Thank you NetGalley, Katee Robert, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC copy of Cruel Seduction in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This was book #5 in the Dark Olympus series. Books must be read in order for the best reading experience.

This time around we follow the open poly knot that is Aphrodite (Eris), Hephaestus (Theseus), Adonis and Pandora.

After the secret the 13 kept closest gets out due to the series of events from Minos's party - Olympus finds itself changing whether the people are ready or not. The drama ensues when Aphrodite and Hephaestus decide to marry - and keep the citizens of Olympus distracted.

Distractions involving one party's ex (Adonis) and the other's closest friend (Pandora).

When twisted games of politics and deceit go awry - they quickly discover that more than the stability of Olympus is at stake... their hearts are as well.

This book kept me on my toes, and was scorchingly hot! I cannot wait for the rest of the world to get their hands on this one... OR to see where Katee takes this world next!

Read if you love:
-Enemies to lovers
-Greek Retellings
-LGBT+ representation
-Dominant Men
-Morally Grey characters

Oh WOW. I'm pleasantly surprised that I think this might be my new fave of the series. Or at least tied for first with Electric Idol. This had action, drama, romance, and spice. A deadly combination that hit perfectly. Definitely be on the lookout for this in August. I can't wait to see how this series goes

I squealed when I saw that I had been approved for Cruel Seduction. The Dark Olympus Series has had me in a chokehold since book one and I have been obsessed with this world ever since. I was really eager to see how the political mess that was left at the end of the last book would be resolved, and Cruel Seduction did not disappoint!

The world building of this series is so unique and I love the way it ties in elements of Greek Mythology without being beholden to it and stifled by trying to remain mythologically accurate. I liked how we saw additional political elements of the running of Olympus from the perspective of Aphrodite and Hephaestus, I feel like each book fleshes out the dynamic a little bit more.

Additionally, it is a testament to Katee Roberts writing that she could make me whole heartedly loathe Theseus in Book 4 (Radiant Sin) but make him both sympathetic and likeable in Cruel Seduction. His point of view chapters added so much to the story. Additionally, these books have really diverse characters and relationship structures throughout, which is so refreshing in the romance genre.

My favourite parts of the book were the ‘domestic bliss’ scenes, they were really sweetly written and I enjoyed them! The spicy scenes were really well written and different to what we have seen in previous books from this series.

My only issue is that I wish it was a bit longer and the ending was fleshed out a little bit more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

Star Rating: 5
Spice Rate: 4

Oh my god, I absolutely adored this book! I don't know why it took me so long to finally get into this series but I'm so glad I finally did because I'm officially obsessed. I loved all of the MC's especially Adonis and Pandora, they were both so sweet and supportive.

For me this had the perfect balance of plot, spice and character development

It took me a minute to actually get into this one. I love this series but this one didn't feel as if we got enough time with the group as a whole or individually. As well as the attacks on the 13 didn't feel like it flowed well with the story. That's said I will absolutely be going out and purchase my copy on August 8th!

e-arc provided by Netgalley

I liked this and yet I still think it is my least favorite in the series. This definitely focused more on the plot and goings on in Olympus. They fell for each other (maybe loved each other) but there wasn't enough progression for me to feel like that was plausible or possible. Overall this was fine and of course, I always love LGBTQ+ rep

Another great installment in the Dark Olympus series!

I always know what I’m going to get with Katee Robert, but she also does such a great job with character development that it feels fresh and exciting. Each installment in this series keeps building the tension and drama in this world and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes and how it ends!

Tropes: genuine enemies to lovers, seduction as revenge, retellings

Katee Robert is such an interesting author... every book that I pick up, I know exactly what to expect. However, I still manage to be pleasantly surprised by the character development and plot.

This book was no exception. While I'm not a super huge fan of polyamory, this book and its characters helped me understand it (and the emotions involved in such relationships) a lot more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Katee Robert really give it her all with this series. Each new title just keeps raising the stakes. I love when Katee dives into the poly world, and this book just confirmed that she is the queen of spice. KEEP IT COMING, I never want this seris to end!

As the fifth book in a pretty popular series, Cruel Seduction has a lot to live up to. As a modern, spicy retelling of Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora, there was a surprising amount of plot in this book. The political intrigue is getting more mysterious - who is outside Olympus pulling the strings??

I'm a little surprised Katee Robert didn't lean into Pandora's particular story more, and this was not my favorite of the Dark Olympus series, but it was definitely fun to read. Overall, a good addition to the series and something we're likely to purchase at my library.

Katee Robert does it again with her latest addition to the Dark Olympus series, Cruel Seduction. Fans, rejoice!

I love this series so much and cannot wait for it to continue. I love how politics have really started to come into play in the series. These characters are honest and vulnerable. The way Katee writes really lets you see inside the characters' minds and how they are working through the chaos that is Olympus. It is always fun to see characters from other books come up, such as Helen in her position as Ares. Cruel Seduction gives us more background on Minos and his plan. We are able to see the viewpoint of both Pandora and Theseus and see what they endured before being taken in by Minos. I am looking forward to rereading Radiant Sin now knowing what we do about these characters. I am also so excited to learn who "she" is. I have a couple of guesses but I know Katee will drop the bomb on us soon. There is definitely a lot of spice in this book but it did not overwhelm the rest of the story. I am loving the progression of these books, but I definitely want more of the lower city. Hoping we get to get back there the more we get back to the Dimitrou daughters. Overall I really enjoyed this story and seeing the vulnerabilities of some of these characters who have not given the best first impression (looking at you Theseus). I am also excited to see who becomes the next Aphrodite. There is so much more to come from this series and this was a great contiunation. I am so thankful to have been given an ARC of this and cannot wait for my copy to come in in August!

Cruel Seduction is the 5th book in the Dark Olympus series - which is a spicy and modern retelling of Greek Mythology. This book follows Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora. Aphrodite and Hephaestus have gotten married for political reasons after Hephaestus murdered his predecessor to take his title. Hephaestus' "foster father" Minos is pulling his strings and no one quite knows what his end plan is - not even Hephaestus. Aphrodite knows exactly how dangerous her new husband is and plans to manipulate him though finds he his not easily manipulated. As their relationship continues, Aphrodite finds herself drawn to Hephaestus' best friend, Pandora, and Hephaestus finds himself drawn to Aphrodite's ex, Adonis.

Though a lot of this book is about the relationships between the characters, there's also quite a bit of plot! This book is MESSY but in a way that was really addictive and hard to put down - I read this in a day, though honestly I've done that with most of the Dark Olympus series. I found all of the characters really likeable and compelling - you don't spend quite as much time with each of them as I would like, but that's the nature of a romance length book that has 4 characters in a relationship. The thing I continually love about Katee's books are that quite literally everyone is queer. I honestly need this more in romance but I know going into a Katee book that I'm going to get exactly what I'm looking for and honestly maybe even more!

I also loved that they all acknowledged that a poly relationship (really any relationship) is not going to be perfect and is going to take work and communication from all parties. I loved how each relationship was unique and brought out something different in each character - I'm particularly a sucker for Hephaestus and Adonis' relationship and how just truly sweet it was! And the hurt/comfort scene with Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Adonis was pure perfection!

I think the ending just could have used a beat or two to slow down and I really would have loved to see an epilogue where they've been in this poly relationship for a bit and to see how it's working. I know this series doesn't really do epilogues because the books tend to be one right after another in timeline - soooo I hope that Katee maybe revisits this group for one of her Patreon Shorts!

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Cruel Seduction is the 5th book in the Dark Olympus series. Modern spicy Greek mythology retellings and this time its Aphrodite and Hepesteus with Adonis and Pandora.

This book is definitely one of my favourite of the series. It starts with Aphrodite and Hephestus in a forced marriage and each trying to seduce someone close to the other.

The romance and smut in this is very well written between all members and the plot is more engaging and intriguing with every installment. I can't wait for the next in the series and for any greek mythology or romance fan this is highly recommended.

Katee’s books always slay and this is no exception. The complexities of the Dark Olympus series is phenomenal and I love how the characters build on each other as the plot thickens. The spice is an extra plus and always well written. I feel like I can really get into their heads with her writing! And somehow she made me like Hephaestus! Haha

I absolutely couldn’t put this book down for a minute! This book had me so enthralled with the characters and the political entanglement/ implications. OMG!!!! Katee Robert did it again! I love this book and series!!! I really like how she develops more of the characteristics of each person in the book. At first I was like Aphrodite is a b**ch! At the end I really like her as a person Because I find out more about her. The political intrigue in this book puts me on the edge of my seat. I want to know what happens next… I have soo many questions?… The sex in this book is chefs kiss! This is a polyamorous romance. I would totally recommend this book to everybody! !!!!

Holy moly!! This series just keeps getting better and better!! I thoroughly enjoyed diving in with these four characters. The romance is DELICIOUSLY wonderful, sexy, and yet the plot of the story is not at all overshadowed. What will happen with Olympus next? Things just keep falling apart with no explanation and I am addicted!

this is the first book in this series that i’ve read and i’m annoyed i didn’t get to it sooner. the writing was very good and the character development was well paced. i can’t wait to read more about this series.

I am a huge Katee Robert fan and have loved the Dark Olympus series. The suspense, the spice, the setting- it is always so much fun! I could not believe my luck when I was approved for this ARC. Cruel Seduction is the 5th book in the series and I think it is the steamiest book yet. Kate has described this book as an “open poly knot” which includes Aphrodite (Eris), Hephaestus (Theseus), Adonis and Pandora. There is hate sex, comfort sex, sex to shut you up, revenge sex and some tender moments too. I really liked how every relationship is unique and brings different emotions out in the characters. Hephaestus and Aphrodite have an arranged political marriage and they hate each other until they don’t. Adonis is still hung up on Aphrodite but also finds himself falling for grumpy and blunt Hephaestus. Aphrodite tries to seduce Pandora, Hephaestus bestie, but ends up falling hard for her. Cruel Seduction ranks as one of my favorites from the series with delicious tension and steam. This book doesn’t have a lot of suspense aspects and is heavier on steam. If you are reading for the world building and Olympus updates, you might be disappointed. Overall, such an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the opportunity to travel back to Olympus again.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the early copy, all thoughts are my own.

WOW. OH. WOW. I think Wicked Beauty is still my favorite out of the series so far, but this book is easily my second favorite of the series. I LOVED this book!!!

It had the perfect combination of steam, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, political drama, and angst. I loved every moment of reading this book and was so sad for the book to end because I could easily read another entire book about these 4 characters.

I've never read a book that had an open poly-knot relationship, so I was interested to see what I'd think of it. And with these characters, in this world, and written by Katee Robert (who I 100% trust to write these types of relationships), I LOVED it.

All of the different relationship dynamics were so perfect. You get to see marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, comfort, revenge s*x, extremely messy feelings, "oh my god I really like you but I don't know what to do about it!!!", and so many of these characters trying to fight off their attraction to each other even though them being together was so inevitable in the best possible way.

Each dynamic was so unique to those characters and so beautiful and fun to read about. I haven't read a book in awhile with this many pov's, but it was never confusing. Each character was distinct and so easy to learn and identify. I loved each of these characters SO much but I'm definitely impartial to Theseus... I love a morally gray man lol.

Overall this book was sexy, intriguing, suspenseful, and so much damn fun. This book also sets up so many different potential plot lines going into the future books of this series and it's been so fun reading these and trying to figure out what Katee is going to do next with these characters. And I love that she's able to keep me on my toes so much lol. That's hard to do so I applaud her SO much and that's why I love this series. Everything is so unexpected and catches me off guard and I love every minute of it. I have so many theories and I can't wait to see what Katee does next.

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