Book Reviews: Adriana Trigiani & Allie Spencer

Brava, Valetine by Adriana Trigiani

Goodreads.com Synopsis:
Adriana Trigiani’s bestselling novels are beloved by millions of readers around the world. From the Big Stone Gap series to Lucia, Lucia, each is a sumptuous treat as Trigiani tells hilarious and romantic stories that we want to return to again and again.

Very Valentine, an instant New York Times bestseller, introduced the contemporary family saga of the Roncalli and Angelini families, artisans of handcrafted wedding shoes in Greenwich Village since 1903.

As Brava, Valentine begins, snow falls like glitter over Tuscany at the wedding of her grandmother, Teodora, and longtime love, Dominic. Valentine’s dreams are dashed when Gram announces that Alfred, “the prince,” Valentine’s only brother and nemesis, has been named her partner at Angelini Shoes. Devastated, Valentine falls into the arms of Gianluca, a sexy Tuscan tanner who made his romantic intentions known on the Isle of Capri. Despite their passion for one another and Gianluca’s heartfelt letters, a long-distance relationship seems impossible.

As Valentine turns away from romance and devotes herself to her work, mentor and pattern cutter June Lawton guides her through her power struggle with Alfred, while best friend and confidante Gabriel Biondi moves into 166 Perry Street, transforming her home and point of view. Savvy financier Bret Fitzpatrick, Valentine’s first love and former fiancée who still carries a torch for her, encourages Valentine to exploit her full potential as a designer and a business woman with a plan that will bring her singular creations to the world.

A once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity takes Valentine from the winding streets of Greenwich Village to the sun-kissed cobblestones of Buenos Aires, where she finds a long-buried secret hidden deep within a family scandal. Once unearthed, the truth rocks the Roncallis and Valentine is determined to hold her family together. More so, she longs to create one of her own, but is torn between a past love that nurtured her, and a new one that promises to sustain her.

Brava, Valentine, Trigiani’s best novel yet, delivers a hilarious and poignant mix of colorful worlds and unforgettable characters as only she can create them.

My Review: 5 out of 5 stars. I absolutely loved this book. It is the 2nd book in the Valentine series. I think it helped that I started with Book 1 because I was already invested in the characters. Book 2 picked right up where Book 1 left off. However, you could totally read this book without having read the first one (but don’t!! haha) Beautifully written! Highly recommend!! You can read my review of the 1st book in the series here: Very Valentine

I received a copy of this next book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Save the Date by Allie Spencer

Goodreads.com Synopsis:
Family weddings can be hell?…and, marooned in Italy for her cousin’s nuptials, Ailsa can be forgiven for thinking that this one is worse than most. With the bride and groom at loggerheads and the guests in uproar, it is a million miles away from the rest and relaxation she’d been hoping for.And then suddenly, in the middle of the mayhem, she comes face-to-face with Nick, the man she walked out on just a few months earlier.How can Ailsa help get the wedding back on track when she and Nick can’t stop arguing? But if they do, she might remember why she fell in love with him in the first place – and then there really would be trouble.

My Review: 4 out of 5 stars. I thought this book was cute and a fun, easy read. I loved the little dog in the story. Always causing trouble. The family members were intriguing and the storyline had some good twists. If you want a fun chick lit book to add to your list, add this one.

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