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What Happens in Amsterdam
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!
Falling in love with your husband is anything but convenient in this steamy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure.
Dani Dorfman has somehow made it to her thirties without knowing what she wants to do with her life. So when an office romance ends poorly and gets her fired, she applies for a job in Amsterdam, idly dreaming of escaping the mess she’s created, but never imagining she'll actually get it.
Except she does. By the end of her first week in Amsterdam, she’s never felt more adrift or alone. Then she crashes her bike into her high school ex-boyfriend—and suddenly life is blooming with new opportunities.
Wouter van Leeuwen was a Dutch exchange student Dani’s family hosted, a forbidden love that ended in a painful breakup. Years later, there’s still sizzling chemistry between them, and okay, maybe a little animosity. More importantly, Wouter needs to be married to inherit a gorgeous family home on a canal—and when Dani's job falls apart, she needs a visa. As the marriage of convenience pushes them together in unexpected ways, Dani must decide whether her new life is yet another mistake—or if it's worth taking a risk on a second chance.
Falling in love with your husband is anything but convenient in this steamy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure.
Dani Dorfman has somehow made it to her thirties without knowing what she wants to do with her life. So when an office romance ends poorly and gets her fired, she applies for a job in Amsterdam, idly dreaming of escaping the mess she’s created, but never imagining she'll actually get it.
Except she does. By the end of her first week in Amsterdam, she’s never felt more adrift or alone. Then she crashes her bike into her high school ex-boyfriend—and suddenly life is blooming with new opportunities.
Wouter van Leeuwen was a Dutch exchange student Dani’s family hosted, a forbidden love that ended in a painful breakup. Years later, there’s still sizzling chemistry between them, and okay, maybe a little animosity. More importantly, Wouter needs to be married to inherit a gorgeous family home on a canal—and when Dani's job falls apart, she needs a visa. As the marriage of convenience pushes them together in unexpected ways, Dani must decide whether her new life is yet another mistake—or if it's worth taking a risk on a second chance.
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First published May 6, 2025
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About the author
Rachel Lynn Solomon
15 books8,502 followersRachel Lynn Solomon is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk, Today Tonight Tomorrow, and other romantic comedies for teens and adults. Her books have been translated into more than fifteen languages and optioned for film. Originally from Seattle, she's currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam, where she can often be found exploring the city, collecting stationery, and working up the courage to knit her first sweater. Connect with her on Instagram @rlynn_solomon.
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January 6, 2025I'm so excited to share this one with you all! This book was inspired by my expat journey, but Dani and Wouter's story is also very much their own (read: more scandalous). Here's some of what you can expect:
- marriage of convenience x second chance romance
- a charming crooked house with very thin walls
- "no one has ever touched me like you did"
- secret tattoos for each other
- Post-it notes are hot now
- love letter to Amsterdam
Content warnings:
- marriage of convenience x second chance romance
- a charming crooked house with very thin walls
- "no one has ever touched me like you did"
- secret tattoos for each other
- Post-it notes are hot now
- love letter to Amsterdam
Content warnings:
September 17, 2024
Now I want to go to Amsterdam to change my life, Rachel what have you done 😭
March 5, 2025
It’s been a while since I loved a book this much, and it might be because I adored Dani and Wouter, but it might even be more because this fantastic story is set in my home country. It’s the book you need to read if you want to experience Europe without your eyebrows braided together because the author decided to use every cliche available.
Of course, Rachel Lynn Solomon added a few stereotypes like the windmills and the cheese and the stroopwafels (syrup waffles), but also so much more. All those things that really feel Dutch: from biking without a helmet to wheelbarrow bikes with three kids inside, from Appie (Nick name for Albert Heijn, a grocery store) to HEMA (just our everything store), from peeking inside houses to renting unfurnished apartments (even without floors), from our coffeeshops which aren’t coffeeshops (oops …) to the ‘lekker’ hand wave, from the tiny sinks in the bathrooms with only cold water to Dutch flags with a backpack hanging outside after high school graduation, from poffertjes (small pancakes) to hagelslag (little chocolate sprinkles), and of course, she called soccer football! Like all Americans should do!
And as I said, I loved Dani and Wouter. Dani with the port-wine stain on her face and parents who are always overprotective, even now she’s thirty, and Wouter with his thinning hair and the way he always needs to take care for others. Two real people who fell head over heels. At seventeen and now again.
So yes, I fell in love with this book and with my own country.
It would be awesome if Luitingh Sijthoff translated this book just like they did with Business or Pleasure. But if you’re Dutch and can read in English, then I’d recommend picking up this one in English so you can have that fantastic feeling of being an English-speaking person in a Dutch-speaking city.
Thank you, Rafa from Penguin Random House International, for this amazing book! So, so good! En dank je wel Rachel Lynn Solomon voor dit waanzinnige boek! Zo, zo goed!
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Of course, Rachel Lynn Solomon added a few stereotypes like the windmills and the cheese and the stroopwafels (syrup waffles), but also so much more. All those things that really feel Dutch: from biking without a helmet to wheelbarrow bikes with three kids inside, from Appie (Nick name for Albert Heijn, a grocery store) to HEMA (just our everything store), from peeking inside houses to renting unfurnished apartments (even without floors), from our coffeeshops which aren’t coffeeshops (oops …) to the ‘lekker’ hand wave, from the tiny sinks in the bathrooms with only cold water to Dutch flags with a backpack hanging outside after high school graduation, from poffertjes (small pancakes) to hagelslag (little chocolate sprinkles), and of course, she called soccer football! Like all Americans should do!
And as I said, I loved Dani and Wouter. Dani with the port-wine stain on her face and parents who are always overprotective, even now she’s thirty, and Wouter with his thinning hair and the way he always needs to take care for others. Two real people who fell head over heels. At seventeen and now again.
So yes, I fell in love with this book and with my own country.
It would be awesome if Luitingh Sijthoff translated this book just like they did with Business or Pleasure. But if you’re Dutch and can read in English, then I’d recommend picking up this one in English so you can have that fantastic feeling of being an English-speaking person in a Dutch-speaking city.
Thank you, Rafa from Penguin Random House International, for this amazing book! So, so good! En dank je wel Rachel Lynn Solomon voor dit waanzinnige boek! Zo, zo goed!
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June 29, 2025
oh nooo im actually a tad let down by this one 🫣 i LOVED all of her previous books, but something about this was a little bit like, cómo se dice, stale crackers.
the setting was in fact visceral i’ll i’ve it that, but their chemistry was very much lacking, her family life VERY much triggering. i wanted to punch them in the throat
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!
the setting was in fact visceral i’ll i’ve it that, but their chemistry was very much lacking, her family life VERY much triggering. i wanted to punch them in the throat
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!
September 15, 2025
✩ 2.25 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Second Chance
➼ Marriage of Convenience
➼ Fake Dating
➼ Child Size FMC 🙄
➼ Secret Tattoos
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Only One Bed
➼ “It’s always been you.”
➼ Mental Health Rep
➼ Narrated by Elizabeth Lamont
➼ First Person POV
I struggled with this one unfortunately. The FMC has a tough break up and ends up losing her job when she makes their messages public to everyone in her company. He cheated, but I definitely thought she was also in the wrong for how she handled it. I felt like the author was insinuating otherwise which left me a little confused… perhaps there was a detail I missed?
She then takes a job in Amsterdam on a whim which was already pretty unrealistic, but then when it turned out that her first love lived in and was from that city, the whole thing kind of unravelled for me. If the character would have at any point admitted that she had even subconsciously hoped to find him again, this might have worked for me, but casually bumping into him one day and acting completely shocked was just ridiculous to me. I was also very annoyed by the detail that she was so tiny and child sized that no one in a city where literally every citizen bikes everywhere could find a bike to fit her. Give me a break. 🙄
Basically from then on, everything about this book just got on my nerves. I am pretty picky about second chance romance’s and this one just really didn’t work for me. From the reason they broke up to the fake marriage proposal, it all just felt a little too far fetched to me. I’m sure a lot of people will ignore most of the things that bothered me. Read it if you feel drawn to.
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I waited for this all summer and of course it comes now when I’m in the mood for Fall books and Fantasy. 🙄 Typical. Guess I’ll read it anyway though.
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
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What to Expect:
➼ Second Chance
➼ Marriage of Convenience
➼ Fake Dating
➼ Child Size FMC 🙄
➼ Secret Tattoos
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Only One Bed
➼ “It’s always been you.”
➼ Mental Health Rep
➼ Narrated by Elizabeth Lamont
➼ First Person POV
I struggled with this one unfortunately. The FMC has a tough break up and ends up losing her job when she makes their messages public to everyone in her company. He cheated, but I definitely thought she was also in the wrong for how she handled it. I felt like the author was insinuating otherwise which left me a little confused… perhaps there was a detail I missed?
She then takes a job in Amsterdam on a whim which was already pretty unrealistic, but then when it turned out that her first love lived in and was from that city, the whole thing kind of unravelled for me. If the character would have at any point admitted that she had even subconsciously hoped to find him again, this might have worked for me, but casually bumping into him one day and acting completely shocked was just ridiculous to me. I was also very annoyed by the detail that she was so tiny and child sized that no one in a city where literally every citizen bikes everywhere could find a bike to fit her. Give me a break. 🙄
Basically from then on, everything about this book just got on my nerves. I am pretty picky about second chance romance’s and this one just really didn’t work for me. From the reason they broke up to the fake marriage proposal, it all just felt a little too far fetched to me. I’m sure a lot of people will ignore most of the things that bothered me. Read it if you feel drawn to.
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I waited for this all summer and of course it comes now when I’m in the mood for Fall books and Fantasy. 🙄 Typical. Guess I’ll read it anyway though.
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
June 27, 2025
With this story, it all comes down to Dani and the unrealistic plot for me.
Dani was an insufferable, self-centred and entitled dumbass who moved to Amsterdam without any sort of preparation only to then be surprised when everything went wrong.
But worry not, because of fucking course she immediately ran into her ex-boyfriend from over 10 years ago who still lived in Amsterdam and who also immediately invited her to live in the vacant apartment in his town house that he rents out. Just a beautiful and decently sized apartment in the middle of Amsterdam. And for a fraction of the normal rent, too. Suure.
Now that might not be an issue for everyone, I just prefer a bit more reality in my romances, so the sheer convenience of it all annoyed me.
Getting back to Dani, though, she was just a red flag for me. Still being mad at Wouter for breaking up with her after they dated for six months when they were 17 is crazy behaviour. Like that happened over ten years ago and she legit never got over it. At that time he was in the US as an exchange student living with her family and then went back to Amsterdam and broke up with her over text. I mean, I get that it was devastating for her when she was 17 and in love for the first time, but she is 30 years old now, and it’s kind of embarrassing.
So it looks like going forward I'll have to reconsider buying cute pink covers just because they’re cute and pink. Sad day for me.
Two stars because I liked the Amsterdam setting.
___
Make the cover cute AND pink and I’ll buy it every time ✨🤝😍
Dani was an insufferable, self-centred and entitled dumbass who moved to Amsterdam without any sort of preparation only to then be surprised when everything went wrong.
But worry not, because of fucking course she immediately ran into her ex-boyfriend from over 10 years ago who still lived in Amsterdam and who also immediately invited her to live in the vacant apartment in his town house that he rents out. Just a beautiful and decently sized apartment in the middle of Amsterdam. And for a fraction of the normal rent, too. Suure.
Now that might not be an issue for everyone, I just prefer a bit more reality in my romances, so the sheer convenience of it all annoyed me.
Getting back to Dani, though, she was just a red flag for me. Still being mad at Wouter for breaking up with her after they dated for six months when they were 17 is crazy behaviour. Like that happened over ten years ago and she legit never got over it. At that time he was in the US as an exchange student living with her family and then went back to Amsterdam and broke up with her over text. I mean, I get that it was devastating for her when she was 17 and in love for the first time, but she is 30 years old now, and it’s kind of embarrassing.
So it looks like going forward I'll have to reconsider buying cute pink covers just because they’re cute and pink. Sad day for me.
Two stars because I liked the Amsterdam setting.
___
Make the cover cute AND pink and I’ll buy it every time ✨🤝😍
January 16, 2025
i just love a calm romance book and this was everything i needed it to be! very heartwarming and refreshing, truly felt like a break from my messy mind reading this
June 22, 2025
3-3.5⭐️ When a mutually beneficial arrangement leads two long-lost lovers back into each other’s arms, they must decide if the life they are pretending to have is really the one they want.
I love when books take me on journeys across the globe and introduce me to new settings and cultures. In What Happens in Amsterdam, I was treated to a mini “mind vacation” in which I experienced the gorgeous locale, both through the eyes of our MC and those she meets, and learned a little bit about the Danish culture and language. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I loved the way mental health is approached here, as is always the case with RLS’s books.
I am not always a fan of the marriage of convenience trope, but I liked the twist the author puts on it. I am also a fan of second chance romance, so its inclusion here, combined with the fake marriage, was so fun and wonderfully flirty. And if you are a fan of the spicy romance book, this book is off the hinges spicy at times.
So why the 3-3.5 stars you may be asking? While all of the ingredients were there for a five-star read, I just could not fully connect to Dani and Wouter, and as a result, it didn’t knock my socks off (that’s a pun in reference to her last book that in fact did knock my socks off). I would have liked to see more of their relationship building, in a way that felt more slow burn and authentic.
🎧 This is fun on audio, thanks in large part to the Elizabeth Lamont’s “Dutch accent”, but it does get a bit cloying after awhile. I recommend either reading solely on audio, or rotating back and forth between the physical book and the audiobook.
Read if you like:
▪️second chance romance
▪️marriage of convenience
▪️forced proximity
▪️mental health rep
▪️spicy romance
▪️Amsterdam setting
▪️Jewish rep
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the advanced copies.
I love when books take me on journeys across the globe and introduce me to new settings and cultures. In What Happens in Amsterdam, I was treated to a mini “mind vacation” in which I experienced the gorgeous locale, both through the eyes of our MC and those she meets, and learned a little bit about the Danish culture and language. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I loved the way mental health is approached here, as is always the case with RLS’s books.
I am not always a fan of the marriage of convenience trope, but I liked the twist the author puts on it. I am also a fan of second chance romance, so its inclusion here, combined with the fake marriage, was so fun and wonderfully flirty. And if you are a fan of the spicy romance book, this book is off the hinges spicy at times.
So why the 3-3.5 stars you may be asking? While all of the ingredients were there for a five-star read, I just could not fully connect to Dani and Wouter, and as a result, it didn’t knock my socks off (that’s a pun in reference to her last book that in fact did knock my socks off). I would have liked to see more of their relationship building, in a way that felt more slow burn and authentic.
🎧 This is fun on audio, thanks in large part to the Elizabeth Lamont’s “Dutch accent”, but it does get a bit cloying after awhile. I recommend either reading solely on audio, or rotating back and forth between the physical book and the audiobook.
Read if you like:
▪️second chance romance
▪️marriage of convenience
▪️forced proximity
▪️mental health rep
▪️spicy romance
▪️Amsterdam setting
▪️Jewish rep
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the advanced copies.
January 3, 2025
Ex-lovers’ second-chance romance meets marriage-of-convenience and forced-proximity tropes in the picturesque setting of Vincent Van Gogh’s birthplace. Welcome to "Love at Second Sight in Amsterdam," complete with a meet-cute involving a bicycle accident!
The story revolves around thirty-year-old Dani Dorfman, who desperately needs a fresh start after her life in Los Angeles falls apart. Reeling from a breakup with her cheating ex and losing her job after accidentally sending his personal emails to her entire office, Dani feels adrift. For years, she’s struggled to find her passion, hopping from job to job, avoiding deep connections, and dealing with overprotective parents who have coddled her due to her asthma and growing anxiety. When a job opportunity with a startup in Amsterdam arises, she leaps at the chance, defying her parents' concerns.
But life in Amsterdam isn’t as smooth as she hopes. Her new apartment floods, her job seems to lack real potential, and she’s struggling to adjust. A chance reunion with her ex-lover Wouter van Leeuwen—courtesy of a bike accident—changes everything. Wouter offers her his lower-level apartment, which is in far better shape than her dark, damp basement unit. Though wary of living so close to the man who broke her heart a decade ago, Dani accepts.
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 placating Wouter’s family. One year should give Dani enough time to decide her next steps—whether to find a new job or return home.
Their childhood romance was just a fleeting crush, and surely they’re mature enough to let bygones be bygones, right? But as they share an apartment and old sparks reignite, their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. Pretending to be in love quickly becomes less of an act. 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?
Pick up this delightful romance to find out!
Overall: The charming Amsterdam setting, heartfelt second-chance romance, and themes of self-growth make this a standout story. Highly recommended for romance fans!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me this amazing book’s arc copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The story revolves around thirty-year-old Dani Dorfman, who desperately needs a fresh start after her life in Los Angeles falls apart. Reeling from a breakup with her cheating ex and losing her job after accidentally sending his personal emails to her entire office, Dani feels adrift. For years, she’s struggled to find her passion, hopping from job to job, avoiding deep connections, and dealing with overprotective parents who have coddled her due to her asthma and growing anxiety. When a job opportunity with a startup in Amsterdam arises, she leaps at the chance, defying her parents' concerns.
But life in Amsterdam isn’t as smooth as she hopes. Her new apartment floods, her job seems to lack real potential, and she’s struggling to adjust. A chance reunion with her ex-lover Wouter van Leeuwen—courtesy of a bike accident—changes everything. Wouter offers her his lower-level apartment, which is in far better shape than her dark, damp basement unit. Though wary of living so close to the man who broke her heart a decade ago, Dani accepts.
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 placating Wouter’s family. One year should give Dani enough time to decide her next steps—whether to find a new job or return home.
Their childhood romance was just a fleeting crush, and surely they’re mature enough to let bygones be bygones, right? But as they share an apartment and old sparks reignite, their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. Pretending to be in love quickly becomes less of an act. 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?
Pick up this delightful romance to find out!
Overall: The charming Amsterdam setting, heartfelt second-chance romance, and themes of self-growth make this a standout story. Highly recommended for romance fans!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me this amazing book’s arc copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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October 4, 2025
"You think anyone automatically knows how to be in a healthy relationship? No. You fucking practice. You communicate. You figure out the hard shit together."
If the point of this book was to convince me to visit Amsterdam, SOLD!
I honestly fell in love with the setting of this book. The cover embodies how Amsterdam was described, and I am fully committed to moving it up on my list of places to visit. The city was basically its on character in this book, and I'll be daydreaming about how beautiful it is and how amazing all of their sweets are 🤤
And I don't know if it's just me, but the spice in this book is a whole other level compared to previous books, not that I'm complaining. At. All. Just ended up being pleasantly surprised 🩷
Wouter was a great MMC, though I struggled a bit with how he ended things when they were younger and his explanation for it. As far as writing, just seemed a little lazy to me. But was such a good book boyfriend, and his heart was on his sleeve the entire time, which leads to my main frustration for this book: Danika.
Dani had the makings of a pretty decent FMC, but I was just having a hard time with her. Much respect for her making a really big, scary decision to move to Amsterdam, but she was rubbing me the wrong way a couple of times. She a a peculiar ability...communicate without actually communicating. She would have internal dialogue or have a scene with Wouter where you're really feeling and understanding where she was coming from or how she was feeling, but she would just do a complete 180 for seemingly no reason or just not communicate on the most important parts.
But overall I loved the setting of this book and marriage of convenience will always be a favorite trope of mine. Absolutely recommend for romance readers 💛
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
If the point of this book was to convince me to visit Amsterdam, SOLD!
I honestly fell in love with the setting of this book. The cover embodies how Amsterdam was described, and I am fully committed to moving it up on my list of places to visit. The city was basically its on character in this book, and I'll be daydreaming about how beautiful it is and how amazing all of their sweets are 🤤
And I don't know if it's just me, but the spice in this book is a whole other level compared to previous books, not that I'm complaining. At. All. Just ended up being pleasantly surprised 🩷
Wouter was a great MMC, though I struggled a bit with how he ended things when they were younger and his explanation for it. As far as writing, just seemed a little lazy to me. But was such a good book boyfriend, and his heart was on his sleeve the entire time, which leads to my main frustration for this book: Danika.
Dani had the makings of a pretty decent FMC, but I was just having a hard time with her. Much respect for her making a really big, scary decision to move to Amsterdam, but she was rubbing me the wrong way a couple of times. She a a peculiar ability...communicate without actually communicating. She would have internal dialogue or have a scene with Wouter where you're really feeling and understanding where she was coming from or how she was feeling, but she would just do a complete 180 for seemingly no reason or just not communicate on the most important parts.
But overall I loved the setting of this book and marriage of convenience will always be a favorite trope of mine. Absolutely recommend for romance readers 💛
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
August 1, 2025
3/5
- This book was such a cute read! I love how this book had so many little pieces of Amsterdam sprinkled throughout the story! It almost felt as if the place was a character in the story!
- I wish that there had been more dialogue. I feel like we got a lot of inner monologue from the fmc. I do really love how you could really see the connection build from the start to the book to the end between the fmc & mmc!
- If you’re looking for a perfect end of summer book with marriage of convenience that actually feels believable, you’ll eat this book up!
- This book was such a cute read! I love how this book had so many little pieces of Amsterdam sprinkled throughout the story! It almost felt as if the place was a character in the story!
- I wish that there had been more dialogue. I feel like we got a lot of inner monologue from the fmc. I do really love how you could really see the connection build from the start to the book to the end between the fmc & mmc!
- If you’re looking for a perfect end of summer book with marriage of convenience that actually feels believable, you’ll eat this book up!
April 29, 2025
in my hater era i guess
May 4, 2025
this book made me want to drop everything and book flights.
dani leaves her life behind to move to amsterdam and promptly runs into her first love who left her behind. in the wake of getting fired from her job and needing a way to stay in amsterdam, wouter suggests the wild idea of a marriage of convenience.
second chance romance and marriage of convenience are two of my favorite things!! i usually eat them up. but dani really reallyyyyyy gave me immature vibes. she couldn’t communicate and pushed him away at every turn. i wish she was a bit more developed and mature. wouter is BALDING and rachel lynn solomon did not let me forget. i lost count with how many times it was mentioned and it actually gave me the ick im so sorry.
i saw the third act breakup/conflict coming from a mile away and i hateddddd how she treated wouter. he deserved better.
read this for the travel vibes and wanderlust!
thank you berkley romance and prh audio for the arc and alc!
what to expect
⟢ second chance
⟢ marriage of convenience
⟢ wanderlust vibes
⟢ fmc starting over
dani leaves her life behind to move to amsterdam and promptly runs into her first love who left her behind. in the wake of getting fired from her job and needing a way to stay in amsterdam, wouter suggests the wild idea of a marriage of convenience.
second chance romance and marriage of convenience are two of my favorite things!! i usually eat them up. but dani really reallyyyyyy gave me immature vibes. she couldn’t communicate and pushed him away at every turn. i wish she was a bit more developed and mature. wouter is BALDING and rachel lynn solomon did not let me forget. i lost count with how many times it was mentioned and it actually gave me the ick im so sorry.
i saw the third act breakup/conflict coming from a mile away and i hateddddd how she treated wouter. he deserved better.
read this for the travel vibes and wanderlust!
thank you berkley romance and prh audio for the arc and alc!
what to expect
⟢ second chance
⟢ marriage of convenience
⟢ wanderlust vibes
⟢ fmc starting over
September 30, 2025
Maybe it's the fact that I read this book in Amsterdam and/or because Dani was so Mirrorball by Taylor Swift coded, but What Happens in Amsterdam was impeccable. Rachel Lynn Solomon never misses!
While Dani's self-confidence issues and struggle with her career path/identity became slightly repetitive, I overall loved that subplot. I think so many women in their 20s will relate to her feeling like she's behind her peers and constantly trying to live up to her perceived potential. Dani's multitude of interests and hobbies but difficulties finding one set career really resonated with me.
Romance-wise? 10/10 no notes. The second chance romance was perfect, and I think readers who don't usually gravitate towards that trope will still adore this book. Dani and Wouter's reasoning for splitting up in the first place (them being teenagers and Wouter moving back to Amsterdam) made sense, and I love how time and circumstance brought them back together. I loved Wouter's grounded and sweet demeanor. He and Dani were excellent complements, and I was dying over their chemistry and tension.
And the author did a wonderful job capturing the magic of the city. Suddenly I want to pack it all up and move to Amsterdam lol. Couldn't recommend this one more!
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for sending me a copy of What Happens in Amsterdam. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
While Dani's self-confidence issues and struggle with her career path/identity became slightly repetitive, I overall loved that subplot. I think so many women in their 20s will relate to her feeling like she's behind her peers and constantly trying to live up to her perceived potential. Dani's multitude of interests and hobbies but difficulties finding one set career really resonated with me.
Romance-wise? 10/10 no notes. The second chance romance was perfect, and I think readers who don't usually gravitate towards that trope will still adore this book. Dani and Wouter's reasoning for splitting up in the first place (them being teenagers and Wouter moving back to Amsterdam) made sense, and I love how time and circumstance brought them back together. I loved Wouter's grounded and sweet demeanor. He and Dani were excellent complements, and I was dying over their chemistry and tension.
And the author did a wonderful job capturing the magic of the city. Suddenly I want to pack it all up and move to Amsterdam lol. Couldn't recommend this one more!
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for sending me a copy of What Happens in Amsterdam. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
November 23, 2025
i adore marriage of convience and second chance!! this was pretty cute, not like changed my life or anything just fun! a bit long tho <3
i love her writing style & the tattoos omg?!!
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 may 4
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 may 7
🌷┆ ‧₊˚ ⋅* 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊
i've read 3 ya novels by her and enjoyed them, all were pretty cute. excited to check out her latest adult release - it's second chance and set abroad/exchange student. it's also marriage of convenience which i love!!
high hopes for this onee
thank you so much to berkley for this digital arc
i love her writing style & the tattoos omg?!!
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 may 4
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 may 7
🌷┆ ‧₊˚ ⋅* 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊
i've read 3 ya novels by her and enjoyed them, all were pretty cute. excited to check out her latest adult release - it's second chance and set abroad/exchange student. it's also marriage of convenience which i love!!
high hopes for this onee
thank you so much to berkley for this digital arc
May 3, 2025
3.25🌟
RTC
This felt more like a love letter to Amsterdam. I thought this second chance was super angsty and definitely tugged at my heartstrings butttt the FMC was a little annoying. I am a HUGE fan of this author’s previous books with Business or Pleasure being my favorite but I felt a little let down with this one. However, it’s still a pretty good romance and if you love second chance I would still recommend.
RTC
This felt more like a love letter to Amsterdam. I thought this second chance was super angsty and definitely tugged at my heartstrings butttt the FMC was a little annoying. I am a HUGE fan of this author’s previous books with Business or Pleasure being my favorite but I felt a little let down with this one. However, it’s still a pretty good romance and if you love second chance I would still recommend.
August 16, 2025
Veel te onrealistisch, voelde geen echte connectie tussen de hoofdpersonen, de fmc was saai en irritant en zo kan ik nog wel even doorgaan lolz
May 21, 2025
˚ ༘♡ pre-read:
╰┈➤ received this arc and i was SOLD at fake marriage 😭
⋆˚࿔ what happens in amsterdam review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
┆ ⤿ 💌 4 stars!
I've never once thought about visiting Amsterdam but now I want to go so bad! This book legitamely felt like I went on a vacation myself. I'm not usually a fan of second-chance romance but I absolutely loved the amount of angst yet yearning that was put into this. I enjoyed their romance but which we could have felt a more gradual escalation to their romance.
My only apprehension is I really didn't feel like Wouter fully redeemed himself in my eyes. While I didn't hate him and even felt for him at parts of the story, his explanation for what he said to Danika really didn't redeem him to me.
Overall, a good romance with some great spicy scenes! If you're into traveling or you're trying to find your passion as an adult this will likely be a great read for you to pick up!
Perfect for fans of:
🌷marriage of convenience
🌷only one bed
🌷second chance romance
🌷forced proximity
🌷amsterdam setting
🌷mental health rep
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
Thank you to Berkley Romance and Netgalley for the arc! <3
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
⤿ follow me on instagram!
╰┈➤ received this arc and i was SOLD at fake marriage 😭
⋆˚࿔ what happens in amsterdam review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
┆ ⤿ 💌 4 stars!
I've never once thought about visiting Amsterdam but now I want to go so bad! This book legitamely felt like I went on a vacation myself. I'm not usually a fan of second-chance romance but I absolutely loved the amount of angst yet yearning that was put into this. I enjoyed their romance but which we could have felt a more gradual escalation to their romance.
My only apprehension is I really didn't feel like Wouter fully redeemed himself in my eyes. While I didn't hate him and even felt for him at parts of the story, his explanation for what he said to Danika really didn't redeem him to me.
Overall, a good romance with some great spicy scenes! If you're into traveling or you're trying to find your passion as an adult this will likely be a great read for you to pick up!
Perfect for fans of:
🌷marriage of convenience
🌷only one bed
🌷second chance romance
🌷forced proximity
🌷amsterdam setting
🌷mental health rep
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
Thank you to Berkley Romance and Netgalley for the arc! <3
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
⤿ follow me on instagram!
April 24, 2025
4.5⭐️
What Happens in Amsterdam was the perfect blend of steamy romance, second chances, and self-discovery—all set against the dreamy backdrop of Amsterdam’s canals. Dani was a refreshingly messy, relatable protagonist, and her journey from feeling lost to finding purpose (and love) was equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.
Her dynamic with Wouter was everything—full of sizzling tension, unresolved feelings, and the kind of banter that made their fake marriage feel anything but fake. Their history added so much depth to their relationship, making every moment of forced proximity even more delicious.
The book perfectly balanced emotional depth with fun, giving readers a romance that felt both sexy and substantial. Rachel Lynn Solomon’s signature humor and charm were on full display, making What Happens in Amsterdam an absolute must-read for fans of steamy rom-coms and second-chance love stories.
I also highly recommend the audiobook! There is a decent amount of Dutch sprinkled through the book and listening to it made me feel so immersed in the culture. Elizabeth Lamont did a fantastic job with the narration. I was only a few chapters in and already looking up other books she’s worked on. This is the only one I could find right now, but it looks like she’s narrating Ali Hazelwood’s upcoming release too!
I can’t recommend this book enough and Amsterdam is definitely high on my travel list now!
What Happens in Amsterdam was the perfect blend of steamy romance, second chances, and self-discovery—all set against the dreamy backdrop of Amsterdam’s canals. Dani was a refreshingly messy, relatable protagonist, and her journey from feeling lost to finding purpose (and love) was equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.
Her dynamic with Wouter was everything—full of sizzling tension, unresolved feelings, and the kind of banter that made their fake marriage feel anything but fake. Their history added so much depth to their relationship, making every moment of forced proximity even more delicious.
The book perfectly balanced emotional depth with fun, giving readers a romance that felt both sexy and substantial. Rachel Lynn Solomon’s signature humor and charm were on full display, making What Happens in Amsterdam an absolute must-read for fans of steamy rom-coms and second-chance love stories.
I also highly recommend the audiobook! There is a decent amount of Dutch sprinkled through the book and listening to it made me feel so immersed in the culture. Elizabeth Lamont did a fantastic job with the narration. I was only a few chapters in and already looking up other books she’s worked on. This is the only one I could find right now, but it looks like she’s narrating Ali Hazelwood’s upcoming release too!
I can’t recommend this book enough and Amsterdam is definitely high on my travel list now!
September 16, 2025
The setting of this second chance romance is bursting with highlights of the city of Amsterdam and the culture of the Netherlands. I haven’t read many books that touch on this place or these people so that element of the story was fantastic. The romance itself fell somewhat shorter for me personally, partially because of miscommunication and mostly because I wasn’t as in love with the FMC as the MMC was.
Written in first person, single POV of the h. No ow/om drama and both are experienced. They were each others firsts in high school when the H was an exchange student in the h’s home. Years later, both have been with others and neither had reached out previously, they come back together by chance. The H had a couple serious relationships from what it sounded like and the h had casual, non-serious ones.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Second chance (approx 10 years)
☆ FMC is at a life point where she is floundering
☆ MMC is more steady
☆ Mental health rep
☆ Miscommunication - don’t air out the past til 60% in for example
☆ Marriage of convenience
☆ The attraction’s still there, but they’re awkwardly fighting it
☆ They’re both hiding things from their families
☆ Positive friendships for both
☆ A third act breather rather a breakup
☆ Cute animal sidekick
☆ “My wife”
Dani (h) was relatable in the sense that she’s an adult who hasn’t found her passion in life yet. At the start of the book, she had just gone through the messy ending of a casual relationship with a coworker that imploded her job as well. So she’s packed up and moved to Amsterdam for a startup job on a whim. Her parents don’t truly support her and are smotheringly concerned because of health issues she had when she was younger (and because she honestly permits it). Her sister is her BFF and does try to be supportive. However, Dani’s intro to the city and her new job are not fantastic. She gets an additional shock when she randomly runs into her high school love, Wouter (H).
The number of times that Dani internally became angsty over the ending of their romance years ago was huge. I thought about trying to search for it to assign a value, but I didn’t. Sometimes she thinks sweetly about what was between them and compares how Wouter is now with young Wouter. The elephant in her mind though is why Wouter ended their relationship and how he did it via text. She doesn’t address it until 60% into the story though.
Wouter seems like a lovely H and even though we’re only in Dani’s head, and despite some conflicting vibes he gives off, it was also clear that he was still very into her. First he’s saving her from a crummy apartment and then he’s suggesting effectively a green card marriage to benefit her staying in Amsterdam and him getting to inherit a home. Wouter’s a caretaker at heart and his feelings for Dani also ran deep. Living together was parts funny, sometimes sweet, and others sexy. I enjoyed their chemistry when it was on. It was when they were too into their own heads or the author injected awkwardness between them that I felt like the tone didn’t fit well.
The story is steamy, it’s a slow burn, which fair enough because they had to adapt to being back in each other’s lives and the premise of a fake marriage between them too. Wouter was a giver and I do love the way this author writes some sexiness. He also “my wife’s” her and I was not expecting it, but it made my heart so happy.
Most of the important side characters here are their family members. Both are extremely close with their families and have complicated feelings about past dynamics. Wouter cared for his sick father for a long time and it changed him. Dani was a micro-preemie and her parents hovered over her, while she also felt like she wasn’t living up to the potential of her “miracle baby” persona. This btw was a sticking point for me, I could not understand why it was brought up repetitively. I felt like the weight of Dani’s internal expectations and her parents’ overwhelmingness were a spiral we couldn’t escape until almost the very end.
Drama does spring up in the third act. It’s not quite a breakup but the circumstances of their marriage hits the fan, all the feelings are out in the open but someone has a hard time expressing their feelings, and there’s some processing and sudden growth that has to occur. I did like how that person attempted to make amends with the other person and show them how they felt. The epilogue was very sweet and lovely, celebrating the true love at that point that underpinned their marriage. So mixed feelings overall, but not one I regret giving a chance to.
Written in first person, single POV of the h. No ow/om drama and both are experienced. They were each others firsts in high school when the H was an exchange student in the h’s home. Years later, both have been with others and neither had reached out previously, they come back together by chance. The H had a couple serious relationships from what it sounded like and the h had casual, non-serious ones.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Second chance (approx 10 years)
☆ FMC is at a life point where she is floundering
☆ MMC is more steady
☆ Mental health rep
☆ Miscommunication - don’t air out the past til 60% in for example
☆ Marriage of convenience
☆ The attraction’s still there, but they’re awkwardly fighting it
☆ They’re both hiding things from their families
☆ Positive friendships for both
☆ A third act breather rather a breakup
☆ Cute animal sidekick
☆ “My wife”
Dani (h) was relatable in the sense that she’s an adult who hasn’t found her passion in life yet. At the start of the book, she had just gone through the messy ending of a casual relationship with a coworker that imploded her job as well. So she’s packed up and moved to Amsterdam for a startup job on a whim. Her parents don’t truly support her and are smotheringly concerned because of health issues she had when she was younger (and because she honestly permits it). Her sister is her BFF and does try to be supportive. However, Dani’s intro to the city and her new job are not fantastic. She gets an additional shock when she randomly runs into her high school love, Wouter (H).
The number of times that Dani internally became angsty over the ending of their romance years ago was huge. I thought about trying to search for it to assign a value, but I didn’t. Sometimes she thinks sweetly about what was between them and compares how Wouter is now with young Wouter. The elephant in her mind though is why Wouter ended their relationship and how he did it via text. She doesn’t address it until 60% into the story though.
Wouter seems like a lovely H and even though we’re only in Dani’s head, and despite some conflicting vibes he gives off, it was also clear that he was still very into her. First he’s saving her from a crummy apartment and then he’s suggesting effectively a green card marriage to benefit her staying in Amsterdam and him getting to inherit a home. Wouter’s a caretaker at heart and his feelings for Dani also ran deep. Living together was parts funny, sometimes sweet, and others sexy. I enjoyed their chemistry when it was on. It was when they were too into their own heads or the author injected awkwardness between them that I felt like the tone didn’t fit well.
The story is steamy, it’s a slow burn, which fair enough because they had to adapt to being back in each other’s lives and the premise of a fake marriage between them too. Wouter was a giver and I do love the way this author writes some sexiness. He also “my wife’s” her and I was not expecting it, but it made my heart so happy.
Most of the important side characters here are their family members. Both are extremely close with their families and have complicated feelings about past dynamics. Wouter cared for his sick father for a long time and it changed him. Dani was a micro-preemie and her parents hovered over her, while she also felt like she wasn’t living up to the potential of her “miracle baby” persona. This btw was a sticking point for me, I could not understand why it was brought up repetitively. I felt like the weight of Dani’s internal expectations and her parents’ overwhelmingness were a spiral we couldn’t escape until almost the very end.
Drama does spring up in the third act. It’s not quite a breakup but the circumstances of their marriage hits the fan, all the feelings are out in the open but someone has a hard time expressing their feelings, and there’s some processing and sudden growth that has to occur. I did like how that person attempted to make amends with the other person and show them how they felt. The epilogue was very sweet and lovely, celebrating the true love at that point that underpinned their marriage. So mixed feelings overall, but not one I regret giving a chance to.
March 22, 2025
3.5 stars -
I was really looking forward to a fun romance and, in many ways, the author delivered on that promise. I love a second chance romance story. It is my favorite trope, I think.
But this one just hit a little funny for me. I can’t really put my finger on it other than the female lead was so indecisive and frustrating in many ways. She was groomed to not take chances and she leans on other people for approval. In a lot of ways, she was a bit clueless.
But balance those flaws with the main male character. He was so sweet and so deeply in love with her. I just love what they had together and in the past.
Solomon has written some beautiful romances that I truly have enjoyed completely. What Happens in Amsterdam is a love story of the city in many ways. If you love to be swept away by the atmosphere and the setting, this is a wonderful book for that.
The connection between the two main characters is strong, but the female lead just didn’t do it for me. I thought she was too weak for him. Regardless, their love story is sweet and steamy, and if you love a rekindled romance, Solomon tells a wonderful story.
I don’t understand the compelling need for authors to destroy something in the third act. This isn’t angst. This is soul-crushing somebody. He just brushed it off, but it was not cool and not needed.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** full review - https://amidlifewife.com/what-happens...
I was really looking forward to a fun romance and, in many ways, the author delivered on that promise. I love a second chance romance story. It is my favorite trope, I think.
But this one just hit a little funny for me. I can’t really put my finger on it other than the female lead was so indecisive and frustrating in many ways. She was groomed to not take chances and she leans on other people for approval. In a lot of ways, she was a bit clueless.
But balance those flaws with the main male character. He was so sweet and so deeply in love with her. I just love what they had together and in the past.
Solomon has written some beautiful romances that I truly have enjoyed completely. What Happens in Amsterdam is a love story of the city in many ways. If you love to be swept away by the atmosphere and the setting, this is a wonderful book for that.
The connection between the two main characters is strong, but the female lead just didn’t do it for me. I thought she was too weak for him. Regardless, their love story is sweet and steamy, and if you love a rekindled romance, Solomon tells a wonderful story.
I don’t understand the compelling need for authors to destroy something in the third act. This isn’t angst. This is soul-crushing somebody. He just brushed it off, but it was not cool and not needed.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** full review - https://amidlifewife.com/what-happens...
May 11, 2025
as the self-appointed Queen of Second Chance Romance, i approve this international marriage of convenience 👩🏼⚖️
this was so cute and fun and sweet (literally and figuratively) and mr wouter has a DIRTY mouth (who knew???), and i am so mad my parents never hosted an exchange student omfg
to amsterdam i go!
this was so cute and fun and sweet (literally and figuratively) and mr wouter has a DIRTY mouth (who knew???), and i am so mad my parents never hosted an exchange student omfg
to amsterdam i go!
June 17, 2025
3.5 stars
What Happens In Amsterdam is one of those books where the location feels like a character itself, and I love that. This book makes me want to travel more. The characters and the story itself were… fine. It wasn’t my favorite by this author. I feel like the past wasn’t addressed like I hoped it would be, and the present conflict was just meh. Overall, the writing and scenery were fantastic, but the characters and story itself were just okay for me.
What Happens In Amsterdam is one of those books where the location feels like a character itself, and I love that. This book makes me want to travel more. The characters and the story itself were… fine. It wasn’t my favorite by this author. I feel like the past wasn’t addressed like I hoped it would be, and the present conflict was just meh. Overall, the writing and scenery were fantastic, but the characters and story itself were just okay for me.
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Elizabeth Lamont
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 11h 32m
June 18, 2025
Okay, so I really liked this one! It’s a marriage of convenience and second chance romance set in Amsterdam. I’ve never been there, but the way it’s described, I felt like I was cycling around myself!
Dani and Wouter had a sweet little history back when he was an exchange student staying with her family. Fast forward to the present, Dani moves to Amsterdam for a fresh start… and literally bumps into Wouter with her bike 😂 That reunion leads to a plan that benefits them both, and, of course, old feelings start creeping back in.
I loved how real Dani felt as a character. She’s figuring out her life and career, and that hit close to home for me. Wouter was the absolute sweetest. Leaving her notes in Dutch so she could learn the language? Heart = melted. He’s a cinnamon roll and I will defend him.
This was my first book by Rachel (though I do have her other books on my shelves) and I liked her descriptive writing style. Sometimes the pacing felt a bit slow with all the internal monologue, and there were moments it read like a travel guide to Amsterdam. But I didn’t mind 'cause the city felt alive!
Overall, it’s cute, a little frustrating (in a good way), and I’d honestly reread it just for Wouter. 10/10 would visit Amsterdam now. Preferably with a Wouter. 🧡
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Second Chance Romance
❤️🔥 Marriage of Convenience
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
❤️🔥 Forced Proximity
Dani and Wouter had a sweet little history back when he was an exchange student staying with her family. Fast forward to the present, Dani moves to Amsterdam for a fresh start… and literally bumps into Wouter with her bike 😂 That reunion leads to a plan that benefits them both, and, of course, old feelings start creeping back in.
I loved how real Dani felt as a character. She’s figuring out her life and career, and that hit close to home for me. Wouter was the absolute sweetest. Leaving her notes in Dutch so she could learn the language? Heart = melted. He’s a cinnamon roll and I will defend him.
This was my first book by Rachel (though I do have her other books on my shelves) and I liked her descriptive writing style. Sometimes the pacing felt a bit slow with all the internal monologue, and there were moments it read like a travel guide to Amsterdam. But I didn’t mind 'cause the city felt alive!
Overall, it’s cute, a little frustrating (in a good way), and I’d honestly reread it just for Wouter. 10/10 would visit Amsterdam now. Preferably with a Wouter. 🧡
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Second Chance Romance
❤️🔥 Marriage of Convenience
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
❤️🔥 Forced Proximity
April 30, 2025
3.5 rounded up💫 I thought I was going to love this one but unfortunately I just didn’t get the OOMPH I wanted from it!!
BUT if the goal of this book was to get me to plan a trip to Amsterdam then it was a grand success because now I’m dying to go!🌷🤩
✨second chance romance
✨marriage of convenience
✨a “miracle” child trying to live up to the hype of her own life!! and learning to be happy along the way as she figures it all out😌
✨fantastic audio narration💯
✨secret meaningful tattoos!!
I can’t pin down *exactly* what didn’t work for me but it just left me wanting a bit more🤔 it was sweet and uplifting but I didn’t feel overly connected to either main character and wanted more chemistry and development! And less miscommunication!
BUT if the goal of this book was to get me to plan a trip to Amsterdam then it was a grand success because now I’m dying to go!🌷🤩
✨second chance romance
✨marriage of convenience
✨a “miracle” child trying to live up to the hype of her own life!! and learning to be happy along the way as she figures it all out😌
✨fantastic audio narration💯
✨secret meaningful tattoos!!
I can’t pin down *exactly* what didn’t work for me but it just left me wanting a bit more🤔 it was sweet and uplifting but I didn’t feel overly connected to either main character and wanted more chemistry and development! And less miscommunication!
December 19, 2024
4.25⭐️
review coming soon!
review coming soon!
August 5, 2025
As someone who has picked up and moved long distances (mostly in the US but twice abroad) when life wasn't what I wanted it to be, and who has quit several jobs and several career paths when they were fine, but not energizing, I was pretty sure to like this book a whole lot. In it, Dani is a 30-year-old in a career she fell into. That is not her only problem. She is shot through with commitment issues after being dumped by her first love as a teen, and is being held back by pathologically overprotective parents. Overwhelmed by all this muck, Dani abandons her LA home and moves to Amsterdam. Side note: This is the second book in two weeks I have read with a lead character named Danica who goes by Dani, which seems weird. Anyway, when she gets to Amsterdam, the startup she moved there to work for collapses due to financial wrongdoing. Also, in week one she bumps into Wouter, that first love who dumped her at 16 -- he had been a Dutch exchange student living with her family.
I loved Dani and Wouter and their second-chance romance. But this is not just a sexy, steamy, romantic love story between Dani and Wouter; it is a love story between Dani and Amsterdam, Dani and Wouter's family, Dani and her own family, and Dani and herself. That is not to say Wouter is not a good book boyfriend. He is grade A! It is just not all him.
Rachel Lynn Solomon moved to Amsterdam herself a couple years back, and you can feel her love for that beautiful city on every page. I suspect some of the family stuff here might be a smidge autobiographical, but that is just a guess. Based on my experience of the same, she does get right the feeling of being happy in another place, but also feeling cut off from the lives of people you love. I had the same experience of my first niece being born when I was living abroad, and it is a peculiar type of longing she nails. She is slightly clunkier when it comes to the parental relationship, which seems forced and really pathological. Dani was very ill as a child and had lingering health concerns for years, so one expects some additional anxiety for parents that could manifest in some helicoptering. But also, she is now 30 and perfectly fine other than depression, which is being managed with medication and breathing exercises. The parents' level of oversight into her life is comically creepy, and also seems literally criminal. The things they do would hold up in court as evidence of stalking.
I recommend this one for sure. Also, the audio was great. The narrator nails the Amsterdam accent. Her voice for Rose (Wouter's sister) sounded exactly like a friend of mine born and raised in Oud-Zuid.
I loved Dani and Wouter and their second-chance romance. But this is not just a sexy, steamy, romantic love story between Dani and Wouter; it is a love story between Dani and Amsterdam, Dani and Wouter's family, Dani and her own family, and Dani and herself. That is not to say Wouter is not a good book boyfriend. He is grade A! It is just not all him.
Rachel Lynn Solomon moved to Amsterdam herself a couple years back, and you can feel her love for that beautiful city on every page. I suspect some of the family stuff here might be a smidge autobiographical, but that is just a guess. Based on my experience of the same, she does get right the feeling of being happy in another place, but also feeling cut off from the lives of people you love. I had the same experience of my first niece being born when I was living abroad, and it is a peculiar type of longing she nails. She is slightly clunkier when it comes to the parental relationship, which seems forced and really pathological. Dani was very ill as a child and had lingering health concerns for years, so one expects some additional anxiety for parents that could manifest in some helicoptering. But also, she is now 30 and perfectly fine other than depression, which is being managed with medication and breathing exercises. The parents' level of oversight into her life is comically creepy, and also seems literally criminal. The things they do would hold up in court as evidence of stalking.
I recommend this one for sure. Also, the audio was great. The narrator nails the Amsterdam accent. Her voice for Rose (Wouter's sister) sounded exactly like a friend of mine born and raised in Oud-Zuid.
May 15, 2025
This is a contemporary romance set in Amsterdam.
Dani had lost her job and her boyfriend. So she leaves her family and life in Los Angeles to move to Amsterdam.
She is 30 years old, but her overprotective parents don’t treat her like an adult. So while she tries to rebel a bit she is still very close to her sister Phoebe.
When Dani was 17 she had a secret romance with Wouter, an exchange student who was staying at her house. Things did not end well when he left to go back to Amsterdam.
I really loved the setting. Amsterdam is such an amazing backdrop for a romance book. I really liked seeing all of the tourist destinations, especially the canals. And I loved learning so many words in Dutch.
I also really liked Dani’s relationship with her sister. I loved that even though there was physical distance between them they continued to stay so connected.
There is a lot of mental health rep in this book as Dani suffers from anxiety and depression.
There is some Jewish rep in this book. Dani is Jewish.
Wouter was an interesting character. I like that he was a physiotherapist. I do enjoy second chance romances although what he proposed that he and Dani do seemed so fast.
There was a lot of miscommunication and what Dani told her parents towards the end made me crazy. But this cover and the setting made me so happy. Overall, this book will definitely make you want to get on a plane to visit Amsterdam.
Thanks to Berkley Romance for allowing me to read this book.
Dani had lost her job and her boyfriend. So she leaves her family and life in Los Angeles to move to Amsterdam.
She is 30 years old, but her overprotective parents don’t treat her like an adult. So while she tries to rebel a bit she is still very close to her sister Phoebe.
When Dani was 17 she had a secret romance with Wouter, an exchange student who was staying at her house. Things did not end well when he left to go back to Amsterdam.
I really loved the setting. Amsterdam is such an amazing backdrop for a romance book. I really liked seeing all of the tourist destinations, especially the canals. And I loved learning so many words in Dutch.
I also really liked Dani’s relationship with her sister. I loved that even though there was physical distance between them they continued to stay so connected.
There is a lot of mental health rep in this book as Dani suffers from anxiety and depression.
There is some Jewish rep in this book. Dani is Jewish.
Wouter was an interesting character. I like that he was a physiotherapist. I do enjoy second chance romances although what he proposed that he and Dani do seemed so fast.
There was a lot of miscommunication and what Dani told her parents towards the end made me crazy. But this cover and the setting made me so happy. Overall, this book will definitely make you want to get on a plane to visit Amsterdam.
Thanks to Berkley Romance for allowing me to read this book.
June 23, 2025
I get this is a second chance romance, but the mc brings up the past waaaayyy too much. Like you were 15…
June 30, 2025
Cute and cozy read - I liked the location of the book (and the house hunters international reference! ha!) Classic contemporary romance read - easy listening on audio. Enjoyed overall - slight annoyance at the main characters parents.
Rounding up my 3.75⭐
Rounding up my 3.75⭐
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