The Recommended Reading Order
If you are planning to dive into the beautiful, emotional, and travel-inspired world of the Love & Gelato series, the absolute best way to experience it is in publication order. While the books are technically companion novels rather than a traditional continuous series, they are linked by a shared universe and direct character friendships that make reading them in order highly rewarding.
The series takes readers on a journey through some of Europe's most picturesque landscapes. Because the second book contains minor spoilers and references to the resolution of the first book, reading them in order preserves the emotional arcs of the characters. We recommend starting your journey in Florence, heading over to the rolling green hills of Ireland, and concluding under the sunny skies of Santorini.
Publication Order of the Love & Gelato Series
Here is the official publication sequence for Jenna Evans Welch’s three main contemporary novels:
- Love & Gelato (2016) – Set in Florence, Italy, this debut novel introduces Lina Emerson, who is sent to Italy after her mother's passing to live with a father she never knew. Guided by her mother's old journal and helped by her charming new friend Ren, Lina uncovers family secrets and finds love along the way.
- Love & Luck (2018) – Set in Ireland, this second book focuses on Lina's Seattle-based best friend, Addison "Addie" Sullivan. Devastated by a secret heartbreak and a ruined trip, Addie finds herself on a whirlwind road trip across the Emerald Isle with her brother Ian and his friend Rowan, guided by a guidebook titled Ireland for the Heartbroken.
- Love & Olives (2020) – Set in Santorini, Greece, the final book follows Liv Vance. Liv travels to Greece to assist her estranged father, who is filming a documentary about the lost city of Atlantis. Amidst the white-washed buildings and blue domes, Liv navigates old wounds and a burgeoning romance with her father's assistant, Jax.
Chronological Order and Timeline Caveats
Chronologically, the events of Love & Luck take place shortly after the conclusion of Love & Gelato. Addie's emotional struggles in the second book are directly linked to the events that unfolded back home while Lina was away in Florence. Lina herself makes appearances and is frequently mentioned, meaning that reading Love & Luck first will spoil key plot points and the ending of Love & Gelato.
On the other hand, Love & Olives is almost entirely self-contained. It takes place in the same general contemporary timeline but features a completely new cast of characters located in Santorini, Greece. There are no major crossovers or plot dependencies linking Liv's story to Lina or Addie's, meaning you could technically read Love & Olives as a standalone without spoiling the other two books. Still, reading it third fits perfectly into the thematic evolution of the series.
Box Sets and Collections: Love & Other Detours
For readers who prefer physical collections or want to grab multiple books at once, the publisher Simon & Schuster released a special compilation edition titled Love & Other Detours. This collection packages the first two books in the series, Love & Gelato and Love & Luck, in a single box set, making it an excellent starting bundle for newcomers looking to follow the main character crossover thread before diving into the Greek adventure of the third novel.
From Page to Screen: The Netflix Adaptation
In addition to the books, fans can experience the magic of Florence on screen. On June 22, 2022, Netflix released a feature film adaptation of Love & Gelato. Written and directed by Brandon Camp, the film stars Susanna Skaggs as Lina Emerson, Tobia De Angelis as Lorenzo (Ren) Ferrazza, Saul Nanni as Alessandro "Ale" Albani, and Anjelika Washington as Lina's best friend Addie.
Readers should note that the film takes significant creative liberties with the book's plot. While the novel focuses heavily on Lina's emotional journey, family history, and slow-burn connection with Ren, the movie accelerates the romantic drama, introduces a love triangle with Alessandro, and changes several key backstories and setting details. Watching the adaptation is a fun way to revisit Florence visually, but reading the book first is highly recommended to get the true, heartfelt story of Lina's self-discovery.
Other Books by Jenna Evans Welch
If you have finished the Love & Gelato trilogy and are looking for similar stories, Jenna Evans Welch released a standalone young adult novel titled Spells for Lost Things in 2022. Set in the atmospheric town of Salem, Massachusetts, the novel features two perspectives: Willow, a girl discovering her family's witchy roots, and Mason, a foster teen looking for his biological mother. While it is not set in Europe and is not part of the Love & Gelato universe, it features the author's signature emotional depth, family mysteries, and highly atmospheric, immersive settings that fans of her original trilogy will immediately recognize and love.