The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick: After her marriage falls apart and the life she carefully built in San Francisco disappears almost overnight, Dahlia Delaney heads to Valencia, Spain, hoping to reconnect with 
distant family and figure out what comes next. What begins as an impulsive escape slowly becomes something much more meaningful as she finds a lively expat community, a chaotic new job at a neighborhood bar, unforgettable meals shared around the table, and a brooding American bar owner who makes leaving Spain seem a little less appealing.
THE VALENCIA EXPAT CLUB by June Patrick was exactly the kind of escape I love—filled with vibrant settings, the delicious food, the close-knit community, and a heroine learning to embrace the unexpected, this story was the perfect bookish escape.
Dahlia arrived in Spain carrying heartbreak, disappointment, and uncertainty, but little by little she began creating a life that reflected who she was instead of who she thought she was supposed to be. Watching her reconnect with family, build genuine friendships, and discover a sense of belonging made every step of her fresh start feel rewarding.
Liam came into Dahlia’s life at a time when she wasn’t looking for another relationship—she was simply trying to figure out who she was after everything she’d been through. Watching Dahlia and Liam explore Valencia together was one of my favorite parts of the story. As they wandered the city, shared meals, and settled into a new rhythm of life, their relationship felt effortless.
Tropes & Vibes
🇪🇸 Valencia, Spain
💞 Second chance
🍷 Foodie fiction
🤝 Found family
☀️ Expat life
🌺 Fresh start
💛 Self-discovery
👨👩👧 Family connections
✨ Embracing change
🏡 Finding where you belong
THE VALENCIA EXPAT CLUB by June Patrick was an uplifting story that left me wanting to wander the streets of Valencia, linger over long dinners, and say yes to opportunities that don’t fit neatly into a carefully made plan. It’s a heartfelt reminder that starting over doesn’t mean leaving everything behind
QOTD: If you could pack one suitcase and spend six months living anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Book Info:
Publication: Published: June 2, 2026 | Atria Books |
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.
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