Love, Life and Linguine: A Contemporary Romantic Comedy About Restaurant Life, Family, and Second Chances

by Melissa Jacobs

A unique voice, Melissa Jacobs delivers a second fun–filled, food–filled novel. Mimi's life is an open book, or rather, an open menu. A restaurant consultant, she's helped launch some of the best restaurants in Philly and around the world. And she even managed to turn her boyfriend Nick into the nation's hottest celebrity chef. But when she comes home and discovers that Nick's got a secret tongue–pierced girl on the side, Mimi realizes she doesn't have the secret to success after all. Needing a change of pace, Mimi heads home to New Jersey. The family restaurant is failing and her brother, unknown to anyone, has made plans to sell. The ultimate Restaurant Diva, Mimi sets out to save the family business––a decision thatt leads her to two potentially perfect new men. All her life Mimi has believed that everyone has one true Soul Mate, but now she's thinking that idea should be tossed out with last night's leftovers. Maybe it's time to select her men the way she selects pastries and produce and sample all there is to offer.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Food, Modern, Contemporary, Womens

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I was a little disappointed with this book. I had this picture in my head before reading it and it really did not reach any of my expectations. Yes there were a few LOL moments, and a lovers quarrel that spiked a little interest, but all in all I felt that this one was kind of a dud. The main character Mimi had a weird habit of naming strange objects, such as her libido (aka Diva), which I thought was funny at first, but then just got kind of weird and a little annoying. Her suitcase was named Olga and her Mustang was called Sally. She constantly referred to these items by their names had hidden conversations with them. Yes Mimi is a restaurant consultant, but I was hoping that there was going to be a little more food talk kind of like the movie, No Reservations with Catherine Zeta Jones, but instead it took another turn that dealt with working on a old cafe that was her father's. Something about how this was written just didn't keep my interest at all.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining light read but nothing phenomenal. I felt the writing style left a bit to be desired. I also found that I didn’t really identify with any of the characters

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute. Not a page turner but a fun read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really sure when or how this book ended up on my "want to read" list for e-books (although I vaguely recall maybe starting it or checking it out as an extra back when my iPad was functional?), but it was a nice light and fun read that also happened to meet the need for a short starting sentence. Although my heart wanted Mimi to be able to make a go of her family's restaurant long-term, it was actually more powerful that she spent the summer learning more about herself and her family and didn't fully identify a next definitive step for herself, other than that she didn't have to create her own artificial timelines and try to force any particular future. If there was a sequel, I would read it, and although I wouldn't intentionally seek out additional books by the author, I wouldn't avoid them either.

Massachusetts Center for the Book 2025 Reading Challenge:
May - A book with a first sentence of eight words or less

[Rachel Danielle]

My, my! What a surprise of an ending!

[theereader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and light read. A little predictable, but a nice twist at the end.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and light chick lit read. Nice change for me since I had been reading a lot of non-fiction lately. I usually don't like when authors leave an ambiguous ending, and the reader is left to decide what will happen in the future - but I actually felt it worked in this story. It also made me hope for a follow up to this novel - maybe a few more and make it into a series - just to see what happens with Mimi's career and love life....

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't expect much from chick lit, but this 'heroine' seemed almost pathological in her love for naming inanimate objects. At first I'd thought it was a vaguely clever way to show her disconnect from human relationships, but it never goes away. I've read worse...the characters are pretty flat, the situations are a bit uninteresting, and I've read other chick books that do 'food' and 'restaurants' much better, but at least it's a fast read.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an easy read, I got it basically done in one night. I didn't like how the narrator has nicknames for everything and I mean everything. Some parts of the story weren't so believable. Yet I finished it and I can't say that about a lot of the chick lit I start. It was at least interesting enough for me to keep reading.

[Arsimms28 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually got so into this book I read it all at once practically! I was on page 5 and the next night I read it entirely in three hours! Pretty good book...a little predictable, but a nice twist at the end. I wouldn't mind finding myself in this girls shoes with the men she had to choose from...Farmer Joe would have had won the race hands down =)

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluffy, girly, cutsie stuff. A buddy at work gave me this and it was easy to read, despite its formulaic approach and lack of any real depth. It would have gotten 2 stars but a date takes place in Collingswood (what, what!) and there are several SJ mentions.

[Ellenjsmellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really sweet, and fast, fantastic chick-lit book! Not outrightly romancy which is nice and with a lovely ending!

[Christine Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book with a fun story

[Allerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. A nice enjoyable read.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little draggy. Ending was very unclear though, so did the guys go to Europe with her??

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was actually pretty good.... entertaining and an easy, fun read. Perfect "beach" book. And a total "chick book"!

[Annie West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story!

[MaryAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet read...with a lovely ending

[TINA SITLER LEED]

Quik readc

Very predictable., but a fun read. No thinking required. Good to read. By the pool. Different writing style the entire book is 1 chapter