April 19, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA
In a rare and candid moment, Mike Goodnough, the writer and humorist known for his blog Hoarse Whisperer, has opened up about his split from actress and TV personality Valerie Bertinelli, describing their romance as “meaningful but complicated.”
The pair, who made their relationship public in late 2023, captured the hearts of fans who had followed Bertinelli’s journey through grief, healing, and newfound joy following her divorce. Now, just months after they quietly parted ways, Goodnough is sharing his side of the story.
“It Was Real. It Was Honest.”
In an interview published this week on Substack, Goodnough addressed the breakup with a tone of warmth, gratitude, and emotional complexity:
“We had a beautiful connection, but we were also two people carrying a lot,” he wrote. “Love doesn’t always mean forever. Sometimes it’s about being exactly what the other person needed in a moment.”
He described their time together as a “season of joy and growth,” adding that while they cared deeply for one another, the relationship was not without its challenges.
From Private Friendship to Public Romance
Goodnough and Bertinelli first met online through mutual admiration of each other’s writing. What began as messages and late-night phone calls gradually evolved into a heartfelt connection. In 2023, Bertinelli went public with the romance in an emotional Instagram post, describing Goodnough as her “unexpected blessing.”
Fans rejoiced, many seeing it as a turning point for Bertinelli, who had been open about her struggles with self-worth, heartbreak, and healing following her divorce from financial planner Tom Vitale.
Valerie’s Silence — For Now
As of now, Valerie Bertinelli has not publicly commented on the breakup. Those close to her suggest she is focusing on her family, wellness, and upcoming projects — including her work with Food Network and a forthcoming memoir.
Her last post referencing Goodnough was in January, where she captioned a photo:
“Some people come into your life to show you how loved you are.”
A Relationship That Helped Them Heal
Sources close to the former couple say the breakup was mutual and respectful — not the result of betrayal or dramatic conflict. Instead, it was the reality of two lives moving in different directions.
“Mike was there at a time when Valerie needed kindness,” a friend of Bertinelli’s told People. “He reminded her she could be loved again. And she gave him the same.”
Goodnough echoed that sentiment in his post, writing:
“We didn’t fail. We just reached the end of the chapter we were meant to share.”
Life After Love
Since the separation, Goodnough has returned to writing full-time, and Bertinelli continues to focus on health, cooking, and family — especially her close bond with son Wolfgang Van Halen.
While fans may be disappointed to see the end of their romance, many are expressing respect for the honest, mature way both individuals have handled the split.
Final Thought
Not every love story ends with a wedding — or needs to.
Sometimes, the greatest relationships are the ones that help us rediscover our value, remind us of our strength, and prepare us for what’s next.
And in the case of Valerie Bertinelli and Mike Goodnough, maybe that’s the real love story after all.