Undercover Wish

Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency #0.5

by Danielle Grandinetti

Wealth is but an illusion, hers to wield and his to escape.

CHICAGO, Ill., 1892—Stunt reporter Ali Di Stasio will risk anything to expose the truth and protect her fellow orphans, including rummaging through trash bins and putting herself in the crosshairs of the dangerous elite. After living on the streets, she knows every corner of her city, which means she can stay one step ahead of the cops, the powerful men who'd love to silence her before she can reveal their secrets, and the occasional wealthy bachelor wandering through her alleyways, lost and in danger of being mugged.

Griff Moorland, heir-apparent to his father's shipping enterprise, is summoned home to Chicago's wealthiest neighborhood for one marriage. Worse, his choices are to marry the conniving daughter of his father's business partner or an heiress with a sizable dowry. If he doesn't comply before the contract to bring in steel for the Columbian Exposition ends? His ailing mother will be stranded across an ocean, homeless.

Caught between keeping his mother alive and his father's questionable business practices, Griff needs a way out of the bind his father has put him in. When Ali swoops in like a knight in shining armor, she insists the pen is mightier than a sword. But with the Chicago World's Fair fast approaching, sinister forces conspire against them. Will love prove only a mirage, or will it be strong enough to set them free?


La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.
A Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency origin story and a retelling of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.

Fans of Danielle Grandinetti’s 1930s historical romance will enjoy Undercover Wish, the prequel that introduces the founder of the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency and bridges Harbored in Crow's Nest with this new series.


Read the Whole Series
1892 - Undercover Wish
Book 1: 1931 - Eyewitness Sketch
Book 2: 1932 - Sabotage Games
Book 3: 1932 - Shrouded Trail
Book 4: 1933 - Fraudulent Progress
Book 5: 1935 - Pursuing Dust
Book 6: 1936 - Hostile Ally

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 1, 2026

About the author

Danielle Grandinetti writes both historical romantic suspense and contemporary sweet romance. She is an avid reader and her writing has won the University of Northwestern Distinguished Faith in Writing Award. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.

Reviews

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't like to read about fairy tales because they aren't usually my genre of books BUT with that said, Undercover Wish (Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency) Novella is totally different than any fairytale retelling I've ever read. This is a Aladdin and the Magic Lamp retelling, it puts a whole different spin on a story that I have always loved. We have Ali who is a stunt reporter goes under the name of Ali Di Stasio who is trying to expose the truth and protect her fellow orphans, as she was one herself growing up. She ends up in the crosshairs of a dangerous elite group in the city of Chicago. She lived on the streets herself so she is used to sleuthing and gathering information. Griff Moorland, heir to his father's shipping company comes home from England to be set to be married. There is a sinister plot here at play that neither Griff or Ali understand. Ali, who Griff calls the White Flower girl (if my memory serves me correctly), they knew each other when Griff's mother used to visit the orphanage where Ali is when they were just little children. Griff is instantly attracted and pulled toward Ali, so he chooses to set out and help her undercover the truth of the elites in the city's corrupt plans. I love how the author told this story with such intrigue and danger. Faith and Hope for the future and plans to redeem a circumstance that seems unredeemable. Ive been a true Historical Romance Fan through this. I can't wait for more in this series to come soon. There will be plenty to look forward to with the Di Stasio series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views and opinions expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prequel to the new Ali DiStasio series drew me into the story immediately with its realistic portrayal of children in an orphanage, local corruption in Chicago, and an intrepid female reporter who goes undercover to expose secrets and lies. Ali is courageous, foolhardy at times and always faithful to those who are downtrodden and need her help. In this prequel, she meets Griff Moorland, a young man who needs help investigating what is going on with his father’s business, but he has no idea how to accomplish the task until Ali leads him into a dangerous plan. The characters were delightfully realistic, portrayed with heart and whimsy as Ali and Griff rush to save the funding for the orphanage and Griff’s future inheritance. The story was a fast-paced and engaging story that had me absorbed in the tale of taking on the giants of corruption without thoughts about encountering death or danger. I am really looking forward to the first book in the series that will tell more about Ali and Griff’s adventures together.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Jane Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Griff Moorland has been summoned home to Chicago from England for an arranged marriage. Griff wants no part of this since his intended is not a nice person. Griff wants to marry for love and has to dodge several planned parties to keep out of her hands. Ali Di Stasio is an orphan turned reporter who knows lots of secrets on rich men and their behind-the-scenes schemes. Ali knows the city of Chicago really well and needs to use her knowledge and wiles several times to avoid the police. She has a secret ally who helps deflect the police and others. Follow Griff and Ali's story through some scary and dangerous trips while trying to outsmart the intended fiancé and her father. You will be very surprised by the twists and turns of this story. Highly recommend if you like historical mystery. I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher but these are my own words and thoughts.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read!! Quick and charming, just like its heroine. Ali is a real treat—a lovely blend of wit and grit—and Grandinetti does a fabulous job bringing her to life. I'm sometimes wary of "feisty" or "spunky" heroines, but Ali is just awesome. I was rooting for her and grinning with her. (I also love all the Italian words she sprinkles in :D). Perhaps the only thing I loved more than Ali was... the Misses Jefferson. *star-and-heart-eye emojis* They are amazing, and I hope we get to see more of them in the upcoming books in this series. Would read many books about just them, too, tbh.

[Chosengirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ali is a reporter who goes undercover to help children in Chicago. Griffith is back home to see his father who is wanting him to get married quickly. Both Ali and Griffith meet each other after he follows her leaving his home. Ali is on a mission to find out why Griffiths fathers no longer wants to support the orphanage and what he is really doing. Griffith mother has been supporting the orphanage and wants to help Ali find out what's going on. There is much that happens in this book. I was given a copy of the book by the author. All thoughts are my own.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella , "Undercover Wish", which is a prequel to Danielle Grandinetti's upcoming "DiStasio Giornaliste Agency" series. It was great to get the backstory on how the agency started since the owner of the agency in the rest of the novels is in her 60's. In this book she's in her 20's.

This sets up the series nicely and is a sweet and clean romance.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.