Who Are The Main Characters In The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir?

Book 1 – My Dad’s Mafia Best Friend When Lyra is sent to Italy to stay with her father’s best friend, Adrian, after his business collapses in New York, her first concern is for her dad—but right behind it is the forbidden desire she’s harbored for Adrian since they met a year ago. Adrian fights his own battle, struggling to keep his best friend’s daughter out of his mind. But as the fire between them grows, resisting becomes impossible. With their age gap, the weight of taboo, and the dangerous Mafia world Lyra’s father wants to shield her from, how long can they ignore the spark between them? Book 2 – Greg and Kael’s Love Story (M/M) Fashion design student Greg is already overwhelmed—balancing classes, an internship, and the secret that his best friend’s boyfriend is a Mafia boss. The last thing he needs is trouble knocking at his door. But trouble doesn’t just knock—it sneaks in, wearing the name Kael. Greg should stay far away, but danger has never looked so tempting. As their worlds collide in a game of deception, attraction, and secrets too dangerous to expose, the question isn’t just how long Kael can hide—it’s how long Greg can resist. Book 3 – Bella and Quinn’s Love Story (W/W) Bella has spent years burying her dark past, even from her closest friends. But one mistake lands her behind bars, trapped with a mysterious woman who won’t stop getting under her skin. When an attempted poisoning leads to her breaking out from prison, Bella never expects the real shock to come after—the truth about her family, her past, and the undeniable pull toward the very woman she should be avoiding, Quinn.

After I discovered that my husband, Leonardo Marchetti, could not let go of his first love, I started teaching our daughter Sofia to call him "Uncle Leonardo." Sofia sprained her ankle at school. In the middle of the night, Leonardo got a phone call. Valentina was crying on the other end. Her daughter Lily had a nightmare and would not stop screaming for a father. Leonardo left without saying a word. I pressed an ice pack against Sofia's swollen ankle and whispered, "Say 'goodbye, Uncle Leonardo.'" Leonardo promised to come to Sofia's school sports day. Then Valentina called, sobbing that Lily had no father to run the three legged race with him. Leonardo walked out without a second thought. I just handed the phone to Sofia and told her to tell her teacher, "Uncle Leonardo says he cannot make it." Every time, Sofia hesitated. Sofia did not understand why I was making her do this. Until one day, Leonardo finally realized how much he had failed us. He put down all his mob business for Sofia's piano recital and swore he would not miss it. Sofia was backstage with the other children. Then Leonardo's phone buzzed. Valentina. I could not hear what she said, but I could guess. Lily was crying. Lily needed him. Lily did not have a father. Leonardo came back. But before Leonardo could begin his excuse, Sofia's voice came from the stage. "It is okay, Uncle Leonardo. You go take care of your other kid. Mom staying here to watch me is enough."

My mom calls me on Friday. "Don't forget about tomorrow's family dinner. Cody loves shrimps, so you should buy more of those at the seafood market in the southern district. "Lexi loves lamb chops. Go take a look in the eastern district for them. Also, don't forget to buy the imported strawberries. Noah loves them a lot." I say yes to each and every request Mom makes. But as soon as I end the call, I receive a text on the family group chat. "I've already given Eileen a list of our favorite foods. It's tough for you to earn money these days, so you shouldn't buy anything." One second later, that message is deleted. Still, I'm flabbergasted by what I just read. I've been married for two years. Every Saturday throughout those years, I'm the one paying and organizing the family dinner of the week. I thought there's no need to be so petty when it comes to family. But it seems that they've already viewed me as the outsider a long time ago. In that case, I won't be attending the family dinner anymore.

Throughout my five years of marriage with Natalia Lane, never once have I stepped through the front door of my in-laws' residence. Natalia tells me that her parents prefer quiet environments and that they prefer to be distanced from us. I believe her excuses. On the first of every month, the bank transfers three thousand dollars on time to Natalia's parents. The transaction is always labeled as "living expenses for Mom and Dad". This is my only way of caring for my in-laws. During the holidays this year, I show up outside my in-laws' residence with some holiday gifts in my arms, ready to give them a surprise. But as soon as I reach the doorway, I hear my father-in-law, Arthur Lane's gentle voice coming from within. "Come, my dear son-in-law! Let's have a nice drink together!" I remain rooted to the spot in the corridor. Suddenly, the weight of the gifts in my arms feels extremely heavy. Natalia is the only child in her family. Well then, who's the "son-in-law" that's drinking with Arthur right now?

Isabella Sinclair bears the surname of the second richest and most prestigious family in the country, but only that. His father was banished from the prominent family, for marrying his mother, a woman of humble origins. Which is why Isabella has never had any contact with her father's family. At just the age of ten, Isabella has been left alone and helpless, living on the street, because her parents have died and the bank has taken everything from her, due to the accumulated debts. Isabella's whole world has fallen apart, when something incredible happens. She receives a letter from her father's family, the wealthy Sinclair’s, inviting her to a unique family reunion, which will take place on a two-week cruise. Not having a roof over her head, Isabella decides to go without knowing the turn her life will take during this short trip, will meeting the Sinclair’s mean her salvation or her downfall?

"Everyone wants to tear them apart. But he's not giving up without a fight. The last thing Sara Flannigan needs is a man in her life. When she returns to her hometown, she vows to create a happy life for her son and to rebuild her life after a painful divorce. Yet when she meets her son’s new doctor, she can’t deny the spark of attraction that heats between them. The problem? He’s Harrison Thornton, the oldest son of the illustrious Thornton family. His family would never accept a woman like Sara, a woman who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. She tries to ignore the whispers of her past, but she soon realizes secrets can never stay hidden for long. Especially from the man claiming her wounded heart. Growing up in the rich and powerful Thornton family, Harrison has lived a charmed life. A renowned physician, the last thing he expects is to desire the mother of one of his patients. Sara is beautiful and intelligent, and she’s completely devoted to her son, something that only deepens his attraction to her. He doesn't want a single night of passion, though: he wants forever. Yet there are forces at work and people determined to tear them apart. Even Sara turns from him, certain she's unworthy. Harrison refuses to let Sara slip away, and soon, he’s fighting the greatest battle of all. The battle to win the heart of the woman he loves."