The Italian Saga
The Italian Saga is a series of four novels following the same characters growing up in Italy. Each book is self standing, although connected to the others. The books talk about Italy and its culture, but are not historical fiction per se. They are more coming of age novels, each focused on different themes.

Some characters get a happy ending, some don’t. The first time is amazing for some, awkward for others. Kissing does not always equate to dizziness and swooning. Characters might break down, hurt themselves, and suffer of mental or physical illnesses.
Book 1 An Italian Adventure, It will all make less sense when you grow up

Although the main characters are nine at the beginning of the book, this is NOT a middle grade book (imagine Stranger Things without the horror factor). The book is more young adult, funny and very emotional, dealing with the hustle of growing up following the orders of grownups who have no idea what they are doing.
Themes: childhood, friendship, adventure, abusive siblings, divorcing parents, immigration, Italian culture (the book takes place in the suburbs around Milan, Arese specifically, in the Alps, Val di Non specifically, and in Sardinia).
You will love this book if you liked Stranger Things, the Goonies, The Absolutely True Diary of a part-time Indian, or the Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Book 2 Out of the Nest, An Italian Summer

Themes: friendship, dating, love, fitting in, gender identity, kickass heroines, feminism, being an introvert, Italian culture (Tuscany and the hills around Lucca among other places).
You will love this book if you liked Stand by Me and Eleanor & Park.
Book 3 Forget Nico, Falling for the Wrong Italian

Themes: teen angst, romance, dating, love, fitting in, self-cutting, gender identity, kickass heroines, feminism, being an introvert, Italian culture (Liguria and the beautiful region of Cinque Terre -Five Earths-).
You will love this book if you like swoony but realistic romance like Eleanor & Park, Love like Crazy, I’ll Give you the Sun.
Book 4, Sex-O-S, the Tragicomical Adventure of an Italian Surviving the First Time

Themes: sex and dating, first time, religion, family, relationships, eating disorders, teen pregnancies, high school, independence, feminism, coming of age.
You will love this book if you like swoony but realistic romance like Eleanor & Park, Love like Crazy, I’ll Give you the Sun, but honestly, I don’t think a book like this was ever written.
Read the books for free with Kindle unlimited, or download the audio on Audible ^_^
And by the way…
