Falling for Gracie

By Susan Mallery

First comes love, then comes marriage

At least, that was Gracie's plan at the ripe old age of fourteen. She loved eighteen-year-old heartthrob Riley with a desperation that made her a town legend. Even now that she's all grown up, the locals in sleepy Los Lobos won't let her forget her youthful crush.

And how can she, when she's face-to-face with Riley at every turn? The onetime bad boy has come back to town seeking respectabilitybut the sparks that fly between them are anything but respectable! Gracie's determined to keep her distance, but when someone sets out to ruin both their reputations, the two discover that first love is sometimes better the second time around.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN
• Release date: Jun 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781459247680

Susan Mallery

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives—family, friendship, romance. She's known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages.Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.

Reviews for Falling for Gracie

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This one was just okay--it had some cute moments, and some funny parts, but the overall premise and at least half of the actions of the antagonists and town as a whole were just this side of silly. The whole "Gracie loves with her whole heart" concept was just ridiculous--hello, she's fourteen and she put a skunk in her crush's car! (Just one of *many* fun ways she showed her "love".) Other than being her next door neighbor and the object of her obsession, he doesn't even know her, nor does she really know him. When he has to marry his high school girlfriend due to certain circumstances, Gracie throws herself in front of his car and says he might as well run her over? How can a town full of responsible adults think that's okay??? Riley's uncle's will just didn't even seem legal, let alone morally right, and the plot to bring both Riley and Gracie down was just way out there, not to mention full of holes. An okay read, if you don't have a problem with complete suspension of belief for a few hours....

[bhryk0 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

14 year old Gracie Landon was in love with her next door neighbour 18 year old Riley Whitefield, so much so that she stalked him and caused a major embarassment to Riley and her family - the local newspaper even wrote an article called "The Gracie Chronicles". Her mother was so incensed that she sent Gracie away to her Grandmother's and then onto her aunt and she is only coming back now for the first time after 14 years for her younger sister's wedding.Her older sister Alexis asks her help as she thinks her husband Zeke is having an affair. The excuse he is using is that he is working on Riley's campaign to become Mayor of Los Lobos. Needless to say Gracie is caught by Riley looking into his house and he demands to know what she is doing there, she tells him and he decides he wants to know what Zeke is up to as well in case it could damage his run for Mayor. They are caught by a newspaper cameraman and their photo ends up in the paper. Gracie's mother comes over and tells her that she is not to see Riley again - hey this girl is now 28 to Riley's 32 - they are adults lay off mum!!! Mum also tells Gracie that Alexis always has a problem with Zeke and his supposed affairs - over the top!! Yes it was over the top at this stage, with Gracies sisters - her younger one is having an on again off again wedding.Riley and Gracie get their mojo moving along quite well and they find they are quite attracted to each other - though Gracie does not quite fit in with Riley's policy of the 3 F's but they work through it but not before they both get lots of bad publicity. It was quite a lovely story but there were parts of it that I found to be quite corny and storyline not quite so but a good listen anyway and I did love both Riley and Gracie.

[cats57_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Falling For Gracie by Susan MalleryThis 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.

[marilyns_86 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.