When Love Gives You Lemons
By (Author) Steven Salvatore
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Bloomsbury YA
30th September 2025
United States
Young Adult
Fiction
Hardback
384
Width 140mm, Height 210mm
In this exuberant YA romance from the critically acclaimed author of And They Lived..., a budding social media influencer sets out to win back his first love at a family wedding in an Italian lemon grove.
Ever since he was a kid, Fielder Lemons large, opinionated Italian-American family has lived next to Ricky DeLuca and his large, opinionated Italian-American family. For almost as long, Fielder has known that he wants to marry Ricky one day. And he thought Ricky felt the same wayuntil Ricky breaks up with Fielder, saying he needs to figure out who he is on his own.
One year later, Fielder is asked to be one of the best men in his cousin's destination wedding on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, but there's a twist: his cousin is marrying Rickys sister. Fielder hasnt talked to or seen Ricky once during the last entire, terrible year, but he hasnt given up on his first love quite yetand isn't a wedding in an Italian lemon grove the perfect setting to rekindle their relationship Except Ricky might have already moved on.
Now, Fielder has less than a week to win back Rickys heart while also trying not to ruin his cousins wedding. But if there's one thing Fielder knows, it's that when life gives you lemons, take a bite!
It's love at first read with WHEN LOVE GIVES YOU LEMONS! With nuanced characters that instantly make you feel like family, a setting as gorgeous as the lemon groves of Amalfi, and a romance as satisfying as a plate of perfect pasta, Steven Salvatore has delivered once again! * Jason June, New York Times bestselling author *
Steven Salvatore is an incredible voice in queer YA, and WHEN LOVE GIVES YOU LEMONS is no exception. As perfect as a sun-drenched, windswept southern Italian summer! * SHER LEE, author of FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES *
Zesty and sweet as an Amalfi lemon, you'll scheme and swoon for this juicy romance! You'll swoon for the Amalfi Coast, the smell of fresh citrus mixed with sea, and Ricky, as Fielder works to win back the love of his life. * Bill Konigsberg, Award-winning author of OPENLY STRAIGHT and THE MUSIC OF WHAT HAPPENS *
Salvatore delivers a witty, fourth-wall-breaking romcom told with heart traversing the scenic Italian coast and the rocky terrain of first loves - a refreshing, tongue-in-cheek novel that's all sweet and no sour! * Matthew Hubbard, author of The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge *
Steven Salvatore writes complicated love stories with such sincerity, thoughtfulness, and emotional resonance. My heart didn't stand a chance-I loved it from once upon a time all the way to its joyfully complex ever after. * New York Times bestselling author Becky Albertalli on AND THEY LIVED *
*This charming, joyful story-about self-love, fighting for what's right, and the love to be found in chosen family-will make you want to put on a pair of red heels and blast Mariah Carey. * Booklist, starred review, on CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY *
Steven Salvatore is a chaos agent whose obsessions include exploring Italy, being Italian (Sicilian, not Italian-American!), and having and then dissecting existential crises. For twelve years, he was a studied, accomplished writing professor having held many positions within higher education spheres; though still teaching, he's now an academic advisor at Manhattanville University. He is also a book coach with an MFA in creative writing. He currently lives somewhere with his amazing husband Chris. He is the author of And They Lived, Can't Take That Away, and No Perfect Places. www.stevensalvatore.com @stevensalvatorebooks