The trick to surviving this country, mi amor , is to look at your own face in the mirror every morning and resist the temptation to hate yourself for turning into the person you swore you’d never become. – Valentina Goldman As I read this book, I pictured Valentina as Sofia Vergara’s comic character in “Modern Family” -- the same effervescent energy, the same passionate nature--, but, whereas Sofia’s character is proud to be Latina, Valentina is sort-of not. The book is in turns funny and sad, wonderful and silly, just like our protagonist. Readers will alternatively admire and then shake-their-heads at Valentina’s antics, as she sits down to share her life’s story with her step-daughter. Written in the first person, this book is like a long, chatty brunch conversation with your wild aunt, or in this case your eccentric step-mother. SUMMARY: Valentina V...