Tiffany Reisz has done it again - this story left me gasping and spellbound. The way she wound Greek mythology into the modern world with oh-so scintillating erotica is somehow educational, captivating, sexy, and brilliant. Bravo!

I received a free ARC via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

So I requested this ARC because the visual-storytelling app I work for (Chapters) recently adapted Reisz's "The Red" and this is something of a spin-off from that. You don't need to read "The Red" first (though there is a genealogical connection and a brief nod to the former), but the book is written in the same vein of erotic fantasy. I think this is a clever way to get those unusual, taboo sexual encounters in a less bad-tastey way. Each "scene" is just a fantasy, happening in a dream, a recreation of one myth or another. Both The Red and the Rose are erotica--that is the point of these books; they're not historical romance--though I will say the Rose has a lot more story in between the sex fantasies, and in my opinion, a more likable heroine and love interest. If you liked The Red, you'll love The Rose, and if you haven't read either, I'd suggest giving them a chance to broaden your erotic romance horizons.

GAH! Tiffany Reisz has an amazing ability to weave a story in a way that pulls you in and never lets go. This book was no exception. She takes Greek myths and puts a very 'Reisz' spin on them. Easily moving between modern day and ancient times and making you fall in love with every character you meet. Although I realized the twist fairly early on, it did nothing to take away from the magic of the story.

Wow! What a hot read this was! This was by far the best book I have read by this author, and I love all her books! It was wonderfully angsty and naughty too, just what I’ve come to expect and love from Ms. Reisz. Straight to my favorites shelf! Well done!

Wow! Literally just finished reading this after staying up hours and hours past my bedtime. What an adventure! It took me a while to get into this and was a little confusing at times but the second half definitely had me hooked. Part 6 brought the tears. And the ending was just perfect.

Well, I found the Red through the Twitter recommendation of another author I know and trust. And, as an Art History major and professional museum employee, I can’t tell you how much my inner art dork enjoyed all of Malcolm and Mona’s hijinx. So, when I saw that the sequel had posted on Netgalley, well, you can be sure that I requested it. MAJOR thank yous to MIRA and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Because, honestly, I loved it.

However, I am removing one star because, while this is an ARC, there are some formatting issues, occasional words missing, and the language just didn’t seem to flow as smoothly and – for lack of a better word – gracefully as they did in the Red. It just didn’t hit the five-star button for me. If Goodreads allowed for a 4 and a half, it would totally be a four and a half.

This book picks up 22 years after the Red and tells the story of Lia, Mona’s daughter. You can read the blurb to find out the general idea of the plot, but it is mostly rooted around the use of an ancient Greek artifact called the Rose Kylix that was supposedly used during ancient ceremonies by the cult of Eros. When Lia and her father’s not-quite-adversary use the kylix together, they embark on a sort of choose your own adventure through famous sexual encounters of Greek mythology.

Much like how Malcolm and Mona act out some of art history’s most famous sexual and sensual paintings, Lia and August enjoy their romps through such stories as Andromeda and Perseus, Briseis, Achilles, and Patroclus (threesome!), Poseidon and Poseidon. Though, I think my favorites were what came after Dionysus and Ariadne (Pan! A rowboats!) or even the fun interpretation of Danae and Zeus. Each experience with the kylix is exciting and unique. While a general knowledge of mythology would help the reader have a deeper experience, outside reading or google searches aren’t necessary. The author does an excellent job setting the scene and giving the key background information.

All in all, I loved this book and look forward to reading more by this author and hope that we get more stories in this series – perhaps about Mona’s mother or Lia’s siblings? If so, I can’t wait!

Following on from Tiffany Reisz' The Red, The Rose is a fantastical erotic journey through Ancient Greek mythology combined with modern-day love-life and everyday-life problems. The tale follows Lia, a young and modern english aristocrat with a love of Ancient Greek stories, as she gets swept up in an affair that promises to grant all her fantasies come true.

As always from Reisz, this is a delightfully well-crafted story with a heroine that readers can identify with as well as live vicariously through. Although it follows The Red, this is a fully separate stand-alone story, and these books do not need to be read in order to be enjoyed.

There is a great deal of erotic material to draw from Greek myths, and I particularly enjoyed the way Reisz allowed Lia to take charge as the heroine of these tales. Often when reading the original myths it can seem as if the male gods were the ones having all the fun, frequently at the expense of hapless females. In Lia's journeys with August she has a male partner to share her fantasies with, but she is as much the seducer as the seduced.

There is also a coming-of-age element to this story, as events unfold that cause Lia to reexamine her relationship with her parents, and ultimately make the final transition from young adult to adult.

Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read combining ancient tales with modern sensibilities. For me, as always, Reisz is at the top of her Genre.

This book was good! Combines some of favorite things: Greek mythology and erotic romance. I didn't know there was a first book to this "duology" but you don't have to read the first one to read this. I loved Lia and August characters and the magical realism that this story had. Me being me just wanted a full epilogue.

Wow. This book is so far outside the realm of what I'd normally read I hardly know where to begin. The first few paragraphs had me checking the description I'd read. It seemed strange and contrived to start out with a meeting of a club I knew nothing about. I thought this was a party. Then the true nature of the club was revealed and I was near abandoning the book. Were it not for my love of Greek Mythology I probably wouldn't have finished the book, but I'm glad I did. I actually loved the way the myths were weaved into the storyline, and how playful the dialogue was between August and Lia. The twist at the end was pretty interesting as well. Some of the scenes pushed me outside my comfort zone, but the story was engaging enough for me to keep calm and read on.

Tiffany Reisz's The Rose, a Modern Dark Erotica and a Novel One Should Possess. So very much in love with Tiffany Reisz, she is definetely a writer, one should go for modern erotic literature

"And the gods do say women feel more pleasure in the act than men. When there is pleasure, that is women have the better time of it."

Full review ➡ https://literatureisliving.wordpress.com/2019/01/11/the-rose-by-tiffany-reisz/

📚I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review📚
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4 stars!

[ARC Provided Generously in Exchange for an Honest Review]

I feel like I need a running fan on me while I write this review because that is how hot this book is/made me. I am telling you the steam between the two main characters turned into fire, and I was burned in a very good way.

First, I love Greek mythology. It is a subject that I was want to learn more about because it is so intriguing. This book had Greek mythology woven beautifully straight into it. Second, I love time travel. Granted this was technically not time travel but like pseudo time travel. I guarantee you will not read scenarios like this from any other book. It is so different and alluring at the same time. Third, I love a good erotic book, and this book encompassed that. I wasn't expecting some things to happen (see the chapter with Briseis, Achilles, and Patroclus). It all depends on your tastes. Fourth, I love a book that promotes positivity towards women. Ophelia's mother in the book is quite a character but she definitely had me smiling at her progressive comments.

"Walk of fame, darling. Walk of fame. We do not buy into these sexist and outdated notions that girls aren't allowed to have as much fun as boys are."

I am reluctantly not giving this book full stars because I found some of the writing a bit redundant.
"Stop being smug about it." "You look exhausted, dear," her smug mother said smugly. "I had a long night." "I bet you did." More smugness.

Overall, the characters and plot won it for me. It was definitely a book that you do not run across a lot, and I like that. We need more books like this.

4.5<b> Greek Tragedy</b> Stars
The rose is book 2 in the Red series. Our main character is Ophelia or commonly called Lia and she is the daughter of our dirty Mona Lisa from book 1. This story weaves filth and Greek mythology together is a very sexy and interesting cloth.
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Lia is given a magic goblet that fulfills her wildest fantasies that involve Greek mythology. The male character is August who I easily fell in love with. This story helped you fall back into love with the Greek greats. The fair maidens and dashing men. It also wasn’t sugar coated because it was rough and dirty and most likely real. I have no idea how this story got into the writers mind and I really can’t believe this is a story filled with so many stories. It was like ancient porn and I got to choose my own adventure. I didn’t fully enjoy each story and I do feel the end was somehow rushed. I can’t wait to see where The Red story takes us next. This book is 100% not like the first one however it did keep a mysterious and magical love vibe present. And if you were wondering about our Mona Lisa she’s still a babe!

A sexy fantasy that will make readers swoon! The mix of modern times and Greek mythology was truly enchanting. The romance was beautiful and the story had substance.

I’m pretty sure it’s impossible for Tiffany Reisz to write anything but amazing 5 star reads. I loved reading The Red last year so I was really excited to see there would be a second book and it did not disappoint. The Rose is an incredibly sexy and fun read, packed full of fantasies I never even knew I wanted, but boy did I enjoybthem! August Bowman sure does know how to show a woman a good time!

Sex aside, I really did love everything about this book. The whole Godwick family is just fantastic. I laughed out loud so many times with them, especially how inappropriate Lia’s mum and dad are around her - it sets me off in giggles just thinking about it. And I love how much they all truly love each other, no matter what. What a wonderful family!!

I loved Lia’s job - definitely not what you’d expect given her title, but that made it all the more brilliant. I thought her friends were all fabulous and I would love to see more from them in possible future books *hopes and prays* and I loved getting lost in all the tales of Greek mythology, it’s one of my favourite things. Most of all I just really really loved Lia and August. *dreamy sigh* Everything about them was delicious perfection and I couldn’t get enough.

I really hope there will be a third book to this series because I absolutely love going on these erotic adventures, and I never want to stop.

***ARC was provided to me for a fair and honest review***

Overall rating: 5/5 Greek Mythology role playing to the extreme. Erotic romance novel.

Heroine (Ophelia “Lia” Godwick): 5/5 Lia is a twenty two year old daughter of an English Earl but loves Greek Mythology and even has a knack for weaving tapestries. Also she accidentally became the Madam for a successful escort agency.

Hero (August Bowman): 5/5 Greek guy in his early thirties according to Lia. He comes from a powerful family that he has turned his back on. Now he goes around collecting rare and special Greek artifacts. Also he’s a prostitute in the Church of Eros.

Plot: 5/5 Lia is given a beautiful kylix (chalise) as a graduation present from her parents. August Bowman wants to take the Rose Kylix back to where it came from. He claims it has the power to make erotic fantasies come true. When Lia comes to him with the kylix offering him a deal, August jumps to take it. Together they experience some very erotic Greek myths with the power of the cup. Through the erotic journeys and their time together in the real world they just might start having feelings for each other outside of the bedroom.

Personal Review: I loved this book. It can be read easily as a stand alone, but it’s a sequel to The Red and features that book’s pair’s child now an adult and off on an erotic adventure of her own.

I love August’s character, he’s self confident but not arrogant which is a fine line to walk but Reisz manages it well. I like that he teaches Lia how to be self confident again in the bedroom through the adventures with the kylix.

The writing was good, there is magical and fantastical elements but they are woven into the story well. Safe to say I will be looking forward to reading more of Tiffany Reisz’s work.

Healing erotically induced wounds...
After reading "The Rose" I can confidently say that Tiffany Reisz has once again OUTDONE herself... how she does it with every new publication is a mystery to me but I'm forever grateful reading ANYTHING she writes. "The Rose" is a sequel novel to "The Red"... and if you were tickled by Mona's sensuous adventures wait till you take a sip from the Rose Kylix and enter the fantastic world of the Cult of Eros with her daughter, Lia, where you will be transported to Ancient Greece... reliving history with mythical creatures, Gods and heroes experiencing the most ultimate fantasies. Are you ready for "The Rose"? Be prepared to undergo mythological adventures with all your erotic fantasies coming to life... Oh Yes... Tiffany Reisz has improvised Greek mythology to quench your hedonistic desires! Read it and melt! 5+ Ecstatically Carnal Stars for "The Rose"... and take this delicious journey with the modern day Aphrodite.

This beautifully written erotic tale is a mix of Greek mythology and a fairy tale, and I was enchanted by Reisz from start to finish. Not only was the story scorching hot, it made a strange kind of sense, too. And if you know Greek mythology, you are going to adore this different take on famous couples.

The Rose intertwines a story set in modern day with Greek mythology. I thought the concept was very intriguing and there was a good balance between Greek mythology and modern day. However, I'm having mixed feelings about the overall book. The writing is just okay. I didn't find myself really invested in Lia and August because there really wasn't that much development between them. I also struggled with the weird mix of the historical tone in a modern setting. The dialogue seemed unrealistic and every time a modern reference was made, it jarringly stood out. I think the story would've been more successful if the author decided to do a Victorian setting or refrained from making modern references that were out of place (e.g. mentioning tweets and car models). I really did enjoy the parts with Greek mythology, but the rest of the story was a bit lacking for me. Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me, but it was still an interesting read.

Lia's graduation party turns interesting, when she gets a present from their parents - a valuable vine cup. But this should be a magical mythological cup - it should have special powers. When another art collector August, who claims to know how to unleash its powers, wants to buy it from her, she has another exchange in mind.
I am trying not to reveal too much so I will just go over the most Yummy thing I enjoyed in this book.
Every chapter reveals more sensual and sexual adventures wrapped with mythological characters in different time. I ate up the stories with Gods and others full of passion and rough love. The walk through the Greek mythology was enlightening. The scenes were hot and the characters were funny, rough and erotic. I was thrilled to read about some of my favorite myths tangled with Lia's world.

A delightful mix of fantasy along with modern time and full of sensual play.

If you combine Reisz's signature mindf*ckery, panty-melting erotic scenes, and banter with Greek mythology and the modern British peerage... you get The Rose.

I devoured this book. It's delicious. I don't have better words to say this, so I'll just give you my initial impression:

I would like to drizzle this book over a lover and lick it off.

Where The Red was an experiment in pain/pleasure and pushing the boundaries of reality and the physical body, The Rose is a little sweeter. Of course, it isn't too sweet, because this is Tiffany Reisz and she doesn't do that.

The Rose opens with a young woman, daughter of an Earl, about to have a graduation party as she's just wrapped up her time at university. She's 21, and she has a bit of a secret. You see, she's a Madam. She arranges appointments and handles the financial bits for several of her friends. She's got the connections, they've got the skills and desire to use them.

This is all going smoothly, until the night of her graduation party. Her father has invited a stranger to the party as a sort of consolation prize. You see, Ophelia's father outbid August Bowman at an auction recently. The piece up for bid? A rose kylix (an ancient cup made for drinking wine, decorated with an image of a young woman and a rose). August is sexy as hell, but he also warns Ophelia that the kylix is dangerous and has the power to transport people who drink wine from it into their deepest sexual fantasies. You see, August is a prostitute with the Cult of Eros and this Kylix is a gift given from Aphrodite to her son (Eros).

She tells him to go away and figures that's that.

Until the artist (and terrible person) who took her virginity blackmails her. Unless she pays him 1,000,000 pounds, he's going to tell the papers about her escort service and destroy her life. This leads Ophelia to go to August with a deal - he gives her the money, she gives him the Kylix. But she doesn't need the money for a week... so why shouldn't they play with it first?

The week that follows is the bulk of the book, and it's full of Reisz's combination of erotic scenes, angst, and enough mythology to satisfy fans. It's like reading the myths again, but without the X-Rated bits removed. As a bonus, since Ophelia and August are acting these scenes out, it's pleasurable when Achilles forces Briseis into his bed every night. It's hot as hell when a shower of literal gold glides over and into Danae/Ophelia's body. And it's romantic as hell when August and Ophelia fall for each other while they explore the bounds of their trust.

The Rose is lighter on BDSM and I wouldn't say it contains dubious consent like The Red, but only because Ophelia is knowingly entering scene wherein the original character was raped. These are her fantasies, and August is there to protect her. It's still a big mindf*ck, but not like The Red was. There are several content warnings, which I've listed below, but I think that if you had a difficult time with The Red, this one will be easier. If you loved The Red, you'll probably enjoy The Rose, too.

Oh and there's definitely a happy ending.



Content warnings: mention of rape, blackmail, "pleasurable rape" fantasy, character in peril, bad first-time sex

Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review.