Dr. Lexie Travis and country music star Jackson Morgan return in Susan Daugherty’s Muse after their disastrous break-up in the first book in the series, Groupie. The novel opens with palpable tension between the two lovers as they struggle to act normally while dealing with the pain of their break-up. Lexi can’t get over Jack’s heartbreaking betrayal, but their close proximity makes her question her decision to keep their relationship platonic. Jackson, on the other hand, is determined to win Lexie back. Unfortunately for him, a rival country singer joins the tour and seems determined to sweep Lexie off her feet. As in the previous book, Jackson continues to weave magical lyrics to woo his lady. As they continue with the tour, Lexie gets a clearer picture of what it means to be in a superstar’s life. Will Lexie forgive Jackson or is their love destined to fail?

In Muse, Susan Daugherty brings back some of the things that made Groupie such an unforgettable read. Being serenaded by the man you love will never have the same meaning again (sigh). The lyrics in this book were just amazing and as romantic as can be. Susan Daugherty has a way of making the most innocent things sensual. Who knew word games could be so sexy? Once again, I take off my cap to the author for crafting such a lovely story. This was really really good. Muse expresses all the emotion the reader would expect to feel and more, without the sometimes graphic sexual scenes so prevalent in romance nowadays. That being said, Muse marks the end of Lexie and Jackson’s story, but hopefully not the last in the Groupie series.

Muse: Groupie, Volume 2 of 2 is a contemporary romance novel written by Susan Daugherty. It had been over a month now since that evening when Lexie’s roommate convinced her to go see country music heartthrob, Jack Morgan, in concert. Lexie didn’t like the man’s music, and she was turned off by the blatant sexuality of his shows and the groupies who seemed to flock to him. At one point in the concert, however, he sang a classic tune that spoke to her, and, as she mouthed the words along with him, she noticed him watching her. Later that evening, a stage malfunction landed Jack Morgan in the hospital with a severe leg injury, and Lexie, being the professional she was, agreed to serve as his physical therapist while he was on tour. Still, she was more determined than ever that she would not be his next groupie, no matter how much she loved seeing him smile or how easily she could get lost gazing into his eyes. But had she been too insistent on their sticking to the patient/therapist relationship? When Jack gives her a letter agreeing that they should remain nothing more than friends and give up on any chance of a romantic relationship, Lexie doesn’t feel as though she’s won any sort of victory. The next three months of the tour would be even harder now that her growing affection for the man could not be revealed.

Susan Daugherty’s contemporary romance novel, Muse: Groupie, Volume 2 of 2, continues the saga of the physical therapist and the charismatic country music legend she’s determined to not fall for, which began with the author’s first book in the series, Groupie. Daugherty gives the reader enough background information to enable this book to be read on its own, but I quite strongly urge that both books be read in order to enjoy the full effect of the story. The author is herself a licensed Physical Therapist and Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist, and her background in the subject lends Lexie’s ongoing treatments on Jack an authentic air. Her account of the joys, stresses and strains of being on the road for months on end also makes each of these books compelling and enjoyable. I loved seeing how Lexie’s confidence and creative spark blossom as she gives herself up to the very different world of touring and allows herself to get involved in choreography and dance once again. Daugherty’s characters feel real and have you caring about them and their lives, and the lyrics she writes for her country music star are marvelous. Muse, like Groupie, is a sweet romance that’s also suitable for young and new adult readers. It’s highly recommended.