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The River Muse: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26From the author of The Alchemy of Flowers comes a tale of lost selves, ages-old secrets, and how we can reclaim our truest voices through love, music, and a touch of magic.
A French chateau. A forest with secrets. A magical spring. Welcome to La Chanson, where lost souls are found again…
At the brink of summer, Callie arrives in a secluded village in the South of France with her young daughter, after barely escaping her menacing ex-partner. Desperate to hide, she rents a cottage on the grounds of the Chateau of the Lost. Her new home sings with flowing water, rustling olive trees, and whispering poppies—an otherworldly nook of hidden magic. Little by little, she warms to her quirky neighbors—a witchy landlady, an acclaimed truffle hunter, his kind veterinarian son, and their lovable dogs. Oh, and a mischievous ghost boy.
Slowly but surely, her new friends help her discover herself again. Years earlier, she gave up music at the insistence of her ex, but as she reclaims her voice, everyone finds that her songs open hearts and heal old wounds. When her ex tracks her down, the stakes grow deadly, and she must tap into her most powerful self to protect her newfound family.
Whimsical and atmospheric, The River Muse will enchant readers with its myth and music--showing how we can find friendship, love, and our truest selves in the most unexpected places.
A French chateau. A forest with secrets. A magical spring. Welcome to La Chanson, where lost souls are found again…
At the brink of summer, Callie arrives in a secluded village in the South of France with her young daughter, after barely escaping her menacing ex-partner. Desperate to hide, she rents a cottage on the grounds of the Chateau of the Lost. Her new home sings with flowing water, rustling olive trees, and whispering poppies—an otherworldly nook of hidden magic. Little by little, she warms to her quirky neighbors—a witchy landlady, an acclaimed truffle hunter, his kind veterinarian son, and their lovable dogs. Oh, and a mischievous ghost boy.
Slowly but surely, her new friends help her discover herself again. Years earlier, she gave up music at the insistence of her ex, but as she reclaims her voice, everyone finds that her songs open hearts and heal old wounds. When her ex tracks her down, the stakes grow deadly, and she must tap into her most powerful self to protect her newfound family.
Whimsical and atmospheric, The River Muse will enchant readers with its myth and music--showing how we can find friendship, love, and our truest selves in the most unexpected places.
- GenresMagical RealismFiction
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 12, 2026
104 people want to read
About the author
Laura Resau
14 books433 followersLaura Resau is the author of The Alchemy of Flowers, The River Muse (May 2026), and eleven acclaimed books for children and teens. Her books have garnered nineteen starred trade reviews, five Colorado Book Awards, and spots on “best-of” book lists from Oprah, School Library Journal, and the American Library Association. Trilingual, she’s lived in Provence and Oaxaca, and has a background in cultural anthropology, languages, and ESL. She teaches graduate creative writing at Western Colorado University. You might find her writing in her cozy vintage trailer in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she lives with her rock-hound husband, musician son, wild husky, and a hundred house plants.
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January 7, 2026A French chateau where lost souls are found again..
Summer reading! Sci-fi/Fantasy and women’s fiction
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author, Laura Resau for the early eARC!
Publication date: May 12, 2026
Summer reading! Sci-fi/Fantasy and women’s fiction
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author, Laura Resau for the early eARC!
Publication date: May 12, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Once upon a time a frightened young woman named Callie (full name Calliope) lost all the good things in her life except for her enchanting daughter, Eva. Callie’s beloved husband Nick died in a freak accident and she lost her way for a time.
Callie stopped singing even though she loved performing and her songs brought joy to the people who listened to her music. She felt so lost that when her husband’s close friend Brett promised to take care of her, she was grateful.
Little by little Brett began to take over her life; he even began to talk about marrying her and adopting Eva so that they could be a family. Callie starts to feel like a possession as Brett controls the smallest things in her life and one day she rebels.
She and Eva flee to the south of France, a place that Callie loved. She knew that Brett would come after Eva and her so she and her daughter are constantly on the move to avoid discovery as they live off the grid.
After one emergency escape, Callie and Eva find a haven in the small French community of La Chanson. The townspeople are welcoming but there is a bitter rivalry between two families in the community. Callie begins to put down roots again and one day she begins to sing and write songs once more, inspired by the lovely music of the river that runs through town.
Does everyone live happily ever after? You’ll have to answer that for yourself when you finish the book.
“River Muse” is Laura Resau’s second novel for adults. The book does a powerful job at describing the emotional devastation and powerlessness caused by an abusive relationship. Callie is a believable character as a person who has experienced trauma and self-doubt. Her daughter Eva doesn’t know a stranger and is attuned to the world around her.
The power of music and the joy it creates is a primary thread running throughout the plot. I kept thinking about how music has helped me navigate the difficult aspects of my life and how it inspires optimism and positive changes too.
The story flows smoothly and has a finely honed balance of mystery, romance, and magical realism.
I think that the plot is somewhat predictable but I enjoyed seeing how Callie transformed her life.
This would be an excellent read for fans of Sarah Addison Allen.
I would give this book a rating of 4.5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Callie stopped singing even though she loved performing and her songs brought joy to the people who listened to her music. She felt so lost that when her husband’s close friend Brett promised to take care of her, she was grateful.
Little by little Brett began to take over her life; he even began to talk about marrying her and adopting Eva so that they could be a family. Callie starts to feel like a possession as Brett controls the smallest things in her life and one day she rebels.
She and Eva flee to the south of France, a place that Callie loved. She knew that Brett would come after Eva and her so she and her daughter are constantly on the move to avoid discovery as they live off the grid.
After one emergency escape, Callie and Eva find a haven in the small French community of La Chanson. The townspeople are welcoming but there is a bitter rivalry between two families in the community. Callie begins to put down roots again and one day she begins to sing and write songs once more, inspired by the lovely music of the river that runs through town.
Does everyone live happily ever after? You’ll have to answer that for yourself when you finish the book.
“River Muse” is Laura Resau’s second novel for adults. The book does a powerful job at describing the emotional devastation and powerlessness caused by an abusive relationship. Callie is a believable character as a person who has experienced trauma and self-doubt. Her daughter Eva doesn’t know a stranger and is attuned to the world around her.
The power of music and the joy it creates is a primary thread running throughout the plot. I kept thinking about how music has helped me navigate the difficult aspects of my life and how it inspires optimism and positive changes too.
The story flows smoothly and has a finely honed balance of mystery, romance, and magical realism.
I think that the plot is somewhat predictable but I enjoyed seeing how Callie transformed her life.
This would be an excellent read for fans of Sarah Addison Allen.
I would give this book a rating of 4.5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the E-ARC. ❤️
The River Muse is the kind of book that quietly pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s beautifully written without trying too hard, and the story unfolds with the same steady, unhurried rhythm as the river at its center.
Set in a small French town shaped by history and memory, the novel follows Callie, torn between where she comes from and who she wants to become. The river feels like its own character- holding secrets, witnessing heartbreak, and reflecting the changes happening beneath the surface. The writing is rich with detail, making it easy to picture the mist on the water or feel the grit of the riverbank underfoot.
What really makes the book work is its emotional depth. The characters feel real, messy, flawed, and relatable, and their relationships are layered in a way that feels honest. Nothing wraps up too perfectly, which makes the story all the more believable.
It does move at a slower pace, especially in the middle, so readers looking for nonstop action might find it a bit reflective. But if you’re in the mood for a thoughtful, character-driven story with gorgeous prose, The River Muse is well worth it. A strong four-star read and an impressive showing from a promising author. 📚
The River Muse is the kind of book that quietly pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s beautifully written without trying too hard, and the story unfolds with the same steady, unhurried rhythm as the river at its center.
Set in a small French town shaped by history and memory, the novel follows Callie, torn between where she comes from and who she wants to become. The river feels like its own character- holding secrets, witnessing heartbreak, and reflecting the changes happening beneath the surface. The writing is rich with detail, making it easy to picture the mist on the water or feel the grit of the riverbank underfoot.
What really makes the book work is its emotional depth. The characters feel real, messy, flawed, and relatable, and their relationships are layered in a way that feels honest. Nothing wraps up too perfectly, which makes the story all the more believable.
It does move at a slower pace, especially in the middle, so readers looking for nonstop action might find it a bit reflective. But if you’re in the mood for a thoughtful, character-driven story with gorgeous prose, The River Muse is well worth it. A strong four-star read and an impressive showing from a promising author. 📚
February 5, 2026
Thank you #NetGalley for this #TheRiverMuse ARC!
If you like Chocolat, then this book is right up your alley. It follows and woman and her daughter as they try to escape a bad situation (warning, some light mention of emotionally abusive relationships). They run away to France where they find a magical/wonderful town full of people who become her chosen family. There were a few less organized parts of the story that put this book at a solid 4.25 stars for me.I wish some of the things brought up in the story (like the mythological elements) were more fleshed out, but there was also a lot going on so not everything could have lengthy dives into that piece of the story. Pickup this book if you like: soft magic, tales of regaining your own strength and confidence, found families, cozy settings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
If you like Chocolat, then this book is right up your alley. It follows and woman and her daughter as they try to escape a bad situation (warning, some light mention of emotionally abusive relationships). They run away to France where they find a magical/wonderful town full of people who become her chosen family. There were a few less organized parts of the story that put this book at a solid 4.25 stars for me.I wish some of the things brought up in the story (like the mythological elements) were more fleshed out, but there was also a lot going on so not everything could have lengthy dives into that piece of the story. Pickup this book if you like: soft magic, tales of regaining your own strength and confidence, found families, cozy settings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a huge reminder of why I love to read and to find new authors. I loved this book so much!! It’s about family, resilience, found family, secrets, reconciliation, restoring your life after pain and so much more. Throw so magical realism in there and some dogs and it’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star read!!
Callie leaves a very unhealthy and controlling relationship by traveling to France with her daughter. She has very limited money and rents a place at THE CHATEAU OF THE LOST. She will find some very interesting characters here along with a magical forest. She also finds her passion for music again and starts writing and singing again. Can Callie get her life back?? This one is available 5/12 and you can pre-order now. Cassandra Campbell is the audiobook narrator so I know I will be listening to it!!!
Callie leaves a very unhealthy and controlling relationship by traveling to France with her daughter. She has very limited money and rents a place at THE CHATEAU OF THE LOST. She will find some very interesting characters here along with a magical forest. She also finds her passion for music again and starts writing and singing again. Can Callie get her life back?? This one is available 5/12 and you can pre-order now. Cassandra Campbell is the audiobook narrator so I know I will be listening to it!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh what a beautiful, mysterious second adult fiction from Laura Resau. Southern France full of watery smells, colors, melodies that pulls the reader in from page one as Callie rushes to escape the brutalist Brett, a sociopath who has nourished falsehoods and misgivings to entomb Callie’s life and innocent daughter.
Escape being the only option, the heroine runs to find a shelter of river, humans, dogs, forest, and truffles all hiding their own sixty-years of secrets, mistrust, murders.
Yet love, hope, redemption sings from each page as we twist within the rapids of excellence storytelling as Resau does so well.
Escape being the only option, the heroine runs to find a shelter of river, humans, dogs, forest, and truffles all hiding their own sixty-years of secrets, mistrust, murders.
Yet love, hope, redemption sings from each page as we twist within the rapids of excellence storytelling as Resau does so well.
December 29, 2025
I enjoyed this. I loved the little village of La Chanson and the strong French influences and atmosphere throughout the book. I also liked seeing Callie’s personal growth as she distanced herself from a negative situation and created a whole new family for herself and her daughter.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love the whimsical worlds this author creates! This is the second of her books I’ve read and I really enjoy both her writing style and the way she can drop you into a scene with perfect details. She created a family for these characters that anyone would long for in a group of friends, it was so beautiful!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
lyrical and gorgeous book with fantastic vibes throughout. the plotting was impeccable, the characters were great... 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews