Forget Nico: Gender Identity. First Love. Italy. Memoir. - The Italian Saga, #3

"An empathetic, immersive journey… Amman's humor and sensitivity enliven the universal experiences of adolescence, giving them fresh sparkle." — Kirkus Reviews

Perfect for fans of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and I'll Give You the Sun, this emotional, own-voices, enemies-to-lovers YA romance is set against the vibrant, rigid backdrop of 1990s Italy. (Can be read fully as a standalone novel.)

Lee doesn't know it yet, but they're nonbinary. Their male soul would feel perfectly at home in their body if not for the crushing expectations of 1990s Italy, where strict gender roles rule supreme.

Puberty has abruptly ended the days of tree climbing, gaming, and carefree fun. Suddenly, friends only see Lee as dating material—when they bother to see them at all. But Lee craves deep emotional connection far more than shallow kissing games, throwing themselves into competitive volleyball with the impossible dream of making it to nationals.

The only person who understands even a sliver of Lee's inner darkness is Nico, their childhood frenemy. Ever since moving north from Sicily, Nico's favorite pastime has been tormenting Lee. But Lee is no victim. Over years of fierce sparring, their antagonism twisted into an unlikely friendship—the one stable anchor in two otherwise turbulent lives.

Now, Nico doesn't know what to make of post-puberty Lee. Popular, brooding, and fiercely protective, he struggles to reconcile old loyalties with confusing new feelings. As Lee's growing alienation turns to anger, the two hurt each other time and again, yet find themselves utterly unable to stay apart.

Then Alex enters the picture. Handsome, determined, and intent on winning Lee's heart, his arrival threatens to shatter the fragile bond Lee and Nico have spent a lifetime building...

Witty, heartfelt, and beautifully raw, Forget Nico is a gripping coming-of-age novel exploring identity, friendship, and the messy path to self-discovery. Escape to Italy and discover a bittersweet, unforgettable love story.