Author: Valerie Bertinelli
Publisher: Mariner Books
Genre: Non-fiction
Source: Purchased

Goodreads: Beloved actress and New York Times best-selling author Valerie Bertinelli returns with a heartfelt look at turning sixty, the futility of finding happiness in numbers on a scale, learning to love herself the way she is today, and tips for a healthier outlook on life.

Valerie Bertinelli shares an inspiring blueprint that offers women in midlife support and hope. She shares personal stories that many women will relate to from her past decade: hitting her fifties, taking care of her dying mother, the evolving relationship with her husband, a career change, her relationship with food, and the battle to believe in herself as she is.

Despite her success receiving Emmys for her Food Network show and critical praise for her books and cookbook, Bertinelli still judged herself harshly if she gained a pound or showed too many wrinkles. But after her mother died, she found an old recipe box with notes of the strong women that came before her, reminding her that she has to find out who she is and take care of herself. Saying, “enough already!” Bertinelli set out on a journey to love herself and see that perfection is not the goal; it’s the joy we can find every day in our lives, our loved ones, and the food we share. Recipes and advice will be sprinkled throughout the book.

Ope’s Opinion: I find it very hard to review autobiography’s. It is Valerie’s story, in her voice. Her thoughts are all about her, her life, and how she was feeling at the time. The bottom line was if it isn’t about loving yourself and other it is not worth the time.

I have been a fan of Valerie’s since she was on One Day at a Time. I have followed her career and life since. It is interesting to hear how she felt about herself when it always looked from the outside that she was bubbly and happy. The chapters are labeled according to dates – each chapter has short segments that were happening around the same time – this made it easy to pick up and read a little at a time.