I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to mevia NetGalley. This book was just amazing. I just lost myself in this story anddidn’t want it to end. It was really well written and just drew in you intothese characters lives. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

I absolutely loved this book! I was so engrossed by the characters right off the bat. Katee Robert's writing is out of this world, if you've been in a reading slump this is a great place to start, it absolutely blew me away!

This is like an erotic mafia romance but with the family heads all Greek Gods instead. Not knowing alot of Greek mythology, I sometimes struggled with the characters and whether I should know their reputations from mythology prior to reading this, though the author does give character clues with a modern take. BDSM type club scenes take place in Hades's underworld lair which are fitting for the characters. Persephone and Hades make a fun pair and their sexy scenes are definitely hot, leading to their HEA. I'm not sold on the greek myth retelling idea though ( personal preference) so undecided on picking up the next in the series.

Hot, hot, hot! This book was so spicy I had to fan myself and stop reading in public! Hot damn! A modern twist on the tale of Hades and Persephone will have you enjoying you darkest pleasures vicariously through them!

This copy was kindly given to me by Netgalley and the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this book. It had all my fav tropes- marriage/dating of continence, hades and Persephone retelling, and so many more. And it might have been me just not in the mood while reading it but I wasn't as WOW as I thought I would be with all of the hype. I got to around 85%, put it down and just never picked it back up again. I really liked Robert's version of Hades and Persephone, I wanted them to win. Loved the defiance they both showed to Zeus, Demeter and even the softer moments they shared together. DEF a steamy smut book so be prepared. It was a little much for me, but also my first Katee Robert's book so maybe I just wasn't ready, lol.

I'd always say if you are really interest, don't hesitate to pick up.

I'd give a solid 3.75, maybe 4 if I take the time to reread and finish the last few chapters.

Neon Gods is a fresh, contemporary retelling of the Hades and Persephone story. I sometimes feel like Hades and Persephone's story can feel stale, as it is a common one used for retellings. However, Katee Roberts manages to approach their story with a new twist that brings new life to this tale. Her world building also makes her audience excited to see what other classic stories will get a new look. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romance, Greek mythology, and retellings.

I’ve been meaning to read Neon Gods by Katee Robert since it was released last summer (2021). I was intrigued by the cover and the synopsis when the publisher advertised it in the newsletters. Anything that involves mythology retellings, sign me up immediately.

Storyline/My Thoughts: Neon Gods is the first book in Katee Robert’s Dark Olympus series, and this one involves a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone. I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of Hades and Persephone when I was younger and was anxious to read how Katee Robert was going to have these two mythology characters meet each other in a modern world. She didn’t disappoint with Neon Gods. This time around, Hades is considered a myth in the upper city where Zeus, Demeter, Hermes, etc., live. He’s never been invited to any of the parties in the Upper City. So why would they believe Hades exists.

Persephone is at a party with her mother and sisters, but she doesn’t realize that her mother has planned that she is married to Zeus and become his next Hera. Unfortunately, Persephone is not for this because she knows that Zeus had something to do with the demise of his previous Heras’.

Persephone ends up running away and into the arms of a strange man in the Lower City when Zeus’s men are chasing her. What she doesn’t realize is the mysterious man is Hades. Hades never expects someone from the Upper City, like Persephone, to cross the bridge into the Lower City. The minute he has her, he knows he has an advantage over his enemy, Zeus. Here it is, everyone thinks Hades is holding Persephone against her will, but he isn’t because she wants to be there with him. She’s fascinated by Hades and ends up falling for the dark and handsome Hades.

Here are the things I loved about this book:

The storyline of how Persephone finds out about Hades and how they end up together, and I also like how she convinces him to help her.
Hade’s character is grumpy, but he falls hard for the beautiful Persephone. He also has away in the bedroom or outside of the bedroom. If I had to choose between Zeus and Hades, I would select Hades in a heartbeat. (it’s not only for what Zeus did to the other Heras, either.)
The twists and turns the authors did in the book. I was not expecting how the ending happened, especially after finding out someone in Persephone’s life had a plan all along.
The steam factor in this book was HOT. It didn’t include too much BDSM, but it had some exhibitionism in it.
Here are things that I didn’t like or wanted more of:

I wanted to understand the world these characters lived in, especially how they ended up in the Upper City/Lower City. I felt I missed out on learning more about the world.
Persephone did what she did towards the end because she felt that there was no other way.
Will I read the next book in the series? Most definitely, yes. I want to know more about this world, and I want to find out who ends up with who in the next book(s). I enjoyed the first book, so I’m giving it four stars.

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Dark Olympus series. Each follows a new couple, but I would recommend reading in order so you don’t miss out on previous couples that received their story.

HEA: Yes.

Trope: Grumpy + Sunshine; Fake Relationship; Forced Proximity

Steaminess: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Content Warning (from author’s website): Abuse, Parental death (historical, off-page), assault/attempted assault, explicit sex, guns, blood

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy Dark Fantasy Romance, then this book is for you. I also recommend it to readers that enjoy modern mythology retellings.

I completely understand why this is one of the most popular romances of the year but it truly did absolutely nothing for me. I found the plot to be ridiculous and uninspired. The characters were lacking in depth, they weren't interesting to read about by any means. The romantic connection between them was all tell and no show, I have no clue why they like each other despite saying often how drawn they were to the other. The relationship development and chemistry felt lacking to me. I know the smut scenes are heavily praised and I get why but I also found them boring because I do not buy the character chemistry. Some of the dialogue was cringey. It was just all around a deeply boring reading experience for me. Again I get why this book worked for so many people but it just did not for me and I've decided that Katee Robert is just not the author for me and that is okay.

1.5 stars

Neon Gods was a spicy and fun read that flew by! For any romance readers who are a fan of something a touch bit taboo (and very explicit), this is a sure favorite. Truthfully, I was reading more for the spice than the actual plot, but I have to say that Katee Robert does not disappoint.

Contemporary Olympus Persephone and Hades retelling. Lots and lots of sexy times. So. Much. Hotness. Hades initially comes across as a dark hero but it is slowly revealed he has a soft squishy center which keeps this from being a dark romance, a subgenre which is not my cup of tea. This one really worked for me on every level which surprised me.

I was so excited about this book. I love Hades and Persephone retellings and I love that this one was in a modern setting. While I heard only excellent things about Neon Gods, I ended up not really enjoying it which made me super sad. While I loved Hades....OMG I loved him so much, I didn't really like Persephone or any other characters. I was bored with the story and I didn't really jive with the writing. Overall this book was ok. It just wasn't the book for me.

🍷🍷🍷🍷 #Review of Neon Gods by Katee Robert
Crystal's Thoughts
Neon Gods is a modern-day retelling of the well-known Greek mythology tale of Hades and Persephone. Sexy, edgy, and wicked this new twist on Olympus captivated.

Persephone, daughter of Demeter and socialite in the world of the powerful Thirteen, is counting down the days until she can escape Olympus and all it's corruptness. When her mother sets her up as Zeus' fiancé in a bid for power though, Persephone knows that unless she finds some way out of the arranged marriage she will never leave Olympus and may even loose her life at the hand's of the powerful head of the Thirteen like so many before her. In a desperate attempt to flee Zeus' machinations, Persephone finds herself fleeing to the other side of the River Styx, and into Hades domain. A member of the Thirteen shrouded in mystery and is said to no longer exist... Oh how wrong they were... Because not only does Hades exist, but he has his own score to settle with Zeus and he is not above using the beautiful Persephone to do it. Can Persephone use Hades' need for revenge to escape both Zeus and Olympus, or will they both go up in flames in the best possible way?

Katee Robert makes the ancient Greek mythos her own in her debut release of the Dark Olympus series. Neon Gods was brimming with romance, betrayal, action, and intrigue. I simply adored Hades' character. He was so darn sweet and I empathized with his OCD around the house. lol The banter between him and Persephone was phenomenal. And the way Hades falls head over heels for Persephone, seeing the women beneath the surface and not just the image she portrays to the rest of the world? Swoon. Tension builds between Hades and Persephone with only one obvious conclusion. This is one of those sex-before-feelings romances but their chemistry is combustible. Their relationship also falls to the more erotica side of romance with exhibitionism and it is hawt. Those feelings do develop though as they get to know one another and it won't be long before you're rooting for that HEA. Persephone herself was a strong, cunning heroine who despite not having any interest in playing the games that Olympus thrived on, didn't shy away from them when it came down to it. The plot had plenty of twists and turns, a few were somewhat predictable but still entertaining.

There was plenty of side characters and side plot lines to the tale to keep the story moving. At first, they were difficult to keep track of, but as the story progresses they each are weaved into the storyline nicely. We're introduced to Persephone's three sisters, each one different than the other in personality, and I am interested to see where the series goes with them. The world of Olympus itself is dark and perilous. However, I didn't quite understand the world that was built around these characters, how it related to the human world, and if these character's that took on the Gods moniker's were human or not. Are those outside of Olympus aware of them? I definitely would have preferred more of a backstory on Olympus and it's beginnings.

Neon Gods was a great reintroduction to Katee Robert's writing, as it's been a while since I have picked up a book from her. I've never been disappointed by any of them. Bottom line, if you enjoy a bit of dark romance with an erotica edge and an old story turned new again, give Neon Gods a try.

I really really enjoyed this one!! I get all the fuss around it!! Hades and Persephone is my favorite myth, but still I held my expectations low, since I wasn't crazy about Desperate Measures. It was hot, but plotwise, I wasn't blown away. Well, this one proved me that the author definitely grew and the story was definitely more interesting, it captured my attention from the first chapter, the characters were both very likeable with Hades being a hot sweatheart and Persephone being a sassy and lovely heroine. I really loved how this had its hot moments, but also focused on the emotional part, so I liked it. Looking forward to reading more by this author :)

I’ve always been a fan of Hades and Persephone retellings and mythology retellings in general, but I’ve been loving them even more lately ever since I discovered the webtoon, Lore Olympus, so Neon Gods has been on my radar for quite a while and I’m so glad that I’ve finally picked it up!

I was definitely expecting this book to be steamy, and it sure was, but I have to admit that it was even sweeter and more romantic than I thought it would be…and I was super here for it. It could’ve definitely been a dark story that was solely about pleasure, but instead this was a story with a captivating romance, two characters that I couldn’t help but love, and world-building that has left me super intriguing and excited to see where the series will go next. I’m also excited to see what pairings will be explored in future books!

As for our main characters, I loved them so much! Persephone was absolutely hilarious and I loved how with Hades she was so free and just said what she wanted to say. She was fierce, kind, devoted to those she loved, and just so much fun, and Hades was quite possibly one of the sweetest cinnamon rolls I’ve ever met! He had an edge and wielded his reputation like a fine-tuned weapon, but around Persephone it was like he just melted and I loved that. Their relationship was hands-down my favourite part of this book. They supported each other so fully, brought out the best in one another, and just made each other so happy…I loved it so much!

Overall, I’d recommend this one to romance readers who like steamy reads, especially if you like a little bit of spice and if you like books inspired by mythology.

Neon Gods: A Scorchingly Hot Modern Retelling of Hades and Persephone starts off the Dark Olympus book series by Katee Robert..

This book is an erotic fantasy retelling of the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone. In this story, Persephone is 24 and somewhat of a celebrity in Olympus. She is one of the daughters of the goddess Demeter and their family is usually making headlines in the tabloids. Persephone’s goal is to finish getting her Masters degree then leave to California for her PhD when she turns 25 in the Spring and her trust fund becomes available. However her mother has other plans and without consulting Persephone she betrotheds her to Zeus.

Rather than marry a man she doesn’t love who has a reputation of disposing of his wives, Persephone runs away and ends up in the lower city section of Olympus which is run by Hades. She meets Hades who helps her go into hiding for three months until the Spring arrives. By Olympus law Hades and Zeus cannot cross into each other’s territories so Persephone should be safe there. During this time the two will make it public knowledge that they’re intimate so Zeus will no longer want Persephone. Hades can exact revenge on his sworn enemy by sleeping with his betrothed and humiliating him.
Of course the chemistry is fire and these two start to wonder if this can be the real thing and not just sex.

Neon Gods was well written and creative and I had fun reading it. Told in alternating chapters by Persephone and Hades you get to see the story from each of their perspectives.

I liked that Hades has a dark edge about him. Persephone is sassy and smart. Much of the interactions between these two are about give and take, about compromise. Neon Gods was well-written, sexy romance with two sassy main characters. I recommend this if you enjoy steamy erotic fantasy.

Loved this so much! Katee Robert knows how to write a sexy romance and I love how traditional publishing is taking a chance on more steamy books. This was an awesome take on the Hades x Persephone myth and, considering how many are out there, I was impressed by the way Robert crafted the story.

I am so excited for more!

I LOVED THIS ONE. So glad that I decided to read it because the cover was not drawing me in but I was so surprise! Hades + Persephone <3

Mythology but in the modern era. Hades and Persephone mixed with politics and celebrity type rulers. Persephone is being forced by her mother to marry Zeus, who is believed to have killed his previous three wives. So she flees the upper city and finds her way to the lower city, ruled by Hades. Originally one of the Thirteen, everyone believed him to be dead and a myth. She strikes a bargain with him that can work for both of them against Zeus.

There are a few aspects about this story to talk about. The first being the worldbuilding. I think this was the one that wasn’t fleshed out as much as I would’ve liked. I wanted to know a bit more about the structure of how things run, how they happen. Overall, there’s enough there to give you an understanding that is enough for the purposes of this story, but I did find it interesting and would love to see it more developed.

Next up we have the romance. This being my second book by this author, I was expecting a lot of sexy times. As a long time reader of BDSM erotic romance, I also had certain expectations there. What stands out is that even though this was steamy, it wasn’t quite as much as I was expecting. Same thing goes for the BDSM element. I would say this is a bit on the tamer side but still with a nice steam. Both of our main leads are bisexual and we see them explore exhibitionism as well. I also did like that this book doesn’t immediately jump into sex, even though it’s quite insta lovey. There was a nice progression of the story and setting things up before it gets there.

Lastly, the side characters. I’m partial to talking about the adorable dogs but instead I’ve decided to mention one character that really intrigued me. Hermes. I’m very curious to know more and see an HEA coming up.

Katee Robert was able to take this mythology concept and twist it in a very modern way, incorporating also concepts that we are familiar with today along with the common elements we would expect from the mythology. Besides loving a Hades and Persephone retelling, I also love elements of politics and intrigue. All of that drama made this quite fun not just sexy read.

This book unfortunately, was a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into the characters or the story. Not for me.

Set in a high-tech, glittering, futuresque city, NEON GODS expertly retells the tale of Hades and Persephone in a very hot and heavy fashion.