PREORDER An Italian Summer, paperback (5/5/26 release)

Puberty is a mess—messier if you’re nonbinary in 1990s Italy.

"The pursuit of happiness shouldn't have a gender."

Italy, 1990. As the nation sweeps into the fever dream of the FIFA World Cup, eleven-year-old Lee (Leda Balni) feels the world splitting in two. While gaming or horsing around, Lee is just one of the guys. In the real world, the increasing demands for a performance of "girlhood" are becoming a nonsensical requirement she can no longer fulfill.

Lee has nothing against her anatomy—except that as puberty advances, it becomes the very thing casting her out from the brotherhood she’s always known. When her first crush amplifies the chaos tenfold, Lee must navigate a landscape of rigid traditions, religious expectations, and the bittersweet pangs of self-discovery.

Set against the firefly-lit hills of Tuscany and the wheat fields of Northern Italian summers, this second installment of The Italian Saga is a vibrant, humorous, and deeply poignant exploration of finding your chosen family when the world refuses to see you for who you truly are.

Why Readers Love The Italian Saga:

• A NOSTALGIC JOURNEY: Relive the magic of Italia '90 and the analog summers of the 90s.
• ENEMIES TO FRIENDS (IT’S COMPLICATED): A deep dive into the messy, vulnerable path of identity and friendship.
• AUTHENTIC "OWN VOICES": A rare, amusing, and deeply personal look at queer history and Italian culture based on the life of author Gaia B. Amman, Ph.D.

Praise for Gaia B. Amman:

"An astute... lighthearted but affecting narrative of childhood’s many changes." — Kirkus Reviews

"5-Star Ribbon Winner" — Readers’ Choice Book Awards

Perfect for fans of:

If you loved the atmospheric longing of Call Me By Your Name, the emotional heart of I'll Give You the Sun, or the quirky rebellion of Sex Education, this is your next addictive read.

Product Details:

• Format: Paperback
• Series: Volume 2 of The Italian Saga (Can be read after An Italian Adventure or as a standalone)
• Themes: LGBTQ+ Nonfiction, 90s Nostalgia, Coming-of-Age, Nonbinary Identity, Italian Culture.

Experience the magic of Italia '90—add to your library today.