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Our Own Little Underworld
After getting dragged out of her school's winter formal, seventeen-year-old Percy Bloom needs to escape her controlling mother. Fleeing into the cold night, she's lost, alone, and freezing.
Ditched by his date and attacked by bullies, Hayden Addams, wants nothing more than to be done with high school forever. He finds Percy shivering in the woods and brings her back to the first place he can think his family's funeral parlor.
Percy is charmed by Hayden and his unusual family. Eager to help her get away from her problems and forget his own, Hayden offers Percy everything she needs, a truck, a destination, and the prettiest blue eyes she's ever seen.
Together the two hit the road, letting their hopes, dreams, and sparks fly along the way. But, can the two arrive at a future without confronting their pasts?
Ditched by his date and attacked by bullies, Hayden Addams, wants nothing more than to be done with high school forever. He finds Percy shivering in the woods and brings her back to the first place he can think his family's funeral parlor.
Percy is charmed by Hayden and his unusual family. Eager to help her get away from her problems and forget his own, Hayden offers Percy everything she needs, a truck, a destination, and the prettiest blue eyes she's ever seen.
Together the two hit the road, letting their hopes, dreams, and sparks fly along the way. But, can the two arrive at a future without confronting their pasts?
354 pages, Paperback
Published June 6, 2023
16 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Paige Lavoie
18 books374 followersPaige Lavoie is a Halloween-loving cinnamon roll who writes stories about misfits, monsters, and falling in love. Her affection for cozy autumn moments, charming protagonists, and all things cute and creepy reflects in the worlds she creates. When Paige isn’t writing, she can be found hunting for treasures at the local antique mall and sipping oat milk lattes under a lacey parasol as she hides from the sun in her home state of FL.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 15, 2023
Absolutely devoured this book! I received an ARC copy and couldn’t put it down. For anyone with controlling parents or just felt like they didn’t really fit. This is an excellent retelling of the legend of hades/Persephone. Almost 300 pages and filled with a really detailed world and lovable (mostly) characters. Can’t wait to buy a hard copy when it comes out officially!
May 29, 2023
This was just so sweet and lovely. I loved getting to know these characters, and the good ones we were introduced to along the way. It made me happy to see Percy grow and realize what she is worth, and how she deserves to be treated.
May 10, 2023
Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: "Our Own Little Underworld” by Paige Lavoie
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
Percy Bloom wants to connect with other teens and have her own independence, but her overbearing, controlling mother wants none of it! Hayden Addams wants to get through the school year, but is constantly bullied and harassed by his classmates. When both teens grow tired of the mistreatment and find an unexpected bond with each other, they decide to run away from it all by going on a road trip to find their safe space. Will they find a place to call their "own little Underworld" , or will they have to face the obstacles they left behind?
This book..Sent my Heart..On a rollercoaster! I felt both joy and anxiety at the same time while reading this book.You know you've written a good book when you make the reader feel many emotions for a fictional character's joy and plight. Hayden and Percy were a perfectly written duo! Not only did Mrs. Lavoie beautifully capture the joys that come with young love, but her characters' coming-of-age story arcs, their bond through trauma, and their gradual chemistry through their experience gives us as readers a reason to root for them, to want them to be happy by the end of the book!
This book also doesn't shy away from child abuse and generational trauma. If there's one thing I've noticed in some of Mrs. Lavoie 's books I've read so far, it's the fact that her characters tend to have certain obstacles with a parental figure, often a mother. Mrs. Bloom was probably the most anxiety inducing parental antagonist I've ever read. Her "Mother Gothel" grip on Percy made me so worried for her and I was screaming into my book, rooting for Percy to be ok by the end of the book!
Now, when it comes to how mental health is portrayed, I take care to analyze how said representation is handled in books very seriously. No mother is perfect. All mothers have certain obstacles with mental health, especially when dealing with trauma or they're fearful of losing their child. However, there are some moms that are, unfortunately, like Mrs. Bloom. There are some parents who, because of their past trauma, generational pressure/trauma, or other factors, abuse and isolate their children, putting a controlling, metaphorical leash on them and calling it "love".
While some parents learn from their mistakes and try to do better through counseling and communication, there are some parents who refuse the help. If someone doesn't first recognize the toxicity of the behavior and doesn't want help, it is impossible for someone to take the first steps to change. Mrs. Lavoie also illustrates the complexities of this in her book.
The way Mrs. Lavoie tackles bullying in her book is also effective. Bullying is unfortunately still a major problem in certain academic and work environments. Depending on the type of bullying , this could have harmful mental and/or physical effects on those who have suffered from said situation. Hayden's hesitancy to tell her mother about the situation and trying to keep his head down to eventually speaking up and standing up for himself is not only a perfectly written story arc for the character, but is an honest portrayal of some stages some people go through when they're being bullied.
If you love a "Hades and Persephone" retelling with a wholesome, empowering, modern-day Cottage Core twist, then don't miss this YA romance from the author that brought you "I'm In Love With Mothman" when it hits online stores on June 6th, 2023!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes to Expect: Cinnamon Roll Duo, Gothic/Cottage Core Romance, Coming-Of-Age, Road Trip Narrative, Opposites Attract, and Runaway Couple Narrative.
Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Bullying, and Mentions of Domestic Violence.
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
Percy Bloom wants to connect with other teens and have her own independence, but her overbearing, controlling mother wants none of it! Hayden Addams wants to get through the school year, but is constantly bullied and harassed by his classmates. When both teens grow tired of the mistreatment and find an unexpected bond with each other, they decide to run away from it all by going on a road trip to find their safe space. Will they find a place to call their "own little Underworld" , or will they have to face the obstacles they left behind?
This book..Sent my Heart..On a rollercoaster! I felt both joy and anxiety at the same time while reading this book.You know you've written a good book when you make the reader feel many emotions for a fictional character's joy and plight. Hayden and Percy were a perfectly written duo! Not only did Mrs. Lavoie beautifully capture the joys that come with young love, but her characters' coming-of-age story arcs, their bond through trauma, and their gradual chemistry through their experience gives us as readers a reason to root for them, to want them to be happy by the end of the book!
This book also doesn't shy away from child abuse and generational trauma. If there's one thing I've noticed in some of Mrs. Lavoie 's books I've read so far, it's the fact that her characters tend to have certain obstacles with a parental figure, often a mother. Mrs. Bloom was probably the most anxiety inducing parental antagonist I've ever read. Her "Mother Gothel" grip on Percy made me so worried for her and I was screaming into my book, rooting for Percy to be ok by the end of the book!
Now, when it comes to how mental health is portrayed, I take care to analyze how said representation is handled in books very seriously. No mother is perfect. All mothers have certain obstacles with mental health, especially when dealing with trauma or they're fearful of losing their child. However, there are some moms that are, unfortunately, like Mrs. Bloom. There are some parents who, because of their past trauma, generational pressure/trauma, or other factors, abuse and isolate their children, putting a controlling, metaphorical leash on them and calling it "love".
While some parents learn from their mistakes and try to do better through counseling and communication, there are some parents who refuse the help. If someone doesn't first recognize the toxicity of the behavior and doesn't want help, it is impossible for someone to take the first steps to change. Mrs. Lavoie also illustrates the complexities of this in her book.
The way Mrs. Lavoie tackles bullying in her book is also effective. Bullying is unfortunately still a major problem in certain academic and work environments. Depending on the type of bullying , this could have harmful mental and/or physical effects on those who have suffered from said situation. Hayden's hesitancy to tell her mother about the situation and trying to keep his head down to eventually speaking up and standing up for himself is not only a perfectly written story arc for the character, but is an honest portrayal of some stages some people go through when they're being bullied.
If you love a "Hades and Persephone" retelling with a wholesome, empowering, modern-day Cottage Core twist, then don't miss this YA romance from the author that brought you "I'm In Love With Mothman" when it hits online stores on June 6th, 2023!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes to Expect: Cinnamon Roll Duo, Gothic/Cottage Core Romance, Coming-Of-Age, Road Trip Narrative, Opposites Attract, and Runaway Couple Narrative.
Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Bullying, and Mentions of Domestic Violence.
April 27, 2024
Okay, so I hate to be the one, but I’ll do it. Where was the fantasy element? I feel like other than the names of the characters there were no elements of the Greek myth at all, except in really random moments when the characters would bring it up, seemingly out of nowhere. It’s a cute story, but nothing really happens? I am probably far too old to be the demographic for this book, admittedly but…yeah. No fantasy, that’s really all I came to say.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2024
Upon further reflection, I’m moving this down to 3 stars. This was picked for book club, with the demographic being “YA fantasy” and other than the names and little tidbits brought up by the characters, there’s no fantasy elements. It’s a cute story of two teenagers and cute for what it is, but I wish there was actual fantasy here.
April 30, 2024
I don't get how this is supposed to be YA Fantasy when there's ZERO Fantasy in it. Our book club was psyched to read this story because it was supposed to tie in the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone, but those elements were nowhere to be found. It's a total snooze fest. I'd recommend just passing on it.
April 29, 2023
🚨Book Review🚨
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🪦 High School
🪦 Forbidden Romance
🪦Innocent 1st Love
🪦Dual POV
☠️Mentions of past abuse
☠️Mentions of lost parent/grandparent
☠️Bullying
This was an innocent love story. I truly enjoyed reading this book. I didn't want to put it down. 🥰
Percy is a high school senior who wants to live her life but her mother won't let her because of her own past trauma. Hayden is the outcast of the high school and is judged by his looks alone. This novel tells the journey about them finding themselves and overcoming the hardships they have had to endure. It is a beautiful, innocent and captivating story of young love and how sometimes a person comes into your life just when you need it the most. At 264 pages it is well written and wrapped up in a nice little bow.
I do wish that there had been a little more in the epilogue that went just a little further down the timeline.
Thank you Paige for allowing me to ARC read this for you. 🥰
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🪦 High School
🪦 Forbidden Romance
🪦Innocent 1st Love
🪦Dual POV
☠️Mentions of past abuse
☠️Mentions of lost parent/grandparent
☠️Bullying
This was an innocent love story. I truly enjoyed reading this book. I didn't want to put it down. 🥰
Percy is a high school senior who wants to live her life but her mother won't let her because of her own past trauma. Hayden is the outcast of the high school and is judged by his looks alone. This novel tells the journey about them finding themselves and overcoming the hardships they have had to endure. It is a beautiful, innocent and captivating story of young love and how sometimes a person comes into your life just when you need it the most. At 264 pages it is well written and wrapped up in a nice little bow.
I do wish that there had been a little more in the epilogue that went just a little further down the timeline.
Thank you Paige for allowing me to ARC read this for you. 🥰
June 15, 2023
Hayden and Percy are both high school students with their own problems. Hayden is the resident goth kid who is frequently bullied. Percy is sheltered and living with her overbearing religious mother (think Mother Gothel). When Percy runs away after her mother very publicly drags her out of the school dance, she gets lost and nearly succumbs to the cold. Except Hayden, who was brought to the dance as a joke, finds Percy and brings her back to his family’s funeral home. The two decide to quite literally run away from their problems and embark on an adventure together, igniting chemistry between them. However, they quickly learn that they must confront their problems in order to have a future together.
This YA slice of life book was so CUTE. I wish I had this when I was I high school because I feel like every misfit needs this in their life. Oh, that young love ❤️
Pick this up if you want a cozy pick me up that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy by a campfire.
TW: abuse
This YA slice of life book was so CUTE. I wish I had this when I was I high school because I feel like every misfit needs this in their life. Oh, that young love ❤️
Pick this up if you want a cozy pick me up that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy by a campfire.
TW: abuse
April 17, 2023
I am a big fan of this author and was so excited to receive an arc for this book!
Our Own Little Underworld is a Hades and Persephone retelling with some Rapunzel vibes, too. This is the book my little teenager heart would have loved to read. I was the strange, lonely kid in school, and I related to Hayden so much. If only I had a family like his growing up I would have had a much happier childhood!
I loved the little bits of romance and seeing Percy and Hayden find each other and grow together. This is YA so nothing spicy, but the romance is adorable.
If you were the weird, outcast kid in school and just wished you had found someone that understood and loved you for you this is the story for you!
And a cute, loving, sweet boyfriend who also reads fae romance?! Come on!
Our Own Little Underworld is a Hades and Persephone retelling with some Rapunzel vibes, too. This is the book my little teenager heart would have loved to read. I was the strange, lonely kid in school, and I related to Hayden so much. If only I had a family like his growing up I would have had a much happier childhood!
I loved the little bits of romance and seeing Percy and Hayden find each other and grow together. This is YA so nothing spicy, but the romance is adorable.
If you were the weird, outcast kid in school and just wished you had found someone that understood and loved you for you this is the story for you!
And a cute, loving, sweet boyfriend who also reads fae romance?! Come on!
September 26, 2023
read this book in about 5 hours. it was lovely, cozy, sweet, just overall wonderful. I think both main characters were portrayed well. in fact all the characters had plenty of personality and development even if they didn’t have much time in the book. I wish something more came of Percy’s storyline with her mother, where she blatantly defends herself and goes off on her mom. However that is unlikely as she is a victim of long term abuse. I was just so frustrated and angry for her that I wanted to yell at her mom, so I definitely understood Hayden’s feelings. I really enjoyed this book. It deserves to have way more readers and reviews than it does. I loved all the gothic and unique elements to the book as well. So glad I found this!
August 7, 2023
Once I started this book I was done for. I loved the coziness of Hayden's home and his family so much and his quirky personality! The relationship between Percy and Hayden was so cute. I want someone to drive me out to their aunts cabin like Hayden did, under better circumstances ofc! Hayden and Percy's relationship reminds me so much of my own relationship to my partner, I am 10 out of 10 going to recommend to others. I don't know anyone else but I'd LOVE to see more from them! Wedding scene? Meeting her dad? Kids? The whole thing please!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2023
I do not read YA, period. I’ve been on the smut train for so very long and never felt the need to stray; Paige however, had other plans. Plans to entice and pique my curiosity in the form of Hades and Persephone as high school sweethearts. From the strained mother/daughter relationship to the head over heels amores these honeys held for each other, this retelling had me captivated to Wafflehouse and back again.
May 19, 2023
Full Review to come once I have braincells to use but:
5 outta 5. Paige Lavoie, once again, blows me away with her author voice, the sweet but complex emotions, a YA that made me absolutely thrilled to keep turning the page, and just a fabulous story.
Well done!
I did receive an Arc to review <3
5 outta 5. Paige Lavoie, once again, blows me away with her author voice, the sweet but complex emotions, a YA that made me absolutely thrilled to keep turning the page, and just a fabulous story.
Well done!
I did receive an Arc to review <3
September 16, 2023
CW: verbal abuse, domestic abuse, bullying, fighting, abandonment
This was a very quaint retelling of Hades and Persephone. I really enjoyed the connect between Percy and Hayden. I thought it was a genuine connection that could happen in high school. The almost immediate connect (cabin adventure) was not my favorite but it wasn't instalove either. Overall I enjoyed this story very much.
This was a very quaint retelling of Hades and Persephone. I really enjoyed the connect between Percy and Hayden. I thought it was a genuine connection that could happen in high school. The almost immediate connect (cabin adventure) was not my favorite but it wasn't instalove either. Overall I enjoyed this story very much.
June 10, 2023
Super cute high school love story. I really, really loved the characters. #Hayden I found myself wishing for more with the mother (back story) and the situation with the non-existent father. But I loved the random, spontaneous realism between the two main characters.
July 28, 2023
Found her first book 'im in love with mothman' on ticktok and found out she was going to release this one, i put it in my calendar and read it that day. I typically like books with a lot of smut but despite that this one didnt have any i truly enjoyed reading it
June 9, 2023
I loved this swoony teen romance! It did a great job of aligning with the Hades and Persephone myth while having a contemporary twist.
June 27, 2023
Love is real... LOVE IS REAL!!!!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider reading if you love the story of hades and persphone and love a good cozy romance to pick you up!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider reading if you love the story of hades and persphone and love a good cozy romance to pick you up!
July 17, 2023
I loved this book! It was sweet and cozy with characters I really enjoyed getting to know.
April 23, 2024
Cute for what it is. A little slow in some parts but good
January 11, 2025
This book was very cozy and really helped heal my inner teenager.
October 16, 2025
Cute little cozy book a modern era of the couple ♥️
August 2, 2023
This has to be one of my favorite retellings of Hades and Persephone. It’s sweet and cute, but also really honest about emotional abuse at the hands of a parent. I loved the characters and admittedly am a sucker for the ray of sunshine person and dark moody goth kid trope lol
July 30, 2023
* I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first time reading a Paige Lavoie book and I throughly enjoyed myself. I’ve definitely aged out of YA contemporary books for the most part, but this was something I think a lot of older people would enjoy as well. The story was compelling, the characters were charming and lovely, and it touched on a serious topic in a way that didn’t feel exploitive of people who’ve dealt with domestic violence. I appreciated the fact that the characters felt very authentic and didn’t feel like cheesy inspirational flat characters. If you like books about self-growth, characters going on adventures, and finding a family whose love isn’t conditional, this is probably for you.
This was my first time reading a Paige Lavoie book and I throughly enjoyed myself. I’ve definitely aged out of YA contemporary books for the most part, but this was something I think a lot of older people would enjoy as well. The story was compelling, the characters were charming and lovely, and it touched on a serious topic in a way that didn’t feel exploitive of people who’ve dealt with domestic violence. I appreciated the fact that the characters felt very authentic and didn’t feel like cheesy inspirational flat characters. If you like books about self-growth, characters going on adventures, and finding a family whose love isn’t conditional, this is probably for you.
November 20, 2023
Super sweet read. Perfect for goth teens! I’d have killed for an MMC like this as a teen. The story was amazing, had me on the edge of my seat at times and had my heart weeping at others- both sad and happy. Excellent read for right before Halloween if you’re looking for a sweet, spice free, YA romance.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews