Angelo Surmelis
Angelo Surmelis has published 1 books. The recommended reading order starts with The Dangerous Art of Blending In (2018).
Angelo Surmelis is a Greek-American designer and reality TV personality who made a surprising and powerful leap into young adult fiction. Before becoming an author, he built a career in front of the camera, hosting and designing on hit shows like HGTV's 24 Hour Design, TLC's Clean Sweep, and his own Rate My Space. He also launched angelo:HOME, a successful furniture brand. Born in Greece and raised in Chicago after his family immigrated, Surmelis studied at Columbia College and even dabbled in acting, appearing on Angel and General Hospital.
In 2018, Surmelis stunned readers with The Dangerous Art of Blending In, a raw and emotionally charged novel that draws on his own immigrant experience. The story follows seventeen-year-old Evan Panos, a Greek-American teen caught between a controlling, abusive mother and an absent father, while navigating his growing feelings for his best friend Henry. The book resonated deeply for its unflinching portrayal of family trauma, identity, and the courage it takes to find your voice when silence has always felt safer.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Standalone Novels
The Dangerous Art of Blending In
Tagsyoung-adultromancechildrenliterary-fictionDescription~Lambda Literary Award finalist for the best LGBT YA novel of 2018~ A raw, powerful, but ultimately uplifting debut novel perfect for fans of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe from debut author Angelo Surmelis. Seventeen-year-old Evan Panos doesn't know where he fits in. His strict immigrant Greek mother refuses to see him as anything but a disappointment. His quiet, workaholic father is a staunch believer in avoiding any kind of conflict. And his best friend, Henry, has somehow become distractingly attractive over the summer. Tired, isolated, scared—Evan finds that his only escape is to draw in an abandoned monastery that feels as lonely as he is. And yes, he kissed one guy over the summer. But it's Henry who's now proving to be irresistible. Henry, who suddenly seems interested in being more than friends. And it's Henry who makes him believe that he deserves more than his mother's harsh words and terrifying abuse. But as things with Henry heat up, and his mother's abuse escalates, Evan has to decide how to find his voice in a world where he has survived so long by being silent. This is a powerful and revelatory coming-of-age novel based on the author's own childhood, about a boy who learns to step into his light.Publication date2018Rating—Print length—Language—Publisher—
We verified the reading order for Angelo Surmelis's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: February 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Angelo Surmelis Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://shelfandshadows.com/authors/angelo-surmelis