REVIEW: What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon: Dani has stumbled into her thirties without a clear direction and after an office romance implodes spectacularly, taking her job down with it, she decides on a whim to apply for a position in Amsterdam hoping for a bit of change. She never expects to actually land it, let alone uproot her life. But when the offer comes through, it feels like the perfect escape from the chaos she has found herself in. But reality hits hard and within days of arriving in Amsterdam, Dani feels more lost than ever; jobless, homesick and unsure of where to go next!

Then in a twist of fate, she literally crashes into Wouter, her high school ex and the Dutch exchange student her family once hosted. He was the one that got away, the first heartbreak she never quite got over. And despite the years and lingering tension, the spark between them is still very much alive. When Wouter reveals he must marry to claim his inheritance; a picturesque canal house that’s been in his family for generations and Dani realises her visa is in jeopardy, an unlikely solution presents itself. A fake marriage might solve both of their problems! But as forced proximity reignites old feelings, Dani begins to question whether this new chapter is just another detour or could this be the beginning of something real…

What Happens In Amsterdam is a sweet emotional romance that mixes second chances with the dreamy vibes of a European getaway. Solomon crafts a heartfelt story about two people reconnecting thanks to fate and some unresolved feelings. With Amsterdam’s charming canals and cozy bookshops as the backdrop its hard not to get swept up in this cute second chance love story.

One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that both main characters felt so relatable, they were not just some picture perfect couple, both Wouter and Dani had issues and we really got to see them grow as individuals but also as a team. Dani is messy, stubborn, ambitious but also incredibly relatable. While her issues with her family and their expectations weigh on her a lot, I did really enjoy getting to see her learn how to trust Wouter and become vulnerable in the way she shares her fears and insecurities. We really get to see her learning to stop hiding the parts of herself she feels insecure about but to rather embrace them. Now when it comes to Wouter, he might come across as the perfect book boyfriend with his tender words and high morals, but he to is not without fault. We get to see how his reserved nature and difficulties in being emotionally open really hold him back in a lot of way, especially when it comes to his relationship with Dani. I really did enjoy getting to see him work through his past messes and learning to be more open with his feelings and allowing Dani to see how he really feels. We really get to see him grow into the best version of himself as he gets closer to Dani.

From the very first chapter you can really feel the sparks flying between Wouter and Dani. Their shared history clearly still lingers and the unresolved tension just builds in the best way as the story progresses. I loved that they pushed each other to grow and become their best selves. Their romance is the perfect mix of slow burn and just the right amount of steam. Dani and Wouter’s love story is full of those quiet, meaningful moments that really hit you and this is really what made their story so beautiful.

What Happens in Amsterdam isn’t just a story about rekindled love, it’s about the courage it takes to start over, the beauty in embracing imperfection and the quiet, everyday moments where love takes root. A total must read for me!

Book Info:

Publication: May 6, 2025 | Berkley |

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.