Audiobook Review: When Love Gives You Lemons by Steven Salvatore

Okay, I knew this was going to be a sweet and emotional read, but listening to When Love Gives You Lemons on audio?? I hit replay on so many scenes (and maybe laughed more than I imagined I would).

The story kicks off with a classic gut-punch: Fielder Lemon and Ricky DeLuca, childhood sweethearts and next-door neighbors with that “we’re gonna get married someday” energy, break up right after graduation. One year later, after zero contact, they’re thrown back together at a destination wedding on the Amalfi Coast, because of course Fielder’s cousin is marrying Ricky’s sister. Messy! Iconic! Check out my full thoughts below!

TY to Libro.fm for the audio ARC!

When Love Gives You Lemons

by Steven Salvatore
Narrator: Jason June, Mitch G Nel
Published by: Bloomsbury YA
on May 13, 2025
Bookshop, Audiobook through LibroFM
Goodreads

In this exuberant and gorgeous YA romance from the critically acclaimed author of And They Lived..., a budding social media influencer sets out to win back his first love at a family wedding in an Italian lemon grove.
Ever since he was a kid, Fielder Lemon’s large, opinionated Italian-American family has lived next to Ricky DeLuca and his large, opinionated Italian-American family. For almost as long, Fielder has known that he wants to marry Ricky one day. And he thought Ricky felt the same way—until Ricky breaks up with Fielder the day after his high school graduation, saying he needs to figure out who he is on his own.
One year later, Fielder is asked to be one of the best men in his cousin's destination wedding on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, but there's a twist: his cousin is marrying Ricky’s sister. Fielder hasn’t talked to or seen Ricky once during the last entire, terrible year, but he hasn’t given up on his first love quite yet—and isn't a wedding in an Italian lemon grove the perfect setting to rekindle their relationship? Except Ricky might have already moved on.
Now, Fielder has less than a week to do the impossible and win back Ricky’s heart while also trying not to ruin his cousin’s wedding. But if there's one thing Fielder knows, it's that when life gives you lemons, take a bite!

Review

Fielder arrives fully prepped with rom-com level schemes to win Ricky back…except Ricky? Might be completely over it. Or not.

I loved the dual POV; getting into both boys’ heads made the emotional payoff that much deeper. Fielder is chaos in a lemon-printed shirt, and Ricky’s more guarded, but full of feeling. Their chemistry sizzles even when they’re just exchanging glares across a wedding dinner table.

Let’s talk about the audiobook narration, because the story is even better with the perfect narrators. Jason June (yes, the Jason June!) voices Fielder with this quiet ache and charm that had me rooting for him. It’s like you’re inside his head as he spirals, schemes, and softens. And Mitch G Nel brings Ricky to life so perfectly. The dual narration adds so much texture to their miscommunications and eventual reconnection.

And the family drama? Absolutely fun. Loud, loving, dramatic Italian relatives who will absolutely yell at you over dinner but also defend you with their whole chest. Add in wedding chaos, side characters who steal scenes, and the lemon grove vibes? We were fully transported (and left craving a lemon you have to travel to get!).

When Love Gives You Lemons is hilarious, heartfelt, and full of second-chance romance goodness. On audio, it feels like you’re sitting right between Fielder and Ricky, laughing, crying, cringing, and cheering them on. This is the kind of audiobook that makes the emotions hit even harder, and the happy ending even sweeter.