Content:

I love this story. This is the perfect example on how a historical setting can amp up the chemistry and romance. These are two lonely people who are thrown together in a bit of a meet cute but have so much mutual respect for each other it really develops into a friends to lovers situation. Their building intimacy and trust is just so beautiful. There are interesting side plots to this as well with some mystery surrounding the MMC which did add some angst.

Narration:

Full honesty at 1x I do not like the voice and intonation of this narrator. This is VERY 2x friendly though. At 1x there is something a bit too sassy about this narrator. I understand this isn't in first POV but it is just so different from the mostly sweet and cozy story and not the personality of the FMC. But again, sped up the pitch also gets higher and there's less perceived emphasis on those kinds of things.

I absolutely recommend this for the content. It is a story that has stuck with me. Thank you to Blackstone Audio for the ALC!

I’ve never seen a retelling of the Hades and Persephone set in a regency historical. It was really interesting to see how the two were combined. It also sets up possibilities for more books in a series with the supporting characters.

However, I found the secret it all built to very anticlimactic and could have been done differently. It also felt like many events that help further the plot were too coincidental and felt like they didn’t blend as well with the story over all as the others.

I also have mixed feelings about the fourth wall breaking with the characters talking about the Hades and Persephone myth.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

Ok soo I couldn’t finish this! Not be of the story but because of the narrator. I actually have a physical copy so I will be reading it that way.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

THE TEMPLE OF PERSEPHONE is a charming, light historical romance that combines some of the best elements of Classic Mythology and Regency-era Romances. It's passionate (read: spicy) while never delving too deeply into larger issues, meaning it was a quick little audiobook listen that didn't require too much thought.

Like other reviewers here, I was certainly confused about the character's reactions to Aidon's secret <spoiler>and I would have probably enjoyed it more if instead of "rebranding" his funeral services for illegitimate children, Persephone and Aidon had created their own little Elysium for the cast aside children</spoiler>, and felt like Kamal leaned too heavily on it to cause some final act strife.

Overall, PERSEPHONE was a solid, and enthusiastic, start as Kamal's historical debut.

Interesting premise for a historical romance, for me. Using some of the premises of Hades/Persephone.

I actually liked the pacing and romance in this book. I do think it was a bit long and some of the outside people that played into the conflict were too much, but I recommend this for a filler book.

I got an alc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a fun historical romance romp! With my favorite trope thats works so well in historical romance - marriage of convenience (to avoid scandal!). Persephone was an interesting character - I really felt for her and her lack of confidence based on societal norms and expectations. I did think her character arc was a little slow, but appreciated the growth that she showed throughout the story. Aiden was nuanced in a unique way - the Lord of the Dead storyline gave him an extra layer that contributed to his character arc.

There are also some really engaging side characters in this story. Persephone/Aiden's friends who ended up together became an integral part of the story and I thought tying their 'secrets' in to the MCs relationship was interesting and helped to tied the story together. I thought the characters were really compelling and I was drawn to the story overall. The MCs relationship development was well done. I appreciated that each MC had their own POV within the story. This is a very well crafted debut novel!

Overall the narration was well done. There were a few points where I felt that the narrator came across as a bit monotone in their style of delivery which was enough to make me take notice but didn't completely detract from the story as a whole. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ALC to read.

The Temple of Persephone by Isabella Kamal is a historical romance and the author's debut.

The audiobook is narrated by Susan Duerden, and she does a fabulous job with our dual points of view.

After a fast marriage due to getting caught in a slightly scandalous position, Persephone and Aidon begin the process of getting to know one another. Persephone inherited a love for mythology from her late mother, and Aidon works in the funerary field (his nickname is "the Lord of the Dead").

Aidon's older brother, who declined to take on the family business, is kind of a big creep but I was glad to see how much Persephone stands up for herself. I identified with her a lot.

Her chemistry with Aidon is great and the book gets pretty steamy at times (with several scenes focusing on Persephone and her pleasure). I was glad to see explicit and enthusiastic consent throughout.

I was glad to see this book ended with a hook for a book following Persephone's younger sister, Venus. I look forward to reading that in the future!

If you're a fan of Regency romance or Greek mythology you should give this one a try.

Tropes in this book include: regency, folklore, bluestocking, marriage of convenience, slow burn, open door

This is a review for the audiobook version. So first and foremost, I want to talk about what a fantastic job Susan Duerden did narrating this book. Her voice was a perfect fit and really brought the story to life. I loved every minute of listening to her wonderful narration.

The book itself was a quick and easy read. It's a Regency retelling of Hades and Persephone, and Isabella Kamal puts a wonderful spin on it. I loved Persephone! She was a strong character who knew her own mind. Aidon was reserved but lovable deep down. I thought their chemistry was great, and the book had a good amount of spice.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and definitely look forward to more to come from this author.

Thank you, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley, for allowing me an ARC of this audiobook for review. Opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed the writing here and am excited to see what Isabella Kamal does next. Ultimately this is a pretty simple historical romance with very little external plot (that's not a criticism). I was pleasantly surprised by the spice in the book! There's not a ton but the scenes we get are really well thought out and included face sitting and a bath (two favorites of mine)!

I've had a streak lately of reading some historical romances that haven't lived up to my expectations - this was the best out of the bunch even though I didn't love it or was particularly compelled by it.

I enjoyed the narration by Susan Deurden, who I had not listened to previously. I think her voices for the characters were subtly distinct. I did find that I wasn't able to speed up to my typical 2.5x speed, but I was comfortable listening at 2x.

Thank you to Blackstone Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I did not like the narrator at all and found it very difficult to get through this audiobook. I was unable to finish the book because of it so cannot note on the book itself.

A different take on Hades and Persephones story.

Aiden runs a funeral business, but also has a secretive and lucrative side business that is eating at his soul. However, in his effort to prove his mettle to his father even after he isbdesd, he does not give up the business.

A chance meeting with Persephone at his country estate leads to a marriage.
Slowly the couple get to know each other and develop deep feelings.

A well written book. I listened to the audio version and it was well done.

This review is for the audiobook of The Temple of Persephone by Isabella Kamal, read by Susan Duerden. I was impressed by this debut. Persephone Honeyfield suddenly finds herself married to former rake Aiden Barrington after they are discovered in a compromising position. The marriage starts out slowly and they are very wary of each other initially. I'm glad they got to know each other first. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and I love to see how the author can take two people who are complete strangers and bring them together happily. The Great Misunderstanding went on just a little too long and of course we find out that Aiden is really a great guy and doesn't deserve the malicious gossip spread about him. The narrator did an excellent job of male and female voices but there is something about her delivery. It's very monotone. I look forward to reading her sister Venus' story.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Thank you @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for the audiobook of The Temple of Persephone by @isabellakamalauthornin exchange for an honest review! I was just so excited to receive this title, I wanted to share my thoughts!

🎧🎧 Book Review 🎧🎧 The Temple of Persephone is a beautifully written and narrated historical fiction novel. It is an absolute perfect marriage of the Regency era with Greek and Roman mythology! Persephone Honeyfield and her sister, Venus, have been raised in the love and light of mythology (obviously) and have arrived at marriage age with the expectations that accompany that. Parallel siblings are Aidon and Cassius Barrington, who also face the expectations of being sons of a recently deceased father and Aidon is the one to take the helm of the funeral business. What is remarkable is that while the book spans themes found in Greek/Roman mythology and the Regency era, they can be found in our society today, reminding us of the universality of the human experience. An absolutely endearing and wonderful read!

Review is on Goodreads and will be on Instagram soon!

I promise I like regency type books, but this really felt like it was struggling between trying to be sweet or spicy.

I was hoping that this would be more of a retelling set in the Regency period. Instead, it is a story where the main character's mom loved Greek mythology and named her daughters after a Greek goddess. The writing was well done, and the reader was amazing, I just felt like the description promised more than it delivered.

For some reason, the narration felt off to me. It sounded like I was listening to a show, if that makes any sense.

Oh this was a joy to read. As someone obsessed with greek mythology, specifically the Hades/Persephone myth, I thought this was such a fun way to include hints of the tale in a new and interesting way. This was a slow burn with a satisfying pay off as we watch the characters come to love and understand each other after they marry. With the background mystery it kept me wanting to read to find out just what the Lord of Darkness's secrets were.

This book gave me total Bridgerton vibes!

Persephone Honeyfield lives in the English countryside with her sister and father and is well on her way to becoming a spinster. She finds herself in Gallowsgate, looking for a book of her mother’s. Gallowsgate is the Barrington estate, and Persephone thought it was abandoned, so she is startled when she finds Aidon Barrington there! Aidon is running his family’s funeral furnishing business and is known as the Lord of the Dead. He and Persepone are caught in a compromising, but innocent position, and are forced to become engaged. As they learn about each other through marriage, Persephone starts uncovering secrets, and falling for the Lord of the Dead.

The Temple of Persephone is a light and easy read. It’s a great story, with mystery, romance, and even some spice! I love Persephone’s character - she’s a strong woman who speaks her mind. Aidon is broody and reserved. I thought his secret was pretty anticlimactic, but still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I listened to the audio and really enjoyed the narrator. Her voice fit the story incredibly well and helped me become more immersed in the story.

Former charmer Aidon agrees to marry Persephone to silence village gossip. As she settles into married life, she’s drawn to his quiet kindness, even as rumors circulate about him. As she uncovers the truth behind the whispers, has she already given her heart to a man she hardly knows?

I love the fun characters and deep emotion of this debut novel. Loosely based on the Persephone myth, the plot is clever and engaging. I enjoyed the audiobook narration. I look forward to more from this author.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Temple of Persephone by Isabella Kamal and narrated by Susan Deurden has a great premise.crossing Greek Mythology and Regency romance. Let me preface to sasy I was incredibly excited to listen to this audiobook based on the synopsis and I was thrilled to get the opportunity to listen to an ALC

However, I am going to need to read it as a physical book as the audiobook just doesn't gel with my tastes. The narrator is highly skilled, the writing is great, but I am sorry to say that to me, it sounds like a movie trailer or a voiceover for a reality show. The narration style just doesn't work with this audiobook for my tastes

This is no shade to either writer or narrator, it's just not working for me on this occasion (and that is very, very rare)

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, the author Isabella Kamal and narrator Susan Deurden for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. y review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own