Monday, March 30, 2026

New Audiobook Release Review: Crooked by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

 



Title: Crooked
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.




My review: 5 stars!

There's really no one other than the writing duo of Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward that I'd add a "mafia" shelf for. Since they are at the top of my favorite writers list, I figured why not give it a try? I was sure it wasn't going to be a typical dark mafia romance, and I was glad to see their trademark blend of humor and heat was the star of the show. I listened to duet-style audiobook and enjoyed every minute! Screenwriter Juliette and bodyguard Wes clashed from the very beginning, but their chemistry was hard to deny and their story was so good. Maybe I'll add some more books to my mafia shelf!





PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited


ALSO AVAILABLE







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 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.

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Friday, March 27, 2026

Cover Reveal: Mistletoe All the Way by Lauren Blakely

 


Turning a grumpy cowboy vet into Mr. Holiday? Challenge accepted.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a spicy, standalone holiday romance, MISTLETOE ALL THE WAY! This steamy, small town, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, opposites attract holiday romance features a grinchy cowboy vet and the jolliest publicist as they tackle the town's latest Christmas competition together! Releasing October 6th in all formats, including this stunning paperback with beautiful mistletoe and holly sprayed edges. Check out the cover and pre-order your copy today!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/MATWAMZPB
✦ Audible ➜ https://blkly.pub/MATWAudible
✦ Barnes and Noble ➜ https://blkly.pub/MATWBarnesandNoble



About MISTLETOE ALL THE WAY (Coming 10/6/2026):

She wants to make him Mr. Holiday. He wants to stay a certified Grinch. From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely comes a small-town spicy holiday romance about a guarded cowboy veterinarian and a Christmas-loving optimist who team up for a town holiday competition.

Dr. Noah Lennox lives by three holiday rules—avoid his hometown, cheerful people, and Christmas itself.

But when his beloved grandfather announces he’s retiring and handing the cherished sleigh-ride farm to either Noah or his slick cousin Stephen, the first rule goes out the window. Back home in Evergreen Falls, the veterinarian vows to fight for the farm that means everything to him. The problem is, the town doesn’t exactly welcome its resident Scrooge with open arms.

Except for one very charming holiday enthusiast. Eloise Langston, a sunny tourism bureau hopeful, needs a win to land her dream job—and to pay the rent. Her holly jolly plan? Turn the broody, broad-shouldered grump into a festive front-runner to help the town’s Mr. Holiday Competition draw record crowds.

Transforming a camera-shy cowboy vet into a small-town sweetheart isn’t exactly in her job description—but neither is falling for him.

Soon, Noah and Eloise find themselves tangled in twinkle lights, fake kisses, and one very real attraction. But with the farm’s future at stake, Stephen’s scheming, and Eloise’s career on the line, there’s a blizzard of reasons to put their feelings on ice.

Or will they fight to turn their holiday fling into forever under the mistletoe?

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/MATWAMZPB
✦ Audible ➜ https://blkly.pub/MATWAudible
✦ Barnes and Noble ➜ https://blkly.pub/MATWBarnesandNoble




ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com 

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks 

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Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Cover Reveal: I've Got a Crush on You by Lauren Blakely


 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes the second standalone small town rom com in her upcoming Darling Springs series, I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU! This spicy, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, workplace, forbidden small town romantic comedy will be releasing August 4th in all formats, including the deluxe edition paperback featuring stunning salmon-colored sprayed edges, and free to read in Kindle Unlimited. Check out the cover and blurb and pre-order your copy today!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/IGACOYAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ https://blkly.pub/IGACOYAudible
✦ Other Retailers ➜ https://laurenblakely.com/book/ive-got-a-crush-on-you/

 

Want to read a sneak peek? Check out the excerpt on Cosmopolitan.com
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/books/a70822299/lauren-blakely-ive-got-a-crush-on-you-cover-reveal-excerpt-cosmo-reads/

About I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU (Coming 8/4/2026):

My secret workplace romance starts innocently enough…at a birthday party.

But when a rowdy partier knocks me into a lake and a sexy stranger comes to my rescue – my night becomes one to remember.

A night so steamy I almost forget why I've sworn off men after a failed office romance.

But I’m focusing on my shiny new future—my dog-training business is suddenly the hottest thing in town, thanks to a new actress client.

Trouble is, the brand new doggy daycare in Darling Springs that I’ve contracted with… is owned by none other than my sexy stranger. Thanks, fate.

Sawyer turns out to be a total grump in a tailored suit, no matter how sunshine-y I am. Even when he squeezes that hard body past me as I bring donuts to work. Or when he pretends he’s not roaming his dark eyes over me as I teach Fido to sit, stay and come.

But when I need a dance partner for the town fundraiser that my client’s roped me into, I sense an opportunity. And, it turns out Mr. Serious Boss is up for dance lessons.

Then the entire Dirty Dancing experience.

Giving into our chemistry once won’t hurt. Two might be pushing it. By the seventh, it’s undeniable--I’ve got a crush on him too.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/IGACOYAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ https://blkly.pub/IGACOYAudible
✦ Other Retailers ➜ https://laurenblakely.com/book/ive-got-a-crush-on-you/

 


ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 



Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks



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Tuesday, March 24, 2026

New Release Review: My Kind of Guy by Sarina Bowen

 

My Kind of Guy (Hockey Guys, #4)My Kind of Guy by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm going to admit something- everything I know about ice hockey I learned from reading books by Sarina Bowen! This was a fun grumpy/sunshine MM hockey romance. Goalie Beck was such a awkward quirky mess and he was just such a great guy and it was so fun watching him succeed on the ice. Single dad bar owner Forest has not been lucky in love so he's a bit hesitant and closed-off, but meeting Beck brought him out of his shell. His son Charlie was such a great character and stole quite a few scenes! I listened to the audiobook narrated by Teddy Hamilton (perfection!) and Brandon Francis and their performances were top-notch and this was a great listen.

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Wednesday, March 11, 2026

New Release Review: Overdue by Stephanie Perkins

 

OverdueOverdue by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely adored author Stephanie Perkins's YA Anna and the French Kiss series, so I was excited to dive into the audiobook for her adult debut, Overdue. What a joy it was! It was such a slow burn, but so worth the wait. I appreciated how this slow burn timeframe gave us time to get to know Ingrid and Macon so well and the library setting was so perfect. The characters were charmingly quirky and I honestly liked both main characters so much and wanted happiness for them. Narrator Eva Kaminsky was new to me, and I found her performance to be delightful.

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Tuesday, March 3, 2026

 When a film crew descends on my flower farm to shoot a romcom, my stress levels shoot through the roof.  A secret fling with my hot, origami-loving bodyguard is exactly what I need to blow off steam… and exactly what I can’t have.


From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely comes IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA, the first standalone small town romance in her upcoming Darling Springs rom com series! This sexy, only one bed, forced proximity, forbidden small town rom com answers the question: what happens when a lavender farmer gets a bodyguard who just happens to be the sexy grump from her one-night-stand who got away! IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA is now available in all formats and free to read in Kindle Unlimited! Check out the excerpt below, and one-click your copy today!

https://laurenblakely.com/book/it-seemed-like-a-good-idea/ 

⛅Grumpy/Sunshine
🏡Small Town Shenanigans
💙He’s Her Bodyguard
💋Forced Proximity
🛏️Only One Bed in the Room
🏃‍One-Night-Stand Who Got Away
🚫Forbidden
😄Romantic Comedy
❤️‍🩹Hate to Love
💟Protective Hero
🪻She Owns a Lavender Farm
😜Banter for Days
🩵"You're Mine" Swoon
😍DIY Toys
⛔"We Can't Keep Doing This" Vibes



About IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA:

He ghosted me once, now he’s supposed to protect me?

I don’t need a bodyguard—I run a small-town lavender farm, for bee’s sake. But when my identical twin sister lands the movie role of a lifetime that’s being shot in my hometown I get one anyway.

And guess which broody, tattooed protector the studio sends to keep the paparazzi off my porch?

Last month’s almost one-night stand.

The guy with the wicked mouth and heated eyes who slipped out before the fun even started. But turns out the sexy jerk is excellent at rescuing me from sneaky photographers at the market. Then the coffee shop. I’m trying hard to stay mad after the third time my new bodyguard saves me.

To top it all off, he’s staying in the cottage at my farm. With me. And there’s only one bed.

Maybe if we finally give in and finish what we started, it’ll relieve the tension? But one night quickly turns into another. Then into late-night secrets and soft confessions we shouldn’t say out loud. Especially since he’s leaving and I’m staying, and there’s no way we can be more than a summer romance that ends far too soon.

Escape into a spicy and hilarious forbidden small town rom com from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely!

ONE-CLICK YOUR COPY TODAY!

https://laurenblakely.com/book/it-seemed-like-a-good-idea/ 


My review: 4 stars

This was a super-fun setting- a movie set in a small town where our lavender farmer heroine Ripley only needs a bodyguard (Banks) because she looks just like her actress twin. These two had immediate, fiery chemistry and their witty banter was trademark Lauren Blakely. I listened to an early audio copy and Erin Mallon and JF Harding were simply fantastic!



ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com 

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

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