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Modern Goddess #1
Seeds of Sorrow
An enemies-to-lovers dark romance novel. Loosely inspired by the Hades and Persephone myth. Sinful, spicy and utterly seductive.
***
Peyton Dimitra has always been a good girl... until she meets her wicked new boss, Hadina Adis.
Hadina Adis had never been good... but meeting Peyton Dimitra makes her want to be better.
The longer Peyton spends with Hadina, the more she is propelled into a life of secrecy, crime and betrayal. Loving Hadina comes easy, but trusting her doesn't.
When her new life implodes, Peyton has to decide between being the girl she used to be, or the woman Hadina helped her become.
***
Seeds of Sorrow is the first book in a dark contemporary romance series, loosely inspired by Greek mythology. This book contains mature themes, explicit content, triggers, violence and strong language. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
***
Peyton Dimitra has always been a good girl... until she meets her wicked new boss, Hadina Adis.
Hadina Adis had never been good... but meeting Peyton Dimitra makes her want to be better.
The longer Peyton spends with Hadina, the more she is propelled into a life of secrecy, crime and betrayal. Loving Hadina comes easy, but trusting her doesn't.
When her new life implodes, Peyton has to decide between being the girl she used to be, or the woman Hadina helped her become.
***
Seeds of Sorrow is the first book in a dark contemporary romance series, loosely inspired by Greek mythology. This book contains mature themes, explicit content, triggers, violence and strong language. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2023
150 people are currently reading
1368 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 110 reviews
dnf
June 12, 2025DNF- no rating. Totally forgot I had tried this back in 2023 and DNF it back then. I picked it up just now and it didn’t take very many pages to realize that I wasn’t interested in reading it. The author needs to keep practicing her craft. In its present form, this book is not ready for primetime in my opinion
September 16, 2023
“i’m your willing prisoner, mi reina. lock me away for eternity and i will happily be yours.”
this book was a surprising breath of fresh air, not that it wasn't dark, but rather in the way that it explored and dealt with the triggering themes at hand. mafia is my favorite trope, and as a lesbian myself, i'm always on the lookout for dark sapphic mafia romances. and inevitably end up disappointed more often than not, both due to the lack of representation and the way said representation is portrayed. i understand everyone's experience is different, and therefore, what good representation is/means may vary from person to person. not everyone likes or is comfortable with labels, while some people find understanding and belonging in dynamics such as top/bottom and masc/femme. but sometimes i just want to read about two sapphic characters in love, and this book gave me that. it wasn't about queerness as much as it was about mafia, in the sense that the characters' sexuality wasn't a subplot, it wasn't a ploy, it was just one of the many layers to their three dimensional selves. the normalcy to that element resonated with me and made me feel seen even without overtly trying. i loved both fmcs equally by the end, of course i was particularly inclined to hadina because of the mommy vibes, but peyton was very intriguing. she caught me off guard. when the cinnamon roll character shows the darkness that doesn't meet the eye and fully embraces themselves it's a very empowering experience, especially when it comes to women who are otherwise deemed weak and meek. i wouldn't say she had the biggest character development between the two because she came into herself gradually. whereas hadina had to allow herself to change and embrace her more vulnerable side. they mirrored each other, balanced one another. i truly appreciated the switches and turns between their power dynamic and how their progress as a couple followed their individual growth. the little nods to the greek myth of hades and persephone that inspired this story were beautifully accomplished. it didn't feel too on the nose, the plot was its own thing, but every reference packed a punch in what symbolized for the bigger picture. overall, this quickly became a new dark sapphic favorite of mine. but that cliffhanger? we don't talk about her. i need the next book. i need the sisters' books too, zellie more than piper, since she somehow managed to ensnare me even though i despise her.
*i was sent and arc by the author in exchange for a honest review
this book was a surprising breath of fresh air, not that it wasn't dark, but rather in the way that it explored and dealt with the triggering themes at hand. mafia is my favorite trope, and as a lesbian myself, i'm always on the lookout for dark sapphic mafia romances. and inevitably end up disappointed more often than not, both due to the lack of representation and the way said representation is portrayed. i understand everyone's experience is different, and therefore, what good representation is/means may vary from person to person. not everyone likes or is comfortable with labels, while some people find understanding and belonging in dynamics such as top/bottom and masc/femme. but sometimes i just want to read about two sapphic characters in love, and this book gave me that. it wasn't about queerness as much as it was about mafia, in the sense that the characters' sexuality wasn't a subplot, it wasn't a ploy, it was just one of the many layers to their three dimensional selves. the normalcy to that element resonated with me and made me feel seen even without overtly trying. i loved both fmcs equally by the end, of course i was particularly inclined to hadina because of the mommy vibes, but peyton was very intriguing. she caught me off guard. when the cinnamon roll character shows the darkness that doesn't meet the eye and fully embraces themselves it's a very empowering experience, especially when it comes to women who are otherwise deemed weak and meek. i wouldn't say she had the biggest character development between the two because she came into herself gradually. whereas hadina had to allow herself to change and embrace her more vulnerable side. they mirrored each other, balanced one another. i truly appreciated the switches and turns between their power dynamic and how their progress as a couple followed their individual growth. the little nods to the greek myth of hades and persephone that inspired this story were beautifully accomplished. it didn't feel too on the nose, the plot was its own thing, but every reference packed a punch in what symbolized for the bigger picture. overall, this quickly became a new dark sapphic favorite of mine. but that cliffhanger? we don't talk about her. i need the next book. i need the sisters' books too, zellie more than piper, since she somehow managed to ensnare me even though i despise her.
*i was sent and arc by the author in exchange for a honest review
August 1, 2024
4 Stars
Since I’ve read similar stories before I just gave this a go and I am surprised that I liked it as much as I do. I thought the other sapphic dark romance was dark, this one, so far, takes the cake. Not as dark as the straight dark romance I’ve read in previous straight life, but this one is still up there.
The darkness level that separates Seeds of Sorrow from the rest is the blood lust and I daresay is subjective to some. The saving grace, for me, I guess would be the motive of the characters, why they do what they do. They have a fun love-hate dynamic (of course). Some sex scene was a tad bit much for my liking but it makes sense.
Since I’ve read similar stories before I just gave this a go and I am surprised that I liked it as much as I do. I thought the other sapphic dark romance was dark, this one, so far, takes the cake. Not as dark as the straight dark romance I’ve read in previous straight life, but this one is still up there.
The darkness level that separates Seeds of Sorrow from the rest is the blood lust and I daresay is subjective to some. The saving grace, for me, I guess would be the motive of the characters, why they do what they do. They have a fun love-hate dynamic (of course). Some sex scene was a tad bit much for my liking but it makes sense.
February 23, 2024
I REALLY wanted to like this book! It has many elements that I typically love in a dark romance but the two main characters had very little/no chemistry. The poor character building made it very difficult for me to feel invested in the story and there were too many overly convenient moments. The whole thing felt forced.
October 22, 2023
Seeds of Sorrow was a wild ride! It took me a bit to get invested in the characters and conflict. However, once I did, I found it hard to put down. And the spice was well done and in some cases... DAMN. 😳🫠
The twist at the end was interesting, and I look forward to the next installment.
*I received this copy as an ARC, and I'm leaving the review voluntarily.*
Overall rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4
Characters: 4/5
Prose: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The twist at the end was interesting, and I look forward to the next installment.
*I received this copy as an ARC, and I'm leaving the review voluntarily.*
Overall rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4
Characters: 4/5
Prose: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 8, 2024
3.3 stars
I don’t know why everyone was so shocked at the cliffhanger… did you not expect that? Because I did.
I still quite enjoyed the sapphic darkness though
I don’t know why everyone was so shocked at the cliffhanger… did you not expect that? Because I did.
I still quite enjoyed the sapphic darkness though
August 27, 2023
This book lives rent free in my head.
I love any kind of Mafia romance and this was my first sapphic dark romance read. I absolutely devoured this story but not only that, the characters are all so wonderfully created.
There is so much character growth and pasts to overcome. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions that I actually enjoyed the moments of being emotionally wrecked. The emotions of these characters are written to the point of feeling the pain through words.
I also truly appreciate the flare of family issues and trust because what family doesn't have these issues? It was a great take on found family and overcoming hardships with communication.
The dark romance portion of this was very interesting and I enjoyed further the twists of Greek mythology that was intertwined in the story. Each sister and character took after a Greek mythology figure and it was so fun figuring that portion out.
In all, read this if you're a fan of dark sapphic romance with a trickle of Mafia and family drama. The spice was also finger licking good that left me at times with my jaw hanging open.
Amazing job to Sarah James on this one! Can't wait to read more of this series.
PS - SHOTGUN HARRIS. He's mine.
I love any kind of Mafia romance and this was my first sapphic dark romance read. I absolutely devoured this story but not only that, the characters are all so wonderfully created.
There is so much character growth and pasts to overcome. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions that I actually enjoyed the moments of being emotionally wrecked. The emotions of these characters are written to the point of feeling the pain through words.
I also truly appreciate the flare of family issues and trust because what family doesn't have these issues? It was a great take on found family and overcoming hardships with communication.
The dark romance portion of this was very interesting and I enjoyed further the twists of Greek mythology that was intertwined in the story. Each sister and character took after a Greek mythology figure and it was so fun figuring that portion out.
In all, read this if you're a fan of dark sapphic romance with a trickle of Mafia and family drama. The spice was also finger licking good that left me at times with my jaw hanging open.
Amazing job to Sarah James on this one! Can't wait to read more of this series.
PS - SHOTGUN HARRIS. He's mine.
November 11, 2023
dnf. it was smth....
September 18, 2023
My First Sapphic Romance and I loved it.
I loved how sexuality was not the point of interest and it focused on the plot.
And Hadina was a bad bitch, you can't convince me otherwise ❤️. She can be Icequeen but it didn't mean she didn't have a heart, I loved her character and how the story focused on showing her vulnerability too. It wasn't forced, it was natural, it showed even cold people have a heart too.
Peyton, was a lil question mark for me, her character is demure and I felt like her character arc went from zero to hundred, it kinda threw me off guard 😅. It felt forced somehow. The plot overall was awesome, and I loved the side characters too even if they didn't have much presence, they served their purpose when they were in the scene.
Don, I had suspicions on that old man and he served it true at last.
Smut - this kinda smut is dark for me, and I think people really need to understand the warnings cuz it can throw off the momentum the story created if you don't like that kind of smut.
And cliffhanger - fuck, why didn't I know abt this before reading it 😭 someone give me the next book and also pls I need a book having Adrian Harris as the lead.
4 stars.
This is an honest review in exchange for the ARC received from the author.
I loved how sexuality was not the point of interest and it focused on the plot.
And Hadina was a bad bitch, you can't convince me otherwise ❤️. She can be Icequeen but it didn't mean she didn't have a heart, I loved her character and how the story focused on showing her vulnerability too. It wasn't forced, it was natural, it showed even cold people have a heart too.
Peyton, was a lil question mark for me, her character is demure and I felt like her character arc went from zero to hundred, it kinda threw me off guard 😅. It felt forced somehow. The plot overall was awesome, and I loved the side characters too even if they didn't have much presence, they served their purpose when they were in the scene.
Don, I had suspicions on that old man and he served it true at last.
Smut - this kinda smut is dark for me, and I think people really need to understand the warnings cuz it can throw off the momentum the story created if you don't like that kind of smut.
And cliffhanger - fuck, why didn't I know abt this before reading it 😭 someone give me the next book and also pls I need a book having Adrian Harris as the lead.
4 stars.
This is an honest review in exchange for the ARC received from the author.
October 20, 2023
What a book! I was so excited to receive this arc even though I preordered too. I needed it! I was not disappointed! Well written and well developed. Intriguing, dark, spicy mafia. Told in the two FMCs pov, we see them grow into themselves, more so Peyton as she embraces her strengths and her dark side but also Hadina as she lets her walls crumble to show her vulnerability, albeit only to Peyton really but that makes it beautiful. Ugh the twist! And that cliffhanger!!! Omg. Cannot wait for book two!!
September 19, 2023
4.5 a dark sapphic Hades and Persephone inspired retelling, with mafia romance vibes. I’m absolutely obsessed with this I can’t wait for the next book, that cliffhanger had me on the edge of my seat.
Thank you to the author for this ARC.
Thank you to the author for this ARC.
December 21, 2023
Modern Goddess?? Sure... This harmful gun-sexing was just wild because you could end up shooting someone's future babies in a weird way, but sure.
December 7, 2023
SARAH. WTF.
First of all this is not a standalone so expect a cliffie ending lmao.
Second of all THIS IS SO GOOD. It’s everything we love about Hades x Persephone retellings but with a delicious sapphic twist! Hadina is so hot and such a badass I love her. Peyton, truthfully, at times, annoyed me. BUT I have a deeper appreciation for her now that I know this isn’t a standalone. It’s all part of her growth as a character, and I can’t wait to watch her become just as big of a badass as Hadina.
- Hades x Persephone inspired
- “touch her and die”
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Spicy time with a gun
First of all this is not a standalone so expect a cliffie ending lmao.
Second of all THIS IS SO GOOD. It’s everything we love about Hades x Persephone retellings but with a delicious sapphic twist! Hadina is so hot and such a badass I love her. Peyton, truthfully, at times, annoyed me. BUT I have a deeper appreciation for her now that I know this isn’t a standalone. It’s all part of her growth as a character, and I can’t wait to watch her become just as big of a badass as Hadina.
- Hades x Persephone inspired
- “touch her and die”
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Spicy time with a gun
December 27, 2023
1 star for the book cover 🥲
June 25, 2024
I feel like I’m being purposefully plotted against.
October 23, 2023
I received an eARC exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and options are my own.
I can’t tell you how excited I was that this author reached out to me, to see if I’d read her book. I was absolutely thrilled for a few reasons; one this would be my first ever sapphic romance, which I’ve been dying to read, but hadn’t given myself the chance to yet. My second reason was because this is a dark mafia romance, which are two of my absolute favorite tropes. Let me start off by saying that overall this book was so good. It was nothing like what I was expecting it to be in all the best ways. Hadina and Peyton were an interesting dynamic to put together. Hadina is a literal boss bitch and you couldn’t tell her otherwise. She’s fierce, focused and has a strong head on her shoulders. As for Peyton, I love seeing her character develop from a kind of meek girl, to a stronger and more determined one! I really enjoyed this book. It was spicy, action packed, intense, lots of family drama, and did I mention how spicy it was? I can’t wait to see where things are going, as this one had a powerful cliffhanger, girl was that brutal!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can’t tell you how excited I was that this author reached out to me, to see if I’d read her book. I was absolutely thrilled for a few reasons; one this would be my first ever sapphic romance, which I’ve been dying to read, but hadn’t given myself the chance to yet. My second reason was because this is a dark mafia romance, which are two of my absolute favorite tropes. Let me start off by saying that overall this book was so good. It was nothing like what I was expecting it to be in all the best ways. Hadina and Peyton were an interesting dynamic to put together. Hadina is a literal boss bitch and you couldn’t tell her otherwise. She’s fierce, focused and has a strong head on her shoulders. As for Peyton, I love seeing her character develop from a kind of meek girl, to a stronger and more determined one! I really enjoyed this book. It was spicy, action packed, intense, lots of family drama, and did I mention how spicy it was? I can’t wait to see where things are going, as this one had a powerful cliffhanger, girl was that brutal!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 9, 2024
2.5 stars.
sapphic hades/persephone retelling!!
it's not perfect by any means (even in its use of Spanish, or how just they have sex with guns?) but i liked the idea of it.
sapphic hades/persephone retelling!!
it's not perfect by any means (even in its use of Spanish, or how just they have sex with guns?) but i liked the idea of it.
June 14, 2025
I don't honestly think I would suggest this book to anybody. The characters were bad, the plot was bad, the smut was bad, and it all felt vaguely racist? It also just wasn't well edited. It's a miracle I didn't DNF it.
December 3, 2025
i don’t think i liked this book at all but oh well
Read
October 22, 2023DNF: 38%
i LOVED the authors previous book (club blood), but i couldn’t seem to get into this one. i think it’s the characters chemistry, alongside where the plot is going 😪
i LOVED the authors previous book (club blood), but i couldn’t seem to get into this one. i think it’s the characters chemistry, alongside where the plot is going 😪
October 17, 2023
I was very lucky to receive an eARC for this book!!!
I literally just finished it and I really, really enjoyed it!!! This was my first sapphic dark romance read and wow was it dark!!!
From the beginning I loved the vibe it gave off!!! Both of the girls were amazing but Hadina really is a QUEEN!!! She is so badass and protective of the ones she loves!!!
I loved how the relationship between Hadina and Payton evolved and the character development! Peyton got stronger throughout the book and it was amazing to see a softer side from Hadina!!! I would really like to learn more about Peytons past!
I adored the family dynamic!!! Zellie is a character you will love to hate and Piper is just the sweetest!!!
The story itself was really dark and Sarah James handled it perfectly!!! Justice for victims in the most satisfying way!!!
And that ending!?!? I need book 2! Like NOW!!!
I literally just finished it and I really, really enjoyed it!!! This was my first sapphic dark romance read and wow was it dark!!!
From the beginning I loved the vibe it gave off!!! Both of the girls were amazing but Hadina really is a QUEEN!!! She is so badass and protective of the ones she loves!!!
I loved how the relationship between Hadina and Payton evolved and the character development! Peyton got stronger throughout the book and it was amazing to see a softer side from Hadina!!! I would really like to learn more about Peytons past!
I adored the family dynamic!!! Zellie is a character you will love to hate and Piper is just the sweetest!!!
The story itself was really dark and Sarah James handled it perfectly!!! Justice for victims in the most satisfying way!!!
And that ending!?!? I need book 2! Like NOW!!!
September 11, 2024
This book was truly enjoyable! The romance between the two main characters was abundant and captivating. It illustrates how Peyton, who began her journey feeling abandoned, eventually discovered a foster home that became her forever sanctuary. The story has a dark yet profoundly moving quality that resonated with me on a deep level. It surprised me how it affected me emotionally, transforming it into more than just a book. The narrative is filled with real-life situations that readers can easily relate to. Additionally, the inclusion of some spicy moments was delightful, especially after the hardships the characters endure. Peyton is a remarkably resilient young woman who has faced numerous challenges. The ending left me on a thrilling cliffhanger!
September 23, 2023
FF Dark Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Mafia Vibes
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and 💀
Latina FMC
HELLOOOOOO Cliffhanger 😭
🖤🖤🖤
"Your moans are a siren song to me; your juices ambrosia to my lips.”
🖤🖤🖤
CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!
Enemies to Lovers
Mafia Vibes
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and 💀
Latina FMC
HELLOOOOOO Cliffhanger 😭
🖤🖤🖤
"Your moans are a siren song to me; your juices ambrosia to my lips.”
🖤🖤🖤
CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!
October 11, 2023
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.75
I was NOT expecting to be so moved by this ...
Sarah grabbed my attention from the very beginning, and just took me for a ride with this one!
This was so much more than a romance between Hadina and Peyton. I loved them both together, and separately. They grew so much!
This was more about the darkness of the world, and a group of people who were determined to end it all.
I loved the found family feel, the love and the loyalty of some.
There was a major twist that had slapped me and I can NOT get over the sting. To say I am looking forward to more is an understatement.
I was NOT expecting to be so moved by this ...
Sarah grabbed my attention from the very beginning, and just took me for a ride with this one!
This was so much more than a romance between Hadina and Peyton. I loved them both together, and separately. They grew so much!
This was more about the darkness of the world, and a group of people who were determined to end it all.
I loved the found family feel, the love and the loyalty of some.
There was a major twist that had slapped me and I can NOT get over the sting. To say I am looking forward to more is an understatement.
April 7, 2024
I had high hopes, the idea sounds is so promising. But this is a lack of everything. The storyline is completely all over the place, it feels like wattpad ficition meets mid-day telenovela drama. Nothing that happens is explained in any way, it just happens without reason, no background story told.
The characters were flat and had no chemistry at all imo. The spicy scenes were good but tbh - I couldn't feel why and how they end up together.
Two stars for the ideas, the ending and the queerness. I'm disappointed though.
The characters were flat and had no chemistry at all imo. The spicy scenes were good but tbh - I couldn't feel why and how they end up together.
Two stars for the ideas, the ending and the queerness. I'm disappointed though.
September 19, 2023
A hades and Persephone, sapphic, dark romance with so many twists and turns and the gods damn cliffhanger!!!
Also I love piper and what to be friends with her.
Also I love piper and what to be friends with her.
October 24, 2023
Sarah James
Seeds of Sorrow: An Enemies-To-Lovers Dark Contemporary Romance (Modern Goddess Series)
Favorite quote “The world needs more kindness.” “Indeed it does.” “Then at least you’ll watch the world burn knowing you’ve been loved.”
Peyton had always yearned for independence and a life of her own. She made a firm decision not to return home and instead took up a job caring for Don, Hadina's father. Little did she know that this choice would forge a deep bond between her and Don. They spent countless hours together, sharing stories about his life, his parents, and his journey to becoming a lawyer. Amidst their conversations, they discovered a shared love for gardening that further strengthened their connection.
The book that captured their journey was a masterpiece. The author's attention to detail and the intricate development of the characters were evident throughout the story. It was clear that a great deal of effort had been put into crafting a compelling narrative.
Hadina, on the other hand, was a fascinating character. She possessed an icy demeanor that intrigued Peyton. Beneath the frostiness, Peyton glimpsed a heart of gold hidden in her eyes. Hadina led an intriguing life, one that Peyton couldn't help but admire. Despite the moral complexities of her actions, Peyton saw Hadina as a hero, fighting to save countless abducted girls who were forced into unimaginable circumstances. The issue of human trafficking, unfortunately, was a painful reality that the book shed light on. It was a multi-billion dollar industry, causing immense suffering to its victims. Tragically, the majority of abducted girls lived for only ten years after their capture, enduring constant abuse and exploitation. When these girls ceased to be profitable, their captors would often resort to ending their lives. The book delved deep into this heart-wrenching topic, bringing attention to a grave issue.
The relationship between Hadina and Peyton was truly remarkable. Their love and respect for each other were evident throughout the story, but it went far deeper than Peyton could have ever imagined. The ending left her in awe, eagerly anticipating the release of the second book.
Seeds of Sorrow: An Enemies-To-Lovers Dark Contemporary Romance (Modern Goddess Series)
Favorite quote “The world needs more kindness.” “Indeed it does.” “Then at least you’ll watch the world burn knowing you’ve been loved.”
Peyton had always yearned for independence and a life of her own. She made a firm decision not to return home and instead took up a job caring for Don, Hadina's father. Little did she know that this choice would forge a deep bond between her and Don. They spent countless hours together, sharing stories about his life, his parents, and his journey to becoming a lawyer. Amidst their conversations, they discovered a shared love for gardening that further strengthened their connection.
The book that captured their journey was a masterpiece. The author's attention to detail and the intricate development of the characters were evident throughout the story. It was clear that a great deal of effort had been put into crafting a compelling narrative.
Hadina, on the other hand, was a fascinating character. She possessed an icy demeanor that intrigued Peyton. Beneath the frostiness, Peyton glimpsed a heart of gold hidden in her eyes. Hadina led an intriguing life, one that Peyton couldn't help but admire. Despite the moral complexities of her actions, Peyton saw Hadina as a hero, fighting to save countless abducted girls who were forced into unimaginable circumstances. The issue of human trafficking, unfortunately, was a painful reality that the book shed light on. It was a multi-billion dollar industry, causing immense suffering to its victims. Tragically, the majority of abducted girls lived for only ten years after their capture, enduring constant abuse and exploitation. When these girls ceased to be profitable, their captors would often resort to ending their lives. The book delved deep into this heart-wrenching topic, bringing attention to a grave issue.
The relationship between Hadina and Peyton was truly remarkable. Their love and respect for each other were evident throughout the story, but it went far deeper than Peyton could have ever imagined. The ending left her in awe, eagerly anticipating the release of the second book.
October 16, 2024
This was my second dip into Dark Romance inspired by the myth of Hades and Persephone.
Or so the blurb said. I'm actually quite glad that I didn't really see any parallels to the myth, except for the initial letters of the character names.
So, this was a ... strange read. I really liked the onset of Peyton being hired as a live-in nurse for Don in the Adis family just to find out that the family has dark secrets, and I liked that the family was not involved in mafia stuff but . That was a nice twist I didn't see coming and for me, personally, that made Peyton's attraction quite comprehensible and Hadina really likeable beneath her ice queen persona.
The execution, though ... oh boy. Those to have zero chemistry. At times I was wondering if it was my being on the aro/ace spectrum that made it hard to feel along, but no. It was the fact that it felt like "now -- kiss!" without actually building enough into the story. Things get spicy very quickly, which is very fine, but at a certain point, the sex scenes become either wird (don't use for heaven's sake!) or repetitive or both. And the writing itself was ... over the top and clumsy in Peyton's chapters. In Hadina's not so much, so I guess it was intentional.
One of my biggest criticisms: Peyton's instable home is alluded to. And then we get one flashback of her being on the receiving end of ... in a kind of throwaway paragraph?! It is just thrown there, not being picked up again, has no influence on Peyton's thoughts or behaviour, except for a short cry. And to me, that just feels wrong, as if it was only added for shock value, to give Peyton a personal connection to the topic, which would make sense, but ... again: the execution.
So, I found it enjoyable enough, but not enough to get into the second book.
Or so the blurb said. I'm actually quite glad that I didn't really see any parallels to the myth, except for the initial letters of the character names.
So, this was a ... strange read. I really liked the onset of Peyton being hired as a live-in nurse for Don in the Adis family just to find out that the family has dark secrets, and I liked that the family was not involved in mafia stuff but . That was a nice twist I didn't see coming and for me, personally, that made Peyton's attraction quite comprehensible and Hadina really likeable beneath her ice queen persona.
The execution, though ... oh boy. Those to have zero chemistry. At times I was wondering if it was my being on the aro/ace spectrum that made it hard to feel along, but no. It was the fact that it felt like "now -- kiss!" without actually building enough into the story. Things get spicy very quickly, which is very fine, but at a certain point, the sex scenes become either wird (don't use for heaven's sake!) or repetitive or both. And the writing itself was ... over the top and clumsy in Peyton's chapters. In Hadina's not so much, so I guess it was intentional.
One of my biggest criticisms: Peyton's instable home is alluded to. And then we get one flashback of her being on the receiving end of ... in a kind of throwaway paragraph?! It is just thrown there, not being picked up again, has no influence on Peyton's thoughts or behaviour, except for a short cry. And to me, that just feels wrong, as if it was only added for shock value, to give Peyton a personal connection to the topic, which would make sense, but ... again: the execution.
So, I found it enjoyable enough, but not enough to get into the second book.
October 31, 2023
🌹🩸🔪𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞•𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪🔪🩸🌹
🩸𝚂𝙴𝙴𝙳𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚂𝙾𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚆 𝙱𝚈 𝚂𝙰𝚁𝙰𝙷 𝙹𝙰𝙼𝙴𝚂
🩸𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//𝟱
🩸𝙼𝙾𝙳𝙴𝚁𝙽 𝙶𝙾𝙳𝙳𝙴𝚂𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
🩸𝚂𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙲 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴; 𝙻𝙾𝙾𝚂𝙴𝙻𝚈 𝙸𝙽𝚂𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙴𝙳 𝙱𝚈 𝙷𝙰𝙳𝙴𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴𝙿𝙷𝙾𝙽𝙴
Thank you so much to Sarah James for my gifted eARC of 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 to read and review!
This was my first Sapphic Dark Romance book and holy cow, it was AMAZING. This story centers around our FMCs, Hadina and Peyton. I loved these two so much. They complimented each other so well. I really enjoyed their growth throughout the story - watching Hadina become a little bit more vulnerable and then watching Peyton become stronger and more confident. I feel like they were exactly what the other needed.
I really loved that this was a Mafia Romance that also had Hades and Persephone vibes. I will read literally any Hades and Persephone retelling, so I really enjoyed this one even though it’s outside of my fantasy genre! I loved how original this story was and how it took elements from the myth of Hades and Persephone, but turned those elements into its own unique and amazing plot.
I think Sarah did a wonderful job of weaving together the plot, romance, and the spice. None of these elements ever felt too heavy and I love the way they all worked together to create a really well-written story. Now, just keep in mind; this is a DARK romance, and when I say dark, I mean dark. Definitely read trigger warnings before diving into this one.
The ending… had me screaming. It definitely ends on a cliffhanger so just be warned now! I was absolutely shook and will be needing book 2 ASAP!
Overall, I definitely recommend this one if you enjoy dark romance and Sapphic romances! You’ll love it if you love:
🩸Enemies to Lovers
🔪Forced Proximity
🩸Found Family
🔪Sapphic Romance (F/F)
🩸Hades/Persephone Retellings
🔪Mafia Vibes
🩸Badass FMCs
𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗞𝗨! Definitely recommend checking it out!
🩸𝚂𝙴𝙴𝙳𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚂𝙾𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚆 𝙱𝚈 𝚂𝙰𝚁𝙰𝙷 𝙹𝙰𝙼𝙴𝚂
🩸𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//𝟱
🩸𝙼𝙾𝙳𝙴𝚁𝙽 𝙶𝙾𝙳𝙳𝙴𝚂𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
🩸𝚂𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙲 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴; 𝙻𝙾𝙾𝚂𝙴𝙻𝚈 𝙸𝙽𝚂𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙴𝙳 𝙱𝚈 𝙷𝙰𝙳𝙴𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴𝙿𝙷𝙾𝙽𝙴
Thank you so much to Sarah James for my gifted eARC of 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 to read and review!
This was my first Sapphic Dark Romance book and holy cow, it was AMAZING. This story centers around our FMCs, Hadina and Peyton. I loved these two so much. They complimented each other so well. I really enjoyed their growth throughout the story - watching Hadina become a little bit more vulnerable and then watching Peyton become stronger and more confident. I feel like they were exactly what the other needed.
I really loved that this was a Mafia Romance that also had Hades and Persephone vibes. I will read literally any Hades and Persephone retelling, so I really enjoyed this one even though it’s outside of my fantasy genre! I loved how original this story was and how it took elements from the myth of Hades and Persephone, but turned those elements into its own unique and amazing plot.
I think Sarah did a wonderful job of weaving together the plot, romance, and the spice. None of these elements ever felt too heavy and I love the way they all worked together to create a really well-written story. Now, just keep in mind; this is a DARK romance, and when I say dark, I mean dark. Definitely read trigger warnings before diving into this one.
The ending… had me screaming. It definitely ends on a cliffhanger so just be warned now! I was absolutely shook and will be needing book 2 ASAP!
Overall, I definitely recommend this one if you enjoy dark romance and Sapphic romances! You’ll love it if you love:
🩸Enemies to Lovers
🔪Forced Proximity
🩸Found Family
🔪Sapphic Romance (F/F)
🩸Hades/Persephone Retellings
🔪Mafia Vibes
🩸Badass FMCs
𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗞𝗨! Definitely recommend checking it out!
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