Ciao Bella! cover art

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

Kate Langbroek’s deliciously funny, irreverent, and inspiring memoir about moving to Bologna with her family to seek la dolce vita is a glorious reminder of what we can learn from the Italians about living life to the fullest - and what really matters when the world goes to hell in a handbasket.

"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 well inside 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, irreverent, inspiring, 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Kate Langbroek (P)2021 Simon & Schuster Australia
Women Italy Funny Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Italy Memoirs

What listeners say about Ciao Bella!

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Best audio book I’ve listened to

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!

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Malto Fantastico!

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.

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Fabulous read!

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

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A must listen to....

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

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

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.

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Outstanding!

Very well written and narrated, and very personable story. Felt as if there in person. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you!

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A MUST READ!!!

I understand why Kate has had such a successful career in radio, I could listen to her all day! Such a wonderful book, I laughed, I cried and I was starving - don't read/listen on an empty stomach. Transported me back to our own wonderful travels in Italy.

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A Delight from Beginning to End

I absolutely loved everything about this book .... my favourite for 2021.
Thank you so much Kate for writing such a wonderfully entertaining and heart-warming treasure of a book. Didn't want it to end.
Great narration as well. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it

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Loved it!!

Reading this book was such a great escape, it is well written, I absolutely loved it.

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Belly laughs and tears

Brilliantly narrated. Vividly descriptive, heart-warming and honest - living a big life warts and all. I adored this book.

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