BINGO'S BOOKIN' REVIEW & GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

VERY VALENTINE by Adriana Trigiani

There are so many wonderful things about VERY VALENTINE by Adriana Trigiani but the best is that it is the first book of a trilogy so there will be more of these delightful characters and the wonderful story to look forward to. New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani who brought readers books like BIG STONE GAP and LUCIA, LUCIA has combined all the narrative elements so expertly once again that VERY VALENTINE results in what will surely become her fans' newest favorite novel.

Set partially in New York’s Greenwich Village, home to the Angelini Shoe Company-“Since 1903”, and across the sea to Tuscany and Capri where secrets of more than one kind are revealed, Valentine Roncalli is a thirty-three year old former teacher who has become an apprentice shoemaker. Quite a switch one might say until they realize that Valentine lives with her grandmother, Teodora Angelini, whose family has created one-of-a-kind, custom made wedding shoes since the early 1900’s. Valentine has inherited the talent, enthusiasm, and dedication the family business needs in order to carry on its rich tradition. Unfortunately, the tradition may be rich, but the company is struggling! Grandmother Teodora and Angelini Shoes are on the verge of bankruptcy due to improper handling of financial matters, and Valentine’s business loving, somewhat merciless brother is trying to get his grandmother to sell the property which would mean the end of Angelini Shoes.

Valentine fiercely opposes selling the business and when an opportunity to enter a design challenge that could save their company comes along, she attacks it head on. Designing THE shoe for the competition becomes a priority to Valentine. Part of a trip to Italy with her grandmother is to get materials and ideas for the show to win the competition. This however is only one part of this expansive, delightful family saga and love story.

The interaction and family drama within Valentine’s family range from a beloved father who is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness to the picky relationships between brothers, sisters, parents, and in-laws. But what would this story be without the love element? Yes, Valentine tries to balance a deepening relationship with an amazingly talented Italian chef, Roman Falconi, with her work and her family obligations. Theirs is a slowly developing relationship that begins in a very unusual way which seems to be a common thread in the way things go between Valentine and Roman. Just when things are going well with the two of them, one or the other allows their dedication to their work, which is probably their real passion, to take over.

Roman is not the only love interest in the story for Valentine. As she travels with her grandmother to Italy, Valentine is not only thrilled by the exquisite trims and leathers they are there to purchase for the shoe company. A man also enters who could replace Roman in Valentine’s heart, or could he? And what is the secret that is uncovered while Valentine and Tiadora are on this trip? The theme of love and loss plays an important role throughout the story and effects more than just one character. Expect the unexpected and even then you will still be left wanting more and having to wait for more of it in the next book.

The character driven plot is exciting, humorous, heart wrenching and all the things one has come to love in the author’s novels in the past. Although centered on Valentine, every character plays an important role as you come to care about each and every one of them. VERY VALENTINE will not disappoint Andriana Trigiani’s legions of fans. Her amazingly descriptive writing is beautifully composed and the reader feels literally IN the physical settings as they are depicted. Trigiani writes about the characteristics of Angelini Shoe company’s work by saying “our commitment to beauty and quality—every stitch, lace, and binding made by hand and perfected with the skill that can only come from practice, technique, experience, and a devotion to detail” which I found to actually be a true description of Adriana Trigiani’s skillful writing. The reader will see the shoes, the city, the people, the country throughout the story due to the exceptional quality of the author’s writing.

With more to come in the next installment of the Very Valentine saga, readers will eagerly await its release. This book is en excellent book club read and one I highly recommend to everyone….a totally joyous, funny, loving, and compassionate story with a strong female lead character that the reader will admire and believe in. A story to enjoy, a book to treasure!

VERY VALENTINE GIVEAWAY WINNER!

AND THE WINNER of VERY VALENTINE and a Surprise book from Bingo's Book Bin, TALK OF THE TOWN by Sherrill Bodine, is:

(Please respond to my email by Monday at 6 PM with your snail mail so I can tell the publisher where to mail your book and I will mail you the bonus from Bingo's Book Bin)

# 13 HAPPY HUGS

Bingo's Book Bin Bonus!

TALK OF THE TOWN

by Sherrill Bodine