A young woman from Barcelona embarks on a life-changing adventure in an exuberant, emotional, and relatable novel about family, coming of age, and finding oneself in the most unexpected places.

After Rita Racons fails her college’s required English course and her plans for a summer with friends are ruined, she loses all sense of direction. Until Rita heeds her free-spirited grandmother’s advice to get off their roof terrace and go out and find her place in the world. Boarding a plane from Barcelona to New York is just the beginning. Fate eventually lands Rita in Atlanta as an au pair with two questions: What is an au pair, and where the hell is Atlanta?

The Booklands, a cultured, well-read, picture-perfect American couple, have hopes that Rita will be up to the standards set by their three intellectually gifted children. She won’t be. Entirely. But Rita can brush up on her English, the kids can refine their Spanish—and what’s more, during Rita’s sometimes-chaotic stay in America, her charges will experience a life beyond books and privilege. As for Rita, her grandmother’s words have never sounded truer: “You don’t go travelin’ to escape. You go travelin’ to find yourself.” Rita is well on her way.