Entered in the Contemporary Romance category, the novel is now in the running for Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Winners will be announced at the end of August 2025.
The Global Book Awards celebrate standout indie and small-press titles from around the world. This marks MiLFY’s second major literary recognition. Earlier this year, The Italian Affair also won the 2025 International Firebird Book Award for Best Foodie Romance.
But for the author — whose work explores vulnerability, reinvention, and culinary intimacy — the most meaningful milestone is closer to home: seeing her book stocked locally at Tariq’s Greengrocer in Stockbridge.
“Tariq was the only one who took a chance on me,” MiLFY says. “Before the awards or press — he believed in my debut novel. Now, my book sits front and centre in his shop. That means the world to me.”
A limited number of signed paperback copies are available exclusively at Tariq’s — making the neighbourhood greengrocer not only a local gem, but the sole Edinburgh stockist of this internationally recognised romance.
Set in the lush wine country of Italy, "The Italian Affair" is a lyrical, sensually honest story about love, identity, and second chances — told through the eyes of a woman discovering that romance doesn’t end with youth. It matures with you.
“I fell in love with the food, wine, and people of Italy,” MiLFY shares. “But I also wanted to write the kind of romance no one talks about. When I first read "The Bridges of Madison County," I couldn’t stop wondering: what if Francesca rebelled and jumped into Robert Kincaid’s truck?
This is that continuation — but in Italy.