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Very Valentine

by Adriana Trigiani

3.68 · rating details · 4,320 ratings · 980 reviews

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, contempo

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Hardcover, 371 pages

Published February 3rd 2009 by Harper (first published January 1st 2009)

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Community Reviews

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Feb 23, 2009

Sarah rated it

Shelves: adult-fiction, contemporary, humorous, romance

I checked this out when I was sick a week or so ago--just wanted a light, easy read. But I found Very Valentine to drag. It was so bogged down in details that I found to be totally superfluous. (Not the shoemaking details--those were interesting, but in all the other little things Trigiana takes pains to describe.) The chemistry between the main character and her beau was also nonexistant for me. It seemed like a superficial, flighty relationship that I couldn't buy into. I ended up skimmi...more

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Dec 30, 2008

Kaye rated it

The sign over the shop used to say Angelini Shoes, Greenwich Village since 1903, but after years of weathering , it now says Angel Shoes. This is the setting for much of this heart-warming story and the inspiration for a new endeavor. Valentine and her 80 year old grandmother, Teodora Angelini, in the family tradition are custom makers of wedding shoes. When Teodora tells her granddaughter, Valentine, that things are not too good financially, she is shocked. Valentine had thought things would go...moreThe sign over the shop used to say Angelini Shoes, Greenwich Village since 1903, but after years of weathering , it now says Angel Shoes. This is the setting for much of this heart-warming story and the inspiration for a new endeavor. Valentine and her 80 year old grandmother, Teodora Angelini, in the family tradition are custom makers of wedding shoes. When Teodora tells her granddaughter, Valentine, that things are not too good financially, she is shocked. Valentine had thought things would go on as usual for many years to come, but her brother Alfred now wants their grandmother to retire and take advantage of the escalating real estate prices to sell the building. Nothing like a little family friction to add to the dimension of the story. Valentine tries to find a way to save the business, their home and way of life.

When Valentine and her grandmother take a buying trip to Italy for leather and trimmings, they both find more than they had hoped. Grandmother finds the courage to own up to a ten year old secret and Valentine discovers her inner strength and artistry. The telling of this multi generational family saga is just magical. All the details are so exquisitely written, I wish I could go to Italy and see it all through their eyes. There are so many side plots with the family I feel like I really know these people. Ms. Trigiani does a fabulous job with her characters. The family is like most families; they have their ups and downs, their joys and sorrows, weak and strong moments and the reader gets to share in all of them.

This will be on my list of best books read in 2008. I could not put this wonderful story down. I loved every character, every detail and description. As a most interesting preface, Ms. Trigiani tells how she came to create these characters, a lot inspired by her own family and the artisans she met in Italy. If you like strong women characters, family stories, and romance along with lush destination descriptions, then I think you will really like this one.

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Feb 25, 2009

Scott rated it

First, let me state that I loved Lucia, Lucia when it came out. I think that Ms. Trigiani writes the best stories about Italian American families in the U.S. They are quite charming, honest, and often a one-sit read.

Very Valentine, is about a thirty-something year old woman who has been apprenticing the shoe business from her grandmother. She has learned much but gets the ultimate education when she learns that the business is not very solid and her grandmother has used the buildi...more

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Apr 03, 2010

Lola4 rated it

I've got two real big bad bones to pick with this book. Bone 1: In Rococo, Ms. Trigiana seems to have made an extremely unfortunate change in writing style, moving away from great heart-and-soul character portrayals and relationships into very detailed descriptions of stuff--without any apparent good reason, without advancing the story. In Very Valentine this disease of Descriptomania gets way worse and not only fails to advance the story, but bogs it down utterly. Now a description here an...moreI've got two real big bad bones to pick with this book. Bone 1: In Rococo, Ms. Trigiana seems to have made an extremely unfortunate change in writing style, moving away from great heart-and-soul character portrayals and relationships into very detailed descriptions of stuff--without any apparent good reason, without advancing the story. In Very Valentine this disease of Descriptomania gets way worse and not only fails to advance the story, but bogs it down utterly. Now a description here and there of a view or outfit might add something to a novel, but the author seemed unable to say "Valentine sat down," without wasting a paragraph (or two) of boring verbiage describing the chair. I would love to do the Reader's Digest condensed version of this book, since I am sure I could cut the length of the novel to less than half just by trimming away whatever pure fat detracts from the story. This book is for skimming, not reading--if I actually read all those ridiculously detailed description of every piece of stuff in the book, I'd still be reading it and would have totally lost the story in the useless details. The bookcover description lies--Ms. Trigiani's trademark heart and humor are exactly what Very Valentine is lacking. This is by far Trigiani's worst book. Ms. Trigiani needs to get back to doing what she does best--writing about people, not stuff--and clean out all the useless clutter.
Bone 2: The character portrayal of the protagonist, Valentine is extremely lacking--which is surprising since it is the very thing Ms. Trigiani usually does best. She states Valentine is the "Funnyone" but then writes a novel without giving her any dialogue that demonstrates how she earned that moniker. The sister Tess, mother, father, and employee June are all much wittier. In general the main character is very lacking in both humor and warmth. Although the writer makes a big deal about her being too submissive to her boyfriend, he is the only one. With everyone else she is as self-centered, rude, bossy and as uncharming as her spoiled-rotten nieces. Ms. Trigiani writes excellent novels about flawed characters, but in the other books they have some insight into their flaws and are trying to work through them in order to have satisfying relationships--not so Valentine who just plows ahead like she is perfect Miss All-That. Valentine names her brother Alfred "the pill" but in truth is a way worse pill than he is. The tension that spoils several family get-togethers is more Valentine-driven than Alfred-driven. It doesn't ring true that so many people come to Valentine's aid in this book, even though she is so all about "me" and often treats them like less than dirt. She is so rude and inconsiderate to people in Italy, especially Gianluca Vechiarelli, when the Vechiarelli's were nothing but good to her, it is downright cringeworthy. In reality people would have just walked away from her in hopes that life would teach her some important lessons.
Will I read Brava Valentine? Yes, in hopes that Ms. Trigiana will give Valentine the wit, warmth, insight, and growth that both she and the story desperately need and which made Ms. Trigiani's previous books so great. Ms. Trigiani needs to re-learn what she once knew instinctively--people are way more interesting than their stuff.(less)

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Mar 03, 2009

Sarah Beth rated it

Adriana Trigiani is a favorite writer of mine. But I really felt Very valentine fell short. I normally enjoy the painting of a scene by an author. It brings me into the scene and makes feel part of the book. But her minute detail description of every little thing just made me think, "get to the point already." Maybe I was just an impatient reader this time but the entire story of the book could have been told in under 50 pages sans the flowery descriptions ... I wanted more depth. I ne...more

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Feb 21, 2009

Ashley rated it

I received this book for my birthday, On VALENTINES DAY, so already this book was a hit. True to Trigiani's style the book is about Italian Americans who live in New York. Valentine is a cobbler. A large part of the book is dealing with the details of the shoes and the designs. It has a typical Trigiani ending, which I don't like.

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Jul 11, 2010

Susan Dodd rated it

Fantastic read! I'm almost done. Adriana Trigiani is an amazing writer. Always based around Italy/Italians/Italian/Family food and cooking. I can't wait to visit Italy one day and can't stop thinking about it since I've been reading this book. Not to mention all the Italian food I'm craving!
Oh, and did I mention the shoes! Valentine, the main character, is a 34 year old shoe maker - custom wedding shoes in a family business. Adriana uses some amazing descriptions of the shoes, materials t...more

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Feb 22, 2009

Natalie rated it

I was excited to read this book because I always wished I was Italian. haha. Seriously. I enjoy that the setting is in NY, it makes me want to go visit. I enjoyed this book but I'm not sure I loved the ending.

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Jul 18, 2010

Jenny Collins rated it

· review of another edition

It's bee a while since I read a book I couldn't put down but this was definately one. Once again Adriana Trigiani made me fall in love with the characters, made me want to be a part of the story and above all made me want to jump on the first plane to Italy. The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars from me is the ending, I'm ultimately a romantic and I always want everyone to live happily ever after but I guess I'll just have to wait and see what else is in store for The Angelini Shoe Company!!!...more

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Mar 24, 2009

Cory rated it

On the surface, it seems like I would like this book about an Italian-American woman learning the family shoemaking business and looking for love. However, it just wasn't my kind of book. There was too much detail about clothing and room decor--I don't really care that the eldest daughter was wearing a cream wool pencil skirt, a cream cashmere cardigan, pearls, silver bangles on her wrist, and a cream embossed leather shoe with black piping on the vamp. Don't care! The similies and metaphors...more

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Mar 12, 2009

Angela marked it as to-read

Interview published in The Florida Times-Union special section:
By Angela Bussone

New York Times best-selling author Adriana Trigiani draws from a deep writing well, with award-winning plays, novels, TV shows and screenplays to her credit. But it wasn't until Trigiani's agent suggested she develop her screenplay for Big Stone Gap into a novel that she vaulted into the role of author. And Trigiani has been riding a tide of best-sellers ever since. In a full circle set of events, a...more

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Jan 22, 2009

Linda added it

I had the good luck of getting one of Adriana's advanced readers copy. I have read all of this lady's books. But believe me, once you read it, you will understand what I am saying. She just gets better every book that she writes. She blends laughter and seriousness into every page. It is the best kind of book to get lost in, to escape from worry and stress and this book teaches you about love. How to choose it,when to keep it and when to let go.
Valentine tells the story of her grandfathe...more

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Jan 20, 2012

Jenny rated it

I should start off by saying that I loved the characters in this book…each and every one of them. The family dynamic was so real that I found myself relating to almost every aspect of Valentine’s life, even though I’m not Italian and don’t have three siblings, but only one. I could still relate. The story was interesting and I kept reading because I wanted to find out how things got resolved. If there was one fault I found in this book it’s related to something that I am completely aware is ...more

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Nov 15, 2011

Christi Bryant-Snow rated it

· review of another edition

My Review:
This is a book that I listened to on audio and I truly enjoyed the book, but I will be honest, I don't think that I would have enjoyed the book nearly as much if I had sat down and read it. There is a lot of this book that is spent inside the heroine, Valentine's, head musing about what is going on in her world, in her life, and in her heart. When I am reading, I enjoy action, not so much description and support text. But listening to the book being read aloud, I was able to enjoy...moreMy Review:
This is a book that I listened to on audio and I truly enjoyed the book, but I will be honest, I don't think that I would have enjoyed the book nearly as much if I had sat down and read it. There is a lot of this book that is spent inside the heroine, Valentine's, head musing about what is going on in her world, in her life, and in her heart. When I am reading, I enjoy action, not so much description and support text. But listening to the book being read aloud, I was able to enjoy the imagery and emotions in a way that I think would have been lost on me if I had been reading the book. It's an absolutely beautiful book to listen to.

This book is about Valentine. Valentine is the outcast in her family. The only unmarried child, the one who decided 4 years ago to give up her career to apprentice under her grandmother at the family custom shoe shop which had been in business for over 100 years. The book is a journey of self-discovery for Valentine as she gets in touch with her inner artist and just exactly who she is and it is not a simple straightforward journey. There were some twists that I didn't expect and revelations that I didn't see coming.

This is a book that takes place in the busy crazy city life of Manhattan in NYC to the beautiful, peaceful, reflective countryside of Italy. Valentine runs the entire gamut of emotion throughout the book, just like the variety in the scenery. She is always insightful and reflective and completely honest about where she is at in her feelings...good or bad. I liked the honesty to her character. Quite honestly, I really just truly enjoyed her character. She is an artist, but in the beginning, she doesn't even truly understand that is what she is. As readers, we get to go along with her journey of self-discovery as she learns to tap into her inner artist. I absolutely adored that part of the story, even though getting in touch with her inner artist costs her other aspects of her life that I think I mourned more than she did.

There is a romantic story line to the story, but again, this is just another aspect of Valentine's journey of self-discovery. She is involved with Roman, an extremely busy chef who runs his own very small and successful Manhattan restaurant. Between the two of them, they have crazy hours working, with very little time for each other. On the surface, Roman is absolutely the perfect guy and their passion is incredible, but they are both artists with crazy hours. There is a lot of time spent in Valentine's psyche as she decides where she wants to put her passions. There is no denying that they love each other, but is that love enough for a successful relationship when they hardly ever see each other?

Another amazing character to this story is Valentine's grandmother, trainer, and roommate, Teodora. Her insight into Valentine's life and her own affairs is refreshing and honest. There are many moments and comments that come through Teodora that are so insightful and beautiful. I just truly enjoyed her character and the depth that she added to the story.
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Oct 23, 2011

CoffeeBook Chick rated it

The introduction of Adriana Trigiani's work for me has been with the two audiobooks for Very Valentine and Brava, Valentine. Let's put it this way - I am so enamored with the audio versions, that I just can't imagine the character of Valentine not voiced by the incomparable Cassandra Campbell. You better believe that when the final book comes out, I will be downloading the audio straightaway. Does anyone know when that third book is coming out?

In Very Valentine, The Angelini Shoe Compa...moreThe introduction of Adriana Trigiani's work for me has been with the two audiobooks for Very Valentine and Brava, Valentine. Let's put it this way - I am so enamored with the audio versions, that I just can't imagine the character of Valentine not voiced by the incomparable Cassandra Campbell. You better believe that when the final book comes out, I will be downloading the audio straightaway. Does anyone know when that third book is coming out?

In Very Valentine, The Angelini Shoe Company is part of the shrinking world of family-owned small businesses in Greenwich Village, and with their primary product being original designs of handcrafted wedding shoes, combined with mismanaged financials, it is soon uncovered that this business might not be around for too long. But Valentine is the last single woman in the Angelini family (as Trigiani calls her), and come hell or high water, she will do what she can to find a way to save the family business. With a new relationship forming with sexy chef Roman Falconi, Valentine travels back to Italy with her smart and sassy grandmother, Teodora, to learn new techniques and designs that she might be able to bring back to America to rejuvenate the business.

A fun and endearing story, Adriana Trigiani knocked it out of the park with this one for me. I was in the mood for a story about family and friendships, and combined with the Italian countryside, culture, and people, for a good part of the story, it just couldn't go wrong. It was hilarious, it was heart-warming, it just was all the things I needed to read right now. And the characters! Who can read this book (or listen to it), and not love Teodora, Valentine's grandmother? You have no soul if you can experience this book and just not fall madly in love with her.

These were characters so magically developed that to experience this in an audio format made it all so true to life and each one virtually bounded out of the story and into my heart. The angst between the in-laws and *the* family itself were superbly genuine, and when the story moves to Italy, it felt right. (Although I might be a teensy bit biased with that since, well, I love all things Italia).

What we all know about Adriana Trigiani, is that what makes her stories so memorable and tug at our heartstrings, is her ability to describe the family dynamic perfectly. Trigiani is a master artisan herself, of character development and the intertwined relationships of the large Italian family. With that expert comedic flair, she just rounds out the story perfectly.

And what can I say about the über-talented Cassandra Campbell? Once again at the helm of another best-seller, Campbell voices the character of Valentine and the family with an authenticity that is unquestionable. Like Trigiani, there is nothing pretentious with Campbell's work - both are delivered phenomenally, and it is a solid performance all around. This is a good pairing, and I can't wait for more. I'm almost done with Brava, Valentine, and again I ask, when does the third one come out?
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Aug 25, 2011

Diane rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: family-stories, fashion, romance, italy

I usually love Adriana Trigiani's books. From Big Stone Gap to her young adult books, she creates memorable characters with real emotions that experience real life with all its faults and foibles. Although the plots always end on a satisfying note, they are not all "happily ever after", which adds to the realism of her stories.

This one is no different. Valentine is a 33 year old single woman, Italian-American, and working in her family's custom shoemaking shop, living wi...more

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May 18, 2011

Savs (Savvy Escapades) rated it

Shelves: adult

So over Christmas break my second fun-book was Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani.

Very Valentine is the cute and highly descriptive tale of Valentine, an Italian American living in New York with her grandmother, a famous crafter of handmade shoes. Unfortunately, Grams isn't terribly business-savvy and their about to lose their business (which they also live over). So what's a girl to do? Fall in love with a gorgeous chef, try really hard to save the business in order to spite her ...more

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Feb 27, 2011

Michelle rated it

Shelves: straight-up-novels

What I liked about this book:
-It makes me very, very proud to be Italian-American. I realize that there is much I take for granted about my upbringing that other people don't get to have. Venetian tables at weddings, Christmas Eve fish celebrations, and so on. I'm proud of both my culture and the way Trigiani describes it. Sometimes she's not so flattering, and that's even fun too.

What I didn't like:
The clothes and setting descriptions run a little too detailed. And,...more

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Feb 05, 2011

MaryBookSwarm rated it

Shelves: teen-review

Truthfully, I thought VERY VALENTINE was an outstanding book. I could really see through Valentine's eyes. The imagery was so good, I could understand what Valentine was going through. This story contains love, challenges, and excitement that makes you want to read more. It's the kind of book you wouldn't want to put down for anything. Anyone who has had a lot of challenges can identify what Valentine's going through. Plus, the fact that they're Italian brings a sense of culture. I promise, this...more

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May 02, 2010

Colleen rated it

I absolutely loved this book! Valentine is a dynamic protagonist - she is pushed to taking her family business into the current century by financial pressures but then learns she has a real head for business and a true passion for the artistry of the craft of custom shoe design. I found myself rooting for her from the start whether in her struggles with the business or her relationship with the complicated and ambitious Roman Falconi. When she traveled to Italy (a dream of mine!) and observed ho...moreI absolutely loved this book! Valentine is a dynamic protagonist - she is pushed to taking her family business into the current century by financial pressures but then learns she has a real head for business and a true passion for the artistry of the craft of custom shoe design. I found myself rooting for her from the start whether in her struggles with the business or her relationship with the complicated and ambitious Roman Falconi. When she traveled to Italy (a dream of mine!) and observed how much Italians value work/life balance, I found I really related to her desire for a slower pace. This quote, spoken by Valentine, certainly gives me pause,

"You [her Italian friend:] live a balanced life. You work, you eat, you rest. We don't. We can't. We live as though we have something to prove. There's never enough time, we eat on the run, and we sleep as little as possible. We believe the one who works the hardest wins."

What I really love about this book, however, is the boisterous Roncalli clan and the vivid descriptions of both New York City and Italy (especially the scenes in Isle of Capri). In addition to their matriarch, Gram, the Roncalli clan includes Valentine's two sisters, Tess and Jaclyn, her brother Alfred, her funny, larger than life mother and her drily humorous Dad. Despite their bickering and the fact that are all involved in each other's lives, their love for each other and the value they place on family is clear. Although not nearly as boisterous (or boisterous at all for that matter!), my family also places a lot of importance on pulling together and being there for each other above all so I could relate to Valentine's involvement with and true affection for her family.

The Roncalli's are from Queens, which is where I grew up, and I enjoyed all the references to local spots in the neighborhood including Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills and Leonard's of Great Neck (I attended a prom there!) If I didn't know that author grew up in SW Virginia, I would think she hailed from Queens - her references were spot on! The level of detail she provides about locales - Queens, Italy, The West Village - really add to the novel and serve to draw the reader even further into her story.(less)

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Apr 06, 2010

Debbie rated it

I have read her Big Stone Gap Series and loved all of them, so when I saw this one and then discovered it was the first in a trilogy...well, I had to start at the beginning. Her descriptions make things come alive and you can well envision exactly what they are talking or thinking about...almost like you are right there with the characters!

In the first book you meet the Roncalli and Angelini families who live in Manhattan but whose ancestors have come from Italy. The Angelini Shoe ...more

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Mar 09, 2010

Dorothy rated it

· review of another edition

When the book opens the reader finds Valentine Roncalli, a thirty-three year old drop out high school English teacher, at a crossroads in her life. She's serving as a bridesmaid at her younger sister's wedding when her family reminds her of her past, present and future. To them it isn't all that rosy! She's tall, has a big nose, doesn't have a man in her life, lives with her grandmother, and works at the declining family business of making custom made wedding shoes. The only thing that she's...more When the book opens the reader finds Valentine Roncalli, a thirty-three year old drop out high school English teacher, at a crossroads in her life. She's serving as a bridesmaid at her younger sister's wedding when her family reminds her of her past, present and future. To them it isn't all that rosy! She's tall, has a big nose, doesn't have a man in her life, lives with her grandmother, and works at the declining family business of making custom made wedding shoes. The only thing that she's told that she has going for her is that she is FUNNY. Ha! Ha!
Being thirty-three in an Italian family, they say, is a recipe for life-long spinsterhood, disappointment, and loneliness. They want her to be like the rest of the brood; married, multiplying, and if you must work have a real job. Valentine would be amenable to everything but the real job part. She is happy working at designing and making shoes. She loves living with her savvy grandmother. She also readily admits that it beats living with her teeny bopper mother who is into glitz, flamingo lawn decorations, and pretense.
Finding Mr. Right hasn't been so easy to do. That is until she and her grandmother come home from the wedding. She finds herself buck naked on the rooftop of their Greenwich Village business/ residence. It is there that she spies a stranger staring at her from a window in the newly renovated Meier Building. Mr. Right turns out to be a damn good looking Italian named Roman Falconi. Even his name seems to fit the bill.
Roman had just opened his own Italian Restaurant named Ca'd'Oro. Here they were: two thirty year olds who had a lot in common: They were to some extent both apprentices, weren't afraid to work hard, and as mentioned earlier they were both Italians. A recipe for success? Not really!
Running a business takes time, and when one of those businesses is being rapidly eaten up by cost cutting retail outlets and products of lesser quality your chance of survival is dim indeed. That was the case with the Angelini Shoe Company.
There was a time when the business afforded her grandparents a good living, but times had changed. Valentine's brother, Alfred, recommends that their grandmother sell the place, take the profits, and run. Not Valentine! She, instead, makes the unrealistic decision to buy it.
Her effort to do so leads her into a world of new discoveries not only about herself but about her almost eighty year old grandmother. Together they venture out, visit artisans in Italy, enter a shoe contest which could give the business a rebirth, and perhaps for each of them a totally new life.
Very Valentine is a book that will revive memories of old Italian family customs and superstitions. It is tale that is to some extent predictable, but wouldn't we all like to be able to take some of the mystery out of our futures?
I would have to say that normally I am not drawn to ths kind of book, but in the case of Very Valentine, I found occasions to laugh, revive old memories, to look at disappointments with a greater sense of reality, and finally, to regain some sense that even the future can hold a promise of renewal and accomplishment.(less)

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Dec 11, 2009

Lydia Presley rated it

Shelves: chick-stuff, fiction, italy

Like Valentine, in Adriana Trigiani's Very Valentine, I'm also a 33 year old woman. However, I cannot imagine myself being put into the situation that Valentine found herself in.

This book is about a woman who fights and loves with her family, her relationships and her career/tradition. Trigiani sets up the story with a cast of characters that are full of life and their own distinct personalities - between Alfred the stoic (and somewhat boring) brother, the romantic but aloof Roman ...more

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Aug 03, 2009

Bobbi rated it

Shelves: book-club

Not much to say about this book--it was moderately entertaining, but certainly not worth more than two stars in my opinion.

I have read another Trigiani book before--Queen of the Big Time--and liked it better. In this book, the author tries too hard to be witty and it distracts from the story. I like to laugh while I am reading, but when every paragraph contains sarcasm and light humor, it gets old.

I did, however, really connect to Valentine's relationship with her grandmo...more

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May 17, 2009

Diane rated it

Author Adriana Trigiani captured America's heart with her Big Stone Gap series of books. The town of Big Stone Gap was as important a character in the novels as its protagonist, Ave Maria.

Trigiani's first novel in her next planned trilogy,Very Valentine, has as some of its most important characters not one, but two, settings- Greenwich Village in New York City and Italy.

Valentine Roncalli is a single thirty-something woman from an Italian family. She lives and works in G...moreAuthor Adriana Trigiani captured America's heart with her Big Stone Gap series of books. The town of Big Stone Gap was as important a character in the novels as its protagonist, Ave Maria.

Trigiani's first novel in her next planned trilogy,Very Valentine, has as some of its most important characters not one, but two, settings- Greenwich Village in New York City and Italy.

Valentine Roncalli is a single thirty-something woman from an Italian family. She lives and works in Greenwich Village with her beloved grandmother Teodora Angelini at Angelini Shoes, which has been in the family since 1903. They design and create lovely custom shoes, many of which are worn by brides on their wedding day.

The humorous opening to the novel, at Valentine's baby sister's wedding, sets the tone for the joyous, loving, heartbreaking story to follow. Anyone who has ever attended an Italian wedding will recognize the characters, the food and the decor described. And if you have been a single woman at an Italian wedding, you will commiserate with Valentine's plight.

Trigiani lives in Greenwich Village, and brings to life this vibrant section of New York; from the breezy Hudson River Park to the Buonitalia bakery in Chelsea Market to cobblestone sidewalks to the newly established tiny restaurants run by the hottest new chefs, this is a place one must visit after reading this novel.

Valentine reluctantly opens her heart to Roman Falconi, a chef with a new restaurant in the Village. They both have demanding careers, working long hours to make their dreams come true, and they struggle to balance those demands with the loving relationship they want to create.

Teodora is a vibrant older woman, but she is not free from the restraints of aging. She discovers that her late husband mortgaged the business to keep it alive, but now the time has come to make a decision- sell the building to a broker who will give her enough money to retire comfortably, or try to keep a business going in an increasingly tough economy.

She takes Valentine to Italy on her annual trip to purchase stock for the shop. It is there, in that beautiful country, that Valentine learns something about her grandmother which helps her to see the situation in a new light.

Trigiani is a marvelous writer. She does her homework, and the reader learns, along with Valentine, how to design and build beautiful shoes. I'm not a shoe person, but this made me wonder what I am missing.

She paints a picture of Italy so gorgeous, it makes you want to hop a plane and move there, or at least visit for a month or so. The scenery, the people, the food, the romance, the Isle of Capri- it all sounds so delicious.

Her characters feel like people you know; I especially liked Valentine's mother and father. The family relationships are so real, you have to wonder if Trigiani's family members are reluctant to be in her presence for fear their words will end up in one of her books.

It feels like you are spying on real people when you read
Very Valentine. People struggling with finding and holding onto love, with balancing their career dreams and family, these are things with which we all struggle. If only we could all do it in the scenery that Adriana Trigiani lovingly paints in this funny, sweet, touching novel. I'm definitely looking forward to the next two books in Valentine's saga.(less)

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May 07, 2009

Bonnie rated it

What can I say, I loved this book. I enjoy hunkering down and being swept away by a contemporary family saga and this book met that criteria. Especially when there are wonderful characters with rich ethnic backgrounds as I believe that this gives a story a depth and richness. Valentine is the main character and we learn about her quirky Italian family that I would love to sit down an enjoy an Italian meal with. The drama alone would make great entertainment. Valentine works as an apprentice unde...moreWhat can I say, I loved this book. I enjoy hunkering down and being swept away by a contemporary family saga and this book met that criteria. Especially when there are wonderful characters with rich ethnic backgrounds as I believe that this gives a story a depth and richness. Valentine is the main character and we learn about her quirky Italian family that I would love to sit down an enjoy an Italian meal with. The drama alone would make great entertainment. Valentine works as an apprentice under her grandmother Teodora in their family custom shoe business in Greenwich Village in New York. I enjoyed reading about how custom shoes are made and the artistry and skill that goes into the process of what is considered an old world craft. Reading about this process has made me wonder what a custom handmade shoe would feel like, it has to be an amazing experience. This book makes you think about the art of family business and what they must do to survive against the big box companies that mass merchandise our goods. It made me think about the importance of supporting these family run businesses in our own communities. Valentine balances a new relationship with a new beau Roman who is a chef and just opened his own restaurant. I feel like I gained a few pounds while reading this book which includes scrumptious details of all of the wonderful meals the family eats...homemade ravioli, homemade bread dipped in golden olive oil, rich wine, lattes, cobblers and much more. There were a lot of vivid details of color and texture that related to the food and leather and fabrics in the shoes that were made. Reading this book was definitely a sensory experience in itself rich with details that allows the reader to imagine the experience. Along the way, Valentine discovers her artistic side, where her passion lies and she continues to learn and grow in her relationships with her family and with men. Valentine travels to Italy which is a wonderful place for her to grow and experience the culture and connect to her Italian roots. I appreciated Valentine's close relationship with her grandmother Teodora. Teodora was a strong female character who had worked side by side with her husband to carry on their family business. Her family was extremely important to her and she was a pillar of strength and wisdom to them all. She has a very special relationship with Valentine, they have a connection that is unique and strong. My own grandmother is 91 and she has been the pillar of strength in our family and her positive outlook and attitude made a great impact on me as a child. I could relate to this special bond that a grandmother and granddaughter have. I can't wait to find out what happens next in Valentine's life and family in the next book. I highly recommend Very Valentine to fans of Adriana's books or to anyone who has never read her books. Treat yourself, you must read her books!
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Apr 23, 2009

Marta rated it

Wow I don't even know where to start with this book other than to say it was a wonderfully delicious treat! All the talk of food in the book had me drooling! First I was SO drawn to the cover. I'm a sucker for a good cover and this one has a gorgeous cover. I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and romantic and sassy too! I loved watching the growth of Valentine throughout this story. I found the insight into the shoe industry extremely fascinating, and never really considered how much goes in...more

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Apr 20, 2009

Tiffany rated it

I started this book, read about 10 pages, and then put it down. It didn't hook me right away, but once I picked it up again, I flew through it and had in done in less than a weekend. I have read all (or all but one) of Trigiana's books and I have really enjoyed the books that deal with the Italian families. This one proved just as good. I misread the jacket and thought the story was set in 1903, but it turns out that was just when the Angelini Shoe Company was founded. I loved this story of...more

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Apr 08, 2009

Ti rated it

Reading this book was like taking a vacation without leaving the comfort of my home. The story takes us to Greenwich Village where Valentine works as a cobbler, for a shoe company that she runs with her Gram. The workplace also happens to be her home as the building is situated with living space on top and even includes a beautiful rooftop garden. Trigiani takes much care to describe the environment to the reader. The smell of the leather, the oils used to keep them supple, etc. As I was reading...moreReading this book was like taking a vacation without leaving the comfort of my home. The story takes us to Greenwich Village where Valentine works as a cobbler, for a shoe company that she runs with her Gram. The workplace also happens to be her home as the building is situated with living space on top and even includes a beautiful rooftop garden. Trigiani takes much care to describe the environment to the reader. The smell of the leather, the oils used to keep them supple, etc. As I was reading about the shoe designs, I could SEE them in my mind as they were painted so vividly upon the page. I really enjoyed the descriptive detail.

Valentine, who is the only single sister left in a large Italian family, meets Roman Falconi. He's a chef for an up and coming restaurant in a very trendy neighborhood. Much of their time together is spent in his restaurant. He shares his passion for cooking by preparing exquisite meals for them to enjoy together. Reading these sections was like indulging in a decadent meal but without the guilt! As good as it is though, Valentine begins to question if their relationship can make it.

At the same time, Gram reveals to Valentine that the business is not doing so well, and its fate suddenly falls on Valentine to save it. In an attempt to do so, Valentine and Gram decide to design a custom shoe to submit to a big department store in the hopes of revitalizing the brand. They head to Arezzo, located in the south-east end of Tuscany to search for the materials needed, and while there, Valentine learns of a secret that her Gram has been hiding for nearly a decade.

I don't want to share too much more of the plot but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the "big family" aspect and that all the women were so strong yet vulnerable at the same time. As I was reading this book it reminded me of two movies: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) and Only You (1994). If you've seen these movies and enjoyed them, you will definitely enjoy Very Valentine.

Guess what? Very Valentine is the first book in a trilogy! I'm so looking forward to reading the other two novels as I really adored the characters and can't wait to find out what Trigiani has planned for them. If you shy away from traditional chick lit, give this book a try. It's much more than a boy-meets-girl type of story. I think you will enjoy it.
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Feb 27, 2010

Wendy rated it

This book was the first I ever read by this author and it was a great one. I immediately fell for the main character and her no nonsense approach to things as well as her passion about her chosen profession. Also, the author's descriptions of the different settings was wonderful, making me feel like I was right in the book.
Valentine Roncalli is 33 years old, single, living with her grandmother, and learning the family business. Her family have been shoemakers for over 100 years, in particu...more

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About Adriana Trigiani

ADRIANA TRIGIANI is beloved by millions of readers around the world for her hilarious and heartwarming novels. Adriana was raised in a small coal mining town in southwest Virginia in a big Italian family. She chose her hometown for the setting and title of her debut novel, the critically acclaimed and bestselling BIG STONE GAP, followed by the sequels BIG CHERRY HOLLER and MILK GLASS MOON. Since 1...more

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Quotes from Very Valentine

“That's when you know for sure somebody loves you. They figure out what you need and they give it to you -- without you asking.” — 184 people liked it

“Mom, how do you know if the guy is the guy?”

You mean if he’ll be a good husband?” She pauses, then says “The ticket is for the man to love the woman more than she loves him.”

Shouldn’t it be equal?”

Mom cackles. “It can never be equal.”

But what if the woman loves the man more?”

A life of hell awaits her. As women, the deck is stacked against us because time is our enemy. We age, while men season. And trust me, there are plenty of women out there looking for a man, and they don’t mind staking a claim on somebody else’s husband, no matter how old, creaky, and deaf they are.” — 78 people liked it

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