I fell in love with Poppy, I felt i could connect with her. This book really shows how something happens for a reason and that you can change your life for the better. There was a "family secret", which i feel we needed a bit more story of, I was so intrigued. I loved this though!!

A Young Artist Finds Herself
I loved this story. I did not find out until later that this was a debut novel. The book is written in such a polished manner that I would have thought that it was the work of an experienced writer. All of the characters are deep and true. The plot is well thought out, well the reader can never really anticipate further than the next scene. I did not want this book to end and hope the author makes this a series. I will read them all. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

This is the debut novel for this author. I definitely kept turning the pages to find out how the story ended. The main character, Poppy, had so many struggles and i felt for her so much. I wanted to be her biggest cheerleader!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own

I loved this book. It is an amazing Christian Novel for people just getting into the Genre. I loved how it seemed to switch locations as the chapters go on. Although when you read the description of the novel, it doesn't seem to be a Christian novel. It at first seems like it is your average book, but when you begin to jump in reading, it is pretty good, and it does bring out the concepts of what makes a Christian Novel. I also enjoyed how it explains Poppy's family history, in a clear way that I can understand, a few books I've read recently haven't been very good at that. But, yea. It is a very good read, and I definitely would recommend it for a friend to read. :)

Poppy is a relatable character if you evert had a difficult time finding your own place in the world. Being a creative when it’s frowned upon, discouraged by your own family isn’t easy to negotiate. I found a few items problematic (anorexia as a descriptor and homophobia) in this climate. It’s not for my personal tastes I see others enjoying it though.

Such an engaging book that I was unable to put it down. It helped me remember to follow my dreams and find the things God has planned for me. Seeing how people use their talents was a wonderful inspiration to keep moving forward.

#SheLostHerMuse #NetGalley


Poppy is in art school with her best friend Megan. Some things happen and she ends up back at her parent's home, without her art degree.

Her father is super religious and domineering and controlling (hated him), and he 'banishes" her to her late aunt's home to work on some much needed renovations.

There were so many characters I disliked, but the overall story was good.

I liked seeing Poppy change and grow during the story, but I wanted to know more about her family history and the secrets.

Then I found out it's first in a series. So I will pick up book two in hopes of learning more.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary e book in exchange for an honest review.

3 1/2*****

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a digital arc of ‘She lost her Muse’ in exchange for an honest review.

I was really intrigued by Poppy’s storyline and the house renovations. I think she is an empowering and inspiring character that spreads the important message to pursue one’s dreams

That being said, this book was not for me. Reading a book where some of the character’s have ‘conservative religious views’, as Poppy’s mother says, was unpleasant. Wayne’s aversion to art, self expression and his controlling nature, were very uncomfortable to read about.

According to my kindle, I read 50% of the book. After reading the line ‘What was so fascinating about this plain, anorexic-looking girl’, I felt it was best to DNF this book. Anorexia is a seriously debilitating illness and not an appropriate way to describe the appearance of a character. I am very disappointed that I have had to DNF this book but I cannot condone the homophobia (when Poppy’s mother advises her to not mention Devin’s sexuality to her father), the damaging language used in relation to eating disorders and the judgmental attitudes exhibited up until this point.

Thanks again to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for this book. Unfortunately, it was not for me as I found it rather problematic. Such a shame as Poppy’s story showed real potential.

I was excited to start reading as this book is about an artist and art school. Art is where this book shines with great description and perception of a working artist.

However, I found it a bit dry and distant. It has the makings of a good story, but not executed well. I wasn’t always sure who the narrator was.

She Lost Her Muse is a little outside of my usual tastes when it comes to books. But as an artist a story about a young woman pursuing a BFA, as I once did, drew me in.

Writing about art is where this book shines. I have been a nervous Amber and Poppy in critiques. I have known Megans and Mirandas who value their own advancement above all else. Everything that is right with She Lost Her Muse is captured in the prose surrounding the making and feeling of art. I felt most connected to the characters when they were making or teaching or emoting about art.

But thats about where my affection for the book ends.

In the end I felt like the book tried to do and be too much at one time. It is heartening to know that it is set up to be a series and that the plethora of characters will likely be utilised and understood more in the future but as it was I often got confused and overwhelmed by the vast variety of non-central characters. Did we need so much about Anise and Earnestine? About Peg or Damien? Tess was so built up as a central character and then scarcely stood out once she arrived.

I had expected more for the relationship between Poppy and Megan, but all we get is some exposition of their past and one conversation before Poppy is sent away. While I can see through the writing that their relationship is a deep one I never got the chance to feel that. And so when Megan shows up later in the book her actions didn't evoke an emotional response because I felt I knew Megan and was responding alongside Poppy. I was emotionally responding only because Poppy was feeling as deeply as she did.

Reverend Wayne Fields, too, I felt needed deeper characterisation. He felt very flat and I tend to enjoy complex villains. I didn't feel I knew his motivation enough beyond "he's misogynistic and wants to get his own way." Why is he like this? How does it impact his church family beyond the Richards? How on earth is he keeping up appearances if he's behaving the way he does in the book on a regular basis? I needed more about him to make him more than just a caricature.

I also am really unsure about the relationships being alluded to between Wayne, Violet, Liam, and Camelia. The way its written it sounds like there could be some sort future reveal that Liam is actually Poppy's real father...which would make Jackson her cousin. It's too much foreshadowing and not enough substance.

I think quite a few of the issues I felt the book had would have been solved if the book had been split into two stories or lengthened. If the story had space to breathe and the characters didn't feel like they were rushing in and out of the scene we could have lingered more on the dreams, the healing touch, the slow build of substance abuse, and the building of strong, believable relationships between characters.

I'll be interested in giving the next book in the series a go now that the scene is set. With the characters in place perhaps the pacing issues will be easier to adjust and the central story line can be focused on better and I can get more of the characterisation I crave.

This book fell a little flat for me. I loved the idea of the story and all the pieces of it - but felt like some things were missing and there could have been more. The ending left me wanting more, but I felt like the writer was just done and ended it. There was no explanation to some things that I really wanted.

All in all, it was fine. I think it could have been better with a little more added in and with a little better writing.

I almost didn't complete this book. At first, I intensely disliked Poppy! She seemed too goody 2 shoes and just naive in the extreme! But I persevered and came to love her. Her awakening to her true self was wonderful to see and the other characters were so interesting, once I got involved in the plot it kept me riveted. Now I can't wait to read the sequel to see what happens to everyone. So it starts slow but really picks up and ends up being absolutely stellar. You wil enjoy the little town and all the artists and personalities. And you will also dislike a few of the characters. Which I love in a book - you an't like everybody. The contrast and edginess of the "villains" makes the book better.

I downloaded this for the cover and also because it mentioned something about Christianity and having a pastor father.

Overall, my feelings on this are mixed, but I think it all boils down to me enjoying it. There was a significant portion of the book where I just started skipping pages because I didn't end up caring what was happening, but when I got to portions I enjoyed I really felt like I became enthralled with the narrative.

This is about finding yourself in times of hardship and neglect, of not knowing where the future leads and living in the moment. Facing past hardships and demons, and overcoming your trauma.

I loved this book! I fell in love with Poppy Fields and especially loved how she made the best out of every bad situation. Despite being betrayed by the people she thought loved her the most, she uses this as a learning experience and revaluates everything she thought she wanted in her life.
Overall this is a story of love, friendship and new experiences, and I absolutely adored it.
The only issue I had was that I would have loved to find out more about Poppy's 'family secret'

I've also posted a review on Goodreads, but it won't let me link it for some reason.