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Oh My Affogato!
For the first printing only! This paperback features stenciled sprayed edges while the special edition supply lasts.
Love & Gelato meets Emily in Paris in this sassy, sexy romp through the Amalfi Coast starring a boy-crazy teenager trying to make something real with her on-again-off-again guy before realizing the best things in life—like love and vacations—can’t be planned for.
Soraya is so close to getting the boy of her dreams to finally pay attention to her—she’s sure of it. She’s finally graduated from high school, glowed up, and is ready to show her on-again-off-again, secret situationship Wes what he’s missing out on. And when she learns that Wes is heading to Italy on a trip with his fraternity brothers, Sora decides that there’s no better place to reignite a romance than the Amalfi Coast!
Under the guise of a graduation Euro trip with her friends, Soraya’s plan is make memories with her besties during the day, make out with Wes at night, and make sure she comes out of this vacation with the title of Official Girlfriend and Grown College Girlie. But vacations can be messy, and romances messier—especially when you’re keeping secrets from your friends, discovering your dream boy may be a nightmare, and spending more and more time with the sweet, wholesome, and supremely cute Italian boy whose family runs the B&B.
For a girl who’s a true believer in sure things, Soraya has to learn the hard way that there really is no planning for love—or an epic vacation.
Love & Gelato meets Emily in Paris in this sassy, sexy romp through the Amalfi Coast starring a boy-crazy teenager trying to make something real with her on-again-off-again guy before realizing the best things in life—like love and vacations—can’t be planned for.
Soraya is so close to getting the boy of her dreams to finally pay attention to her—she’s sure of it. She’s finally graduated from high school, glowed up, and is ready to show her on-again-off-again, secret situationship Wes what he’s missing out on. And when she learns that Wes is heading to Italy on a trip with his fraternity brothers, Sora decides that there’s no better place to reignite a romance than the Amalfi Coast!
Under the guise of a graduation Euro trip with her friends, Soraya’s plan is make memories with her besties during the day, make out with Wes at night, and make sure she comes out of this vacation with the title of Official Girlfriend and Grown College Girlie. But vacations can be messy, and romances messier—especially when you’re keeping secrets from your friends, discovering your dream boy may be a nightmare, and spending more and more time with the sweet, wholesome, and supremely cute Italian boy whose family runs the B&B.
For a girl who’s a true believer in sure things, Soraya has to learn the hard way that there really is no planning for love—or an epic vacation.
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
May 9, 2026
It's the summer after high school, and Soraya is ready for the rest of her life to begin—starting with a grand tour of Europe with her best friends. And if it just so happens that she's planned the trip to start where her totally not toxic ex, Wes, is hanging with his frat boy bros, well, she can't help coincidence, right? And if they're going to be in the same place anyway, now is obviously the time to secretly get back together...
Now. I read this because even in my relative dotage I cannot resist a fluffy YA travel story. And fluff this is; Soraya is bound and determined to spend as much as her time as possible getting a sunburn on the beach and drinking cocktails and swooning over boys, and as little time as possible doing anything involving history or local culture. If I had met Soraya in high school, we would not have been friends. We would have been perfectly cordial to each other, and probably gotten along fine for small talk, but she's the sort of person to think that someone decked head to toe in expensive brand names looks "effortlessly cool", while I am the sort of person to think that such a look is both stunningly unoriginal and the opposite of effortless. She would quietly dismiss me as an uncool nerd (this is accurate); I would quietly dismiss her as being a boy-crazy birdbrain; we would both be happy; and after graduation we would never speak again.
So that's where I found myself with Soraya: disappointed that she prioritizes a boy over her friendships and that her peak travel dreams involve doing the exact same things she can do at home (with a boy who jerks her around just as much in Italy as he did in Georgia). This latter point is not a character flaw (and nor is it meant to be), it's just that for wanderlust reads I prefer a bit more adventurousness. And these are learning points for Soraya, of course; she figures some things out for herself over the course of the book, and one is left with the impression that when she returns to the States for college she will at least do so with a bit more curiosity about the world. But...I'm also sort of left with the impression that if she couldn't switch over from a toxic boy to a nontoxic boy, she'd still have a bad case of the Wes Nile Virus (which, to give the book its credit, is excellent wordplay) by the time she went home.
With all that said: It's a fun and quick read. I did not click with Soraya, but I did read the entire book in one day and still have time to finish off another book at the gym. I'm not sure who exactly the target reader is (there's a bit too much spice to aim this at younger teens, but not a ton of depth either, so...I suppose older teens who just want something really light). There's some casual diversity, which is nice; also nice is that Soraya and her friends are on careful budgets and have no intention of blowing those budgets. It looks like this might be the first of several books, with the next one potentially taking place in France, and even years (decades!) out of my teens, I'll take whatever light travel books this series can throw at me.
Thanks to the authors and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Now. I read this because even in my relative dotage I cannot resist a fluffy YA travel story. And fluff this is; Soraya is bound and determined to spend as much as her time as possible getting a sunburn on the beach and drinking cocktails and swooning over boys, and as little time as possible doing anything involving history or local culture. If I had met Soraya in high school, we would not have been friends. We would have been perfectly cordial to each other, and probably gotten along fine for small talk, but she's the sort of person to think that someone decked head to toe in expensive brand names looks "effortlessly cool", while I am the sort of person to think that such a look is both stunningly unoriginal and the opposite of effortless. She would quietly dismiss me as an uncool nerd (this is accurate); I would quietly dismiss her as being a boy-crazy birdbrain; we would both be happy; and after graduation we would never speak again.
So that's where I found myself with Soraya: disappointed that she prioritizes a boy over her friendships and that her peak travel dreams involve doing the exact same things she can do at home (with a boy who jerks her around just as much in Italy as he did in Georgia). This latter point is not a character flaw (and nor is it meant to be), it's just that for wanderlust reads I prefer a bit more adventurousness. And these are learning points for Soraya, of course; she figures some things out for herself over the course of the book, and one is left with the impression that when she returns to the States for college she will at least do so with a bit more curiosity about the world. But...I'm also sort of left with the impression that if she couldn't switch over from a toxic boy to a nontoxic boy, she'd still have a bad case of the Wes Nile Virus (which, to give the book its credit, is excellent wordplay) by the time she went home.
With all that said: It's a fun and quick read. I did not click with Soraya, but I did read the entire book in one day and still have time to finish off another book at the gym. I'm not sure who exactly the target reader is (there's a bit too much spice to aim this at younger teens, but not a ton of depth either, so...I suppose older teens who just want something really light). There's some casual diversity, which is nice; also nice is that Soraya and her friends are on careful budgets and have no intention of blowing those budgets. It looks like this might be the first of several books, with the next one potentially taking place in France, and even years (decades!) out of my teens, I'll take whatever light travel books this series can throw at me.
Thanks to the authors and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 7, 2026
Oh my Affogato! What a vacation!!
I felt so much for Sora, to be a young adult going through so much angst because when college starts in the Fall she’ll be separated from her dearest friends. She is vulnerable to the whims of her on and off again boyfriend who continues to string her along. The struggle was so real.
Thankfully Sora has ah-mazing friends because she sure knew how to torture herself with a shit show of a frat ass boy love interest.
Of course, the Italian guy is a lifesaver and a true lover 🥂🥐🍇🧀🍨☕️🚤❤️
I felt so much for Sora, to be a young adult going through so much angst because when college starts in the Fall she’ll be separated from her dearest friends. She is vulnerable to the whims of her on and off again boyfriend who continues to string her along. The struggle was so real.
Thankfully Sora has ah-mazing friends because she sure knew how to torture herself with a shit show of a frat ass boy love interest.
Of course, the Italian guy is a lifesaver and a true lover 🥂🥐🍇🧀🍨☕️🚤❤️
March 23, 2026
This book made me want to book a trip to Italy! The setting really came to life. I love the Mediterranean anyway but the descriptions of everything were so vivid I could almost smell the sea breezes and taste the lemon gelato. This book is the perfect escapist read.
The main character Sora is Persian so that was unique. I’m not sure I’ve read a YA contemporary with a Persian main character. I liked learning a bit about her culture and family. I would have liked even more, but I enjoyed what there was. A lot of people found Sora to be kind of annoying but I liked her well enough. It was easy to understand why she would feel and act the way she did, and I liked seeing her grow as the story progressed. Nico was sweet and I liked their scenes together. There is one sex scene in the book (which I wasn’t really expecting and didn’t really fit with the sweeter overall tone of the story) so be aware of that going in.
Overall it was cute and I absolutely flew through it. It was breezy and fun.
The main character Sora is Persian so that was unique. I’m not sure I’ve read a YA contemporary with a Persian main character. I liked learning a bit about her culture and family. I would have liked even more, but I enjoyed what there was. A lot of people found Sora to be kind of annoying but I liked her well enough. It was easy to understand why she would feel and act the way she did, and I liked seeing her grow as the story progressed. Nico was sweet and I liked their scenes together. There is one sex scene in the book (which I wasn’t really expecting and didn’t really fit with the sweeter overall tone of the story) so be aware of that going in.
Overall it was cute and I absolutely flew through it. It was breezy and fun.
June 26, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Cute summer fling book. Light hearted and an easy read that takes you to Italy the summer before University. Looking for a light, fun read- I would recommend.
May 20, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ such a good heart warming YA summer romance.
Everything you need to have a great time reading it. Summer getaway, boys, friends, a bit of drama and introspection.
It was light and perfect for the summer time coming.
I love Nico, such a cute bookfriend.
I would of like to see a bit more of Nico and Sora together travelling 🥺💖
Thank you so much Simon and Schuster for the ARC ✨️
Everything you need to have a great time reading it. Summer getaway, boys, friends, a bit of drama and introspection.
It was light and perfect for the summer time coming.
I love Nico, such a cute bookfriend.
I would of like to see a bit more of Nico and Sora together travelling 🥺💖
Thank you so much Simon and Schuster for the ARC ✨️
May 2, 2026
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Overall this was a pretty good read. I’ve categorized it as both YA and NA because technically the characters are graduated from high school, but also because towards the end there is one scene that while is pretty much fade to black, it is a little more than maybe I would want in a YA book? But that’s just me probably. I loved that these girls came up with the money to spend I think it is almost 3 months in Europe? Wow! What an incredible after high school trip. I can’t imagine being away from my family that long, especially at that age, I mean I even came home from college every other weekend. Soraya or Sora was the main character, and while I did like her, it was frustrating to see her letting her ex-boyfriend continue to treat her like he did. And even more frustrating that she was completely hiding it from her two best friends that she was on the trip with. Nico however was a cutie, and definitely worth a vacation fling, or possibly more as he became in the end. A fun summer fling/romance and buddy trip story. It says it is part of a series, and I’m guessing that maybe we’ll get at least one of the other two girls if not both of their stories in future books? I really wish I could have a trip to Italy now, especially to see Pompeii and just to enjoy all the yummy food. Maybe some day!This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature
May 25, 2026
YES, this was exactly the book I wanted!!
A cute, fun, light beachy book, and a perfect easy read. Now I’m convinced I need to go to Italy because this novel really puts you into the story’s world. From the food to the scenery, chef’s kiss.
I think some people may become frustrated at the FMC for her decisions at times but honestly, she is only 18 and navigating romance and adulthood.
Anyone looking for a short summer read, please try this one out! I want a sequel like right now because Nico is the sweetest male love interest ever and I never say that! Also, the cover is so pretty, just yes.
A cute, fun, light beachy book, and a perfect easy read. Now I’m convinced I need to go to Italy because this novel really puts you into the story’s world. From the food to the scenery, chef’s kiss.
I think some people may become frustrated at the FMC for her decisions at times but honestly, she is only 18 and navigating romance and adulthood.
Anyone looking for a short summer read, please try this one out! I want a sequel like right now because Nico is the sweetest male love interest ever and I never say that! Also, the cover is so pretty, just yes.
May 26, 2026
3.75⭐️
July 14, 2026
Very cute read about friendship, old love/new love and the beauty of Italy. And I loved the cheeky tangas, main reason why I bought this book 😂
May 30, 2026
Read this with M and while I LOVE that and we discussed it a lot, I was not a huge fan. And it most definitely not for 14 and up. 18 and up, MAYBE. My opinion, but it matters all the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
Soraya and her friends Mari, and Anya decide to take a European trip after they graduate high school. They decided to start in Italy. What her friends don’t know is that Wes, the guy that broke Soraya’s heart, is also in Italy and Soraya is planning on meeting up with him. She thinks she’ll have it all! Hang out with her friends during the day, Wes at night, and walk away as Wes’ girlfriend. Things don’t always go as planned, including Nico, the cute Italian guy whose family runs the B&B where the girls are staying.
This was a very fun read. It was especially fun for me because we honeymooned all around Italy and I could easily place myself in the scenes of this book. I really loved the friendship among the girls, they really seemed to care and be there for each other. I could see how Soraya could be annoying, but I think it’s important to remember that she’s just graduated high school, so in reality, she really was just like a girl her age – overthinking and obsessed with things.
Nico was the best. He cared so much about his mother and his family’s business. He’s a good guy. He’s also very sweet, hard working, and thoughtful. It took a moment for Soraya to get there. I loved the ending and I hope that we’ll see these characters again!
This was a very fun read. It was especially fun for me because we honeymooned all around Italy and I could easily place myself in the scenes of this book. I really loved the friendship among the girls, they really seemed to care and be there for each other. I could see how Soraya could be annoying, but I think it’s important to remember that she’s just graduated high school, so in reality, she really was just like a girl her age – overthinking and obsessed with things.
Nico was the best. He cared so much about his mother and his family’s business. He’s a good guy. He’s also very sweet, hard working, and thoughtful. It took a moment for Soraya to get there. I loved the ending and I hope that we’ll see these characters again!
May 24, 2026
I received an advance physical copy from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Soraya is going on a graduation trip for the summer with her best two girl friends. They plan to tour Europe, starting in Italy, which happens to be where her ex is vacationing. Soraya finds herself in a bit of a love triangle, between her ex, and the boy who works at the hotel where she is staying.
This was a cute summer romance. It moves quickly and I was able to finish it in one sitting. The pacing was a bit off for me and I wish the ending had been a bit more resolved (and realistic).
This novel did teeter the line of being YA, I think a New Adult labelling would have been more fitting with some of the sexual content near the middle and end. While not super explicit, it didn’t fade to black.
Soraya is going on a graduation trip for the summer with her best two girl friends. They plan to tour Europe, starting in Italy, which happens to be where her ex is vacationing. Soraya finds herself in a bit of a love triangle, between her ex, and the boy who works at the hotel where she is staying.
This was a cute summer romance. It moves quickly and I was able to finish it in one sitting. The pacing was a bit off for me and I wish the ending had been a bit more resolved (and realistic).
This novel did teeter the line of being YA, I think a New Adult labelling would have been more fitting with some of the sexual content near the middle and end. While not super explicit, it didn’t fade to black.
May 25, 2026
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC of this book.
Fans of Jenny Han and Lynn Painter, put this YA gem in your tbr!
Oh My Affogato is a delightful summer read about three friends traveling through Europe the summer after graduation. This book follows the first few weeks of their trip in Italy, and it's Sora's story.
Sora's senior year of high school didn't go as planned. Between her on-again, off-again relationship with Wes and not getting into an out-of-state school, she's feeling rudderless.
After some forcing of plans, she's made her trip to Italy line up with Wes's trip. But nothing about the trip feels carefree once they arrive. Fortunately, the son of the hotel owner, Nico, is her knight in shining armor.
This book was just a really fun, light read. I've been to Italy several times and always enjoy reading books that transport me back there.
Sora was a lovely character and really captured the intensity of being a teen with love problems... very relatable 🤣 I appreciated her character growth at the end of the book. My only complaint is that I wish I had gotten to read more of their trip.
Fans of Jenny Han and Lynn Painter, put this YA gem in your tbr!
Oh My Affogato is a delightful summer read about three friends traveling through Europe the summer after graduation. This book follows the first few weeks of their trip in Italy, and it's Sora's story.
Sora's senior year of high school didn't go as planned. Between her on-again, off-again relationship with Wes and not getting into an out-of-state school, she's feeling rudderless.
After some forcing of plans, she's made her trip to Italy line up with Wes's trip. But nothing about the trip feels carefree once they arrive. Fortunately, the son of the hotel owner, Nico, is her knight in shining armor.
This book was just a really fun, light read. I've been to Italy several times and always enjoy reading books that transport me back there.
Sora was a lovely character and really captured the intensity of being a teen with love problems... very relatable 🤣 I appreciated her character growth at the end of the book. My only complaint is that I wish I had gotten to read more of their trip.
July 13, 2026
⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Vacationship: Oh My Affogato! was a fun, lighthearted read with gorgeous Italian scenery that made me want to book a trip immediately. I loved the vacation vibes, the delicious food references, and the charming cast of characters. The story had some sweet moments and plenty of humor, but I found myself wanting a little more depth and stronger character development to fully connect with everyone.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, feel good romance that was easy to read and perfect if you’re looking for a cute escape. A solid 3-star read for me good, entertaining, and worth picking up, even if it didn’t completely wow me. 🇮🇹☕💕
Vacationship: Oh My Affogato! was a fun, lighthearted read with gorgeous Italian scenery that made me want to book a trip immediately. I loved the vacation vibes, the delicious food references, and the charming cast of characters. The story had some sweet moments and plenty of humor, but I found myself wanting a little more depth and stronger character development to fully connect with everyone.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, feel good romance that was easy to read and perfect if you’re looking for a cute escape. A solid 3-star read for me good, entertaining, and worth picking up, even if it didn’t completely wow me. 🇮🇹☕💕
March 8, 2026
This was such a cute and fun read! Brought me right back to when I was getting ready to leave for college. It also gave Lizzie McGuire movie vibes in the best way possible! I wish that the book was a little longer to dive deeper into Sora’s friendships more and to have even more time with Nico. I would recommend this book!
May 8, 2026
A sweet YA summer romance set on the Amalfi Coast of Italy that has one American teenage girl torn between her ex boyfriend and the new local boy who drives her crazy. Lighthearted, romantic, full of fun times in Italy and perfect for fans of authors like Jenna Evans Welch. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2026
This was horrible. She was so boy crazy it drived me insane.
July 6, 2026
What a disgrace to the beautiful Affogato
May 8, 2026
Super cute! Easy read! Loved it! :)
July 5, 2026
“ this place is gorgeous but it wouldn’t have half its magic if it wasn’t for you”.
Such a sweet cute summer romance 🥰 makes me want to go to Italy 💗📖🌊🍝
Such a sweet cute summer romance 🥰 makes me want to go to Italy 💗📖🌊🍝
March 28, 2026
Review of Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley
This one took me back to how *big* everything felt when you’re 18 and fresh out of high-school! Sora’s growth throughout this book is so relatable as well as the friendships she makes on the way. “Oh My Affogato!” really has a way to transport you to the Amalfi Coast.
This one took me back to how *big* everything felt when you’re 18 and fresh out of high-school! Sora’s growth throughout this book is so relatable as well as the friendships she makes on the way. “Oh My Affogato!” really has a way to transport you to the Amalfi Coast.
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July 14, 2026arc free copy
July 4, 2026
The most perfect book to read while aboard a Mediterranean cruise.
June 25, 2026
This was the perfect vacation read. I’ll keep the memories of reading this sweet story on the beach! The book is packed with young adult lessons and growing in friendship + a little romance. Loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Donna Ghorbanpoor, Daphne Ang, Liz Parkes (Illustrator)
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 (Paperback edition)
272 pages
Full review available here: https://prairiefoxreads.blogspot.com/...
Disclaimer: This is a pre-release review based on the review copy provided by the publisher and publicly available bibliographic data.
Overview
Oh My Affogato! blends rom-com energy with travel vibes and graphic novel flair. Described as a modern mash-up of Love & Gelato and Emily in Paris, the book follows Soraya (Sora), a high-spirited recent high school graduate who headlong chases a “sure thing” romance with her on-again-off-again boyfriend Wes during a graduation trip to Italy. Under the sunny Italian backdrop, Sora’s plan to upgrade her love life—and her status among friends—collides with real-life drama, secrets, and a sweet, wholesome Italian boy whose family runs a bed-and-breakfast. The result promises a breezy, witty, modern YA graphic novel about love, friendship, missteps, and the unpredictability of vacations turning into moments of real growth.
Objective Criteria and Scores (1 = poor, 5 = excellent)
Clarity of Core Premise: 4/5
Evidence: The premise—an impulsive vacation romance driven by a desire to lock in a relationship while navigating friend dynamics and new affection—comes through clearly. The blend of travel-tinged escapism and relationship ambition is appealing, though the tonal balance between comedy and earnest growth will determine how sharply the book lands for readers.
Organization / Structure: 4/5
Evidence: As a graphic novel-length narrative (272 pages), the structure supports brisk pacing with episodic beats: plan, misstep, miscommunication, and a resolution arc. The Italian setting offers a natural rhythm for chapters/sections, though the optimal success hinges on how smoothly the romantic and friendship threads are percieved by readers to intertwine in panels.
Depth of Characterization: 3.5/5
Evidence: Soraya’s ambitions and emotional arc prime a relatable YA journey—learning to read signals, manage expectations, and grow beyond the idea of “sure things.” Given the pre-release nature, reader depth depends on how the supporting cast (friends, Wes, the B&B family) is further developed and how Sora negotiates growth versus self-protective behavior in potential follow up editions.
Pacing & Narrative Drive: 4/5
Evidence: The travel setting and light, spunky voice provide energetic pacing with humorous banter and romantic tension. The real test will be whether moments of introspection balance the high-energy crush scenes to sustain momentum across the entire book.
Prose & Visual Style: 4/5
Evidence: As a graphic novel, visuals are central to storytelling—character expressions, color palette, panel layout, and scenery will carry much of the emotional weight. The tone indicates a contemporary, witty voice accompanied by engaging artwork, which should appeal to the YA audience.
Originality: 3.5/5
Evidence: The combination of a summer-rom-com vacation plot with a graphic novel format sits within popular YA trends. The Italy setting and B&B backdrop provide fresh locale flavor, but the core beats echo familiar rom-com and travel-novel territory. The execution and freshness will show in character nuance and panel-level storytelling choices.
Inclusivity & Accessibility: 4/5
Evidence: The premise centers on teenage romance and self-discovery, a familiar entry point for diverse YA readers. Clarity of mood and humor should be accessible to a broad audience.
Series Potential & Readiness for Continuation: 3.5/5
Evidence: While this is pitched as a standalone-feeling story, the YA romance travel dynamic and setting could seed sequels or further adventures in a similar vibe. The strength of character threads and world-building will influence future installments.
Aggregate and Overall Rating
Mean score across objective criteria (eight categories): 3.93/5
Rounded overall rating: 4.0 out of 5
Assessment Summary
Oh My Affogato! is positioned to charm readers who enjoy lighthearted, sun-soaked romantic escapades told through graphic storytelling. The Italy backdrop and the promise of a witty, modern voice provide a breezy, palate-pleasing read for fans of travel romance and YA contemporary graphic novels. The pre-release framing acknowledges a potential for delightful humor, heartfelt growth, and visually dynamic pages that could translate into strong classroom or library appeal for middle-to-upper teen audiences. Readers looking for a spirited, relationship-forward graphic novel with vacation vibes should keep an eye out for this one when it releases.
How I would describe Oh My Affogato!:
A bubbly, sun-drenched YA graphic novel about love, friendship, and the chaos that happens when plans go off-script in Italy.
A modern romance for readers who crave witty banter, relatable crushes, and a vacation twist that changes everything.
Beautifully illustrated with a playful, chic vibe that captures the drama and humor of teenage love on the Amalfi Coast.
Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, travel-lit vibes, and graphic novels seeking stylish, zippy storytelling.
A chic, page-turning YA graphic novel about love, plans, and growth set against the Amalfi Coast.
Sun, sea, and surprises: Oh My Affogato! serves up love and laughs in a stylish graphic novel.
A breezy, discussion-ready YA title about self-discovery, relationships, and following your heart on a dream vacation.
Bibliographic Note
Oh My Affogato! A Graphic Novel. Donna Ghorbanpoor, Daphne Ang, with illustrations by Liz Parkes. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 (Paperback edition). 272 pages. Language: English. ISBN: 9781665989671.
Rating: ★★★ 3.93 / 5
- Prairie Fox 🦊📖
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 (Paperback edition)
272 pages
Full review available here: https://prairiefoxreads.blogspot.com/...
Disclaimer: This is a pre-release review based on the review copy provided by the publisher and publicly available bibliographic data.
Overview
Oh My Affogato! blends rom-com energy with travel vibes and graphic novel flair. Described as a modern mash-up of Love & Gelato and Emily in Paris, the book follows Soraya (Sora), a high-spirited recent high school graduate who headlong chases a “sure thing” romance with her on-again-off-again boyfriend Wes during a graduation trip to Italy. Under the sunny Italian backdrop, Sora’s plan to upgrade her love life—and her status among friends—collides with real-life drama, secrets, and a sweet, wholesome Italian boy whose family runs a bed-and-breakfast. The result promises a breezy, witty, modern YA graphic novel about love, friendship, missteps, and the unpredictability of vacations turning into moments of real growth.
Objective Criteria and Scores (1 = poor, 5 = excellent)
Clarity of Core Premise: 4/5
Evidence: The premise—an impulsive vacation romance driven by a desire to lock in a relationship while navigating friend dynamics and new affection—comes through clearly. The blend of travel-tinged escapism and relationship ambition is appealing, though the tonal balance between comedy and earnest growth will determine how sharply the book lands for readers.
Organization / Structure: 4/5
Evidence: As a graphic novel-length narrative (272 pages), the structure supports brisk pacing with episodic beats: plan, misstep, miscommunication, and a resolution arc. The Italian setting offers a natural rhythm for chapters/sections, though the optimal success hinges on how smoothly the romantic and friendship threads are percieved by readers to intertwine in panels.
Depth of Characterization: 3.5/5
Evidence: Soraya’s ambitions and emotional arc prime a relatable YA journey—learning to read signals, manage expectations, and grow beyond the idea of “sure things.” Given the pre-release nature, reader depth depends on how the supporting cast (friends, Wes, the B&B family) is further developed and how Sora negotiates growth versus self-protective behavior in potential follow up editions.
Pacing & Narrative Drive: 4/5
Evidence: The travel setting and light, spunky voice provide energetic pacing with humorous banter and romantic tension. The real test will be whether moments of introspection balance the high-energy crush scenes to sustain momentum across the entire book.
Prose & Visual Style: 4/5
Evidence: As a graphic novel, visuals are central to storytelling—character expressions, color palette, panel layout, and scenery will carry much of the emotional weight. The tone indicates a contemporary, witty voice accompanied by engaging artwork, which should appeal to the YA audience.
Originality: 3.5/5
Evidence: The combination of a summer-rom-com vacation plot with a graphic novel format sits within popular YA trends. The Italy setting and B&B backdrop provide fresh locale flavor, but the core beats echo familiar rom-com and travel-novel territory. The execution and freshness will show in character nuance and panel-level storytelling choices.
Inclusivity & Accessibility: 4/5
Evidence: The premise centers on teenage romance and self-discovery, a familiar entry point for diverse YA readers. Clarity of mood and humor should be accessible to a broad audience.
Series Potential & Readiness for Continuation: 3.5/5
Evidence: While this is pitched as a standalone-feeling story, the YA romance travel dynamic and setting could seed sequels or further adventures in a similar vibe. The strength of character threads and world-building will influence future installments.
Aggregate and Overall Rating
Mean score across objective criteria (eight categories): 3.93/5
Rounded overall rating: 4.0 out of 5
Assessment Summary
Oh My Affogato! is positioned to charm readers who enjoy lighthearted, sun-soaked romantic escapades told through graphic storytelling. The Italy backdrop and the promise of a witty, modern voice provide a breezy, palate-pleasing read for fans of travel romance and YA contemporary graphic novels. The pre-release framing acknowledges a potential for delightful humor, heartfelt growth, and visually dynamic pages that could translate into strong classroom or library appeal for middle-to-upper teen audiences. Readers looking for a spirited, relationship-forward graphic novel with vacation vibes should keep an eye out for this one when it releases.
How I would describe Oh My Affogato!:
A bubbly, sun-drenched YA graphic novel about love, friendship, and the chaos that happens when plans go off-script in Italy.
A modern romance for readers who crave witty banter, relatable crushes, and a vacation twist that changes everything.
Beautifully illustrated with a playful, chic vibe that captures the drama and humor of teenage love on the Amalfi Coast.
Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, travel-lit vibes, and graphic novels seeking stylish, zippy storytelling.
A chic, page-turning YA graphic novel about love, plans, and growth set against the Amalfi Coast.
Sun, sea, and surprises: Oh My Affogato! serves up love and laughs in a stylish graphic novel.
A breezy, discussion-ready YA title about self-discovery, relationships, and following your heart on a dream vacation.
Bibliographic Note
Oh My Affogato! A Graphic Novel. Donna Ghorbanpoor, Daphne Ang, with illustrations by Liz Parkes. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 (Paperback edition). 272 pages. Language: English. ISBN: 9781665989671.
Rating: ★★★ 3.93 / 5
- Prairie Fox 🦊📖
June 9, 2026
Soraya and her friends have graduated from high school and soon will be going their own ways, Anya and Mari both going out of state for college. But Sora wanted to have an amazing summer first, starting with a trip to the Amalfi Coast. And if by some chance the boy of her dreams is also in the area, on vacation with his friends, well, so much the better.
Sora had been crushing on Wes Mason for a long time. They dated some before he went off to Armstrong, and Sora had to spend her senior year without him. But now she’s been accepted at Armstrong too, so they can be together for real in the fall. And in the meantime, since his trip with his fraternity brothers happened to coincide with her trip with her friends, they can sneak in some time together on the Amalfi Coast.
Sora is a little disappointed in their hotel, Santa Angelica, because she was expecting a five-star hotel. But when the young man who checks them in, Nico, explains that they have 5 stars in service and apologizes for the renovations that are in progress, Sora relents a little. It’s a small family-run hotel, just Nico and his mother, but they do offer a golden hours affogato bar, where guests can enjoy homemade vanilla gelato with espresso poured over it on the terrace. And when they get to their room and open the curtains to the Mediterranean, she forgives Nico even more.
As Sora’s friends fall asleep in their room from the journey there, Sora sneaks out to spend time with Wes. She has a magical night, dancing and drinking and meeting his friends. She’s so happy that it’s real this time, that they’re both ready for the relationship.
As the days slip by, Sora spends her days with her besties and her nights with Wes. They only have 2 weeks together on the Amalfi Coast before their trips take them in different directions. Nico helps the girls find some great spots in town, but Mari and Anya notice that Sora is distracted. And once Wes lets Sora down, again, she finds that she’s let her friends down too. They still have a lot of their trip left, the weeks in Spain and France yet to come, so she needs to figure out how to make it up to them. It will take all of Sora’s wits to turn things around and save the rest of her summer.
Oh My AffogatoI is a fun, sandy, sunny, fishy trip to Italy that readers can take from anywhere. It’s a powerful story of friendship but also a sweet love story. It’s about the mistakes we make when we’re young and how we have the power to turn them around. I had a lot of fun with this book, especially since I’m not going to have a chance to go to Italy soon. I loved hearing about the beauty of the area as well as the food and culture of the area. It felt like a mini-trip for me, perfect for summer reading.
Egalleys for Oh My Affogato! were provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.
Sora had been crushing on Wes Mason for a long time. They dated some before he went off to Armstrong, and Sora had to spend her senior year without him. But now she’s been accepted at Armstrong too, so they can be together for real in the fall. And in the meantime, since his trip with his fraternity brothers happened to coincide with her trip with her friends, they can sneak in some time together on the Amalfi Coast.
Sora is a little disappointed in their hotel, Santa Angelica, because she was expecting a five-star hotel. But when the young man who checks them in, Nico, explains that they have 5 stars in service and apologizes for the renovations that are in progress, Sora relents a little. It’s a small family-run hotel, just Nico and his mother, but they do offer a golden hours affogato bar, where guests can enjoy homemade vanilla gelato with espresso poured over it on the terrace. And when they get to their room and open the curtains to the Mediterranean, she forgives Nico even more.
As Sora’s friends fall asleep in their room from the journey there, Sora sneaks out to spend time with Wes. She has a magical night, dancing and drinking and meeting his friends. She’s so happy that it’s real this time, that they’re both ready for the relationship.
As the days slip by, Sora spends her days with her besties and her nights with Wes. They only have 2 weeks together on the Amalfi Coast before their trips take them in different directions. Nico helps the girls find some great spots in town, but Mari and Anya notice that Sora is distracted. And once Wes lets Sora down, again, she finds that she’s let her friends down too. They still have a lot of their trip left, the weeks in Spain and France yet to come, so she needs to figure out how to make it up to them. It will take all of Sora’s wits to turn things around and save the rest of her summer.
Oh My AffogatoI is a fun, sandy, sunny, fishy trip to Italy that readers can take from anywhere. It’s a powerful story of friendship but also a sweet love story. It’s about the mistakes we make when we’re young and how we have the power to turn them around. I had a lot of fun with this book, especially since I’m not going to have a chance to go to Italy soon. I loved hearing about the beauty of the area as well as the food and culture of the area. It felt like a mini-trip for me, perfect for summer reading.
Egalleys for Oh My Affogato! were provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: Oh My Affogato!
Authors, Illustrator: Daphne Ang, Donna Ghorbanpoor, Liz Parkes
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary/Romance
Series: Vacationship, book one
Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
I read a review copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers–my deep thanks to both!
I’ve been discovering that in between my dark and fantasy reads, I’ve been gravitating towards contemporary books. I love books that remind me of summer, and this book perfectly fit the bill! It wasn’t perfect, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed it! I loved the premise, and especially the setting: Italy felt like a character all of its own. I just finished this book yesterday, and I’m still smiling because of it. It was fun, silly, and light, but it still had great character development and growth for its main character, Soraya. It really felt authentic, but still light and breezy.
Soraya, a boy crazy teen, is so close to getting the boy of her dreams, she can taste it. When she hears he’s going to Italy, she decides to make that the first stop on her international trip, she shares with two friends, Mari and Anya. Right when they get there, things begin to go wrong: their luxury hotel is more of a hole in the wall, and things with Wes quickly become derailed. Desperate to make it work with Wes, Soraya becomes so consumed that she nearly misses who is right in front of her: Nico, the son of the hotel they’re staying at. Will Soraya get her priorities straight or will she miss everything that is right in front of her?
This book was really cute! I loved Soraya’s voice, even though her boy crazy ways drove me a little crazy. The pacing was fast but smooth, and Italy felt like a character on its own; I was absolutely transfixed. I could almost taste the gelato and feel the sunshine on my face. Despite its flaws, I really liked the book and the way Soraya grew as a person and as a friend. I loved Anya and Mari, and Wes was the typical frat boy who cared about little except himself; he was so well-drawn, I really didn’t like him by the end of the book. Nico was one of my favorite parts of the book, I loved seeing him bond with Soraya and Mari and Anya. And that ending! It was so perfect. I hope this book is a series, because I’d gladly read the sequel! The bottom line: As rich and sweet as a cup of homemade gelato, I loved Oh My Affogato!
https://literatureobsessed.blogspot.c...
Authors, Illustrator: Daphne Ang, Donna Ghorbanpoor, Liz Parkes
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary/Romance
Series: Vacationship, book one
Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
I read a review copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers–my deep thanks to both!
I’ve been discovering that in between my dark and fantasy reads, I’ve been gravitating towards contemporary books. I love books that remind me of summer, and this book perfectly fit the bill! It wasn’t perfect, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed it! I loved the premise, and especially the setting: Italy felt like a character all of its own. I just finished this book yesterday, and I’m still smiling because of it. It was fun, silly, and light, but it still had great character development and growth for its main character, Soraya. It really felt authentic, but still light and breezy.
Soraya, a boy crazy teen, is so close to getting the boy of her dreams, she can taste it. When she hears he’s going to Italy, she decides to make that the first stop on her international trip, she shares with two friends, Mari and Anya. Right when they get there, things begin to go wrong: their luxury hotel is more of a hole in the wall, and things with Wes quickly become derailed. Desperate to make it work with Wes, Soraya becomes so consumed that she nearly misses who is right in front of her: Nico, the son of the hotel they’re staying at. Will Soraya get her priorities straight or will she miss everything that is right in front of her?
This book was really cute! I loved Soraya’s voice, even though her boy crazy ways drove me a little crazy. The pacing was fast but smooth, and Italy felt like a character on its own; I was absolutely transfixed. I could almost taste the gelato and feel the sunshine on my face. Despite its flaws, I really liked the book and the way Soraya grew as a person and as a friend. I loved Anya and Mari, and Wes was the typical frat boy who cared about little except himself; he was so well-drawn, I really didn’t like him by the end of the book. Nico was one of my favorite parts of the book, I loved seeing him bond with Soraya and Mari and Anya. And that ending! It was so perfect. I hope this book is a series, because I’d gladly read the sequel! The bottom line: As rich and sweet as a cup of homemade gelato, I loved Oh My Affogato!
https://literatureobsessed.blogspot.c...
June 2, 2026
1 ⭐️
The premise sounded really good but the FMC was just so unlikeable that it made the entirety of the book difficult to get through. Sora is 18 so I understand that there should be naive behavior but this took it much further. The blatant lying and manipulation of her friends was only the tip of the iceberg while underneath it was also jealousy and resentment towards them for having a different plan. The ‘romance’ aspect wasn’t much better. Sora pined after Wes who right from the beginning had no personality of any kind outside of being a frat bro, there was nothing to give the reader a glimpse into why she would be obsessing over becoming his girlfriend so badly she’s be sneaking off every night. The whole thing was just there to be there. Then when she realizes Wes isn’t that great she immediately flips to the secondary romance which also doesn’t have much to it. Her inly prior thoughts about the new love interest was that he could be a potential murderer but oh he’s also cute. It lacked any type of depth or real connection.
I’m also shocked that the book would have the recommended age group on the back listed 14+ when there is on page sexually activity. I always believe that teenagers shouldn’t be sheltered in literature but I do also believe that full disclosure should be had prior. This book has been heavily advertised as a YA romance. It wasn’t till I had already purchased that I saw something online about it being fade to black but it was in no way fade to black. They skinny dip together where she wonders how much he can see, how he rubs his hand in between her legs, he kisses and sucks her nipples into his mouth, he gets a condom to ‘roll on’ and then the description of how she feels him and that they both eventually fall over the edge. She even says something about making love to him later in the paragraph. This is absolutely not fade to black. Is it the same as adult contemporary romance? No. But it should be addressed somewhere in the beginning of the book that it does in fact have sexual activity before some unsuspecting 12/13 year old picks this up thinking it’s a cute little summer romance. This is exactly why publishers need to start categorizing under NA (New Adult) to avoid these issues.
The premise sounded really good but the FMC was just so unlikeable that it made the entirety of the book difficult to get through. Sora is 18 so I understand that there should be naive behavior but this took it much further. The blatant lying and manipulation of her friends was only the tip of the iceberg while underneath it was also jealousy and resentment towards them for having a different plan. The ‘romance’ aspect wasn’t much better. Sora pined after Wes who right from the beginning had no personality of any kind outside of being a frat bro, there was nothing to give the reader a glimpse into why she would be obsessing over becoming his girlfriend so badly she’s be sneaking off every night. The whole thing was just there to be there. Then when she realizes Wes isn’t that great she immediately flips to the secondary romance which also doesn’t have much to it. Her inly prior thoughts about the new love interest was that he could be a potential murderer but oh he’s also cute. It lacked any type of depth or real connection.
I’m also shocked that the book would have the recommended age group on the back listed 14+ when there is on page sexually activity. I always believe that teenagers shouldn’t be sheltered in literature but I do also believe that full disclosure should be had prior. This book has been heavily advertised as a YA romance. It wasn’t till I had already purchased that I saw something online about it being fade to black but it was in no way fade to black. They skinny dip together where she wonders how much he can see, how he rubs his hand in between her legs, he kisses and sucks her nipples into his mouth, he gets a condom to ‘roll on’ and then the description of how she feels him and that they both eventually fall over the edge. She even says something about making love to him later in the paragraph. This is absolutely not fade to black. Is it the same as adult contemporary romance? No. But it should be addressed somewhere in the beginning of the book that it does in fact have sexual activity before some unsuspecting 12/13 year old picks this up thinking it’s a cute little summer romance. This is exactly why publishers need to start categorizing under NA (New Adult) to avoid these issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2026
Read a free ARC from NetGalley.
Soraya has planned a great summer trip for her and her friends Marisol and Anya. Marisol and Anya will be heading off to college and Soraya will be staying in their home town as she did not get into the schools she wanted. They start on the Amalfi Coast in Italy at the Santa Angelica hotel. It's not exactly the hotel they pictured, but the view is beautiful and the hotel owner's son, Nico, is handsome, kind and has great suggestions about things that interest them. The one thing to mess with the girls' perfect summer plans - Soraya's ex Wes, who constantly leads her on and who is vacationing on the Amalfi Coast in the same area. Soraya secretly knew Wes would be there, didn't tell her friends, and convinced them to start their trip there all in the hopes that she could get back together with Wes. They inevitably find out about Wes and are angry at Soraya for lying to them. While Anya and Marisol are angry, Soraya spends time with Nico, who is the kind of boy she should be interested in. The more time she spends with him, the more she likes him. She just isn't sure if he would be interested in her. Will her friends forgive her for lying to them? Will she and Nico be more than friends? Will terrible Wes stop messing with her heart and go away? (Hopefully yes to all three.)
I thought it was a fun YA beach read.
Note: There is a sex scene near the end of the book, so if you are thinking about recommending it, be aware.
Soraya has planned a great summer trip for her and her friends Marisol and Anya. Marisol and Anya will be heading off to college and Soraya will be staying in their home town as she did not get into the schools she wanted. They start on the Amalfi Coast in Italy at the Santa Angelica hotel. It's not exactly the hotel they pictured, but the view is beautiful and the hotel owner's son, Nico, is handsome, kind and has great suggestions about things that interest them. The one thing to mess with the girls' perfect summer plans - Soraya's ex Wes, who constantly leads her on and who is vacationing on the Amalfi Coast in the same area. Soraya secretly knew Wes would be there, didn't tell her friends, and convinced them to start their trip there all in the hopes that she could get back together with Wes. They inevitably find out about Wes and are angry at Soraya for lying to them. While Anya and Marisol are angry, Soraya spends time with Nico, who is the kind of boy she should be interested in. The more time she spends with him, the more she likes him. She just isn't sure if he would be interested in her. Will her friends forgive her for lying to them? Will she and Nico be more than friends? Will terrible Wes stop messing with her heart and go away? (Hopefully yes to all three.)
I thought it was a fun YA beach read.
Note: There is a sex scene near the end of the book, so if you are thinking about recommending it, be aware.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh My Affogato! Is a charming and sweet YA romance with the dreamiest backdrop. This book truly made me want to take a trip to Italy. The setting really came alive, the descriptions were so descriptive and vivid. This is definitely a great escapist read to be transported to the Mediterranean and the beach. It's an easy read, the pace is nice and moves along quite quickly. The vacation and setting were truly the highlight of this novel. I also feel like this book should be marketed more towards NA audiences as there are things I wouldn't feel comfortable with younger readers reading and towards the end it gets spicy and very inappropriate to YA readers. I feel the marketing of books needs to be taken into consideration more.
Soraya is a very unlikable FMC which makes it really hard to root for her. She is immature, a little annoying and very self centered. I don't feel she had a full redemption or experienced full emotional growth by the end. I did enjoy the friendship between the 3 girls, they definitely all had their flaws in it but I felt like they all cared for one another. The Italian boy Nico was so sweet, charming and kind. For me I just didn't feel their connection to be honest, it just didn't work for me.
Overall, this is a good beach read that is fun and fast to read. It definitely has its flaws but the setting does make up for it in a way.
✨️ Thank you to @simonschusterca & Donna Ghorbanpoor for my gifted ARC.
Soraya is a very unlikable FMC which makes it really hard to root for her. She is immature, a little annoying and very self centered. I don't feel she had a full redemption or experienced full emotional growth by the end. I did enjoy the friendship between the 3 girls, they definitely all had their flaws in it but I felt like they all cared for one another. The Italian boy Nico was so sweet, charming and kind. For me I just didn't feel their connection to be honest, it just didn't work for me.
Overall, this is a good beach read that is fun and fast to read. It definitely has its flaws but the setting does make up for it in a way.
✨️ Thank you to @simonschusterca & Donna Ghorbanpoor for my gifted ARC.
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