This book was. the perfect vibe! RLS knows how to write the perfect romance and I loved it. It was the perfect book for the season! I highly recommend it!

First thank you to Berkeley and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for the honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis: Dani is lost and decides to move to Amsterdam after a break up. She is struggling there when she literally crashes into her high school boyfriend wouter on the streets. Wouter and Dani share a past since they were boyfriend and girlfriend during high school when he was her family’s foreign exchange student. The both need each other to get what they want, Dani to stay in Amsterdam and wouter his family’s gorgeous house on the cancel. They agree to get married to help each other but find more

What I liked: I love Rachel Lynn Solomon books and was excited to read this one especially since it mirrors her real life. I loved that it was a love letter to Amsterdam and finding yourself. She slows down her writing in this book and focuses it more internally on Dani especially and what she is feeling. You truly are taken along for the ride with Dani and then wouter and understand their actions. That being said I did miss the shenanigans in her other books and wanted some more humor. It is a great second chance not only for love but yourself as well

What happens in Amsterdam
By: Rachel Lynn Solomon
4.75 stars

Thank you to @berkleyromance for the eARC & @prhaudio for the incredible audio! Elizabeth Lamont, the narrator, did an amazing job portraying both MC’s and had me so hooked to this one that I listened to it all in one day!

This story was one of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read! Not only did it all feel so real, but it made me want to pack my bags and visit Amsterdam!

Danica meets Wouter when they’re 17 and he is a foreign exchange student staying with their family their senior year of high school. The two end up falling in love and secretly dating as Dani shows him all around Los Angeles and they make plans to continue to be together after he returns home to Amsterdam. Sadly, the relationship ends leaving both Danica and Wouter heartbroken for years to come.

Growing up, Dani was born as a micropremie with a port wine birthmark on her face and deemed “the miracle baby” by the media who continuously checked in with her life, making her feel like she had to always be on and achieving something great. Everyone else in her life seem to be doing great at work and in life between marriage, house, kids, etc. Dani although 30 years old, has been suffocating under my parents over vigilant watch as they continually insert themselves into her healthcare.

Cut to 13 years later, Danica is fed up with her life in L.A. and gets a job in Amsterdam. While the job falls apart, her chance encounter with the only love of her life, Wouter, changes the course of everything. Wouter and Dani reconnect and we quickly realize that the feelings they had for each other at 17 are still there. Wouter is literally the best book boyfriend? I know he starts out as our old flame/roommate but he’s so thoughtful! While Danica works towards figuring out her next steps, Wouter is there supporting her, giving her the space to heal and letting her breathe for once in her life.

Read if you love:
-second chance romance
-roommates to lovers (twice?)
-makes you want to be in Amsterdam
-marriage of convenience (she needs a visa & he needs to inherit his home)
-idiots in love
-Wouter is hot🥵
-mental health rep
-post it notes
-symbolic tattoos
-finding yourself & your path at age 30 (god bless a book with older characters!)










4.75 stars. Here’s my notes:

What happens in Amsterdam

Port wine birthmark rep! Love to see it!

Two 17 year olds. He was their families foreign exchange student and dated while he was there. They broke up when he went back (he sent a text) and she’s still haunted by it.

They literally ran into each other on bikes in Amsterdam and reconnected 😭

Premature baby. Jewish rep. 30’s and still trying to figure out who she is/what she wants to do with her life.

A paper ring 😭😭

Entourage mentioned in a book?! Loved that show!

He had the California state flower- a poppy- tattooed on him & she has a sunflower bc of van gogh/Amsterdam 😭

He’s so sweet in letting her find herself.

Okayyy Wouter is FREAKKYYYYYYY🥵🥵🥵

“I think I’m my brightest self with you” -queue the tears!

Bouquet of tulips, poppies and sunflowers 😭😭

She had to fucking RUIN IT with the outburst at the wedding party!! What the fuckkkkkkkk NOOOOOOO YOU DUMMY!

How fucking DARE her parents treat her like she’s a fucking child when she’s a 30 year old woman

The ending was just adorable!!!!

This would have been a 5⭐️ read for me if not for the third act break up. I literally screamed “NO!!” and took out my earbuds for a few minutes when it happened. It was going so well 😂😂 but this is for sure so much fun! Now I need to go to Amsterdam!

-second chance romance
-makes you want to be in Amsterdam
-marriage of convenience
-idiots in love
-Wouter is hot🥵
-symbolic tattoos
-finding yourself & your path at age 30 (god bless a book with older characters!)

CW: depression, anxiety, medical content (recounted), stroke (recounted), death of a parent (recounted), infidelity (recounted), chronic illness, grief

Closed Door Mod: Chapter 14 (some parts), Chapter 17 (some parts), Chapter 20, Chapter 22 (some parts)

Thank you to Berkley Romance for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I received this e-ARC as part of Berkley’s Influencers Hub for Underrepresented Voices and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks so much to @berkleyromance for the free book!

In all honesty, I have never been one for the marriage of convenience trope... but What Happens in Amsterdam might be the only exception to the rule.

After her plans for a new life in Amsterdam falls apart, Dani Dorfman has no intention of admitting defeat and returning to her family in Los Angeles. When she crashes into her first love in the middle of a bikeway, Dani and Wouter learn that they can solve their respective problems by getting married in order for Dani to secure a visa and Wouter to inherit his family home. Yet, the two get more than they bargained for when their feelings for each other have remained the same after almost thirteen years apart.

With heart-wrenching angst over a chance to get back together with "the one that got away", What Happens in Amsterdam paints a joyful love story about first loves and second chances amidst a lush Amsterdam setting. Both Dani and Wouter are so genuine and Solomon makes it so easy to get invested in their story. In addition to two great MCs that you can't help but root for, Solomon provides a solid group of supporting characters that get their own moments to shine without interfering with the relationship between Dani and Wouter.

For fans of the right amount of yearning in slow-burn romances, readers who want positive neurodivergent, disabled, and/or Jewish representation, and people who want to be taken away to beauty of Amsterdam and fall in love along the way, you should definitely keep an eye on this book.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for an early digital copy of this title; all thoughts are my own.

It’s been a while since I’ve read something by Rachel Lynn Solomon and oh how I’ve missed her. What Happens in Amsterdam is an atmospheric, second chance, marriage of convenience romance following American Danika (Dani) Dorfman and Netherland native, Wouter van Leeuwen.

Dani and Wouter met in high school when her family hosted him as a foreign exchange student. They had an intense and forbidden romance that ended in a heartbreaking split when he returned to Amsterdam. Dani has tried to keep her relationships casual since but when her latest office romance implodes, she decides to leave LA and take a job in Amsterdam.

Unfortunately, things in Amsterdam don’t go any easier for Dani when the start up she is working for goes under. But after a chance meeting with her ex, she finds a place to live and then, a fake husband.

Overall, this was a solid marriage of convenience. One of my favorite things about this trope is all the domestic moments the couple shares; it always makes the romance feel more realistic to me. The reason for their past breakup felt a little anti-climactic. I thought there would be a big reveal about what really happened and honestly, I was banking on her parents being involved. However, they were teens at the time and didn’t have the emotional maturity to work through their big feelings for each other.

One of the main themes of this book is Dani being infantilized by her parents after being a preemie as an infant and experiencing a serious depressive episode a few years ago. They worry about her constantly and are fiercely overprotective. It took a while for Dani to stand up to them and I was so relieved when she finally did. I needed that ARC from her to really believe in their HEA.

Wouter (VOW- TER not WOO- TER) was an interesting love interest. He is shy but direct, practical and artistic, hesitant but competent. He is very sweet and family oriented. While this book is written in Dani’s POV, the reader still gets a distinct feel of how he feels for Dani; the man is a SIMP. He is also very affectionate… if you catch my drift 😉

What Happens in Amsterdam is Solomon’s love letter to the city. While I’ve never visited, this book has made me want to explore the charming city. I enjoyed learning about its history through Dani’s experiences.

I think the biggest takeaway from this book is that it’s never too late to change. You get to decide what your life looks like at any age. People can evolve and change what they want for themselves. You are not a failure if you haven’t found your “thing” by thirty or if you never have a “thing” and just end up having lots of interests.

Books with similar vibes:
-At First Spite by Olivia Dade (FMC’s starting over in a new city, still trying to figure out what their thing is and a simp love interest)
-Mermaid Inn by Jenny Holiday (second chance, dated when they were in high school, some animosity, she needs his help)

I will start this with a confession – I am a HUGE fan of Rachel Lynn Solomon. From the moment I read The Ex Talk, I was completely obsessed with the way she crafts a story – her realistic and relatable characters, her heartwarming sense of growth, and her humor, which perfectly captures some of life’s most common hurdles. In What Happens in Amsterdam, we bear witness to a deeply relatable journey of self-discovery: finding ourselves, figuring out who we truly are, understanding what we want from life, and grappling with the never-ending ticking clock that makes us feel like we’re constantly falling behind simply because we haven’t succeeded yet.

Dani Dorfman has had one heck of a week! Not only has she lost her boyfriend, but she has also lost her job – both in spectacular fashion. Nonetheless, she’s determined to figure out this crazy thing called life. Deciding to throw caution through a shredder before tossing it into the wind, she takes a job in another country as her way of starting over.

Landing in Amsterdam with hopes for a fresh start, she quickly learns that it might have been wise to check if there was water in the pool before jumping in headfirst. Between a “Dungeon” apartment and a job with a concerning number of red flags, Dani is determined to stay optimistic about her future. That is, until it all comes crashing down – not her future, but her – when she collides on her bike with another cyclist.

Not just any cyclist, though. Dani suddenly finds herself staring up at the boy – now man – who broke her heart 13 years ago. Whether it’s fate or the result of some overzealous bad luck, a café visit and a quick connection provide a solution to one of her problems, as Wouter invites her to rent an apartment in his building. Debating whether her “Dungeon” (now with an indoor pool, thanks to flooding) was really that bad of a situation, she reluctantly takes him up on the offer, viewing it as a temporary arrangement – until the company she works for goes belly up.

When Dani discovers she only has three months to find a new job before she loses her work visa, panic sets in. That is, until Wouter makes an outrageous suggestion that confirms she has absolutely lost her mind: she agrees to marry him. Not for love, of course, but in order to stay in the country. In return, Wouter fulfills his grandmother’s stipulation that he must be married to inherit the apartment building.

Married to her ex-boyfriend, now living in his guest house, and tasked with convincing Wouter’s grandmother that they’re blissfully in love – well, it seems simple enough. Dani just has to make it a year with her heart intact. She survived the crushing blow Wouter dealt 13 years earlier, and despite what her head, heart, and body may be saying as they grow closer, she’s determined not to let herself be that vulnerable ever again.

The biggest appeal of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s work is how I can look at her female protagonists and just get them. I understand where they’re coming from, what they’re going through, and I can empathize with their journeys in life. Dani is probably the one who spoke to me the loudest.

We all go through life believing we’re supposed to hit these imaginary checkmarks that confirm our growth and success. Graduate – check. Find a partner – check. Get that job that defines us – check. Kids, house, 401k – check, check, check. And if we don’t? We feel like we’re failing.

The worst part, especially with social media, is that we can’t even live in our own little world of delusional success – believing we’re doing the best we can. We are constantly bombarded with comparisons, surrounded by sources to confirm that we’re falling behind. We see how our peers are doing on social media, and we can’t help but compare. We can’t help but wonder what we’re doing wrong – because they’ve obviously gotten it right.

For Dani, this pressure was exacerbated by the additional label of being the “Miracle Baby.” So while the rest of us feel the weight of proving our worth and showing we’re something, Dani had the added pressure of proving she was truly worth it. That her life was spared. That she survived. That she was still here, against all odds, to do great things. I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of unrealistic pressure that would put on a person. Even the smallest of achievements might feel meaningless when you’re told you’re destined to do something extraordinary.

What I also love is how Rachel writes her male protagonists. They aren’t show-stopping, jaw-dropping, A-list hunks of men who’ve decided to slum it with an “average girl” (and let me be clear, there’s nothing wrong with those kinds of books – I love them too!). Instead, her men feel like everyday people – flawed, real, and just as lovable as someone you could meet in your own life.

Together, Rachel creates a pairing you can’t help but root for – two people who you believe truly deserve all the happiness in the world, despite the odds, the obstacles, and the roadblocks life loves to throw their way. Even down to the physical traits we learn to accept and love but the world insists on criticizing (our weight, our birthmarks, our hairlines) – her characters are extraordinary in no flashy way, making them perfectly ordinary and beautifully real.

On a side note, I tried – I really tried – to remember all the Dutch words, but to no avail. Still, it was so much fun having them sprinkled throughout the story. Seeing the beauty of Amsterdam through Dani and Wouter’s eyes makes you want to book a flight today!

Having personally been to Amsterdam, Rachel reminded me of just how little I truly saw, yet she perfectly captured the breathtaking magic of such a beautiful place (and, of course, the important difference between a coffeeshop and a café!). Even if you’ve never seen a single picture of Amsterdam, the way Rachel describes the history, the homes, and the people makes you feel like you’re right there – eating the food, walking the streets, taking in the sights, and falling in love right alongside Dani.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve read every single book by Rachel, and this is by far the hottest one she has written! Business or Pleasure was pretty steamy, but it had absolutely nothing on this one.

What made it even more beautiful, though, was the second chance between two people who discovered all of their firsts together, reuniting 13 years later – blending the old with the new as they rediscovered one another. Those moments were some of the most touching and charming parts of the book. Yes, they were hot and captivating, but they were also incredibly moving, reverent even, and they remind us that while life moves on – bringing new discoveries, new passions, and new memories – our hearts never truly forget.

When our souls are bound with another, they instinctively recall what matters most. Despite the heartache and disappointment, those bonds keep the rawest emotions pure. And by some miracle, if we are able to experience them again, it makes us feel whole.

I don’t know if it was Rachel’s intent, but by the time I finished, I felt like someone had wrapped me in a hug and reminded me that it’s okay not to have life all figured out. Whether we are happy in love, where we are living, or what we are doing for a living - it’s rare to have succeeded in all three. Most of us are just trying to figure out one piece of that trifecta.

We may be happy with where we are living and who we’re with but hate our jobs, or we may love our jobs and the place we call home but haven’t yet found the person who feels like the missing piece of our heart (if that’s something we even want). And yet, we all feel that looming deadline, that ticking clock, reminding us with every movement of the minute hand that we’re falling behind. But are we? Are we failing at life, or are we being completely unrealistic about the timeframe we’ve given ourselves?

That’s what Rachel so beautifully emphasizes in this book: there is NO timeline. Whether you’re thirty, forty, fifty – as long as you’re still above ground, breathing, doing, and being – you have time to figure it out. There’s no magic answer, but there’s also no wrong way to go about it.

Some of us need to try many different things to discover our passions, and that’s okay. Some of us have to love and lose to learn what we want for ourselves and from others, and that’s okay, too. Some of us have to live in many different places to find where we belong in the world, and again – that’s perfectly fine!

We need to learn that it’s okay to do things our way, in our time, and to trust our process – not the process of others or what we’ve been conditioned to believe is the “right way” to live our lives.

What Happens in Amsterdam is like a comforting rub on the back and a soothing pat on the head – a reassuring reminder that life is what we make of it. If we feel like we’re heading in the wrong direction, there’s nothing stopping us from turning around and trying another path. It reminds us that we can take the batteries out of the clock and move at our own pace.

It offers reassurance and hope while validating our feelings and concerns. Most importantly, it reminds us that we can be brave even when we’re scared, we can be strong even when we feel lost, and we can do anything – as long as we’re okay with getting it wrong a few times until we find the path that works best for us.

I’ve never been to Amsterdam, but I feel like I have now! As a big Rachel Lynn Solomon fan and someone who is always hesitant to dive into a second chance romance, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this - but the second chance scenario actually worked well for me. These two fell in love as teenagers while our hero was visiting the U.S. as a foreign exchange student, and chances are that they never would’ve made it with an ocean between them. I liked that they were able to get to know each other as adults, and the angst was actually pretty low. Sure, there was definitely some miscommunication, but it’s probably one of the more cordial second chance romances I’ve read, lol. The setting also comes alive, really immersing the reader and making you feel like you’re in Amsterdam. It’s honestly more of a main character than our hero, in a way. The vibes were fresh, and I’ve never read a romance that felt like this one. I sincerely enjoyed the journey; my only wish is that the romance shone more than the setting. But the rest was great.

The story follows Dani, an American who is feeling adrift at 30. After learning about Amsterdam from her first love at 17, Dani decides to make a change in her life and move there. She never expected to run into the man who broke her teenage heart so cruelly, and Dani certainly never anticipated that Wouter would offer to be her new landlord. They’ve both lived a lot of life in the years they’ve been apart, so it’s not a terrible idea… right? But when Wouter suggests a marriage of convenience between them, things shift once again. Getting to know Wouter as an adult while falling in love with Amsterdam feels like a dream come true, even if their situation is only temporary.

Solomon’s last release, Business or Pleasure, made my Best of the Year list, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting her newest. The cover is absolutely stunning, and I loved the idea of a woman moving abroad. Wouter is also a sweetheart, a total green flag (other than the way he crushed Dani’s teenage heart). He is such a cinnamon roll, and I can see why she falls in love with him all over again. I’m also a big fan of marriage of convenience romances, so that aspect was a total win for me. As much as I loved getting to hear all about Amsterdam, by the time the romance heated up, I wanted the focus to remain on that. I was tired of learning about Amsterdam and wanted to learn more about Wouter instead. Their relationship ended up feeling strangely underdeveloped, which is why this loses a star for me. I think it could’ve gone deeper. I flew through this quickly though, bingeing it and enjoying the whole thing.

This book was adorable. That’s honestly the best way to describe it. I absolutely loved Wouter and Dani’s relationship and reading it develop.

I loved the mental health rep in this book. It was written in such a great way and really helped me connect and relate to Dani.

Overall, a super fun book and perfect for lovers of classic romcoms.

This was my first Rachel Lynn Solomon book but it definitely won’t be my last!

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance and Rachel Lynn Solomon for the free arc!

I adored this tender romance from Rachel Lynn Solomon. Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities, and this book was such a beautiful ode to this idyllic Dutch city.

The tension and anticipation between Dani and Wouter is top notch, and I found Dani’s personal journey with depression and anxiety to be incredibly inspiring and relatable.

Read if you enjoy:
🚲 Marriage of convenience
🌷 Second chances
🎨 Mental health rep
🚲 Emotional romance
🌷 European cities
🎨 Charming old houses

I highly recommend this one!

🌷What Happens In Amsterdam 🌷

Out: Today!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (5 Stars)
Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (2-3 steamy scenes with lots of description)

No spoiler review 👇🏻

One of my all time favourite authors! I absolutely enjoy both her YA and adult romance books.

This book was amazing and I absolutely loved it. The main characters, their interactions, the setting (makes me excited for my next euro adventure this summer), the humour, the pining. Just made my heart so happy. Plus it has excellent spicy scenes!

Some tropes of this book:
Marriage of Convenience
Second Chance Romance
Forced Proximity

Rachel’s romances feel so real, her characters, the setting you just feel like you are in Amsterdam. This is a perfect summer read (or anytime). One of my new favourite contemporary romances. I highly recommend picking this one up!


Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

3.5 stars rounded up!

This was my first book by Rachel Solomon and I really enjoyed it! After Wouter spends an high school exchange year with Dani's family in LA, they fall for each other but the relationship doesn't last the distance. That is until Dani moves to Amsterdam and runs into Wouter (literally) and they rekindle.

The marriage of convince aspect of this book felt honestly a tad unnecessary but I did not think it was a deterrent for the story. I really enjoyed watching Dani settle into her life in Amsterdam as she makes new friends, learns dutch, and tries to find her career passion. I also loved her dynamic with her sister. I do wish Dani ended up finding some sort of career in art given that's alluded to frequently in her past and current interests. Perhaps instead of a boat tour guide she could work at one of the museums? Art felt pretty integral to Dani and Wouter's characters so it was a bit of a shame to see neither of them pursue it.

Wouter is such a sweetheart and I enjoyed his dynamic with him family and friends! The chemistry between Wouter and Dani was definitely strongest during spicy times so I do wish thee was a bit more relationship development on page. The third act conflict felt heart breaking but I am happy with the resolution and the epilogue was adorable.

What Happens In Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon 🌷🚲

Dani Dorfman moves to Amsterdam in order to have a fresh start whenever her life falls apart in LA. She lost her job, her ex cheated, and her parents are overprotective. Leaving home seemed like the best option, although, she struggles to adjust to life abroad whenever her new job falls through and her apartment floods. Just when she’s about to throw the towel in, she bumps into her ex, Wouter. He proposes that they would mutually benefit from a green card marriage. Seems simple enough… until feelings get involved.

I really enjoyed the setting of this book. Reading about how charming Amsterdam is really gave me a longing to visit!! I also love a good second chance romance. First loves are so intense and I think that Rachel really captured that well. The idea of a young teen falling in love with a foreign exchange student is so romantic and I adored his golden retriever personality. Such a sweet yet spicy read!!

Thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for this eARC!!

Thank you so much to netgalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
.
Rachel Lynn Solomon definitely gave me wanderlust after reading What Happens in Amsterdam. Do I want to get on a plane and visit the Netherlands? Yes, right now. Do I want Wouter to teach me some words in Dutch? Also, yes! 😍
She painted a beautiful picture of the city and beautifully showcased the culture and customs of the Netherlands.
.
🚲second chance romance
🚲marriage of convenience
🚲forced proximity
🚲starting over
.
Second chance romance is a hard sell for me, but I was a big fan of Wouter and I liked their previous connection (he was their exchange student❤️) I felt like Dani definitely had some baggage to work through with both herself and her family. It became frustrating at times.
I loved the dog!
I loved the setting!
And I think this might be her steamiest book yet!?!🔥
3.5 ⭐️

Romantic, humorous, and sentimental!

What Happens in Amsterdam is a sweet, amusing tale featuring the kind, unmoored Dani and the handsome, considerate Wouter as they discover that there may be more to their relationship than just history, pretence, convenience, and fake feelings.

The writing is honest and light. The characters are endearing, fun-loving, and supportive. And the plot is a delightful mix of life, love, family, friendship, patience, understanding, palpable attraction, scorching chemistry, tender moments, nostalgia, and second chances.

Overall, What Happens in Amsterdam is a heartwarming, engaging, satisfying tale by Solomon that I thoroughly enjoyed and which, in my opinion, is a great choice for anyone who loves a good romcom set in an idyllic locale that has a whole lot of hope, humour, and heart.

This book transported me the beautiful country of Amsterdam. The descriptive setting really set the stage for this magical sweet story. Second chance romances is one of my favorite tropes and this one perfectly captures the emotions and feelings of falling in love with your person for a second time. Dani and Wouter met when they were in their teenage years when he came to the United States as part of the Dutch Exchange student program. Years later Dani has moved to Amsterdam dreaming of escaping her current life.

This book had everything I love — a second chance at love and a fake marriage of convenience that brought out both hilarious and deeply emotional moments.

I laughed out loud, but I also felt the full range of emotions: sadness, anger, hope, and even desperation. The characters were so real and layered that I couldn’t help but be pulled into their journey.

The chemistry between them was undeniable, and watching them find their way back to each other was both satisfying and moving. And the Netherlands setting? It felt like a beautiful escape — a lovely bonus to an already unforgettable story.

This is a story about love, forgiveness, and finding your way back when it matters most. Emotional, funny, and full of heart — a must-read.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

Dani moves to Amsterdam for a new job after her office romance blew up and got her fired. When she gets there, everything starts going wrong, but she wants to prove to her overprotective parents that she can do hard things on her own. When she runs into her first love - her family's former foreign exchange student - he proposes a marriage of convenience.

I had a total blast with this book. This feels like watching a silly romcom that you don't take super seriously but have to know what happens. The big sell here was that I did buy the chemistry between the characters, which is something that a lot of books miss on for me. This ended up being a bit spicier than I anticipated, and I ended up being extremely on board with the vast majority of it. I liked the characters, setting, plot for the most part. I personally think this book felt a bit pared down, like some time spent developing things may have been left on the cutting room floor. We could've spent more time with Dani's personal journeys of figuring out what she wants and the stuff with her family. We could've gotten to know current or past Wouter better. I also think the same fake dating/marriage of convenience thing could've been pulled off without the mega stress of breaking the law.  

Unrelated to the quality of the book, but I think it's a total shame that the publisher/cover design team decided to hide the fact that the main character has a port wine stain on her face by showing the other side of her face on the cover. I've never read a book before that has a character with a port wine stain, much less the main character of a romance novel, so I feel like it would've been a good opportunity to have that representation visible on people's shelves. 

Overall, this was a fun book I couldn't put down, but I still think there was room for improvement.

If you are a marriage of convenience or fake dating trope fan looking for a very cute romance, this is the one for you! This second chance was both fun and a quick read.

Y’all know I love a man with Glasses, so of course Wouter was a big hit for me. He was also a total cinnamon bun man who named his dog after George Costanza from Seinfeld. I loved watching him and Dani reconnect after so many years apart and fall in love again.

This book had really good mental health rep/ Dani has been hospitalized and talks about her experiences with therapy and medication. Her overbearing parents (relatable content), bad breakup, and loss of her job have left her feeling lost in life. I appreciated her character growth, and loved her final job (which side note, is especially funny for me because what she ends up doing is something I have toyed with leaving my job to do in some form since college).

I love that Rachel Lynn Solomon writes Jewish characters who make me feel seen, but also don’t feel like total archetypes. And now that I think about it, I think a lot of people will feel seen in either Dani or Wouter’s characters.

This was a solid 4 star for me! The third act conflict felt fairly predictable and I thought the end was a bit rushed, but this falls into the category of cozy, lower stakes romance books that I think a lot of people will love!

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

OMG, I loved this one! Dani and Wouter decide to get married to help each other out, and what follows is the most delightful mix of second chances, messy feelings, and “wait...do I still have feelings for you?” tension.

I loved that Dani’s in her 30s, feeling a little lost and not totally sure where her life is going…super relatable. And Wouter? Sweet, awkward, and charming? Yes please. Their chemistry felt natural and nostalgic, and the Amsterdam setting made me want to book a trip ASAP.