Worth the Risk

Worth It All #1

by Liz Durano

He's the billionaire CEO set on demolishing my community center. I'm the activist willing to risk everything to save it.

When Declan Pierce offers me a so-called “collaboration,” I know it’s a trap. But it might also be the only chance to protect my father’s legacy.

The real danger? The way this devastatingly handsome enemy looks at me—like I matter more than profit margins.

Can love survive when loyalty and legacy are on the line?

When enemies become lovers, some battles are worth losing. Some risks are worth taking. But can love survive when everything hangs in the balance?

Genres: Romance

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2025

About the author

Liz writes emotional angsty romance and women's fiction. When she's not writing, she's usually stepping all over her son's Legos.

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Reviews

[Vivien Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like any other book by Liz I was immediately invested in the road to a HEA and how the characters would interact. And like any other book by Liz I was not disappointed, the chemistry and sizzle factor was high. The determination and strength of Maya was just what the heroine needed. And the hero was an alpha who just needed the right woman to open him up for better things! Throw in some heartfelt actions at saving a Community Centre and you had a book that ticket all boxes.
Liz continues and always will be a one click favourite of mine! Long may she write the stories I love to read that are full of love, chemistry and a journey anyone would like for themself!

[Cheryl Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book from this author and I was delighted by this enemies to lovers story.

Declan Pierce is the CEO of Pierce Enterprises. He believes that the profits per fiscal quarter are all that matters.

"The reminder hits like cold water. Highland isn't my only project - it's not even my primary focus this quarter. I have three major developments in various stages of planning, each one representing millions in potential revenue."

Maya Navarro is the director of the Highland Community Center which faces demolition at the hands of Pierce Enterprises in favour of luxury apartments.

"" Six weeks," I say."That's all the time you've given us before demolition begins. Six weeks to find eight hundred and forty-three people somewhere else to gather, to celebrate, to feel like they belong. I hope you can live with that, Mr. Pierce.""

These two getting together needed a miracle in the form of Declan changing his views and the help of his enigmatic and all-knowing friend, Elliot. This story was a joy to read.

I received an advance review copy for an honest review.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Billionaire romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Close proximity

This book was so interesting! Featuring a community center program manager, Maya, who is passionate about the center's impact to the Filipino community. Her father ran the center before he passed, and Maya intends to continue his legacy. However, this may be difficult to do since when a development company, led by CEO Declan Pierce, buys the community center to build luxury apartments.

Declan is running the company after his father passes, but it is not his life's passion. Even so, he is stunned to be informed from Maya that protocols he thought were in place have been ignored. Intrigued by her, Declan convinces the board to let him try to smooth things over.

However, once he gets involved with the center and Maya, Declan isn't convinced his company is making the right decision... Will he be the advocate the center needs?

This book had a sassy, but big hearted FMC and a billionaire MMC that was truly swoony. What a lovely read!

[Read.Review.Repeat Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my first book by this author and it won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Declan and Maya are enemies and rightly so. Declan has a one track mind and Maya is trying to save the community center. Maya is strong and determined and I loved her. The story flowed, the characters felt like real life, their chemistry was intense, and I could not wait to read their hea. However I was sad to see their story end. I'll definitely follow this series and read every single one. ~Andrea


"Maya and Declan's story shows that through all types of partnership, love can exist. They met as adversaries, shared goal made them partners. Declan and Maya come from completely different worlds, but fate made them partners in business and in life. Each of us has the power to affect change.

This is a story of activism and partnership. Of fighting for what you believe in. Of finding love in the unlikeliest of places. The pages turned quickly as I consumed this story in a couple of hours. " ~Cindy

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series, and this is Maya and Declan’s story.
Maya is sassy, enthusiastic, and fearless, and she has 30 days to save the Highland Community Center, and Declan is a billionaire CEO whose company is planning to destroy it. Maya storms into Declan’s boardroom and refuses to leave. These two may meet as adversaries, but a shared goal makes them a partnership in business.
This is a well written easy to read story, with emotions, actions, close proximity, enemies / lovers, tension, intrigue, romance, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable compelling page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Up All Night With Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a swoon-worthy romance read! This has all of my favorite tropes so of course when i saw it was a Billionaire, enemies to lovers book I dived straight in. And Worth the Risk did not disappoint.
Enemies to lovers is a fave trope of mine to read and the buildup was amazing.

Maya has been given thirty days to save the Highland Community Center. Her father's legacy and her community's heart center and she will do everything in her power to save it.

Declan takes over his father's development company out of honor (so to speak) when his father passes and he is given the task to turn the Highland Community Center into the next big development.
Let the fun and games begin!!

[Bloody Blogger Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a book by author Liz Durano. I began reading this book and right away I was engrossed from beginning to end. The banter, the anger, the chemistry was off the charts! I enjoyed Maya breaking Declan's walls. Declan's swoon level triples when he unknowingly participates in the Community Center's activities. It's not long before love blooms!! The world build is fluid along with the story, which I think is so important to keep a reader's focus
All the characters were endearing and entertaining. This book left me warm and happy.

I highly recommend this book and will be looking forward to reading more of Ms Liz Durano's books.

[DS_Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of this book!

This was an Enemies to lovers, Billionaire romance which is always a YES PLEASE for me.

Maya has been given thirty days to save the Highland Community Center. Her father's legacy and her community's heart center and she will do everything in her power to save it.

Declan takes over his father's development company out of honor (so to speak) when his father passes and he is given the task to turn the Highland Community Center into the next big development.
Let the fun and games begin!!

[Cindy Fong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya and Declan's story shows that through all types of partnership, love can exist. They met as adversaries, shared goal made them partners. Declan and Maya come from completely different worlds, but fate made them partners in business and in life. Each of us has the power to affect change.

This is a story of activism and partnership. Of fighting for what you believe in. Of finding love in the unlikeliest of places. The pages turned quickly as I consumed this story in a couple of hours.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are so going to want to spend time with Maya and Declan!

They'll prove that love is "Worth the Risk!"

I fell head over heels for Declan!
I loved Maya's strength!
Together, they could make a world of difference, and these enemies may just turn into lovers!
I had fingers and toes crossed!

Loved this story and cannot wait to see where Ms. Durano will take us next in the "Worth It All" series!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my first book by this author and it won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Declan and Maya are enemies and rightly so. Declan has a one track mind and Maya is trying to save the community center. Maya is strong and determined and I loved her. The story flowed, the characters felt like real life, their chemistry was intense, and I could not wait to read their hea. However I was sad to see their story end. I'll definitely follow this series and read every single one.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya and Declan's story is more than an enemies to lovers story and finding one's soulmate. Its a story of fighting for what you believe in but also a story of discovering one's true self. A story filled with emotions, action, interactions, passions, visions, challenges, situations, chemistry, fate, and twists.

[BLOODY BLOGGER JO · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a book by author Liz Durano. I began reading this book and right away I was engrossed from beginning to end. The banter, the anger, the chemistry was off the charts! I enjoyed Maya breaking Declan's walls. Declan's swoon level triples when he unknowingly participates in the Community Center's activities. It's not long before love blooms!! The world build is fluid along with the story, which I think is so important to keep a reader's focus
All the characters were endearing and entertaining. This book left me warm and happy.

I highly recommend this book and will be looking forward to reading more of Ms Liz Durano's books.

[Cherie Maggi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Another great beginning to a new series by an author who never disappoints. Excited for the next book in this series

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

In confronting, then collaborating with CEO Declan, Maya starts a process of self-examination for Declan. I thoroughly enjoyed their story.