Review: I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti
When Giulia Melucci got her first apartment, eighteen months after graduating from college, she really didn’t have much experience with men. Having grown up in an Italian-American family, she was used to eating well and sharing food with those she loved, though.
Giulia dreamed of finding the perfect man and settling down into a comfortable marriage, but that just wasn’t in the cards for her. She had relationships with several men, but none of them were that magical one.
I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci is the story of her relationships and the food she learns to cook along the way. Unfortunately for Giulia, her relationships didn’t work out, but fortunately for the reader, her recipes did and she shares a lot of them in this book. She was nice enough to include a recipe index in the back too! There are several recipes I want to try.
I thought I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti was a cute book and I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I think some of that has to do with the fact that it’s been over thirty years since I’ve dated, so I couldn’t relate to some parts of it. Those who’ve more recently experienced the dating scene would probably like it even more than I did. Here’s Giulia talking about the book:
Challenges: Memorable Memoir Challenge, What’s in a Name 3 Challenge, Books Won Challenge
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Oh, but the title is adorable! Nothing heals my heart more than cooking Italian food, I swear. And I’m not Italian. It’s been a dog’s age since I’ve dated too, but sometimes it is fun to live vicariously through those that do!
I think the dating world has changed dramatically since I dated. Back then in the dark ages, people were looking for their life’s partner; not just the first of three or four spouses and certainly not the foolishness that goes on today. Somedays I’m glad I’m old!
I gave this book to one of my nieces and she wasn’t too impressed either. Have a good weekend and stay toasty. 34 degrees in FL
It’s a cute title but it seems it might be targeted more towards a specific audience instead of having a universal appeal. It’s probably not for me either.
Growing up with a large Italian extended family myself, I’ve been intrigued with this book… but had a feeling I might be too far removed from dating experiences to appreciate it. I’ll bet my college-aged daughter would love it though!
This sounds cute and it does work for a few challenges for me too! I don’t know if I can handle the idea of reading about all that pasta right now!
I think that is fabulous that she included recipes in the index. So many books fall short on the indexing and it truly makes a difference, in my opinion! Thanks for the review! (hope you share the results if you try some recipes!)
I read this one a while back and loved the simple yet delicious-sounding recipes. You’ve reminded me to pull out my copy and look some of those up. Thanks!
As you can imagine I just love the title of this book and it is one that I have been longing to read for awhile now, if only for the spaghetti.
I love the title, but like you, I have been out of the dating world far too long to probably relate to that aspect of the story.
Italian food fixes everything, right?
The title of the book is great, don’t know if the book is for me. Sorry you didn’t like it.
Dating is a foreign world to me too! But isn’t it funny how we are in a period where we need to stick a little food in every book and title?
I do have to agree that it is a great title.
and that I wish I had some spaghetti…lol
Like Sandy, I love the title. And I love books that include recipes, so maybe I’ll give this a try.
Hi!
Sounds like a great book. I’ll have to check this one out. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.
Sherrie
Sherrie’s Stuff
sounds like a fun book. I also haven’t dated in over 20 years and hope never to have to do it again. As for cooking, oh yeah, I do that, having this urge to feed people and not just men.
I keep meaning to read this one! It’s been on my shelves. Good review, I’ll have to see what my experience is with it since I haven’t been out of the dating scene too long, being with my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years. Great review!
I’m glad to know your thoughts on this book. I judged from the title that it’s not serious enough for me as a book-occasionally I’m wrong.I haven’t dated for forty years. I really think it’s for younger adults.
Certainly has a catchy title! I’ve been out of the dating scene for as long as you, Kathy. It’s not easy these days – so my two 20-something daughters tell me.
My sister-in-law liked this book but I haven’t read it yet. I’m so glad that I don’t have to worry about dating!!
I had this one my wish list at Paperback Swap but I’m a little less excited about it now after reading your review. I like the cover though!
I have loved the title of this book since it first came out. I think it’s on my TBR pile somewhere, but it might still be on my wishlists.
I have a thing for books with recipes in them, for some unknown reason (it’s not as if I cook a lot), so I’d probably really like this one…..glad you reviewed it!
I have always thought this sounded fun. I need to get my hands on a copy and read it. I haven’t dated in 26 years…..but maybe I can live vicariously…… Nice Review.
I really enjoyed this book, too. Your post reminded me that I need to go back and look at the recipes I bookmarked in it!
I just picked this one up at the library. I love the new release shelves, I don’t even think about it, I just throw them in the stack and take it home to see how I really feel.
It IS a cute book. I think I reviewed it last year – I got an ARC. I have been with my husband since college days – over ten years at that point (we haven’t been married that long) – so I couldn’t relate either but I LOVED the recipes.
This looks so cute. It’s the first time I’ve seen the trailer. But like you, I’m afraid I would be able to relate that much so I haven’t read it.
On the other hand, the recipe might be worth it.
Sounds like a cute book.
I’ve heard mixed reactions on this one but it is on shelf and I hope to read it one of these days.
I’m trying to remember if I ever dated…. wait. wait. it’s coming to me.
but I know I’m always on the hunt for new recipes!
This book looks like a good laugh. I like that all my favourites are combined Italians, dating and food. I will give it a try. It applies.
I love foodie memoirs, but it sounds as though this one didn’t come off very well with you. I am torn as to whether or not I will read this one, since I too have been out of the dating scene for many years. I am interested in some of the recipes in the book though, and hope you will be posting some of your results with them!
I saw a ton of giveaways for this at one time but it didn’t seem like something I would love so I didn’t enter.
I’m hopeless with cooking… SIGH… So if the recipes fail (when I try them) it’s not the author’s fault. LOL!
I don’t think I could relate to the dating stories. Never was one for the dating scene. Thank goodness I was introduced to my husband through friends! I think I’d give it a try just to read about the recipes, though.
–Anna
Well, we can’t love them all but liking a book is pretty darn good, too! This is on my reading list for this year. Maybe I’ll get to it for Valentine’s Day!
I didn’t relaize that there were recipes in this book. Cool. This books sounds delightful. BTW, you are the first person in the challenge to finish and review a won book. Congrats!
love it!!!