Review posted to Goodreads and StoryGraph on 7/27/24. Review will be posted to Amazon on release date.

Just when you think things in Olympus couldn’t get more dire, Ariadne finds herself a pawn of the thirteen as they wait to see what plot her father, Minos, is crafting up. Ariadne doesn’t want to feel bad about fleeing but part of her knows it was wrong to leave The Minatour, Asterion, as if he doesn’t mean everything to him. When Asterion discovers Ariadne is gone, he decides to make it his mission to hunt her down but matters get complicated when Minos orders him to kill Ariadne for her betrayal. Will Asterion be able to kill the person he’s wanted for most of his life?

Holy smokes Katee Robert!! This series just keeps ramping up. The levels of political scheming happening in this book is wild. You never fully know who to trust or what their intentions are. This book was probably the darkest in the series. I’m normally not a big “you’re mine and I’ll hunt you down” girl but baby Asterion had me reconsidering my position on that. I’m glad that these two got to have a book together even if at first I wasn’t wild about the pairing. Together they’re so caring and thoughtful about the other. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series.

In reviewing the seventh book in a series, it is difficult to avoid ranking the books… so I won’t avoid it at all. Dark Restraint is probably my fifth or sixth favorite book of the Dark Olympus series, in large part due to the central relationship. The issue is absolutely not Katee Robert’s writing, which remains as good as ever. They are well-known for writing great spicy scenes, but I also really enjoy their action scenes, including chases, fights, hostage situations, and so on. Dialogue is another strong suit of this author, particularly the incredible intense conversations involving Hera.
The problem with this book is that, once again, the author has set themselves up to fail by writing about a couple who are already supposedly in love with each other when the story begins, meaning the reader doesn’t actually get to come along on the journey. This is not the first time Robert has done this: irritatingly, this is actually the fourth time in a row. Radiant Sin, Cruel Seduction, Midnight Ruin, and now Dark Restraint have all gone the tell-don’t-show route of relationship building, and it’s just really difficult to care about a couple when I haven’t had time to see their relationship develop before the author tells me they’re in love.
It was particularly difficult for me to get behind this couple because frankly, these two main characters aren’t developed enough for me to forgive the more disturbing “dark romance” aspects of their relationship. Katee Robert generally writes women as falling into one of three categories: 1) naive, sheltered rich girls who learn to stand up to their overbearing parental figure only after they have found confidence in their sexuality, 2) cold, ambitious girl-bosses who seem evil, but eventually learn to let someone in, and 3) terrifyingly competent, androgynous or masc women who are underestimated by their rivals but usually end up getting what they want. These categories also have the overlapping, sort of Venn diagram category of plus-sized heroines who only understand how beautiful they are after someone puts them in an incredibly expensive wardrobe, after which they are celebrated as “queens” by their male love interest. Ariadne is category 1, overlayed with the final category, and there isn’t much else to her. She is somehow both naive about the world and aware of it enough to be cynical about her future. She insists that she loves the Minotaur, despite the fact that she is legitimately convinced he is going to murder her for the first half of the book. The Minotaur is a pretty terrible romantic lead. Maybe this is a me problem, maybe I just don’t get dark romance, but the gratuitous violence, the stalking, the possessiveness… it was all too much for me. I wasn’t rooting for the characters, as a couple or as individuals.
I do really hope that the author is able to turn things about in Sweet Obsession. I’m holding out hope because it does seem like we’ll finally get to see a whole romance play out instead of getting dropped in the middle of it. All in all, though, I can’t recommend Dark Restraint, and although I did finish my entire ARC, I won’t ever return to read this book again.

I was super excited that the publisher granted my wish to read this one- yay! Somehow this was my favorite book so far in this series even though I really didn’t like Ariadne and the Minotaur. I don’t know, they were such an odd couple to me and it just didn’t vibe. The spice was decent, not her best spice, but I was really into the whole political intrigue that was going on. I feel like I’ve been waiting for something to happen on that front while reading the series and I think we’re finally getting somewhere. Interested to see where the next book takes us!

Unfortunately at this point in the Dark Olympus series, Ariadne & Asterion's love story got a bit lost in the shuffle. It seemed like this book served the sole purpose of acting as filler leading up to bigger stories and moments we've been waiting for from the beginning. The whole plot is essentially an escape plan with tender lovey dovey moments peppered in, and the pacing felt a bit off through the ups and downs. Overall, I don't think this book is a good representative of such a strong series and I just hope that whatever comes next is more engaging.

As a long-time fan of the Dark Olympus series, I have always found comfort in its fun and simple take on mythology, with delightful Easter eggs scattered throughout. However, this book left me feeling a bit disappointed.

The shift towards politics and war has overshadowed the romance that initially drew me to the series. The romantic build-up was almost non-existent in this book, and the smut, usually a highlight in Katee's books, didn't hit the mark for me. I found it hard to root for the couple, which is quite sad given how invested I've been in previous books.

The plot now feels like a bit of a cluster, making it hard to follow with random characters popping up left and right. It almost feels like the series is getting too long and losing the charm it once had.

That said, I'm hopeful for a return to the elements that made this series a favourite of mine in future instalments.

"You've been mine from the moment I saw you. Your father might have been dangling you in front of the Olympians like a particularly tempting fruit, but we both know the truth. You are mine, Ariadne."

“I meant what I said in the maze all those weeks ago. She's mine. I'm never going to let her go.
Even if I have to hunt her down to prove it to her”

Did I love it? Absolutely. Did I fell even more in love with this dark and twisted and mafia vibes like version of the Olympus? Definitely. Have just developed an unhealthy obsession with a man who’s going around calling himself the Minotaur and is absolutely obsessed with Ariadne? Possibly. Once again this author made me a mess. Absolutely thrilled and amazed and delighted to read these stories and these characters. This is book seven in the Dark Olympus series and despite the fact that the single dark romances story are pretty much self-standing. In order to understand the overall plot that’s going on on the background, threatening our characters’ peace, you better read them in order. This time around the romance is spicy (as per usual), it’s addictive and it’s intense but it’s a friends to lovers romance, at least as friends as these two could have been in their world. But the way he is obsessed with her … gosh it made me melt on the floor. The length he would go to, in order to protect her, even when her own father is asking him to unalive her … made me feral for him, while they were feral for one another. There’s something so sexy about two characters being so overwhelmed by their love for one another that they can’t control their action when they’re together. I loved it. And the complex things happening between the Thirteen and Olympus itself … gosh I already know I need more in this series !!

“I don't give a füçk about begging permission to take what's mine. You know as well as I do that the next time you see me, you're going to end up on my ć0čk just like you are right now. And if that has to happen in the middle of a fucking party of these goddamn Olympians, then so be it. I'll claim this püşșy, claim you, where everyone can see it."

"Be ready for me, Ariadne. Or I'll bend you over the table right in front of your fiancé and all those cameras."

“I have been in love with this woman since I was a kid, but it's never felt like this before. As if the overwhelming need I had for her, to be around her, has morphed into something infinitely stronger. As if she's pulled my heart right out of my chest with her bare hands.”

I didn’t love Ariadne and the Minotaur in this book but the plot was giving in this book!

So happy we got Hermes back in this book

Hera- an icon. She’s is the baddies bitch of all and a force to be reckoned with

Literally cannot wait to read more about Icarus and Poseidon tho

Overall rating: 3.5

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC; this is my honest review.

Ariadne and Asterion’s story was one of my favorites so far in the Dark Olympus series. I’m a sucker for the tough MMC only being soft for the FMC, and this book did that SO well. The way Asterion protects and takes care of Ariadne … be still, my heart.

The chemistry was intense — and scorchingly hot! — but it definitely wasn’t the only thing the book had to offer. The high-stakes politics and intrigue are a lot of fun — like the characters, you’re not quite sure who to trust.

This was an all-around great read for me and a great addition to a series I really enjoy.

Oh my goodness this book!!!

I have been so excited to read Ariadne and the Minotaurs book for ages!! It delivered everything it needed to!!👏🏼👏🏼

First of all, the book starts with a BANG. Literally. 🤭 I was pleasantly surprised. I’d forgotten how the previous book had ended so I was a little shocked by the events until it all came back to me.

I seriously can not express enough how much I love this series. The story between Ariadne and the Minotaur was great. Their chemistry was amazing. I love a friends to lovers storyline and they gave me exactly that!!

I’m so invested in the on going events in Olympus and can’t wait to find out what happens next. 🙈🙃

If you want spice.....Katee Robert is your girl and this book is no exception. I have read all of this series up to date and it just keeps on yelling me in. I can not wait to see what happens next.

Katee Robert brings it once again in this latest installment of the Dark Olympus series! Undeniably fun, steamy, and addictive, Dark Restraint is a must read this summer!

3.5 rounded up to 4
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but the plot finally outweighs the smut in this one. I was expecting some absolutely wild and kinky nonsense (since, you know, the Minotaur is apparently the baddest, most ruthless, murderous mf in the series?) but the smut was just…vanilla. Like after the puppy play in Midnight Ruin, Ariadne and the Minotaur (Asterion)’s love scenes were disappointingly dull. In fact, Ariadne and Asterion as characters really didn’t seem to have much depth or development. There was no angst with their “forbidden romance” and Ariadne just kind of *realized* about halfway through that Asterion loved her. I mean true but lol what? Where is the DRAMA?? The pieces were there for an incredible romance, but it felt rushed and ultimately was not the focus of this installment.
That being said, we FINALLY get some answers and progression with the overall plot with the barrier coming down and the no-longer-mysterious Big Bad coming to Olympus to make some war. I loved seeing more of Hera and Hermes, and actually seeing Poseidon getting in on some action instead of just knowing he’s out there running the shipyard was fun. Ultimately, the ending sets up book 8 incredibly well, and I’m very much looking forward to both the action and the romance to come for Poseidon and Icarus.

I have loved every single book in this series and this one was no different. Easily one of my favorite series. I’ve been waiting to hear Ariadnes story and this was perfect. This book was heavier on the political side of things but honestly I enjoyed hearing about it all. And the spice is like an added bonus in all of her books. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ easily

Ariadne has always been a pawn in her father's political games, but finally has a reason to run. Seeking an abortion, she runs to the Olympians, her father's bitter rivals for sanctuary. To earn her freedom, she must agree to an arranged marriage and is inevitably drawn into a tangled web of intrigue. To make matters worse, she is desperately in love with the Minotaur, but her father has tasked the Minotaur with Ariadne's murder. The two lovers must find a way to keep one another safe and evade the political consequences of their choices.

Readers will be drawn into the dark, alluring world of Olympus. This entry in the series features a strong, determined heroine navigating a treacherous web of power and desire, while themes of trauma and forbidden love are echoed in the complex, passionate relationship between Ariadne and the Minotaur.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
I love Katee Robert, and even though this storyline isn’t normally my thing, I had gotten sucked into this series from the first book and jumped at the chance to read this book! I agree with some other reviews that this seemed to have a lot more politics in it than the others, but it was in line with how the rest of the series has gone. I devoured this in one sitting and loved it! The ending is so open, I am anxious to see what comes next!

Maybe 3.75 stars?
Not my favorite, but not the worst by a long shot

On the politics-to-smut balance for this book, we tip heavier to politics again. The war has just about started and there are lots of alliances made and broken over the course of the book.

This is the most “dark romance” of the entire series. It’s a personal preference for me not to read much dark romance. The spice was mostly good, but some specific things gave me the ick. If you’re a dark romance fan, you’ll love it.

Not sure how excited I am for the next book with Poseidon and Icarus 🤷🏻‍♀️ Lol is it terrible that I wish we’d get one more throuple before the end of the series?

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

I barely had ANY restraint waiting for this book!!

As always, Katee Robert knows exactly how to tease us and leave readers salivating for more. The end of Midnight Ruin had me DESPERATE. I was clamoring for the chance to get to read this story and figure out how the Minotaur and Ariadne were going to find each other. Especially after the events of Midnight Ruin. However, I was not expecting all the things that happened in Dark Restraint.

The action starts pretty immediately as well. There is a very spicy scene that lays the land of how the Minotaur and Ariadne are going to interact and then it picks up immediately where Midnight Ruin left off. I enjoyed this one, but did have a slightly higher expectation when it came to Ariadne becoming more of a player in her own life. I think that my biggest struggle was wanting to see her take more accountability for her decisions and to fight back against some of the things that happened. The Minotaur's take-charge attitude did help, but I felt like it could be slightly red flag-ish at times. The spicy scenes were also spectacular but that is truly the brand of a Katee Robert book!

All in all, fans of this series are going to REJOICE reading this book. The political intrigue is next level. And the inclusion of other characters shows that this series is coming to a boiling point! It is about to be a bloodbath and I cannot wait! Now I’m just desperate to have Poseidon and Icarus in my hands! But alas I’m waiting until APRILILLL!!

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for granting my wish to read this! I loved it!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

this should have been a novella or something, a novella to get the plot going because the couple was so bland i cant even. I wanted to skip so many of their scenes and Ariadne felt like a pointless character to be there.
i get their history but i wasn't feeling their romance as adults it felt like it just happened, barely any backstory and development to be honest.
It was the plot that kept me engaged, and its such a great set up for the following book.
Quite sad that Ariadne and the Minotaur didnt have a love story as worthy of reading as the other couples.

WHAT DID I JUST READ!!! So much happened. Ariadne and the Minotaur might not be my favorite couple from the series, but this was hands down my favorite book so far. We find out so much information that we're just (my) guesses up until now. Also I don't know how to feel about what was revealed about my absolute favorite character...
August 6th you know where you need too be (the book store grabbing your copy!!)

4.5 stars. I think this is my new favorite in the series! This is exemplary morality chain, and the world building was the best it's been in the series, in my opinion. Can't wait for the next book!