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Tempt the Gods #4
The Gods Forbid
[MAJOR TEMPT THE GODS SPOILERS]..... The Gods Forbid is a villain redemption, enemy's sister, forbidden romance novel. It is the fourth and final book in the Tempt the Gods series and is not recommended to be read as a standalone, since the reveal of the villain is contained in the third book.A villain and his redemption. Forbidden. Sebastian Apollo dared to tempt the gods and lost. Now, he has found himself contained to Prometheus, a famed prison at the end of the world. Except now, Prometheus is run by the little sister of the god he tried to overthrow, and is focused on redemption rather than punishment.
Persy Jupiter has spent the last four years attempting to turn a famed prison into a safe haven for redemption and has succeeded. Until her brother plops the god who tried to overthrow him and almost killed his wife into her protection, asking her to accomplish an impossible task—bring him back as Apollo. As Persy tries to help Sebastian, Sebastian will learn what happens when you try to tempt the gods and then becomes responsible for fixing his own mistakes. As six months fly by, Persy and Sebastian will resist the pull to each other, knowing that their relationship is the very thing the gods forbid.
Persy Jupiter has spent the last four years attempting to turn a famed prison into a safe haven for redemption and has succeeded. Until her brother plops the god who tried to overthrow him and almost killed his wife into her protection, asking her to accomplish an impossible task—bring him back as Apollo. As Persy tries to help Sebastian, Sebastian will learn what happens when you try to tempt the gods and then becomes responsible for fixing his own mistakes. As six months fly by, Persy and Sebastian will resist the pull to each other, knowing that their relationship is the very thing the gods forbid.
545 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2024
3 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
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April 17, 2024
CW: mental health/trauma, references to su!c!de, spice
A huge thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team! “The Gods Forbid” releases April 25, 2024!
Would you like a book that’s going to give you all of the emotions in the best way possible? Good, I’ve got a great suggestion. It’s this one. Now sit down; I need to scream about it.
Sebastian Apollo has been sentenced to Prometheus for his role in the plot to overthrow the king of the gods, Adrian Jupiter. Unfortunately for Sebastian, Prometheus, the restructured prison of the gods, is run by Adrian’s little sister, Persy. Persy’s one goal in all of her work is to rehab everyone she can, and she’s not about to let Sebastian be any different.
Oh. My. God. It’s perfect. Y'all had best be glad that ‘insane rambling’ isn’t my style of review, because that’s what my brain is giving me at the moment. Insane ramblings and dopamine. We’ll start with series order, because that’s the easiest. “The Gods Forbid” is book 4 of the “Tempt the Gods” series. Each book is an interconnected standalone, so you don’t need to have read the others to understand this one. That being said, I think you’d get a lot more out of the series (including avoiding some overall spoilers) if you started from the beginning and read them in order. Now, on to the good stuff.
Let’s begin with the setting. Unlike book 3 (depressingly still the only other title in the series I’ve managed to have time to read, which is a crime I intend to remedy as soon as possible), this story takes place almost entirely outside of the usual human realm. This one takes place mostly in Prometheus, the prison turned rehab facility that our FMC runs. The setting is primarily used as a backdrop for the more character-oriented plot, but doesn't stop it from feeling like a solid location. The little details that we find scattered throughout ensure that it doesn’t just feel like an afterthought; it’s a real location for this world, as are the other points our MCs visit, and it gives just that little bit of extra gloss to the story.
Now for the characters. Our FMC, Persy, and our MMC, Sebastian, are officially my favorite people ever. I love them immensely and I’m keeping them. As individuals, each has their own personality and their own quirks and problems. The story is told in dual POV from each of them, which means we get a wonderful look into how each of them view what’s going on, and we get front row seats to how the dynamic changes between them. I think Sebastian might be one of my favorite MMCs in a long while; he’s so delightfully cranky about the whole affair. He’s what I’d imagine if the black cat and the golden retriever got blended together to make…whatever that would be. Basically, he’s perfect. Don’t even get me started on the dynamic between the two MCs; my heart absolutely cannot handle how adorable it is. Fair warning though— the author’s taken ‘slow burn’ and run with it. You’re going to be banging your head against the wall along the way (and you’ll love every second of it).
Last but certainly not least, the actual plot. The short, factual version is that it’s a slow burn, forbidden romance, the villain gets the girl type of love story. The more fun version is that this book is absolutely perfect and if it wasn’t 3 am I’d be screaming my head off about it to anyone who would listen. I laughed (frequently), I sobbed, I raged. I went through way more emotions reading this book than I was expecting, and I don’t know whether I should go find tissues or just laugh hysterically. Probably both. While there is definitely some spice and a *massive* amount of tension, this one focuses more on the emotional relationship between the MCs, and it was perfectly done. I absolutely could not put it down, and I already want to read it again. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s going to be one I recommend to all my friends forever. I don’t have the vocabulary to explain how much I adored it.
In case it wasn’t blindingly clear, this book was a major hit for me. If you like Greek/Roman mythology, but brought into modern times, if you root for the villains, if you want to literally laugh out loud at some of the sweetest, most ridiculous things you’ve ever read in your life, then this is the book for you. This book was, far and away, one of the most truly enjoyable stories I’ve read in a long time, and I really think you’d be missing out on something amazing if you don’t read it for yourself.
A huge thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team! “The Gods Forbid” releases April 25, 2024!
Would you like a book that’s going to give you all of the emotions in the best way possible? Good, I’ve got a great suggestion. It’s this one. Now sit down; I need to scream about it.
Sebastian Apollo has been sentenced to Prometheus for his role in the plot to overthrow the king of the gods, Adrian Jupiter. Unfortunately for Sebastian, Prometheus, the restructured prison of the gods, is run by Adrian’s little sister, Persy. Persy’s one goal in all of her work is to rehab everyone she can, and she’s not about to let Sebastian be any different.
Oh. My. God. It’s perfect. Y'all had best be glad that ‘insane rambling’ isn’t my style of review, because that’s what my brain is giving me at the moment. Insane ramblings and dopamine. We’ll start with series order, because that’s the easiest. “The Gods Forbid” is book 4 of the “Tempt the Gods” series. Each book is an interconnected standalone, so you don’t need to have read the others to understand this one. That being said, I think you’d get a lot more out of the series (including avoiding some overall spoilers) if you started from the beginning and read them in order. Now, on to the good stuff.
Let’s begin with the setting. Unlike book 3 (depressingly still the only other title in the series I’ve managed to have time to read, which is a crime I intend to remedy as soon as possible), this story takes place almost entirely outside of the usual human realm. This one takes place mostly in Prometheus, the prison turned rehab facility that our FMC runs. The setting is primarily used as a backdrop for the more character-oriented plot, but doesn't stop it from feeling like a solid location. The little details that we find scattered throughout ensure that it doesn’t just feel like an afterthought; it’s a real location for this world, as are the other points our MCs visit, and it gives just that little bit of extra gloss to the story.
Now for the characters. Our FMC, Persy, and our MMC, Sebastian, are officially my favorite people ever. I love them immensely and I’m keeping them. As individuals, each has their own personality and their own quirks and problems. The story is told in dual POV from each of them, which means we get a wonderful look into how each of them view what’s going on, and we get front row seats to how the dynamic changes between them. I think Sebastian might be one of my favorite MMCs in a long while; he’s so delightfully cranky about the whole affair. He’s what I’d imagine if the black cat and the golden retriever got blended together to make…whatever that would be. Basically, he’s perfect. Don’t even get me started on the dynamic between the two MCs; my heart absolutely cannot handle how adorable it is. Fair warning though— the author’s taken ‘slow burn’ and run with it. You’re going to be banging your head against the wall along the way (and you’ll love every second of it).
Last but certainly not least, the actual plot. The short, factual version is that it’s a slow burn, forbidden romance, the villain gets the girl type of love story. The more fun version is that this book is absolutely perfect and if it wasn’t 3 am I’d be screaming my head off about it to anyone who would listen. I laughed (frequently), I sobbed, I raged. I went through way more emotions reading this book than I was expecting, and I don’t know whether I should go find tissues or just laugh hysterically. Probably both. While there is definitely some spice and a *massive* amount of tension, this one focuses more on the emotional relationship between the MCs, and it was perfectly done. I absolutely could not put it down, and I already want to read it again. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s going to be one I recommend to all my friends forever. I don’t have the vocabulary to explain how much I adored it.
In case it wasn’t blindingly clear, this book was a major hit for me. If you like Greek/Roman mythology, but brought into modern times, if you root for the villains, if you want to literally laugh out loud at some of the sweetest, most ridiculous things you’ve ever read in your life, then this is the book for you. This book was, far and away, one of the most truly enjoyable stories I’ve read in a long time, and I really think you’d be missing out on something amazing if you don’t read it for yourself.
April 16, 2024
Best book in the series ever. I want Sebastian to spit on me and hit me with a truck, I also want him to step on me with every power he has. Like take me body and soul.
April 28, 2024
I gave The God’s Forbid 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Villain Redemption ✔️
Enemy’s sister ✔️
Forbidden love ✔️
Grumpy/Sunshine ✔️
Slow burn ✔️
Forced Proximity ✔️
Greek mythology ✔️
This is the fourth and final book of the Tempt the Gods series and Rory Scott went out with a bang! Thank you Rory Scott for the ARC! These are my honest opinions.
Sebastian tries to overthrow a god and ends up in a prison called Prometheus. That’s bad enough. But, then, it’s that god’s little sister that runs the prison….
And then, the love and redemption begin…
Villain Redemption ✔️
Enemy’s sister ✔️
Forbidden love ✔️
Grumpy/Sunshine ✔️
Slow burn ✔️
Forced Proximity ✔️
Greek mythology ✔️
This is the fourth and final book of the Tempt the Gods series and Rory Scott went out with a bang! Thank you Rory Scott for the ARC! These are my honest opinions.
Sebastian tries to overthrow a god and ends up in a prison called Prometheus. That’s bad enough. But, then, it’s that god’s little sister that runs the prison….
And then, the love and redemption begin…
April 21, 2024
Wow! What a satisfying conclusion to the Tempt the Gods series. I could not put this book down! The Gods Forbid is a true villain redemption story. It was immensely satisfying watching Persy peel back Sebastian’s layers & seeing Sebastian get under Persy’s skin in equal measure. Rory does NOT tone down the emotional roller coaster in The Gods Forbid, but that’s ok, because I haven’t wanted off the ride since I picked up book one, For the Love of the Gods. I still don’t want off the ride. At one point I even asked the author if she was secretly Shonda Rhimes in disguise…the drama of it all! In the first three books we get an inside look at the dynamic of the inner circle of the gods. In this book we take a step back & find out from Sebastian’s POV how it felt to be the outcast & perceived villain, & from Persy’s POV how it felt to be in her big brother Adrian’s limelight, always observing, but largely ignored by the public. The way Persy naturally anticipated needs, but never had her own needs reciprocated in any truly meaningful way was such a gut-wrenchingly familiar feeling. And when the last person she expected met her needs seemingly on instinct, I wanted to scream, “See? You don’t have to settle for good enough! What is meant for you is out there! You deserve the world.” On a lighter note, Sebastian’s quit wit & filthy inner monologue had me cackling & highlighting quote after quote. There were lots of witty, fun moments in each of the other three books, but Sebastian was a straight up standup comedian. This book was the longest slow burn yet, which had to be a literary device, because by the time it paid off I was probably as keyed up a the happy couple! But once it did pay off…woo the spice was spice-in’. I don’t think the woman could write a bad spicy scene if she tried! I am going to miss these characters SO so much! I read this series in a whirlwind because I couldn’t put it down, but I feel like I know each character like an old friend. Word to the wise, read the optional epilogue chapters. They are so worth it for the closure & the good feels. Thank you, Rory, for making my temperature rise & my heart race, then ripping it out of my chest multiple times, & finally sewing it back up. I’d like to do it all again please.
April 12, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🏹Forbidden Love
🏹Grumpy X Sunshine
🏹Villian Redepmtion
🏹Forced Proximity
This spicy, interconnected Romantasy series inspired by Greek & Roman mythology has been SO fun to read. I am so sad to see it coming to an end. The Gods Forbid is the 4th and final book in the Tempt the Gods series (make sure you binge books 1-3 on kindle unlimited first!)
SPOILERS FOR BOOKS 1-3 AHEAD:
After trying to unalive her brother and his wife, Sebastian finds himself under Persy’s protection at the prison/rehabilitation facility that she runs. Persy insists that Sebastian is worth redemption, and Sebastian insists he’s a lost cause. This was such a fun grumpy X sunshine, forbidden love story full of tension and 10/10 banter. This redemption journey had me giggling and kicking my feet one second, and tearing up the next. So sad to see this series ending, but loved this finale full of all of our old friends!
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🏹Forbidden Love
🏹Grumpy X Sunshine
🏹Villian Redepmtion
🏹Forced Proximity
This spicy, interconnected Romantasy series inspired by Greek & Roman mythology has been SO fun to read. I am so sad to see it coming to an end. The Gods Forbid is the 4th and final book in the Tempt the Gods series (make sure you binge books 1-3 on kindle unlimited first!)
SPOILERS FOR BOOKS 1-3 AHEAD:
After trying to unalive her brother and his wife, Sebastian finds himself under Persy’s protection at the prison/rehabilitation facility that she runs. Persy insists that Sebastian is worth redemption, and Sebastian insists he’s a lost cause. This was such a fun grumpy X sunshine, forbidden love story full of tension and 10/10 banter. This redemption journey had me giggling and kicking my feet one second, and tearing up the next. So sad to see this series ending, but loved this finale full of all of our old friends!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2024
Add this book/series to your TBR now!!!!!
This book was SO GOOD!!! Having jumped in at book 4, I was still able to connect and love the two main characters in this book, Sebastian Apollo and Persy. This book has everything: slow burn, villain redemption, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, dual pov. Rory L. Scott does an exceptional job at developing the characters and building their relationships. I found myself kicking my feet and screaming JUST KISS ALREADY numerous times. Scott’s ability to describe art & music was such a beautiful touch; many scenes in this book I found to be so brilliant. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.
This book was SO GOOD!!! Having jumped in at book 4, I was still able to connect and love the two main characters in this book, Sebastian Apollo and Persy. This book has everything: slow burn, villain redemption, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, dual pov. Rory L. Scott does an exceptional job at developing the characters and building their relationships. I found myself kicking my feet and screaming JUST KISS ALREADY numerous times. Scott’s ability to describe art & music was such a beautiful touch; many scenes in this book I found to be so brilliant. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.
August 20, 2025
The Gods Forbid is the final installment in this great series! I really enjoyed the relationship and how all the couples came together. The climax of the series is really in the last book, but I really enjoyed how this felt like an epilogue and cleanup for the chaos of the previous books. I loved the whole arc of the world!
Once again, the brilliant narration by Sara Brodt brought the characters to life and made my listening experience enjoyable! I recommend this whole series, and I'm curious who everyone's favorite pairing was 😆
Once again, the brilliant narration by Sara Brodt brought the characters to life and made my listening experience enjoyable! I recommend this whole series, and I'm curious who everyone's favorite pairing was 😆
April 18, 2024
i was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this story and can i just say MISS AURORA you have out done yourself in this story and this whole series!
i love every moment and i was fully emerged into this world following Persy and Sebastian. the slow burn! the angst! the spice! the tears that fell following this story!
5 Stars ⭐️
i love every moment and i was fully emerged into this world following Persy and Sebastian. the slow burn! the angst! the spice! the tears that fell following this story!
5 Stars ⭐️
April 23, 2024
Best book of this series 😩 🩷🩷🩷
Villain gets redemption and the girl 🙂↕️😮💨
Villain gets redemption and the girl 🙂↕️😮💨
April 25, 2024
I absolutely cannot with this woman lol. Rory has me OBSESSED with these books. I won't lie, Dom and Rose have been my number ones since the beginning. No one has been able to knock them off of their pedestal and thennnn, Seb and Persy came along. I have been fans of both since the beginning. And I LOVE a villain redemption story. I had the honor of beta reading this one and you should have seen some of the messages I sent to Rory. The slow burn is slooooooow. She loves a good tease. However, the wait is (as always) worth it. I loved everything about these two. I adored all the little moments, all the background we got on our bad boy, getting to see the inner workings of Prometheus. All of it. I gobbled it up. DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS SERIES! And yes, they are interconnected standalones but I urge you to read them in order. This is also the end of an era since it was the last book in the Tempting the Gods series and I'm a bit heartbroken over it because I want more haha. But I'm super stoked to see what Rory has for us next!
May 22, 2024
4.75 and my full review is coming soon! Once I finish processing and yelling at Rory for making me cry
April 27, 2024
I am so thankful to have received an ARC of this wonderful book! ARC review:
First and foremost, I adored this book! It is such a beautiful book about healing, redemption, love, and friendship.
This book is a villain redemption story of Sebastian Apollo. After being discovered to be behind the plan to overthrow Adrian Jupiter, aka Zeus, Sebastian is sent to Prometheus, the prison world, as punishment. Here, he meets the beautiful ray of sunshine, Percy, who is the sister of Adrian, the God Sebastian tried to overthrow. She lives on Prometheus and works to help the people there find redemption. She is tasked with the duty of redeeming Sebastian and reinstating him as the famed Apollo. Sebastian, however, wants nothing to do with this or her. But what happens when friendship and feelings start to build?
I cannot even begin to explain how beautiful this story is. The character development is amazing; there is so much growth and depth. You can see the progress of redemption throughout all the chapters.
A quick glance into the main characters:
Percy
Percy is the younger sister of Adrian. For the past four years, she has been running Prometheus, the prison world, but instead of running it as a prison, she believes in second chances and redemption and structures it as a safe place for healing. She is so incredibly kind and understanding and gives the people others have given up on a second chance. The pure compassion she shows to the people of Prometheus and Sebastian is so noble, and she is the perfect person to look up to. She is a ray of sunshine and one of my new favorite MFC.
Sebastian
Sebastian is the famed Apollo who fell from grace after trying to overthrow Adrian, the Zeus of their time. After being caught and thrown to Prometheus, Sebastian has given up on his plan and has no interest in redemption. He sees himself as the villain and does not believe he deserves more. With the help of Percy and the friends he makes and reconnects with along his journey, he has so much growth. The way he cares for Percy and her well-being is swoon-worthy. He is charming and a smart-talker and just perfect.
The banter between the two is incredible and so very entertaining. When I tell you this is a slow burn, it is slooooow burn, but it does not disappoint. I don't know how many times I wanted to scream at the two of them to just get it on. But the slow burn is so worth it and makes the relationship and love building between them so beautiful and extraordinary. More often than not, I had butterflies and could feel Percy's blush. Also, THE SCENE iykyk!
The side characters are also so involved in the story, and there are so many lovable ones. There is so much world-building, character-building, and explanation of the characters' pasts. There is limited action in this book, but the story is so intriguing that it didn't even need it.
This is book four in the Tempt the Gods series. Although it is recommended not to read as a standalone because it reveals the villain of the series, I read it without reading the first three books and still loved it and had no problem understanding what was going on. I will also gladly now read the rest of the series.
This will be a book I highly recommend and would gladly read again!
Tropes:
• Greek Gods
• Slow burn
• Fated lovers
• Redemption
• Second chance
• Villain gets the girl
• Grumpy MMC/Sunshine MFC
• Forbidden romance
• Forced Proximity
• Friendship
First and foremost, I adored this book! It is such a beautiful book about healing, redemption, love, and friendship.
This book is a villain redemption story of Sebastian Apollo. After being discovered to be behind the plan to overthrow Adrian Jupiter, aka Zeus, Sebastian is sent to Prometheus, the prison world, as punishment. Here, he meets the beautiful ray of sunshine, Percy, who is the sister of Adrian, the God Sebastian tried to overthrow. She lives on Prometheus and works to help the people there find redemption. She is tasked with the duty of redeeming Sebastian and reinstating him as the famed Apollo. Sebastian, however, wants nothing to do with this or her. But what happens when friendship and feelings start to build?
I cannot even begin to explain how beautiful this story is. The character development is amazing; there is so much growth and depth. You can see the progress of redemption throughout all the chapters.
A quick glance into the main characters:
Percy
Percy is the younger sister of Adrian. For the past four years, she has been running Prometheus, the prison world, but instead of running it as a prison, she believes in second chances and redemption and structures it as a safe place for healing. She is so incredibly kind and understanding and gives the people others have given up on a second chance. The pure compassion she shows to the people of Prometheus and Sebastian is so noble, and she is the perfect person to look up to. She is a ray of sunshine and one of my new favorite MFC.
Sebastian
Sebastian is the famed Apollo who fell from grace after trying to overthrow Adrian, the Zeus of their time. After being caught and thrown to Prometheus, Sebastian has given up on his plan and has no interest in redemption. He sees himself as the villain and does not believe he deserves more. With the help of Percy and the friends he makes and reconnects with along his journey, he has so much growth. The way he cares for Percy and her well-being is swoon-worthy. He is charming and a smart-talker and just perfect.
The banter between the two is incredible and so very entertaining. When I tell you this is a slow burn, it is slooooow burn, but it does not disappoint. I don't know how many times I wanted to scream at the two of them to just get it on. But the slow burn is so worth it and makes the relationship and love building between them so beautiful and extraordinary. More often than not, I had butterflies and could feel Percy's blush. Also, THE SCENE iykyk!
The side characters are also so involved in the story, and there are so many lovable ones. There is so much world-building, character-building, and explanation of the characters' pasts. There is limited action in this book, but the story is so intriguing that it didn't even need it.
This is book four in the Tempt the Gods series. Although it is recommended not to read as a standalone because it reveals the villain of the series, I read it without reading the first three books and still loved it and had no problem understanding what was going on. I will also gladly now read the rest of the series.
This will be a book I highly recommend and would gladly read again!
Tropes:
• Greek Gods
• Slow burn
• Fated lovers
• Redemption
• Second chance
• Villain gets the girl
• Grumpy MMC/Sunshine MFC
• Forbidden romance
• Forced Proximity
• Friendship
May 2, 2024
ARC review…….Thank you Rory for the opportunity!
So, let me start by saying that this is the fourth book in the series, and I didn’t read any of the previous books. I received this ARC and wanted to read it as quickly as possible to get the review out there, so I didn’t take the time to read the three books prior. Although it’s a standalone within the series, I still felt somewhat lost. I really enjoyed the characters and the redemption story, but I had no emotional connection with any of the side characters, which I think was due to not reading the first three books. I feel like if I had read the first three books, this probably would have been a five-star review for me because all the connections would have been there. However, because I didn’t, overall, I would give it four stars.
The characters, Percy (or Persephone) and Sebastian (or Lord Apollo), were written really well. The sunshine/grumpy aspect of their relationship was super cute, and then it started to kind of reverse towards the end, where Persephone, as the sunshine person, started to be the grumpy person towards the end, which I thought was interesting.
My favorite side character was Penn. Every time he was in a scene, he just made me so happy. Like, I could feel his excitement, his enthusiasm. I can imagine him jumping up and down because he got to learn art from Lord Apollo. I absolutely adored him. The scene where he decided to tag along to view the Sunshine Incarnate painting was my absolute favorite.
The slow burn of this story was the slowest burn of my life. Literally, I just kept waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. I read through 80% of the book, and they hadn't even touched yet. Like, no holding hands, not a single peck, nothing. And it was driving me insane. But once they finally connected, it was epic.
I'm in love with their love story, and the drama at the end had me tearing up a little bit. So, I'd say overall, this was an excellent book. All I needed for it to be a five-star review was more context from the previous books, helping me figure out exactly what this world entailed because I had no idea about the world itself, the actual hierarchy of the gods, the fact that the Greek and the Roman gods could even be combined into one, and that there were two. It was a little confusing in that aspect for me. Overall, I understood it, and I understood the storyline, but in the back of my mind I felt like I was missing something that was probably in a previous book. If I had done my research, I probably could have understood it a lot better.
With all that being said I will be going back to read the entire series because I just loved it that much and I am very interested in some of the side characters stories especially Hades and Pluto!!!!!!
So, let me start by saying that this is the fourth book in the series, and I didn’t read any of the previous books. I received this ARC and wanted to read it as quickly as possible to get the review out there, so I didn’t take the time to read the three books prior. Although it’s a standalone within the series, I still felt somewhat lost. I really enjoyed the characters and the redemption story, but I had no emotional connection with any of the side characters, which I think was due to not reading the first three books. I feel like if I had read the first three books, this probably would have been a five-star review for me because all the connections would have been there. However, because I didn’t, overall, I would give it four stars.
The characters, Percy (or Persephone) and Sebastian (or Lord Apollo), were written really well. The sunshine/grumpy aspect of their relationship was super cute, and then it started to kind of reverse towards the end, where Persephone, as the sunshine person, started to be the grumpy person towards the end, which I thought was interesting.
My favorite side character was Penn. Every time he was in a scene, he just made me so happy. Like, I could feel his excitement, his enthusiasm. I can imagine him jumping up and down because he got to learn art from Lord Apollo. I absolutely adored him. The scene where he decided to tag along to view the Sunshine Incarnate painting was my absolute favorite.
The slow burn of this story was the slowest burn of my life. Literally, I just kept waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. I read through 80% of the book, and they hadn't even touched yet. Like, no holding hands, not a single peck, nothing. And it was driving me insane. But once they finally connected, it was epic.
I'm in love with their love story, and the drama at the end had me tearing up a little bit. So, I'd say overall, this was an excellent book. All I needed for it to be a five-star review was more context from the previous books, helping me figure out exactly what this world entailed because I had no idea about the world itself, the actual hierarchy of the gods, the fact that the Greek and the Roman gods could even be combined into one, and that there were two. It was a little confusing in that aspect for me. Overall, I understood it, and I understood the storyline, but in the back of my mind I felt like I was missing something that was probably in a previous book. If I had done my research, I probably could have understood it a lot better.
With all that being said I will be going back to read the entire series because I just loved it that much and I am very interested in some of the side characters stories especially Hades and Pluto!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2024
Title: The Gods Forbid
Author: Rory L. Scott
Rating: 5 ⭐
Spice: 3-4🌶️
Series: Book 4 in the Tempt the Gods Series
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mythology
Tropes: Villian Redemption Arc, EX-best friends sister, Forbidden Romance
Synopsis: Sebastian Apollo has been found guilty of crimes against the gods, and is sent to Prometheus (a god prison/rehab center) run by Lady Persephone (Persy) Jupiter - the sister of the god he tried to overthrow. Persy has six months to reform Sebastian back into the Lord Apollo everyone still remembers, but Sebastian isn't going to make it easy.
My Thoughts:
I fell in love with our sarcastic, charming, possessive leading man, Sebastian, so fast! His inner monologue is so funny and genuine, and I loved watching him figure out his past trauma and learn that he can trust his friends and those who have stood by him after his downfall. He quickly became one of my favorite MMC, and I love him all the more because Persy sees who he is. Persy is kind but secretly tough. You get the feeling that she is underestimated because she is young, but this girl doesn't put up with anything and can take just about anyone down a peg or two all while keeping a smile on her face. She may even make you feel good about it. These crazy kids are in a classic slow burn because of the power dynamic (and self-doubt)between them, and it is well done! The tension was so intoxicating to read! I was yelling at my Kindle for Persy and Sebastian to kiss already at about the 75% mark, but the spice payout was worth it.
Now for the rest of this book; The focus on past trauma, bodily harm, and emotional abuse was very well done and played well into the overall story of Sebastian of House Apollo. I also love that the "prison" was mainly focused on helping the individual. If you were a serial killer not capable of reformation, you were kept in the old prison with old prison rules. If you weren't one of those, you were treated with kindness, and therapy, and taught how to reintegrate.
I am obsessed with this world after reading one book! In short, the Greek and Roman gods/goddesses were separate entities until Lady Zeus and Lord Jupiter united their houses and had a son (Adrian) 30 years before this story. Since then, there has been a little bit of pandemonium and resistance as the Greek and Roman houses either combine, stay separate, or go out of existence. I am now halfway through the first book (I know I did this backward! Don't be me, start with the first book For the Love of the Gods) and the world-building, characters, and mythology are so well done!
Anyway, if you like a solid mythology series with great character arcs and some good spice, I highly recommend the Tempt the Gods series by Rory L. Scott.
Author: Rory L. Scott
Rating: 5 ⭐
Spice: 3-4🌶️
Series: Book 4 in the Tempt the Gods Series
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mythology
Tropes: Villian Redemption Arc, EX-best friends sister, Forbidden Romance
Synopsis: Sebastian Apollo has been found guilty of crimes against the gods, and is sent to Prometheus (a god prison/rehab center) run by Lady Persephone (Persy) Jupiter - the sister of the god he tried to overthrow. Persy has six months to reform Sebastian back into the Lord Apollo everyone still remembers, but Sebastian isn't going to make it easy.
My Thoughts:
I fell in love with our sarcastic, charming, possessive leading man, Sebastian, so fast! His inner monologue is so funny and genuine, and I loved watching him figure out his past trauma and learn that he can trust his friends and those who have stood by him after his downfall. He quickly became one of my favorite MMC, and I love him all the more because Persy sees who he is. Persy is kind but secretly tough. You get the feeling that she is underestimated because she is young, but this girl doesn't put up with anything and can take just about anyone down a peg or two all while keeping a smile on her face. She may even make you feel good about it. These crazy kids are in a classic slow burn because of the power dynamic (and self-doubt)between them, and it is well done! The tension was so intoxicating to read! I was yelling at my Kindle for Persy and Sebastian to kiss already at about the 75% mark, but the spice payout was worth it.
Now for the rest of this book; The focus on past trauma, bodily harm, and emotional abuse was very well done and played well into the overall story of Sebastian of House Apollo. I also love that the "prison" was mainly focused on helping the individual. If you were a serial killer not capable of reformation, you were kept in the old prison with old prison rules. If you weren't one of those, you were treated with kindness, and therapy, and taught how to reintegrate.
I am obsessed with this world after reading one book! In short, the Greek and Roman gods/goddesses were separate entities until Lady Zeus and Lord Jupiter united their houses and had a son (Adrian) 30 years before this story. Since then, there has been a little bit of pandemonium and resistance as the Greek and Roman houses either combine, stay separate, or go out of existence. I am now halfway through the first book (I know I did this backward! Don't be me, start with the first book For the Love of the Gods) and the world-building, characters, and mythology are so well done!
Anyway, if you like a solid mythology series with great character arcs and some good spice, I highly recommend the Tempt the Gods series by Rory L. Scott.
May 9, 2024
"Naivety requires ignorance. I'm not ignorant. I may choose to believe that people are inherently good or choose to view things in the best possible light, but that doesn't mean I am ignorant to the darkness."
----------------------—
Story rating: 3.0⭐️
Romance lvl: 3.0⭐️
Spice lvl: 2.0🌶️
Smut frequency: 1.5⏳
----------------------—
Tropes:
🩸 Villain redemption
👉 She's the sister of his former enemy
☁️ Hurt / Comfort
🔗 Forced Proximity
🚫 Forbidden love
💫 Fated Mates
----------------------—
~ STORY & PLOT 📝 ~
👉 What I Liked:
- The world-building is still incredible with Prometheus, Persy's home, and the diverse travels they do to help Sebastian reconnect with his art. It's always so easy to feel immersed in the ambiance and decor.
- The soft dynamic between Sebastian and Persy, how their routine is adorable and so comfy to read about. They're living the life I want to live seriously, it's so cozy and warm 😂
👉 What I Didn't Like:
- The villain's redemption felt very superficial. Nothing deep happened. Sebastian is sorry, and everyone forgives him. End of the story. Even his therapy is off-page so we can't even see the work he's doing on himself just see the result.
- Persy breaks her persona when she's yelling at everybody "to just forgive Sebastian already" when what he'd done to everyone is a pretty big deal. For someone who is supposed to be ever forgiving and understanding, it looks like she has the ability only for Sebastian after all. Like they're allowed to be mad, and to vent before just forgiving him for all he did. They needed to heal too.
- All the angst we had all along the series is gone bc the angst was Sebastian behind the scenes, and since now he's the main character AND working toward redemption, well... Nothing really happens except two very grown adults fearing their feelings for each other 😅😂 (it was endearing the first 200 pages and then I wanted to shake them out of it honestly 🤣)
----
Overall the book is mostly a cozy read with no angst and lots of hurt/comfort dynamic. Sebastian is healing and they're falling in love, that's it. I guess I expected the same level of angst as from the book before and that's why I was disappointed. If you read it for what it is, I'm sure it could be a more pleasant read than what I experienced.
~ SPICE 🌶️ ~
This is a REAL slow burn with slowly but surely building tension and nothing kinky ✨
----------------------—
This is an arc review. Thanks to the author for the advanced ebook copy 🙏💖
---------------------—
----------------------—
Story rating: 3.0⭐️
Romance lvl: 3.0⭐️
Spice lvl: 2.0🌶️
Smut frequency: 1.5⏳
----------------------—
Tropes:
🩸 Villain redemption
👉 She's the sister of his former enemy
☁️ Hurt / Comfort
🔗 Forced Proximity
🚫 Forbidden love
💫 Fated Mates
----------------------—
~ STORY & PLOT 📝 ~
👉 What I Liked:
- The world-building is still incredible with Prometheus, Persy's home, and the diverse travels they do to help Sebastian reconnect with his art. It's always so easy to feel immersed in the ambiance and decor.
- The soft dynamic between Sebastian and Persy, how their routine is adorable and so comfy to read about. They're living the life I want to live seriously, it's so cozy and warm 😂
👉 What I Didn't Like:
- The villain's redemption felt very superficial. Nothing deep happened. Sebastian is sorry, and everyone forgives him. End of the story. Even his therapy is off-page so we can't even see the work he's doing on himself just see the result.
- Persy breaks her persona when she's yelling at everybody "to just forgive Sebastian already" when what he'd done to everyone is a pretty big deal. For someone who is supposed to be ever forgiving and understanding, it looks like she has the ability only for Sebastian after all. Like they're allowed to be mad, and to vent before just forgiving him for all he did. They needed to heal too.
- All the angst we had all along the series is gone bc the angst was Sebastian behind the scenes, and since now he's the main character AND working toward redemption, well... Nothing really happens except two very grown adults fearing their feelings for each other 😅😂 (it was endearing the first 200 pages and then I wanted to shake them out of it honestly 🤣)
----
Overall the book is mostly a cozy read with no angst and lots of hurt/comfort dynamic. Sebastian is healing and they're falling in love, that's it. I guess I expected the same level of angst as from the book before and that's why I was disappointed. If you read it for what it is, I'm sure it could be a more pleasant read than what I experienced.
~ SPICE 🌶️ ~
This is a REAL slow burn with slowly but surely building tension and nothing kinky ✨
----------------------—
This is an arc review. Thanks to the author for the advanced ebook copy 🙏💖
---------------------—
April 24, 2024
Tropes:
-Forbidden love (Enemy’s little sister)
-Grumpy x sunshine
-Villain redemption arc
-Forced proximity
-Slow burn
-Greek mythology
-Mental health rep
This is the final story in the Tempt the Gods series, and can be read as an interconnected standalone. This story follows Persephone Jupiter and Sebastian Apollo in the aftermath of an attempted coup. Sebastian is reluctant to accept help, but Persy is unwilling to give up on him and devises a 6 month long plan to reignite the good within the wayward god. As they spend time together, they both try to resist a growing, yet forbidden romance.
First and foremost, this is a story of redemption and was a beautiful way to wrap up the series. The story largely takes place in Prometheus, a former prison that was turned into a place of redemption instead of punishment. After the failed attempt to grab power, Sebastian is sent to Prometheus to for trying to overthrow Persy’s brother Adrian. Instead of punishment, Persy is tasked with reintegrating Sebastian back into the fold of the gods as Lord Apollo, but this will be no easy endeavor. Sebastian is gruff and often deflects his real feelings with charm, but he soon learns that he has to take responsibility for his mistakes and use the help being offered to him.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Persy and Sebastian, and loved watching the character growth. Sebastian has to deal with a lot of past emotional baggage from his complicated family history, and slowly rediscover himself one piece at a time. He does so with the constant support and encouragement of Persy. I loved how Sebastian helped Persy come out of her shell and focus on more than just her work. Persy and Sebastian are truly are conflicted about falling for one another, which results in epic, slow-burn tension and flirtation. There are a lot of swoony moments between Persy and Sebastian, and expertly crafted spicy scenes that struck just the right balance.
The story hit all the right notes for mental health representation, accepting help when you need it, and the importance of forgiveness. If you’ve ever found yourself wanting the villain to find a way back from the mistakes they have made, this book delivers that and more. Overall, a great blend of romance and redemption, and a solid conclusion to the series.
-Forbidden love (Enemy’s little sister)
-Grumpy x sunshine
-Villain redemption arc
-Forced proximity
-Slow burn
-Greek mythology
-Mental health rep
This is the final story in the Tempt the Gods series, and can be read as an interconnected standalone. This story follows Persephone Jupiter and Sebastian Apollo in the aftermath of an attempted coup. Sebastian is reluctant to accept help, but Persy is unwilling to give up on him and devises a 6 month long plan to reignite the good within the wayward god. As they spend time together, they both try to resist a growing, yet forbidden romance.
First and foremost, this is a story of redemption and was a beautiful way to wrap up the series. The story largely takes place in Prometheus, a former prison that was turned into a place of redemption instead of punishment. After the failed attempt to grab power, Sebastian is sent to Prometheus to for trying to overthrow Persy’s brother Adrian. Instead of punishment, Persy is tasked with reintegrating Sebastian back into the fold of the gods as Lord Apollo, but this will be no easy endeavor. Sebastian is gruff and often deflects his real feelings with charm, but he soon learns that he has to take responsibility for his mistakes and use the help being offered to him.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Persy and Sebastian, and loved watching the character growth. Sebastian has to deal with a lot of past emotional baggage from his complicated family history, and slowly rediscover himself one piece at a time. He does so with the constant support and encouragement of Persy. I loved how Sebastian helped Persy come out of her shell and focus on more than just her work. Persy and Sebastian are truly are conflicted about falling for one another, which results in epic, slow-burn tension and flirtation. There are a lot of swoony moments between Persy and Sebastian, and expertly crafted spicy scenes that struck just the right balance.
The story hit all the right notes for mental health representation, accepting help when you need it, and the importance of forgiveness. If you’ve ever found yourself wanting the villain to find a way back from the mistakes they have made, this book delivers that and more. Overall, a great blend of romance and redemption, and a solid conclusion to the series.
May 21, 2024
✨𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕕𝕤 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕓𝕚𝕕 - 𝕋𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕕𝕤 𝟜 - ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨✨
Author: Rory L. Scott
Couple: Persephone Jupiter & Sebastian Apollo
Tropes: Greek/Roman mythology, enemy to lovers, redemption ARC, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, broken hero, Hades x Persephone
Review: The Gods Forbid is the bittersweet ending to this series and also the BEST way to say bye to these wonderful characters! Persy and Sebastian were a HEA wrapped in tragedy and Rory truly saved the best for last in this redemption arc where the villain get the girl in the end!
Sebastian was the MAN. Everything he did, said or hoped for I LOVED. From his reluctance to admit defeat to his utter devotion of Persy, I just could not get enough. The growth that he went through broke my heart since his tragic past was slowly unraveled ins ways that pulled at your heart strings while trying to piece you together. Rory was able to perfect his villain ego and also evolve him into a devoting boyfriend and soul mate to Persy.
Persy was a conundrum of a character since she battled with a strong will but also a heart of gold. Her innocent and naivety were her best positives in this book since Sebastian needed that to become a better man after his actions in the first three books. I also loved how she was drawn to the darkness he was entrenched in. Rory gave us just enough to make us need more from these two and I was ecstatic that Persy defied the odds and saved Sebastian to himself.
This book was a much slower burn that the previous books but was also filled with wit, sass, banter and angst. The push and pull between the two made you want the heat to burn hot and hard but also sweet and slow. While the spice was slow to build, Sebastian was full of the dirty talk and innuendos that I just about died for! Rory was also able to include the blow up known as Adrian, Persy’s brother. I could not get enough of how broody Sebastian was and how much his old friends annoyed him when they saw him growing attached to Persy! I am sad to see this series end but cannot wait to see what Rory does next!
Rating: 100+, Persy was EVERYTHING and I could not get enough of her and Sebastian!!
Thank you to Rory for sending me this ARC!
April 19, 2024
My Rating: ★★★★★
Rory L Scott’s “The Gods Forbid” delivers a gripping finale to the “Tempt the Gods” series, immersing readers in a world of redemption, forbidden romance, and the complexities of villainy. In this fourth and final installment, Scott weaves a tale of love and redemption against the backdrop of divine intervention and mortal desires.
At the heart of the narrative lies the tumultuous relationship between Sebastian Apollo, a fallen villain, and Persy Jupiter, the determined guardian of Prometheus. Scott masterfully crafts a slow-burning romance that unfolds with palpable tension and undeniable chemistry. As Sebastian grapples with the consequences of his actions and Persy navigates the complexities of her divine lineage, their journey towards redemption is both poignant and captivating.
What sets “The Gods Forbid” apart is Scott’s adept exploration of moral ambiguity and the power of forgiveness. Through Sebastian’s quest for redemption and Persy’s unwavering belief in second chances, the novel delves into themes of atonement and the capacity for change. As the characters confront their pasts and confront the forbidden nature of their attraction, readers are treated to a rich tapestry of emotions and revelations.
Scott’s prose is immersive and evocative, drawing readers into a world where gods and mortals collide in a battle of wills and desires. The pacing is expertly crafted, building tension with each turn of the page until the climactic moment when Sebastian and Persy finally confront their feelings. The result is a deeply satisfying conclusion that leaves readers yearning for more.
In conclusion, “The Gods Forbid” is a triumphant conclusion to Rory L Scott’s “Tempt the Gods” series, delivering a spellbinding blend of romance, redemption, and divine intrigue. With its engaging characters, compelling storyline, and evocative prose, this novel is sure to captivate readers until the very end. Bravo to Scott for crafting yet another masterpiece—I eagerly await the opportunity to add the entire series to my bookshelf.
Rory L Scott’s “The Gods Forbid” delivers a gripping finale to the “Tempt the Gods” series, immersing readers in a world of redemption, forbidden romance, and the complexities of villainy. In this fourth and final installment, Scott weaves a tale of love and redemption against the backdrop of divine intervention and mortal desires.
At the heart of the narrative lies the tumultuous relationship between Sebastian Apollo, a fallen villain, and Persy Jupiter, the determined guardian of Prometheus. Scott masterfully crafts a slow-burning romance that unfolds with palpable tension and undeniable chemistry. As Sebastian grapples with the consequences of his actions and Persy navigates the complexities of her divine lineage, their journey towards redemption is both poignant and captivating.
What sets “The Gods Forbid” apart is Scott’s adept exploration of moral ambiguity and the power of forgiveness. Through Sebastian’s quest for redemption and Persy’s unwavering belief in second chances, the novel delves into themes of atonement and the capacity for change. As the characters confront their pasts and confront the forbidden nature of their attraction, readers are treated to a rich tapestry of emotions and revelations.
Scott’s prose is immersive and evocative, drawing readers into a world where gods and mortals collide in a battle of wills and desires. The pacing is expertly crafted, building tension with each turn of the page until the climactic moment when Sebastian and Persy finally confront their feelings. The result is a deeply satisfying conclusion that leaves readers yearning for more.
In conclusion, “The Gods Forbid” is a triumphant conclusion to Rory L Scott’s “Tempt the Gods” series, delivering a spellbinding blend of romance, redemption, and divine intrigue. With its engaging characters, compelling storyline, and evocative prose, this novel is sure to captivate readers until the very end. Bravo to Scott for crafting yet another masterpiece—I eagerly await the opportunity to add the entire series to my bookshelf.
April 21, 2024
*The Gods Forbid Review*
Ok. This book. 💘 ugh! The tension. The. Tension. This is the most sweetest, infuriating of slow burns ever! Definitely my favorite of this series!
🖤 Major spoilers for the previous 3 books. If you haven’t read them, go, read the rest then come back. 🖤
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No seriously, I mean it this time!
*
*
*
*
*
*
Ok. So. We start right about where For the Gods’ Sake ends. (Like, seriously y’all. Last chance if you don’t wanna be spoiled!)
Persy finally gets to shine! She has been my favorite side character throughout this series, she reminds me so much of Alice from twilight: the sunshine of the group. Always optimistic, looking on the bright side, and fixing things. A little messy, a little flighty, and a lot loveable.
Sebastian, our villain is such a broken bad boy in this book, my heart ached for him. I love him so much! 🥺🥺🥺 We get to see the entirety of his reach in this book as Apollo: art, music, healing, hospitals.
I absolutely ate up these two, as well as the new characters we meet along the way and old friends that pop in to cause chaos. The pining, the growing friendships….ugh that sweet sweet slow burn… it hurts so good!
And the twisting spirals Rory throws in this book? The amount of time I spent shouting at the book, at her while reading this. (Spoiler alert: Rory is absolutely unapologetic for the pain she puts us through). I was *STRESSED* by the end! 😓 There were tears, there were angry screams, my Kindle almost went flying across the room a time or five. If I’d had a physical copy, you’d better believe I’d embody the meme of slamming it closed and yelling “when I open this up again I’d better not read what I think I read!” 😅
All this to say: I loved this so much. Sebastian might be my favorite of all our godly boys (tied only with Lukas, Adrian and Dominic, of course…). If you made it this far down and haven’t read any of the Tempt the Gods books, first: shame on you. I told you there were spoilers! And second: go! Read all of them!
Ok. This book. 💘 ugh! The tension. The. Tension. This is the most sweetest, infuriating of slow burns ever! Definitely my favorite of this series!
🖤 Major spoilers for the previous 3 books. If you haven’t read them, go, read the rest then come back. 🖤
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No seriously, I mean it this time!
*
*
*
*
*
*
Ok. So. We start right about where For the Gods’ Sake ends. (Like, seriously y’all. Last chance if you don’t wanna be spoiled!)
Persy finally gets to shine! She has been my favorite side character throughout this series, she reminds me so much of Alice from twilight: the sunshine of the group. Always optimistic, looking on the bright side, and fixing things. A little messy, a little flighty, and a lot loveable.
Sebastian, our villain is such a broken bad boy in this book, my heart ached for him. I love him so much! 🥺🥺🥺 We get to see the entirety of his reach in this book as Apollo: art, music, healing, hospitals.
I absolutely ate up these two, as well as the new characters we meet along the way and old friends that pop in to cause chaos. The pining, the growing friendships….ugh that sweet sweet slow burn… it hurts so good!
And the twisting spirals Rory throws in this book? The amount of time I spent shouting at the book, at her while reading this. (Spoiler alert: Rory is absolutely unapologetic for the pain she puts us through). I was *STRESSED* by the end! 😓 There were tears, there were angry screams, my Kindle almost went flying across the room a time or five. If I’d had a physical copy, you’d better believe I’d embody the meme of slamming it closed and yelling “when I open this up again I’d better not read what I think I read!” 😅
All this to say: I loved this so much. Sebastian might be my favorite of all our godly boys (tied only with Lukas, Adrian and Dominic, of course…). If you made it this far down and haven’t read any of the Tempt the Gods books, first: shame on you. I told you there were spoilers! And second: go! Read all of them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
A modern Roman/Greek mythology story following Sebastian Apollo and Persephone (Persy) Jupiter. Sebastian led a thwarted attempt to overthrow the king of the gods and now has been sent to their prison for rehabilitation, which happens to be ran by Persy.
This is the 4th book in the Tempt the Gods series and is an interconnected stand-alone. That being said, I had not read the previous books and I think it would be incredibly helpful to do so! There are a lot of names & since both mythology lines are involved (with children) it was a little distracting for me to catch up while reading.
The chemistry was really well done and I felt all the angst and tension in this slow burn. When I say slow, I mean SLOW. But it was worth it 🥵🥵 Based on how invested I was in them getting together and the emotions I felt in the aftermath, I would say it was well done! And he calls her “love” 🫠🫠
There were a lot of side characters which would have been less overwhelming had I read the other books first…but they were a positive here, particularly in their dynamics to the couple. Some were of their friend group who were dealing with Sebastian’s betrayal, others were only Percy’s friends within Prometheus, and then we had Sebastian’s family that played a main role in the overthrow attempt.
What kept this from being 5 stars for me was the writing and pacing. There was quite a bit of repetitive language, enough to where I’d read a sentence and think “Yes I get it!” The first part of the book seemed to move at a consistent pace, but then it hit a point and took off to the point where the ending seemed rushed and we were fitting a lot in.
I’ll for sure be going back and reading the first three books and then re-reading this one!
🪐 Forced proximity
🪐 Villain redemption
🪐 Grumpy x sunshine
🪐 Fated mates
🪐 🌶️🌶️.5
Thank you so much to Rory Scott for the opportunity to participate in the ARC review!
This is the 4th book in the Tempt the Gods series and is an interconnected stand-alone. That being said, I had not read the previous books and I think it would be incredibly helpful to do so! There are a lot of names & since both mythology lines are involved (with children) it was a little distracting for me to catch up while reading.
The chemistry was really well done and I felt all the angst and tension in this slow burn. When I say slow, I mean SLOW. But it was worth it 🥵🥵 Based on how invested I was in them getting together and the emotions I felt in the aftermath, I would say it was well done! And he calls her “love” 🫠🫠
There were a lot of side characters which would have been less overwhelming had I read the other books first…but they were a positive here, particularly in their dynamics to the couple. Some were of their friend group who were dealing with Sebastian’s betrayal, others were only Percy’s friends within Prometheus, and then we had Sebastian’s family that played a main role in the overthrow attempt.
What kept this from being 5 stars for me was the writing and pacing. There was quite a bit of repetitive language, enough to where I’d read a sentence and think “Yes I get it!” The first part of the book seemed to move at a consistent pace, but then it hit a point and took off to the point where the ending seemed rushed and we were fitting a lot in.
I’ll for sure be going back and reading the first three books and then re-reading this one!
🪐 Forced proximity
🪐 Villain redemption
🪐 Grumpy x sunshine
🪐 Fated mates
🪐 🌶️🌶️.5
Thank you so much to Rory Scott for the opportunity to participate in the ARC review!
June 5, 2024
i really didn’t want to like this one because it’s a redemption arc and idk if ive ever really been a fan of those but i absolutely loved this one.
This was soo good in a completely different way from the 3rd book and maybe it’s because this book is about adrian’s sister that made me like it even more.
This book really focuses on plot and storytelling since yknow this is the MMCs redemption arc and I loved reading about it. We just got SO much relationship building since the FMC is helping the MMC get better. So it was full of fun and tension and I was ALL for it. Nothing makes a good book like giving the reader a reason to root for the main character. There was also like less than a chapter of smut which is always refreshing. So by the time they actually got together you’re like FINALLY.
I also loved how we really got to see the MMC try to get better and his thoughts behind it because I hated him at the end of the 3rd book but this made me understand him a lot more and be able to understand why he did it or felt like he needed to.
The characters also didn’t even have an unneeded 3rd break up act and despite the situation they ALWAYS communicated.
I will say by the last couple of chapters my heart dropped when I thought the author was going to kill him off to make a point because I seriously was at 90% and i’m like NOTHING OFFICIAL has happened.
BUT the MMC making the FMC his heir was something i did not call it could have sworn it was going to be penn and i was kind upset it wasn’t.
Overall this book had everything and there really wasn’t a single bad thing I could say about it. I’m conflicted about which is my favorite tbh.
Note: I’m also equally upset that we won’t be getting a book about nikolas and kostas because wtf!!!
Note 2: The epilogue was so bittersweet seeing all their kids 💔💔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2024
"The Gods Forbid" by Rory L. Scott is the fourth and final novel in the "Tempt the Gods" series. This was the perfect conclusion for the series, and my personal favorite! Warning, the rest of this review contains spoilers.
Sebastian Apollo's attempt to challenge the divine has led to his imprisonment within Prometheus, a legendary prison, that is now under the control of Persy Jupiter, the younger sister of the god he once sought to usurp. Instead of punishment, Persy focuses on a process of redemption, which initiates a journey of forced proximity and a growing connection between the two gods.
From the minute I saw Sebastian in book 3 acting suspicious whenever Persy's name was mentioned, I knew I was going to love their story. I devoured this book. I am forever a lover of the villain redemption story, and this one was executed wonderfully. Persy's kind soul is pure sunshine. Watching her show such grace and love towards everyone around her who has suffered or been misunderstood by society fixed something in my heart. If there is anyone who deserves a happy ending, it is this girl. If there is anyone who deserves to be worshipped, it is this girl!! And boy, does Sebastian know it. I LOVE a story where the man is head over heels for the girl. Persy being Sebastian's muse??? Stop. My heart. Adding "they view me as art" to my list of future relationship goals. The god of sun picturing Persy as sunshine. That is enough. I'm sold. Take my heart.
So yah, I loved this book. I am obsessed.
Read if you like:
Greek Mythology
Grumpy/Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Redemption Story
Sebastian Apollo's attempt to challenge the divine has led to his imprisonment within Prometheus, a legendary prison, that is now under the control of Persy Jupiter, the younger sister of the god he once sought to usurp. Instead of punishment, Persy focuses on a process of redemption, which initiates a journey of forced proximity and a growing connection between the two gods.
From the minute I saw Sebastian in book 3 acting suspicious whenever Persy's name was mentioned, I knew I was going to love their story. I devoured this book. I am forever a lover of the villain redemption story, and this one was executed wonderfully. Persy's kind soul is pure sunshine. Watching her show such grace and love towards everyone around her who has suffered or been misunderstood by society fixed something in my heart. If there is anyone who deserves a happy ending, it is this girl. If there is anyone who deserves to be worshipped, it is this girl!! And boy, does Sebastian know it. I LOVE a story where the man is head over heels for the girl. Persy being Sebastian's muse??? Stop. My heart. Adding "they view me as art" to my list of future relationship goals. The god of sun picturing Persy as sunshine. That is enough. I'm sold. Take my heart.
So yah, I loved this book. I am obsessed.
Read if you like:
Greek Mythology
Grumpy/Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Redemption Story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2024
*I received an e-Arc of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
The Gods Forbid is the final book in the Tempt the Gods series by Rory L. Scott. We get the conclusion to the overall plot line, a redemption arc, and a tediously delicious slow burn romance that was well worth the read.
The Gods Forbid at its core is a story of redemption but also a story of finding someone who understands you. Sebastian and Persy are two different people yet are the same. I loved reading how even though they had a lot of differences, those differences complemented each other in a way that helped to develop their relationship. Persy was the sunshine to Sebastian’s darkness, and I loved that.
This story is mainly focused on Persy and Sebastian’s relationship, so there is no overall political plot like that of the first three books, and I loved how Scott took the time to develop their relationship by doing this. This is a SLOW BURN romance, and let me tell you the tension was delicious. When they finally let go of the things that are holding them back from sharing their feelings (Persy being Sebastian’s “healer” and Sebastian feeling he doesn’t deserve her) the sparks were sparking. This is the best tension that Soctt has written to date and I loved every second of it.
This is the perfect book for anyone who just wants a good old redemption story filled with slow burn tension, character development that makes sense, a hair washing scene (YES!), and an ending that makes your heart smile for the characters. Also, the bonus epilogue you can download at the end of the book was the icing on the cake.
I am so sad to see this series end but I can’t wait to see what other stories come next!
The Gods Forbid is the final book in the Tempt the Gods series by Rory L. Scott. We get the conclusion to the overall plot line, a redemption arc, and a tediously delicious slow burn romance that was well worth the read.
The Gods Forbid at its core is a story of redemption but also a story of finding someone who understands you. Sebastian and Persy are two different people yet are the same. I loved reading how even though they had a lot of differences, those differences complemented each other in a way that helped to develop their relationship. Persy was the sunshine to Sebastian’s darkness, and I loved that.
This story is mainly focused on Persy and Sebastian’s relationship, so there is no overall political plot like that of the first three books, and I loved how Scott took the time to develop their relationship by doing this. This is a SLOW BURN romance, and let me tell you the tension was delicious. When they finally let go of the things that are holding them back from sharing their feelings (Persy being Sebastian’s “healer” and Sebastian feeling he doesn’t deserve her) the sparks were sparking. This is the best tension that Soctt has written to date and I loved every second of it.
This is the perfect book for anyone who just wants a good old redemption story filled with slow burn tension, character development that makes sense, a hair washing scene (YES!), and an ending that makes your heart smile for the characters. Also, the bonus epilogue you can download at the end of the book was the icing on the cake.
I am so sad to see this series end but I can’t wait to see what other stories come next!
April 25, 2024
These CHARACTERS! I am so sad that it's over. This book completely ripped me apart and put me back together. I'm also just a pile of ash now because of the slow, smoldering burn.
I had zero clue how Rory was going to redeem Sebastian, but he is certainly redeemed and cherished by me now! That takes some serious skill considering how much I wish he was deleted a the end of For the God's Sake.
I also loved getting to know quirky Persy. She's such a relatable character. Although she's a freakin god, she's also a little adorkable. I'm just so thrilled with how she was developed and blossomed. We've all felt that it's hard and awkward to fully embrace who we truly are and what we want. Walking that road with Persy felt personal and oh, so meaningful.
This book is filled with so much light (literally) and love. I was swept away into all of the art that was described. Prometheus (the prison) was just so dang fascinating as well! Rory crafted a beautiful place where you were genuinely rooting for people who had done awful things. It's nice to be reminded that everyone deserves a second chance and that we all can be forgiven and restored if we really want it and work for it.
I'm so happy to have let the Tempt the Gods series take over my life for the past couple of weeks! I will definitely be rereading in the future.
I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of The Gods Forbid! Thank you for the honor, Rory!
I had zero clue how Rory was going to redeem Sebastian, but he is certainly redeemed and cherished by me now! That takes some serious skill considering how much I wish he was deleted a the end of For the God's Sake.
I also loved getting to know quirky Persy. She's such a relatable character. Although she's a freakin god, she's also a little adorkable. I'm just so thrilled with how she was developed and blossomed. We've all felt that it's hard and awkward to fully embrace who we truly are and what we want. Walking that road with Persy felt personal and oh, so meaningful.
This book is filled with so much light (literally) and love. I was swept away into all of the art that was described. Prometheus (the prison) was just so dang fascinating as well! Rory crafted a beautiful place where you were genuinely rooting for people who had done awful things. It's nice to be reminded that everyone deserves a second chance and that we all can be forgiven and restored if we really want it and work for it.
I'm so happy to have let the Tempt the Gods series take over my life for the past couple of weeks! I will definitely be rereading in the future.
I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of The Gods Forbid! Thank you for the honor, Rory!
April 17, 2024
What an amazing final installment in a really great series!
This review will have spoilers for the previous 3 installments in the Tempt the Gods series, so if you have not read them or don't want to have a major plot point spoiled....stop now!
That being said....I want take Sebastian and somehow bottle him up. I was not shocked to find out that he was the villain in the first 3 books, the Easter eggs were laid out beautifully. What I WAS shocked by, was how quickly Rory Scott made me fall head over heels for Sebastian (though really....I shouldn't have been shocked, she did it to me with Dominic, Lukas, and Adrian too).
I loved the angle that was taken in this book to bring a true villain back to his humanity. It felt so modern while keeping the reader in the magical world of the gods.
Persy is a breath of fresh air to everyone around her, and she is bubbling with positivity. But underneath she is full of self-doubt and an intricate understanding of people that even her friends didn't seem to know about. Getting to see inside the mind of Persy was a true treat.
This whole story from start to finish was captivating. From the small changes of character growth, to personal revelations, to the gut wrenching climax of the story, it was everything!
The Gods Forbid couldn't have been a better end to this marvelous series!
Overall: HIGHLY recommend!
This review will have spoilers for the previous 3 installments in the Tempt the Gods series, so if you have not read them or don't want to have a major plot point spoiled....stop now!
That being said....I want take Sebastian and somehow bottle him up. I was not shocked to find out that he was the villain in the first 3 books, the Easter eggs were laid out beautifully. What I WAS shocked by, was how quickly Rory Scott made me fall head over heels for Sebastian (though really....I shouldn't have been shocked, she did it to me with Dominic, Lukas, and Adrian too).
I loved the angle that was taken in this book to bring a true villain back to his humanity. It felt so modern while keeping the reader in the magical world of the gods.
Persy is a breath of fresh air to everyone around her, and she is bubbling with positivity. But underneath she is full of self-doubt and an intricate understanding of people that even her friends didn't seem to know about. Getting to see inside the mind of Persy was a true treat.
This whole story from start to finish was captivating. From the small changes of character growth, to personal revelations, to the gut wrenching climax of the story, it was everything!
The Gods Forbid couldn't have been a better end to this marvelous series!
Overall: HIGHLY recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2024
This story is a true villain redemption story. A perfect ending to this amazing series,Tempt of the Gods.#4
Persy is unapologetically true to herself. Her beliefs that people deserve second chances, forgiveness and kindness. Willing to see the good in people, while helping them on their road to redemption.
Sebastian/Apollo is need of some kindness though he fights it with everything that he is. Making it difficult for people to get close to him. Believing he is unworthy of forgiveness, haunted by his personal demons.
Persy and Sebastian are brought together for six months, a kind or a rehab program for Gods that Persy oversees. The push and pull between them is torturous in the best way possible. Unwilling to walk away from Sebastian, Persy is put through her most difficult challenge yet mind, heart and soul.
The burn is slooow and oh so good. The slightest touch of their hands had me swooning and giggling.
Rory does a fantastic job pulling you into her world of Gods. You are captivated by her characters and their world. I was sad leaving said world as the final chapter came to an end.
Read this if you love grumpy/sunshine, mental health awareness, grief, love, hurt him/her protectiveness, Greek mythology,slow burn & witty banter. A perfect book to keep you captivated all weekend long.
Persy is unapologetically true to herself. Her beliefs that people deserve second chances, forgiveness and kindness. Willing to see the good in people, while helping them on their road to redemption.
Sebastian/Apollo is need of some kindness though he fights it with everything that he is. Making it difficult for people to get close to him. Believing he is unworthy of forgiveness, haunted by his personal demons.
Persy and Sebastian are brought together for six months, a kind or a rehab program for Gods that Persy oversees. The push and pull between them is torturous in the best way possible. Unwilling to walk away from Sebastian, Persy is put through her most difficult challenge yet mind, heart and soul.
The burn is slooow and oh so good. The slightest touch of their hands had me swooning and giggling.
Rory does a fantastic job pulling you into her world of Gods. You are captivated by her characters and their world. I was sad leaving said world as the final chapter came to an end.
Read this if you love grumpy/sunshine, mental health awareness, grief, love, hurt him/her protectiveness, Greek mythology,slow burn & witty banter. A perfect book to keep you captivated all weekend long.
April 11, 2024
I’m so sad this series is now complete. I dove into the entire series when I got a notification that I’d get an ARC of The Gods Forbid and loved every minute of it.
This is the ultimate slow burn, grumpy/sunshine (literally). You know all those love quotes about giving someone the sun, the moon and the stars? Well, stand back for Lord Apollo. Going into the final book, you want to hate him and know it will be nearly impossible for him to redeem himself. Then he gets involved with Persy in Prometheus. Persy, someone who feels so much care for others that it can come across as naive. The other residents of Prometheus are amazing and you’re invested in their happiness as well.
The story woven between Sebastian and Persy started slowly for me but by midway through I couldn’t put the book down. The spicy scenes are top notch. I haven’t read the extended prologue/bonus scenes yet because I just loved how this one ended so much. But I am hopeful we get some more Jason Dionysus (I need a short story for him!)
Take the time to invest in the series. The entire concept is incredible and so well executed.
This is the ultimate slow burn, grumpy/sunshine (literally). You know all those love quotes about giving someone the sun, the moon and the stars? Well, stand back for Lord Apollo. Going into the final book, you want to hate him and know it will be nearly impossible for him to redeem himself. Then he gets involved with Persy in Prometheus. Persy, someone who feels so much care for others that it can come across as naive. The other residents of Prometheus are amazing and you’re invested in their happiness as well.
The story woven between Sebastian and Persy started slowly for me but by midway through I couldn’t put the book down. The spicy scenes are top notch. I haven’t read the extended prologue/bonus scenes yet because I just loved how this one ended so much. But I am hopeful we get some more Jason Dionysus (I need a short story for him!)
Take the time to invest in the series. The entire concept is incredible and so well executed.
April 18, 2024
As a disclaimer - I was gifted this ARC and have not read the first 3 books in this series, so my review is from the POV of TGF being a standalone.
The Gods Forbid is a unique mythology based story that revolves around the concept of redemption. It follows Sebastian, someone who believes he is completely undeserving of forgiveness, and Persy, who sees the good in those who don’t themselves.
I enjoyed the banter between Seb and Persy, and I also liked the unique and creative take on the Greek/Roman gods/goddesses in the book setting and the world building the author created. I do wish the character development could have been more in depth - specifically around Sebastian’s history and even Persy’s. Again, I haven’t read the first three books so I’m not sure how much is covered previously, but i think more flashbacks regarding Sebastian’s family, his choices, seeing more of his turmoil and back and forth as he learn to accept himself and what he has done would have been a great addition to his character arc specifically. Regarding Persy, I would of loved to see her independence and strength grow more due to her own experiences separate from Sebastian - it feels like her growth as a character is dependent on him, and not her own actions.
In that same breath, the writing did start to feel repetitive to me about half-way, and wish it was more descriptive and varied throughout.
Overall, I believe the author has a great talent for coming up with a unique storyline and pacing and did like the book, I just wish there was more depth to the writing and characters.
The Gods Forbid is a unique mythology based story that revolves around the concept of redemption. It follows Sebastian, someone who believes he is completely undeserving of forgiveness, and Persy, who sees the good in those who don’t themselves.
I enjoyed the banter between Seb and Persy, and I also liked the unique and creative take on the Greek/Roman gods/goddesses in the book setting and the world building the author created. I do wish the character development could have been more in depth - specifically around Sebastian’s history and even Persy’s. Again, I haven’t read the first three books so I’m not sure how much is covered previously, but i think more flashbacks regarding Sebastian’s family, his choices, seeing more of his turmoil and back and forth as he learn to accept himself and what he has done would have been a great addition to his character arc specifically. Regarding Persy, I would of loved to see her independence and strength grow more due to her own experiences separate from Sebastian - it feels like her growth as a character is dependent on him, and not her own actions.
In that same breath, the writing did start to feel repetitive to me about half-way, and wish it was more descriptive and varied throughout.
Overall, I believe the author has a great talent for coming up with a unique storyline and pacing and did like the book, I just wish there was more depth to the writing and characters.
April 19, 2024
Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fourth book in the Tempt the God's Series. We follow the villain from the previous books as he is forced to work with the FMC to help him overcome his past and move forward. The MMC is volatile but secretly a softy, and the FMC has a strong desire to help people and always chooses to be optimistic.
This is a love story about second chances and the belief that everyone deserves kindness and the opportunity to grow and change. The mythology element is not heavy handed in this so if you're a hardcore mythology reader then this might not be for you but it also makes it approachable for those who are mainly contemporary romance readers looking to branch out into fantasy romance.
The relationship dynamic in the first half did give me Kyo and Tohru vibes from Fruits Basket, and they're OTP, so I enjoyed that element.
Tropes
✨️ Forced Proximity
✨️ Domestic Element
✨️ Redemption Arc
✨️ Greek/Roman Mythology
This was definitely out of my norm for what I typically read, but I did find elements to be enjoyable.
This is the fourth book in the Tempt the God's Series. We follow the villain from the previous books as he is forced to work with the FMC to help him overcome his past and move forward. The MMC is volatile but secretly a softy, and the FMC has a strong desire to help people and always chooses to be optimistic.
This is a love story about second chances and the belief that everyone deserves kindness and the opportunity to grow and change. The mythology element is not heavy handed in this so if you're a hardcore mythology reader then this might not be for you but it also makes it approachable for those who are mainly contemporary romance readers looking to branch out into fantasy romance.
The relationship dynamic in the first half did give me Kyo and Tohru vibes from Fruits Basket, and they're OTP, so I enjoyed that element.
Tropes
✨️ Forced Proximity
✨️ Domestic Element
✨️ Redemption Arc
✨️ Greek/Roman Mythology
This was definitely out of my norm for what I typically read, but I did find elements to be enjoyable.
May 4, 2024
📖The Gods Forbid ARC By: Rory L. Scott
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5? (Open door)
**IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST 3 BOOKS THEN I THINK THIS WHOLE REVIEW IS A SPOILER**
I was prepared to be mad at Sebastian. I really was. His actions toward all of my favorite characters had me ready to shun him.
But then, The author dared to say this was her Caroline x Klaus story... and I am weak.
I ended up much more susceptible to Sebastian's charms.
Author Rory Scott is a mastermind, weaving Sebastian's guilt and the other's forgiveness. I loved how his interaction with Daphne kicked off his path to forgiveness (And she knows about guilt 😭).
This book is a slowwww burn, much slower than the others in the series. A cozy low-stakes villain redemption story. Two people who have to work on themselves emotionally fall in love and have no clue they even did that.
You want to read about Sebastian and his multicolored gaze, and Persy the beautiful little tornado and heart of this series.
This book could be read as a standalone, but then you wouldn't be able to fully enjoy the Camoes and Sebastian's road to emoting properly (or as normally as the gods can).
Dominic lunged at him while Rose smiled cruelly, both reacting like they would kill him for disrespecting the other.
Like, come on, aren’t they cute?
“We can’t hang out?” Dominic said, pushing his lower lip out in an expression I’d never seen him make before. “Dominic, what the fuck is that look? Are you pouting?”
This book was me falling in love with Sebastian and Persephone but also crying as I said goodbye to the others.
This series was funny and sweet. Worth a re-read and is easy to love. Read this book for Penn, Stolen Sweaters in closets, muses, and Sunlight.
✨✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5? (Open door)
**IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST 3 BOOKS THEN I THINK THIS WHOLE REVIEW IS A SPOILER**
I was prepared to be mad at Sebastian. I really was. His actions toward all of my favorite characters had me ready to shun him.
But then, The author dared to say this was her Caroline x Klaus story... and I am weak.
I ended up much more susceptible to Sebastian's charms.
Author Rory Scott is a mastermind, weaving Sebastian's guilt and the other's forgiveness. I loved how his interaction with Daphne kicked off his path to forgiveness (And she knows about guilt 😭).
This book is a slowwww burn, much slower than the others in the series. A cozy low-stakes villain redemption story. Two people who have to work on themselves emotionally fall in love and have no clue they even did that.
You want to read about Sebastian and his multicolored gaze, and Persy the beautiful little tornado and heart of this series.
This book could be read as a standalone, but then you wouldn't be able to fully enjoy the Camoes and Sebastian's road to emoting properly (or as normally as the gods can).
Dominic lunged at him while Rose smiled cruelly, both reacting like they would kill him for disrespecting the other.
Like, come on, aren’t they cute?
“We can’t hang out?” Dominic said, pushing his lower lip out in an expression I’d never seen him make before. “Dominic, what the fuck is that look? Are you pouting?”
This book was me falling in love with Sebastian and Persephone but also crying as I said goodbye to the others.
This series was funny and sweet. Worth a re-read and is easy to love. Read this book for Penn, Stolen Sweaters in closets, muses, and Sunlight.
✨✨
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