Netgalley ARC Review

Probably my least favorite of the series so far. Features Aphrodite (Eris), Haphestus (Theseus), Pandora and Adonis.

Aphrodite and Haphestus have no chemistry. Aphrodite has more chemistry with Pandora and Haphestus has chemistry with Adonis.

Overall this book was very forgettable and boring. I feel like the characters could have been better developed. The political intrigue, murder and Hermes potential double crossing is what keeps me intrigued.

Going into this book, I wasn't sure what I was going to think. This isn't just a casual enemies to lovers where they don't get along, Theseus is an actual murderer. BUT I really loved it.

There was a lot of drama and angst and also this one really played out with a lot of suspense which was interesting.

The characters were great and it was super steamy. I also really enjoyed that we're getting some glimpses of future pairings, with Eurydice and Charon and also Zeus and Hera.

I do really wish there was an extra chapter or two to wrap everything up at the end. I was actually sort of surprised when I got to the last page and the story was over. I would have liked a little bit more of a conclusion but overall it was great!

Katee Roberts is killing it with this series! Come for the spice and stay for the political intrigue. Cruel Seduction hits several of the best tropes: enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, second chance. This is the first book I've read that featured an open, poly knot. While it's not totally my thing, I love that there is diverse representation of relationships and sexuality. The mystery surrounding who and what is happening in Olympus keeps me guessing. I can't wait for the next book to drop!

My thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Katee Robert for access to an eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Katee Robert is at it again. I love all her work and the way she writes about consent and power. They are also just so steamy. I was unsure how I would feel the enemies to lovers elements as it’s not my favorite trope but it was all worth it in the end.

4.5 stars

Okay, how does this series keep getting better? I swear, each book is better than the last, and this one was really good.

The political maneuvers of the Thirteen in Olympus continue, along with their enemies (okay, Minos). This book mostly focuses on Aphrodite and Theseus (now Hephaestus), who get married right at the start of the book for political reasons.

Things move pretty quickly, though I did enjoy that Aphrodite and Hephaestus try to outmaneuver each other by sleeping with their spouse’s friend/ex. Like, that just seems like a terrible idea. But, you know, these books are mostly about the sex, so it’s to be expected.

I don’t want to say too much, as I don’t want to spoil anything. I will say that this book has a poly relationship and I really like how that came to be. There were also some incredibly spicy scenes 🥵, and the last few chapters were so full of action and twists that I could not put the book down!

I can’t wait for the next books in this series!

Oh Katee Robert, I swoon for these books and strike me down if Cruel Seduction didn't delectably fulfill all its promises. Enemies to lovers. Political spouses to lovers. Second chance romance. Polyamory. Oh this book was too good. Robert's Olympus continues to pull me deeper and deeper into its whirlpool. While I feel that this book follows its direct predecessor in pulling away from the cut and dry romance focus of earlier books in the series, I find that it works well and the pivot has been slow and seamless. This book, while not quite as focused on intrigue as Radiant Sin still definitely had that tone - and that's not a complaint, just an observation. But where the romance is concerned, I adored the polycule that Robert created and the internal dynamics within. I also loved that in this book, we were able to get little updates on the characters of previous books in the series, especially the little tidbit about Hades and Persephone. This book - this series - truly has it all: drama! sex! intrigue! Cruel Seduction was so juicy I could hardly stand it, and I can't believe how long it's going to be before I get to read the next one.

I love Katee Robert, and I love all of the Dark Olympus books, this latest entry included. It’s sexy and ups the political intrigue more than her previous novels in this series, which I enjoy.
I do think the only part of this novel that could use some work is the development of the relationship between Pandora and Aphrodite. While I find the relationships as a whole in this book do work, I do think a little more emotional/physical evolution between the two would have made the relationship a little more believable. HOWEVER, the rest of this book is 10/10z

Katee Robert can do no wrong. So far, the Dark Olympus has been nothing but hits, and Cruel Seduction is just as great. I was immediately hooked because Katee had me immediately in love with Aphrodite. She made me decide I had entered my "vindictive woman era". I now love the revenge seduction trope and can't wait to find more like this. Sure I was upset that Hermes didn't make an appearance in this one (she's hands-down my favorite character in this series), but I love how the action and drama keeps dogpiling as the series continues. It has me so excited for what's next (especially since we saw a lot of Eurydice and I know that her book is next).

I always love Katee, she’s become an auto-purchase of mine at this point.

Cruel seduction was a really solid addition to an already fantastic series, not my new fave (Electric Idol can’t seem to be topped) but up tied for second with Wicked Beauty!

Really interesting characters this time and nice development towards the overarching plot of the series!