Hello Lovelies! Please excuse our dust while we do a bit of construction on the blog. We will still be posting exciting reviews, brilliant guest posts, and exciting giveaways but we are in the process of transforming the blog and adding new content and features for you to enjoy.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Copyright: 2009

Pages: 384

Rating: 3.5/5

From the authors site:
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. 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 f amily 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.

Book Review:
This is a book filled with laughs, sorrow, romance, and the love for your family and the love for shoes. They play a big part in this book and she presents those doing it the old fashioned way. A way that might be forgotten today. It’s the first book in a trilogy but it can be read as a standalone novel. The next book, Brava Valentine is out in February 2010.

Valentine gave up much to make shoes and she loves her job. It is what she was born to do. She a person easy to like for the reader, even if she herself does not always think so. She is the funnyone in her family, not the brain, not the beauty, and that has colored her. But she is in her best element when she is creative and making shoes. But it looks like the company might be going under, and they need help fast. A situation is presented that might give them a chance. She will be able to prove herself and make her family see that this is what she wants and is great at. The Angelini shoe company might live to see another day.

Trigiani knows how to write a compelling book. It has humor in hidden depths and it’s an easy book to read, but a hard book to put down. The family dynamics is real and they argue a lot, but they also love each other fiercely. Everything is not always that easy when it comes to family and love. Her grandmother is my favorite, she has spirit and she has a little story of her own in this book. A sweet story that is not to be missed.

The romance is not easy either in this book. It deals with real life and two very busy people. They hardly have time for each other and their budding romance. Valentine deserves her romance and even if this can be read as a standalone novel it does make you curious what will happen in the next one. How does the romance go, and what about their little shoe company? Because they do make the most remarkable shoes, and I do love shoes, and reading about them.

It’s a warm novel, and she knows what she is doing. She brings in a little of everything into the book so there is something for everyone and all ages. If you want some romance, some smiles, some hard times, and some shoes then this might be a book for you.
Lady in Waiting

Thanks to Linda
from Book Girl from Mur-y-Castell for this great review!

28 comments:

Teddyree said...

I don't read a lot of contemporary romance but this sounds like one I'd like. I think it helps that I have a shoe fetish, absolutely love shoes!! Lovely review Linda

Blodeuedd said...

Oh yes a shoe fetish would help a lot ;) It did help me. I would love to have a shoe made especially for me, a perfect fit.
Sometimes you come across a nice contemporary romance

Leontine said...

I love the romance and family vibe your describing Blodeuedd. Am I getting it right that this is a Saga or Chronicle? That there isn't a concluding HEA for the couple in this books?

Mary (Bookfan) said...

This was one of my favorite books read in 2008 (I had an ARC). Love Valentine and can't wait for the next book. Really nice review!

Blodeuedd said...

Leontine,
Not to spoil anything but yes not promised HEA. it has a nice ending and one could be satisfied with that. But I sure wanna see how things turn out for her.
Some sort of saga yes :)

Blodeuedd said...

Mary,
I know, it was sure a lovely read. An easy one too and I just love that sometimes. I will look after the next one

SusiSunshine said...

Sounds wonderful. A book about shoes and love- sounds perfect in my ears.LOL
Great review hon!

Staci said...

I really enjoyed your thoughts on this one. I love this author and have yet to get to this one!!!

Blodeuedd said...

Susi,
It is sure something I enjoy to read about. Thanks!

Staci,
I had read her before and then I found this one in English and had to get it, and I am sure glad I did. She has a lovely way of writing

Anonymous said...

Sounds like one I'd enjoy. Off to add to my wishlist

Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) said...

This sounds very good - I've been on a Contemporary binge lately, I think I'd enjoy this!

Laura's Reviews said...

Great review. I have read and loved some of Adriana Trigiani's books, but it has been awhile since I've read one. Maybe it's time to pick this up!

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

**waves to Blodeuedd!!** I am late honey, I am sorry!!! But you know I wouldn't miss one of your reviews for anything!!!
And again... great review! You know my list will no longer fit down on this piece of paper I have if you keep this up, lmao!!! Great job honey!
Hello ladies of Royal Reviews!
Hope all is well and everyone has a great day/weekend!!

Blodeuedd said...

Alterlisa,
It is a book that could be enjoyed by all so I am sure you would like it :)

Patti,
Oh yes I have seen that, you have sure gone trough them. It is nice to switch genres now and again

Laura's reviews
Could just be the perfect time. I read a book by her ages ago, and now I really want to find more

Blodeuedd said...

Hi Cecile :)
I am glad you made it over! And you're not late at all.
Thanks, haha, that is what I am for. I can sure blame a bunch on you too.


And thanks for having me over at Royal Reviews :D

Barb said...

Hmmm. I guess my book "What A Christmas!" is the antithesis of this book: the funny dad of my heroine is always berating his wife for wearing those 'dad-blamed high heels'.
These are wonderful, lively reviews and the book sounds like something we should all pick up after the rush of Thanksgiving and Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving.
barb

Sandy said...

My college library actually has this one on the shelves! I guess I'll have to go back for it ;)

Lori Brighton said...

I've never seen this one, but it sounds great! Thanks for the review!

Blodeuedd said...

Oh no, where did my post go?

Barb,
Sounds like a good fun book then :)
And yes this is sure a book for those days. happy Thanksgiving.

Pirate,
Perfect excuse to go over then and borrow it. I do love when the library has some great books.

Lori,
Thanks for stopping by :)
My eye fell on the cover in the library, it looked fun and I am glad my expectations were right.

wisteria said...

Like Teddyree, I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, but I might try this one. I laughed when I read Pirate's comment.

Alyssa Kirk said...

I also don't read much comtemp romance but I'm trying to broaden my reading horizons. Your review was lovely and the book sounds like a winner. Something I should give a try.

Fun to see you as a guest blogger. Love all royal blogger names!

ibeeeg said...

I usually do not read contemporary romance but every time I do it is a bit refreshing.
This book sounds interesting.
What I kept thinking of is my 3yod as she loves, loves, loves shoes. She goes crazy when she obtains "new" shoes.

Blodeuedd said...

Wistreia,
There is always a way to remedy that, I do enjoy to mix things up now and again. This one kind of jumped out at me. Had to read it :)

Alyssa
That is a good start, in a way I do not read much myself. But I do enjoy one now and again. They can be good, even if I love love a historical setting for my romance more.

Deanna,
Aye that is true, it is refreshing to read something like this now and again.
Lol, the shoe thing, well gotta love them. I sure do

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

I read another book by this author and really enjoyed it. This one looks good as well.

Jenny Girl said...

I've heard nothing but great things about this author. Thanks for the review B!

Blodeuedd said...

Sheila,
It was fun, worth reading too, an easy book to pick up.

Jenny,
Give her a try one of these days :)

Anna said...

I've heard good things about this author but haven't read any of her books yet. I'm not big into romance, but I might give this one a try at some point. Thanks for the review!

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Blodeuedd said...

Nice to see you Anna
Oh yes she is a great author, I am very happy to read her again. You might like it, it was so much more than that