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Shelby Walsh is struggling to make ends meet. She spends her days doing singing telegrams for extra cash, but she never expected to be sent out to perform for the world’s most famous composer. And definitely not in a skimpy Greek goddess outfit. How is she supposed to keep it together when every part of her is screaming for him to take her?

Theo Hayes is a recluse. He just wants to be left alone to work on his next big movie score. He’s even grumpier than usual because he’s in a bit of a rut. But when his brother sends him a singing telegram for inspiration, he finds his muse and plans to never let her go. Keeping her for his very own is the only option.

Warning: We’ve teamed up with Fiona Davenport to give you an epic symphony for your lady business. What’s better than two authors working you over? How about four? If you want insta-love with all the safety and security of a happily ever after, then jump in bed with us. There’s room for more!

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2019

1374 people are currently reading
1195 people want to read

About the author

Alexa Riley

284 books16.1k followers
Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.

They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!

Feel free to follow us each on twitter @smut_sasshole & @SassNSmut

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5 stars
1,135 (34%)
4 stars
928 (28%)
3 stars
865 (26%)
2 stars
262 (7%)
1 star
117 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
Profile Image for Jen.
1,655 reviews1,161 followers
April 30, 2019
This wasn’t my favourite from Alexa Riley. I have come to expect the same theme when I dig into one of her reads: that is over the top alpha males, insta-love, and lots of dirty sex! I only read her short stories when I’m in the mood for this type of read! With “ Muse” though, I found the hero to be way too possessive...to the point it was not even romantic at all! He wouldn’t even let a male nurse take her blood pressure 🙄😳... that was ridiculous!!! Then when he decided that she was his fiancé; he told her that she was, then pulled a ring out of his pocket and put it on her finger. Again, in the romance department, I thought it was poorly done!

In saying all of that, I just didn’t feel this one as much as her others! I guess I can’t love them all!!!
Profile Image for ♡Tonya♡.
2,062 reviews568 followers
April 19, 2019
This collaboration of Alexa Riley and Fiona Davenport was a match made on OTT instalove heaven! This steamy read was exactly what I have been craving! I can’t wait to dive into Starlet!

-no cheating
-no ow/om drama at all
-no pushing away
-instalove
-OTT possessive alpha
-no violence
-no separation
-good epilogue
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,160 reviews558 followers
April 20, 2019
AR and FD are finally collaborating and I couldn't be happier. Short, steamy and sexy read with a composer and the woman who becomes his muse. Crazy possessive hero, sweet innocent heroine and a cute epilogue make this a must read. Totally safe!
Profile Image for Somia.
2,066 reviews169 followers
July 9, 2019
It’s an Alexa Riley book so you know what to expect: insta-love/lust, hot/steamy scenes, a possessive over the top hero and usually as is the case here a virgin heroine. I liked the start, and the chemistry simmers between Theo and Shelby, but then the hero got a tad over the top, wasn’t overly keen on him growling at the male nurse. Plus, wanted the proposal to be romantic, somewhat disappointed with what Theo does, how it was depicted wasn’t hot. This was an easy, short, one time read.

Acquired via KU.
Profile Image for Floripiquita.
1,478 reviews169 followers
June 5, 2019
Porque son igualitos en estructura y prácticamente en todo lo demás, reseño los cuatro libros de este despropósito de serie con la misma crítica. Hombre con éxito conoce a chica joven virgen en Hollywood (inserte rolling eyes aquí), se vuelve todo Neanderthal (arggg), con la palabra Mía tatuada en la frente y un único propósito, preñarla y ella, tan contenta (redoble de argggg). En fin... a ver si me tatúo yo también no darle más oportunidades a Alexa Riley de una vez, que se me olvida.
Profile Image for Jacqueline's Reads.
3,100 reviews1,527 followers
April 22, 2019
4 Stars

Super cute. Just the right amount of smut, cuteness and alpha-male. I like the whole composer / muse storyline. It worked.
Profile Image for *CJ*.
5,096 reviews623 followers
May 9, 2019
So finally AR and FD (RP+EC) are collaborating! I’m excited to see what these four goddesses would produce together 😍

What do you need me to do to, um, be your muse?” she asks, breaking me from my thoughts.
“Sing for me.” Be my wife. The mother of my children. My whole world.


"Muse" is the story of Shelby and Theo.

I found this book to be a perfect blend of AR's OTT sugary sweetness and FD's possessive obsessiveness.
Our world famous composer hero hits a musician's block, but finds a "muse" in a telegram singing angel who descends on his home, and makes her his.
Sweet, sexy and delivers what it promises..a diabetic coma. Oh, and a lot of breeding too.

Safe
3.5/5

PS. Off to reread "The Trustworthy Redhead" for the nth time because this book heavily reminded me of it. Oh IJ <3
Profile Image for Deborah.
3,836 reviews496 followers
April 26, 2019

Shelby is just getting by but she’s doing what she loves. And by that I mean singing even if it’s only singing telegrams.

Theo is a brilliant award winning composer but he’s hit a wall. What he needs is a muse.

His brother sends him a singing telegram and the rest as they say is history.

Shelby has the voice of an angel. Theo has found his muse and his true love. And since it’s Alexa there’s loads of hot sex and he’s OTT possessive.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Neal.
1,787 reviews146 followers
April 19, 2019
Shelby needs money, and singing telegrams helps pay the bills. She never expected her desperation in taking the job would lead to her meeting a composer, as in known around the world composer. But that's not why she's in awe. Her whole being calls out to him.

Theo is a self-proclaimed hermit, preferring to work and only work...except nothing is coming out. Grumpy to begin with, this fact isn't helping. But the telegram his brother sends him in hopes he'll be inspired is exactly what, or should I say who?, he needs.

Though neither knew how greatly their lives would change when they started their day, there's no denying fate had a hand in bringing them together...and both plan on taking the change they were given and never letting go.

One-click now and follow along as two people realize love always wins. On a side note, a collaboration with two of my favorite duos? Yes, please.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Profile Image for TJ *Book Twins Reviews*.
1,183 reviews2,604 followers
April 26, 2019
I don’t think I’ve ever done this before, but 5 SMUT SCALE STARS for this sexy little number!! Woot woot!!

The sexy composer finds his muse and I think I found my mojo. I’ve been a horrendous reading slump the past few days, not being able to focus on or really enjoy a book, but an Alexa Riley pick me seems to have done wonders. I loved it.

The smut to story ratio was balanced.
The characters are likable
It’s insta everything! Exactly what you expect from these authors!
The story is cute, fun, and sexy
The length, pace, and writing were all on point.

This was a major win for me. I think I’ll go one click another!
Profile Image for Erin.
3,897 reviews466 followers
July 5, 2019
Hmmm... I didn't really enjoy my last Alexa Riley read which is also my first foray into the Fiona Davenport collaboration. Theo was way too possessive over Shelby. He hit very close to the Christian Grey type with his obsession to get her eating all the type. How a woman who is described as having a plump ass can also be depicted as starving herself is a bit strange. Guess we can't love them all!

Goodreads review published 04/07/19
Profile Image for Jami.
617 reviews13 followers
April 18, 2019
This Duo (okay maybe foursome) brought an awesome read.
Theo is in a stump. He is having writers block like never before and he doesn't know how to get out of it. That's where baby brother steps in to help. Only he didn't know that his help was going to be the answer to all of his problems and dreams in one.
Shelby loves to sing but could never catch her break. Singing grams is not what she thought she would be doing with her life, but it gets her doing what she loves and pays her bills. What she didn't realize was that it was going to bring her to her happily ever after.
One look, one song, one touch was all it took for Theo's inner caveman to kick in and do everything in his power to get Shelby to understand that she was his forever and he was never letting her go. Even if it meant to plant his baby in her so that she was tied to him forever.

-safe read
-h was a virgin
-still not sure if H was a virgin or not. No talk about it but he was a loner, never leaving his house, that didn't have any condoms because he said that he's never needed them before.
-no om/ow drama
-good epilogues (2 years and 5 years after that)
Profile Image for caren.
570 reviews105 followers
April 24, 2019
I’m all for quick and dirty, as long as it’s BELIEVABLE. This was not. It bordered on kidnapping. That is not sexy.
Profile Image for Darlene I read WAY to many books.
3,675 reviews2,426 followers
April 18, 2019
3.5 stars!!

This was a very steamy dirty sweet read. And i swear the cover is gorgeous!! I know AR books are safe thats why i keep coming back.  Even with some of my pet peeves lol. I got this as a ARC for a honest review!!

Theo has a great job making music for movies, TV shows and so on he won awards but he has been in a huge slump, feeling down and annoyed about this he is knocked off his socks when he gets a singing telegram from his brother of a angel that has been haunting his dreams and once she's in his sights he strikes wanting to tie Shelby to him in every way his alphaness starts to show and its hawt.. and lets say that dirty mouth of his.. ;) Now as for Shelby there wasn't really anything exciting about her to be honest beside the telegram job.. she was a cute naive chick who has some good vocals.. was alittle disappointed how easy she gave in wish she would have pushed alittle more on moving in with a guy (less then 20 mins of knowing him).

No cheating, no ow/om drama, slight secondary chara, sexy times, not a manwhore and celebite and a virgin gal

Recomend- yes
Cover-⭐⭐⭐⭐

Instalove/lust
Safe
no condom
Hea
Epilogue 2 of them
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
113 reviews19 followers
April 19, 2019
The level of OTT heat in this book is absurdly awesome. The MCs zoom past any ‘getting to know you’ stage and straight into ‘mine, MINE.’ Which, for lovers of insta, is completely gratifying. I love the complete devotion Theo has for her, especially because his support and obsession uplifts her to nurture her talents without blindly pushing her to the top. OTT is best done when the obsessiveness makes the lives of the MCs better all around, and in Muse, that’s what happens.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,676 reviews110 followers
April 23, 2019
Good

I enjoyed this story! Theo is as OTT as they come. He literally locked her in his house seconds after meeting her and had her living with him a half hour later. He moved beyond fast. Theo is dominant and wastes no time in heating up the sheets with his muse.
Safety and Spoilers
Completely safe. Not sure what the H’s past was and the h was a virgin. No op drama and no abuse.
Profile Image for One chapter more.
788 reviews151 followers
April 19, 2019
Let me just say, this collaboration was extremely naughty and hot. Sometimes four minds are better then two and this is the effect. I think brainstorming for the hero made him just perfect, he was so alpha, so confident and sexy... He saw his Angel and decided to keep her for himself. Sweet.

I felt pretty bad for Shelby though... I found her a bit , hmm... Not offending anyone but I found her a little bit stupid. On the other hand she was still a child of 19. And now that I go back to the story line, he was around 35... Can we please talk about that?

Can't wait to grab Starlet too!
Profile Image for Nova.
2,710 reviews102 followers
April 28, 2019
This was a typical read for both of these authors possessive alpha male and sweet virgin heroine and insta love to warm the heart.

Theo is in the biggest funk of his creative career, trying to write a new music score for an upcoming film he keeps drawing blanks. Suffering with writers block is definitely no fun but his younger brother has a plan and sends him a singing telegram who knew when he opened that door he would find the one thing he was looking for, his muse. And no sooner has he seen her than he is locking her in his house with no intention of letting her go.

Shelby is getting by as a singing telegram waiting for the day when she can have a career but what she really wants is a family. After performing her singing telegram for the renowned Theo Hayes she was never expecting that this would be the start of her real happily ever after. But can Shelby really have it all life has taught her no but this time she is willing to risk it all.

Theo was a great possessive caveman and Shelby was just too cute. Perfect epilogues too. Safe read with some really great main characters and so so hot.
Profile Image for DeeReads.
2,284 reviews
April 20, 2019
Exciting collaboration! Great quick read whereas a very reclusive composer is in a slump when his funny brother, Austin sends him a singing telegram and Theo falls hard for his forever muse, sassy songbird, Shelby!

Austin's story in next in Starlet!
Profile Image for Fiona Fog.
1,461 reviews86 followers
April 20, 2019
I have a new favourite from these ladies and they delivered. Be warned it's dirty and fast but it's so romantic too.

Theo is an award winning composer. His skills have earnt him numerous awards and he is in demand. But he's also in a bit of a slump. He can't seem to find the passion he once had. Something is missing.

When Theo's brother Austin sends him a singing telegram he is not prepared when he throws open his door and see's the vision that is Shelby standing in front of him. The clothing she is wearing if that's what you could call it has him seeing red. No one see's his Angel dressed like this. When he pulls her into his home and locks the door her fate is sealed.

Shelby is a struggling artist, living day to day to survive she's content with what she has. She has always looked after herself. Never had anyone care about her or even look out for her. Thinking this is just another job she's been too she has no clue what she's about to find.

Theo has her in his house now, or should I just jump right to and say it's their house now because there is no way this man is letting Shelby out of his sight. All he knows is that he's keeping her forever.

It's over the top and it's what you'd expect from this duo but when you throw in two more authors you are in for heck of a dirty ride.
Profile Image for Amyb1975.
811 reviews184 followers
April 20, 2019
What a great book. How could it not be with these 4 fantastic authors coming together. I was so excited when I heard they were joining forces and I was NOT disappointed.

-virgin h, celebate H (no mention of H's past)
-dual POV
-no cheating
-no abuse
-insta-love at its finest
-older man, younger woman
-epilogue at 2 and 5 years out

I fully recommend grabbing this wonderfully written book.4h5thbb%t%t
Now, on to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Kayla Brunson.
1,595 reviews274 followers
April 20, 2023
Reread 2023.04.17

Two of my favorite authors writing together? I was sold as soon as I saw their names. This was so freakin’ good and I hope that they write more together!

This was such a sweet and steamy short read! I loved Theo and Shelby together and their chemistry was white hot! The next book is about Theo’s brother Austin and I hope it’s as good as this one was!
133 reviews
June 11, 2019
Muse

It was a hot possessive romantic and it just keeps going!! I can’t wait to finish the rest of the series!!
Profile Image for Bree Lauren.
672 reviews2,140 followers
March 22, 2020
In an attempt to actually reach my Goodreads goal at the end of last year, I pooled together all of the shortest books on my bookshelf.


This is a book that my mom bought at Shameless Book Con and she gave to me after she read it. This is a very short little novella, under 100 pages, so it was perfect for what I was looking for.

To be fair, I’m not typically a fan of romance novellas because it can be really hard to pull off a convincing love story with great characters in so few pages. (And those are two important ingredients to a great romance novel, in my opinion.)

Let’s just say this book was a prime example of a novella not working for me… at all.

Everything was so rushed and ridiculous. Even as I tried to suspend belief, I still couldn’t buy in to this book.

Of the many strikes against this book, the most prominent were the alpha male character (overdone), insta-love, grossly over-protective hero (he didn’t want her to have a male gynecologist – insert eyeroll here), and no chemistry between the characters.

The premise of this book had a lot of potential. The meetcute in this was almost adorable. I like the grumpy hero who doesn’t believe in love thing, but he flipped that switch a little too fast.

I almost feel like this book would’ve made a great full-length rom-com … perhaps written by Helena Hunting, because the whole singing telegram thing is absolutely adorable.

This just missed the mark. Within minutes, the two characters fall desperately in love and she immediately moves in with him, where he hides her away and doesn’t let her leave.

So… why two stars and not one? The steamy scenes were actually really good and the premise was a cute idea… and that’s about it.
Profile Image for Janice Somers.
849 reviews35 followers
April 19, 2019
I couldn't put it down. The OTT alpha meets a singing telegrams girl who sings like an angel.
There is baby batter making everywhere.
Shelby is a singing telegram girl who goes where she is assigned to and sings their telegram to them.
Theo Hayes wants to be left alone to compose his music for a movie. Only he's having a problem as he is experiencing a block. His brother calls and tells him he has sent him a surprise. He hangs up from talking to his brother just as the doorbell rings.
Shelby is standing at the door ready to break into singing the telegram and when the door opens the man looks at her, grabs her by the arm, yanks her into the house and slams the door.
Theo knows who she is, she's his muse. The moment he saw her he knew.
Profile Image for Ryan - Sweet Red Reader .
1,425 reviews95 followers
April 25, 2019
I'm really digging the result of the two author duos teaming up - I really enjoyed Muse! Theo is intense and growly and instantly obsessed with his little muse and Shelby is cute as can be. I love that even though she is young and inexperienced, she's not portrayed as helpless or needy - she's super talented in her own right and she's not afraid to speak her mind when Theo's alpha tendencies go overboard. At the same time she embodies a desire that I think many women share: that of wanting to be taken care of, not because we need it, but because it's nice. Muse is a fast, sexy, well-paced and well-balanced read and I can't wait to dive in to Starlet! I hope that these four talented ladies decide to collaborate again in the future. 4 out of 5 wine glasses.
Profile Image for Alba M. .
1,724 reviews149 followers
April 29, 2019
Theo sufre de un bloqueo de inspiración para su nuevo proyecto de BSO para la próxima película. Su hermano entonces decide ayudarle mandándole una "musa". Solo que Theo encontrará en Shelby algo más que una musa que lo saque de su bloqueo, también a su para siempre.

Ay este libro me ha parecido 😍 me pareció un poco tonto la forma que tuvieron de conocerse pero por lo demás su relación fue cuqui de todo ❤️
Como siempre lo de estas mujeres son genial y esta colaboración ha funcionado muy bien!
Profile Image for Habiba Hasabo.
1,004 reviews38 followers
April 30, 2019

Shelby had the whole innocent act working for her, it damn well suited her. I loved her and Theo so much. Alexa and Riley sure know how to hook us up.

“He says I’m his muse, but he’s mine, too.”

Shelby and Theo were fun to be with. Every book I think this will be it but I do not know what it is about Alexa and Riley’s books.

Shelby was Theo’s muse, and he was her heaven.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews

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