Oooh, I loved this one! There was a much better balance of plot and spice. I love the story that developed here in all directions: the family tensions (Hades and his brothers, Hades and his father, Persephone and Zeus, Persephone and her mother), the Aphrodite storyline, Mellie and Helios. They are all so compelling. This book definitely hooked me in for the next one.

I loved this fantastical retelling with intriguing and fascinating characters, plot and storyline. It was fast paced and kept me engaged the entire time

I got totally swept into The Mistress & The Renowned—book two of the Love & Fate series—and honestly, it hit like a visceral punch. Watching Hades trapped inside that carnivorous tree, struggling to stay alive and maintain his grip on power, felt intense and urgent from page one . Meanwhile, Persephone is thrust into queenship she never asked for, grappling with isolation, nightmares, and the weight of a realm she didn’t even know existed . Their separation isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, and every interaction crackles with that sense of desperation and longing.

I loved seeing them both evolve—Hades forced to confront vulnerability when stripped of his strength, and Persephone being thrust into a leadership role, learning to trust her instincts—even if her frustration with Hades got messy, it was so raw and real . The focus shifts here: it’s more adventure and world‑building than fiery romance, but those spicy moments? Still there, but deeper—rooted in this complex, fractured connection .

The supporting cast—like Cerberus and Mellie—stepped into the spotlight more, and I practically cheered when they showed up on the page. They’re exactly the kind of side characters that add texture and humor without stealing every scene .

It took me a minute to adjust to the scale of the plot, though—so much was happening, it sometimes felt like three books crammed into one . But once I leaned into it, the emotional payoff—especially that cliffhanger ending—felt electric .

If you’re into messy love, gods under pressure, and a dash of dark adventure, this installment doesn’t disappoint. It felt like watching a relationship collapse under real trauma—and claw its way back, desperate for connection. I’m already bracing myself for book three.

Listen. This book is a fever dream. Persephone’s out here doing queen duties like she hasn’t just inherited the world’s messiest man, and Hades? Sir got snatched into his trauma like a Greek soap opera. The vibes are dark, horny, and occasionally feral. The Underworld’s crumbling, there's a soul-eating tree, and I’m just sitting here like, “Y’all good??” There’s sexual tension in every hallway. Every. Single. One. Someone breathes wrong and it’s like, “let’s almost kiss and emotionally spiral.”

But let’s not pretend this book’s perfect. Persephone and Hades? ICONS, but also chaos gremlins who seriously need couples therapy and like… a calendar. The pacing sometimes felt like sprinting through molasses — one minute we’re battling ancient curses, the next we’re angsting in a cave for 20 pages. I wanted more plot momentum and fewer dramatic stares into the void. Also, someone tell Persephone she doesn’t need to monologue her trauma every third chapter, I beg. But did I still devour it like ambrosia dipped in drama? Absolutely. Would I survive the Underworld? No. Would I go anyway? Also yes.

4 stars! Giving average rating as I requested this when I did not know it was part of a series. Please forgive me!

Okay, so book two in this series? Lost it when I saw the ARC! Obsessed with their Hades/Persephone take. This one's darker, way more angsty, and still super spicy. Myth purists, beware! Still can't wait for the next one. Thanks, NetGalley!

The Mistress & The Renowned is the second book in the Love and Fate series and cannot be read as a standalone.

This picked up right where the first book left off.

Despite being excited to get to it after the cliffhanger from the previous book, I struggled to finish this one.

Persephone was great with everyone in the Underworld — Mellie, Cerberus, etc. — except for Hades. I couldn’t stand her, honestly.

And the pacing in this book just seemed very slow.

I’m still going to read the last book, because the cliffhanger has me hooked.

3.25/5 stars! This is the second book in the Love and Fate series by authors Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose. This is definitely not a standalone so make sure to pick up book 1 first. Persephone meant well but just was too dang ditzy for her own good. I'm not sure if this was intentional, as Persephone is historically thought to have been very innocent, but it lost me since she is the protagonist in this story. Hades, however, was everything! He saved this book for me.

Hades and Persephone retellings are probably my favorite to be retold. This one was good. There was something about this series that fell a little flat to me.. I can’t quite put my finger on what makes this series a 4 star for me and not a 5 star. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Overall I’m glad I read it!

Beautiful world building. Hades and Persephone must find their way back to each other. But even after they do, their romance and lives will still face some conflict.

The Mistress & The Renowned by Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune is a dark and seductive Hades & Persephone retelling with rich world-building and intense chemistry. The writing is lush, and the characters have depth, though some moments feel a bit drawn out. The romance is compelling, but the pacing slows at times, making certain sections feel repetitive. Still, the story delivers passion, intrigue, and a fresh take on the myth. A solid 3.75 stars—engaging, steamy, and perfect for fans of dark romance retellings.

The Mistress & The Renowned by Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose takes everything you loved about the first book and cranks it up to a whole new level of intensity. This time, the stakes are higher, the tension is thicker, and the darkness? Oh, it’s way deeper. If you thought the first book was steamy, get ready for an emotional rollercoaster with way more angst, twists, and those delicious moments where you’re practically holding your breath in anticipation. It’s the kind of book that’ll keep you on your toes, pulling you into a world where every emotion feels amplified and every choice matters.
Things I loved:
• Canon Hades & Persephone moments—yes, please! There are some moments in this book that so wonderfully nod to the original myth, and as a lover of Greek mythology, I couldn’t get enough of these references. It was like getting a little wink from the authors to the fans who adore the classics.
• The tone of the book is much darker than the first one, and I’m here for it. There’s an added layer of tension and uncertainty that makes every moment feel more dangerous, more forbidden. This isn’t just a romance—there’s a definite undercurrent of mystery and peril that adds an edge to the story.
• Angst! If you’re like me and thrive on that heart-wrenching emotional conflict between characters, you’ll love this one. The drama, the longing, the push and pull between them… it’s everything I live for in a romance.
• Twists and turns galore. Just when you think you know where the story’s headed, it takes a sharp turn and pulls you into a whole new direction. I loved the unpredictability of it all!
Things I didn’t love:
• The plot felt a little iffy at times. It’s one of those stories where you’re so invested in the characters and the emotions that you don’t always mind, but if you really start to think about it, things don’t always make sense or stay consistent.
• Less smut than I was hoping for. There are some heated moments, but it didn’t feel quite as steamy as the first book. If you’re in it for the heat, you might find yourself craving more.
• The pacing was all over the place. One minute, things were moving at lightning speed, and the next, the story would slow down without much reason. It made it hard to get into a smooth rhythm, and at times, I found myself wishing for more consistency in the flow.
Overall, The Mistress & The Renowned is a darker, angstier, and more unpredictable read compared to the first book. While there are a few bumps in the plot and pacing, the intense emotions and the twists will keep you hooked. If you're a fan of Hades & Persephone retellings with a good dose of drama, angst, and that oh-so-sweet emotional turmoil, this one definitely hits the mark.

The Mistress & The Renowned is the highly anticipated second book in the Love and Fate series, and it does not disappoint. As someone who loves Hades and Persephone retellings, I was already hooked from the first book, and this continuation takes everything to the next level. The mythology and fantasy elements are woven seamlessly into the romance, offering a fresh twist on the classic tale.

The dual first-person POV really enhances the story, allowing readers to dive deep into the minds of both protagonists. This perspective adds an emotional depth to the characters' development, especially as they navigate complex relationships and their growing attraction.

Speaking of relationships, the spice level is definitely high in this book, with open-door scenes that turn up the heat without overshadowing the plot. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and their evolving dynamic is one of the highlights of the book.

The book isn't without its darker themes, including child abuse, manipulation, and intense moments of gore and violence. These trigger warnings are important to note, but they are handled with care in the context of the story. The stakes feel real, and the intensity of the narrative only adds to the compelling nature of the book.

However, be warned—this book ends on a cliffhanger that will leave you on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next installment. For fans of mythology, romance, and gripping plot twists, The Mistress & The Renowned is a must-read. The mix of fantasy, romance, and suspense makes this a standout in the genre.

I have loved the first novel and I had hoped that the second one is just as good as the first one.
With the way the first one ended on a cliffhanger aka bombshell, I knew I would be picking this up.
I was not expecting the direction the plot was going, while in the first, I was expecting it. In this one, I wasn’t.
I wished there were too much of the miscommunication with Persephone, it seems repetitive. Due to her own heartbreak, she didn’t want to communicate and so it dragged the story flow.
Feels like I was reading two ragging teenagers that needed discipline.

**An Exquisite Blend of Passion, Power, and Intrigue**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune deliver yet another unforgettable masterpiece with *The Mistress & The Renowned*. This novel is a captivating tale of forbidden desires, complex loyalties, and the intoxicating allure of power, all wrapped in a world as lush as it is dangerous.

The chemistry between the Mistress and the Renowned is absolutely magnetic. Their relationship crackles with tension, passion, and vulnerability, making every interaction compelling and meaningful. The authors have a gift for crafting layered, multidimensional characters who leap off the page and into your heart.

The plot is skillfully woven, balancing political intrigue, high-stakes drama, and moments of poignant intimacy. Each twist and revelation feels earned, keeping you on the edge of your seat while deepening your connection to the characters and their struggles.

What truly sets this novel apart is the world-building. Rose and Rune transport readers into a setting that feels both fantastical and deeply grounded, with intricate details that make every scene vivid and immersive. The themes of power, sacrifice, and love are explored with nuance, adding emotional depth to the story.

*The Mistress & The Renowned* is a triumph—a tale of passion and resilience that will captivate fans of romance, fantasy, and intrigue alike. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune have created a story that lingers in your mind long after the last page. Highly recommended!

The tragedy of Hades and Persephone is highlighted in this one. They never expected the cost of being together to be quite so high, but fate had other ideas.

[This is a combined series review for all three books.]

It took me forever and a day to read this series-- and I was mistaken. I wish I'd read this sooner. I really enjoyed this one!

Also, I apologize that my review references "The Other Series" so heavily, but it colored my reading experience with *this* series, and made it better in the end.

Unfortunately, before I started this series, I tried reading a *very popular trad series with a similar premise* that I ended up disliking so badly that book 1 was a DNF, It completely colored my experience with these specific elements. I did not want to try anything else. However, this series turned out to be everything I had wanted That Other Series to be, and nothing like what had disliked.

By contrasts, in this series the characters read adult and mature in their behavior-- so important to me as a reader! (And I don't mean spice-wise, though that was satisfying.) The premise felt believable and engaging enough that I was willing to "go with it". (Ancient gods, but modern world, often a hard sell for reader me.) The plot was intriguing and the way the various relationships developed kept me reading all the way through the three books. As I said before, I really enjoyed it, all of them. So to the authors a heartfelt *thank you* for giving back to this reader a little something that an unsatisfying book had taken away. <3

The last 15% of this book was pure action and I really enjoyed it! The beginning middle was a little slow to me and felt like a lot of back and forth between the main characters. But the ending hooked me back in.

I did not finish this book - was not my kind of novel and therefore I do not feel comfortable Although I can appreciate the writing style and prose, I did not enjoy the characters nor the plot.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was everything I could want in a dark, mythological romance! Hades and Persephone’s story in The Mistress & The Renowned is seductive, intense, and filled with the kind of fiery chemistry that practically leaps off the page. The “fated mates” trope is executed flawlessly, making their connection feel deeply destined and magnetic. I loved how their dynamic is woven with elements like “you belong to me,” “morally gray characters,” and “forbidden love.” Each of these themes adds layers of tension and depth that make their relationship feel like a high-stakes game with eternity on the line.

The authors do a phenomenal job of balancing Hades’ tortured complexity with Persephone’s fierce determination, as she steps into her role as Queen of the Underworld. Their relationship crackles with a mix of loyalty and danger, especially as Persephone navigates her new power and responsibilities while trying to find Hades, who’s been taken from his domain. Their connection is beautifully dark and passionate, with Hades embodying the protective “touch her and die” trope that gives their love an extra layer of possessive intensity.

Beyond the romance, the plot is rich with twists and mystery, set against the atmospheric and lush backdrop of the Underworld. Every scene brims with a sense of destiny and ancient power, keeping me utterly captivated as Hades and Persephone confront not only external threats but also the shadows within themselves. The journey is a powerful blend of fantasy and romance that fans of mythological retellings will savor. This book is a dark, swoon-worthy escape into a world of gods, fate, and everlasting love that will leave readers breathless and eager for more.