This was a great new installment of the series and I really liked the characters and their relationships. I'm excited to see what happens next in the series.

Cruel Seduction is the 5th book in the Dark Olympus series. It is a story of betrayal, vengeance, power and control, obsession, madness, acceptance and love and follows in the aftermath of the marriage of convenience between Aphrodite and Hephaestus.

This is a polyamorous romance with 4 main characters Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Adonis, and Pandora. It was spicy and filled with politics and some suspense.

There was quite alot happening in the story.
We are given a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary characters. I enjoyed the build-up of Minos plot and can't wait to see what's next.

This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it.

Cruel seduction fell a little for me, not the strongest one in the series. The relationships felt too fast paced for me and not a lot happened in the storyline (even less than the other books in the series). However, fun to see a poly relationship and I will still read the next books in the series.

Also, the book had one of my least favourite tropes, *fake marriage* and I didn’t know that before starting the book. Might contribute to my *meh* feelings.

Overall an okay book, but maybe not one of the strongest contenders in the series.

Another great installment to the Dark Olympus series. Definitely an enemies to lovers with the added benefit of 2 extra lovers. I am so glad that our main characters found a balance and peace in their family unit.

I have been enjoying this series that is a modern day retelling of Greek mythology. This latest book did not disappoint. It is definitely a complicated political and relationship mess. I mean, some of the characters are flawed, but that is what makes this book delightful.
This story is a polyamaouros romance between Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Adonis, and Pandora. There is hate sex, ememies to lovers, second chance, best friends to lovers, and strangers to lovers. It is spicy and complicated. Eris Kasios, who is Aphrodite, is getting married to her enemy, the new Hephaestus. She is doing it so that Olympus stays strong. She has been prepared for a world of politics, scandal, backstabbing, power grabs and who you really are is not allowed in society.

Adonis and Aphrodite have a thing and Pandora is worried about Hephaestus. I would probably read this series in order because the story line builds throughout the books. The couples are different and their stories can be stand alone. This book is a continuation of the wild ride that is Olympus. Modern society woven with Ancient Greek characters is such a fun concept! And the spice. Definitely lots of it. I also think that there is an underlying commentary running throughout the books in terms of underhanded power plays and the power of the paparazzi and social media to spin the story and show the masses select information. I can’t wait to see how this all wraps up.

Katee Robert is a magical being and i am OBSESSSSSSSSSSSSSED with this series.
Even when i think i'll hate the book because i didn't resonate deeply with the characters, i still somehow really love the vibes. this series just keeps pulling me back in every time. she is amazing

Katee Robert is at it again updating the Olympic Gods to walk through the modern world. The story of Hephaestus & Aphrodite is woven tightly with Pandora & Adonis is an action packed and fatally romantic Cruel Seduction.

Polyam romance between Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Adonis, and Pandora in an enemies to lovers, second chance, best friends to lovers, and strangers to lovers romance filled with panty melting erotica and lots of angst.

I love how hot this series is and the couples and their back and forth. It's so easy to get lost in their antics and see them develop their relationship. Reading this book was like reading about your favorite fanfic one shots in a day.

The only thing is that I never fully connect to the characters and root for their romance but aside from that, enjoyable

This poly knot relationship book had everything I want. I adored Aphrodite and Pandora. And I love the slow enemies to lovers going on with Aphrodite and her husband.

Rounded up from 3.5. Another solid entry in the series, and I appreciate the polyamory rep that varies from typical representations in romance.

Katee Robert does it again! I will read anything this woman writes! Rich character development, compelling plot, and feeling invested in the outcome? Yes please!

The Upper City has a new Hephaestus and the thirteen need a plan to either keep him under control or deal with him. Aphrodite knows that she can make his life a living hell even if it means that she has to sacrifice her happiness to do so. She will do anything to protect her city. But how much is she willing to sacrifice and who is she willing to hurt to accomplish her goals?

I enjoyed this story about Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora. I feel that the author did a good job with the character development throughout the story. However, there are not two, not three, but four POVs provided. This does make it hard to keep up with and I found that there were times where I needed to refer to the chapter title page to double check who was speaking. Also, for me, there were times where one of the 4 POVs fell flat. The author did a good job of keeping with the plot of the series and I enjoyed the action scenes in the book. The pace was set appropriately with each scene and the spice level was on point for me. I have always liked some plot with my spice.

Overall, I would recommend this book to my friends, especially those who love Greek mythology retellings and reimagining's.

Thank you Netgally and Sourcebooks for sending me this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review!

Katee Robert is a wonderful storyteller. I love how she weaves the mythology into her stories. Definitely for adult but amazing language and art!

I am really enjoying this series and the world the author has built. This book however the politics overshadowed the characters love story. The ending though saved it. I loved the way it all came together in the end and I’m intrigued to see where the larger story plot goes in future books. If you’ve loved the series so far you will love this book too but this wouldn’t be the book I’d recommend to people new to the series to start with.

I received an advance copy through NetGalley in return for my review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre/tropes: fiction, Greek mythology, retelling, enemies-to-lovers, MMF, FF, polyamory
CW/TW: abuse, attempted assault

Picking up where 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗻 left off, there’s danger lurking, and enemies are aiming for the downfall of Olympus. On the heels of a murdery house party, Eris Kasios aka Aphrodite is getting married to the newest Hephaestus (Theseus). Does she want to marry him? Heck no! But as the daughter of the last Zeus, and the sister of the current Zeus and also Ares, she wants to keep her enemies close. Anything for the safety of Olympus. Throw into the mix Adonis who’s still pining for Aphrodite, and Pandora who worries for her bestie Hephaestus, and this is one major cluster you-know-what.

I loved the intrigue and the political power moves. We still don’t really know who’s pulling all the strings. The spice is once again through the roof! I was more enamored with Adonis and Hephaestus because neither really wants to play the games. Aphrodite, while I understand her better now still felt two dimensional to me. Truthfully, I wasn’t in the mood for manipulation, and that’s how she operates. Pandora’s sweet and feels like the moral compass in this saga.

I love the Dark Olympus series. I know exactly what I’m in for when I read any if its books. 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’s a strong addition to the series as it builds up in tension and chaos. It gives mega soap opera vibes, unhinged personalities, political intrigue, all the sexy time and sexy ways imaginable!


Thanks to @netgalley & @sourcebookscasa for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Literally, I will always read any of Katee Robert's books. She knows how to write spicy romance books. Like spicy, spicy romance. You know what I mean! And Cruel Seduction was no different, but I had mixed feelings about the main characters. Let me explain.

While I love reading good, spicy romance scenes, the main characters have to be likeable if I am going to love the book. Unfortunately, I wasn't vibing with the main characters. I found Aphrodite a bit selfish and annoying. I don't understand why, but the things that she does are just way out of proportion and ridiculous at times. And don't even get me started on Hephaestus.

Beside Aphrodite's annoying attitude and behavior, I was definitely intrigued by everything that was occurring in Olympus. It's a bit thrilling to figure out the clues behind why. And it definitely does keep you interested in who and why now.

This book kind of felt like a bit of filler for the series. I enjoyed the Poly Knot and the fact that we got 4 different POVs but I think that there was a bit much in here for the story so it wasn't as developed as it needed to be. It was very steamy but there wasn't a whole lot of plot going on. That said I am looking forward to the the next book in the series to see the continuation of the changing political climate in Olympus.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Katee Roberts has mastered her craft, and it shows in this book! The Dark Olympus series is a staple on BookTok, and in the romance genre, and for good reason! There is nothing quite like it anywhere else and I can’t wait to see what Katee does next!

This might be my favorite story, out of all the books in this series! It did not disappoint, and I will be remembering this one for quite some time. Also, the spice is A++++!

This was a DNF for me. I just don’t think she’s for me. I do feel bad because she’s so popular but I just feel like she’s not my style.