Muse: A beautiful student. A trusted teacher. A story of tragedy, lust and lies. Kindle Edition

*review contains spoilers*First off all, this was extremely well written, especially the first half or so. The author was great with describing characters and scenery. The book never felt repetitive and the wording was exquisite.<i>However</i>, and this is a big however, the romance was awful. It was unrealistic and I just wanted to get it over with. I would have loved this novel so much more had it just been about a girl's life after the death of her mother - how she deals with that loss and how her relationship with her father and new family develops.<spoiler>What I found the most unrealistic about the romance were the big love declarations early on and how they just dove head first into their relationship. I was also extremely annoyed that they had sex when she was still seventeen- yes, I know that age is just a number, but it's <i><b>illegal</b></i>.</spoiler>I did though like how all the sex scenes were fade-to-black. Normally I wouldn't like that, but considering how tired I was growing of their relationship, I was just happy to not have to read about their sex as well.<spoiler>I also found it quite weird how encouraged their relationship was by her aunt.This is how it went:Bridget: "You're interested in someone."Ava: *blushes*Bridget: "It's your art teacher, isn't it?"Ava: *surprised*Bridget: "Follow your heart and date your teacher"(I'm paraphrasing, ofcourse.)</spoiler>Another relationship in this book was <spoiler>Charles' and Bridget's relationship and even though they jumped into it almost instantly, it felt believeable and was much more solid and better written than the main relationship.</spoiler>It was very interesting to see how much alchohol consumption was in the book - especially considering that the main character was seventeen. I'm pretty sure there was alchohol in at least every other chapter. Perhaps it was supposed to be some sort of contrast; the mother dies in a drunk-driving accident and then the daughter consumes alchohol throughout the book. But it didn't feel like that was the author's intention, nothing ever bad came from her drinking (except once) and it was usually just a glass of wine here and a glass of champagne there. It was never frowned upon that she was drinking and I found that quite strange - is it just normal in the UK for 17 year olds to drink wine with dinner?I liked how it ended with her dad. <spoiler>He regretted not having stayed with her mother and was now 'doomed' to stay with Victoria. He realised this when Ava showed up, but I was glad that he didn't leave Victoria because I think that wouldn't have fit his character.</spoiler>I thought that the Grace problem was solved way too easily. <spoiler>First off, I felt throughout the book that she came off as popular but was now suddenly being bullied. It didn't make sense. Secondly, that's all it takes to mend their relationship?</spoiler> It just seemed like a quick fix for the author.I liked the drama involving Jake and would have liked to know more about that and about what happens with him and his mum. The final scene involving him felt too minor and insignificant to the plot. Like I said before, I would have liked to skip the romance altogether and I think that this could have been a bigger part of the story instead.I was interested to know what happened with Ava and her relationship with Veronica, if it ever got better. But I'm not interested enough to pick up the next book, though. -- I'd like to add that it annoyed me quite a bit how often Jake said 'baby girl'.<i>All in all:</i> Really well written (mostly), awful and cheesy romance, interesting and diverse charactersRecommend it to anyone that can handle <i>sickeningly sweet</i> romance and seriously cheesy dialogue.It started out as a 5 star read after the first couple of chapters, then dropped to a good 4+ but as soon and the romance started, it went downhill fast and ended up being <b>2.8 stars</b>, which is in my opinion generous considering how awful the romance was but lacking considering the wonderful writing in the beginning.

K. French sets up a world you can fall into. Ava is a bright young woman, who at her age has a great head on her shoulder you can clearly see in the couple minutes before K. French leaves you breathless with just a horrible tragedy.Before Ava can get her head wrapped around her new life, she is shuffled off to live with strangers while she puts things in order. Here is where she meets an awesome person. (Yes, I’m not going to give away who this person it. Ha Ha Ha) While I think this person is awesome and just what Ava needs. I do question the smarts of today’s youth.BAM!!! Another person comes into Ava’s life. A person who might as well been a myth. While this person has all the good attentions. I felt like they were lacking a bit of a backbone. Granted I am a rude American, which can lack the decorum a situation like this would need. So just my opinion on this person. Ava is now to move in with a Great Aunt she has never met before.While Ava’s life seems to be getting back on a normal balance, she is hit with another whopper. Love! Man, I would love to give you all the details in this. Granted I know for a fact that if I do. I will have spoiled the story for you.I am going to be honest with you, I bought this book totally based on the cover work, and blurb. With it only being $0.99 at the time of purchase. I figured it would be a decent read for a stormy day in the summer. What I didn’t expect was to want to live in Ava’s world. I personally need to know she forever okay. Also I am totally addicted her Aunt. She reminded me a lot of my late Great Aunt.I highly recommend this book to those of you who enjoy coming of age books, which tug on your heart.

Muse by K French is a sweet, poignant, tragic love story that hooks you from the prologue where the story is nicely set up. A couple is splitting up and the women runs out, drunk, to get into a car and causes a fatal accident, to herself and the mother of the story’s protagonist, Ava Hart. Ava survives the accident and reconnects with her long gone estranged father and his family, all of whom she’s never met. Here’s where the story’s conflict and tension is enhanced as the backdrop of this recent horrific loss. Along the way Ava meets and befriends Jake, a gay guy and they become instant and close buddies. When she moves in with an Aunt Bridget on her father’s side, other characters are introduced into the plot: the bitchy step-sister Gracie and her mom, her father’s wife the stuck up, cold Veronica. The benediction comes through the private all girl school Ava attends where she makes friends, Genevieve and Ester, and ultimately finds love, but not without harsh surprises and secrets revealed that tear at the heartstrings. This is a well-written, fast paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I love a great story that shows the depth of human resilience and it is here in The Muse by K French.It is certain to appeal to the romance book lovers too. The heroine has all the attributes, beauty and brains, usually found it the popular romances, so it will not disappoint romance fan's expectations. But, it is more than a romance, which suited my taste because I'm not your average romance reader. I enjoyed this due to the showing of the triumph of the human spirit.The main character Ava overcomes adversities and learns to relate to new family members. I don't like to give away plot points in a review, so I'll just suggest you may like to read it too. I can highly recommend this story.

Muse by French is a well-written story about healing. Ava tragically loses her mother in an accident. Ava, needing a guardian, meets her long lost father and his family. Ava is foster by her father’s brilliant aunt. It is a beautiful story of suffering, growing, building relationships with long lost relatives, and finding love.I love Ava, she is a beautiful soulful young lady. Like Ava, the other characters are compelling and well crafted.I rated Muse 4 stars, because the Student-Teacher relationship was difficult to read.

I recommend this read to YA readers.Quite a refreshing change compared to several YA books I've read recently. This book is not only about teenagers but has been written for teenagers with a lot of thought about what would appeal to them as readers.The writing style is elegant in its simplicity and kept the pace moving at a steady pace.I love the front cover image but I was a little concerned the story might be too girly for me. While there is a central romance the book covers many contemporary issues of teenagers today giving the book a greater depth. The heroine has to deal with the death of her mother and meeting her father for the first time in a short space of time. She experiences foster care, starting a new school and dealing with resentment from her half-sister as well as emotions connected to her rather unorthodox first lover.As a mature (OK old!) reader I did raise an eyebrow at some of the character's decisions but then reminded myself this book was written from a teenager's perspective and the author certainly captures their energy, excitement for life, attitude to danger and vulnerability.A beautifully written book for teenagers.

Ava tells her own story, and I don’t simply mean the author uses first person narrative. Reading Muse, I found it impossible to remember it was a novel and not a story being told to me by a teenage friend. Some aspects of Ava’s life came close to reflecting things that have happened to me and Ms French is spot-on with every one, from the mental pain of losing a mother whilst still a teenager to the physical pain and disorientation caused by serious injury.Teacher/pupil sexual relationships are a no but they can, and do, happen. It is the factor that ties this story together, removes any hint of the unforgivable – in fiction – coincidence, and is written with the same sensitivity and insight that Ms French shows in every scene and every character throughout. Characters that I saw through Ava’s eyes and grew to understand and, in many cases, to love. The sequel, Desire, is already on my “to read” list.

This book eclipsed my expectations entirely. Ava is a regular college student with a strong bond to her mother who raised her single-handedly. When tragedy hits the family, it leaves her in an unfamiliar world, alone and in pain. She slowly begins to open up when she meets Jake, a sensitive but flamboyant boy in the system. Together they begin to heal until Ava is once again ripped from everything she knows. Things become even more complicated when she meets her new art teacher.It was beautifully written and the emotions flowing from the characters had me in tears before I’d barely begun. It is a novel of strength and love with building emotional tension that keeps you riveted to your seat. It is a star crossed, deeply felt romance; a must read.

An exceptional read I couldn't put the book downThe characters are described with such perfection that you almost believe they existedThe plot is exciting and the twist at the end is a perfect finish to what is simply an amazing readThis by far was the best summer book this year my only hope is part two is well on its way

Really enjoyable book. Highly recommended