Thank you to Sourcebooks and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This series has been up and down for me. I have loved books and I have been meh about books. This one was definitely not for me. I wasn’t really a fan or Ariadne or The Minotaur. I wasn’t a fan of their relationship. I didn’t feel like the plot really made sense here at times or felt strong. I just felt a bit all over the place. The side plot with Hera totally threw me for a loop. Also, I know this is technically a retelling and set in the modern world, but this book talked a lot about traveling outside to places like Brazil/Canada etc and it just really took me out of the book to then go back and talk about Olympus; it just felt off to me. I’m still so confused by Hermes and I feel like we didn’t get anymore clarity during this book, only more confusion. Overall, it wasn’t for me this time.

Another fabulous addition to the Neon Gods series! Ariadne is such a relatable character, her pain, worries, and resignation spoke to me in such a powerful way. The Minotaur is smoking hot and so possessive it gives all the deliciousness I crave. 5/5 stars and 4/5 chili peppers for this one!

Looks like he could kill you, could actually kill you. But is a cinnamon roll for the woman he loves. Let me tell you, I really didn’t know how an Ariadne/Minotaur book would hit. I thought I’d be freaked out the whole time because in every book until this one, the Minotaur has seemed like a creepy, no-lights behind the eyes kind of guy. But he was surprisingly, sweet??? Dare I say??? Asterion gave “touch her, you die” vibes while also leaving her dead bodies. And then promising not to kill anyone anymore, for her. While the romance didn’t quite hit for me, I loved seeing more of the plot against Olympus, Hera’s plans for Zeus, and just more of the plot. I am desperate to know what else is going to happen in this world and I can’t wait for the last three books. I will absolutely be finishing the series and possibly even re-reading some of the books. Overall, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

As much as it kills me, I struggled hard with this book. The only reason I kept reading is because I usually love Katee Robert's writing and I do love the series. I will say, for me, it did finally pick up around the 65% mark. The second half felt much more like the other books in the series than the first half. I will absolutely still continue reading the series until the end.

There is nothing I can say that I haven’t already about the Dark Olympus series. It’s SO FUCKING GOOD. This was everything I wanted it to be and I can’t wait for the continuation. I’ve been LIVING for this series.

I can’t believe i got an advance read to this!!

This was a gripping read, so much happened and now the plot only thickens, so looking forward to the next 3 books to know how this is all going to go how it will end for everyone. I already have some theories but I’ll wait and see if I’m right

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f dark romance
-morality chain
-childhood crush
-it's always been you
-one single act of kindness and now i'm feral for you

Probably the darkest romance in the series so far. Araidne was like a princess locked away in her tower most of her life and she finally escapes, but its not into safety, instead being thrown into politics and intrigue. The Minotaur is assigned by her father to kill her, but little does anyone realize, including Araidne that he's loved her their entire lives.

I loved the contrast of how soft the Minotaur really was about Araidne but just pure violence to the rest of the world. Slightly stalkier, I loved watching these two figure out their feelings and what they were willing to risk to find their happiness. The sexual tension, the exploration, the risk of it all.

I love all the twists and turns of this series, the glimpses at the other characters and just the great romance mixed with the political intrigue wrapped up in a Greek mythology retelling.

This is probably my least favorite of the series so far. I didn't like the pairing much and expected Dionysus to be in it more. However this set up for a very interesting book 8 at least. If you really like this author's spicy scenes or the overall series I think you'll still enjoy this one.

This one was okay. I think if the last couple in the series hadn't been SO GOOD, I probably would have rated this one higher, if that makes sense?

I think that mostly I just didn't buy the romance. Like, yes, Ariadne and the Minotaur have this long history, since they were kids, but I just wasn't feeling it between them as adults. This is also very much a 'touch her and die' trope book, which I didn't love. Like, yes, the Minotaur is this terrible mercenary-type character, so there was a lot of killing. Like, A LOT. And to be honest, I kind of liked Apollo and really wanted to know more about him. Please, I want to know what his deal is!

Overall, not my favourite in the series, but also not the worst. I did like how beautifully it set up the next book, which I'm looking forward to!

I wanted to love this book, but this series is just starting to fall short for me. It feels too drawn out, with every book until this one only advancing the plot a tiny amount. This book felt more to me as a plot device to drive a significant portion of the plot for this series, where the others have failed to do so. Unfortunately, this series is beginning to fall flat for me.

Katee Robert never disappoints. This book is another to add to the win column. I live these characters. The worl that she has built in one I want to always be a part of.

When I saw there was ARCs for this up for grabs I ran to get one and I'm so glad I did!

I think the Minotaur and Ariadne might just be my favourite couple in this series. The way the Minotaur was so utterly sure thay he'd find a way to be with her despite the many obstacles in their path had me hooked from the get go.

The political mess that this world is in is reaching boiling point and I'm very intrigued to see what's going to happen in the next few books.

4/5 stars

"Dark Restraint" by Katee Robert is an absolute firecracker of a romance! Picture this: a steamy, smutty journey between the unlikely duo of Ariande and the Minotaur. As a librarian, I've devoured my fair share of spicy reads, but this one takes the cake. The chemistry between Ariande and the Minotaur practically leaps off the pages, igniting a passion that's impossible to ignore. Robert's writing is as hot as it gets, with scenes that'll leave you breathless and begging for more. If you're in the mood for a wild ride filled with kink and heat, "Dark Restraint" is your ticket to paradise!

Katee Robert can do no wrong with this series. The way they write continues to build on itself, had me devouring each page, and flying through these books so fast I’m begging for the next in the series. The character development is always so well done, the little flashes of information we learned in previous books, coming back as I read, I didn’t know how she would get me to like The Minotaur, but each glimpse I get of him has me dying to know more when previously I didn’t know if I would care as much about his story. Of course, I was curious about Ariadne and the seeds planted about her, but I love her strength and skills and finding her place in this world. Will update with more when I actually finish but couldn’t resist adding an update.

"Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She's betrayed her father—and his benefactor—and now she's left to rely on the questionable mercy of Olympus to keep her safe. As with everything in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there's only one man she's ever wanted—a man she's feared just as much as she desires.

The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos's plans. He was willing to get his hands dirty as long as the old man kept his word—at the end of this, the Minotaur would be given Ariadne as a reward. Nowhere in that deal was her walking down the aisle to a different man. She's meant for him, and he means to have her."

Who doesn't enjoy a good cursed pairing?! This novel was a smidge darker than others in this series, but is still well worth the read! Katee Robert knows how to weave the relationship as the main plot, while feeding just enough details of the upcoming was to keep us on our toes. I admit I probably read this too fast, but I could not put it down. Ariadne faces hard choices and frustration at every turn but keeps going because she just wants to be her own person. The Minotaur, Asterion (perfect name), while deadly and a killer, is sweet and considerate of the object of his obsession....mostly. I adore the banter and sarcasm from all of the characters, plus most of them have real issues and consequences due to their own choices. Happy endings are never guaranteed, but always fought for in Dark Olympus and I love it so much. I'm already excited for the next pairing....you get a brief look at it at the end of this novel.

Dark Restraint is the seventh book in the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert.

Ariadne (FMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daughter of Minos

Asterion (MMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
AKA the Minotaur

After Ariadne flees her father, she soon enters into a forced engagement by Hera to Dionysus. Neither of them want the engagement/marriage to happen and forge a friendship while bonding over their actual lovelives.

Ariadne and Asterion were written in the stars! What started out as a childhood/teen friendship, turns into so much more as they grew into adulthood.

Beware of the trigger warnings for this title, there are a couple of deep topics discussed in this book.

Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!

I feel like I am echoing what everyone else has said about this book - I love this series, it is still incredibly sexy, but I feel kind of gross about the relationship between Ariadne and the Minotaur. Overall, a quick, steamy read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this title.

I love this series! Katee Robert does a fantastic job of making a fun spicy romance read that also has an interesting storyline. I can’t wait to pick up the next book to see what’s happening next in Olympus. I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Tough, scary Asterion who’s only soft for Ariadne. And Ariadne, who is no longer under her father’s thumb and can start to find her place and happiness in the world. This book was another wild ride and I can’t wait for the next one.

Katee Robert knows how to serve a delicious forbidden romance!

Ariadne and the Minotaurs relationship was so thrilling, I read in a couple of hours and couldn't really put it down. I also loved the political aspects!

Hera being a main plotter in the political climate of Olympus, absolutely ATE. I love seeing a women in power be an absolute girlboss.

I had fun with the spice and smut, I do wish we would've gotten more content between the main couple but this was a fun read regardless.

I enjoyed the ending of the book, it made perfect sense for this main couple and tbh I wish them nothing but the best.

I am super excited to read Hera and Zeus's book (like I literally always share), I am so desperate for their book. Which I do believe is next *squeals*

Thank you Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC!

"Her body is the altar I worship at, and her love is the only sustenance I need."
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A morally grey MMC who is completely obsessed with the FMC. This story has lots of plot and is lower on the spice than a lot of this authors books. Dont get me wrong, this still very much has spice. I am just used to Katee Roberts books having mostly spice with little plot. This one was heavier on the plot. While I did enjoy this book, I found myself bored with some of it. The plot was there, it made sense and it flowed well but I wasn't sucked in like I would have liked to have been.