3.5 rounded down

Katee Robert has crafted a compelling series within Dark Olympus, and this book had the makings of a great, messy and sexy retelling of Aphrodite and Hephaestus.

Aphrodite agreed to marry the new Hephaestus after he killed for the title. It's the opposite of a happy marriage, especially since Aphrodite is still entangled with her ex, Adonis, and drawn to Hephaestus' friend and foster sister, Pandora. When Hephaestus sets out to seduce Adonis for a bit of revenge, things get even messier.

Robert has an incredible talent at weaving fascinating and compelling interpersonal conflicts. The complicated and overlapping emotions present here are fun and titillating to read, especially as the connections between pretty much every character in the polyknot grow. (Pandora and Hephaestus are not attracted to each other and do not engage sexually with one another). When I read the trope of "open polyknot" I wasn't sold on the idea. I wanted it to be closed, but actually the book makes it work. While rushed in the way of books, the boundaries of the relationship are clearly and consensually laid out.

As for the overarching plot -- the danger to the members of the Thirteen is growing, with assassination attempts increasing in number. Hephaestus isn't suited for his new position's duties at all and is failing Minos, his adoptive father, in his secretive, overarching plot to take over Olympus.

However, as is the case with Katee Robert books, the book is 90% sex and relationship drama and 10% actual plot, all of which is resolved quickly and simply in the last 10% of the book. Some of the other books in the series strike a better balance between plot and sex/relationship drama, but this one was especially lopsided and the ending felt exceptionally rushed. I ended the book feeling like it ended prematurely.

But the relationship and sex drama was deliciously messy. I particularly liked the way Hephaestus and Adonis's relationship grew from mutual revenge to genuine connection.

I think perhaps I am done with the Mount Olympus series. I remember her first few actually being well written and clever, and the twists on the gods and demigods of Olympus being really inventive. Now it's just sex. Which I don't usually mind! But it's almost like Robert is writing for shock value as opposed to storytelling, or to just keep pushing the envelope in terms of how creative she can be with the sex scenes. I don't mind books that have a lot of sex and smut, but not when I feel like the writing has the potential to actually be good and support these scenes.

I have read some of Katee Roberts other books in the Dark Olympus series which I think have been fun and interesting and Cruel Seduction is equally fun (though probably not my favorite out of all the other books). It took me awhile to get into the premise and get a feel for the characters but I will say, the action starts RIGHT AWAY. There is never a dull moment in a Katee Roberts book which is partly why I enjoy them so much. Definitely recommend for a quick/easy read especially if you like Greek Mythology retellings.

I love anything by Katee Roberts. That being said, I don’t think these last few Dark Olympus books have been her best. They have little to no references to actual greek mythology, and the names constantly switching around make my head spin 360 degrees. The art at the front of my book also teased a foursome and we never got that?? But, we did get a twenty page threesome scene yet only two pages of a F/F scene. Disappointing, to say the least. The ending was way too sudden, as well. I will recommend the Dark Olympus series to my customers, but it makes me sad to know I didn’t enjoy all of them.

4⭐️2🌶️
I was honestly unsure about this one when I first started it but I ended up really liking it. It’s not my favorite of the series and I really wanted to see more of the relationship with all 4 of them since we don’t really get that. But I enjoyed the story.
This was actually less spicy than I thought it would be and there is no scene with all 4 of them like the picture in the front of the book depicts, so that was kind of a let down.

Overall I enjoyed it, I just wanted more from it

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (4 Stars)
Steam 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (lots of steamy scenes with graphic description)

No spoiler review 👇🏻

This is the fifth book in the series “Dark Olympus”. Since it’s the fifth in a series I will not be saying much about the plot as these books do need to be read in order to understand them.

I love Katee Robert. She writes such good inclusive and steamy romances. This series is no exception! Overall I enjoyed this one.
This is a MMFF romance, it starts with a Marriage of convenience, it also has enemies to lovers vibes. It’s very spicy! Which I enjoyed. It also has sweet and romantic moments. I really liked the 4 main characters.

There was a lot of Olympus politics in this one and it got a bit confusing and convoluted for me, so this is a reason I’m giving it 4 stars.

I will be continuing with this series.

If you want a fun take on Olympus, that’s super spicy I recommend this series.

Thanks to and Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

CW: violence, attempted murder, attempted Sexual assault (past), physical abuse (past),
Panic attacks

When it comes to romance books, no one does it like Katee! They are my go to author for when I’m in the mood to read something spicy that I know I’ll love! The Dark Olympus series has been such a freaking delight to read and I’ve loved every single release, Cruel Seduction is the newest release and it’s chef’s kiss! It was so fun to read about this chaotic open poly knot, these four were messy in the best ways possible! The steamy parts were so hot and they had me blushing haha! I cannot wait for Midnight Ruin next!

Katee Robert always is such a treat to read and Cruel Seduction was no exception. This series is slowly starting to unravel itself and I feel like with each book we are learning a little more about the overarching plot, which I love. These four characters are smoking hot! I loved the forced marriage dynamics of Aphrodite and Hephaestus’ relationship. I really enjoyed getting to know each of the characters as individuals.

Listen, I will read however many of these books Katee Robert decides to write. I love stories about polyamory and I thought this one was done really well; I especially liked the representation of a platonic relationship among all the others. This book was HOT and tense and I really enjoyed it.

Set up fan or be ready for a cool shower breaks before you start reading!

Whenever I read books from this series I find me myself constantly looking around wondering if people can see me blushing!

I love this series! This wasn’t my favourite but it’ was still great and definitely worth the read!

If you haven’t read any of the other books read those and this one!

Smut but also super fun and intelligent story lines!

This was different and intriguing enough to get me started and then the complexities that were handled beautifully kept me invested.
I adored the dynamics in the book so the plot took a massive backseat which was okay because nothing much happened anyway.

A steamy entry into the worlds of not so gods and goddesses. This one was a twisty relationship knot that tested the boundaries of the characters and made them grow in a way that they needed. I
'm still interested in the overall plot itself and like how it's moving forward.

This was a great new installment of the series and I really liked the characters and their relationships. I'm excited to see what happens next in the series.

Cruel Seduction is the 5th book in the Dark Olympus series. It is a story of betrayal, vengeance, power and control, obsession, madness, acceptance and love and follows in the aftermath of the marriage of convenience between Aphrodite and Hephaestus.

This is a polyamorous romance with 4 main characters Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Adonis, and Pandora. It was spicy and filled with politics and some suspense.

There was quite alot happening in the story.
We are given a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary characters. I enjoyed the build-up of Minos plot and can't wait to see what's next.

This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it.

Cruel seduction fell a little for me, not the strongest one in the series. The relationships felt too fast paced for me and not a lot happened in the storyline (even less than the other books in the series). However, fun to see a poly relationship and I will still read the next books in the series.

Also, the book had one of my least favourite tropes, *fake marriage* and I didn’t know that before starting the book. Might contribute to my *meh* feelings.

Overall an okay book, but maybe not one of the strongest contenders in the series.

Another great installment to the Dark Olympus series. Definitely an enemies to lovers with the added benefit of 2 extra lovers. I am so glad that our main characters found a balance and peace in their family unit.

I have been enjoying this series that is a modern day retelling of Greek mythology. This latest book did not disappoint. It is definitely a complicated political and relationship mess. I mean, some of the characters are flawed, but that is what makes this book delightful.
This story is a polyamaouros romance between Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Adonis, and Pandora. There is hate sex, ememies to lovers, second chance, best friends to lovers, and strangers to lovers. It is spicy and complicated. Eris Kasios, who is Aphrodite, is getting married to her enemy, the new Hephaestus. She is doing it so that Olympus stays strong. She has been prepared for a world of politics, scandal, backstabbing, power grabs and who you really are is not allowed in society.

Adonis and Aphrodite have a thing and Pandora is worried about Hephaestus. I would probably read this series in order because the story line builds throughout the books. The couples are different and their stories can be stand alone. This book is a continuation of the wild ride that is Olympus. Modern society woven with Ancient Greek characters is such a fun concept! And the spice. Definitely lots of it. I also think that there is an underlying commentary running throughout the books in terms of underhanded power plays and the power of the paparazzi and social media to spin the story and show the masses select information. I can’t wait to see how this all wraps up.

Katee Robert is a magical being and i am OBSESSSSSSSSSSSSSED with this series.
Even when i think i'll hate the book because i didn't resonate deeply with the characters, i still somehow really love the vibes. this series just keeps pulling me back in every time. she is amazing

Katee Robert is at it again updating the Olympic Gods to walk through the modern world. The story of Hephaestus & Aphrodite is woven tightly with Pandora & Adonis is an action packed and fatally romantic Cruel Seduction.

Polyam romance between Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Adonis, and Pandora in an enemies to lovers, second chance, best friends to lovers, and strangers to lovers romance filled with panty melting erotica and lots of angst.

I love how hot this series is and the couples and their back and forth. It's so easy to get lost in their antics and see them develop their relationship. Reading this book was like reading about your favorite fanfic one shots in a day.

The only thing is that I never fully connect to the characters and root for their romance but aside from that, enjoyable