Love & Gelato (Love & Gelato: Book One)

By Inspire-TruthMay 21, 2019Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance, Young AdultTags: Favorite, Fiction, Heart-Warming, love & gelato, Romance, Self-Discovery, Young Adult

After spending the last couple of weeks reading Historical Fiction, I felt like it was time for me to read something lighter. As I went through my to-read list, Love & Gelato‘s cover caught my eye. It had been on my list for the last few months, and after reading the synopsis, I thought it would be the perfect book to fit the mood I was in.

I have never finished an audiobook so quickly! From the minute I began listening to Love & Gelato, I felt myself teleport into the world that Jenny Evans Welch had created. Lina, the protagonist, became a person I knew rather than a fictional character who only lives within the pages of a book. As I listened to each word through my headphones, all the heaviness I had been feeling evaporated, and warmth filled my body. Honestly, I couldn’t stop smiling the entire day as I listened to the 8+ hours of this book, though there were moments I got frustrated at Lina for traipsing around Italy when the answers were probably sitting in her lap!

Unless you’ve already read Love & Gelato you probably have no idea what I’m talking about, so let me write you a brief summary about the unexpected journey Lina embarks on in the pages of this novel:

After losing her mother, Lina feels like her life would never be the same. However, her mother’s dying wish was for her to travel to Italy to meet the father for the first time, forcing her to leave the town she grew up in and travel to a country that was always close to her mother’s heart. Unsure about what to expect, and in a state of emotional darkness, all Lina wants to do was be home with her best friend, Addie. Not understanding why her mother wanted her to meet the man who had been absent her entire life; still, nothing could’ve prepared Lina for the truth that awaited her across the ocean.

Surrounded by the beauty of Florence, Italy, Lina’s world is turned upside down after receiving one of her mother’s old journals, relaying the time she studied in Italy after graduating high school. Lina’s mother made unforgettable memories during her time in Italy, though she returned home heartbroken and harboring a secret that she would take to the grave.

Wanting to feel close to her mom and fueled with a desire to learn the truth about her past, Lina follows in her mother’s footsteps to get the answers she’s looking for. With the help of her new and very handsome friend Ren, Lina sets out on an adventure that will open Pandora’s Box. The secrets she uncovers are life-changing, causing Lina to discover a whole new side of herself that she didn’t know existed. Will the truth be what she wants to hear, or will it only cause her to have more questions about her identity?

Love & Gelato is a heart-warming story about self-discovery and love that leaves you wanting more. The characters are relatable, and the story is one to remember. Quickly becoming a new favorite, I will most certainly be reading or listening to this book again! I loved every second of Love & Gelato, minus my small frustrations, and was so pleased to find this clean, romantic young adult novel. This book gave me a Kasie West (another fantastic YA author) feel, pulling me in with every word and not letting me go until the narrator informed me that I had reached the end.

If you’re a sucker of teen romance and relish a story that takes you to a foreign country, like Italy, then you are going to fall head over heels for Love & Gelato. The narrative was original; the writing was enchanting, and reading the novel felt like I’d taken my own vacation to Italy. Lina’s story will remain with me for a long time, and whenever I need a pick-me-up book, Love & Gelato is going to be the first place I go!

I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood for some gelato, care to join me?

“Turns out there’s a reason they call it falling in love, because when it happens – really happens – that’s exactly how it feels. There’s no doing or trying, you just let go and hope that someone’s going to be there to catch you.”
― Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Gelato

[yasr_multiset setid=0] Ages: 12+

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Inspire Truth

I’m a writer passionate about sharing God’s Word, my adventures, and book reviews to uplift people!

Inspire Truth

7 days ago

🔥From Bomb Shelters to Battle Stations: Faith in the Fire of Operation Rising Lion🦁 At 3 a.m. on Friday, June 13th, a metaphorical shofar blew through the night’s stillness as Israel issued an emergency alert as they launched a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear program. The alert was a wake-up call, giving us a few hours to sober up, get ready, and brace for retaliation. In the blink of an eye, our lives changed. We became frontline soldiers, running to shelters, mourning lives lost, and enduring intense trauma.But even when we had to shelter under bridges during missile attacks or felt the shelter shake from nearby impacts, we weren’t afraid because the peace of Yeshua guarded our hearts.Now, as the dust settles and the world moves on to the next threat, the truth remains: This wasn’t just a Middle Eastern crisis, it was a global wake-up call.⚔️ The body of Messiah must rise like lions. We are still at war, and the time of salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (Romans 13:11). It’s time to put off spiritual slumber and step into position — as watchmen, warriors, and faithful servants.🔥 The shofar will sound again. Will we be ready?Read the full article here - inspire-truth.com/from-bomb-shelters-to-battle-stations-faith-in-the-fire-of-operation-rising-lion/#OperationRisingLion #FaithInTheFire #WakeUpWatchman #IsraelUnderAttack #SpiritualWarfare #yeshua #peace #endtimes #BibleProphecy #Romans13 #Shofar #TimeIsNow #soundthealarm #inspiretruth #bible #blog ... See MoreSee Less

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Inspire Truth

1 week ago

At 3 a.m. on Friday, June 13th, a metaphorical shofar blew through the night’s stillness as Israel issued its people an emergency alert while conducting a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear program in an operation called Rising Lion. The alert was a wake-up call, giving the nation a few hours to sober up, get ready, and brace for Iran’s retaliation. Though we have been at war with Iran and its proxies since October 7th, 2023, nothing could’ve prepared us for what was to come. In the blink of an eye, our lives changed, and we became frontline soldiers, fighting for survival at every turn. For twelve days, we ran to and from bomb shelters, watched as our cities were destroyed, mourned lives taken too soon, and endured intense trauma.I never thought having a bomb shelter (mamad) in your home was a luxury until my family and I had to sprint to the nearest public shelter multiple times a day. With no mamad in our apartment, we lived on constant alert. Shoes and backpacks stayed by the door, electronics were always charged, and our clothes stayed on — even at night. Work was near impossible, and rest was limited as we anticipated the next siren. Adrenaline continually coursed through our veins, too, keeping us ready for when we had to jump into action. Simple tasks, such as taking a shower and making dinner, had to be done quickly, while everyday tasks like food shopping or walking the dog felt like high-risk missions.By day three, my family and I moved like a well-oiled machine, sprinting out the door within the five-minute window. Each time we entered the bomb shelter, we didn’t know if we’d exit to find the world around us demolished. There were a few close calls, especially the day my mom and I were driving during two attacks, but praise God, we remained safe.Throughout the chaos, I often wondered how people without Yeshua (Jesus) were coping. If it weren’t for His peace dwelling within me, I would’ve been a mess. Yet, even when my mom and I were huddled under a bridge during a missile attack or we felt the bomb shelter shake from a nearby hit, we were not afraid because we trusted that God had us sheltered under His wings.Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Shifting From Survival Mode to Regular RoutineOn June 13th, we went from 0 to 100, with no idea how long Operation Rising Lion would last. Our lives were perpetual jack-in-the-boxes as we attempted to keep up with our daily lives while fighting for survival. Then, on June 24th, after a tragic morning of attacks and destruction, a ceasefire was announced, and the government said we could return to normal. Just like that, we were expected to clear away our emergency supplies and return to our regular routines. Except, nothing was the same. Over 10,000 people lost their homes. Twenty-eight civilians were killed by Iran’s ballistic missiles. Entire research centers and neighborhoods were destroyed. And yet, the world spins on, and we’re somehow supposed to catch up on sleep and get back to work like nothing happened.Trauma is unpredictable. For some, it presents itself as panic attacks. For others, it hides behind sarcasm and humor — a lifeline most of us clung to when things were too tense to process. And, for others, it looks like returning to our previous schedules, blatantly ignoring what just happened. But something did happen. Nothing we experienced was normal, and it shouldn’t be downplayed.Nevertheless, this is the resilience of the Israeli people. We are a nation built on pain and hardships, yet with every attack against us, we continue to endure and emerge stronger than ever. So, as the rubble is cleared away and headlines fade, we move forward, praying for a better day. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. We’re still at war, and there are over fifty hostages still being held in Gaza. The last two weeks were a mere battle in the larger fight that continues to rage on every side.Wake Up, WatchmanWe are living in a time where people are crying out for hope. Now, more than ever, believers must armor up, sharing Yeshua’s love with others, standing in truth, and diving deep into the Word to understand why the shaking in the Middle East affects them too! Whether the world realizes it or not, the clock is ticking, and our positions in God’s army have never been more critical. It’s time for churches, communities, and home groups to stop feeding our flesh and start raising strong warriors who are grounded in the Word and ready for battle. Personal spiritual growth is vital, but when the sermons we preach and the scriptures we consume solely revolve around self-improvement and individual prosperity, we risk being spiritually blind to what’s really happening.If we are truly on fire for God and have surrendered our lives to Him, we must always be ready. Like the parables of the ten virgins and bags of gold, we must WAKE UP and assume our position as watchmen! We cannot be like the disciples who couldn’t stay awake in the Garden of Gethsemane. As Yeshua tells His disciples in Luke 12:35-40, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”For the last two weeks, my family and I have been literal watchmen — scanning the skies, listening for sirens, and watching for danger — but just because everything has gone quiet in our area doesn’t mean our charge is over. Since the ceasefire was announced, I’ve felt the Lord urge me to train my mind, body, and spirit in preparation for the next battle. I don’t know about you, but I’m done with lukewarm, self-serving faith.The time is now! We must wake up and prepare for war, because the shofar will sound again. It may not be tomorrow or next week, but it will happen soon. Are we ready?Romans 13:11-14, “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”inspire-truth.com/from-bomb-shelters-to-battle-stations-faith-in-the-fire-of-operation-rising-lion/ ... See MoreSee Less

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1 week ago

From Bomb Shelters to Battle Stations: Faith in the Fire of Operation Rising Lion - Inspire Truth

inspire-truth.com

At 3 a.m. on Friday, June 13th, a metaphorical shofar blew through the night’s stillness as Israel issued its people an emergency alert

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Inspire Truth

2 weeks ago

Well, today was a day I’ll never forget, and one I hope never to repeat 🙈After 24 hours with no sirens or interceptions in our area, my mom and I thought it was safe enough to drive to my grandparents. Iran rarely attacked during the day, and today was also the day my mom had to do her metapelet (caretaker) duties. Big mistake.The drive began peacefully: Clear roads, music through the speakers, and blue skies promising a nice day. Everything was normal… until the emergency alert shattered the calm. Peace turned to panic as we frantically searched for somewhere to take cover. With five minutes until the sirens would sound, we tried to follow my dad’s instructions to reach the nearby tunnels, but the cars around us were already pulling off the road. We knew we wouldn’t make it in time, so we parked the car and climbed over the guardrail to huddle beneath a bridge with other Israelis, seeking cover in one of the few places that offered any. Minutes later, the sirens began. As we sat against the concrete wall, we prayed for protection, anticipating the all-too-familiar booms of interceptions. Miraculously, the missiles missed our area, and our world remained silent. A few minutes later, my dad called. “Keep driving,” he directed. So, we ran back to the car, our hearts pounding as we headed for the highway. However, as we entered downtown Haifa — near the exact spot of a direct hit a few days prior — the sirens screamed again. This time, there was no five-minute warning and nowhere to hide! We threw our mat on the ground and lay flat, holding our breath for whatever came next. By God’s grace, the rockets once again stayed away from us and were intercepted closer to where we’d been. Feeling exposed and vulnerable, we didn’t wait for Home Front Command’s all-clear before getting back on the road. We momentarily considered turning back, but at that point, we were closer to my grandparents’ than our house. So we kept going. Within thirty minutes of arriving, the sirens wailed again. But this time, we were safely inside a bomb shelter! Still, the fear lingered as we wondered how we’d get home. The peaceful day we’d hoped for had turned into a nightmare. All my mom and I wanted to do was get home, but we didn’t know when Iran would strike again. We decided to wait for one more siren so we’d have a gap, but none came. So, once our emotions had calmed and my grandparents were settled, we raced home in record time. I’ve never been more thankful to be home 😅Note to self: Even when the cabin fever feels unbearable, don’t leave the house when the country’s on high alert. It’s not worth the risk. These are terrifying, dangerous times, and safety is everything. To the essential workers, the soldiers, the medics, and the volunteers who run toward the danger while the rest of us run from it: You are heroes! Please stay safe! Lord, thank you for protecting my mom and me today. Thank you for safety and rest! “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.” ~ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭138‬:‭7‬ ‭ ... See MoreSee Less

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2 weeks ago

🙏🏼🙌🏼 While the IDF works around the clock to fight Iran, they have no forgotten the hostages in Gaza! Many operations are still underway, and this morning three bodies were rescued 🥳 We mourn with the families are they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest 🙏🏼😓 ... See MoreSee Less

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