The first book left me wanting to immediately devour this second book. Ultimately I enjoyed book 1 more, this second installment. This book is much more angsty, with Persephone’s inability to be emotionally available for Hades and Hades then self doubting. It felt as though much of this book is spent with them fighting when all they needed was to talk to resolve their issues. The cliffhanger comes right after they make up, really hooking you for the third book.

"They feel more human and familiar, even for a God and Goddess in the underworld."

Thank you NetGalley and Rose and Star Publishing for giving me a copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

This is book two of the trilogy. Not read book one? Read that review here first. There are minor spoilers within this review.

With the threat of Demeter tearing Hades and Persephone apart, and Hades 6 months on Earth coming close to an end, we are taken to the underworld. And it has a plot!

The Mistress and the Renowned is largely more improved when compared to book one.

The world is fleshed out, the characters are more complex, face issues within themselves and actually work on them (!). In this book, they feel more human and familiar, even for God and Goddesses in the underworld. Relating to them with their issues is really easily done, and it's not forced in your face either, which I really appreciated. The stories pace increases and the level of spice isn't as intense as it is in book one. It remains easy to read. However, there are trigger warnings for book two so definitely check those out before diving in!

Book two really humanises Hades and Persephone, even for a God and Goddess in the underworld. It still isn't the best work to have been written. That said, if you make it through book one, you'll enjoy book two more.

I couldn't hold back and had to continue the Love and Fate series after reading the first book, The Maiden & The Unseen. This was even better than the first book, with the world building, more depth to the characters and their emotions, and with the plot overall. Of course, there are still many spicy scenes which I think were better placed in this story compared to the first, and are never unwanted for me at least.

I do feel the miscommunication trope was only slightly less frustrating than the first book, however I don't know if that's just resigning to accept that's how the characters will be and just being overall more invested in the story now that I'm into book two. I really enjoyed the author's depiction of PTSD and getting the reader to really feel the raw emotion and how painful it can be. This is definitely a book for readers to check the TW before diving in.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

The Mistress & The Renowned
Love and Fate #2
By Jeanette Rose, Alexis Rune

There is so much to unpack here, I'm not sure where to start. One thing is for sure, the Underworld is sees more than you think. Persephone can hold a grudge. Hades learns to express himself. And there's some extremely graphic stuff that if you've made it to book two you're ready for more.
Battles, overbearing and deceitful parents, pretty things, and Berry. Enjoy.

After reading the first book and not liking it, i had to force myself to read this. While i found a lot wrong with the first, it was entertaining enough for me to finish it, so i was hoping that this sequel would be a bit better. But unfortunately I did not en joy this at all

I loved this book! Great sequel. I loved how both of the main characters continued to develop and grow and learn themselves and each other. In true romantasy fashion, they get a bunch of crap thrown at them, but they try to help each other get through it. It was nice to see how Hades' insecurities affected their relationship, especially because he was the one who really wanted a defined relationship in the first book. I feel like this book was really both of them learning their new roles and learning how to love and support each other.

Thank you NetGalley, Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Hades activates the curse that locks Persephone in the Underworld. Now they have to learn to deal with the decisions they’ve made and the forces at work to tear them apart.

First of all Cerberus is my favorite character in the series thus far, big main character energy. I loved the immediate connection Cerberus and Persephone created! Very much a girl and her dog.

I enjoyed seeing Persephone’s friendship with Mellie expanded more in this book. I felt like they were the friend that both of them really needed. It was also nice to see more of Mellie and learn more about her.

There is still smut in this one but not like the other book. Which is nice, I love smut but it was nice to see Hades and Persephone in a different way.

I said we didn’t see a lot of Demeter only mentions here and there in the first book. Same here but she does make a glorious and BITCHY appearance. This was what I was waiting for!

A major improvement from the use of certain words like slut in the smut scenes. I don’t think there was anything I really cringed at.

What was most enjoyable was reading the dynamic with Persephone and Zeus. Persephone proves to be as sassy with the other Big 3 as she is with Hades.

This book was a great mix of character driven and plot driven I am excited to read the next one.

I had mixed feelings about The Mistress & The Renowned. I loved the cover art and the artwork included in the book. It really adds to the visual and I love being able to see how the author truly sees the characters. Unfortunately, the level of miscommunication was just not for me. It drives me crazy when the main characters are not on the same page and I just couldn’t deal with them not listening to eachother. Overall a great story, just wish the communication was more in-sync!

3.5 / 5 stars --- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

this is the second book after "The Maiden & The Unseen". while i rated the first book 2.5 stars, this was an improvement. i definitely liked this better. there was more to the plot, more emotional depth and background to the characters. still lots of spice, but not as suffocating as the first book. the world building in this one was nicely done.

the continuation of the story from the first one was also well done. i know one of the tropes that usually has mixed responses is MISCOMMUNICATION. it is frustrating and annoying at times. again like with the first book, there's still that smidge of immaturity.

one of the things that i found beautiful and devastating is the anguish of PTSD. it's raw and heartwrenching and relatable for those who get it. it might even be a little triggering for those who understand, so don't skip past or overlook those TWs!

the way this one ended, i'd love to read how these authors continue on to the next.

thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

This picks up right where book one ended. While I enjoyed it more than the first the plot was still all over the place in parts. The spice was very toned down compared to the first book. The dealing with PTSD was very well done. Overall a fast enjoyable read.

Book 2 of this trilogy and I'm just as hooked as I was at the end of the first book. Plotwise these books generally follow quite a typical structure for the dark fantasy genre. What really stood out for me was the exploration and development of Persephone as a character. Her need to be able to make her own decision, as well as the way she criticises male characters, made her a fully developed character. I especially loved when she called out Zeus and Poseidon for cheating on their wives. As always Mellie was a highlight. I just love her so much.

Thank you for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start of with that I really like a good Hades x Persephone retelling. This was like a medium one. I kept getting Deja vu’s to the ones Scarlet st Claire wrote. But to be fair with these kind of retellings you don’t have a lot of room to really make it stand out or I haven’t encountered it at least.

This book starts off right where the other one ended. The writing reads a little chaotic and fast paced. There are some plot holes but to be fair I don’t think most of the people are really reading this for the plot but for the spice and the vibes.

The tropes are fated mates but with a lot of miscommunications,

“Hades likes to read” I like to think he is on booktok like all of us.

I still find it very funny that in these kinda books the logical way to deal with trauma is just jumping on each other. The spice was kinda vanilla 3/5 🌶️.

This is a good follow up, after book one my expectations were off the chart. The plot gets thicker in this book, and although there is still some spice scenes it’s not the amount as book one had.

I will also say, PLEASE read the trigger warnings. The PTSD in this was rough and so fucking raw. it was written extremely well, one of the best I’ve read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. After the first book, I had a level of expectations for Mistress and the Renowned. Though Hades and Persephone have been united and their feelings out in the open, the second book starts with Hades being imprisoned in his own memories and Persephone unaware of his whereabouts. The presence-spiritual location could be better expressed. I thought there has to be rules of how they vanish, how they materialize etc. It was confusing and detaching. Same things happened again and again and just to prolong the story. The writing is simple and that is okay but this simplicity was sometimes tiring.. For the sake of wondering how the story would end, I finished..
Thank you for the opportunity to read..

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

"The Mistress and the Renowned" is a captivating romance novel that takes readers on a journey through the intricacies of love, passion, and power. Written by the talented duo of Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune, this book weaves a tale of forbidden love between a mysterious mistress and a renowned artist in the bustling city of Paris.

The authors skillfully create a rich and immersive world filled with complex characters and vivid descriptions that transport the reader to another time and place. The chemistry between the two main characters is palpable, and their forbidden romance is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating to follow.

One of the standout aspects of the book is the attention to detail in the historical setting, which adds depth and authenticity to the story. The authors' prose is elegant and evocative, drawing readers in from the very first page and keeping them captivated until the satisfying conclusion.

While the pacing of the story is well-executed, there are moments where the plot feels predictable and familiar. However, the strength of the characters and the emotional depth of their journey more than make up for any minor shortcomings.

Overall, "The Mistress and the Renowned" is a beautifully crafted romance novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and passionate love stories. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune have created a memorable tale that will linger in the hearts of readers long after the final page is turned.

Best quote from the book:

"Love knows no boundaries, not of time, nor of place. It is a force that transcends all obstacles, binding hearts together in a bond that is unbreakable."

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune
When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

Oooo this one was so good. Better than the first one. Less spice though unfortunately. Well worth the read. Can’t wait to read the next one

This was such a fun time! We pick up right where book one left and are straight into the Underworld. The Hades and Persephone retelling is done well, there’s also some other Gods that we get to see alongside them adding to the richness of the story.
I love the fact there’s an animal companion!!
At times the romance was slightly repetitive when they constantly say they love each other, I wanted more depth. Some good spice though.
Looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

solid 3 stars

🥀 what I enjoyed
- Berry... just all of him really
- I need more Mellie and Helios
- the personal growth and journey through PTSD was moving

🥀 what didn't do it for me
- Persephone... you are the problem babe. She constantly created unnecessary conflict between her and Hades. Just. Pushing him away for no apparent reason, saying she was fine when she clearly wasn’t, and overall just not communicating. I wouldn’t even call this a miscommunication trope, really it was her being annoying.
- The plot just dragged for me. The pacing was all over the place, and I couldn't tell you when or how long some events took place because it just all ran together.