Whilst I loved the first book because it didn't hold back and felt true to the setting and plot, I appreciate this sequel for its character development and connections. It gives a little more opportunity for some world building as Amara's life expands beyond the brothel and she meets and develops relationships with new people.

The thing is - Amara drove me crazy with her actions the last 20% or so. Like, I understand why she does what she does, but it's extremely unsatisfying for the reader. The direction the story goes in because of her choices makes sense and does fit the overall tone of the narrative, so it's consistent, but it's just not enjoyable to read. If that makes sense.

So here's me hoping the next book can turn some things around!

SUCH a phenomenal book. The gossip, the drama, all of it was exquisite. The main character was perfection - I adored her - but it did take me 20% to get deeply invested in the book due to not having the context provided from the first in the trilogy, which was referenced quite heavily during the first fifth of the book. But I truly adored it and cannot wait for the third installment!

After tearing through The Wolf Den in a day I couldn’t wait to return to Pompeii and Amara’s story and was so excited to receive this ARC. Although somewhat less gripping than its predecessor there are still plenty of surprising twists to keep you invested. The plot picks up right where it left off and you’re immediately plunged into a familiar world of harsh realities and heartbreaking betrayals. While the storyline is less tight and more meandering than the first book, it still captured my interest enough for me to finish it almost in one sitting. I will say that I missed the strong female friendships that were so compelling in the first book and are mostly absent in this one however the biggest disappointment was the abandonment of a previous romance for one that had very little buildup and didn’t make a lot of sense. I also felt like Amara makes some seriously out of character decisions that have significant consequences in the latter third of the book and this nearly ruined the whole thing for me. A quick escalation to a thrilling ending was enough to save it though and I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series!

Having escaped the Wolf Den for her own house with the golden door, Amara relies on the patronage of Rufus to survive as a newly freedwoman in Pompeii. Haunted by her past, and unable to turn her back on Felix, Amara finds herself falling in love in all the wrong places as she navigates life beyond the brothel.

Beautifully written as always, the author's prose shines, and I particularly liked Amara's emotional experience of trying to acclimatise to life beyond the Wolf Den, with her body and mind struggling to adjust to life free from Felix and all the men who used her as a prostitute. I was very glad Felix is clarified to be a pimp. Language is important. The tragic romance between Amara and Philos was quite touching, and I often found myself relating particularly to his own explanations and understanding of his traumatic childhood. But honestly, I found myself yearning for the sisterly camaraderie of The Wolf Den, which was by and large missing from THWTGD, and which I found one of the strongest aspects of the first novel.

Certain choices by Victoria and Amara - while true to character and real life - were so painful to read, and made me wish for some chapters from Victoria's point of view. She's not the heinous bitch Amara makes her out to be, and I feel as though she was shafted. I despised Amara for saying she deserved to be abandoned on the rubbish dump as a baby. Absolute rage, especially since it's obvious Amara would adore being Felix's wife if he only treated her like a human being.

There were times when I hated Amara in this book, which I don't remember experiencing in The Wolf Den. I did feel not enough was done to explore how Amara, Victoria, Fabia, and so on, are all victims of appalling abuse, and the impact this treatment has on their behaviour. That Amara's experiences in the Wolf Den 'almost seem worth the pain' is a line I cannot forgive. As for another character's claim 'the desire to free those from your past. It fades', I can understand if this is her way of numbing her own experiences and striding ahead with her life, but it infuriated me that these throwaway generalisations weren't challenged. As readers we can only speak from our own experiences, and those lines were bitterly hurtful to read.

Generally, I disliked how characters were allowed to be inconsistent for the benefit of the plot, at specific moments where them acting entirely out of character was required. Amara does this an awful lot, but also even Philos, who throughout the novel was so incredibly understanding towards Amara and her past, especially considering his own, suddenly he seems to forget all of that carefully-worded understanding and compassion, simply for the sake of relational drama. I was also disappointed to see how little emotional weight was given to Amara's choice regarding her actions towards Rufina at the end of the novel. She comes across as utterly cold and unmoved by her decision, because no time is taken to explore her emotional pain, and I don't know if this was an oversight or done purposefully, to make her seem more 'Felix-y'. Which, in itself, is something I have major problems with. I don't like how the major theme of this novel seems to be 'survivors of abuse become like their abusers in the end'. Obviously this isn't the final book in the series, but this seemed a very unfortunate character arc for Amara. She plays with so many lives, either with relish or with no thought whatsoever, and for someone with her life experience, I would hope for more restraint and wariness.

I would still highly recommend this series, and that this book has stirred up so many emotions is evidence of how the writing is so strong. I suppose all I can say is I disliked the direction the story went in, but it's still very well-written, and an important story to tell.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of The House with the Golden Door. These opinions are my own.

This was a highly anticipated read for me with how much I adore Wolf Den. I was so excited to see where Amara's journey would go. I did really enjoy this, however not as much as Wolf Den. This is still such a captivating story. Full of rich detail, emotions and fantastic characters. Amara is one of the best, well-written characters. Elodie Harper is one talented writer. I can't wait to read the final book!

The second book in this exciting, wonderful trilogy (thank god there is more to come!!!!), I have been wanting to read this book for ages ever since I knew there was a sequel being published. Thank you Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher! THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE. Probably even better than the first. So well written, the characters were real and sympathetic and again this book does not shy away from the real lives of "lupas" in the ancient world. This novel continues with the story of Amara. She has escaped the 'Wolf Den', yet misses the women who she had formed close ties with and is haunted by it. She is pursued ('stalked') by the broethel owner owner, and is trying to make her way away from everything she once knew. This is a feminist book while being truthful to history. I cant recommend this highly enough! You absolutely must read this!! Oh, and for all you romance readers out there, read this book as well!

The House with the Golden Door by Elodie Harper is a great historical fiction that is the second book in the amazing series: The Wolf Den Trilogy. This is great!

I have found that it is sometimes hard to make the follow up book to be as entertaining as the first, but this is definitely not the case with this one! Ms. Harper does a great job continuing the story of Amara from the Wolf Den into this story. Taking place in the first century AD, we are transported to another time…it is immersive, engaging, suspenseful, colorful, gripping, and I couldn’t get enough of it all.

Amara is such a vibrant, flawed, but strong and likable character….I was drawn to her. I devoured this book in two days. I can’t wait to see how this wraps up.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Union Square & Co. - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/6/22.

Being so in love with book 1 of this trilogy I was so excited and grateful I was given this ARC! I gave book 1 a 5 star rating and this one gets 5 stars as well. I read it last night instead of sleeping, oops.

I will say I liked book 1 better, but this was still incredible! I enjoyed the setting of the ancient city of Pompeii and characterizations. I truly loved the way every character was written even the unlikeable ones! Excited to read the third in the series!