The Blessed Coterie

by Venus Cox

The Bachelorette meets Why-Choose Fantasy with all the heat!

Sonta’s anticipation of the paternity results brings her enough stress. Amidst her growing feelings for the men in her Coterie, she also has to calm fights between them, uncover their secrets, and dodge unexpected political nightmares.
While experiencing the varied rich cultures of the realm during the imperial tour, Sonta endures her share of heartache and worry on the road. But with the fates seemingly doing everything they can to break her Coterie apart, she must find a way to keep all those she loves and make her Coterie a real family.

The thrilling conclusion to the Blessed Vessel duology, perfect for lovers of diverse steamy 'why-choose'/RH stories!

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, M M Romance

525 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2023

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book flustered me to no end. The whole first 13% of the book and majority of the next 10%, Sonta was with only one of the men who was a complete ass in the first one. Venus tied it up with a nice cute bow with the ending, but I did not overly enjoy this book.

[Geeky Fangirl Next Door · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haven’t hate read a book in a long time.

This is THE most dysfunction harem I’ve ever read. Her relationships with the others are led functional in book 2 as in 1. She even uses emotional manipulation and threats against her harem to attempt to get what she wants. It’s disgusting. When she doesn’t get her way she throws a hit, literally screams she hates them and physically slaps one. It’s toxic. She ices them out for what feels like 250 pages?

Speaking of… WHY is this book 500 pages?? Same story easily could have been told in 200. It’s repetitive and boring. And the MFC went from mildly unlikable to ANNOYING AF. She’s brazen (and not in a good way) and prone to melodramatic fits and 20 page internal monologues pining over ONE character.

There’s essentially no plot in this series, aside from her having to birth an heir. This second book is almost entirely her trying to understand two questions—all associate around 1 character. Everyone keeps shutting her down. And when the big mystery answers are finally revealed? 🙄🙄🙄 WAY oversold for it being shocking. It wasn’t really. And what she learns she ABSOLUTELY should have, and could have, learned. Then her rationalization that the others “did the right thing by not telling her…” 🙄

This is even stronger poly (MM and FF) than book 1, which makes marketing book 1 as why choose even more 🙄 I’m cool with it, but it was surprising.

Could rage on, but suffice to say, I TRULY disliked this book. Only reason for 2 stars is that the author somehow managed to write this much without tons of editing errors.

[Lauren Erzsebet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venus Cox has done it again.. Succeeded in wrapping vice like fingers around the reader and dragging them into a fantastical world where each species is represented.
Sonta is pregnant and will birth the next emperor or empress for the realm.
With the upcoming paternity reveal that will disappoint five of the six men in her coterie, Sonta considers who would be the best choice.
When she must travel to the different areas as part of her official tour, she is broken beyond belief by a betrayal she never saw coming.
With secrets and lies tearing her and her men apart at every turn, she must fight in order to keep everyone together.
Scandal will not do for the blessed vessel or for her coterie as everything hangs over them before the child is born.

This was the second book that beautifully concludes this charming duet that is full of passion, conflict, drama, half truths, complete lies and pasts that may wreck the present.
I have never been so taken in by a reverse harem quite like this one and ached for a happily ever after so much.
This is without a doubt one of the most heartbreaking and frustrating books that promises everything it does provide.
A set that I will treasure for future reading as I doubt most other stories I read will be able to reach the pedestal I place this on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Blessed Coterie
Venus Cox
Stars:🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
HEA
This review may contain spoilers.

Tropes:
- [x] RH
- [x] PNR
- [x] Breeding
- [x] FF
- [x] Fated mates

*PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST READ THE BLESSED VESSEL PRIOR TO THIS BOOK*

This book is completely original! I absolutely fell in love with the characters! This is the second book in this series. The h is bisexual and there’s some on screen scenes between the two. Overall though I liked the story, I felt Sonya was completely selfish and did not hold up to being the blessed vessel. Tyfen is my favorite out of the guys but even I got annoyed how she completely ignored her other partners and mates because she pinned over Tyfen. I get she was heartbroken but come on girl…. The other guys were only trying to protect you!!! Gahhhh!! The ending I felt was rushed and unfinished.

I struggled with giving this three or four stars but in the end I decided to give it 3.5 as the story is actually well written and the problems I have with the book are probably my own personal choices and should not reflect your choice to read this story.

This is a voluntary arc review.

[Spotted Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biggest book hangover of 2024

Im calling it now. This book will be the biggest hangover of the year. This was a love story, a mystery, a soap opera, and a hero's adventure all in one. Book 1 was just as phonemenal as this one. But what a stunning conclusion to the story.

Features:
True Reverse Harem/Polyam romance
Bisexual rep--both Sapphic & Achillean
Interracial couples
Kink sex/sex toy appreciation
Hurt/comfort
Rivals to Lovers
Prenancy/Breeding
Strong, flawed FMC
Monster Peens
Brilliant magical world
Reluctant lovers
Insta love
Fated Mates

I don't know how any other romantansy this year is gonna stack up to this when it made me like a trope I NEVER like.

The pregnancy trope worked in tandem with the delicious smut so that it didn't overshadow the other aspects of the story. Even though it's the central plot point, it felt like I could get lost in the emotion of everything else happening.

I cried through so many aspects of this book in the best way. It tugged at all my heart strings while being a wonderful fantasy world.

[Tanya.Henderson #FairyWyvern TikTok · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare to find a book two being better than book one but this book was fantastic. If you love politics and rules and all of the drama that unfolds between trying to integrate multiple different types of cultures, this is the book for you. The spice in this book is good, but the the emotion, the intrigue, the angst all of that was so rich in this. The emotion and the issues a harem would have are very real and heart wrenching. The caring may have come quickly but the truly deep emotions are taking time and the growth of the Coterie is real and worth the read. I loved this duology. I loved book one and signed up to read the arc for book two because I just had to know how it goes. Sonta’s mates have a strong connection but learning how to truly trust and communicate is hard. Immortals and humans learning to talk through their past and hurts to find new love and family. This was a great read.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read this book that struck a perfect balance between maturity and spice, combining a captivating narrative with a profound exploration of politics. This gripping story goes far beyond the allure of its sensual aspects, delving deep into the intricacies of bringing disparate characters together. The political backdrop serves as a canvas for an intense storyline, where secrets are unveiled and intricately woven into the plot. With each page, I found myself glued to the narrative, eagerly anticipating what would unfold next. It's a sequel that surpasses its predecessor, leaving you yearning to uncover how everything connects and how these characters remain bound by an unbreakable thread. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone seeking a truly enthralling literary experience.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this one as much as the first... But it was just way too long. I understood the need for visiting every land and meeting the places where Sonta's suitors come from. But the writing just dragged along and it felt like the author was losing motivation. Still a great story with beautifully-developed characters. The spicy scenes seemed rather redundant (not very shocking in the second book). But overall, I still enjoyed reading it. The surprise/secret reveal at the end literally brought me to happy tears.

[shereadsagain · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I can't say the same about this book as I said about the first one. The main character went from being tolerable to completely pathetic. So many chapters of her pining for a ridiculous red flag, and the explanation at the end wasn't even worth it. This has no business being so long for a sequel.

P.S. Hadwin was THE best character and I can't believe they shunned him in the sequel. For what????

[Cory Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had way more depth than I expected. The clashing of personalities, and the drama hidden in the past added a very twisted road to happy ever after. A rollercoaster ride, but well worth it. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda]

First book was fine. But the first several chapters of the second are almost solely devoted to the biggest jerk in the group, who is still treating her pretty terribly. And I just don't care what his deal is, don't really want to stick around for his nonsense anymore or her pining over him and ignoring everyone else.

[Carol Gnz · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous duet

I absolutely loved this story. I couldn’t put it down. It is such a nice change to the normal rh stories. A politically inspired harem, come together as an arranged ‘Marriage’. I loved the journey and thought I had figured out the secret, but I hadn’t. I will absolutely read more by this author.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the first book it was great. I just could not stop reading this. I still love the characters. This is a great book if you love smut.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knightofni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed blessings

I hated the majority of this book- Sonata was a selfish brat pining over a fae with so many red flags you'd think we were at an airport.

BUT, its the hallmark of a great writer that they can make you feel such strong emotions so, well played Ms Cox

[Catherine Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I preferred the first book. The pining made me roll my eyes and get frustrated more than once, leading to me having to put my kindle down and come back to it later. The spicy scenes were great though, so there’s that.

[Elisabeth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant
of that I'm sure
completely brilliant
and so much more
the spice is still spicy
and the plot is still plotty
There's intrigue and p0litics and mystery
and yes
spice
Highly recommend to any who like spice with plot
why choose

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an paranormal romance novel this is book 2 in the series a very well written great storyline novel.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DerekAndCharlaReadConstantly · Rating 5 out of 5]

steam ahead

Damn. This has steam. And it keeps you interested with a great plot line. It has intrigue, love and well written characters

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cried so hard at the end