Mary Campisi

I downloaded this free for my Kindle over a decade ago although I've only just read it. I nearly gave up after a couple of chapters, as one of the characters has a very crude, vulgar internal monologue which gets worse as the book progresses. I had to skim several pages. The writing is also over-wordy at the start.

But I kept going. In between the crude, unpleasant (and irrelevant) sections, there's a good story about a dysfunctional family with a controlling, hypochondriac mother and a show more work-obsessed daughter, Chrissie, who idolises her father. When she gets a terrible shock (at the end of the first chapter) it's the start of a series of unfolding secrets and betrayals.

It's also the catalyst for a new friendship, and contrast with a very different kind of family. It explores some quite significant issues and has an encouraging ending. If it weren't for the vulgarity, and far too much detail of bedroom scenes later in the book, I would have rated it more highly.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-family-affair-by-mary-campisi.htm... show less

Despite the drawn out angst and repetitive misunderstandings, the characters are fresh - a blind novelist and a withdrawn psychologist - and the resolution is satisfying. I read this one after reading three other "second chance" stories, and found this one the most enjoyable.

Gina Servetti was raised to believe she wasn’t enough—not thin enough, not pretty enough, not clever enough. She’s more comfortable with a spreadsheet than a conversation and doesn’t trust easily, especially where men are concerned, most notably the good-looking, smooth-talking ones like Ben Reed.

When city boy Ben Reed arrives in Magdalena, he’s not planning a long-term stay in a town filled with too many busybodies and too little excitement. He just needs things to settle down in show more Philly for a few months before he returns to his old life and his plan to win back his ex-wife. But once he gets to know the people in this town, he starts to care about them: one in particular—Gina Servetti. The longer he’s around her, the more he realizes she’s so much more than a woman with a scowl and a sharp tongue. She’s real and honest, and as afraid of trusting as he is. show less

I am really enjoying this delightful and witty series! I finished Book 1 and immediately purchased Book 2 and look forward to Book 3 (Family Affair: Summer) coming in 2014 and Book 4 thereafter.

You will fall I in love with all the characters, which are so realistic in this charming small New York (Magdalena) town and parts in Chicago. Harry is my favorite character and Mary does a fantastic job of humorous one liners throughout the book which keep you laughing!

This book continues with the show more characters from book one: Christine/Nate/Miriam/Lilly Desantro family, and centers on Harry/Gretta’s new relationship (Mr. Playboy), more from the bitchy Gloria and the addition of funny character Pop Angelo “Pop” Benito, the Godfather of Magdalena.

I am excited I found this author, as really like her writing style and will certainly be reading more of her other books and series, and of course the continuation of the Truth in Lies Series. A novel of betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption (some we love and some we despise).. I highly recommend! show less