I'm an actress. I disappear into my roles. But in Gavin Lockwood's spotlight...I can't disappear.
I’m the harlot of the theater department.
He’s the mysterious new lighting designer.
Gavin needs a muse, and I need to feel seen.
He takes pictures. Strips me down. Ties me up. His ropes, his camera, and his infinite patience…they bring me to my knees. Until I’m face to face with Gavin’s lens, staring back at myself.
Something is igniting between us. Will it save us or destroy us?
We both have secrets. If they end up in the spotlight… We could lose everything.
Miranda Silver writes sexy novels with a twist. She's happy to be putting her English degree to use, along with her love of drama, secrets, steam, and words. Miranda lives on the West Coast with her family, where she spends time outdoors whenever possible.
I loved Jori and Gavin's story. There is a vulnerability to their story that allowed me to really connect to their characters. Their journey was portrayed effortlessly, creating an immersive environment that made me feel like I was right there with them.
Jordana (Jorie) A 21-year-old theater student at Hawthorne University, Jorie has fumbled through life never fully gaining any traction. Numb, she turns to self-destructive behaviors just to feel something, anything that would distract her from the hollow worthless void within her.
Gavin
At 30 years old, Gavin feels like his life is an utter train wreck. Recently divorced and newly relocated from NYC, he’s just going through the motions. His ex left him feeling confused and unsure of himself since he didn't fit in the box she tried to put him in.
Together, they navigate a dual life: student and staff by day; muse and pleasure Dom by night. Using the lens of his camera, Gavin shows Jorie how he sees her. Jorie helps Gavin reclaim his self-worth and feel confident in his photography career. Gavin's love, patience and understanding showed Jorie that she doesn't need to diminish herself just for the hope of praise or a shred of recognition. Together they become whole.
Tropes: 📸 Age gap 📸 Bondage photography 📸 Secret relationship 📸 Emotional healing 📸 Chaotic Actress FMC x mysterious lighting director MMC 📸 Forbidden Romance
The journey this book takes you on is very special. I would recommend you make sure to read the trigger warnings before reading.
Jordana and Gavin were made for each other. Each found healing with the other. The author really highlights how women are treated, sl*t shaming, and how women aren’t allowed to be broken or going through something. Men aren’t given the benefit of the doubt and empathy. Everyone will find something they can relate to in Jordana. The world, parents, teachers, and partners have all failed her. It makes her believe she doesn’t deserve to be loved. That is, until the dark, mysterious, and older Gavin shows up. We all DESERVE a Gavin.💕
They are both working on a college play; one as the main actress and the other in lighting. When Gavin needs a new model for his book, Jordana jumps at the opportunity to explore herself and spend time with him.
My only complaints were the slow pacing and a couple cliched choices the characters make.
If you love your books spicy, healing, and unique, this is definitely for you!
*Thank you to the author and Luna Literary for an ARC of this title in exchange for a honest review.*
Muse is raw and heavy in a good way. This is one of those books that grab you and hold on. It is a heavy and dark read but it is healing too. Gavin and Jordana are two broken people whose broken pieces fit together perfectly. Jordana thinks she doesn't deserve good in the world. Having been told that no isn't something you can say to men and that is how she has lived her life until she meets Gavin. Gavin is a recently divorced erotic photographer hired by his friend to work as the lighting director for the play Streetcar at the local college. When he meets Jordana he is instantly drawn to her. Together they create his photography book of erotic scenes and she gains self worth and confidence throughout their time together. This book is one you'll want to read when you need to read something that makes you feel raw and open, craving an emotional journey, or just need to sit in the darkness for a while to come out better by the end.
Please make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading because only you can protect your mental health.
ARC Review: Muse was definitely not the book I was expecting but it was quite the pleasant and emotional surprise!
You’ve got the story of two people who are broken because of different things in their pasts and find a journey of healing through each other.
It’s a very raw & emotional book so you definitely want to check your trigger warnings.
The only point of contention I had with the story is how fast everything happens. It all unfolds over the course of only one week and while it was a beautiful story, I think it would’ve been more realistic to have had it happen over the course of a longer time period.
Thank you to Luna Literary Management for the advanced copy!
Rating: 3.75/5 Heat Level: 4/5 Pub Date: April 24th
My review:
This is an erotic romance set during the lead-up to a college production of A Streetcar Named Desire; lead actress Jordana starts a Thing with Gavin, the replacement lighting designer, who is also an erotic photographer.
Miranda Silver is very good at writing erotic romances with characters around college age in a way that doesn't feel new adult in the least, and I thought Jordana was another character too add to the pack; her worldview was shaped by her male-centric mom, her absentee, wealthy dad, and consequently, she courts male attention, putting up with both the good and the bad, to her detriment. She's trying to get out of a particularly shitty secret relationship with a fellow student actor, when Gavin comes into the picture, and she immediately wants something better... with Gavin. It also happens that Gavin is in need of a replacement model for his bondage photography book, and Jordana volunteers herself.
The sex is solid— there's a D/s dynamic that builds from the moment Gavin makes her crawl in public... in a diner, and there's some light pet play throughout the book. Gavin wants to give Jordana a less impersonal and crude experience while still making her feel "used" the way she wants to be. Of course there's also more than one sex scene with bondage while he's photographing her, and there's some kidnapping roleplay as well.
While this is all well and good, I just don't... know how much I buy this love story, because Jordana and Gavin meet and fall madly in love... over the course of a couple weeks? He's thirty and divorced, and she's a twenty-one year-old college student. And while we do get Gavin's POV every so often, I never particularly got a sense of Gavin himself, despite the backstory we are given. He just feels like Some Guy who is the safer option for Jordana, all while she continues to dodge the shitty ex's advances, which is what makes up most of this plot. I think the tight timeframe of this story, and relatively little happening beyond theater kid drama hindered this romance overall.
Thank you to Luna Literary Management for the advanced copy.
Muse by Miranda Silver, provided via Luna Literary, was an emotionally engaging romance that blended character growth, emotional healing, BDSM dynamics, and relationship tension together in a way that kept me invested from beginning to end.
The story follows Jori, a theater student, and Gavin, a recently divorced man who has moved to New York while struggling with a loss of identity after spending years trying to become the version of himself his ex-wife wanted him to be.
One of the strongest aspects of this book for me was watching Gavin slowly rediscover his confidence and sense of self throughout the story.
Jori helps him reconnect with his passion for photography while also encouraging him to recognize his own value again, and I really appreciated how emotionally supportive their relationship felt despite the complicated dynamics surrounding their romance.
Gavin was patient, understanding, and emotionally attentive throughout the story. I also appreciated that he never tried to diminish Jori or make her feel smaller in order to compensate for his own insecurities.
The relationship dynamic between them felt emotionally balanced while still maintaining strong chemistry, emotional tension, and BDSM elements throughout the romance.
The theater setting and artistic atmosphere also added an interesting layer to the story that made the overall reading experience feel even more immersive.
This book does include an age gap romance with Jori being 21 and Gavin being 30, which may not work for every reader, but personally I really enjoyed their connection and the emotional depth between them.
Overall, Muse was an emotionally engaging romance filled with healing, self-discovery, emotional vulnerability, chemistry, and supportive relationship dynamics that made this a very enjoyable read
I absolutely devoured this book. Jordana and Gavin’s story was so intense, and that build-up? Absolute chef’s kiss. 🤌🏼
The connection is instant from the moment they lay eyes on each other at Jordana’s play rehearsal. Gavin, a 30 year old NYC photographer, is brought in to handle the lighting, and the chemistry between him and the 21-year-old actress is undeniable from the start.
When his original model bails on a career defining project, Jordana steps in, and their spark turns into a high stakes secret relationship. The resulting photoshoots filled with bondage and a raw vulnerability pushed every limit they had.
What really gutted me was the depth of their baggage. Gavin is navigating a divorce while Jordana is watching her own parents marriage crumble. Between her father wanting her to be a lawyer and her mother teaching her to be a “trophy” who never says no to men, Jordana has spent her life playing a part. That includes her toxic, secret history with the play’s leading man, Corey, who doesn’t handle it well when he realizes he’s losing his grip on her.
The “Muse” dynamic here is so much more than an aesthetic. I loved how Gavin captured her through his lens but used that space to help her finally find her own power. Seeing them lean on each other to heal and persevere together was everything. 🖤
The Tropes: 🩷 Age Gap (21 & 30) 🩷 Secret Romance 🩷 Chaotic Actress FMC 🩷 Quiet & Mysterious MMC 🩷 Pleasure Dom / Bondage Photography 🩷 Emotional Healing
I can literally go on and on about this book! If you want a romance that is equal parts gritty, spicy, intense and deeply emotional, put this on your TBR immediately!
Thank you Miranda Silver and Luna Literary Management for an advanced read copy!🖤🩷
Muse by Miranda Silver completely captivated me. This was one of those reads that felt both intimate and emotionally intense, and I found myself thinking about it long after I finished.
Jordana is such a compelling FMC. She’s used to slipping into roles and becoming whoever the world expects her to be, but underneath that is this deep craving to actually be seen. Watching her navigate that need, especially in a world where she’s judged and labeled, made her feel incredibly real and relatable.
And Gavin… he is quiet, controlled, and so deeply perceptive. There is something magnetic about the way he observes Jordana, not just on the surface but in a way that pulls out parts of her she has kept hidden. Their connection builds with this slow intensity that had me completely hooked. The age gap and secret romance elements add that extra layer of tension that made every interaction feel even more charged.
What really stood out to me was how the story handled vulnerability and emotional healing. Their dynamic, especially through the lens of his photography, felt symbolic and powerful. It’s not just about control or desire, it’s about trust, surrender, and learning to face yourself without hiding. There’s a rawness to their journey that felt both beautiful and a little haunting.
The stakes are always there in the background, with secrets that could unravel everything at any moment. That constant tension kept me turning pages because I needed to know how it would all come together.
This book is emotional, provocative, and deeply character driven. If you love age gap, secret romance, and stories that explore healing through connection in a raw and honest way, this is absolutely one you need to pick up.
some books don’t just tell you a story. they show you something. 📸🖤 MUSE is one of those books. dark romance • power exchange • bondage photography • 9-year age gap • emotional healing Jordana has spent her whole life shrinking herself for men who don’t deserve her — shaped by a mom who centered every man in the room and a dad who was never there. She’s been tolerating the wrong ones for so long she forgot what right even feels like. Then Gavin walked in. And suddenly she remembered. 👀 When he needs a replacement model for his bondage photography book and Jordana volunteers? Everything changes. Because the lens doesn’t lie — and for the first time, she sees herself the way he does. Art isn’t just pretty poses and perfect lighting. It’s raw. Unfiltered. Real. And this book captures that in a way that completely wrecked me. Watching Jordana’s confidence grow, watching her finally step into her worth, watching her stop hiding behind the curtain she’d built around herself? Chef’s kiss. 🤌🏽 also… EDEN DESERVES HER BOOK AND I WILL BE MANIFESTING 🕯️🕯️🕯️
THINGS TO KNOW BDSM, bondage, and power exchange, mental health struggles, emotional manipulation and controlling behavior (not between MCs), other man drama (including an open door scene before MCs are together), an underage sexual experience with dubious consent (told in flashback, not explicitly described), parental infidelity, divorce, alcohol misuse, age-gap relationship (21/30), verbal/emotional abuse (not between MCs), and brief physical violence. Kinks: Bondage, D/s dynamics, erotic praise and degradation, pleasure Dom, jealousy kink, captive play, impact play, size enhancement
This book? Whew—she doesn’t just *cross* the line, she slow-walks over it in heels and dares you to watch.
From the second Jordana and Gavin lock eyes at that rehearsal, you already know this isn’t going to be sweet and simple—it’s going to be tension, temptation, and a whole lot of “we should not be doing this”… followed immediately by doing it anyway. The age gap (21 & 30) adds that extra layer of *forbidden heat*—he’s older, controlled, quietly intense… and she’s chaotic, vibrant, and impossible to ignore. A dangerous combination.
Gavin stepping in as the broody NYC photographer? Yeah, that man was already trouble. But the moment Jordana replaces his missing model, the dynamic shifts into something addictive. What starts as professional turns personal *real fast*, and those photoshoots? Intimate, charged, and dripping with tension. The bondage elements aren’t just for shock—they peel back layers, exposing vulnerability, control, and emotional wounds neither of them are ready to face.
And the secrecy? Oh, it makes everything hotter. Sneaking around, stolen moments, lingering looks… it’s messy in the best way.
✨ **Tropes you’ll eat up:** 🩷 Age Gap (21 & 30) — forbidden and delicious 🩷 Secret Romance — high stakes, higher tension 🩷 Chaotic Actress FMC — she *is* the drama 🩷 Quiet, Mysterious MMC — says little, does a lot 🩷 Pleasure Dom / Bondage Photography — intense but emotional 🩷 Emotional Healing — because it’s not just physical
This story isn’t just spicy—it’s *emotionally reckless* in a way that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
Muse completely took over my brain. I went in expecting something spicy and intense, but this ended up being so much more layered than I thought. Jordana (Jorie) and Gavin are messy in the best way, both carrying their own baggage, both trying to figure themselves out, and somehow finding each other right in the middle of it.
Jorie especially hit for me. She’s complicated, a little self-destructive at times, and just trying to feel something real. Watching her slowly start to see herself differently through Gavin, not just physically, but emotionally, was honestly one of my favourite parts. And Gavin… yeah. He’s quiet, controlled, but the way he understands her?? It’s not just attraction, it’s that feeling of being seen properly for the first time, and that’s what made their connection stand out so much.
The whole photography / muse dynamic added such a unique layer too. It’s intimate, a little raw, and ties so much into Jorie’s journey of self-worth and agency, which made everything hit harder than just a typical romance.
It’s definitely emotional, definitely spicy, and definitely not always easy but that’s what made it so addictive. It feels a bit chaotic, a bit intense, but also strangely healing at the same time. I flew through this and honestly didn’t want to leave their story. Easily one of those books that just sticks with you.
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Muse was fantastic!!! Got to be on the ARC team for this book and just the imagery and tropes alone had hooked me from the start. 😈🖤😈
Diving in, I love reading contemporary romance. You always want the guy to get the girl in the end cause they both deserve happiness. This book was no different! The main character Jorie is 💯 deserving of happiness. This poor woman was never shown an ounce of what true self worth is and just shuts down mentally like she was not worth fighting for. Her mental stat was not great and the only time she was happy was when she acting, playing someone else. Someone needed to step in and gushier this girl some love.
Then on cue, entering left stage (yes, I used theater talk haha thought it was appropriate 🥰) the sexy, dark and mysterious lighting tec, Gavin. This man took one look at Jorie and he knew he wanted her. But “wanting” someone means so much more than what the simple definition of want is. This man wanted to share, experience and thrive in life with her. He showed her how to want those same things in return cause she deserves it. It was romantic and passionate but also incredibly sexy 🌶️😈.
I love reading about characters self growth. You cheer for them the entire time (maybe not Corey though, sorry but he can suck it). I also love reading about some sexy kinks, not going to lie. I ate this book up! Highly recommend! Curious what Miranda will write next! Thanks for the opportunity to read this book early!
Muse is one of those darker, magnetic romances that pulls you in from the moment Jordanna and Gavin lock eyes backstage.
Jordana is twenty‑one, a theatre actress carrying the emotional weight of A Streetcar Named Desire on her shoulders, and she meets Gavin. He’s her director’s friend, a brooding thirty‑year‑old photographer with that quiet, dangerous gravity you feel before you understand it. Their connection is instant, unsettling, and impossible to look away from.
What hooked me most was how their worlds collide: her performance, his art, and the way she becomes the missing piece in his photography project exploring themes of bondage and control. The tension is thick, the chemistry is electric, and the emotional undercurrent is darker than either of them is prepared for. And yes, there is OM drama, and it absolutely adds fuel to the fire.
Where the book fell short for me was in the character connection. I never fully clicked with Jordana or Gavin, and the plot often felt like it was drifting without a strong backbone. Corey grated on me every time he appeared, and Rachel, the director, didn’t work for me at all. I couldn’t tell if she actually cared for Jordana because of how she talked poorly of her. Their roles added friction, but not in a way that deepened the story or made the emotional stakes feel grounded.
A huge thank you to Miranda Silver & Luna Literary for the early copy!
Healing bondage??? Say less because I absolutely adore when characters use this as a form to express themselves, release their emotions, and build trust. Miranda Silver handled the subject beautifully while still making me blush along the way. 😩🥵
Jordana and Gavin were an explosive couple, even from their very first interaction on page. Something about them sucked me in and held me there; I found myself holding my breath during their scenes. I was entirely emotionally invested in both of them! Their need to understand the other also allowed them to shed the baggage they'd held for months/years (well, under the guise of working together, but I'll let that slide lol).
All the characters in the story felt super strong! Literally no notes. The whole premise of the book following the play's overall theme was satisfying for me to read (life imitates art, as they say), and I'm so so curious as to what miss Eden is currently up to now...
I'm so sad to have finished this book, and I even drew it out for as long as I could because I didn't want the story to end. So, if you're looking for a tantalizing read that explores kinky themes in a safe and healing light, then look no farther.
This was an easy 5⭐ read for me! I ate it up!! Miranda truly wrote a novel that felt so vivid and emotional, it played out like a movie in my head the entire time. Navigating through Jordana’s struggles, her growth, and that intense, undeniable pull toward Gavin was everything.
Their relationship was raw, complicated, and beautifully healing. Watching Jordana step out of the version of herself the world expected and fully come into her own, while Gavin both challenged and supported her, made their dynamic feel so real and consuming. They both carried their own baggage, but the way they helped each other heal and evolve? Completely captivating.
The chemistry was off the charts, it was secretive, addictive, and full of tension you can’t look away from. Add in the age gap, forbidden elements, and that delicious push and pull, and I was hooked on every single word. The character development, the emotional depth, and the spice all blended into a story that takes you on a full rollercoaster.
If you love emotional, character driven romances with heat, heart, and a little chaos you’re going to want to pick this one up!
Thank you Miranda Silver and Luna Literary for allowing me to read and review this arc!
Thank you, Miranda Silver, for the ARC of Muse 4.5⭐️
The story follows our FMC, Jordana, an aspiring actress and college student trying to chase her dreams while dealing with personal struggles. She often makes choices she doesn’t truly want, shaped by her low self-confidence and the way others take advantage of her. On top of that, she’s still trying to come to terms with her parents’ separation, which adds emotional depth to her journey. Then we have our MMC, Gavin, who comes from New York with his own past and ambitions. He’s currently working as a lighting technician in a theater while aiming to become a college professor. That’s where he meets Jordana. There’s an instant attraction, and as they grow closer, she helps him move toward his dream. But things get complicated. Their relationship involves an age gap, and if Gavin becomes a professor, it raises even more challenges. How it all unfolds you’ll have to read to find out. I was really intrigued by the plot and characters. Corey is on a whole different level you’ll keep questioning his actions. And Eden, Jordana’s best friend, was such a strong supporting character. I loved how she stood by Jordana, choosing friendship and believing in her no matter what.
Thank you to Miranda Silver and Luna Literary for an advanced copy of "Muse" in exchange for an honest review.
Silver's latest books have been a miss for me. Priceless and The Boys Next Door were really the only books that I enjoyed where there was a nice balance between spice/kink and plot/character development. Muse delves into bondage but at a surface level - control/loss of control - then the book introduces a primal kink, which I thought was a non sequitur. Okay if it was explored further but it wasn't, so it felt unnecessary.
I was intrigued by the flaws in Jorie and was keen to see how she would develop over the course of the book. She does...but within the last 15%. The conclusion came fast and the book wrapped up neatly quickly while the rest of the book was chaotic and messy (not the plot, the characters and situations). I didn't get a good sense of Gavin other than he had his kinks and we sort of get a reason why but not really. His and Jorie's relationship did not feel strong. Highly physical yes but a little too insta-lovey for me. Gavin was the first man that treated Jorie right so their relationship felt a little unstable because Jorie was only starting to stand up for herself and she needed to do a lot more developing. They don't feel like forever.
Jordana is a 21yr old college student whose mother essentially tries to train her to be a trophy wife and cater to every mans needs, and whose father is just plain absent. She struggles with her worth and also struggles with trying to get out a toxic relationship. Enter Gavin, 30yr old recent divorcee from NYC, dealing with his own struggles and trauma imparted by his ex-wife. Their paths collide at Jordanas play rehearsal, where he was just brought on to handle lighting. But he's also an erotic photographer on the side, and when his original model bails... Jordana steps in.
As their photoshoots quickly become very real with feelings attached, the two lean on each other for support as they begin to heal and rediscover their self-worth. It's intense, messy, forbidden in that student/staff aspect, and risky as they keep their relationship as secret from the rest of the world.
I’ve loved Miranda’s books since I read priceless in 2022. And this book is absolutely not exception!!
Gavin and jordana and their journey OMG! You can tell Miranda put a lot of love and time and care into these characters. They were written so beautifully.
Jordana’s story is one I think a lot will relate to in the way she escapes when things get hard and feeling unlovable because life has made her feel that way. She had me in tears by the end of the book. ❤️❤️❤️
And then Gavin, so sweet and precious. So amazing. I loved his story and finally finding someone who truly sees him and understands him. He only deserves the best 🥰🥰
This is not your typical student x professor romance and I loved that.
I loved the streetcar named desire parallels too. I remember we had to read a snippet of it for seventh grade English and ever since then it’s been one of my favorite plays, so this part made me happy.
Everything about this was so so so so good and I would love to give more, but I don’t want to give any spoilers, but this book, deserves all the love ❤️❤️❤️
Also, I now need a cheetah print faux fur coat for next winter 👀👀
If you are feral for characters with emotional baggage, possessive love and tension, look no further because this book captures all of those qualities and wraps it up in a pretty little bow. Now listen, I couldn’t put this book down even if I wanted to. I finished it in less than a day which is completely mind boggling.
Accompanying Jordana on her journey towards self discovery as a lost, troubled actress painted an exquisite image of the moment of when her light had dimmed to mold into the standards she was pressured into by her career, family and peers. I an so glad that when she met Gavin, he was able to bring out her self confidence and reassure her worth. It truly tells not only Jordana’s story as an actress, but the way that Gavin’s profession as a photographer allowed her to see herself from a different perspective; almost otherworldly. It goes to show that art is much more than pretty pictures and poses, but the unfiltered imagery and emotions behind those scenes. Her character development highlights that only under these circumstances was Jordana able to open herself up to the world and find her purpose despite her attempts to hide behind the curtains.
This story is heavily focused on themes of self discovery and the ongoing character development particularly on Jordana’s side which gave me the chance to get to know her story from a unique lens.
Although it is a tad bit insta lovey, as the story progressed, it was simple to look past their shallow interactions in the beginning, as it bloomed into something by completely raw and captivating.
“I can’t ever make you disappear, Jordana. Even if I try. You burn so bright.”
This was a BIG 5/5 for me!! Miranda has done it again. This read so beautifully to me, it felt like a movie I couldn't stop watching. I can't even begin to express how much this book made me feel without spoiling the whole dang thing!
This story will make you feel so many emotions, you cant help but to flow with the story. Jordana and Gavin are some of the best characters I have read this year. Each with their own baggage and trying to figure out what their own next steps were and how they could navigate this insane, secret chemistry between them was sooooo good!
I ate every. single. word. UP! Jordana and Gavin gave Secretary, the movie. With the FMC exploring herself with an older, more experienced man. The man, trying to hold his control, but seeing her for who she is and being able to match, if not, elevate her world.
If you like a good age gap, secret romance, bondage, opposites attract, role playing and a good ol pleasure dom, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!! I will be ringing the bells on this story all year!!
Plot: 5/5 Spice 4/5 (he can talk her THROUGH ITTTTTT) Gavin Lockwood.. I'm sitting right HERE!!
If you love age gaps, spice, healing and secret romances this story is for you. We have our college town setting where our FMC Jordana is the lead actress of her college play, our MMC Gavin who is the stage light worker and who just so happens to be a photographer as well. Jordana like most 21 year olds has some life issues and surprises that she has gone through or is currently going through. She was taught that women shouldn’t say No and that lesson is what leads her throughout her life and she is struggling with it. Gavin has moved to this small town to restart his life. We go on this journey where our two main characters meet and slowly start falling for each other. What was suppose to be a business proposal started turning into moving. We watch as they learn and start over confronting all the thoughts and emotions on who they should be. The spice is excellent, she left me wanting some more. There was parts where it felt like it could be dragged out but after reading I felt that would have been too much, so the amount of each scene she gave was enough. I am now waiting to see for a book 2 if it covers Eden story.
Muse by Miranda Silver completely captivated me from the beginning! I started reading this book last night and just finished!
I absolutely loved Jordan and Gavin’s character development. Jordan, the FMC, starts off afraid to say no, struggling to express herself, and not fully standing up for who she is. Watching her grow throughout the story was honestly so beautiful.
Then there’s Gavin, the MMC, whose passion for photography plays such a meaningful role in their journey. When he asks Jordan to model for his book, it becomes so much more than just photos—it becomes a turning point for her.
Gavin encourages her and praises her in ways that allow her to feel secure, confident, and truly see herself—both through his eyes and through the lens of the camera.
This book definitely brings the spice 👀 but beyond that, the age gap, secret romance, and layers of past trauma added so much depth to their relationship. What they built together felt emotional, healing, and genuinely beautiful.
ARC REVIEW- Jordana, the FMC, carries so many demons from her past that she genuinely believes she doesn’t deserve happiness or love. As a theatre actor, she’s used to living through someone else’s skin instead of fully being herself, and watching her slowly grow into her confidence and self-worth was one of my favourite parts of the book. Gavin, a photographer who comes to Hawthorne from New York, also has his own past to face. Their first meeting was unexpected in the best way, and the chemistry between them felt immediate and intense. When Gavin asks Jordana to be his muse, it becomes something deeper than inspiration. Through his eyes and his camera, he helps her feel seen, praised, cared for, and loved in ways she never believed she deserved.
This story beautifully blends spice, age gap, secret romance, healing, and self-discovery. I especially loved how their relationship helped Jordana find herself again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4.75⭐️ Thank you Miranda Silver & Luna Literary Management for this early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. Releases April 24, 2026
This book took me a little to get into but once I was pulled in it completely captivated me!
Talk about emotional baggage! Wow.
But the emotional healing was even bigger.
This book was way more than just the kink & BDSM, the story between Jori & Gavin was easy to connect with.
As much as I want to say I disliked Corey, I feel for him because there were definitely some underlying issues with him, I was so glad to hear of the help he was receiving at the end.
Such a fun read, the pacing was a bit on the slower side. Enjoyed the dual POVs, and I don’t feel like the BDSM scenes were too over powering.
Read if you like: ✨️age gap ✨️college setting ✨️photographer x muse ✨️BDSM ✨️secret romance ✨️chaotic actress FMC ✨️Quiet Mysterious MMC ✨️pleasure dom ✨️bondage photography ✨️healing from trauma
Thanks to Miranda Silver and Luna Literary for the review copy, this is my honest review.
I have been a fan of Miranda Silver for more than a decade and she is always serving the hottest erotic romance with big dollop of drama and can you leave out drama when the story is about a group of theatre kids? Not on your cheetah coat's life, girl.
I do think I am at a point of my life where it's a challenge to read about a self destructive heroine's with no agency living her youth so it took some time to get going with this book. But once I got going, I couldn't put it down, coincidentally it's also when the heroine started getting dicked down by the hero while she's also making love to the camera.
If you're looking for a new adult heroine's journey into finding self worth, discovering her own agency getting roped up and dick-matised while learning a lot about the play A Streetcar Named Desire this is the book for you.
Muse - 🖤Age Gap 🔥Bondage / photography 🖤Secret Relationship 🔥Forbidden Romance 🖤Emotional Healing 🔥Chaotic actress 🔥FMC x mysterious director/ MMC Dark , intense , steamy , emotional, and utterly addictive. Oh my gosh !! Let me just say I was not prepared, not at all for the emotional rollercoaster I was just taken on . I absolutely loved both Jordana and Gavin’s characters so so much. The things they went through in their lives both separately and together just touched my heart in ways I never ever saw coming. The fact that neither was perfect, that they were flawed and beautifully broken , that they had insecurities they struggled with on a daily basis , all that made them so much more relatable to me . I loved the progression of their relationship, that it developed over time and not from the start . And then the age gap and forbidden aspect which I’m such a sucker for . No words can even start to explain how in love with this journey I fell .
Muse surprised me in the best way. I came for the intensity and stayed for the emotional depth. Miranda Silver blends erotic tension, vulnerability, and character growth into a romance that feels both raw and unexpectedly tender.
What worked so well for me was how the relationship balanced power and softness. The chemistry is electric, but it’s the trust, healing, and mutual unraveling between Jordana and Gavin that gave the story weight. Their dynamic felt intimate in a way that went beyond the spice.
I also loved how art, performance, and obsession threaded through the story, giving it a moody, almost hypnotic atmosphere. Even with the darker elements, this felt deeply romantic at its core.
The timeline moves quickly, but the emotional payoff made me buy into the whirlwind. Bold, sensual, and surprisingly thoughtful—this is one of those romances that lingers after the last page.
Thank you Miranda Silver and Luna Literary Management for an advanced read copy
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author.
Oh my, what an incredible story.... a raw, emotional journey of self discovery and healing....
FMC Jordana has been mistreated, misunderstood and failed by those nearest to her and is following a path of self destruction and self depreciation.
Enter MMC Gavin, who also carries a huge pile of emotional baggage and judgement by others.
Gavin, through his art and the lens of his camera, leads not just Jordana but also himself through a journey of self-discovery and self-healing to find their true purpose in life.
The writing flowed beautifully, the story is unique, captivating and the spice, of which there's plenty .... the spice is.... quite simply.... 🥵
I do hope that Eden will also get her happy every after.....
I recommend that readers do check the trigger warnings, this book is not for the faint hearted.
Muse is very intense and enjoyable. It features Jordana and Gavin's story.
J0rdana is a young actress and is in college. She dreams of being an actress. She has family issues since her parents are no longer together. Gavin has moved and works as a lighting technician. His goal is to become a college professor. While doing the lighting for the play, he meets Jordana. Jordana helps him with his goals. During their story they both grow as they take on a journey of discovery as well as healing.
I loved how Jordana and Gavin had their own personal issues but came together for each other. I loved the age gap part of their story. They had such great chemistry. Their story is filled with emotions and healing. I look forward to more from this talented author.