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Keyed Up
Pianist Penelope Dixon is stepping out of her father's shadow to embark on a solo career with the Seattle Symphony. An unexpected reunion with her first love rocks her world. Despite the heat still burning between them, she's determined to spare her heart any further agony and concentrate on herself for once.
Sebastian Mauer, once famed performer now reclusive composer, foolishly pushed aside his feelings for Penelope. Thinking it for the best at the time, he never imagined how the years would slip by, along with the chance to have Penelope in his life.
When Sebastian is called in to collaborate with the Symphony, he won't pass on the opportunity to rekindle their love. Penelope is reluctant to open herself up again even though she can't deny her desires for the only man to capture her heart.
Can Penelope allow herself this chance without sacrificing her goals? Will Sebastian prove himself worthy and show her what they have is a once-in-a-lifetime love?
***
This is a 2nd edition (Originally published in 2017). It's been revised to include a prologue and updated material. Enjoy!
Sebastian Mauer, once famed performer now reclusive composer, foolishly pushed aside his feelings for Penelope. Thinking it for the best at the time, he never imagined how the years would slip by, along with the chance to have Penelope in his life.
When Sebastian is called in to collaborate with the Symphony, he won't pass on the opportunity to rekindle their love. Penelope is reluctant to open herself up again even though she can't deny her desires for the only man to capture her heart.
Can Penelope allow herself this chance without sacrificing her goals? Will Sebastian prove himself worthy and show her what they have is a once-in-a-lifetime love?
***
This is a 2nd edition (Originally published in 2017). It's been revised to include a prologue and updated material. Enjoy!
- GenresContemporary
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2023
7 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Laura M. Baird
48 books1,361 followersRomance author bringing readers stories about contemporary issues, filled with love, hope, humor, and emotion. When not writing my next adventure, I'm enjoying time with family in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 23, 2025
MY RATING GUIDE: 3.5 Stars (rounded to 4). KEYED UP was a satisfying, quick reading Slow Burn Romance. I might even read it again sometime.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS QUITE A BIT; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Penelope Dixon, 28, a gifted and acclaimed pianist and the daughter of a great symphony pianist has traveled the world, playing duets professionally with her father since she was quite young. After many years touring together, her father has decided to cut back on his performances, encouraging Penelope to begin a soloing career of her own. When she accepts a temporary position with the Seattle Symphony, performing onstage won’t be new but Penelope faces a number of other situations. One, is meeting the other musicians mid-season. And also, there is a man collaborating with the music, a man from her past.
Sebastian Mauer, 38, is a private man, a talented, well-sought-after composer and a former symphony pianist. Penelope’s father once was his mentor and close friend. But neither Penelope nor her father have seen Sebastian for the past 10yrs.
Comments ~
1) KEYED UP is an Age Gap, 2nd Chances, Slow-Burn Romance. Usually I prefer a bit of mystery or intrigue with my romance books but occasionally a simple romance, such as KEYED UP, hits my fancy as well. The talent, diligence, focus and determination it takes for someone to become a professional pianist or musician has always interested me. For this reason, I enjoy reading books with such characters featured. I enjoyed KEYED UP. It grabbed my attention from the beginning “blurb” through till the end.
2) In the opening chapters, I wasn’t sure what to think about Sebastian. He was an “Older” man. Was he a “good guy” or not? Had he mistreated Penelope? As I continued to read, Sebastian’s story slowly unfolds and we begin to understand his motivations and actions. I don’t generally enjoy writing which uses misunderstandings and/or miscommunication as conflict devices so the occurrence of Sebastian’s and Penelope’s “break” happening in the past (before the book begins) helped me tolerate that aspect of this story better (the angst-drama wasn’t as drawn out). I found myself pulled into the story and satisfied in the end.
READER CAUTIONS ~ Due to last chapters, not recommended to YA readers.
PROFANITY - Yes. But less than 5?
VIOLENCE - Minimal. A “too much alcohol” incident.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. The last chapter(s) open door scene(s) which could be skipped if desired.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS QUITE A BIT; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Penelope Dixon, 28, a gifted and acclaimed pianist and the daughter of a great symphony pianist has traveled the world, playing duets professionally with her father since she was quite young. After many years touring together, her father has decided to cut back on his performances, encouraging Penelope to begin a soloing career of her own. When she accepts a temporary position with the Seattle Symphony, performing onstage won’t be new but Penelope faces a number of other situations. One, is meeting the other musicians mid-season. And also, there is a man collaborating with the music, a man from her past.
Sebastian Mauer, 38, is a private man, a talented, well-sought-after composer and a former symphony pianist. Penelope’s father once was his mentor and close friend. But neither Penelope nor her father have seen Sebastian for the past 10yrs.
Comments ~
1) KEYED UP is an Age Gap, 2nd Chances, Slow-Burn Romance. Usually I prefer a bit of mystery or intrigue with my romance books but occasionally a simple romance, such as KEYED UP, hits my fancy as well. The talent, diligence, focus and determination it takes for someone to become a professional pianist or musician has always interested me. For this reason, I enjoy reading books with such characters featured. I enjoyed KEYED UP. It grabbed my attention from the beginning “blurb” through till the end.
2) In the opening chapters, I wasn’t sure what to think about Sebastian. He was an “Older” man. Was he a “good guy” or not? Had he mistreated Penelope? As I continued to read, Sebastian’s story slowly unfolds and we begin to understand his motivations and actions. I don’t generally enjoy writing which uses misunderstandings and/or miscommunication as conflict devices so the occurrence of Sebastian’s and Penelope’s “break” happening in the past (before the book begins) helped me tolerate that aspect of this story better (the angst-drama wasn’t as drawn out). I found myself pulled into the story and satisfied in the end.
READER CAUTIONS ~ Due to last chapters, not recommended to YA readers.
PROFANITY - Yes. But less than 5?
VIOLENCE - Minimal. A “too much alcohol” incident.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. The last chapter(s) open door scene(s) which could be skipped if desired.
September 5, 2023
The conductor & pianist
Keyed Up is a slow burn, age gap, second chance romance that makes the reader long for beautiful music & starry nights. Sebastian & Penelope met when she was 17, but ten years passed before they got their second chance. He had his reasons. She loved him all this time. When they are brought together again, the sparks fly. Author Baird brings the symphony to life with detail, and makes the heart break for this couple's reunion.❤️
Keyed Up is a slow burn, age gap, second chance romance that makes the reader long for beautiful music & starry nights. Sebastian & Penelope met when she was 17, but ten years passed before they got their second chance. He had his reasons. She loved him all this time. When they are brought together again, the sparks fly. Author Baird brings the symphony to life with detail, and makes the heart break for this couple's reunion.❤️
April 3, 2023
This was a sweet second chance romance, but the heroine really makes him work hard for that second chance. Both main characters were likable and strong which I enjoyed. The author alluded to follow a few of these secondary characters which I would happily read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews