Review of Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Adriana Trigiani's bestselling novels are beloved by millions of readers around the world. From the Big Stone Gap series to Lucia, Lucia, each is a sumptuous treat as Trigiani tells hilarious and romantic stories that we want to return to again and again.

Very Valentine, an instant New York Times bestseller, introduced the contemporary family saga of the Roncalli and Angelini families, artisans of handcrafted wedding shoes in Greenwich Village since 1903.

As Brava, Valentine begins, snow falls like glitter over Tuscany at the wedding of her grandmother, Teodora, and 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.

As Valentine turns away from romance and devotes herself to her work, mentor and pattern cutter June Lawton guides her through her power struggle with Alfred, while best friend and confidante Gabriel Biondi moves into 166 Perry Street, transforming her home and point of view. Savvy financier Bret Fitzpatrick, Valentine's first love and former fiancée who still carries a torch for her, encourages Valentine to exploit her full potential as a designer and a business woman with a plan that will bring her singular creations to the world.

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.

Brava, Valentine, Trigiani's best novel yet, delivers a hilarious and poignant mix of colorful worlds and unforgettable characters as only she can create them.

To be quite honest, I thought Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani was definitely better than it’s predecessor, Very Valentine. Brava, Valentine picks up a few months where Very Valentine left off. If you don’t want minor spoilers, I suggest you stop reading at this point. Anyways, Valentine is still working diligently to save the company, mainly expanding on the solution from Very Valentine. The romance within this book just seemed to sizzle off the page, even though there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of play, if you know what I mean.

I liked that Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani featured more love and romance, than work work work. Valentine and Gianluca’s relationship, while chaste for the most part, is rather sexy. Let me say, I wish my boyfriend would take some lessons from Gianluca. Let me say, there is way more chemistry between those two than her last boyfriend.

Also, hip hip hurray for more Gabriel. He’s Valentine’s gay best friend. He is definitely a distinct and memorable character, and it is lovely how well he gets along with Valentine. I liked to see their personalities meshing, and just how strong of a friendship they had. However, there is less of Gram in Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani, you can definitely feel her absence. Yet to make up for less Gram, there is more June, who if you recall, was Gram’s best friend. Can I just state for the record that I love sassy old women?

Anyways, I thought Brava, Valentine was a faster read than Very Valentine. I felt like I already knew the characters so there was no need for long winded introductions to these characters and their nuances. It’s weird because I just felt so attached and invested in these people, that I felt myself reaching for the next book after finishing Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani, before realizing it’s not out yet.

Other Reviews of Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani:

Presenting Lenore
~Red Lady’s Reading Room~

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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