Cover Image: The Rose

The Rose

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The Rose was awesome. I loved the way the author wove Greek mythology into a modern story. I also loved the fact that it was a super naughty read yet it highlighted serious issues. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend to those who love erotic romance.

Was this review helpful?

After bingeing on the Original Sinners Series, I was under no illusion that this book would be an erotica romance, complete with all kinds of kinky delights.

With that said, unlike the Original Sinners Series, there's little romance to speak of. The story is extremely erotic and some of the kinks might make certain readers uncomfortable.

While I enjoyed the story enough, I like Tiffany's writing, I feel I would've got more out of it if I was up to speed with mythology. Some of the retellings were lost on me.

Copy received via NetGalley

Publication date - April 2019

Was this review helpful?

If you are a fan of Tiffany Reisz you might as well skip this review and go purchase The Rose. I say this because I think this is one of the author's best offerings. It is explicit, actually sometimes just a touch beyond explicit, if that's even possible. Still, it is written as a combination of erotic fantasy and Greek mythology which is a perfect match. The story begins with the characters of Lia and August "sparring" around a Greek cup called the Rose Kylix. Lia has it, August wants it. And much sexiness follows. There is a bit of an "ick factor" in the plot, between Lia and her mother. Although this ick factor makes sense in the frame of Greek mythology, I deducted one star in my rating below... because.... ick!!! I have to say that I think the author is full of talent for story telling and it amuses me to think that she decided to aim her ability in the direction of mythology, probably just because she could.

Was this review helpful?

This one was an easy pick for my #ValentinesDay review: The Rose by Tiffany Reisz, which #IMO was ๐™๐˜ผ๐™‰๐™๐˜ผ๐™Ž๐™๐™„๐˜พ! No, actually that's the understatement of the CENTURY:

The Rose๐ŸŒน, by Tiffany Reisz was โญ๏ธ๐™Ž๐™‹๐™€๐˜พ๐™๐˜ผ๐˜พ๐™๐™‡๐˜ผ๐™ โญ๏ธ

I dare to say, so much so, that while reading it, I went to bed every night hoping to find my own Eros in some twisted dream scene...๐Ÿ˜ In fact, this story stole my heart and my sleep and almost all my free time the entire month I spent reading it. (I still have hope to find Eros in my dreams tho ๐Ÿ˜โค๏ธ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ’ญ๐Ÿคฃ)

I know the majority of us had an idea what the Rose was about (being sort of of a continuation of The Red), but it fell way above any expectations I had. Hopefully for you, you paid attention to your English lit teacher back in HS, cause you may or may have not heard about some of the #Greek mythology gods mentioned here (there's the difference between this and The Red actually). The beauty of this book lies on the exquisite details Tiffany added to every single one of Lia's and August's fantasies. Everything was so elaborate, so tasteful, so magnifiscently described. Forget the erotic content, (which is fine, but shouldn't be the whole focus) the entire story as a whole EXCEEDED any and all expectations in every single additional element included. Once again Tiffany Reisz delivers one of the most remarkable and memorable love stories (cause I do tag this as a love story), and the humor added to this overall just made me smile like a fool. Literally. [Yes, we know now that Eros had an affair with a Cloud. Yes, you read correctly: A CLOUD ๐Ÿคฃโ˜๏ธ]

Anywho, for the life of me I promise NOT to spoil this ๐Ÿ˜, but I can tell you one thing for certain: Once you start this story it will be very difficult to put your book (or reader) down. I can assure you though, that the more you read about August and Lia, the more you will fall in love with them (no Ero's arrows required ๐Ÿ˜‰).

Many many THAK YOU's for the #ARC provided by @harlequinbooks in exchange for an honest #review ๐Ÿ’›

Was this review helpful?

i loved this book! Could not put it down. Another great love story by Tiffany Reisz So grateful Net Galley for the Advanced Reader Copy and the chance to review. Thank you!!!

Was this review helpful?

There was so much to love about The Rose. It was captivating from the beginning, with this provocative story of a young woman who might be in some trouble, however, is not without her resources, all while exploring her sexuality with an interesting worshiper of Eros. Lia was sassy, defiant, and confident; her sensuality and vulnerability were able to bring her to life very well in my opinion. Then there's August. My goodness, what an interesting hunk of a guy. Loved their story so much. Moreover, how the Greek mythology component played into the story felt very well done to me. I am definitely picking up a copy of this book for myself..

Was this review helpful?

_________________________________

Jeeeeez looooeeeeze I never thought I could enjoy a book about Greek mythology but I should have know that Tiffany Reisz could bring me there.

The Rose is the second book in The Red series but can certainly stand on it's own.

Two decades after The Red, The Rose picks up with the daughter of Mona from book one, Ophelia (Lia).

Where in The Red each chapter took us on a fantastical journey through the world of art and infamous paintings, similarly The Rose takes us on journeys featuring legendary mythological couples.

I have to say that I enjoyed The Rose much more than The Red. I loved the magical forays into the Greek Gods and found their stories much more interesting than the interpretation of famous paintings as in The Red.

The research that Reisz has put into this series is unfathomable and is worthy of applause. She is a phenomenal writer with original ideas in a genre that is saturated with clichรฉ.

_________________________________


I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved The Red so much and I couldnโ€™t wait to start The Rose.

The theme was intriguing: Greek mythology meets modern day erotica. The characters fascinated me from the beginning, especially Lia and her friends, possibly att the detriment of the story as I was more drawn to their business dealings than the Greek mythology.

Sadly, despite starting strongly and being, as always, brilliantly written, I just couldโ€™t get into this story and, Iโ€™m sad to say, itโ€™s become one of my rare DNFs. I think there were just too many journeys back in time and too many mythological characters to hold my interest. I tried, I really did, and I hate to be beaten by a story, but I just couldnโ€™t find it in me to read The Rose to its conclusion.

My rating is based on reading the book to 75%.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! What a crazy fantasy ride. 4.5 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say I am surprised at myself. For a genre I rarely read, this one surprised the hell out of me.

Maybe it was the author who took a chance outside of her normal writing style. Maybe it was the entire fact that the story was so different and intriguing. Maybe it was because it was sexy as hell.

Whatever it was, I became enthralled with Greek mythology and the beautiful blend between today and another age - real or not.

The characters were wonderfully depicted. I loved the dry humor and bit of snark. But I especially loved the hot connection between the two of them. Damn!

If you are looking for something different in a romance, The Rose is it!

Was this review helpful?

I was excited to hear that Tiffany Reisz was writing a follow up to 'The Red', which I really enjoyed. I found The Red to be a unique, scorching, and fun read.

The elements making up 'The Rose' seemed to be all there at a glance - Greek mythology which I love, a great author, and an interesting plot. On reading it however, something just didn't fully click. It didn't feel like it has the exact same spark that 'The Red' had. I admit I was a little disappointed by how she used the mythological threads in her story - there's literally a wealth of stories she could pick from, but none of them really thrilled me the same way in which 'The Red' did. To be honest - this sequel felt quite a bit more tame.

Nonetheless, if you were a fan of 'The Red', I'd still recommend giving The Rose a go.

Thanks Harlequin-Mira and NetGalley for this ARC for review!

Was this review helpful?

WOW! I loved this book and the author! If you read The Red, then The Rose is a must. However, they can definitely be read as standalone novels. Lia's parents are throwing her a graduation party and the invite list contains some very prominent and wealthy people, who also happen to be patrons of the escort service she has been running for the past four years with her three best friends. She asks them to be on their best behavior while at the party, yet when Lia meets sexy August Bowman the flirting begins. Lia who has lived and breathed Greek mythology is given an krylix by her father, and it just so happens that her father won it at auction by outbidding Mr. Bowman. While at the party, Mr. Bowman finds a little alone time with Lia and explains that the krylix has special powers. Since Lia does not believe him, he proceeds to demonstrate its capabilities taking her on several erotic journeys through mythological history. I don't want to give away all the wonderful details, but trust me this story is worth every penny!

Tiffany has a way of bringing an intellectual element to her erotic stories that just captivates me. Perhaps its the way she incorporates fantasy that allows you to suspend your traditional beliefs and just take the journey with the characters. Her characters are extremely well developed and her writing is so fluid. She also does a great job with the erotic scenes by slowly building the interactions, creating tension and desire, adding variety through fantasy, and concluding with a beautiful intimate connection. I cannot say enough great things about her writing - absolutely one of my favorite erotic fiction authors! I would recommend this book to everyone interested in erotic fiction, erotic fantasy, and romance (if you have an open mind and aren't offended by sexual descriptions).

Although my honest review of #TheRose was based on an ARC provided by #Netgalley and #Harlequin, it is on my purchase list when it comes out in April 2019 - can't wait to read it again in the finished format.

Was this review helpful?

โ€œAnd the gods do say women feel more pleasure in the act than men. When there is pleasure, that is women have the better time of it.โ€

The Rose by Tiffany Reisz is a modern day twist on greek mythology. The story starts with a young woman named Lia, who made an appearance in The Red. She helps manage an escort agency with her friends and meets a charming man named, August Bowman. He is both her savior and demise.

Her life takes a dramatic turn when her father gifts her an ancient artifact not knowing the power it yields. August knows of these such powers, and plans to meet Lia to acquire the artifact for himself. Little does he know, that they will both witness the great magic it yields together. Which embarks a sexual awakening and to new heights.

Was this review helpful?

Having read The Red, I requested an arc for the sequel The Rose. It is set 20 years after the story of Mona and Malcolm. Lia is Mona's daughter, who is (surprise, surprise) running a secret escort service. But when her former lover David threatens to betray her secret, she seeks a way to pay his ransom. Enter August Bowman, an artifact lover, who wants to have the Rose Kylix. This specific artifact was given to Lia on her 21st birthday by her father. August warns Lia that the cup has special powers and should be handled carefully. He offers to buy the cup from her. Lia doesn't believe that the cup has any powers and she is suspicious about August's claims. Therefore August dares her to try the cup (by drinking wine from it) with him present. He claims it will have the power to let Lia re-live the old Greek myths. And it does! So Lia and August re-live all kinds of Greek (erotic) myths.
Off course, the story wouldn't be complete if there where several plot twists and turns. Not only are people not always what they seem, a divine intervention and some strange occurences will keep you guessing. So, indeed, another wonderful book from Tiffany Reisz. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Was this review helpful?

This just did not work for me. I could get interested or invested in the characters. It reminded me too much of the Rose and I struggled with that book as well. Tiffany is a superb writer. I truly enjoy the sinners series, but this seemed a tad bit off. The setting was modern day, yet the dialogue seemed like it was in the past. That didn't work for me either. The love interest was not sexy or alluring. Overall it was just awful for me.

But I appreciate you allowing me to read the ARC. I won't be posting any of my feelings or comments anywhere else.

Was this review helpful?

I already know when starting a Tiffany Reisz novel that I will be reading nothing short of awesomeness, but The Rose was even a little better that awesome! The best way to describe The Rose is a steamy, historical, present day, mystical romance โ€” so basically what Iโ€™m saying is that it has it all! The storyline was brilliantly original and even though I havenโ€™t read the first novel in this series (The Red), I had no issues jumping in here (I have already 1-clicked The Red and plan on reading it next). The characters were humorous, passionate, intriguing and straight-up entertaining! The Rose is a complete 5 star novel that you wonโ€™t want to miss! I canโ€™t wait for the next installment in this fantastic series!

Was this review helpful?

Tiffany Reisz is always a 'must read' for me and although I enjoyed The Rose it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Was this review helpful?

I have read a few of Tiffany's books and I always admire her way of writing. Although it was not my favorite book by her, I must say that it is well written and you can see that the author made a great deal of research on the subject and ancient history is not a light subject! As a lover of history and the mythology that the boo is centered, it was really nice to see some "Gods" come to life in a different perspective. The love story within was funny at times and heartwarming and very, very hot!. Would definitely recommend this one for a fun read!

Was this review helpful?

Much like The Red by Tiffany Reisz, The Rose incorporates a sense of magical realism into the erotic romance of Lia and August. Each major section is devoted to a different Greek myth--and boy oh boy will you never think of those myths in the way you were taught in school. They're a million times sexier than you could ever imagine. And in between those sexy myths, there's a story of a prissy madam, her delightful family, and her new...friend, August. You will fly through these pages and be sorry when they're over.

The acknowledgments hint at at least one more book in this series and I can only hope that we'll get at least that. You don't have to be an art lover or mythology know it all to enjoy these novels, though it might enrich the experience, you'll find yourself swept away without any prior knowledge...and you may even want to pick up a book or two about these gods and goddesses when you're done!

Was this review helpful?

This book is beautiful. The weaving of mythology into a modern tale is perfection. The author draws you in quickly: a college student turned madame with a secret escort service, a mysterious stranger, a shared love of Greek Mythology. The twists and turns of this book take the reader on a magical journey worthy only of Greek Gods.

A full bodied story with character development to support such a story.

Much like it's predecessor, The Red, The Rose is erotica. It's dirty. It's hot. It's well executed.

This book can be read as a standalone. The heroine in The Rose is the daughter of the characters in The Red but you don't have to read The Red first. (You should read it though it's delightfully weird and dirty.)

Was this review helpful?

When I requested this book I was not aware of the author's previous books and the rather graphic content. After reading this book I kept thinking it would fall into a category of literary pornography. This thought led me to Google the actual description of erotica - and bingo this book fits that exactly. I never really made that distinction between pornography and erotica - probably because I had not read many books that fit either category. So I can honestly say that I learned something new from reading this book. I did love the mythology and how it was woven into the story. I hated the stilted dialogue, especially the beginning or anything that involved the parents. Can't say I would read anything else by the author - but overall a very creative story.

Was this review helpful?