Cruel Seduction

Dark Olympus, Book 5

By: Katee Robert

Narrated by: Alex Moorcock, Zara Hampton-Brown

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Aphrodite has never flinched at getting her perfectly manicured hands dirty, and she's not about to start now—even if that means marrying Olympus's enemy number one, the new Hephaestus. She has a wicked plan to keep her deadly new husband off-balance, seducing the one person he seems to care about most in this world: Pandora, a woman as beautiful as she is sweet.

Two can play the seduction game, however, and Hephaestus is all too happy to put his new wife in her place. Her ex, Adonis, seems like he'll do the trick. It doesn't hurt that he's gorgeous in the way of fallen angels either.

The only problem with using seduction as a weapon? Hearts are all too quick to get involved. With Hephaestus and Aphrodite trading venomous strikes that feel a whole lot like foreplay, lines become blurred and emotions entangled. But a broken heart may be the least of their worries. With unrest in Olympus reaching new heights, these bedroom games may have deadly consequences for them both, their city, and everyone they've come to love.

©2023 Katee Robert (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Starts out good, but kinda falls flat....

I appreciate what she is doing here, but the immediate plot was under developed for me. However, the larger plot is heating up which got the mind ticking on which myth the author is leading us toward. It is starting to look alot like Hera's rebellion. If so, the author's take on Zeus, Hera, and chains will likely be quite spicy.

Lastly, I got totally caught up on the spice and Iliad twists in Wicked Beauty that I totally missed the Hephestos easter eggs!

Solid but needed more character development for me

In the series before this one, there’s a lot more build up to why the characters actually liked, lusted & loved one another - but this one left me wanting a little bit across all 4 relationships. Still love the general storyline in Olympus but could have had more build up for me.

What a GREAT story….

I absolutely loved this book!!! 📕 How it’s not just a monogamy kinda relationship, it’s polyamorous. How they all 4 even each other out. It’s different & absolutely entertaining. I can’t wait to read more.,, 🤗

Getting deeper

I love the Dark Olympus series. I preordered this book to make sure I had it as soon as I could, it did not disappoint. The plot of the story is the same as all of the other books, but this one is deeper. Katee Robert is really starting to get into the depth and details of what actually happening to Olympus. This book was just as sexy and spicy as the others, but I like the story line of this installment.

Cruel Seduction

I really enjoy Katee Robert as an author. That being said I feel like the quality of writing is getting progressively lacking as you progress in the series. For example, this book is an MMFF and yeah there is spice and yes the spice is good but I was expecting alot more group scenes between ALL of them. Then the ending like What the hell? What was the point of reading this story and going through the emotional drama this book gave for the characters to resign from being a part of the thirteen? I finished it and I was just thinking WHAT WAS THE POINT! Why did I read this when they wont be a part of the FINAL battle or whatever. I was very disappointed in this book to be honest. The spice was good but EXTREMELY lacking considering how many people are involved in the overall relationship.

I did listen to the audiobook for this and the narrators did an amazing job. It was the story that was lacking for me.

Poly at it’s finest!

So like there are many different types of people, relationships are just as unique! This applies to Olympus, as well! I love the way that it started out, marriage that comes with a deal, they bride and groom absolutely hates each other and they are fighting for power and all throughout their marriage bed. It is just as hot and bothered as it sounds. He wants to “exhaust “ her so she will let her guard down, but she is Aphrodite, so much love to give. Hephaestus, her husband, wants power, but she is just so tempting and her ex is just as tempting, Adonis, with extra points in pissing his lovely wife off.
Aphrodite is just as cruel, leaving her wedding bed to seduce Hephaestus’ best friend, Pandora. She is hoping to hit him where it hurts, with the only person he actually cares about!
This crazy, enticing story is wickedly amazing! A great book and a more realistic love story than most would think. They all feel more complete as poly.

Love the series but this book was meh

This series overall is amazing 10/10 but I feel like this book missed the mark a little bit. Each book is a little different with the kink but also building on the whole story arch. This book seemed way too similar to Wicked Beauty. It seemed kinda forced. I’m excited this series has 10 books total promised. 🤞🤞 the next ones are so much better!

Audiobook is always the way to go 👀🎉

Yes!

Katee Roberts never disappoints! Yet another satisfying chapter in her Dark Olympus series. I can’t wait for her next addition!

Love the narration

These books are so delicious and don’t disappoint! I can’t wait for the next one.

Not my favorite in this series

This one was just ok, felt like the story needed more. Also everyone falling in love in one week isn’t for me.