After reading this third and last book about Valentine, I'm ready to say why I started with this series by a relatively new-to-me author. I wanted to start with a series it seems isn't her most-raved-about by fans before I move on to some of her more popular books.

I know that a lot can happen in an author's personal life in the years between writing the first book in a series and writing the last. I don't know if that's specifically why this last Valentine novel is rather different from the first two, but while some would call the first two books "chick lit" (light and/or humorous women's fiction), that isn't what this third novel is.

I'm not sure why most of the novel is written in past tense while the previous two are written in present tense. (I won't explain my guess about that, due to spoilers.) While none of the romance in the series is sexually explicit, this third book definitely has the lowest level of steam. It isn't really aiming for a sexy factor, apparently. And although there are still some wacky family moments, the wacky/jokey flavor overall is at its lowest level here too, I think.

On the whole, this story isn't a "fun" one.

Maybe its critical twist is what it would ultimately take to get Valentine to grow up in some ways that she never did in the other books.

As for this third novel having such a different title than the first two: I know it seems like a bizarre, maybe even a silly or shallow choice. I don't know if I'm thinking the same as the author or publisher on this one, but what the strange, standout of a third title means to me:

It isn't about macaroni. It isn't about a macaroni company. It isn't about the literal name of the company either.

It's about someone's major act of faith, hope, and love that goes into ensuring the particular company/factory in this story will have what it needs to come to fruition. It's about the choice to help a crucial part of Valentine's vision become a reality for her Italian American family business and legacy.

It's about the love.

Now, I could hardly deal with some parts of the story while they were happening. There's also certain stuff Valentine does, including in this book, that I would never be okay doing. Plus, it makes me feel pretty sad that this is how her series is ending. Her life story could use much more after this—if the author were to choose to revisit the character someday.

Still, the heart-wrecking aspect of this novel is what I personally appreciate most about it. And the love behind the story's title is what will stick with me. ( )

Valentine and Gianluca get married, build a shoe factory in Ohio, and have a baby girl, Alfie. Gianluca devotes his marriage into helping Valentine build her business and to become a successful shoe designer. However, Gianluca suffers a burst aorta and cannot be saved. Valentine now must learn to be a mother first and a successful shoe designer and business woman second.

An enjoyable read about a large Italian family in NYC who design shoes. Story told through Valentina , the shoe designer in the family. Valentina learns some hard realities of running a business, falling in love, marriage and becoming a mother then a widow. She is a flawed, real character with an endlessly interesting and entertaining family. ( )

Ebook, fiction

Adriana Trigiani sure knows how to reach into the reader's heart and squeeze out every emotion there is. I sobbed my way through the last couple dozen pages. I sure do hope there is more left in the story for another book. ( )