Liv Varanakis has a list of things her father left behind when he left Liv and her mother. She hasn't heard from him in years when all of a sudden he sends Liv a ticket to Greece. Should she go, or punish her father for so many years of silence. Added into the mix is her boyfriend

I think this might be my favorite of this series! The family dynamic was absolutely heartbreaking and touching, and the romance was *chef’s kiss* perfection. But one of the most unique and favorite parts for me was the whole mystery around Atlantis and how it tied together all of the various parts of the plot! Welch does it again and takes us in yet another incredible journey of a character finding their self in another stunning location!

I didn't know this was YA but it held up to an adult reader just fine! Cute story, started slow but picked up later and overall a good yarn

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting book about father and daughter relationship and how you need to be able to talk to each other. When you don't you have miscommunication. It was a cute love story as well with one of the other character.

I was super excited for Love & Olives, as I enjoyed both of the other Love & books. This book started off reaaaally slow for me. Like, read a chapter each day kind of slow. I really loved all of the characters, but the Atlantis plot lost me for a bit. I will say that the story ended nicely, and i appreciate that the book tackled some important issues. It’s the perfect read if you’re looking for a fluffy romance/drama, but not great for readers who enjoy more action.

An absolutely adorable YA adventure/romance. Perfect for fans of Morgan Matson! A must read for anyone looking to read a contemporary romance.

Liv Varanakis's dad left when she was only 8 and she hasn't heard from him since. Now, out of the blue he sends her a postcard telling her he's working on a documentary about Atlantis and he wants her to join him in Greece to help him with it. Not exactly thrilled, Liv's mom makes her go and once in Santorini things are awkward to say the least. On the bright side, there is a really cute guy about her age filming and maybe she'll figure out a way to talk to her dad again.

Pack your bags and grab your sunglasses because we're headed to beautiful Santorini, Greece! Jenna Evans Welch is back with the third installment of her "Love & ..." series - Love & Olives. Fans of Welch are already familiar with the first two books in this collection - Love & Gelato, which features Italy, and Love & Luck, which takes place in Ireland. If you haven't read those two books, however, no worries because every novel in this series works as a stand-alone. If you love traveling to beautiful and interesting places, the "Love & ..." series is not to be missed.

Olive can't help but feel abandoned by her adventure-seeking father. For as long as she can remember, he has always put his love for the Lost City of Atlantis before her. He finally left her for good when she was eight and headed home to Greece, and she hasn't seen him since. So she is less than thrilled when a postcard from her dad arrives inviting her to spend the summer in Santorini with him. Her father is being featured in a National Geographic documentary, and he wants Olive by his side. But why? Olive doesn't understand why her father is suddenly showing an interest in her, and she isn't very keen on heading across the world to support him on another wild Atlantis goose chase. Just what awaits Olive in Santorini this summer? Will she be able to work through the complicated feelings she has for her dad and enjoy this time for him, or will this summer be a total and complete bust?

Jenna Evans Welch has a talent for bringing amazing, exotic locales to life, and Love & Olives is no different. Be prepared to taste, see, smell, and hear Santorini in all its gloriousness! Anyone who is suffering from wanderlust amid the COVID-19 pandemic should pick up Welch's "Love &" series, as she does such a good job of scratching that travel itch. Additionally, her characters are relatable and authentic, with varied depth and emotion.

While it is easy to assume that Love & Olives is a love story (love IS right in the title), in this case, the "love" plotline is more so that of a girl and her father (although there is a love interest here!) Love & Olives explores the complex relationship between Olive and her dad, and unpacks a lot of their baggage on these pages. This book is an excellent choice for any teenager dealing with feelings of abandonment or suffering from an absent parent in their lives, as the father-daughter relationship is at the heart of this reflective, touching novel.

I loved this sweet book. The Santorini setting, the bookstore in a cave, the quest for Atlantis and so many complex relationships - Including Olive's with her past.

The visual imagery and the slow unfolding of the history of Olive and her estranged father was intriguing. The tension that builds with Theo adds a twist of YA romance.

I am going to go back and read this author's first two books - My daughter loved them - And now I know why!

I’m a huge fan of Evans Welch’s previous works, and Love & Olives didn’t disappoint. I thought the sense of place was PERFECTION– to feel the warm sun and salty water even in the middle of winter was a feat in and of itself. I loved that she delicately, respectfully and importantly touched on topics of mental health– especially in YA books, this kind of representation feels so important. She’s an auto-buy author for me, and this third installment didn’t disappoint!

BOOK REPORT for Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch

Cover Story: Third Time’s a Charming Mosaic
BFF Charm: Big Sister
Swoonworthy Scale: 8
Talky Talk: School of Sarah Dessen: Study Abroad Program
Bonus Factors: Santorini, The Lost City of Atlantis
Relationship Status: You’re Invited to Our Big Fat Greek Wedding

Cover Story: Third Time’s a Charming Mosaic

This is Welch’s third novel that takes place in a European country, following Love & Gelato and Love & Luck. All the covers match, so this one isn’t reinventing the wheel or anything, but it’s cute and you know exactly where it takes place with a quick glance.

The Deal:

Olive “Liv” Varanakis is living the good life. She's got a hot senior boyfriend, she's figured out her personal style and pulls it off with aplomb, she's got a great stepdad and half brother, with another one on the way. The only thing she doesn't have is her own dad, who left when she was a kid to search for the lost city of Atlantis. Liv finds this sort of mortifying, so when a postcard arrives from her father Nico inviting her to spend her birthday with him in Santorini, Liv is like "that's gonna be a no for me dawg." But with a little pressure from her mom, Liv finds herself on a plane to Greece.

Upon arrival, she's immediately brought into the fold of her father's close friends and found family, including his friend Ana, who owns a travel bookshop, and Ana's son Theo. Liv soon learns that her father has a chance to film a documentary about Atlantis for National Geographic, and he's brought her to Greece to be his art director. Liv is none too thrilled with this idea, but the more she begrudingly tags along on shoot days, the closer she grows to her father, to Theo, to Santorini, and to maybe believing that there's more to Atlantis than she originally thought.

BFF Charm: Big Sister



I want to say Liv is cool in a way I wish I had been as a teenager, but tbh, Liv is cool in a way I wish I was right now. She’s got a great sense of style, she’s a talented artist, and she is surprisingly chill about solo international travel at such a young age. I loved watching her blossom and come out of her shell while trying to navigate a complicated relationship with her father. That said, there were a few times when I wanted to take her by the shoulders and sit her down for a stern talking to. I’m officially of an age when I can relate to a YA character’s mother. Liv, your boyfriend sucks and you are too young to attach yourself and your life choices to one person like that, young lady!!!

Swoonworthy Scale: 8

Liv is in a "happy" relationship back home with a guy named Dax. I use quotation marks because I HATED DAX. He's kind of controlling and a dick, and he really wants Liv to go to college near him, and she clearly doesn't trust him around other girls. But I digress. The first person Liv meets in Greece is Theo, her father's cinametographer/general production dude, who is tasked with picking her up from the airport. Theo is grade A Greek hottie, and he is thrilled to meet Liv. They have chemistry together from the start, but Liv keeps insisting that she has to be faithful to her boyfriend back home (eyeroll) and Theo is a respectful king. But being respectful is really hard when you're sharing a bunk room with someone above a bookstore. No, this is not a case of tiny room with only one bed. Liv's dad is cool, but he's not THAT cool. Liv and Theo fall asleep listening to French rap music every night from their respective beds and ugh you KNOW you could just cut that tension with a knife.

Talky Talk: School of Sarah Dessen: Study Abroad Program

Welch writes my favorite kind of contemporaries: coming-of-age stories about girls who are dealing with some sort of major familial shift while also falling in love. Take all of that and drop it into a European setting and it’s going to be an instant buy for me every time. Welch’s writing packs an emotional punch but is always infused with humor, style, and a mean sense of wanderlust.

Bonus Factor: Santorini



Fair warning: you WILL get online and look at plane ticket prices while reading this book. Just accept it.

Bonus Factor: The Lost City of Atlantis



National Geographic nerds, rejoice! Liv is assisting her father with his NatGeo documentary, and Nico Varanakis is an expert on all things Atlantis. Liv may find it all a bit eye-rolly, but I loved reading about the theories and history behind one of the world’s greatest mysteries.

Relationship Status: You’re Invited to Our Big Fat Greek Wedding

I loved this book so much, I included it in my favorite books of 2020! It had everything I look for in a book and a few things I didn't know I needed. I will definitely revisit it in the future. I reread Love & Gelato on the plane to Florence last fall, so maybe i can manifest a post-pandemic trip to Greece and do a reread on the way. Until then, I have one question for you, Book......*clears throat and gets down on one knee*

Literary Matchmaking:



Obviously, for more Jenna Evans Welch, check out her other books, Love & Gelato, set in Florence, and Love & Luck which takes place on a road trip through Ireland.
In Sisterhood Everlasting, the ten-years-later Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants sequel by Ann Brashears, the gals take a reunion trip to Greece!

If you're looking for another swoony, emotional story about a girl reconnecting with her long lost father, check out Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller.
FTC Full Disclosure: I did not receive money or Girl Scout cookies of any kind (not even the lame cranberry ones) for writing this review. Love & Olives is available now.

I love a good YA book so it was no surprise I really liked this story. This was the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed the writing style. It was fun to get a taste of Greece in this book which is a place I would love to travel to someday.

Thank you so much @SimonAndSchuster & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest review

This book was a delight. I loved that we travel to Greece and discover Atlantis. I loved chatting with Jenna about this book.

Love and Olives completely lived up to the hype for me. I read Love and Gelato in 2019 and fell in love with the travel writing by Jenna.
Jenna is able to whisk you away on the adventures with her characters so seemlessly. Her descriptions and settings are so well put together you feel like you are right along for the trip. I love that! The romance and the feelings that the authors can envelope you in with just her dialogue is outstanding.
My only criticism of this book is that it was a little long. I felt at times the story could drag on. That aside I loved those sweet story of love and family and look forward to the new title by this author.

Having enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was excited to see a third title. I was not disappointed! The great thing about these Jenna Evans Welch books is that the main characters are so dynamic. They don't just focus on the potential for romance-- they're growing and changing, and learning about themselves. I love that. Olive didn't spend the whole book weighing the pros and cons of the two boys in her life, she was working through who she really was, and what she wanted her relationship with her father to be. I find that very refreshing. Welch's handling of mental illness was done with care, and I appreciated that. Plus, the descriptions of Santorini were also lovely. A very well-rounded book.

Liv Varanakis lives with her mother and her stepfather in Seattle. Her father left her family when she was about eight and he currently lives in Santorini, Greece. Liv has always had a good relationship with her father and when she was younger, she would always be Indiana Olive uncovering the secrets of Atlantis with her dad. One day, a postcard with her name on it beckons her to Greece. She refuses to go but her mother convinces to reunite with her father for 10 days.

So during the summer before senior year, Liv travels to Greece. At first her father is no where to be found and she has to hop on a motorbike with Theo, her father's friend's son, in order to meet her father at Oia. Liv spends time in Greece to mull over what life means to her. Her boyfriend wants her to go to Stanford but she really wants to go to RISD to pursue art. Liv tries to forgive her father and to make up for lost time. I love how Theo nicknames Liv Kalamata. Even though Theo and Liv don't warm up to each other at the beginning, their relationship slowly blossoms. And the fact that Theo wants to be an adventure filmmaker, it definitely intrigues Liv. In Love and Olives, Liv breaks out of her shell and embraces who she is not only as a person but to really hone on her artistic skills and to make long lasting relationships.

Jenna Evans Welch not only transports her readers to another beautiful European country but she is able to tell us a wonderful story. I love how Welch starts each chapter with one of the items that Liv's father left behind...from Big Red chewing gum to pages of Plato's Timaeus and Critias. Liv is able to reconnect with her father through a documentary they are filming about finding Atlantis for National Geographic. They both rekindle their daughter/father relationship over one of their favorite things they bond over.

I highly suggest Love and Olives for readers who are consumed by wanderlust and those who want to be transported somewhere new. I also enjoyed reading other books by Welch such as Love & Gelato and Love & Luck.

Thank you so much @SimonAndSchuster & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 10 November 2020)

SYNOPSIS | Liv Varanakis pretends to lead the perfect life, except she hasn't seen her dad since she was 8 years old as he left to go find Atlantis. The Summer before her senior year, she receives a postcard from him inviting her to Santorini, Greece as he needs her help with a project.

WHAT I LIKED:
- the setting of Santorini, Greece (I could smell the ocean breeze & got series wanderlust)
- the topics of abandonment, mental illness, depression & anxiety

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I had to read 499 pages of a 500 page book before I got the kiss scene (I like slow burn but that's slooowwwww)
- the returning absentee father trope
- the love triangle trope

My full review can be read here: https://twincitiesgeek.com/2020/12/love-olives-takes-readers-on-an-emotional-journey-to-greece/

I keep reading books in this series and I feel like it mostly about the settings and not about the plot or characters. Yeah, they're fine but not great...BUT the settings hook me, much like the Mary-Kate and Ashley movies of the early 2000s. Who didn't love to live vicariously through them as they met cute boys and went on international adventures around the world?!? I think if I read this back then it would have been so much more enjoyable. I did like this one better then Love and Luck and Let's be honest Greece has been on the top of my travel bucket list since I saw the Sisterhood in the Traveling Pants. I also liked how the main focus was on our main character Liv's relationship with her dad. while this wasn't a winner it still was worth the imaginary trip to Greece!

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love & Olives is a book that made me feel right at home. I don't think I've ever read a book before that made me feel like I wouldn't mind reading a couple chapters every day forever. I'm not sure way I felt that way about the book because I've never been to Greece, didn't come from a family like that and never had any of the same experiences as what the people in the book had. But I did become invested in them and wanted to continue to know what happened to them as life went along. I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it.