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Ciao, Bella
Isabelle Mackenzie always imagined herself married with kids. Instead, at 30, she's chronically single and lives alone in a cramped condo on Chicago's north side. Sure she's got her beloved bookstore and her two best friends, Cameron and Oliver, but even they can't make up for the fact that her life hasn't turned out anything like she expected. The weighing disappointment has her questioning everything she once felt certain of, including her faith in God. So when Olly and Cam secretly volunteer her for a nationally-televised makeover, Mack decides to use the opportunity to reinvent herself. What follows is an unlikely romance
with famous actor Cooper Young, a cross-continental adventure, and the long-awaited chance to make all of her dreams come true. Will Mack be able to keep her faith amidst the glitz and glamour of Cooper's lifestyle, or will she lose herself and abandon everything and everyone she cares about in the process? Ciao, Bella is the story of one woman's unexpected revelations about faith, love, and true happiness. It's a novel for all who have ever been granted the desires of their hearts only to discover that what they thought they wanted could never compare to what they already had.
with famous actor Cooper Young, a cross-continental adventure, and the long-awaited chance to make all of her dreams come true. Will Mack be able to keep her faith amidst the glitz and glamour of Cooper's lifestyle, or will she lose herself and abandon everything and everyone she cares about in the process? Ciao, Bella is the story of one woman's unexpected revelations about faith, love, and true happiness. It's a novel for all who have ever been granted the desires of their hearts only to discover that what they thought they wanted could never compare to what they already had.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2011
118 people are currently reading
979 people want to read
About the author
Ryan M. Phillips
5 books22 followersRyan M. Phillips lives in Orlando, Florida. She is the communications specialist for The Ephraim Project, Inc. and the author of three previous novels: Saving Grace, After the Fall, and Fall from Grace. Ryan is currently working on her fifth novel while pursuing a Master of Arts degree in English.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 17, 2013
This was a lovely, light christian romance. My compliments to the author for providing believable characters that were easy to relate to, and for setting a beautiful, well-paced story.
I have two issues. The first is that I wish that the author didn't use the words smirk, smirked, and smirking so much. It was very noticeable, and quickly became distracting. At one point I was counting the number of times it appeared in a chapter.
I must confess that I'm not entirely sure that I feel 'negatively' about the second thing I'm about to address but I just wanted to throw it out there since it gave me pause as I was reading. The book is well-written and the author is clearly gifted but sometimes the word choices were curious. Here are just a few examples: quixotic, posit, sobrique, nascent, inchoate, salvo, corybantic, soupçon, jocund, wonted, canorous, eschewal, peccability, scrum, rectitude, votaries, and dernier crie. I enjoy expanding my vocabulary, and I dutifully look up the definition of words that I don't know, but while reading Ciao, Bella I kept getting a niggling feeling that the word choices were a bit too grandiose given the overall simplicity of the tone of the book. It's like seeing someone eating pizza with sterling silver flatware. Nothing is wrong with that of course, but I just feel like whispering to them, "you don't need to be fancy; it's okay to use your hands."
I have two issues. The first is that I wish that the author didn't use the words smirk, smirked, and smirking so much. It was very noticeable, and quickly became distracting. At one point I was counting the number of times it appeared in a chapter.
I must confess that I'm not entirely sure that I feel 'negatively' about the second thing I'm about to address but I just wanted to throw it out there since it gave me pause as I was reading. The book is well-written and the author is clearly gifted but sometimes the word choices were curious. Here are just a few examples: quixotic, posit, sobrique, nascent, inchoate, salvo, corybantic, soupçon, jocund, wonted, canorous, eschewal, peccability, scrum, rectitude, votaries, and dernier crie. I enjoy expanding my vocabulary, and I dutifully look up the definition of words that I don't know, but while reading Ciao, Bella I kept getting a niggling feeling that the word choices were a bit too grandiose given the overall simplicity of the tone of the book. It's like seeing someone eating pizza with sterling silver flatware. Nothing is wrong with that of course, but I just feel like whispering to them, "you don't need to be fancy; it's okay to use your hands."
September 22, 2016
Characters were not very likable or believable; plot was far-fetched.
And one more thing: I strive to be a follower of Christ, and I appreciate inspirational fiction for the fact that it is generally free of profanity and sex. However, in this story, as in so many inspirational novels, the author beats the reader over the head with a Christian "angle" that is not very believable or scripturally accurate. This has steered me away from much of the so-called Christian fiction.
And one more thing: I strive to be a follower of Christ, and I appreciate inspirational fiction for the fact that it is generally free of profanity and sex. However, in this story, as in so many inspirational novels, the author beats the reader over the head with a Christian "angle" that is not very believable or scripturally accurate. This has steered me away from much of the so-called Christian fiction.
August 20, 2013
I picked this up as a freebie - I was not familiar with the author's work and wasn't quite sure what to expect. Overall, I enjoyed the story of Mack... she's been the good girl for too long and is experiencing something of a crisis of faith. Her "fun" friend signs her up for an ambush makeover, and while Mack is initially reluctant, she soon embraces the make-up, hair extensions, and fancy wardrobe AND manages to catch the eye of a hot young star. I thought the faith element was handled quite well: working through her doubts, seeing her years of witnessing to her friend Cameron come to fruition, and the matter-of-fact way that she speaks about her Creator to Cooper. I also enjoyed the descriptions (though brief) of the European jaunt.
That being said, there were several elements that kept it from being a 5 star read. The big one: language usage. Ms. Phillips clearly loves the English language, but her archaic word choices did not fit with the modern tone of the novel. I also hated that so much time was spent on her relationship with Cooper (even when she had already decided to end it). Finally, after all the build-up, the last chapter was a huge disappointment - rushed, and even though I had chosen to accept the whole "big star is drawn to the nobody" story line, the fairy tale ending was a bit too perfect.
Those issues aside, it really was an enjoyable story, and I will check out some of the author's other works.
That being said, there were several elements that kept it from being a 5 star read. The big one: language usage. Ms. Phillips clearly loves the English language, but her archaic word choices did not fit with the modern tone of the novel. I also hated that so much time was spent on her relationship with Cooper (even when she had already decided to end it). Finally, after all the build-up, the last chapter was a huge disappointment - rushed, and even though I had chosen to accept the whole "big star is drawn to the nobody" story line, the fairy tale ending was a bit too perfect.
Those issues aside, it really was an enjoyable story, and I will check out some of the author's other works.
August 3, 2013
Ciao, Bella is an adorable Christian Romance/Chick-Lit I had a ball reading. The heroine Mack runs a Christian bookstore and she’s turning thirty. She feels bored and adrift in her life. She still has her faith she turns to for answers, but she thinks God isn’t listening to her. Oliver, her best friend of ten years is a hunky lawyer, who at her birthday party shows Mack how much she really means to him. He wants to be more than just friends. They start to date, and Mack is slowly becoming close to God again, thanks to Oliver who she attends church with. But then Mack ends up on a talk show, thanks to her quirky friend Cameron, and is given an extreme makeover. The makeover changes Mack, both good and bad. She ends up in Los Angles as part of the makeover, and meets the biggest actor in Hollywood- Cooper, who’s a Christian, but has a different set of beliefs than Mack. He takes her a whirlwind romance, which leaves Oliver in the dust.
Mack is losing her identity and her connection with God as she tries to navigate Cooper’s jet setting lifestyle and how he wants to take things to the next level, such as certain intimacies Mack isn’t comfortable with, aka sex, because of her faith (she’s a virgin). She then starts to see a not so nice side to Cooper, and is stalked by the crazy paparazzi. She realizes her mistake with Cooper, but it may be too late with Oliver because he’s hurt and because of that, distances himself from Mack. Now Mack must fix things, not only for herself, but with Oliver who is her soul mate and can help her embrace her faith and God.
I really liked the message Ryan Phillips has in Ciao, Bella. Mack is a former ugly duckling turned swan thanks to her makeover, but Oliver never thought she needed the change. He loves her for who she is and how happy and fulfilled she makes him. These two connect so well, and their faith bonds them. Cooper isn’t a bad guy, but has a different set of beliefs from Mack. The way things are resolved between him and Mack is too pat, but I wasn’t complaining because it showed Mack who and what are the important things in her life. Money and a rock star lifestyle aren’t for her.
Mack engages in a lot of kissing and snuggling from Cooper and Oliver, including being courted by both. Both men are very different with their dating techniques. Cooper takes Mack to Europe, while Oliver goes camping with underprivileged kids and lets Mack tags along.
Teens and readers who enjoy sweet, inspirational romance will want to read this one. I had a big smile on my face with the HEA for Mack and the man she chooses to be with at the end.
Mack is losing her identity and her connection with God as she tries to navigate Cooper’s jet setting lifestyle and how he wants to take things to the next level, such as certain intimacies Mack isn’t comfortable with, aka sex, because of her faith (she’s a virgin). She then starts to see a not so nice side to Cooper, and is stalked by the crazy paparazzi. She realizes her mistake with Cooper, but it may be too late with Oliver because he’s hurt and because of that, distances himself from Mack. Now Mack must fix things, not only for herself, but with Oliver who is her soul mate and can help her embrace her faith and God.
I really liked the message Ryan Phillips has in Ciao, Bella. Mack is a former ugly duckling turned swan thanks to her makeover, but Oliver never thought she needed the change. He loves her for who she is and how happy and fulfilled she makes him. These two connect so well, and their faith bonds them. Cooper isn’t a bad guy, but has a different set of beliefs from Mack. The way things are resolved between him and Mack is too pat, but I wasn’t complaining because it showed Mack who and what are the important things in her life. Money and a rock star lifestyle aren’t for her.
Mack engages in a lot of kissing and snuggling from Cooper and Oliver, including being courted by both. Both men are very different with their dating techniques. Cooper takes Mack to Europe, while Oliver goes camping with underprivileged kids and lets Mack tags along.
Teens and readers who enjoy sweet, inspirational romance will want to read this one. I had a big smile on my face with the HEA for Mack and the man she chooses to be with at the end.
September 20, 2016
In the process of wanting more out of life, Isabelle slips on her faith, only to realise everything she ever hoped for was where she left it.
A truly captivating and intriguing story. It kept me glued to my screen and I hoped for more. Simply put, all that glitter's not gold.
A truly captivating and intriguing story. It kept me glued to my screen and I hoped for more. Simply put, all that glitter's not gold.
January 14, 2015
This was a story of a 30 year old trying to understand her place in the world. She had challenges with being 30 and trying to grasp all that she feels should be for her but she somehow loses her zeal for her upbringing as a Christian and so she is living life and doing what she thinks is good for her. Little did she know that running away from her foundation as a Christian was leading her down paths that were not destined for her. It is when she makes up her mind to get back to the basics, get into her word, pray and believe God, is when things started to work out in her favor. This book was definitely a blessing to me and it just shows that things are going to happen on God's time in His way. All we need to do is trust the process. I was inspired by this book and I highly recommend it. 4 stars!!!
October 2, 2012
This story was so good. What started as a "I'll just read a couple of chapters before I fall asleep" turned into a completely read book in 3.5 hrs. The story flowed and it spoke to this almost 30 yr old who is wondering about her own life.
This fiction novel was what I needed.
This fiction novel was what I needed.
April 5, 2023
This is the story of Isabella ("Mack" to her friends). She's a Christian bookstore owner who has just turned 30 and is in a serious personal and spiritual slump. For her birthday, two significant things happen. One of her friends, Cameron, signs her up for a television makeover show. Another friend, Oliver, kisses her and tells her that he has feelings for her.
Initially humiliated by the makeover, Mack eventually gets caught up in the excitement and glamor and -- somewhat improbably -- meets Cooper, a famous movie actor. She ditches Oliver to date him. Cooper is supposed to be bad news. He says things like that he's spiritual and not religious and has friends who live together without being married . . . that sort of thing. Mack, on the other hand, is the kind of person who spends most of a trip to Italy reading her Bible in the hotel room.
This book was interminable. Kindle tells me it was 353 pages, but it felt more like 700. Mack is sanctimonious company even when she's supposedly on the outs with God. At the beginning of the book, she lets her church friends trash Cameron, who is supposedly one of her best friends. Oliver is even worse, scolding Mack for having a drink with friends and lecturing her for not immediately accepting that Cameron is a pitiable wreck destined for Hell.
The author also has a habit of using words don't fit well into the story. The story is told from Mack's POV and there's no good reason why she'd be using so many obscure words. She's a Christian bookstore owner and there's no indication she ever reads anything but the Bible.
Initially humiliated by the makeover, Mack eventually gets caught up in the excitement and glamor and -- somewhat improbably -- meets Cooper, a famous movie actor. She ditches Oliver to date him. Cooper is supposed to be bad news. He says things like that he's spiritual and not religious and has friends who live together without being married . . . that sort of thing. Mack, on the other hand, is the kind of person who spends most of a trip to Italy reading her Bible in the hotel room.
This book was interminable. Kindle tells me it was 353 pages, but it felt more like 700. Mack is sanctimonious company even when she's supposedly on the outs with God. At the beginning of the book, she lets her church friends trash Cameron, who is supposedly one of her best friends. Oliver is even worse, scolding Mack for having a drink with friends and lecturing her for not immediately accepting that Cameron is a pitiable wreck destined for Hell.
The author also has a habit of using words don't fit well into the story. The story is told from Mack's POV and there's no good reason why she'd be using so many obscure words. She's a Christian bookstore owner and there's no indication she ever reads anything but the Bible.
August 30, 2023
C'est l'histoire d'Anna, une angoissée de premiere, qui decide de consulter un psy pour apprendre à gérer ses crises et avancer.
Au fil des pages, elle se decouvre, se devoile et evolue autant personnellement que professionnellement.
Anna, dans ses confessions est transparente et honnete. Dans ses relations, elle donne envie au lecteur d'avoir une relation moins superficielle avec ces personnes qui embellissent nos vies. Sa carrière donne envie de sortir de sa zone de confort pour mieux s'épanouir, de trouver dans son travail quotidien une passion partagée avec son mari - ecriture et photographie.
Ciao Bella c'est aussi l'histoire d'un passé difficile, d'un présent qu'on redresse, des deuxiemes chances qu'on donne à ceux qui nous ont donné la vie.
J'ai apprecié l'histoire mais jusqu'ici, je suis à la recherche d'un coup de coeur
Au fil des pages, elle se decouvre, se devoile et evolue autant personnellement que professionnellement.
Anna, dans ses confessions est transparente et honnete. Dans ses relations, elle donne envie au lecteur d'avoir une relation moins superficielle avec ces personnes qui embellissent nos vies. Sa carrière donne envie de sortir de sa zone de confort pour mieux s'épanouir, de trouver dans son travail quotidien une passion partagée avec son mari - ecriture et photographie.
Ciao Bella c'est aussi l'histoire d'un passé difficile, d'un présent qu'on redresse, des deuxiemes chances qu'on donne à ceux qui nous ont donné la vie.
J'ai apprecié l'histoire mais jusqu'ici, je suis à la recherche d'un coup de coeur
March 3, 2018
I really enjoyed reading Mack's story. There were times I wanted to shake her and shout at her as she made poor decisions and went after the wrong things in life. It was an interesting journey to follow though, seeing her motivation and watching her learn what was really important as she found a true depth to her faith. I absolutely loved Olly from the the very first moment he appeared, and he and Mack have stayed with me since I finished the book. I did find the bits where they talked about their faith and the Bible written a little bit in "Christianese", but what they were actually saying was good stuff.
Well done Ryan Phillips for an interesting and enjoyable novel. I look forward to reading more.
Well done Ryan Phillips for an interesting and enjoyable novel. I look forward to reading more.
July 16, 2019
While I am sure what the message goal of this book was I struggled with the way it arrived there. It set up an unrealistic wish fulfillment fantasy straw man to contrast the 'end game' message. However, the author was inconsistent in certain moral arguments in what was immoral with one character became romantic or a sign of simpatico with the 'approved' character. While I am a person of faith myself, I was disappointed with the way the language used and the way this message was conveyed. (I will also nitpick with the author's use of simper and some other words as they were used, in my opinion, incorrectly and pulled me out of the story descriptive in annoyance). I doubt I will read another by this author.
June 3, 2021
While this book was enjoyable to read, I thought the story was far fetched. Mack, a thirty something woman has a makeover which turns her world upside down. It doesn’t take long for her to figure out the life she lived before was the best life. I just couldn’t figure out how she got herself caught up so quickly and easily into the new life. She even allowed others to come in and change everything about her, without having any say in the matter. Why did her friends have so much patience with her fickleness? Nothing made sense, but I enjoyed the story anyway. Just had to roll my eyes more than once at the ridiculous storyline.
February 10, 2018
I wanted to like this book more than I did, but I can’t pin point why i didn’t. I didn’t dislike it but I found the main character wanting. I understood her crisis of faith and the unfolding events but perhaps the way it all occurred was a bit far fetched for me, a make over that so drastically changes her and then a movie star, not just any but the newest and best, hmmmm. Otherwise I liked her journey of faith, it seemed realistic to me. And yes as many have already stated in their reviews the ending seemed somewhat rushed. A nice light read.
March 17, 2024
This is a Christian romance following Isabella (known to her friends as Mack) who begins a romance with her best friend Oliver (so sweet) before getting a TV makeover and being swept off her feet by Cooper, a movie star. She stays with him far too long, and everyone realizes before she does that it isn’t going to work. She pushes Ollie away in the meantime, and she realizes too late when Ollie has agreed to move for his job. They end up together in the end but she is with the wrong guy for far too long!
September 13, 2020
Light reading, clean language and subject matter, which is appreciated.
I did find the overuse of "smirk" in all variations to be very distracting. Oddly, in many other places it felt as though the author was intentionally using their thesaurus for variety or to sound smarter? I was reading on kindle, so I had easy access to the dictionary as I went to look up words I wasn't familiar with and to confirm definitions of some that felt like the usage wasn't quite correct for the context.
I did find the overuse of "smirk" in all variations to be very distracting. Oddly, in many other places it felt as though the author was intentionally using their thesaurus for variety or to sound smarter? I was reading on kindle, so I had easy access to the dictionary as I went to look up words I wasn't familiar with and to confirm definitions of some that felt like the usage wasn't quite correct for the context.
January 8, 2020
Why look for the reality that is in front of you?
A chronically patterned story goes from the highest of highs, to the lowest of lows. Leaving her faith on the back burner, Mack tries her hand at stepping out on her own. Her decisions are sometimes confusing, but always entertaining.
A chronically patterned story goes from the highest of highs, to the lowest of lows. Leaving her faith on the back burner, Mack tries her hand at stepping out on her own. Her decisions are sometimes confusing, but always entertaining.
February 1, 2025
I couldn't finish this book. The plot was about someone who was making foolish decisions and even though I didn't finish I could tell it was headed towards girl meets bad lifestyle and bad guy while leaving good guy in the sidelines. The ending is probably she realized her mistakes and goes back to a better lifestyle and the good guy who waited for her to wake up to reality.
February 12, 2017
enjoyable read
I enjoyed this book because of the plot. Cute, fun, easy read with likable characters. For a Christian book, it was not preachy. Glad Mac saw the light and made the right choice.
I enjoyed this book because of the plot. Cute, fun, easy read with likable characters. For a Christian book, it was not preachy. Glad Mac saw the light and made the right choice.
April 1, 2018
Good, if predictable
I guess most romance books have a formula they follow, and this one does that. Predictability is why we read these for light reading that we don’t really have to think about.
I guess most romance books have a formula they follow, and this one does that. Predictability is why we read these for light reading that we don’t really have to think about.
January 8, 2021
Ok
This was ok. It was a light Christian read that was quick. The main character fell a little flat for me and the dialogue around her faith felt stilted and preachy instead of genuine. But her journey of self discovery kept me engaged.
This was ok. It was a light Christian read that was quick. The main character fell a little flat for me and the dialogue around her faith felt stilted and preachy instead of genuine. But her journey of self discovery kept me engaged.
September 17, 2017
The faith element of the story was well-done, and I like the end result, though the ending itself seemed rushed. However, it seemed that the author wrote with a thesaurus open to find pretentious words. Also I felt that too much time was spent on the ersatz romance with the Hollywood hunk rather than the true romance with the real man of her dreams.
February 21, 2018
A nice book with interwoven Christian standards and principles within.
March 16, 2019
Enjoyable read
This was an easy, enjoyable read. Mack finding romance and her way back to God. As well as Cameron and Cooper finding God.
This was an easy, enjoyable read. Mack finding romance and her way back to God. As well as Cameron and Cooper finding God.
October 12, 2019
Thumbs up!
I wasn't so sure about this book at first... but I'm glad I followed through to the end! It kept me guessing and wanting to turn the page!
I wasn't so sure about this book at first... but I'm glad I followed through to the end! It kept me guessing and wanting to turn the page!
April 6, 2021
A wonderful Christian romance story. Loved it!
July 14, 2022
This book is a trainwreck, but I admit I had a hard time looking away.
April 8, 2024
Cute read!
March 19, 2017
A good read
This spiritual journey let's you remember that what you want might be right in front of you. Don't miss this!
This spiritual journey let's you remember that what you want might be right in front of you. Don't miss this!
September 30, 2016
There was so much I wanted to like about this book. Mack owns a bookstore. She's committed to her faith. She's the poster child for reality shows like "What Not to Wear." But she lets her newfound glamour go to her head and tear her away from what (and who) really matters. For well over half the book, you watch her make one bad decision after another as she lets herself be pursued and pushed around by a handsome movie star who's looking for arm candy. Resolution in the story comes in the last 3 pages, at which point the tale slams to a screeching halt.
March 3, 2017
I did not care about the characters. The writer did not pull me into their lives but instead had me asking why are they doing such stupid things,especially Mack who is supposed to be a christian! Only one who made a turn around was Cameron.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews