Oh, to be able to meet an eccentric old woman who will change your life for the better, whether you want to or not. Or even better, to live long enough to become that eccentric old woman full of stories and mysteries. The young American who arrived at Villa Coco with plans to start a serious life after the excesses of university had no idea what he was getting into when he moved to the Italian countryside. Ostensibly there to catalogue the belongings of the Baronessa, known to her friends as Coco, he ends up being her all-purpose assistant and entertainment. Forced to learn Italian, culture, and proper attire, the young man gets to experience all that a life full of eccentricities and wonder can teach.
Charming, witty, and surprisingly, deeply emotional. The young man's story and character are shaped by his meetings with Coco's associates and by her not-so-subtle pushes at everything from becoming more cultured to having an affair with a married man. You never know what might happen next at Villa Coco, and that's what makes this an excellent read.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the inspiring read!