Helpful Score: 6
I just finished listening to this on audio. It was a charming book, the narration was wonderful. Adriana has a wondeful way of letting you see, feel and smell the food, the scenery, the textures......Growing up in the suburbs of NY city with an Italian american heritage on my mom's side. I felt like she accurately describes the experience. This book is pure fun
Helpful Score: 3
Enjoyed this book very much. Style of writing was colorful and made it easy to imagine I was there.
Cristina C. (moondance83) reviewed Very Valentine (Valentine Trilogy, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I love Adriana Trigiani---it wasn't my favorite of her books, but it did enjoy it.
Helpful Score: 2
No the best Adriana Trigiani book I have ever read.
The story centers on the Angelini Shoe Company, a Greenwich Village shoe company (since 1903) that creates custom wedding shoes. It is run by Valentine and her grandmother, salt of the earth Italians. When the company starts losing money, other family members start the pressure to sell the business.
Valentine is romanced by a local cafe owner who does not seem to have any time for her. (Valentine does not have much time for him either, but she is not called to task for this.) Because of his dedication to his work, he is considered selfish and not thoughtful. Valentine's dedication to her job, however, is considered admirable.
A long trip to Italy, spurred by a desire to win a shoe-making contest, adds a little color to the story. There are some good supporting characters here, but I found the main character, Valentine, to be contradictory, wishy-washy, and a little whiny. (She's right that her boyfriend works too much--but so does she!)
It was mildly enjoyable, but not a series that I will continue to read.
The story centers on the Angelini Shoe Company, a Greenwich Village shoe company (since 1903) that creates custom wedding shoes. It is run by Valentine and her grandmother, salt of the earth Italians. When the company starts losing money, other family members start the pressure to sell the business.
Valentine is romanced by a local cafe owner who does not seem to have any time for her. (Valentine does not have much time for him either, but she is not called to task for this.) Because of his dedication to his work, he is considered selfish and not thoughtful. Valentine's dedication to her job, however, is considered admirable.
A long trip to Italy, spurred by a desire to win a shoe-making contest, adds a little color to the story. There are some good supporting characters here, but I found the main character, Valentine, to be contradictory, wishy-washy, and a little whiny. (She's right that her boyfriend works too much--but so does she!)
It was mildly enjoyable, but not a series that I will continue to read.
