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Imperfect Pairings
An encounter with an Italian leads a woman down a path of love and self discovery.
Smart, career driven Jamie had not intended to fall in love. And to a foreigner no less, an Italian who doesn't reveal his heritage at first. Jack is short for John, he tells her, but she soon discovers that John is short for Giovanni. Insanely handsome and intense but unreadable, Giovanni is a man of few words. When after two months together she accompanies him to his cousin s wedding in Italy, Jamie learns that he hasn't been back to the troubled family estate in ten years, but with one step upon the rich Italian soil covered in ancient vines, it's as if he never left. Suddenly his language is no longer her language, and Jamie is drawn inexplicably into an Italy that outsiders rarely see--a crumbling villa, an old family scandal, a tragic mother, an estranged father, and a host of spirited Italian cousins. Jack is finally forced to face the destiny he's been renouncing; and Jamie makes a rash decision, unaware that it will change her life forever.
Smart, career driven Jamie had not intended to fall in love. And to a foreigner no less, an Italian who doesn't reveal his heritage at first. Jack is short for John, he tells her, but she soon discovers that John is short for Giovanni. Insanely handsome and intense but unreadable, Giovanni is a man of few words. When after two months together she accompanies him to his cousin s wedding in Italy, Jamie learns that he hasn't been back to the troubled family estate in ten years, but with one step upon the rich Italian soil covered in ancient vines, it's as if he never left. Suddenly his language is no longer her language, and Jamie is drawn inexplicably into an Italy that outsiders rarely see--a crumbling villa, an old family scandal, a tragic mother, an estranged father, and a host of spirited Italian cousins. Jack is finally forced to face the destiny he's been renouncing; and Jamie makes a rash decision, unaware that it will change her life forever.
Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2013
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492 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Townsend
7 books40 followersBefore becoming a full-time writer, Jackie received her MBA from UC Berkeley and worked as a management consultant in the Bay Area alongside her husband, who worked in Silicon Valley and other parts of the world before starting and running his own tech company. Their careers, both exciting and exhausting, fuel Jackie’s novels and essays, as does her travel and exposure to foreign cultures. A native of Southern California married to a native of Italy who carries around a big hole in his heart for home, her themes revolve around displacement, crossing borders, belonging (or not belonging), loss, and love. You can find her living in New York City with her husband, sometimes. Riding High in April is her fourth novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 7, 2013
I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book through NetGalley.
I was quite disappointed in this book. The blurb lead me to believe it would be a rather happy, romantic book, but I found it quite depressing and almost aromantic.
Both of the leads, Jamie and Giovanni, are in my opinion, horrible people, and I didn't like or sympathize with either of them. Every once in a while they will proclaim that they allegedly love each other, but that is the only evidence you will receive for that, because they are really nasty to each other.
Just a depressing outlining of a depressing marriage that I hope I can never relate to.
I will give some appreciation for the overall depiction of culture differences in their marriage. Cultural differences in relationships are not fun, and they are not cute, and they go way beyond favorite foods and language. I found the depiction of Jamie's problems with his Italian-ness (especially the messy, almost atheistic Catholicism, and the causal attitude towards wide spread government corruption) to be realistic and rather refreshing.
I was quite disappointed in this book. The blurb lead me to believe it would be a rather happy, romantic book, but I found it quite depressing and almost aromantic.
Both of the leads, Jamie and Giovanni, are in my opinion, horrible people, and I didn't like or sympathize with either of them. Every once in a while they will proclaim that they allegedly love each other, but that is the only evidence you will receive for that, because they are really nasty to each other.
Just a depressing outlining of a depressing marriage that I hope I can never relate to.
I will give some appreciation for the overall depiction of culture differences in their marriage. Cultural differences in relationships are not fun, and they are not cute, and they go way beyond favorite foods and language. I found the depiction of Jamie's problems with his Italian-ness (especially the messy, almost atheistic Catholicism, and the causal attitude towards wide spread government corruption) to be realistic and rather refreshing.
March 28, 2013
This was a very mental novel. The two protagonist both had so much emotional baggage they were carrying. This ends up as as a great metaphor throughout the novel as the two were consistently traveling between countries and the 'baggage' shuttled back and forth during trips ties in to their own hangups.
You don't know whether to like Jamie and Jack/Giovanni or not. Their relationship seemed ill-fated as they both seemed to be polar extremes of each other.
Did author did a commendable job in portrayal of these two individuals. She used language and descriptive prose in such a manner that you could feel the torment in their relationship. Her descriptions of Italy and the people had such depth.
I enjoyed the novel very much. The author did an admirable job transporting to reader into the convulated world of Jamie & Jack/Giovanni. Such a good job that she was able to evoke from me a myriad of feelings towards our protagonists. I look forward to reading more of her works.
You don't know whether to like Jamie and Jack/Giovanni or not. Their relationship seemed ill-fated as they both seemed to be polar extremes of each other.
Did author did a commendable job in portrayal of these two individuals. She used language and descriptive prose in such a manner that you could feel the torment in their relationship. Her descriptions of Italy and the people had such depth.
I enjoyed the novel very much. The author did an admirable job transporting to reader into the convulated world of Jamie & Jack/Giovanni. Such a good job that she was able to evoke from me a myriad of feelings towards our protagonists. I look forward to reading more of her works.
March 26, 2013
Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.
Imperfect Pairings is a Romance written by Jackie Townsend. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review by Ripetta Press through NetGalley.
2 Little Imperfect Stars!
Held My Interest But Definitely Not As Expected!
The Review:
I went into Imperfect Pairings thinking this was a romance. It’s listed as a romance and the blurb leads you to believe you have two opposing forces, coming together to survive their trials in hope of finding their happily ever after. But instead you have two despondent people of different cultures and values coming together in a contractual agreement that leads to an uncertain future.
The Rundown…
Jack/Giovanni is sent to the states to attend MIT and work in corporate America to lean about modern advances in the hopes to carry that knowledge to his Italian home and run his family’s wine vineyard. Jamie is a consultant who is contracted to help the company Jack works for. In a back story, we learn they met at an office party but of course had spotted each other well before being finally introduced. They secretly carried on an affair before Jamie moved on to another company. But somewhere in the middle of their secret affair, they both started to fall for each other, only they don’t admit it or even really acknowledge it.
Jack/Giovanni’s green card status becomes an issue so Jamie suggests a marriage of convenience. While she’s married to Giovanni, she’s introduced to his family, his legacy and his secrets. Through trials of morals, money and heritage, they come together in an attempt to save the family business.
My Thoughts…
This is not a love story or even a romance really. It’s a story of two individuals pragmatically merging their lives. I was dissatisfied with this paring. Their relationship is strained and awkward with rare moments of polite sweetness. There seems to be no passion, only a subtle hint of feelings bordering on love. They don’t speak kindly to one another, they don’t engage in romantic adventures. It’s all work and business. Their relationship isn’t a true partnership but a title based on convenience and need. Their conversations are stilted and short, almost placating as Jack/Giovanni impatiently explains his culture to Jamie. She never really confesses her deep feelings for him and he seems content with that. Perhaps they are the perfect couple after all, both satisfied with their aloof arrangement.
The ending does get a bit better when they start to show a small amount of feeling towards one another but by then, I didn’t care if they were happy or not.
The Writing…
The writing was choppy, jumping from one scene to the next with few descriptions or segue’s. In one sentence they can be in one place and then before the sentence ends, they are suddenly across the ocean. It was very confusing at times. But I did enjoy the introduction to the Italian phrases and culture in this book. Being a wine drinker, I also enjoyed the variants in wine and knowledge exhibited by the author.
I also have to comment on the ending…
The ending left a lot of openings. I thought this was a standalone book, and it could be if you liked to be left guessing. But for standalones, I like all things tied in a neat little bow and this book left a lot of questions unanswered.
On The Upside…
I do have to comment admirably on the sub characters. I may not have been impressed with Jamie and Jack/Giovanni’s dull and lifeless characters but I have to lay praised to the rest of the colorful cast of Italians who stole the show. Between their love of all things food and wine and heritage, they were a lively bunch that certainly entertained.
The Wrap Up:
The story was interesting enough that I kept turning the pages, wanting to know how it all ended. I had invested enough time in it that I wanted to know how Jamie and Giovanni’s relationship and the future of the wine vineyard turned out. I wish the book had been set in a different genre. I went in expecting a romance and that’s not what I got, so I was disappointed. Sadly, I think had I known it was more of a drama, then I would have enjoyed it more because I wouldn’t have been waiting for the romance.
Imperfect Pairings is a Romance written by Jackie Townsend. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review by Ripetta Press through NetGalley.
2 Little Imperfect Stars!
Held My Interest But Definitely Not As Expected!
The Review:
I went into Imperfect Pairings thinking this was a romance. It’s listed as a romance and the blurb leads you to believe you have two opposing forces, coming together to survive their trials in hope of finding their happily ever after. But instead you have two despondent people of different cultures and values coming together in a contractual agreement that leads to an uncertain future.
The Rundown…
Jack/Giovanni is sent to the states to attend MIT and work in corporate America to lean about modern advances in the hopes to carry that knowledge to his Italian home and run his family’s wine vineyard. Jamie is a consultant who is contracted to help the company Jack works for. In a back story, we learn they met at an office party but of course had spotted each other well before being finally introduced. They secretly carried on an affair before Jamie moved on to another company. But somewhere in the middle of their secret affair, they both started to fall for each other, only they don’t admit it or even really acknowledge it.
Jack/Giovanni’s green card status becomes an issue so Jamie suggests a marriage of convenience. While she’s married to Giovanni, she’s introduced to his family, his legacy and his secrets. Through trials of morals, money and heritage, they come together in an attempt to save the family business.
My Thoughts…
This is not a love story or even a romance really. It’s a story of two individuals pragmatically merging their lives. I was dissatisfied with this paring. Their relationship is strained and awkward with rare moments of polite sweetness. There seems to be no passion, only a subtle hint of feelings bordering on love. They don’t speak kindly to one another, they don’t engage in romantic adventures. It’s all work and business. Their relationship isn’t a true partnership but a title based on convenience and need. Their conversations are stilted and short, almost placating as Jack/Giovanni impatiently explains his culture to Jamie. She never really confesses her deep feelings for him and he seems content with that. Perhaps they are the perfect couple after all, both satisfied with their aloof arrangement.
The ending does get a bit better when they start to show a small amount of feeling towards one another but by then, I didn’t care if they were happy or not.
The Writing…
The writing was choppy, jumping from one scene to the next with few descriptions or segue’s. In one sentence they can be in one place and then before the sentence ends, they are suddenly across the ocean. It was very confusing at times. But I did enjoy the introduction to the Italian phrases and culture in this book. Being a wine drinker, I also enjoyed the variants in wine and knowledge exhibited by the author.
I also have to comment on the ending…
The ending left a lot of openings. I thought this was a standalone book, and it could be if you liked to be left guessing. But for standalones, I like all things tied in a neat little bow and this book left a lot of questions unanswered.
On The Upside…
I do have to comment admirably on the sub characters. I may not have been impressed with Jamie and Jack/Giovanni’s dull and lifeless characters but I have to lay praised to the rest of the colorful cast of Italians who stole the show. Between their love of all things food and wine and heritage, they were a lively bunch that certainly entertained.
The Wrap Up:
The story was interesting enough that I kept turning the pages, wanting to know how it all ended. I had invested enough time in it that I wanted to know how Jamie and Giovanni’s relationship and the future of the wine vineyard turned out. I wish the book had been set in a different genre. I went in expecting a romance and that’s not what I got, so I was disappointed. Sadly, I think had I known it was more of a drama, then I would have enjoyed it more because I wouldn’t have been waiting for the romance.
March 30, 2013
Imperfect Pairings by Jackie Townsend is more a story of convenience than romantic warmth when a young Italian man comes to the United States to gain a practical business education that he will take back to Italy and the family wine business. Giovanni meets Jamie, an American businesswoman and there is an undeniable spark of attraction from the start and their secret affair culminates in marriage, but sadly, not one out of passion for each other, more like a business merger that is painful to watch. Between the cultural differences, the lack of closeness and rare displays of warmth and caring, these two seem to settle in and accept the life they have, while throwing their passion into the vineyard’s success.
Jamie struggled with Giovanni’s political views and his abrupt explanations of his culture, as she tried to understand and come to terms with it all, accepting the life and the rather cold marriage she is now part of. If not for the vineyard, I’m not sure these two would have much of anything of dimension in their flat and stilted lives.
Imperfect Pairings by is NOT that Happily Ever After Romance where we KNOW they belong together in the end amidst the hearts, flowers, birds chirping, and a glorious rainbow of love. I found it difficult to like either of these characters or feel empathy for the emotional baggage they lugged around. The often choppy structure may have been related to the theme of the book, but I found it distracting and in the end, instead of leaving loose ends that held promise, they left me cold.
This ARC edition was provided by NetGalley and Ripetta Press in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: May 8, 2013.
Jamie struggled with Giovanni’s political views and his abrupt explanations of his culture, as she tried to understand and come to terms with it all, accepting the life and the rather cold marriage she is now part of. If not for the vineyard, I’m not sure these two would have much of anything of dimension in their flat and stilted lives.
Imperfect Pairings by is NOT that Happily Ever After Romance where we KNOW they belong together in the end amidst the hearts, flowers, birds chirping, and a glorious rainbow of love. I found it difficult to like either of these characters or feel empathy for the emotional baggage they lugged around. The often choppy structure may have been related to the theme of the book, but I found it distracting and in the end, instead of leaving loose ends that held promise, they left me cold.
This ARC edition was provided by NetGalley and Ripetta Press in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: May 8, 2013.
May 14, 2013
This book is the story of a relationship and how the main character grows in her understanding of family and marriage. Jamie is an American business woman who marries Jack/Giovanni, an Italian, who goes from being a corporate businessman to a vintner. The cultural differences are a bit of a stumbling block for Jamie as she reexamines her concepts of marriage and family. Jamie gradually commits herself to the relationship and applies the lessons learned to her family. Ms. Townsend does a good job of realistically portraying her characters and making them believable. The acceptance of people for who they are and not who they should be seems to be the theme of the book. This is not a romance in the traditional sense, instead it is a story of ordinary people who learn ordinary life's lessons, which makes it a good read. I received this book as an Early Reviewer. I have not been compensated in any way (other than being given a copy of this book) and my opinion on the book is entirely my own.
July 6, 2013
I didn't care for Imperfect Pairings as much as I thought I would. The summary sounds good, but I couldn't connect with either Giovanni or Jamie - which is obviously a problem. I never could figure out what it was that brought the two of them together - or even what kept them together later on. They obviously have wildly different views on life, based - as Townsend managed to show quite well - on their cultural differences. However, if the two of them do not even like each other, why should readers be expected to?
March 25, 2015
A novel about expectations and relationships, and culture clashes. Yes, I consider this a romance, but more of a love affair about wine.
My Take
This story explores Imperfect Pairings on so many levels. It's almost exhausting to consider. Townsend broke open old wounds, made me re-examine past relationships, wondered about wine, and checked for flights to Roma.
I confess that I was torn between a "3" and a "4". The "4" for Townsend's diving into the negatives of both cultures, for dissecting Jamie's relationship with her family. The "3" for her heavyhanded and undeveloped approach to it.
I will confess that both her primary characters drove me nuts—Jack was standoffish and cold until food or football came up while Jamie was an uptight workaholic insisting on the superiority of American business practices. After spending some ten years in the States, he either never absorbed how Americans were or never noticed; he certainly couldn't be bothered to try and explain the differences in American and Italian culture to her. Although, to be fair, I have to wonder if Jamie would have listened to anything he said if it didn't agree with what she expected.
Then there's that superior attitude from Jack about all things Italian. Sure, I get that he's proud of his Italian heritage and culture. And he should be. That doesn't mean he has to be the ugly Italian. I ran into that problem with my in-laws. They looked down on everything American and thought everything British was too fabulous for words. Gimme a break. Every culture has great and awful aspects to it. There is no excuse for that blanket of superiority. From anyone.
It should appeal to readers who don't like it when the protagonists fall instantly in love. It slowly becomes obvious to the reader that she's in love, but she's battling it every step of the way. She certainly fought being married. What was with her denying it all the time? I didn't understand that at all. As for Jack/Giovanni, once in a while he says something that makes you think he loves her, but there's nothing to support it in between. At one point he claims "I'm not going to marry you for my green card, Jamie" and in the next, he's obsessing about the paperwork for it. I certainly don't understand what he saw in her; I'd'a dumped her after a few months! She was so caught up in her life, her expectations as well as being an ugly American that she couldn't see the trees for the forest. The blow-up at the end from Giovanni is not unexpected, but it is late. All we ever get is the cold shoulder until this.
What is it with Americans who can't go with the flow? Those who go to a foreign country and wonder why it's not like America? What's the point of ever leaving the States if you don't want to explore another culture? One of my favorite things to do when I traveled was to eat the breakfast that was typical for the country. We get exposed to dinner here in America, but no one ever serves up a Thai or Norwegian breakfast.
I never did understand why Jamie went to Italy---she does spend a lot of time knuckling under to her own expectations, however stupid they may have been. Why wouldn't she do some research ahead of time to get a feel for Italy? Why did it take years before she realized she should learn Italian? So Jack's family does things differently? So, what? Sit back and observe how they eat the various dishes, imitate them. What's so hard about this? So they drink thimbles of coffee. Drink a lotta thimbles…or ask for a large cup. Jesus, she acts like a petulant child.
Excuse me! After all this time, and Jamie doesn't get that harvest time is important??? WTF?? How insular is this woman? Jack has been telling her that Giorgio constantly downplays how successful his pharmacy is, so why does she think that Jack's been saying the opposite all this time? The death that Jack has told her he doesn't want to deal with until after the wedding. The one she keeps nagging on and on about at the wedding. Does she listen to anyone? Is anyone paying attention to continuity?
I think Townsend has a great novel that needs work. The character interactions between Jamie and Jack just don't ring true. He never calls her on her denials. He never explains anything until push comes to shoving him over the edge of a cliff, metaphorically speaking. She's so defensive of her job and independence---it's like these two people are running on completely separate tracks with the occasional crossover. We get better interaction between family members, and I have to wonder if that's simply because Townsend went nuts with the Italian "temperament" and felt it was okay, since it was Italians and they didn't have an investment of any sort in Jamie. There's a great scene with Jamie's mom that I kept waiting for Townsend to take somewhere, and it just fizzles.
Where I think Townsend did well was in portraying the culture and the people. Their warmth and insecurities, their passions and fears. The architecture and landscape. Their sense of family---and it's that closeness that triggered Jamie's self-examination. Family was too incredibly important to each of them whereas Jamie's family left almost as soon as she was born. Their obsession with food, LOL. It so reminded me of my father-in-law who was an amazing foodie! I still dream about his gnocchi al pesto. I adored the sections about the wine, about Luca's passion for greatness.
I'm rather irritated about the 500,000 loose thread. Then there's all the teasing about being around her mother is a desperate move of some sort. It's never clear. Nor is that paragraph clear about why his father left. And what's the deal with Puglia? Why do so few people have last names? This is one of my personal prejudices, but if you are passionate enough to write a book, I shouldn't think it would be that big a deal to figure out last names for your characters. The weird thing is that authors usually at least manage a last name for their main characters...
I don't know if it was my Kindle or the formatting of this book, and I can't imagine it was the formatting, but I almost stopped reading because it kept jumping all over the damned place. Half the time, when I tried to do a search on a word or phrase that I knew was in the text to get back to where I had been, nothing. It didn't believe the word existed. Until I pressed the bloody "Next Page" button a million times to get back!
In spite of my whining, I do recommend this book for its passion and Townsend's bringing us into the family with their warts, their history, their real-ness.
Psst, I hate the ending for Imperfect Pairings, AND it's perfect.
The Story
It's Luca's wedding to Antonia that brings about Jack and Jamie's trip to Italy. Jack and Jamie have only been dating a few months, but Jack takes her up on her comment. A challenge she never expected him to take seriously.
It's the start of Jamie's questions. Questions about her family, her expectations, what she wants out of life.
For Jack, it becomes a return to his roots.
The Characters
Jamie __ handles financial integration when companies merge, and she's very good at it. It should be since her work is her family and her friends. "She's descended from generations of career women" with all their expectations. Jill is her equally workaholic sister who recently gave birth to twins. Her husband Philip is just as hard a worker.
Jack, the Chosen One, has been "passing" in America as an American. In truth he's Giovanni, an Italian taking advantage of the American educational system to achieve degrees from MIT and Cornell, to fulfill a promise to his father, Giorgio, who took off for Napoli. I think Nonno Carlo is Giorgio's father. La Mamma is Jack's stereotypical Italian mother and Giacomo's daughter.
Zio Silvio is Giorgio's brother while Zia Renata is their sister. Lucrezia is an adopted sister. Gabriella is Silvio's girlfriend. Maria is Silvio's daughter, another cousin getting married.
The rest of Jack's family includes:
Bisnonno, Jack's great-grandfather, bought Villa Ruffoli for its vines. Peter was the third of four sons and inherited his father's passion for wine, a passion his grandson, Luca, inherits as well. Nonno Giacomo, and the other two brothers ran the rest of the family businesses, until they lost it.
Marco is married to Zia Maddalena who is La Mamma's sister and definitely Frederico's daughter. Simona is their daughter, the wanna-be artist. Gabir is a gorgeous guy Simona meets in Paris; Jack likes him because he involved with the FIFA, the International Football Federation. "Michele is the son of her father's business partner."
Luca is Jack's cousin, and he's passionate about the vines on the Ruffoli land. Zia Claudia is Luca's mother; Dino was his philosophy professor father. Caterina is Luca's younger sister.
Silvestro is the Roman cousin. Zio Lorenzo's son. Lorenzo is also Jack's godfather. Principessa Isabella Savelli is only the latest woman Silvestro is panting after.
Jamie's work group includes:
Donald is the Managing Partner of her group; Chris is the CEO of the company; and, Charles is the lecherous man in charge in Korea.
The rival Crespi are a neighboring family who also produces wine. Sal is the top Italian wine merchant in New York City. Tiberio is a friend of Jack's and helps their fledgling wine business by insisting on serving Ruffoli wine at his wedding reception. Peter Thompson is a visitor to the vineyard. Hans Friedrich is a wealthy collector who may be interested in the vintage Barolo. And may save the vineyard. Hmmm, that makes four whole last names in this story...
Zia is an aunt while Zio is uncle; I believe that Nonno is grandfather.
The Cover
The background for the cover is an overview of the land and its vineyards with close-up of a pair of hands clinking wine glasses---you can't miss that this is a tale of wine.
The title is perfect. One of the joys and challenges of choosing wine and food is finding the perfect combination that will bring out the best in both. For Luca, it's using only the best of the harvest to create the Ruffoli wines. For the characters within Imperfect Pairings, it's a story that abounds with the many ways people cope with each other whether in love, friendship, business, or family.
My Take
This story explores Imperfect Pairings on so many levels. It's almost exhausting to consider. Townsend broke open old wounds, made me re-examine past relationships, wondered about wine, and checked for flights to Roma.
I confess that I was torn between a "3" and a "4". The "4" for Townsend's diving into the negatives of both cultures, for dissecting Jamie's relationship with her family. The "3" for her heavyhanded and undeveloped approach to it.
I will confess that both her primary characters drove me nuts—Jack was standoffish and cold until food or football came up while Jamie was an uptight workaholic insisting on the superiority of American business practices. After spending some ten years in the States, he either never absorbed how Americans were or never noticed; he certainly couldn't be bothered to try and explain the differences in American and Italian culture to her. Although, to be fair, I have to wonder if Jamie would have listened to anything he said if it didn't agree with what she expected.
Then there's that superior attitude from Jack about all things Italian. Sure, I get that he's proud of his Italian heritage and culture. And he should be. That doesn't mean he has to be the ugly Italian. I ran into that problem with my in-laws. They looked down on everything American and thought everything British was too fabulous for words. Gimme a break. Every culture has great and awful aspects to it. There is no excuse for that blanket of superiority. From anyone.
It should appeal to readers who don't like it when the protagonists fall instantly in love. It slowly becomes obvious to the reader that she's in love, but she's battling it every step of the way. She certainly fought being married. What was with her denying it all the time? I didn't understand that at all. As for Jack/Giovanni, once in a while he says something that makes you think he loves her, but there's nothing to support it in between. At one point he claims "I'm not going to marry you for my green card, Jamie" and in the next, he's obsessing about the paperwork for it. I certainly don't understand what he saw in her; I'd'a dumped her after a few months! She was so caught up in her life, her expectations as well as being an ugly American that she couldn't see the trees for the forest. The blow-up at the end from Giovanni is not unexpected, but it is late. All we ever get is the cold shoulder until this.
What is it with Americans who can't go with the flow? Those who go to a foreign country and wonder why it's not like America? What's the point of ever leaving the States if you don't want to explore another culture? One of my favorite things to do when I traveled was to eat the breakfast that was typical for the country. We get exposed to dinner here in America, but no one ever serves up a Thai or Norwegian breakfast.
I never did understand why Jamie went to Italy---she does spend a lot of time knuckling under to her own expectations, however stupid they may have been. Why wouldn't she do some research ahead of time to get a feel for Italy? Why did it take years before she realized she should learn Italian? So Jack's family does things differently? So, what? Sit back and observe how they eat the various dishes, imitate them. What's so hard about this? So they drink thimbles of coffee. Drink a lotta thimbles…or ask for a large cup. Jesus, she acts like a petulant child.
Excuse me! After all this time, and Jamie doesn't get that harvest time is important??? WTF?? How insular is this woman? Jack has been telling her that Giorgio constantly downplays how successful his pharmacy is, so why does she think that Jack's been saying the opposite all this time? The death that Jack has told her he doesn't want to deal with until after the wedding. The one she keeps nagging on and on about at the wedding. Does she listen to anyone? Is anyone paying attention to continuity?
I think Townsend has a great novel that needs work. The character interactions between Jamie and Jack just don't ring true. He never calls her on her denials. He never explains anything until push comes to shoving him over the edge of a cliff, metaphorically speaking. She's so defensive of her job and independence---it's like these two people are running on completely separate tracks with the occasional crossover. We get better interaction between family members, and I have to wonder if that's simply because Townsend went nuts with the Italian "temperament" and felt it was okay, since it was Italians and they didn't have an investment of any sort in Jamie. There's a great scene with Jamie's mom that I kept waiting for Townsend to take somewhere, and it just fizzles.
I love this…
"In Italy we work so that we can pursue our passions.
Where I think Townsend did well was in portraying the culture and the people. Their warmth and insecurities, their passions and fears. The architecture and landscape. Their sense of family---and it's that closeness that triggered Jamie's self-examination. Family was too incredibly important to each of them whereas Jamie's family left almost as soon as she was born. Their obsession with food, LOL. It so reminded me of my father-in-law who was an amazing foodie! I still dream about his gnocchi al pesto. I adored the sections about the wine, about Luca's passion for greatness.
I love this one too…"the night before Tiberio's wedding" and he'd rather pursue fresh cornettos than strippers or shots.
I'm rather irritated about the 500,000 loose thread. Then there's all the teasing about being around her mother is a desperate move of some sort. It's never clear. Nor is that paragraph clear about why his father left. And what's the deal with Puglia? Why do so few people have last names? This is one of my personal prejudices, but if you are passionate enough to write a book, I shouldn't think it would be that big a deal to figure out last names for your characters. The weird thing is that authors usually at least manage a last name for their main characters...
I don't know if it was my Kindle or the formatting of this book, and I can't imagine it was the formatting, but I almost stopped reading because it kept jumping all over the damned place. Half the time, when I tried to do a search on a word or phrase that I knew was in the text to get back to where I had been, nothing. It didn't believe the word existed. Until I pressed the bloody "Next Page" button a million times to get back!
In spite of my whining, I do recommend this book for its passion and Townsend's bringing us into the family with their warts, their history, their real-ness.
Psst, I hate the ending for Imperfect Pairings, AND it's perfect.
The Story
It's Luca's wedding to Antonia that brings about Jack and Jamie's trip to Italy. Jack and Jamie have only been dating a few months, but Jack takes her up on her comment. A challenge she never expected him to take seriously.
It's the start of Jamie's questions. Questions about her family, her expectations, what she wants out of life.
For Jack, it becomes a return to his roots.
The Characters
Jamie __ handles financial integration when companies merge, and she's very good at it. It should be since her work is her family and her friends. "She's descended from generations of career women" with all their expectations. Jill is her equally workaholic sister who recently gave birth to twins. Her husband Philip is just as hard a worker.
Jack, the Chosen One, has been "passing" in America as an American. In truth he's Giovanni, an Italian taking advantage of the American educational system to achieve degrees from MIT and Cornell, to fulfill a promise to his father, Giorgio, who took off for Napoli. I think Nonno Carlo is Giorgio's father. La Mamma is Jack's stereotypical Italian mother and Giacomo's daughter.
Zio Silvio is Giorgio's brother while Zia Renata is their sister. Lucrezia is an adopted sister. Gabriella is Silvio's girlfriend. Maria is Silvio's daughter, another cousin getting married.
The rest of Jack's family includes:
Bisnonno, Jack's great-grandfather, bought Villa Ruffoli for its vines. Peter was the third of four sons and inherited his father's passion for wine, a passion his grandson, Luca, inherits as well. Nonno Giacomo, and the other two brothers ran the rest of the family businesses, until they lost it.
Marco is married to Zia Maddalena who is La Mamma's sister and definitely Frederico's daughter. Simona is their daughter, the wanna-be artist. Gabir is a gorgeous guy Simona meets in Paris; Jack likes him because he involved with the FIFA, the International Football Federation. "Michele is the son of her father's business partner."
Luca is Jack's cousin, and he's passionate about the vines on the Ruffoli land. Zia Claudia is Luca's mother; Dino was his philosophy professor father. Caterina is Luca's younger sister.
Silvestro is the Roman cousin. Zio Lorenzo's son. Lorenzo is also Jack's godfather. Principessa Isabella Savelli is only the latest woman Silvestro is panting after.
Jamie's work group includes:
Donald is the Managing Partner of her group; Chris is the CEO of the company; and, Charles is the lecherous man in charge in Korea.
The rival Crespi are a neighboring family who also produces wine. Sal is the top Italian wine merchant in New York City. Tiberio is a friend of Jack's and helps their fledgling wine business by insisting on serving Ruffoli wine at his wedding reception. Peter Thompson is a visitor to the vineyard. Hans Friedrich is a wealthy collector who may be interested in the vintage Barolo. And may save the vineyard. Hmmm, that makes four whole last names in this story...
Zia is an aunt while Zio is uncle; I believe that Nonno is grandfather.
The Cover
The background for the cover is an overview of the land and its vineyards with close-up of a pair of hands clinking wine glasses---you can't miss that this is a tale of wine.
The title is perfect. One of the joys and challenges of choosing wine and food is finding the perfect combination that will bring out the best in both. For Luca, it's using only the best of the harvest to create the Ruffoli wines. For the characters within Imperfect Pairings, it's a story that abounds with the many ways people cope with each other whether in love, friendship, business, or family.
July 14, 2019
Loved the way this story unfolds
I wasn’t expecting to love this book, but I did! The character development of Jamie was real, intense, compelling. The story of her and Jack completely pulled me in and did not disappoint! The Italian scenes were beautiful and appropriately haunting. This isn’t your typical love story.
I wasn’t expecting to love this book, but I did! The character development of Jamie was real, intense, compelling. The story of her and Jack completely pulled me in and did not disappoint! The Italian scenes were beautiful and appropriately haunting. This isn’t your typical love story.
July 12, 2017
Excellent.
Brings Italy alive. The imagination, the story seems real. The story starts out slowly, but as the story's time moves on, the reader is right there, in all the fun and agony. Mind pictures become brilliant and alive.
Brings Italy alive. The imagination, the story seems real. The story starts out slowly, but as the story's time moves on, the reader is right there, in all the fun and agony. Mind pictures become brilliant and alive.
July 17, 2013
I was so pleased to be asked to participate in a blog tour for IMPERFECT PAIRINGS by Jackie Townsend. Please read my review, and I hope to post an interview with the author soon!
Set in beautiful San Francisco and Italy, this moving and emotionally-charged love story involves a clash between cultures. Luminous writing and memorable characters make this novel by Jackie Townsend a lovely novel to read, although I found it heart-rending at times.
Jamie, a career-woman comes from a torn family, and she is anxious to get ahead in her company. Marriage is certainly not on her agenda, and her background makes her scared of it. Her lack of a religious background means that she is not used to a strong faith. She's also somewhat forthright at times. For example, when Jack's relation brings a girl home in San Francisco, she asks him whether he has 'protection'. He doesn't like this.
She is surprised when her Italian boyfriend, Jack, suddenly becomes much more Italian, and he takes her to visit his family in Italy. They are completely different from Jamie's family. Jamie finds the strong ties of the Italian family intimidating, especially 'La Mamma' who hardly speaks any English, and wants her to be more domesticated. She also finds the emphasis on religion and big weddings hard to come to terms with. The Italians' seeming lack of ambition also seems to get on her nerves. Jack has become 'Giovanni'; he wants her to go on a steep learning curve, and become more Italian.
Can she do this, and can Jamie give her somewhat closed heart to him? Can a love between cultures ever work? This is the central question of this enjoyable book.
Surprisingly, I found the Italians easier to understand than the Americans! Perhaps, this is something to do with being an Australian. Jamie got on my nerves at times, and I found Giovanni much more likeable. However, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
Set in beautiful San Francisco and Italy, this moving and emotionally-charged love story involves a clash between cultures. Luminous writing and memorable characters make this novel by Jackie Townsend a lovely novel to read, although I found it heart-rending at times.
Jamie, a career-woman comes from a torn family, and she is anxious to get ahead in her company. Marriage is certainly not on her agenda, and her background makes her scared of it. Her lack of a religious background means that she is not used to a strong faith. She's also somewhat forthright at times. For example, when Jack's relation brings a girl home in San Francisco, she asks him whether he has 'protection'. He doesn't like this.
She is surprised when her Italian boyfriend, Jack, suddenly becomes much more Italian, and he takes her to visit his family in Italy. They are completely different from Jamie's family. Jamie finds the strong ties of the Italian family intimidating, especially 'La Mamma' who hardly speaks any English, and wants her to be more domesticated. She also finds the emphasis on religion and big weddings hard to come to terms with. The Italians' seeming lack of ambition also seems to get on her nerves. Jack has become 'Giovanni'; he wants her to go on a steep learning curve, and become more Italian.
Can she do this, and can Jamie give her somewhat closed heart to him? Can a love between cultures ever work? This is the central question of this enjoyable book.
Surprisingly, I found the Italians easier to understand than the Americans! Perhaps, this is something to do with being an Australian. Jamie got on my nerves at times, and I found Giovanni much more likeable. However, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
July 18, 2013
Relationships are hard, even between two people who have a lot in common. Take two people who are polar opposites and the culture clash becomes even more difficult.
When Jamie meets Jack, she is on a trajectory to shatter the glass ceiling singlehandedly. She is the antithesis of the American career woman, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Familial dysfunction is all she’s ever known so marriage isn’t in the cards for her. Never having known a strong faith or family ties, she lives her life, unapologetically as she pleases. The two fall in love, but Jamie isn’t sure their love will survive once Jack gets his Green card. However, two years into their tumultuous relationship, he takes her to Italy to visit his family where he becomes distinctly more Italian as he immerses himself back in the culture he left behind.
All of a sudden, her Jack becomes Giovanni and Jamie is thrown for a loop by her boyfriends’ close family led by “La Mamma,” who speaks very little English and doesn’t quite know what to make of her son’s choice in women. Jamie is not a nurturing motherly type, nor is she comfortable with the emphasis his family places on religion. She makes one misstep after another with his family due to their cultural differences. Jamie gives it the college try but deep down, she resents the changes she feels compelled to make to keep Giovanni happy.
However, once the opportunity to become a partner in her firm presents itself, she questions whether she even wants to take that on. Have all the plans she made for her life gone down the tubes because of Jack and the complications loving him has brought into her life?
Take the journey this richly woven story takes you on through all the trials and tribulations experienced by two people in love who try to reconcile their cultural differences in a way that works for them both. Imperfect Pairings is a perfect study of whether love between opposing cultures can work.
When Jamie meets Jack, she is on a trajectory to shatter the glass ceiling singlehandedly. She is the antithesis of the American career woman, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Familial dysfunction is all she’s ever known so marriage isn’t in the cards for her. Never having known a strong faith or family ties, she lives her life, unapologetically as she pleases. The two fall in love, but Jamie isn’t sure their love will survive once Jack gets his Green card. However, two years into their tumultuous relationship, he takes her to Italy to visit his family where he becomes distinctly more Italian as he immerses himself back in the culture he left behind.
All of a sudden, her Jack becomes Giovanni and Jamie is thrown for a loop by her boyfriends’ close family led by “La Mamma,” who speaks very little English and doesn’t quite know what to make of her son’s choice in women. Jamie is not a nurturing motherly type, nor is she comfortable with the emphasis his family places on religion. She makes one misstep after another with his family due to their cultural differences. Jamie gives it the college try but deep down, she resents the changes she feels compelled to make to keep Giovanni happy.
However, once the opportunity to become a partner in her firm presents itself, she questions whether she even wants to take that on. Have all the plans she made for her life gone down the tubes because of Jack and the complications loving him has brought into her life?
Take the journey this richly woven story takes you on through all the trials and tribulations experienced by two people in love who try to reconcile their cultural differences in a way that works for them both. Imperfect Pairings is a perfect study of whether love between opposing cultures can work.
July 25, 2013
This is the story of Jamie, who works in finance for a large company in California and is trying to achieve partnership in the firm. She meets and begins an affair with Jack who is an engineer with a company that Jamie's firm is working with. Jack is Italian, but has been in America, going to school and working, for 10 years and hardly ever talks about his heritage. Jamie is a driven, fiercely independent woman working hard to reach her goals. Early on in their relationship, Jamie travels to Italy with Jack for the wedding of his cousin. While there she realizes the large cultural divide that exists between her and Jack, as he morphs into Giovanni, his true Italian self. Back in the US, Jack wants to earn his green card but it is a long process. Jamie suggests they marry temporarily to help speed things along, even though marriage was not something she ever envisioned for herself. The two live together, but Jamie doesn't acknowledge to anyone that they are married.
The story progresses from here as Jamie and Jack go back and forth to Italy and Jack/Giovanni becomes more and more embroiled in the family vineyards and wine business. It seemed to me that what mostly happened throughout the book was that Jamie gradually gave up all her own existing hopes and dreams to mesh with the new life Jack had chosen for himself. I never did quite 'get' the attraction between the two. Jack was very cool and remote and spent most of his time with Jamie belittling her. I failed to see how she found that endearing.
I did read the entire book. I wanted to see where it was going and how it would end. The ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped it would be, but in general I think the book was well written. The exploration of differences and misconceptions between the Italian and American customs and cultures was interesting. I just didn't like what happened with the main character, Jamie.
The story progresses from here as Jamie and Jack go back and forth to Italy and Jack/Giovanni becomes more and more embroiled in the family vineyards and wine business. It seemed to me that what mostly happened throughout the book was that Jamie gradually gave up all her own existing hopes and dreams to mesh with the new life Jack had chosen for himself. I never did quite 'get' the attraction between the two. Jack was very cool and remote and spent most of his time with Jamie belittling her. I failed to see how she found that endearing.
I did read the entire book. I wanted to see where it was going and how it would end. The ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped it would be, but in general I think the book was well written. The exploration of differences and misconceptions between the Italian and American customs and cultures was interesting. I just didn't like what happened with the main character, Jamie.
June 11, 2013
I don't know what I expected, it wasn't what i got with this book. The relationship between the two main characters is rather dark at times, it's very complicated and there is so much more going on then just the two of them. He's from Italy and she finds the culture clash is quite up front and in her face rather often. she loves him so but isn't certain they will stay together once he has his Green card. She doesn't learn Italian for the first two years of their relationship so going to Italy to his Mothers and his other family members is always difficult and she has to rely on him to properly pass on her comments in Italian......She is working towards partner in a very big firm and when she does get there...........she doesn't want to take that on, she finds her plans for her life have all been changed by this man, this dark complicated man. The book is interesting makes you think more about relationships in your own life when you read it and you learn a lot about wine! I really had to keep reading the book to find out what happens in the end.
The description as found here on good reads is:
Can love cross borders? In "Imperfect Pairings" a woman’s love for an Italian leaves her confronting this question. He’s Jack in America, but he’s Giovanni in Italy; understanding him means understanding his culture, his language. It means losing the foundations of her identity to become entangled in the deep-rooted vines of his family’s troubled past when she’d vowed to remain disentangled. Her career and autonomy had always come first, and she fell in love thinking she could control it, not give in to it. Is she losing herself? Or is she finally giving in to the woman she’d been all along.
This is an adult love story, one that will leave you thinking long afterwards about the oceans that separate us from the ones we love.
The description as found here on good reads is:
Can love cross borders? In "Imperfect Pairings" a woman’s love for an Italian leaves her confronting this question. He’s Jack in America, but he’s Giovanni in Italy; understanding him means understanding his culture, his language. It means losing the foundations of her identity to become entangled in the deep-rooted vines of his family’s troubled past when she’d vowed to remain disentangled. Her career and autonomy had always come first, and she fell in love thinking she could control it, not give in to it. Is she losing herself? Or is she finally giving in to the woman she’d been all along.
This is an adult love story, one that will leave you thinking long afterwards about the oceans that separate us from the ones we love.
August 8, 2013
Thank you to Jackie Townsend and Ripetta Press. I couldn’t resist a trip to Italy. This the first of a two day trip to visit Italy.
Synopsis:
Jamie met Jack through her work. Jamie works at a firm that buys and sells companies. She is quite good at it. Things seem to be progressing with Jack and then he asks her to go to Italy for a wedding. Jack is from Italy and in the US on a working visa. Jamie gets to meet his Mom and the rest of the family. Will she take these family relationships serious? Then she offers to marry him for a green card. What will Jack decide? How will this relationship change Jamie? Jack decides to go into business with his family which leads to further complications.
My Thoughts:
This novel made me crave an authentic Italian meal. I devoured the most of the chapters of this novel. The plot seems to fade and go slower towards the end. The only other was a question I asked who narrated this story?
I loved the setting of Italy! The story was also set in the United States partially too. Italy is a country I have always wanted to visit. The author did a wonderful job bringing to life the country and its people.
The growth of the characters in this novel is great. Jamie isn’t a character I initially would have connected with, but she grew on me as the novel progressed. I sometimes as reader struggle watching characters making certain choices that I as a reader would not agree with. I have learned to appreciate the depth of conflict and what it brings to a story.
Synopsis:
Jamie met Jack through her work. Jamie works at a firm that buys and sells companies. She is quite good at it. Things seem to be progressing with Jack and then he asks her to go to Italy for a wedding. Jack is from Italy and in the US on a working visa. Jamie gets to meet his Mom and the rest of the family. Will she take these family relationships serious? Then she offers to marry him for a green card. What will Jack decide? How will this relationship change Jamie? Jack decides to go into business with his family which leads to further complications.
My Thoughts:
This novel made me crave an authentic Italian meal. I devoured the most of the chapters of this novel. The plot seems to fade and go slower towards the end. The only other was a question I asked who narrated this story?
I loved the setting of Italy! The story was also set in the United States partially too. Italy is a country I have always wanted to visit. The author did a wonderful job bringing to life the country and its people.
The growth of the characters in this novel is great. Jamie isn’t a character I initially would have connected with, but she grew on me as the novel progressed. I sometimes as reader struggle watching characters making certain choices that I as a reader would not agree with. I have learned to appreciate the depth of conflict and what it brings to a story.
May 9, 2013
This is an intriguing story about love, family and wine. An evolving relationship between two very different types of people is at the center of this story. He is a traditional Italian with strong ties to his wine making family and their villa. She is a professional American with a cold, distant view of family and a disdain for the traditional.
After a marriage of convenience they find that their family histories are actually very similar. Slowly their notions of family and self are proven to be flawed and they are forced to rely on each other for their personal identity. It is a painful journey, but one that proves that family is important, but our families are not always those we are born into. A satisfying ending makes the reading journey worthwhile.
My one complaint is that the love between the two main characters is seldom demonstrated in any kind of physical closeness. There is an occasional "I love you", but that is said in a distant way. The emotional coldness between these characters jars against the passion shown by the secondary characters.
ARC provided via Netgalley.
After a marriage of convenience they find that their family histories are actually very similar. Slowly their notions of family and self are proven to be flawed and they are forced to rely on each other for their personal identity. It is a painful journey, but one that proves that family is important, but our families are not always those we are born into. A satisfying ending makes the reading journey worthwhile.
My one complaint is that the love between the two main characters is seldom demonstrated in any kind of physical closeness. There is an occasional "I love you", but that is said in a distant way. The emotional coldness between these characters jars against the passion shown by the secondary characters.
ARC provided via Netgalley.
May 7, 2013
An intricate look at relationships, careers and family with a setting that takes you from the U.S. to Europe. Not completely centering around wine as one would expect. It focuses more on one man's family legacy and his battle to be worthy of it. Being an Italian living in America he battles emotionally between his family and his new life with his American girlfriend. She also battles her own issues and was disappointing as the weaker character. Instead of leaving you with a happy love can conquer all feeling it is much more real and true to life. I really enjoyed the witty moments and the look into Italy and the Italian way of life but over all not really thrilled by this story.
I received a copy for an honest review.
I received a copy for an honest review.
April 25, 2013
Imperfect Pairings is a story of cultural differences and family relationships. This book was a slow and tedious read for me. I wish there had been more introducing us to Jack and Jamie as a couple at the beginning of the book. Even though I understood that they were early in their relationship, I just couldn't see why they were even together in the first place. I didn't have any idea who they were and I really didn't like either of them all that much. It was not until approximately 2/3 of the way through the book that I was finally able to understand them better, but I can't say that it redeemed the rest of the book for me.
I received the book Imperfect Pairings free through the Library Thing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for and honest review.
I received the book Imperfect Pairings free through the Library Thing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for and honest review.
March 16, 2013
I found this book to be somewhat out of the ordinary. Most books today portray relationships in the "happily ever after!" This book shows a very difficult and trying relationship...realistic in some ways of stories I've heard. So glad my marriage falls in the "happily ever after category!!!" The characters are believable, but not so likable. I found this book one in which I began in earnest and ended in a short time frame. It will keep you turning the pages. A great summer read. This book was given to me for review by the publisher. I did not receive any compensation. The above review is my honest opinion.
October 20, 2013
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Jamie is dating a man who she knows as an American named Jack, but out of the blue he becomes Giovanni from Italy and their relationship changes. With a few trips to Italy, this couple has to figure out how to make their marriage work with two different cultures colliding.
There were a whole host of characters and it was absolutely hard to keep it all together and I kept getting Jack and Giovanni mixed up and thinking about them as two separate people. Because of this I had a hard time getting into it and felt lost and confused at times.
Jamie is dating a man who she knows as an American named Jack, but out of the blue he becomes Giovanni from Italy and their relationship changes. With a few trips to Italy, this couple has to figure out how to make their marriage work with two different cultures colliding.
There were a whole host of characters and it was absolutely hard to keep it all together and I kept getting Jack and Giovanni mixed up and thinking about them as two separate people. Because of this I had a hard time getting into it and felt lost and confused at times.
March 27, 2013
I received an advance reading copy of the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
As the title suggests, the main characters, Jamie and Jack, and their respective lives are as similar as night and day. As the plot develops through its Italian setting, it is refreshing that readers are not faced with another sugar coated love story and will readily identify with the all to familiar struggle with finding a balance between career, family and how to define oneself. I would recommend this book and its interesting transitions between the ordinary and complex in order to find a balance.
As the title suggests, the main characters, Jamie and Jack, and their respective lives are as similar as night and day. As the plot develops through its Italian setting, it is refreshing that readers are not faced with another sugar coated love story and will readily identify with the all to familiar struggle with finding a balance between career, family and how to define oneself. I would recommend this book and its interesting transitions between the ordinary and complex in order to find a balance.
March 21, 2013
I received this as an advanced review copy through NetGalley.
I was also disappointed in this selection. It left me feeling flat and frustrated. First, it was the larger than normal amounts of Italian scattered throughout the conversations, then it was the way the two main characters treated each other. It may be a true reflection of how some couples interact with each other, but it's not the kind of story I want to spend hours reading. At least the title is correct!
I just couldn't ever fall in love or connect with any of the characters. Sorry!
I was also disappointed in this selection. It left me feeling flat and frustrated. First, it was the larger than normal amounts of Italian scattered throughout the conversations, then it was the way the two main characters treated each other. It may be a true reflection of how some couples interact with each other, but it's not the kind of story I want to spend hours reading. At least the title is correct!
I just couldn't ever fall in love or connect with any of the characters. Sorry!
May 30, 2013
This was a difficult book for me to read. First I know nothing about wine. Second I know less about the family dynamics of the true Italians. I don't understand the home eating, the arguments, fighting and just the whole family comes first, no exceptions. I have to admit I almost stopped reading halfway through the book. I didn't because I got hooked on the troubled characters. I just had to follow through to see how their lives work out. While I like the HEA stories it is nice to read books with non perfect but not bad endings either. Please give this book a try.
June 2, 2013
This is no typical romance novel, despite initial appearances. The two main characters, Jamie and Jack, are as different as chalk and cheese yet they are drawn to each other. When they go to Italy as a couple, the storyline changes dramatically as they struggle to keep their relationship together, to manage family dynamics and to run a vineyard. I loved the use of Italian language throughout as I will be visiting Italy in a few weeks (so out came google translator), although this could be a distraction for some. A complex story about real life.
June 22, 2013
I received this as an Early Reviewer copy from librarything.com. Beautifully written story that delves into the connections between families and cultures. The Italian language embedded into the story creates a bridge between the US and Italy that gives depth and understanding for the reader. Imperfect Pairings examines the frailty and strength of family ties. Jamie and Jack (Giovanni) experience the demands and devotions of two cultures colliding and melding into one imperfect love. An excellent read!!
August 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this sometimes bittersweet love story of a couple from vastly different backgrounds. Jamie and Jack love one another, and marriage seems like a logical step when he needs a Green Card, but soon cultural differences start to drive wedges between them. In Italy, with his very traditional family, Jack becomes Giovanni, and Jamie feels she doesn't even know him anymore. This story examines whether they will be able to reconcile the differences in their worlds and keep their love alive. This book really made me think, and I'll be looking for more by the author.
September 18, 2013
Although I did finish this book, I could never get invested int he characters. Jamie comes across as a whiney, spoiled brat who can't decide what she wants and will put up with an arrogant, self-centered man who shows her little respect. But she accepts his rudeness and disinterest because she's in love.
The writers style left me feeling robbed. The reader is never engaged in the story. It's more a collection of words on the page rather than sinking into the story as an integral part of the action.
The writers style left me feeling robbed. The reader is never engaged in the story. It's more a collection of words on the page rather than sinking into the story as an integral part of the action.
April 3, 2014
I loved love love the writing. It kept me turning pages and I breezed through the book. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and I LOVED some of the "sub" characters. At the risk of spoiling this book for others (I'm hiding this review in case this is a spoiler) I HATED THE ENDING! There were WAY too many loose ends that needed tying up. So many that I actually Googled "imperfect pairings sequel" to see if I missed something!! No joke. I'm bummed, especially because I otherwise loved the book.
Wish I didn't have to leave so much to my imagination!
Wish I didn't have to leave so much to my imagination!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2013
I wasn't able to finish it (read it up to chapter 9). I really liked the setting and the Italian characters, very well done. The main characters held promise, but the voice and verb tense are completely wrong for the story, and I couldn't get over it.
I would suggest a rewrite, but that's just my opinion.
I would suggest a rewrite, but that's just my opinion.
October 20, 2013
I had to slog through this book, and I never felt connected to the characters. The couple didn't even seem to be emotionally involved with one another. Some of the Italian language was not translated for those of us who do not speak it, so I felt like I was missing things. I did not like this book.
October 26, 2022
I liked the characters, but never felt like I understood them or their relationship. I also found the ending too abrupt. I guess it was supposed to show that Jamie finally made peace with her past, but the resolution didn't flow from the story for me.
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