3.5 stars
Dark Restraint really is delivering when it comes to the bigger picture/plot.
Katee Roberts gave us some delicious smut but gave us the juiciness of gossip, bigger plans and more hints and scandalous betrayals and that is what I am living for. I looking forward to the big fallout of this whole and how it will affect the characters and this world in the end.

Ariadne & Icarus sibling was such a sweet gem that I wasn't expected. They love each other so much and they are willing to sacrifice themselves for each other. I love this relationship.
While I enjoyed quite a lot of Ariadne & the Minotaur, I found that the key of her character was wanting to be free and have open choice and not feel caged and the Minotaur contradicted that quite a lot, which bothered me. I'm not for that in a romance and it's while I loved quite a lot of moments between them, it left a distaste in my mouth.
ALSO LOVE THE PRO-CHOICE <3

I adore Zara Hampton-Brown in all the audiobooks for this series, I just think that they add that unique charm to each female character and I will always be a fan of their performance. I love Alex Moorcock, they always give a great performance but I will admit that this is the one character I didn't see that they were the best fit for the voice. I think that I imagine a more rough and gruff voice, that's all.

Once again I have to say this, I EAT ANY AND ALL CRUMBS when it comes to Hera, Zeus or them together! I cannot wait for book 9!

Katee Robert’s has a way of just sucking you into her words this is an amazing installment to her dark Olympus series and also can we talk about the representation katee just gets it when it comes to what her readers want and this did not disappoint

Katee’s latest installment in the Dark Olympus series is a thrilling ride that keeps readers on the edge of their seats! One of the standout features of this book is the characters they create and their relationships. Katee masterfully expands on characters we've encountered in previous books, many of whom we may not have loved initially. By delving deeper into their motivations and backgrounds, they makes us root for them in unexpected ways. It’s a testament to their skill as a writer that they can transform our perceptions and create empathy for even the most unlikely figures. This is especially true for the Minotaur, and I love how much we got to learn about his past and what makes him tick. The story also featured larger side character story lines for Dionysus and Ariadne’s brother, Icarus, making it clear that they will play leading roles in future books.

As always, the spicy scenes are hot and well-crafted, adding an extra layer of excitement to the narrative. They seamlessly weave into the plot without feeling forced, enhancing the character dynamics and emotional stakes. These two have had it bad for each other for so long, as we right off the bat got some spice!

The plot itself is quick-paced and engaging, filled with new twists and turns that keep the momentum going. With each book, we delve deeper into the intricacies of Olympus, uncovering more about its political landscape and the secrets that lie within. The pacing is expertly managed, making it impossible to put the book down. I find myself eagerly anticipating what will happen next!

If you’re looking for a captivating mix of action, spice, and political intrigue, this book is a must-read. Katee has once again delivered an enthralling story that will leave you breathless and hungry for more. Don’t miss out on this fantastic addition to the series!

The audio of this book was expertly done. Katee has picked some fantastic narrators, so if you're into audiobooks, I definitely recommend doing this series on audio!

The continuing saga of Robert's Dark Olympus, this time starring Ariadne and the Minotaur. Well, his name is Estyrian but he's seen as a monster who works for Ariadne's father, Minos. Circe is coming to wage war on New Athens and Ariadne refuses to be a pawn for her father any longer. She makes a deal with the Olympians and agrees to marry Dionysus, but her heart belongs to the Minotaur.
Will they be able to be together and forge their own life? Delightfully told in both voices by veteran actors, Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock. These books should be read in order so that the continuity of the story isn't lost.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio e-arc.*

After reading and loving the first 6 books in the series, I jumped at the chance to review book 7 in the Dark Olympus Series: Dark Restraint! I love that the series is a modern take on Greek mythology with the gods names being titles that are either inherited, bestowed by the prior title holder, or voted in by the people. Each story is it's own romance, where certain characters fall in love while trying to navigate the powerful, but often toxic world of the Olympic elite.

The prior 6 books contained a lot of rumor and intrigue around a plot to remove these elite from power. This book continues that plot line with the story of Ariadne, daughter of one of the major anti-Olympus plotters, and the Minotaur, an orphan that said plotter trained from a young age to be his enforcer.

I loved how this book moved the plot along, but I couldn't really get behind this pairing the way I have for the prior books. Both characters have been traumatized and abused for most of their lives and they bring that trauma into what seems like an unhealthy relationship. Ariadne is intelligent, but lacks confidence. She finally starts to take control of her life, but the Minotaur barrels in and becomes very controlling. It's all done under the guise of wanting to "protect" her, since he has loved her since the day he met her. I was really rooting for Ariadne to come into her own, so I thought this dynamic was anti-climatic.

Aside from that, I'm excited to read the next book in the series to see how the plot thickens and how other characters develop.

*I received a copy from Netgalley*

I love Dark Olympus. It’s one of my favourite series, and Katee Robert is a favourite author of all time. I looked at a few reviews before reading this, and people were let down. They weren’t that good from what I was seeing, and there were a few positive reviews. I was a little nervous going into this one because of the very clearly divided reviews, but I really enjoyed this one.

I’m not going to lie, Minos and his entire group pissed me off right from the start when they showed up in Wicked Beauty, but in Cruel Seduction I eventually didn’t mind Theseus. This one? I already really liked Ariadne, but I wasn’t sold on The Minotaur. He seemed like a massive bully, and the type of romantic partner I wouldn’t trust. However, getting his POV changed things for me. I really did enjoy his POV, but Ariadne was great.

This is definitely my least favourite in the series so far, but yet I still enjoyed it so much it’s getting a 4 star rating. All the other books have been 5 stars, because I absolutely loved them, but this one wasn’t on the same levels as the others.

The narrators, as usual, are so good! I love their voices together, and I’m very excited for more from them in the rest of the series!

I’m so incredibly looking forward to Sweet Obsession. I loved seeing more of Icarus in this book, and I am SO EXCITED to finally see Poseidon in a full book. The previous books, he’s mentioned and only shows up a few times, so I’m SO ready to see him in his full glory.

Overall, this was a good addition to the series, and it’s a heavy turning point for the last 3 books that I’m so interested in seeing where Katee Robert is taking this series.

The Dark Olympus series from Katee Robert continues with Dark Restraint, and Dark is the name of the game for this one. The series features every kind of couple you could imagine, and every theme and trope is represented in one way or another. While each book focuses on different love interests, there is an overarching storyline that ties them all together. In Dark Restraint, that story is really starting to ramp up, so you cannot skip this one! However, Ariadne and Asterion were not my favorite pairing of the series. The vibes between the two are very dark, and while this book may not be exactly the perfect definition of dubcon, it was dubious enough for me to know that its not for me. Most of these books feature brilliant femmes that can hold their own, but Ariadne seemed glad to step aside and let others control the situation throughout. The Minotaur was brutal with everyone, including his lover. The way he spoke down to her and appeared threatening to her safety was... intense, and not my cup of tea. BUT! It might very well be yours! All that said, I recommend the series as a whole and will be continuing with it. Thank you very much for the ALC of Dark Restraint, which publishes on August 6.

Eh, so, I didn't read 4, 5, or 6 in the series, and a lot of world plot has happened between Wocked Beauty and this book. I didn't really care about the politics si it felt too time consuming to me. I also don't know if our H/h had page time in books 4, 5 and 6. I have to assume so bc their arc didn't feel like an emotional arc to me. It felt like reading Marrying Winterbourne without knowing Helen and Rhys's interactions in Cold Hearted Rake. You're just, missing something. I am however pretty invested in Icarcus and will follow the series from this point.

The narrators were great, but I dont know if the female narrator made the Heroine come across as whiney self pity, or if that is how she is just written. Either way, narrators were great, characters were blah.

As always, these narrators are top notch and some of my favorites. They are totally voices that I associate with this series!

OKAY. So. I was super excited going into this one. And overall, it didn't disappoint. BUT I think it's getting harder and harder the further we get into this series. The plot isn't necessarily too complex or difficult, it's more that there wasn't enough to hold my interest at times.

Did I enjoy it? Yup! Would I recommend this/this series? obviously. Especially for anyone with an interest in mythology.

Thank you Netgalley, Author, and Publisher for the Audio ARC!

Katee Robert always gets me out of a reading slump. Always. This is a forbidden romance, it's spicy, and there is a plot. This is apart of the Dark Olympus series so we have a Greek retelling as well. And I kid you not, there is spice within the first two chapters, starting off strong with the lust. But don't let that fool you, there is also a plot. The FMC's father is trying to set her in an arranged marriage, but she has only eyes for the MMC. And the MMC, being the trained assassin that he is, really goes to prove how deep his love goes for the FMC.

I am so excited to see where the next adventure of this series goes!

What happens in Olympus stays in Olympus…. But maybe not anymore…. 👀👀👀

I received an ALC copy from netgalley and the dreamscape media team! I have listened to this entire series on audio and I really enjoy the narrators and production.

We are deep into the Olympus world at this point and politics and this book really felt like the plot was pushing us into a big change in the series. All the buildup has me very excited for the next in this series.

The romance in this book didn’t hit for me as much as the other books. I don’t have a huge connection to them being anymore than casual obsession. I did enjoy his slightly stalker vibes, possessive streak, and noticing details about the FMC. They seem to bond mostly over similar trauma upbringing with lust in their eyes and childhood memories. As always I need a little more on the romance side for deep connection but I’m still having a good time just surface level emotions for the romance!

Overall I had a great time reading this and I’m so interested for what will happen in the dark Olympus world next.

Hermes and Icarus have me so intrigued!!!

This series has become my entire personality and honestly, Katee Robert can do no wrong in my eyes. This absolutely lived up to my high expectations but just fell a little flatter than some of the others in the series. Had I not already been a huge fan of the Dark Olympus series, and read this as a standalone it may have been 5 Stars but it just didn't quite live up to Electric Idol or Wicked Beauty but was still a solid read.

I've said it in some of my other reviews of this series, but the Plus Size representation is so important to me and I'm so happy that Katee didn't just do it in one of these books, but I think this is the third in the series that has had a plus size FMC and I just love her for that.

Okay I'm ready for Sweet Obsession now <3

When I saw who this book was about I was so excited, plus the tropes made the book sound interesting.

I am weak for the hero who is only soft for her and that's the romance we have here. I liked the romance between the two. It's a bit dark at times, I would definitely say this is the darkest book in the series so far, but I still enjoyed it. Katee Robert always delivers on kinky spice! The spicy scenes were really good.

This book also moved the series plot along quite nicely. A lot plot-wise happens and it does a good job building up the next book. I also liked how the heroine's abortion was handled in the book. I thought the author did a good job with that topic.

Narrators did an awesome job.

Tropes:
Dark Olympus retelling
Ariadne and the Minotaur
Forbidden romance

I felt like this book was less about the couple/romance and more about the developing plot. Which I did enjoy, the plot thickens!! But I didn’t feel super connected to the couple.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.

I have to say that I think this one might be my favourite of the series so far. Ariadne and The Minotaur are victims of their circumstances, both of them subject to Minos' whims.
I admired that Ariadne had the strength to break free from her father's hold, even though it meant the her life was in danger after she had done so.
The Minotaur playing loyal soldier whilst making plans to whisk Ariadne away from Olympus after the barrier fell and all hell broke loose made me cheer ( he's still very much a morally grey character though).
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, it was definitely action packed and I really liked that.

It's hard for me to rate this audiobook. I love Katee Roberts books, and I do like her Dark Olympus series. However, I didn't like the narration for this book. I can be really picky when it comes to narrators, and I tried to listen to this audiobook, but after a couple of hours I couldn't do it anymore. I've never listened to the Dark Olympus series on audiobook, so when the novel comes out, I'm going to read it instead. I did like the story, so I won't give up on reading it. Just the audiobook option wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the audiobook ARC!

Great addition to the Dark Olympus series! Katee always gives a great balance of plot and absolutely hot spice. I enjoyed this plot with the forbidden love and political scheming. The narrator’s gave a fantasy performance of both male and female characters, even though the word “mine-o-tar” bugged the daylights out of my American accent. Great read!

3.5 stars rounded up

This is a complicated review for me because I enjoyed the overall story, I loved the continuation of the story as the series, I thought the pacing was great, and the writing was amazing, but I hated this couple. Their dynamic felt like that toxic high school couple that shouldn't be together because they are terrible for each other, and then she finally moves on and swears she is done with him, but continues to hook up with him behind her friends backs. I didn't want them to end up together. They also had very little chemistry and so that made the spice not work for me either (which is strange because I normally LOVE Katee's spice).

Obviously if you have made it this far in this series I recommend this book. It does a really great job of moving the overall plot of the series forward and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I did listen to an advance copy of the audiobook. It is the same narrators and style of narration as the rest of this series and I really love how the audiobooks have been done.

I enjoyed how this book progressed the overall plot of the series, but I wasn't a huge fan of the central couple of this book.

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!
The audiobook was great!