There’s something deliciously ironic about finding yourself while losing your job, crashing your bike, and accidentally marrying your high school ex-boyfriend. Rachel Lynn Solomon’s latest offering, What Happens in Amsterdam, serves up this exact cocktail of chaos, making for a romance that’s part meet-cute, part cultural immersion, and entirely addictive.
Having previously charmed readers with The Ex Talk and Weather Girl, Solomon demonstrates her keen ability to craft contemporaries that blend humor with genuine emotional depth. In What Happens in Amsterdam, she takes us on a journey that’s as much about finding one’s place in the world as it is about finding love.
The Setup: When Life Gives You Lemons, Move to Europe
Our protagonist, Dani Dorfman, embodied perfectly what many thirty-somethings experience: the crushing realization that you’ve somehow made it this far without figuring out what you actually want from life. Solomon captures this millennial malaise with devastating accuracy, painting Dani as neither tragic nor comedic, but refreshingly human. When a disastrous office romance (complete with forwarded emails and swift termination) collides with a spontaneous job application to Amsterdam, Dani finds herself embarking on what might be either the best or worst decision of her life.
The author’s background shines through in her meticulous portrayal of Amsterdam. As someone who has navigated expat life herself, Solomon infuses the narrative with authentic details that transform the city from mere backdrop to vibrant character. From the terror of navigating Dutch bike culture to the peculiar architecture of tilting canal houses, every observation feels lived-in and genuine.
When Past Meets Present: The Wouter Factor
Enter Wouter van Leeuwen – tall, Dutch, and inconveniently the first boy Dani ever loved. Solomon handles their reunion with masterful tension, balancing unresolved teenage angst with adult awareness. Their initial bike crash serves as both literal and metaphorical collision, forcing two people who never properly said goodbye to confront what was left unsaid.
The author explores how first loves carry weight differently than subsequent relationships, especially when complicated by cultural differences and geographical distance. Wouter’s character development from mysterious heartbreaker to caring physiotherapist reveals Solomon’s skill at creating dimensional characters who grow beyond their initial impressions.
The Marriage of (In)Convenience
Solomon’s setup of the green-card marriage walks a fine line between romantic fantasy and legal reality. While some readers might question the ethics of such an arrangement, the author addresses these concerns head-on, never allowing her characters to take the situation lightly. The tension between maintaining appearances and developing genuine feelings creates the novel’s central conflict.
What elevates this from typical rom-com fare is Solomon’s attention to the emotional logistics of fake relationships. Dani and Wouter must navigate not just their own feelings but the expectations of family, friends, and Dutch immigration authorities. The author doesn’t shy away from showing how lies, even well-intentioned ones, can complicate relationships and erode trust.
Cultural Details: Amsterdam as Character
One of the novel’s strongest elements is Solomon’s portrayal of Amsterdam’s unique character. From descriptions of cozy “gezellig” moments to the practical challenges of finding affordable housing, the city feels authentic rather than romanticized. The author’s personal experience as an expat enriches these details, creating a sense of place that enhances rather than overshadows the romance.
Particularly effective are the linguistic elements – Wouter’s occasional Dutch phrases and Dani’s attempts to learn the language add authenticity while providing moments of intimacy and humor. Solomon uses these cultural touchpoints to deepen character development rather than mere window dressing.
Supporting Characters: More Than Just Scenery
Solomon populates her Amsterdam with a cast that feels organic rather than manufactured. Dani’s coworkers-turned-friends at the boat tour company, Wouter’s family members, and even minor characters like Dutch bike shop owners contribute to the story’s texture. Each interaction serves multiple purposes: advancing the plot, developing main characters, or adding cultural flavor.
The inclusion of Dani’s sister Phoebe and parents provides grounding connections to her American life, creating stakes beyond just the romance. Their eventual appearance in Amsterdam adds realistic family complications that test both Dani and Wouter’s commitment to their arrangement.
Romance Development: Slow Burn Done Right
Solomon proves herself a master of romantic tension. The progression from forced proximity to genuine connection feels organic, avoiding the pitfall of insta-love that plagues many contemporary romances. The author allows her characters to maintain their individual personalities while developing their relationship, ensuring that neither Dani nor Wouter loses themselves in the process.
The sexual tension builds naturally, with Solomon writing intimate scenes that feel both steamy and emotionally authentic. Rather than relying on cliché situations, the romance develops through shared experiences, honest conversations, and the gradual breakdown of emotional barriers.
Themes Worth Exploring
Beyond the surface romance, Solomon weaves in deeper themes about identity, belonging, and the courage to change directions in life. Dani’s journey from aimless thirty-something to confident expat resonates with anyone who’s ever questioned their path. The novel asks important questions about:
- Self-discovery through displacement: Sometimes finding yourself requires losing your familiar surroundings
- The nature of home: Is it a place, people, or something found within?
- Second chances: How do we navigate past relationships when they reappear in our present?
- Cultural adaptation: What does it mean to truly belong somewhere new?
Writing Style: Solomon’s Signature Voice
Solomon’s prose strikes an effective balance between accessible and literary. Her dialogue crackles with wit without feeling forced, and her descriptions paint vivid pictures without overwhelming the pace. The author’s ability to capture internal monologue – particularly Dani’s anxious overthinking – will resonate with readers who see themselves in these patterns.
The narrative structure alternates between present action and necessary backstory without feeling choppy. Solomon particularly excels at creating chemistry through banter, making her characters’ conversations feel spontaneous and engaging.
Minor Criticisms and Room for Growth
While What Happens in Amsterdam succeeds on multiple levels, it’s not without minor flaws. Some plot conveniences – particularly how easily certain visa issues resolve – may strain credibility for readers familiar with immigration processes. The supporting character development, while adequate, occasionally feels secondary to advancing the main romance.
Additionally, some readers might find the pacing slightly uneven in the middle sections, where the focus shifts between relationship development and cultural exploration. The resolution, while satisfying, comes together perhaps a bit too neatly for such complex emotional and legal circumstances.
Comparisons and Context
Fans of Solomon’s previous works will find familiar elements: the blend of humor and heart, complex female protagonists, and authentic relationship development. However, What Happens in Amsterdam expands her scope with the international setting and cultural exploration.
The novel shares DNA with other expat romances like Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings’s Love and Other Words or Abby Jimenez’s Just For The Summer, but Solomon’s focus on Amsterdam’s unique character sets it apart. Readers who enjoyed Emily Henry’s Beach Read or Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game will likely appreciate Solomon’s similar ability to balance comedy with emotional depth.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Addition to the Contemporary Romance Canon
What Happens in Amsterdam succeeds where many contemporary romances falter: it creates a fully realized world inhabited by complex characters whose problems extend beyond will-they-won’t-they. Solomon’s expat experience infuses the novel with authenticity that elevates it from mere escapism to genuine exploration of identity and belonging.
While not without minor flaws, the novel delivers what readers seek in romance while offering unexpected depth about cultural adaptation and self-discovery. Solomon proves once again why she’s become a go-to author in contemporary romance, crafting stories that satisfy both heart and mind.
For readers seeking a romance that offers more than just chemistry – one that explores what it means to find home in unexpected places and people – What Happens in Amsterdam delivers with charm, wit, and genuine emotional resonance.
