The Italian Flame cover art

The Italian Flame

a sweeping and epic escapist listen, from the author of THE VILLA

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The Italian Flame

By: Rosanna Ley
Narrated by: Helen Keeley
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About this listen

 'I absolutely loved it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ READER REVIEW
'Heartfelt and touching' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ READER REVIEW

Dorset, 1965: twenty-five-year-old aspiring artist Marilyn longs to escape to London, but her family relies on her wages from the hotel on the cliff. Then one day Marilyn meets Bruno, an intriguing Italian, and the two fall madly in love, painfully aware of Bruno having very little time left in the country. When he leaves for Italy, he promises to write and to come back as soon as he can.

Over fifty years later, Marilyn's daughter Lily returns to her old hometown when she hears that her mother is ill. Mother and daughter have never been close, but now, Lily determines to stay by her side. After Marilyn's death, Lily finds a photo of a baby girl amongst her mother's belongings - the name 'Josephine' written on the back. But who is Josephine? Lily resolves to find out the truth.

Lily's search for Josephine takes her to Italy - to a small town in the stunning Bay of Poets. But will Josephine give Lily the answers she is looking for? And together, can they come to understand Marilyn's story? For Josephine and Lily, this springtime in Perlarosa will transform their lives forever.


Readers LOVE Rosanna Ley's novels

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Charming'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Truly amazing'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Wonderful'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Beautifully crafted'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Captivating'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Very moving'©2025 Rosanna Ley Contemporary Women's Fiction Italy

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR ROSANNA LEY: 'Bursting with sunlight and beauty . . . a powerful story, superbly told
A gorgeous story, full of heart
A luminous, sun-soaked delight
Beautifully written and gently captivating
All stars
Most relevant
Fantastic loved every moment of it. Sad in places and it certainly kept you wanting for more.

Love

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I read the kindle sample that took me to chapter seven and I already knew that I had to continue reading.
But books that make you cry, a lot, are better told through audio sometimes. In one sitting too.
It begins as a tragic story of lost love, and continues by delving into the past, to fill missing pieces, full of new beginnings and possibilities.
The narration was perfect, the storytelling heartfelt and touching. Superb.

A beautiful story, beautifully told

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Gentle and evocative story-line.
I enjoyed the story but not the narration - I know the story had some sad bits but she read the whole book with such a depressing delivery it almost made me stop listening

Italian Flame

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I am so sorry I really liked the road to Mandalay and thought I would try the same author for one of her recent novels….. Big mistake it was awful in so many ways, transparent storyline, boring narration and not worth the £7.99 .

Boring

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