I love these books! The characters are amazing but it’s the background politics and shenanigans that intrigues me the most. I need to know how this will end.
The open poly knot? dynamic is interesting. I liked getting to know them all. And my heart goes out to them all. Theseus/Hephaestus won my heart.
10/10

I really enjoyed this 5th installment (cant believe we're already at book 5!!!) of the Dark Olympus series. I love Katee Robert and her writing so much. Each book in this series is unique, fun, and hot. The worldbuilding is easy to understand yet so well done and simple. I will keep coming back to this series as long as Ms. Robert keeps writing them. Cruel Seduction is dedicated to people who love mess and while yes, this story was messy, I loved every singe second of it.

I flew through this book. I love Greek Mythology and all of her other books in this series. This one was just as smutty and good to read.

This book has a lot going on: It’s at once an enemies-to-lovers (Aphrodite/Hephaestus) and second chance (Aphrodite/Adonis) MMFF open polyamorous romance. I’ll admit that why-choose/poly romances are near the bottom of my list of favorite tropes, but Katee has always done a fantastic job of letting each individual character shine in this kind of dynamic—and Cruel Seduction is probably the best example to date.

Getting inside Aphrodite’s head was a lot of fun, namely because she hasn’t been shy about causing her own brand of trouble. That said, Cruel Seduction shows a different side to her—one where it’s obvious she cares about her family, her fellow citizens, and her role as the matchmaker of Olympus. On the other side of this equation is Theseus, and I was gobsmacked by how much I enjoyed his character. These two have a little bit of a grumpy/sunshine and opposites-attract dynamic because Aphrodite is used to the spotlight and Theseus wants everyone to leave him alone so he can go brood in his own little corner. Considering he was one of the main antagonists in Wicked Beauty, I was not ready to fall so head-over-heels for him. What can I say? I have a type. He cares deeply about his best friend, Pandora, and he’s working hard to adjust to life in the spotlight. And that’s not the only major change he’s dealing with. The once promising warrior must now come to terms with the fact that he’ll walk with a limp for the rest of his life, thanks to his little run-in with Helen.

Adonis is Aphrodite’s ex, and he knows exactly what the game is when Hephaestus seduces him, but he’s genuinely attracted to Theseus and there’s no denying they have plenty of chemistry. Even better, we see a softer side to Theseus in these moments, and I found myself enjoying their time together immensely. Of course, Aphrodite can’t turn a blind eye to what her husband is doing, and so she seduces Pandora in retaliation. But like Theseus and Adonis, Pandora’s not ignorant to what’s really happening, nor is she immune to their wild chemistry. Though Theseus and Pandora are strictly platonic, it still rankles him to see his best friend with his wife—not to mention one of the Thirteen. But this also serves to show us a softer side of Aphrodite as well. There’s something so gentle and feminine about these two when they’re together.

When I heard the title of the book was named Cruel Seduction, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the dynamic.
Though there were some hurt feelings here and there, no one ever crossed a line that I didn’t think they could realistically come back from. Better yet, everyone had their own roles and individual relationships that melded into a dynamic that works for all of them.

Last, but certainly not least, this book advances the overall mystery and plot of the Dark Olympus series. Not only do we learn more about Minos’ backstory and get more of a peek at his other children—Icarus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur—but it also pulls back the curtain a little bit on the lore surrounding Olympus. It seems only fitting that a book centered around Eris would kick the chaos up a notch, and just like in the last two novels, there will be major consequences for what happens in Cruel Seduction.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and the author of this ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review!

The queen has done it again. Katee Robert never fails me and always delivers amazing books; this one was no different. I loved that she explored polyamory in Cruel Seduction and that each of the members of the poly knot at one point or another were enemies. The amount of hate s*x in this book was insane but I loved every second of it!

Something I have always enjoyed about the Dark Olympus series is all of the political side plots and I felt like this book had so much of it in there. Honestly, I think this one had more political plot lines than smut! Not a bad thing at all.

The only reason I gave Cruel Seduction 4 stars instead of 5 stars is because I felt like the book was a tad bit longer than it needed to be.

I’m loving this series more and more with each book. It’s hard to pick a favorite because they are all different and special in their own way. It’s so addicting. Each character is different and it’s so hard not to root for them, even if they are supposed to be the villain of the story.

From the first page this story pulls you in and it’s not a normal couple in this book, we have polyamorous MMFF relationship. It was the first time I read something like this and fell in love. We start off with an arranged marriage with 2 people that hate each other but are in love with someone else. It was well written and the messiness amongst these characters was everything. Trust me when I say this mess is the best kind.

Olympus is under attack by an unknown source. The heads would do anything to save their city, there is nothing that they would not do to protect their people. But does that mean losing who you are in the process or losing the person/people you love. What would you do for your home?

I need the rest of this series. It’s killing me to find out who is attaching them. We are getting little hints in each book but I haven’t been able to put it together. The books I’m looking forward to are Zeus and Hera aaaaaand Hermes! Like I can’t wait!

Received this ARC for my honest review and opinion.

This is another "win" for Katee Robert and the entire Dark Olympus series. Robert approaches relationships in a way that no other romance author does, and this was a ride from start to finish. Fans of the series will love this next installment!

The Dark Olympus series continues with Cruel Seduction and, much like the rest of the series, this does not disappoint. Here we get Eris' (Aphrodite) story and explore her marriage with the new Hephaestus and her relationships with Adonis and Pandora. The storyline that began in Neon Gods, with an outsider threatening the stability of Olympus, continues through Cruel Seduction, this time giving us more insight and more of a stake in the political game. The political intrigue is paired well with the blossoming polyamorist relationship of the book's four core characters.

Though Cruel Seduction was not my favorite of the series, it was perfectly steamy and advanced the ultimate plotline of the series very well.

Katee Robert is phenomenal at what she does. The spice is amazing. It’s Aphrodite so of course it is but oh it’s so much more. I read this in a day, less than maybe 8 hours. It’s so easy to devour, because it’s nearly impossible to put down.

Has this been my most anticipated instalment since Katee announced all the pairings? Yes, yes it was. Did it deliver? Oh yes, yes it did. The idea of managing four characters and their interlocking relationships as friends and lovers – only Katee could manage something like this!

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
Characters: This book features a poly knot of four characters: Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Adonis, and Pandora. Olympus’ current Aphrodite is Eris of the powerful Kaitos clan. Her brother is Zeus and her sister is Ares. I have wanted to be in Eris’ head for so damn long! She is such an interesting character and I loved getting to see different sides of her through how others perceive her along with how she sees herself. You get a different side of Eris with her family and her lovers, she is not just some stilted ice queen. She is loyal, determined and the type of person who avoids feeling or seeming like she needs someone. I loved seeing the cracks in her armour and how others cared for her. Her husband is Hephaestus, a role in which Minos’ adoptive son Theseus killed for. I didn’t know what to expect, but he was a pretty dynamic character. I am looking forward to getting to know more of Mino’s brood of adopted children. Adonis is in this story in a role that mimics his of the Greek myths, he’s Aphrodite’s lover. I really loved his character and his fierce loyalty to Eris. The final character Pandora felt refreshingly different than her mythological counterpart, plus I loved her dynamic with Aphrodite.
Setting: Olympus politics are heating up and I live for it! This world is getting thrown for a loop. I love the wider cast of characters so much and how Katee always starts dropping easter eggs for future instalments. I cannot wait to read the next one about Eurdyices, Orpheus, and Charon.
Pacing: This story was riveting as I read it in just a few days. Every time I think the stakes are high, Katee finds a way to raise them.
Romance: What I loved about the makeup of all the relationships is what I tend to notice in these poly romances. It is very apparent in the Adonis and Aphrodite relationship, for example, that they didn’t make sense as a pair – almost that something was missing. This book just like every book in this series, and basically every Katee Robert book I have read is just incredibly hot. The nature of the poly knot meant you get a variety of combinations, making for some hot sex scenes. Katee always does a good job balancing the toe-curling hot sex with the emotional side of navigating a non-monogamous relationship. These characters really had to go through a loop to embrace happiness in non-monogamy.

“We will always have power for the sake of who we are, but that doesn’t mean it has to own us and our actions. We get to choose now.”

With a secret of the thirteen now revealed for the public, Olympus is in unrest and there are power plays happening at every turn. In an effort to keep her enemies close, Aphrodite will marry the current number one enemy in Olympus, the new Hephaestus. Though joined, they haven’t given up the battle for the upper hand and everyone can play the game with Adonis and Pandora involved.

I will never get enough of this series! What a glorious mess these four make when their emotions get tangled up in their schemes. I loved the way these characters balanced each other and getting to see them bond and their loyalty tested. The overarching story of this series is so intriguing, I am always jumping for the next installment. As always, Katee Robert delivers so much passion and tension with the spice!

You’ll Find —
Marriage of Convenience
Enemies to Lovers
Mythology Retelling

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and Katee Robert for the gifted digital review copy!

I received an arc for this from the awesome folks at netgalley! Thank you Netgalley & Katee for allowing me to review another one of your stories :D

Okay, so first off - I was really excited for this one! I love the Hephaestus x Aphrodite trope. This is surprising because I actually am a huge stan of Aphrodite x Ares. ANYWAYS - pushing my Greek mythology love aside - I was very curious about the add-ons of Pandora and Adonis! They work based on the mythology behind them. I also really like how they incorporated Hephaestus' bad leg which is often mentioned in classic texts.

So, before Radiant Sin - I felt like you could read the first three out of order and it really didn't matter because you wouldn't miss anything. That each one could technically stand on their own. Katee does a good job of explaining her world-building in each book so you can. However, to enjoy this one - I would say you need to read book 3+4 (Wicked Beauty & Radiant Sin) to get the best of this book. Wicked Beauty only for some context on Hephaestus, but for sure Radiant Sin because this follows that plot a lot closer.

I liked the dynamics of all the couplings in this. Mostly Hephaestus & Aphrodite, but I thought each relationship was special in its own way. But if you asked me which relationship I was more interested or intrigued about - it was Hephaestus and Aphrodite. I felt the character development for these two was better focused (which I don't find surprising as they were part of the "13") But it gave the relationship buildup more of an edge than the others. Again, liked them all.

As time went on in the series, I stopped being a fan so much of how the 13 came into power, but I actually feel like Katee fixed that with this series. There is a lot of spice in this series with a lot of diverse relationships going on, in Katee's style. I feel like this is similar to Wicked Beauty and not as intense as Court of the Vampire Queen.

This is still a standalone regarding these characters and focusing on them, but this is part of a much bigger storyline - so you won't get all the answers in this book and you might get lost if you read this first out of the series - so keep that in mind if you're interested in this series.

I will continue the series with Midnight Ruin. There is some foreshadowing in this about them.... and I am so excited!!!

The fifth book in this hotter-than-hades series did not disappoint bringing all the things we've come to love and expect from the author in Dark Olympus.

The plots, twists, and turns always keep my on my toes in regards to who's with her, who's scheming against who and in the end how will our favorites, villains and antiheroes alike find their HEA!

I've been enjoying this series so far and the premise for this one was enemies to lovers which is a favorite trope of mine. It seemed clear to me fairly early on that the marriage between Aphrodite and Theseus/Hephaestus was going to lead to some polyamory, so, if that's not for you skip this one. This is as spicy if not more spicy than all of Katee Roberts other books. I really enjoyed watching the relationships build in this one and look forward to see where this series will go next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Ms. Robert for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

Frankly I was kind of dragging my feet on this one, because it was about Eris (Aphrodite) who seemed kind of unlikeable and Theseus (Hephaestus) who seemed EXTRA EXTRA unlikeable. I mean, he murdered his way to the party, and almost murdered Helen (Ares), so come on.

Go figure, Ms. Robert found a way to redeem and humanize these characters. (Can she do the same with the Minotaur? I doubt it, but if anyone can, it's her.) And, being Ms. Robert, the forced marriage quickly turns into a poly situation with the addition of Adonis (Eris's ex) and Pandora (Theseus's sister). If I had any criticism of the novel it would be that I felt Adonis and Pandora were both under-served, plot-wise. However, Eris and Theseus both showed a lot of development and some major strides were made in the series story arc. STILL WAITING ON HERA HERE PEOPLE. lol. Although I'm sure Hera will be dead last just because I want it so much. Rounding up to 4 stars for overall enjoyability.

Cruel Seduction is the fifth--and thankfully, not final--book in Katee Robert's Dark Olympus series. A series in which I have only fallen more and more for with each instalment and characters stepping up front and centre for their own story/stories to be told.

Our introduction in the dark, dangerous and deceptive world of Olympus was with Neon Gods, spearheaded with Hades and Persephone. If you have yet to read this series, I highly suggest starting from the beginning and working your way down the books in series order. Where they can be read each as standalones, the story bleeds from one book to the next--as everything within Olympus is linked--, and you'd get the best reading experience going in order. The series and its characters are as follows:

💙 𝑁𝑒𝑜𝑛 𝐺𝑜𝑑𝑠 (𝐻𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑥 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒)
🩷 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝐼𝑑𝑜𝑙 (𝐸𝑟𝑜𝑠 𝑥 𝑃𝑠𝑦𝑐ℎ𝑒)
💚 𝑊𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑦 (𝐴𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑥 𝐻𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑥 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑠)
❤️ 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑖𝑛 (𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜 𝑥 𝐶𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑎)
💜 𝐶𝑟𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑆𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝐻𝑒𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑥 𝐴𝑝ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑒 + 𝐴𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑠 𝑥 𝑃𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑎) - 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘰𝘰𝘯

The phrase 'there's something for everyone' is sometimes over-used in the book world, but the term applies here in abundance with the world created from Katee's wonderful mind with the re-telling of the Greek Gods and Goddesses. If one of the books isn't to your personal reading tastes, then there will without a shadow of a doubt be something else that is. If two people in a romance isn't for you, Katee's got you covered. There's a three & four person relationship knot (also known as poly knot). For someone as straight as a ruler, I've had the time of my life taking a dive into the unfamiliar and unknown in the world outside of my own, and I'm in good hands with Katee and the stories/characters she writes.

As you might have worked out from the blurb, we're not focusing on one, two or three people as our main characters--our heroes and heroines--this time around, we have a people-pleasing poly knot! I've only encountered a few other multiple main character romances--the other being Katee's book, Court of the Vampire Queen, which I adore!--, so this read was going to be a welcome change-up to the usual romance book dynamic that I'm used to reading from the authors I follow. I'm always up for reading something new and opening my mind further to content within books as to the author's own decision per book and series, so I was greatly looking forward to seeing how I would get on with Cruel Seduction.

I appreciate the way in which Katee has written this and other dynamics, allowing for continued education, awareness and acceptance with aspects outside of the 'norm' of society. As a straight woman, its a welcome and continual learning process and authors such as Katee are paving the way for even more open-minded readers and the endless possible stories that come with the wider rainbow outside of the black-and-white we are often so used to.

Speaking of what we aren't used to--but in a good way--is the amount of heat generated by the characters in this book. More characters as the main focus means more heat and since we have four main characters this time around, you bet your bottom dollar that means that we're going beyond spicy and into the fiery furnaces of the underworld itself. Again, I leaned a thing or two from the shake-up in the under-the-sheets (or rather, where anywhere goes) dynamic of the heat. No stranger to the array of ways in which things can literally be done, I was intrigued by Katee's inventive take on aspects of these parts of the stories and believe me, I mean multiple. This is not a one-and-done deal with the down and dirty, no. We're talking whenever, wherever and however. Forger vanilla, we're tasting all the different flavours!

Playing against each other while trying to keep themselves out of harms way by the unsettled residents of Olympus, both Aphrodite & Hephaestus along with Adonis & Pandora must work out how to stick to their roles within what they are capable of doing--or in some cases, killed to do--, while keeping their hearts out of the deal when getting involved with one another. Easier said than done when more is at stake than simply the four of them. What they do affects the Thirteen which in turn, affects Olympus and its citizens. Lines are more than blurred and emotions are tangled beyond the point of being unwound as the unrest within their city reaches cataclysmic heights which will, in turn, bring consequences.

The story continues to grow more and more interesting with each instalment of the Dark Olympus series, and I'm very keen as to where Katee will lead us--as we willingly follow her--with the next novel.

Five stars!

Katee just keeps making this series better and hotter! This is my favorite one so far and I can't wait for the next one!

“He was my enemy. My lover. My husband.

And the one man I swore by all Olympus I would destroy.”

This is a modern retelling of Aphrodite and Hephaestus.
I will stay by saying that it is part of a series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone, I have read Neon Gods so it was really interesting see the other characters cameo.
I really enjoyed this book and loved the multiple points of view! It was really interesting to see how the characters grew together, the spice was as always, fantastic.
My only issue was I did think that the ending felt a little rushed I would have liked to have spent a bit more time with the four of them
Absolutely recommend

Thanks @netgalley & @sourcebookscasa for a copy of this book on exchange for my honest review

Cruel Seduction is a tantalizing and enchanting tale in the Dark Olympus, that takes place in the captivating world of Greek mythology, weaving together romance, rivalry, and danger. At the heart of the story is the bold and cunning goddess Aphrodite, who refuses to back down from any challenge, even if it means marrying her greatest adversary, Hephaestus.

The story introduces a wickedly clever plan concocted by Aphrodite to assert her dominance and keep Hephaestus off balance. The seduction game she plays takes an unexpected turn when she sets her sights on Pandora, a woman who holds a special place in Hephaestus's heart. The interplay between the characters is electric, filled with tension, manipulation, and a delicious sense of rivalry.

Hephaestus, the new husband and target of Aphrodite's schemes, proves to be a formidable opponent. He is more than willing to engage in their seductive battle, and he has a secret weapon of his own: the handsome and enigmatic ex-lover, Adonis. As these characters navigate the intricate web of desire and manipulation, the lines between love, hate, and attraction become increasingly blurred.

Amidst the seductive games and power struggles, emotions run deep and hearts become entangled. The story skillfully explores the complexities of love and desire, revealing the vulnerability beneath Aphrodite and Hephaestus's confident facades. Their interactions are charged with chemistry and passion, creating a sizzling dynamic that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

Against the backdrop of their intense relationship, a larger threat looms in the form of unrest in Olympus. The stakes are high, and the consequences of their actions could have far-reaching implications for themselves and the city they call home. This element of danger adds a thrilling layer to the narrative, raising the stakes and keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The melding of Greek mythology, romance, and intrigue creates a captivating and immersive reading experience. The characters' multifaceted personalities, the web of emotions they navigate, and the looming threat of conflict all contribute to a rich and engaging story. For fans of mythology-inspired romance with a touch of danger, "Aphrodite's Game" offers a compelling and satisfying journey into a world where desire and power collide.

Katee said, "you want messy? ok bet."

This was such a fun read. I absolutely go feral for a marriage of convenience trope. The dynamic between the characters was perfect, each POV was unique. I was rooting for them all. Katee, once again, delivers a thrilling plot and mouth-watering smut. Absolutely one of my favorites in the Dark Olympus series.