. I loved Wouter and watching the two of them fall back in love. I loved how Solomon gave us little snippets of their relationship the first time around interwoven with the present day. Rachel Lynn Solomon is already an auto-buy author for me, but this book just cemented that fact. She really knocked it out of the park with this one.

Now I really want to go to Amsterdam!

A second-chance romance that intertwines personal growth with the allure of a new beginning. The story follows Dani Dorfman as she relocates to Amsterdam seeking a fresh start. An unexpected reunion with her high school ex, Wouter, leads to a marriage of convenience that challenges them both to confront the past and explore new possibilities.

I decided to DNF this book at the 35% mark. I love Rachel Lynn Solomon's books, but unfortunately, this one included a few tropes that I'm not interested in. I loved the setting of Amsterdam (so fun!), but don't love it when the main character in a rom-com is someone who is figuring out their life. I also don't love the trope of second chance romance from a high school relationship. That being said, the portion I read was full of Rachel's signature excellent writing, and I only decided to DNF because the specifics of the story weren't things I liked. But if you love second-chance romance and a main character who is sorting out her life, then I think there will be lots to love here!

I almost DNF’d this at 30% and I’m glad I didn’t. I didn’t realize going in that it was marriage of convenience (which is in the synopsis lol), which is one of my favorite tropes. But I don’t like second chance romance, mostly because the couple almost always splits up over something stupid and trivial, like miscommunication. This was no different.

It’s nice to see a main character who isn’t passionate about their job. She sees it as a way to pay her bills and that is very relatable. Other than that, I didn’t really care for either of the main characters. I can’t even remember the FMC’s name. Oops.

There is a lot of information about Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general. Almost to the point where it was too info dumpy.

Overall this was a perfectly fine romance, it didn't do anything new and exciting but if you like Amsterdam as a city, you might want to pick this up!

This was okay. Most of the stars go to the description of Amsterdam. It was nice to read a book set outside of America.

But otherwise, this was pretty mid and a bit repetitive - I get it, she was a preemie baby and was overprotected by her parents (also would a preemie baby really get all that media attention that she supposedly had?) - and I wanted to just shake the main female character because she was willfully oblivious. Obviously that is to keep tension and the plot going, but it starts bordering on ridiculous at times.

A big pet reading peeve of mine is when the main character witnesses the love interest do something so overtly romantic or an action that is pretty obviously showing that they like the main character and the main character just makes up in their head that that action means the person doesn't like them. It is cringey and makes me roll my eyes. Nothing makes a character seem juvenile or silly more than that to me.

Honestly, I'd love to read the YA book of Dani and Wouter when they met as teens. Feels like that is a more interesting story.

Anyway, Solomon is a good writer, but this one, the characters brought the story down a bit. Still a nice change of pace with the setting.

This book started out strong for me. I loved the setting and the adjustment of the main character moving to Amsterdam. The chemistry between the two characters was strong. It started to lose me in the second half. It became a bit repetitive and I felt that since it was a second chance that the denial of feelings (even though the spice was strong) started to drag and cause me to not buy into the relationship. Overall, this was fine and I think it was just the combination of tropes that didn't work for me personally.

Rachel Lynn Solomon is one of my favorite authors, and What Happens in Amsterdam is such a lovely, romantic story, perfect for anyone who's ever wanted to reinvent themselves in a different country or have a second chance with a first love. Dani Dorfman gets a new job in Amsterdam after her last relationship - and job - ended in short succession. But it's not all romance and whimsy like she expected. Her basement apartment might not be legal, and her workplace might be falling apart. The last straw? When she crashes her bike into her ex-boyfriend, past foreign exchange student, Wouter van Leewuwen. But maybe Wouter has exactly what she needs - including a lovely apartment.
I don't want to give too much away, because I went into this mostly without reading the synopsis and really enjoyed discovering plot points as they happened. Dani and Wouter were so sweet together, and I adored their chemistry. Thank you, Rachel, for another wonderful romance brimming with hope and care! Note: I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

This felt like a love letter to Amsterdam. I’ve been to Amsterdam, it’s been many years. This book would be perfect to bring because it really highlights many of the interesting and unique activities and places to see in Amsterdam and, along with the wonderful details of the setting, it’s a second chance romance between Dani and Wouter. Since the romances about the journey, I don’t want to provide any details that might be spoilers I will say that this really felt like a coming of age book for Dani. I enjoyed watching her blossom and come into her own. She really needed to be comfortable in her own skin and the work to get there (with Wouter’s support) was worthwhile.

Thank to the publisher for sharing a copy. All opinions are my own.

My first book by Rachel Lynn Solomon definitely won’t be my last! I absolutely adore this story. Her descriptive and atmospheric writing made me feel like I was there, hanging out in Amsterdam, I loved all of the details. Dani and Wouter were so interesting together. I felt like they were so similar, yet different in a lot of ways too. I loved how they found their way back to each other, their moments of reminiscing, their mutual passion for art, the tension and chemistry. How they communicated and dealt with things, and the progression of their relationship, all felt natural. I loved how sweet and supportive he was as she tried to figure out her life. Overall it was a fun read that kept me hooked from beginning to end!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
•Second chance
•Bike crash meet cute, 10 years later
•Amsterdam setting
•Marriage of convenience
•Forced proximity
•Mental health rep
•Spice

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the ARC!

Unfortunately, I got to 50% of this and decided to DNF. However, I am giving it 3 stars because I am confident that my rating would be 2.5/3 stars, if I finished it. This is truly a case of 'it's not the book, it's me.'

The positives: The writing is good, the concept and story are unique/diverse, the Amsterdam setting is interesting, and there are a lot of fun tropes (second chance, marriage of convenience, etc.).

Simply put, this didn't work for me because I didn't care(??). It felt like Amsterdam was the main character, while our MMC/FMC were side characters. It read like a love letter to Amsterdam. So, I never got invested into the story or the characters and felt no desire to continue. I'm trying to DNF books that I know will be mediocre for me. With that being said, this is not a bad book. I will, and already have, recommended this to customers at the bookstore I work at.

I am glad I tried this and know it will work for others. If the synopsis sounds interesting, definitely pick it up!
(sorry this is the weirdest review ever)

Dani needs to get OUT of her LA disaster life. She moves to the NETHERLANDS to find herself, and get perspective and a bit of freedom. Wouter, the exchange student that lived with her family in high school and is the inspiration for Dani's big move, runs into Dani at random, and it just so happens that they can both help each other. Because the job she moved there for has dissolved which means she needs to scramble before her visa expires, and he needs to get married so he can inherit a beautiful family home that he adores.

The marriage thing is completely contrived, and in all of the Netherlands, sure manages to run into the ONE guy she knows in the whole country. What a coinkydink.

That said, I love a book that I can enjoy the romance of it all, including the beauty of a country I've never been to, and frankly, I probably won't ever go to. I like being able to learn how another culture handles their everyday lives.

And oh boy, are Dani's parents just shy of bonkers. Get a clue, people, she's a grown adult, and while you might not agree with her choices, she's perfectly within her right to make them. On her own. Without your approval.

I really enjoyed this, all things considered. the romance is good. The info about the Ditch culture was so interesting. And I liked the characters.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

🌷second chance romance
🌷European setting
🌷Forced proximity
🌷Marriage of convivence
🌷secret tattoos 👀

Dani is fresh from a break up & job loss and decides to up and move to Amsterdam to explore a new job opportunity. From here she runs into her hot ex from high school who lived with her and her family during an exchange year. Dani needs a Visa to stay in the Netherlands and Wouter needs a wife to inherit his family home.

I listened and read this book & really enjoyed both formats.

The narrator was fabulous. Her range and accents were incredible and i almost felt like it was duel narration at one point

It did take me a minute to get into the story but once I did i was hooked & wanted to know how the story turned out. I enjoyed the premise and setting of this novel. I really loved how the FMC immersed herself into the culture and lifestyle. It definitely made me want to travel to Amsterdam ASAP.

I really loved the connection between the two main characters - both in the past and present. This book just felt real- i think we all go through phases where we are just trying to “figure it out”. The author made these feelings relatable and also validated them in a really positive way. I loved the aspect of found family and the support the main characters provided one another during difficult times and emotions.

I adored the open communication about their mental health and thought the author did an amazing job representing difficult family dynamics, anxiety, depression and grief/coping

The spice was also spicing 🥵

This was adorable. I freaking loved Amsterdam as the setting and the quintessential Dutchness as a character. I found Dani and Wouter to be relatable in all of their imperfections and their chemistry scorching. Supporting cast was impeccable and the relationship between Dani and Phoebe was what sisters should be. In a landscape saturated with romances to read I’m glad I took a chance on this gem.

Sometimes I look at reviews and think to myself “did we even read the same book?” I just can’t get behind a grown ass woman who acts like a child. Like, mam, you do not need your parent’s permission at 30. I really thought Dani would have better character growth but it came to a screetching halt as soon as her parent’s arrived in Amsterdam. On a positive note, the setting was wonderful and Wouter is a gem of a man (who, frankly, deserves better.) This made me miss Amsterdam so much that I almost booked a flight over. Ultimately, not my favorite but you will learn to love Amsterdam.

Rachel Lynn Solomon, man... she does not miss. There's something about her unique plots and writing style that just does it for me EVERY SINGLE TIME. My ranking post could use an update for 2025 because I think I've read three more books of hers and all of them were 4-5 stars.

This book follows Dani as she moves to Amsterdam for a job opportunity and to try something different in her life. Within the first week of moving there, she crashes her bike into her ex-boyfriend, Wouter, who lived with her family in LA back in high school as an exchange student. There's a bit of animosity and awkwardness based on how they left things. Her job goes up in smoke and her apartment is terrible, so Wouter suggests a marriage of convenience - he needs a wife to inherit his beloved apartment building and she needs to buy time to find a new job and remain there. Naturally, this fake marriage progresses and feelings are rekindled. 

It took me a little while to read the first third of the book but then I finished the final third in one sitting, which is actually pretty common with her books for me. I will stay up well into the night to finish them because I just can't put them down.

I just love the way she writes characters and relationships. Some of it could border on cringey but she somehow does it well instead. IThe spicy scenes in this book were genuinely top-notch and potentially some of my favorites ever. I'm a sucker for second change romance though. I could FEEL their chemistry and history in every scene.

Dani was a bit frustrating at times because of how she refused to admit certain things or ask questions when she needed to. I really liked how Wouter and Dani would communicate in general though - sometimes there would be a breakdown or issue, but their relationship was pretty solid and built on trust. 

The plot and story were predictable - especially at the end and the "black moment" - but it was an excellent romance with fun banter. I want my romances to be swoony and predictable so I can enjoy the happily ever after :)

Great setting, cute little dog, second chance romance, marriage of convenience. What more could you want?

I liked the aspect of the second chance romance, but the middle of this book really slowed down for me. It was a cute story and I loved the setting in Amsterdam. It was like a character in itself. Dani was not my favorite. She was frustrating in a lot of ways, but Wouter was so sweet and kind to her. I loved that they shared a past!

I listened to a lot of this on audio and then swapped over to the physical copy. I definitely preferred the physical copy and wonder if I would have liked it more if I hadn’t listened to most of it. There were a lot of steamy scenes that were too much for my preference so I skimmed most of those. It took away from the plot in the second half.

r e a d i f y o u l i k e :
+ second chance romance
+ marriage of convenience
+ steamy
+ mental health rep

I am a huge fan of Rachel Lynn Solomon and this book was no exception! I loved watching Wouter and Dani find each other again and seeing Dani's journey in Amsterdam. My biggest issue with this book is it tempted me a tiny bit too much to abandon my life and move abroad.

I think a lot of readers will related to Dani's struggle to find herself and her purpose, particularly readers who struggle with mental health conditions. I enjoyed seeing Dani learn that she could survive independently and that she wasn't a failure. It was really fun to see her bloom in her new environment and get time to figure her life out. I did think Dani's experience with mental health care in the United States might have been a bit overly rosy but as she was from California it is possible should would have had a really positive and easy experience.

I think a lot of people are dissatisfied with living in the United States at the moment, so this is the perfect fantasy. Move abroad and fall in love while also getting universal healthcare. I think Rachel Lynn Solomon did a good job capturing ways living in the United States can burn you out and the fact that a lot of people just need a break. Would most people turn down a handsome Dutch man also being involved? Probably not.

While I wish everyone could get the break Dani does in this book, I think reading about it is a great second best. It's also a swoony romance and a great setting. Highly recommend!

What Happens in Amsterdam is a cute second chance, marriage of convenience romance. I loved the asthma representation, I wish it had been mentioned more to be honest. Wouter is a man down bad, and Dani is so relatable as a young woman trying to figure out her path and purpose in life. The beautiful setting of Amsterdam and Rachel Lynn Solomon making this book a love letter to the city, makes me want to hop on a plane immediately!!

Overall, this is a fun, lighthearted romance read with chronic illness rep, and relatable, loveable characters.

As soon as I learn how to ride a bike, I will be booking my ticket to Amsterdam and never coming back!!! This book was everything to me and I want to know love like Dani and Wouter's.

I love that this took place in Amsterdam- the author did a great job immersing the reader into the city! This was an adorable & charming rom-com with lovely characters. The banter and honesty was fantastic.