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A Rosie Life In Italy 5: Romulus and Seamus
Rosie is facing the ultimate ‘empty mansion syndrome’ in her 22-roomed Italian villa.
With both her kids now living in different countries and the funds to finish renovations going AWOL, Rosie is starting to suspect that the Sighing House might be a tad too big for just her and hubby Ronan.
To make matters worse, with Ronan’s pending criminal court case—following his encounters with a toupee rat pack and the anti-Mafia special police squad—Rosie may soon be the only resident in the house.
As her life spins at a speed faster than a Ferrari on an Italian motorway–while dealing with grief for her Dad, her brother’s cancer diagnosis, her mother’s unexpected return and health scares galore, Rosie discovers that the festoons of red tape while trying to get into the Italian health system, is like untangling cooked spaghetti.
To regain some semblance of control, Rosie throws herself into renovating the villa’s garden, but no amount of ivy whacking, weed pulling, lavender planting can stop the feeling that the house is sighing with emptiness, and Rosie can’t stave off the strong urge to escape from her safe haven and her downward spiralling life.
With the Sighing House on the brink of being put on the market, can Rosie find a purpose for the villa and salvage her crumbling dream life in Italy?
With more comical misadventures and unexpected revelations, get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even dream of owning your Italian villa in this fifth instalment of A Rosie Life In Italy.
With both her kids now living in different countries and the funds to finish renovations going AWOL, Rosie is starting to suspect that the Sighing House might be a tad too big for just her and hubby Ronan.
To make matters worse, with Ronan’s pending criminal court case—following his encounters with a toupee rat pack and the anti-Mafia special police squad—Rosie may soon be the only resident in the house.
As her life spins at a speed faster than a Ferrari on an Italian motorway–while dealing with grief for her Dad, her brother’s cancer diagnosis, her mother’s unexpected return and health scares galore, Rosie discovers that the festoons of red tape while trying to get into the Italian health system, is like untangling cooked spaghetti.
To regain some semblance of control, Rosie throws herself into renovating the villa’s garden, but no amount of ivy whacking, weed pulling, lavender planting can stop the feeling that the house is sighing with emptiness, and Rosie can’t stave off the strong urge to escape from her safe haven and her downward spiralling life.
With the Sighing House on the brink of being put on the market, can Rosie find a purpose for the villa and salvage her crumbling dream life in Italy?
With more comical misadventures and unexpected revelations, get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even dream of owning your Italian villa in this fifth instalment of A Rosie Life In Italy.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2023
157 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Meleady
24 books94 followersIrish 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 6, 2023
I've read all of Rosie's Life in Italy books and jumped into this expecting her usual fun, light, happy stories with the worst thing being a burst pipe or something. But this was a tad dark. Rosie's mood was not as it was in books 1 through 4. I was actually surprised that in this book there were typos (colzone instead of calzone, degestivo instead of digestivo) but let it slide. And the way she talked to and about Ronan! Yikes. So I'm reading along, wondering if I should even finish and then get to the last couple of chapters which just knocked the breath right out of me. It was not what I expected and I won't say more. But there you have it I said to myself.
As for Rosie's mother, Mam. She deserves an entire book. She reminds me of my Bantry Bay-born grandmother who used to keep a bottle of brandy in her nightstand. She called it her medicine. In fact, the first alcohol I ever drank was at age 12 or 13 when she gave me a swig of the bottle to see if it would help with crippling menstrual cramps (it was in the mid-60s, you could do stuff like that back then). Mam and Grammie would have gotten along, I think.
As for Rosie's mother, Mam. She deserves an entire book. She reminds me of my Bantry Bay-born grandmother who used to keep a bottle of brandy in her nightstand. She called it her medicine. In fact, the first alcohol I ever drank was at age 12 or 13 when she gave me a swig of the bottle to see if it would help with crippling menstrual cramps (it was in the mid-60s, you could do stuff like that back then). Mam and Grammie would have gotten along, I think.
October 11, 2023
I've loved the previous books in the series, and was eagerly anticipating this one. I wasn't disappointed, but it definitely goes in a different direction. No renovations, as funds have dried up, and the future looks uncertain. The kids have left, mam has gone back to Ireland, there are health issues both for Rosie and a close family member, and a court case looming too, so there's a lot of introspection (possibly a bit of a mid life crisis). But the book is written in Rosie's usual humorous style, I really enjoyed it, and am looking forward to book 6. I haven't knocked off a star, because the book is so enjoyable, but it could've done with a decent proofreader, as there are quite a few glaring errors.
December 30, 2023
Just what I needed...
I'm a woman of certain age also which means I relate to a lot of the topics bravely covered throughout this book... and like to spend time with others who do too. And that's what I've done... enjoyed each book in this series but this one I felt less of a bystander more kinship. Thanks so much.
I'm a woman of certain age also which means I relate to a lot of the topics bravely covered throughout this book... and like to spend time with others who do too. And that's what I've done... enjoyed each book in this series but this one I felt less of a bystander more kinship. Thanks so much.
December 19, 2024
un altro libro bello- grazie!
I have been loving this series. As someone who has had the blessing of living in Italy for a short time (too short!), these books feed my soul. I have never been to the Perugia area, so on our next trip, I am hoping to put it in the itenarary!
I love how the author shares the realities, the idiosyncrosies, the poetic things the language imparts (I am a linguist and nerd out on every Italian word or phrase dropped!), and everything else, honestly. Love the references back to Ireland. So much fascinating stuff. For all that I've known about Italy and Italians for years, this book taught me about the women not taking the husband's name! How did I not know that? Fascinating stuff, with humor and grace.
Thank you, Rosie. Grazie per la sua storia!
I have been loving this series. As someone who has had the blessing of living in Italy for a short time (too short!), these books feed my soul. I have never been to the Perugia area, so on our next trip, I am hoping to put it in the itenarary!
I love how the author shares the realities, the idiosyncrosies, the poetic things the language imparts (I am a linguist and nerd out on every Italian word or phrase dropped!), and everything else, honestly. Love the references back to Ireland. So much fascinating stuff. For all that I've known about Italy and Italians for years, this book taught me about the women not taking the husband's name! How did I not know that? Fascinating stuff, with humor and grace.
Thank you, Rosie. Grazie per la sua storia!
October 6, 2023
Wonderful Read
Rosie Meleady is a great storyteller. As Rosie’s life goes up, down & sideways we feel every emotion possible along with the author. On her own spiritual awakening, sitting w grief & still describing Italy in rich detail, we laugh, sob and are awestruck at the beauty surrounding Rosie.,This has been the hardest one in the series to read. For my own personal reasons I too understand all too well how those monstrous blobs can be overwhelming. But Rosie so beautifully showed us life is not a journey to find acceptance but rather a journey to living each day as best we can. Not enough words for a wonderfully crafted novel.
Rosie Meleady is a great storyteller. As Rosie’s life goes up, down & sideways we feel every emotion possible along with the author. On her own spiritual awakening, sitting w grief & still describing Italy in rich detail, we laugh, sob and are awestruck at the beauty surrounding Rosie.,This has been the hardest one in the series to read. For my own personal reasons I too understand all too well how those monstrous blobs can be overwhelming. But Rosie so beautifully showed us life is not a journey to find acceptance but rather a journey to living each day as best we can. Not enough words for a wonderfully crafted novel.
October 5, 2023
I just finished A Rosie Life in Italy 5, a book by one of my favorite authors. What made this book so spectacular? It can only be the author’s option, and it is an option, to be unreservedly candid. This risk is what makes a great author, one her readers can identify with and relate to. I’ve loved all of her memoirs, which are a lovely mix of real-life difficulties and humor; however, this one dealing with head-on grief, may be her most important. Full of laughter and tears with never a dull moment, this latest installment was impossible to put down and was over all too soon.
November 7, 2023
Grief and love and changes
Still grieving for her father, Rosie is happy to help her mother find an assisted living home where she will be happy. Both of her grown children are making successful lives for themselves. Then Rosie's beloved James dies after a long debilitating illness. Rosie is devastated with grief. A week's stay at a healing retreat with other women helps to heal her broken heart. As she goes home to her husband, her heart is filled with love and purpose, once again. Such a moving memoir.
Still grieving for her father, Rosie is happy to help her mother find an assisted living home where she will be happy. Both of her grown children are making successful lives for themselves. Then Rosie's beloved James dies after a long debilitating illness. Rosie is devastated with grief. A week's stay at a healing retreat with other women helps to heal her broken heart. As she goes home to her husband, her heart is filled with love and purpose, once again. Such a moving memoir.
November 22, 2023
A Rosie Life in Italy
I have just completed books 1-5 and learned so much about this interesting family. I know, I do not to be an expat in Italy or any other non English speaking country. Rosie shared her raw emotions weather joyous or sad. I felt like I was on the journey with her and was delighted with the ending. I have bought Anam Cara by O’Donohue to read next. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Rosie in Italy.
I have just completed books 1-5 and learned so much about this interesting family. I know, I do not to be an expat in Italy or any other non English speaking country. Rosie shared her raw emotions weather joyous or sad. I felt like I was on the journey with her and was delighted with the ending. I have bought Anam Cara by O’Donohue to read next. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Rosie in Italy.
December 31, 2024
FABULOUS!!!
I have read this book as if it were a personal diary where memories and current life intertwine with happiness, anger, pain and sadness. I find myself desperately wanting to experience Italy the way Rosie has with the good and bad of it all. I can't wait to read the next diary "book"!!!
I have read this book as if it were a personal diary where memories and current life intertwine with happiness, anger, pain and sadness. I find myself desperately wanting to experience Italy the way Rosie has with the good and bad of it all. I can't wait to read the next diary "book"!!!
March 29, 2025
This was an emotional book as Rosie faces deeper challenges than ever before. Her mother's decision to return to Italy came as a surprise, but seemed to work out just fine. Physical pain and grief caused her to be angry, but it might also have included the instability of perimenopause. These books continue to be well written with an easy and entertaining flow.
October 4, 2023
A wonderful book and continuation of the series. I feel very privileged to be part of Rosie’s journey - albeit as a reader. It must have been a tough book to write and I hope number 6 is easier and full of laughter and light. My love and respect to you and your family.
October 7, 2023
Emotional
Very emotional. In this book number 5, I believe Rosie finally becomes the woman she is supposed to be and her wonderful husband Ronan continues to be the saint he has to be!
Spoiler there's room for a 6th book...
Very emotional. In this book number 5, I believe Rosie finally becomes the woman she is supposed to be and her wonderful husband Ronan continues to be the saint he has to be!
Spoiler there's room for a 6th book...
October 8, 2023
Thought provoking, and Honest
Rosie has written from her heart, sharing their Italian adventures and challenges, and laugh til you cry moments of Ronan. As well as the depth of what losing someone does to your spirit and how she found her way back.
Rosie has written from her heart, sharing their Italian adventures and challenges, and laugh til you cry moments of Ronan. As well as the depth of what losing someone does to your spirit and how she found her way back.
October 11, 2023
I read the prior four books in this series and enjoyed them a lot. Rosie is a good storyteller. This book was quite emotional, more than the prior books. Very well done considering what was going on in her life during the period this book takes place. I look forward to her next book, anxious to hear what happens with the Sighing House.
October 15, 2023
Another excellent read
I have enjoyed each of the previous 4 in the series and this is no disappointment. There is grief and sadness but also a sense of joy in life, of looking forward and making plans.
You must read these life affirming books. A true joy
I have enjoyed each of the previous 4 in the series and this is no disappointment. There is grief and sadness but also a sense of joy in life, of looking forward and making plans.
You must read these life affirming books. A true joy
October 16, 2023
odd but enjoyable
I really wondered where Rosie was going with this book, but looking back I really enjoyed it. Her grief was really palpable, and as the story evolved felt I was moving along with her through her recovery.
I really wondered where Rosie was going with this book, but looking back I really enjoyed it. Her grief was really palpable, and as the story evolved felt I was moving along with her through her recovery.
October 19, 2023
Mid-life Season
I loved this book so much. As a woman turning 50 and entering a new season, Rosie’s life and feelings resonated with me.
A beautiful blend of location, circumstances, emotions and wit.
Looking forward to the next book and ready to start over on the series again.
I loved this book so much. As a woman turning 50 and entering a new season, Rosie’s life and feelings resonated with me.
A beautiful blend of location, circumstances, emotions and wit.
Looking forward to the next book and ready to start over on the series again.
October 22, 2023
Lovely to read Rosie’ 5th book on her life in Italy
A little chaotic, this book reflects life nowadays as a 50yo Irish woman torn apart by so many emotions while living in Italy with her husband.
A little chaotic, this book reflects life nowadays as a 50yo Irish woman torn apart by so many emotions while living in Italy with her husband.
October 24, 2023
the story continues…
I enjoyed the continuing story of Rosie’s life although at times it got very self indulgent, and oh the sadness of so much loss. Small but very irritating were several typos! Please edit more carefully 😊
I enjoyed the continuing story of Rosie’s life although at times it got very self indulgent, and oh the sadness of so much loss. Small but very irritating were several typos! Please edit more carefully 😊
November 6, 2023
This is the fifth book in this series and is darker than the previous four. The death of her father a year ago started Rosie on her downward spiral, and her favourite brother's cancer diagnosis compounds it. Add to that her own health problems and Rosie thinks hard about selling the sighing house.
January 17, 2024
Ho letto tutti e cinque i libri della serie e sono stati una piacevolissima lettura. Si ride, si riflette sugli alti e bassi della vita e ci si commuove anche e, da italiani, è anche interessante vedere che impressione facciamo agli stranieri.
March 3, 2024
Draws you in
This was an easy, interesting read. Easy because it kind of pulled you all along. Interesting because I learned a lot about Italy and Ireland from the point of someone who switched from living in Ireland to living in Italy, in a fixer-upper.
This was an easy, interesting read. Easy because it kind of pulled you all along. Interesting because I learned a lot about Italy and Ireland from the point of someone who switched from living in Ireland to living in Italy, in a fixer-upper.
July 19, 2024
This book is a bit darker than the previous books. We see a conflicted Rosie, a grieving Rosie, an unhappy Rosie. Basically fearing and dealing with death. Fortunately at the end she redirects herself and begins her road to peace.
October 3, 2023
Always wonderful!
I have read all of the Rosie books and hope there will be more. I had to wait patiently for this one. Try reading them in order. They are terrific.
I have read all of the Rosie books and hope there will be more. I had to wait patiently for this one. Try reading them in order. They are terrific.
October 3, 2023
Love them all
I have been looking forward to this book. Five. They are so nice to follow. It's like dreaming an Italian live for myself.
Thank you.
I have been looking forward to this book. Five. They are so nice to follow. It's like dreaming an Italian live for myself.
Thank you.
October 5, 2023
Love it
Rosie's books are so enjoyable., I can't wait till the next one comes out. She entertained and shows you lifes up and downs
Rosie's books are so enjoyable., I can't wait till the next one comes out. She entertained and shows you lifes up and downs
November 29, 2023
Fascinating
Loved all the books in the series. I just sat and read all day because I was living Rosie's life. Just magic. Thank you
Loved all the books in the series. I just sat and read all day because I was living Rosie's life. Just magic. Thank you
December 5, 2023
Great read
Just love Rosie's books, reality at its best. Nice to have a good read to switch off your own reality and join Rosie in hers.
Just love Rosie's books, reality at its best. Nice to have a good read to switch off your own reality and join Rosie in hers.
February 20, 2024
Brilliant read
Read all 5 books of Rosie life in Italy in a matter of days
loved every one of them thank you Rosie
Read all 5 books of Rosie life in Italy in a matter of days
loved every one of them thank you Rosie
March 1, 2024
Great series
I enjoyed the books very much! Kinda is sad it's over. My dream is to get to Italy some day. I would love to see the house.
I enjoyed the books very much! Kinda is sad it's over. My dream is to get to Italy some day. I would love to see the house.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews