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Sheppards in Love #3
Selling Out
The only thing more daunting than singing in front of sold-out crowds across Europe? Facing the music when you start falling for the guy in the spotlight.
AUSTIN
After years of working my tail off in the music industry, I’ve finally made it: headlining my own tour across Europe. Sure, it’d be great to sing my own songs instead of the stuff my label gives me, but success requires compromise.
It also requires a stellar tour team, which is why I know I have to have Mia Sawyer as one of my backup vocalists when I hear her sing. With thousands of women screaming my name on stage every night, it shouldn’t bother me that she doesn’t seem to think much of me. I don’t have time for real relationships anyway.
MIA
Austin Sheppard is the exact type of man and “musician” I roll my eyes at. But since my own following on social media is stagnant enough that it’s bound to start attracting mosquitoes soon, I figure this may be the only opportunity I have to get paid to sing—and to see Europe, for that matter. For an opportunity like that? I can keep my opinions to myself.
Life on tour with Austin gives me a front-row seat to everything I wish I could have as a musician. It also puts me constantly and perilously close to the man I’ve pegged as a womanizer and a sell-out. So close, in fact, that I’m starting to worry the next sell-out will be my heart.
AUSTIN
After years of working my tail off in the music industry, I’ve finally made it: headlining my own tour across Europe. Sure, it’d be great to sing my own songs instead of the stuff my label gives me, but success requires compromise.
It also requires a stellar tour team, which is why I know I have to have Mia Sawyer as one of my backup vocalists when I hear her sing. With thousands of women screaming my name on stage every night, it shouldn’t bother me that she doesn’t seem to think much of me. I don’t have time for real relationships anyway.
MIA
Austin Sheppard is the exact type of man and “musician” I roll my eyes at. But since my own following on social media is stagnant enough that it’s bound to start attracting mosquitoes soon, I figure this may be the only opportunity I have to get paid to sing—and to see Europe, for that matter. For an opportunity like that? I can keep my opinions to myself.
Life on tour with Austin gives me a front-row seat to everything I wish I could have as a musician. It also puts me constantly and perilously close to the man I’ve pegged as a womanizer and a sell-out. So close, in fact, that I’m starting to worry the next sell-out will be my heart.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2024
132 people are currently reading
1123 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
April 16, 2024
So stinkin cuteee🥹 I loved this book sm!! Austin is so bf material and Mia is so relatable!! I loved the music industry side of the book, it made it so interesting!! The tropes were some of my faves too🤭
🎤 Enemies to lovers
🎤 Celebrity romance
🎤 Music industry
🎤 (kind of) secret relationship
But yea this book was so adorbs! I loved the fact that Mia was so devoted to her integrity and also that she almost turned Austin down😂 One of my fav quotes was: “It forces me to admit something to myself: I’m in love with Mia. Out-of-my-mind, can-barely-think-straight in love with her.” 🫠😍 Anyway yall read itttt
Pages: 264
Language: 🫢
TW⚠️: content, drinking
Genre: Romance
Format I read: Kindle Unlimited
Would I recommend to others: Yess
🎤 Enemies to lovers
🎤 Celebrity romance
🎤 Music industry
🎤 (kind of) secret relationship
But yea this book was so adorbs! I loved the fact that Mia was so devoted to her integrity and also that she almost turned Austin down😂 One of my fav quotes was: “It forces me to admit something to myself: I’m in love with Mia. Out-of-my-mind, can-barely-think-straight in love with her.” 🫠😍 Anyway yall read itttt
Pages: 264
Language: 🫢
TW⚠️: content, drinking
Genre: Romance
Format I read: Kindle Unlimited
Would I recommend to others: Yess
February 7, 2024
Really cute. Loved the banter and the setting!
April 25, 2024
I adored this sweet romcom that’s all about the music industry. This story is the Sheppard brother Austin’s, and whew–he’s talented, good-looking, utterly swoon-worthy and determined to get Mia as a backup singer for his European tour. Mia definitely has talent on her own, but doesn’t have the following or backing to make it big…yet.
The behind-the-scenes to the music world fascinated me and I loved all the connections and friendships between every character, but especially the attachment and banter between Austin and Mia.
Keyes knows how to write a stellar romcom. Her style is fresh, witty, and sweet, with some great character zings and a crisp plot with ideal pacing, with the perfect amount of romance.
I’m in love with the Sheppards in Love series and can’t wait to read more. I listened to this one and really enjoyed the voices.
Content: mild romance
The behind-the-scenes to the music world fascinated me and I loved all the connections and friendships between every character, but especially the attachment and banter between Austin and Mia.
Keyes knows how to write a stellar romcom. Her style is fresh, witty, and sweet, with some great character zings and a crisp plot with ideal pacing, with the perfect amount of romance.
I’m in love with the Sheppards in Love series and can’t wait to read more. I listened to this one and really enjoyed the voices.
Content: mild romance
January 29, 2024
I love when the hero or heroine has a music career. This time, both of them did and I was there for it. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book.
February 3, 2024
There is nothing better than knowing that if I am ever in a bookslump and stuck on what to read that there are my favorite authors out there that can remedy it instantly. Martha Keyes is one of those authors for me! I have read all but 1 of her books now and they are some of the best Closed Door Romances out there!
If you are a lover of banter in your romance books not many authors out there can top Martha! She can balance the tension, the laughter, the wit, the play on words…just everything!
Somehow I had totally forgotten that this beauty was released not too long ago, but I'm so thankful because it was just what I needed for today. This can totally be read as a stand alone but if you want to read them in order it goes:
Host for the Holidays
Kissing for Keeps
Just Friends Forever
Now to get to why I love this book in particular? Well Austin and Mia are just perfect for each other! From the funniest meet cute, to them singing on stage together, to the perfect solution to her nervous hiccups, every interaction just made me smile! I loved that it wasn’t love at first sight and instead we got to watch them banter with each other as enemies for a bit.
I loved that eventually they both discover who they are as individuals and who they want to be together. I love that Austin falls first and that we get to see his protective side. There is nothing I love more in an MC than his willingness to do whatever to keep his love safe and protected.
Mia is just the sweetest human being ever and I love that she is ready to do whatever to live her dreams, but at the same time wants to be true to who she is as an individual.
If you want the perfect enemies to lovers romance that will make you laugh out loud, swoon and more seriously give this one and all of Martha Keyes books a go!
Physical Intimacy Level 2 Closed Door/Non Descriptive longer kisses
One use of the word He**
Dual POV
If you are a lover of banter in your romance books not many authors out there can top Martha! She can balance the tension, the laughter, the wit, the play on words…just everything!
Somehow I had totally forgotten that this beauty was released not too long ago, but I'm so thankful because it was just what I needed for today. This can totally be read as a stand alone but if you want to read them in order it goes:
Host for the Holidays
Kissing for Keeps
Just Friends Forever
Now to get to why I love this book in particular? Well Austin and Mia are just perfect for each other! From the funniest meet cute, to them singing on stage together, to the perfect solution to her nervous hiccups, every interaction just made me smile! I loved that it wasn’t love at first sight and instead we got to watch them banter with each other as enemies for a bit.
I loved that eventually they both discover who they are as individuals and who they want to be together. I love that Austin falls first and that we get to see his protective side. There is nothing I love more in an MC than his willingness to do whatever to keep his love safe and protected.
Mia is just the sweetest human being ever and I love that she is ready to do whatever to live her dreams, but at the same time wants to be true to who she is as an individual.
If you want the perfect enemies to lovers romance that will make you laugh out loud, swoon and more seriously give this one and all of Martha Keyes books a go!
Physical Intimacy Level 2 Closed Door/Non Descriptive longer kisses
One use of the word He**
Dual POV
January 11, 2024
Martha Keyes is a favorite author of mine (definitely an auto-buy author) because every book is a consistent, 'I KNOW I'M GONNA LOVE IT' kind of book.
No surprise that this book was an absolute homerun!
I loved the characters. I loved that Mia isn't ga ga over Austin. It sets up for a guaranteed heaven-like kind of forced-proximity for readers and let me just say-it delivers!!
The romance is perfection. The setting is picturesque (I literally felt like I was there!). The side characters are so fun and I loved their connections. It was so fun to see more of the Sheppards and two specific character cameos from an all-time favorite book! (Looking at you Host for the Holidays)
Bottom line, if you like music, romance, forced-proximity, living the dream or trying to find the dream and are into super fun banter-you'd love this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content: forced proximity, music scene, European setting, a couple of bible swears, mention of intimacy (minimal and zero details), romance-kisses only.
No surprise that this book was an absolute homerun!
I loved the characters. I loved that Mia isn't ga ga over Austin. It sets up for a guaranteed heaven-like kind of forced-proximity for readers and let me just say-it delivers!!
The romance is perfection. The setting is picturesque (I literally felt like I was there!). The side characters are so fun and I loved their connections. It was so fun to see more of the Sheppards and two specific character cameos from an all-time favorite book! (Looking at you Host for the Holidays)
Bottom line, if you like music, romance, forced-proximity, living the dream or trying to find the dream and are into super fun banter-you'd love this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content: forced proximity, music scene, European setting, a couple of bible swears, mention of intimacy (minimal and zero details), romance-kisses only.
February 25, 2024
oh my god i love this book so much!!
it is so so good and i can't stop giggling and screaming because it's so damn cute!! this book is also sooo funny that makes me laugh so many times!
this book has "i don't need any help" gf with "i know, but let me help you" bf energy and that's ABSOLUTELY MY FAVORITEEE
i love how they always communicate so if something happened it won't go until there is a miscommunication or misunderstanding. austin is such a dream, a boyfriend that everyone needs and mia is very brave, i love how she never scared to speak her mind. both character development is so well deliver and makes me so damn proud of both of them!
it is so so good and i can't stop giggling and screaming because it's so damn cute!! this book is also sooo funny that makes me laugh so many times!
this book has "i don't need any help" gf with "i know, but let me help you" bf energy and that's ABSOLUTELY MY FAVORITEEE
i love how they always communicate so if something happened it won't go until there is a miscommunication or misunderstanding. austin is such a dream, a boyfriend that everyone needs and mia is very brave, i love how she never scared to speak her mind. both character development is so well deliver and makes me so damn proud of both of them!
February 6, 2024
this book is the definition of fine. it was rushed and not well thought out. the other two books in this series were so good and i had such high hopes for this one but it fell flat.
January 22, 2024
Selling Out is the third book in the Sheppards in Love series. While you'll see some character crossover, you can definitely enjoy this one as a standalone with no issues.
I have loved the Sheppard family so far in this wonderful series and was very excited to get to Austin's story. And my goodness, it did not disappoint! Just when I feel like this series cannot get any better, it absolutely does! Austin and Mia are fantastic together. Their first meeting had me laughing out loud and their first kiss!? Oh my! Their story was the perfect blend of humor and swooniness... with amazing characters that you couldn't help but adore. I loved that there was more to Austin than what it seems on the surface and how Mia isn't afraid to tell him like it is, celebrity or not. There was also a really great message about boundaries within the story too, which I thought was really wonderful. Honestly, there was so much to love in this book... a definite must read for sure!
Selling Out is a closed-door romance with amazing chemistry, but nothing beyond kisses.
**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.
I have loved the Sheppard family so far in this wonderful series and was very excited to get to Austin's story. And my goodness, it did not disappoint! Just when I feel like this series cannot get any better, it absolutely does! Austin and Mia are fantastic together. Their first meeting had me laughing out loud and their first kiss!? Oh my! Their story was the perfect blend of humor and swooniness... with amazing characters that you couldn't help but adore. I loved that there was more to Austin than what it seems on the surface and how Mia isn't afraid to tell him like it is, celebrity or not. There was also a really great message about boundaries within the story too, which I thought was really wonderful. Honestly, there was so much to love in this book... a definite must read for sure!
Selling Out is a closed-door romance with amazing chemistry, but nothing beyond kisses.
**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.
November 17, 2024
Selling Out by Martha Keyes
Sheppards in Love #3
256-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance
Featuring: Siblings, Aspiring Singer, Dual POVs, Recording Artist, Not A Fan Trope, Tour, One-sided Trope, Reflection Trope, Text Graphics, Music Industry, Europe, Venice, Italy; Record Labels, Rivals, Sex - Insinuated/Off-Camera, Family, Next Book Advertisement for Hail Marry, Author's Bibliography
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, "O Sole Mio" by Alfredo Mazzucchi and Eduardo di Capua
Books and Authors mentioned: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff, Summer Tease by Martha Keyes (follows this story)
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🎤👩🏻🎤👨🏻🎤🎸🎶
My thoughts:🔖Page 127 of 256 [Chapter] 17 Mia - This is better than I imagined, no clue why I put it off so long. I wish the industry wasn't like this.
This was great and I loved the epilogue.
Recommend to others: Yes. You certainly want to read this entire series and the related books.
Sheppards in Love
1. Kissing for Keeps (2023)
2. Just Friends Forever (2023)
3. Selling Out (2024)
4. Hail Marry (2025)
Sheppards in Love #3
256-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance
Featuring: Siblings, Aspiring Singer, Dual POVs, Recording Artist, Not A Fan Trope, Tour, One-sided Trope, Reflection Trope, Text Graphics, Music Industry, Europe, Venice, Italy; Record Labels, Rivals, Sex - Insinuated/Off-Camera, Family, Next Book Advertisement for Hail Marry, Author's Bibliography
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, "O Sole Mio" by Alfredo Mazzucchi and Eduardo di Capua
Books and Authors mentioned: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff, Summer Tease by Martha Keyes (follows this story)
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🎤👩🏻🎤👨🏻🎤🎸🎶
My thoughts:🔖Page 127 of 256 [Chapter] 17 Mia - This is better than I imagined, no clue why I put it off so long. I wish the industry wasn't like this.
This was great and I loved the epilogue.
Recommend to others: Yes. You certainly want to read this entire series and the related books.
Sheppards in Love
1. Kissing for Keeps (2023)
2. Just Friends Forever (2023)
3. Selling Out (2024)
4. Hail Marry (2025)
January 11, 2024
4.5 stars! This was such a fun read! And, side tangent, can I just say how excited I was to get Austin's story! It was very interesting to take a mini trip into the musical world. But the tour through Europe-besides the witty banter-was my favorite part of the book! I need to go to Prague and eat the nutella-whipping cream street food! I love the development of Austin and Mia's relationship. Also cameos of characters from previous stories.
This is part of a series, but it could be read as a stand-alone novel.
This is part of a series, but it could be read as a stand-alone novel.
September 12, 2024
The European setting and all the details Martha Keyes included in this book made this such a wonderful read! I loved "visiting" all the places with the characters and seeing the world through their eyes.
Oh their enemies to more banter!! So great! Started off with the undeniable connection and feisty banter! I love it! Mia and Austin made me giggle so much, the banter was spot on. Have I said that before?! Their connection growing and their perceptions changing as they got to know each other made for such sweet moments. Austin was such a fun flirty character who really had so much more to him than a pretty face. Mia was spunky and determined, but caring and loyal with those she was closest. I loved seeing Austin's protective side come out when it involved Mia and he was so supportive of her dreams.
Keyes does it again! Another book of hers that I love! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Oh their enemies to more banter!! So great! Started off with the undeniable connection and feisty banter! I love it! Mia and Austin made me giggle so much, the banter was spot on. Have I said that before?! Their connection growing and their perceptions changing as they got to know each other made for such sweet moments. Austin was such a fun flirty character who really had so much more to him than a pretty face. Mia was spunky and determined, but caring and loyal with those she was closest. I loved seeing Austin's protective side come out when it involved Mia and he was so supportive of her dreams.
Keyes does it again! Another book of hers that I love! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
January 30, 2024
I loved this book. It was so fun to live vicariously through two musicians going after their dreams. The banter was fantastic and I loved the tight knit family both MCs have. The family chats are so fun!
March 12, 2024
I loved this one!! The sparks between Mia and Austin are 🔥🔥🔥 he’s got the bad boy act down, but is a big softy!
September 4, 2024
Audiobook, 3.75 Stars!
January 16, 2025
Absolutely loved this one! Not normally a fan of rockstar romances but this was fantastic! Loved Mia & Austin together and how first impressions aren’t always right.
February 25, 2024
Super cute!! Loved the Tour through Europe! I know Martha Keyes travels a lot so I knew her descriptions were accurate and done from personal experience. Austin and Mia are super cute together. My only complaint is I wanted a longer Epilogue!! 😁😆
May 29, 2024
Joke's on me for thinking I could start this right before bed and then put it down. It's now 1:37 am
July 5, 2024
I loved how light this read was! The audio book was fabulous! Cute and clean romance! 🩷
April 26, 2025
by far my favorite out of the series! so cute and fun! it was so hard to put down! love the chemistry between Austin and Mia and could totally see myself reading this one again!
January 22, 2024
My word! As I closed this book (or my Kindle cover in this case) after finishing the story, I found myself sniffling a little bit. Selling Out was such a good book! But having been a fan of Martha Keyes for a while, this did not shock me at all. Selling Out was the type of book that I read in less than two days and felt satisfied that it wasn't rushed. I have been enjoying this series as a whole watching each of the Sheppard siblings find love, though they can be enjoyed as standalone books. If you haven’t started this Sheppards in Love series, I highly recommend it!
So to start, man, the meet cute for this book is downright hilarious. Like, what a way to meet! It really sets the stage for the relationship between Mia and Austin. They had a lot of tension throughout the story, but this also led to some amazing chemistry. Can you say, getting rid of Mia’s hiccups?? (IYKYK!!) You really need to read this story for those moments alone.
On the other hand, Noah. Ugh. There were so many moments where we the readers knew that Noah was a sleazeball but Mia didn’t and I just felt my heart rate whenever they spent time together. I couldn’t help thinking ‘girl don’t fall for it!’ Definitely helped out a bit of tension. Then, the cherry on top of this sundae of a book, the epilogue! I love a good epilogue and this one was perfect. Also, I love that there are several subtle Harry Potter references coming from a bookworm that really fell in love with reading because of that series.
So to start, man, the meet cute for this book is downright hilarious. Like, what a way to meet! It really sets the stage for the relationship between Mia and Austin. They had a lot of tension throughout the story, but this also led to some amazing chemistry. Can you say, getting rid of Mia’s hiccups?? (IYKYK!!) You really need to read this story for those moments alone.
On the other hand, Noah. Ugh. There were so many moments where we the readers knew that Noah was a sleazeball but Mia didn’t and I just felt my heart rate whenever they spent time together. I couldn’t help thinking ‘girl don’t fall for it!’ Definitely helped out a bit of tension. Then, the cherry on top of this sundae of a book, the epilogue! I love a good epilogue and this one was perfect. Also, I love that there are several subtle Harry Potter references coming from a bookworm that really fell in love with reading because of that series.
January 19, 2024
Martha knows how to make magic! This book! Ahhhh! Such a sweet romance! I loved the meet-cute!! It was perfect!
I also loved the setting being mostly in Europe. The aspirations, the jealousy, love triangle?, music careers, closets, fist fights and more.
Perfect pacing with lots of swoony scenes. The main characters were relatable and likable. I loved how Mia was determined to do things on her own. She cracked me up as she taught Austin about boundaries and how to enforce them.
This is a deliciously adorable book that you need to read. Now!
I also loved the setting being mostly in Europe. The aspirations, the jealousy, love triangle?, music careers, closets, fist fights and more.
Perfect pacing with lots of swoony scenes. The main characters were relatable and likable. I loved how Mia was determined to do things on her own. She cracked me up as she taught Austin about boundaries and how to enforce them.
This is a deliciously adorable book that you need to read. Now!
June 10, 2024
The only thing more daunting than singing in front of sold-out crowds across Europe? Facing the music when you start falling for the guy in the spotlight.
AUSTIN
After years of working my tail off in the music industry, I’ve finally made it: headlining my own tour across Europe. Sure, it’d be great to sing my own songs instead of the stuff my label gives me, but success requires compromise.
It also requires a stellar tour team, which is why I know I have to have Mia Sawyer as one of my backup vocalists when I hear her sing. With thousands of women screaming my name on stage every night, it shouldn’t bother me that she doesn’t seem to think much of me. I don’t have time for real relationships anyway.
MIA
Austin Sheppard is the exact type of man and “musician” I roll my eyes at. But since my own following on social media is stagnant enough that it’s bound to start attracting mosquitoes soon, I figure this may be the only opportunity I have to get paid to sing—and to see Europe, for that matter. For an opportunity like that? I can keep my opinions to myself.
Life on tour with Austin gives me a front-row seat to everything I wish I could have as a musician. It also puts me constantly and perilously close to the man I’ve pegged as a womanizer and a sell-out. So close, in fact, that I’m starting to worry the next sell-out will be my heart.
Selling Out is the third book in the Sheppards in Love series, following star Austin Sheppard and his backup singer Mia as they both try to navigate pursuing their dreams of writing and performing their own music.
I enjoyed the story of Austin and Mia’s relationship and felt that the characters and situations were realistic and relatable. It offered a peek into the world of fame with its benefits and drawbacks. Mia and Austin fit together well and I appreciated the way their story unfolded.
The tropes:
enemies-to-lovers
Meet not-so-cute
Forced proximity
This is a closed-door romance with mild language, some innuendo, implied intimacy between unmarried side characters, and an unwanted come-on that might be upsetting for some readers. There is a lot of commentary regarding the casual intimate relationships that stars tend to have that I personally could’ve done without.
Altogether I did enjoy this story and am looking forward to the final installment!
Thank you to Martha Keyes for the ARC copy! All opinions stared are my own.
AUSTIN
After years of working my tail off in the music industry, I’ve finally made it: headlining my own tour across Europe. Sure, it’d be great to sing my own songs instead of the stuff my label gives me, but success requires compromise.
It also requires a stellar tour team, which is why I know I have to have Mia Sawyer as one of my backup vocalists when I hear her sing. With thousands of women screaming my name on stage every night, it shouldn’t bother me that she doesn’t seem to think much of me. I don’t have time for real relationships anyway.
MIA
Austin Sheppard is the exact type of man and “musician” I roll my eyes at. But since my own following on social media is stagnant enough that it’s bound to start attracting mosquitoes soon, I figure this may be the only opportunity I have to get paid to sing—and to see Europe, for that matter. For an opportunity like that? I can keep my opinions to myself.
Life on tour with Austin gives me a front-row seat to everything I wish I could have as a musician. It also puts me constantly and perilously close to the man I’ve pegged as a womanizer and a sell-out. So close, in fact, that I’m starting to worry the next sell-out will be my heart.
Selling Out is the third book in the Sheppards in Love series, following star Austin Sheppard and his backup singer Mia as they both try to navigate pursuing their dreams of writing and performing their own music.
I enjoyed the story of Austin and Mia’s relationship and felt that the characters and situations were realistic and relatable. It offered a peek into the world of fame with its benefits and drawbacks. Mia and Austin fit together well and I appreciated the way their story unfolded.
The tropes:
enemies-to-lovers
Meet not-so-cute
Forced proximity
This is a closed-door romance with mild language, some innuendo, implied intimacy between unmarried side characters, and an unwanted come-on that might be upsetting for some readers. There is a lot of commentary regarding the casual intimate relationships that stars tend to have that I personally could’ve done without.
Altogether I did enjoy this story and am looking forward to the final installment!
Thank you to Martha Keyes for the ARC copy! All opinions stared are my own.
February 17, 2024
Sweet, contemporary romance
Romance, sweet, contemporary; series but stand alone read
Mia and Austin’s story is a lively romance. As they dance around the attraction they have for each other, unsure if the whys, how’s it can even be possible, all their moments lead to a lovely fall and HEA
Perfect Musician backstory for Austin, loved how he helped Mia’s dreams come true.
Loved all the small moments where they saw into each other and grew their attraction and feelings.
Great side characters, with glimpses of characters in the other Shepherd family novels, and good supporting characters for this novel, along with the European concert tour settings in multiple cities, it made for a fun, sweet, romantic, and lovely fall.
Romance, sweet, contemporary; series but stand alone read
Mia and Austin’s story is a lively romance. As they dance around the attraction they have for each other, unsure if the whys, how’s it can even be possible, all their moments lead to a lovely fall and HEA
Perfect Musician backstory for Austin, loved how he helped Mia’s dreams come true.
Loved all the small moments where they saw into each other and grew their attraction and feelings.
Great side characters, with glimpses of characters in the other Shepherd family novels, and good supporting characters for this novel, along with the European concert tour settings in multiple cities, it made for a fun, sweet, romantic, and lovely fall.
October 19, 2024
🌟4/5
❤️🩹4/5
🥰4/5
🌶️0/5
🔎0/5
😰3/5
🎭😂3/5
🎭😭0/5
👻0/5
🔬0/5
🔫0/5
🏥0/5
✍🏼5/5
🥱0/5
🏃🏻♀️5/5
🌎5/5
💁🏻♀️5/5
🙅🏻♀️
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
This is the last book in the Sheppard’s In Love series. Again, another clean, sweet super cute romance.
Austin and Mia belong together!! There really is a fine line between love and hate but, things aren’t always as they seem.
If you’re not into steamy romance novels, then this series is perfect for you. They do tackle some important issues but they aren’t emotionally heavy reads. Great for a ‘feel good, pick me up’ read.
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
AUSTIN
After years of working my tail off in the music industry, I’ve finally made it: headlining my own tour across Europe. Sure, it’d be great to sing my own songs instead of the stuff my label gives me, but success requires compromise.
It also requires a stellar tour team, which is why I know I have to have Mia Sawyer as one of my backup vocalists when I hear her sing. With thousands of women screaming my name on stage every night, it shouldn’t bother me that she doesn’t seem to think much of me. I don’t have time for real relationships anyway.
MIA
Austin Sheppard is the exact type of man and “musician” I roll my eyes at. But since my own following on social media is stagnant enough that it’s bound to start attracting mosquitoes soon, I figure this may be the only opportunity I have to get paid to sing—and to see Europe, for that matter. For an opportunity like that? I can keep my opinions to myself.
Life on tour with Austin gives me a front-row seat to everything I wish I could have as a musician. It also puts me constantly and perilously close to the man I’ve pegged as a womanizer and a sell-out. So close, in fact, that I’m starting to worry the next sell-out will be my heart.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 53 REVIEWS
Moods
lighthearted 93%
funny 60%
hopeful 40%
emotional 26%
adventurous 20%
inspiring 6%
relaxing 6%
tense 6%
Pace
medium 50%
fast 50%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 50% | Character: 25% | Plot: 25%
Strong character development?
Yes: 77% | It's complicated: 11% | No: 11%
Loveable characters?
Yes: 80% | It's complicated: 10% | No: 10%
Diverse cast of characters?
No: 50% | Yes: 50%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
No: 66% | Yes: 22% | It's complicated: 11%
Average rating
3.81 ⭐️
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬 Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
🏥 Medical Content -based on the amount and the accuracy of any medical content or if the book is supposed to be a medical style thriller.
✍🏼 Writing Style -based on if I enjoyed the writing style or not and how the author portrayed the world, characters, concept, plot etc.
🥱 Boredom -based on if I was bored if it held my interest or if I’d rather be doing something else 😴.
🏃🏻♀️ Book Pacing -Based on how quickly I thought the book moved.
🌎 World Development -Based on how well I liked the world development of the story.
💁🏻♀️ Character Development -Based on how well the characters were fleshed out and if I hated or loved with a passion.
🙅🏻♀️ DNF -based on if the book is just stupid, boring, chilgdish, overly ridiculous etc.
❤️🩹4/5
🥰4/5
🌶️0/5
🔎0/5
😰3/5
🎭😂3/5
🎭😭0/5
👻0/5
🔬0/5
🔫0/5
🏥0/5
✍🏼5/5
🥱0/5
🏃🏻♀️5/5
🌎5/5
💁🏻♀️5/5
🙅🏻♀️
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
This is the last book in the Sheppard’s In Love series. Again, another clean, sweet super cute romance.
Austin and Mia belong together!! There really is a fine line between love and hate but, things aren’t always as they seem.
If you’re not into steamy romance novels, then this series is perfect for you. They do tackle some important issues but they aren’t emotionally heavy reads. Great for a ‘feel good, pick me up’ read.
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
AUSTIN
After years of working my tail off in the music industry, I’ve finally made it: headlining my own tour across Europe. Sure, it’d be great to sing my own songs instead of the stuff my label gives me, but success requires compromise.
It also requires a stellar tour team, which is why I know I have to have Mia Sawyer as one of my backup vocalists when I hear her sing. With thousands of women screaming my name on stage every night, it shouldn’t bother me that she doesn’t seem to think much of me. I don’t have time for real relationships anyway.
MIA
Austin Sheppard is the exact type of man and “musician” I roll my eyes at. But since my own following on social media is stagnant enough that it’s bound to start attracting mosquitoes soon, I figure this may be the only opportunity I have to get paid to sing—and to see Europe, for that matter. For an opportunity like that? I can keep my opinions to myself.
Life on tour with Austin gives me a front-row seat to everything I wish I could have as a musician. It also puts me constantly and perilously close to the man I’ve pegged as a womanizer and a sell-out. So close, in fact, that I’m starting to worry the next sell-out will be my heart.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 53 REVIEWS
Moods
lighthearted 93%
funny 60%
hopeful 40%
emotional 26%
adventurous 20%
inspiring 6%
relaxing 6%
tense 6%
Pace
medium 50%
fast 50%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 50% | Character: 25% | Plot: 25%
Strong character development?
Yes: 77% | It's complicated: 11% | No: 11%
Loveable characters?
Yes: 80% | It's complicated: 10% | No: 10%
Diverse cast of characters?
No: 50% | Yes: 50%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
No: 66% | Yes: 22% | It's complicated: 11%
Average rating
3.81 ⭐️
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬 Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
🏥 Medical Content -based on the amount and the accuracy of any medical content or if the book is supposed to be a medical style thriller.
✍🏼 Writing Style -based on if I enjoyed the writing style or not and how the author portrayed the world, characters, concept, plot etc.
🥱 Boredom -based on if I was bored if it held my interest or if I’d rather be doing something else 😴.
🏃🏻♀️ Book Pacing -Based on how quickly I thought the book moved.
🌎 World Development -Based on how well I liked the world development of the story.
💁🏻♀️ Character Development -Based on how well the characters were fleshed out and if I hated or loved with a passion.
🙅🏻♀️ DNF -based on if the book is just stupid, boring, chilgdish, overly ridiculous etc.
February 18, 2024
I haven’t read very many professional musician romance books so this was a fun one. I loved that the music tour was in Europe bc it made for so many magical locations. I loved all the interactions between Austin and Mia. They were both great at flirting and were pretty straight forward with each other which I liked. I found this to be a really entertaining audiobook with great narrators. I liked Martha’s writing of course and I found the conflict to be interesting. This book could totally be read as a stand alone just fine.
SPOILERS and book notes:
Mia is a starving artist trying to get people to discover her original songs. Austin is a famous star but for songs that he didn’t write and doesn’t even like. They are too sexy for his taste and make him into a playboy. Not him. They both aren’t happy and have opposite problems. Their meet cute at the swimming pool was hilarious. They already have flirty enemies to lovers banter. And it’s amazing. She just judges him off of his persona and not the real him. But he asks her to be his back up singer for a tour in Europe! Super cool. He steals her phone and she doesn’t find out until later that he put his contact as “babe”. Haha and then she said that she should have gone with “miss piggy or pumba or Wilmer” instead. But miss piggy bc she is more of a diva. Bahaha so witty. Ooo now mia is his back up singer! Mia gets the hiccups when she gets nervous so people have to scare her to get rid of them.? I love that the line for fans to get pics Mia gets roped in as the photographer. She doesn’t take crap from anyone and doesn’t anyone grope Austin or disrespect him and I love that! He appreciated it too. Romantic gondola ride in Venice Italy. And her purse gets stolen and he chases it down like a boss. Than to surprise her he kisses her!! Snd then she pulls him in for more! She discovered his real music that he actually wrote on YouTube and she loooooves it. So she secretly listens to it all the time. When Noah won’t stop advancing on Mia Austen comes and fights him off! Yes!! I love the end. That they choose to compose music together with out a contract with that stupid music company. Now they can brand what ever music together!! Looooove it. I liked that the book showed that some of the times the musicians don’t have a choice with the type of music they produce or the image they portray. That was interesting. It makes me wonder if I judge a lot of them too harshly. The book also made me more conscience as a fan on how much personal space and respect you need to give the famous person.
SPOILERS and book notes:
Mia is a starving artist trying to get people to discover her original songs. Austin is a famous star but for songs that he didn’t write and doesn’t even like. They are too sexy for his taste and make him into a playboy. Not him. They both aren’t happy and have opposite problems. Their meet cute at the swimming pool was hilarious. They already have flirty enemies to lovers banter. And it’s amazing. She just judges him off of his persona and not the real him. But he asks her to be his back up singer for a tour in Europe! Super cool. He steals her phone and she doesn’t find out until later that he put his contact as “babe”. Haha and then she said that she should have gone with “miss piggy or pumba or Wilmer” instead. But miss piggy bc she is more of a diva. Bahaha so witty. Ooo now mia is his back up singer! Mia gets the hiccups when she gets nervous so people have to scare her to get rid of them.? I love that the line for fans to get pics Mia gets roped in as the photographer. She doesn’t take crap from anyone and doesn’t anyone grope Austin or disrespect him and I love that! He appreciated it too. Romantic gondola ride in Venice Italy. And her purse gets stolen and he chases it down like a boss. Than to surprise her he kisses her!! Snd then she pulls him in for more! She discovered his real music that he actually wrote on YouTube and she loooooves it. So she secretly listens to it all the time. When Noah won’t stop advancing on Mia Austen comes and fights him off! Yes!! I love the end. That they choose to compose music together with out a contract with that stupid music company. Now they can brand what ever music together!! Looooove it. I liked that the book showed that some of the times the musicians don’t have a choice with the type of music they produce or the image they portray. That was interesting. It makes me wonder if I judge a lot of them too harshly. The book also made me more conscience as a fan on how much personal space and respect you need to give the famous person.
December 30, 2025
Definitely a new favorite author! And I think I’m going to be binging all her contemporary books!
I started this out not quite sure I’d like it. Mia was pretty critical of Austin and I didn’t think I’d like her. I continued on though and was really happy when her sweet side came out past midway. It made the slightly rocky start (for me) worth it!
I did like the European tour angle, but I didn’t really feel like we were grounded in the places mentioned. Not like we were grounded in Paris for Host For The Holidays. That was a bummer for me since I really wanted to feel immersed in that!
I really liked Austin! In Troy’s book, I couldn’t really peg his personality but he really shone here. He had great humor—the author doesn’t miss with this! He was really sweet and thoughtful and just so great to Mia.
I did feel like for a while no one seemed to respect him. Which was odd because I think he’s the oldest sibling so I’d expect some level of command from him. It was sad how almost everyone took him for granted, and he just smiled and went along it.
Mia also said a lot of unkind things to him. I often wished he would actually be angry at her, rather than smile and shrug them off. I appreciate that she knew better later on.
I think Paul was a trash manager. Bro didn’t seem to have a clue!
I really like the Sheppards family. Even with little page time, their bond still feels very natural and real. On the flip side, Gemma seemed one dimensional. I find it interesting how with little page time on all sides, the author could portray the Sheppards naturally and kinda miss it with Gemma!
All in all this was really fun. When Mia started to really fall for Austin, I had a blast! They were both so sweet and adorable in how they fell in love!
I think the part about both of them crowd funding the album is unrealistic and a bit cringe. 😂 sure Austin’s fans would want to hear from him, but who is Mia to them that she’d instantly get success from the collab? Also, fans can be fickle and if their album wasn’t great and impressive, their career would be very uncertain. So yeah. I think it might’ve been more believable if Fusion had a real change of heart for Austin’s career and took better care of him.
All that said, these books are just what I’ve been looking for in my romcoms and I’m so happy I gave M.K’s books a shot!
I started this out not quite sure I’d like it. Mia was pretty critical of Austin and I didn’t think I’d like her. I continued on though and was really happy when her sweet side came out past midway. It made the slightly rocky start (for me) worth it!
I did like the European tour angle, but I didn’t really feel like we were grounded in the places mentioned. Not like we were grounded in Paris for Host For The Holidays. That was a bummer for me since I really wanted to feel immersed in that!
I really liked Austin! In Troy’s book, I couldn’t really peg his personality but he really shone here. He had great humor—the author doesn’t miss with this! He was really sweet and thoughtful and just so great to Mia.
I did feel like for a while no one seemed to respect him. Which was odd because I think he’s the oldest sibling so I’d expect some level of command from him. It was sad how almost everyone took him for granted, and he just smiled and went along it.
Mia also said a lot of unkind things to him. I often wished he would actually be angry at her, rather than smile and shrug them off. I appreciate that she knew better later on.
I think Paul was a trash manager. Bro didn’t seem to have a clue!
I really like the Sheppards family. Even with little page time, their bond still feels very natural and real. On the flip side, Gemma seemed one dimensional. I find it interesting how with little page time on all sides, the author could portray the Sheppards naturally and kinda miss it with Gemma!
All in all this was really fun. When Mia started to really fall for Austin, I had a blast! They were both so sweet and adorable in how they fell in love!
I think the part about both of them crowd funding the album is unrealistic and a bit cringe. 😂 sure Austin’s fans would want to hear from him, but who is Mia to them that she’d instantly get success from the collab? Also, fans can be fickle and if their album wasn’t great and impressive, their career would be very uncertain. So yeah. I think it might’ve been more believable if Fusion had a real change of heart for Austin’s career and took better care of him.
All that said, these books are just what I’ve been looking for in my romcoms and I’m so happy I gave M.K’s books a shot!
January 22, 2024
I have truly loved the Sheppards in Love series and Selling Out just edged out Kissing for Keeps for my new favorite of the series (all five stars for me- I recommend all three). It was absolutely a delight to read. I loved Austin and how, though, he may have "sold out" for the dream he had, he still had a heart of gold under it all and was such a sweetheart. Mia's character reminded me of the dreamer in all of us, where we want to see the world as black and white and hope that what we see is what we get. I liked watching her let go of some of her pride through her experiences with Austin and the tour while never letting go of her authenticity.
The romance and banter were so much fun. Oh my gosh, I will never think of hiccups the same. I think I need an Austin for the next time I experience them for myself #iykyk. I could feel the energy these main characters had and the chemistry coming right off the page.
I also loved the way the author captured so many great pop culture things and her expansive knowledge of travel shined as she took these characters singing all over Europe. I also felt like it was a realistic insight into what a music career may look like today.
I love that this is a completely clean romance that very successfully checks all the boxes for swoon. I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*I was able to preview the audiobook and the narrators both did an excellent job bringing Austin and Mia to life. I would listen to it over and over again.
The romance and banter were so much fun. Oh my gosh, I will never think of hiccups the same. I think I need an Austin for the next time I experience them for myself #iykyk. I could feel the energy these main characters had and the chemistry coming right off the page.
I also loved the way the author captured so many great pop culture things and her expansive knowledge of travel shined as she took these characters singing all over Europe. I also felt like it was a realistic insight into what a music career may look like today.
I love that this is a completely clean romance that very successfully checks all the boxes for swoon. I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*I was able to preview the audiobook and the narrators both did an excellent job bringing Austin and Mia to life. I would listen to it over and over again.
January 24, 2024
What a fun story that delves more into Austin Sheppard’s life. I still haven’t read book one but I know that Austin was in Book 2 and getting ready for a European tour. That’s where this book picks up. It may be best to read them in order as the characters and stories carry over.
I liked Austin who was really a great guy but his record company wouldn’t let him record the music he wrote. They had a stereotype for him and part of his show was to tear his shirt off at the end of each concert. If the tour of Europe was a success he was hoping to convince his producers to let him start singing his own stuff instead of the lame lyrics he was forced to sing.
Mia Sawyer is a passionate singer just waiting to be discovered but meanwhile to pay her bills and survive she works a telemarketing job. She loves to swim and sing and while underwater someone drags her up from the bottom of the pool thinking he was rescuing her. It is Austin who used to be a lifeguard at that pool. Hearing her sing and knowing he was one backup singer short, he offered her a job.
Mia hated the type of music Austin performed and thought he had a reputation of going after women so she hesitated to accept his offer. Deciding to join the group and slowly seeing the real Austin, she started to change her mind about him.
This was such a fun story with lots of humor and a growing romance between Austin and Mia. Would the tour finishing end their sprouting relationship?
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
I liked Austin who was really a great guy but his record company wouldn’t let him record the music he wrote. They had a stereotype for him and part of his show was to tear his shirt off at the end of each concert. If the tour of Europe was a success he was hoping to convince his producers to let him start singing his own stuff instead of the lame lyrics he was forced to sing.
Mia Sawyer is a passionate singer just waiting to be discovered but meanwhile to pay her bills and survive she works a telemarketing job. She loves to swim and sing and while underwater someone drags her up from the bottom of the pool thinking he was rescuing her. It is Austin who used to be a lifeguard at that pool. Hearing her sing and knowing he was one backup singer short, he offered her a job.
Mia hated the type of music Austin performed and thought he had a reputation of going after women so she hesitated to accept his offer. Deciding to join the group and slowly seeing the real Austin, she started to change her mind about him.
This was such a fun story with lots of humor and a growing romance between Austin and Mia. Would the tour finishing end their sprouting relationship?
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
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