For Maria Pagliano, too much of a good thing has always been a problem. Whether it's men or carbs, she just can't say no. But that's about to change. For her high school reunion, Maria's vowed to reinvent herself as a woman who has her life strictly in order. No more pasta, bread, dessert, or dating- even if the menu offering is one sexy chef named Dante Del Rosso. Everything about Dante is off-limits. From his come-hither smile to his sultry way around the kitchen in his Boston restaurant, he's too much temptation...for her taste buds and her heart. Just being around the guy makes her crave more. The only thing to do is go cold turkey on Dante. But he has other ideas. Now, this devil is out to woo his dream woman using every spicy, sweet, and sinfully delicious weapon he's got. And once Maria gets a taste of the real thing, how can she possibly settle for anything less?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By Lindymck
Format:Mass Market Paperback
enjoyed this one!!! crazy italian family, reminds you of stephanie plums family, mother trying to marry her daughter off. written in the style of joanne fluke's murder mystery series with recipes included in the book.
endearing story of just not romantic love between a couple but also unconditional love of a mother/daughter and importance of family and making oneself happy!!!!!
endearing story of just not romantic love between a couple but also unconditional love of a mother/daughter and importance of family and making oneself happy!!!!!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great romance will make you really hungry!
25 May 2005
By Tracy Vest
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's almost time for her 10 year reunion, and Maria Pagliano wants to lose 25 pounds in 8 weeks to charm the pants off former paramour Antonio and compete with former heavyweight, Mary Louise Zipparetto. So it is off to the "Chubby Chums" for weight loss guidance.
Of course, wouldn't you know that the meetings would be held across the street from an Italian restaurant, where of course she ends up after fleeing the first meeting (for guilt associated with what she ate that day). She meets chef Dante del Rosso, who encourages her to come in and take a load off. Soon she is helping him woo the local food critic. He thinks she is perfect as is, but she is not biting.
Dante is soon in lust with Maria, and manages to insinuate himself in her life by hooking up with her family. She is resistant - she does not want a traditional guy from the neighborhood. But if Dante has his way (and her family and his wait staff...), she will be singing another tune.
It is a great contemporary love story with the added bonuses of some incredible mouth watering Italian recipes (with the most hysterical cooking instructions)!
Of course, wouldn't you know that the meetings would be held across the street from an Italian restaurant, where of course she ends up after fleeing the first meeting (for guilt associated with what she ate that day). She meets chef Dante del Rosso, who encourages her to come in and take a load off. Soon she is helping him woo the local food critic. He thinks she is perfect as is, but she is not biting.
Dante is soon in lust with Maria, and manages to insinuate himself in her life by hooking up with her family. She is resistant - she does not want a traditional guy from the neighborhood. But if Dante has his way (and her family and his wait staff...), she will be singing another tune.
It is a great contemporary love story with the added bonuses of some incredible mouth watering Italian recipes (with the most hysterical cooking instructions)!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delicious Italian Family Romance
16 Mar 2005
By Dr. Edward Dow
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Shirley Jump has written another heartwarming, quirky, funny romance. You don't have to read the first book of her planned trilogy, The Bride Wore Chocolate, to enjoy this one, but that book is equally deserving and a little steamier than this one!
Maria Pagliano has been burned by men before. She had planned on marrying David until she caught him cheating on her with a stripper on her newly refinished dining room table. She built a wall around herself to keep from being hurt, trying to convince her well meaning (and marriage obsessed) Italian family that she does not want to get married and does not need a man to be happy. She uses food to insulate herself from the hurt. She meets Dante Del Rosso, a hot Italian restaurant owner outside his restaurant after fleeing her first meeting of the "Chubby Chums", a dieters support group at the church across the street.
Dante is attracted to Maria just as she is, which Maria is unable to understand. She pushes him away at every turn. At times I found myself rooting for Dante as he really seemed too good for Maria and her harsh militant stance against anything more than "sex with no strings" encounters with men. Dante is unwilling to have this type of fling with Maria and insists that he wants her to fall in love with him before giving in to their mutual sexual attraction. After she betrays Dante at his own restaurant by inviting a former flame from high school to a bachelorette party at his restaurant, Maria must come to terms with the hurt she's caused and decide how to take charge of her life and find the happiness that has eluded her.
Like in The Bride Wore Chocolate, there are recipes at the start of each chapter. I can't wait to try the "Dante's Hurry Up and Get Naked Broiled Shrimp" and "Mama's Not-Everything-Is-As-It-Seems Ravioli.
Maria Pagliano has been burned by men before. She had planned on marrying David until she caught him cheating on her with a stripper on her newly refinished dining room table. She built a wall around herself to keep from being hurt, trying to convince her well meaning (and marriage obsessed) Italian family that she does not want to get married and does not need a man to be happy. She uses food to insulate herself from the hurt. She meets Dante Del Rosso, a hot Italian restaurant owner outside his restaurant after fleeing her first meeting of the "Chubby Chums", a dieters support group at the church across the street.
Dante is attracted to Maria just as she is, which Maria is unable to understand. She pushes him away at every turn. At times I found myself rooting for Dante as he really seemed too good for Maria and her harsh militant stance against anything more than "sex with no strings" encounters with men. Dante is unwilling to have this type of fling with Maria and insists that he wants her to fall in love with him before giving in to their mutual sexual attraction. After she betrays Dante at his own restaurant by inviting a former flame from high school to a bachelorette party at his restaurant, Maria must come to terms with the hurt she's caused and decide how to take charge of her life and find the happiness that has eluded her.
Like in The Bride Wore Chocolate, there are recipes at the start of each chapter. I can't wait to try the "Dante's Hurry Up and Get Naked Broiled Shrimp" and "Mama's Not-Everything-Is-As-It-Seems Ravioli.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Here's a devil you're sure to love.
20 April 2005
By Janet Dean
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Dante is my kind of man. He loves his woman just the way she is. But in the recent past, Maria has been burned by love and isn't buying it. She is determined not to eat the caloric food in Dante's Italian restaurant or trust her heart to any man, especially this one. With the help of her wacky weight loss support group, the Chubby Chums, Maria sticks to her diet, only to learn it's what's on the inside that counts. Miss Jump's humor delights and her recipes entice. Dante's sous chef and Maria's big Italian family add to the fun. If you like humor with a heart this is a must read!
›
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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