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Family Affair + The Bet
Lacey Lancaster always longed to be a wife and mother. However, after a painful divorce, she just wants to lay low in her charming San Francisco apartment with her beautiful Abyssinian cat, Cleo.
Everything would be wonderful if it wasn't for her impossible neighbor, Jack Walker, who argues day and night with his girlfriend . . . and whose cat, Dog, is determined to get Cleo to succumb to his feline advances. And when Lacey discovers that Cleo's in the family way, she's furious that neither Jack nor his amorous animal seems terribly upset about it.
But things aren't always what they appear. Jack's "girlfriend" isreally his sister—and his intentions toward Lacey are quite honorable (though she's not sure about Dog). And out of the blue, Lacey is discovering the tender joy of falling in love all over again.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
671 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
907 books20.7k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 31, 2024
Lacey has gone through a divorce that left her heartbroken and distrust of men. After that ordeal she moved to restart her life. As she is living and surviving she has to deal with her neighbor Jack who seems to be constantly arguing with a woman in his apartment who Lacey believes is his girlfriend.
This story deals with overcoming disappointments and finding love again after a divorce.
We also get an novella by a then new author Darlene Panzera The bet is about Jenny a local farm girl who has had some rough patches in life. The young man who was suppose to marry her never showed up for the wedding after the town men in a bar bet him not to show up for his own wedding. This is the premise of the book "betting. Jenny is about to lose her farm due to debts that she cannot paid. Many of the towns young men are betting whom will have her hand in marriage first. Whom she chooses is the least likely out of them all just as in life can it can be unpredictable.
This story deals with overcoming disappointments and finding love again after a divorce.
We also get an novella by a then new author Darlene Panzera The bet is about Jenny a local farm girl who has had some rough patches in life. The young man who was suppose to marry her never showed up for the wedding after the town men in a bar bet him not to show up for his own wedding. This is the premise of the book "betting. Jenny is about to lose her farm due to debts that she cannot paid. Many of the towns young men are betting whom will have her hand in marriage first. Whom she chooses is the least likely out of them all just as in life can it can be unpredictable.
June 18, 2024
Great reads
It was nice to read a bit of Debbie's books again since I gave up all my books to our local little free library in our park for others to enjoy. They may be returned again but I'll let others read as well. I think that is the best way for people to get to know authors they may not have been able to read or whatever their story is. I know I've also gotten books I'd never thought to grab and enjoyed them.
It was nice to read a bit of Debbie's books again since I gave up all my books to our local little free library in our park for others to enjoy. They may be returned again but I'll let others read as well. I think that is the best way for people to get to know authors they may not have been able to read or whatever their story is. I know I've also gotten books I'd never thought to grab and enjoyed them.
May 16, 2024
Awesome as usual
Never read a book that I haven't enjoyed completely. Her stories of Mrs Miracle & the angels sent to earth are fabulously entertaining & inspiring. You can Never go wrong with a Debbie Mac on bed story
Never read a book that I haven't enjoyed completely. Her stories of Mrs Miracle & the angels sent to earth are fabulously entertaining & inspiring. You can Never go wrong with a Debbie Mac on bed story
December 2, 2024
Good stories
I love how the cats brought two neighbors together. She didn't want to be involved for she thought he was with another. The second book I wanted to read more of their story. It had me with the characters every step of the way.
I love how the cats brought two neighbors together. She didn't want to be involved for she thought he was with another. The second book I wanted to read more of their story. It had me with the characters every step of the way.
January 28, 2025
Very good stories
I really enjoyed reading all the different stories, a fun book for anyone to read. About how people have problems and Angels true to help them, like a guardian angel
I really enjoyed reading all the different stories, a fun book for anyone to read. About how people have problems and Angels true to help them, like a guardian angel
May 26, 2024
just what I expected
Debbie Macomber books have always been like Hallmark movies. This is no different. I needed something light to read on a plane and this served the purpose.
Debbie Macomber books have always been like Hallmark movies. This is no different. I needed something light to read on a plane and this served the purpose.
June 4, 2024
Cute, but not very realistic. It’s dated, but this is what we read back then.
June 12, 2024
This was a fun read.
July 1, 2024
good story
October 24, 2024
Excellent stories.
December 27, 2024
No stories, just quick introductions. Very disappointed. Good story lines but no story to follow☹️
October 8, 2012
3.5 Blue Ribbon Review courtesy of Romance Junkies.
If you're a cat lover then this reprint of Debbie Macomber's novella will entertain with the added bonus of a short ranching story by Darlene Panzera.
After her divorce, Lacey Lancaster leaves her cheating husband and the town they lived in as a couple behind. She starts over in San Francisco with a new job, a new place to live and a new roommate, a cat named Cleo. She doesn't want to date but her feline friend Cleo, a very amorous female, hooks up with Lacey's very handsome neighbor's tomcat and gets pregnant. Of course, Dog ‒ the "love ‘em and leave ‘em" tomcat next door isn't repentant, but Lacey is determined that his owner pay for Dog's dirty deed.
Jack Walker has spent months trying to get his neighbor's attention and can't believe it's his notorious tomcat called Dog who gets Lacey into his apartment. Now if he can only figure out how to get this lovely woman to go out with him after making peace with her by paying half of her cat's upcoming veterinary expenses. Lacey isn't buying into Mr. Handsome's sweet talk, but Cleo is warming up to him so much that Lacey begins to wonder who this traitorous feline really prefers. Can Jack wear down the barriers Lacey has so meticulously built around herself and her life?
Cat lovers will enjoy this fun-loving novella, especially since both of the cats involved, along with their owners, provide some humorous moments. Although a reprint, Debbie Macomber's FAMILY AFFAIR includes recipes for cat treats at the end, as well as a bonus short story by Darlene Panzera.
THE BET by Darlene Panzera is a cute story concerning a young woman, who is just about to lose her ranch. She is also the most eligible bachelorette in her small town. Everyone believes there's gold on her property just waiting to be discovered and a large corporation is determined to buy her out. All Jenny wants is to get the town to quit betting on her life and to earn enough money so the bank doesn't foreclose on her family's legacy. Can she save her ranch without selling her heart?
FAMILY AFFAIR by Debbie Macomber is an engaging romantic comedy sure to make you smile, aided by more reading pleasure from the bonus short story by Darlene Panzera. I especially liked the idea that Debbie Macomber held a contest suggested by Avon to choose a short story to be included with her novella when it was reprinted. What a fun thing to do and congratulations to Darlene Panzera!
If you're a cat lover then this reprint of Debbie Macomber's novella will entertain with the added bonus of a short ranching story by Darlene Panzera.
After her divorce, Lacey Lancaster leaves her cheating husband and the town they lived in as a couple behind. She starts over in San Francisco with a new job, a new place to live and a new roommate, a cat named Cleo. She doesn't want to date but her feline friend Cleo, a very amorous female, hooks up with Lacey's very handsome neighbor's tomcat and gets pregnant. Of course, Dog ‒ the "love ‘em and leave ‘em" tomcat next door isn't repentant, but Lacey is determined that his owner pay for Dog's dirty deed.
Jack Walker has spent months trying to get his neighbor's attention and can't believe it's his notorious tomcat called Dog who gets Lacey into his apartment. Now if he can only figure out how to get this lovely woman to go out with him after making peace with her by paying half of her cat's upcoming veterinary expenses. Lacey isn't buying into Mr. Handsome's sweet talk, but Cleo is warming up to him so much that Lacey begins to wonder who this traitorous feline really prefers. Can Jack wear down the barriers Lacey has so meticulously built around herself and her life?
Cat lovers will enjoy this fun-loving novella, especially since both of the cats involved, along with their owners, provide some humorous moments. Although a reprint, Debbie Macomber's FAMILY AFFAIR includes recipes for cat treats at the end, as well as a bonus short story by Darlene Panzera.
THE BET by Darlene Panzera is a cute story concerning a young woman, who is just about to lose her ranch. She is also the most eligible bachelorette in her small town. Everyone believes there's gold on her property just waiting to be discovered and a large corporation is determined to buy her out. All Jenny wants is to get the town to quit betting on her life and to earn enough money so the bank doesn't foreclose on her family's legacy. Can she save her ranch without selling her heart?
FAMILY AFFAIR by Debbie Macomber is an engaging romantic comedy sure to make you smile, aided by more reading pleasure from the bonus short story by Darlene Panzera. I especially liked the idea that Debbie Macomber held a contest suggested by Avon to choose a short story to be included with her novella when it was reprinted. What a fun thing to do and congratulations to Darlene Panzera!
July 25, 2012
Lacey Lancaster's marriage ended in divorce, so she has decided that she will steer clear of men, and be content to live a quiet life alone, alone that is except for her cat Cleo, a beautiful Abyssinian that she had decided she will breed to earn some extra money.Her next door neighbor Jack has been trying to engage her in conversation for months, but she has steered clear. She thinks that he is a womanizer and feels sorry for his "girlfriend" Sarah because she always hears them arguing. When Jack's cat named Dog sneaks into Lacey's apartment and gets Cleo pregnant she decides to make Jack responsible for his cat's part of the problem, and soon learns that Jack isn't the man she thought he was. Can a tryst between two kitties bring their owners together for a happily ever after?
I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber. She creates such memorable characters that are easy to like. In this story Lacey was a bit of a doormat in the beginning, but it was so nice to see her get her self confidence back. She was having issues at work that really was a result of self esteem issues that stemmed from her divorce. Jack was the cute next door neighbor that Lacey misjudged.There was a small secondary story that revolved around Sarah. Loved that Cleo and Dog the cat had a part in the story as well. Overall I would classify this story as a very short novella that while a bit predictable as well as a very quick read was still entertaining. There is a bonus story included in the book titled "The Bet" which was written by Darlene Panzera,the winner of the Readers' Story Contest, and the neat thing is Ms.Macomber chose the winner herself.
I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber. She creates such memorable characters that are easy to like. In this story Lacey was a bit of a doormat in the beginning, but it was so nice to see her get her self confidence back. She was having issues at work that really was a result of self esteem issues that stemmed from her divorce. Jack was the cute next door neighbor that Lacey misjudged.There was a small secondary story that revolved around Sarah. Loved that Cleo and Dog the cat had a part in the story as well. Overall I would classify this story as a very short novella that while a bit predictable as well as a very quick read was still entertaining. There is a bonus story included in the book titled "The Bet" which was written by Darlene Panzera,the winner of the Readers' Story Contest, and the neat thing is Ms.Macomber chose the winner herself.
December 30, 2012
The Bet is a short, sweet story. Jenny is trying to raise money to save her family's ranch, and Nick bets that she'll marry him within five weeks. It's kind of a silly bet made in the heat of the moment, but Jenny needs the money, so agrees.
What I couldn't understand was why Jenny would trust Nick at all. He finagles a way onto her ranch so he can court her, and she lets him! Yes, he is tall, dark, and handsome...but hello? He bet $10,000 that she would marry him, so what is she thinking?
I could sympathize with Jenny as she just wants to save her family home, but couldn't really understand how she could even give him the time of day. I couldn't get past that for some reason. I mean, if I guy bet me $10,000 that I'd marry him, that would be an easy win!
The story isn't up to Debbie's usual standard, but Darlene does have potential and I'll probably read her next story. Gave it a 3/5 as it's a nice bonus to Debbie's book!
What I couldn't understand was why Jenny would trust Nick at all. He finagles a way onto her ranch so he can court her, and she lets him! Yes, he is tall, dark, and handsome...but hello? He bet $10,000 that she would marry him, so what is she thinking?
I could sympathize with Jenny as she just wants to save her family home, but couldn't really understand how she could even give him the time of day. I couldn't get past that for some reason. I mean, if I guy bet me $10,000 that I'd marry him, that would be an easy win!
The story isn't up to Debbie's usual standard, but Darlene does have potential and I'll probably read her next story. Gave it a 3/5 as it's a nice bonus to Debbie's book!
June 25, 2012
This was cute. The edition I read is actually being re-released paired with another story, "The Bet" by Darlene Panzera, a contest where the publisher, Avon Romance (who gave me an ARC of the book for review), was looking for similar style stories to Debbie Macomber. They apparently narrowed it down t 3 and let Debbie Macomber pick the winner. :)
Both stories were sweet. I normally like more steam, but for a rainy afternoon read with an afghan on your lap (Macomber actually recommends a lap cat for the first one) and a cup of tea, they'd be just about perfect. The new novella is a contemporary Western, so I was thrilled! Though being a novella there wasn't as much description as I would normally appreciate.
There were a few issues with both books re: believability, and wrapping the stories up quickly, but they were cute, light HEA reads.
Both stories were sweet. I normally like more steam, but for a rainy afternoon read with an afghan on your lap (Macomber actually recommends a lap cat for the first one) and a cup of tea, they'd be just about perfect. The new novella is a contemporary Western, so I was thrilled! Though being a novella there wasn't as much description as I would normally appreciate.
There were a few issues with both books re: believability, and wrapping the stories up quickly, but they were cute, light HEA reads.
August 6, 2012
Well it only took two sittings to finish the bonus story The Bet found after Family Affair in this new mass marketing printing edition. I often enjoy Debbie Macomber and felt I would probably enjoy her pick from a contest. In the end it was a good story that ended well. Overall it kept my attention and I wanted to know what would come next. Being general market it was a clean and fun romantic read. I did not love it and as I sit here and try to decipher why I think it would just have to be the setting and the gambling. I do not have a clue how I would change that, but it is really the only negative thing about it. In all, I think that this author Darlene Panzera has a future in writing and I'd be willing to spend some hours in her stories in the future.
Typed on Kindle Fire.
Thanks to Avon and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy for review.
Typed on Kindle Fire.
Thanks to Avon and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy for review.
February 13, 2015
I give this 3 stars. It was a nice story. Cute with the cats.Easy to read.
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Spoiler
Note to Self:San Francisco
Lacey Lancaster(divorced,decorator,33yo,pal)&Cleo(her cat,purebred Abyssinian)+Jack Walker(neighbor, 33yo,bank executive,bro)&Dog(his cat),Sarah Walker(21yo,sis,new pal),Jeanne Becker(pal,dental assistant).
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Spoiler
Note to Self:San Francisco
Lacey Lancaster(divorced,decorator,33yo,pal)&Cleo(her cat,purebred Abyssinian)+Jack Walker(neighbor, 33yo,bank executive,bro)&Dog(his cat),Sarah Walker(21yo,sis,new pal),Jeanne Becker(pal,dental assistant).
August 9, 2012
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11325836
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11325836
January 31, 2013
Just 2 stars because I wasn't crazy about the second story included. Macomber's story is quick and cute though very dated, the one by Panzera just didn't work for me.
June 7, 2013
My library has ebooks now, a very few ebooks! This is the first one I've tried out......maybe an older Debbie Macomber books, pretty good but not like her later ones I think!
October 14, 2015
I really enjoyed reading Debbie Macomber's stories in this book of romance. Both of them have the people fighting their feelings until the end. Debbie brings out the true romantic in us all!
January 22, 2020
excellent book loved it
November 9, 2022
Another easy read with 2 short stories .
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews