Still reeling from the death of her mother, Lina is sent to Tuscany to live with the dad she never knew — who happens to be the caretaker of a World War II memorial, complete with eerie gravesite. When Lina discovers a journal from her mother’s time in Italy, the teen begins to piece together the mystery of her parents’ ill-fated love affair. As she retraces their romance, set against the dazzling backdrop of Florence, Lina finds herself falling in love with the Italian landscape, lifestyle, and a couple of cute boys. But the more she reads of her mother’s story, the more she comes to question everything she’s been told about herself and her family.

This sweet and suspenseful debut brought back fond memories — and tastes — of my summer studying abroad in Siena.

For fans of romance and travel, Love and Gelato is a delightful trip.