The Twilight Saga meets Sarah Maas in 90s Italy in this moving coming of age novel.Leda and Nico grew up together and now he wants… what?Is he seriously talking about sex?Well, the player will have to shove it, because Leda is not ready—and won’t be for a million years… adult, you’ll love this moving and insightful memoir set in enchanting northern Italy because it’s addictive, empowering, and infused with Italian culture.
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Sex-O-S: The Tragicomic Adventure of an Italian Surviving the First Time (Italian Teens, novel 2, The Italian Saga) by Gaia B. Amman is a YA story of a young woman who finds boys and first-time love and giving in to a sexual experience. As with the other books it is honest and raw and Gaia’s fictional tale of a younger self through her childhood/teens/womanhood, set in beautiful Italy. It deals with expectations and insecurities and exploring different things.
Sex-O-S; The Tragicomic Adventure of an Italian Surviving the First Time (Italian Teens, novel 2, The Italian Saga) by Gaia B Amman.
4 of 5 Stars
This is the second novel in Gaia B Amman’s, ‘Italian Teens’ series, although a fictionalised series it is based on the authors life and she has written the series so it, “empowers girls and women to be their brave true selves”. The series of books are humorous and insightful novels for young adults which take place in Northern Italy. I felt fully immersed in the beautiful setting thanks to the authors wonderfully detailed descriptions. I also like how she has kept some Italian words in the narrative so as not to loose their meaning, mostly swear words, it does add to the immersive feeling.
It is Italy, in the 1990s, and we catch up with fierce, nerdy, independent Leda who is in high school, and hormones are raging. Leda’s biggest decision is, let lust take over or hold off till marriage. The object of her affections is best friend Nico. However Nico has become a bit of a bully and a player, can Leda trust him as she also battles her own emotions, confidence, guilt, parents, but mainly her desire.
This is an emotional read which is told with humour and honesty. The storyline deals with some sensitive issues, teen sex, eating disorders and teenage insecurities all of which are dealt with honestly and with sensitivity. The main issues for Leda in the story are around having sex for the first time and all the emotions that come with this, again the author writes about this openly and honestly but is also never vulgar. I fell in love with Leda again reading this story and think she is a great main character, thanks to the wonderful narrative I went on a emotional rollercoaster along with Leda as she entered into womanhood. An enjoyable book and also an original and empowering read.
Sex-O-S is the follow up novel to Forget Nico by Gaia B. Amman. It is a great young adult novel of self-discovery set in Italy in the mid to late 1990’s. I had really enjoyed Forget Nico and was really looking forward to see what was in store next for Nico and Leda.
At 15 Leda has finally got Nico as her boyfriend. After being besotted with him for years she’s now finally his girlfriend so everything should be perfect. But it’s not; Nico wants to take their relationship to the next level and Leda’s not ready for that yet and doesn’t think she will be for a long time.
This is a great story of self-discovery as 15 year old Leda wars with herself in her own head. She loves her boyfriend but doesn’t feel ready to have sex yet. This book takes us through Leda’s journey from age 15 to age 18. It’s not just her sexual discovery that this book focusses on but also Leda’s self-image. We are told that Leda is carrying a bit of extra weight (she regards herself as being fat) and she embarks on a mission to shed some of the extra pounds.
I love that this author has taken these two issues: that of sexual awakening and self-image and tackled them in a fantastic way. I absolutely adore Leda’s character and look forward to reading more of her journey as she moves on to college.
Sex O-S by Gaia B. Amman a refreshing four-star read. This is number four in the Italian Saga and also number two in the Italian Teen novels, it could be read as stand-alone, but I have read the whole Italian Saga and would say if you don’t fancy the whole thing, just try the Italian Teens. This is emotional and empowering and will surprise you in so many ways, it picks up after the last story and Leda continues to surprise us with her sense of self, becoming more of a young lady instead of the tomboy we had met previously, much like your typical teenager, but Leda just has that something special. This is deep and its not your typical romantic story, so don’t think its all roses and joy.
Nico and Leda are a teen couple. Leda has grown up alot since we first met her and she now journey in her late teenage years. This books deals with alot of teenage issue such as peer pressure realtionships and finding oneself and more. This is story I’d told in a POV and her first experience of sex.
This was a great book about the pressure young girls find themselves under in every aspect of thier lives. Its a story of how peer pressure can affect young people and how that no matter what you need to learn to love yourself and be who you are.
Leda was finally with Nico but things go wrong when he trys to force her to have sex with him. Resulting in him assulting her.
After that nightmare relationship she meets and falls in love with Ange. Ange is different. He is still a virgin too but is prepared to wait till Leda is ready.
Things progress with the couple and they get intimate without protection. But as time goes on Leda realises they have nothing in common. But is it too late.
When her period is late she is left wondering if she is pregnant with Ange’s baby. Is her life over before it begins and will she be stuck with him forever for the sake of a baby.
Sex-O-S: The Tragicomic Adventure of an Italian Surviving the First Time
By Gaia B. Amman
4 stars
Having followed Leda through her coming of age I thought this was a great instalment to this series. As expected the book was well written with lots of cultural information about life and growing up in Italy. The authors descriptive writing has always been a huge plus to this series, you can really imagine some of the beautiful Italian scenery that she is describing. Definitely makes you want to visit! I’ve enjoyed reading about Leda’s journey and all of the secondary characters who have added something to that. Leda has changed so much over the stories and I think especially in this latest one, there’s so much going on in her life and lots that I as a reader could relate too, this definitely makes Leda a character you can connect with.
I have really enjoyed this series and highly recommend it.
Sex-O-S: The Tragicomic Adventure of An Italian Surviving The First Time by Gaia B. Amman is the second book in the Italian Teens, The Italian Saga. This is a brilliant addition to an already amazing series.
This is one of those series that I would recommend you read in order as you follow the same characters and each h book builds in their story.
The author has created such amazing characters in these books. They are the type that really stick with and it feels like you know them, like you are on their journey with them. I also love how relatable the story feels – this could be anyone of us when we were in high school! That level of engagement really deepens the connection I feel with the characters
This has been such an interesting series so far and I am looking forward to seeing what else is to come.
I know the reason I was so excited about this book is because the first was so good. I also felt like I knew Leda and grew up with her. This book did not let me down. I was thrown into that age the second I picked up this book. I remember everything being so “much” and Gaia nailed it. In love, out of love, crushes, how you feel like you should look, how you actually look. This was a great book. ** if you have triggers for aggressive sexual situations please be aware this book has a specific area you may not be comfortable with. ** I’m honestly excited to see what Leda gets herself into next and can’t wait to find out!
An author who was not afraid to discuss what topics are on teen’s mind. Gaia Amman is an amazing author who tackled a topic that most people shy away from. The story moves along and I was turning the pages just as fast to see what was coming.. The story takes place in Italy. Leda is a young adult who is thinking about going all the way with Nico. Nico is the bad boy (who doesn’t fall for the bad boy). This is a hot topic among young adults. I love the way the story talks about young adults and their emotions. I highly recommend this book to young adults and to others just to enjoy the emotions of the young adult and the difficult times that come with that age.
4 Stars
Sex-O-S: The Tragicomic Adventure of an Italian Surviving the First Time (The Italian Saga #4) by Gaia B. Amman is a Young Adult story- and is a real, raw, and honest account of our girl Leda’s “first time”. We’ve followed Leda through the previous books/stories, and have been there every step of the way as she traverses transitioning from childhood and into a young adult. This picks up where book three left off, so even though this story could be read as a standalone if you wanted- I highly recommend reading the previous books too, so you have all the backstory and character information- as that will greatly enhance your enjoyment of this story.
This book is full of angst, drama, emotions, high school life, Italy in the 90’s, culture, peer pressure, family expectations, responsibility, insecurity, sex, humour, banter, antics, and a few shocking scenes. Leda is a great character- a bit of a tomboy, and here her life gets even more complicated than she had expected.
The series is a fictionalized memoir of the author’s younger years, set against the backdrop of Italy in the 1990’s. I have enjoyed this series and following Leda on her “adventure”- although there were times the character/s really frustrated me with what was going on- I have enjoyed the journey.
Thank you, Ms. Amman!
Sex-O-S is the second novel in the Italian Teens series, part of Gaia B. Amman’s Italian Saga. The saga follows Leda, a young Italian woman, as she grows up.
In Sex-O-S, Leda is in her mid-teens. The boys she’s dating (in particular, the seemingly ever-present Nico) want to have sex. She’s not sure she’s ready. With conflicting advice from her friends, the church, her family and everyone else who seems to want to butt into her love life, Leda struggles to make the right decisions and to trust her judgement.
There are some darker moments in this book, particularly relating to sexual abuse. These are handled sensitively, from the perspective of a young Leda coming to understand why people (especially Nico) behave in the way they do.
I really enjoy all the characters and places that become familiar over the course of the series. Leda’s summer routine, visiting her grandmother, feels particularly nostalgic to me by this stage! The Italian settings are wonderful to get to know, like going on holiday to the same place again and again.
For me, this is a four-star book. I’d recommend it to older teens and young adults – it’s not unlike Adrian Mole but with an Italian girl! I’ve read the books in slightly the wrong order – it’s still perfectly easy to follow the story as Amman reminds us of any important information and backstory as it comes up. That said, once I’m finished I will probably reread them in order!
Gaia B. Amman did another great job capturing several real struggles that teens go through, but are rarely talked about. As a quick disclaimer if you are uncomfortable with mentions of rape or get triggered by eating disorders this may not be the book for you.
This book picks up where Forget Nico left off. Leda and Nico have been dating for a couple weeks now and things are going great. Leda is feeling the pressure to become intimate with Nico as he has been wanting to move their relationship to the next level. On one such outing Nico doesn’t want to take no for an answer and things get out of hand.
A couple years later Leda is still not quite over her traumatic experience and doesn’t think she will get into a new relationship anytime soon. One day Ange, a setter for the boys’ volleyball team, asks her out on a date. Of course since she hasn’t had any male attention, that she has noticed, she is skeptical of his intentions and says as much. Before she knows it they are dating and going out every weekend since Ange is busy studying for his finals during the week. Leda knows that the majority of her friends have already become sexually active and she is wondering if she will ever be ready. She asks several friends for advice and if they have a right age in mind to lose their virginity. In the end she is told that she is just over thinking it and she will know when she’s ready. When the time finally comes she still isn’t ready, but she wants to get it over with and see what all the fuss is about. In the meantime she has started dieting to make herself thinner. She feels that losing weight will not only make her prettier, but that her boyfriend will pay more attention to her.
By the end of the book Leda believes that she is pregnant since she has missed a few cycles. She is ready to start loving herself the way that she is and stop trying to please everyone else. On the verge of a break up with Ange she feels empowered to become a strong independent woman whether he is part of her life or not.
ex-O-S; The Tragicomic Adventure of an Italian Surviving the First Time (Italian Teens, novel 2, The Italian Saga) by Gaia B Amman. This is the continuing story of Leda who we have watched grow up and now she is dealing with romance. She has fallen head over heels for Nico who is a bad boy and a player. They have been friends forever but she wants more than friendship. Lexi is Leda’s best friend and they tolerate each other’s boyfriends just so they can still hang out. They are both wondering if they are ready for the next big step in their relationships or should they wait? This story deals with all the hormones teenagers go thru during the teenage years and the bonds of friendship! Its such a great book!
This is a young adult story that deals with real teen issues. This is a well written story that kept me turning pages to the end. It is a fast paced, engaging story that I read in one sitting. In this book Leda is in love with Nico who is a bad boy. Is she ready to trust him but the question remains that if she isn’t ready will he wait for her? Can she really change him? This author did a great job of depicting real life teenage problems that they face. The characters go through alot and I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the book. They are serious but they bring humor to the story too. I highly recommend this book and this author.