His ‘hail marry’ proposal to a near-stranger might just be the wildest play of his entire career
LUCA
One enormous detail stands between me and my dream of being drafted to the a valid visa. With my student visa expiring and a past, unfortunate run-in with the law disqualifying me from the one I need, I’ve run out of options.
Until I snatch a stranger on the street from being hit by a truck.
TORI
When someone saves your life, a “thank you” card doesn’t quite cut it. So, when I find out Luca’s only path to the NFL is finding a wife, how can I not offer? It’s only a formality anyway.
But paperwork turns out to be just the beginning of it. Playing pretend leads through a maze of immigration scrutiny and a lot more time together than either of us planned on. The hardest part of all, though, might be keeping my heart on the sideline in a game with multiplying and intense real-life consequences.
'She doesn't know much about football, but she's determined to learn it. All on this car ride. As for me? I'm just trying not to fall more in love with her every minute. I'm pretty sure she's having more success than I am.'
Wow, wow, WOW! I LOOOOOOVED this book so much. It's my new top favorite sports romance and I am a BIG sports romance fan.
This is a great mash-up of forced proximity, marriage of convenience, found family, learning to trust, character growth and amazing romantic tension/chemistry/banter...and maybe just a hint of suspense with marrying for a green card lol!
This book was so entertaining that it never got put down once. I knew right from the beginning this book was going to be an absolute favorite and I was not let down. THIS ENTIRE BOOK DESERVES ALL OF THE CAPS, ALL OF THE HEARTS, ALL OF THE STARS, ALL OF THE EVERYTHING!
Luca is such a fun character. He is one of those sports players you love watching documentaries about. The kind that make you laugh and cry all at the same time. Tori is a whirlwind and such a contrast to his life. It's the absolute best y'all. Don't even get me started on how wonderful the entire Sheppard family (and the Allreds IYKYK) is.
This book really is the best of everything good in this world. I can't recommend it enough!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content/Trigger: parent abandonment, immigration fraud, romance-kisses, intimacy between a married couple implied (no details). **I will feature books with intimacy implied as long as there are zero intimate details shared and when it is between a man and woman in a healthy relationship/marriage.
🏈 Release Date: January 15, 2025 🏈 . . . Well, this book certainly took off running, or should I say tumbling! 🤭 That was certainly one of the most dramatic meet-cutes I’ve ever read, and I LOVED it! Way to start a story strong 😄
Luca is literally such a sweet guy ♥️ I don’t care how grumpy his face looks, he’s a definite golden retriever behind his soulful brown eyes! The way he was checking up on Tori after the accident literally made me melt 🥹
Offering to marry a guy she only recently met in order to thank him for saving her life is only something Victoria Sheppard would do 😂 She was looking for a way to spice up her life so naturally the idea of marriage to a near stranger made perfect sense, as she put it, “A life for a wife.”
Tori and Luca were 100% made for each other! He may not have been her usual type, but no way could any woman not fall for a man with Ross Poldark vibes and a cinnamon roll personality ❤️🔥 The chemistry between these two was positively electric! ⚡️They both had some struggles to overcome with entering into a relationship like this (or just a relationship in general), but the vulnerability and growth was so worth it! Luca and Tori have such a beautiful relationship ♥️
Top Moments: 🏈 The tumbling meet-cute 🏈 Insulting Luca’s sweaty hands 🏈 Luca checking up on Tori AND bringing her a burrito 🥹 🏈 Proposing marriage as a thank you gift 🏈 Tori’s phone call w/ her parents 🏈 The photoshoot 🏈 Pregnancy pillows 🏈 Wearing his jersey 🏈 The Sheppard family supporting Luca 🏈 Helping the kids at the youth center 🏈 Touchdown dances 🏈 Dallin 🥹 🏈 The proposal & the epilogue . . . Thank you so much, Martha, for the opportunity to read this arc of your new book 💚
“We hopped on this train together, and it’s a one-way ticket, like it or not.”
I’ve been reading the Sheppards in Love series by Martha Keyes since the beginning and still I was completely caught off guard by HOW MUCH I loved this book!! This family is wacky and over-the-top, but they are completely there for each other and to see each of them coming together to love and accept their youngest sister, Tori, and her new husband, Luca, and their spur-of-the-moment elopement made my heart weep.
Football is a huge part of this book, along with some very tender and beautiful messages about love, hope, and belonging, but it was the modern day marriage of convenience between this stoic, grumpy, bossy, enormous man and this charming, personable, sassy, sweet, naive woman that really stole my heart. I felt every single emotion and felt them deeply.
I devoured this book like a famished person in a chocolate factory–I couldn’t get enough and every morsel of swoony interaction, each longing glance, all the almost stolen kisses, left me longing for more, more, more. And wow, did this author deliver! I’m in the deepest throes of a massive book hangover.
If you love closed door sports romcoms set near the sunny beach, grab this one ASAP!
This was such a fun, modern day marriage of convenience tale. I thought the author did a great job of showing the awkwardness of the two main characters who married when they hardly knew each other. I liked that both Luca and Tori were kind people who genuinely wanted good things for each other. Seeing them grow into friends and then begin to battle feelings for each other was sweet.
These two were so good for each other, with Tori and her family helping Luca to feel as if he finally mattered to someone. And it was fun to see how Tori found her calling, as well. These two had great chemistry and I loved that they were all in for helping each other throughout the novel.
I purchased a print copy of this book but ended up listening to the audio version from the library. I enjoyed the narration.
This was a cute enjoyable read with a similar premise to the movie "The Proposal". The characters were likable and I definitely wanted them to succeed. Some plot points were too easily taken care of, but overall the story had a good flow and an interesting plot.
A marriage of convenience for a green card. Football. Grumpy x sunshine. Big supportive family dynamics. Football. Luca & Tori being adorable. And did I mention football? 😂
My favourite thing was Luca calling Tori in the middle of the night to wake her up at set times for her concussion because she kept sleeping through her alarms. So sweet—he cared even though they’d just met.
I absolutely adored this book! When I was reading some of the reviews before I read it, one reviewer wrote that this book was the best sports romance she had ever read….that review really whet my appetite for this book….and I have to agree that it is the best sports romance ever! Luca was the absolute perfect hero heart ♥️. He was stoic on the outside, but on the inside he was a beautiful human being. He had been unloved by his parents, and was totally devoted to his grandmother who raised him. The way he fell in love with Tori was heart stopping…..so tender and romantic. Tori was the perfect book heroine. So sweet and kind, she wrestled with deep insecurities. This is the last book in the series, and read fine as a standalone….but I now want to read the whole series. This is my first book by Martha Keyes, and I look forward to reading more of her books. This is a 10+ stars book! My highest recommendation! Very sweet and clean, no language or explicit scenes….but some awesome romance, sweet touches and amazing kisses 😘
3.5 stars, rounded down. I've been reading a lot of deep and heavy books lately. It was nice to take a break and read something lighter and fluffier. Getting into this book took me a little while; the plot didn't feel entirely believable. However, once I got past that, it became entertaining and fun. The characters weren't very deep, but they were enjoyable. I'd read another book in this series by this author.
Content Warning: Squeaky clean romance. One, maybe implied fade to black? It was so vague, I wasn't entirely sure if that's what was being implied or not. Haha.
This was a bit of a different take on marriage of convenience and I loved it! I loved how both MCs had stuff from their past that they had to get past, loved the Shepherd family and loved how the ending went down! It was sweet, and funny, and tugged at my heartstrings.
CONTENT -🤬: none -❤️: makeouts, fade to black -⚠️: loss (past), parental abandonment
Tori and Luca have an INTENSE meet-cute! I liked how Luca's involvement in Tori's life was an awakening of sorts for her. Though I did have to suspend my disbelief a little bit that there were two people in the US that wouldn't realize that marrying for a green card was illegal, I didn't care. I loved Tori and Luca's journey together. I absolutely adored seeing the Sheppards rally around Luca and treating him as their own. That was so heartwarming! Plus, it was so fun to get glimpses of the other members of one of my favorite fictional families.
This one releases 1/15 and you will not regret picking it up!
Favorite Quotes: 😂 "I get it now. You're like an emotional mullet." "Huh?" "Business on the outside. Party on the inside."
✨ But hope doesn't play by the rules. It doesn't knock or ask permission to come in. It slips in through the crevices and cracks and starts expanding. Before you realize it, it's wrestling your fears.
❤️ "And you think I'm going to cause you emotional pain?" I force myself to meet her eyes, but it takes me what feels like a full minute to say, "You have the power to break me, Tori." She stares at me, her chest rising high and falling deep. She steps toward me, looking up at me with wide, genuine eyes. "But I won't."
😍 "I mean it, you know," I say. "You're mine. As long as you'll let me keep you." "You couldn't get rid of me if you tried," she says, kissing me again.
I loved this one from beginning to end! It was wonderful and such a great way to end the Sheppard Family series! It was filled with laughs and depth!
Tori and Luca had such a great meet-cute, so perfect for their romance and story. They were just adorable together and I love how their romance grow throughout the book. They just belonged together! Tori was fun and free spirited and Luca was calm and patient but also protective. They fit so well together.
I really enjoyed the fresh take on the Marriage of Convenience trope. I loved how the author approached the trope and portrayed the process. And no one cannot forget the Sheppard family and how fun they are. I felt like they were portrayed so well in this story and were featured so much. I love them so much. I will definitely miss them now that the series is wrapped up.
I have truly loved this series! This is such an adorable marriage of convenience story! Martha really knows how to write fun, engaging and relatable books.
If you haven’t read this yet, what are you waiting for? Each book can be read as a standalone, but you’ll be hooked and read them all.
This is perfect for sports romance lovers, but will appeal to everyone even if you’re not a sporty person. I’m not and I still loved it! For a heartfelt love story read this book!
Aww!! Hail Marry is freaking adorable and the perfect ending to the Sheppards in Love series! I have loved reading these 4 siblings’ stories and just love their relationship with each other and how they stand by snd support one another no matter what!
When Luca saves Tori’s life from nearly being run over by a trick, neither of them have any idea how connected their lives are about to be. However, when Tori tells a little white lie to her ex’s best friend about her relationship with Luca and then when Luca needs a green card to stay for the NFL Draft, these two find themselves in a marriage of convenience. It doesn’t seem to take long before feelings are starting to change!!
I just adored these two from beginning to end. Luca had a heart of gold, and despite his resistance to love and marriage, I loved seeing his feelings soften toward those ideas and toward Tori. He was so sweet and protective and I loved how determined he was to keep her safe and to guard her heart.
Tori was so cute! Her willingness to help Luca and put her life on hold for him was admirable. I was glad Luca could help her get out of the rut she felt stuck in. I enjoyed seeing her start to fall for him as she got to know him more. And, of course, I loved her relationship with her siblings and parents. Such a fun family!!
Hail Marry Shepherds In Love; Book 4 Martha Keyes @authormarthakeyes
~His ‘hail marry’ proposal to a stranger might be the wildest play of his entire career…
“You were unexpected, but you’re no less loved because of it.”
-Hail Marry, is the 4th and final delightful story in the Sheppards in Love Series. It’s clear of steamy scenes and swearing yet, it has all the swoons and humor you don’t know you needed! This is story is more than a sports romance. It also has a well-executed modern marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and all the feels. From start to finish, it’s the main characters that shine in this story. They truly brought this story to life and had me fully engaged. I loved that the tension between them was full of great sparks and the character growth in this story was simply fantastic, including a satisfying ending. Also, I enjoyed the humor, setting, and family support for our main characters.
“You’re one of us. For real. Whether you like it or not.”
-This story is full of real life issues and challenges, but watching dear characters be lifted through them was heartfelt and inspiring. This engaging and relatable story with humor infused as well, is definitely a great story worth reading!🙌🏻📚☺️
“Hope doesn’t play by the rules. It doesn’t knock or ask permission to come in. It slips in through the crevices and cracks and starts expanding. Before you realize it, it’s wrestling your fears.”
-Content: parent abandonment, immigration fraud, romance-kisses, intimacy between a married couple implied (no details).
“You being you is enough.”
#hailmarry #marthakeyes #allaboutthebestreads
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“Sometimes having someone who believes in you is even better.”
I just love a books from this author. Keyes’ books are always so well done. Whether it’s a romcom or a historical, the reader is in for a treat.
This book has some of my favorite tropes; grumpy sunshine and marriage of convenience. Keyes does an incredible job of showing the real marriage of convenience and the circumstances that lead Luca and Tori to it. But Keyes also shows the consequences.
Luca is so grumpy, but under that grump is a very kind, lonely gentle giant, who’s had a tough life. Tori is a burst of beautiful sunshine. I love how she is just herself, no matter what.
I knew this book would have humor and great lines, but actually hilarious and full of so many laugh out loud moments. (Thanks to Tori!) Tori is so funny, her humor and goodness shine through the page.
I loved Luca’s and Tori’s story. And don’t forget the football. I loved loved loved Tori POV in those games. It was so real. And of course so funny. Tori will forever be one of my favorite characters.
I received an eARC from the author. All views are my own.
3.75! “The Sheppards are ready to take on U.S. Immigration.”
While I was reading the book, I had so much fun and enjoyed so much of it. It’s a 3.75 for me because I felt like there weren’t enough scenes of Tori and Luca getting to know each other for me. Wonderful book. I fear I just can’t remember some of the scenes, I can just remember that I enjoyed it…and I JUST finished it.
We’ll see how it holds up as time goes on.
I think that their dynamic when they did interact and acted as a married couple was cute, and I really liked them together. I also enjoyed see the rest of the Sheppards.
Enjoyable read and a good one to start out the year with.
This author had me so invested in Luca and Victoria’s lives that I couldn’t put it down. I’m not always a fan of this trope when it’s contemporary, but I was 💯 percent invested in this slow burning love story. You’ll need a time out when it heats up. And your own end zone dance. The pacing and snappy dialogue grabbed my heart and I desperately wanted Luca to find a path to happiness. So many heart melting moments.
The Rhyme: When Luca saves Victoria’s life, he had no idea that she could save his dreams. Will a marriage of convenience become as real as it seems?
Part of a family that has their own stories told in different series, but stands alone. Kissing only. Highly recommend!
Honestly, this might have been my favorite book in the series! I’m so sad it’s over! If you loved the movie The Proposal, you would absolutely love this book. It has a very similar storyline, but it’s set in California and features an NFL player and a fun, blonde heroine who wants to help him. Such a cute, feel-good read!
Loved it! It was a great book to occupy my snow day hours. Super sweet, closed door romance. My eyes glazed over when she went through some football plays, but it probably meant something awesome to someone reading those parts.
Cute, clean with the perfect amount of tension and bluntness. Not a ton of miscommunication which is common in fake relationship tropes. So many parts made me smile. Felt like reading a football version of “the proposal”
Every book in this series has been great. I love the Sheppards! Tori and Luca were cute and I loved the marriage of convenience trope. This was the perfect ending to the series.