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Keyed Up
Pianist Penelope Dixon, at age twenty-eight is finally stepping out of her father's shadow to embark on a solo career with the Seattle Symphony. How will an unexpected reunion with her first love from ten years ago play into those plans? Sebastian Mauer, once famed performer, now reclusive composer, foolishly pushed aside his love for Penelope, thinking it was for her own good. Can he redeem himself and show her they are meant to be together?
- GenresRomance
160 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2017
39 people want to read
About the author
Laura M. Baird
49 books1,356 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 15, 2017
I have read a few short stories in the past by Laura M. Baird. She always captures my interest immediately, and I instantly can connect with her plot lines, and the characters.
This particular setting for me was great, having experience with the Seattle area, I was familiar with the area and could easily transport myself into the storyline. Penelope was a fun character and easy to like, while Sebastian definitely had my heart racing! The story flowed easily, and while predictable, I was more than pleased that the epilogue continued the story and gave a sexy glimpse into their future lives together, along with a fun, unexpected surprise. I look forward to reading much more from Laura M. Baird in the future.
This particular setting for me was great, having experience with the Seattle area, I was familiar with the area and could easily transport myself into the storyline. Penelope was a fun character and easy to like, while Sebastian definitely had my heart racing! The story flowed easily, and while predictable, I was more than pleased that the epilogue continued the story and gave a sexy glimpse into their future lives together, along with a fun, unexpected surprise. I look forward to reading much more from Laura M. Baird in the future.
July 23, 2017
Wow! Before reading this novel, Laura Baird was a new author to me. I am so happy that she reached out and that I had the pleasure of editing and reading this novel. The romance between Sebastian and Penelope is so real and moves at the perfect pace. Sebastian Mauer was sultry and loving, and although he made a few mistakes I couldn't help but to connect with his character on a deeper level. All of Baird's characters were relatable and real and I think that any reader could connect with one.
Baird writes with such passion that I was curious to find out whether she was a pianist herself! During the scenes where Penelope and/or Sebastian are playing, the imagery is just so spectacular and vivid. Stylistically flawless in my opinion. I loved the POV switches, which were great for giving the reader a peek into each character's mind while keeping them intrigued in the novel (and annoyed at the character for not seeing what we saw)! I truly loved reading this novel and will be lookng for more from this author in the future!
Baird writes with such passion that I was curious to find out whether she was a pianist herself! During the scenes where Penelope and/or Sebastian are playing, the imagery is just so spectacular and vivid. Stylistically flawless in my opinion. I loved the POV switches, which were great for giving the reader a peek into each character's mind while keeping them intrigued in the novel (and annoyed at the character for not seeing what we saw)! I truly loved reading this novel and will be lookng for more from this author in the future!
August 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! It was refreshing and delightful to see a young talented girl decide to break out on her own and just see where her own career as pianist will take her. There are some shocks and surprises for her to face but I think Laura did an awesome job working through the matters of the hearts!
I was given an advanced copy to read and I am so glad that I was. Thank you!
I was given an advanced copy to read and I am so glad that I was. Thank you!
September 25, 2017
Keyed Up by Laura M Baird
3 1/2 ⛧
This sweet romance is a quick enjoyable read that tells us the story of Penelope & Sebastian, who's lives took a separate turn 10years previously due to a decision made solely by Sebastian.
This story contains no heavy angsty dialogue nor does it contain any hard hitting sexy scenes, but it does give us an easy second chance at love reading experience.
The characters are well rounded, however they were still a bit too uptight or wooden for me.
The writing flows quite well and the author has given us a pretty good overview of the life of a Symphony musician.
I believe this book could have been enhanced slightly with a bit more steam injected into the sexual elements of the story...however that is just a personal preference.
Those who love sweet romances will be sure to like this one.
3 1/2 ⛧
This sweet romance is a quick enjoyable read that tells us the story of Penelope & Sebastian, who's lives took a separate turn 10years previously due to a decision made solely by Sebastian.
This story contains no heavy angsty dialogue nor does it contain any hard hitting sexy scenes, but it does give us an easy second chance at love reading experience.
The characters are well rounded, however they were still a bit too uptight or wooden for me.
The writing flows quite well and the author has given us a pretty good overview of the life of a Symphony musician.
I believe this book could have been enhanced slightly with a bit more steam injected into the sexual elements of the story...however that is just a personal preference.
Those who love sweet romances will be sure to like this one.
September 3, 2017
I really loved this book. The story line was sophisticated, interesting and steamy all at the same time. Penelope was a very likable character and I found myself drawn into her dilemma over loving the dreamy Sebastian. It was a great, easy read that leaves you wanting more. Maybe even a prequel? I'm adding Laura Baird to my list of authors to read!
August 26, 2017
"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review""
I requested this book because I was intrigued by the reclusive hero (a performer and composer, no less) mentioned in the blurb, but his reclusiveness is a past thing in the plot.
I always like books with musicians and I enjoyed this dimension in “Keyed Up”, but the story didn’t grab my interest, perhaps because the events are presented in a chronological order that gets a bit flat.
Furthermore, I didn’t connect with the characters – the talented, young and innocent pianist, the famous composer and conductor – and wasn’t moved neither by the hero’s weak justification for the breakup in the past nor by the predictability of the current romantic relationship.
There’s nothing wrong with the writing, it’s just not my type of book.
I'm grateful to the publisher, Black Rose Writing, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
I requested this book because I was intrigued by the reclusive hero (a performer and composer, no less) mentioned in the blurb, but his reclusiveness is a past thing in the plot.
I always like books with musicians and I enjoyed this dimension in “Keyed Up”, but the story didn’t grab my interest, perhaps because the events are presented in a chronological order that gets a bit flat.
Furthermore, I didn’t connect with the characters – the talented, young and innocent pianist, the famous composer and conductor – and wasn’t moved neither by the hero’s weak justification for the breakup in the past nor by the predictability of the current romantic relationship.
There’s nothing wrong with the writing, it’s just not my type of book.
I'm grateful to the publisher, Black Rose Writing, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
December 21, 2017
LLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDD!
Do good!
Do good!
August 31, 2017
Keyed Up, Laura M. Baird
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: women's fiction, Romance
I was looking forward to this, I'm a sucker for a second chance romance, but though it was a really well written book the story itself just wasn't great for me. a decent read, but not one that I'd want to reread.
I felt as though I was reading part two of a duo, where book one would have covered Penelope and Sebastian's earlier romance, it just felt like I had missing gaps in the story. That was all covered eventually, but at first it felt somewhat odd to me.
Penelope is a very confident lady, the way she takes charge of the others, although they've been there years, is something only someone very self assured could do, and yet at other times she feels very shy and lacking in self esteem...
Sebastian, I really didn't ever get to grips with why he stopped their romance on the first place. There are reasons given later but for me they weren't strong enough to give up on a love if its serious.
That's part of the issue for me though, I didn't really feel the *love* between them, didn't see that magic connection I needed. There are moments when they get very hot and heavy but TBH that just feels like classic lust, not because there's anything more serious between them. That ten year gap - if they really felt that strongly why did they let it go so long, why leave it to chance before they come into contact together?
Still, as ever that's just me, just my thoughts and you may feel very differently.
It is a very well written story, great characters, no missing parts, or plots left in mid air but it was just the story itself that wasn't quite right for me. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't reread.
Stars: Three, well written but lacking in emotion and drama for me.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: women's fiction, Romance
I was looking forward to this, I'm a sucker for a second chance romance, but though it was a really well written book the story itself just wasn't great for me. a decent read, but not one that I'd want to reread.
I felt as though I was reading part two of a duo, where book one would have covered Penelope and Sebastian's earlier romance, it just felt like I had missing gaps in the story. That was all covered eventually, but at first it felt somewhat odd to me.
Penelope is a very confident lady, the way she takes charge of the others, although they've been there years, is something only someone very self assured could do, and yet at other times she feels very shy and lacking in self esteem...
Sebastian, I really didn't ever get to grips with why he stopped their romance on the first place. There are reasons given later but for me they weren't strong enough to give up on a love if its serious.
That's part of the issue for me though, I didn't really feel the *love* between them, didn't see that magic connection I needed. There are moments when they get very hot and heavy but TBH that just feels like classic lust, not because there's anything more serious between them. That ten year gap - if they really felt that strongly why did they let it go so long, why leave it to chance before they come into contact together?
Still, as ever that's just me, just my thoughts and you may feel very differently.
It is a very well written story, great characters, no missing parts, or plots left in mid air but it was just the story itself that wasn't quite right for me. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't reread.
Stars: Three, well written but lacking in emotion and drama for me.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
November 29, 2017
A great read by a very talented author. The author writes with a strong and authentic voice that completely drew me into the story. I love Seattle so it was also nice to be able to connect to the story through the sites and sounds of place. Looking forward to much more!
February 5, 2019
This remarkable story progresses nicely from beginning to end. Having an orchestral background myself, I truly enjoyed the book. With Laura M. Baird's expertise, the reader can almost hear the music coming from the pages and can definitely feel the character's emotions. This work was truly a pleasure to read!
December 9, 2023
This was just too vanilla for me. There was no deep escape to drift off into. It took me way too long to listen to it too because I just was not interested in really finishing but I did.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews