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The Muse Next Door
Newly divorced gallery owner Willow Fitzpatrick has a second chance at love in an online fling with a famous Spanish artist—the great Domingo Rodriguez. When noisy construction interrupts her pined-for ping , Willow meets Austin Miles—the burly, blue-eyed ex-contractor remodeling his coffee shop next door.
Willow’s new neighbor grates on her nerves, until Austin’s handsome handyman skills come to her rescue. Still, she refuses to fall for this gentle giant. She’s saving herself for her Spanish artist, who has finally agreed to hold a show at her humble gallery.
Domingo’s flamboyant arrival coincides with the return of Austin’s high school crush—and now Willow can’t source the flutter in her chest. If she can’t sort out her true feelings soon, it may be too late.
A sweet, enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance, this endearing tale will keep you smiling and turning the pages until the very end.
Willow’s new neighbor grates on her nerves, until Austin’s handsome handyman skills come to her rescue. Still, she refuses to fall for this gentle giant. She’s saving herself for her Spanish artist, who has finally agreed to hold a show at her humble gallery.
Domingo’s flamboyant arrival coincides with the return of Austin’s high school crush—and now Willow can’t source the flutter in her chest. If she can’t sort out her true feelings soon, it may be too late.
A sweet, enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance, this endearing tale will keep you smiling and turning the pages until the very end.
252 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2023
17 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Spero
8 books105 followersJohannah Davies (JD) Spero’s writing career took off when her first release, Catcher’s Keeper, was a finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. Her small town mystery series has won similar acclaim. Boy on Hold won 2020 IPPY Gold for Best Mystery/Thriller ebook and Boy Released was a 2021 Indies Today Finalist. Check out her bestselling romantic suspense, The Secret Cure. Having lived in various cities from St. Petersburg (Russia) to Boston, she now lives with her family in the Lake George, NY region where she was born and raised.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 16, 2023
Willow is a newly divorced gallery-owner trying desperately to rebuild her life and rekindle her spark. Austin is the rugged, handsome coffee-shop owner next door. Set on Bainbridge Island, both are trying to get a handle on their lives and make a new start. But misunderstandings, false starts, secrets and self-doubt plague them both. These two relatable characters are supported by close friends with their own secret struggles, too. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey told in alternating chapters and added Bainbridge Island on my bookish bucket list.
May 30, 2023
I have to start by saying that before picking up this book I had been really struggling with my reading mojo. I would pick up a book, read a bit and then put it down again - very unlike me and very frustrating.
The Muse Next Door was the answer to my prayers. I started it and it drew me right in. It’s a gorgeous, feel good, enchanting read and I loved every word of it.
The sign of a good book for me is when I genuinely care about the characters. I literally wanted to scream at Willow so many times throughout the book to get together with Austin and forget about Domingo.
The chemistry between Willow and Austin could be felt through the pages of the book so well - a real testament to the writer.
All the characters were really likeable so, as the reader, I genuinely cared about them and what happened to them - from Willow and Austin to Beth and Carmen and the lovely Amy too. Everyone had a story of their own and I enjoyed how all their stories played out - even Domingo’s !
If you’re looking for an easy, feel good read to lift your spirits, make you smile and warm your heart then The Muse Next Door is it 😊
The Muse Next Door was the answer to my prayers. I started it and it drew me right in. It’s a gorgeous, feel good, enchanting read and I loved every word of it.
The sign of a good book for me is when I genuinely care about the characters. I literally wanted to scream at Willow so many times throughout the book to get together with Austin and forget about Domingo.
The chemistry between Willow and Austin could be felt through the pages of the book so well - a real testament to the writer.
All the characters were really likeable so, as the reader, I genuinely cared about them and what happened to them - from Willow and Austin to Beth and Carmen and the lovely Amy too. Everyone had a story of their own and I enjoyed how all their stories played out - even Domingo’s !
If you’re looking for an easy, feel good read to lift your spirits, make you smile and warm your heart then The Muse Next Door is it 😊
June 6, 2023
When Willow is getting ready to open her new art gallery her sense of peace is shattered by a new arrival next door. First impressions are not great between the new neighbours and Willow is dreaming of romance with a very attractive artist . A very entertaining, funny read.
June 18, 2023
A Discovered Niche!
Ms. Spero has entered a wonderful subject area. I hope she continues with this genre. My wife is reading it next and I suggested to her that she will love it. You have birthed a good one Johannah!
Ms. Spero has entered a wonderful subject area. I hope she continues with this genre. My wife is reading it next and I suggested to her that she will love it. You have birthed a good one Johannah!
May 27, 2023
A little fluff and just enough "stuff!"
The Muse Next Door is a delightful love story set in picturesque Bainbridge Island near Seattle. Like many a heroine, Willow fantasizes about love while ignoring the potential of it right in front of her eyes. The story features well developed, relatable characters in Willow, her best friend Beth and especially in Austin, the hunky coffee shop guy. Chapters focus on Willow or Austin that counterpoint their different reactions to the same events. The flamboyant artiste from Spain, Domingo, is highly entertaining.
Heartily recommended. This is the 6th book I have read by J D Spero and they are all different genres. I like that versatility.
The Muse Next Door is a delightful love story set in picturesque Bainbridge Island near Seattle. Like many a heroine, Willow fantasizes about love while ignoring the potential of it right in front of her eyes. The story features well developed, relatable characters in Willow, her best friend Beth and especially in Austin, the hunky coffee shop guy. Chapters focus on Willow or Austin that counterpoint their different reactions to the same events. The flamboyant artiste from Spain, Domingo, is highly entertaining.
Heartily recommended. This is the 6th book I have read by J D Spero and they are all different genres. I like that versatility.
July 20, 2023
The muse next door by JD Spero.
Newly divorced gallery owner Willow Fitzpatrick has a second chance at love in an online fling with a famous Spanish artist—the great Domingo Rodriguez. When noisy construction interrupts her pined-for ping, Willow meets Austin Miles—the burly, blue-eyed ex-contractor remodeling his coffee shop next door.
Really good read. I loved the chemistry between Willow and Austin. 5*.
Newly divorced gallery owner Willow Fitzpatrick has a second chance at love in an online fling with a famous Spanish artist—the great Domingo Rodriguez. When noisy construction interrupts her pined-for ping, Willow meets Austin Miles—the burly, blue-eyed ex-contractor remodeling his coffee shop next door.
Really good read. I loved the chemistry between Willow and Austin. 5*.
July 10, 2023
Willow pines for Domingo, but is it real? And what about Austin, her new neighbor who is driving her crazy? This is a sweet story about the silliness that happens when mixed signals and attraction combine. A perfect beach read.
July 30, 2023
Adored this book! Great chemistry, extremely witty . . Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews