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lisa_ella 's review for:
What Happens in Amsterdam
by Rachel Lynn Solomon
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon had all the makings of a heartfelt second chance romance: a dramatic past, a fake marriage setup, and a new start in a new country. But while the tropes were there, the execution left me a bit underwhelmed.
Dani moves from L.A. to Amsterdam after her life basically falls apart, career, boyfriend, the whole deal. Cue culture shock, a flooded basement apartment, and a surprise reunion with her first love, Wouter. Thirteen years after their teenage romance ended with a cold, cryptic text, they're suddenly sharing a building... and eventually, a marriage of convenience.
The premise had potential, especially with emotional themes like mental health, grief, and identity woven in. Dani’s journey through anxiety, depression, and finding herself again was honest and relatable. I appreciated the portrayal of how messy personal growth can be, especially in your 30s. And Wouter? Charming, sensitive, and a bit tortured. I wanted to fall for him.
But the book struggled to hold my attention, especially in the first half. It leaned more into giving a tour of Dutch life than building romantic tension. There were so many “fun facts” about Amsterdam and Dutch culture that it often felt more like a travelogue than a romance. The pacing dragged, and the connection between Dani and Wouter felt too hesitant, too delayed, like I was constantly waiting for sparks that only finally arrived near the end.
The emotional payoff was there eventually, but getting there felt like wading through a lot of miscommunication, introspection, and awkwardness. The chemistry existed, especially in the more intimate scenes, but it didn’t fully make up for the lack of momentum earlier on.
Overall, this book had heart, but not enough heat or cohesion to fully land for me. I liked the ideas, I just didn’t love the journey.
Dani moves from L.A. to Amsterdam after her life basically falls apart, career, boyfriend, the whole deal. Cue culture shock, a flooded basement apartment, and a surprise reunion with her first love, Wouter. Thirteen years after their teenage romance ended with a cold, cryptic text, they're suddenly sharing a building... and eventually, a marriage of convenience.
The premise had potential, especially with emotional themes like mental health, grief, and identity woven in. Dani’s journey through anxiety, depression, and finding herself again was honest and relatable. I appreciated the portrayal of how messy personal growth can be, especially in your 30s. And Wouter? Charming, sensitive, and a bit tortured. I wanted to fall for him.
But the book struggled to hold my attention, especially in the first half. It leaned more into giving a tour of Dutch life than building romantic tension. There were so many “fun facts” about Amsterdam and Dutch culture that it often felt more like a travelogue than a romance. The pacing dragged, and the connection between Dani and Wouter felt too hesitant, too delayed, like I was constantly waiting for sparks that only finally arrived near the end.
The emotional payoff was there eventually, but getting there felt like wading through a lot of miscommunication, introspection, and awkwardness. The chemistry existed, especially in the more intimate scenes, but it didn’t fully make up for the lack of momentum earlier on.
Overall, this book had heart, but not enough heat or cohesion to fully land for me. I liked the ideas, I just didn’t love the journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Death of parent
Minor: Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol