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Marcelli #2
The Sassy One
For the Marcelli sisters of California wine country, the season is ripe for romance!
Francesca Marcelli married at eighteen -- right on schedule, according to her warm, colorful family, who have always said a beauty like Francesca need never worry about finding love. But a few years later, finding herself on her own with a wide open future ahead of her, she pursues her educational passions -- with a risky experiment that takes her straight into the arms of playboy CEO Sam Reese. Delighted by Francesca's interest in a no-strings relationship, Sam suddenly finds himself needing her outside the bedroom when a secret from his past lands on his doorstep. But Francesca soon has a secret of her own to tell -- a bombshell that will force the diehard bachelor to show his true colors. Are there "I do"s in Sam and Francesca's future? Only if she can persuade him that home truly is where the heart finds happiness.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
867 people are currently reading
1548 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mallery
839 books15.3k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 27, 2020
3,5 / 5
Yokluktan yine eskilere döndüm 😕
Yokluktan yine eskilere döndüm 😕
May 5, 2017
IT STARTED AS FRIENDS PLUS BENEFITS...BUT IT TURNED INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE DANGEROUS...
One day when performing one of her experiments for her psychology dissertation, Francesca Marcelli meets the powerful, sexy, and intriguing Sam Reese. They immediately form a connection and he asks her out. They have a great time together and the next night they fall into bed together. Francesca and Sam really enjoy each other and like spending time together, and it is during one of those times when an unexpected surprise shows up on Sam's doorstep: Kelly, the twelve-year-old daughter he knew nothing about. Faced with the reality of a child, Sam has a hard time adjusting and he leans on Francesca much of the time. A couple weeks later, Francesca receives her own surprise: she's pregnant. She makes the decision not to tell Sam until after the Fourth of July, until he has adjusted to having Kelly in his life.
On that fateful fourth, the Marcelli family secret is finally revealed: thirty years before, Marco and Colleen had a son out of wedlock and were forced to give him up for adoption. Along with the drama of the revelation, Brenna Marcelli's dreams of inheriting Marcelli Wines are dashed in the face of a male heir. Together, the family decides to get in contact with Joe Larson and inform him of the large family that wants nothing more than to meet him. And possibly to give him Marcelli Wines.
Meanwhile, Kelly and Francesca start to get closer, and Francesca continues to help Sam with the situation. Despite his initial reluctance, Sam takes Francesca's advice and actually starts to get to know his daughter. However, not all's well in paradise. Sam and Francesca have been getting into quite a few fights lately, and her guilt over not telling Sam the truth about the pregnancy weighs on her because, not only is she afraid of his reaction to the baby, she is afraid that he doesn't love her.
One night after a particularly brutal argument between Kelly and Sam, Francesca finally tells him. She is brought face-to-face with her fears when Sam accuses her of getting pregnant on purpose to get something out of him and when he is not happy about the baby. He kicks her out and, at that point, it appears as if they will never see each other again. Little do they know, Kelly heard the whole argument from the top of the stairs as she was coming down to apologize to both her father and Francesca. Will Francesca want her now that she's having her own baby? Francesca and Sam aren't going to get married, so what if he starts dating someone else who doesn't want Kelly around? Would Sam send her away? Does her father love her? Kelly decides to run away.
However, Gabriel, Sam's grandfather, intercepts the girl and hides her away for a while in order to give her some time. Meanwhile, Sam is in a panic, looking for his little girl. It's during that frantic search that Sam realizes that he loves Kelly and couldn't live without her. Gabriel brings her out and the two finally admit they love each other and will work hard to improve their relationship. Then the Marcelli family comes to make sure Kelly is all right before pouncing on Sam for not marrying Francesca. When Francesca shows up and defends Sam, the two finally have the conversation that they should have had before: apologies are given, promises are made, and undying love is finally expressed. Finally, Sam and Francesca, and Kelly, can live happily ever after as one big happy family.
I really didn't think The Sassy One was going to be better than The Seductive One, and I wasn't wrong because I still love that one better, but this book was utterly fantastic. It kept me enthralled and entertained the whole time I was reading it. But it also made me nervous for the customary break-up that every romance couple has to go through before they can have their happily ever after. Thank God the separation was so short.
Sam, Sam, Sam...I'm not even sure what to say about him. There seem to be no words to adequately describe him or what I feel for him. He is the perfect imperfect man. He has his faults but he also has his redeemable qualities. While he can be stubborn, quick to anger, and tend not to listen when he's angry, Sam Reese is a loving, caring, sexy guy who just wants the best out of live. While it took him the whole book to really get used to Kelly being in his life, I enjoyed reading the roller coaster that he had to go through in order to get there. And thank God he was able to see past Francesca's lie to the relationship and love that they could share.
Francesca was great. I was engaged in her character from the beginning and I couldn't wait to learn more about her after what I had read in The Seductive One. She was intelligent, strong, and loving, and she couldn't have been a better match for Sam. I enjoyed reading the times she was with Kelly and how they got to know each other, and I loved the times she was with her family.
I continue to love Brenna and she is still my favorite of the Marcelli sisters. I liked seeing the beginning of the relationship she forms with Joe and how she wasn't afraid to say what she felt. I'm glad she was there to force the truth on Francesca when she needed it while simultaneously letting her sister know that she would be there for her.
One of my favorite parts of this book, though, is definitely the small cameo of Nic Giovanni. I really wish we could have seen more of him, but as he has no interaction with Francesca, I understand the lack of his presence. Unfortunately. Therefore, I reveled in the time that he was there. I may have even re-read that part...
This is yet another great Susan Mallery book and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. It's always a great joy to find books that I will never get tired of reading over and over and over again.
One day when performing one of her experiments for her psychology dissertation, Francesca Marcelli meets the powerful, sexy, and intriguing Sam Reese. They immediately form a connection and he asks her out. They have a great time together and the next night they fall into bed together. Francesca and Sam really enjoy each other and like spending time together, and it is during one of those times when an unexpected surprise shows up on Sam's doorstep: Kelly, the twelve-year-old daughter he knew nothing about. Faced with the reality of a child, Sam has a hard time adjusting and he leans on Francesca much of the time. A couple weeks later, Francesca receives her own surprise: she's pregnant. She makes the decision not to tell Sam until after the Fourth of July, until he has adjusted to having Kelly in his life.
On that fateful fourth, the Marcelli family secret is finally revealed: thirty years before, Marco and Colleen had a son out of wedlock and were forced to give him up for adoption. Along with the drama of the revelation, Brenna Marcelli's dreams of inheriting Marcelli Wines are dashed in the face of a male heir. Together, the family decides to get in contact with Joe Larson and inform him of the large family that wants nothing more than to meet him. And possibly to give him Marcelli Wines.
Meanwhile, Kelly and Francesca start to get closer, and Francesca continues to help Sam with the situation. Despite his initial reluctance, Sam takes Francesca's advice and actually starts to get to know his daughter. However, not all's well in paradise. Sam and Francesca have been getting into quite a few fights lately, and her guilt over not telling Sam the truth about the pregnancy weighs on her because, not only is she afraid of his reaction to the baby, she is afraid that he doesn't love her.
One night after a particularly brutal argument between Kelly and Sam, Francesca finally tells him. She is brought face-to-face with her fears when Sam accuses her of getting pregnant on purpose to get something out of him and when he is not happy about the baby. He kicks her out and, at that point, it appears as if they will never see each other again. Little do they know, Kelly heard the whole argument from the top of the stairs as she was coming down to apologize to both her father and Francesca. Will Francesca want her now that she's having her own baby? Francesca and Sam aren't going to get married, so what if he starts dating someone else who doesn't want Kelly around? Would Sam send her away? Does her father love her? Kelly decides to run away.
However, Gabriel, Sam's grandfather, intercepts the girl and hides her away for a while in order to give her some time. Meanwhile, Sam is in a panic, looking for his little girl. It's during that frantic search that Sam realizes that he loves Kelly and couldn't live without her. Gabriel brings her out and the two finally admit they love each other and will work hard to improve their relationship. Then the Marcelli family comes to make sure Kelly is all right before pouncing on Sam for not marrying Francesca. When Francesca shows up and defends Sam, the two finally have the conversation that they should have had before: apologies are given, promises are made, and undying love is finally expressed. Finally, Sam and Francesca, and Kelly, can live happily ever after as one big happy family.
I really didn't think The Sassy One was going to be better than The Seductive One, and I wasn't wrong because I still love that one better, but this book was utterly fantastic. It kept me enthralled and entertained the whole time I was reading it. But it also made me nervous for the customary break-up that every romance couple has to go through before they can have their happily ever after. Thank God the separation was so short.
Sam, Sam, Sam...I'm not even sure what to say about him. There seem to be no words to adequately describe him or what I feel for him. He is the perfect imperfect man. He has his faults but he also has his redeemable qualities. While he can be stubborn, quick to anger, and tend not to listen when he's angry, Sam Reese is a loving, caring, sexy guy who just wants the best out of live. While it took him the whole book to really get used to Kelly being in his life, I enjoyed reading the roller coaster that he had to go through in order to get there. And thank God he was able to see past Francesca's lie to the relationship and love that they could share.
Francesca was great. I was engaged in her character from the beginning and I couldn't wait to learn more about her after what I had read in The Seductive One. She was intelligent, strong, and loving, and she couldn't have been a better match for Sam. I enjoyed reading the times she was with Kelly and how they got to know each other, and I loved the times she was with her family.
I continue to love Brenna and she is still my favorite of the Marcelli sisters. I liked seeing the beginning of the relationship she forms with Joe and how she wasn't afraid to say what she felt. I'm glad she was there to force the truth on Francesca when she needed it while simultaneously letting her sister know that she would be there for her.
One of my favorite parts of this book, though, is definitely the small cameo of Nic Giovanni. I really wish we could have seen more of him, but as he has no interaction with Francesca, I understand the lack of his presence. Unfortunately. Therefore, I reveled in the time that he was there. I may have even re-read that part...
This is yet another great Susan Mallery book and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. It's always a great joy to find books that I will never get tired of reading over and over and over again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2011
I liked this story very much (isn't a surprise?). I liked both hero and heroine. They were great characters. And I liked a lot the developments of him discovering a very spoiled and love hungry daughter. It was really a sweet story.
The only thing I didn't like is that this story lacked a bit of passion. I didn't feel all that chemistry between them.
The only thing I didn't like is that this story lacked a bit of passion. I didn't feel all that chemistry between them.
September 17, 2020
Francesca is fascinating, both in her own right and in her psychology experiments for her dissertation. Sam was a bit harder to get a handle on, especially after Kelly entered his life, but the ups and downs in regards to her family and his are marvelously well portrayed. I love the Marcelli family, mostly because they are a family who fights for what they believe, they are not always right, they know how to love, and there are three generations with each generation having its own beliefs and ways. Somehow it works and it works marvelously.
December 27, 2019
Enjoyed this one, although it was a little dated now.
March 8, 2022
One of the Best in this series. I read Brenna's story first. Loved it. Then i read Katie's. Found it slightly boring. Francesca's story was great. Awesome totally.
March 2, 2017
She couldn't draw out that ending a little more?? It ended way too fast and too easily.
This book is literally about three hot tempered, smart-mouthed pinheads who need to think before they start spewing their rage upon each other LOL. Seriously, so many yelling contests in this one (and usually I like those, but man Francesca, Sam, and Kelly drove me CRAZY).
Ps I still canNOT stand this family!! Everyone needs to mind their own damn business.
This book is literally about three hot tempered, smart-mouthed pinheads who need to think before they start spewing their rage upon each other LOL. Seriously, so many yelling contests in this one (and usually I like those, but man Francesca, Sam, and Kelly drove me CRAZY).
Ps I still canNOT stand this family!! Everyone needs to mind their own damn business.
December 31, 2011
Enjoyed the book very much but disliked Sam,he was a lousy father to Kelly and said some hurtful words IMO "some things when said a sorry cannot erase them",i wanted grovelling from Sam for the way he reacted towards Francesca,for me the end was rushed a bit.Overall it had me glued with all the twist n turns,adored Kelly-Francesca a lot.Eager to read Brenna's story.
Recommend it
Recommend it
September 16, 2008
This plot was very overdone. I hate it when relationships are not working in books and then -wow- she's pregnant and then they are in love. Blah.
April 14, 2024
Francesca Marcelli
Sam Reece
Francesca and Sam meet when Francesca is doing research for her dissertation. Francesca has dressed like a very pregnant woman to see if anyone will stop to help her when she is trying to deliver a cart load of boxes to a business on Friday at 5:00pm. Sam stops to help Francesca and as he’s trying to help her she comes clean about her research and that she really isn’t pregnant. Sam asks her out to dinner that night and then the next night, this starts a Friends with Benefits agreement until things change. Sam gets a call from his ex-wife and at the same time his doorbell rings and he finds out he has a daughter he didn’t know about who is 12. This is a very good, fast read. You have the shock relationship of Sam and Kelly, the daughter, developing. Francesca is drawn in by Kelly and Sam. Sam and Francesca experience a change in their relationship. The characters are all likable and grow emotionally as their lives are intertwined. I would definitely read more books by this author and this series.
Sam Reece
Francesca and Sam meet when Francesca is doing research for her dissertation. Francesca has dressed like a very pregnant woman to see if anyone will stop to help her when she is trying to deliver a cart load of boxes to a business on Friday at 5:00pm. Sam stops to help Francesca and as he’s trying to help her she comes clean about her research and that she really isn’t pregnant. Sam asks her out to dinner that night and then the next night, this starts a Friends with Benefits agreement until things change. Sam gets a call from his ex-wife and at the same time his doorbell rings and he finds out he has a daughter he didn’t know about who is 12. This is a very good, fast read. You have the shock relationship of Sam and Kelly, the daughter, developing. Francesca is drawn in by Kelly and Sam. Sam and Francesca experience a change in their relationship. The characters are all likable and grow emotionally as their lives are intertwined. I would definitely read more books by this author and this series.
July 2, 2020
Francesca Marcelli married at eighteen -- right on schedule, according to her warm, colorful family, who have always said a beauty like Francesca need never worry about finding love. But a few years later, finding herself on her own with a wide open future ahead of her, she pursues her educational passions -- with a risky experiment that takes her straight into the arms of playboy CEO Sam Reese. Delighted by Francesca's interest in a no-strings relationship, Sam suddenly finds himself needing her outside the bedroom when a secret from his past lands on his doorstep. But Francesca soon has a secret of her own to tell -- a bombshell that will force the diehard bachelor to show his true colors. Are there "I do"s in Sam and Francesca's future? Only if she can persuade him that home truly is where the heart finds happiness.
June 1, 2022
I enjoyed the story and in this case mainly because of the family. I wasn't all that into Francesca's story. She's not really sassy nor interesting. So she was young & got manipulated into a bad marriage; move on. She never really seems to make much progress in her (long term) career as a student and have no clue what she really wants to do once she does graduate. Then the "sassy one" got into a bind and procrastinates over a month before addressing the issue with Sam. The family dynamics/scenes and surprise was really made this installment in the series.
October 13, 2020
Francesca - Wrapped up with trying to rebuild her life, determined to be her own person, forget the past and the life her family is desperate for her to have.
Sam - Successful business owner, full of responsibility and determined to never marry again.
They embark on a casual, monogamous affair with no strings attached. However, life gets messy and love always finds a way.
This book to a long journey to the end, but I felt the ending was very abrupt.
Sam - Successful business owner, full of responsibility and determined to never marry again.
They embark on a casual, monogamous affair with no strings attached. However, life gets messy and love always finds a way.
This book to a long journey to the end, but I felt the ending was very abrupt.
June 8, 2024
The second story in the Marcelli family saga. This one focuses on Francesca. She was married young but her husband was killed in a car accident. She felt like trophy wife so she has avoided any relationships. Currently she is working on her PH.d and is trying to do her dissertation. During a project, she encounters a man who goes above and beyond to be helpful. Francesca rethinks fending off me and ends up in quite a complicated relationship.
October 6, 2018
Zor Kadın (The Marcelli Family Serisi 2)
Susan Mallery
Bu kitabın isminizi zor kadın olmuş anlamadım. Oldukça iyi sıradan ve beklenen davranışları vardı. Heyecan yoktu tek düze devam eden cümlelerle çevriliydi. Sam kadar basit birini okumadım sanırım😁 neyse beklediğim gibi değildi sadece aile kısmı tutulur tarafıydı kitabın o kadar. Beğenmedim.
Merak ettiğim kitapta yokmus zaten yıkıldım😢
Susan Mallery
Bu kitabın isminizi zor kadın olmuş anlamadım. Oldukça iyi sıradan ve beklenen davranışları vardı. Heyecan yoktu tek düze devam eden cümlelerle çevriliydi. Sam kadar basit birini okumadım sanırım😁 neyse beklediğim gibi değildi sadece aile kısmı tutulur tarafıydı kitabın o kadar. Beğenmedim.
Merak ettiğim kitapta yokmus zaten yıkıldım😢
March 1, 2020
This is a typical modern romance, a conflicted heroine, a hero with flaws big enough to drive a car through, and a meddling family. It's a formula that works and pulls you in. There are some subplots going on to make you want to read the next one in the series. I will, it's good enough for me to invest another couple of hours of my life into.
June 29, 2024
Great story
I love the characters, and the sense of family in this book. Sometimes meeting someone new can lead you to a whole new set of possibilities. Francesca is an awesome character and when she meets Sam things just start to happen. Can these two people who have been hurt before open themselves to more than just friendship and sex?
I love Susan Mallery's books! Lol
I love the characters, and the sense of family in this book. Sometimes meeting someone new can lead you to a whole new set of possibilities. Francesca is an awesome character and when she meets Sam things just start to happen. Can these two people who have been hurt before open themselves to more than just friendship and sex?
I love Susan Mallery's books! Lol
June 27, 2017
I'd give it 4 1/2 stars but it wouldn't let me. It was very good. Still couldn't put it down, like the first one, but 'fast forwarded' through much of the hooking up. You can only describe it so many times ;P
May 14, 2019
I am really enjoying this series, and don't want it to end. There is only one more book in the series, but I hope it's not the last book dealing with the Marcellis. I could stand to keep reading about this family's hijinx.
December 27, 2021
Francesca has always felt she wasn't as smart as her sisters. Sam wants "no strings attached". Francesca agrees. Then his world is turned upside down. Francesca tries to help him but he doesn't take her news well.
October 23, 2022
This book had some funny one lines. For example: this kid was smiling. Until this second he hadn’t known Kelly had teeth.
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It was a little slow at the beginning but it picked up rhythm soon. Kelly was a handful. The whole difficult teen phase was nicely put. It got better at the end. An Epilogue would have made my day.
—————————————
It was a little slow at the beginning but it picked up rhythm soon. Kelly was a handful. The whole difficult teen phase was nicely put. It got better at the end. An Epilogue would have made my day.
March 13, 2024
It's all good
I love all of Susan's books . I am always left with a good feeling that there is hope for humanity. By the time I finished this book which was great I already have the next one downloaded.
I love all of Susan's books . I am always left with a good feeling that there is hope for humanity. By the time I finished this book which was great I already have the next one downloaded.
October 18, 2024
Francesca Marcelli was the oldest twin still going to school for her masters and PHD in psychology. She meets Sam on one of her projects and begins falling in love when Kelly, Sam's daughter shows up. After many challenges weeks, finding out Francesca is pregnant brings everything to a head
March 17, 2017
Just as good as the first one. I don't know how Susan Mallery did it, but it started where the first book ended, awesome.
July 9, 2017
The Sassy One
Great surprises and love galore. A lot of the time the main characters took action to protect the others. Love.
Great surprises and love galore. A lot of the time the main characters took action to protect the others. Love.
March 4, 2018
It was good. I liked the little twists and turns and the hardship of having a new family member thrust upon you. I didn't like the main character dude, though. He was kind of a dick. meh
January 13, 2019
Love her stories
I love the characters and Susan Mallery's descriptions. They are all real enough. I just pass over the sex scenes and hope I didn't miss anything.
I love the characters and Susan Mallery's descriptions. They are all real enough. I just pass over the sex scenes and hope I didn't miss anything.
March 20, 2019
Nice romance with a memorable family and beautiful setting. Second in the series, I plan on reading the rest soon.
July 21, 2019
Have the book in paperback Marcelli #2 sexy
March 2, 2020
Wow wow wow. I still can't get over this book. I'm definitely reading it again. This was just fabulous. The marcelli family was just beautiful. I went through all the emotions in this book. Wow. Susan mallery has just become my favourite. I'm definitely on to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews