Description

Northern Italy, 1993. A funny, emotional, and fiercely honest coming-of-age story about first love, gender identity, and the courage it takes to grow up.

Lee and Nico have been circling each other since childhood: enemies, best friends, and finally, a couple. But while fifteen-year-old Nico is ready for intimacy, Lee has never even dated anyone. When is the right time to take that monumental next step? And how do you navigate the pressure when you’re still trying to figure out who you are?

Beneath the surface of teenage drama, Lee is fighting a quieter, deeper battle. Trapped in a female body while harboring a male soul, Lee must navigate a labyrinth of self-acceptance, eating disorders, and identity before ever truly embracing intimacy. From the breathtaking backdrops of Northern Italy to Southern France, Lee’s journey toward the first time becomes a candid, messy, and comically honest debacle that is as educational as it is deeply relatable.

Can you truly trust the bad boy you’re falling for, or is he just bad news, like everyone insists?

Why readers love Sex-O-S:

An Honest Look at Intimacy: A refreshing, unglamorous, and deeply funny take on the realities of adolescent sexuality and self-discovery.
90s Nostalgia: Richly atmospheric, capturing the specific magic, music, and grit of European youth culture in the 1990s.
Chosen Family & Identity: A powerful, nuanced exploration of gender identity, body image, and finding the people who truly see you.

“Evocative and realistic; captures the tangled feelings of young love and lust.” — Kirkus Reviews Magazine (Recommended)

Perfect for fans of Sex Education and I’ll Give You the Sun, Sex-O-S is the fourth installment of The Italian Saga, but can be read entirely as a standalone.