Looking for a story that moves you and helps you learn? The Broken Heart Refuge is one of those rare bilingual books in Italian and English that blends emotion with language learning.
This parallel-text fiction is ideal for intermediate to advanced learners who want to grow their Italian while staying emotionally engaged.
Set in London, the story follows Lisa and Mary—two women navigating heartbreak, healing, and new beginnings—under the gentle care of Nonna Pina, an Italian grandmother with a gift for kindness (and tea).
As you read, you’ll see the English and Italian versions side by side—English on the left page, Italian on the right—making it easy to follow the story in both languages. Whether you’re brushing up your Italian or a native Italian exploring English, this is a wonderful way to connect with language through emotion, not just exercises.
If you’re already a fan of bilingual fiction or looking for bilingual Italian English books that offer more than just short stories, this is your next read.
This 266-page parallel-text book offers:
• Language learning support: improve your Italian by comparing original English with its Italian translation.
• Vocabulary expansion: spot and learn new words using the clear, side-by-side format.
• Better comprehension: understand idioms and nuance with direct comparison.
• Confidence boost: tackle a full-length story (34,000 words!) without fear.
• Grammar reinforcement: notice sentence structure differences in real context.
• No need for a dictionary: flip between languages easily, without interrupting your flow.
Where to buy?
If you’re based in the UK or the US, you can order your copy directly from my shop.
If you’re elsewhere, you can find it on Amazon.
This bilingual novel is perfect for learners who want more than dry dialogues or textbook exercises.
Through the lives of Lisa, Mary, and the charming guests at the Broken Heart Refuge, you’ll explore friendship, heartbreak, and the magic of second chances—all while developing your Italian.
Lisa is torn — she’s fallen in love with her best friend’s boyfriend. Should she confess, or start fresh somewhere new? Mary is still paralysed by the loss of her husband, but something about her grief hints at a deeper story. As they both seek comfort and clarity, they find themselves drawn into the warm, welcoming chaos of Nonna Pina’s refuge in London — where tea is always brewing and heartfelt advice flows as freely as the biscotti.
Read one page in Italian, then the same in English. Compare how emotions are expressed, how phrases shift, and how cultural nuance comes through. It’s a fantastic tool for learners who want a deeper, more intuitive connection to the language.
Whether you’re reading on your lunch break or enjoying your favourite hot drink like Nonna Pina herself, you’ll be building skills while getting immersed in the story. And if you’re someone who loves bilingual books in Italian English, this story offers the bonus of language learning along the way.
Ready to lose yourself in a story and learn Italian along the way?
Grab your copy today — and support me as an indie author!
If you’re based in the UK or the US, you can order directly from my shop.
If you’re elsewhere, you can find it on Amazon.