Katee Robert returns to the Dark Olympus series with a scorching romance between Apollo and Cassandra. As an author, Robert can do no wrong in my eyes. I absolutely devour everything that she publishes, and her Dark Olympus series (packed with creatively spun reimaginings of famous mythological figures and tales) is my favorite series from her yet.

All Cassandra Gataki wants is to be allowed to leave Olympus behind once and for all. When Apollo, her boss, asks her for a favor she sees her one opportunity to escape. He needs a fake date for a week-long house party, and Cassandra is more than happy to play along if he’ll use the secrets he hoards for the rich and powerful to help her leave.

Cassandra is hands down my favorite part of this book. She's dealt with so much judgment after the death of her parents and works incredibly hard to provide for her younger sister and protect her from harm. I really loved how the novel's mystery at a house party set up really allowed her to show off her skills in ways that impressed Apollo. On the flip side, Apollo felt a little bland to me, especially by comparison to other heroes in this series. He was wonderful to Cassandra, but on his own didn't inspire a lot of interest from me.

I think this book does an excellent job of introducing larger overall series stakes in the form of outsiders coming into Olympus with their own agendas, and I'm excited to see where it goes.

Radiant Sin is part 4 in the Dark Olympus series and so far my least favorite.

The pacing is strange with about 80% of the book just being dull build-up to a murder mystery plot that didn't deliver the bang it should have in the end. The whole story felt weak and the stakes were much lower than in previous books. I just didn't feel invested in the story and found myself skipping ahead to the scenes with our leads. That leads to me reconciling with the fact that the romance between our leads wasn't that compelling either. Cassandra and Apollo had very little chemistry until they actually fucked. Apparently, we are supposed to believe that they were in love with one another and had been hiding it for years, which I find to be a big ask for most readers. There was a lot of telling and not showing, and I think that is something that is difficult to accomplish in a series like this. If there had been more context to the relationship between Apollo and Cassandra over the years think I would have found their relationship more endearing. I did enjoy the spice in this book. Truly writing smutty romance is something that Katee Robert rarely does wrong. It was well written and I appreciate how Robert experiments with different Kinks/tropes in her books to keep the spice interesting and the couples distinct.

All that being said, I will still buy this book for my shelves at home and at the library. I am already committed to this series and I won't be stopping now.

Katee Robert did it again. What can I say? I LOVE the retellings, I LOVE the spice, I LOVE the characters and the story.

RADIANT SIN is the fourth instalment in Katee Robert’s contemporary, adult DARK OLYMPUS erotic, romance series-a modern retelling of the gods and goddesses of Olympus. This is Apollo, and Cassandra Gataki’s story line. RADIANT SIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Apollo and Cassandra) RADIANT SIN follows Apollo and his PA Cassandra as they are tasked by Zeus with ferreting out a potential betrayer in Olympus. Minos, an enemy of Olympus, is trying to ‘buy’ his way onto the ruling Thirteen. An invite-only party, with several members of the Thirteen in attendance, is the perfect opportunity to investigate the potential for disruption but Cassandra Gataki’s family history is dark; twelve years earlier, her parent’s attempts to infiltrate the Thirteen, and their subsequent murders has marked our heroine as guilty by association. Knowing her presence may be the distraction to uncover the truth, Cassandra quickly discovers there are darker plans in motion, plans that result in a murder, an attempted murder, and several missing plus-ones of whom nobody seems to care. As Apollo and Cassandra’s fake relationship slowly turns into something more, Cassandra uncovers a possible betrayal by someone with whom she was once involved. What ensues is the fake but building romance and relationship between Apollo and Cassandra, and the potential fall-out as a murderer is rewarded by Olympus law.

The relationship between Apollo and Cassandra is one of unrequited love; a fake romance that reveals a five-year simmering attraction in which neither one knew about the other’s infatuation. Cassandra has worked for Apollo for close to five years, a position she suspects comes in the face of her parent’s own betrayal.Cassandra is persona non grata in Olympus; rebuked and ostracized at every turn, Cassandra is biding her time until she is able to move on without looking back. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate including some scenes of bondage and rope play, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and dangerous secondary and supporting characters,some of whom we have me in previous story lines.

RADIANT SIN is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, love and acceptance. The premise is dramatic, intriguing and riveting; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are charismatic, dynamic and determined. RADIANT SIN ends on a happily ever after -for now.The conflict has yet to be resolved.



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I will read anything Katee puts out in her dark Olympus series, I feel like I've gotten a good grasp on the characters she makes secondary in one book to then give their own story in the next. So when I saw Apollo was getting their own book I was invested (as they were one of my favorites in the books that came before). However, I had a really hard time believing the chemistry between Apollo and Cassandra; even with them mutually pining over each other for years, it felt very quick to come. While it wasn't my favorite book in the series I will continue to read about the politics and adventures in Olympus while not so patiently waiting for Zeus and Hera's book to come,

I love it I love it I love it. Kate Roberts has brought it again with her books. This series is an amazing hit. It’s got the right amount of spice to keep you hooked. Plenty of adventure, back stabbing and more in the crazy city of modern day Olympus. Cassandra was a great Mc this time and her love afiair with Apollo my god, they like all the couples she has written before are just perfect yet again. (This was great but my favorite so far has been book 2 and I am looking forward to 5 later this year)

This was my favorite in the series so far.
I loved how Cassandra is independent, sassy and in the end vulnerable with Apollo.
I love that she made Apollo kind and reserved. The outspoken women and quiet guy is my favorite dynamic.
This book had lots of my favorite things-
- only one bed
-fake dating
-pining
-HEA
-Boss/assistant
Their story set up book 5 to be a wild ride.

This was a great addition to the Dark Olympus series. The spicy scenes are really hot, the connection between the characters is believable and tender. The story of this book helps develop the world more and sets in place events that will drive future books. Even while it sets up larger plot points this story is a lighter story in this series and has a gentler romance at its core.

Katee Robert does it again with the winning formula from her other books. If you enjoyed those, you'll enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

3.5 Stars

The Dark Olympus world continues with it's fourth installment, Radian Sin- Cassandra and Apollo's story. As always, the spice is great- lots of steam with that kinky flair I love. And we have all sorts of drama , the usual plotting and intrigue, and I liked how Katee mixed up the plot construct with the house party concept. But, it's been my least favorite of the series. The framework here is great- but Apollo didn't quite capture me in the way I wanted, seemed a bit one note. I liked Cassandra as a heroine- her strength was compelling. The rest of the plot dragged for me in places- I'm losing the overarching direction a bit from book to book, there are elements that weren't explained in a way that made sense to me. Parts are getting convoluted, and we have so much unexplained. The audio was well done, and again, the spice was super nice.

I’m obsessed with this series. While it’s more of a reimagining than a retelling, I love seeing how Katee Robert manages to weave Greek mythology into each book. As book four, this one focuses on Apollo and Cassandra – and I didn’t expect to love Apollo as much as I did!

I think my main gripe with this book is that I wanted more. The ending felt rushed or like it needed a part two to follow it, but I’m sure that’s partially because a lot of the things I wanted will be covered in book five - I’m just impatient.

This one was a fun workplace romance with so much pent up feelings, they were bound to explode! That said, there was also a bit of a murder mystery to discover which added a fun component to the story.

If you haven’t read this series yet, you need to. Wicked Beauty remains my favorite, but I definitely enjoyed this one (and Apollo’s dirty mouth) too!

Tropes:
🤫 workplace romance
🤫 fake dating
🤫 forced proximity
🤫 it’s always been you
🤫 reverse grumpy/sunshine
🤫 forced proximity / one bed

Katee Robert never disappoints! I loved every minute of this book and would definitely recommend it to any romance reader and any lover of mystery and mythology. It was the perfect blend of spice and story. I was intrigued by the mystery and I wanted to solve it almost as much as I wanted to see how Cassandra and Apollo worked things out together. I have enjoyed every book in the Dark Olympus series and I feel that every new book brings a great modern twist to beloved characters.

I was more than ready to read Radiant Sin by Katee Roberts. She knows how to write spicy romance books with a twist of a mythology retelling. And she outdid herself with Radiant Sin.

Radiant Sin brings Apollo and Cassandra closer than ever before. Apollo and Cassandra have always resisted their attraction to each other since they both work with each other. And Cassandra refuses to do anything with the thirteen, which is Apollo. But that doesn't stop them from pinning over each other.

They may deny their feelings for each other, but they will become closer when they have to discover new plots and secrets. Apollo and Cassandra have to fake dating each other when they go to an unknown location mystery party. They soon realize how deep the game is. And their attraction between them explodes in the best way possible.

I didn't expect the slow burn between Apollo and Cassandra, but I appreciated how much they were pinning for each other. They truly are themselves with each other, but they deny their attractions for so long. Thank goodness, they started developing something even though it was fake at first.

If you love a slow burn between two co-workers while they discover new twisted secrets, then you are going to love reading Radiant Sin. Be sure you check out content warnings beforehand.

I liked Cassandra and Apollo's story, a slow-burn fake dating full of steam, with a great plot line that had me guessing what would happen next. All the twists and turns had me turning the pages. This series is just getting better and better. To be honest, I expected a bit more from Apollo, but Cassandra was well-developed. The world-building in the series is fantastic.

I do not know how Katee Robert does it. It is absurd to me, a casual Katee Robert stan, that she was able to make the fourth Dark Olympus book the absolute best yet. Apollo and Cassandra's story is delicious, and the dual POV gives the reader everything their dirty little heart could desire. Radian Sin was exquisite.

I was so very excited for this instalment as I am for each new Dark Olympus book. Katee is just a retelling genius, or should I say, goddess! This book was another phenomenal individual story as well as representing intense implications that will dominate the rest of the series.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
Characters: Within just a few pages I had fallen deeply in love with Cassandra, she may be my favourite heroine in Olympus that we have met yet. I cannot help but want to root for a social outcast in this society. She is incredibly determined and Katee is so good at weaving great representation into her stories. Cassandra is a tremendous plus-size and bisexual representation. Cassandra works for Apollo, he is one of the thirteen, but he got the role by being selected by the other members of the thirteen. So, no surprise he is a wicked smart spymaster. He got to where he is through being hardworking and determined, virtues Cassandra and readers alike will adore about him.
Setting: The forced proximity trope plays a role in Cassandra and Apollo’s romance, but it also dominates the story’s setting. Most of this story takes place in this elaborate house that was Hermes and now it’s the Minotaur’s. This book felt like a game-changer for this world, even more than the last one. I love the politics of this world and this instalment sure took great advantage of this as so many of the thirteen are locked into a single home.
Pacing: I devoured this book as I have all the Dark Olympus books. So much of Apollo and Cassandra’s history is from before the book so you are thrown into their dynamic and the book never slows down.
Romance: Apollo and Cassandra are your classic we both feel things for each other but what bother telling the other person kind of couple. The tension between them is hot and heavy. Now not only are they keeping their feelings to themselves, throw in the boss-employee dynamic. All they needed was a fake dating scheme and some forced proximity to really reckon with the depths of their feelings. This book is so damn hot. I love Apollo and Cassandra’s in-bedroom dynamic, the portrayal of the softer side of BDSM was so well done. So many readers will love to see this sub-dom dynamic with some bondage play, but maybe not as intense as it can be with other couples.

“You like hearing me talk, don’t you?”
“It’s one of my favorite things.”

Synopsis: Radiant Sin is a steaming hot modern retelling of Apollo and Cassandra. As a shamed member of a fallen house, Cassandra Gataki has seen what comes from trusting the poisonous Thirteen. But when the annoyingly handsome and kind Apollo asks her to go undercover as his plus-one during a week-long party hosted by a dangerous new power player, she reluctantly agrees to have his back. However, she has one condition: when it is all over, and Apollo has what he needs to protect Olympus, she and her sister will be allowed to leave. Apollo may be the city’s official spymaster, but his ability to inspire those around him keep him at the top. Despite what the rest of Olympus says or thinks, there’s no one he trusts more than Cassandra. Even as their fake relationship takes a wicked turn, a very real danger is threatening not only Cassandra and Apollo, but the heart of Olympus itself.

Thoughts: This book was such a fun read that fantasy romance readers will love: twists and turns, a spicy romance. Radiant Sin literally had my favorite trope of all time which is fake dating! But it has so many more I love: forced proximity, only one bed, boy obsessed, forbidden love, and so much more! The book was so addicting to read because I loved both Cassandra and Apollo. I really enjoyed their dynamic and banter, especially those spicy scenes!! The only reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is because I hadn’t read the other books (I plan too) so some things about how Olympus and Thirteen worked, that took me a little bit to fully grasp. This was my first book by Katee Robert and I highly recommend it! I am running to go get all her other books and start them ASAP.

This book includes:
-fake dating
-forced proximity
-forbidden love
-only one bed
-plus-sized heroine
-boss/employee
-boy obsessed
-slow burn
4.5/5 stars
3/5 spice

Thank you Katee Robert, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for providing an arc for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book star to finish. This book really is a turning point for the series because you really see the plot THICKEN! I was absolutely riveted as mysteries started to be solved.

I am obsessed with Cassandra. She is unapologetically confident and not afraid to speak her mind. It was such a nice breath of air to have a female lead who is happy with who she is and has little to no self-doubt. That brings me to Apollo, who is completely head over heels for Cassandra and love her exactly for who she is and not who she has the potential to become. I thought they were an excellent match.

I would classify this book as a slow burn and 2.5/5 on the spicy scale. It was definitely sweeter rather than spicier overall but I did not hate it.

This book combined plenty of pining, cinnamon roll characters, an intriguing mystery, plus a regency- style house party which when combined together easily catapulted this book to my favorite in the series and one of my favorite reads so far this year.

I absolutely can’t wait for the next book to come out – especially with the setup we received in Radiant Sin!

What I Liked:  I really enjoyed the concept and setup for this story, taking the locked room mystery trope and writing a romance using it. Putting Cassandra and Apollo into a situation fraught with outside tension ratcheted up the sexual tension between them. Cassandra herself was a great character and her motivations were clear.  I liked that she would do anything for her sister, even put herself into danger. As is expected in a Katee Robert book, the sex scenes were interesting and added to the story.  I also enjoyed seeing some of the characters from the previous books make an appearance and hope this continues throughout the series. 

What I Didn’t Like: This has been my complaint with the other books in the series and the same thing happened with this book: I find the world and the immense amount of characters confusing. Especially when a character has a name and then their name changes when they ascend to be one of the Thirteen. I don’t think enough time is spent away from the Thirteen to understand their motivations and how the bigger world works. As much as I liked the romance between Cassandra and Apollo, I felt that Apollo was underdeveloped as a character. And that’s a shame because what we learn about him is interesting!  I liked that he was portrayed as one of the only decent members of the Thirteen and wanted to know more. 

Who Should Read It: At this point, if you’ve read the other books in this series you’ll want to continue reading.  Readers new to this world wouldn’t be completely lost but I would recommend starting with the first book. 

Review Wrap Up: This book wasn’t the strongest in the series and I found the vastness of the world Robert has created to be confusing at times. Despite these issues, I enjoyed Cassandra as a character and the locked room mystery aspect of the story. I would only advise reading this one if you’ve read any of the others in the series.

If you are a fan of the Olympus series, Radiant Sin will not disappoint. Another solid romance full of heat and some intrigue.