The Muse (The Chain of Lakes Series #2) by Jewel E. Ann

ABOUT THE BOOK

Flynn Morley has spent his life getting by with as little as possible. No girlfriend. No real home. No money to speak of. Raised in the system, he learned early not to trust people who seemed to have everything. So when he takes a job as a “muse” for a wealthy Minneapolis couple, it feels like crossing a line he never thought he would.

Then he meets June.

June is a bike tour guide with a quick smile, a calm confidence, and a way of making Flynn feel seen without being judged. Their connection is immediate and playful, built on shared humor, quiet moments, and a mutual longing for a simple life.

As Flynn adjusts to his bizarre new job, he starts encountering something he never planned for: kindness without strings attached. It challenges everything he believes about money, power, and who gets to be comfortable in the world. And falling for June only complicates things, especially when it turns out she’s carrying secrets of her own.

When June’s past surfaces, Flynn has to decide what scares him more: becoming someone he’s always sworn he’d never be or letting her see his darkest secrets. If he can’t let go of his fears, he might lose the one person who finally feels like home.

MY REVIEW

I’ve got a towering TBR (to-be-read) pile that could rival the height of some skyscrapers, and when it comes time for my scheduled readings, I resist the urge to glance at the synopsis. Why? I crave that sense of surprise, and boy, did this book deliver. From page one, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering where in the world this story was headed. Jewel E. Ann has a true gift for keeping readers guessing.

Flynn is an auto detailer and mechanic whose life is as chaotic as his living situation of crashing on his roommate’s sofa while stealing joy rides in clients’ cars, and things take a turn when he’s caught and blackmailed. June is a bike tour host who keeps to herself and who is more than meets the eye. When these two opposites meet in an art gallery, it sets off a chain of events that alters their paths forever.

I can’t help but adore, Flynn. Who can resist rooting for the underdog? He’s unpretentious, unfettered, and utterly charming in his unpolished way. It’s clear that he struggles to let people in and relies on a tough facade to guard his vulnerability. Yet, beneath that facade lies a romantic side that had me swooning. As Flynn navigates his newfound quirky relationship with the Rawlings family, we see him slowly peel off the layers of his past spent in foster care and beyond. He’s made mistakes, sure, but what I loved was his willingness to take responsibility and grow from them. The moment he lays eyes on June, it’s game over. The former bad boy is now tongue-tied and feels like he’s out of his league, but his perseverance makes him extra lovable.

While Flynn is an open book, June is an enigma, hiding a secret that could jeopardize everything with Flynn. There’s a depth to her character that is just so endearing. I love how both she and her parents see the potential in Flynn. Her genuine kindness shines through, paired with her extraordinary talent, but I won’t spoil her secret. You have to pick up the book for that reveal.

Rupert and Callie Rawlings are Flynn’s employers, and although Flynn was blackmailed by Rupert into paying for his “carjacking” to become Callie’s muse, what Flynn discovers in their eccentric family unit is heartwarming. Their humor, sadness, and unexpected support create a bond that made me laugh one moment and tear up the next. Rupert’s sarcastic wit, combined with Callie’s matchmaking attempts, offers Flynn the sense of belonging he longed for. The Rawlings’ past is filled with heartbreak, and, honestly, Flynn is exactly what they need to heal. I would love to read more about Rupert and Callie’s relationship. Hint, hint.

Jewel E. Ann’s writing style is superb. It’s fun and informal with emotional threads that tore me to pieces. She has this incredible ability to pull you into extraordinary situations, leaving you laughing, crying, and desperate for more by the end.

If you’re looking for a story that beautifully intertwines themes of love, transformation, and the importance of found family, then this book should be at the top of your list. I can’t wait to read more in this beautiful series.

Thank you to Ms. Jewel for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jewel E. Ann is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to write mind-bending love stories. She’s living her best life in Iowa with her husband, three boys, and a Goldendoodle.