ISBN: 978-0062136596

Published: May 6, 2014

Paperback, 352 pages

This is the third in the Valentine trilogy.  Thirty-something Valentine Roncalli marries fifty-something previously -married, Gianluca Vecchiarelli. Although they are passionately in love, it’s not all smooth sailing for them as they try to juggle the challenges that are marriage, parenthood and career.

The book is full of common-sense, down-to-earth wisdom. The writing is good and I love the focus on the family. I didn’t read Very Valentine or Brava Valentine, but I quickly got to know the slightly dysfunctional Roncalli family. The story is character-driven and I enjoyed meeting all of them. The author captures the essence of a warm, boisterous, extended Italian-American family. When trouble strikes, you can count on the family. I was very moved by the conversations between Valentine and her dad. I loved the bantering between the family members. The book is alternately laugh-out-loud funny and heart-breakingly sad.

Italian words and phrases make the novel authentic. Trigiani’s description of the house in Tuscany made me feel that I was there. Ah, that sparkling blue Mediterranean.

I only have two questions about this novel. I usually try to figure out how the title of a book fits into the story. In this case it didn’t work for me. Pasta and shoes?  Secondly, Gianluca still has feelings for his ex, so how is he going to move forward successfully with Valentine?

That being said, I still enjoyed this book very much.