Hard, brutal man who’s soft only for her? YES PLEASE!

Asterion (the Minotaur) is a monster of a man, but he’s loved innocent, quietly strong Ariadne since he was just a kid. Theirs was always a forbidden relationship, but as adults, they can’t seem to stay away from each other! Their love is built on stolen moments and and an understanding of one another due to mutual trauma that no one else could ever achieve.

I loved watching these two figure out their dynamic. Asterion had to wait and let Ariadne give rather than just taking (like he’s used to doing) and Ariadne had to learn to trust Asterion after a lifetime of letdowns from others. Watching these two’s walls falls down (LOL, IYKYK) was a fun journey. And the spice was spicyyy!

I would have loved a little more happiness from the ending, but I understand why that’s difficult given the unfinished series arc. I just want all the good things for Ariadne and Asterion! The ring, and the babies, and all the things they agreed they want.🫶🏼

Loved this visit to Olympus and look forward to the next one!

Katee Robert described this as the darkest of her Olympus books and I agree with that (not as dark as I've seen her go, but, still!). I'm still not entirely certain how all of Olympus works and who does what, how anyone has money, but it was cool to see Hera and Hermes getting involved.

Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks for the arc of Dark Restraint.
It goes without saying that this series has been a favorite of mine ever since Neon Gods dropped, i fell in love with the universe instantly! so having an arc of one of my anticipated reads from this series is an honor.
Even though i had my initial negative thoughts about the couple in this book ( i don’t like the idea of them being foster siblings ) i still enjoyed reading it, Katee just knows how to grasp my attention i will read anything she writes!
I do admit hating The Minotaur at first when he was first introduced in the series, and i still wasn’t a big fan of his in the previous books, he was a bit too possessive and aggressive at some point but i did enjoy the soft moments he had in this book it caught me by surprise i might’ve swooned… and also let me mention this quote just because.. “it would be an privilege to kill for her” i might’ve s(creamed)
Ariadne my baby girl it’s such a delight reading plus size representation as a plus size girl myself these type of characters make me feel seen and loved, i loved her confidence in her skin and i loved everything about her! i wish i was a kangaroo so i could put her in my pocket because god damn my girl has been through so much shit..
The amount of hera scenes in this book is sending me to the seventh sky if you can’t tell she’s my favorite character in this series and i just can’t wait for her and zeus book the day that book drops is the day all my mental problems disappears *for a while at least*
AND THE EPILOGUE... hello??????? i am absolutely sat for the next book i am sat and absolutely frothing and anticipating the next drop

Katee Roberts is the queen of filth. That being said, I was not a fan of the couple but loved the smut and loved the politics and the ongoing story of Olympus.

Ariadne seems like a sweet and brilliant girl who grew up with a cruel father who only saw her as an asset to be advantageously married off. The Minotaur grew up alongside her and is a trained assassin who is OBSESSED with her. Yes it is clear the Minotaur loves her as best he can, but I’m not convinced his best is good enough. Ariadne deserves a fully fresh start.

Overall I am looooving this series and cannot wait for the next books to find out what happens in Olympus. Really looking forward to Hera and Zeus’s book.

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

I love the politics and drama that Katee Roberts gives us with her dark Olympus books! This book is not different since it has the spice but also so many big plot points. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait for more.

Robert's Dark Olympus series continues to be hit after hit. I can't wait to see what happens next! I enjoyed this book immensely!

The “he hates everybody but her” trope really gets me right in the heart and that’s exactly what you get with the Minotaur and Ariadne. He isn’t the best at expressing himself verbally (outside the bedroom at least) but he has a million actions he does that speak to his adoration of Ariadne. For example when he pays attention to the little things like the books and fanfics she reads to understand her more.

“In this moment nothing matters. Nothing but us.”

Intimacy and desire run rampant in this dark romance. As usual, Katee’s Dark Restraint is deliciously sweet and spicy.

“She’s mine. I’m never going to let her go.”

Asterion’s possessiveness is unhinged and hot af. He’d do anything for Ariadne.

Dark Restraint transports you to back Olympus, where the political ambition, bargains, blackmail, backstabbing and calculation drives the City of Olympus. I absolutely LIVE for the drama in this series!! Katee has a way of making you completely invested in the lives of her characters, and I was soooo obsessed with Asterion and Ariadne from the literal first page.

All Ariadne has ever wanted was freedom, a choice and autonomy in her own life. She’s determined to break free from the restraints suffocating her, to live her own life on her own terms instead of silently suffering and simply surviving. She wants to live! A noble and admirable goal, especially when she’d never felt the hope of a future at all. After being a people pleaser for so long, for neglecting her own needs, she puts herself first and I love that endlessly.

But, Asterion is obsessed and refuses to let her go. He wants her, more than anything else in the world, following her from the shadows. Seeing Ariadne grow in her confidence is so lovely.

“She’s so fucking strong, but even strong people need a place and time to crumble.”

Dark. Delicious. Possessive. Dark Restraint is sensual and sweet, proving that those who are deadly and dangerous can soften for those they love most. A beautiful and dark contrast.

“I stare at this woman, at the shining star that has been my guiding light for most of my fucking life. I knew from the start that I would never deserve her, but I didn’t give a fuck. I wanted her all the same.”

Asterion and Ariadne’s love is an inferno, blazing hot and only growing as they feed on each other’s air, their life-force.

“There’s only ever been him, and I’m not at a place in my life where I can picture being with anyone but him.”

Katee is a natural at world building, the intricate detail to Olympus adds such depth to the experience of reading this series, the maps, the politics, the connections, the history, making you feel a part of the world, living alongside the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus.

A favorite of this series. Asterion and Ariande are probably the most relatable characters. They are not part of the Thirteen so it was nice to see that side of things.

I am addicted to this series. Katee does spice better than anyone, but the story and world she has built in Olympus is great. I feel this book was more story focused than others (not a complaint). Hermes finally returns, more than just being mentioned. I've been 'meh' about Hera but after this book, now I'm intrigued and want more from her. More happens with Circe and Minos. Overall, great book.

Big thanks to NetGalley, the author, the publishers, and everyone who made it possible for me to return to Olympus 5 months before the release date with this ARC!

Listen, I love Katee Robert, I love Dark Olympus, and I deeply love flawed characters, so it's no surprise I loved Dark Restraint! The morality chain aspect of this book (with the Minotaur only doing good for the sake of Ariadne) was *chef's kiss.* While Asterion and Ariadne aren't my fave Olympians (or, rather, non-Olympians) I still had a great time reading their story, the drama, and the chaos around them. And, as with all of the books in this series, I'm likely to read it again — so it's a 5-star read for me.
Shout out to the tease for the next book with Poseidon and Icarus, because HOT DAMN I'm excited to see where that goes!!

Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. After betraying her father, fleeing the Upper Scott, and throwing herself on the mercy of Hades and Hera, her life is flipped upside down in the midst of the coming war.

Asterion - or the Minotaur, as he’s better known - wants the prize Minos has promised to him. Ariadne. When he’s near her, when his hands are on her, sparks fly between them, but now nothing is going according to plan.

To be honest, I was nervous reading this one because I was really underwhelmed by Midnight Ruin, but within the first four pages I just knew this was going to be great! There’s a burning tension between Ariadne and Asterion, and while I thought that the relationship could have been fleshed out better and given a bit more oomph, the heat and the spice were spot on.

We get a lot more of the overarching plot in this book, and omg was I ever here for it! The stakes are high, the deception is higher, and you never quite know who’s actually going to end up on the right side of this conflict.

One of my favourites of the series so far, and I cannot WAIT for the next book - that Icarus set up was 🥵

Major thanks to NetGalley and Katee Robert for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! Katee Robert could write a book about literally anything, and I would read it.

This is a continuation of the Dark Olympus series. After the last chapter teaser in Midnight Ruin, I knew this was going to be good! Ariadne went through some hard things in the last book, and this picked up from that while also giving insight into her and the Minotaur’s past. I really felt for both main characters throughout the story. They grew up in unfortunate circumstances and everyone around them continually used them as pawns for personal gain. Seeing them learn to communicate with each other and take charge of their lives was refreshing. They experienced a large amount of personal growth. I hope we get an update on Ariadne and the Minotaur in the next installment.

Icarus and Daddy Poseidon’s story can’t come soon enough! The plot continuation was captivating as always, and I can't wait to see what’s going to happen after that last major event!

Alright so, overall I love this series. And it has to be hard to keep the overarching plot moving while also giving an entirely new subplot to each set of characters at every turn, so for that KR is a mastermind. I will always pick these books up because I NEED to know what happens!

That said, this one didn’t hit for me the same way some of the others have. I don’t have any sort of connection to the Aeaea crew, like at all, and really don’t care about what happens with them. Which is a bummer, but I do think my mind can be changed.

I needed more reason to like Asterion - this whole time he’s been a side character or a huge asshole so I don’t know how I was meant to be on his side at all. And maybe that doesn’t matter, because he’s not meant to be lovable or redeemable! But it just wasn’t a relationship I could get into.

Let’s be very honest - I’m waiting for Zeus and Hera’s story, and then Hermes and whoever the hell, so until we get there, I think I’m here for the overall plot lines and not the individual relationships.

I downloaded this earlier today and let me tell you…. I devoured this the moment it showed up on my Kindle. This is by far my favorite Katee Robert series. Each book just keeps getting better and better.
I love Araidne and the Minotaur’s dynamic/relationship and am OBSESSED with their sexual chemistry. Best believe that spice was SPICY!!!!