Just when I thought this series couldn’t get any better, Robert hits it out of the park. Dark Restraint might just be my new favorite. Not only did I love the dynamic between Ariadne and the Minotaur, but I think this book furthered the overarching series plot the most. A lot of the questions I had from previous books were answered, yet there were still enough mysteries left to keep me intrigued. I am looking forward to seeing what the last few books bring!

As in the previous books in the series, this is basically an episode in the long saga of Dark Olympus. Picking up where the we left off in the previous book, Ariadne has just arrived at Olympus after striking a deal with Aphrodite, only to find that it's Hera pulling all the strings. The Minotaur is not happy she left without telling him she was leaving and he is dead set on getting her back. 

This "it's always been you" chapter in the series focus on their romance, but it feels it took forever for the events referring to the "bigger" story to kick in. Let's wait and see what happens now. I am invested!

Narrated by the amazing Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock, this is a a great audio experience. 

Thanks, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook. 

Rep: as in all books in the series, everyone is queer

Content notes (added by author): abortion (off-page, historical), elements of dubious consent, nonconsensual drugging, biting without prior negotiation/conversation, guns, violence, blood, child abuse, and assault (historical, off-page, referenced briefly).

Excellent addition to this series! I cannot quit reading about the world inside of Olympus and I don't intend to even try. This book did great work in furthering the entire plot for all the characters which was great for building anticipation. Bonus points for another curvy FMC!

As soon as I saw this pop up on Netgalley I knew I had to have it. Because her books are always so good and they get me out of slumps. But this one was just ok? Idk. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Ariadne and the Minotaur.

Being honest, I’m not a huge fan of the actual legend itself, so maybe me not fully liking this was my own doing? I went into this thinking it would be the same and I was prepping myself for not liking it before I even started. Come to find out, it was a very loose retelling anyway. But unfortunately it still wasn’t what I was looking for.

The reason behind it I think was the world-building. I wanted so much more out of the world building. Like I wanted to be able to tell you what the minotaur looked like. Was he all man and that was just a nickname? Was he REALLY a minotaur? She wasn’t very clear about all of this. I mean I think I just wanted her to do some more showing vs telling. All of them have been the same way lately. Nothing at all like the beginning of this series.

The plot of this was just ok. Again, they spent the whole time running because this was the maze story. The politics were great, but other than that? I just wasn’t intrigued. Idk it just didn’t hook me other than that lol

Their relationship was ok, but I wasn’t completely sold. It was mostly her saying she doesn’t like him and cussing him out but in the same breath, they got down to business lol Idk, that’s weird to me. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again…… I’m a Scorpio. This is too hard for me to do lol But basically, I didn’t hate it, but it was ok.

Idk I wasn’t exactly a fan of this one, but I still have so much love for this series. I really can’t wait to see more from Katee. I know this isn’t the end, so I can’t wait to see who’s next. Maybe I’ll like that myth more.

As usual, very sexy, very fun, and left me eager for the next installment. I love how Katee perfectly balances spice with plot in this series. I’m always eager for each new story and the relationships that go with it.

2.5 ⭐️ My second least favorite in the series next to Radiant Sin. I’m very ready for this series to come to its conclusion cause while I do love KR, the series isn’t as consistently good as it was at the beginning. Am I gonna read the last 3 books? Yes. I’m so much more invested in the plot and the political intrigue at this point but the romances are a little on the dry side now. I wasn’t feeling either Ariadne or Minotaur. I was just waiting for their story to be over and reading for the overarching lore, which is quite the disappointment since Ariadne as a character had so much potential. Hermes tho?!? EXCUSE ME. Please. I need that book immediately.

Let me just start by saying that this is the newest edition in a fairly long series, however Katee Robert always does such a spectacular job at her interconnected standalones! At the beginning of the year I become completely and totally obsessed with this series. I have always loved Greek Mythology and these retellings have had me in a chokehold. Towards the more recent editions in this series, I have felt like they may have been lacking in certain areas. I was truly hesitant to even continue the series with this ARC but it was SO good!

I really enjoyed this installment and connected with the female main character. I love when there is plus size representation in books and Araidne was such an enjoyable character to go through this story with. I always loved the narrators, they were perfect for the characters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Dreamscape media for this audiobook arc!

I listened To this installment of the Olympus series on audio. I loved The series but I hate Saying this one fell a little short for me in comparison to the others. The story of Ariadne and Minotaur was an unlikely pairing and I did enjoy their story and the spice. The plot itself was good as well. There is nothing I didnt Enjoy about the book, it’s definitely worth reading , it just wasn’t my favorite in the series. As always Robert’s writing was superb and her ability to retell Greek mythology does not disappoint.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this latest installment in the Dark Olympus series. In terms of characters and central love story, I can say confidently that it wasn't my favorite (it might even be my least favorite), but I really liked the development of the larger storyline, so I'm torn.

I have really enjoyed the snippets we've gotten of Ariadne up to this point. The Minotaur? Meh. Before this book, I didn't think much of him, but boy did I dislike being in his POV. Fans of the more possessive, "touch her and I'll kill you" vibe will likely enjoy this way more than I did. Sadly, I am not a fan.

The sex scenes were solid and there were some nice moments here and there, but I found myself largely tuning out their interactions unless it involved the political plot. My favorite scenes in this were ones that had nothing to do with Ariadne and the Minotaur's relationship. And that's an odd experience to have when reading a romance novel.

I will say, this got me pumped for the Icarus and Poseidon book. I found Icarus a little annoying throughout most of Dark Restraint but then that snippet at the end got me! I'm raring and ready to go.

3/5 ⭐️
Spiciness: 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the opportunity to review this ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the overarching themes and politics of this book. Wicked Beauty (book 3) absolutely stole my heart so I was really excited to read this book. I am a huge fan of Greek retellings and love my smut, so I anticipated loving this book. If I am honest, I did not love the Minotaur and Ariadne as a couple.

Can this book be read as a stand alone?? I would recommend against it. There is so much referenced from prior books that I think you would miss a lot if you read it without reading the prior books. I read the first 4, but haven’t read the other couple prior to reading this book. I was expecting more of the initial relationship to be focused on, but so much in this book talked about “what happened before in the maze” or “when they met years ago.” I really wanted to see more progression in the relationship itself, so I had a little trouble really getting into this relationship as much as I wanted. I just felt like I wanted more from the romance angle.

I did like a lot of the overall plot in this story. It definitely moved the story along, and I am excited for more Hermes. She has been one of my favorite characters from the get go and I am so excited to see where that goes. Dionysus and Hera were also really intriguing characters, so I am curious to see more about where their stories lead.

I enjoyed the narrators overall. I feel they did a good job with expressing the characters throughout the story.

Keeping this one short and sweet:
>> ❤️ What I loved: Here for the plot development in the Dark Olympus series—things are happening! I am so invested 😂 I listened to the audio for this one, and the narrators were also great.
>> 💔 What I didn’t love: For me personally, almost 0% interest in the relationship on this one, sorry 😬

Read this if you’re invested in the Dark Olympus series like I am—can’t wait for Sweet Obsession (which strikes me as a better name for this book, I digress) because I have faith that both plot and romance will be on point for that one.

**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 (3-3.5)**

**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers**
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Katee Robert, and Dreamscape Media, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

As always the Dark Olympus series hits and the audio to Dark Restraint was just amazing! Ariadne and the Minotaur have given Psyche and Eros a run for being the best couple in the series, they were incredible. The journey is intense and just hits in the all the right places and the spice always add that extra thing to the story. I really enjoyed this and I'm slowly coming along with audiobooks and this one hits!

Dark Restraint* by Katee Robert delivers on its promise of a scorching, modern retelling of Ariadne and the Minotaur. The intense dynamic between Ariadne and the Minotaur is both captivating and unsettling. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between desire and danger keeps the story engaging. While gripping, the plot felt somewhat predictable at times, and I wished for more depth in the character's characters development. Ariadne's internal struggle and the Minotaur's relentless pursuit are intriguing, but the story could have benefited from more exploration of their motivations. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging while others felt rushed. It's an enjoyable read for those who love dark, intense romance, but it didn't fully resonate with me.

Lesser well know characters of Greek mythology in a new spicy romance. This book is a fabulous continuation of the series and I can't wait to recommend to my young adult readers!

I have been loving this series and all of the characters in the books. However, I was not drawn to this couple like the others in the series. As always Katee Robert knows how to write the steamy scenes though! Overall, loved the side characters, politics and smut but the relationship didn't captivate me.

I’ve been reading the Dark Olympus series since the beginning and I was super looking forward to this installment. The tension and history between Ariadne and the Minotaur was something I have been chomping at the bit for and it did not disappoint.
.
While we unfortunately see some of the fall backs to the male characterization of “I’m such a monster, they’re so perfect, I don’t deserve them, but I’m going to have them anyway” - which at this point in the series is incredibly stale, the pre-existing relationship between Ariadne and the Minotaur actually brought a freshness to this series that was desperately needed. I’m also a sucker for friends to lovers too, so you’ll have no complaints from me.

We’re also finally seeing some of the pay offs for all the political moving that has been going on in the background of all the previous stories and it was very satisfying to see plans finally set into motion, even as Ariadne and the Minotaur were very much trying to GTFO.

As always Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock do an excellent job with the material and I can recommend the audiobooks for the entire series if anyone is considering picking it up.

This book has me hyped for the endgame - and there are just 3 more books left - what’s it going to all come down to?

Hisses & Kisses 🐍

*I received an audioARC from Dreamscape Media & NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

I’m a big fan of this series and this one did NOT disappoint! Between the spicy scenes and the danger and instability of the city there was always something to move the plot along. I love when a hard hero is brought to his knees by the heroine. This was definitely the case with Minotaur. I also enjoyed seeing Hermes again! This one was well written with amazing conflict and that feeling of never knowing what comes next. Huge thanks to Dreamscape media and Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this book!

The seventh book in Katee Robert's Dark Olympus romantasy series delivered on all the hot sex and cutthroat Greek political machinations in this Ariadne and Minotaur romance. Not a story I was very familiar with, this retelling was well done, entertaining and good on audio. Highly recommended if you liked the other books in this series! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I am SUCH a fan of the Dark Olympus series and have enjoyed diving into this world through audio. Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock are back as narrators and they made it easy to dive into Dark Restraint and pick up right where the previous book, Midnight Ruin, left off.

Katee Robert has a way of writing characters who are all at once strong, fierce and vulnerable. I loved the relationship between Ariadne and the Minotaur. Though she lacked life experience, Ariadne had such a great head on her shoulders and was able to articulate what she needed in life. She made difficult decisions with confidence and gave herself the space she needed to grieve when needed.

The plot did not disappoint and there was action in almost every chapter. Readers won't have to wait long for the spice or suspense to hit.
Dark Restraint ended on a cliffhanger and I am SO excited for the next release in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Katee Robert for an early listening copy. These are my honest thoughts.

I will admit I struggled with this narrators accent. I ended up getting a copy of the ebook and after a few chapters of parallel reading was able to switch to just the audio.
Dark Restraint is a total rollercoaster! Katee Robert takes the classic Ariadne and Minotaur story and turns it on its head. Ariadne is a badass and Asterion is... well, he's a complicated mess. Their forbidden love is scorching hot and the tension between them is off the charts.
The book is super steamy, so if you're not here for some very open door stuff, maybe skip a few chapters. But if you're into that kind of thing, this book delivers. The plot twists and turns, and I was hooked from start to finish.
If you're a fan of dark romance and Greek mythology, you need to read this. Just be prepared for some seriously intense stuff.