Neon Gods | 
pickI‘ve been debating on reading this book for a while. I would put it on and take it off my TBR. I picked up a copy at the used bookstore the other day and decided to give it a chance. Oh boy! I‘m glad I did. Now this was some dark smut (which I usually don‘t read). I really liked the characters and the story. I loved Persephone and Hades. I‘ll definitely be continuing this series.
pickHello new 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ series I plan on sharing with @StephMC82 , consider me hooked. 😅
Book 42 of 2024
pickThis book was a very fun romp — using Greek mythology as a loose starting point (very loose, lol), it just raced through a plot of jealousy and hate and revenge to get to love. The spice was steamy and the characters appealing — gotta love a grumpy MMC who will do anything to protect those he loves, while at the same time struggling with low self-worth. It was a JOURNEY, and a very enjoyable read. Great fluff, and I‘d read more from this author.
pickHades and Persephone are my fave Greek gods tale. I will devour any retelling, and this one was no different. The world is a tad weird. Separate from the real world but not because they still mention pop culture and different cities, the ‘gods‘ are more like royal titles here. Pretty 🌶️🌶️ and Hades is delightfully dirty as any god of the underworld should be.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
What other H&P retellings are there? I have Lore already, but I need more!
pickPersephone‘s betrothed to Zeus. To escape the unwanted marriage, she crosses the River Styx for protection. Before, she thought Hades was a myth. Now, she‘s living under his roof & his rule. Will she return home or stay w/ the 1 she has grown unexpected feelings for?
This 1 was good; it was a bit overhyped. I enjoyed the romance & Hades‘ character growth. I just wanted a little more spice. I didn‘t like the audio version, read physical instead.
panOk, here goes…it‘s mediocre, the book feels like it was written by a lust-struck 19 year old who has never been in a relationship, the writing is repetitive from chapter to chapter, the character development feels haphazard at best, makes both men and women out to be vapid and overly emotional caricatures…it‘s not worth recommending. Save your money and skip this one.
pickI liked this story. I find this particular story of Hades and Persephone always so interesting and I enjoy retellings. I found some elements of this one just a little odd like the mix of it taking place almost in present day but still being a myth. It was tough for me to really get into it because of this. But, I loved the story and it was super steamy.
so-soI finally finished reading Neon Gods. I‘m not that familiar with Katee Robert but there‘s just something about a Hades and Persephone story that I like. The author takes a few liberties with the story though . #neongods #katerobert
I like this version of Hades. Then again there isn‘t a version that I don‘t like. 🤔
I am back to reading another spicy dark romance novel. I‘m about 27 pages into it. #kateerobert #neongods
Currently a quarter way through the book and let‘s just say I‘m already in love… hot and heavy. Just the way I like it 🤭
pickFinally taking it from the top! This is such a delicious concept, and I just love how Hades and Persephone aren't just a stereotypical grumpy/sunshine pairing. I even wish it had gotten a little more intense between them, but I'm certainly not upset with how it all played out. #romance #mythology
so-soSooooo I should have read what this was before I started lol. Wasn‘t expecting 50 shades meets Olympus lol. But I didn‘t hate it.
I've been trying for a long time to disconnect the idea that reading anything is a #GuiltyPleasure (as long as it doesn't harm another person, have at it), so I'm reading smut without any shame. Miley, on the other hand 😬😬. I'm still somewhat embarrassed to admit that I started enjoying her music with Wrecking Ball. Ah well, life's too short to stay embarrassed for too long. Love me some Miley!
#TitlesandTunes @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB
pickHoly hell, this book was hot! 🔥🔥🔥
A modern take on Hades and Persephone and it didn‘t disappoint. I already have the next book in the series as I can see this might become a guilty pleasure!
#bookspinbingo - my #doublespin for this month!
#MagnificentMay
After a very long day of LOTS of yard work and finally landscaping the front yard, I think it's time to relax with a new book and glass of beer. I'm really looking forward to this series. Hopefully, it lives up to the hype! 🤞
#booksandbeer #springcleaning #springreading #bookannotations #neongods
pickPlot: 10/10 my absolute favorite book the plot was amazing it was not a slow build the smutt🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ I love how the book ties into the real story behind Persephone and hades like the pomegranate as the safe word.
so-soI just finished this and while I really liked the premise, I couldn‘t get a handle on the world itself. Them being in Olympus but then referring to Berkeley in California? Jarring. I do always love Hades and Persephone stories though so I‘m not too mad. The real shame is the other books in the series aren‘t about them!
pickShew, this was smokin! A modern Greek mythology romance, so the premise certainly intrigued me. Ambushed by her mother with an unwelcome surprise engagement to Zeus, Persephone makes a break for it, and ends up running straight into the arms of Hades. She makes a bargain to protect herself, sparks fly, and complicated Olympus politics leave Hades walking a tightrope between protecting her or facing potential war. Warning: LOTS of 🔥🔥🔥 scenes!
pickI wanted more plot, but the smut was so good! Great writing too, she could have gotten more creative with this one! She had ample opportunity for world-building, so that‘s why I‘m rating 3.5 stars. Still worth the read, though I don‘t think I‘ll continue the series. I‘m glad I got to see what all the hype was about nonetheless.
pickCatching up on some #nsr22 updates!
Finished the tagged book at the end of November to complete the romance category. It was a low pick… it wasn‘t as dark as I thought it would be and while I wanted to find out how it ended, it was just sort of forgettable afterwards.
I actually read a TON of romance this year so I probably could have filled some of these categories several times over.
Favorites were Love Con & Perks of Loving a Wallflower 💖
A patron recommended this to me, and man, it is SPICY. (Every once in awhile, I can feel myself blushing for reading it in public. 😂) But overall, a really cool reconceptualized take on Olympus & Greek Mythology! (…much better than Hadestown yesterday…😬) #neongods #kateerobert #darkolympus #persephonexhades
pickMost amazing book ever! Definitely a guilty pleasure, I love the characters, the modern twist, everything is absolutely amazing! Definitely a must read.
pickI follow Katee Robert on TikTok, and I can‘t believe I haven‘t read her before! If you‘re looking for some good smut with a side of a thought-out plot, Robert‘s got your back! I am absolutely reading the rest of this series, and while I‘m not interested in her Dark Disney series, that also comes very highly recommended.
Read my full review at: http://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/neon-gods
#smut #romance #darkromance #hadesxpersephone
so-soTurns out if you select a book based purely on "Ooh, Persephone and Psyche, I like those stories!" you might end up with a surprise. For a steamy love story, it's great. For a fleshed out fantasy based on elements of mythology, not so much, which is too bad because the premise is interesting: What if Olympus was a protected city ruled not by gods but rich a$$hole humans? After this intriguing intro, our heroes meet and bond over a shared love of ⏬
pickThis was an interesting take on Hades & Persephone's story. Olympus is a modern setting with a hint of magical undertones, for no one crosses River Styx to the lower city until Persephone is running from an engagement to Zeus and mysterious Hades offers her refuge. The politics of Olympus were a bit hazy and the ending was anticlimactic imo but the heat between the couple was spicy. Mostly I was on board for the romance. Hades is secretly a softie
In the scene above, a character has this mysterious scary sex room that is about to be revealed, and the author is really trying to build anticipation, but what I desperately want to be behind that door is one of two things, both of which will erase all possible sex appeal of this guy: 1. A grandmotherly room with quilts and cross stitch, causing our heroine to become real concerned about this man's relationship to his mother or grandmother, or
That moment when your library sends a notification that your hold is ready, and you have no memory of placing the hold. It looks like sci-fi maybe? First line is "I really hate these parties" and has a character named Psyche. Reimagined mythology maybe? Did I read a review or hear one on the radio? Anyone else ever have this problem with reserving books and forgetting them months later, LOL?
panThe 2nd half was better than the 1st, & I started to come around but the 🌶 wasn‘t worth it. The set up is very much lacking, the world building is no fun, motivations of the other gods are only explored in the most rudimentary sense. They‘re barely gods? Where‘s the myth? Where‘s the magic?
Compared to all the other spicy H&P retellings I read this year (ACOMAF, Helfyre, Touch of Darkness/Ruin/Malice) this was my least favorite 😂
I‘m at 20% and I low key think this book is horrible?
I‘ve wanted to read it since it came out and it‘s not going so hot… the world building is… *different* than the other Greek retellings I e been reading but “the 13” as legacy titles doesn‘t do it for me. it doesn‘t even make sense.
I don‘t think the author does a good job of differentiating between the characters‘ inner monologues.
I don‘t know guys 😅 is the 🌶 going to be worth it?
50% in and I see why my book buddy called this 50 shades of Olympus. Don't get me wrong, I am not mad about it... I like it. There's a lot of explicit sexual content- kink for days, but in those SUPER long passages, they are also talking, accepting one another and cementing their relationship even if neither know it yet. Plus, it's super sexy, especially as it delves into consent and mutual fantasy.
pickI'm still chasing that Lore Olympus high and so far nothing is living up to it... I liked the idea of the Olympians as elected officials in a modern world and got attached to the characters. A little more kink than I cared for - it just distracted from the story.
On a little getaway with @LittleMouse5708 and a few girlfriends plus all our kids. I was overly optimistic and took these to the beach but 7 kids under 7 means no relaxing for the moms 🤣
Now that the kids are fast asleep in the hotel, I might manage 10 minutes or so before crashing myself
Thank you @BooksNBowls for this very Summery #sliceofsummerswap ! The mug reminds me of Lois Lenskis Strawberry Girl 😘. I love the books you chose and all the Summery accoutrements- I have to admit I technically love the candy- but my Diabetes does not so I will share the wealth in my office ❤️ Thank you Leila for organizing a fun swap!
It is almost July?!?! Guess it is time for a new #bookspin list! #bookjournal
pickI loved Hades! And I also loved how Persephone wasn't some damsel in distress. There were also nice secondary characters and fun banter. I loved main characters' relationship, it was sweet.
The world was interesting: there were politics and Hades, Zeus etc. were titles - I didn't get enough of it.
This was really entertaining book and I thought I wouldn't like this.
#Pantone2022 #SeriesRead2022 #BigJuneReadathon #SciFiJune
so-soWasn‘t my cup of tea but it wasn‘t horrible. Interesting take on the Hades and Persephone story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
so-soI mean… I don‘t need a lot of plot with my smut, but if you‘re going to do Hades and Persephone, Hades should be hotter than this. 😂
This book is basically pure, unadulterated spice with very little character development, and it‘s taken my beloved Olympian gods and made them just a bunch of rich, political humans… no fantasy or magic at all, and it‘s not dark. Not terrible for what it is, but I don‘t need to continue this series. 🤷🏻♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️
