★Greer, Andrew Sean. Villa Coco. Doubleday. Jun. 2026. ISBN 9780385551977. 288p. $30. FICTION

From the first delightful sentence of this novel to its unconventional and satisfying conclusion, Greer (Less Is Lost) takes readers on a charming Italian sojourn in which nothing is precisely what it seems. A young archivist accepts a position as an assistant to a baroness at a Tuscan villa. He believes his duties will mainly consist of cataloging the villa’s art and artifacts. But he soon becomes enmeshed in the household’s daily drama, which includes avoiding a wild marten, searching for a fix for an ailing septic system, and entertaining his employer’s friends and family. Lisabetta is a charismatic and demanding boss, leaving the young archivist exasperated and charmed in equal measure. While the twists and turns of the plot will keep readers smiling, a deeper theme emerges about finding one’s place in the world. The young protagonist learns to see his own struggles and triumphs as part of a larger story rather than the main event. VERDICT Disguised as a frothy, farcical romp, Greer’s novel is a heartfelt and poignant tribute to the mysterious process of growing up. Highly recommended for all fiction collections.—Jennifer Alexander

Patrick, June. The Valencia Expat Club. Atria. Jun. 2026. ISBN 9781668232460. pbk. 304p. $18. FICTION

Dahlia Delaney travels to Valencia, Spain, for a change of scenery, to reconnect with distant relatives, and to find herself after her divorce. She is warmly embraced by her extended family, though no one is willing to discuss why Dahlia and her mother abruptly stopped visiting Valencia during her childhood. She soon gets a job doing freelance social media work for the sexy American Liam Canavan at his club, the Expat Club. Dahlia is horrified to remember Liam as the teaching assistant she threw herself at in college, but fortunately he doesn’t seem to recognize her. Their flirtation evolves from verbal sparring to a more intimate relationship as Dahlia is bewitched by Valencia and the new friends she’s made there. Unsure of her future and her willingness to take risks, Dahlia pushes Liam away as she tries to decide what she wants out of life and learns the truth about her mother’s estrangement from the family. VERDICT Patrick’s (Swiss Chalet for One) captivating first-person-narrated novel combines romance with the story of a woman’s journey of self-discovery. Expertly framed by its Valencia setting, including food, wine, and location, it will appeal to readers who enjoy immersive romances set in faraway places and stories of soul-searching.—Sue O’Brien