“A life without love is like a year without summer.”
A New York Times bestseller and smash Netflix hit, Love and Gelato is a 2016 YA romance book by Jenna Evans Welch. Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany. But, she isn’t in the mood to sample the famous Italian scenery or warm sunshine. It was her mother’s dying wish to get to know her father, even though he hadn’t been around for sixteen years. Then, she is given a journal that her mom when she had lived in the country. Suddenly, Lina discovers a world of art, hidden bakeries and secret romances; a world that, along with the charming Ren, she is inspired to follow, bringing to light a secret that will change everything. If you sweet romances like Jenna Evans Welch’s work, check out all the best books like Love and Gelato with us here at What We Reading!
Better Than The Movies (Better Than The Movies #1) – Lynn Painter
Kicking off our list of the best books like Love and Gelato is Lynn Painter’s rom-com about rom-coms, Better than the Movies. Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael many years ago. But her cool, collected crush never saw her before he moved away. Now he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar and snag him as a prom date – even make friends with Wes Bennet, her annoyingly attractive neighbour. The pair have constantly been a thorn in each other’s side yet, somehow, they begin hitting it off.
But, as Wes and Liz scheme to get her noticed by Michael in time for her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover how much she enjoys being around Wes. As they continue to get closer, she is forced to reconsider what she thinks about what love and happily ever afters look like.
Wanderlost – Jen Malone
Aubree cannot think of a better place to spend her summer than sleepy, perfectly boring Ohio. But, when her sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over her job leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour across Europe.
However, they don’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no binder full of pre-planned facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she really shouldn’t be falling for him but, with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop, she can’t seem to help it. If you’re looking for a YA book similar to Love and Gelato that matches its escapist summer vibes, Jen Malone’s Wanderlost needs to be on your TBR list!
The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight – Jennifer E. Smith
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. Having missed her flight, she’s stuck at JFK Airport. She’s supposed to be attending her father’s second wedding taking place in London to a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley has never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s crammed waiting room. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s sitting in her row.
A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, but Hadley and Oliver soon lose each other in the chaos of arrivals once the plane touches down. Jennifer E. Smith’s The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a young adult romantic look at the quirks of timing. Like Love and Gelato, there are plenty of family dynamics, second chances and first love that any fan of Jessica Evans Welch is sure to savour!
Kisses And Croissants – Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Seventeen-year-old Mia, an American girl at an elite summer ballet program, has six weeks to achieve her dream by acing an audition with one of the world’s best ballet companies. But there’s more to Paris than her dancing, especially when a charming French boy named Louis volunteers himself to be her tour guide. Together, the pair discover the City of Light has a few mysteries up its sleeve for them.
In a similar vein to romance books like Love and Gelato, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau’s Kisses and Croissants is the perfect European summer adventure.
Tokyo Ever After (Tokyo Ever After #1) – Emiko Jean
Izumi Tanaka has never felt like she fits in. It isn’t easy being Japanese American in a small, mostly white, Northern California town. Raised by a single mother, Izzy has always believed life is easier this way. Then, she discovers a clue about the identity of her previously unknown father; a clue that reveals he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken Izzy is quite literally a princess.
In a whirlwind, Izzy travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover a country she’s always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all flowing gowns and glamorous balls. Thousands of years of traditions and customs, conniving cousins and handsome bodyguards who may be her soulmate soon lead to Izzy finding herself caught between worlds. She was never ‘American’ enough and now the weight of her crown has left her wondering whether she is Japanese enough as well.
Second Chance Summer – Morgan Matson
The only thing Taylor Edwards thinks makes her stand out from her exceptional siblings has always been her history of running away when things get complicated. Then her dad receives unexpected, tragic news. Her family make a last-minute decision to spend one final summer together in the cramped confines of their old lake house, a place Taylor hasn’t been since she was twelve.
Back at the lake, she’s greeted by an array of people she thought she had left in the past, including her first crush, Henry Crosby. As the days lying on the beach turn to nights gazing at the stars, Taylor realises that she has a second chance – with friends, family and even love. One of the best summer romance books like Love and Gelato, Morgan Matson’s Second Chance Summer is a story of hope in the face of gut-wrenching grief.
The Summer Of Broken Rules – K.L. Walther
Meredith Fox has been going to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer for as long as she can remember. But this is the first summer since the passing of her sister. It will all be overwhelming. Even more so since her entire extended family will be together for her cousin’s big wedding. Worst of all, Meredith’s long-term boyfriend broke up with her just before the wedding, leaving her dateless.
Her family has a tradition of playing the ultimate game of Assassin every summer, and this year it will take place during the week of wedding festivities. Meredith’s target turns out to be one of the very cute groomsmen, but she is determined to not let herself be ensnared in another doomed relationship. But, as the week progresses, she can’t help but fall for him. K.L. Walther’s The Summer of Broken Rules follows Meredith as she honours her sister’s legacy, finally joins the world again and risks her heart through an alliance with a suave groomsman.
Isla And The Happily Ever After (Anna And The French Kiss #3) – Stephanie Perkins
Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introverted cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And, after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance may just be closer than Isla imagined. As they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the sorts of issues many young lovers grapple with – family drama, uncertainty over college futures and the very real possibility of not being together.
Similar to Love and Gelato, Stephanie Perkins’ Isla and the Happily Ever After features stunning global backdrops. With cameos from the likes of Anna, Etienne, Lola and Cricket this sweet story of true love is a fitting finale for the Anna and the French Kiss series and the perfect read for anyone who loves Jessica Evans Welch’s books.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
