The Promise of Spring

by Savannah James

Hades, the God of the Dead and King of the Underworld, desperately needs a vacation. Having been trapped in his domain for going on ten thousand years, Hades is more than willing to risk death or punishment if it means being able to walk amongst the living. While visiting modern day New York City, Hades finds Persephone, a mysterious Goddess that has made a name for herself as a Mortal florist. Her sorrowful eyes and guarded heart call to his own, but as the two grow closer, they realize they have more than just their hearts at risk. The Gods of Olympus are searching for Hades, and soon the carefully crafted life Persephone has made for herself comes crashing down. In order to ensure their freedom and happiness, the two Gods must rely on each other to fend off those hunting them, especially when the Underworld itself becomes threatened. But little do they know how far the Gods are willing to go to benefit their wants, and the world at large is about to find out the gambit that each of the Gods are willing to play.

Perfect for fans of Scarlett St. Clair and Laura Thalassa, The Promise of Spring is the first book in the Gods Gambit series, with each installment following different sets of Gods and Mortals in retellings of the myths you know and love. Filled with romance, intrigue, deception, and hard-won happily ever afters, this is series is sure to keep you coming back for more.

Genres: Fantasy

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2023

About the author

Savannah James is an author that is dedicated to writing the stories she loves while sprinkling in some much needed representation for type one diabetics such as herself. She primarily writes romance, but she also dabbles in poetry and horror. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, journaling, playing Minecraft, watching movies, jamming to Taylor Swift, and spending time with her family and puppies.

Reviews

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t care if this is my book or not, I read it and love it with my whole heart, so I’m adding it and rating it. I’m far from the first author to do this for their book.

[Meghan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update July 2025: see my original review below

The author is re-releasing this book as a Special Edition, which is revised to better reflect her original vision for the story. I am changing my rating from four stars to five stars because the revised version improves upon some of the issues I had in the original.

In the Special Edition, the chapters are shorter, the dialogue is quippier, and the story flow is overall more fast paced. If you’re going to read this book, I highly recommend going for the revised Special Edition!


—————
Original review (2023):


I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this Hades & Persephone retelling! It scratched so many itches for me that can be hard to find in the Romantasy genre! We’ve got:

🪻insta-love
🪻marriage of convenience
🪻friends to lovers
🪻cozy/low stakes
🪻found family
🪻cinnamon roll/golden retriever Hades
🪻ADULT Persephone (blessedly not a teenager)
🪻MCs who actually COMMUNICATE

I’m a sucker for Hades & Persephone retellings and this one did not disappoint. It starts off with the two of them falling in love and palling around in NYC, doing cute touristy things together and it reads like a RomCom. By Part Two, things take a turn and we get more of a fantasy setting in the Underworld. There’s also a lot of world-building throughout relating to the other Gods of Olympus as the author lays the groundwork for more books in the series. Thanatos became a favorite of mine and I’m really looking forward to his book.

It was not a five star read for me due to the overall pacing of the story feeling a bit off-kilter. By about 80% through the book, the main conflict is pretty much wrapped up which made it hard to continue feeling invested in the story. Regardless, many sweet moments happen in the last 20%, including a heartwarming wrap-up for Persephone’s character arc.

I feel confident recommending this to my fellow cozy romance readers. This book is a breath of fresh air for the Romantasy genre. Frankly, there are only so many dark enemies to lovers I can read before I start to get bored 😬 and this is one I will come back to when I want Romantasy without the angsty teenagers 😂

[Ash (so there’s this book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honored to receive an eARC for The Promise of Spring, a debut novel. This review is honest and freely given.

This was a really sweet version of the Hades and Persephone myth. I really liked the concept of their meet cute being a result of Hades going on vacation. I think the Lucifer vibes really worked well here! While Hades was exited for a break from the Underworld, he is woefully unprepared, and needs to get a job to finance his time in New York City. Enter Persephone, a Goddess, and owner of a flower shop, hiding in the masses. This sets up for some seriously humorous and adorable situations for Hades in the Mortal Realm.

Persephone is such a relatable character, and I really felt connected to her issues with her mother. But the standout character, for me, was Hades, who was written in a way I don’t think I’ve ever read before. While he had his signature characteristics, he was also so, so soft. I truly enjoyed seeing these two find their other halves in each other, and their paths of helping each other grow! The cast of supporting characters were also very enjoyable!

The friends to lovers, insta-lust, pipeline was also well done. I really liked the way Hades and Persephone helped each other to be their best selves. And the spicy parts were well done; not incredibly graphic, but steamy nevertheless.

I also feel like the author gave a fresh take on the mechanics of the Underworld, without straying form the mythology. One of my favorite parts was definitely Persephone meeting and reacting to some of the “celebrity” souls from history while she was spending time in the Underworld.

I will say that this is definitely what I would consider a “cozy” romance, in the sense that the stakes are never stressfully high, and the characters don’t go through any devastating conflicts. For this reason, Hades and Persephone sometimes fall into the “perfect” trap, where they know the exact right thing to say and do. They do not have any relationship conflicts, which was very different than romance books I typically read. I don’t think that necessarily took away from the story, however, as long as cozy romance is what you’re looking for. So, if you are looking for something easy, breezy, soft and HEA certified, this is definitely that!

Definitely recommend for fans of Hades x Persephone retellings, and Greek mythology at large. I can’t wait to read the stories of some of the goofy sidekicks!

[Holly Clancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read book reviews, you might see people say 'I couldn't put it down'. This was literally me with The Promise of Spring. I think perhaps the only time I did set it aside was when I was asleep. It was filled with everything I wanted and more. A bewitching romance that had me giddily kicking my feet and squealing. Rich, believable dialogue with the perfect peppering of charm and wit. And to top it all off...Greek Gods. Lots of them. I fell madly in love with every character that jumped off the page, especially the central lovers. I will hold my hands up and admit that I know next to nothing about Greek mythology, yet this book has an unshakable hold on me. I cannot wait to continue the series and bury myself in these characters' stories once again. The truest pleasure to read and such a beautifully crafted novel. The words will stay with me for a long, long time.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked by chapter two. The tone reminds me of Beastly by Alex Flinn with strong Twilight/Midnight Sun undertones that I absolutely adored. Persephone is a fun and engaging character. Hades is gracious and wide eyed. Their relationship progresses quickly, but it didn't feel too fast for their personalities. They make a cute couple. I love their found family friendships. The ending had me excited to see how that particular mythology is handled in book two. Overall, the dialogue flowed well; the dual first person PoVs were captivating; and the plot flowed smoothly. This is a fantastic debut indie book, and I'm excited to read more by this author!

Content: explicit s*x and oral s*x, child abuse, strong language

[cj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally asked to beta read the book as a sensitivity reader for LGBTQ+. I was already burnt out of PersxHades retellings but wanted to give this a go. I read and reviewed with wholehearted honesty.

This book is like no other retelling I’ve read so far. I was immediately dragged in and had my attention held. It’s unique, pulled at my heart strings, and had me rooting for not just main characters but even side characters. I got tired of reading naive and childlike Seph characters and SJ did NOT disappoint by giving a strong FMC. And yes.. she passed the sensitivity test from my POV with a diverse cast who I came to fall in love with.

This book is a MUST read.

[tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was definitely interesting and I really liked the modern take on Hades and Persephone. I liked the characters, and I'm definitely interested in where the author takes the rest of their stories! I thought start was a little slow but once it picked up I was hooked!
I loved the dynamic between the Olympians so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing all of them on the page together more in future books!
I thought the world building was interesting and I liked this take on the Underworld and Hades/Persephone/Charon/etc. and I also really liked that Hecate seems to have a bit more of an important role in Hades' life. I don't see her show up very often in retellings but I definitely enjoyed reading about her in this version and I hope she gets her own book!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to get to beta read The Promise of Spring. I went into it not knowing much about Hades and Persephone and I loved it. A lot of the story is based in NYC and even though they’re gods, their story starts off in a cute human-ish romcom way that gave me Christina Lauren vibes. Then it got more exciting with the god/fantasy aspects. There were twists that I didn’t expect that kept me reading without it being too angsty. I highly recommend!

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this, I was a little hesitant only because I’m not a fan of the same Hades and Persephone story over and over again but I was pleasantly surprised by how different the story is from other versions. Something I enjoyed throughout the story was how unique each character was and how you got to know every character without it being overwhelming. The story line was easy to follow and wasn’t too predictable which can be hard to do with a story that’s been told about a hundred times. There was just the right amount of fluff and angst and I honestly can’t wait for the next one!

[Sarah Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Promise of Spring which is released on August 20th. I enjoyed this book immensely and love how the author approached the subject of Greek mythology.

The characters are lovable and well developed. I love how Persephone and Hades interact one-on-one with the side characters and made me feel invested as a reader in the stories of every character. There is nuisance to every character introduced as well as a commitment to diversity by the author. None of the characters felt redundant and I enjoyed the representation of different sexualities.

In terms of plot, the book holds up well. Nothing was left unresolved, and everything mentioned served a purpose. The pacing was consistent and I didn't feel rushed nor like anything was dragged out. Also, I could tell how knowledgeable the author is about the subject matter and applaud the attention to detail.

I'd definitely recommend this book for those who are fans of cozy romance. Hades and Persephone's relationship and commitment to each other is unwavering and comforting.

I look forward to reading what Savannah James writes in the future.

[Flowers&Fiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great modern take on the Hades and Persephone myth. I commend the author for being able to modernize an ancient world and tackling this large pantheon of gods. The plot was well done and laid out in a way that fit the myth but also had an original spin. The world building was phenomenal and gave a clear picture of the setting. My only issue was with the characters. I liked Persephone being a strong female character but there were times where both her and Hades seemed to always be good at everything and always in the right when it came to conflict. They both were very neurotic but otherwise didn’t have any obvious character flaws and that made them feel one dimensional at times. I was also missing the tension and emotion that I look for in a romance although that could just be due to different preferences in writing style. Overall I really respect the author for listening to my criticisms and still asking me for an honest review of her work! I think this book is an interesting start to a new series and you should check it out!

[Nola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Promise of Spring is a cozy, friends to lovers, Hades and Persephone retelling. Set in modern New York City, the god of the Underworld, Hades, seeks out a much needed relaxing vacation but finds his romantic fate instead. 

Savannah James captures the complicated relationships between the ancient Greek gods in such a tricky, sticky, human way. With the bickering Ares and Aphrodite, sleazy Poseidon, and the grieving Demeter; James has created a fresh new riff on these ancient archetypes.

I was completely charmed by the Underworld setting as a healing retreat and joyous reunion for most souls. Additionally, the Chthonic crew in the Underworld struggling with the mortal complications of death was such an interesting point of view

At times I felt this story tripped over its own feet. Some chapters became clunky trying to world build by adding many additional extra characters with unnecessary back story.
However, this series has some serious legs! Looking forward to the next addition.

[Samantha Iannarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book in a long time that I’ve actually finished! I’ll be honest - I read an earlier draft of the book as a friend of the author, but to give an honest review, I absolutely loved it and could not put it down.

I was one of the kids who could read a book in hours and would stay up late to finish them, and then I turned into adult where all I read was research papers and couldn’t find the enjoyment in reading books anymore. I kept starting books and then they’d sit on my shelf never to be finished.

TPOS is the first book I have read all the way through and honestly kept wanting to read more. It is definitely a cozy, low stakes, romantasy book, but that’s what I love most about it. Who doesn’t love a super hot but oh so soft main character?

Although I’ve never read a HadesxPersephone retelling before this, I think this was done really well. This is a 5 stars from me and I absolutely cannot wait to see what else comes from the series.

[Mika Moss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. As we all know, Hades/Persephone is kind of a big deal right now. So it's getting a little played out. However, I felt as if the story here was original. Not only that, but we don't see the typical relationships that seem to be in every retelling - i.e. corrupted Persephone and wrathful Zeus.

I did feel like the two main characters didn't face a lot of adversity. There are issues, but it felt like...they were always in the right so nothing that seemed like a problem was ever a problem because it felt like it would work out before it did. I like my books a little angsty so I usually like not knowing how those things will play out.

I am really excited for the next book!! I feel like I almost connected more to the side characters than to the main characters in this book.

[Jkramb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very promising debut novel from a young new author. I was burnt out on Hades and Persephone story lines but nonetheless this novel still drew me and kept me entertained. It was very well written, the characters were well developed, and the story and references were well researched.
I appreciated the use of inclusive, gender neutral pronouns and LGBTQ characters throughout the novel that felt very natural and status quo, but never forced as it has in other books.
I would have liked more vague language in the ‘spicy’ scenes just to allow the reader to fill in the blank in their own imagination on what they would like to envision instead of being forced to imagine very specific descriptions.
Overall, a carefree, entertaining read by a talented author. I am very much looking forward to future titles by this author!

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNFd at 18%. Seems like it could be a cute story but Hades is too nice for me 🤣. And the book so far is going too slow. I’ll try again at a different date.

[Jess (sweet_as_fiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Hades has been trapped in the Underworld for ten thousand years, and has decided to visit Earth. He meets a mysterious Goddess named Persephone, and they grow close during his time on earth. However his vacation wasn’t welcomed by the fellow gods and Persephone has been in hiding for years, so their carefully crafted worlds are put to the test, along with their new relationship, as they navigate the politics of Olympus. Part of an unfinished series by a new Indie author!

Review: I was surprised by The Promise of Spring, because so many Hades x Persephone retellings are very serious and this book wasn’t a highly serious book, there was humor. The characters poked fun at each other, teased, and it has a generally lighter feeling. I’ll admit I was at first confused by this and wasn’t sure how I felt, but by a couple chapters through I was sucked in. Despite the characters poking fun at each other and readers seeing their quirky characteristics, it still had a steady fantasy plot to it. I enjoyed the balance of both. By halfway through the book I had a hard time putting it down. I’m looking forward to the Dance of Death (the second book in the Gods Gambit series) because it will focus on one of my favorite characters from the first book!

Jess’s overall enjoyment: 4/5⭐️
Spice level: 2.5/5 🌶️
Angst level: 2.5/5 ❤️‍🩹
Plot: 4/5 🗺️
Writing: 3.5/5 🖊️

[Alyssa (alyssathebookdragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I swore I would never let someone possess me again. I swore I would never belong to anyone but myself. But I’m yours, Hades. I have been yours since I first saw you.”

A cozy Hades & Persephone retelling where Hades vacations to NYC and comes across a flower shop run by a goddess in hiding? SOLD.

This was such a great read, a lot of Hades & Persephone retellings tend to be dark so this was a nice change. I loved the friends to lovers arc and I adored Hades relationships with his nephews and other family members. This book covered a lot of famous greek myths and history and explained it very well. Also I’m obsessed with Psyche and Persephone’s friendship!

The only thing keeping this from a 5 star read for me was the pacing but I’m so excited for the next book since the teaser included one of my favorite misunderstood characters :)

[Marissa L Mosk · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweeter than promised

This book was a fresh new take on Persephone and Hades. The characters genuinely fall for each other, they have supportive friends and family, and it’s true to the Greek myths, which makes my stickler brain happy.
It’s not super action packed, nor is it super spicy, but it’s a sweet read that left a lovely mood behind!