Valentine Roncalli does not believe she is the pretty one Nor is she the smart one. Valentine in fact looks at herself as the funny one. It’s an easier spot to be in.
Yet now that the Angelina Shoe Company, the one her family has owned for more than a century seems to be on the verge of financial destruction, funny just is not going to cut it. To save the business Valentine must find a way to bring their business into the 21st century, all awhile juggling her own romance with chef Roman Falconi, her larger and opinionated family, and not only enter but try to win a design challenge presented by a prestigious department store.
Valentine will turn her life, and their business upside down in ways she never expected.
Very Valentine is a re-read for me. In fact, it was this book, along with Brava Valentine that entered me into an Adriana Trigiani contest two years ago that lined me up with dinner with her along with 5 other book bloggers when we were in New York in 2010.
When my book club chose this for our February read I was thrilled for them to get a chance to experience this wonderful author, but for me was unsure if I was going to read the book again (what is the Italian word for idiot? 😯 )
As the time came closer to our review I thought I had better skim through it at least and had downloaded it on my NOOK (my challenge to read all book club books this year on my NOOK) and opened the story up… within a minute I was smiling to myself.
Do you know that feeling when you walk into a bakery or a fresh bread store and a scent brings you back to an earlier in life moment? That’s what Very Valentine did for me…. the opening lines made me smile. I was suddenly whooshed back to Valentine’s world and it is a busy one filled with voices of family, amazing Italian dishes, and shoes… oh the shoes. Skim shim… I read the book in its entirety again. 🙂
- In 2011, a group of us had lunch with Adriana again…. fantastic experience, she is such an amazing woman.
Last night at the Bookies review we had a wonderful time discussing family and traditions, two very large and important topics throughout Very Valentine. We also discussed the shoes and Angie (By Book Or By Crook) brought along a slideshow presentation of shoes, embellishments for the shoes, Italy, the windows discussed in the book…. it was awesome. I love that our book club will do the little extras to bring a book to life.
And much like a big Italian, family ourselves, we brought food… delicious food, we ate, we laughed… and before we left it was 9 pm…. (we usually end at 8 pm) 😯
The book was enjoyed by all. The discussion and food were wonderful (I did not even get a picture of the desert!
Book Journey 
You Bookies sure know how to do it right!
It’s a team effort Beth! 😀
The Italian word for idiot is pazza!! 🙂 And WOW that is a sumptuous looking meal right there. You’ve got me pretty interested in check out this author as well!
Happy Reading 🙂
Then I am very much acting like a “Pazza” when it comes to taking time to re read a book 😀
I do love Trigiani’s books…my first ones were the Stone Gap series, but after reading Brava Valentine (a book I won from you!), I was totally hooked on this character and her life. And scents.
Even though I had skipped to the second one, I know I’m going to luxuriate in this one, too.
Speaking of scents….that food has me salivating….
Yes read the second one Laurel as the third one is coming out in March… I think… 😀
Oh man, what a fun meeting! That food looks fabulous! I hope you regaled them about how you know Adriana personally!
It was a fun meeting Kathy… I was tired, rushed, and then I was there…. and it was good! They know about my Adriana gushing, but yeah, I talked about it again… it never gets old. 😛
That looks wonderful in its entirety!
It was Alyce…. it was actually what I needed this week… time with the book girls!
I am determined to read Very Valentine this year. I just got her new one (to be published in May) and it will be the first Adriana Trigiani book I read. I love how sometimes a reread can make you love a story even more.
When I read your posts about your book group I think that it would be worth it to move from Ohio to snowy Brainerd just so I can join! You all sound like such a fun bunch 🙂
I think knowing her after the read made it more personal this time Christina, I could see her sharing this story! Come and join the bookies any time!!! 😀
I just checked on Amazon and this book is currently only 99 cents so I had to buy it! I am sure I will love it. I get such great recommendations from your blog!
Sorry…I get easily excited when it comes to books. It is the librarian in me 🙂
Nice!!!! Enjoy!! 😀 I am glad to offer great recommendations!
I think I’ve only read one novel by Trigiani but this one sounds intriguing!
Your book group sounds like so much fun! I love how you match the food to the book.
Sue
It is a lot of fun to do Sue and makes the book so much more real…
You are so fortunate to be part of a terrific book club. I love that you go all out, frequently. What a blast you must have! Would you do a post about keeping book clubs energized and enthusiastic with some tips, please?
Shirley I would be honored too, that you for the suggestion. I will do that!
Oh, I love those books that I can read again and again. I’ll have to put this one on my TBR list.
I just started a book club at work. We’ve only met twice and it’s a lot of fun. Love book clubs!
Oh good for you Laura! That’s how we started, three of us who worked together. Have fun!!!
Those pictures are making me hungry!
It was sooooo good Jill 🙂
I think I have this one on my shelf. Must pull it down and read it! And yes, I am so jealous of your book club!
Read and enjoy it 😀
Sounds like so much fun! I have read one Trigiani book, but I need to get cracking on her backlist!
She has so many good reads and two new ones coming out this year!
I read this book thanks to thIs post reminding me at I own the book.
I loved it! Such a perfect read for me at this time.
I hope you have a wonderful time enjoying it 🙂