Susanna Skaggs
Lina Emerson
Overview
Lina is about to graduate high school and has her sights set on her future at MIT. But when her mom gets sick, she encourages Lina to follow in her footsteps and have “the summer of a lifetime” in Rome. Using her mom’s old diary as a guide, she explores the romantic and magical city, where she just might find love... and gelato, of course.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
7 min readThe Summer That Wasn’t
I’ve seen this movie before. Not Love & Gelato specifically—though I suspect I’ve seen that one too, in some form—but the idea of it. A teenager, usually American, usually white, usually a girl, is dropped into a sun-drenched European city where the pastel buildings lean into each other like old friends, and the cobblestones seem to whisper secrets.
There’s always a diary, always a dead or dying parent, always a love interest who’s just mysterious enough to be intriguing but not so mysterious that you’d actually have to work to understand him. And of course, there’s gelato. So much gelato.
It’s the cinematic equivalent of a postcard: pretty, predictable, and over before you’ve even finished your espresso.
Love & Gelato, Brandon Camp’s 2022 Netflix adaptation of Jenna Evans Welch’s young adult novel, doesn’t just follow this template—it embraces it with the enthusiasm of a tourist who’s just discovered the Trevi Fountain. Lina (Susanna Skaggs), our protagonist, is a high school senior on the cusp of MIT when her mother’s illness sends her to Rome for the summer. Armed with her mother’s old diary, she’s supposed to have “the summer of a lifetime,” a phrase that sounds less like an invitation and more like a homework assignment.
The film treats Rome like a theme park of romance, where every alleyway leads to a meet-cute and every gelato stand is a potential love confession. It’s less a story about self-discovery and more a scavenger hunt for clichés.
The problem isn’t that Love & Gelato is formulaic—most romances are, and some of the best ones lean into it. The problem is that it doesn’t seem to realize it’s a formula. There’s no wink to the audience, no subversion of expectations, no moment where the film acknowledges that it’s treading water in a genre that’s been done to death.
Instead, it plods along, checking off boxes: the diary entry that reveals a hidden truth, the love triangle that resolves itself in the most obvious way possible, the moment where the protagonist “discovers herself” by doing something she’s already been doing for weeks. It’s like watching someone follow a recipe they found on Pinterest, only to realize halfway through that they’ve forgotten to preheat the oven.
Take the love interest, Lorenzo (Tobia De Angelis). He’s the kind of character who exists solely to be charming, with just enough edge to make him seem like a bad boy without actually being one. He rides a Vespa, wears a leather jacket, and has a tragic backstory that’s revealed in a single, poorly lit flashback.
(Spoiler: it involves a dead parent. Of course it does.) The film wants us to believe that Lina’s attraction to him is profound, but it never gives us a reason to care. Their chemistry is about as electric as a wet matchstick, and their conversations feel like they were written by someone who’s heard about teenagers but has never actually met one.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 6.5/10
"A lighthearted romantic comedy with charming Italian scenery that doesn't rise above familiar tropes."
The picturesque Roman setting and the sweet, youthful romance are the main draws. The plot is predictable, and book fans find the adaptation shallow, so the story underwhelms against expectations.
What viewers praise
- Beautiful Italian scenery The Roman backdrop and visuals are frequently praised for their charm.
- Sweet romance The central love story is endearing and enjoyable for fans of light romance.
- Youthful energy The cast, particularly the younger leads, brings fresh energy to the film.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn romantic comedy tropes with little surprise.
- Weak adaptation Book fans are disappointed that the film lacks the depth and nuance of the novel.
- Underdeveloped characters Supporting characters and some leads feel thinly written, limiting emotional investment.
Recommended for
Light romance lovers Italy travel enthusiasts Teen drama fans Netflix rom-com viewers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Love & Gelato: Netflix’s Sweet but Divisive Romance
Netflix’s Love & Gelato (2022) served up a frothy blend of romance, comedy, and Italian charm, but behind the gelato-stained smiles, the film’s journey from page to screen was a mix of bookish devotion and mixed reactions. Directed by Brandon Camp, the movie adapts Jenna Evans Welch’s 2016 YA novel of the same name, latestnetflix.com contends, transplanting its sun-drenched Roman setting to the screen with a cast of fresh faces and a few behind-the-scenes quirks worth scooping up.
From Book to Screen: A Faithful but Flawed Adaptation
The film’s biggest talking point was its source material. Jenna Evans Welch’s Love & Gelato (2016) —a YA novel about a teen uncovering family secrets while falling for a local heartthrob in Italy—had already amassed a devoted fanbase. Netflix’s adaptation aimed to capture that same whimsical, travelogue energy, but early reactions suggested it missed the mark for some. A SensCritique user rating of 4/10 (based on 181 votes) hinted at a lukewarm reception, with critics and viewers divided over whether the film’s tone struck the right balance between drama and comedy.
Still, the movie leaned hard into its Roman backdrop, offering viewers a virtual tour of the Eternal City. Clips like "Tour Rome with Lina from Love & Gelato" played up the film’s scenic appeal, framing the Italian capital as a character in its own right. For fans of the book, this was a win—even if the story’s emotional beats didn’t always land.
Casting Call: Fresh Faces and Familiar Vibes
Susanna Skaggs took center stage as Lina Emerson, the film’s protagonist, marking a breakout role for the actress after her recurring turn in Halt and Catch Fire. Opposite her, Italian actor Tobia De Angelis played the love interest, Alessandro, bringing a mix of charm and brooding intensity to the role. The chemistry between the two was a focal point, with clips like "Lina and Alessandro kiss" teasing the film’s romantic highs.
But Skaggs wasn’t the only actor with a niche following. Anjelika Washington, known for her role in Tall Girl, joined the cast as Lina’s best friend, adding a dash of humor to the proceedings. Meanwhile, Owen McDonnell (Star Trek: Discovery) and Valentina Lodovini (Benvenuti al Sud) rounded out the supporting cast, lending the film a mix of international flair and genre credibility.
Behind the scenes, the cast seemed to gel. Interviews like the one from HOT CORN showed Skaggs, De Angelis, and co-star Saul Nanni swapping stories about filming in Italy, though specifics about on-set dynamics remained scarce. Rumor has it the cast bonded over gelato runs between takes—though, of course, that’s unconfirmed.
The Netflix Effect: Hype, Hope, and Harsh Reviews
Netflix’s marketing push for Love & Gelato was hard to miss. The official trailer dropped with all the hallmarks of a crowd-pleaser: sweeping shots of Rome, a killer soundtrack, and a premise that screamed "summer romance." But the platform’s algorithmic reach also meant the film faced intense scrutiny from book fans and casual viewers alike.
Reaction videos like "Love & Gelato or Nah & Gelato?" captured the divide. Some praised the film’s visuals and lighthearted tone, while others criticized its pacing and character development. The Rotten Tomatoes page offered little clarity, listing only a handful of cast names without a critical consensus—leaving the film’s legacy in limbo.
The Verdict: A Sweet but Forgettable Treat?
Love & Gelato may not have been the breakout hit Netflix hoped for, but it wasn’t without its charms. For fans of the book, it was a flawed but affectionate adaptation. For everyone else, it was a breezy, if forgettable, summer romance—best enjoyed with a scoop of the real thing.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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