Rosie Lets Herself Go: A Rosie Life In Italy 6

by Rosie Meleady

After four years of renovations, grief and chaos, Rosie and Ronan’s dream home in Italy is finally coming together—or so they hope. Whether it’s the last remnants of a housebound ghost or renovation fatigue, something seems to be draining their energy.

With plans to open their doors to guests looming, the gardens need taming, the house needs sprucing, and—most importantly—they need to figure out if hosting strangers is a dream worth pursuing or their next life disaster waiting to happen.

To prepare, Rosie and Ronan hit the road, scoping out the quirks and perks of BnBs in Italy and France.

But Rosie doesn’t stop there. Throwing herself into a whirlwind of retreats and workshops of every kind, searching for inspiration—from ghost-busting sessions to vulva-hugging—Rosie finds each experience brings unexpected lessons, leaving her to is a new calling on the horizon, or will she find the missing element she needs to focus on her writing; an antique, roll-top desk.

Packed with laughter, chaos, and the occasional existential crisis, this memoir captures the essence of a midlife woman trying to find her old self—Italian style.

Can be read as a stand alone read or as book 6 in the A Rosie Life In Italy series.

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

Irish author Rosie Meleady, has been a magazine publisher and editor since 1994. She won the International Women in Publishing Award 1996 at the ripe old age of 24. She couldn't attend the award ceremony in London as she decided it would also be a good day to give birth.

In her 'A Rosie Life In Italy' series, Rosie writes about buying a 22 roomed derelict villa in Italy by accident, renovating it and existing in Italy.

Her favourite board game growing up was Cluedo, and as an adult she started a Missing Persons Agency. Her love of solving mysteries led her to start writing her 'Deadly Wedding Cozy Mystery' series.

She now lives happily ever after in Italy while renovating the villa and writing long into the night.

Follow Rosie on social media to say hello, see photos of life in Italy and her renovation project.

http://www.facebook.com/rosiemeleadya...
http://www.instagram.com/arosielifein...

Follow Rosie's blog on www.rosiemeleady.com

Reviews

[Pat Wall]

Editor needed!

Although the story certainly had its moments, I couldn't help but be distracted by the very poor editing. Did anyone read the draft before publishing? So many errors... spelling, grammar, and even words that aren't words. Does anyone think "orientated" is correct? I do wish the author success, but please let a qualified editor/proof reader have a go.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for the 2025 Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt #26 "a book where an adult character changes careers". This is the 6th in the Rosie Life in Italy series and Rosie has shut down her wedding planning business and is trying to figure out how to use the big house she and her husband remodeled to create a retreat center of some kind. In this book she explores different types of retreats by attending a variety. I enjoy this series which is based on a real life expat experience in Tuscany. Yes, I will continue to read this series as it comes out.

[Clarissa Brincat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie does some soul searching and refinds her funny bone

Initially, I worried that the old Rosie I had grown so fond of in the first five books was gone forever. The funny anecdotes about her family and life in Italy were sparse. Instead, Rosie was deep in reflection about what it means to be a woman. She readily admits that she's lost her funny bone since the double-whammy loss of her dad and brother. Who wouldn't? Besides the grief of loss, Rosie is also navigating the menopause. But, not one to sit still and feel sorry for herself, she embarks on a series of retreats, as a way of letting herself go and gathering information for her next business venture. This means that the first half of the book is mainly about these retreats and reads quite differently to the previous Rosie Life in Italy books. But slightly after midway through the book, there's a noticeable shift. Less retreats, more of Ronan (an endless source of comedy), more hope and looking towards the future instead of the past. Rosie sums it up really well when she says: “The retreats were not an indulgence, they were a necessity. The Me-Time I needed to get back to being Me. Stepping away from the norm gave me new energy and perspective. I gained inspiration for the house, ideas for books and insight into what I want to do with the second half of my life. I know who I am again - a new, improved version of the woman I wanted to be in my twenties.”

One thing about this book that can be improved is the typos. There were a handful littered throughout and I'm surprised they weren't caught during the editing process. Rosie, if you ever happen to read this, I'd love to help out on this front by being one of your beta-readers!

[Ginette Hannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the books in this series and loved each one. I love her candid humour. I started reading her books because it was a true account of a family moving to Italy, and since Italy had been on my bucket list to visit for a very long time, I devoured her first book. And then the next one, and the next ... I finally had the opportunity to visit Italy last year, but wasn't able to appreciate it the way I had hoped for, and I hope to return again some day. I particularly enjoyed Rosie's description of wandering through the streets of Florence, as it brought back the best memories of my trip there. I've also highlighted a few other places she mentioned and added them to my "must visit" list.

I agree with the reviewer who said they found some typos. I did too, but I still enjoyed reading the story.

Adventures seem go looking for Rosie, but it's her sense of humour, and her way of handling each situation that makes her books so entertaining. I can't wait for the next one.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great instalment

Refreshingly real and relevant. I enjoy Rosie's writing, and oftentimes vicariously her life. #6 goes further with insightful advice around menopause and midlife. Not to mention the genius of putting herself out there to gain experience in order to know what she does and doesn't want. Bonus hilarious and poignant moments. P.S. We also have a new-to-us old much loved Hiace campervan which has changed our life... the funnest way ever to to take a trip.

[Gerard Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good addition to the series

There are some typos and errors missed in the editing process and I did feel as the author states some retreat burn out.
The best writing comes from the day to day interactions of her life and travels in Italy
I look forward to Book 7

[Veeruska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book, but I would have liked to read more about everyday life in Italy. I enjoyed the parts about the house and garden, Italian healthcare for women (at doctor’s), bureaucracy, recycling, for example.

[Janet Ricat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie Does It Again

I just finished Book 6, “Rosie Let’s Herself Go”, and it didn’t disappoint. I found myself laughing , getting a bit teary, and having the best time reading and hearing about Rosie and what she’s been up to in Italy. Can’t wait for Book 7. .

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie is determined that this will be her time, she will open her (finally) renovated Italian home to guests, and she will find time for herself. She sets out on a series of retreats, to find what works for her and her husband Ronan.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about the retreats Rosie went on and the fun vacay she and Ronan had towards the end of the book. I feel the sense of purpose coming over Rosie and I wish I could visit Anam Cara. Alas, I am not a writer nor do I wish to be, but the experience sounds amazing.

[Gary Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Read

I’m not usually into the details of other people’s life, but I do like expat tales. Rosie’s quirky way of writing and interesting tales capture my interest, however. I recommend the whole series about her life in Italy.

[Lisa DeRea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as her prior books. Not so interesting for me.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie goes on a journey of self discovery and she and Ronan take a road trip. This was just as delightful as the previous books; I was sad for it to end.

[Shirley Maude · Rating 4 out of 5]

More about Rosie herself rather than Italy, she finds the answers to perimenopause and emotionally a whole lot more.

[Melena Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There should be a picture of Ronan next to the term “weaponized incompetence” in the dictionary.

[Tracie Chapple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one complaint about this book - I finished it way too quickly 😂 Great read yet again. It’s definitely made me want to go to Italy even more!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one in the series was just OK. I really wasn't interested in her healing journey, spa outings and navel gazing. The places she chose to go to just sounded weird to me. The most enjoyable parts of the book were her conversations with her mother. I said in another review that Mam deserves an entire book and I haven't changed my mind!