Apparently, Katee Robert's Dark Olympus series has a pattern for me: one hit, one miss. I LOVED "Neon Gods," was underwhelmed by "Electric Idol," would go to war for "Wicked Beauty," pretty much wanted to DNF "Radiant Sin," and couldn't put down "Cruel Seduction." The latest installment, which centers the Aphrodite/Hephaestus relationship, gets back to brass tacks and really sharpens the plot, puts excellent, engaging characters at the forefront, delves into the messiness of what it means to actually fall for someone when you're not used to the concept, and just...this is the Dark Olympus series I want every time. It moves at a breezy clip, with a thread of tension and "oh, gods, something terrible is coming" that weaves through from start to finish, and Eris/Aphrodite is the badass lady protagonist of my dreams. This is a definite bounce-back from the snooze-fest that was "Radiant Sin," and on par with the excellence of "Neon Gods" and "Wicked Beauty," and I can't wait to see where the cliffhanger takes us in the next one - although I'm also interested to see if the pattern continues, and the next drops off again. Overall, though, this was a great read, and I'm so glad to have gotten the chance to read the eARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for this one!

I have only read Radiant Sin and this one in the Dark Olympus series, and now I'm going to go back and read the first three!

Cruel Seduction has everything that is classic Katie Robert. It's got plot and spice, and this one is nicely balanced. It picks up from where Radiant Sin left off, so if you haven't read that one. Go back and read it. It will make a lot more sense.

You can see the character growth in Theseus and Eris. And the new player at the table... Pandora? Talking about making your mouth melt.

Minos is still stirring the pot. If you're one for political dramas, then this book is for you.

good, not great! This book had sooo much potential with the marriage of convenience and the tension between Aphrodite and Hephaestus. then on top of that, they are also seducing the one person the other cares about to further annoy and frustrate them?? I mean damn! let me catch my breath! I was so excited to see how this plays out and initially, I was pleased to see the route Robert took with the story but it fell a bit flat for me by the end. the thrilling final scene left me saying, "oh, that's it?" so eh, vibes were good throughout but it was anticlimactic.

don't get me wrong, every time I read Robert's books I finish them in a day or two because they are so addicting! they are a great palette cleanser and I always enjoy the spice because miss girl knows how to write some jaw-dropping, toe-curling smut, but if you expect there to be much of a plot with this book other than the character relationships, then you've found the wrong book. even then, the relationships were under-developed and the progression of the character arcs was lackluster. if this was just a random poly romance story with no previous discussion of the characters, then it would have gotten a higher rating from me, but after reading about them in previous books, I'm a bit disappointed. this one also felt like a book in the series that could be skipped if you wanted to. it didn't add much to the overall plot that you couldn't learn from a synopsis.

overall, it had a lot of spice and minimal plot so if that's what you're looking for then book it to your nearest library come August! I will definitely be reading the next books in the series, especially the one about Zeus and Hera! There were several in this series that I really liked and some I didn't enjoy so I go in with high hopes every time!

Let me just start by saying that if you’re not caught up on this series, then you probably should skip this. Radiant Sin featured such an amazing ending and we continue what happened in that story in this book. With that being said if you’re caught up, then let’s get into the romance and the plot.

The plot of this story seems simple at first since Aphrodite agrees to marry the new Hephaestus yet the two have a lot of previous entanglements. Aphrodite has a duty to her city and her family along with an on-and-off relationship with Adonis. Of course, her marriage to Hephaestus complicates things as they seem like they’re on opposite sides but the sexual tension between them is undeniable.

Things only get messier when Hephaestus and Adonis begin hooking up while Aphrodite starts seducing Pandora who is Hephaestus’ best friend. While it might seem confusing, it can be yet these four end up being in this poly relationship and it’s just delicious. Once again, Katee Robert kills it at writing chemistry between these characters.

While I enjoyed the romance, the political plot of Cruel Seduction is action-packed and had me guessing until the very last second. Add in the messiness at the very end of the book and I was done. I feel like Cruel Seduction ended with so many questions and potential for upcoming books which I adored. Plus it’s Katee Robert so there was a 0% chance I wasn’t going to love it.

The only complaint I had was that the “third-act conflict” seemed to come in too late at the end of the book. I wish it would have been paced a little better at the end but other than that, it was another 5-star read for me and one I know I’ll revisit before Midnight Ruin comes out.

Katee Robert does not mess around. This Dark Olympus series has been nothing short of fantastic from the characters to the plot to the endless drama within the city to the spice. The spice! It just gets better and better (and I mean Hades/Persephone…Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus not this!) 🔥

Cruel Seduction is full of tension and animosity that makes that spice so much better.
Aphrodite decides the best next step for Olympus is to marry the new Hephaestus in order to bring him and his adopted father, Minos, down. They hate each other…for now.

The relationships in this book are great. I loved seeing how Aphrodite and Adonis work through their love and accept the reality of their situation. Pandora is a wonderful addition to the group with her caring nature and empathetic instinct. Every relationship within this group is different and they all work together seamlessly.

The conflict wasn’t completely resolved so I assume we will see more of that in future books and I cannot wait to see how everything falls into place with that.

While I have enjoyed some of her other series and books this was not one that I loved. I really enjoy seeing re telling of Greek mythology and do love some spice in what I read but this book wasn’t my cup of tea and it felt like it took a lot to find the actual plot to the story.

Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert is the newest release in this author’s Dark Olympus series. This book follows Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora in a messy love square. Aphrodite and Hephaestus are forced into a marriage due to their place among the Thirteen but both of them have plans to hurt the other in different ways.

This is a series that you really have to read in order because the world building stacks with each book. I don’t want to go more into the actual plot because it will ruin what happens with the politics in previous installments but the characters in this book are ones you know from the other books, in particular Hephaestus (if you know, you know). I adore this world Katee Robert has built. Her vision of the characters is a complete reimagining to the original mythology but still has that “myth” feel.

This book is full of so many tropes because instead of two people, you have four. So you get an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, wife’s ex lover relationship, husband’s best friend relationship, mm romance, ff romance, open poly relationship and probably more than I’m not thinking of right now. The steamy scenes are steamy like any other book by this author but I loved how certain characters came together and made each other better. The political stakes are taken up another notch in this book and the characters are forced to make hard decisions that kept me guessing what would happen until the end of the book.

I just finished this book and I already can’t wait for the next book!

Katee Robert has done it again. When I opened this book I HATED Theseus and had no idea how I was going to read an entire book about him. About 50 pages in I was already in love. This story is dramatic and will hold your attention from the first page until you’re begging for more at the end. Love, hate, friendship, morals, power plays, politics, attempted assassinations, this book has it all.

Cruel Seduction is book 5 in the Dark Olympus series and it follows Aphrodite (Eris) & Hephaestus (Theseus) & Adonis & Pandora in an open poly knot. We have a political marriage, enemies to lovers, ex lovers, and enemy’s best friend all wrapped up into one relationship. The spicy scenes in this book are on another level. Although the entire reason Aphrodite and Hephaestus got married was to take each other down, they find themselves questioning everything they ever knew. Aphrodite and Adonis will always love each other but they were never meant to be monogamous. There was always something missing from their relationship and we get to see that blossom throughout the book.

On top of the killer connections and relationships that we get to experience in this book, the world building and plot continue to move forward. With the public knowing about the death clause, none of the thirteen are safe any longer. We also get some more glimpses into Minos and his plans for Olympus. We get to see into Theseus & Pandora’s past and some of the events that made them the people they are today. I also adore the fact that Katee brings back some of the characters from previous books. Although Hades & Persephone themselves don’t make much of an appearance, it is so fun to see Hades’ club become such a big part of this book!

Overall I was so happy with this book and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one! I have fallen in love with Olympus and the characters in all of the books. I think about them all so often.

Thank you to Sourcebooks & NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Cruel Seduction

The chemistry was fine in this book, but it was one of the ones in this series where I liked the plot least. It felt the pacing was too fast in some ways, but either way, I didn't love it. It wasn't bad, but not the best in the series. The romance was nice, but not overly developed which I didn't love. I'll definitely keep reading the series, and this motivated me to double back and read Neon Gods. Was this my favorite in the series? No, but it wasn't the worst and I didn't have a bad time reading it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read an ARC of Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert!

What’s the book about?
Cruel Seduction is the fifth series in the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert, but it can be easily enjoyed as a standalone. The Dark Olympus series is primarily a Greek mythology retelling – Cruel Seduction follows the stories of Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora.
Aphrodite agrees to a political marriage to protect her city and her people with the city’s newest enemy, Hephaestus. This means ending her on-and-off again relationship with Adonis. Aphrodite and Hephaestus can’t ignore the sizzling attraction between them, but they are determined to destroy the other first.
They each identify the other’s weaknesses for Aphrodite its Adonis, for Hephaestus it is his best friend and makeshift sister, Pandora. What they didn’t anticipate was the feelings and relationships that would develop by spending time with their enemies. This book follows the four’s POV as they navigate through their muddled feelings, complicated relationships with one another, and the political drama that comes with living in Olympus.

My Review:

WOO 🔥. I’m not USUALLY a big fan of the “Why Choose?” trope, but Katee Roberts is making me question all my beliefs now. She wrote this book so seamlessly that I didn’t even have to look at the Chapter title to see whose POV I was reading because the writing flowed so naturally. I’ve enjoyed this series and this book particularly because Katee has a profound way of including all the spicy scenes and sexual tension that still shows the relationships and feelings associated with the characters.
I will say at this point in the series I am kind of lost with what’s happening in Olympus anymore, but it could also 100% be my own fault because I’m distracted by the spice. 🫠 I cannot wait to read Midnight Rain and Dark Restraint to continue to dive in the world and characters of Olympus!

If you like ____, then you’ll enjoy this book!
Fake relationship/Marriage of Convenience
Enemies to lovers/ Rivals
Forbidden Love
MMFF Relationship

Every time it’s time to go back to Olympus, I get so excited! This story had so many moving parts and pieces, so nothing was EVER boring. From hate to heartbreak to just simple lust, this retelling of Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora had it all! I was so enthralled the entire time!

Thank you to the publisher for providing an early copy on NetGalley!
Honestly, I don’t really read Katee Robert’s books for the plot (if you know, you know), because the other aspects are always some of the best I’ve had the privilege of reading. She’s able to bring variety and excitement to her more adult content. However, the plot in this book really surprised me. I was actually invested in the political machinations, betrayals, and character development. But for real, this book had me blushing and fanning myself!

Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert says it all in the title! The love interests in book five in the Dark Olympus series are messy, intense, and so spicy!

This is a polyamorous romance and will be enjoyed by readers that love enemies-to-lovers, revenge, marriage of convenience, second chance, and political tension. Cruel Seduction features fantastic character and world building, twists and turns, steamy scenes, and an Olympus on the verge of igniting!

Can be read as a standalone but the reading experience would be best enjoyed with a knowledge of the series.

Katee Robert does it again! Whenever I’m in a reading slump her books are like a breath of fresh air.
Since this book focused on a polyamorous relationship their were 4 POVs which for the length of the book felt a little rushed, I wish we had more of Pandoras perspective and also a little bit less tied to Theseus.
Overall I’m always so excited to read this series and I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

Another fun edition to the series! Too spicy to read in a book club, but will definitely suggest to patrons looking for mythological adaptations.

I LOVED this installment of Dark Olympus! The spice level in this one is through the roof - once it starts, it does not stop! For those of you who enjoyed the Helen/Achilles/Patroclus story, here is more polyamory and increased stakes!

Robert's writes exactly what I am looking for when I reach for a *spicy* book - engaging characters, a plot backdrop, serialization to continue the world building, and lots and lots of smut. I am enjoying the world and political warfare that Robert's has written into her world, keeping me wanting more.

this is the book for you if you enjoy Dark Olympus, smut, queer love, and foursomes, but if you do not want to spoil the first few books in the series, I definitely recommend reading them in order!

"Aphrodite has never flinched at getting her perfectly manicured hands dirty, and she's not about to start now—even if that means marrying Olympus's enemy number one, the new Hephaestus. She has a wicked plan to keep her deadly new husband off-balance, seducing the one person he seems to care about most in this world: Pandora, a woman as beautiful as she is sweet."

Katee Robert did another great job with this novel! I was surprised and really happy with the main characters forming a polyamourus relationship, it felt very fluid and not forced. Each novel moves the main plot forward just a little bit more, and it's killing me that we're just not allowed to know all of the plot yet. I am ever eager for the next flaming hot edition of the Dark Olympus series.

4 Stars Katee Robert is the QUEEN of spicy mythology retellings! Cruel Seduction is a continuation of her Dark Olympus series and you definitely need to have read the rest of the series first to understand the characters and dynamics in this one. Robert is great at bringing representation to the legends of Greek mythology and Cruel Seduction has great LGBTQ+ and polyamorous rep. As always, the spicy scenes were hot and the sexual tension throughout kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. Can’t wait to keep reading this series!

This one took me a while to get into it, but once I did? It was amazing. It left me wanting more. Aphrodite is hot and playing games. Theseus is grumpy and hot. Adonis is heartbroken and wanting revenge. Pandora just wants peace. But when these four get together? Things get hot! This one does have a much more political plot than the other four. It definitely feels like a turning point in this series. Highly recommend if you have read the rest of the Dark Olympus series.

Cruel Seduction is a romance novel for the record books. Robert’s Dark Olympus series continues to knock expectations out of the park. Aphrodite and Hephaestus may have the most unbelievable plot to date, but that’s not why we come back to this series. We come for the raw emotion, the tension, and the release. Cruel Seduction has it all.