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Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today
A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Beloved actress, Food Network personality, and New York Times bestselling author Valerie Bertinelli reflects on life at sixty and beyond. Behind the curtain of her happy on-screen persona, Valerie Bertinelli’s life has been no easy ride, especially when it comes to her own self-image and self-worth. She waged a war against herself for years, learning to equate her value to her appearance as a child star on One Day at a Time and punishing herself in order to fit into the unachievable Hollywood mold. She struggled to make her marriage to Eddie Van Halen — the true love of her life — work, despite all the rifts the rock-star lifestyle created between them. She then watched her son follow in his father’s footsteps, right up onto the stage of Van Halen concerts, and begin his own music career. And like so many women, she cared for her parents as their health declined and saw the roles of parent and child reverse. Through mourning the loss of her parents, discovering more about her family’s past, and realizing how short life really is when she and her son lost Eddie, Valerie finally said, “Enough already!” to a lifelong battle with the scale and found a new path forward to joy and connection. Despite hardships and the pressures of the media industry to be something she’s not, Valerie is, at last, accepting she knows who she is, has discovered her self-worth, and has learned how to prioritize her health and happiness over her weight. With an intimate look into her insecurities, heartbreaks, losses, triumphs, and revelations, Enough Already is the story of Valerie’s sometimes humorous, sometimes raw, but always honest journey to love herself and find joy in the everyday, in family, and in the food and memories we share. “This thoughtful, bighearted book is sure to be a hit with Bertinelli fans and those with an appetite for stories of hard-won self-acceptance. A warmly intimate memoir.” – Kirkus Reviews “In a series of brutally frank essays, Bertinelli looks back on the emotional struggles and triumphs of her life. By turns raw and inspiring, this contains a little bit of wisdom for everyone.” – Publishers Weekly
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 18, 2022
About the author
Valerie Bertinelli
11 books286 followersValerie Bertinelli is the host of her own daytime series Valerie’s Home Cooking and co-hosts Kids Baking Championship on the Food Network. The two-time Golden Globe award-winning actress takes her fans into her kitchen with her new cookbook “Valerie’s Home Cooking” (Oxmoor House, an imprint of Time Inc. Books, October 2017). Her fun flavor combinations, like Brown Sugar Sriracha Bacon Bites, Lobster BLTs, and Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, transform traditional classics into crave-worthy and exciting new dishes to enjoy with friends and family. Bertinelli first became a household name for her role as Barbara on CBS’s long-running series, One Day at a Time. Over the years, her career expanded from acting to include hosting, spokesperson, business entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author. She has also helped develop, produce, and star in several television movies and mini-series, and in August 2012 she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She most recently starred as Melanie Moretti in TV Land’s critically acclaimed sitcom Hot in Cleveland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,127 reviews
December 23, 2021
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5
I have never been a fan of Valerie Bertinelli nor watched her seventies series "One Day at a Time", but because she was married to iconic guitarist Eddie Van Halen, my interest was piqued. I was never a particular fan of him either, but after having read some biographies on him this past year, my admiration/appreciation of him blossomed.
Valerie's premise for this book is the fact that she has always been trying to lose that last ten pounds, especially being in the public eye as an actress. She comes from an Italian family and has the fondest memories of growing up in Delaware amidst her grandmother Nonnie cooking heavenly meals. These were wonderful family gatherings with exquisite food. Valerie didn't have the greatest relationship with her mother, but the one thing they could get close about was cooking. When she died and the kids cleaned out her house, Valerie took her Mom's handwritten recipe cards and cookbooks as prized possessions to be re-visited (when writing a cookbook). At 48, after being a Jenny Craig spokesperson and starving herself for a week prior to a photo shoot, she appeared svelte in a bikini on the cover of People Magazine. However, after the shoot she immediately went off her diet and started gaining weight. Obviously, being skinny while the world is watching and enjoying the wonder of food is a challenge, and finding that balance between that dichotomy- and ultimately achieving joy- is the goal.
Valerie has really bared her soul in this book, and there is a generous helping throughout of her love for first husband Eddie Van Halen- and especially their son, Wolfgang Van Halen. Touching conversations and experiences are sprinkled evenly among the chapters about their marriage, and their continued closeness following their divorce. This book was written during the pandemic, when Valerie's current marriage to Tom Vitale was crumbling (Eddie didn't know) and Eddie's to Janie Liszewski was also in shambles (Eddie told Valerie). The way this book reads, these second spouses are barely mentioned and their relevance is minimized. What's maximized is the enduring love that Valerie and Eddie had for each other, and that even in death...will never die. Valerie also shares in great detail the process of Eddie dying in the hospital, which was riveting and brought me to tears.
The book also incorporates many of Valeries' favorite recipies, as her cooking talents led her to a successful career with her own cooking show. As with the Eddie and Wolfgang Van Halen references, Valerie's love of cooking is evenly dispersed throughout the book. There are recipes for Lasagna, Pizza, Tuna Melt and cakes.
This book was enjoyable on many levels: the Eddie/Wolfie revelations, enthusiasm for good food (and a way of showing love when cooking for others), and finding contentment in the simple pleasures of life. I can truly say I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I was reading some others at the same time and stopped them to devote myself to this one!
Thank you to the publisher Mariner Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
I have never been a fan of Valerie Bertinelli nor watched her seventies series "One Day at a Time", but because she was married to iconic guitarist Eddie Van Halen, my interest was piqued. I was never a particular fan of him either, but after having read some biographies on him this past year, my admiration/appreciation of him blossomed.
Valerie's premise for this book is the fact that she has always been trying to lose that last ten pounds, especially being in the public eye as an actress. She comes from an Italian family and has the fondest memories of growing up in Delaware amidst her grandmother Nonnie cooking heavenly meals. These were wonderful family gatherings with exquisite food. Valerie didn't have the greatest relationship with her mother, but the one thing they could get close about was cooking. When she died and the kids cleaned out her house, Valerie took her Mom's handwritten recipe cards and cookbooks as prized possessions to be re-visited (when writing a cookbook). At 48, after being a Jenny Craig spokesperson and starving herself for a week prior to a photo shoot, she appeared svelte in a bikini on the cover of People Magazine. However, after the shoot she immediately went off her diet and started gaining weight. Obviously, being skinny while the world is watching and enjoying the wonder of food is a challenge, and finding that balance between that dichotomy- and ultimately achieving joy- is the goal.
Valerie has really bared her soul in this book, and there is a generous helping throughout of her love for first husband Eddie Van Halen- and especially their son, Wolfgang Van Halen. Touching conversations and experiences are sprinkled evenly among the chapters about their marriage, and their continued closeness following their divorce. This book was written during the pandemic, when Valerie's current marriage to Tom Vitale was crumbling (Eddie didn't know) and Eddie's to Janie Liszewski was also in shambles (Eddie told Valerie). The way this book reads, these second spouses are barely mentioned and their relevance is minimized. What's maximized is the enduring love that Valerie and Eddie had for each other, and that even in death...will never die. Valerie also shares in great detail the process of Eddie dying in the hospital, which was riveting and brought me to tears.
The book also incorporates many of Valeries' favorite recipies, as her cooking talents led her to a successful career with her own cooking show. As with the Eddie and Wolfgang Van Halen references, Valerie's love of cooking is evenly dispersed throughout the book. There are recipes for Lasagna, Pizza, Tuna Melt and cakes.
This book was enjoyable on many levels: the Eddie/Wolfie revelations, enthusiasm for good food (and a way of showing love when cooking for others), and finding contentment in the simple pleasures of life. I can truly say I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I was reading some others at the same time and stopped them to devote myself to this one!
Thank you to the publisher Mariner Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
October 13, 2022
3.5 stars
Valerie Bertinelli
Valerie Bertinelli has been in the limelight since her teens, when she starred in the popular sitcom 'One Day at a Time.' Valerie became even more famous when she wed Eddie Van Halen, co-founder of the American rock band Van Halen. Valerie went on to star in the sitcom 'Hot in Cleveland', and is now seen on the Food Channel, where she hosts the cooking show 'Valerie's Home Cooking' and is a judge on 'Kids Baking Championship.'
Valerie Bertinelli (center) in One Day at a Time with Bonnie Franklin (left) and Mackenzie Phillips (right)
Valerie Bertinelli married Eddie Van Halen
Valerie Bertinelli (center) in Hot in Cleveland with Jane Leeves (left) and Wendie Malick (right)
Valerie Bertinelli on Valerie's Home Cooking
Valerie Bertinelli with fellow judge Duff Goldman on Kids Baking Championship
Valerie's success - and prominent place in the public eye - came with a price, however, and she was always self-conscious about her weight. Valerie constantly felt the need to lose 10 pounds (or occasionally more), and was continually unhappy about her appearance. Valerie would compare her self-described hourglass figure to actresses she worked with, like Mackenzie Phillips on One Day at a Time, and Wendie Malick and Jane Leeves on Hot in Cleveland, and (in her own eyes) she came up short.
Now in her 60s, Valerie is tired of the self-doubt and she says 'enough already.' Valerie doesn't just talk about coming to terms with her weight though. She reminisces about her life, family, marriages, home, son, career, and more. Valerie also shares insights about achieving happiness and contentment in life.
Valerie Bertinelli is striving to be content
Sadly, Valerie touches on grief as well. Over the years Valerie lost her father and mother, and in 2020 she lost her best friend Eddie Van Halen. Though Valerie and Van Halen (who she calls Ed) divorced in 2005 - after twenty-five years of marriage - they remained very close, and Valerie deeply mourns Ed's passing.
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen
Valerie met Ed when she was nineteen, and the attraction was instantaneous and mutual. The couple was portrayed as "a bad-boy rock star and America's sweetheart", but privately Ed was shy and Valerie was boisterous. Valerie believes she and Van Halen were soulmates and would have stayed together but for Ed's drinking and using drugs, which she calls "crazy, cliché eighties-style behavior."
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen
Valerie and Ed had a son Wolfgang Van Halen (Wolfie) whom they both adored, and this kept the couple connected even after their divorce and remarriages to other people.
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen with their baby Wolfie
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen with their son Wolfie
Valerie writes about some of her fun experiences with Ed, how much she enjoyed cooking for him, and their ongoing (platonic) love. Valerie also touches on Ed's decades-long battle with cancer and his death in the hospital, surrounded by loved ones. Even now, Valerie still feels connected to Ed.....if only in her dreams.
Valerie is buoyed by her son Wolfie, who followed his father into the music business.
Wolfgang Van Halen
Valerie and Wolfie are close, and Valerie enjoys lavishing her delicious culinary creations on Wolfie and his girlfriend Andraia. Valerie first learned to cook from her Nonnie, aunt, and other women in her family, and often thinks about their cappelletti in brodo, gnocchi, and homemade bread.
Capelletti in Brodo
Gnocchi
Homemade Italian Bread
After Valerie married Ed, she learned southeast Asian recipes from Ed's Indonesian mother, who taught Valerie how to prepare Bami Goreng and Ketjap Sambal. Now of course, Valerie creates her own recipes for her television show.
Bami Goreng
Ketjap Sambai (dipping sauce)
From the outside looking in Valerie seemed to have had a very successful life. When Valerie hit 60 though, she felt she wasn't really happy. Writing about that time, she says, "I feel like I have neglected myself while spending my entire life doing what I think will please everybody else. Publicly, I have pretended to be the bubbly, upbeat, all-American girl everybody wants to believe I am, but in private I have rarely thought of myself as anything but a failure." And Valerie decided to do something about it.
In public, Valerie always appeared cheerful and happy
With the help of a mind coach, Valerie was able to learn how to deal with emotional pain without using food as a crutch. And she learned to see happiness not as an end goal, but as something to strive for every day. Valerie had her epiphany during the Covie-19 pandemic, so much of her healing had to be done alone.
Valerie describes things she does to improve her mood as follows: [When] I get anxious I go for a walk. I have tea. I page through magazines. I read. After a while, I pour myself a glass of wine, sit outside, and try to meditate. By then, I am definitely calmer, but still engaged in a debate with my more insecure, critical self, that asks, 'Why didn't I go on a diet and lose five pounds? Or ten?' Valerie then endeavors to silence those voices, assuring herself that her family and fans love her no matter what. And she tries to find joy, happiness and gratitude over and over again, every day.
Some of Valerie's tips are: tidy your mind; exercise; eat lots of fruits and vegetables; be kind; try new things; laugh loudly and often; be grateful; love; and more.
Valerie Bertinelli at home
Valerie include lots of personal anecdotes in the book, such as a description of a wonderful trip to Italy with her second husband Tom Vitale;
Valerie Bertinelli and her second husband Tom Vitale
attending Van Halen concerts to watch Ed (then Ed and Wolfie) play;
Young Eddie Van Halen performing
Eddie Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen performing together
spending time with her mother;
Valerie Bertinelli with her mother
writing her cookbook;
Valerie Bertinelli's cookbook
watching football on TV; taping her cooking show; being a Jenny Craig spokesperson; enjoying her pets; rebuilding her beach house; watching cat videos on TikTok;
Valerie Bertinelli likes cats and cat videos on TikTok
listening to Wolfie's new songs; grieving Ed's death; splitting from Tom; and much more.
Valerie Bertinelli loves listening to her son Wolfie's music
Valerie's narrative is a bit meandering and repetitive, but it shows her to be a lovely, modest, caring woman who wants to help others by sharing her experiences. I think many people would find inspiration in this book.
Valerie loves to cook and includes a smattering of recipes in the book. Some of the dishes are:
Hot Spinach and Crab Dip
Lasagna
Sicilian Chocolate Love Cake
Tuna Egg Salad Melts
Upside-Down Citrus Cake
Thanks to Netgalley, Valerie Bertinelli, and Mariner Books for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
April 6, 2022
I was never a big Valerie fan. Main reason being she married my first love, Eddie Vanhalen. lol! Funny but true. I fell in love with his picture on the back of their Women and children first album (I was 9) and from then on he was my man. As an adult I never really paid any attention to her career until she showed up on Kids baking Championship. I thought, “she’s such a nice person.”From what one can tell on Kids baking championship. I debated reading this. The only reason I decided to was my sister was going to. Then I read a piece taken from the book in People magazine while I was on my library’s waitlist and I was practically reduced to tears. I knew I had made the right decision. She loved Eddie so deeply, as he did her. “Soulmates” she says in the book. She makes mention of the end of Eddie’s life. How they (her & their son, Wolfie)were there and showed him love and he them,right to the end and beyond. Eddie’s last words to them and them to him were, “I love you.” I can relate to all of this having gone through it with my Dad. It’s something to cherish. Which after reading on they no doubt do and always will. Wolfie even writing a song and filling the video for that song with home movies in remembrance of his Dad. This book made me love her for loving him. I was so glad he had that in his life. Glad She had that in hers. (Everyone should have that.) I’m sure I’m not going to get that take on it in anything somebody else writes about Eddie’s life. This is Valerie’s story. It was deep, raw, emotional and heartfelt. I felt it. From her soul. The book wasn’t just about that ,of course. It was also about her learning to love herself for who she is in the here and now. As she was and is at the present time. Without comparing herself to the number on the scale. Being grateful, happy and Counting her blessings. There was also some recipes scattered throughout. All and all it was good , true to life(relatable) and extremely touching. I’m now a Valerie fan. Keep up the good work, Valerie. Your son isn’t the only rockstar in the family.
August 8, 2022
Enough Already by Valerie Bertinelli is a 2022 Mariner Books publication.
When I first saw this book, I presumed it was a memoir, but upon further inspection, I noticed it was also labeled as a foodie/recipe book… even more intriguing...
Because I like biographies/memoirs and cookbooks- I just don't recall ever seeing them combined together in one book.
I also noticed that the book was placed in the ‘self-help’ category, which always gets a firm ‘no’ from me, especially if it is written by a celebrity.
Despite that, the memoir/ recipe combo, plus all the rave reviews, overrode my reservations and I decided to see how this would play out.
So, did the presentation work? Well...
It was a mixed bag...
Let’s start with the areas I struggled with, first. I was not really looking for a book about Valerie's memories of her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen. I liked Eddie Van Halen- maybe not to the degree others did- but, to be blunt, this book seemed like some sort of tribute to her life with him, because she really couldn’t seem stay on other topics for very long before she was back to talking about Ed again. I wanted to say, "Enough Already!'
The recipe box, mentioned in the blurb, didn’t surface till deep into the book- though that might have been by design. Valerie did spend some time speaking about her background, though, and about her relationship with her mother, and shared some shocking revelations about her parents, and family- but I didn’t get that 'strong woman' inspirational vibe I was hoping for.
I also wondered if maybe sticking with the good, licensed therapist would be better than woo-woo advice from a Hollywood psychic, when it comes to mental health questions- but that’s just me...
What I did like…
I liked the way the recipes are tied to specific memories, events, occasions… and they are recipes that are down to earth and sound, not only delicious, but comforting, as well. I do wish we had some recipe photos, though.
I am glad Valerie came to realize that she had allowed her weight obsession to suck the joy out of living her life with gusto. She’s been incredibly hard on herself over the years, and it was so unnecessary. She seems to have finally accepted that now, seems more comfortable in her own skin, and I like the way she is embracing this stage in her life, even though, admittedly, times have been hard- and she’s going through a divorce as this book concludes.
It was also lovely to discover that Valerie is a cat person. I like the way she is with her son, too, and I’m glad they have a good relationship. I have always enjoyed Valerie’s acting performances, but I will confess, I have not seen her cooking show yet- partly because I haven’t had ‘cable’ in years and didn't have access to the Food Network. That said, we recently got YTTV for my parent’s sake- so I’ll just have to try and catch her show someday.
Can I say Valerie’s journey towards self-love inspired me in any way personally? Sure- I think some of her advice to herself is solid. All of us should practice self-care, but there was nothing in that way I have not heard before. Still, there's a good list of things to do that are worth being reminded of- but we all have to do the work ourselves.
Frankly, I'm comfortable in my own skin- and have been for a long time now. I don’t analyze myself in terms of how others see me physically. I’m more concerned with just being healthier, not just for myself for others in my life, as well. I never stand on the scales, or angst over gray hairs or wrinkles- but of course, I’m not on TV, nor am I under the social media spotlight being scrutinized by trolls everyday… so there’s that.
Still, despite my not finding the 'self-help' sections deeply motivating for me, personally, the book is an interesting and revealing peek into Valerie’s life, as it is now.
I’m sorry she’s lost her parents, and the love of her life, but I am happy to see she’s in a better place mentally when it comes to her relationship with food, and her body and self-image. I hope her journey will inspire others who are struggling with these issues, to say 'Enough, Already', too!
3.5 stars
When I first saw this book, I presumed it was a memoir, but upon further inspection, I noticed it was also labeled as a foodie/recipe book… even more intriguing...
Because I like biographies/memoirs and cookbooks- I just don't recall ever seeing them combined together in one book.
I also noticed that the book was placed in the ‘self-help’ category, which always gets a firm ‘no’ from me, especially if it is written by a celebrity.
Despite that, the memoir/ recipe combo, plus all the rave reviews, overrode my reservations and I decided to see how this would play out.
So, did the presentation work? Well...
It was a mixed bag...
Let’s start with the areas I struggled with, first. I was not really looking for a book about Valerie's memories of her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen. I liked Eddie Van Halen- maybe not to the degree others did- but, to be blunt, this book seemed like some sort of tribute to her life with him, because she really couldn’t seem stay on other topics for very long before she was back to talking about Ed again. I wanted to say, "Enough Already!'
The recipe box, mentioned in the blurb, didn’t surface till deep into the book- though that might have been by design. Valerie did spend some time speaking about her background, though, and about her relationship with her mother, and shared some shocking revelations about her parents, and family- but I didn’t get that 'strong woman' inspirational vibe I was hoping for.
I also wondered if maybe sticking with the good, licensed therapist would be better than woo-woo advice from a Hollywood psychic, when it comes to mental health questions- but that’s just me...
What I did like…
I liked the way the recipes are tied to specific memories, events, occasions… and they are recipes that are down to earth and sound, not only delicious, but comforting, as well. I do wish we had some recipe photos, though.
I am glad Valerie came to realize that she had allowed her weight obsession to suck the joy out of living her life with gusto. She’s been incredibly hard on herself over the years, and it was so unnecessary. She seems to have finally accepted that now, seems more comfortable in her own skin, and I like the way she is embracing this stage in her life, even though, admittedly, times have been hard- and she’s going through a divorce as this book concludes.
It was also lovely to discover that Valerie is a cat person. I like the way she is with her son, too, and I’m glad they have a good relationship. I have always enjoyed Valerie’s acting performances, but I will confess, I have not seen her cooking show yet- partly because I haven’t had ‘cable’ in years and didn't have access to the Food Network. That said, we recently got YTTV for my parent’s sake- so I’ll just have to try and catch her show someday.
Can I say Valerie’s journey towards self-love inspired me in any way personally? Sure- I think some of her advice to herself is solid. All of us should practice self-care, but there was nothing in that way I have not heard before. Still, there's a good list of things to do that are worth being reminded of- but we all have to do the work ourselves.
Frankly, I'm comfortable in my own skin- and have been for a long time now. I don’t analyze myself in terms of how others see me physically. I’m more concerned with just being healthier, not just for myself for others in my life, as well. I never stand on the scales, or angst over gray hairs or wrinkles- but of course, I’m not on TV, nor am I under the social media spotlight being scrutinized by trolls everyday… so there’s that.
Still, despite my not finding the 'self-help' sections deeply motivating for me, personally, the book is an interesting and revealing peek into Valerie’s life, as it is now.
I’m sorry she’s lost her parents, and the love of her life, but I am happy to see she’s in a better place mentally when it comes to her relationship with food, and her body and self-image. I hope her journey will inspire others who are struggling with these issues, to say 'Enough, Already', too!
3.5 stars
November 22, 2021
After reading this book I do sort of feel sorry for Bertinelli, but I had to force myself to finish the book. This woman is just so obsessed with food and her body. She goes on and on about her history with food and her weight. She talks about how much of her life she spent dieting and then she goes into a segue with some food she had to cook and gives you the recipe (there are 8 recipes in the book). It's written as a sort of essay/blog entry throughout the pandemic, with a chapter on this on this date and then a chapter on this on this date. But the vast majority are just about her weight and food. Her life seems pretty consumed with food, her weight, her son, making tv shows and more food (and TV shows about making food and judging food). There's only so much I want to read about her excess weight, her diet history, her problems with body image, and the latest thing she cooked. She clearly dotes on her son and it's sweet to read about that, but it seems like she uses food to try to connect with him too, which just struck me as kind of sad.
Towards the end of the book she talks about the death of her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen. I found him really likeable and felt for the whole family in losing him. They clearly were soulmates, even though they've been divorced for years and they both were married to other people at the time of his death. It was very weird that she didn't write AT ALL about her current husband other than a few vague things about their marriage dissolving. Surely he existed in her life though??? The same can be said for poor EVH's widow, who was there too as he died.
Bertinelli's wealth and privilege were a little too much for me, too, like hearing about the plans to completely rebuild her oceanfront dream house (not her main house, which she also rebuilt, this is a huge property she also maintains on a cliff above the ocean). She's earned it and good for her, but I don't necessarily want to read about how happy she is that she's finally moving forward on tearing down her old beach dream house to build a new even fancier one. It seems a little tone deaf in light of many people's situations right now regarding the pandemic and how much so many people are struggling.
Bertinelli talks a lot about the People magazine cover that showed her in a bikini at 48 and her huge deal with Jenny Craig (I think?) to represent them in their weight loss ads.
She writes about how she starved herself and lost so much that she renegotiated her salary with them to make even more, how she was eating basically nothing at all to be able to get skinny enough for the cover shoot, and how immediately after the People cover she started gaining it all back. This felt particularly off-putting given how many, many people felt awful about their own bodies because of her decades of getting rich off these types of covers, photo shoots and ad campaigns. She mentions a couple of times that she feels guilty for it now, but it feels a little hollow considering all those years of giving this fake impression helped maintain those dream houses at the expense of people who thought these things would really work for them.
Mostly though, she just seems kind of nice but empty. She talks about never really having a relationship with her parents before they died, and her mother's life of pain and unhappiness. She talks about not feeling comfortable doing basic things like putting her arm around Eddie when he seemed sad and she has almost no mention of anything she does for pleasure other than cooking for people, doting on her son, starring in her tv shows and watching cat tiktok videos.
She still seems so insecure and self obsessed, even though the book is about coming to terms with herself at last. She just cannot stop talking about her weight, again and again and again. She wrote the book last year and has promoted it on TV as her finding peace about her body and finally being happy with herself, but just last week she posted this tearful breakdown on Instagram because someone left a comment that she should lose weight. This is a woman who has literally hundreds if not thousands of people telling her how pretty and wonderful she is on a weekly basis, who has multiple dream houses, multiple TV shows, and all kinds of benefits that others don't have, and she's going to angrily and tearfully break down because one person says she needs to lose weight on Instagram????? It's relatable but once again shows that you can't necessarily rely on Valerie Bertinelli for advice, whether it's for how to lose weight or for how to learn to be happy in your body.
She's a lovely woman and I'm sure she's very nice, but I didn't really get anything out of the book. Two stars for "it was okay."
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.
Towards the end of the book she talks about the death of her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen. I found him really likeable and felt for the whole family in losing him. They clearly were soulmates, even though they've been divorced for years and they both were married to other people at the time of his death. It was very weird that she didn't write AT ALL about her current husband other than a few vague things about their marriage dissolving. Surely he existed in her life though??? The same can be said for poor EVH's widow, who was there too as he died.
Bertinelli's wealth and privilege were a little too much for me, too, like hearing about the plans to completely rebuild her oceanfront dream house (not her main house, which she also rebuilt, this is a huge property she also maintains on a cliff above the ocean). She's earned it and good for her, but I don't necessarily want to read about how happy she is that she's finally moving forward on tearing down her old beach dream house to build a new even fancier one. It seems a little tone deaf in light of many people's situations right now regarding the pandemic and how much so many people are struggling.
Bertinelli talks a lot about the People magazine cover that showed her in a bikini at 48 and her huge deal with Jenny Craig (I think?) to represent them in their weight loss ads.
She writes about how she starved herself and lost so much that she renegotiated her salary with them to make even more, how she was eating basically nothing at all to be able to get skinny enough for the cover shoot, and how immediately after the People cover she started gaining it all back. This felt particularly off-putting given how many, many people felt awful about their own bodies because of her decades of getting rich off these types of covers, photo shoots and ad campaigns. She mentions a couple of times that she feels guilty for it now, but it feels a little hollow considering all those years of giving this fake impression helped maintain those dream houses at the expense of people who thought these things would really work for them.
Mostly though, she just seems kind of nice but empty. She talks about never really having a relationship with her parents before they died, and her mother's life of pain and unhappiness. She talks about not feeling comfortable doing basic things like putting her arm around Eddie when he seemed sad and she has almost no mention of anything she does for pleasure other than cooking for people, doting on her son, starring in her tv shows and watching cat tiktok videos.
She still seems so insecure and self obsessed, even though the book is about coming to terms with herself at last. She just cannot stop talking about her weight, again and again and again. She wrote the book last year and has promoted it on TV as her finding peace about her body and finally being happy with herself, but just last week she posted this tearful breakdown on Instagram because someone left a comment that she should lose weight. This is a woman who has literally hundreds if not thousands of people telling her how pretty and wonderful she is on a weekly basis, who has multiple dream houses, multiple TV shows, and all kinds of benefits that others don't have, and she's going to angrily and tearfully break down because one person says she needs to lose weight on Instagram????? It's relatable but once again shows that you can't necessarily rely on Valerie Bertinelli for advice, whether it's for how to lose weight or for how to learn to be happy in your body.
She's a lovely woman and I'm sure she's very nice, but I didn't really get anything out of the book. Two stars for "it was okay."
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.
September 8, 2022
Valerie Bertinelli, star of the television shows One Day at a Time, Hot in Cleveland and, more recently, Valerie's Home Cooking - not to mention her grittier underground role as Mrs. Eddie V - has found herself in a bit of a pickle. It's what happens when you spend your life convincing yourself that if you could just manage to lose a little weight all your troubles would vanish. She did, as she freely admits, succeed at this goal once upon a time; slimming down enough to appear on the cover of People magazine in a bikini. But the food continued to beckon, that inner emptiness demanding its address even if only in such symbolic manner. Having now hit sixty years of age, lost her parents, divorced her second husband and well on the way to grieving her first, Valerie is saying enough. An entire memoir of: I'm done with this. Enough already!
These companionable and self-compassionate chapters take us through the creation of her cooking show, the ordeals of the pandemic, and the final days of Eddie Van Halen's battle with cancer. Tough times that taught her to embrace her attachment to sustenance and to enlarge the scope of the feast to include friends and family in her particular brand of love. Recipes are included here - among them a favorite Hot Spinach and Crab Dip, her mother's lasagna, pizza, and a serious chocolate cake.
Hers is a privileged existence and she owns that much as she owns her grief, her loneliness, her driven nature, and her heart-stopping affection for her son, Wolfgang (who is now an adult and following in his father's footsteps). With this book she shares a comforting slice of the life she's made that is clearly far from finished.
These companionable and self-compassionate chapters take us through the creation of her cooking show, the ordeals of the pandemic, and the final days of Eddie Van Halen's battle with cancer. Tough times that taught her to embrace her attachment to sustenance and to enlarge the scope of the feast to include friends and family in her particular brand of love. Recipes are included here - among them a favorite Hot Spinach and Crab Dip, her mother's lasagna, pizza, and a serious chocolate cake.
Hers is a privileged existence and she owns that much as she owns her grief, her loneliness, her driven nature, and her heart-stopping affection for her son, Wolfgang (who is now an adult and following in his father's footsteps). With this book she shares a comforting slice of the life she's made that is clearly far from finished.
November 7, 2021
Valerie tells us she has dieted her whole life, always trying to lose 10 pounds or more. She was even a spokesperson for Jenny Craig diets, where she was required to model a bikini at age 48. But now she says, “Enough already!” She notes that “the health-diet-beauty industry markets to our insecurities” and “the fashion industry’s inconsistencies in sizing makes us feel terrible.” She has become more accepting of who she is regardless of the numbers on the scale, and embraces this new outlook. She is reaching out to women (and maybe men) who cannot perceive their positive attributes unless the scale shows a sufficiently low number. She also touches on grief, and the challenges that she and her son faced when her ex, Eddie Van Halen, was dying. I enjoyed this book’s friendly, accessible writing style, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt memoir with a positive message: "Enough already with anything that doesn't come from love." Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.
February 5, 2022
Valerie Bertinelli had a few lockdown epiphanies: give up trying to lose the 10 pounds, you are great just the way you are, and you are still in love with EVH.
Another epiphany: why can't we all just help our fellow man (as she's spending millions on renovations while living in a multi million dollar home)
I shouldn't have read the book, because I really liked her beforehand and now I'm thinking she's the same as all the other self obsessed Hollywood actors out there, as is evident in all the frozen foreheads on tv. It's one thing to be this way at age 20, 30 even 40 but 60? You're old, enjoy life, losing ten pounds should be for the health reasons at that age, not vanity.
I honestly thought her and her 2nd husband were divorced already but she doesn't mention it till the end of the book. Their "separate" paths was most likely was due to her pining over her ex rock star husband during lockdown. And now they're saying the lockdowns were completely unnecessary. Would Eddie have gotten the treatment he needed in Germany? Would she still be married to Tim? Would she blame the democrats who politicized the entire pandemic?
Another epiphany: why can't we all just help our fellow man (as she's spending millions on renovations while living in a multi million dollar home)
I shouldn't have read the book, because I really liked her beforehand and now I'm thinking she's the same as all the other self obsessed Hollywood actors out there, as is evident in all the frozen foreheads on tv. It's one thing to be this way at age 20, 30 even 40 but 60? You're old, enjoy life, losing ten pounds should be for the health reasons at that age, not vanity.
I honestly thought her and her 2nd husband were divorced already but she doesn't mention it till the end of the book. Their "separate" paths was most likely was due to her pining over her ex rock star husband during lockdown. And now they're saying the lockdowns were completely unnecessary. Would Eddie have gotten the treatment he needed in Germany? Would she still be married to Tim? Would she blame the democrats who politicized the entire pandemic?
July 11, 2022
I'm in the same life space as Valerie Bertinelli, so I read her latest memoir with interest. The grief of losing her parents and losing her ex-husband prompted some introspection.
She concludes that she has to stop obsessing about her weight and to learn to embrace the joys in life with gratitude and kindness toward others. Her kindness is expressed through cooking. (We're almost twins!)
The passages about her son and ex are all quite touching and I agree with her new approach to the next 20 years (plus or minus) of her life. However, I found the book much too repetitive to be enjoyable. I ended up skimming until I found passages of interest.
There are some sweet photos at the end. We were all so much younger then!
She concludes that she has to stop obsessing about her weight and to learn to embrace the joys in life with gratitude and kindness toward others. Her kindness is expressed through cooking. (We're almost twins!)
The passages about her son and ex are all quite touching and I agree with her new approach to the next 20 years (plus or minus) of her life. However, I found the book much too repetitive to be enjoyable. I ended up skimming until I found passages of interest.
There are some sweet photos at the end. We were all so much younger then!
May 8, 2022
I LOVED this book! And I love Valerie Bertinelli! Valerie, if you are reading this, can we please be BFF’s?!
I laughed, I cried, I felt every human emotion possible while reading this (even hunger pains, because her recipes are mouth watering!). This woman gets it!
To be honest, I only knew of Valerie Bertinelli as Eddie Van Halen’s wife/ex wife. I didn’t even know she had a cooking show on the Food Network 😬. Somehow or another her posts started popping up on my social media feed, and I thought I’d like to follow her and read her book. I am SO glad that I did! Did I mention that I loved this book?!
The only disappointment that I have is that I read this book on my Libby app from the library. So now, that means I am going to have to go out and purchase a physical copy to have for my night stand(I need to have this book!). I feel that this book was more uplifting than any inspirational or self help book that I’ve read in a long time.
I highly recommend reading this book. It deals with loving yourself just the way you are ❤️. There are delicious recipes included, and also family photos of Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen. This was one of my favorites of the year so far!
I laughed, I cried, I felt every human emotion possible while reading this (even hunger pains, because her recipes are mouth watering!). This woman gets it!
To be honest, I only knew of Valerie Bertinelli as Eddie Van Halen’s wife/ex wife. I didn’t even know she had a cooking show on the Food Network 😬. Somehow or another her posts started popping up on my social media feed, and I thought I’d like to follow her and read her book. I am SO glad that I did! Did I mention that I loved this book?!
The only disappointment that I have is that I read this book on my Libby app from the library. So now, that means I am going to have to go out and purchase a physical copy to have for my night stand(I need to have this book!). I feel that this book was more uplifting than any inspirational or self help book that I’ve read in a long time.
I highly recommend reading this book. It deals with loving yourself just the way you are ❤️. There are delicious recipes included, and also family photos of Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen. This was one of my favorites of the year so far!
January 16, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up. Valerie Bertinelli rose to fame as a child actor, and as a child I watched her show, “One Day at a Time,” together with my parents. I admired and envied her, and when my mother enthused how darling, how pretty, how adorable she was, I also resented her just a teeny bit, the way we tended to resent the homecoming queen or student body president. When I saw, recently, that she’d written a memoir, I was all in.
My thanks go to Net Galley and Harper Collins for the review copy. This book will be available to the public Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
For me, this is more of a three star read, but I choose to bump the rating up to four stars because there were several barn-sized hints that I should have noticed before I began reading, yet blew obliviously past. First, I didn’t get the memo that Bertinelli has written diet books and cookbooks, and has won Emmy Awards for a cooking show on the Food Network. All of these things should have given me pause, because although I do like Bertinelli’s earlier work, I never watch food programs on television. If I want to learn more about food, I’ll buy a cookbook or a diet book, but I don’t need it on my TV or any other streaming devices, and I also (giant clue number two) hate mixing recipes and cooking tips into a novel or memoir.
Yikes!
So, whereas I believed I would be reading a memoir suffused with feminist mojo that makes the author ready to turn the page on body shaming and chronic dieting, instead, I got a recipe, right up front. Pffft. And as a woman who’s lived in plus-sized fashions for decades, I find it hard to get excited about Bertinelli’s brave decision to stop losing the same ten pounds, over and over. Ten pounds? Oh please. I guess maybe actors and models go into crisis over ten extra pounds, and feel tremendously brave about deciding to own them, but where I live, ten pounds is nothing.
When I was in third grade, my teacher said that those of us that roll our eyes stand in danger of having them get stuck up there. Since there’s no way not to do that while reading this thing, we’ll call mine a case study. If they get stuck, I’ll report back. In Braille.
As the memoir continues, I find that more than anything, this is Bertinelli’s grief book. She and her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen, have remained unusually close in the years since their divorce, and this book is almost more about him and their son Wolfie than it is about her. I never enjoyed Van Halen’s music, which I found to contain more heavy metal than I am geared for; since I have this memoir, I figure I should take myself to cyberspace and find out whether growing older has changed my tastes. As it turns out, nope, it hasn’t. Still not a Van Halen fan.
And lastly, the narrative comes with all sorts of red flags when she talks about the warm relationship she and Eddie have continued to share—because, you know, they are both (full grown) Wolfie’s parents. When it becomes clear that he will lose his fight with cancer, she and he nip out of whatever family party they are attending to go sit in someone’s car and confess their love to one another—despite the fact that they have both remarried. (Imagine I’ve written that last bit in 24 point font, bolded, red.) The hell? I know that Hollywood types sometimes do things a bit differently, but…? And so, once more I travel through cyberspace to track down Bertinelli’s current husband, who is scarcely even mentioned in this emo memoir. I find an image; oh, so that’s him! And yup, at just about the same time the book was in the publication pipeline, the marriage crashed to a halt, with Bertinelli fuming about how she refuses to be “shamed” for how she grieves. Uh, okay. Her grief is her grief, but if I was that fellow, I’d feel as if my marriage was a party to which I hadn’t been invited. And if it was hard to play second fiddle to the famed guitarist when he was alive, I can’t even imagine how anybody can compete with him now that he’s dead.
So. For those diehard fans of hers, of Van Halen’s, or of the food programming to which her career has been directed in recent years, this might be a great read for you. As for me, I came away feeling awkward and uncomfortable. If, knowing all these things, you are still interested, then go for it; but if you’re not so sure, either give it a miss, or read it cheap or free.
My thanks go to Net Galley and Harper Collins for the review copy. This book will be available to the public Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
For me, this is more of a three star read, but I choose to bump the rating up to four stars because there were several barn-sized hints that I should have noticed before I began reading, yet blew obliviously past. First, I didn’t get the memo that Bertinelli has written diet books and cookbooks, and has won Emmy Awards for a cooking show on the Food Network. All of these things should have given me pause, because although I do like Bertinelli’s earlier work, I never watch food programs on television. If I want to learn more about food, I’ll buy a cookbook or a diet book, but I don’t need it on my TV or any other streaming devices, and I also (giant clue number two) hate mixing recipes and cooking tips into a novel or memoir.
Yikes!
So, whereas I believed I would be reading a memoir suffused with feminist mojo that makes the author ready to turn the page on body shaming and chronic dieting, instead, I got a recipe, right up front. Pffft. And as a woman who’s lived in plus-sized fashions for decades, I find it hard to get excited about Bertinelli’s brave decision to stop losing the same ten pounds, over and over. Ten pounds? Oh please. I guess maybe actors and models go into crisis over ten extra pounds, and feel tremendously brave about deciding to own them, but where I live, ten pounds is nothing.
When I was in third grade, my teacher said that those of us that roll our eyes stand in danger of having them get stuck up there. Since there’s no way not to do that while reading this thing, we’ll call mine a case study. If they get stuck, I’ll report back. In Braille.
As the memoir continues, I find that more than anything, this is Bertinelli’s grief book. She and her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen, have remained unusually close in the years since their divorce, and this book is almost more about him and their son Wolfie than it is about her. I never enjoyed Van Halen’s music, which I found to contain more heavy metal than I am geared for; since I have this memoir, I figure I should take myself to cyberspace and find out whether growing older has changed my tastes. As it turns out, nope, it hasn’t. Still not a Van Halen fan.
And lastly, the narrative comes with all sorts of red flags when she talks about the warm relationship she and Eddie have continued to share—because, you know, they are both (full grown) Wolfie’s parents. When it becomes clear that he will lose his fight with cancer, she and he nip out of whatever family party they are attending to go sit in someone’s car and confess their love to one another—despite the fact that they have both remarried. (Imagine I’ve written that last bit in 24 point font, bolded, red.) The hell? I know that Hollywood types sometimes do things a bit differently, but…? And so, once more I travel through cyberspace to track down Bertinelli’s current husband, who is scarcely even mentioned in this emo memoir. I find an image; oh, so that’s him! And yup, at just about the same time the book was in the publication pipeline, the marriage crashed to a halt, with Bertinelli fuming about how she refuses to be “shamed” for how she grieves. Uh, okay. Her grief is her grief, but if I was that fellow, I’d feel as if my marriage was a party to which I hadn’t been invited. And if it was hard to play second fiddle to the famed guitarist when he was alive, I can’t even imagine how anybody can compete with him now that he’s dead.
So. For those diehard fans of hers, of Van Halen’s, or of the food programming to which her career has been directed in recent years, this might be a great read for you. As for me, I came away feeling awkward and uncomfortable. If, knowing all these things, you are still interested, then go for it; but if you’re not so sure, either give it a miss, or read it cheap or free.
February 11, 2022
Sitting down and reading Enough Already was like sitting at a table with Val and talking. Her real voice was so calming, and it was just like an afternoon with a friend. I loved how real she was and honest.
This is a 5 star two times book. Ladies this is a must read.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
This is a 5 star two times book. Ladies this is a must read.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
February 12, 2022
I understand that some people will love this book--probably anxious women with low self-esteem--because they will be able to relate to Bertinelli's constant battle with her weight. But I found the book filled with too much nervous energy, constant references to food, and her always feeling bad about herself no matter how many good things happen. It is certainly not inspirational.
Bertinelli has written other books and portions of those get repeated here. What's added to it are more emotional sections about her late first husband Eddie Van Halen and way too much gushing about her son, who she paints as perfect but he comes across as a slug. That is all mixed in with Valerie's constant self put-downs, comments on her weight (despite her saying she's over worry about it), and lots of mental in securities. The book is very repetitive and includes a few factual errors (One Day at a Time was not the first sitcom about a single mother raising kids on her own, it was the first to have a divorced mom as a lead character raising kids alone).
There are also a couple of unnecessary political asides slamming Trump for Covid and praising Dr. Fauci, who has not only flip-flopped dozens of times during the pandemic but also may have ties to the start of the crisis. She says she's very worried about the direction the country is going, but doesn't call out current president Joe Biden for his many bad decisions that have hurt the country. Namely, she seems to pay too much attention to biased media reports and should do more intelligent research to become less stressed.
Much of it was frustrating to read and somewhat boring. She insists on including eight recipes at various places in her stories, which reinforces her love of food but detracts from the rest of the book. She certainly represents a large number of women with low self-esteem and constant nervousness, but to see it on paper is somewhat embarrassing because it never seems to get resolved. And while she says that she understands the way to become happy is to simply "choose happy," she doesn't often seem to actually do that.
One thing that can be said--never has there been a truer title for a memoir. After reading it, I had to say that when it comes to Valerie Bertinelli, "Enough already."
Bertinelli has written other books and portions of those get repeated here. What's added to it are more emotional sections about her late first husband Eddie Van Halen and way too much gushing about her son, who she paints as perfect but he comes across as a slug. That is all mixed in with Valerie's constant self put-downs, comments on her weight (despite her saying she's over worry about it), and lots of mental in securities. The book is very repetitive and includes a few factual errors (One Day at a Time was not the first sitcom about a single mother raising kids on her own, it was the first to have a divorced mom as a lead character raising kids alone).
There are also a couple of unnecessary political asides slamming Trump for Covid and praising Dr. Fauci, who has not only flip-flopped dozens of times during the pandemic but also may have ties to the start of the crisis. She says she's very worried about the direction the country is going, but doesn't call out current president Joe Biden for his many bad decisions that have hurt the country. Namely, she seems to pay too much attention to biased media reports and should do more intelligent research to become less stressed.
Much of it was frustrating to read and somewhat boring. She insists on including eight recipes at various places in her stories, which reinforces her love of food but detracts from the rest of the book. She certainly represents a large number of women with low self-esteem and constant nervousness, but to see it on paper is somewhat embarrassing because it never seems to get resolved. And while she says that she understands the way to become happy is to simply "choose happy," she doesn't often seem to actually do that.
One thing that can be said--never has there been a truer title for a memoir. After reading it, I had to say that when it comes to Valerie Bertinelli, "Enough already."
August 13, 2022
I agree with many reviewers on Goodreads. I am not a “fan” per se of Valerie Bertinelli. Have seen re-runs of “One Day At A Time” and have watched bloopers of “Hot in Cleveland” on YouTube but I was watching those because of Betty White. I do have a couple of her cookbooks. Obviously know that she was married to Eddie Van Halen and that’s where it ends.
There’s not much to this book. I guess it was nice to read about her family growing up, how she met Eddie, how she got along with Eddie’s mom and about her son Wolfie. What I didn’t like was the constant ramblings about her relationship with Eddie and how much they both loved each other even though they were both married to other people. Then out of nowhere she tells the reader that Eddie confided in her that he was going to divorce his wife Janie. I never saw or heard anything related to that story. Truth or fiction? Who knows? Bertinelli certainly played and continues to play the grieving widow and I think that’s a real slap in the real widow’s (Janie) face.
There’s not much to this book. I guess it was nice to read about her family growing up, how she met Eddie, how she got along with Eddie’s mom and about her son Wolfie. What I didn’t like was the constant ramblings about her relationship with Eddie and how much they both loved each other even though they were both married to other people. Then out of nowhere she tells the reader that Eddie confided in her that he was going to divorce his wife Janie. I never saw or heard anything related to that story. Truth or fiction? Who knows? Bertinelli certainly played and continues to play the grieving widow and I think that’s a real slap in the real widow’s (Janie) face.
November 2, 2021
This is the 2nd book I’ve ready by Bertinelli and I really enjoyed them both. I like her writing and how she tells about her life, challenges, and her deep dive into cooking. I found some of her recipes throughout the book. She also shares about her relationships with her son, ex-husband Eddie Van Halen, and others. This book is also about her getting over the life-long diet habit and accepting herself as she is. A very good memoir. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Valerie Bertinelli, and the publisher.
July 22, 2022
I know I will be in the minority here, but after reading this book I actually think less of Bertinelli than I did before I read it.
I found her to be tedious and repetitive. She plays the poor me card well, probably her best roll ever.
I watched her as a teenager on One Day at a Time. I thought she was quite pretty and I never saw her as fat or chubby in any way. I think she was the pretty one and McKenzie Phillips was just a bit of a train wreck and I read her autobiography and that made me sick to my stomach. I’m surprised she would even publish that.
But back to Valerie.
She whines far too much about everything. She has a silver spoon in her mouth and she looks in the mirror and says, “Does this spoon make me look fat?”
Please! I know women have body image issues and I am not trying to make light of people with those type of disorders, but Valerie whines about being ten pounds overweight and then at the end of the chapter she has added a favorite recipe for some high calorie, artery clogging dish. She has about 6 recipes in the book and NONE of them are conducive to losing any weight at all. Maybe if she cooked healthier foods she would not be chasing the scale every single day. I think she thrives on hearing people say…. No! You look fantastic the way you are!! ( and she does, but she seems to have a pathetic need to hear it all the time.)
My next gripe with her and this book is the simple fact that she shows total disrespect to Eddie Van Halen’s wife, Janie Liszewski.
She feels it’s fine to spout off to the world that Eddie and Janie’s marriage was falling apart and I don’t think that is her business to tell. Her own marriage was also falling apart at the time. Fine. That is HER story, but she should have kept Eddie and Janie’s relationship out of her book.
It’s no secret that she was still very much in love with Ed, as she called him, and was doing all she could not to jump his bones. Maybe the reason she was so quick to let people know his marriage was rocky was to try to make herself look less guilty for being glued to Ed every chance she got. They did share a son, Wolfie, but she sure used him as an excuse for why her and Eddie would always love each other. It’s great they had a good relationship for his part, but her saying she wanted to wrap her arms around Ed and her putting her arms across his legs when they sat side by side was crossing the line.
Ed bought her a gold necklace a year before he gave it to her that had a gold bar on it and he told her he got it in Germany and wanted to give it to her and asked her was it bad that he bought his ex-wife a gift and not his wife and then he told her it was because he just loved her. She told him she loved him too and she didn’t see anything wrong with it.
Umm! I do! He was married to someone else! She was, too! She had her shot with him and left him and then he asked for the divorce so he could marry Janie! Then she married Tom, who she only mentions in one chapter and that was about a trip to Italy that they took and all she talked about was eating!
I was just frustrated with her total self absorption.
She bragged about her beach house that she has been remodeling in Malibu that she bought back in 1985. She said she was 25 at the time she bought it and was making a ton of money. What took her so long to remodel it??
She bragged about a lot of other things she owned. She whined about being in quarantine because of Covid. Hey, lots of us were quarantined, but not in million dollar homes with pools and tennis courts and nearby beaches and trails. Boo Hoo! Poor Valerie and her 10 extra pounds had it so badly!
The most appalling thing I think was the “Death Vigil” that her and Wolfie had every day over Ed’s hospital bed. She said she would hold his hand and kiss his forehead and then she mentioned others were there, too. Yeah, like his lawful wife, who she seemed to push out the way so that she could play the grieving wife/widow. She needed to back off and let the woman hold HER dying husband’s hand. I would have knocked old Valerie off the bed and told her she can visit and Wolfie can stay as long as he wants and hold his Dad’s hand as long as he wants, but Val needed to take a chair by the wall. Her Ed Days were over!
Now she has written an entire book that contains three things…. She is ten pounds overweight in her eyes only….. she loves to cook fatty foods and she was still in love with Eddie Van Halen and wanted him back…. Even if she kept saying she didn’t.
Well, Enough Already.
Eddie sadly died and although she claims he still pays her visits while she is in bed at night, the simple fact is he is gone and she is NOT his widow.
She raced to write a book about him. She should give at least half that money to poor Janie.
I found her to be tedious and repetitive. She plays the poor me card well, probably her best roll ever.
I watched her as a teenager on One Day at a Time. I thought she was quite pretty and I never saw her as fat or chubby in any way. I think she was the pretty one and McKenzie Phillips was just a bit of a train wreck and I read her autobiography and that made me sick to my stomach. I’m surprised she would even publish that.
But back to Valerie.
She whines far too much about everything. She has a silver spoon in her mouth and she looks in the mirror and says, “Does this spoon make me look fat?”
Please! I know women have body image issues and I am not trying to make light of people with those type of disorders, but Valerie whines about being ten pounds overweight and then at the end of the chapter she has added a favorite recipe for some high calorie, artery clogging dish. She has about 6 recipes in the book and NONE of them are conducive to losing any weight at all. Maybe if she cooked healthier foods she would not be chasing the scale every single day. I think she thrives on hearing people say…. No! You look fantastic the way you are!! ( and she does, but she seems to have a pathetic need to hear it all the time.)
My next gripe with her and this book is the simple fact that she shows total disrespect to Eddie Van Halen’s wife, Janie Liszewski.
She feels it’s fine to spout off to the world that Eddie and Janie’s marriage was falling apart and I don’t think that is her business to tell. Her own marriage was also falling apart at the time. Fine. That is HER story, but she should have kept Eddie and Janie’s relationship out of her book.
It’s no secret that she was still very much in love with Ed, as she called him, and was doing all she could not to jump his bones. Maybe the reason she was so quick to let people know his marriage was rocky was to try to make herself look less guilty for being glued to Ed every chance she got. They did share a son, Wolfie, but she sure used him as an excuse for why her and Eddie would always love each other. It’s great they had a good relationship for his part, but her saying she wanted to wrap her arms around Ed and her putting her arms across his legs when they sat side by side was crossing the line.
Ed bought her a gold necklace a year before he gave it to her that had a gold bar on it and he told her he got it in Germany and wanted to give it to her and asked her was it bad that he bought his ex-wife a gift and not his wife and then he told her it was because he just loved her. She told him she loved him too and she didn’t see anything wrong with it.
Umm! I do! He was married to someone else! She was, too! She had her shot with him and left him and then he asked for the divorce so he could marry Janie! Then she married Tom, who she only mentions in one chapter and that was about a trip to Italy that they took and all she talked about was eating!
I was just frustrated with her total self absorption.
She bragged about her beach house that she has been remodeling in Malibu that she bought back in 1985. She said she was 25 at the time she bought it and was making a ton of money. What took her so long to remodel it??
She bragged about a lot of other things she owned. She whined about being in quarantine because of Covid. Hey, lots of us were quarantined, but not in million dollar homes with pools and tennis courts and nearby beaches and trails. Boo Hoo! Poor Valerie and her 10 extra pounds had it so badly!
The most appalling thing I think was the “Death Vigil” that her and Wolfie had every day over Ed’s hospital bed. She said she would hold his hand and kiss his forehead and then she mentioned others were there, too. Yeah, like his lawful wife, who she seemed to push out the way so that she could play the grieving wife/widow. She needed to back off and let the woman hold HER dying husband’s hand. I would have knocked old Valerie off the bed and told her she can visit and Wolfie can stay as long as he wants and hold his Dad’s hand as long as he wants, but Val needed to take a chair by the wall. Her Ed Days were over!
Now she has written an entire book that contains three things…. She is ten pounds overweight in her eyes only….. she loves to cook fatty foods and she was still in love with Eddie Van Halen and wanted him back…. Even if she kept saying she didn’t.
Well, Enough Already.
Eddie sadly died and although she claims he still pays her visits while she is in bed at night, the simple fact is he is gone and she is NOT his widow.
She raced to write a book about him. She should give at least half that money to poor Janie.
February 21, 2022
I read 128 pages and gave up for two reasons: 1) redundancy, which led to boredom, and 2) Tom who?
I like Valerie, but she didn't have to hammer me with her self-esteem issues. I get it, okay? But I had to google the name Tom to learn he is her husband. Who is now her soon-to-be ex, which shouldn't have come as a surprise since the 128 pages I did read were devoted to Ed and I this and Ed and I that, and Wolfie. I wonder if this was what broke up her marriage with Tom What's-his-name.
This was the first book of Valerie's that I've read, and maybe that was part of my problem with the book. I kinda felt like I was stepping into the middle of her story.
I like Valerie, but she didn't have to hammer me with her self-esteem issues. I get it, okay? But I had to google the name Tom to learn he is her husband. Who is now her soon-to-be ex, which shouldn't have come as a surprise since the 128 pages I did read were devoted to Ed and I this and Ed and I that, and Wolfie. I wonder if this was what broke up her marriage with Tom What's-his-name.
This was the first book of Valerie's that I've read, and maybe that was part of my problem with the book. I kinda felt like I was stepping into the middle of her story.
October 19, 2021
This is the most unpretentious celebrity confession book I’ve ever read. When you ‘connect’ in friendship with someone, whether it’s through their writing or in person, it’s easier to take their advice and life-lessons to heart. Valerie makes it clear that she’s not preaching from a higher place, but that we’re all in this together, we’re all connected. As she says more than once, she’s literally grown up on-screen with us. This book is a biography, a self-help guide, a cookbook, and yes, if you were enthralled with Edward Van Halen too, it’s their never-ending love story, too.
Beyond her rather glamourous job, at the end of the day Valerie is a mom—Wolfie is clearly an amazing son!—a friend, a woman who bakes pizza, watches cat videos on TikTok and has a dysfunctional relationship with her bathroom scale. She’s relatable, likeable, honest. And if you are near enough to reach for a plate, she *will* cook for you.
As she works her way through life’s lessons, she learns more about herself and her family. Her mindset evolves from ‘food is my enemy’ to ‘food is a way to say I love you’.
And love is necessary for living our best life. Love, and joy. Real joy. Immersing in Valerie’s memories, confessions, and stories is now a part of the good memories of my own life. I appreciate the time I spent learning more about her, while she fed me with recipes, acceptance, encouragement, and bravery. This could not have been an easy book to write—and in the middle of a pandemic lockdown, no less! I wish her all the love and joy in the world in her 6th decade and beyond.
My thanks to author Valerie Bertinelli, Mariner Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Beyond her rather glamourous job, at the end of the day Valerie is a mom—Wolfie is clearly an amazing son!—a friend, a woman who bakes pizza, watches cat videos on TikTok and has a dysfunctional relationship with her bathroom scale. She’s relatable, likeable, honest. And if you are near enough to reach for a plate, she *will* cook for you.
As she works her way through life’s lessons, she learns more about herself and her family. Her mindset evolves from ‘food is my enemy’ to ‘food is a way to say I love you’.
And love is necessary for living our best life. Love, and joy. Real joy. Immersing in Valerie’s memories, confessions, and stories is now a part of the good memories of my own life. I appreciate the time I spent learning more about her, while she fed me with recipes, acceptance, encouragement, and bravery. This could not have been an easy book to write—and in the middle of a pandemic lockdown, no less! I wish her all the love and joy in the world in her 6th decade and beyond.
My thanks to author Valerie Bertinelli, Mariner Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
December 8, 2021
Been a big fan of Valerie Bertinelli's since the days of One Day At A Time. I grew up watching that show. When I saw this book was coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. I've always wanted to know more about the lady behind the actor.
WOW!
You think you know someone while watching their lives played out on tv, movies and mainstream media, but after reading her story, you learn you don't know anything at all.
This book was so eye-opening in more ways than one.
Her relationships with her ex-husband Eddie Van Halen and son Wolfgang are powerful to witness, even on the sidelines. The love she has for these two humans is incomparable to anything else. You feel the emotion throughout.
I literally bawled like a baby when she wrote about Eddie's passing. I felt like I lost someone in that moment, it was so profound.
As if I wasn't a fan already, she maximized the fandom with her honesty, love and compassion. What a great read!!
WOW!
You think you know someone while watching their lives played out on tv, movies and mainstream media, but after reading her story, you learn you don't know anything at all.
This book was so eye-opening in more ways than one.
Her relationships with her ex-husband Eddie Van Halen and son Wolfgang are powerful to witness, even on the sidelines. The love she has for these two humans is incomparable to anything else. You feel the emotion throughout.
I literally bawled like a baby when she wrote about Eddie's passing. I felt like I lost someone in that moment, it was so profound.
As if I wasn't a fan already, she maximized the fandom with her honesty, love and compassion. What a great read!!
December 8, 2021
I should have read the description of this book much more closely, so take this all with a grain of pink Himalayan salt. I remember Valerie through One Day at a Time, various Lifetime-type movies, and her marriage to Eddie Van Halen. I had no idea she was also a foodie who had a lot of weight issues and has made a reputation of talking about it. So those who know and like Valerie for those two things should find this book quite appealing. Unfortunately, I'm not interested in hearing about women's "relationship with food,"or their weight struggles. Like I said, I should have read the description better, because I was certainly warned. I will say there were some really nice parts - her evolving relationship with her ex-husband was interesting (I would have preferred to hear more). Her travels to Italy were fun. But all in all, hearing a woman go on and on about her insecurities - especially when the woman has had the massive success that this author has had - wears on my nerves. I also thought her "relationship with food" was schizo. On the one hand, she is constantly lamenting that she buries her feelings with food - but then suddenly we get another high-calorie, artery-busting recipe.
I'm sure others will love this book though. Thank you to #netgalley, the publisher, and Valerie for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm sure others will love this book though. Thank you to #netgalley, the publisher, and Valerie for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2022
5 Stars for Enough Already (audiobook) by Valerie Bertinelli read by the author.
When I started listening to this story I didn’t realize that the book was released last month. It’s way more timely than I was expecting. This is the first autobiography that I’ve read that really takes place during COVID. A big reason why I was interested in Valerie Bertinelli’s story was that she had been married to Eddie Van Halen. The most touching part of this story for me was the time leading up to Eddie’s death from cancer in October of 2020. It was interesting hear just how much they cared for each other while they were divorced and married to other people.
When I started listening to this story I didn’t realize that the book was released last month. It’s way more timely than I was expecting. This is the first autobiography that I’ve read that really takes place during COVID. A big reason why I was interested in Valerie Bertinelli’s story was that she had been married to Eddie Van Halen. The most touching part of this story for me was the time leading up to Eddie’s death from cancer in October of 2020. It was interesting hear just how much they cared for each other while they were divorced and married to other people.
March 2, 2022
Audible: I had to stop 50% through. I found this book incredibly disrespectful towards Eddie Van Halen’s wife when he passed away. Valerie Bertinelli clearly has regret with her years long divorce that she never worked out. The laughter was also forced and annoying
February 4, 2022
Valerie tells her memoir, Enough Already, with honesty, authenticity and grit. I found her to be 100% relatable in her process of changing negative thoughts about her body image, and how with a deep understanding of self, she managed to pull herself out of a negative spiral. She’s learned how to embrace herself as she is by finding something she’s grateful for. She also discusses her favorite memories of working with Betty White, and her special relationship with ex-husband Eddie Van Halen who passed away in 2020. So good! I highly recommend picking it up.
Thanks to Mariner Books via NetGalley for kindly approving an arc in return for an honest review.
Thanks to Mariner Books via NetGalley for kindly approving an arc in return for an honest review.
January 21, 2022
I have been a fan of Valerie Bertinelli for many years, loving her upbeat persona and thinking she had a perfectly tidy life. Her story was more complicated than I ever imagined.
I remember many things she references in this memoir. It took me back in time, her bittersweet and tumultuous romance with Eddie Van Halen, her vast careers in television and films. I never missed One Day at a Time.
I loved Valerie’s reflections on life, her dedication to her family and nodded at her common sense takeaways along her quest to find happiness.
I remember many things she references in this memoir. It took me back in time, her bittersweet and tumultuous romance with Eddie Van Halen, her vast careers in television and films. I never missed One Day at a Time.
I loved Valerie’s reflections on life, her dedication to her family and nodded at her common sense takeaways along her quest to find happiness.
December 6, 2022
3.5 stars. My car was stolen last week and I started this audiobook feeling way too upset and cynical to appreciate what was being said. I was won over by the time Bertinelli began writing about losing Eddie Van Halen—it made me cry. The theme of that intense loss really got to me and made me feel that listening was worthwhile.
November 1, 2021
Enough Already by Valerie Bertinelli is an excellent memoir that gives the reader an honest, raw, and hopeful look on aging, acceptance, and finding happiness.
I loved reading Valerie’s first book, so I knew I had to read her newest book and the updated reflections she now offers in the years since the previous was published. She is just as down to earth, honest, positive, human, and open as she was before. She has a way of drawing the reader in as if you are a friend sitting on her couch with a cup of coffee passing pieces of advice back and forth.
She doesn’t make excuses, admits her faults and her imperfections, and admits she will always be a work in progress (as we all are). It was entertaining and enjoyable and I hope she continues to keep her wonderful attitude, outlook, and writes another book in the future.
(The recipes throughout were a nice addition as well.)
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Mariner Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/18/22.
I loved reading Valerie’s first book, so I knew I had to read her newest book and the updated reflections she now offers in the years since the previous was published. She is just as down to earth, honest, positive, human, and open as she was before. She has a way of drawing the reader in as if you are a friend sitting on her couch with a cup of coffee passing pieces of advice back and forth.
She doesn’t make excuses, admits her faults and her imperfections, and admits she will always be a work in progress (as we all are). It was entertaining and enjoyable and I hope she continues to keep her wonderful attitude, outlook, and writes another book in the future.
(The recipes throughout were a nice addition as well.)
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Mariner Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/18/22.
February 14, 2022
Part memoir, part confessional, part self help book, Enough Already is a compelling read for fans who Valerie Bertinelli who have wanted to go a bit deeper with this (seemingly) accessible star. (Full disclosure, I am a VB fan from way back.) Bertinelli starts the book with the weeks before ex-husband Eddie Van Halen's death, a topic she returns to again and again, and the result is that the whole book has a weightiness the serves the subject well. Whether she's talking about Hollywood or body image or her marriage, the loss of Van Halen is always in the mix. She is a woman of a certain age who has had it with the rules of how women should look or act or love. Hence the title- Enough Already. If you've reached a "certain age' and been though some stuff, I think you'll find support in Valerie Bertinelli's book. I know I did.
Read
July 23, 2022(I’m not giving this a star rating as judging someone’s personal real-life journey with stars doesn’t feel right to me).
I chose the audiobook of Enough Already by Valerie Bertinelli because, when possible, I enjoy listening to memoirs narrated by the author. Their story - their voice. This one felt so warm and real and often sad despite the many hopeful and inspirational messages.
The fact that she wrote it during the isolation of the pandemic contributes to a lot of the sadness, but also watching Eddie Van Halen, the love of her life’s losing battle with cancer. Her pride and love for their son Wolfie just shines through every word she says about him. It’s when she sounds happiest. The other time she shines is when she talks about her love of cooking. There are many delicious sounding recipes throughout this book. But, the food, her relationship with it and her weight has been her lifelong battle and where she seems to be trying her hardest to forge a healthy relationship. She sounds like she is finding some self acceptance in this area, but even in the inspirational words I could hear her sadness, but hopefulness too. It just felt really raw and I came away from this book just hoping she finds some inner and outer peace. This was a very good audiobook and hearing Bertinelli tell her stories felt like sitting with a friend sharing stories.
I chose the audiobook of Enough Already by Valerie Bertinelli because, when possible, I enjoy listening to memoirs narrated by the author. Their story - their voice. This one felt so warm and real and often sad despite the many hopeful and inspirational messages.
The fact that she wrote it during the isolation of the pandemic contributes to a lot of the sadness, but also watching Eddie Van Halen, the love of her life’s losing battle with cancer. Her pride and love for their son Wolfie just shines through every word she says about him. It’s when she sounds happiest. The other time she shines is when she talks about her love of cooking. There are many delicious sounding recipes throughout this book. But, the food, her relationship with it and her weight has been her lifelong battle and where she seems to be trying her hardest to forge a healthy relationship. She sounds like she is finding some self acceptance in this area, but even in the inspirational words I could hear her sadness, but hopefulness too. It just felt really raw and I came away from this book just hoping she finds some inner and outer peace. This was a very good audiobook and hearing Bertinelli tell her stories felt like sitting with a friend sharing stories.
September 9, 2022
I’ve been a fan of Valerie’s since she was on One Day at a Time. We are close to the same age. I meant to read her first memoir but I’m glad I read this one. She writes well and is very relatable.
The part where she talks about the death of her first husband, Eddie Van Halen, brought tears to my eyes. I am going to have to face the death of my husband sooner than expected. Eddie was only 65 and my husband is 67. Anyway, Valerie discusses many aspects of her life, including her struggles with weight and self image.
There’s a lot of wisdom here and there were things I didn’t know about Valerie. I can recommend her memoir highly.
The part where she talks about the death of her first husband, Eddie Van Halen, brought tears to my eyes. I am going to have to face the death of my husband sooner than expected. Eddie was only 65 and my husband is 67. Anyway, Valerie discusses many aspects of her life, including her struggles with weight and self image.
There’s a lot of wisdom here and there were things I didn’t know about Valerie. I can recommend her memoir highly.
Read
November 8, 2021She seems like a nice enough person but I just wasn't interested in her current life. She writes a lot about her relationship with her ex-husband (rocker Eddie Van Halen) through his illness and her love of her grown son and her struggles with body image, her very cushy middle aged life and cooking. I think it would have interested me more if I grew up watching her, but it was kind of like reading a memoir by one of my mom's Facebook friends.
Thanks to the publisher who provided an advance copy. I did not rate the book since it was a DNF for me.
Thanks to the publisher who provided an advance copy. I did not rate the book since it was a DNF for me.
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