Thank you to Netgally for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As a long time lover of this series this was a great next installment for the overarching plot, the romance fella little flat for me. Adriane was annoying to read, and the minotaur was just a little too possessive to be healthy for either of them.

I enjoyed seeing the overarching plot of this series come to fruition in this book. However, I think that this book had a darker tone to it, and the themes of dubious consent were not my personal favorite. Overall though I still enjoyed reading the book, and learning about the characters and how they fit into the story.

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

When Katee Roberts said that things happen in this book, boy do they! I have been so impressed with how she has moved the overarching plot of these books forward book by book. Some books feel like all romance all the time and some move the other plots forward. Roberts manages to do both in Dark Restraint, mostly because she skips the building up to the romance. Everyone knows that the Minotaur is obsessed with Ariadne. Everyone knows that Ariadne loves the Minotaur. So let's just get to it.

And get to it they do! Everywhere! But hey, danger is sexy and they are absolutely in danger and as they hurdle towards the big reveal, sometimes you got to pause for sexy time. Regardless, the reveals are satisfying, the action good and I love that there is still more to reveal as the book closes. I can't wait for the next one, Robert's books are must reads.

So freaking hot! Katee knows what my soul needs I swear. I was instantly swooning in this book. The characters and plot was wrote so amazingly well.

Dark Restraint by Katee Robert
Dark Olympus series #7. Dark mythology Fantasy romance retelling with erotica elements. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Ariadne Vitalis grew up with a strict and cruel father. She defies her virginity required destiny, aka political manipulation and has a steamy encounter with the Minotaur she’s always wanted. Complications and betrayal plus political maneuvers had Ariadne engaged to Dionysus.
The Minotaur was promised Ariadne and he will do whatever is necessary to have her. She’s meant for him. And while she knows her father has ordered the Minotaur to kill her, she cannot resist the passion they share.

Very Dark and super steamy. Political games intensify setting up the next story. The Minotaur is violent except with Ariadne, but he is very possessive of her.
Nothing, in capital letters, in this book is on my preferred troupes list, yet I continue to be compelled to indulge.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley as Wish Granted on release day.

I have really loved all the Neon Gods books, but this one felt different. It was still a great story, good characters, an okay plot. I was a little disappointed that nothing seems to happen? It is all hurry up and wait... for nothing. Ariadne and the Minotaur were inevitable and adorably obsessive as a couple, but they were so inevitable that it seemed like the book drug on. I would still recommend reading it to keep up with the series but its not my favorite Katee Robert's book.

I think Katee Robert can do no wrong. These books just keep getting better! The background story/politics are so fascinating. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I always have a good time with Katee Robert books and the books from the Dark Olympus series. After the last book when we saw what is going on with Ariadne, I have been looking forward to Dark Restraint since then. I loved the passion, the steam, and the devotion Asterion/The Minotaur had towards Ariadne.

I think this is the first book from this series where I wanted more from the plot than just the romance. I want to know what is going to happen with this upcoming threat so I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Was this hot? Did I binge it in one sitting? Did I realize a little too late it is step-brother erotica?

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Dark Restraint.

The absolute chokehold that Midnight Ruin had over me made me SO EXCITED for Dark Restraint. I absolutely love the Dark Olympus series and I really appreciate that the conflict and threats are ramping up and getting closer. I cannot wait to see what comes next.

Unfortunately, I didn't love this pairing quite as much as the previous ones. Ariadne and Asterion were fine, they just didn't enthrall me like the other couples have in the past. I did enjoy the bits with Dionysus (I know Katee has said he'll never have his own book, but PLEASE?!?! I don't even need a HEA?!?) and I'm dying to know what's going on with Hermes.

Definitely not my favorite, as I felt like it slowed down the overarching story even though the ending really pushed everything forward (does that make sense?!?!)

3.5 stars

You will like this story if you are into a less complex romantasy. It is pretty spicy and definitely has a touch her and die feel. This is a creative reimagining of Ariadne and Asterion in Greek mythology. It had a fun vibe and was very body positive which I enjoyed. Asterion has loved her since there were 13 because of her genuine heart which was sweet.

It was more of a 2.5 stars for me because I wasn't super invested in the main couple and most of the characters were unlikable. I just wasn't really rooting for anyone. The political maneuvering was interesting if a bit clunky. Dionysus was by far my favorite character and we didn't get enough of him. If you are going for more of a love story with spice this might be the book for you.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book! I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down! I love everything Greek Mythology based but especially Ariadne and the Minotaur! The story brought me straight into the world!

I've read the rest of the Dark Olympus series and was a little concerned I wouldn’t be the biggest fan of the Minotaur in his own book but it wasn't an issue at all. I was pleasantly surprised how many characters from the previous books showed up as well as how often! Thank you so much!

it's okay...

i've read some of Katee's previous works, including a couple of the Dark Olympus ones. i definitely enjoyed her other ones more than this. i just didn't feel the connection to the characters and the plot was meh. they just weren't meshing for me. it was better than the smut though, which i know many look forward to where this series and Robert's books are concerned. there were some intriguing parts though. i guess i just wanted... more. there's definitely an audience that would enjoy this more than i did though, hence why i'd still recommend it.


thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this book as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

OMG! What a rollercoaster! I really love this series. The intrigue and violence among with the passions these characters find in their chosen mates
This book is the Minotaur and Ariadne's story. He's loved her for a decade and has been working towards their hea. She has no idea he feel anything but violence, but soon funds it the truth. Amongst the most dangerous they're lives have been thus far.
The over arcing story is also amazing with the coming siege and the possibility of Olympus falling on the horizon. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Let’s start with how INSANE the first chapter was, what a way to start a book.

I loved the book from start to finish but I will say that there were times where I was pretty confused. Having only read the first two books in this series (Neon Gods and Electric Idol) it makes sense that there were plot points I had missed but I didn’t think they were all so connected. However, this definitely makes me want to pick up others from the series.

Asterion and Ariadne’s relationship started with a bang and ended but I do wish we had a little more backstory so that the tension and possessiveness was built up a bit more.

All this to say I love Katee Robert’s writing style and I’m looking forward to reading more from her. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the free Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Whew the spice in this book was delicious. It helped with how stressful this book was! I did end up liking Minotaur in this book, where as he didn’t pique my interest in the past. ariadne was a sweet. I liked her, i like how she had so much perseverance.
The book felt like a novella for me because I didn’t feel much contributed to the overall plot of the series.

I wasn't sure how this book was going to go because I HATED the minotaur so much in the previous books. But now?! Now I understand. 😏 A man who reads his women's romance books to find out what she likes??? Sold. I cannot wait to see where the rest of this series is gonna go. The plot thickens and this book ropes you in and makes you question every single person's intentions, and you truly have no idea what is coming next. Absolutely loved it.

I was pretty disappointed with “Dark Restraint”. The blurb suggested it to be a juicy romance plot, however, it veered closer to a piece amongst a puzzle that cannot be entirely understood without reading the others. The politics and going-ons of a city on the cusp of war are the real focal point. The dangers also, do not feel remotely dangerous, and that engagement that’s supposed to upend Ariadne and Asterion’s connection? It does nothing of the sort, you almost forget there’s supposed to be a wedding and subsequent binding marriage. I did feel the main characters were a good pair. A little background via flashbacks would have gone a long way, though. I’m def rooting for them and Poseidon’s book seems enticing, but I most likely won’t be continuing with this series. Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Katee Robert for providing this eARC!

Katee Robert continues to wow with her Dark Olympus series! Came for the spice and stayed for the ongoing political conflict.

I love Greek myth! I have loved all of Katee's takes and twists on the Greek myths.

I don't know their orginal story well enough to compare with how I feel she did writing her version of their story.

I throughly enjoyed this newest chapter of Dark Olympus and impatiently await the next book.