Book #2 in Valentine trilogy ( )

There's still another series by this author that I'm saving while I continue this humorous women's fiction series about Valentine.

As with the first book, Valentine's international travel, her family history/legacy, and her career challenges with the family business drew me into the novel—with a little family mystery added this time. Granted, maybe one and a half of the characters forecast a possibly insurmountable conflict over that mystery, but then they resolve it so quickly and smoothly between them, it feels a bit anticlimactic. There's plenty of conflict elsewhere in the story, though. So.

I'm still quite a fan of Valentine's creativity and artistry when it comes to her shoemaking. And on a totally different note, a blatant, to-the-point cut another character takes at racism—to illustrate how downright stupid it can be—made me stop to give a "Finally! Thank you" kind of a round of applause.

Yup. Sometimes I literally applaud while I'm reading.

Now, regarding one unsurprising issue that I saw coming right away, Valentine is in utter shock when she later finds out about it. But maybe she's supposed to be the one in the dark on the issue, not the reader? I also think two of the fights in the novel drag out for too many pages, with venting and back-and-forth arguments that stall the momentum and dull the "punch" of the scenes after a while.

As for the romance, I have a few reasons why the development of it just didn't work for me, including two: the lack of a clear setup/foundation beyond physical attraction, and how when an important something particular goes wrong in the relationship, Valentine essentially, eventually takes all the blame for it. Gianluca doesn't take any responsibility (or apparently doesn't see) what he's also done wrong toward Valentine, but the story just lets that go.

As for the novel's content, there's some innuendo and a little foul language but no F-bombs. I started the series after seeing another reader's comment that the first book has "no sex," which isn't the case for either book. But on that score, there's also nothing I'd call graphic in either book, with the author's brief, "fade to gray" metaphors rather than detailed play-by-plays, and nothing much steamier than romantic scenes between Michaela and Sully on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

I'm interested in where Valentine's shoe business may go from here, and some of her family's issues aren't exactly resolved. I'll see if the third and last novel takes care of any of that. ( )

Story of Valentine and her search for who she is and growing up. Good read.

I like the Valentine character and her custom shoe business. The book got a little predictable and wordy toward the end. ( )

Sequel to Very Valentine (c2009) -- Brava, Valentine (c2010) continues Valentine's story as she meets challenge after challenge in taking control of the Angelini Shoe Company. Gram is leaving for Italy to marry her long-time friend and lover leaving the company in the hands of Valentine and her brother Albert. They go head to head in business decisions as a new shoe is being designed and a production factory being located to handle mass production that will bring financial stability to the company.

A surprise is waiting in Buenos Aires as it is discovered that there is a second branch of the family that no one knows about that also creates quality shoes and could be the answer that the New York store has been searching for.

Valentine is struggling to grow-up while deciding what she really wants from life -- a successful career or love and a family of her own.

The family dynamics continue in this lovable, extended family. My favorite part of this story is packing day and the whole family joining together to lovingly wrap the shoes and send them to their customers in customized packing (starting on page 162).

I like how the relationship between Valentine and Albert develops. They learn how to play to each other's strengths and forgive each other's weaknesses.

The book is also sad in places, especially as we lose one of the characters.

Must have read book one to appreciate book two in the series. ( )