I absolutely loved not only this book but the whole series. It kick started me into reading everything she has written. I love when one book just sets off that kind of series of events. I highly recommend to anyone those loves a good quick smut read.

I sat down, and in a blink of an eye, I’d reached the end. And I cannot even understand how I was able to become so immersed in a book, since I was having doubts about reading it in the first place. It was going to be my first mmf romance, and I wasn’t sure about what I would find in those pages. But honestly, the character development, and the completely human relationship that Katee Robert was able to create in this book between our three main characters hooked me from page one. And in just a few hours, I’d devoured the whole thing.

Let’s do a quick recap: this is the newest book in her Dark Olympus series and it follows Helen, Achilles and Patroclus, with chapters from each of them. Her first two books focus on Hades & Persephone, and then Eros & Psyche. I think I enjoyed it more than the previous book, because it had that same level of character development and humanity as the one before, but it also added a level of spice that I felt was missing in Eros’s and Psyche’s story. Honestly, it was my first experience with mmf romance and I absolutely loved it. I loved how well written the development of the relationship happens, and how open and honest the characters are especially given the circumstances in which all of this happens.

However, I have to admit that it did feel as if we took a step back from that overall plot of Olympus. Why? Because the premise of this book is based on participating in the trials that will define the next Ares of Olympus. Helen, brother to the new Zeus, is chosen as the trophy bride to whomever does become the next Ares if they win the trials. And of course, our fierce and unstoppable Helen wants nothing to do with that and actually wants Ares’s title for herself as badly as any of the other contenders. She decides to participate, and so do Achilles and Patroclus – the two long time lovers who are both ready for Achilles to become the next Ares. And that’s how they find themselves separated from the whole city while they prepare for the three ordeals that will define who the final winner is. And of course, the three of them are stuck in the same apartment, living in close quarters and just creating a level of tension that’s to die for. The games & the danger behind each ordeal make it a fun experience, but it also took us completely out of the politics and intricacies that being part of Olympus brings, and I felt that I missed that. Following that overall plot of the series, this book felt like a small vacation from the Greek politics of the Thirteen gods of Olympus.

But, even with that, this book had so much romance and honesty and I felt that the humanity of our main characters could be felt through the pages that it was almost impossible not to fall in love with them all. There’s so much heat and explicit content of those spicy scenes that leave you panting for more. Moreover, the explosive energy between them and the animosity of being real rivals for Ares’s position makes it for an awesome read. I think the only one I sometimes felt slightly annoyed with was Achilles and his never ending ego, but it played out nicely with Patroclus honesty and Helen’s fierceness.

If you’re looking for a spicy Olympus filled with betrayal, danger and great characters, this series is a must, and this third book is an incredible addition to that story. Hopefully, we’ll reach a point where we can see more of Olympus as a whole, and how each of these stories actually relate to one another. I cannot wait to read our next dark Olympus romance.

Loved this book. The story was perfectly done and keeps the reader entertained the whole way through. I loved the way the author brought the story to life.

I loved the story of Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus. I thought the balance of the characters together was phenomenal. Helen was strong and tough and showed that she had more to her than beauty. Achilles was an amazing warrior and Patroclus was calm and balanced everyone. I loved the competition and enjoyed the journey that the characters took us on

The plot of this book felt like an after thought, almost like the author wanted to figure out a reason Helen, Achilles and Patroclus needed to be in the same room.

If you're looking for throuple smut, then you're in the right place.

I absolutely loved the premise behind this book. A battle to become on of the 13 was a really fresh take on the gods and one i very much enjoyed.

I loved seeing the relationship between Achilles, Helen and Patroclus grow and how they overcame the differences at the end of the book.

I love Katee Robert and she is an insta-buy author for me. This whole series is very creative and manages to stay true to a lot of Greek myths with added spice and entanglements. Her stories will always entertain and being a new crop of readers interested in myth retellings.

I'm not sure who I like better Patroclus or Achilles but if I had to pick it'd probably say Helen. Talk about a bad @ss beauty. She is strong and capable and brought BOTH men to their knees.

I wasn't quite connecting with this one and I had to DNF with the possibility of picking up in the future. Bahhhh, I hate doing this to Katee Robert cause I've enjoyed many books in the past. Thank you for the opportunity to read the book and I apologize for the inconvenience.

Well, this was an absolute whirlwind and I was very much here for it! I loved Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus, and their dynamics were so interesting!!! I loved their story and was fascinated seeing them come together!

We already got to see that Helen was more than she pretended to be in previous books, so I was thrilled to see her shine here, and I was super excited to meet Achilles and Patroclus! The two men complimented each other perfectly—Achilles was fierce, focused, and slightly reckless, and Patroclus had that same focus, but with a strategic and calming presence that was such a nice balance! Combined with Helen, their personalities were so well-suited, and was glad that we got a triad rather than just two of them because honestly the three of them just felt so right together.

There was a bit more angst/drama in how their relationship evolved than I liked, but thankfully the issue I had resolved itself pretty much immediately, and once the story moved past that I was absolutely HOOKED! It was steamy, and I loved their triad so much!

I did feel like WICKED BEAUTY was a bit more focused on the romance itself than the greater world-building going on in Olympus, so if that’s your favourite part of the series, you may be wanting a bit more on that front, but I did feel that this was the necessary story to get us moving towards the bigger climaxes of the overall story, and I’m very excited to see how Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus fit in!

Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys their romances on the steamier side, especially if you enjoy MMF relationships and non-traditional relationship dynamics. The darker political vibes of this series are a bit less prominent in this book, but it’s still clearly woven throughout the book and appears in the background. I’m very much looking forward to how it will continue in the next book, RADIANT SIN!

There are times I don’t stick with my TBR for the month and get enticed by other books, and that is what happened when I picked up Wicked Beauty. I had this book on my TBR for a while, and it was about time to read it. It’s the third installment in Katee Robert’s Dark Olympus series, and this time, it’s a retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus.

I actually enjoyed this book in the series, and it had everything to do with Helen of Troy. I loved her character and how kick butt she was, and how she was willing to go up against her brother, the new Zeus. She was done being everyone’s pawn and was determined more than ever to put her name in the competition to become Ares, which derailed her brother’s plans to marry her to one of the competitors. She knows it’s going to be tough, but she can handle it, even though she’s going up against some steep competition that wants to marry her instead of compete against her.

Achilles and Patroclus were the two competitors that Helen had to deal with who was trying to convince her out of the competition. Achilles had a legitimate reason why he was competing; and he was trying everything to win and didn’t want Helen interfering, especially since he was supposed to be marrying her. She was also distracting him, especially when she was making obvious moves on his lover, Patroclus.

I loved that this book had both enemies to lovers and friends to lovers. Helen and Achilles were enemies to lovers, while Achilles and Patroclus were friends, but there was also a connection of friends to lovers with Helen and Patroclus since they knew each other prior. It definitely made an entertaining read when these three were trying to fight attraction for one another, but later, they were forced to room close to one another during the competition. It was inevitable by that time, and Katee wrote the steam between the three characters.

I did have issues with Achilles at first, how he tried to convince Helen not to compete, and how he was with Patroclus at times, but he won me over eventually. Patroclus was a sweetheart, and I loved how he reminded me of a cinnamon roll. He was the reasonable one.

Katee is one author who can write steam/spice in her books, and she also writes detailed scenes that involve politics in the world of the book and also brings on action-packed scenes. It felt like I was there during those competitions with the characters, and the whole time, I was rooting for Helen to win. She deserved it the most. I did feel it was rushed at the last competition, but other than that, this book is one of my favorites in the series. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I’m thankful I picked up this book. After all, around the time, I was almost in the middle of a reading slump because lately, I felt like the books I’ve been reading were repetitive. I needed something different, and Katee delivered with this Greek Mythology Retelling.

Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Steam/Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶.5

Standalone or Part of Series: These books can be read as standalone in the series, but take it from me; you’ll experience it better if you read from the beginning.

Would I recommend this book/series? Yes.

Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Dark Romance | MMF Romance | LGBTQ+ Romance

Trope(s)/Element(s): Helen + Achilles + Patroclus Retelling | Enemies to Lovers | Friends to Lovers | Forced Proximity

It's always interesting to see what Katee can come up with when she writes a new book. She has so many and she does a fantastic job making them all different. In this book, she does a good job building a story that's unique while still keeping the vibes of the others. It's entertaining, has just the right amount of spice, and I enjoy the characters. My one issue is that I'm not a big fan of her writing style in this series, so that is pretty much the only thing that knocks down my rating.

A competition like no competition you have seen before. Well, maybe you have, but the extra little MFM romance was like adding extra butter to the series. Book three is not for the light hearted, be prepared for some vengeance and blood, there has to be blood right?
I also love the fact that we meet characters of future books in the throes of the books we have read. I know that's what a series does, but I think Katee does it without us realizing her intentions.
Be forewarned....it's got some very HOT scenes so if you don't like your romance with a lot of action...you have been warned. But for those that are wanting the Greek Gods to get theirs....read it!

I think I am just a little too traditional for this title. The three-some was too much for me. I loved the first books in her series but as they get darker and more complicated I have found myself less drawn to them.

Helen: so much more than meets the eye, vulnerable but so strong and not to be underestimated. She’s a middle ground between the two mens personalities.

Achilles: extremely cocky and brash, but loyal and determined.

Patroclus: I love him. Sweet and stable. I want to give him a hug, curl up next to him.

I love that for so much of the book, it’s Achilles and Patroclus’s relationship story, their history and patterns and real life intimate knowledge of each other. And their secret fears of losing each other, since they’re so different.

But as Helen joins the mix, and the messy drama that comes with it, it makes me sad to see them losing a bit of what they had together.

Favorite lines:
“Sometimes, the best way to win an argument is to sit down and shut up and let them see that you’re being logical.” - ha love this

A sizzling twist on Greek mythology that’s earned its reputation as a buzzy novel on social media. The audiobook is especially engaging and well done.

I haven't read anything by Katee Roberts before but I was happily surprised with how quickly she developed relationships. Sometimes a story can drag before you get some action. And the sex plot wasn't the only interesting part of this book. I feel like it could stand alone without if needed. (but of course we don't want that)

These books are just so easy to devour. I didn't like this one as much as some of Robert's others, but I can't pinpoint why. Maybe it was the Hunger Games is subplot? Easy, sexy read either way.

I really enjoyed this take on the <i>Helen as a prize to the winner of a battle--or is she?</i> story, and it's a Katee Robert book so you know it's going to be hot as heck too. I was *almost* concerned that Achilles wasn't going to be able to pull his head out of his butt at the end, but of course Ms Robert ultimately gave everyone the HEA they deserved.

A really fun--and HOTTTT--read!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced copy of this book.