Author: Adriana Trigiani
Genre: Chick Lit, Trilogy #1
Published: 2009
Personal Rating: 2.25/5
Yearly Count: 28
This first in a trilogy introduces Valentine and her Italian family. Valentine works and lives with her grandmother who owns an Italian shoe shop in New York named Angelini Shoe Company. Financial burdens plague the shop and Valentine strives to save her legacy.
Oh my. This was a huge disappointment for me. I have thoroughly loved Adriana Trigiani's work in the past and was so looking forward to this trilogy. Unfortunately, my lack of enthusiasm for the book started from the beginning. For me, it was bland, dull and lifeless. Either there wasn't enough conflict or the characters were just boring or maybe even this reader just wasn't in the right mood for it - I don't know, but I highly doubt I'll venture into the doldrums of the second.
Oh, my, can you say "Vanilla/Chocolate"???
ReplyDelete(We'll agree to disagree?)
Oh no, I'm sorry you didn't like this! I've been wanting to read the Big Stone Gap books for ages now...Would you recommend those?
ReplyDeleteMary ~ YES I CAN! Vanilla/Chocolate for sure! :) LOL Seriously . . . I bummed. :(
ReplyDeleteCassie ~ Yes, Cassie. I would recommend the Big Stone Gap series. I've only read the first 2 though. They were both very good. No sure reason why I haven't gotten around to the last two. I really enjoyed Lucia, Lucia and The Queen of the Big Time, as well.
I guess a case of vanilla/chocolate for me too. I really liked this one. Maybe it just wasn't the time for you to read this one!
ReplyDeleteJoy: I am sorry you were disappointed in this one. I am still looking forward to getting it. Vanilla/chocolate world for sure.
ReplyDeleteLynne ~ I hate it when this happens. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteVickie ~ Hopefully you find yourself loving it. :)
What a bummer. I hate it when an author you've come to depend on for a good story disappoints. I've only read one of her books and found it entertaining but haven't picked up any more. I believe the one I read was part of the Big Stone Gap series so I'll stick with that one!
ReplyDeleteIliana ~ The two I mentioned to Cassie (up above) were really good, too. :) The worst part is that it is part of a trilogy.
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to read this author, but haven't yet managed to do so! I was thinking about starting with this book and then working my way back. Maybe I need to rethink that!
ReplyDeleteMarg ~ If you like slow chick lit, then you should like it. There's a LOT of shoemaking talk, too. Many, many people stand by her work, so please read everybody else's reviews. lol
ReplyDeleteSorry that you didn't like this one Joy. I liked it a lot, but it wasn't my favorite book by the author. It was different than her usual writing and I could see why you classified it as chick lit. I don't consider her other novels chick lit..do you? Could that be what you disliked? I love the Big Stone Gap Series and Queen of the Big Time is one of my top favorite books.
ReplyDeleteBonnie ~ Queen was my favorite, too! And, no, I wouldn't consider the others "Chick Lit" - maybe, "Woman's Lit", though. :) I actually say that with respect. I'm fairly certain the chick lit component played a part in my dislike; however, the pace played a larger role. Nothing was happening at an incredibly slow rate. I need more oomph in my reading.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, sounds like a lot of readers enjoyed this one. Now I'm not sure if I'll give it a try or not. I liked the first in the Big Stone series, but haven't read any others (in that series). I enjoyed Lucia, Lucia and Queen of the Big Time, but gave up on Rococo after just a couple of chapters. Perhaps a hit-or-miss author for both of us?
ReplyDeleteLes ~ I didn't read Rococo because of some of the reviews I browsed. Unfortunately, she may be a hit or miss.
ReplyDeleteThis is unrelated to Trigiani, but you mentioned giving up after a couple of chapters. The book (an arc) that I'm reading now just isn't grabbing me. It could turn out to be a fantastic read with a slow beginning, but you've reminded me that it's okay to set a book aside. (I have had to learn this practice.) I think I'll wait and see how it is received by the public and possibly give it another shot at another time. Thanks! The pressure is dissipating. :)
:( I love Trigiani and have purchased this book in hardback I NEVER do. :) I hope I like it...now I am a little concerned...I will read it soon and let you know!
ReplyDeleteDarcie ~ Have no fear. I think my preference is in her less contemporary novels. You may love this - like most people. :)
ReplyDelete