A different take on Hades and Persephones story.

Aiden runs a funeral business, but also has a secretive and lucrative side business that is eating at his soul. However, in his effort to prove his mettle to his father even after he isbdesd, he does not give up the business.

A chance meeting with Persephone at his country estate leads to a marriage.
Slowly the couple get to know each other and develop deep feelings.

A well written book. I listened to the audio version and it was well done.

This review is for the audiobook of The Temple of Persephone by Isabella Kamal, read by Susan Duerden. I was impressed by this debut. Persephone Honeyfield suddenly finds herself married to former rake Aiden Barrington after they are discovered in a compromising position. The marriage starts out slowly and they are very wary of each other initially. I'm glad they got to know each other first. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and I love to see how the author can take two people who are complete strangers and bring them together happily. The Great Misunderstanding went on just a little too long and of course we find out that Aiden is really a great guy and doesn't deserve the malicious gossip spread about him. The narrator did an excellent job of male and female voices but there is something about her delivery. It's very monotone. I look forward to reading her sister Venus' story.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Thank you @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for the audiobook of The Temple of Persephone by @isabellakamalauthornin exchange for an honest review! I was just so excited to receive this title, I wanted to share my thoughts!

🎧🎧 Book Review 🎧🎧 The Temple of Persephone is a beautifully written and narrated historical fiction novel. It is an absolute perfect marriage of the Regency era with Greek and Roman mythology! Persephone Honeyfield and her sister, Venus, have been raised in the love and light of mythology (obviously) and have arrived at marriage age with the expectations that accompany that. Parallel siblings are Aidon and Cassius Barrington, who also face the expectations of being sons of a recently deceased father and Aidon is the one to take the helm of the funeral business. What is remarkable is that while the book spans themes found in Greek/Roman mythology and the Regency era, they can be found in our society today, reminding us of the universality of the human experience. An absolutely endearing and wonderful read!

Review is on Goodreads and will be on Instagram soon!

I promise I like regency type books, but this really felt like it was struggling between trying to be sweet or spicy.

I was hoping that this would be more of a retelling set in the Regency period. Instead, it is a story where the main character's mom loved Greek mythology and named her daughters after a Greek goddess. The writing was well done, and the reader was amazing, I just felt like the description promised more than it delivered.

For some reason, the narration felt off to me. It sounded like I was listening to a show, if that makes any sense.

Oh this was a joy to read. As someone obsessed with greek mythology, specifically the Hades/Persephone myth, I thought this was such a fun way to include hints of the tale in a new and interesting way. This was a slow burn with a satisfying pay off as we watch the characters come to love and understand each other after they marry. With the background mystery it kept me wanting to read to find out just what the Lord of Darkness's secrets were.

This book gave me total Bridgerton vibes!

Persephone Honeyfield lives in the English countryside with her sister and father and is well on her way to becoming a spinster. She finds herself in Gallowsgate, looking for a book of her mother’s. Gallowsgate is the Barrington estate, and Persephone thought it was abandoned, so she is startled when she finds Aidon Barrington there! Aidon is running his family’s funeral furnishing business and is known as the Lord of the Dead. He and Persepone are caught in a compromising, but innocent position, and are forced to become engaged. As they learn about each other through marriage, Persephone starts uncovering secrets, and falling for the Lord of the Dead.

The Temple of Persephone is a light and easy read. It’s a great story, with mystery, romance, and even some spice! I love Persephone’s character - she’s a strong woman who speaks her mind. Aidon is broody and reserved. I thought his secret was pretty anticlimactic, but still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I listened to the audio and really enjoyed the narrator. Her voice fit the story incredibly well and helped me become more immersed in the story.

Former charmer Aidon agrees to marry Persephone to silence village gossip. As she settles into married life, she’s drawn to his quiet kindness, even as rumors circulate about him. As she uncovers the truth behind the whispers, has she already given her heart to a man she hardly knows?

I love the fun characters and deep emotion of this debut novel. Loosely based on the Persephone myth, the plot is clever and engaging. I enjoyed the audiobook narration. I look forward to more from this author.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Temple of Persephone by Isabella Kamal and narrated by Susan Deurden has a great premise.crossing Greek Mythology and Regency romance. Let me preface to sasy I was incredibly excited to listen to this audiobook based on the synopsis and I was thrilled to get the opportunity to listen to an ALC

However, I am going to need to read it as a physical book as the audiobook just doesn't gel with my tastes. The narrator is highly skilled, the writing is great, but I am sorry to say that to me, it sounds like a movie trailer or a voiceover for a reality show. The narration style just doesn't work with this audiobook for my tastes

This is no shade to either writer or narrator, it's just not working for me on this occasion (and that is very, very rare)

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, the author Isabella Kamal and narrator Susan Deurden for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. y review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own