His Muse

by Cassie Mint

He watches me like I’m the center of his world.

I don’t even know his name.

There are tons of people working on this band’s tour, and no one ever looks twice at the merch girl. No one except him: the broody songwriter. The man with dark, hungry eyes who watches me from the shadows.

My stalker.

Everywhere I turn, I feel his gaze on me. When I walk down dark city streets, his footsteps echo behind. And when the tour ends and I go home… he follows.

I should be scared. I should stay far, far away, and I definitely shouldn’t leave my bedroom window open to tempt him. So crazy.

Obsession is a dangerous thing…

But this man’s gaze sets me free.

His Muse is a short and steamy instalove story, starring an OBSESSED songwriter and the girl who revels in his love.

Genres: Novella, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, M F Romance, Music, Slow Burn

63 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2022

About the author

Cassie writes outrageous, OTT insta-love with tons of sugar and steam. She loves cookie dough, summer barbecues, and her gorgeous cat Missy.

Sign up for Cassie's newsletter!
www.authorcassiemint.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 stars

This one was meh for me.

*2025 AFB challenge- musical instrument on the cover.

[Kate Russo ❦ (Rina Kent’s Version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

IS IT MESSED UP TO SAY THAT I WANT THIS SO FUCKING BADLY

[Bookiemonster · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of 2023 and no regrets!
I’ve missed Cassie Mints books and I’m so excited to deep dive back in to all the releases I’ve missed from her

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I mean it, Carmen. Don’t think just because you’ve let me in, I’ll be normal now. I’ll never be less than obsessed... Even if I’m the luckiest man on the planet and you marry me someday, I’ll stalk you to the fucking church.”

Enough said.

[kaden⋆.𐙚 ̊⋆˙⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My muse; my obsession; the newfound reason I breathe."
this book was unexpectedly good??? who said your stalker can't be the sweetest? he's literally a golden retriever stalker if that makes any sense 🙊💞

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stalker stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"A certain songwriter left one hell of an impression on me."

It's no secret that I'm utterly obsessed with Cassie Mint's novels. This one might just be my favorite!

"My muse; my obsession; the newfound reason I breathe."

Tudor is the the songwriter for Run Along Ruby. He's been watching Carmen, a crew member, from afar for months. Once the tour ends, he continues stalking her... across the ocean, back to the US, and to her hometown. The thing is though: she knows he's watching. ;)

LIKES:
-how SWEET Tudor is! he may be a stalker but he's the sweetest stalker ever.
-the relationship wasn't rushed- it took all summer for them to even talk!
-Tudor just simply wants Carmen to be happy.
-CARMEN STALKED HER STALKER LOL
-the spice. there's one scene but it's more than enough!

IMPORTANT BITS:
virgin heroine
not a manwhore H
no OM/OW
no cheating
safe
HEA & epilogue ♡

LENGTH: 63 pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Averie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of this romance more than the actual story :/

[Flo₂₂ · Rating 2 out of 5]

liked the idea of it but it was to rushed! i needed it to be more developed there is barely a story tbh..

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Man, everything is going downhill today with these books vs my marathon read of Cassie Mint over the weekend… just didn’t do it for me. No connection at all, kinda psycho actually.

[*˚Remnant Light ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.3/5 stars**

Carmen spent the whole summer on tour with the group Run Along Ruby, where she worked as a stage crew and merch girl. During her stay, she sensed someone constantly watching her; Tudor, the songwriter of the group who seems to have taken an interest in her, but who never approached her. Now that her contract is over, she gets to go home to her little town and get back to her ordinary life but, she might've been followed...

This story was actually so different from your regular Cassie Mint novellas. I really liked what I read. It was thrilling and sweet. It's also good to note that it is related to her other novella called Dirty Rocker which takes part in the Rock My World series that regroups multiple authors on the same prompt.

Tudor was absolutely obsessed with Carmen, so much so that he became her stalker over the summer and couldn't bare seeing her go away. He also had a protective side to him. Something about him was very mysterious and thrilling.

I should really let her go. If I were a good man, I definitely would. But then a good man wouldn’t have fucking stared at her all summer, would he? He wouldn’t have dreamed of her, feverish and hungry every night, and woken with her name on his lips. Or followed her when she slipped out of the venues to get coffee. Or memorized all her hotel room numbers, walking past them in the middle of the night. Or obsessed over every single tiny detail about her. Yeah. It’s been months since I thought of myself as a good man. That ship has well and truly sailed.-Tudor

Carmen was sweet and playful, and I liked how she handled having a stalker. She herself became a bit obsessed with Tudor, feeling all sorts of emotions towards him. The way she lured him closer and closer was cute.

“Don’t think just because you’ve let me in, I’ll be normal now. I’ll never be less than obsessed. You understand? Even if I’m the luckiest man on the planet and you marry me someday, I’ll stalk you to the fucking church.”-Tudor

This story was a bit of a slow burn as the main characters only formally meet after the first half of the novella. Most of Carmen's time is spent getting back to her ordinary life but also noticing a presence watching her, and most of Tudor's time is spent stalking her. I really liked the pacing and how different it was from what I'm used to read when it comes to Cassie Mint.

✔️HEA Epilogue: 5 years later. they are married and have a baby girl
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap H is in his 30s and h is 22
✔️Stalker/ Obsessed/ Besotted H
✔️Sweet/ Virgin h
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
🔥 Steam level: 2/5 stars
⚡Content warning No condom/ No mention of birthcontrol/ Foreplay/ Oral sex/ First time

Would I recommend this novella? If you like obsessed male leads, you might really enjoy this. I personally live for psycho heroes so it was right up my alley.

**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**

[Kyla ⋆⭒˚｡⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could reread this over and over again, I can't get over them! Tudor is everything that I've ever wanted, he's such a cutie 💓


“It’s all Carmen. She’s my muse. My muse; my obsession; the newfound reason I breathe. It’s all very dramatic, but it’s true.”

“See, if things were normal between us, we could share that cab. I could load her case into the trunk then jam my own alongside it, and slide into the backseat next to my girl. I’d keep my guitar case balanced on my knees, and I’d loop an arm around her shoulders—and she’d let me. She’d trust me to see her home.”

“So this is what peace feels like. I’d wondered about that.”

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tudor is the sweetest stalker I love him so much

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The wasted potential was actually painful, considering how good the angst was. That abrupt ending really didn't do it for me.

It was still ok though 🤷‍♀️.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tudor and Carmen

I always love rock romances but this is one of the first times I read that the famous song writer was a stalker. Tudor was traveling with the band and turning out more music but his biggest past time on the tour was stalking one of the band’s crew members, Carmen. She needed a break from her lonely life and went on a summer tour with the band and always felt like someone was watching her.

I’m not exactly sure what I think because it did have a crazy stalker vibe but yet he truly wanted Carmen as much as she wanted him.

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen had a summer job as a roadie for a tour of a rock band. Tudor is a hot shot song writer that was booked to accompany the band as well. As soon as he saw Carmen he was smitten but stayed always in the shadows. But boy was he watching 😏 He stalked her and followed her home to be near her.... He knew it was wrong but he couldn't stay away from his woman🥰🥰 Carmen always felt his presence and now back home ,she is finally brave enough to lure her stalker inside her house and her heart 😉 Instalove, sweet, steamy romantic, with an awkward stalker(but so sweet😍) ,safe and with a sweet HEA 😍😍😍😍

[atomickitten · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars

I guess it was ok but tbh it would've been much better if the whole stalking thing didn't take up like 75% of the story and rather focused on them interacting and getting to know each other..

That part didn't work for me and for that reason I also didn't really feel the vibes or chemistry between these two.

I still love Cassie Mint and it was a sweet read but it wasn't my favourite.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tudor and his muse.

This was a 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars for me. It started off a little slow but finishes strong. I love a good stalker romance and Tudor’s obsession was intense but not dark. Some of his dialogue was swoon worthy (you know, if you’re into stalkers). Great read.

[malia ! · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow the story feels so complete for a novella?!

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I straight up am just not going to write anything for Cassie Mint books are anymore

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Muse
This is a Short Novella story [Might have a wee bit of a spoiler]

This book follows Tudor and Carmen's story.. It was a good romance with some steam, wee bit of Age Gap, Stalker Romance, Virgin Trope and fast read..

Tudor is a singer, songwriter and he plays the Guitar, He is sassy, kind, sweet and knows what he wants, Once he sees Carmen he falls hard for her and starts stalking her to learn everything about her and then moves to her home town to be close to her, Once he sees that she knows he is stalking her and that she likes it that it makes him happy, When he meets her in person he falls even more for Carmen

Carmen is doing a summer job touring with a rock band, She is sweet, kind, caring and shy, She does not have family because she lost her parents and now she feels lost, lonely and sad, She works hard but can feel someone watching her while she works and that makes her smile because she has a feeling that it's the songwriter who is stalking her, Once she talks to him in person she falls even more for him

This book is packed full of:
⦁ Awesome characters
⦁ Stalker Romance
⦁ Songwriter-Singer Trope
⦁ Hero takes care of his woman
⦁ A wee bit of Age Gap
⦁ Virgin Trope
⦁ Tattooed Hero
⦁ A wee bit of dark themes
⦁ Some Steam
⦁ Content: Stalking, wee bit of Age Gap, Carmen starts stalking Tudor too, Hero Falls first
⦁ Possessive Hero/ Touch her and you die Trope
⦁ A wee bit of Forced Proximity
⦁ Love at First Sight
⦁ Sweet Strong Hero
⦁ Fast Read

I really enjoyed the relationship between Tudor and Carmen.. This Stalker Romance was a fun Read and i am glad that everything worked out and they got a happy ending

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I don't usually write reviews for these little short reads, but I really liked this one. This one is short around 65 pages. It's well written & well edited. The story was touching & sweet. It's told in dual perspective alternating between the two main characters. It's not really an insta-love story more like an insta-obsession!! There is a bit of will they ever get together feel to this one, but once they do. It's 💥🔥🔥 It ends in a HEA.

You get a bit more back story of their relationship than usual in these short stories. The two main characters are a bit different. They're both a little awkward in different ways. Not yet comfortable in their own skin. Still growing & learning to be themselves. Neither has close relationships & both are lonely. Though not both realize it at first. There is this deep connection the two feel. Though they have never spoken only watched each other from afar. Both wanting the other, craving the other, needing the other like the air they breathe. Both are happy at first to just watch. Knowing the other is there. Feeling the other is waiting watching. Then one wants more. Wants the other to be there with them not just in the shadows. Will the other understand their subtle ways of letting them know? Will they both want to be more then just the others stalker & take that final step into their obsession?

This one is good enough I'm actually going to buy it. I never do that with these short stories. Just read them through my kindle unlimited subscription. I think it's cause it was so different than the usual short insta-love, couple of steamy scenes, live HEA story. Give it a read! You might really like it too.

[♥ I’d Rather Be Reading ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Main Couple:Tudor/Carmen
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Carmen, Tudor)
- Book Playlist (Stalker Romance Playlist)

-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)

Carmen has taken a job as a crew member for a band on tour. During the tour, she notices the songwriter on tour with them, Tudor, has been watching her. But it doesn’t make her uncomfortable. Instead, she likes it.

So when she heads home at the end of summer she finds herself missing Tudor, even if she’s never properly spoken to him.

Little does she know that he’s followed her back to her hometown. He’s lost to his obsession with her. And little does he know that she’s a-okay with that.

-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:

This was a short stalker romance about a songwriter and a woman that he meets while he’s on tour with a band. It’s very short (only about 60 pages) so there isn’t much character building or anything.

But I still liked it. Tudor is rather sweet (in that psycho stalker kind of way lol). And the reasons for Carmen liking it kind of make sense — she’s very lonely. Once they finally start talking they are pretty cute together.

Again, it’s really short, but enjoyable if you’re into stalker romances. I kind of have a soft spot for them. I’m not sure what it is, but I just like them. I’m weird. lol I’d recommend it for fans of stalker romances who want a quick read.

[Soleil-Theodore James · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Is she warm enough in there? I don’t want to close this window, but I’d hate for her to be cold. [•••] Though I hate any barrier between Carmen and I on principle, if I stand out here and let her catch a chill, I don’t deserve to be near her at all."

I'm pretty sure that the book His Muse was my very first stalker romance. I had trust that Cassie would not write someone violent or abusive and I did get a really obsessed MC instead.  My only complaint I think is actually related to my own faults here. I've been binge reading all of Cassie Mints books, and although the plot changes, the characters and the endings and the general vibe of it really do not. But ultimately you get a virgin with an older man who is obsessed about her and then she gets pregnant and has children that is it. And I'm growing really tired of the virgin trope. But honestly I am converted to stalker romance and I'm immediately looking into reading more. Taking obsession to whole new level. 

(read july2024)

added note, oct2024: after reading even more of her works, I can safely say that His Muse is among some of my favorite of hers.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tudor is a famous songwriter and has been stalking Carmen ever since she joined the band Run Along Ruby on tour as a roadie. He has been following her and watching her constantly. Carmen knows Tudor is watching her and likes it but the tour is over and she is headed home to California. Carmen is missing Tudor's eyes on her so once she returns home so she starts stalking him. Following him on the internet, trying to track him down she misses him so much. Carmen thinks she is sick stalking Tudor like this and Tudor thinks he is sick because he followed Carmen home and is stalking her again. This is a really bizarre read about stalkers but it really works. I loved Carmen and Tudor. They are great together. They have great chemistry when they finally get together, this is just a really strange stalker read that I loved. Best stalker read ever!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Georgia Herpen · Rating 5 out of 5]

STALKER LOVE AT ITS FINEST. Make no mistake, Tudor (H) is stalking Carmen (h) and has been for months. However, he never says a word to her. He simply stares, and she starts getting used to and likes it. Carmen feels alone, so Tudor's obsession feels "like a warm blanket." H takes it to a new level when he follows her home and takes up residence near her. By the time they finally meet in person, the anticipation has built to the point I'm ready to bust at the seams. In fact, their very 1st face-to-face meeting takes place when the story is more than halfway over. The way Tudor wants to care for Carmen stops the story from him being a swarmy creep. In fact, I loved how they came together. Their dialogue was sweet, and the ending made me laugh. Read this book!! You won't regret it. :).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book is an absolute YES for me!! The obsessed stalker. The stalked who becomes a stalker herself. Two fantastic characters who have an attraction that they have no idea how to act on. Tudor is an amazing character. Completely obsessed with Carmen but never acting in his feelings. The way that Cassie Mint has written him is beautiful. His struggle between knowing he shouldn’t stalk her and being unable to do anything else. I also really loved her descriptions of Carmen’s knowledge of her stalker. The hairs raising on her neck, the feelings of eyes, and the feelings she has been he’s not around. This is a slow burn but totally worth the heat that comes when they finally get together. The ending of this book is also really great. I enjoyed every minute of this book and highly recommend it!

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives me all the vibes!!
I really do love a lot of Cassie Mint books.
The characters in this one kind of took a bit of a different turn than I expected, but not a bad turn. I really loved Tudor and his quiet stalkerish ways.

With the tour over and Carmen returning to her everyday life, Tudor can't think of doing anything else but following Carmen. After all she's the reason he's been able to write so much great music the past couple months. She's his muse, his obsession, and the woman for him.
But has Tudor taking things too far by following Carmen without her knowing?
Will Carmen be able to give him a chance or is he bound to just obsess from afar?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Guilty Pleasures · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carmen & Tudor

We already know the Merchgirl and the Songwriter from the Dirty Rocker book that came before this one, so I was curious to see what happens to these two.

But honestly this was kinda boring. Nothing really happens (except day to day stuff, he watches her, she feels him while she works) until they land in bed together. There’s no conflict, no rising action, no climax, nothing. Not even an ‘I love you’
And they didn’t even talk to each other - not a single word - for more than half of the book, damn it!
Then she invites him into her home. They watch a movie. He almost leaves again. They have sex.

Epilogue with them 5 years later, married with a small daughter.

I … yeah, it was kinda lacklustre.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie Mint is back with a cute short story featuring Tudor the songwriter who's working with the band writing songs and Carmen a roadie /merch girl who took a job touring with the band for the summer. Tudor took one look at her and he heard music inside he was hooked she was his Muse and he needed to know everything about her. Carmen knows that someone is watching her she can feel him and she likes feeling his eyes on her it makes her feel cherished. Will Tudor ever talk to Carmen or will he just continue to watch over her? You really need to read this cute story to see what happens with them. I would recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒏. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒆. 𝑴𝒚 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒆; 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏; 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑰 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆.

I've read my fair share of Cassie Mint Novellas, and this has to be one of my favorites!

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.

The real question here is, where is MY Tudor? Because this man was completely and utterly OBSESSED with Carmen.
He stalked her in the sweetest way possible, and all I want to know is when my Tudor will show up.

𝑰𝒇 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆.

Little did Tudor know that Carmen was just as OBSESSED with him as he was with her.

𝑫𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏, 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒘. 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅?