I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti: A Memoir of Good Food and Bad Boyfriends

CANDID, WARM, AND FUNNY

She spent some 20 years in New York City looking for Mr. Right and found a succession of Mr. Wrongs and several Mr. Not-Even-Closes. Nonetheless, despite major disappointments she always remained optimistic, leading this reader to believe her theme song was "Surely This Time."

Giulia Melucci, a well brought up Catholic girl from Brooklyn, was a whiz in the publishing biz, a marvel in the kitchen, but severely challenged when it came to picking out a man. It's a puzzlement. However, she's also blessed with a choice, self-deprecating humor, which readers will find irresistible in her memoir "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti." She chronicles her days of dauntlessly dating, punctuating those experiences with wonderful recipes. (We're having Spaghetti Carbonara found on page 22 this evening.)

Her initial boyfriend in January of 1990 was Kit Fraser (all potential mates names are changed to protect the innocent and guilty). They shared many commonalities save for his love of the bottle and eventual alcoholism.

Next came Ethan who showed promise. And with him Giulia became bold, asking, "What does it take to seduce you?" He smiled nervously and replied, "I think we should just be friends." She was not discouraged and made Healthy Penne (page 65) and Unforgettable Halibut (page 69) for him.

Her last fellow (at least when she finished the book) was a Scot whom she nurtured in every way, even to getting his book published. Before leaving he did cook for her (Lachlan's Farfalle with Zucchini and Egg is found on page 263). Following his departure Giulia learned the pleasure of cooking for one and writing a book.

If you ask me these guys don't know what they missed. Giulia would do anything to please them, often deciding there was something wrong with her. Not so!

"I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti" is an absolute delight - candid, moving, and often hilarious.

- Gail Cooke

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great new memoir from Giulia Melucci!

Melucci's memoir takes readers on a journey through her colorful dating past, which masterfully connects with relevant related recipes. With unabashed humor, Melucci demonstrates both her expert writing and cooking skills, exquisitely blended together.

Who can't relate? An entertaining read and a great, creative effort by Melucci.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I Loved I Lost I Made Spaghetti

This book is chick lit for both the bedroom and kitchen. Giulia's writing style like her recipes has just the right seasonings of heartbreak and humor. A romantic through and through, she has more success in the kitchen than in her relationships; with the men in her life best left for desert rather than the main course. Half way into the book I wanted to take her under my wing and give her advice and by the last chapter I was almost shouting aloud, no, not another writer, don't do it!
I enjoyed this book as much for the story as what was happening behind the scenes. It seems Giulia has found her true passion which is writing. I'm torn as to what shelf to keep this book on but I'm leaning toward the kitchen. There's a few recipes I want to try.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Awesome+read%21

I+couldnt+put+this+book+down%21+The+recipes+alone+are+an+awesome+reason+to+buy+it+but+add+in+a+fantastic+story%3F+Its+a+no+brainer+you+have+to+buy%21

Hard to read

Ok, the praise: She's a good writer, her recipes are wonderful and the continuity of the story is good. She comes across as likable etc.

The bad: Good gawd, anytime she's close to some self-awareness and insight, she blows it. "Desperate-to-be-loved-by-impossible-men" while ignoring that she simply wasn't even compatible with them and should have never been in a relationship with them in the first place. She relationship-hops better than my dysfunctional friends that do it and she doesn't blink an eye. She's got Ethan lined up and talking before she's done with Kit. She's got Mitch lined up as she's ending with Ethan. She "thinks" she needs some soul-searching (you think?) time, but blows it off for Marcus and later calls him psychotic and compares him to Jeffrey Dahmer (not funny!). She takes on a combined role of a desperate female and the male role of doing the chasing and wonders why she has bad relationships. Rest in your femininity Ms. Melucci, you could use Alison Armstrong's PAX seminar - Understanding Men and Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women, what an eye-opening experience that would be for you! I've got a 100 pages left to read and I'm not sure I want to finish it. - Ok, I finished it, it did get slightly better, but I too have the same question as another reviewer - did she intend for us to feel sorry for her at the end?

thoroughly enjoyable!

I loved reading this book - maybe because it hit close to home (as it would for most women!) i have also made several of the recipes and they have all been terrific. such a great idea for a book - i have given it as a gift to a couple of my foodie friends and they loved it too.

Great recipes, predictable story

I laughed a lot at the beginning of this book but was somewhat disappointed with the ending. She seemed to just give up on the writing and leaves her readers hanging. The recipes are fun and tasty. I've made the Eggplant Parmesan and the Spaghetti Carbonara with everything else on my list for future dinners. It was a good read with plenty to relate to, but just left me wanting a little more from the ending, perhaps like her dinners!

I read, i was disappointed, i put it down

Quite possibly one of the worst books i've ever read - not original in the least, a poor imitation of Adriana Trigiani and an insult to women. The way that Sarah Palin was supposed to be a substitute for Hilary Clinton. The author phoned it in.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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