Mad Cave Studios has announced the latest addition to the Maverick imprint of Young Adult Story. The beat has all the details. College Try, which will debut next winter, is a strange and magical rom-com, tinged with early nostalgia. The book is written by Olivia Quartero Briggs, painted by Roberta Ingranata, colored by Warnia Sahadeva and written by Jodie Troutman.
“The hopeless forties hope to reunite with her college ex-boyfriend is shattered when he publicly proclaims his love for his fellow alumni. However, through the twist of magical fate, she is given the opportunity to go back to time and correct what went wrong.”
“College Try is a very fun, magical, rom com, but the story is also deeply personal. There are questions left from what we all have in our lives, and the choices we made because we were too young to know. Cuartero-Briggs said. “The university’s attempts hope that ourselves, and all the readers of great graphic novels there, knowing that it is never too late to see beyond the expectations of everyone else and find ourselves and that great love.”
Ingranata said, “This story really reached me for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it’s a fictional version of what we all want. It shows that the opportunity to follow our steps and change our minds about our lives is not the final one.
“Secondly, and just as importantly, we are always reminded that we can be the best version of ourselves, and that version often emerges when our focus shifts from ourselves to others. I think the quote from Ritalevi Montarsini fits perfectly here. It’s one of the many quotes I cherish, and I think this story captures its essence beautifully,” she continued.
According to Lauren Hitzhusen, senior editor at Maverick, “This fun and entertaining retro Rom-Com is a perfect addition to the family of queer YA stories. The College Try Team can’t wait to come out into the world, telling a truly unique and entertaining story with a true heart and passion!”
College Try will be available anywhere the book will be on sale on February 17th, 2026. Pre-orders are currently available.
