Title: Crooked
Authors: Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Bodyguard, Close Proximity
Mafia Daughter, Forbidden
Release Date: March 29, 2026
Authors: Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Bodyguard, Close Proximity
Mafia Daughter, Forbidden
Release Date: March 29, 2026
BLURB
A new, sexy standalone novel from New York Times Bestsellers, Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward…
The last thing I needed was a live-in bodyguard. And I definitely didn’t want him. Six foot two, with broad shoulders that were impossible to ignore and a talent for getting in my way, Wes Callahan was a walking bad decision.
But when you’re the daughter of a notorious mob boss, apparently your opinions stop mattering the moment your father ignites another war. I’d spent my entire life trying to escape that crooked world—new name, new city, newfound freedom. At least until I was suddenly shacked up with my new bodyguard.
Wes knew exactly how to push my buttons. He was also infuriatingly protective. And smart. And funny. And thoughtful when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. Little by little, the walls I’d built started to crack, and falling for the bodyguard became the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done. Because if my father found out, Wes wouldn’t just lose his job. He’d lose his life.
Getting involved with him was reckless, yet I couldn’t find a way to stop it, no matter how hard I tried. But while I was busy losing my heart, the man who took it was hiding a secret.
And it turned out, the most dangerous man in my life wasn’t my father after all—it was the one who threatened to break my heart.
The last thing I needed was a live-in bodyguard. And I definitely didn’t want him. Six foot two, with broad shoulders that were impossible to ignore and a talent for getting in my way, Wes Callahan was a walking bad decision.
But when you’re the daughter of a notorious mob boss, apparently your opinions stop mattering the moment your father ignites another war. I’d spent my entire life trying to escape that crooked world—new name, new city, newfound freedom. At least until I was suddenly shacked up with my new bodyguard.
Wes knew exactly how to push my buttons. He was also infuriatingly protective. And smart. And funny. And thoughtful when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. Little by little, the walls I’d built started to crack, and falling for the bodyguard became the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done. Because if my father found out, Wes wouldn’t just lose his job. He’d lose his life.
Getting involved with him was reckless, yet I couldn’t find a way to stop it, no matter how hard I tried. But while I was busy losing my heart, the man who took it was hiding a secret.
And it turned out, the most dangerous man in my life wasn’t my father after all—it was the one who threatened to break my heart.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE
ALTERNATIVE COVER PAPERBACK
AUDIOBOOK
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE
ALTERNATIVE COVER PAPERBACK
AUDIOBOOK
MY REVIEW
Juliette left her father's Mafia life and moved to LA to live her screenwriter dreams. When her father sends a bodyguard to watch over her after some trouble back home, her fairly quiet life is turned upside down. Not only does she not want a bodyguard, she definitely doesn't want one like Wes who is equal parts gorgeous and protective, and messes with her mind and has her wanting things like a future with him.
Wes had no idea he'd fall so hard for his new charge. He's hiding something from her and he's not sure it's something they can get past if (when) she finds out. He's between a rock and a hard place, but he knows Juliette is the one who matters most. If he has to choose, he'll choose her every time.
I love Vi and Penelope's take on a Mafia romance. Not exactly heavy on the Mafia, but with enough suspense to keep it moving along, and that signature twist - whew! Wes and Juliette had that intense chemistry, brought about by their close proximity, and became that timeless connection that withstood everything they went through. I don't know if Vi and Penelope plan on writing more Mafia romances, but I hope so because I love this one. Love protective Wes and independent Juliette.
VI KEELAND
Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles are currently translated in twenty-seven languages and have appeared on bestseller lists in the US, Germany, Brazil, Bulgaria and Hungary. Three of her short stories have been turned into films by Passionflix, and two of her books are currently optioned for movies. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
PENELOPE WARD
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
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