Of Love and Forge

5/5 stars! This book blew me away. I picked it up because of its cover, but hadn't even realized it was a futuristic mythology re-telling. I adored getting to know Carly Spade's versions of these characters and good ole Heph has been a favorite god of mine for ages. This story was perfection and I can't wait to read more.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

What a fun read!
It's Greek gods meets cyberpunk meets Deadpool level humor.
This was my first time reading this author and I'll definitely be back for more ❤️❤️❤️

This was a very enjoyable, futuristic reimagining of classical Greek mythology with a cyberpunk twist. Heph and Ro were absolutely delightful characters and came to life off the page with very visual descriptions and humorous and delightful banter. The story was so unique, interesting, and fun--I'm really hoping for some spinoffs with some of the other characters!

Oh my god, this novel is exceptional from start to finish. If you are obsessed with Greek Mythology, to the extent that I am, you should definitely snatch this up when it comes out on February 27th!
From the plot, to the action, to the romance, it honestly has it all. The description was beautiful, and you become insanely attached to the customers and their storylines. Plus, the spice was amazing!!! To top it off, there was an adorable rabbit included that made me smile every time I read about him.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgallery in exchange for a honest review.
* Tried leaving a review on amazon, but it said I wasn't eligible too.

Carly Spade does not freaking miss!

The worldbuilding was SO cool, and I really liked the direction she took us in with the mythological aspect Mix that with cyberpunk. I really liked Aphrodite's POV but sometimes I disliked Heph's. I'm not quite sure why but being inside his head wasn't my favorite. As usual, the pacing was great and made this book be unputdownable. The spice was good. This is a book that you do not want to miss!

{ A cyberpunk fantasy Hephaestus x Aphrodite romance that defies myth but answers true love's call }

If this doesn't sell you then I truly don't know what else to say. This book was everything I wanted, needed, and expected from that description. Spade did a fantastic job on this make these myths into something cyber and amazing.

“I didn't doubt he'd end up catching me, especially with my powers dwin-dling, but I'd make him work for it.
And in some warped sense, I kinda liked him chasing me.”
"What the Tartarus kind of
Maverick Top Gun move was that,
Heph?"
"I'm all yours now, Aphrodite. Don't break me."
WOW !!!! I don’t know what to say, just … WOW !!!
I’ll start saying that alongside Hades and Persephone, Aphrodite and Hephaestus love story is the one I’ve always been kinda obsessed over !!!!
And this author DELIVERED in the best possible ways !!!
Action, magic, myths, love and lust all happening together in a very original dystopian cyber-like version of a romance between opposites, impossible if not for the fire they both shared.
Believe me, I am not a fan of friends to lovers but the amount of banter and flirting happening between these two made me melt multiple times over !!!
I was flustered and hot all throughout their conversations and the possessiveness they showed towards each other … MY HEART !!!!! It was so so good !!!
Having felt like this since forever but with a To and fro dynamic that feels safer, all of a sudden they’ll find themselves with forced proximity, a bit of a roommate situation and a fake relationship that will have them on the verge of bursting through their clothes and jumping each other’s bones !!!
I loved the nicknames they used to address each other and I believe that Hephaestus came up with the BEST of them !!!!
And don’t let me even start on the spicy scenes … CHEF KISS !!!!!
Add to that a scene with “who did this to you” and a bit of a “good girl” and I’m a loser !!!!
I’m so so so glad I had the chance to read an ARC of this book and I can’t freaking wait for it to be out !!!
“If we ever shattered--it'd be the end of times, and we'd wither away together."
"The Forge is inside you, Ro."
"I'm going to show you the things I've wanted to do for centuries to you every waking moment we were together. The reason I had to keep my distance.
Otherwise, I would've gone fucking mad.”

I love Carly Spade's books. I was curious what her take on these two would be and she went above and beyond my expectations. Honestly, I hadn't every imagined this dynamic for them, or this sort of world for them. It is well-written, the world was built beautifully, and I am chomping at the bit for more. This book leaves you satisfied, but desperate for more information, more of their story. Carly has managed to take a version of Aphrodite I normally shy away from, and turn it into something I am desperate to see again. Pure witchcraft and I am here for her talents. All I can say is everyone who loves Greek myth retellings should read this.