I always enjoy Adriana Trigiani's novels for the independent female main character, strong family ties, love story, and some form of artistic talent (whether it be fashion, interior design, or even cooking). Her latest novel, Very Valentine, has all of these elements in big doses: Valentine Roncalli, an independent young woman determined to make a career out of her passion; her nosy, opinionated, devoted Italian American family; her rocky relationship with a cute chef; and the business of custom-made couture shoes.
Valentine lives and works with her grandmother in Greenwich Village in the family's custom wedding shoe business. But in the 21st century, custom-made shoes are slowly loosing to the cheaper, mass-produced ones and the Angelini Shoe Company is barely staying afloat. Faced with the possibility that the building must be sold and she will loose her career and her home, Valentine must come up with a financial plan that will keep the company in business. Valentine also struggles to balance her career and her love life, when she meets a cute chef, Roman Falconi. When a romantic vacation in Italy with Roman turns out to be anything but, Valentine finds the answers to her problems.
A good read, with memorable characters and wonderful details of the shoes, food and Italy. This is the first in a planned trilogy and I'm looking forward to following Valentine's story.
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