Tuesday Reviews: Dark Restraint by Katee Robert

 

Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She's betrayed her father—and his benefactor—and now she's left to rely on the questionable mercy of Olympus to keep her safe. As with everything in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there's only one man she's ever wanted—a man she's feared just as much as she desires.

The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos's plans. He was willing to get his hands dirty as long as the old man kept his word—at the end of this, the Minotaur would be given Ariadne as a reward. Nowhere in that deal was her walking down the aisle to a different man. She's meant for him, and he means to have her.

Ariadne knows better than to encourage the Minotaur. Her relationship with her new fiancé might be more friendship than burning passion, but she is all too aware of how much fiery passion can hurt. She and the Minotaur are no good for each other. She can never forgive him for what he's done, and he can never change. But when his hands are on her body and his wicked words are whispered in her ear, she might just be willing to let all of Olympus burn…

Dark Restraint by Katee Robert is another intense and addictive installment in the Dark Olympus series. Even though it can be read as a standalone, the ongoing political drama and interconnected storylines really add to the experience. The mix of mythology, power plays, and high stakes relationships kept me hooked, and the world continues to feel rich and chaotic in the best way.

Ariadne is an easy character to sympathize with, having grown up under a controlling and manipulative father. Her desire for freedom and agency makes her compelling, even when the situation around her becomes complicated. The Minotaur, on the other hand, is very much the definition of possessive and dangerous, with a single minded obsession with Ariadne. While their connection is intense, I was not fully sold on them as a couple. His version of love feels limited, and at times it is hard not to want more for her.

That said, the chemistry is undeniable, and the book leans heavily into that tension. Alongside the romance, the political maneuvering in Olympus continues to build, setting up future conflicts and keeping the larger story moving forward. That aspect was just as engaging as the central relationship.

Overall, this was a dark, steamy, and fast paced read that kept me entertained even when the tropes were not all my favorites. I may not have loved the couple, but I am still fully invested in the series and excited to see where things go next.

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Tuesday Reviews: Start a War by Elle Thorpe

“Do you want some Goldfish crackers, Bliss?”

Those were the last words my brother said to me before he was shot execution style. A childhood code only he and I knew, and one that had a single, clear meaning behind it.

Run.

I’m not going anywhere. Not when his murderer is still out there.

To catch a killer, I put aside my life of money and luxury and take over the running of Psychos, a dive bar in the seedy underbelly of Saint View.

But Psychos delivers more than I ever could have bargained for and three men I never saw coming.

Nash, my brother’s best friend. Older and more experienced, he still remembers me as the neglected child he once saved.

War, heir to a biker gang throne and searching for the man who left his mother in a coma. Bonded over a common goal, he introduces me to a world of after-hours clubs, danger, and violence.

And Vincent, the quiet new guy nobody seems to see except me. He’s sweet and quirky, but there’s a darkness in him just waiting to be unleashed.

With every lie we uncover, every secret we expose, the danger mounts.

Until there’s only one thing we know for sure.

The killer is still out there.

And we’re his next targets.

How to Start a War by Elle Thorpe is an interesting start to a why choose romantic suspense series. The premise pulled me in right away, especially with Bliss being dragged back into her old life after her brother’s death and inheriting his bar. There is a good mix of mystery, danger, and romance, and having multiple points of view helps bring the story to life. Vincent was easily the standout for me and the main reason I am curious to continue the series.

That said, I am still a bit on the fence after this first book. The pacing feels uneven at times, and while the setup is strong, it takes a while for things to really come together. Bliss was also a difficult character for me to fully connect with, especially early on. Her lack of confidence and tendency to let people walk all over her made parts of the story frustrating, even though there is some growth as the book progresses.

The relationships are intriguing, but since this is the first in a trilogy, everything is still developing. There is tension and chemistry, but not a lot of payoff yet. The story ends on a cliffhanger, which is expected, but it does mean this book feels more like a setup than a complete experience.

Overall, this was a solid but not amazing start. I am invested enough to pick up the next book and see where things go, but I am hoping for stronger character development and a bit more balance in the pacing moving forward.

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Tuesday Reviews: Ruining Dahlia by C.R. Jane

 

I was sold to my enemies. And not just my enemies. I was sold to monsters.

I should know all about how to survive monsters though, I come from a family of them.

We aren't Butchers in name only, and surely the Rossi family can’t be as bad as the devil that’s been destroying me since I was eight years old.

New York City, the powerful head of the Cosa Nostra, is my new home. Where Lucian, Raphael, and Gabriel Rossi now think they own me.

The thing they don't realize is that I'm more than what I seem.

A dahlia has always bloomed best in the light, and even though everything about this place and these men is shrouded in darkness, I’m determined to thrive…to win.

They play a game for keeps, a game where the only rule is that there are no rules.

They want to ruin me. But what disturbs me most is that I just might like it.

It’s me against them, and only time will tell If I'll be the winner or be destroyed in these cruel and merciless Mafia Wars.

Ruining Dahlia by C.R. Jane is exactly the kind of over the top mafia romance that is easy to get hooked on. The writing is engaging, the characters are distinct, and the overall vibe is dramatic in a way that keeps you turning pages. Each of the men has a strong personality, and their dynamics with Dahlia are different enough to stay interesting. Gabriel was a standout for me, bringing just the right mix of chaos and softness.

That said, trying to fit a reverse harem story with multiple relationships into a single book is a challenge, and you can feel that here. The connections develop quickly, leaning heavily into instant attraction, and I found myself wanting more depth and buildup between the characters. There is a lot of focus on physical chemistry, sometimes at the expense of emotional development.

The plot itself has strong moments, and the backstories add some weight to the story, but everything moves fast. I kept wondering how it would all come together in a standalone, and while it does wrap up, it feels like there could have been more room to explore the relationships and stakes in a deeper way.

Overall, this was a fun, dramatic read with memorable characters and plenty of intensity. It is not perfect, but if you enjoy mafia romance with multiple love interests and a lot of tension, it is definitely worth picking up.

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Tuesday Reviews: Midnight Auto Parts by Hailey Edwards

The whole dying thing sucked, but Frankie isn’t going to dwell. She’s focusing on the positive. She’s alive. Ish. Her family is safe. Her business is booming. She’s even got a boyfriend. Everything is coming up roses in Thunderbolt, Georgia.

Until a client decides she needs more time and makes a run for it in her loaner body. Too bad for the client, the last thing Frankie does before a loaner hits the showroom floor is microchip them for this very reason. Finding the runaway soul will be a piece of cake.

Or it would have been if she hadn’t bumped into Carter, who’s working a case that gets tangled up in Frankie’s repo. Missing women. Stolen cars. Alien abductions? The only way to get Frankie out of trouble is to help Carter uncover who’s behind it all. And pray the answer isn’t her client.

I went into Midnight Auto Parts by Hailey Edwards expecting a spooky mystery with some chaos, and it absolutely delivered. There are ancient god bones, a possibly misunderstood killer protector, a missing loaner body, and something dangerous lurking in the woods. It is the kind of setup that keeps things moving and makes it hard to look away.

Frankie is once again deep in her own head, second guessing everything, especially when it comes to Kierce. It can be a lot at times, but it also feels very human. If I were dealing with supernatural chaos and a confusing magical love interest, I would probably be overthinking everything too. Kierce is still supportive but also occasionally clueless in a way that is no longer entirely charming, which somehow still works for the story.

The plot is busy in the best way, with runaway ghost clients, magical loaner bodies, and a mythology that keeps expanding. It does get complicated, but I found it more interesting than frustrating. And Josie continues to be a standout character. I would gladly read more about her.

Overall, this book mixes mystery, emotional tension, and a lot of questionable decisions, and I had a great time with it. It is not perfect, but it is fun, engaging, and worth the read.

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Tuesday Reviews: Pas De Deux by Lina Harper

Aleksandr Drakov was never meant to be my Prince Charming.

He’s dark, ruthless, and powerful—and when he decides he wants something, he takes it. Including me.

I’ve survived my mental illness through rituals and rules, but he breaks every one. He buys my ballet theatre like it’s nothing to remind me that every part of me belongs to him. I should be scared. Instead, I crave him. And that terrifies me more.

Because men like Aleksandr don’t fall in love. They consume.

Evangeline Vale is forbidden in every way that matters.

She’s too soft for my world. Too innocent. A ballerina on the edge of stardom, and the sister of the man I hate most.

I know I should leave her untouched. But I can’t. I want her breathless. Ruined. Mine. And I’ll destroy anything that stands between us.

Even her world.

Pas De Deux by Lina Harper was such an addictive read. The mix of ballet and mafia romance pulled me in right away, and the tension between Eva and Aleksandr was so good. I especially loved that he falls first and is completely down bad for her. Their relationship had that perfect mix of intensity, sweetness, and chaos. The forbidden love aspect and the Romeo and Juliet parallels just made everything hit even harder.

I also really appreciated the emotional depth. Eva’s mental health was handled in a way that actually added to the story, and Aleksandr’s background made his character feel more layered than your typical morally gray love interest. The pacing kept me hooked, and the text messages throughout were such a fun touch. The spice was great too and didn’t take over the plot. My only reason for giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that some parts felt a little familiar for the genre, but overall it was such a fun and engaging read. I’m definitely excited for the next book.

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Tuesday Reviews: Phantom by H.D. Carlton

The married woman of the manor. The stranger outside. An intoxicating novel of dark temptation and dangerous desire by the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Cat and Mouse Duet.

November 12, 1944. This house holds on to souls for a lifetime. I thought I had given it to my husband when I vowed to love him until the end of time. I lied. Nothing could have prepared me for the day my phantom appeared outside my window. He was terrifying, yet hypnotizing, and I couldn’t deny my intrigue. I never intended to fall into a whirlwind romance with my stalker. Especially because he’s so much more than that. A criminal. A mobster. The man who offers me solace from the monster in Parsons Manor. There are many that haunt these halls, yet it’s only my husband I fear.

Phantom by H.D. Carlton is very different from her usual dark romance—and honestly, that’s what made it so powerful. This isn’t nonstop brutality or shock value like some of her other work. Instead, it’s a haunting, emotional look into the past, centered on Adeline’s grandmother and her story… and yes, her own stalker.

The way this book unfolds feels almost like stepping into a shadowed memory. It’s atmospheric, eerie, and emotional rather than outright brutal. There’s obsession, danger, and darkness, but it’s layered with longing, pain, and inevitability. You slowly realize how deeply this past shapes everything that comes after, and it makes the entire universe of the series hit so much harder.

What really stood out was how human this story felt. The emotions are messy, uncomfortable, and quietly devastating. It’s not meant to shock you—it’s meant to linger. The love, the fear, the trauma, and the choices made all feel painfully real, and by the end, your heart just feels… heavy.

Phantom adds so much depth to Adeline’s world and reframes parts of the story you thought you understood. It’s dark in a subtle, haunting way, and incredibly well written. Five stars for the emotional weight, the atmosphere, and the way this story stays with you long after the last page

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