Heart of Deception

by Annalynn Nicole

Valentina has always done as she was told since childhood. When her father wanted her to marry a man of his choosing, she agreed even though she knew what kind of man he was.

She plays the part of the perfect fiancée but that wasn’t enough for him to keep his hands off her.


The night before her wedding, his anger got the best of him and took it out on her. Under the cover of darkness, she was finally able to escape and change everything about herself, including her name.


That night Lina emerged, and she begins her new life with a new name and working as a maid for Damiano Morelli. She has sworn off all men, so matter how attracted she is to him she has to remind herself that she can never be with him. She refuses to drag Damiano or his adorable son in her complicated life.


What happens when your past doesn’t stay buried where you had it?


What happens when one little boy becomes your whole world even though he doesn't belong to you?

What lengths will you go to keep him and his father safe from what is hunting you?

220 pages, ebook

Published February 23, 2024

About the author

Annalynn Nicole is a mother of two autistic boys and a wife to her high school sweetheart. Every day she is determined to be the best wife and mother for her family. Even though our life is different and unique, our house is full of love. In her free time she emerges herself in writing her books of strong heroine characters with crazy plots.

Annalynn Nicole is a dark mafia romance author who loves to keep her reader's on the edge of their seat as she takes them on an emotional rollercoaster.

**Annalynn Nicole's books are filled with trigger warnings**

Reviews

[Bookbun8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of Deception is book 5 in the De Luca Series. I thought this series can't get any better, yet it did! Annalynn took us on another ride that made our hearts and heads spin!

I love the book, Damiano, Dante, Lina, and of course, our favourite problem maker Emilia ❤️

It's incredibly intriguing, spicy, funny, and has just the right amount of action. I hated what Lina had to go through, but she came out stronger, and with Damiano on her side, it was all the better.

Even though the MMC was not as much of an idiot as the rest of the made men, except for Salvatore he was never stupid 😏, he Damiano definitely didn't disappoint.

What I loved the most was how Dante always said Serenity will be his wife and Salvatore keeps on threatening him 😂😂 I would love to see a book about these two love birds ❤️

All I can say is that I'm extremely happy that I'm a part of Annalynn's ARC readers and I'm so excited to read her next book 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️

[Rebecca Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! Valentina is amazing and I love her. Damiano and his son are Wonderful. This story was a rollercoaster of emotion. I think this is my favorite of the series so far!

[Jacqueline Halle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: I no longer ARC read for this author and have stopped following all their social media pages.

Book 5 of the DeLuca Series has the meeting of Damiano and Lina. Decent MMC and FMC, I didn't hate either. Plus this book has the Dante follow up we all were waiting for!

This is a dark mafia romance book, content warnings can be found at the author's website. Includes kidnapping, trafficking

[Donna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurb:
Valentina has always done as she was told since childhood. When her father wanted her to marry a man of his choosing, she agreed even though she knew what kind of man he was.

She plays the part of the perfect fiancée but that wasn’t enough for him to keep his hands off her.


The night before her wedding, his anger got the best of him and took it out on her. Under the cover of darkness, she was finally able to escape and change everything about herself, including her name.


That night Lina emerged, and she begins her new life with a new name and working as a maid for Damiano Morelli. She has sworn off all men, so matter how attracted she is to him she has to remind herself that she can never be with him. She refuses to drag Damiano or his adorable son in her complicated life.


What happens when your past doesn’t stay buried where you had it?


What happens when one little boy becomes your whole world even though he doesn't belong to you?

What lengths will you go to keep him and his father safe from what is hunting you?

Alright so if you have read Annalynn Nicole’s previous books in this series. Then bless your heart you already know what you are in for. And all I can say is hot damn she has done it again with Heart of Deception, book 5 in the De Luca series Annalynn just has a way of hooking you in from the start with her writing. That you become so invested in the story and the characters. And you never want to put the book down. Or at least that’s the way it is for me. I have binge read all five of the deluca books. And I’m not only obsessed I’m in love.

If you love a good mafia book with a some darkness to them, check out the trigger page first as always before reading. We don’t want anyone getting triggered or upset when reading these books.

In this book we find that Lina is on the run from an abusive ex and has an extremely painful past. She did the only thing she could and that was run and stay hidden so he couldn’t find her. But as luck would have, thankfully she is offered a job as a maid for Damiano – a man left to bring up his son alone. never expecting to find someone to take his heart and love his son. Damiano and Dante is what has been missing from Lina’s life. Not only does she bring them light and love to their household. But they have given her a love that she had only dreamed about.
But never once believed she could have such a wonderful love.

[Charlene Alana Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the series and each book just keeps getting better and better. Emilia and Mateo are still my faves!! Hands down, but each book I read I fall in love with all the couples and characters they all have a special place in my heart. I love annalynn's books, they take you into a dark and twisted world. And this book wasn't any different, it's one hell of a rollercoaster ride and what a ride it took me on. It's action packed with spice, romance,loss, angst, grief and so much more, with twists and turns that can keep you up at night and I was here for it all. Once I started I just couldn't put it down, it had me torn up and sucked right in and I loved every dark, raw ,real and dirty bit off it.

Damiano is thrust into the world off fatherhood after so many years of not knowing. When him and his mafia family go on a rescue mission to save his son and his mother, but they get there too late, Kelly dantes mother has been shot taking the bullet for her son and begs him to take care of their son. And he does just that. After getting settled into there new roles as father and son and grieving together there life's are about to get a little bit more entertaining to say the least.

Valentina aka Lina has been going through alot born into a family that see you as ugly, useless and a whole load off other things never showing you love and don't care that they are sending you off to marry a monster of a man. That beats you and spews vile words whenever he can. But after beating her and leaving her the night before her wedding her brother and his friend finds her an helps her escape to somewhere she can heal and be free.

That's when she gets a new job and meets her new boss damiano and they both share a deep connection but can't let anything happen that is until it all changes and they share a special night just for to be kidnapped not once but twice. And he will rain hell down on the people responsible for it.

I'm not going to say anything else you need to read it for yourself trust me it's worth it. I loved how we got to witness Lina get stronger and overcome what she has gone through. All the characters, storyline and plot where amazing. And her bratty side had me laughing so much. They two are so made for each other. I can't wait for the next book. Highly recommend!!

[Allison Comis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was about Valentina. She was told she needed to marry a man that she didn’t want to. The night before their wedding he hurt her a lot and her brother and his best friend found in the morning beaten pretty good. They got her on a plane and out of there. She was living at a shelter. She met a woman who told her about a job as a maid. She took it and they were able to get a new identity. She worked for Damiano for a while. There was another maid who was not very nice to anyone. One day she tripped Lina (new identity) and Dante (Damiano’s son) saw it and she hurt her wrist. She was mean to Dante as well. Damiano saw it and fired her on the spot and told security to get her out of the house and she wasn’t allowed back. Damiano had to go away for a week for work and so Bridget (the one that got fired) came back to the house and was being mean again to Dante and Lina overhead him tell her she wasn’t allowed in the house and she hit him. She lied to the guards that let her back in the house and said Lina did it. Dante tried to tell them it wasn’t her but they didn’t believe him and she got taken out of the house with only the clothes on her back. She was walking back to the shelter when a car stopped and it turns out it was someone her ex fiance hired someone to find her. She was taken back to him. But also Dante snuck out of the house to get to school because Bridget and the guards locked him in his room after hurting him really bad. When he got to school his cousin called her parents after Dante told her he was fine but she didn’t believe him. This is how Damiano found out what happened and flew back home immediately. Damiano was panicking and he had everyone looking for Lina and he had his family handle the 3 that hurt Dante. Damiano found her right before she was married to her ex fiancé. This got really good after this. I love all of Annalynn’s books.

[Gemma Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so if you have read Annalynn Nicole’s previous books then you know what you are in for and let me tell you she has done it again with Heart of Deception, book 5 in the De Luca series She has a way of hooking you in from the start that you become invested in the story and the characters.

You doesn’t love a good mafia book with a darkness to them, check out the trigger page first as always before reading.

Lina is on the run from an abusive ex and has a painful past, she has done the one thing she could and that was run and stay hidden. As lucks has it she is offered a job as a maid for Damiano – a man left to bring up his son alone, never expecting to find someone to take his heart and love his son. Damiano and Dante are the missing pieces to Lina’s life, she not only brings light to them but them bring her a love she never thought she would have.

I binged this book as I honestly could not put it down and loved how he see all our loveable characters again in this story. This story flows from start to finish and you never get that sense that parts are fillers, everything leads into the next stint in the story.

[Stacey Foss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to read Damiano's story as we have learned so much about him throughout this series and I am so happy to see him get his HEA. Valentina/Lina has been taught to be the meek woman by her family who arranged a marriage to an abuse man. When her brother helps her escape she starts to heal and becomes the amazing sassy, spitfire that Damiano never knew he needed. When Lina starts working for Damiano she notices him from the start. They have a connection that they both feel even though she gives him a run for his money he goes for what he wants and takes it. He does not make the mistakes like the other men in the De Luca family it was still fun to read him run around after her. Dante brought so much more to this story I loved that he was a huge part of the book and how he is determined to make Serenity his wife in the future, I cross my fingers we get to see that. There is still action and mafia goodness and the series keeps getting more and more complex and exciting. I love how this series is connected through each book. Can't wait to get more of this delicious series. I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.

[redreads4861 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANNNALYNN does it once again.. I don't know what she puts in these books but let me tell you they will get you hooked and you won't be able to stop. This series is in my top 3!! I has kept me hooked from the very first word.
If you like mafia books and have no triggers this series needs to be on your TBR.

Damiano never expected to find someone who his heart and soul connected with again. He thought that only one person could do that and he lost her. But here comes Lina (Nikolina/Valentina) into his life to work for him as a maid. Damiano and his son Dante both ended up feeling like she was the missing link. Lina was hiding from an abusive and traumatic past. She always knew it was only a matter of time before that past came back and she was dead set on living her life while she could. Little did she expect for Damiano to save her every time.

I loved every second of this and couldn't put it down until I was finished.

[Spicy BookNook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh my love for Annalynn's books just continue to grow and grow. This one is another fantastic one, of course!

This book follows Damiano and Lina. Lina has had probably one of the worst upbringings I have ever encountered and it's just soul crushing. That is until her big bada$$ mafia man comes to her rescue. But she doesn't easily give into him nor is accepting of him. He has to really try his absolute hardest to show her how much she truly does mean to him.

Oh Lina, my sweet Lina. She is the epitome of the word brat 🤣 pretty much my spirit animal lol! I love everything about her. Her strength. Her love. And her adoration for her new family 🖤 it is so heart warming watching her story unfold.

Damiano, whoa this man. He's a Dom, so I'm sure you can just guage what kind of person he is. Haha. His mouth. His punishments. Everything about this man....is mouth watering. What does that say about me? Haha.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of Deception by AnnaLynn Nocole is book five in the De Luca Mafia Series. I will start off by saying this book is not a standalone, you have to read the series in order for them to make sense and to get the full experience. What an experience it is. If you’re a fan of dark mafia romance then these books are right up your alley. I read this book so fast, I couldn’t nor wanted to put it down. It was well written with a steady flow that just had me hooked. Also I would check trigger warnings to be on the safe side. I really enjoyed reading Lina and Damiano story unfold. She had such a strength in her; was easy to see how she got through her past. Then there’s Damiano… he’s just in a league of his own. Holy smokes he has quite the tongue on him. But in all seriousness this book was interesting and spicy and just a blast to read. If you enjoy heart pounding mafia stories then look no further than this series right here.

Final review:
5 out of 5 stars

[Irish_I_was_reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is classified as Dark Mafia Romance, and is book five of the series. It does have a trigger warning list: abuse, being buried alive, abandonment, graphic torture, death of a parent. According to the author, the book is to be read in order, and I have to agree with her. This book is also written in first person.

This book has multiple point of views: Damiano, Valentina, Unknown, Emilia, and Fabio. Damiano lost the love of his life, and had a child with her. Valentina goes by Lina, and was forced to marry an abuser but runs away from the wedding. We do find out early on who Unknown is, but they were trying to find Lina. Emilia is the female main character in book one. Fabio is a hacker, as well as the Capo of the Mafia.

I gave this book five stars. The reason behind that is due to how well it was written. I will reread this book because it was absolutely amazing and I couldn't put it down.

[Reba Densley]

Okay, this book is a really good one. Damiano is a little rough around the edges but he takes no crap when it comes to his son. He's already lost the love of his life, so he just wants to focus on his son and helping him in any way he can until he meets her.... Lina. Lina only wants to be free from her family and the marriage they are trying to force her into. They all treat her like the dirt on the end of their shoe. She goes into hiding and ends up taking a job working as a maid for Damiano. She loves her job, but she loves being around Dante. She ends up getting hurt trying to protect Dante and ends up back in the wrong hands. But Damiano moves heaven and earth to get her back. He refuses to let anyone or anything stop him from getting what he wants. Damiano and Lina get their happy ending, but it's a process. You won't want to miss this amazing read. You won't want to miss the banter with Dante and his girlfriend/future wife.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of Deception is book five of the De Luca Mafia Series. This is one of the more tamer books when it involves the women and what they have to go through, but it still has some dark elements.

Valentina is scared of her past catching up to her, so she is extra cautious with what she does. She tries to fly under the radar but Damiano has her in his sights. She really doesn't want anyone to get hurt if her past does emerge from the shadows.

Damiano was quite persistent with his interest in Valentina. I loved the dynamic between Dante, Damiano's son, and Valentina. Even before anything happened between the two, Dante thought of Valentina as a sort of mother and caregiver. He was protective over her and did what he could to protect her. I liked that father and son both had the same protective instincts.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much. The whole series is in my top five favorite. Each book gives you even more of an insight of the family that is made. The two main characters in this book are amazing. I feel so bad for all that the main male character for all he has to deal with. Though the main female character has to deal with her own demons. One that hasn’t fully gone away. I enjoyed reading how these two come together and find their way into their relationship. Though the parents of both main characters could use some reprogramming of the brain if you know what I mean. Maybe both need to be visited by Emilia. Or maybe even Nonna with her wooden spoon. That would be a sight to see. I love how even though there is no blood relations they have and continue to build their own family. I can’t wait to read more from this series and this family.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of Deception by Annalynn Nicole is the story of Damiano and Lina. She’s on the run from a brutal arranged marriage. A friend gets her a job as a maid within the home of Damiano. For years, she loved this job and the family…then, everything changes and life as she knew it, is about to end.
Sooooo loved these two!!!! Damiano is a no-nonsense, by the books, strict employer. Lina is a bit rebellious, a huge brat, and ready for whatever might come her way…

Really loved this story! Had some difficulty with the LEVEL of bratty behavior from Lina. She’s way over the top in this regard, in my opinion. Damiano allows her to get away with much more than he should…but, I kinda get it. Anyhow, loved the story! Loved the characters (mostly), and loved the story line!!! Great read!!!

[Megan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start? One Annalynn Nicole I love all your books. The world you have created is wonderful. you have a strong female character that goes through hell and back but always ends up on top. you have a male character who wants nothing but the best for his family and his women This book made me laugh and cry. I couldn't put it down.
This story is based on Damiano and Lina. And the hell both these characters go through tugs at your heartstrings. Lina lived a quiet life after she escaped from her awful fiancee, she changed everything about her and she finds herself a job as a maid for Damiano. Damiano never thought he would fall for another after what happened to Kelly his first love. Not until he meets his new maid Lina.

[Anaceli Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welp, I am a girl in love!!!

I am obsessed and Damiano can take me away any day!!

This book has definitely jumped to my number one spot in the De Luca series. I have been waiting for Damiano’s story since his son Dante came into the picture.

Lina, Lina, Lina, this sweet woman stolen my heart with the way she protected Dante and her bratiness towards Damiano. I couldn’t stop laughing!

I loved everything about this book!

Dante the sweet boy who 12 claiming his butterfly and being a little shit head who craves love is just priceless. This little boy is so fierce and protective over Lina it is so cute! Dante and Lina’a bond is one of the most magical things in the story!

Damiano is my soul!!! 🫠🫶🏽


PS I can’t wait for Fabio’s story!!!!!! I need it ASAP! 👀

[Jaime Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of Deception is the 5th book in the De Luca Family Mafia Series. I swear that Annalynn Nicole out does herself with each book. I never want to leave the world she has built when I get close to finishing her books. This book is about Damiano and Lina (Valentina), and you will not be disappointed. Both characters have been through a lot. I don’t like spoilers so Im not going to say what happens, so you will have to go grab it to find out what it’s all about, but if you have read any of Annalynn’s books then you won’t want to miss this. If you haven’t, I recommend you start now! I can’t wait to read the next book!

As always be mindful of the trigger warnings because what I like you may not.
Happy Reading!

[Rosalyn Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better !!
All the woman this series go through hell but then find their man and become the badass woman they do !

Damiano, Dante, Lina, are the man characters in this book and god love them !! Damiano again sees Lina and falls in love with her at first site and Lina is a strong and sassy woman who stands and works for herself !!

This story is intriguing, spicy, funny, and always keeps going wondering what is going to happen next !! I can’t put these books down ! I love Dante and can’t wait to watch him grow in the books !! Amd the way Lina came in and took care of him as his mom ( step mom ) I loved !!

Can’t wait to read the rest of the series !!

[ellesbooklife · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBSESSED with Damiano, I was a Salvatore girly, which if you don’t know, he is from book two ✨Ruthless Retribution✨ but mannnnn Damiano definitely made it up there. Who doesn’t love a single dad? And in the mafia?! Um yes please 🔥 He’s a devoted father who lost the mother of his child and his sole focus was his son. Then a beautiful soul named Alina comes to work for him as his maid and he can’t keep his eyes (or other body parts) under control around her 😆 She has a dark past and doesn’t want any of it to touch Damiano or his his son Dante who she has fallen in love wjth. Even with that dark past comes to light, Damiano is determined to save his precious Lina and will do whatever it takes to keep her safe 🖤 But don’t let the sweetness fool you…. The Dom in Damiano is also out to play when Lina decides to act bratty… 😏🌶️

Loved this story so much 🖤

[Rose Helg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 5, of the " De Luca Mafia Series." This book was Awesome. Her books are getting better and better. I 💓 this book and series. You must start with book 1, to understand, this series. This is not a standalone book. I 💓 Damian and Valentina. I couldn't put it down.
This book has Mafia, wonderful characters, dark, twisted, unpredictable, marriage to a monster, kidnapped, rollercoaster ride, single dad, rollercoaster of emotions, action pack, HEA, page turner, romantic, steamy, attitude, hot, and so much more. You will not be sorry, to read this book and series. You will be Hook, on book 1. Awesome Books!!!

[C Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a sigh of relief that Damiano finally got his happy ending after the trauma he went through. I’m so glad that Dante has a mom and a family after what he had to witness.
This book was hard to put down and I could’ve finished it quickly, but college.

Damiano: works with the Delucas, owns his own businesses. Dante’s dad. Didn’t get his chance with Kelly.
Dante: Damiano’s son. Lost his mom, Kelly, after he watched her get shot in front of him.
Lina: went through a lot to escape and find Damiano. She has been the best mom to Dante and wife to Damiano. Of course, the best mom to their other kids as well.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on the most dramatic emotional roller coaster I’ve been on in a long time — and I would absolutely ride it again.

My heart ached for Lina. Escaping an abusive partner and living under a new identity just to survive… it was heartbreaking and so emotionally raw. The mental exhaustion she must have felt came through the pages.

And Damiano — thrown into fatherhood without warning — stepped up in such a powerful, compassionate way. He didn’t just rise to the occasion; he embraced it.

This story broke me, healed me, and stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Highly recommend if you want something that hits hard emotionally.

[Belinda Clemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy we got this one next because I really loved Damiano and Dante during their scene in the last DeLuca book. Lina is running from her family and ends up as Dantes nanny. I really loved the way they first meet hehe. The classic trip over your own feet bit. I also love the way Dante says Serenity is his future wife so adorable. Lina and Damiano are just so perfect together. This book was just fantastic I enjoyed every minute of the drama action healing and just all the emotions I had while reading throughout the entire book.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 5 in the De Luca series. It's about Valentina and Damiano. Valentina has been through hell, yet come out on top. I love the pace of the series and how Annalynn built her strong characters. I've always loved Mafia based series but this has been by far the best I've read in a long time. I'm dreading the day Annalynn says thanks fans for following the De Luca series but this is the end of the road for them all. I think my heart would break. I'd love for Annalynn to write about the children and their future partners. This series is a must. You won't regret taking the leap with Annalynn Nicole.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lina does what she is supposed to and is abused by her fiancé who is only after her father’s business.

Damiano who owns a BDSM club and a strip club father of an amazing little boy.

Lina runs away from her fiancé before they can marry and in the process of hiding starts working for damiano. His son Dante takes a liking to Lina and listens to her. Damiano decides to make her his and will do anything to protect her

The spice is amazing and the story line keeps him captivated. Another book I couldn’t put down. Highly recommend it.

[Christina Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lina works as a maid for Damiano for the last few years, and they are secretly attracted to each other. They both fight the attraction. Damiano’s son Dante has stolen Lina’s heart. They both have dangerous secrets. Can they be together as a family? Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing book I love Lina, Damiano, and Dante and their dynamic. Great supporting characters. This book has sarcasm, mystery and intrigue, and the spice is so good. I absolutely love this world

[Kirsty W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lina and Damiano’s Story; She’s running from her past and he’s just living his life as a single father, business man and Higher up in the Italian Mafia. Years later hiding out as his maid, Lina and Damiano are forced to face their feelings when she’s kidnapped and his son is hurt, the only way to protect his new family is to marry her and deal with all those who would see them separated. Spice level: 3.

[Liz Ranne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's Valentina & Damiano's story & it was a great one! This poor girl has been through hell. This isn't an easy read, please mind your TW's. Her "family" & "fiancé" have been so awful to her & when she finally gets away from them, she finds safety. Then she starts working for Damiano & let's just say I'm so glad someone got their reckoning. The spice was awesome & I can't wait for more!! Highly recommend this series & author!