What is *You Deserve Good Gelato* by Kacie Rose about?

*You Deserve Good Gelato* blends memoir and travel insights as Kacie Rose recounts her move to Italy, navigating cultural shocks like chaotic driving and language barriers, while embracing slower living and personal growth. Through humorous anecdotes, she reflects on overcoming fears, finding joy in cultural differences, and redefining success beyond material goals.

Who should read *You Deserve Good Gelato*?

This book is ideal for travelers planning an Italian adventure, expats navigating life abroad, or anyone seeking inspiration to step outside their comfort zone. It’s particularly resonant for young adults drawn to self-help themes intertwined with vivid travel storytelling.

Is *You Deserve Good Gelato* worth reading?

Yes, for its mix of practical Italy travel tips (e.g., ordering coffee, finding authentic gelato) and uplifting life lessons about resilience. While seasoned travelers may find some cultural comparisons basic, its candid humor and motivational tone make it a compelling read for newcomers to Italian culture.

How does *You Deserve Good Gelato* portray Italian culture?

Kacie Rose highlights Italy’s emphasis on family, food traditions, and slower living, contrasting it with American work-centric lifestyles. She shares quirks like the absence of “pepperoni pizza” and the social ritual of midday espresso breaks, offering readers a guide to avoiding tourist pitfalls.

What are the main life lessons in *You Deserve Good Gelato*?

Key themes include embracing failure as growth, finding joy in small moments, and prioritizing experiences over perfection. Rose argues that cultural differences are educational rather than intimidating, urging readers to pursue what scares them.

Does *You Deserve Good Gelato* include practical travel tips for Italy?

Yes! The book details navigating Italy’s train system, identifying authentic gelato shops, and mastering coffee etiquette (like avoiding cappuccinos after 11 AM). These tips stem from Rose’s own mistakes, making them relatable for first-time visitors.

How does Kacie Rose’s background shape the book?

As a former New York dancer turned social media creator, Rose blends artistic storytelling with actionable advice. Her transition from freelance writing to documenting expat life lends authenticity to lessons on adaptability and reinvention.

What personal growth themes does the book explore?

Rose discusses overcoming homesickness, rebuilding identity abroad, and learning self-compassion. Her integration into an Italian family illustrates how embracing vulnerability fosters resilience and belonging.

You Deserve Good Gelato

Kacie Rose

3.68(5105 Reviews)

Overview of You Deserve Good Gelato

Kacie Rose's instant NYT bestseller chronicles her bold leap from NYC to Italy, offering a witty travel memoir that's captivated 1.5 million followers. What cultural secrets made Tori Dunlap call it "the perfect armchair travel book that might inspire you to book that flight"?

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Chapter 1

When Wanderlust Becomes Your Way of Life

I still remember that first gelato in Venice. It looked magical - towering with bright colors and decorative toppings that promised Italian perfection. One bite revealed the harsh truth: sugar crystals and artificial flavors. I'd been duped by a tourist trap, shattering the myth that "there is no bad gelato in Italy." Little did I know this disappointing experience would become a metaphor for my journey - learning to find the good stuff beyond the flashy exterior. My name is Kacie Rose, and despite being only 3% Italian, I've always felt drawn to Italy. After years of waiting for the "right time," I finally took the scariest leap imaginable - booking a solo trip to Italy. That decision transformed my life in ways I never could have imagined. What began as a personal adventure evolved into building a community of over 1.5 million people who follow my journey navigating cultural differences and travel experiences. This isn't just another "American-meets-Italian" love story (though that did happen). It's about falling in love with a culture, a place, a people, and ultimately, yourself - flaws and all. My experiences have resonated with millions, including celebrities like Stanley Tucci and Julia Fox who have shared my content. In a world where travel content often glosses over cultural nuances, my approach of honest storytelling about both the beautiful and challenging aspects of expatriate life has created a movement encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the unknown.

Chapter 2

Do the Sh*t That Scares You

I booked my first solo trip to Italy while working as a professional dancer in New York City - a career where 98% of factors determining success are completely beyond your control. After eight years in the business, I was burned out, suffering anxiety attacks, and beginning to hate dance itself. For years, I'd told myself I'd go to Italy "when the time was right" - when I had someone to go with. I waited and watched others travel while I stayed behind. During one sleepless night at my mom's house in Michigan, the realization hit me like divine intervention: "Why am I waiting for someone else? I'm strong, smart, and capable of doing this myself." The thought terrified and electrified me. Though I'd traveled alone within the US for dance gigs, venturing to another continent seemed impossible. I could barely make rent each month in NYC. Yet something inside me was certain - I had to do this. Backed by wine and tears, I booked a one-way flight to Venice. Despite living paycheck-to-paycheck with student loan debt, I remained strangely calm. I took on every odd job imaginable - receptionist, dog walker, coat-check girl, online English teacher - working up to four jobs daily to fund my dream. When friends and family questioned my decision with concerns like "You'll get kidnapped" or "You can't do that," it only fueled my determination. Those four words - "You can't do that" - lit a fire in me. Rather than letting fear and doubt control me, I molded them like Play-Doh into something positive. My first morning in Venice transformed everything. Seeing the Grand Canal for the first time, watching boats glide along calm waters, gondoliers laughing over coffee in their striped outfits as the sun rose over the canals - it was breathtaking. In that moment, I thought, "you can do this." In Florence, I met Dario at a jazz club. Our connection was immediate and electric. When COVID hit three months after he moved to New York to be with me, it gave me clarity about my dance career and pushed us to consider moving to Italy together. In January 2021, we made the leap. My motto "Do the sh*t that scares you" emerged from a lifetime of letting fear control me. Life is too short for endless "maybe next times." The thought of lying on my deathbed regretting things I was too scared to do terrifies me more than doing the scary things themselves. Through travel mishaps - being stranded in France, tearing my eardrum in Budapest, boarding wrong trains - I've learned that uncomfortable situations build problem-solving skills and confidence. They teach us we won't always have answers, but we'll figure it out anyway.

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Chapter 3

Lessons in Humility

When Dario and I landed in Italy, we faced a mandatory two-week quarantine. Everything felt shiny and new. Though I knew life would be different, I'd researched through blogs and social media, and questioned Dario endlessly about what to expect. Having made mistakes during my solo trip, I thought I was prepared for life as a resident. How naive I was from the safety of our balcony. When Dario's birthday arrived the day after our quarantine ended, I wanted to make it special despite COVID restrictions. I planned to decorate our apartment with streamers and "happy birthday" signs. My first stop was the pharmacy across the street, where I confidently asked for birthday cards using Google Translate. The pharmacist's confused look made me check if I'd grown three extra heads. "Questa e una farmacia..." she said slowly. I nodded as if that cleared everything up, responding with a simple "Si" before retreating. I later learned that unlike American pharmacies (which sell everything from food to beauty supplies to greeting cards), Italian pharmacies only sell medicine. The store I needed was a cartoleria - a magical place with gift accessories, paper products, and arts and crafts. This was my first experience with culture shock living abroad - a humbling but exciting realization that despite all my research, some things I'd only learn through experience. This wasn't my first lesson in dropping expectations. During a road trip with Dario while we were still long-distance, I was eager to visit Naples after seeing it glorified in Eat, Pray, Love. But my research painted it as "dangerous, wild, full of muggers and scam artists." Despite Dario's reassurances, I arrived with my guard up, judging the city through others' experiences instead of forming my own. Unsurprisingly, I didn't enjoy it. A year after living in Italy, I returned to Naples with fresh eyes and no expectations. What I discovered was a city "exploding with the joy of simply being alive" - beautifully chaotic, filled with music and laughter, and scooters (nicknamed "mosquitos" by my Neapolitan friend) weaving through unbothered crowds. Naples refuses to change for tourists, instead inviting them to experience "the true Italy." In 2022, when my friend Brett suggested we visit Bratislava, Slovakia - a place I knew little about and wouldn't have chosen myself - I went without expectations and was completely charmed by this quiet, historically rich culinary hotspot that "does not bellow its beauty, but makes its case quietly and insistently until one day you wake up and realize, you're in love." Letting go of expectations teaches us humility and offers growth. Travel challenges our preconceptions and forces us to admit they weren't entirely accurate. While culture shock is inevitable, too often travelers become frustrated when things don't work like they do at home. Fear takes advantage of this weakness, spiraling into defeat and entitlement that taints our experience. Instead of entitlement, we need curiosity. Instead of frustration, we need to drop expectations altogether. When I released my expectations about living abroad, I also released the pressure to know everything about Italian culture beforehand. That's when it became fun. Each challenge became an opportunity to learn rather than a reason to feel defeated.

Chapter 4

Nonna is Always Available

In Mediterranean culture, food and family are inseparable - like peanut butter and jelly or prosciutto e melone. Meals in Italy aren't just about sustenance; they're connection points where families gather to enjoy delicious food and each other's company. These meals become birthplaces of lively conversation, symphonies of laughter, and symbols of adoration. After all, "Mangia!" ("Eat!") is basically Italian for "I love you" - something I heard constantly after moving to Italy. I was understandably nervous about being introduced into Dario's Italian family. Italians hold la famiglia on a pedestal, with family members committed to caring for one another like a wolf clan. This is likely where the term mammoni originates - often used negatively to describe adult children (typically sons) deeply attached to their parents (usually mothers). I worried I'd disrupt this balance as a non-Italian who barely spoke the language. To clarify, Dario isn't a mammoni. He maintains a deep love and healthy respect for his mother and family, who immediately made me feel included. My first meeting with Dario's mom involved dinner at his Florence restaurant while I was visiting from NYC. Despite our language barrier - she spoke little English and I no Italian - we bonded over conversation powered entirely by Google Translate and perfectly cooked Florentine steak. Still, I craved a deeper connection with his mom. This desire led me to an important cultural lesson during lunch at Dario's family's Tuscan countryside home. These weekly or biweekly family meals are as essential to Italians as brushing teeth. That day, Dario's mom served tortellini in brodo (tortellini in broth), a typical dish from Emilia-Romagna. I finished quickly, believing the best way to win an Italian family's heart was by enjoying their food. I'd heard leaving food on your plate was considered rude in Italy, as it suggested you didn't enjoy the meal enough to finish it. Following this logic, accepting seconds must surely indicate the ultimate appreciation. So when Dario's mom offered more, I enthusiastically replied, "SI!" and happily devoured a second bowl. I was stuffed, but proud of making a good impression... until she brought out the second course: stuffed rabbit with potatoes and spinach. That's when I learned that typical Italian family meals consist of multiple courses: antipasti (appetizers), primi piatti (first course), secondi piatti (second course) with contorni (side dishes), fruit to cleanse the palate, dolce (dessert), and finally coffee or digestif. I felt sick for two days afterward, at which point Dario informed me I wasn't actually required to eat beyond my stomach's capacity - at least not in his family. Dario's nonna was a sweet, frail woman standing 4'11" compared to Dario's 6'4", who used a walker (jokingly called her "car") in her final years. Though she spoke no English, when she learned ravioli was my favorite pasta early in our relationship, she greeted me at our next lunch with homemade ricotta and spinach ravioli she'd rolled and stuffed herself. After struggling to make pasta from scratch with Dario, I asked incredulously how his 89-year-old nonna managed it. He simply shrugged and said, "She's Italian." This village mentality extends beyond blood relations into society. Pregnant friends report being treated like royalty - escorted to the front of government office lines, receiving complimentary meals "to nourish the baby," and countless "Auguri!" (Congratulations!) from passing strangers. This attitude continues after birth, with shopkeepers and strangers interacting with children as if they were their own. In a small Tuscan countryside restaurant, Dario and I once observed a young couple with a crying six-month-old baby. When the flustered father stood to soothe the child, an elderly woman at the next table held out her arms. After a few chuckles and "grazie mille" exchanges, the baby was happily bouncing on the woman's knee while the grateful parents enjoyed their meal. It was a beautiful moment of recognizing non-blood relations as family, helping both the new and older generations.

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Chapter 5

Haters Gonna Hate

There's no guidebook for what to do when you suddenly go from having zero eyes on you to millions, almost in the blink of an eye. That's what it felt like for me - a blink. I posted my first TikTok while Dario and I were on the plane moving to Italy. Until then, I was still bitter about Vine's demise (RIP) and used TikTok purely to watch cats and cooking videos without intending to create content myself. Not because I had anything against it, but because I didn't know how and feared putting myself online for the world - and scarier still, friends and family - to see. However, a trending audio was living rent-free in my head. As Dario and I sat on the tarmac, I randomly decided to compile clips telling our story set to that song, ending with our move to Italy. The stakes seemed low since nobody would actually see it, right? Upon arriving in Italy, I discovered the video had gone viral. During our mandatory two-week quarantine, I created videos about new Italian things I was learning, figuring "what do I have to lose?" My first mega-viral moment came about four months after moving to Italy when I created the Culture Shock Series on TikTok. These were 10-second skits strung together into 60-second videos where I acted out different culture shocks as an American in Italy - from teens legally driving motorcycles at 14 to public drinking to government vouchers for celiacs to buy gluten-free food. I slightly exaggerated my reactions but kept them authentic. On one hand, this was a beautiful accident. Creating content connected me with people worldwide I might never have met otherwise. It gave me a place to learn freely while navigating a new country during a pandemic when physical learning spaces weren't available. On the darker side, increased views meant more hate comments and intense online bullying - things I knew existed but hadn't experienced harshly before. I was naive and unprepared for the severity. When I first posted the Culture Shock Series, I cried every day for a week. My time as a professional dancer in NYC at 17 had helped me grow tough skin and handle negative comments about everything from my voice to my body to my dance skills. However, it also ingrained a deep-rooted people-pleasing tendency I only fully recognized years later. I've received every type of hate comment imaginable - some funny, others not so much. People have criticized my thin lips, my "1980s hair," accused me of operating on "daddy's money," claimed Dario must only be with me for a green card (he doesn't even want one), and insisted I have no business speaking about Italy as a non-native. By far the most frequent attacks question my intelligence specifically because I'm American. After countless comments attacking my intelligence because I'm American, I earnestly asked Dario if I was truly dumb and had never realized it. The look of hurt confusion on my biggest cheerleader's face was heartbreaking. Words matter and impact others even when we don't realize it. Everything culminated during a trip to Spain for an event hosted by a European company I represented. I made a "friend" at dinner - Jesse, young, fun, gay, and impeccably dressed. When a strikingly beautiful woman approached our group, I complimented her necklace hoping to make friends. She asked if I was American, and when I confirmed "Yes, New York!" she responded with something I couldn't hear properly over the noise - a place name I'd never heard before. Rather than asking her to repeat herself, I people-pleasingly responded "Oh cool!" She immediately challenged me: "Wait, babe - do you even know where that is?" repeating with undisguised condescension. Despite feeling embarrassed, I asked my new friends about it. They burst into laughter - not with me, but at me. "Oh my gosh," one whispered, "it IS true what they say about Americans." I retreated to my hotel room and cried. Though these people meant nothing to me, the rejection stung deeply. The next morning, I faced a choice: quit or continue. As I contemplated giving up, I thought of my community that had come together in kindness, respect, and curiosity. The truth is, some people won't like you. Some will feel entitled to judge your worth. Their voices may be loud, desperate to be heard. Some will be uncomfortable with who you are because it reflects qualities they lack. This knowledge doesn't erase the pain, but it helps build tools to navigate it healthily. "Kill them with kindness" exists for a reason - it costs nothing to be kind and everything to be cruel. When someone projects negativity unprompted, it reflects their own struggles. Send them love, wish them well, and move on - they don't deserve more of your energy, and you don't deserve to have your light dimmed.

Chapter 6

Every Story Needs a Villain

The time has come to introduce you to my #1 enemy in Italy, the bane of my existence: Poste Italiane. I'm not alone in this feeling. Mention even a slight dislike for Poste Italiane, and all of Italy seems to stop to validate my feelings and engage in a passionate discussion. It's something all Italians can agree on - the Mona Lisa being in France, and Poste Italiane. At first glance, Poste Italiane looks like an ordinary post office with bright, Minion-yellow signage. However, someone decided it must also function as a bank, a government office for important legal documents, and apparently even a cell phone provider. While I appreciate not limiting oneself to one box, Poste Italiane might have taken this concept too far. My first innocent experience was attempting to pick up a care package. I leisurely strolled in at 9 a.m., expecting a quick ten-minute errand, only to find a line stretching out the door and people clutching numbered tickets. With Poste Italiane wearing too many hats, only one of six booths was designated for mail services - which everyone seemed to need that morning. After claiming my ticket and waiting an hour, I finally reached a visibly displeased employee who informed me my package hadn't arrived. Months passed with no sign of it. When I asked Italian friends what to do, many simply responded with "boh - it'll come when it comes." I understood this sentiment when I received a Christmas card my parents had sent - the following July. My point is this: You won't love every aspect of where you choose to live or travel. Some things won't meet your expectations, may confuse or annoy you - and that's OK. Admitting this can feel scary because it might break the perfect illusion we've built, especially when moving to a place we've only visited as tourists. When somewhere becomes home instead of a vacation destination, you experience it differently. The rose-colored glasses come off as you handle everyday life tasks like legal documents or visiting Poste Italiane. No perfect place exists, and believing in some waiting utopia does ourselves a disservice. Every location has aspects we won't love, but that doesn't mean we can't simultaneously enjoy other parts or that we should abandon travel altogether. To be transparent, it can be scary to admit dislikes about a chosen destination for fear of reactions like "leave then" or "go back to your own country." Despite this fear, I'll share what drives me cuckoo about Italy: 1. Driving - Italians turn one-way streets into two-way streets, creating heart-attack-inducing situations on narrow medieval streets and cliffside roads. 2. Bar napkins that don't absorb anything - These plastic-coated napkins are designed not to stick to pastries, but they fail at their primary job of soaking things up! 3. Cash dependence - Despite a 2021 law requiring businesses to accept cards, many places still operate on cash only. 4. Missing toilet seats in public bathrooms - Explanations range from people breaking them by standing on them to theft, but the mystery remains unsolved. 5. Bureaucracy - Italian bureaucracy is a labyrinth of chaos with disconnected public offices, mountains of paperwork, and unanswered communications. It's perfectly okay to admit aspects of your chosen home or travel destination that you dislike. It doesn't make you ungrateful or whiny. Italy has its imperfections, but so does everywhere and everyone. Loving something healthily means understanding its imperfections and choosing to continue loving anyway.

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Chapter 7

Mamma Mia

Learning Italian has been both a beautiful and humbling experience. The Italian language is filled with unique sounds, gestures, and expressions that can confuse any non-native speaker. There are phrases like "boh" (accompanied by palms facing outward and a slight shrug) that can mean everything and nothing at once, the Italian "tsk" as an alternative to "no," and countless hand gestures that form a language of their own. Early in my Italian journey, I made the mistake of repeating after Dario without understanding what I was saying. When he accidentally cut his finger and uttered a "bestemmie" (blasphemous curse words so severe they can result in a 300 fine if said publicly), I innocently repeated what I thought was a beautiful Italian phrase. Dario quickly stopped me, explaining I should never repeat it - especially not in front of his nonna, who would surely "keel over." In hindsight, I wish I'd learned more Italian before moving to Italy. Not because I don't love the language - quite the opposite. In my completely unbiased opinion, Italian is the most beautiful language on the planet, flowing like honey in an impossibly romantic harmony that could melt the coldest heart. My Italian language journey has been filled with embarrassing mistakes. I've accidentally asked for a penis (pene) instead of a pen (penna), told Dario's mom I was horny (eccitata) instead of excited (emozionata), and unknowingly repeated the word for "anus" during homework. My name "Kacie" even becomes "Kah-chee-eh" in Italian pronunciation, sounding remarkably like "cacio" from the pasta dish "cacio e pepe." I eventually embraced it: "Hello, I'm Cacio e Pepe. Nice to meet you!" For months, I became practically mute in public, relying on hand gestures and apologetic smiles. When I did speak Italian, I did so timidly, despite Italians being incredibly encouraging. I was afraid to fail at speaking their beautiful language. During a breakthrough moment at an outdoor market in Florence, I finally conducted an entire transaction in Italian while buying taralli (crunchy bread snacks). Though I accidentally ordered a massive 20-euro bag, I realized the entire conversation had happened in Italian without the vendor switching to English. Failure, despite its bad reputation, is precisely what allows us to learn, grow, and adapt. Some of our most beautiful successes come from our most spectacular failures. In theater, there's a saying - "strong and wrong" - when an actor commits fully to the wrong note. The commitment matters more than being right, because without that commitment, they'd never know there was something to learn. Every actor has been "strong and wrong" many times before, as if it's a rite of passage, because they understand that learning from failure ultimately creates a spectacular performance. Gaining knowledge cannot exist without first committing failure. Every mistake we make gives us knowledge to move forward stronger, drawing from past experiences.

Chapter 8

Sometimes You Just Need Some Cheetos

I didn't fully understand how crushing homesickness could be until six months after moving to Italy, when I found myself curled up on my bathroom floor at 2 a.m., silently sobbing to avoid waking Dario. I wanted to speak my own language. I wanted to express myself around my partner's friends and family. I wanted to handle simple tasks without feeling like a burden. I wanted my family and friends. I wanted to not have to ask Dario for help with everything I could've done easily in my own country. I wanted to know where to get my computer fixed without language barriers. I wanted peppercorn ranch dressing and Taco Bell at 2 a.m. I wanted to not stick out as obviously non-Italian everywhere I went. I wanted my culture, my language - I wanted my old self and life. I wanted a damn bag of Cheetos. Homesickness is incredibly complex, coming in waves and hitting unexpectedly. One minute you're on top of the world, the next you're suffocating in isolation, loneliness, and overwhelming guilt - guilt for leaving family and friends, guilt for abandoning your customs, and most surprisingly, guilt for feeling guilty at all. I felt I should be grateful 100% of the time because others would kill to be in my position. But that's not realistic, healthy, or sustainable. These conflicting emotions can - and should - coexist. Homesickness affects everyone, even temporary travelers whose social media presents perfect vacations while hiding the sensory overload that leaves them yearning for comfort. Moving abroad is challenging in ways you never imagined. You'll miss life's biggest moments: weddings, births, graduations, funerals. You'll spend countless days feeling lost, stupid, and dependent. You'll feel lonely and guilty. At times, it will be sad, scary, isolating, and uncomfortable, making you doubt your decision. But finding comfort in the uncomfortable is necessary for growth. Among difficult moments come beautiful ones. You'll do things you never thought possible, have your mind expanded by different ideas and traditions, and discover your own power through overcoming challenges. You'll realize how beautiful the world is and begin shaping the life you want without regrets. I still experience homesickness occasionally. They've become easier with time, though they may never completely fade - and that's okay. I've learned to show myself kindness in these moments, whether that means taking a walk, video calling loved ones, or curling up with Netflix and a peanut butter sandwich. Interestingly, when visiting NYC now, I find myself homesick for Italy - a beautiful realization that I can deeply love two places and call both home.

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Chapter 9

Don't Shoot the Grappa

During a warm Sunday dinner at Dario's aunt's house a few months after moving to Italy, I was served a shot glass of clear, potent alcohol after dessert. Assuming we were doing shots together, I downed the grappa in one gulp, only to be met with horrified yet impressed looks. Dario's aunt gently explained that grappa should be sipped slowly, not shot. With a comforting smile and a wink, she praised my effort: "Ma brava!" This moment introduced me to a fundamental aspect of Italian culture - the art of being unhurried and savoring life's pleasures. Coming from America's hustle culture that rewards constant productivity and demonizes rest, this mindset was difficult to embrace. I'd developed a strange guilt about resting or treating myself without "earning" it through specific accomplishments. I gradually noticed how Italians enjoy life through everyday moments. When I asked an Italian friend how they identify Americans, he listed: wearing socks with sandals, wearing gym clothes without going to the gym, having very white teeth, being extremely loud, and eating food while walking. Indeed, Italians rarely eat while moving (except gelato), and even take time to stand at the counter for their morning espresso rather than grabbing it to go. At restaurants, I learned that servers don't rush you with the check - you must ask for it when you're ready. Meals can last hours, often concluding with complimentary digestives like limoncello or grappa left at the table to enjoy at your leisure. Italy's relationship with alcohol also reflects this unhurried philosophy. Children are exposed to alcohol early in controlled ways - it's not hidden as "mommy's special juice" but known by name, removing natural curiosity. Teens might have watered-down wine at special dinners, and hospitality students like Dario study wine pairing through tastings. This approach teaches respect for alcohol as something to enjoy rather than abuse, which explains why Italy ranks surprisingly low in worldwide alcoholism rates. This philosophy culminates in August, when businesses close for "chiuso per ferie" (closed for holiday) and Italians take extended vacations. When I questioned an Italian friend about how work gets done with such long breaks, she challenged my American perspective: "How do Americans get quality work done without time to recharge? You work yourselves to death, take pitifully short vacations you can't enjoy because you're stressed about missing work, then return still stressed. We take a couple weeks off but come back refreshed." Italians define success not by how much they work, but by how they live outside of work. Rest isn't seen as laziness but as an essential part of a well-lived life. They've mastered finding joy in everyday moments through la pausa (midday break), la passeggiata (evening strolls), Ferragosto (August holiday), and il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing). Many Italians, including Dario, find it curious that tourists seek "la dolce vita" when to them, it's simply life. While "The American Dream" promotes material success at the cost of well-being, the Italian approach places quality of life on a pedestal. They understand that genuine success is measured not by work achievements but by the richness of life beyond work - treating yourself to small pleasures without guilt, from booking dream trips to savoring a morning bombolone. I've learned that life is meant to be enjoyed, not rushed through. Like a song needs both notes and pauses to create a beautiful melody, our journey becomes richer when we embrace both work and rest. Now I can confidently walk into a gelateria at 9:30 a.m. on my way to an appointment and enjoy my pistachio and crema without guilt - la dolce vita, indeed.

Chapter 10

You Deserve the Good Stuff

I began this journey hoping that sharing my stories might empower even one person to face their fears and explore the world. Life's most remarkable moments happen when we step outside our comfort zones into the unknown. Travel isn't merely about visiting new places - it's a gateway to self-discovery and growth. Despite the inevitable uncertainty, failure, and fear you'll encounter, you'll discover an inner strength you never knew existed. There will be uncomfortable moments when you doubt your ability to do hard things, times when you'll want to retreat to safety and abandon your dreams. There will be failures and moments when quitting seems easiest. Do it anyway. Book that plane ticket. Take that leap. Embrace failure, learn from missteps, and persist. The feeling of looking in the mirror knowing you pursued your dreams is priceless - it's the kind of thing they write stories about. I can't sell you this feeling; you must claim it for yourself by writing your own story. I was terrified to travel internationally alone, to move to a foreign country, to put myself on social media, to start a business, to write this book. But I did it anyway. And so can you. Life is beautiful, and we can't take for granted each day we experience this magnificent world. We were put here to explore, fail, learn, and grow - and growth happens only beyond our comfort zone. The world brims with lessons and experiences waiting to be discovered. It's far beyond your comfort zone where you'll gain knowledge not found in textbooks, encounter the beautiful unknown, and discover your limitless potential. I don't have everything figured out yet - who does? There's still much for me to learn. But I do know this: There's plenty of bad gelato in the world that will make you wonder why it exists. But there's also incredible gelato that will transform how you see life. Living through the bad stuff is the only way to find the good stuff. And you, darling - you deserve the good stuff.

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Key Themes in You Deserve Good Gelato

solo female travel
expatriate life
italian cultural nuances
overcoming travel anxiety
navigating culture shock

Quotes from You Deserve Good Gelato

"You can't do that" - lit a fire in me.
Instead of entitlement, we need curiosity.

Characters in You Deserve Good Gelato

Kacie RoseAuthor, former dancer, and American expat in Italy
DarioKacie's partner who she met in Florence
Kacie's momKacie's mother living in Michigan

About the Author

Kacie Rose, author of You Deserve Good Gelato, is a bestselling travel memoirist and content creator celebrated for her vibrant insights into expat life and cultural exploration.

A Michigan native and former Broadway dancer, she relocated to Florence, Italy, in 2021, channeling her experiences into humorous, heartfelt stories about navigating language barriers, Italian traditions, and the transformative power of travel.

Her work blends personal essays with practical advice, encouraging readers to embrace discomfort and discover joy in cultural differences. With over 1.5 million social media followers, Kacie’s viral "culture shock" series and her company, Kacie Rose Travel, have cemented her as a trusted voice for aspiring globetrotters.

The book, praised for its candid tone and relatable mishaps, reflects her mission to demystify travel while celebrating its capacity to redefine self-confidence. You Deserve Good Gelato has resonated globally, earning acclaim for its fusion of wanderlust inspiration and down-to-earth wisdom.

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In a world driven by social media and constant comparison, many people struggle with the biological urge to people-please at the expense of their own identity. This plan is designed for professionals and individuals who feel held back by social anxiety or the need for external approval. It offers a psychological roadmap to reclaiming your voice and living with integrity.

1 h 12 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Photographer's Guide to Travel Booking

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The Gatsby Guide to Eloquence

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Mafia romance

Mafia romance has exploded in popularity as readers seek the thrill of forbidden love mixed with danger and power. This learning plan guides writers through the psychological appeal, character dynamics, and storytelling techniques needed to craft compelling narratives in this lucrative subgenre.

2 h 31 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Talk Like a Real New Yorker

This plan is essential for anyone moving to or visiting NYC who wants to move beyond tourist clichés and blend into the local culture. It benefits professionals and travelers alike by teaching the specific social codes and linguistic shortcuts that define the city's unique identity.

2 h 23 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Evolution of Romantic Escapism

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30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

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4 h 16 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Existentialist Roadmap to Freedom

This plan is essential for individuals feeling trapped by societal expectations or existential dread, offering a path to radical self-ownership. It is designed for deep thinkers and aspiring leaders who want to build a life of authenticity and purpose beyond conventional norms.

2 h•4 Sections

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

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@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

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Chapter 5

You Deserve Good Gelato

OverviewOverview of You Deserve Good Gelato

One book. Many ways to hear it.

When Wanderlust Becomes Your Way of Life

Do the Sh*t That Scares You

See every word as you hear it

Lessons in Humility

Nonna is Always Available

Get more out of You Deserve Good Gelato

Haters Gonna Hate

Every Story Needs a Villain

See every word as you hear it

Mamma Mia

Sometimes You Just Need Some Cheetos

Get more out of You Deserve Good Gelato

Don't Shoot the Grappa

You Deserve the Good Stuff

You made it to the end of You Deserve Good Gelato

Key Themes in You Deserve Good Gelato

Quotes from You Deserve Good Gelato

Characters in You Deserve Good Gelato

About the Author

Download Summary of You Deserve Good Gelato

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FAQs About This Book

What is You Deserve Good Gelato by Kacie Rose about?

Who should read You Deserve Good Gelato?

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How does You Deserve Good Gelato portray Italian culture?

Part of a Learning Plan

Parla in lingua italiana

Discover more

1,000,000+ curious minds.

1,000,000+ curious minds.

One book. Many ways to hear it.

When Wanderlust Becomes Your Way of Life

Do the Sh*t That Scares You

See every word as you hear it

Lessons in Humility

Nonna is Always Available

Get more out of You Deserve Good Gelato

Haters Gonna Hate

Every Story Needs a Villain

See every word as you hear it

Mamma Mia

Sometimes You Just Need Some Cheetos

Get more out of You Deserve Good Gelato

Don't Shoot the Grappa

You Deserve the Good Stuff

You made it to the end of You Deserve Good Gelato

Users also liked

Part of a Learning Plan

Parla in lingua italiana

Discover more

Overview of You Deserve Good Gelato