First published 2026
A young man arrives at Villa Coco with empty pockets and no clear direction in life. He believes Lisabetta, the formidable widow who owns this crumbling Tuscan estate, has hired him to catalog her archives. Instead, he finds himself chasing a marten through the halls, hunting for the ancient septic system, and managing an endless stream of visitors that includes bohemian artists, aging aristocrats, and Coco's unnervingly attractive nephews. The job takes an unexpected turn when Coco reveals her true mission: she wants to find the great love of her life before time runs out. As the seasons shift from summer to autumn, the young archivist becomes entangled in Coco's quest while discovering the hidden stories that fill every corner of the villa. The Italian countryside begins to change him in ways he never expected, revealing how friendship can transform both giver and receiver.
Genres: fiction, romance, literary-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Villa Coco, Tuscany
Period: Seasonal
288 pages · Hardcover · Doubleday