December 11, 2018 – #AmReading

Gianna Gianna is the third book in the DiMarco series by Jennifer Hanks. This is the book that begins with the epilogue of Sydney, although reading Sydney first is not required to read this book. Gianna had a one night stand at the hotel where she works as a housekeeper. The daughter of porn stars, Gianna hated that life and rebelled by living rather conservatively, with the exception of one night of loneliness on the anniversary of her parents’ deaths. Names are never exchanged, but Gianna has her friend at the front desk look up what name the room is registered under, Jackson DiMarco, when she finds herself pregnant.

A year later, Gianna decides her daughter needs to know her father, so she looks him up and travels across the country to meet him. She is tired of the Las Vegas life and wants a fresh start. She and Lexi, her toddler, show up at Jax’s house during his daughter’s birthday party, when the entire DiMarco clan is there. Soon she realizes that Jax is not the man she slept with, but his brother Brody is. The friend at the front desk didn’t realize that all the rooms for Jax’s bachelor party weekend were booked under his name.

Brody is the “quiet brother” of the DiMarcos. He had never forgotten that night and while shocked at the fact that he’s a father, he wants to make it work with Gianna and give Lexi a family. Gianna is fiercely independent, so they definitely have struggles as they explore their new family and relationship dynamics. Although Gianna has her own demons to face back in Las Vegas before they can be happy.

What I liked: I love this family. The DiMarcos are a large, loud, and loving Italian family who are always there for each other. Gianna is an only child who practically raised herself, and isn’t quite sure what to make of them at first. Mrs Stuben, the hilariously nosy elderly neighbor of Sydney’s is back in this book, too, and she’s more of a busybody than ever. I love how Brody embraces being a father, too.

What I didn’t like: I can’t think of anything I didn’t like. This whole series has been fantastic so far.

Overall: A really good book.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Blurb

Sex, Revenge, and a Mother’s determination to protect her daughter at any cost creates a firestorm around the Dimarco brothers, especially the one who just met his daughter.

One. Night. Stand.

For Gianna Taylor that’s all it was supposed to be. A night to be someone she’s never been, to be free from the circumstances a tragedy forced upon her.

To step out from the shadows where she hides – if only for one night.

When that night gives her a daughter, desperation forces her into a world she’s spent her entire life avoiding – and towards a man who seems dedicated to freeing her.

But people are not always as they appear.

She seeks out the man who gave her a night she’s never forgotten, to introduce him to a daughter he’s never known, but she doesn’t expect his reaction.

Or the intensity of the feelings between them.

A Dimarco man never abandons his family and never runs from his responsibilities. When Gianna explodes back into his life, the fire he felt one night burns hotter than before. Staying away from her becomes impossible, regardless of the demons threatening to destroy his well-controlled life.
As Gianna’s past resurfaces, they’re forced to face their feelings for each other, as well as the fears that plague them, all while trying to stop the man determined to destroy her.

With a future so unclear and a past proving inescapable, will she choose to follow her heart?

Or stay in the safety of the hauntingly familiar shadows?

This is the third book in the Dimarco Series. Can be read as a standalone.

About the author

15089051 Jennifer Hanks is the author of The Dimarco Series as well as The Elite Securities Series. Her stories are contemporary romance and romantic suspense, all with the underlying message of the power and strength in love. She’s also a sucker for a Happily-Ever-After. Her love of reading and books in general started at a very young age and has steadily grown into a love of writing as well. She admits to being addicted to all things romance and has no plans of quitting her habit. Jennifer lives in Pennsylvania with her two children. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found with her kids at their various activities. Her house is frequently filled with any combination of her children’s friends, nieces, nephews and a variety of pets.