You Deserve Good Gelato: Travel, Embrace Failure, and Face Your Fears

Wow, this was such a refreshing and authentic read! I’ve been impatiently waiting for this book since the announcement, and it did not disappoint. Reading Kacie’s words felt like sitting at a cafe with a best friend who is finally telling you all the juicy details of her move abroad. The humor is top-notch—the story about the grappa had me laughing out loud in public. Beyond the laughs, there’s a really passionate plea here to live your life to the fullest. She doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles of being an expat, but she shows how the growth is worth the discomfort. This is essentially a love letter to travel and personal bravery. If you’ve ever felt stuck or afraid to take a leap, please read this. You deserve good gelato and a life you actually enjoy!

Truly, this is a passionate plea to start living your life to the absolute fullest. I finished this book in two sittings because Kacie’s energy is just infectious. I’ve never been to Italy, but after reading her descriptions of the food and the pace of life, it’s now the #1 spot on my bucket list. The way she talks about 'doing the shit that scares you' really resonated with me. It’s not just about moving to a different country; it’s about the small daily choices to be brave. The layout of the book is also really fun and matches her aesthetic perfectly. People complaining about the font or the quotes are missing the point—it’s supposed to be a fun, lighthearted experience! This book gave me the confidence boost I didn't know I needed. Highly recommend for any restless souls out there.

Look, I’m not usually one for influencer books, but this one is special. Kacie Rose manages to translate her digital joy onto the page in a way that feels 100% genuine. The humor is outstanding, and the vulnerability she shows regarding her anxiety and fears is so relatable. I actually loved the mix of self-empowerment and travel stories. It felt like she was using her experiences as a roadmap for the rest of us. The lessons about slowing down and enjoying small pleasures are things I’ve already started trying to implement in my own life. It’s a quick read, but the message sticks with you long after you close the cover. If you want to feel inspired and have a good laugh at some awkward travel stories, this is the book for you. Five stars for the heart and soul put into this!

Ever wonder why we’re so obsessed with the American hustle? Kacie’s book is a beautiful reminder that there is another way to live. I picked this up during a period of massive burnout, and her perspective on the community-focused culture of Italy made me incredibly emotional. I loved how she contrasted her 'Type A' personality with the slower pace of Florence. While the writing is definitely casual and 'influencer-style,' it feels very authentic to her voice. Personally, I think the advice about taking risks and embracing failure is something a lot of people need to hear right now. It isn't just about travel; it’s about having the courage to change your life when you aren't happy. It made me want to put a move to Europe on my bucket list immediately. Such an easy, inspiring read!

The chapter on why you shouldn't shoot the grappa was worth the price of the book alone! Frankly, Kacie Rose is just such a likable narrator that it’s hard not to root for her. This book is a wonderful blend of humor and heartfelt life lessons. I particularly appreciated her honesty about the 'lonely' side of moving to a new country where you don't speak the language. It isn't all sunshine and pasta; there are real tears and frustrations. Her boyfriend sounds like an absolute saint, and their relationship is sweet to read about. While some might find the writing style a bit too informal, I thought it made the book feel more accessible and real. It’s the perfect gift for someone about to embark on their first solo trip or study abroad semester. It’s encouraging, funny, and deeply human.

Picked this up because I’m planning my own Italian escape this summer. I wanted a bit of insight into what it’s actually like to live there, and Kacie provided that with a lot of humor and heart. Is it a literary masterpiece? No. Is it a delightful, easy read that makes you feel like anything is possible? Absolutely. I really appreciated her perspective on 'independence' and how the US version of it can be so isolating compared to the community-driven lifestyle in Italy. Some of the self-help bits were a little repetitive, and I could have done with fewer 'don't be afraid' pep talks, but overall the vibes were immaculate. It’s a very comforting book. It reminded me that making mistakes is just part of the adventure. Definitely listen to the audiobook if you can; Kacie’s narration adds an extra layer of charm!

After following Kacie on TikTok for a year, I had high hopes for this release. It’s definitely a cute, feel-good read, but I have to be honest—it’s very surface level. The stories about her language mistakes and fashion faux pas are genuinely funny and relatable, yet they never seem to go beyond the initial punchline. I found myself skimming through the 'inspirational' sections because they felt a bit too much like a cheesy self-help book. To be fair, her love for Italy shines through every page, and it’s a great companion for a beach day. However, the layout with the huge font and random pull-quotes felt like a tactic to hit a specific page count. It’s a light snack of a book when I was really craving a full Italian meal. Good, but not great.

To be fair, I think I would have enjoyed this much more as an audiobook. Kacie is such a charismatic person, and her personality is her biggest strength. On the page, however, the structure is a bit messy. It flips between a travelogue and a self-empowerment guide so often that I lost the thread of her actual story. The chapters are very short, and some could have easily been condensed into a single paragraph. I also noticed the repetitive nature of the 'advice' sections, which started to feel like filler. Not gonna lie, I was disappointed by how little we actually learned about the locals or the history of the places she visited. It’s very focused on her internal monologue. It’s a sweet read for a teenager or someone in their early 20s, but it lacked the depth I usually look for in memoirs.

Not what I expected from a travel memoir, unfortunately. While I absolutely adore Kacie’s social media presence and her vibrant personality, this book felt more like an over-extended blog post than a polished piece of literature. The transition between personal anecdotes and self-help advice was quite jarring and didn't flow naturally at all. Truth is, the writing relies way too heavily on parentheticals and repetitive phrases like 'do the shit that scares you.' I was hoping for deep, immersive descriptions of Florence, but instead, I got a lot of rambling about general life lessons that felt aimed at a much younger audience. It’s a very superficial dive into her life abroad. If you’re a die-hard fan, you might enjoy the fluff, but for anyone looking for a substantial memoir about Italian culture, this misses the mark. It felt like the editor just gave up halfway through.

I've been a fan of her content for ages, but this book really missed the mark for me. My biggest gripe is the editing—or lack thereof. There were so many parenthetical remarks that it became genuinely distracting to read. The book attempts to be a mix of Eat Pray Love and a modern self-help guide, but it doesn't quite succeed at either. The stories about Italy are charming but brief, and then the narrative immediately pivots into telling the reader how they should feel or what they should do with their life. It felt very preachy at times. I wish she had just told the stories and let the lessons emerge naturally rather than hitting us over the head with them. I’ll stick to her TikToks from now on; they capture the magic of Italy much better than these pages did.