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Ciao Bella!

Six Take Italy

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Ciao Bella!

By: Kate Langbroek
Narrated by: Kate Langbroek
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About this listen

 Host of Mamamia’s No Filter Kate Langbroek tells all in this deliciously funny and inspiring memoir about moving to Italy with her family to seek la dolce vita. Now including new bonus content: Kate's recipe for happiness – oh, and a recipe for the perfect Ragu alla Bolognese!

‘A wonderful story, beautifully written, filled with heart and humour’ Liane Moriarty (reviewing Ciao Bella! on 3pm Pick Up, KIIS 1065)

I wasn’t looking to fall in love. It just happened. There were moments, encounters as fleeting as feelings. Sometimes – tellingly – they emerged from chaos.

When Kate Langbroek first dreamed of moving to Italy, she imagined a magnificent sun-drenched pastiche of long lunches and wandering through cobbled laneways clutching a loaf of crusty bread and a bottle of wine, Sophia Loren-style, while handsome men called out ‘Ciao Bella!’

In the stark light of day the dream Kate shared with her husband Peter after an idyllic holiday in Italy seemed like madness. They didn’t speak Italian. They knew no one in Italy. They had four children. Kate also had the best job in the world on a top-rating radio show with her longtime friend, Dave Hughes.

But the siren song of Italy was irresistible. This would be the adventure of a lifetime, a precious opportunity to spend more time with their children – Lewis, Sunday, Artie and Jannie – and it came from a deep longing to seize life after they almost lost Lewis to leukaemia.

Ciao Bella! is about having a dream and living it as Kate shares the sublime joys and utter chaos of adapting to a new life in Bologna, what you discover about yourself when you are a stranger in a strange land, and how she fell in love. With a country.

Deliciously funny, insightful and often deeply moving, Ciao Bella! is Kate’s love letter to Italy and her family. It is also a glorious reminder of what Italians can teach us about living life to the full – and what really matters when the world goes to hell in a handbasket. Women Italy Funny Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt Italy Memoirs
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I downloaded this for a long drive home to sydney, usually I don’t seem to take much in via audio books, but this one, in Kate’s own voice, was just perfect. Funny, heartfelt, moving and with a wonderful baseline of optimism. The only (sort of) downside is I am now planning on moving my family to Italy. Thankyou Kate for your excellent company!

Best audio book I’ve listened to

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Absolutely loved this book. Kate is a brilliant story teller and what a fantastic story it is. Have listened to her for years on the radio and adore her. Funny, entertaining, inspiring and really well written. A total Gem.

Malto Fantastico!

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Didn’t want the story to end. Kate was such a great narrator - such easy listening!

Fabulous read!

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Amore every word. Simply Magnifico. Delightful. My 1st audible. Kudos Kate. ♡♡♡♡♡
You brought Italy to life for someone whom has never been there.

A must listen to....

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I’m not religious, but, GOOD LORD that was good. What a talent Kate has, to take the listener along for the journey with her and her family. Such a gifted writer and storyteller. I was a big fan anyway, but now I’m a Stan.

Wow - I feel like I’ve just spent 2 years in Italy

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