Loved the story. I have read a number of Mallery's books and they are wonderful. Always just a little twist you don't expect pops into the story. ( )

Falling For Gracie by Susan Mallery

This is one of the best romances I’ve read! I’ve loved her “Sweet” series, so I was hopeful about loving this book too, and I was not disappointed in the least! It’s filled with great characters, both of the main characters, the secondary characters are a delight, and I hope that they get their own stories told someday!

At fourteen Gracie just knew that she was in love with Riley, and did everything in her soul to prove her love to him; going so far as to fling herself in front of his car to stop his wedding. The whole town knew of her unrequited because of a series of columns in the newspaper that chronicled her stunts. Sent away so as to not ruin Riley’s wedding, she hasn’t been back in town for 14 years. But now she’s come home; a successful wedding cake decorator, she is home to help her youngest sister Vivian, with her wedding plans and to do her cake.

But guess what? One time bad-boy Riley is also back in town. Now divorced, running the town’s local bank, running for Mayor and looking for respectability. Just waiting for the opportunity to get out of town as fast as he can.

By trying to help her other sister Alexis, poor Gracie meets Riley once again…is she stalking the bad boy of Los Lobos again? Will she be able to resist him? Will he be able resist her? Will love be better the “second time around”?

The plot is wonderful; the story moves briskly and is filled with mayhem, misdirection, mystery and manipulation. This novel and the “Lucy and Ethel” type calamities will make you laugh, the love scenes are spicy and erotic and the mystery will drive you nuts.

A very, very satisfying romance for anyone who believes in the power of second chances.

If you like Jennifer Cruise, Susan Donovan, or Susan Elizabeth Phillip’s , you may love this Susan too. ( )

Falling for Gracie was a warm and spirited book. It was refreshing to read a romance filled with humor, warmth and strong characters. There were many lessons to be learned in this book a few being honesty, integrity and the art of communication. A very sensual romance, one I will read, over and over.

Gracie's character was strong, spirited, fun, intelligent, and warm even though her family had sent her adrift. Riley, how does one describe an alpha male at his finest? Tall, dark, handsome, aloof and by his past...mistrusting, tormented and angry.

How Gracie and Riley come together begins with their knowing each other in their past but now they meet again and sparks fly, while the entire town looks on and becomes involved in their romance.

I highly recommend this book. It is one of Susan Mallery's finest. ( )

RT: Not everyone can become a local legend at age 14, but Gracie Landon man-aged to. Lovestruck Gracie stalked Riley Whitefield and seriously interfered with his dating habits. Things came to a head when Riley married his pregnant girlfriend and Gracie was shipped off to live with relatives.

Gracie has avoided her Los Lobos hometown for years, but her sister's wedding forces her to return. After spending more than a decade away, however, Riley too has returned home and is running for mayor.

After a series of events, Gracie winds up in a compromising position with Riley, which reminds the town of their past history. But things are different this time: Gracie is of age, and Riley suddenly sees more than his worst nightmare. But his run for mayor is not all that it seems, and it appears that someone is hell-bent on sabotaging them both.

Talk about trying to live down your past! Gracie and Riley's unique history is a wonderful springboard for this romantic charmer. Both characters have regrets, but it is what they do in the present that makes them so entertaining. Mallery's wit and wisdom is pitch-perfect as usual.