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The Valencia Expat Club: A Novel
One Italian Summer
meets Eat, Pray, Love in this heartwarming novel following a recent divorcee’s escape to Spain where delicious food, romantic adventures, and the transformative magic of starting over leads her to reconnect with family, forge new friendships, and rediscover herself.
Dahlia Delaney’s marriage just imploded, her friend group picked a side (not hers), and her fancy San Francisco life now fits into a single suitcase. Armed with a broken heart, a freelance marketing gig, and one blurry childhood memory of her abuela’s garden, she impulsively hops on a flight to Valencia, Spain, to reconnect with distant family—and maybe herself.
But Valencia isn’t just sunny plazas and sangria. There’s her chaotic new job at a quirky expat bar, a family she barely knows but who embrace her like she’s always belonged, and a brooding American bar owner who’s frustratingly attractive and entirely too familiar.
As Dahlia stumbles through language mishaps, clashing cultures, and late-night paella with new friends, she begins to realize that the fresh start she came for might turn into something even better—if she can let go of the life she planned and embrace the one unfolding around her.
Perfect for anyone who’s ever dreamed of starting over somewhere with better wine, The Valencia Expat Club is a sparkling, laugh-out-loud romantic escape about second chances, delicious detours, and finding home where you least expect it.
Dahlia Delaney’s marriage just imploded, her friend group picked a side (not hers), and her fancy San Francisco life now fits into a single suitcase. Armed with a broken heart, a freelance marketing gig, and one blurry childhood memory of her abuela’s garden, she impulsively hops on a flight to Valencia, Spain, to reconnect with distant family—and maybe herself.
But Valencia isn’t just sunny plazas and sangria. There’s her chaotic new job at a quirky expat bar, a family she barely knows but who embrace her like she’s always belonged, and a brooding American bar owner who’s frustratingly attractive and entirely too familiar.
As Dahlia stumbles through language mishaps, clashing cultures, and late-night paella with new friends, she begins to realize that the fresh start she came for might turn into something even better—if she can let go of the life she planned and embrace the one unfolding around her.
Perfect for anyone who’s ever dreamed of starting over somewhere with better wine, The Valencia Expat Club is a sparkling, laugh-out-loud romantic escape about second chances, delicious detours, and finding home where you least expect it.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2026
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May 13, 2026Thank you so much to the publisher for reaching out with an ARC! ☀️🌊🍷
June 5, 2026
i'm not super impressed, but that's not to say it's a horrible read.
the descriptions of the city and the setting were idyllic. i liked that the writing was vivid enough for me to actually imagine myself walking along the streets with these characters, the delicious aromatic feasts they had, and the beautiful sense of community that was present throughout the book.
however, one can only mention garlic, saffron, and paella so many times to describe how the air smelled in the city. by knowing these three words in this sequence, you've basically already read half the book. oh, and how could I forget the most crucial word: wine. i guarantee you will find some kind of wine mentioned at least three times per page (yes, the story kind of revolves around a bar, but it gets to a point, doesn't it?)
the characterization of the main character also wasn't really appealing to me. her character seemed to come off as a ya protagonist at times, where she'd be a little immature and senseless. the love interest also seemed bland, but the book keeps trying to sell him as a "broody, mysterious, sensitive man" when i barely know anything about him. we barely got to read about any of the side characters, which is a shame because I think it would've been better to include them more, considering that a theme of this story is for the main character to reconnect with her culture.
i also thought this story would focus mainly on the main character's development of her own character and journey as well as rekindling the connection with her family and her identity. rather, it turned out to be more romance-heavy (which wasn't that great because there was barely any chemistry between the two lead characters). there was a lot of potential if the story had focused more on her reconnecting with herself and her culture and a bit less on the romance. i think it'd give the story a little bit more depth and importance.
also a random detail i've noticed: a lot of analogies were made where the golden lighting of a setting would “make people look like they were starring in an indie movie” (or their own coming-of-age movie). it's not an important detail, but it's interesting that this analogy was mentioned in this way at least 3 times in the book.
overall, it's an easy read to breeze through. i was expecting a bit more substance though, so I'm a little underwhelmed, and therefore i'm rating this a bit lower. but it's atmospheric, if you'd like to be convinced.
(2.5 stars)
Thank you to Atria Books for an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
the descriptions of the city and the setting were idyllic. i liked that the writing was vivid enough for me to actually imagine myself walking along the streets with these characters, the delicious aromatic feasts they had, and the beautiful sense of community that was present throughout the book.
however, one can only mention garlic, saffron, and paella so many times to describe how the air smelled in the city. by knowing these three words in this sequence, you've basically already read half the book. oh, and how could I forget the most crucial word: wine. i guarantee you will find some kind of wine mentioned at least three times per page (yes, the story kind of revolves around a bar, but it gets to a point, doesn't it?)
the characterization of the main character also wasn't really appealing to me. her character seemed to come off as a ya protagonist at times, where she'd be a little immature and senseless. the love interest also seemed bland, but the book keeps trying to sell him as a "broody, mysterious, sensitive man" when i barely know anything about him. we barely got to read about any of the side characters, which is a shame because I think it would've been better to include them more, considering that a theme of this story is for the main character to reconnect with her culture.
i also thought this story would focus mainly on the main character's development of her own character and journey as well as rekindling the connection with her family and her identity. rather, it turned out to be more romance-heavy (which wasn't that great because there was barely any chemistry between the two lead characters). there was a lot of potential if the story had focused more on her reconnecting with herself and her culture and a bit less on the romance. i think it'd give the story a little bit more depth and importance.
also a random detail i've noticed: a lot of analogies were made where the golden lighting of a setting would “make people look like they were starring in an indie movie” (or their own coming-of-age movie). it's not an important detail, but it's interesting that this analogy was mentioned in this way at least 3 times in the book.
overall, it's an easy read to breeze through. i was expecting a bit more substance though, so I'm a little underwhelmed, and therefore i'm rating this a bit lower. but it's atmospheric, if you'd like to be convinced.
(2.5 stars)
Thank you to Atria Books for an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2026
If you are looking for great descriptions of Spain, this might be the book for you.
The descriptions in this book are extremely vivid and I felt at times that I was actually in Valencia. However the storyline for me just did not pack the same punch. Dahlia is recently divorced and is looking to get away from her old life. She has family that she barely remembers in Valencia, Spain so she travels there after her divorce is final. She finds a job working in a bar run by another American. The two of them have a slow burn romance as Dahlia searches for what she really wants in life.
The story was a little slow moving for my taste. I liked the premise but I found that the story was just not that memorable for me. I really wanted more to happen in the story. The descriptions of Valencia really saved the book. I did really enjoy picturing the sights and sounds all around her epically the food. I would love to some day travel there after reading this book. Overall, this was only and O.K. read for me.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The descriptions in this book are extremely vivid and I felt at times that I was actually in Valencia. However the storyline for me just did not pack the same punch. Dahlia is recently divorced and is looking to get away from her old life. She has family that she barely remembers in Valencia, Spain so she travels there after her divorce is final. She finds a job working in a bar run by another American. The two of them have a slow burn romance as Dahlia searches for what she really wants in life.
The story was a little slow moving for my taste. I liked the premise but I found that the story was just not that memorable for me. I really wanted more to happen in the story. The descriptions of Valencia really saved the book. I did really enjoy picturing the sights and sounds all around her epically the food. I would love to some day travel there after reading this book. Overall, this was only and O.K. read for me.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 15, 2026
I received this ARC via Goodreads giveaway.
The Valencia Expat Club really drew me in! I truly didn’t want it to end. Every sentence feels carefully crafted, and the author’s writing has a way of transporting you so completely that I felt like I was right there with Dahlia, experiencing everything alongside her.
The story of love, life, and family felt almost magical, with just the right balance of depth, warmth, and emotion. The sarcasm and humor were exactly my style, and I kept finding myself thinking how much I loved the author’s voice and sense of humor.
Each page painted such a vivid picture that it felt like watching the story unfold in real time. Wow! This is one of those books you wish could keep going. It would make an amazing movie or mini-series! I need more…
The Valencia Expat Club really drew me in! I truly didn’t want it to end. Every sentence feels carefully crafted, and the author’s writing has a way of transporting you so completely that I felt like I was right there with Dahlia, experiencing everything alongside her.
The story of love, life, and family felt almost magical, with just the right balance of depth, warmth, and emotion. The sarcasm and humor were exactly my style, and I kept finding myself thinking how much I loved the author’s voice and sense of humor.
Each page painted such a vivid picture that it felt like watching the story unfold in real time. Wow! This is one of those books you wish could keep going. It would make an amazing movie or mini-series! I need more…
May 22, 2026
This is not me pausing the trip I’m not planning to Valencia to write this book review..
The Valencia Expat Club is a cozy hug of a novel. It’s the perfect book if you’re looking for a refreshing, heartwarming read with substance but nothing too traumatic. This one takes you on a healing journey to Valencia following our protagonist, Dahlia, who is looking to reconnect with her family while coping with the ending of her marriage. It gives Eat, Pray, Love vibes, but more whimsical and flirtatious. The banter between Dahlia and Liam is playful and actually pretty funny; I really enjoyed their relationship development and dynamic throughout this novel.
Overall, really enjoyed this one! It’s a great beach read (though I definitely read from the confines of my apartment lol). Thank you to Atria for sending me this advanced reader copy!
The Valencia Expat Club is a cozy hug of a novel. It’s the perfect book if you’re looking for a refreshing, heartwarming read with substance but nothing too traumatic. This one takes you on a healing journey to Valencia following our protagonist, Dahlia, who is looking to reconnect with her family while coping with the ending of her marriage. It gives Eat, Pray, Love vibes, but more whimsical and flirtatious. The banter between Dahlia and Liam is playful and actually pretty funny; I really enjoyed their relationship development and dynamic throughout this novel.
Overall, really enjoyed this one! It’s a great beach read (though I definitely read from the confines of my apartment lol). Thank you to Atria for sending me this advanced reader copy!
June 1, 2026
As someone with ties to the Bay Area and a long standing love affair with Spain, this book was practically written to get my attention.
This is a classic romance with a refreshing lightness to it. The kind of book that feels like sipping fresh juice on a sunny afternoon. Easy to enjoy, comforting, and exactly what you need when you're looking for an escape.
We meet Dahlia, who once lived in San Francisco with her husband. Following her divorce, she returns to the place where she has always felt most connected: Valencia, Spain. What begins as a chance to reconnect with family soon becomes an opportunity to reconnect with herself. Along the way, she encounters Liam, a man connected to her past who challenges how she sees her present and what she wants from her future.
What I appreciated most is that the story never tries too hard. It isn't overly dramatic or emotionally heavy. Instead, it embraces the joy of second chances, self-discovery, and the possibility that sometimes the place we run to can help us find our way back to ourselves.
This is the perfect beach read, picnic companion, or weekend escape. Really, it's perfect for any moment when you want a light, charming story that reminds you that change can lead to wonderful things.
I'll admit I'm biased because two of my favorite places in the world, the Bay Area and Spain, play important roles in the story. Even so, this book has plenty of charm on its own.
And if you've never been to Spain, don't be surprised if you start browsing flights by the time you finish.
Perfecto.
Thank you, NetGalley, June Patrick, and Atria Books for the ARC. All comments and opinions are my own.
This is a classic romance with a refreshing lightness to it. The kind of book that feels like sipping fresh juice on a sunny afternoon. Easy to enjoy, comforting, and exactly what you need when you're looking for an escape.
We meet Dahlia, who once lived in San Francisco with her husband. Following her divorce, she returns to the place where she has always felt most connected: Valencia, Spain. What begins as a chance to reconnect with family soon becomes an opportunity to reconnect with herself. Along the way, she encounters Liam, a man connected to her past who challenges how she sees her present and what she wants from her future.
What I appreciated most is that the story never tries too hard. It isn't overly dramatic or emotionally heavy. Instead, it embraces the joy of second chances, self-discovery, and the possibility that sometimes the place we run to can help us find our way back to ourselves.
This is the perfect beach read, picnic companion, or weekend escape. Really, it's perfect for any moment when you want a light, charming story that reminds you that change can lead to wonderful things.
I'll admit I'm biased because two of my favorite places in the world, the Bay Area and Spain, play important roles in the story. Even so, this book has plenty of charm on its own.
And if you've never been to Spain, don't be surprised if you start browsing flights by the time you finish.
Perfecto.
Thank you, NetGalley, June Patrick, and Atria Books for the ARC. All comments and opinions are my own.
Did Not Finish
May 16, 2026DNF at 64% because I could not keep putting up with the word paella being mentioned every other page. Was disappointed since the setting seemed idyllic, but I am pretty sure that the reader does not to be reminded so often that rapid Spanish was being spoken...
Thank you to Atria and the author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
Thank you to Atria and the author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
September 2, 2025
To be fair, I should have read the book description more carefully. I decided to listen to this audiobook because it was set in Spain and was supposed to include food references and deal with reconnecting with family.
While the story did indeed mention many yummy Spanish dishes, the book was really a classic contemporary romance. And here's where I had problems. I don't know why, but I have never really clicked with this genre. I don't know the name of the trope, but it's girl meets boy, girl is unimpressed with boy, girl likes boy, girl misunderstands something and hates boy, girl learns truth and loves boy. Happiness for all.
Once I realized that Spain, family, and foodie references were merely the backdrop for the romance, I should have DNF'd. For all you romance readers, I hope you laugh at the romcom moments and root for our couple as they find their way to love.
The audiobook was nicely performed by Carlotta Brentan. I don't speak Spanish, but to my untrained ear, her Spanish and accented English sounded authentic. She conveyed the characters' feelings and kept the story moving.
Thanks to Simon Maverick for the review copy.
While the story did indeed mention many yummy Spanish dishes, the book was really a classic contemporary romance. And here's where I had problems. I don't know why, but I have never really clicked with this genre. I don't know the name of the trope, but it's girl meets boy, girl is unimpressed with boy, girl likes boy, girl misunderstands something and hates boy, girl learns truth and loves boy. Happiness for all.
Once I realized that Spain, family, and foodie references were merely the backdrop for the romance, I should have DNF'd. For all you romance readers, I hope you laugh at the romcom moments and root for our couple as they find their way to love.
The audiobook was nicely performed by Carlotta Brentan. I don't speak Spanish, but to my untrained ear, her Spanish and accented English sounded authentic. She conveyed the characters' feelings and kept the story moving.
Thanks to Simon Maverick for the review copy.
June 17, 2026
I accepted an ARC of this book due to planned trip to Valencia, and I started reading it on the plane to Spain. I enjoyed reading about Valencia, the descriptions of the setting, foods, people, and places were interesting. I even got to visit a place I read about in the book…Cafe de las Horas! The story itself was predictable. A light, summer read. 3/10.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Atria for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Atria for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 15, 2025
ALC • 🎧
"You shouldn't wait for a special occasion to drink the good wine. Every day you're alive is a reason to celebrate."
I adored this book and felt it in my soul. I went into this blind simply because I'm currently an expat in a European country and thought this would be a fun read. It brought so many experiences to life like finding peanut butter is impossible or finding a place that serves breakfast like home lol. The things you don't really realize until you do it. There is also a beautiful love story here but the most beautiful one was the love story with herself. I loved all the food references and this really made me want to visit Spain asap.
"You shouldn't wait for a special occasion to drink the good wine. Every day you're alive is a reason to celebrate."
I adored this book and felt it in my soul. I went into this blind simply because I'm currently an expat in a European country and thought this would be a fun read. It brought so many experiences to life like finding peanut butter is impossible or finding a place that serves breakfast like home lol. The things you don't really realize until you do it. There is also a beautiful love story here but the most beautiful one was the love story with herself. I loved all the food references and this really made me want to visit Spain asap.
June 4, 2026
the valencia expat club review .ೃ࿔ ✈︎ *:･🇪🇸
if i had a nickel for every story of an american woman escaping to europe and falling in love with a new environment and finding herself and a new man in the year of 2026, i would have 2 nickels. which isn’t a lot but weird it happened twice.
coming off the high of you, me and tuscany (definitely recommend pls go watch to support black love stories and rom coms!!) i was shocked yet intrigued when the arc for the valencia expat club entered my inbox!
coming off of a divorce, dahlia delaney escapes to valencia, spain to reconnect with family and to rediscover herself and her spanish roots; something she lost from years of not being around her family. while immersing herself into the country and its culture, she meets other expats who is are on similar journeys as her, and in turn help her uncover parts of herself she wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
dahlia as a protagonist was fine. i liked seeing her progression as a character from feeling hopeless and lost to being ok with not having the answers right away. i’m glad she was able to reconnect with her family and feel at home. i would say my two favorite characters are maya and sophia; i thought they were really fun. liam was cool. i don’t have a problem with him but he didn’t really stand out in comparison to other book boyfriends i read in the past. i feel like he was sort of surface level. i do like the relationship between him and dahlia. the idea of them both being foreigners and finding love was very cute.
something i didn’t like was how stereotypical and “romanticized” her attitudes and views were about spain. i have encountered this problem in previous expat books. a few examples include liam, a white american, calling dahlia named like “senorita” and throw random spanish words at her. to me, it felt a little derogatory. another example is this quote, “at least in valencia, when people stabbed you in the back, they had the decency to do it en español, which sounded a lot prettier”. betrayal is betrayal. to me, it doesn’t matter which way it was handed to you. being in a another language doesn’t soften the blow, it maybe just delays it if you don’t know what you’re saying. saying it is better because spanish sounds “prettier” sounds very fetishy and it gives me the ick. and this is coming from someone who loves and appreciates different languages. the constant analogies of paella was a bit exhausting. it’s like dahlia learned that word and wanted to put it in every sentence she could.
the third act break up felt forced to me. i feel like dahlia lashing out came out of nowhere, and it threw me off. i also feel like because their relationship (if you could even call it that) did not have any stakes to really have me feel the turmoil of a breakup. before the epilogue, it felt like a fling but the emotions gave long term relationship, which felt off a little bit.
overall, i would say this was a cute easy read. reading the book felt like being in spain which i’m sure was the main point. will never complain about an international romance. (2.9 stars)
☀️🌊🍇🍷
thank you to netgalley and atria books for the arc in exchange for a honest review
if i had a nickel for every story of an american woman escaping to europe and falling in love with a new environment and finding herself and a new man in the year of 2026, i would have 2 nickels. which isn’t a lot but weird it happened twice.
coming off the high of you, me and tuscany (definitely recommend pls go watch to support black love stories and rom coms!!) i was shocked yet intrigued when the arc for the valencia expat club entered my inbox!
coming off of a divorce, dahlia delaney escapes to valencia, spain to reconnect with family and to rediscover herself and her spanish roots; something she lost from years of not being around her family. while immersing herself into the country and its culture, she meets other expats who is are on similar journeys as her, and in turn help her uncover parts of herself she wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
dahlia as a protagonist was fine. i liked seeing her progression as a character from feeling hopeless and lost to being ok with not having the answers right away. i’m glad she was able to reconnect with her family and feel at home. i would say my two favorite characters are maya and sophia; i thought they were really fun. liam was cool. i don’t have a problem with him but he didn’t really stand out in comparison to other book boyfriends i read in the past. i feel like he was sort of surface level. i do like the relationship between him and dahlia. the idea of them both being foreigners and finding love was very cute.
something i didn’t like was how stereotypical and “romanticized” her attitudes and views were about spain. i have encountered this problem in previous expat books. a few examples include liam, a white american, calling dahlia named like “senorita” and throw random spanish words at her. to me, it felt a little derogatory. another example is this quote, “at least in valencia, when people stabbed you in the back, they had the decency to do it en español, which sounded a lot prettier”. betrayal is betrayal. to me, it doesn’t matter which way it was handed to you. being in a another language doesn’t soften the blow, it maybe just delays it if you don’t know what you’re saying. saying it is better because spanish sounds “prettier” sounds very fetishy and it gives me the ick. and this is coming from someone who loves and appreciates different languages. the constant analogies of paella was a bit exhausting. it’s like dahlia learned that word and wanted to put it in every sentence she could.
the third act break up felt forced to me. i feel like dahlia lashing out came out of nowhere, and it threw me off. i also feel like because their relationship (if you could even call it that) did not have any stakes to really have me feel the turmoil of a breakup. before the epilogue, it felt like a fling but the emotions gave long term relationship, which felt off a little bit.
overall, i would say this was a cute easy read. reading the book felt like being in spain which i’m sure was the main point. will never complain about an international romance. (2.9 stars)
☀️🌊🍇🍷
thank you to netgalley and atria books for the arc in exchange for a honest review
June 4, 2026
Thank you to Atria and author June Patrick, for providing me with the eARC of “The Valencia Expat Club”.
💭My Thoughts💭
I loved the Spanish throughout the book. The small phrases had me rolling out my old knowledge of pronunciation. Not so much understanding but that is a me thing. But hands down best part of the book. It was like we were in Spain too.
Liam! Not all who wonder are lost, or in his case not all wanders want to stay lost. He just needed the right woman to come along to fix that.
Dahlia may have thought she was running away but fate really said nah you’re running towards your future. And what a trip and experience, to go back to your family in Spain and learn about them, about yourself and find love again.
This is truly the best summer romance read.
❣️Tropes❣️
Contemporary Romance
Life After Divorce
Reconnecting With Family
Found Family
Grumpy x Sunshine
Spain Setting
🩵🩵🩵RATING🩵🩵🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️
Length: 304 Pages
Publisher: Atria Books
💭My Thoughts💭
I loved the Spanish throughout the book. The small phrases had me rolling out my old knowledge of pronunciation. Not so much understanding but that is a me thing. But hands down best part of the book. It was like we were in Spain too.
Liam! Not all who wonder are lost, or in his case not all wanders want to stay lost. He just needed the right woman to come along to fix that.
Dahlia may have thought she was running away but fate really said nah you’re running towards your future. And what a trip and experience, to go back to your family in Spain and learn about them, about yourself and find love again.
This is truly the best summer romance read.
❣️Tropes❣️
Contemporary Romance
Life After Divorce
Reconnecting With Family
Found Family
Grumpy x Sunshine
Spain Setting
🩵🩵🩵RATING🩵🩵🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️
Length: 304 Pages
Publisher: Atria Books
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really liked The Valencia Expat Club! One of my favorite things about this book was how Valencia itself felt like its own character. June Patrick did such a great job bringing the city to life that I found myself Googling vacation options while reading because I suddenly wanted to book a trip. The atmosphere felt vibrant, warm, and immersive.
I also loved the expat-bar culture woven throughout the story. I’ve actually been to places with a similar vibe before (I once spent a Halloween at Friday’s American Bar in Prague), so that whole community of travelers, regulars, and temporary found families felt very familiar and fun to read about.
Liam was absolutely a dream book boyfriend. No notes there.
I did struggle a bit with Liam and Dahlia’s backstory. It felt a little hard to believe and honestly didn’t seem necessary to move the plot forward. I think the story could have worked just as well without it.
Dahlia’s “Eat Pray Love”-style quest was fun overall, but there were definitely moments where she frustrated me. The third act breakup felt unnecessary and kind of dumb, and she started to come across as self-destructive rather than relatable. I found myself wanting to shake her and tell her to stop creating problems where there didn’t need to be any.
That said, the strengths outweighed the frustrations for me. This was a fun, escapist read with travel vibes, romance, and summer energy. Overall, I’d call it a great beach read and would absolutely recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and ATria for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I also loved the expat-bar culture woven throughout the story. I’ve actually been to places with a similar vibe before (I once spent a Halloween at Friday’s American Bar in Prague), so that whole community of travelers, regulars, and temporary found families felt very familiar and fun to read about.
Liam was absolutely a dream book boyfriend. No notes there.
I did struggle a bit with Liam and Dahlia’s backstory. It felt a little hard to believe and honestly didn’t seem necessary to move the plot forward. I think the story could have worked just as well without it.
Dahlia’s “Eat Pray Love”-style quest was fun overall, but there were definitely moments where she frustrated me. The third act breakup felt unnecessary and kind of dumb, and she started to come across as self-destructive rather than relatable. I found myself wanting to shake her and tell her to stop creating problems where there didn’t need to be any.
That said, the strengths outweighed the frustrations for me. This was a fun, escapist read with travel vibes, romance, and summer energy. Overall, I’d call it a great beach read and would absolutely recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and ATria for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Read
June 3, 2026⭐️ ⭐️⭐️.5
Sometimes when things fall apart, there’s something better awaiting on the other side. Dahlia, feeling untethered fresh from her divorce, decides to leave San Francisco to visit distant family in Valencia. She reconnects with her family, meets new folks, perhaps even a new love interest, and rediscovers her spark.
I liked the banter between Dahlia and her cousin Maya, and between her and Liam, another American transplant who owns the Valencia Expat Club. The pacing is steady and not rushed. Reading it felt effortless like riding along on a lazy river simply enjoying the story. Dahlia’s thoughts about her failed marriage are repetitive but that’s the point as she tries to make sense of things.
Patrick explores the feelings of grief over something ending, failure that it couldn’t be fixed, and openness to new beginnings. I appreciated that Dahlia’s evolution was gradual. Patrick gives her time to decompress and adjust to her new life and surroundings. Her romance with Liam is slow burn which is nice because I didn’t want to see Dahlia rush into something.
I also loved the mention of food - paella comes up a lot - and the vibrancy of the culture. This was such a pleasure to read, and now Valencia is on my bucket travel list!
Thanks @atriabooks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes when things fall apart, there’s something better awaiting on the other side. Dahlia, feeling untethered fresh from her divorce, decides to leave San Francisco to visit distant family in Valencia. She reconnects with her family, meets new folks, perhaps even a new love interest, and rediscovers her spark.
I liked the banter between Dahlia and her cousin Maya, and between her and Liam, another American transplant who owns the Valencia Expat Club. The pacing is steady and not rushed. Reading it felt effortless like riding along on a lazy river simply enjoying the story. Dahlia’s thoughts about her failed marriage are repetitive but that’s the point as she tries to make sense of things.
Patrick explores the feelings of grief over something ending, failure that it couldn’t be fixed, and openness to new beginnings. I appreciated that Dahlia’s evolution was gradual. Patrick gives her time to decompress and adjust to her new life and surroundings. Her romance with Liam is slow burn which is nice because I didn’t want to see Dahlia rush into something.
I also loved the mention of food - paella comes up a lot - and the vibrancy of the culture. This was such a pleasure to read, and now Valencia is on my bucket travel list!
Thanks @atriabooks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2026
“To running away.”
“To running toward.”
There's something magical about going to a different country, escaping the mundane every day life and starting over again. For Dahlia, fresh after her divorce, she returns to Valencia, a home she hasn't been to since she was a child. She runs into the familiar Liam, the Expat Club owner, someone from her past she did not expect to see again.
I love how Liam knows exactly what Dahlia needs: a night of dancing, a visit to a place where time stops, and supporting her decision to go.
Even though this isn't a second chance romance, it does show that sometimes the right person and the right timing (the second time) can work out. I love the found family aspect of the expats in the bar, as well as Dahlia's friendships with Sophia, a travel blogger, and Maya, her cousin. Dahlia found the home she didn't know she was looking for.
At its core, this is a story of breaking away from expectations and choosing what makes you happy even if it's scary and new. This book is full of wise advice that resonates with me: "sometimes the bravest thing is letting yourself have what you really want."
Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for my digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
“To running toward.”
There's something magical about going to a different country, escaping the mundane every day life and starting over again. For Dahlia, fresh after her divorce, she returns to Valencia, a home she hasn't been to since she was a child. She runs into the familiar Liam, the Expat Club owner, someone from her past she did not expect to see again.
I love how Liam knows exactly what Dahlia needs: a night of dancing, a visit to a place where time stops, and supporting her decision to go.
Even though this isn't a second chance romance, it does show that sometimes the right person and the right timing (the second time) can work out. I love the found family aspect of the expats in the bar, as well as Dahlia's friendships with Sophia, a travel blogger, and Maya, her cousin. Dahlia found the home she didn't know she was looking for.
At its core, this is a story of breaking away from expectations and choosing what makes you happy even if it's scary and new. This book is full of wise advice that resonates with me: "sometimes the bravest thing is letting yourself have what you really want."
Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for my digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
June 1, 2026
The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick is a quick, charming escape to Spain with all the fresh start energy I love.
Dahlia Delaney’s life has completely fallen apart. Her marriage is over, her social circle has chosen sides, and her polished San Francisco life is suddenly packed into one suitcase. Looking for distance, answers, and a connection to the family history she barely knows, Dahlia impulsively heads to Valencia, Spain with a freelance marketing job and a vague childhood memory of her abuela’s garden.
Once there, she finds much more than sunny plazas, sangria, and a change of scenery. There is a quirky expat bar, a family that welcomes her in, new friendships, plenty of cultural and language mishaps, late night paella, and a brooding American bar owner who makes starting over feel a little more complicated.
I enjoyed this one in both formats, though I mostly listened to the audio. It was an easy, enjoyable read with a European setting, second chance at life themes, and a main character who is finding herself while getting a little lost along the way. I especially liked the combination of family reconnection, new friendships, food, travel, and the reminder that sometimes the life you planned falling apart can lead you somewhere unexpected.
This is a good pick for readers who enjoy stories about starting over, found family, romantic possibility, and a dreamy European backdrop.
Thank you to Atria and Simon Maverick for the advanced copies. All thoughts are my own.
Dahlia Delaney’s life has completely fallen apart. Her marriage is over, her social circle has chosen sides, and her polished San Francisco life is suddenly packed into one suitcase. Looking for distance, answers, and a connection to the family history she barely knows, Dahlia impulsively heads to Valencia, Spain with a freelance marketing job and a vague childhood memory of her abuela’s garden.
Once there, she finds much more than sunny plazas, sangria, and a change of scenery. There is a quirky expat bar, a family that welcomes her in, new friendships, plenty of cultural and language mishaps, late night paella, and a brooding American bar owner who makes starting over feel a little more complicated.
I enjoyed this one in both formats, though I mostly listened to the audio. It was an easy, enjoyable read with a European setting, second chance at life themes, and a main character who is finding herself while getting a little lost along the way. I especially liked the combination of family reconnection, new friendships, food, travel, and the reminder that sometimes the life you planned falling apart can lead you somewhere unexpected.
This is a good pick for readers who enjoy stories about starting over, found family, romantic possibility, and a dreamy European backdrop.
Thank you to Atria and Simon Maverick for the advanced copies. All thoughts are my own.
June 4, 2026
This book felt like the most comfortable, warm hug that you will ever receive in your life. Life is never perfect, and it is often messy. This is absolutely the case for Dahlia.
Our stage is set on the heels of her messy divorce and a chance trip to Valencia to reconnect with her roots and family. Reading this felt like I was going along with the emotions Dahlia was feeling - from meeting her family again after 20+ years, have a chance encounter with a familiar (and ridiculously good looking) blast from the past, and just allowing life to just happen.
If this book didn’t mention ‘Eat. Pray. Love.’ at least once, I think it would have been a disservice. And while the joke was made, it was nice that this trip had some elements of that story! Sorting out your life (as hard as it may be) seems like it would be much easier to do under the Valencia sun.
Overall, this was a fast and enjoyable read for me. It had our dramatic opening, a second chance romance, found family, and a self-realization undertone. I am so grateful to Atria and Simon Maverick for allowing me the chance to review this early. All thoughts are my own.
I guess all that is left to do is renew my passport and start planning my own Valencian adventure!
Our stage is set on the heels of her messy divorce and a chance trip to Valencia to reconnect with her roots and family. Reading this felt like I was going along with the emotions Dahlia was feeling - from meeting her family again after 20+ years, have a chance encounter with a familiar (and ridiculously good looking) blast from the past, and just allowing life to just happen.
If this book didn’t mention ‘Eat. Pray. Love.’ at least once, I think it would have been a disservice. And while the joke was made, it was nice that this trip had some elements of that story! Sorting out your life (as hard as it may be) seems like it would be much easier to do under the Valencia sun.
Overall, this was a fast and enjoyable read for me. It had our dramatic opening, a second chance romance, found family, and a self-realization undertone. I am so grateful to Atria and Simon Maverick for allowing me the chance to review this early. All thoughts are my own.
I guess all that is left to do is renew my passport and start planning my own Valencian adventure!
June 13, 2026
Unfortunately one of my very least favorite books. They don’t even kiss until 60% in…. 60%! You spend 60% reading about the author describing every single little detail of this country and place and meeting her long lost family which she gives you a warning about at the beginning but I didn’t think it would be that bad. And then there were 50 thousand things going on at once the author couldn’t decide which to pick. It was about discovering her long lost family, then it’d be about getting away from her ex, then it’d be about finding herself, then it’d be about the MMC, then it’d go back to her family, etc. etc. etc. I forgot what the book was even about or the genre. Just not for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 4, 2026
✨️ARC Review✨️
3.5⭐️ for The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick
I enjoyed this one for the most part, especially the food and scenery descriptions, they both made me want to go to Spain ASAP, but the romance fell a bit flat for me.
I felt like Liam's character didn't have much of a personality (a lot of the side characters were actually very two-dimensional) but if you don't look too deep into it it's an easy read, mostly lighthearted and fun.
I liked the premise a lot, because who hasn't thought about leaving everything behind and moving to Spain at least once in their life?
A good read, entertaining but not amazing.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
3.5⭐️ for The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick
I enjoyed this one for the most part, especially the food and scenery descriptions, they both made me want to go to Spain ASAP, but the romance fell a bit flat for me.
I felt like Liam's character didn't have much of a personality (a lot of the side characters were actually very two-dimensional) but if you don't look too deep into it it's an easy read, mostly lighthearted and fun.
I liked the premise a lot, because who hasn't thought about leaving everything behind and moving to Spain at least once in their life?
A good read, entertaining but not amazing.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
June 7, 2026
Thank you to Atria Books for emailing me the arc widget for this book! I loved my vacation in Spain so it was no surprise to me that I felt immediately immersed into the life, culture and food in Valencia that Dahlia experienced while there. I also appreciated that Dahlia was at a crossroads for what her life should like after divorce and went immediately to the place that reminded her of warm memories with her mother’s family. I loved that it seemed like she and Liam were destined to meet again after meeting for the first time so many years before and that Liam was the first one to admit his strong feelings of love toward Dahlia. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
May 17, 2026
I am a longtime romance lover, and I always enjoy stories about fresh starts and figuring out who you are when life does not go the way you planned. The description of this book immediately caught my attention because it sounded like the perfect mix of romance, self-discovery, and escapism. Add in the Spain setting, and I was completely sold.
This story hooked me right from the beginning. I really liked that it is told in first person because it made Dahlia’s emotions feel very personal and real. Watching her try to rebuild her life after her marriage fell apart was emotional at times, especially because it felt like so many people around her had already decided who was “right” and “wrong.” It was very easy to root for her as she slowly started rediscovering herself. I also really enjoyed the family aspect of the story and seeing her reconnect with relatives she barely knew. That added a lot of warmth and heart to the book.
And of course, there is Liam. I loved the tension between them right from the start, especially once their shared history started coming into focus. There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake both of them a little, but that just made me more invested in seeing how everything would work out. The Valencia setting also added so much charm to the story and made it feel like the perfect backdrop for a fresh start romance.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was heartfelt, romantic, and full of moments that made me smile. My only small gripe is that I would have loved getting Liam’s perspective too, because I think it would have added even more emotional depth to the story.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
This story hooked me right from the beginning. I really liked that it is told in first person because it made Dahlia’s emotions feel very personal and real. Watching her try to rebuild her life after her marriage fell apart was emotional at times, especially because it felt like so many people around her had already decided who was “right” and “wrong.” It was very easy to root for her as she slowly started rediscovering herself. I also really enjoyed the family aspect of the story and seeing her reconnect with relatives she barely knew. That added a lot of warmth and heart to the book.
And of course, there is Liam. I loved the tension between them right from the start, especially once their shared history started coming into focus. There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake both of them a little, but that just made me more invested in seeing how everything would work out. The Valencia setting also added so much charm to the story and made it feel like the perfect backdrop for a fresh start romance.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was heartfelt, romantic, and full of moments that made me smile. My only small gripe is that I would have loved getting Liam’s perspective too, because I think it would have added even more emotional depth to the story.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
June 14, 2026
When this arc showed up in my inbox I thought that it sounded right up my alley! A 30-something woman escaping to Spain to reconnect with family and “find herself”? Sounds great! Unfortunately the delivery left something to be desired. The descriptions were repetitive instead of being immersive. There was an overuse of similes. The characters felt flat and predictable and the dialogue was a little cheesy. Unfortunately this just wasn’t the book for me.
Thank you Atria Books for the complimentary e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Thank you Atria Books for the complimentary e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
May 8, 2026
ARC
I went into this book not expecting to come away with such a great perspective on life. Everything happens for a reason & we see that through Dahlia’s life. Dahlia is going through a divorce when we meet her, and she decides on a whim to go to Spain to visit her family. She hasn’t seen her family in forever because her mom has distanced herself from them due to some drama. Dahlia ends up getting a job at the Exphat club, where she meets a certain man named Liam. Liam is funny and charming and all of the things Dahlia doesn’t need at this moment in her life. However, as expected, Dahlia and Liam fall for each other. This story is beautiful and captivating from page 1. I am forever grateful to June Patrick for allowing me to read this.
PS: I need a Gabe and Sophia book!!! 😉😉😉
I went into this book not expecting to come away with such a great perspective on life. Everything happens for a reason & we see that through Dahlia’s life. Dahlia is going through a divorce when we meet her, and she decides on a whim to go to Spain to visit her family. She hasn’t seen her family in forever because her mom has distanced herself from them due to some drama. Dahlia ends up getting a job at the Exphat club, where she meets a certain man named Liam. Liam is funny and charming and all of the things Dahlia doesn’t need at this moment in her life. However, as expected, Dahlia and Liam fall for each other. This story is beautiful and captivating from page 1. I am forever grateful to June Patrick for allowing me to read this.
PS: I need a Gabe and Sophia book!!! 😉😉😉
May 22, 2026
This wasn’t even on my to-read list when the publisher sent it to me. It is an enjoyable story about Dahlia, who returns to Valencia, Spain, after her divorce. She needs a change of scene, and wants to reconnect with family. While there, she finds herself again and falls in love. So, yeah, predictable, but it really makes me want to take a trip to Valencia and live the carefree kind of life depicted there.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
June 11, 2026
This book is for people looking to read a summer romance set in Spain.
Dahlia’s world just exploded when she got divorced so she takes off on a summer holiday in Spain. She connects with family that she hasn’t met and tries to befriend the locals.
I was hoping for a story and finding yourself after divorce but this is just a breezy romance with lots of food and wine.
Dahlia’s world just exploded when she got divorced so she takes off on a summer holiday in Spain. She connects with family that she hasn’t met and tries to befriend the locals.
I was hoping for a story and finding yourself after divorce but this is just a breezy romance with lots of food and wine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Between 2012 and 2013, I lived in Valencia, Spain while pursuing my master’s degree. Someday I’ll live in Spain again, but until then, I’m always chasing that feeling through books. This led me straight to The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick, set exactly in my “home” city.
Thirty-year-old Dahlia has just gotten divorced, and in an effort to rediscover herself and her mom’s Spanish family, she books a flight to Valencia. She’ll live there for a short while, reconnect with her family members, and get a marketing job for a local bar for expats. She may even fall for the bar’s owner, a fellow American named Liam, despite their long-buried history.
What I Liked:
- Bringing Valencia to life. I lived in this part of Spain for nearly a year, and in The Valencia Expat Club, I loved seeing my old haunts again. From the Ruzafa neighborhood where I rented an apartment to the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía that was the view from my college classrooms, I felt like I was back in Valencia. Everything else here felt so real too: the quirky buildings and centuries-old architecture, the delicious food, the hot summer weather, the friendly people… I could go on. Travel fiction should always feels this vivid.
- Starting over in a new place. Maybe it’s the nomad in me, but I always enjoy novels in which the main character decides to make a big move or travel somewhere new. Sometimes you meet a new part of yourself when you travel somewhere you’ve never been. Sometimes being slightly anonymous frees you from whatever has been holding you back. That’s true of Dahlia here, at least to a point. The question is whether she’ll choose to continue on this journey to this new side of herself.
- Another chance at love. Dahlia’s marriage might not have worked out, but that doesn’t mean she can’t find love again. It may even be with the man she once crushed on back in college; what a coincidence that Liam, of all people, also happens to live in Valencia now. They’re both a far way from San Francisco! Given how fresh Dahlia’s divorce is, she’s feeling vulnerable, unsure, and not entirely ready for whatever a romance with Liam might look like. There is a bit of drama near the end! But I enjoyed seeing them slowly open up to each other and give love a chance.
- Funny and real. This book is lighthearted and often hilarious, with riotous descriptions and observations. Dahlia may be going through a rough and transitional time in her life, but I liked seeing her (and her newfound friends) find the silver linings and joy. She feels like a real person on an unexpected adventure.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Sometimes it was a little too much. Early on, some descriptors felt overdone, like there was too much humor woven in. It also felt like paella was mentioned more than necessary (I know, it’s Spain’s flagship dish, but still!), and Dahlia is always drinking wine. It just got a bit repetitive at times and would have benefited from more variety: different foods, different social activities, and the like.
Final Thoughts
The Valencia Expat Club was exactly the kind of book this former Valencian needed to read. It’s full of heart, emotion, and adventure, and I enjoyed following Dahlia on her journey to rediscovering herself. I look forward to reading more from June Patrick, including The One Euro Fix and her Escapist Romance series.
Special thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
* Please read my full review on my blog, Amanda's Book Corner! *
Thirty-year-old Dahlia has just gotten divorced, and in an effort to rediscover herself and her mom’s Spanish family, she books a flight to Valencia. She’ll live there for a short while, reconnect with her family members, and get a marketing job for a local bar for expats. She may even fall for the bar’s owner, a fellow American named Liam, despite their long-buried history.
What I Liked:
- Bringing Valencia to life. I lived in this part of Spain for nearly a year, and in The Valencia Expat Club, I loved seeing my old haunts again. From the Ruzafa neighborhood where I rented an apartment to the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía that was the view from my college classrooms, I felt like I was back in Valencia. Everything else here felt so real too: the quirky buildings and centuries-old architecture, the delicious food, the hot summer weather, the friendly people… I could go on. Travel fiction should always feels this vivid.
- Starting over in a new place. Maybe it’s the nomad in me, but I always enjoy novels in which the main character decides to make a big move or travel somewhere new. Sometimes you meet a new part of yourself when you travel somewhere you’ve never been. Sometimes being slightly anonymous frees you from whatever has been holding you back. That’s true of Dahlia here, at least to a point. The question is whether she’ll choose to continue on this journey to this new side of herself.
- Another chance at love. Dahlia’s marriage might not have worked out, but that doesn’t mean she can’t find love again. It may even be with the man she once crushed on back in college; what a coincidence that Liam, of all people, also happens to live in Valencia now. They’re both a far way from San Francisco! Given how fresh Dahlia’s divorce is, she’s feeling vulnerable, unsure, and not entirely ready for whatever a romance with Liam might look like. There is a bit of drama near the end! But I enjoyed seeing them slowly open up to each other and give love a chance.
- Funny and real. This book is lighthearted and often hilarious, with riotous descriptions and observations. Dahlia may be going through a rough and transitional time in her life, but I liked seeing her (and her newfound friends) find the silver linings and joy. She feels like a real person on an unexpected adventure.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Sometimes it was a little too much. Early on, some descriptors felt overdone, like there was too much humor woven in. It also felt like paella was mentioned more than necessary (I know, it’s Spain’s flagship dish, but still!), and Dahlia is always drinking wine. It just got a bit repetitive at times and would have benefited from more variety: different foods, different social activities, and the like.
Final Thoughts
The Valencia Expat Club was exactly the kind of book this former Valencian needed to read. It’s full of heart, emotion, and adventure, and I enjoyed following Dahlia on her journey to rediscovering herself. I look forward to reading more from June Patrick, including The One Euro Fix and her Escapist Romance series.
Special thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
* Please read my full review on my blog, Amanda's Book Corner! *
May 21, 2026
Thank you Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
https://jenninsf.wordpress.com/2026/0...
Dahlia Delaney is getting ... *whisper* divorced ... at 30 and decides on a whim to find her long-lost family in Spain that she hasn't seen when she was a kid. Apparently, she's been living a lie with her husband and "friends" (that apparently picked him in the split?) in San Francisco and needs some authenticity to find herself. She runs into Liam at a open air market before meeting him again at the title restaurant, applying for a job. There's family, there's romance, there's paella, there's dancing and sunshine - who wouldn't want to go to Spain for the summer?
I was invited to read this book by the Atria Marketing team (thought they are probably removing me from their preferred list after this), which is the only reason I did not DNF this book before we even got to Spain. The descriptions of San Francisco let me know that the author was not from there (I actually googled her to see what the deal was and she's from Northern California, but the mountains, not the Bay), which was an immediate turn off.
My opinion of Dahlia didn't improve as the book went forward, as she comes across as a pick-me girl - never had good female friends, makes fun of Instagram influencers (despite working in digital marketing AND apparently have 12K Instagram followers), and all her "friends" picked her ex-husband (or actually just wanted to be friends with both of them, which apparently is a betrayal, even though there appears to be nothing more than growing apart as the reason for the split?). Her backstory with Liam doesn't add anything to the narrative and she seems weirdly hung up on it for the first half of the book.
The storyline with her Spanish family is much more interesting, but definitely takes a back seat to the romance, which is a shame. As someone with family in another country that I haven't spent much time with, the whirlwind of trying to keep names, faces, backstories, etc straight in another language felt familiar, but then Dahlia just slots right in with no struggle, so no drama there. The big reveal of the family drama with her branch of the family wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it makes reasonable sense. I could have done without a lot of the fawning over Dahlia, as if Cousin Maya couldn't have done what she did without meeting her "brave" American cousin as an adult.
The friends Dahlia meets along the way are much more interesting than Dahlia herself (more than once, I wished I was reading about Sofia). Dahlia's endless self-reflection on "who she is" and "what she wants" is tedious at best and the writer leans pretty heavily on some tortured metaphors (will add screenshots once the book is released). There's very little culture shock (once she's done belittling her temporary apartment), but also everyone she meets seems to speak English, love Americans, and be so excited to share their culture with her (even though she used to come to Valencia all the time as a kid, so she should know a lot of it?) All in all, I made myself just keep reading from about 40% onward in order to finish as quickly as possible and move on to the next.
https://jenninsf.wordpress.com/2026/0...
Dahlia Delaney is getting ... *whisper* divorced ... at 30 and decides on a whim to find her long-lost family in Spain that she hasn't seen when she was a kid. Apparently, she's been living a lie with her husband and "friends" (that apparently picked him in the split?) in San Francisco and needs some authenticity to find herself. She runs into Liam at a open air market before meeting him again at the title restaurant, applying for a job. There's family, there's romance, there's paella, there's dancing and sunshine - who wouldn't want to go to Spain for the summer?
I was invited to read this book by the Atria Marketing team (thought they are probably removing me from their preferred list after this), which is the only reason I did not DNF this book before we even got to Spain. The descriptions of San Francisco let me know that the author was not from there (I actually googled her to see what the deal was and she's from Northern California, but the mountains, not the Bay), which was an immediate turn off.
My opinion of Dahlia didn't improve as the book went forward, as she comes across as a pick-me girl - never had good female friends, makes fun of Instagram influencers (despite working in digital marketing AND apparently have 12K Instagram followers), and all her "friends" picked her ex-husband (or actually just wanted to be friends with both of them, which apparently is a betrayal, even though there appears to be nothing more than growing apart as the reason for the split?). Her backstory with Liam doesn't add anything to the narrative and she seems weirdly hung up on it for the first half of the book.
The storyline with her Spanish family is much more interesting, but definitely takes a back seat to the romance, which is a shame. As someone with family in another country that I haven't spent much time with, the whirlwind of trying to keep names, faces, backstories, etc straight in another language felt familiar, but then Dahlia just slots right in with no struggle, so no drama there. The big reveal of the family drama with her branch of the family wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it makes reasonable sense. I could have done without a lot of the fawning over Dahlia, as if Cousin Maya couldn't have done what she did without meeting her "brave" American cousin as an adult.
The friends Dahlia meets along the way are much more interesting than Dahlia herself (more than once, I wished I was reading about Sofia). Dahlia's endless self-reflection on "who she is" and "what she wants" is tedious at best and the writer leans pretty heavily on some tortured metaphors (will add screenshots once the book is released). There's very little culture shock (once she's done belittling her temporary apartment), but also everyone she meets seems to speak English, love Americans, and be so excited to share their culture with her (even though she used to come to Valencia all the time as a kid, so she should know a lot of it?) All in all, I made myself just keep reading from about 40% onward in order to finish as quickly as possible and move on to the next.
August 15, 2025
June Patrick’s The Valencia Expat Club is an effortlessly charming, slow-simmering story about heartbreak, second chances, and finding yourself somewhere between tapas, wine, and a stubborn American bartender. Thank you to Florence & Reynolds, Simon Maverick Audio for the gifted ARC and ALC—I read it, then re-listened, and loved the warmth of both.
Dahlia Delaney is at her breaking point. Her husband left her, her social life in San Francisco imploded, and all she’s got left is a half-fuzzy childhood memory of her grandmother’s garden in Valencia. With no grand plan—just a freelance marketing gig and emotional exhaustion—she books a one-way flight to Spain.
What she finds there isn’t some picture-perfect escape. It’s messier, funnier, and more human. Her job at a buzzing expat bar throws her into the deep end with locals, tourists, and semi-permanent wanderers. Her long-lost family embraces her like a prodigal daughter, and she starts to stitch together a life from the unfamiliar. She even meets a handsome but guarded bar owner who sees through her defenses a little too easily.
This is not a whirlwind romance. It’s slower, more introspective—less about falling in love with a person and more about learning to like yourself again. Dahlia’s story feels lived-in and real, full of relatable missteps, culture clashes, and accidental joy. It’s about starting over without knowing how, and learning to be okay with the mess of it.
The quote that stuck with me? “You shouldn’t wait for a special occasion to drink the good wine. Every day you’re alive is a reason to celebrate.” That line sums up the heart of this book perfectly.
The writing is breezy but thoughtful, and the Valencia setting bursts with flavor—from paella on a terrace to late-night street music and sun-dappled plazas. You can practically feel the warm tile under your feet and smell the citrus in the air.
But the real gem here? The audiobook.
Carlotta Brentan brings Dahlia to life with layered emotion, perfect pacing, and just the right edge of sarcasm and softness. Her Spanish accents are seamless, her delivery warm, and she fully embodies the spirit of a woman figuring herself out in real time. Listening added a whole new dimension to the story—if you enjoy audiobooks, this is how you should experience it.
The only drawback is the slower pace in the middle section. It meanders a bit—but in the way life does. If you’re looking for dramatic twists or grand declarations, you won’t find them here. What you will find is a story that respects the quiet beauty of change, and the courage it takes to choose a different kind of life.
This is a book for anyone who’s ever fantasized about quitting their job, flying to Europe, and starting fresh—not in a romcom fantasy way, but in a “maybe I really could” way. It doesn’t offer easy answers, just good company, gorgeous atmosphere, and the steady realization that joy is worth chasing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheValenciaExpatClub #JunePatrick #CarlottaBrentan #SimonMaverickAudio #BookReview #AudiobookReview #NetGalleyARC #NetGalleyALC #SpainSetting #ExpatsInFiction #DivorceRecovery #WomenWhoTravel #SlowBurnRomance #CozyRead #FictionWithHeart #WomensFiction2025 #SecondChances #PaellaAndPerspective
Dahlia Delaney is at her breaking point. Her husband left her, her social life in San Francisco imploded, and all she’s got left is a half-fuzzy childhood memory of her grandmother’s garden in Valencia. With no grand plan—just a freelance marketing gig and emotional exhaustion—she books a one-way flight to Spain.
What she finds there isn’t some picture-perfect escape. It’s messier, funnier, and more human. Her job at a buzzing expat bar throws her into the deep end with locals, tourists, and semi-permanent wanderers. Her long-lost family embraces her like a prodigal daughter, and she starts to stitch together a life from the unfamiliar. She even meets a handsome but guarded bar owner who sees through her defenses a little too easily.
This is not a whirlwind romance. It’s slower, more introspective—less about falling in love with a person and more about learning to like yourself again. Dahlia’s story feels lived-in and real, full of relatable missteps, culture clashes, and accidental joy. It’s about starting over without knowing how, and learning to be okay with the mess of it.
The quote that stuck with me? “You shouldn’t wait for a special occasion to drink the good wine. Every day you’re alive is a reason to celebrate.” That line sums up the heart of this book perfectly.
The writing is breezy but thoughtful, and the Valencia setting bursts with flavor—from paella on a terrace to late-night street music and sun-dappled plazas. You can practically feel the warm tile under your feet and smell the citrus in the air.
But the real gem here? The audiobook.
Carlotta Brentan brings Dahlia to life with layered emotion, perfect pacing, and just the right edge of sarcasm and softness. Her Spanish accents are seamless, her delivery warm, and she fully embodies the spirit of a woman figuring herself out in real time. Listening added a whole new dimension to the story—if you enjoy audiobooks, this is how you should experience it.
The only drawback is the slower pace in the middle section. It meanders a bit—but in the way life does. If you’re looking for dramatic twists or grand declarations, you won’t find them here. What you will find is a story that respects the quiet beauty of change, and the courage it takes to choose a different kind of life.
This is a book for anyone who’s ever fantasized about quitting their job, flying to Europe, and starting fresh—not in a romcom fantasy way, but in a “maybe I really could” way. It doesn’t offer easy answers, just good company, gorgeous atmosphere, and the steady realization that joy is worth chasing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheValenciaExpatClub #JunePatrick #CarlottaBrentan #SimonMaverickAudio #BookReview #AudiobookReview #NetGalleyARC #NetGalleyALC #SpainSetting #ExpatsInFiction #DivorceRecovery #WomenWhoTravel #SlowBurnRomance #CozyRead #FictionWithHeart #WomensFiction2025 #SecondChances #PaellaAndPerspective
June 2, 2026
What a delightful book. June Patrick is a new-to-me author and I didn’t really know what to expect, but it sounded like fun and the story took place in San Francisco and Spain, both places I have lived, so I decided to give it a read. Am I glad I did!! One paragraph in and I knew I would love it. Solid writing style. Wry, ironic, funny with just enough bleak sadness to catch your heart and draw you to Dahlia.
Dahlia’s life is rough right now; it’s kind of blown up, in fact. Not that her marriage and job and friendships and the path that lay ahead were not what she expected; things were proceeding as planned and heading toward that white picket fence in the suburbs and those two kids. The problem was that she realized somewhere along the way that those expectations weren’t really what she wanted; she wasn’t actually happy or fulfilled or looking forward to that particular forever. The breakup was amicable enough, at least until her ex James decided to be a colossal jerk, but Dahlia is currently lost, without direction, unsure what to do next. Her mother asking if it’s too late for Dahlia to apologize and beg James to take her back doesn’t help.
Dahlia has family in Spain, although she hasn’t been in contact with them for years and years, when a seemingly non-fixable rift developed between her Spanish-born mother and grandmother and the childhood summer vacations to Valencia and all communication abruptly stopped. With zero intention of trying to “repair” anything with James, Dahlia impulsively contacts a cousin and books a flight. A few weeks in Spain to figure out what’s next seems like a good idea, and as a digital marketer she can work remotely and anywhere.
Once Dahlia arrives in Valencia this heartwarming story just takes off. It’s full of . . . everything. Romance, adventure, delicious food and beautiful scenery that made me want to book a visit, and a twisty plot that hooks you and has you eagerly anticipating whatever happens next.
Author June Patrick weaves together a perfect series of coincidences and surprises, memories and unexpected revelations. The grumpy, slightly sarcastic guy she bumps into at the market (runaway olives) turns out to be the owner of the expat bar she’ll be doing freelance marketing for. Of course he’s handsome and he somehow makes that cranky attitude work for him, but there is something elusively familiar about him that Dahlia can’t put her finger on, until . . . until . . . wait, whoa, Liam?? Can’t be. And those unwanted inappropriate thoughts that keep popping into her head can’t be either.
Dahlia reconnects with her warm family that fully embraces her, sinks into the culture, customs, and exquisite meals and maybe feels more at home than anywhere else before. But is it too soon, too crazy, too risky?
The Valencia Expat Club is wonderful. Almost breaks your heart, and then deliciously warms it. it’s romantic, flirty, sexy, the ultimate feel-good and 1000% satisfying. And Liam? You need to read this book just for Liam. No hints, no spoilers, you really do need to read it for yourself. I received an advance copy of The Valencia Expat Club from Atria Marketing, Simon and Schuster via NetGalley. I loved it and recommend it without hesitation, and my TBR stack is suddenly full of everything else June Patrick has written. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
Dahlia’s life is rough right now; it’s kind of blown up, in fact. Not that her marriage and job and friendships and the path that lay ahead were not what she expected; things were proceeding as planned and heading toward that white picket fence in the suburbs and those two kids. The problem was that she realized somewhere along the way that those expectations weren’t really what she wanted; she wasn’t actually happy or fulfilled or looking forward to that particular forever. The breakup was amicable enough, at least until her ex James decided to be a colossal jerk, but Dahlia is currently lost, without direction, unsure what to do next. Her mother asking if it’s too late for Dahlia to apologize and beg James to take her back doesn’t help.
Dahlia has family in Spain, although she hasn’t been in contact with them for years and years, when a seemingly non-fixable rift developed between her Spanish-born mother and grandmother and the childhood summer vacations to Valencia and all communication abruptly stopped. With zero intention of trying to “repair” anything with James, Dahlia impulsively contacts a cousin and books a flight. A few weeks in Spain to figure out what’s next seems like a good idea, and as a digital marketer she can work remotely and anywhere.
Once Dahlia arrives in Valencia this heartwarming story just takes off. It’s full of . . . everything. Romance, adventure, delicious food and beautiful scenery that made me want to book a visit, and a twisty plot that hooks you and has you eagerly anticipating whatever happens next.
Author June Patrick weaves together a perfect series of coincidences and surprises, memories and unexpected revelations. The grumpy, slightly sarcastic guy she bumps into at the market (runaway olives) turns out to be the owner of the expat bar she’ll be doing freelance marketing for. Of course he’s handsome and he somehow makes that cranky attitude work for him, but there is something elusively familiar about him that Dahlia can’t put her finger on, until . . . until . . . wait, whoa, Liam?? Can’t be. And those unwanted inappropriate thoughts that keep popping into her head can’t be either.
Dahlia reconnects with her warm family that fully embraces her, sinks into the culture, customs, and exquisite meals and maybe feels more at home than anywhere else before. But is it too soon, too crazy, too risky?
The Valencia Expat Club is wonderful. Almost breaks your heart, and then deliciously warms it. it’s romantic, flirty, sexy, the ultimate feel-good and 1000% satisfying. And Liam? You need to read this book just for Liam. No hints, no spoilers, you really do need to read it for yourself. I received an advance copy of The Valencia Expat Club from Atria Marketing, Simon and Schuster via NetGalley. I loved it and recommend it without hesitation, and my TBR stack is suddenly full of everything else June Patrick has written. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Book review: 3.75/5 ⭐️
Genre: escapist romance
Themes: food, wine, second chances, Valencia, finding yourself
📖 Read if you like: Eat, Pray, Love, The Nantucket Restaurant, The River Knows Your Name
This book made me want to immediately book a trip! It was a feel good eat, pray, love style revelatory journey immersed in Valencian culture that will appeal to foodies and those who just need a good laugh. With a search for home and being your true self at any stage in life a central theme, it is a motivational premise. It didn’t take itself too seriously with tennis court style banter and a sarcastic flair to the general dialogue and rather ridiculous wine talk. If you have gone to pretentious wine tastings, this book will provide the exact opposite of that. There were a lot of food and wine descriptions that had me drooling and wanting to indulge in the slow things in life that bring joy and of course go for some tapas and Tempranillo.
Dalhia is recently divorced and needs to escape the crumbling remains of her cookie cutter life. She books a trip to Valencia where she once spent summers visiting her abuela. Despite the rift between her mother and grandmother, the rest of the family welcomes Dalhia with open arms. She rediscovers that sense of family and chaotic belonging she has been missing, as she does her longing for a city that is so alive and full of experiences. As she meets new people full of dreams, Dahlia will have a second chance at life and love. Club owner Liam has carefully avoided detachment by moving half way across the world, but when a whip smart woman from his past stumbles into a fountain while attempting flamenco their fate is sealed.
The whole novel manifests that euphoria of good wine and good food with good company. It is an ode to wanderlust and to and rediscovering yourself in unexpected ways. The idea that you have to get lost to find yourself is one I liked. A sort of fated path that can lead you right where you belong if only you are brave enough to take the chance. It is about not fitting into conventional boxes and finding the places and the people who feel like home to you. To the family you are born to and the family you chose, its the people that can make life a joy to live.
I don’t typically read a lot of romance, but this escapist version hit the spot. Set in a swoon worthy European landscape with humour and wit, it was like falling into a rom-com. It was light hearted and fun constantly making me break out into smiles, which alone made it a book I enjoyed. Parts were repetitive, especially descriptions of all the gorgeous people, Liam’s smoldering smirks and paella everywhere all the time, but my love of travel and food rolled with it. It gave me a much needed reminder to go with the flow and enjoy life’s little pleasures.
Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for the fun recommendation. This will be a good one for your summer reading list!
Genre: escapist romance
Themes: food, wine, second chances, Valencia, finding yourself
📖 Read if you like: Eat, Pray, Love, The Nantucket Restaurant, The River Knows Your Name
This book made me want to immediately book a trip! It was a feel good eat, pray, love style revelatory journey immersed in Valencian culture that will appeal to foodies and those who just need a good laugh. With a search for home and being your true self at any stage in life a central theme, it is a motivational premise. It didn’t take itself too seriously with tennis court style banter and a sarcastic flair to the general dialogue and rather ridiculous wine talk. If you have gone to pretentious wine tastings, this book will provide the exact opposite of that. There were a lot of food and wine descriptions that had me drooling and wanting to indulge in the slow things in life that bring joy and of course go for some tapas and Tempranillo.
Dalhia is recently divorced and needs to escape the crumbling remains of her cookie cutter life. She books a trip to Valencia where she once spent summers visiting her abuela. Despite the rift between her mother and grandmother, the rest of the family welcomes Dalhia with open arms. She rediscovers that sense of family and chaotic belonging she has been missing, as she does her longing for a city that is so alive and full of experiences. As she meets new people full of dreams, Dahlia will have a second chance at life and love. Club owner Liam has carefully avoided detachment by moving half way across the world, but when a whip smart woman from his past stumbles into a fountain while attempting flamenco their fate is sealed.
The whole novel manifests that euphoria of good wine and good food with good company. It is an ode to wanderlust and to and rediscovering yourself in unexpected ways. The idea that you have to get lost to find yourself is one I liked. A sort of fated path that can lead you right where you belong if only you are brave enough to take the chance. It is about not fitting into conventional boxes and finding the places and the people who feel like home to you. To the family you are born to and the family you chose, its the people that can make life a joy to live.
I don’t typically read a lot of romance, but this escapist version hit the spot. Set in a swoon worthy European landscape with humour and wit, it was like falling into a rom-com. It was light hearted and fun constantly making me break out into smiles, which alone made it a book I enjoyed. Parts were repetitive, especially descriptions of all the gorgeous people, Liam’s smoldering smirks and paella everywhere all the time, but my love of travel and food rolled with it. It gave me a much needed reminder to go with the flow and enjoy life’s little pleasures.
Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for the fun recommendation. This will be a good one for your summer reading list!
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