"The Mistress & The Renowned" by Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune offers a captivating twist on the timeless tale of Hades and Persephone. Set in a lush and immersive world, the authors skillfully blend mythology with their own creative elements, breathing new life into the ancient story. The dynamic between the titular characters is richly explored, showcasing their complex emotions and struggles as they navigate the realms of love, power, and destiny. With vivid prose and compelling narrative, this retelling is sure to enchant fans of mythology and romance alike.

The second book was an improvement over the first, but it felt like things were just too easy. Every problem that popped up and got solved with barely a hitch. I enjoyed how the authors dove deeper into Greek Mythology, but the story and characters still fell a bit flat for me.

Thank you to Netgalley, Alexis Rune, and Jeanette Rose for letting me read this in return for an honest review.

After reading "The Maiden & the Unseen," I was very curious to find out what would happen in this second book, and let me assure you, "The Mistress & the Renowned" didn't fall short. On the contrary, I liked it even more than book one. I love the continuation of a dual POV, and the character development was great. I enjoyed reading about Persephone getting to know herself and her new realm without Hades, and the journey to discovering her real powers. The POV of Hades as he starts to "relive" his past was also well written. Overall, I enjoyed getting to know these characters and what caused them both to have so much trauma and insecurities. And how the story turned out in the end... well, let's say I did not see all of it coming! Love it!

Favorite quote:
'"Ask me,"she whispers, and my eyes snap open to look at her. "Ask me to be your wife, your queen, to accept my fate."'

The mistress and the renowned by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune.
Book 2 of love and Fate series.
Hades has finally claimed his fated queen, but at a cost that neither of them could have foreseen. Taken from his secure penthouse, he’s transported into the heart of a carnivorous tree that is sapping his power. In a moment of panic, he sends a call out, hoping for relief, a distraction from the torture he’s enduring. He’d hoped Persephone would answer. But another god is the first to hear him, sending him the last place he’d ever want to be: his memories.
I really did enjoy this book.  I love this series. I loved the cover. Short chapters, and I got into it straight away.  I did like Persephone and Hades. How they were with each other. I loved the illustrations in the book. I didn't like Demetir at all. I did love Cerberus. He sounded headious, but he wasn't. I did like Melinoe. I did like the style of writing. It did feel like I was there with them watching in the shadows. I am really looking forward to the next book. 5*.

#Jeanetterose #alexisrune #themistressandtherenowned #loveandfateseries #roseandstarpublishing #romanticerotica #netgalley

I was so excited for book 2 in the Love & Fate series! I was not disappointed, but it did take a few chapeters to get into this one. Halfway through, I really started to get into the book and couldn't put it down. I loved the growth we see with Persephone and her relationship with Hades. I also adore the relationship she has with her Marshmallow too. Persephone really embraces her role as Queen of the Underworld, especially when her brother-in-laws are present! I can't wait to jump into book 3!

What a follow up to the first book. Exciting, and romantic. It starts answering questions and really sets up for the evil and madness that will be the conclusion. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

**Thank you NetGalley**

I have probably rounded this rating up by a .5 or so.

While the writing in this book was good, I did find the actual storytelling bounced around a bit. I also found that I didn't really connect with anyone. I felt like Persephone basically created her own problems a lot of the time and the miscommunication in this is what really made me lose interest.

I just about managed to make it to the end and while I enjoyed the world building I think the disconnect I felt with the characters meant I won't carry on with the series no matter how good the cliff hanger at the end was.

I would recommend anyone who enjoys a Hades and Persephone retelling to pick this series up and give it a go though.

An ok read that was engaging throughout in terms of writing style and the characters had very distinct voices, it was nice to get a sense of what each were thinking. However, the book was heavily reliant on shock value and didn't really have much plot which is a shame as this could have been a really interesting take on the story of Hades and Persephone. That being said, I will of course be continuing with the series as it did capture my attention and is an easy read.

Okay, now we're getting somewhere.

2nd book syndrome? Nah, this series is definitely the opposite. It's not so much amazing as it is entertaining. I added another star because of how the author described the underworld and created the setting. And also for Hekate and Mellie.

Don't get me wrong. The main stars are still irritating. Persephone was girlbossing hard (yes btch slay) but also being mean to Hades. Hades, on the other hand, fleshed out some dimensions which is cool, but still predictable and whiny like in the first book.

That last chapter however... It makes me want to read the last book. I hope it doesn't make me want to hair out at least. No expectations for the next one 💁🏻‍♀️

I really enjoyed this. Greek mythology is always a favourite and this Hades x Persephone retelling was really well done. The miscommunication can get a bit frustrating at times and Persephone did have me yelling at the page 😂, but that is a trope that I find a bit annoying in any book. The pacing for me was a bit of a struggle, but really picked up towards the last third of the book. Hades vulnerability saved it for me, and now with that cliffhanger I’ll definitely be looking for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eArc!

We continue in the Underworld, but all isn’t what it seems.
I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, so I will leave it at this - Demeter is the worst!
I will need 5-7 business days to process my emotions because this cliffy was absolutely gutting!

for a lot of this book i was thinking 2 stars, and then the last 15-20% happened and we were back.

in the beginning i was interested and that was fine, but at some point i got pretty bored, maybe around 30%? and from then until the end (last 20%) i did feel like i was mostly reading to finish the book, not because i was enjoying it.

i think both hades and persephone had matured in this book which was good. but a lot of what i really enjoyed about book 1 was the wattpad nostalgia and this moved away from that - which again is fine - but it felt like not much was happening in the middle section. once more i think this book might have been better if it had been shorter.

plus hades was really quite unlikeable for a while there. i get that he’s dealing with trauma etc., but i still did not like the way he was talking to persephone (and mellie). i appreciated that this was addressed, and was not something persephone put up with as she knew she deserved better. but seeing hades continuously not respecting persephone’s emotions was difficult.

again, this picked up a lot in the last 20% or so when the plot really got going, and i was back to reading because i wanted to know what happened. the ending was another cliffhanger - a little predictable, but a trope i enjoy. sooo i’m excited to see what happens next in the queen & the king!

I was thrilled to begin this follow-up to The Maiden & the Unseen, a spicy Hades & Persephone retelling. This one is a little heavier and differently paced, but I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the third in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jeanette Rose, and Alexis Rune for the eARC of The Mistress and the Renowned by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune.

After really enjoying the first book of Love and Fate, I was really thrilled to find that NetGalley was offering not just the second book for review, but the third as well. Jumping right in, this book is just as spicy as the first. There isn't as many spicy scenes in the second book as there was in the first, but the spice was just as S P I C Y.

I really loved how we ventured into the Underworld in book two. Book one gave us a really modern take on Hades and Persephone, and we got to dive into more Greek Mythology during The Mistress and the Renowned, which I really enjoyed.

I'm diving straight into book three!!

What a fun read! It was fast paced and entertaining, I had no idea how quickly I was consuming the book. It was captivating, emotional, and funny when it needed to be.

The Mistress and The Renowned is the sequel to a riveting modern take on the Hades and Persephone myth, author Julia Smith plunges readers back into the tumultuous world of gods and mortals. Hades, the God of the Dead, finds himself imprisoned in a carnivorous tree, his powers waning, and his only hope for escape lies in Persephone, his fated queen. However, it is another god who first hears his call, leading Hades on a journey through his own memories as he struggles to break free.

Meanwhile, Persephone grapples with her unexpected role as Queen of the Underworld, feeling abandoned and unsupported by the very god who placed her on the throne. With time ticking away and nightmares haunting their every move, Hades and Persephone must confront the undeniable pull of destiny that binds them together.

Smith delivers another spellbinding installment filled with twists, turns, and the timeless battle against Fate itself. Readers are once again swept up in the whirlwind romance and high-stakes drama of Hades and Persephone's tale, rooting for the couple as they navigate the challenges of their newfound roles.

I like the intense emotional depth of this book as Hades and Persephone face trials that test their love and resilience. The exploration of their individual struggles and the unyielding grip of destiny creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The Maiden & the Unseen by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune

Pages: 431

Love and Fate series
🌀The Maiden & the Unseen
🌀The Mistress & the Renowned
🌀The Queen & the King
🌀The Nightmare & the Daydream

⚠️Content Warning⚠️
Please check content warnings BEFORE reading.

Format: 📱

What to Expect:
🖤Age Gap
💙Contemporary Romance
🖤Dark Romance
💙Dirty Talk
🖤Enemies-to-Lovers
💙Erotic Romance
🖤Fantasy
💙Fated Mates
🖤Forced Proximity
💙MF
🖤Mythology
💙Piercings
🖤Retelling
💙Shadow Daddy
🖤Urban Fantasy
💙Workplace Romance

Ratings:
FMC: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
MMC: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:
I have read several Hades and Persephone retellings over the past few years, but this has to be one of my favorites. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune do an excellent job of telling the story in dual POV without the points of view feeling unconnected.

When the gods first descended from Olympus to live among humans, Hades was charged with financing their endeavors. Persephone works hard as a social media manager. She’s under the impression her salary funds her lavish lifestyle. But what happens when her bank account unexpectedly hits zero?

The Maiden & the Unseen is perfect for readers who enjoy Greek mythology, off-the-charts chemistry, and Hades with a dirty mouth.

Thank you to Netgalley, Alexis Rune, and Jeanette Rose for letting me read this in return for an honest review.

This book picks up straight after the last one finished.
I liked the world building in this, and I feel the authors described the underworld really well. However, I liked this book less than the first one... Persephone is just sorta annoying, I found her whingy in book 1 and was hoping for development but tbh I just feel she's gotten worse, and her being able to fight that way just seems like she's a bit too protected by plot convenience, which I really hate in books. She's just determined to make things difficult, she's so selfish and hypocritical and stroppy, and just feels she's constantly looking for a fight.

Hades on the otherhand... I still love him. I like his growth and seeing more of his background. He's just more interesting on his own than he is with Persephone, and I hate that this story has made me feel like that when they are one of my favourite mythological pairings.
I like Mellie a little less after reading this, it just felt very forced compared to their first book.

Even the cliff hanger didn't seem that interesting to me...

The Mistress and The Renowned picks up right were The Maiden and The Unseen leaves off. As Hades has taken Persephone as his queen, they are separated in the underworld and Persephone must go on a journey to find Hades-- her King in the underworld. They are devoted to each other and make sacrifices to be united. This book is a steamy fantasy for those who enjoy a bit of spice.

This was MUCH better.
Less erotica & more character & plot development.
I loved the bond.
I enjoyed the descriptions of their surroundings.
I liked the turmoil with P's mom she's a treacherous wench if Ive ever read of one.
Much better read