REVIEW TOUR - Crooked by Vi Keeland & 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.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

ALTERNATIVE COVER PAPERBACK

AUDIOBOOK

Audiobook Review – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Magnificent!)

This mafia romance was absolutely magnificent. It features an incredible bodyguard hero who, surprisingly, brings plenty of humor—especially during a book club scene where he’s hilariously the only man present.

Juliette, the daughter of a powerful mob boss, finds herself in need of protection… enter Wes, her brooding and captivating bodyguard.

The banter between Juliette and Wes is simply fantastic. I laughed until I cried—some moments are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.

The story itself is wonderfully written, engaging from start to finish, with just the right balance of romance, tension, and humor.

The narration truly elevates the experience. Andi Arndt and Aiden Snow deliver outstanding performances, bringing the characters and story vividly to life.

Crooked is without a doubt one of the most interesting and intriguing books I have read. I mean a bodyguard and a mobsters daughter, yes please …lol

I think what I really enjoyed most was the way Wes and Juliette’s journey went and their banter is very entertaining but also emotional at times. I was on tender hooks through most of the book and I honestly was thrown by the way the storyline flows. 

I love how the authors threw a different direction in, than what you think may be happening. 

Wes as a bodyguard is protective as well as caring and will do his utmost to shield Juliette from harm. His relationship with his family made me swoon. 

But all is not what it seems and oh my goodness you will be shocked. 

I liked Juliette but felt she was a bit reckless in regards to her personal safety and lack of consideration to those around her. 

All in all this is a truly wonderful story!

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.

FACEBOOK

PROFILE / PAGE / GROUP

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

X

GOODREADS

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.

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK GROUP

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

X

GOODREADS

REVIEW TOUR - Taylor's Father by Penelope Ward

 

Title: Taylor's Father

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Age Gap (17 Years), Best Guy Friend's Father

Single Dad, Forbidden, Second Chance

Protective Hero, Sassy Heroine

Release Date: February 22, 2026

BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

When my best friend Taylor gifted me a vacation at a resort owned by his grandparents, the last thing I expected was to bond with a man seventeen years older.

Tate was also vacationing alone.

He’d come to Midnight Key to clear his head and reevaluate his life.

I’d come to get over my high school sweetheart who’d dumped me.

I’d spotted the brawny, tattooed Adonis in the lobby on the first day and thought he had to be someone’s hot dad.

But then we matched on an app that paired single men and women by proximity.

The problem was? At nineteen—almost twenty—I’d lied and said I was twenty-nine.

Tate outed me on our first date, and I fessed up to my real age.

But we continued to run into each other.

And eventually we found our connection was too magnetic to deny.

While we agreed to only use first names and to part ways at the end of the trip, I’d really fallen for Tate.

I never forgot him and knew he was the one who got away.

Remember that guy friend who gifted me the trip?

Well, four years later, Taylor got married.

He’d been estranged from his dad for years, though recently they’d reconnected.

What I didn’t know was that the man I’d had that torrid affair with at the resort would be standing next to Taylor in the receiving line.

My dream man Tate? Was Taylor’s father.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited

 

ALSO AVAILABLE

 

AUDIO

SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK

 

A model-cover paperback will be live on release day.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

17-YEAR AGE GAP

BEST GUY FRIEND'S FATHER

SINGLE DAD

FORBIDDEN

SECOND CHANCE

PROTECTIVE HERO

SASSY HEROINE

What a wonderful audiobook experience. 

 Blaire and Tate face significant challenges—first their age difference, and then the complicated reality that Blaire, Taylor’s best friend, falls for his father. The story beautifully explores tropes like age gap, second chances, unexpected pregnancy, and best friend’s dad— Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke delivered an outstanding performance. They brought the passion, tension, and humour to life.

AUTHOR BIO

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 forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

AUTHOR LINKS

FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK
X

OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

SEE ALL BOOKS HERE

REVIEW TOUR - The Exception by Vi Keeland

 

Title: The Exception

Author: Vi Keeland

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Boss/Intern, Dominant Hero, Billionaire

Release Date: January 11, 2026

BLURB

He lives by a set of rules. She might be his one exception.

I just wanted a distraction, something to take the edge off before facing a wedding I was dreading. So on the flight back to New York, I signed up for a dating app. Harmless enough, right?

Wrong.

Turns out, it wasn’t just any app—it catered to people with very specific tastes. By the time I realized it, I was already on my date.

Tall, confident, and sinfully handsome, Jagger Langston seemed like the full package. The chemistry between us was instant—electric enough to burn the whole city down. Though things took a turn when we figured out I’d misunderstood who should join the app. We laughed it off, said goodbye, and went our separate ways.

Or so I thought.

Until I walked into my new internship Monday morning, ready to put the weekend behind me, and there he was—my boss.

Now I’m caught between the rules he lives by—and the temptation to make him break every single one of them.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

AUDIOBOOK

SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK

5 stars plus

Well I think Ms Keeland has outdone herself!

Right from the start the sizzling energy could be felt as I read! I kept picturing in my mind the cover model as Jagger and oh my goodness me…. It certainly took a delicious turn!! Hehe!! 

I feel this book is very well written and had my attention from the very start with the amazing characters! I especially liked Suttons friend Miles, he’s a hoot and someone who is definitely good for a woman’s moral!

What can I say about Sutton. I admire her immensely. Her struggles, her attitude and her ability to overcome life’s obstacles thrown her way….. 

Jagger though, what a complex man. He’s entirely unexpected. 

An exceptional read! Please go 1 click, you wont be sorry.

5 Stars plus! 

Audiobook review.

After matching on a “dating” app and discovering on their first date that Sutton had misunderstood the app’s purpose, Sutton and Jagger part amicably—despite an instant, undeniable attraction. That is, until Sutton realizes the man she met on the app is also her new boss.

That’s how this book begins.

From there, the story becomes increasingly detailed—and I mean detailed. As Sutton and Jagger slowly fall for each other, Jagger’s commitment issues add tension and  depth. 

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York, and it was absolutely fabulous.

AUTHOR BIO

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, Israel, 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.

AUTHOR LINKS

FACEBOOK

PROFILE / PAGE / GROUP

WEBSITE

TIKTOK

INSTAGRAM

X (TWITTER)

GOODREADS

REVIEW TOUR - Your Pace or Mine by Kim Stephenson

 

REVIEW TOUR - Your Pace or Mine by Kim Stephenson

True love is a marathon, not a sprint.

Length: 80,000 words

Series: Running for the Romance, Book 1 (can be standalone)

Prior Reading: n/a

Genre: contemporary, sports

Tropes: Fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, class difference, sports

Trigger/Content Warnings: Reference to coercive sex (not between MCs)

Designer: 100Covers

https://getbook.at/YourPaceOrMine-rev

Elite marathoner Darius Hewitt is the golden boy of British athletics until a media scandal brings his Olympic dreams crashing down. With his reputation in tatters, Darius reluctantly agrees to help out at a charity running clinic, hoping to regain favour with the Olympic selection committee.

Enter Jamie—a sharp-witted West End dancer, training for his first marathon. Jamie comes with a crumbling career of his own, outrageous fundraising target, and a whole different brand of publicity challenges.

In the lead up to the London Marathon, a fake relationship seems like the perfect solution for both their image problems, so Darius and Jamie strike a deal.

But the more time they spend together, the less pretend it starts to feel.

Can they stop running from their fears long enough to give love a shot?

Your Pace or Mine is a heartwarming contemporary MM sports romance packed with fake dating, sharp banter, and plenty of running

EXCERPT:

It wasn’t that Darius was in the closet, per se. Everyone in his life, everyone that mattered, knew. Which, fine, amounted to like three people he actually liked, and his father. He just firmly believed that his personal life shouldn’t have any bearing on his professional life, and he knew it would if he came out. 

It was different for Darius, he didn’t just have the usual sporting press to deal with like his contemporaries. His title and the Ethiopian heritage he’d inherited from his grandmother had long made him the aristocracy’s favourite piece of diversity window dressing. Far more approachable than his father, he was easy to parade out when appearances demanded it, making his life fodder for the tabloids—and British tabloids could be fucking vicious. One minute they loved you, the next they would tear you apart for clicks. His family had learned a long time ago that keeping everything under wraps was essential to survival. It was safer for him to keep his private life, well, private. 

Liking dick didn’t make him a better or worse runner, so why the fuck should it matter, anyway? 

Jackson didn’t understand what it was like to be under the level of scrutiny Darius was under. To carry the weight of expectations Darius had on his shoulders. 

Jackson rolled his eyes. “Oh no, someone might realise you’re not an aristocratic clone and have actual human feelings and desires.” 

“You’re a terrible friend.” 

“I’m a great friend,” Jackson replied. “Which is why I’m going to drag you kicking and screaming to that training clinic.” 

“I don’t need to do it. I have the fastest times of anyone. I’m not going to be the one who gets cut. Anders could never justify it.” 

Jackson’s grin fell. “Thanks for the reminder, mate.” 

“Fuck. You know I didn’t mean to imply…” 

“It is what it is. I know I’m at risk, right? Especially with Elliot Owens in contention,” Jackson shrugged. 

Darius grimaced. “Yeah, but Owens is a dick.” 

“A dick that’s been training with Anders for nearly three years now and can pretty much match me stride-for-stride,” Jackson replied. “I had that DNF too, in Boston,” Jackson reminded him glumly. 

Darius winced. He wasn’t wrong. “A DNF just means you’re a smart runner—you know what they say DNF stands for…” 

“Did Nothing Foolish,” Jackson finished the sentence in unison with Darius, reciting a line Ellison had drilled into their heads. “You’ve never had one, though,” Jackson groused. “Yes, but I’m a robot, remember?” Darius laughed. “Or sorry, an aristocratic clone.”

AVAILABLE NOW

A fun debut romance centred on marathon running. Jamie, a dancer, signs up for the London Marathon for career exposure, while Darius, an elite runner from a wealthy family, coaches newbies for PR reasons. 

After some friction, they agree to a fake relationship that slowly turns real. The main tension comes form class differences, handled thoughtfully. Jamie’s ending choice felt realistic.

about the author:

Kim Stephenson is a UK based author with a love for running and romance.
When not writing you can find them hitting the local pavements and trails chasing PB's and HEA's.
@runningfortheromance (ig)
Kimstephensonauthor.com

https://www.tiktok.com/@runningromance

https://gayromancereviews.com/

New Covers + Review Tour: SUNSET COVE Series by Ella Frank

From Book 1: One note. Six words. A second chance.

Seven years ago, Daniel Finley left Florida behind for the bright lights and demanding pace of Chicago, building a life that came at the cost of family, friendship—and love.

But on his 30th birthday, a single note pulls him back home. Six words from Brantley Hayes, the man he's never forgotten.
Brantley thought he had everything; a fulfilling career, loyal friends, and an idyllic beachfront sanctuary. Yet something—or rather, someone—has always been missing. Honoring a promise made long ago, he calls Daniel back, hoping to reclaim what they lost.

But Daniel isn’t the same person who left, and tearing down the walls around his heart won't be easy. Sometimes, the first step home is also the hardest.

Finley is the first novel in the Sunset Cove Series and a standalone.

Sometimes the person you least expect is exactly who you need.

Derek Pearson keeps life simple—he's upfront, unapologetic, and never pretends to be something he's not. But behind his brash exterior lies a side few have ever seen.

Professor Jordan Devaney is complicated, vibrant, and Derek’s complete opposite. From the first explosive encounter, they've clashed and sparked, locked in a love-hate dance neither wants to end.

But when hidden feelings surface, Derek discovers that the man he least expected to matter might just matter the most. The question is, does Jordan feel the same?

Devil’s Kiss is the second novel in the Sunset Cove Series, and would be best enjoyed after reading Finley.

Derek & Jordan’s fiery, love-hate romance just got a whole new look—still as addictive (and deliciously snarky) as ever. ⁣

#OneClickHere 

https://amzn.to/3VT2L8G

Finley:

Seven years gone, but their passion never cooled.

Daniel Finley and Brantley Hayes have been apart for seven years, and this book finally reveals why Daniel left—and why he’s back. Their chemistry is still explosive, full of passion, heat, and a touch of humor that keeps you smiling.

Finn is still cocky and sexy, but here we see there’s so much more to him. What started as a forbidden attraction years ago has grown into a powerful, lasting love.

Brantley’s choices back then came from love, though they left Finn feeling betrayed and abandoned. Now, their story unfolds through alternating POVs and a mix of past and present, making it an emotional and deeply romantic journey.

Devil’s Kiss:

Professor + student + years of sizzling tension = one unforgettable love story.

Derek Pearson and Jordan Devaney—professor and student—noticed each other right away, trading sharp banter that only fueled the attraction between them. For years, the tension simmered before they finally gave in.

Coming from completely different worlds—one privileged, the other not—their love was powerful, undeniable, and life-changing, as if permanently stamped on their hearts. Built on trust and deep connection, their bond shaped a future together.

 

REVIEW TOUR - The House Guest by Penelope Ward

 

Title: The House Guest

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist

Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract

Release Date: August 31, 2025

BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.

He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.

Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.

I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.

I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.

Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.

That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.

I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.

But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.

Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.

He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.

We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.

Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.

I was falling in love with him.

Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.

And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free to read in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

MODEL PAPERBACK & BOTH HARDCOVERS NOW AVAILABLE

Model Paperback: https://amzn.to/4oR8QQe
Special Edition Hardcover: https://amzn.to/4lW44ye
Model Hardcover: https://amzn.to/4lSNVK4

DUET AUDIOBOOK

SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

BILLIONAIRE HERO

ROOMMATES

TWIST

SLOW BURN

ANGSTY

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

The House Guest is an emotional story of love and second chances! 

Primrose is an art student and currently living at her aunts home. It isn’t until a tragedy occurs that she meets Dorian!

The way they meet is kinda funny but its the friendship they form that made my heart melt!

I enjoyed their journey albeit started off rather slowly but then things took a decidedly different turn! Ah my heart was in my throat at that point!

Can Primrose and Dorian find their way back to each other?

So much angst, sizzling chemistry and feelings that can perhaps stand the test of time?? 

AUTHOR BIO

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 forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

AUTHOR LINKS

FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK
X

OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

SEE ALL BOOKS HERE