Wicked Muse

by Lexi Whitlow

Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest.
As a student, and my friend's daughter, Chloe should be off limits.
Not my perfect muse.
Sweet and innocent, her untapped sensuality calls to my art.
And the wickedness in my soul.
Broke and on the edge of homelessness, I offer her and her v-card a place to stay.
She tells me not interested in my parties, or the girls I bring home.
She's just focused on success.
But the longer she stays, the deeper my fantasies become.
I want to give her lessons I can't teach in the classroom.
But when I finally have her in my arms,
it's impossible to let her go.
My career is on the line--and Chloe's future is too.
But I'll risk everything to keep her.
Even if it means losing myself along the way.

Wicked Muse is a full length novel of 80,000 words with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happy holiday ending!

Genres: Romance

731 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2017

About the author

Lexi Whitlow is a small-town girl with big dreams. She spent her early years growing up between Virginia and North Carolina, playing in the dark rich dirt of Eastern North Carolina at her granddaddy's farm. She's a Southern as can be, and she spends her days chasing her five-year-old and her puggle (that's a pug-beagle hybrid, folks) and writing her ass off.

She holds a master's degree in English literature, and her mom is so proud she's "using her degree."

Lexi harbors a not-so-secret love for bad boys. She loves fighters, tough-as-nails cowboys, bikers, and criminals. Her husband is a scientist... but he has the heart of a bad boy for sure. She spends what little free time she has crocheting, painting, and going on long walks with her family.

Reviews

[Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayes is starting his new job as a professor at an university. One of his students is the talented Chloe. A girl he actually knew many years ago and with whom he spent quite some time. It has been a while since he last saw her. Hayes discovers that Chloe is also his neighbor from across the street. Chloe is having some financial difficulties and she gets evicted from her home. Hayes finds this out and wants to help her. Chloe hesitantly accepts his offer. Chloe and Hayes get to each other better again and it doesn’t take too long before they develop romantic feelings for each other.

I liked Hayes and Chloe. Hayes is a caring, reliable, genuine, talented and intelligent man. He can’t wait to start teaching at college, but not everything is like he imaged. Chloe is smart, passionate, strong and a little lonely. She isn’t close to her mother and she never has been. She loves her independence and hates to ask help from anyone, even from Hayes.

I liked Hayes and Chloe together. They were very close when they were young and Hayes is very happy to see Chloe again, but Chloe isn’t the same girl anymore. Hayes is very attracted to Chloe and he wants to be with her. Chloe tries to keep her distant from Hayes, but she Hayes doesn’t give up on her that easily. There will be some jealousy from others and drama, but Hayes and Chloe survive it all and it wille only make them stronger. They are a great, solid and loyal couple.

-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

This book is LONG and just slow. Though I did enjoy Chloe and how strong she was at times. But other times these two were like two immature children that I just wanted to smack. 😠
Just not my kind of story.

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love can conquer all that’s how this book made me feel from start to finish I’ve read many books but this is amazing, I’ll start with Chloe she is just a young girl caught up in her parents war against each other until finally they separate and Chloe is to live with her mother but it’s not a bed of roses and she is treated badly by her mum and is used as a pawn against her dad for money for her drug problem and it gets so bad Chloe learns to fend for her self, being betrayed and abandoned because her mum goes to rehab she is sent to her dads until her mum completes the program and thats where she meets Hayes a smart young boy that’s asked to show her around New York and keep her busy while her dad finishes his business meetings, there have fun together and enjoy there time together but it’s not long enough for Hayes he wants more time with chloe but it over and she must return to her mum but she vows to back to live so day, after a few more years and more trouble with her mum she leaves home and moves to New York to be with her dad but he dies and she is left lonely but he made sure she would be looked after and not have to worry about money but her mother gets control of her money fraudulently and has a great time spending it with her new boyfriend who is a lawyer that bribes the judge to do it, her schooling is paid for for now but that’s it so lives on the street or crashes at friends places and now with a few other people the have a rundown old place they all call home, while sitting outside they watch a very good looking young man move in across the street he definitely has money they observe while they watch he looks up and waves at them and the walks over to greet them and so it begins his mission to get with the girl across the street not knowing who she is and she not realising that it’s the young boy from her past. Do they remember each finally and do they get together and can she get past the whole professor/ student thing read this book it’s amazing I loved it. I voluntarily reviewed an arc copy of this book for an honest review. Thanks Karen N

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Sckool!!!

Loved this professor/student story!! It is complete with young longing, extreme brilliance, pure art, a little comedy, one crazy bitch, and one lunatic psychopath!! It's been years since I was in a darkroom, but the story brought back memories. Glad to see the "old sckool" was of doing things is still cool!! And now a bit about the story...

Hayes and Chloe meet in their teens, both interested in the same career and wanting to work young. Years later they are reunited, still in the same career field, but they have totally different positions in the world. Hayes is a young new professor, with the fancy house and car. He is more confident, built, but underneath still the same boy she once knew. Chloe has just been evicted from her apartment, the city is bulldozing the building. She has no money, no family, and at times it seems the world is against her. But now they have each other, right?

Favorite passages:
- Failing early and often is something I always try to teach my students and practice myself. If you don’t fail, you’re not trying hard enough. Failure is a necessary precursor to success.
- Critiques, whether early or project final, are like rolling a ball of lightening around the room. Everyone gets struck, briefly. Before your turn, you’re waiting to get struck, and after, you’re recovering from having been struck. In the middle of getting struck you’re either a rock star in front of an adoring audience, or the most useless turd, lying stinking in the grass. There’s no middle ground.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story! Sure, the professor/student thing has been done before, never this brilliantly. This author elevates the standard trope to new emotional highs by taking us deep into the characters' hearts and minds so effectively it's as though you're feeling what they're feeling and falling in love right along with them.

Hayes and Chloe meet when they're barely in their teens, then life moves on for both of them. Years later, he's the new professor, a prodigy much younger than his peers, and she's a struggling student who has her late father's talent but has been cheated out of her inheritance. Hayes is only a couple years older than Chloe, but due to his early advancement and current role as faculty, there's still a huge risk to both their careers.

The love story is sweet, heartwarming, desperate, and all-consuming. Their journey is is life-changing and their HEA is hard won. This is a longer book than most, yet I was completely swept away into this world of professional design and graphics. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys steamy, intelligent romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Zelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sigh. I would award this book more than 5 stars if I could. The characters just resonate with me. Chloe and Hayes meet as young teens, and their connection is rekindled when he is a professor at the college she attends. Chloe never really knew her father, who was Hayes' mentor and best friend. There are multiple layers of connections here, but their individual histories have shaped them so differently in terms of relationships. Chloe is untrusting and self-reliant, yet doesn't believe in herself. She has learned to survive but not really live. Hayes sees her, and wants to give this amazing woman everything. He is steadfast in his love for her, and tells her & shows her over and over. Hayes is the most amazing male lead I have seen in some time. He is strong, open, vulnerable, arrogant, humble; he is flawed but knows how to apologise and fix things. Together, they are perfect for each other. I also loved the art and design backdrop, so fascinating. The shenanigans at the university were beautifully resolved, and I loved Hayes just a little more. I found this to be an outstanding read, and I hope you give it a try for yourself.

I received an arc of this book and have voluntarily reviewed it.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This not your typical professor and student relationship. Hayes is a child prodigy who has a loving wealthy family and being socially awkward due to completing his studies early and becoming a professor at a young age. Chloe is a strong stubborn young woman who has been betrayed and left to fend for herself after losing everything important to her making her a very cynical person. Chloe and Hayes meet when they are teenagers but don’t come across one another until years later. Hayes is very attracted to Chloe not recognizing her. Once Hayes finds out that Chloe is homeless he has a chance to get to know her and help her along the way. Hayes remembers Chloe as a spirited and anger teenager but now he sees how closed off she has become. Can Hayes get through her walls? Without being able to stop themselves they fall into an affair that surprises them both. With Hayes becoming her professor will it tear them apart along with the politics at the college? Will Chloe ever be able to move on from her hurtful past and open her heart to Hayes who has proven to be a loving partner? I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Lexi Whitlow and all I can say is I’ve been missing out!

This story is about Chloe a college student and her college professor, who also happens to be her advisor and her fathers friend!

They met originally when Chloe was only 13yo and hadn’t seen Hayes for 8 years, when he was an intern, since then Chloe’s had a rough deal if things after her fathers death, but she’s one tough young woman who’s determined to succeed by herself and refuses to ask for help, as she doesn’t trust easily.

Hayes is willing to do anything to help her succeed and when Chloe hits bottom and has no where to go, he offers her his home.

The more time they spend together, the harder it is to give into their attraction, but Hayes is still her Professor and will risk his career if they pursue anything, with their chemistry off the charts, can they stop themselves?

A great read and highly recommended

I voluntarily Reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[ViolinVixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this student/professor romance!

It was a bit different from the standard - the professor wasn't much older than the student and they had met as teenagers, so they weren't perfect strangers when they got reacquainted at college.

Chloe and Hayes were so perfect together. They were both such deep and intelligent characters and I loved watching them let themselves fall in love. The chemistry between them was steamy and their banter was quick and witty.

Hayes was just so sweet, patient and adorably protective of Chloe from the moment he spotted her across the street. He fell hard and fast, but Chloe was in less of a hurry to grab onto the hope of love and happiness. She'd had so many disappoinments, heartbreaks and betrayals in her young life that she found it really hard to believe that Hayes isn't too good to be true.

Fabulous taboo romance with an absolutely delightful and hard earned happy ending.

[DM Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 4 (out of 5) for overall story
Chilies: 3(out of 5) for heat between the sheets/or anywhere else

Genre: Romance
Chapters: Prologue + 28 + Epilogue
Ending: No cliffhangers, No cheating, HEA
Characters:
Hayes
Chloe

Review: This is such a sweet story. Hayes and Chloe meet as teenagers at Chloe’s father’s design company where Hayes at the young age of 15 is working at an internship. They spend a short amount of time together before life separates them for several years. The re-meet when Chloe is in college…Hayes is a professor at the college.

Well, there is so much that happens that you wouldn’t expect, as well as a bit that you would. It’s definitely an fun read and just an overall great story about young, true love, fighting for what you truly want in life …not to mention never giving up on your dreams and the dreams of the ones you love.

ARC read in exchange for honest review.

[Jackie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A more than meets the eye book!

Now that was a story!
So much detail, with well-developed characters, twists popping up everywhere this sweet, sexy heart squeeze, tension budling read is one book I could not put down!

Having not seen Hayes for eight years, since he was an intern for her father, Chole is more than a little shocked to find he is her college advisor and Professor; a lot had changed since he was 15 and she 13 when she came to stay with her father. But the pull between them is still there- just a little more grown up now!
Hayes is willing to do anything possible to help her succeed, while she is not one to ask for help!
Battling the assistance she can handle, the mounting attraction is another! She is not one for trusting others; he should not be getting involved with anyone from the school!
How can this possibly end well?

A 5 star read I did not see coming!

[CassieLC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a girl learning to trust others and the boy who changed her world. Hayes was 15 years old, interning for Guy Harvey at his graphic design company. Chloe was 13 when her mom was sent to rehab (again) and she was sent to New York to stay with her dad. Hayes and Chloe meet at her dads company and hit it off but it couldn’t last. Eight years later, they meet again and their story really begins, but it’s not all roses for them.
I really enjoyed this book, but at times Chloe drove me NUTS!! Every time Hayes told her he loved her, she just brushed it off, which based on her past, I understand. It was still frustrating how hard he worked to show her his love and she wouldn’t let him in enough to prove it doesn’t always have to end!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about Chloe and Hayes who meet when they were both still teens, she was 13 he was 15 and working for her father Guy. Their ways part when she returns to Richmond but one day Hayes moves into a house right opposite to where Chloe lives with some student friends. While I expected her to realize who Hayes is, it takes some time for them to remember they know each other. In fact Hayes is Chloe's new professor but that doesn't keep them long from falling for one another. As a consequence Chloe has to leave the university and goes to NY to work for old partners of her father. Hayes stays and plans revenge. When he returns to NY for Christmas break he manages to reunite with Chloe but she's still some hard piece of work. Will their long distance relationship work and what else are they up to? Find out yourself, you'll love this book.

[Astra Astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter of this story made me uncomfortable, to begin with. It’s odd that the power discrepancy between boss and employee doesn’t bother me in a romance, but student professor does. Perhaps because there’s generally quite a large age difference in the latter, to make the power dynamic even more uneven. Given that, I wasn’t sure how I felt about reading this book, but I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I was pleasantly surprised. The age difference turned out to be negligible; the professor, having been a wunderkind, was only a couple of years older than the student. It also helped that they’d actually met, years ago, and they’d liked each other then. All in all, this turned out to be a much more pleasant read than I’d feared, although not this author’s best.

I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Dawn Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi Whitlow grabbed my attention from the beginning to the end. In my opinion Lexi Whitlow did a good job of making things believable for me. I liked Chloe from the start as a thirteen year old and up to an adult. Chloe is hard working, self reliant and passionate. Yet Chloe has been let down on many occasions. I was roped into Chloe's cynicism and disappointment. Hayes took me a little longer to like he is on the arrogant side and a lot naive. In the end he redeems himself in my eyes. In my opinion the story is well written, with a little suspense that kept me turning the pages and hot sex. In my opinion Lexi Whitlow did not disappoint. In my opinion it's worth reading. I received an ARC edition for my honest and voluntary review.

[Renata Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teacher's Virgin by Lexi Whitlow isn't your typical teacher student or older man younger woman romance. Hayes and Chloe first meet when Chloe comes to New York to visit her father and Hayes is asked to guide her and keep her company. So here's the twist....... Hayes is 15 and his doing his internship with Chloe's dad!!! Why? The kids a wunderkind!!! Oh and let me not forget to mention that Chloe is 13.
8 years later their paths cross again. Hayes is Chloe's professor and guidance counselor at university.
This is an absolutely wonderful book!!!! There's the forbidden romance, the plot to discredit both Chloe and Hayes, blackmail, misunderstandings, trust issues and the most intense sexual chemistry between the two lovers.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Chloe and Hayes will have you on an emotional roller coaster. The characters are so well developed you'll feel like they're part of your family. Hayes, a friend of Chloe's father who she hasn't seen for eight year ends up being her professor and advisor. When she needs a place to stay, he offers his home. She's an innocent and school is number one in her book. She's not interested in his parties or women. Not long before the attraction and friendship grow and the taboo relationship is going strong. No spoiler but there's no cliffhanger and an HEA. I voluntarily wrote a review after reading an advance reader copy.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the latest from Lexi Whitlow! Hayes and Chloe meet when they are both still kids and she is in New York spending time with her father, Hayes's mentor and would become his best friend. Now 8 years later they find themselves together again, but in very different situations. Hayes is new on campus, a hot young professor, and Chloe is a student just trying to make her way through school. These two are combustible, but there are outside forces that will try to keep what they could find together apart. Chloe and Hayes light up the pages, but they also find that person that understands them more than anyone else will. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Juliana Ignácio · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful reading! It has captivated me from the beggining.
Chloe and Hayes are very different, but when put together, the attraction between them is undeniable.
The characters are very well developed and I can help to fall in love with them. Hayes is Chloe's teacher and when she needs it, he offers his house for her to live in. From there, the events are amazing and the emotions truly true.
This is a great story, very well written and with a great storyline.
I highly recommend the reading.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book and I gladly leave my review.
Wicked Muse had me engrossed from the first page and I just had to read it in one sitting. This story is about Haynes who is a professor and Chloe who is his student. Chloe being down on her luck and nearly homeless Haynes offers her to stay at his place. Haynes knows that if they get found out both of their futures will b destroyed but he doesn’t care. This story is an older man younger woman type and I really enjoyed reading it. I definitely recommend this book and it’s well worth the read.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let the blurb fool you! This is not your typical professor/student story!
There’s so much history and emotion in this story.
Hayes and Chloe’s story had me hooked! I was invested in these characters from the first chapter. I couldn’t help but like Chloe and feel bad for the cards she’s been dealt. Hayes initially comes off as a jerk, but boy did he quickly grow on me! There are a few villains in this story that add a little something extra to this fantastic storyline!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Susanh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good, sweet story

Chloe and Hayes meet as teens when Chloe’s father asks Hayes to take her under his wing and show her NYC. They become close but then Chloe must return home to her mother.

They meet again eight years later but don’t recognize each other until now professor Hayes interviews her for his graphic design class. They reconnect but now that they are student and teacher things are complicated. Add to that a department head that wants Hayes for herself as well as hates Chloe, they must tread carefully. Can something started in their teens really become forever?

[Ann L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only is Hayes, Chloe's father's friend, he's also her professor, she goes to stay with him when she has nowhere else to go and from there it starts. What starts you may be asking, not telling, do they get an HE A?
This story is well written and the taboo is exciting with its twists, the chemistry between them is hot, I couldn't put this down.

I received an ARC and voluntarily leave my own opinion

[Anne Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a definite, long page turner. I read it in one sitting. Full of intrigue, panty melting, hot sex scenes. Everything a reader wants. Chloe and Hayes was a slow burning relationship from her being 13 years old when Hayes was asked to show her the city of Manhattan whilst he was a very young intern working for her father Guy Harvey. The story was really well written by this great author. This is my honest review of an ARC I received.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the student/teacher concept, tipped on it’s head and spun into something completely new and different. I loved that this also borrowed heavily from second-chance romance to give Hayes and Chloe the forever they missed out on when they were just teenagers. It’s a sweet, hot emotional roller-coaster ride with the impact of a speeding freight train. I adored the ending, but I was so disappointed that it was over already.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked Muse by Lexi Whitlow is a very good read. It's about Chloe and Hayes. She's a younger woman and he's an older man. She's a student and he's her professor. She's a virgin and he'd really like to help her with that. A steamy story that's well written. I'm posting a voluntary review after reading an ARC copy of this book.

[mariann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book, I would give this book 4,5 stars. The characters are perfect and I was captivated by their lives. It`s a book about different upbringings, friendship, love and hot sex. I can recommend this book. It`s a standalone book with no cliffhangers.
I voluntairly reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Esther Alayeto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and amazing teacher/student story. Love the storyline, it is very well written and flows flawlessly. Hayes and Chloe are wonderful characters with lots of chemistry but they could jeopardize their careers if they act on it. It's a very sweet and heartwarming love story.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Aisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost....

So I really wanted to fully enjoy this book but it fell a little short for me. I love the romance and how descriptive the author was but it just went to slow for me in certain areas. I feel like the story had the makings to be great and I’m sure it is for certain reader but not for me.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good taboo romance combining student/teacher, younger woman/older man elements. The characters are developed and the well-written story shows a maturing friendship and chemistry between the H/h. This is an entertaining read. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.