This series has me in a chokehold and Katee Robert has written another winner that really stokes the plot along and still delivers the personal stories of the characters involved. The development of the plot within the book and the series overall in this book really makes this shine. The characters have such a great range and their growth is really interesting. I also think that this being a story that's wrapped up plot wise but clearly indicates further growth really will hook the readers!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert

This is the 5th book in the Dark Olympus series. Have your fans ready ladies (and gents)--it’s about to get hot 🔥!

This book opens with the marriage of Aphrodite and Hephaestus, neither of which likes/loves the other. Aphrodite is marrying Hephaestus to keep him from destroying Olympus while Hephaestus is marrying Aphrodite at the request of his foster father, who has sinister plans. Yet on their wedding night, they consummate their marriage and quickly learn that even though they hate each other they can tolerate each other in that respect. But oh yeah…they both do in fact love someone--enter Adonis and Pandora. And well, you can probably guess the rest of the story if you’ve read any of the other books. Let the spice (and conflict) begin.

Katee Robert is a phenomenal writer and superb story teller. As with the rest of the series, the world building is magnificent and the character development is exquisite. (Hades--from Neon Gods--is still my book boyfriend 😍.) It’s a very entertaining world, riddled with strife, struggle, love, and spice! I have wholly enjoyed this series and can’t wait to read the next one! If you’re a 🥵 reader, strap on your big girl (or boy) britches and get ready because this is right up your alley. Even though this could probably be read as a stand alone, it would be much better to start from the beginning--you can thank me later!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

Robert is back in her element with this installment of the Dark Olympus series. The characters are messy and rash, have history, and all come together to push the larger mafia-meets-mythology story forward. But the plot never overwhelms and instead is balanced with funny, sad, smart, sexy people. It's romance, and intrigue and smut all in the best most delicious combination.

I can't keep track of any of the political machinations and don't really care to, but these books are always a fun read. It was nice to check back in with Helen, Patroclus, and Achilles (from Wicked Beauty) as well.

Many thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

I discovered Katee Robert when my Library got a copy of Neon Gods almost 2 years ago now (WOW). I love everything about her writing. It has the perfect amount of angst, romance, smut and storyline. She is up there in my top favs these days! I've never been a fan of Greek Mythology but I fell in love with the story immediately. (Thats how good she is)
I have fallen deeper in love with the series as it has gone along. Electric Idol has been my favorite so far. but Cruel Seduction is #2 I was a bit concerned going in because poly has never been my romance jam. I cant believe I had doubts. Katee handles all the moving (body) parts with ease like only a seasoned romance author can.
Aphrodite I was familiar with, but this version is so much more. I loved her combination of kick a$$-ness combined with her softer side, (which you see mostly with Pandora.) Hephaestus seemed cruel at first (and I had some anger built up about him from book 3) but he was redeemable. Adonis was Aphrodites lover before she was married (and he was the character I was most unsure of but he ended up being the most *needed* character in the foursome).
There is a LOT going on in this book besides the romance. I kept it all straight, but would've been happy with another 100-150 pages of drama. The stakes are getting higher for the takeover of Olympus with attempted assignations happening daily. No one knows who is going to be murdered next and the who in the mystery has the members of the 12 unable to trust anyone outside their circle. Hephaestus being included in that, ofcourse. He has to be worried about his wife murdering him but also her cheating ways and his family being split. Who ever thought he would fall in love with his WIFE of all people?
The story wraps up a bit quickly (which is why i would be happy with more pages) but it has a satisfactory ending.
The only problem I can possibly see going forward in the series is the remaining books might get hard to read as standalones. The world building is fantastic but gets hard to explain in a couple chapters. So I just advise everyone to start at Neon Gods and dig in. I already cant wait for Midnight Run!
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

Another great installment in the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert. This book focuses on Aphrodite and we get to see the character beneath the surface and the growth she does. While outsiders try to infiltrate Olympus and break down the governing body, 12 of the 13 leaders fight to keep their lives and city together.

As a fan of the series, Cruel Seduction was just as enjoyable and fun as the previous books. Only Katee Robert would be able to introduce to us an open poly knot. Add in the drama that is happening within Olympus and you have a lovely read. While you can read this as a standalone, I feel that it is enhanced by reading the other books. I loved going back to Hades club and don't know that you would appreciate it as much if you hadn't read the previous books. with all of the political tension running throughout Olympus, I'm excited to see where Robert takes us next!

Every book in this series gets better and better. I loved Aphrodite's attitude and determination. Adonis and Thesus is wonderful. But, Pandora stole my heart. On top of it all, I got to the end and had theories about who is behind Minos... and I just need more now!

I really enjoy this series, the writing, the story, the spice. It’s cohesive and well thought out. No complaints.

Every book in this series has me wanting and waiting for the next one. This one is no different. I loved all the characters and am still invested in the ongoing plot. 🤩

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the advance copy.

If you’re familiar with Katee Robert’s previous work, then you will definitely enjoy Cruel Seduction. It’s the story of Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora, which makes for a messy, fun quadrangle. Come for the smut, stay for the mythology. Can’t wait for the next one!

Just a stunning instalment to the Dark Olympus series, I enjoyed this so much! Katee Robert is finally ramping up the political intrigue and world building of the story around the central romance plot of the book which is SO MUCH FUN to read! I found myself wishing that the books were longer if only to get a few more pages of the drama ensuing in the background but that’s what the rest of the books are for. She’s paced this series in a way that keeps you hooked onto the story for the long haul.

The novel was a nice read, with the drama and angst between the characters. However, I feel like unlike the other books in this series it was a bit difficult to get into, while the others were straight to the drama and fast-paced plot, this one took a bit of time to build into the events and the main plot points because it was something that was already built up in the previous novel Radient Sin. So in some cases, someone might have to read or reread Radient Sin to understand the story a bit to understand and fully get into the story, making it more of a sequel rather than an interconnected standalone. As much as I enjoy a book where the character has multiple partners, I feel like the book needed more time to dive deeper into their relationships and have more content basing it on it, because, for me, I didn't feel much for all of them together being and acting one as a unit, I was just less invested in their relationship

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was honestly a little worried about Theseus’ story, because from the previous books in the series, I really didn’t like him. I should not have second guessed the queen Katee Robert. I found myself begrudgingly liking Theseus. I still adore Eris and Pandora is the cutest little bean! I was worried about how Eris and Adonis’ relationship was going to affect the story but I love how it turned out and I think it was beautifully done. This is the first book I think I’ve read with a polycule with two individuals who identify as women. I love how Katee Robert sets up stories for future books in each book so every time I finish a new book in this series I am ravenous for the next one. Sadly, I have to wait. When this book comes out, I will be buying it to add to my collection to reread and annotate. I am torn between wanting to see Hera and Zeus’ story, Hermes’ story, or Charon and Eurydice’s story next book. I feel like Hermes’ story will probably be one of the last in the series if not the last because of her role in each book. She does not have an active role in this book, but she and her behind the scenes activities are mentioned.

Netgalley ARC Review

Probably my least favorite of the series so far. Features Aphrodite (Eris), Haphestus (Theseus), Pandora and Adonis.

Aphrodite and Haphestus have no chemistry. Aphrodite has more chemistry with Pandora and Haphestus has chemistry with Adonis.

Overall this book was very forgettable and boring. I feel like the characters could have been better developed. The political intrigue, murder and Hermes potential double crossing is what keeps me intrigued.

Going into this book, I wasn't sure what I was going to think. This isn't just a casual enemies to lovers where they don't get along, Theseus is an actual murderer. BUT I really loved it.

There was a lot of drama and angst and also this one really played out with a lot of suspense which was interesting.

The characters were great and it was super steamy. I also really enjoyed that we're getting some glimpses of future pairings, with Eurydice and Charon and also Zeus and Hera.

I do really wish there was an extra chapter or two to wrap everything up at the end. I was actually sort of surprised when I got to the last page and the story was over. I would have liked a little bit more of a conclusion but overall it was great!

Katee Roberts is killing it with this series! Come for the spice and stay for the political intrigue. Cruel Seduction hits several of the best tropes: enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, second chance. This is the first book I've read that featured an open, poly knot. While it's not totally my thing, I love that there is diverse representation of relationships and sexuality. The mystery surrounding who and what is happening in Olympus keeps me guessing. I can't wait for the next book to drop!

My thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Katee Robert for access to an eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Katee Robert is at it again. I love all her work and the way she writes about consent and power. They are also just so steamy. I was unsure how I would feel the enemies to lovers elements as it’s not my favorite trope but it was all worth it in the end.

4.5 stars

Okay, how does this series keep getting better? I swear, each book is better than the last, and this one was really good.

The political maneuvers of the Thirteen in Olympus continue, along with their enemies (okay, Minos). This book mostly focuses on Aphrodite and Theseus (now Hephaestus), who get married right at the start of the book for political reasons.

Things move pretty quickly, though I did enjoy that Aphrodite and Hephaestus try to outmaneuver each other by sleeping with their spouse’s friend/ex. Like, that just seems like a terrible idea. But, you know, these books are mostly about the sex, so it’s to be expected.

I don’t want to say too much, as I don’t want to spoil anything. I will say that this book has a poly relationship and I really like how that came to be. There were also some incredibly spicy scenes 🥵, and the last few chapters were so full of action and twists that I could not put the book down!

I can’t wait for the next books in this series!

Oh Katee Robert, I swoon for these books and strike me down if Cruel Seduction didn't delectably fulfill all its promises. Enemies to lovers. Political spouses to lovers. Second chance romance. Polyamory. Oh this book was too good. Robert's Olympus continues to pull me deeper and deeper into its whirlpool. While I feel that this book follows its direct predecessor in pulling away from the cut and dry romance focus of earlier books in the series, I find that it works well and the pivot has been slow and seamless. This book, while not quite as focused on intrigue as Radiant Sin still definitely had that tone - and that's not a complaint, just an observation. But where the romance is concerned, I adored the polycule that Robert created and the internal dynamics within. I also loved that in this book, we were able to get little updates on the characters of previous books in the series, especially the little tidbit about Hades and Persephone. This book - this series - truly has it all: drama! sex! intrigue! Cruel Seduction was so juicy I could hardly stand it, and I can't believe how long it's going to be before I get to read the next one.