Once Upon a Lie

Max Monroe

Book 2 of The Protectors

An undercover detective moves in next door to surveil a mob boss's daughter, only to fall for the quirky, warm-hearted woman running a bagel-and-book shop in Nashville instead of the "crime princess" he expected. As he gets closer to protecting her from her family's criminal empire, he must decide whether to keep lying to stay safe or risk everything by telling her the truth. It's a blend of romantic comedy, suspense, and danger as two people from very different worlds navigate deception, attraction, and loyalty.