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joanna77_'s review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
First Reread:
I didn’t love this quite as much the second time around, honestly. It’s probably closer to a 4 star read. I really struggled with the romance in this one and how it never really developed. It also kind of felt like cheating a bit and I hated how Theo lied to Liv like he did but overall I still love this story and will reread it again I’m sure. It just doesn’t have the same magic for me as Love and Gelato.
Original Review:
Just finished this and holy cow, it was incredible. I don't know how to sum up my feelings, but needless to say, I cried twice, which is something I never do in books. I adored our main character. Her depth and growth were off the charts. I loved seeing her relationship adapt and I found the whole concept of this book fascinating. I learned so much about Atlantis and Greece.
I didn’t love this quite as much the second time around, honestly. It’s probably closer to a 4 star read. I really struggled with the romance in this one and how it never really developed. It also kind of felt like cheating a bit and I hated how Theo lied to Liv like he did but overall I still love this story and will reread it again I’m sure. It just doesn’t have the same magic for me as Love and Gelato.
Original Review:
Just finished this and holy cow, it was incredible. I don't know how to sum up my feelings, but needless to say, I cried twice, which is something I never do in books. I adored our main character. Her depth and growth were off the charts. I loved seeing her relationship adapt and I found the whole concept of this book fascinating. I learned so much about Atlantis and Greece.
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
navayiota's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Olive was an annoying and completely un self aware character who was frustrating to follow. Personally I hate reading about characters with no backbone and I think she was like that for way too long. The only reason I pushed through her whining was because I was excited to see what the author would do with Atlantis and whether they would find it or not. The filming and diving parts of the book were the most interesting in my opinion and the only time that I think her disorder was written well. (also the nightmares)
Nikos, Olive's dad was probably the best written character, not because he was likeable (he is not) but because he is so.. Greek. In an actually realistic way. My dad is exactly like him, down to the way they talk to strangers and act around their kids. He was a highlight of the book, even though I hated reading about him lol.
There's more stuff I want to write about but I'm tired and somewhat upset over this book. I had such high hopes. I definitely think most of these could have been solved by talking to a few Greeks and maybe getting a beta reader or two who have actually lived here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident
theespressoedition's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Welp, I realized while I was halfway through this book that I read the series out of order. I was supposed to read Love & Luck first, but I thought this was the sequel. Oh well! I'm kind of glad I did because I wound up liking it the most, I think!
The way that the chapters were written, with Olive's list preceding the story, was really insightful. It helped me to understand her and her father a lot better. I would have liked to see a little more graciousness coming from Olive (or at least a willingness to sit down and talk) earlier on in, but I guess that's what... made it a book rather than a short story.
More than anything, this book made me want to take a trip to Greece. I want to eat the food, smell the sea, and mostly: VISIT THAT BOOKSTORE. Ah!
The way that the chapters were written, with Olive's list preceding the story, was really insightful. It helped me to understand her and her father a lot better. I would have liked to see a little more graciousness coming from Olive (or at least a willingness to sit down and talk) earlier on in, but I guess that's what... made it a book rather than a short story.
More than anything, this book made me want to take a trip to Greece. I want to eat the food, smell the sea, and mostly: VISIT THAT BOOKSTORE. Ah!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Terminal illness
Minor: Vomit
jude7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
Minor: Car accident, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
erniedresser's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
pearlhartsock's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
i’m in love with theo 🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Terminal illness
abigailp's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Love & Olives was a weak read. I think all the parts were there, but Welch failed to string them together effectively. A lot of subplots were set up, but rarely acted on.
Dax and Liv's relationship seemed like a real high school relationship to me. Immature relationships often feature people lying to and pressuring the other. Readers did not learn much about Dax. He is athletic, social, going to Stanford, and the son of a movie producer. I do not think we even know what he is gong to major in. As a reader, I never rooted for Dax because he was ridiculously flat and was portrayed as a ball-and-chain come to life. Welch attempted to set up a cheating subplot with Dax, but the readers never got any updates about it after the first half of the book. The conflict that was being built up vanished. Also, Liv never seemed upset that Dax was going to be partying for a week with a girl she suspected would try to poach him. If Dax's girlfriend, the first person narrator, does not care about the subplot, how are we as readers supposed to feel? However, once Dax stopped existing in the same geographical location as Liv, she completely forgot about him. He would only occasionally put into her head to remind herself she had a boyfriend to build conflict between Theo and Liv. However, Theo already had an opinion of long distance relationships that already provided the necessary conflict between them. I wish Welch would have chosen one or the other and developed it more.
In the third act, we finally get resolution in Liv and Niko's relationship. However, after having over 450 pages of Liv opining about the good ol' days, Liv's mom info dumps the truth. Pretty much everything she mentions, Liv mentally notes that she remembered that. I do not know why Welch decided to resolve the central conflict of the book with a side character saying information the first person narrator knew. It fell extremely flat for me. Why not have Liv remember sweet moments about her dad as they are spending time together to show that she is still the little girl who loves her dad, but the older Liv is cautious of him. Her feelings and their relationship could have been a lot more complex, gray, and realistic. If the main conflict was done well, all these meaningless, half-baked subplots could be dropped as they are no longer needed to fill pages.
Overall, I was disappointed by the amount of time Liv and her dad spent together on page. I can only remember them being together on six distinct occasions. Theo was almost constantly with Liv. I understand the Love & Gelato books are about teenagers traveling internationally, resolving conflicts with a family member, and finding love. But, the tone and subject matter of this book was more serious and took more of a center stage than the other two in the series. The synopsis casts the father/Atlantis conflict as the central conflict. It does not even mention Theo or romance. I wish the romance had been fully downgraded to a B plot and the father/Atlantis conflict firmly moved to an A plot. Trimming down subplots would also help the central conflict of the story be the central conflict. Taking out Dax would have left Theo's long distance relationship rule as the only barrier to them getting together. I would have liked a sweet, innocent attraction to blossom between Liv and Theo. A kiss here and there, some hand holding, talking about each other's lives. A romance does not always have to end with the couple being together forever. Liv and Theo could have lived in the present and enjoyed each other's company. A central theme to the father/Atlantis, panic attacks, Theo, and college uncertainty plots could have all been to live in the present and appreciate what is in front of you. Know that it will all work out, not necessary in the way you expect, but you will make it through. That is a great message, applicable to everyone's life, and something I think teenagers and young people need to hear more of.
Dax and Liv's relationship seemed like a real high school relationship to me. Immature relationships often feature people lying to and pressuring the other. Readers did not learn much about Dax. He is athletic, social, going to Stanford, and the son of a movie producer. I do not think we even know what he is gong to major in. As a reader, I never rooted for Dax because he was ridiculously flat and was portrayed as a ball-and-chain come to life. Welch attempted to set up a cheating subplot with Dax, but the readers never got any updates about it after the first half of the book. The conflict that was being built up vanished. Also, Liv never seemed upset that Dax was going to be partying for a week with a girl she suspected would try to poach him. If Dax's girlfriend, the first person narrator, does not care about the subplot, how are we as readers supposed to feel? However, once Dax stopped existing in the same geographical location as Liv, she completely forgot about him. He would only occasionally put into her head to remind herself she had a boyfriend to build conflict between Theo and Liv. However, Theo already had an opinion of long distance relationships that already provided the necessary conflict between them. I wish Welch would have chosen one or the other and developed it more.
In the third act, we finally get resolution in Liv and Niko's relationship. However, after having over 450 pages of Liv opining about the good ol' days, Liv's mom info dumps the truth. Pretty much everything she mentions, Liv mentally notes that she remembered that. I do not know why Welch decided to resolve the central conflict of the book with a side character saying information the first person narrator knew. It fell extremely flat for me. Why not have Liv remember sweet moments about her dad as they are spending time together to show that she is still the little girl who loves her dad, but the older Liv is cautious of him. Her feelings and their relationship could have been a lot more complex, gray, and realistic. If the main conflict was done well, all these meaningless, half-baked subplots could be dropped as they are no longer needed to fill pages.
Overall, I was disappointed by the amount of time Liv and her dad spent together on page. I can only remember them being together on six distinct occasions. Theo was almost constantly with Liv. I understand the Love & Gelato books are about teenagers traveling internationally, resolving conflicts with a family member, and finding love. But, the tone and subject matter of this book was more serious and took more of a center stage than the other two in the series. The synopsis casts the father/Atlantis conflict as the central conflict. It does not even mention Theo or romance. I wish the romance had been fully downgraded to a B plot and the father/Atlantis conflict firmly moved to an A plot. Trimming down subplots would also help the central conflict of the story be the central conflict. Taking out Dax would have left Theo's long distance relationship rule as the only barrier to them getting together. I would have liked a sweet, innocent attraction to blossom between Liv and Theo. A kiss here and there, some hand holding, talking about each other's lives. A romance does not always have to end with the couple being together forever. Liv and Theo could have lived in the present and enjoyed each other's company. A central theme to the father/Atlantis, panic attacks, Theo, and college uncertainty plots could have all been to live in the present and appreciate what is in front of you. Know that it will all work out, not necessary in the way you expect, but you will make it through. That is a great message, applicable to everyone's life, and something I think teenagers and young people need to hear more of.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
ifersinklings's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book had me sobbing at work today. I also want to go research all things Atlantis.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
Minor: Miscarriage
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