Hidden Worthiness
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- 29,00 kr
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- 29,00 kr
Publisher Description
Twenty years ago, as a young Pagano Brothers soldier, Donnie Goretti was horribly injured on the job. The devastating scars of that attack led him to be known as "The Face."
Since then, he's been alone, reminded daily that he's too ugly to look at, much less to love. He devoted himself instead to his work, and he rose through the ranks to become the underboss of the Pagano Brothers family.
Now, he is a man of wealth, influence, and respect. In the day, he's a powerful executive and philanthropist. In the night, he's the don's ruthless right hand. When he wants companionship, he has it; there will always be women attracted to his status. But he harbors no delusions that they care about him. How could they, when they can hardly bear to look at him?
When he meets Arianna Luciano, a principal dancer with the Rhode Island Ballet, Donnie offers her the same arrangement he's offered many other women. He's armored his heart with cool reserve and an arsenal of iron-clad rules about what he expects, what he'll allow, and what he'll give in exchange.
But Ari doesn't like rules, and she wants no part of Donnie's offer. She sees his scars as signs of his pain, markers of his history. They are nothing to be ashamed of. They don't diminish his worth. She wants the chance to fall in love.
If only she could make him believe it.
Customer Reviews
Amazing! Love the Pagano’s
Donnie locked away his heart for twenty years. It was kept safe behind bars ever since his right side of his face got burned off. For twenty years he hasn’t kissed any woman on the mouth. Only 2 women gets to kiss his face. His boss - Nick’s wife Bev and their daughter Carina. Donnie has condemned himself to a life without love. He’s had his share of mistresses but never a woman he let into his heart. The Pagano Family is his life. Nick and his wife and their kids are his family.
I couldn’t wait to see how Arianna would claim his heart and how Donnie would claim hers as well. It’s not easy to let go or welcome change after twenty years where you’ve lived your life by certain rules to protect yourself.
Arianna changes everything for Donnie. It takes time and that’s what I appreciate about this author’s storytelling. Donnie and Arianna’s character development is incredible. Especially Donnie’s. How he goes from a closed off man to letting Arianna inside. Their evolution was beautifully explored and depicted. He takes a risk and opens himself up to the possibility of being hurt or loved. He lets her see the real Donnie. Scars and all.
Arianna is a ballerina and doesn’t care about looks. She’s around beautiful people every day because of her work. For her it’s what’s inside that matters. She’s persistent and patient in her relationship with Donnie. She doesn’t want to be another mistress. She wants more and was the perfect woman for Donnie. He had to wait twenty years but she was worth it.
Another thing I absolutely love about this series are the Pagano Brothers and their friendships. Especially Donnie and Nick. They are not brothers by blood but it definitely feels like it. They trust each other explicitly. Also Nick and how he cares for Donnie and Arianna. There’s so much love between these characters.
I’m hoping this is not the end of this fabulous series.Angie the Enforcer needs his own book.
4.5 Stella Mia Stars