Title: Crooked
Authors: Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 29, 2026
🩶Bodyguard
❤️Close Proximity
🩶Mafia Daughter
❤️Forbidden
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.
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247499028-crooked
BOOKBUB LINK: https://www.bookbub.com/books/crooked-by-penelope-ward-and-vi-keeland
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Available in Kindle Unlimited:
Amazon US ➜ https://amzn.to/4bCzkRu
Amazon UK ➜ https://amzn.to/4aybZPJ
Amazon CA ➜ https://amzn.to/4qkXZ0z
Amazon AU ➜ https://amzn.to/3MlxCcV
Model Paperback ➜ https://amzn.to/3Q7fLb1
Paperback (Alternate cover) ➜ https://amzn.to/4qmVxGF
Audio ➜ https://adbl.co/3PY8MkB
Crooked by Vi Keeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
ARC/ALC Review
I can’t remember when exactly my obsession with both Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward started but I do know it was when I began my Audio Era, so I guess sometime after 2020. You couldn’t tell from my “reviews” how much I truly admire them both and how I think when they write as a duo, they are magic because I am the worst at reviewing in a timely manner. THE WORST! But now you know. LOL You can file this under **things some random chic added to one of her reviews that has zero impact on the story she’s reviewing but she’s extra so it’s fine.**
Mafia Princess vs Bodyguard in close proximity … Let the games begin! *wink*
My favorite aspect of this story is the emphasis on the romantic journey rather than the “suspense of the mafia” circumstance. That was used mostly as a catalyst to make Juliette and Wes have a tension fueled journey that not only was swoony but also deliciously sexy. These two were sharp and I loved them! And the best part was is that I could not have asked for a better narrating team than 🎤Andi Arndt & Aiden Snow🎤 who performed Juliette & Wes perfectly. I’ve listened to both Andi & Aiden countless times and they are powerhouses on their own, but this performance was more … it was everything I love about both of them and they did such a flawless job that not only did I feel this story as it was unfolding, but it unfolded as a reel in my head like I could have been watching a movie. Absolutely outstanding! 👏👏👏👏
My second favorite aspect were Juliette and Wes. I mean they were on fire from the get. The banter alone could have had me listening for hours on end. They were both quick witted with sharp tongues and an absolute good time for me as the listener. I’ve learned since I began my audio journey that when you have a great narrating team with this kind of writing, the audiobook shines above all else. It’s not every day I can say this, although it’s been happening more and more as of late, but even though I did more of a read-along while listening instead of two separate “reads”, I will 100% endorse the best experience for this story is via audio. The spark that Wes & Juliette had, in my opinion, was made even more dramatic by Andi and Aiden’s performances. It’s just a feeling I have. *shrug*
As per usual with these two authors, I ran the gamut of emotions, and I loved every minute of it. I was captivated from the very beginning. I was rooting for Wes & Juliette from the very beginning, and I really believe they will “last the test of time”. While I experienced their story, they weren’t fictional people living a fictional story and that’s because Vi & Penelope have the talent to draw me into a story and make me believe in it. They’ve done it countless times in the past and they sure did it this time!
MEET THE AUTHORS:
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.
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/vi.keeland
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Vi-Keeland/435952616513958
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ViKeelandFanGroup
Website: http://www.vikeeland.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/Vi_Keeland
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vikeeland
X: https://twitter.com/ViKeeland
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6887119.Vi_Keeland
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 millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penelopewardauthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PenelopesPeeps
Website: http://www.penelopewardauthor.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/PenelopeWardAuthor
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@penelopewardofficial
X: https://twitter.com/PenelopeAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7105545.Penelope_Ward
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