I love this world so much! I am always anticipating a new addition to the series. Not my favorite, but still enjoyed it. This book was very on brand with what to expect from Katee Robert. My obsession with this series is still in effect as we await the next installment. Solid 4 out of 5 stars.

Obsessed is the only word to described this book and how I feel about this book. I loved every moment of it. A great addition to the series, and I was fascinated to see how the overarching plot got pushed forward.
Focusing on two of Minos' people really added depth the the story since this is the first completely non-Olympus couple the series has focused on. Although we got to see many reoccuring characters, and so much more depth for Hermes and Hera especially (I really can't wait to see more of both of them these glimpses make me even more obsessed with them).
I was nervous before reading since we already knew from the previous book that Asterion is obsessive and that Ariadne has had an abortion, both of which could have made for my personal ick and made this book not for me, but Robert handled both so beautifully (as always). Asterion is obsessive but not in a the wave of red flags I can't ignore, instead his love of Ariadne is like his personality foundation.
In a series of great books, this is probably one of my favorites, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for the next books.

As always, Katee Robert grabbed my attention in the first few pages. This series has captivated me from the very first book and I always anxiously await the next book in the series. Ariadne and the Minotaur's love story was so perfect. It was a nice break from hearing so much about the politics of the thirteen and their alliances.

Read if you like: violence, forbidden romance, sneaking around, he’s always loved her, he fell first, unrequited feelings, will kill for her, betrayal, death, politics, family drama

Ariadne is a weak fmc (and her bother is just as weak) which is completely fine btw but I just didn’t like her. I also couldn’t understand why she kept protecting her brother when he did absolutely nothing for her 😭

Asterion is a killer and described as a monster. I didn’t really see how he was scary. Sure, he was a demanding person but he didn’t kill that many people or was that violent?? I did like how he was an inner softie when it came to Ariadne though

I wasn’t really convinced on them together. I loved that he fell first and did a lot of things for her. But their romance went from 0 to 100, one day she suddenly turns around and says she loves him - but this whole time she never trusted him? Where is the romance? The tension? The longing?

If you’re into politics and like it when the MC’s gravitate towards each other when they’re not supposed to - maybe give this book a go! This was just a miss for me

Oh my! I have a lov/hate relasenship with this series. - but still I ahve to read them! I love the woulrdbuilding, the mainstory and the spice! Let's not forget the sice ;) But in the same time there's so many things going on, and I sometimes forget what the plot is. BUT this one was an esay read with lot's of action!

Also got it as a audiobook, and it was a perfect mix to shift between

Dark Restraint is the 7th book in the Dark Olympus and I always enjoy going back into this world and the stakes keep getting higher. This time we follow Ariadne and the Minotaur as they work to escape Minos and Olympus only to find themselves tangled in the politics.

As much as I am not a fan of possessive language in a romance I still found myself routing for the Minotaur and Ariadne as a couple. Also there spicy scenes were intimate and hot.

The ending is also intense and I need the next book now because I not only need to see the fall out but the next book is also Poseidon and Icarus . As excited as I am to see how Katee wraps the series up in the next 3 books but I also don’t want it to end I’m so invested in this series.

Loved the plot of this book, the smut was not it for me this time around 😐

I will say that as always with every Katee book I had a blast reading it, and seeing where the plot would go as the stories all keep developing, but this couple was definitely not my favourite of the bunch so far. I think their story was a great plot and premise, which Katee absolutely killed, but just not for me this time around.

I'm super excited to see what Poseidon and Icarus' story will be because you just know it's going to be good, and I think I was reading this in hopes to get glimpses of them which definitely lessened how much I loved the Minotaur and Ariadne's story!

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks for an eARC!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this early. Really liked this one and am DYING to know what happens. I NEED that next book please and thank you.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for allowing me to read and ARC of this book. Note: sorry it took so long to post this review; I just got a new puppy and she is a HANDFUL and doesn't like when I read instead of paying attention to her!

I am a HUGE Katee Rober fan, and Dark Restraint is Book 7 of the Dark Olympus Series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I HIGHLY recommend you read the other in the series for both pleasure and character backgrounds.

Dark Restraint focuses on Ariadne and The Minotaur (aka Asterion). Ariadne loves Asterion, but he is her father's henchman and off-limits, so she becomes engaged to Dionysus. The steamy romance scenes are back (in true Katee Robert fashion), as are the Olympus politics. Hera, and Psyche (from book 2) make an appearance as well. This also book starts to set up for an eventual series ending (I think it's a 10-book series, so 3 more).

I liked Dark Restraint, it had very likeable characters with some good romance, and a good plot. I can't say it was my favorite of the series so far, but it was very good, and a necessary step in the overall story/series arc. I am looking forward to books 8 & 9, which allegedly will feature Icarus & Poseidon, and Hera & Zeus, respectively. I hope Dionysus will make another appearance in one of the future books, as I really like his character.

For fans of dark, spicy romance, I definitely recommend Dark Restraint, especially if you are a Katee Robert fan, and double-especially if you have been reading along in the Dark Olympus series. I have chosen it as my book club read for August!

Dark Restraint by Katee Robert is book 7 in the Dark Olympus series. It's a dark romance, greek mythology retelling. This one follows Ariadne and her attempt to be free of her father's grasp. A fake marriage seems like the only solution. The problem is, the Minotaur...

This series continues to be super enjoyable and entertaining. It's a dark romance with Greek mythology references. The mmc won this one for me. He commanded attention. The fmc was the least of my favorites from this series as a whole. She almost faded into the background. The pacing was fast. It was very easy to read, and I got through it pretty quickly.

Will definitely continue the series.

This was my favorite Dark Olympus book in terms of plot, but my least favorite in terms of the romance. Katee Robert did a great job keeping me invested in the plot even when I was not emotionally invested in the romance between the characters. I think that readers of the series will still enjoy this book even if they are not huge fans of the pairing. I'm excited to see where she takes the series next!

First let me say how much I LOVE Katee’s Dark Olympus series!

Dark Restraint is the 7th installment in this series and tells the story of Ariadne and The Minotaur. This book was the darkest in the series thus far and I was living for it! There was lots of spice (as always) but also lots of overarching plot and Olympus politics.

This book wasn’t my favorite in the series but I did thoroughly enjoy it and gave it a 4/5 stars. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book!

Thank you to Sourcebooks, NetGalley and Katee Robert for the arc!

Ariadne Vitalis has betrayed her father and his powerful ally, putting her fate in the hands of the treacherous city of Olympus. The price for her safety? A forced marriage to Dionysus. Despite this arrangement, her heart yearns for another—the dangerous and captivating Minotaur, who has been promised her hand in a different deal. He won’t let her go without a fight. Though her engagement with Dionysus is more amicable than passionate, the intense and forbidden desire she feels for the Minotaur threatens to ignite a fiery chaos. As their dangerous attraction intensifies, Ariadne must decide if she’s willing to watch Olympus burn for a chance at forbidden love.

I did not have being more invested in the politics rather than the romance plot of a Katee Robert book on my bingo board for 2024 and yet here we are.

Dark Restraint takes readers even deeper into the world of Olympus as the cracks we’ve seen in its seemingly impenetrable force field slowly but surely crumble altogether. No one is safe and while powerful if unlikely alliances have been formed, nothing seems to be able to stop the world’s (and politics’) inevitable doom.

Now, shockingly for me, I actually didn’t mind that the political landscape of Olympus is front and center in these later installments. We’ve seen the trend of the romances taking a step back in favour of more intrigue, scandal, and power games and in my eyes, this only adds more depth to this riveting series.

Also, let’s be real, this pairing might just have been the hardest to sell and therefore the amount of politics outweighing the romance felt almost a foregone conclusion. With what the Minotaur represented so far in the series, readers were sure to be stumped once they learned he was going to be paired with Ariadne, who—while fierce and headstrong—also has the whole princess locked away in a tower by her horrendous father vibes going on.

And while I agree that this wasn’t my favourite couple to follow along, I think Robert did a great job with redeeming at least some of the Minotaur’s actions of the past. I have an unspeakable soft spot for “I hate everyone but you” narratives and the Minotaur and Ariadne definitely delivered on that aspect. My favourite part for sure was the way they tried to tread carefully around each other and figuring out just how much they were willing to risk to be together—the Minotaur is basically a personification of the “he fell first and he fell harder” trope and I was here for it. As always with a Robert book, you have the trifecta of passion, steam and twists. And while I’d venture that the tension wasn’t as high as it could have been, the steadfastness of Ariadne and Asterion’s feelings for each other more than made up for it.

One highlight for me in these books is also the way we get to see cameos from other couples and those who will undoubtedly become important chess game pieces in future instalments. My heart and soul belongs to Hermes and while I can’t wait to get my hands on her book, I love how we steadily see her journey in glimpses throughout the entire series so far. Similarly, we’ve got some glimpses of Icarus that already have me itching to get my hands on his book (which is up next). Also, I will never not love seeing Hades in all his glory (can you tell he is still my favourite?) and his devotion to Persephone hits hard, even seven books in. Altogether, the upcoming three final books in the series are sure to entrance us all.

Delving into the darker parts of romance and political shifts, Dark Restraint invites readers to return to a world of high stakes, more deception and delectable romance.

3/5⭐️
3/5🌶️

Dark Restraint continues the political world-building of Greek mythology of Olympus while following Ariadne and the Minotaur/Asterion's forbidden romance. I highly encourage reading or listening to the previous six books in the series and not read this as a stand-alone.

Upon revealing her father's plans to Olympus leaders, Ariadne receives protection from Hera and Aphrodite with a forced marriage to Dionysus. Unbeknownst to everyone, The Minotaur has always loved Ariadne and is FURIOUS upon learning of her engagement. To make matters worse, he is ordered by Ariadne's father, Minos, to kill her. Despite being on "opposite" sides, they give into their attraction and attempt to flee Olympus before Circe's plans come to fruition.

The book focused on the political world-building that helped this series push forward. I loved learning of Circe's plans/execution and the secondary characters (Dionysus, Hermes, & Icarus). Unfortunately, with all the world progression, Ariadne and the Minotaur's romance took a back seat leaving me disappointed and wanting more. The easter egg left regarding Poseidon and Icarus leaves me invested in the series

Tropes:
Dual POV
Greek Myth world/politics
Morally grey MMC
He fell first

Thank you to Katee Robert, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a sucker for this series. I wasn't in love with the couple at the very beginning but Ariadne and Asterion (The Minotaur) really grew on me. I am definitely more invested in the political plot line. It ended on such a cliffhanger! I'm feral. Cannot wait for number 8!!

Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She’s betrayed her father—and his benefactor—and now she’s left to rely on the questionable mercy of Olympus to keep her safe. As with everything in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there’s only one man she’s ever wanted—a man she’s feared just as much as she desires.

The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos’s plans. He was willing to get his hands dirty as long as the old man kept his word—at the end of this, the Minotaur would be given Ariadne as a reward. Nowhere in that deal was her walking down the aisle to a different man. She’s meant for him, and he means to have her.

Ariadne knows better than to encourage the Minotaur. Her relationship with her new fiancé might be more friendship than burning passion, but she is all too aware of how much fiery passion can hurt. She and the Minotaur are no good for each other. She can never forgive him for what he’s done, and he can never change. But when his hands are on her body and his wicked words are whispered in her ear, she might just be willing to let all of Olympus burn…

Kate Roberts has delivered a sizzling, high-stakes romance with Dark Restraint. The tension between Ariadne and the Minotaur is electric, with their forbidden desire simmering just beneath the surface. Roberts excels at building a world where love, betrayal, and power intertwine, creating a story that’s impossible to put down.

The characters are well-developed, with Ariadne’s internal conflict and the Minotaur’s relentless determination adding depth to their dynamic. The setting of Olympus, with its dark and dangerous allure, serves as the perfect backdrop for this intense tale.

Roberts’ writing is both captivating and evocative, drawing readers into the drama and passion of Ariadne’s world. The pacing is impeccable, with each twist and turn keeping you on the edge of your seat. Dark Restraint is a must-read for fans of dark romance, offering a blend of thrilling suspense and steamy romance that will leave you breathless.

Overall, Dark Restraint is a compelling and addictive read. Kate Roberts has crafted a story that will linger in your mind long after the final page. If you’re looking for a romance that’s both intense and beautifully written, this book is an excellent choice.

Ariadne betrayed her father and is now at the mercy of the elite of Olympus. To keep herself in their good graces, she agrees to marry Dionysus. The Minotaur has always known that he and Ariadne belong together, and now he'll do anything to prove it to her, to make her see what he already knows.

Dark Restraint is the seventh book in the Dark Olympus series, so the political intrigue has been building towards the events in this book for a while. Because of this, this is a pretty plot-heavy book, which unfortunately wasn't what I wanted to read right now. The cast of characters is getting to be a lot to balance, and I don't love how the Minotaur acted - I'm not a fan of gratuitous violence, and he isn't afraid to murder anyone for any reason. If you're in this series for the plot as much as the spice and romance, you're going to love this. My library will definitely be purchasing to continue the series, and we'll be recommending it to those who want to complete the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Katee Robert for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you're all in on the Dark Olympus series- then there's really no review to write- you're in. You're going to read this book. It's required reading in the series.

I enjoyed this installment in the series. Especially after Cassandra & Apollo's story where we met Minos' "family" -this was another inside look at what Minos' rule had done to his people. The ending perfectly lead us into the next book, Sweet Obsession- featuring Icarus and Poseidon.

I'm not as intensely interested in the political narrative of this series as I think I would need to be for it to be a slam dunk for me, but Robert is obviously smart and daring. Love to see an abortion included in a romance and think that Robert is a trailblazer as far as not assuming gender goes--while a lot of queer-inclusive works will have nonbinary characters, Robert uses they/them pronouns to broadly disavow assuming anyone's gender, down to minor characters. She's miles ahead of the game on that.

e-arc provided by Netgalley

I would say this isn't the best in the series, there was a lot of overarching plot for the ongoing conflict that's connected to the rest of the books in the series although I will say that it felt like we kept going around and around in circles the whole book. I liked the romance even though it didn't feel as prominent in this one.