Summary:
As Brava, Valentine begins, snow falls like glitter over Tuscany at the wedding of Valentine's grandmother, Teodora to her longtime love, Dominic. Valentine's dreams are dashed when Gram announces that Alfred, "the prince," Valentine's only brother and nemesis, has been named her partner at Angelini Shoes. Devastated, Valentine falls into the arms of Gianluca, a sexy Tuscan tanner who made his romantic intentions known on the Isle of Capri. Despite their passion for one another and Gianluca's heartfelt letters, a long-distance relationship seems impossible.
A once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity takes Valentine from the winding streets of Greenwich Village to the sun-kissed cobblestones of Buenos Aires, where she finds a long-buried secret hidden deep within a family scandal. Once unearthed, the truth rocks the Roncallis and Valentine is determined to hold her family together. More so, she longs to create one of her own, but is torn between a past love that nurtured her, and a new one that promises to sustain her. Review:
Reading an Adriana Trigiani book is like eating Godiva chocolate---decadent, delicious, and over way too quickly.
Brava, Valentine is Trigiani's best book yet, in my opinion. While her other books usually make me laugh a couple of times, Brava, Valentine had a lot more humor in it. I laughed, I cried, I finished the book in record time, totally satisfied. Trigiani has not yet released the name or publication date of the third book in the Valentine series, but Brava, Valentine does not employ a cliff-hanger ending like so many other series. The reader is left wanting more, but not desperately waiting (like I am for Mockingjay, for example).
If you've never read an Adriana Trigiani book, I recommend starting with Very Valentine, then Brava, Valentine. They are excellent reads!
Just One Gripe:
There is a big focus on food in all of Trigiani's books. This can be problematic for me...
The Best Thing About This Book:
The emotions she evokes in her readers.
Appropriate for a younger audience:
Yes, there are intimate scenes, but they are no more descriptive than many YA books I've read.
Score:
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Setting/Imagery: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Total Score: 25/25
Read First:
I've seen so many great reviews of this one. I really need to get my hands on it!
ReplyDeleteYou should! It is wonderful---best Trigiani book yet!
ReplyDeleteJust discovered this American jewel in Reader's Digest Select Editions Vol. 4 2009 - another worthwhile trip to the library - eager to read more Trigiani books this year.
ReplyDelete