What do you think?
Rate this book
Truth in Lies #19
A Family Affair: The Journey
Sooner or later the past catches up with you and then you have to face the truth... Fourteen years is a long time to pretend someone doesn’t exist, especially if that person is responsible for crushing your heart. But pretending in a small town where everyone knows your backstory—or thinks they do? Impossible. Beckett Durrell isn’t the same lovestruck fool he’d been all those years ago when he’d believed in destiny and ever-after. At thirty-five, he’s not interested in meant-to-be or long-term, though he almost made it to the altar eleven months ago. But he couldn’t spit out the “I do” and refuses to think it’s because of her, the woman he’s never forgotten. Katrina Carlisle knew she married the wrong man long before she discovered his first affair. She’d been too heartbroken after the breakup with Beck Durrell to notice the new man’s slick words, or the fact that his mother seemed more interested in her than he was. After a disastrous marriage, she’s now divorced with two small children, working a low-paying job, living in a tiny rental, and wondering how her life had gone so wrong. When destiny orchestrates a plan for Beck and Katrina to cross paths, there’s no pretending the attraction isn’t there. But the distrust? The fear of getting hurt again? That’s definitely there, too, and it’s going to take a lot more than simple attraction to get past it. Can Beck and Katrina trust each other enough to open their hearts for a second chance at happily-ever-after?
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2020
380 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Mary Campisi
80 books421 followersMary Campisi is the author of over 40 emotion-packed novels that center around hope, redemption, and second chances.
Mary should have known she'd become a writer when at age thirteen she began changing the ending to all the books she read. It took several years and a number of jobs, including registered nurse, receptionist in a swanky hair salon, accounts payable clerk, and practice manager in an OB/GYN office, for her to rediscover writing. Enter a mouse-less computer, a floppy disk, and a dream large enough to fill a zip drive. The rest of the story lives on in every book she writes.
When she's not working on her craft or following the lives of five adult children, Mary's digging in the dirt with her flowers and herbs, cooking, reading, walking her rescue lab, Henry, or, on the perfect day, riding off into the sunset with her very own hero/husband on his Ultra Limited aka Harley.
If you would like to be notified when Mary has a new release, please sign up at http://www.marycampisi.com/book/book-...
website: marycampisi.com
e-mail: mary@marycampisi.com
blog: marycampisi.com/blog/
twitter: twitter.com/MaryCampisi
facebook: facebook.com/marycampisibooks
Instagram: instagram.com/marycampisiauthor/
Mary should have known she'd become a writer when at age thirteen she began changing the ending to all the books she read. It took several years and a number of jobs, including registered nurse, receptionist in a swanky hair salon, accounts payable clerk, and practice manager in an OB/GYN office, for her to rediscover writing. Enter a mouse-less computer, a floppy disk, and a dream large enough to fill a zip drive. The rest of the story lives on in every book she writes.
When she's not working on her craft or following the lives of five adult children, Mary's digging in the dirt with her flowers and herbs, cooking, reading, walking her rescue lab, Henry, or, on the perfect day, riding off into the sunset with her very own hero/husband on his Ultra Limited aka Harley.
If you would like to be notified when Mary has a new release, please sign up at http://www.marycampisi.com/book/book-...
website: marycampisi.com
e-mail: mary@marycampisi.com
blog: marycampisi.com/blog/
twitter: twitter.com/MaryCampisi
facebook: facebook.com/marycampisibooks
Instagram: instagram.com/marycampisiauthor/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 10, 2025
A Family Affair
This book made me a little cross. Beck breaks up with Kat and tells her to move on. Doesn’t tell her why or that he expected her to wait until he was ready. Then is gobsmacked when she does move on and gets married.
Then when she is divorced he makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. Everything is her fault.
Later on he blames her for being upset when his Ex is parked in his garage (so obviously still has access) and is nude except for his t shirt when Kat comes around at his invitation.
He should have been the one to apologise but acted the aggrieved party.
He was a self righteous ass.
If you can get past that then it’s an okay read.
This book made me a little cross. Beck breaks up with Kat and tells her to move on. Doesn’t tell her why or that he expected her to wait until he was ready. Then is gobsmacked when she does move on and gets married.
Then when she is divorced he makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. Everything is her fault.
Later on he blames her for being upset when his Ex is parked in his garage (so obviously still has access) and is nude except for his t shirt when Kat comes around at his invitation.
He should have been the one to apologise but acted the aggrieved party.
He was a self righteous ass.
If you can get past that then it’s an okay read.
October 19, 2020
Once upon a time, a handsome young man named Beck Durrell who fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful young woman named Katrina Marchand. They went to high school together but hadn’t really noticed each other until they were in college. Then sparks flew and cupid’s arrow landed. They loved each other so much; they had plans to marry and start a family back in their hometown once they graduated. But destiny had a way of getting in the way. Beck’s father had a near-fatal accident.
Beck dropped out of college and took over the family business to help his mother and younger sisters survive. He still loved Katrina, but he told himself that he had to let her go for her sake. She was devastated; she lost the steady ground on which she walked. And along came Brett Carlisle. Wealthy, slick Brett Carlisle whose words and deeds swept in and around her wounded heart and she married him.
Fourteen years later, Beck has a successful business, a college education that he earned at night, and the worst pain in his heart and soul. He almost married once but although she had blonde hair and blue eyes, she was not her predecessor. Katrina finally divorced her lying, cheating husband who had another family (children) one town over. She had had enough; she took her two children and moved herself with the help of her former father-in-law into a tiny home. She got herself a job thanks to her ex-brother-in-law. She was going to make it on her own.
Until she opened the door to her house to find Beck on the other side.
I cannot urge you strongly enough to read the latest of Mary Campisi’s A Family Affair series. She believes in the power of love, kindness, and redemption and she makes you a believer too!
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Instead I bought the book! I wrote an honest review anyway. It is a beautiful love story!
Beck dropped out of college and took over the family business to help his mother and younger sisters survive. He still loved Katrina, but he told himself that he had to let her go for her sake. She was devastated; she lost the steady ground on which she walked. And along came Brett Carlisle. Wealthy, slick Brett Carlisle whose words and deeds swept in and around her wounded heart and she married him.
Fourteen years later, Beck has a successful business, a college education that he earned at night, and the worst pain in his heart and soul. He almost married once but although she had blonde hair and blue eyes, she was not her predecessor. Katrina finally divorced her lying, cheating husband who had another family (children) one town over. She had had enough; she took her two children and moved herself with the help of her former father-in-law into a tiny home. She got herself a job thanks to her ex-brother-in-law. She was going to make it on her own.
Until she opened the door to her house to find Beck on the other side.
I cannot urge you strongly enough to read the latest of Mary Campisi’s A Family Affair series. She believes in the power of love, kindness, and redemption and she makes you a believer too!
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Instead I bought the book! I wrote an honest review anyway. It is a beautiful love story!
January 11, 2025
Nice second chance story, love that it’s a small town and that everyone butts into every other persons business, as expected. Deck is a good guy but full of resentments. He broke with the love of his life when he had to drop out of college due to a family emergency. He told her to live on without him. Completely broke her heart. Then when he went back to make up, found her with a new boyfriend, whom she married and had children with. And he resents her? Whose fault it was that they broke up?
There were external elements in their breakup, but there were also a lot of well-intentioned friends who meddled when she divorced. They were truly soulmates, but there was insecurity and mistrust and it made for an unstable relationship.
The book certainly held my attention, I had to skim in some parts where the author got too blabby and included stuff that had no relation to the story, but overall, I was very invested. I was also very angry at Beck for being such a stubborn fool. Katrina always gave him grace, but he didn’t. Anyhow, they got to their HEA after some twists and turns and it made for a lovely story.
There were external elements in their breakup, but there were also a lot of well-intentioned friends who meddled when she divorced. They were truly soulmates, but there was insecurity and mistrust and it made for an unstable relationship.
The book certainly held my attention, I had to skim in some parts where the author got too blabby and included stuff that had no relation to the story, but overall, I was very invested. I was also very angry at Beck for being such a stubborn fool. Katrina always gave him grace, but he didn’t. Anyhow, they got to their HEA after some twists and turns and it made for a lovely story.
October 21, 2020
I read this book as an ARC and here is my honest review. Thank you Mary Campisi for writing this amazing story! ❤️
Beck and Katrina grew up in the same town. Went off to college and found each other. Becks dad had a bad fall he had to come home and take over running the family business. Her mother had a conversation with him and told him he wasn’t good enough for Katrina. They broke up. She married an abusive man had 2 children with him. She divorced him. She had to money and no where to go. Her ex brother in law gave her a job and Becks father rented her an apartment through her ex father in law. Beck went to the apartment to do some repairs. They were both surprised to see each other. Old feelings resurfaced. They tried to avoid them. He came around to do repairs and spend time with her. They fell back in love. Her children and Beck get along great. The town of Magdalena are is Happy they got there second chance at love together!
Beck and Katrina grew up in the same town. Went off to college and found each other. Becks dad had a bad fall he had to come home and take over running the family business. Her mother had a conversation with him and told him he wasn’t good enough for Katrina. They broke up. She married an abusive man had 2 children with him. She divorced him. She had to money and no where to go. Her ex brother in law gave her a job and Becks father rented her an apartment through her ex father in law. Beck went to the apartment to do some repairs. They were both surprised to see each other. Old feelings resurfaced. They tried to avoid them. He came around to do repairs and spend time with her. They fell back in love. Her children and Beck get along great. The town of Magdalena are is Happy they got there second chance at love together!
October 23, 2020
This book is the story of Beckett Durrell and Katrina Carlisle and their heartbreaking seperation 14 years earlier. Katrina is now divorced and living with her two children Ursula and Will in a small flat and working in a grocery store in Magdalena. Beckett does all he can to stay away but fate has other plans for them.
I really enjoyed this story. Beckett was a pretty stubborn man but then I guess he had been hurt and wanted to protect his heart. Katrina wasn't very trusting but with a cheating ex-husband Brett Carlisle I imagine it must have been hard to trust any man. I loved the two kids Ursula and Will they were the sweetest and one can see how they must have melted Beck's heart. Good to see Harry, Lily and Pop doing their bit for love and matchmaking like always.
I don't think I could ever have enough of this town! Fantastic book.
I really enjoyed this story. Beckett was a pretty stubborn man but then I guess he had been hurt and wanted to protect his heart. Katrina wasn't very trusting but with a cheating ex-husband Brett Carlisle I imagine it must have been hard to trust any man. I loved the two kids Ursula and Will they were the sweetest and one can see how they must have melted Beck's heart. Good to see Harry, Lily and Pop doing their bit for love and matchmaking like always.
I don't think I could ever have enough of this town! Fantastic book.
October 23, 2020
Beck and Katrina had history together 14 years ago. When Katrina moves into a house, following her divorce from her cheating husband, she doesn't realise it is owned by Beck's company as it was his father that arranged the move. When he sends Beck to do some repairs both Beck and Katrina are shocked by the depth of their feelings for each other that still exists. However, both are wary of the hurt they caused each other in the past being repeated. This was a really moving story with some real humour thrown in courtesy of Katrina's children. Add that to the meddling well meaning folk of Magdalena and this made another lovely episode in this family affair series. Read an ARC for an honest review.
January 29, 2025
Getting to visit the village of Magdalena and its people is always a breath of fresh air. Couples who have loved and lost and find they way back together. Katrina made the biggest mistake of her life by marrying the wrong guy and now she is divorced with two kids barely surviving in a small rundown home. Beck fifteen years later has not gotten over her but emotionally has not moved on. When the town finds out Katrina is now single everyone including "Pop" gets involve in trying to get these two together as this town is known to get involve with unrequited past love. In this title we get to see past couples make a brief appearance in this book. As always with this series its like melancholy of memories that has a HEA.
January 19, 2025
‘A Family Affair: The Journey’ was heartfelt. Its moving plot was filled with heartache, reconnecting, navigating an unpleasant ex-husband’s shenanigans, mistrusting, revealing truths, trying to reconcile, having an accident, and having a second chance at love. Moreover, Beck and Kat, the protagonists, were soul mates and oozed chemistry. Also, I liked the author’s vivid descriptions including imagery, figurative language, and just-the-right word choices that created a warm tone. Overall, I liked the profound narrative.
January 19, 2025
Brett and Katrina meet again.
A Faamily affair collection consists of so many interesting and endearing stories. The characters are charming and begin to feel like friends after reading a few books. This story "The Journey " was entertaining as Brett and Katrina meet again after many years of avoiding each other. Can there be a happy ending?
A Faamily affair collection consists of so many interesting and endearing stories. The characters are charming and begin to feel like friends after reading a few books. This story "The Journey " was entertaining as Brett and Katrina meet again after many years of avoiding each other. Can there be a happy ending?
October 31, 2020
Trust
Oh how I love A Family Affair novels. They are sweet, trite and so predictable. But I love them and loved this story of Kat and Beck. Everyone needs a happily ever after story to give them hope in this grim world. Thank you Mary.
Oh how I love A Family Affair novels. They are sweet, trite and so predictable. But I love them and loved this story of Kat and Beck. Everyone needs a happily ever after story to give them hope in this grim world. Thank you Mary.
January 19, 2025
A Family Affair #19
This is the only book I have read in this series. Story was very predictable. Lots of nosy people in this town!!! I would like to give kudos to the author's mention of verbal and mental abuse. It's A real thing and so difficult to overcome, if ever.
This is the only book I have read in this series. Story was very predictable. Lots of nosy people in this town!!! I would like to give kudos to the author's mention of verbal and mental abuse. It's A real thing and so difficult to overcome, if ever.
January 30, 2025
A winner
I loved Beck and Kay. I thought the men’s names were to similar, Beck and Brett. The story is very good but everything seemed to happen at a pretty fast pace. I’ll read more by this author.
I loved Beck and Kay. I thought the men’s names were to similar, Beck and Brett. The story is very good but everything seemed to happen at a pretty fast pace. I’ll read more by this author.
January 31, 2025
Have not read other books in this series. I found this to be boring. They didn’t really communicate, if I remember correctly, till halfway through the book. They don’t talk it through even when they are in the same room.
February 5, 2025
Knowing the truth
This was a good second chance romance in small town America. They were together 14 years ago until her mother broke them up. She didn't know an out her mothers interference. Now she was divorced and just maybe she had a chance for true love.
This was a good second chance romance in small town America. They were together 14 years ago until her mother broke them up. She didn't know an out her mothers interference. Now she was divorced and just maybe she had a chance for true love.
October 20, 2020
Kat and Beck
Great story from Mary,always love continuing stories,whose next I wonder,are there any more couples in Magdalena who need reunited.Hope there is.
Great story from Mary,always love continuing stories,whose next I wonder,are there any more couples in Magdalena who need reunited.Hope there is.
November 29, 2020
I am a huge fan of Mary Campisi’s books, this like all she has written pulled me in, I love my time in Magdalena 😊❤️
January 24, 2021
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down the same as when I read theothe books in the series. Lok forward to reading more of Mary's books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down the same as when I read theothe books in the series. Lok forward to reading more of Mary's books.
July 6, 2021
A Family Affair
I have read every book in the series and wait patiently for each book release. Waiting for a Netflix series!!!
I have read every book in the series and wait patiently for each book release. Waiting for a Netflix series!!!
October 21, 2021
What a journey !
I loved this book also, all of this series is wonderful. You almost feel like your there and share in all the great people of this town.
I loved this book also, all of this series is wonderful. You almost feel like your there and share in all the great people of this town.
Want to read
January 9, 2025Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.
January 25, 2025
Great story
Great story. But from the beginning we knew the ending. I liked the characters and the way they all fit together.
Great story. But from the beginning we knew the ending. I liked the characters and the way they all fit together.
February 17, 2025
A good read
This enemies-to-friends story is meatier than many I have read. The characters jumped off the page with their realism and the plot kept me guessing,
This enemies-to-friends story is meatier than many I have read. The characters jumped off the page with their realism and the plot kept me guessing,
April 22, 2025
An easy read
June 25, 2025
really a good story, nice ending
January 31, 2025
This is the usual young lovers torn apart by people or situations that could be simply dealt with for years. This time around fourteen years. They will both end up with second or even third choices. Simply communicating could have saved them a lot of heart aches imo…
May 19, 2021
This Truth In Lies series keeps getting better and better. I enjoy reading them and this book, #19, was no exception. The town of Magdalena and it’s people believe in love, redemption and second chances no matter whether you’re a resident or just a visitor. Because you may just become a resident. This time it was a great story about Beckett Durrell and Katrina Marchard Carlisle. They have a backstory from fourteen years ago which makes it difficult for either of them to trust and love again. I enjoy immersing myself in this wonderful world. There are trials and tribulations for the people, but it gives you hope there really are second chances for love, forgiveness, friends and family. I couldn’t put this one down and now that I’m done with the book, I’m already missing the town and all the people.
Mary Campisi does a beautiful job of weaving everything together. Looking forward to what's going to happen next in this wonderful town and series.
Mary Campisi does a beautiful job of weaving everything together. Looking forward to what's going to happen next in this wonderful town and series.
May 21, 2022
Another Home Run by Mary Campisi
Another sequel in the Reunion Gap series that I couldn't put down. Always pre-order her new books. I loved it
Another sequel in the Reunion Gap series that I couldn't put down. Always pre-order her new books. I loved it
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews