The writing is, as always, amazing and continued wonderful world building and character development but I’m really struggling to keep reading because I’m not sure where the story is going or where it’s supposed to go or if I even want to hang on for the ride?

Thank you to NetGalley for this providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Greek mythology retellings and while this is not a strict retelling (or at all accurate), I still enjoy this series.

I feel like the side plot has really taken a front seat at this point in the series. The last couple of books seem less romance focused than the first few. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but I feel like if this was the intended structure of the series then it may have been better to have longer books that focused on multiple couples and the plot to over throw the city.

I liked Icarus and Poseidon individually but the relationship felt a little rushed to me. They jumped into bed really quickly and there was no real hang up on loyalties which I would have expected more of. Even if they just started doing the deed early and then figured out loyalties later at least it would have been a conversation but they really got past it quickly…

The main plot with the city definitely held more of my attention and I enjoyed it more than previous books in the series. In previous books I could not pay attention as much to it and focus on the couple but it kinda flipped in this book for me. The coup was a really cool idea and it was fun seeing the big three working together. I will say that the main climax of the boat heist was so exciting and then fell so flat. I understand that there’s two more books in the series but we are really dragging this out… I can’t imagine what the heck is gonna happen in the next two books because it feels like the plot moved so slow in the first couple of books but now that it’s picked up it doesn’t feel like we have enough to keep reads entertained…

This book on its own was good and entertaining but I’m wondering if the next book is going to be anticlimactic too just so we can get to the last book where it all comes together…

3/5 stars

Characters: Poseidon (MMC) & Icarus (MMC)

Note: this is the 8th book in the Olympus Series!!

The story follows, Poseidon as he has taken Icarus as captive, and the barrier protecting Olympus has fallen. With war on the horizon, the Thirteen need to figure out where their priorities are. This war has been building I swear from book 1 and when it finally explodes, it’s going to be huge!

I love that Poseidon is secretly a big softy with the biggest heart. Poseidon is a protector, through and through. I liked seeing a different more careful side of him behind closed doors. Icarus, is more rough around the edges and has used his “abilities” to get what he’s wanted in the past. Definitely, a redemption story of Icarus’s character.

Katee Robert continues to masterfully write their spicy scenes with consent and respect.

Sweet Obsession picks up directly after the conclusion of Dark Restraint, requiring readers to be familiar with the preceding title in order to grasp the current situation and the evolution of main characters.

Solid 4 stars for Sweet Obsession.

When this book title says Sweet, it means sweet. I think this is the sweetest coziest love story I've seen Katee Robert write (and in Olympus, no less!). It was great. I loved the relationship between Poseidon and Icarus. Poseidon's outward calm soothing Icarus but Icarus also steadying the raging chaos inside Poseidon? I love it. As a person that struggles very much with internal anxiety, I felt that to my core.

I do wish we'd had a little more time with the two. It felt like this book was a build up for Hera/Zeus and Hermes and starting to tie up the overall ending, with a sweet little love story thrown in. I think this book happened over the course of 4-5 days?? I know insta-love but even this was pushing it for me. Not knocking it for that, it was true love story and I soaked up every iota of it.

Icarus and Poseidon have outdone themselves in this one. I love every book in this series and it is worth every page.

I’ve been invested in the Dark Olympus series from the start, and Sweet Obsession was a book I was eagerly anticipating. After the intensity of Dark Restraint, I was curious to see how the power dynamics would shift in Olympus, and I have to say, this book delivered in unexpected ways.

Icarus and Poseidon were a pairing I didn’t see coming, but once they were on the page together, their chemistry was undeniable. The tension between them was built on survival, trust, and the unexpected realization that maybe—just maybe—they could offer each other something real. Poseidon, with all his quiet strength and exhaustion from years of duty, was such a fascinating contrast to Icarus, who has spent his life scheming and clawing his way forward. Seeing them challenge each other emotionally was just as compelling as their physical connection.

One thing I appreciated was how Katee Robert balanced the romance with the overarching political conflict. The tension in Olympus is at an all-time high, and while this book had its steamy moments, it didn’t lose sight of the bigger picture. The stakes are rising, and the cracks in the ruling structure are becoming more apparent. I loved the continued exploration of power and control—not just in the bedroom but in the way each character navigates their place in this world.

That said, I do wish the story had a bit more time to develop. The relationship moved quickly, and while I loved their dynamic, I think a bit more buildup would have made their connection even stronger. The pacing felt different from some of the earlier books in the series, and as we near the conclusion, I find myself wanting more time in this world, more depth in the shifting alliances, and more exploration of what’s happening beyond the romance.

Overall, Sweet Obsession was a fantastic addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the final book. Katee Robert continues to craft an intricate web of power, desire, and loyalty, and I know the finale is going to be explosive. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC—I’m beyond ready to see how this all ends.

I have been hearing about the Dark Olympus books for some time, but never got around to reading one before, and this made me very glad to have finally picked it up! The writing is absolutely top tier - the language is beautiful and the spice is seriously some of the hottest I’ve read in a while. I enjoyed the Dom/sub and kink representation particularly, as well as the gentle acknowledgment of Poseidon’s neurodivergence. The only thing that kept this from being perfect for me, and this may be more of a problem of not having read the other books in the series than an actual problem with the book, was that it felt like a lot of things were being explained to a level where it would be fine to read as a standalone, but then occasionally points would be elided on the assumption that readers were already familiar with the world, so while I was generally able to jump in and follow on, there were a few points that hit oddly probably due to me missing something. Overall highly recommended, especially for fans of high heat and kink.

I will never not praise the Dark Olympus series. I love the way Katee Robert brings these known stories to life and how each character has their own distinct personality. I’m also in awe of how all these stories are interconnected and how you get to know more about the city and politics of Olympus.

I can’t go into detail about the plot of Sweet Obsession, as it is book 8 of the series. Still, Icarus and Poseidon’s story really touched me. Each book picks up where the last one left off and I couldn’t wait to see how everything would unfold. Icarus and Poseidon were made for one another and the way they found each other was absolutely beautiful. Definitely a 5⭐️ read for me. I really recommend this series if you enjoy high stakes and politics, because omg Katee keeps you on your toes.

A major thanks to the publisher for the eARC!

Not exactly what I was expecting...it was BETTER!

I devoured Sweet Obsession in under 3 days- simply because I loved this retelling of Icarus and Poseidon! For full transparency, I have not read the first 7 books in the Dark Olympus series (I know, lock me up and throw away the key 🫣 I deserve it) BUT that will be changing very, very soon! I absolutely love how Katee Robert tells these stories, and it makes me hungry to read more. I'm actually a bit excited knowing there are 7 other books for me to escape into 😂

But for Sweet Obsession specifically, I found the pace to be perfect & the character development was just *chef's kiss*. I sped through it so fast that if you asked me to remember the plot...I don't think I can say I do😂 But the ending?? Ugh, that pulled at my heartstrings. I audibly went "Oh thank heavens!" Y'all should seriously pick this book up ASAP!

I've been following the Dark Olympus series where Icarus has appeared off and on, especially in the last book with his sister Ariadne. At the very end of that book, Ariadne and the Minotaur escape through the falling borders as Icarus is caught and held captive by Poseidon. I was so excited that Poseidon was finally getting his own book after barely a mention throughout the series and even more excited when I got an early ARC copy. For such a strong character in public, he's actually shy and vulnerable around Icarus once he gets to know him better. Icarus is fighting his own tortured past and his way of gaining protection and blackmail material is through his skills in the bedroom. In enemy territory, Poseidon is his best bet at protection but Icarus is surprised how quickly he starts to have feelings for the big man. Can their relationship survive war being worn enemies? I was skeptical at first about her first strictly MM romance, but I really loved both of these characters and their relationship just worked. And of course the book ended on another cliffhanger with us not knowing what happens next with the war in Olympus.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I know that I will always be pleased when I pick up a book by Katee Robert, especially one in the Dark Olympus world! I really enjoyed the relationship between Icarus and Poseidon, and I feel like it brought a whole new dynamic to the series as a whole. I do wish that there was a bit more build-up and development in the relationship and maybe I shouldn't, but in series, I usually compare to the other books that I've read and rate based on that. 3 stars is still a good read for me and I absolutely recommend!

So this was a 3.5 read for me, round up for Goodreads.
Only this low as I don’t get as into MMC and MMC, just my personal reading preference. In real life you do you boo!
This book follows Poseidon as one of our MMC’s and Icarus the other MMC.
Enemies to lovers
Forbidden love to a degree
Love the continuation from the series and the adding on of character building.

The eighth story in this series did NOT disappoint! Coming from the heaviness of the seventh book, this was almost like a light in the darkness. Poseidon and Icarus developed a truly heartwarming relationship that made us swoon a little.

We saw Poseidon's genuineness. He's a "what you see is what you get" kinda fella. As Icarus says, he's a unicorn. He's honest and pure and innocent in a way. He's filled a position he never asked for, done it well, and is tired. He's honestly too pure for Olympus, but is the type of loyal that will see it through to the end if need be. But with that all that control, comes a deep-seated need to NOT be in control. And then he meets someone willing to hold that control for him, to take it and let him breathe a little.

Icarus started this story as a captive. He lied, schemed, and cheated his whole life. Never ever had the love and kindness that he needed. And then he meets this big teddy bear that should view him as the enemy, but sees who he really is. Someone who has never been shown an ounce of genuineness or compassion. Someone who only knows the type of people who deceive with every word. It kind of throws everything Icarus has ever known out the window, and all he can think is how much he wants something real and sincere.

It's hard to write a review without spoilers, since we are so close to the end of this series, but the plot is plottin' and we are READY for what's coming in the last two books 👀

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!!!

I will always and forever read anything that Katee Robert writes, especially the Dark Olympus series. As a first gay (MLM) romance for Katee, this book shattered any and every expectation I had. I have been quite curious as to who Icarus would end up with and seeing this pairing made me swoon. Katee writes about so many different topics so well but I do have to give her major kudos on her inclusion of plus sized individuals.

I am a hardcore Katee fan for life. Thank you for writing this novel!

Sweet Obsession starts where Dark Restraint ended. Icarus has helped Ariadne and the Minotaur leave Olympus and he is now Poseidon’s prisoner. As a means to survive, Icarus decides to seduce Poseidon. Their romance was a fast burn.

Poseidon is a huge cinnamon roll and I wish we had a little more of his backstory. But I enjoyed the epilogue. We also had Zeus and Hera still working against each other as we get closer to the final conflict that is coming…setting the stage for Tender Cruelty.

Sweet Obsession is book 8 in the Dark Olympus series. This can be read as stand alone for the romance, but I recommend that the series is read in order to follow along with the political games

Katee Robert has once again made the Greek gods sexier! To quote Sweet Obsession, being published April 1st, 2025, there is “only pure trust- trust I don’t deserve” when it comes to her books!

 

 

This book had me invested in the story of Icarus and Poseidon. This power dynamic made the story interesting! “It’s pathetic that someone so weak helped orchestrate so much pain”

 A fun read about when your capture turns protector and lover, all while your city is in the middle of a coup, following the death of Midas (book 7 Dark Restraint) and you’re trying to figure out the best way to protect the people.

Here are my favorite quotes!

“Fear is a useful tool”

“Grief had turned his moral compass flexible.”

“I go cold at the sight of his leather gloves. ‘You will be sorry. I’ll make sure of that.’”

“He’s an enemy even if he’s not quite a believable perpetrator of violence, what does that matter when the fiction is so compelling? It’s as good a plan as any, and yet and I find myself hesitation”

Sweet Obsession is the latest installment in the incredible Dark Olympus series. I was so thrilled to read an ARC and it was literally unputdownable. Icarus and Poseidon were never meant to meet, not in any meaningful way. But when Icarus finds himself taken captive by Poseidon, he resolves to seduce him to secure his own safety. However, Poseidon is unlike anyone that Icarus has tried to seduce before. As they connect, Circe’s plot against Olympus comes into play. Poseidon and Icarus must decide if they can trust each other in a world where trust gets people killed.

Simply put, I devoured this. The relationship between Icarus and Poseidon is SO good! I loved their exploration of kink, the actual use of a safeword, and the sweetness they found despite themselves. Poseidon is an actual cinnamon roll who is too good for this world, while Icarus has been forced to make difficult choices simply to survive. Circe’s escalation against Olympus forces the Thirteen to attempt to work together and highlights Zeus and Hera’s fracturing relationship. No spoilers, but I loved the epilogue. I can’t wait to read what happens next in this series!

Thank you so much to Katee Robert, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

I kind of have mixed feelings about this one. Honestly I’m not sure if this should even be my rating. The entire first half of the book was extremely slow and I wasn’t really enjoying the book. Once it got to about halfway through, the book definitely picked up. I liked the captive/captor aspect of this. I liked the dominate personality. I didn’t like the wax, but that’s just me. The rest of the spice was very 🥵 but I draw the line at wax. The plot actually started to get good towards the end of the book and it makes me look forward to the next one in this series. Overall, this wasn’t bad, but I didn’t love it.

Sweet obsession is a great installment of the series. You can tell the story is getting ready to crescendo soon. I love the plot that Katee Roberts is cooking up! Can't wait for the last two books! 4.5/5

4.5⭐ A continuation of the raunchy and exquisitely daring Dark Olympus series. I read through this book so quickly, I was amazed by the end how much Katee Robert managed to pack into the story! Sweet Obsession had me cheering for Poseidon and Icarus.

Poseidon is a man who has spent most of his life working for Olympus in a job he never wanted in the first place. He hates the idea of power, and yet he is one of the most powerful people in Olympus. He hates the messy politics that comes with the title. But still he's managed to use his power for good. He's gotten himself into a situation that he's not entirely sure he can get out of without giving up some of his integrity.

Icarus is a threat to the security of the city and currently a prisoner under Poseidon's watch. He's spent all of his life collecting information to use as blackmail material against anyone and everyone. Now that he's in Olympus, and the city is under siege, how will he use his knowledge? Will he risk everything to help save a city for which he has no care?

At the heart of it, both men have never had a meaningful relationship, until now. I love that they can be vulnerable in front of each other. And I'm so glad that Poseidon found his person in Icarus. For the first time in his life, will Poseidon choose himself?

Even though this book is considered a standalone, I recommend that you start from Book 1 to understand the nuances and relationships of all the characters, and there are a lot of characters. And there's the continuing story arc of the protective barriers of Olympus at risk and failing, making them vulnerable to their enemies. I'm so invested in this series, there are only 2 books left and I'll be sad to see it end.

Thank you Katee Robert and NetGalley for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.