What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon: Review

Sometimes what you expect in a book is not what really happens and that can be frustrating for the reader.

It’s inevitable that not every story or character clicks with you in every way. The setting in this book is amazing and is a true love story for the city of Amsterdam.

Check out my thoughts below on this upcoming release featuring a second-chance romance.

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Publisher: ‎ Berkley
Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0593548554

OVERVIEW:
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.

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon Review

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.

3.5 STARS!!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.