Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani
Goodreads.com Synopsis:
Meet the Roncalli and Angelini families, a vibrant cast of colorful characters who navigate tricky family dynamics with hilarity and brio, from magical Manhattan to the picturesque hills of bella Italia. Very Valentine is the first novel in a trilogy and is sure to be the new favorite of Trigiani’s millions of fans around the world.
In this luscious, contemporary family saga, the Angelini Shoe Company, makers of exquisite wedding shoes since 1903, is one of the last family-owned businesses in Greenwich Village. The company is on the verge of financial collapse. It falls to thirty-three-year-old Valentine Roncalli, the talented and determined apprentice to her grandmother, the master artisan Teodora Angelini, to bring the family’s old-world craftsmanship into the twenty-first century and save the company from ruin.
While juggling a budding romance with dashing chef Roman Falconi, her duty to her family, and a design challenge presented by a prestigious department store, Valentine returns to Italy with her grandmother to learn new techniques and seek one-of-a-kind materials for building a pair of glorious shoes to beat their rivals. There, in Tuscany, Naples, and on the Isle of Capri, a family secret is revealed as Valentine discovers her artistic voice and much more, turning her life and the family business upside down in ways she never expected. Very Valentine is a sumptuous treat, a journey of dreams fulfilled, a celebration of love and loss filled with Trigiani’s trademark heart and humor.
My Review: 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it started off slow, that’s why I gave it a 4 out of 5, but about mid-way through I felt that the story truly picked up. I love the history behind the families and the shoe company. I love the characters. I felt like I was a part of the family by the time the end came. I am so happy to know that there are 2 more books in the series. I wasn’t quite ready to let go of this family just yet. 🙂
Have you read anything by Adriana Trigiani? This was my first book and I am excited to read some of her other stuff.
I haven’t read anything by this author, but I’m always looking for a new find. Thanks for the review.
I just finished The Politician by Andrew Young. Interesting read, as long as you don’t think politicians are doing things out of the goodness of their hearts.
I read it too and loved it!
The Shoemaker’s Wife (also by Adriana Trigiani), is an excellent book! 🙂
Hmmm… adding this to my list 🙂 Sounds intriguing!