Muse by Geri Cohen Biddy | A Book Review
Book: Muse Brown Skin-A Dangerous Kind of Love
Author: Geri C. Biddy
Published: September 10, 2025
Drink choice: Whiskey in honor of the author.
Type of Book: Creative Non-Fiction
Stand Alone, Series, or Other: Series
Genre: Memoir/Creative Non-Fiction
How long did it take me to read this book: Jury Duty service (about 6 hours)
Audible/Google/Spotify audiobooks: No, but it is available via Audible and Spotify.
Overall rating: 🥃🥃🥃🥃½ — Four and a half whiskeys out of five.

Sometimes the universe just orchestrates meeting and opportunity. That’s exactly what happened when a TikTok video stopped my scrolling and introduced me to the vibrant, unapologetically energetic Geri Cohen Biddy. She was marketing her first book the way I wish more people would sell their work creatively in an organic and authentic way. I think back to Tyler, the Creator, who, in an interview, said he would promote his projects until the next one came out.  I had a rare weekend where I could meet this wonderful woman. I can be honest; I need inspiration to keep writing and reading. Watching her TikToks and the premise of her book signaled that going would be more valuable than any other side quest I would endeavor.
I caught her at a book event at the Barnes & Noble that just happened to fall on my grandmother’s birthday. I don’t think that was a coincidence. There’s something about Geri’s presence warm, magnetic, full of life that reminded me of the kind of woman my grandmother would have gravitated to if she were still alive. The kind of woman you just want to be around.
So, I bought the book, got it signed, but the most important part of this exchange: I read it. And Muse did not disappoint. Muse is a work of creative non-fiction that clocks in at about four hours cover to cover, and honestly, that’s the sweet spot.  The book is concise, captivating, and filled with delicious moments. If you’re more of a listener, the audiobook runs the same length, so no excuses. This is the kind of book that pulls you in and doesn’t let go, and before you know it, you’ve finished it, and you’re just sitting there with your feelings. Before I get into the juicy parts of the book. I want to bring up the bars. Mrs. Biddy dropped bars throughout this book.

For those of us who grew up reading in the early 2000s- Zane, Omar Tyree, Karrine Steffans this book is going to feel reading the early 2000s vibe but with the nuance of the 2026. Muse sits right in that sweet spot between Zane and Karrine Steffans. Great storytelling, compelling pov, while communicating real life through the lens of a millennial.  It gave me all the good vibes I used to love about reading before life got complicated.
At its core, Muse is a story about intoxicating love — or what we tell ourselves is love when it’s really lust with a costume on. Geri does an exceptional job of putting you inside that feeling: the all-consuming, irrational, make-you-lose-yourself pull that most of us have experienced at least once and probably don’t love admitting to. She doesn’t romanticize it. She just tells the truth about it, and somehow that’s even more seductive.
Notable quote: “Each Song Brown Skin wrote about us took a piece of me hostage”-Muse the pain you feel to know you love and lust are enshrined in the words of the song of a person who does reciprocate the same feeling back to you.  I will not give all my favorite quotes or sections that stood out to me, because each page had more lessons on self-love, lust, and what happens when you slip into a fantasy love. Page 131: “Loyalty without reciprocity is not love. It’s self-abandonment.” I had to take a moment to recognize how many times I lost myself over a man’s loyalty while not showing myself love. On page 132, I love how Geri mentions, “Love stands tall in daylight for you.” I started crying in the courthouse. (I had to complete my Jury service recently, and I read this book in between judges calling for Jurors.) Truly, this book is a love letter to Geri’s younger self, acknowledging the pain and issues that occurred from an unbalanced situation, but the growth that came from learning to love self, trust self, and stand up for self when lust runs wild.
The sex scenes? Top tier. I had to stop reading and splash some cold water on my face. At one moment I wondered if I wasn’t doing it right. There was an emotionally resonant, well-crafted scene that was better than a lot of scenes that I’ve read recently, and I read a lot. Ten out of ten, no notes.
There will be moments when you want to fight Muse, because she abandons herself for Brown Skin. There will be moments where you want to grab the author by the shoulders and start singing Destiny’s Child “Girl”. Beyond the story, Muse left me thinking. A few things really land: Tell your people what you’re going through in dating. One of the quieter lessons in this book is that trying to carry something heavy alone chips away at your spirit. Your real ones can’t catch you if they don’t know you’re falling. Loving yourself is messier than what is put on social media. It’s not just green smoothies and easy boundary-setting. Sometimes loving yourself looks like letting yourself fall apart, crying it out, journaling at 2am, and giving yourself grace for the parts of you that are still healing. Therapy matters. If you can access it, go. If you can’t afford one-on-one sessions, group therapy is an option. If nothing else, write it out in a journal. The childhood stuff doesn’t stay in childhood. It shows up at 2 am, making decisions that feel good but aren’t good for you later.
Here’s how I want you to read this book: on a long weekend, on a porch or a beach chair, with a glass of red wine sangria, something cool, refreshing, with fruit in it. Or, if you’re more of a whiskey girl (Geri’s drink of choice), fix yourself something good and lean in. Pair it with a charcuterie board, an order from Wolves & Owls if you’re in the DMV, and just be somewhere for a few hours.
Here is a pineapple Whiskey Drink you can make while you read this amazing creative-nonfiction memoir:

The Classic Pineapple Bourbon Smash
A vibrant cocktail that takes five minutes and is perfect for a warm afternoon.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon (like Maker’s Mark)
2 oz fresh pineapple juice
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz simple syrup (or honey syrup)
2-3 fresh pineapple chunks
sprig of fresh mint (for muddling)
Instructions:
Add the pineapple chunks and mint leaves to the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Muddle thoroughly to release the juices and oils.
Shake: Pour in the bourbon, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
Add ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Strain: Double the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish: Pineapple wedge. Add some sparkling water if it’s too sweet.

Muse is my book of the summer. It’s for the women who need a reminder of why she chose herself. It’s for the women who need to put the phone down and not text that ex, especially during Mercury retrograde. It’s for anyone who wants a fast, fiery, honest read that will make you laugh, cringe, reflect, and feel seen. Muse is $15-$20 and worth it. Pick it up at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, TikTok, or wherever you buy your books.

Go get it: https://amzn.to/4ggm33r.
A podcast companion episode drops at the same time as this review, Wednesday, July 1st: Three Angry Black People Episode 159: Kicking It with Geri Cohen Biddy  https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yarr7-1afff73  available on all platforms.
Here are all of Geri’s social media:
Books | Geri Cohen Biddy
Geri Biddy (gericbiddy) • Instagram photos and videos
(303) Geri C Biddy Author   – YouTube
germicide (germicide) | TikTok
Finally, the recipe for the pineapple bourbon smash https://jennifermeyering.com/bourbon-pineapple-smash/

Until Next Time,
Che Michelle