This was FANTASTIC. 100% beyond amazing.
If you’re looking for a book that has a lot of spice and just enough plot, here you go. From chapter one I was hooked. I read this on under 24 hrs 🫠

If you like:
- Dual pov
- Spice, like HOLY SPICE🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
- Modern world
- Funny Banter
- Greek mythology

This book needs to be on your tbr!

- Greek Mythology
- Dual POV
- Very Spicy
- Modern World
- Shadow Play
- Funny Banter
- Cliffhanger Beware
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

“Was I always looking for her? Not just today or since I met her, but always? Have I always been searching? Looking? Aching for something? Something always out of reach? Aching for my fated queen.”

This is a modern day Hades and Persephone retelling in an office setting. There is so much intense chemistry between the MC’s that you can feel it. I found myself unable to put the book down because I was too anxious to wait for their relationship come to fruition (aka for the smut scene 😂). It did not disappoint by the way! There is a good amount of funny banter between the MC’s and the side characters. Speaking of side characters, I am excited to see more of Mellie and Helios! This book ends on a cliffhanger but don’t let that deter you. I really enjoyed this Hades & Persephone retelling and cannot way for book 2!

One of the better Hades & Persephone retellings I’ve read. However, if you are looking for something that stays true to the original story, it may not be for you. It’s also quite spice-heavy.

This was quite a nice introduction to the series i think. There wasn't a great deal that happened plot wise which was nice, too many things happening can make the story really confusing and hard to read, so only having this story focus on where Hades and Persephone's relationship was going to go was really easy to get on with. It was also nice to see that it wasn't an instant love type of deal on Persephone's side, but rather it was Hades who was being the clingy, jealous, instantly in love one, and it was interesting to see how that made him act towards her.
The most annoying thing though was how he kept accusing Persephone of pulling away from him for no reason (there was a reason and it was a damn good one) and he kept complaining that he didn't know how to make it better (big shock, he just needed to be honest and not so much of an ass). Obviously none of that really matters though because they complete their "bond" or destiny or whatever and that's where things really start to go wrong for everyone i think...

Again, because not a lot happened in this book other than them flirting and fucking, it was kind of hard to get attached to the characters, and to feel happy for them when things were good and likewise, sad when things weren't going the way that anyone wanted them to.
It should be interesting though to see all of this happen in book 2 as i hope the plot is going to be a lot heavier, focus more on the characters rather than their relationship, and actually add depth to them as gods and goddesses. It will also be super interesting to see more of Demeter and what she is going to do about the relationship between Hades and Persephone that she obviously really didn't want to happen.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e copy of this book! :)

This book wow just wow. I love retellings and this was just perfect! This retelling of Persephone and Hades is HOT. Even though everyone knows how this mythological story ends, you are hooked from the beginning, the spice, the humor, you can cut the air with all the tension between these characters. This book leaves on a cliffhanger which made me want to through the book. I can wait to read the second book.

I just wasn’t a fan. I generally love mythology retellings but the writing style just fell short and the dialog just seemed very immature. I didn’t finish but after reading for a bit I just couldn’t get into the story. I love the idea of Hades and Persephone in a new age environment though!

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was not flawlessly written with perfect characters, but overall really enjoyed it. I haven't read anything like this in a while and I loved that it had a series of books ready for me to move on to - which I did!

This book was really good. There were some parts that I feel were underdeveloped, but overall, the writing and the chemistry between the main characters was great!

I really enjoyed this book. I love hades and Persephone retelling. The romance was very well done and I loved the story. Would highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from Rose and Star Publishing, LLC via NetGalley.

This modern twist on the classic tale of Hades and Persephone. As a fan of mythology retellings, I was eager to dive into this book, especially given its fresh take on the gods in contemporary society. I appreciated the inclusion of lesser-known characters and the nuanced portrayal of Hades as more than just a villain, but rather a ruler with his own complexities and emotions.

However, while the premise held promise, the execution fell short in several areas. Persephone and Hades, despite their divine status, often came across as immature and petty, their bickering overshadowing the depth of their characters. One of the biggest letdowns for me was the lack of balance between plot and romance. While a good dose of steamy scenes can enhance a story, here it felt excessive, overshadowing the development of the plot. This imbalance, coupled with inconsistent writing styles ranging from mature descriptions to a more whimsical tone, left me feeling disconnected from the story at times.

Overall, despite its flaws, there were glimpses of brilliance that hinted at what could have been, making it a somewhat disappointing read. Needless to say, I will not be continuing on with the series.

Absolutely loved this book. Had me at the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of this author's work. Definitely would recommend.

This is a very spicy book and I loved it!! Not a whole lot actually happens in the book, there's a lot of pining and lusting after each other. That being said, there was enough world building with the gods being part of the modern world and the drama at the end that I'm excited to read the rest of the series and see where they take the story!

A modern Persephone and Hades retelling in which both characters have really adapted to the times. Persephone is a social media manager! Well, they are fated as we know and despite the (very mild) resistance to be together in the beginning, they got together very quickly and repeatedly (wink, wink). The spice was crazy and honestly I started skimming once it towards the end. Lots of secrets, internal conflict, and what was with the ex? Overall, an easy read to pass the time. Would have been happy to see Mellie and Helios developed a bit more. I am curious how Persephone will handle her new role in book 2, so i will continue on with the story. My copy had some formatting issues, primarily around the text messages that were very distracting.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this free read in exchange for an honest review.

The spice level on this one is definitely high. 😮. Can you say cold shower. Definitely loved this one for sure though.

This spicy retelling of Hades and Persephone is set in a modern New York with Hades as a workaholic CEO of Plutus Bank, Persephone is still finding her feet in the mortal realm and when her funds are cut off she tracks down Hades as the official banker of the Gods and the prophecy takes hold.

When I say spicy, I am BLUSHING.

I enjoyed that this book didn't feel the need to explain the Gods and assumes the reader already knows the basic history of each. It's not often an author appreciates what needs to be in a book for the plot to make sense, and what we can assume from a retelling.

At times, the plot does fall short with childish whining from the main characters, and once the slow burn tension becomes physical that's the plot from there on. So it depends what you are looking for, With so much story to tell for these two I expected the storyline to progress much more with the initial speed of this read.

Chef's kiss for the spicy artwork in this book

☆ Fated lovers
☆ Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
☆ forbidden romance - boss and employee
☆ Shadow daddy

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC copy!

If you are looking for a super spicy, Hades and Persephone retelling, look no further! This is a modern day twist with a boss x employee trope. Such a fun, fast read!

This Hades and Persephone retelling is a dual-POV story told in a modern-day setting, a quick read, and rather straightforward. The Greek Gods can, like in that of the Percy Jackson series, come down from Olympus to mingle with unsuspecting mortals in the human world. Hades, God of Death, for half the year is bound to remain in the mortal realm as CEO of Plutus Bank (which is clever, as this refers to Hades’ other name, Pluto, which more refers to wealth) before spending the other half in the Underworld. Persephone, Goddess of Spring, a Social Media Manager living in the mortal realm for 2 years, has an issue with her bank account and visits Hades. From here, there are many amusing and searing pushes and pulls which no matter how hard they try to resist, their Fate together is inescapable.

Now, I usually like retellings: they are my favourite and I don’t mind a contemporary touch to them. But this felt like an insult to the mythological characters! Persephone and Hades bicker and act very immaturely for their ages, and their pettiness puts everything to shame. I think if this had been approached differently, it would be fine. The way the shadow and vine powers were used, especially early on, is a little too odd for my liking, it threw me off! Plus, most of the secondary characters disappear from the story about halfway through, like Melinoë – who was actually my favourite character in this.

I like a book with a good balance of plot and steamy scenes – unfortunately, this was not it. The plot that was there was fine, however, there was more of the latter than could be counted (which if that is what you want is fine). At times, the writing style felt rather mature, like with avid descriptions or some backstory, but then reverted to a whole different silly vibe. I can feel the inconsistency. The book also ends on a cliffhanger, which I usually am not a fan of as I prefer books in a series that can be read as a standalone.

Do not get me wrong, I liked a lot of aspects of this. Indeed, the author is a real one for mentioning Hades has signed editions of LOTR, ASOIAF and TOG! As Hades should. AND that they watch “Pride and Prejudice”. Some moments I did like were in chapter 6 when Hades leans against the doorway (always love and appreciate the lean in any book) and in the later chapters their vulnerability with each other was nice to see.

Overall, the story was lacking and just wasn’t my cup of tea. I do accept, as per the author’s note, it is not meant to be mythologically accurate. At this point, I would have preferred a contemporary fantasy novel with the themes, and just forget this mythology. I will try a different retelling.

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing this copy of Alexis Rune’s book.

As a Greek mythology enthusiast I have never really enjoyed Hades and Persephone retellings. However, this is my first time reading one in a modern setting and spicier than I would typically read. I actually really enjoyed the way the authors captured the characters and their relationship which reminded me a lot of Feyre and Rhysand from ACOTAR. The ending with Hekate has me so hooked and I'm so excited to read the next book

Really really really enjoyed this story and I’m so happy that the rest of the trilogy is available to binge!

Read within a day as I couldn’t put it down, this story is a great blend of Greek gods / modern day romance with hints of wider mythology.

Both characters are enjoyable to read and it’s nice to see both perspectives.

It’s very 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️….. so enjoy!!!

GIRL- Hades and Persephone retelling with spice and sass- uh yes, please!

As an avid reader of all things Greek and Greek retelling, I thought I read it all until I was slapped on the face by this retelling.

I liked how novel the backstory was and how the author connected the Gods to mankind that made the integration seem modern without being faulty like some other retellings

The chemistry between Hades and Persephone was explosive! I am talking fireworks and hearts and balloons all combined in a burning building.

I cannot wait to see whats next for these two.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review. You can follow me on IG @JessicaReadsIt.