Fascinating premise of gods and humans integrating and an interesting story brings them together. Beyond that, it doesn't really connect for me.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A book about the muses but set in modern day?! SIGN ME UP!

This book has a promising premise and a solid foundation. This is my first introduction to the Afterlife, Inc world and I don't feel like I needed the other series in this realm to understand what's going on, which is a huge plus. It was explained well without being overdone and I appreciated that.

It does fall short in some areas for me. First, there's a lot of repetition. We know pretty early on that Calliope and Jordan are on different sides. We don't need it mentioned all the time. The sentences can be clunky, both descriptive ones and lines of dialogue. It's not egregious but it felt like it needed just a touch more fine-tuning.

Also, it seems like people cry a lot in this book. I'd get it if there were a reason for it but sometimes it was used as a way to 'show' emotion. It didn't work well. And that was the biggest issue: showing verses telling. We were told how Calliope and Jordan were feeling more than we were shown and allowed to experience things alongside them. Every aspect of the romance felt rushed because of that, even though it took time to develop.

It's an interesting premise and I'll read the next one as a kind of second chance. I'm not sure if I'll keep reading beyond that, though.

This wasn't really my kind of book unfortunately.

Really was intrigued by the premise because I love Greek mythology and the idea of reading about a muse in the modern world and dealing with navigating that and a potential romance made me immediately want to read it.

But it was the plot that was difficult for me to get through. It didn't seem like there was enough going on and I felt tempted to not finish, but ended up skim reading instead.

I did enjoy all the references to the gods, Calliope's sisters and the mythical creatures but her and Jordan's relationship was something I didn't care too much about - it just didn't reel me in like I wanted.

However there was some nice scene setting and descriptions.

2/5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Bold Strokes Books and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Stevie‘s review of Song of Serenity (A Memory’s Muses, Book 1) by Brey Willows
Lesbian Fantasy Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 14 Dec 21

I greatly enjoyed Brey Willows’ Afterlife Inc. trilogy and the author’s more recent stand-alone contemporary fantasy Spinning Tales, which, we learn in this novel, takes place in the same reality, as does this new series. The basic premise, for any newbies to this world, is that all the gods, along with various other beings of myth, fable and fairy tales, are real, sustained by the belief of those that follow them. In order to keep up with the modern world, the gods have come together as Afterlfe Inc and revealed themselves to the world at large, gaining new followers in the process, but also annoying a lot of people who are dischuffed at having their world view disrupted. This new series opens by showing us what happens when one of those rather pissed-off humans encounters one of the nine muses of classical Greek mythology.


As the oldest of the muses, Calliope Ardalides has gained a lot of extra responsibilities since the two worlds merged, not least that of sorting out complaints lodged against gods, ether by humans or by other gods. In serious need of a rest, she travels to the small Scottish village where she has long owned a second home and where there is also a 200-year-old Temple of the Muses built by a wealthy local landowner in gratitude to his poet friend. On this visit, Calliope encounters a young village girl, who has been looking after the temple, but who now fears for its future and that of the surrounding area, because of a planned development.

Developer Jordan James loves extreme sports and the great outdoors and thinks the area around the village would be perfect for her latest resort, which would also provide much needed employment for the area. She is surprised by how much resistance she encounters, not least from Calliope and her friends. Although Jordan wants nothing to do with immortals as a matter of principle, and the two women disagree on just about anything, they are also drawn to each other on a deeper level. This second aspect makes each of the pair even more determined to get across their point of view to the other, and at times it seems like a compromise will be impossible. This being a romance, of course there’s one to be found somewhere, but the adventures they have and the people they meet in the course of searching for it is what really makes this story.

At times, I got irritated with both our heroines, for all that I loved pretty much all the other characters, and I kind of felt like the Scottish parts were lacking an element of Scottishness, which may have had more to do with the majority of its intended readership than with the author’s skill at conveying a sense of place. Minor grumbles notwithstanding, this was a fun introduction to a new series in a world I already love to bits, and I’m looking forward to meeting the other eight muses in upcoming books.

Grade: B

So, there are parts that I really liked and there are some things that I didn't liked which was why I didn't gave it a five star. I really liked the writing. It was simple but not too annoying. It was easy to read and didn't felt too irritating. I did liked the romance between Jordan and Calliope but I didn't like how most of the times when things were tough, they were basically fucking just to solve the problem. Like, dang girl. Calm.

I liked the conflict between Jordan's park and Calliope's temple. It saddens me that people want to disturb peace from such a temple. If things aren't meant to be then it's not meant to be. But they did resolved it eventually. Speaking of the resolve, it was too quick. It didn't really held much tension/complications. It was just Jordan pretty much changing her mind quickly even though she was so stubborn about it throughout the book and then she suddenly changed her mind. I wish the problem was a bit more complicated then a quick easy solve. Like maybe the author could've already get Jordan to have her permits and then start the construction and then Calliope steps in and does something....Idk, just throwing in ideas.

Regardless, it was a nice story with a nice world-building and I did liked to read more of Calliope's side of story than Jordan.

I love Brey Willows' books. That said, this wasn't my favourite.

In this book Calliope is the muse of music and justice, but after being a buffer between arguing gods and human complains to gods, she is ready for a break. Sometime in the Temple of Muses in the countryside of Scotland is exactly what she needs. That is until her peaceful place is disturbed by the presence of Jordan, who wants to set up an adventure park next to Calliope's home and the Temple of Muses.

As always Brey's books are incredibly interesting and I do love the world she has created with the Afterlife Inc. This world where were have seen many romances start. This however, wasn't my favourite, not because it was not good, but because I didn't really feel the chemistry between the main characters. While both characters were good, I really enjoyed Calliope more. I thought she was more complex and interesting.

Overall, it was a great book and story, but I would have liked to feel more chemistry between the main characters.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a novel based on an existing series by Brey Willows, which envisages a world where the Greek Gods still inhabit the earth and engage with and impact on the lives of mortals. The concept is an intriguing one and as someone who loves historical fiction based around ancient myths and religions, I felt sure that I would enjoy. However, although it is an absolutely lovely book, it failed to satisfy my appetite for something rather deeper and more profound in my preferred reading. The heroine Caliope is one of the muses who goes on a bit of a journey of self rediscovery. The story is told with deftness and humour and the world pleasingly realised. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a light undemanding read and who relishes some romance. For me it failed to deliver much more than that and hence regretfully my 3 star rating.

What a pleasure this was to read. I love how the author describes her characters and scenes. So much description that I could actually visualize each scene. I really enjoy how lost I get when reading a book by Brey Willows.
Brey Willows imagination and creativity keeps the pages turning and the reader yearning for more. If you like your romance with angst and mixed with a little mythology and magic, you'll enjoy this book. The Afterlife universe just keeps giving.

What happens when immortal beings like Greek gods, fates, or muses end up co-mingling with the human world? This book explores that idea in a fun and enthralling way. From the very start I was drawn into the story of Calliope, a Greek muse as old as the gods themselves, and her life in the modern day human world. When she decides to take a vacation from her job finding justice between fueding gods, she ends up pulled into a local debate that changes her never-ending life forever.

This story is fun from start to end with a nice mix of drama and anticipation. Much like the undeniable draw between the book's two main characters, you'll find yourself pulled in and unable to put the book down. Both characters try to find a way to get what they want while balancing the unexpected feelings that the other brings to life in them. It's a back and forth that has you rooting for both of them while screaming for them to just stop being so stubborn!

The books contains a healthy slow burn romance mixed with a non-toxic "they come from two different worlds" trope that is as entertaining as it is intriguing. If you're a fan of a good old fashioned mutual pining with a dash of "we will probably never work together" type of story then this is absolutely a book you can not pass up!

3.25 Stars. I didn't have as much fun with this one as with Willow's other works. This is the start of a new series set within her world set up by the 'Afterlife Inc.' trilogy. In this case, with gods of all the world's religions finally free and living out amongst humans, we follow the Muse Calliope, the oldest of the nine Muses and the muse of justice. She's burnt out from her work with the gods, and escapes to her cabin in the UK hill country. Not only is it one of the older places left in the world, but it houses the last shrine dedicated to her and her sisters. That peace is then interrupted by the passionate entrepreneur, Jordan James. She's a developer who plops down adventure parks in places like the little town Calliope loves.

This is the basic premise, and I think I understand where Willows is coming from here: Calliope has kind of lost her passion - something that Muses should inherently have, as they are immortals that guide human passions for mostly the arts, but also for things like justice. Jordan is passionate and full of life but does seem to forget at times that others may not share in her sentiments. Through Jordan, Calliope learns to re-calibrate her focus, and Jordan is reminded to not just throw something new over a place and call it saved. It should work, but I don't quite like the pair together. I think it has more to do with Jordan, and not Calliope. Jordan is a messy, flawed individual, sure, but I really did not like that she took so long to not judge Calliope for her immortality and powers. Jordan is that angry atheist who got that way because she lost a loved one, despite that loved one being highly devote. Although she doesn't fall wholly into the atheist being redeemed through finding her faith or rekindling it, it just feels a little too cliché for me. It also comes off as being highly bigoted, despite the fact that the person she is having sex with is a demi-god. I don't think she should have just flipped the switch and suddenly likes gods again, but I don't buy that Calliope could fall for someone who - at least at first- actively hates the very idea of her existing.

I love just about everything else about the worldbuilding, the side characters, and the setting. Willows has one scene in the book that just feels old, mysterious, and full of power. Its a small part of the woodlands outside Calliope's village, but man, she describes what I feel like when I am able to step into the old parts of the world, or those that have religious significance. Well done. I just wish that Jordan's character was a little more balanced, since the building up of the relationship was the bulk of the book. Either way I still look forward to the potential other eight books (because Muses) in this series.

Just lovely!

Calliope is on her annual break from keeping her eight sisters in line and dealing with issues at Afterlife Inc. when she finds her peaceful break is not going to go to plan. Jordan, a contractor planning build an adventure park in the Scottish Countryside Calliope holds so dear is going to get in her way.

I loved this! A new series to follow on from the amazing Afterlife Inc. trilogy and I was so excited to find out what would be happening. The story was filled with passion, tension, and a wonderful sense of a believable kind of magic. Calliope is obviously a very busy woman and it was just inevitable in some ways that she wouldn’t quite get the break she wanted because isn’t that just always the way. I found that most relatable but what I loved what the way fates even interfere with the lives of gods and mythical beings. It is good to know it isn’t just us mere mortals who are subject to such things.

Knowing very little about the muses and Greek mythology, I am so excited for this whole series because I have already learned so much just from Song of Serenity. The story had me intrigued and on the edge of my seat. I spent much time wondering just who would win favour and get their own way. There were many moral lessons to learn though, both for Calliope and Jordan and how they embraced such lessons was fascinating.

They had a great connection, one that was instant and just worked so well. Even though doubt crept in from time to time for them both, you just knew they needed to be there for one another and would be the perfect team. They really brought out the best in one another and when that happened there was no stopping either of them.

A really wonderful story that I cannot recommend enough! Looking forward to next book in the series.

Song of Serenity is a book about fighting for what's important, even if those things change over time.

Jordan's dreams for her newest adventure park are threatened when she goes up against Calli's need to keep the peace and tranquillity of her mountain temple. Their dedication to their own plans is complicated by the growing attraction they feel toward each other.

The plot of the book is smooth and predictable in the good way that you'd expect from a romance. The book fell down, however, when it came to the characters themselves, and the writing of the romantic attraction in particular. The characters felt rather one dimensional, and both the characterisation and the romance felt like it regularly broke the rules of "show don't tell". I knew that they were attracted to each other because they told me so explicitly, but didn't really get a good feel of it myself. The same went for a side relationship that developed toward the end: it became an instant sure thing despite a lack of any kind of build up or reason. An important moment in the epilogue felt like it was tacked on to fulfil a check-list, rather than a scene that had any emotion attached to it.

I did appreciate the inclusion of the more nature based mythical creatures, considering the setting, and really enjoyed how that plot point wrapped up.

I know zero about Greek mythology. Never interested me but when I heard this author was releasing a new book, that news did get my attention. Song is book 1 of a new series that is tied to a previous one, Afterlife, which sets up a world where gods now live on Earth with humans. I read Song as a stand-alone and understood the premise right away but I am curious about the other books now.

One of the Muses, Calliope, works in the mundane and takes an occasional vacation in Scotland. All is well until a human named Jordan decides she wants to build an eco adventure park adjacent to Calliope’s peaceful sanctuary and temple. Who wants all that traffic, pollution, and crowds in their quiet refuge?

Jordan and Calliope are solid, well done characters who are hot separately and together. I’m not sure that they work as a long term couple but they’re devoted friends who have scorching times in bed. Part of the story involves a road trip and includes fanciful surprises that make it all very special and feel new. The secondary characters add energy and humor to the background story that might have gotten too sharp. Two people on opposite sides of a dispute can get ugly fast but the skill in the writing turns it instead into a dilemma of the heart where both people care about each other but who are also determined to stay true to their beliefs.

All in all, a very good book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC.

A beautiful fantasy. The energy and chemistry between the MC was amazing. I found the book quite humorous . I enjoyed it very much and definitely recommend. Well done 4.5 stars.

First time reading a book by Brey Willows and did not really know what to expect. It's set in modern times but with one big difference: the gods have come back to live amongst humankind and not in a secret, hidden way.
This story focuses on the eldest of the nine Muses, Calliope, who is working as an arbiter for Afterlife Inc., resolving conflicts that arises between the gods. While on a much-needed vacation, she finds that the land next to the Temple of the Muses in Scotland has been bought by a developer who wants to build an adventure park. This brought her into conflict with Jordan, whose company bought the property and who also really hates the gods. They meet and there's instant attraction. Calli and Jordan both have to deal with the implications.
I enjoy the world this is set in. I like Calli as a character. The only thing is that for me, the resolution at the end, came quite quickly. Personally, it's more difficult for me to invest fully in romances between an immortal and a mortal. Maybe it's just me, but at the back of my mind, the inherent imbalance between the two lingers.
However, overall, an enjoyable book from a new-to-me author. This makes me want to read her Afterlife Series books. Not sure if there will be nine books to this Muses series, but I'm definitely interested in reading the next one.
**Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!**

In a world where deities and humans coexist (this is part of a broader universe created by the writer but you don't need to read previous books to understand this one), Calliope, yes that Muse, is a workaholic who decides to take some well-earned vacations to Scotland near a temple dedicated to her and her sisters. Meanwhile, we are introduced to Jordan a daredevil businness owner who plans to open an adventure park near the previously mentioned temple.

I was intrigued by this premise and the inevitable relationship between two very different women who are both fighting on opposite sides of a construction conflict. Jordan wants to build this park desperately both because she doesn't want to lose her money and she believes that's going to be fun. We also are told that's it's going to create more jobs in the area but Jordan almost never uses that argument herself which makes her look less morally-righteous than the other side, Calliope's side. Calliope fights to protect the tranquility of the area as well as preserve the forest and environment. This had a lot of potential to develop into a real conflict but it's all swept under the rug (after devoting two-thirds of the book to it) in favor in another third act conflict.

There's one thing that I noticed immediatly and that really bothered me when reading : I didn't like the writing. I don't know if it wasn't for me or if it was just bad, especially because some senences clearly had some thoughts put into them but a lot of parts felt like a chore to go through especially the dialogues.

This writing issue really tied in with how I connected with the characters and their romance. At no point I felt like they had an actual connection besides them saying "we have an connection". We're supposed to believe that there's some tension building up between them but I just couldn't see it besides both of them just thinking that the other was sexy. The writing really was surface-level when it came to their feelings and it was a shame because I absolutely did not care about them. Even the sex scene felt cold and short. I would have loved to see how the plot played out if the writer had really leaned in their physical connection (more than just thinking "she's really hot I want to sleep with her"). Because then come their feelings for each other... Several times when one describes what they love about the other, she always says "beautiful and smart" like what? Several times! (there was one "great listener", and "good singing voice" too). that's not helping me believe that they have feelings for each other, especially since neither had done anything "smart" really. So I still don't know why I should root for them as a couple.

One of the book highlight is that it takes advantage of the universe it's set in to talk about mortal/god relationship, which is a classic trope that I really like. It even brings up a subject that's not often explored "what if the human hated gods?" I wished there had been more of that in the book rather than only at the end

From the cover of the book I hadn't a clue the adventure I was about to embark on. In f/f romances you come across a trope every few pages, some grammatical errors, sugary sweet dialogue, predictable page turns, unbelievable pronouncements of love, and all those cringey moments in between. NOT THIS BOOK! This is the book you will read more than once. I caught myself giggling and laughing. I sighed. I slapped my forehead and rolled my eyes. I wrote down wonderful quotes and best of all, I found myself wishing for more pages. This writer has a genius about her and it leaves me wondering if she possibly has a muse bottled up somewhere that she can only tap into. Truly brilliant scenery, fun plot, steamy romances (octopuses aside) and a great mythical twist. Loved every single moment of getting lost in the Merged world.

3.50 Stars. I’m a big Willows fan and am always excited when a new book of hers comes out. While I have read all of her books, I think her Afterlife Inc. series is my favorite (the first book is her debut so it has its bumps and it’s also a bit of a set-up book for the rest of the trilogy. However, each book that follows is better than the last with book three, Fury's Death, being my favorite.) I was really excited to start this new series, Memory's Muses, because while this is book one, this book takes place in the same Afterlife Inc. universe. It was fun running into and hearing about some characters that I loved from Afterlife Inc. like Megara and Death (I’m keeping everything crossed that we get more time with them). In the end I wasn’t crazy about this book, but I’m so glad to be back in this world Willows created and I’m excited to read more.

While this new series is a part of the Afterlife Inc. world, you can absolutely start here if you want to. This story was completely contained with two new main characters. However, there are terms mentioned like “The Merge” and you might be wondering why gods, goddesses, and other mythological and supernatural creatures are now running around in this world. Willows touches on things but to really get the history of what happened you would have to read the Afterlife Inc. series.

This new series is going to be about nine sisters who are muses. I don’t know if we will get nine new books, but I’ll keep reading them if Willows keeps writing them. As I mentioned, I liked this book but I wasn’t as crazy about it as I wanted to be. I enjoyed the new characters, especially Calliope, firstborn muse, daughter of Zeus, with the specialties of justice and the arts. She was easy to like and I was rooting for her to have a HEA. I enjoyed her journey and character growth, but I found other parts of the story to not click as well.

I think my biggest issue was the romance. It just was a miss for me. The elements were all there but I felt like we were more being told about feelings the characters had, than us being shown actual feelings. This is not an insta-love book, it happens near the end, but it still felt too fast when it was said. I didn’t see or feel enough of a connection, between them, to believe they had a love that was HEA worthy.

On the good side, a few of the angsty moments got to me a bit. There didn’t seem to be any big angsty moments, but instead a few smaller ones, and for whatever reason they made me a bit sad. It was odd because I was not sold on the romance, but I guess I just wanted a HEA for Calliope so the smaller angsty moments actually got to me a bit (in a good way).

TLDR: I was really happy to start this new series and to be back in the Afterlife Inc. universe. You can read this new series without reading the Afterlife Inc. trilogy, but this book might actually get you interested in reading that series since they are connected. I liked the idea that this new series will each star a different muse sister and Calliope was a very likeable first main character. I enjoyed this book, and read it quite quickly since I was absorbed back in this world, but the romance was not for me. While the characters had some chemistry, the connection needed more work before I could believe in any “I love yous”. This was a decent start to the series, but I’m hoping this follows the same path as Willows Afterlife Inc. series did in that each book gets better and better.

An ancient muse, Calli collides with a highly successful developer, Jordan, in this enemies to lovers story. Jordan wants to build an adventure park in the backyard of Calli’s tranquil retreat. This was a well written story with a good flow and great imagery of the natural world and the beautiful Scottish landscape. Unfortunately I just couldn’t buy into what this book was selling. I tried. I wanted to. The major angst and issues seemed to have easy solutions. Callie was over 3,000 years old, but seemed to have the sense and awareness of someone in their 20s. As for Jordan, I just couldn’t find many redeeming qualities. Overall there was little to no chemistry between the MCs. Just because you say they have a deep connection doesn’t mean it rings true for the reader. I’ve had a deeper connection with a cheeseburger than these two seemed to have. I’m rounding up to 3 stars.

Song of Serenity (Memory’s Muses #1) by Brey Willows is the first of a new paranormal/fantasy series. It is also very much a romantic tale between the Muse of Justice, Calliope Ardalides and Jordan James, a very successful businesswoman who builds and runs adventure parks.

This story begins when Calliope, overworked as the Muse of Justice in this new world where the gods live on Earth with humans after the Merge, goes on vacation. She heads to her small cottage in Scotland near one of her temples only to discover that her idyllic temple and vacation home will soon overlook a noisy parking lot for a new adventure park owned by Jordan.

Jordan has very negative views about the gods in general and is determined to finish this project in Scotland. This sets up a lot of conflict between the two, even as they both seem drawn to each other on a personal level.

While this is the first book in a new series, it is set in a skillfully crafted universe that the author created for her Afterlife Inc. series. Those of you who have read that series will find the secondary characters and the setting quite familiar. The characters are also well-developed. I would love to just hang out with Calliope. She is so gentle and calm…even when she is upset. The romance between Calliope and Jordan is wonderful to read. It doesn’t matter that one is human and the other immortal, they act and react realistically towards each other.
Even though this book is set in the same world as the Afterlife Inc. series, you can read this book as a standalone. The author gives you all the information you need to understand this universe. Knowing how wonderfully this author writes, though, I recommend that you read as many of her novels as you can, including this one. I’m very glad I read Song of Serenity, and now I’m looking forward to the next book in the Memory Muses series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.