Wrath of Love

Olympus Syndicate #1

by Vanessa Stock

In the gritty underworld of Aeolopolis, love and vengeance entwine to the soundtrack of motorcycle engines and hushed secrets. Aphrodite, daughter of Ouranos, head of the ruthless Aetos mafia family, finds her world shattered when her brother Titan is killed in an attack on his own family turf.

Desperate for answers and revenge, Ouranos forges a fragile alliance with Zeus’s merciless Olympus Syndicate. In a show of power, Ouranos offers Aphrodite’s hand to Hephaestus, Zeus’s eldest son, reducing her to nothing more than a pawn for the Olympus Syndicate and Aetos families, prioritizing his protection over his daughter's well-being.

Lurking in the shadows is Zeus’s other son, Ares, Titan's former ally and friend, who promised to protect Aphrodite for him at all costs. Passion ignites between them in stolen moments during her loveless engagement, but before long, Aphrodite and Ares are entirely consumed by each other, living in constant fear of their affair being exposed.

As secrets unravel and bloodlines clash, she must choose between true love and the future she’s been caged into with Hephaestus. "Wrath of Love" is a dark, electrifying tale of power and passion set against the backdrop of a city on the verge of collapse

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Enemies To Lovers, Fantasy, Mythology, Mafia Romance, Romance

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2024

About the author

I'm Vanessa, and I'm a passionate weaver of romantic tales. With every stroke of my keyboard, I strive to create worlds where love knows no bounds, and where the power of connection transcends all obstacles. Whether it's the allure of a chance encounter or the depth of a lifelong bond, my stories are a journey through the heart's most profound emotions. Join me on this adventure, and let's explore the limitless possibilities of love together.

I reside north of Toronto with my husband, daughter, and our puppy Maverick. When I'm not writing, I like to design spaces and binge the latest reality show.

Reviews

[nicoles_book_corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrath Of Love

tropes

- forbidden Love
- star-Crossed Lovers
- family Feuds
- love Triangle
- revenge Motive
- redemption
- scarred Bad Boy
- mafia
- motorcycle Gang
- bad Boy with a Heart


i may or may not have flooded Vee’s dm’s raving about this book🙈

to say this was one of my absolute favorite reads of all time would be an understatement. i inhaled everything this book had to offer and much more.

the writing is beyond incredible and the characters will suck you in from the very first page.

but let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible world building in this book. Like OMFG!!!

you will undoubtedly fall in love with both Ares & Aphrodite including some of the other side characters.

their passion & love for each other will leave you feeling high, yea you heard me, high because Vee definitely put some crack in this book.

are you looking for your next book boyfriend? cause Ares comes with a dirty mouth on him. a VERY dirty & praising mouth.

this book releases October 31st so be sure to add it to your goodreads!

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good book! A gritty underworld uproar?! Sign me up! Aphrodite is thrown into turmoil when her brother is murdered at a Halloween gala!!! Like what?! Now alliances are being formed and the hunt for the killer is on!! It gives Romeo and Juliet vibes, touch her and suffer the consequences and it has Greek mythology undertones.this is such a good read!!!

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Holy mother cannoli!

THIS BOOK. THIS. BOOK. is so worth it! I was so exited to read this one, and it was even better than I could imagine.

I loved the Greek gods aspect of the story (because I’m obsessed with the Greek gods), add in motorcycle club and it’s the perfect recipe!

Y’all, I seriously will be thinking about this book until that end of my days. I absolutely loved this book and will be going door to door, telling people they need to read this book!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story from Vanessa Stock! I'm such a fan!!!! I can't wait for the next book in this series. This story is perfect. The playlist is flawless. Well done!!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Bek ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa Stock's Wrath of Love is a masterfully crafted, addictive read!

Tropes: Forbidden love, star-crossed lovers, family feuds, love triangle, revenge, redemption, scarred bad boy, mafia, motorcycle gang.

This MC/Mafia romance, infused with Greek mythology elements, transported me to a world of passion and suspense. Vanessa's writing is lyrical, painting vivid images.

The complex characters, including Ares and Aphrodite, are expertly developed. The story's unique blend of dark romance and mythology elements is captivating.

Standouts:

Expert world-building
Greek mythology reimagining
Complex characters
Dark, suspenseful plot
Unique blend of MC/Mafia romance and mythology

A must-read for dark romance fans seeking a unique, immersive experience.

Add Wrath of Love to your Goodreads and get ready for an unforgettable ride!

[Paige (paigersturnspages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review coming soon

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, wow! I absolutely loved this book. The mafia romance x Greek mythology was so amazing to read through.
I definitely loved all the tropes - forbidden love, mafia romance, morally grey mc (!!) and he’s a biker bad boy!! Aaaah. There was also a love triangle.

Vanessa Stock’s writing never ceases to amaze me, this is such a meticulously curated book. The writing is gorgeous. And she writes spicy scenes so well hehe! 🤭

Crazy that it ended in a cliffhanger! I’m so excited for book two to come out :3

[Kimberly Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wanted to soak up all her alluring beauty as my primal soul devoured hers.” ✨🖤🔥

MC Romance, Mafia & Re-imagined Greek Mythology with a forced marriage? YES PLEASE!!! Ares & Aphrodite are so perfect, so meant to be and man did they fight for their love. This book was just so action packed, with great twist and turns.
If you love tension, longing & a wild journey this is for you! Also, the spice had me wishing I was Aphrodite because everybody NEEDS an Ares 🥵

[Paige Kateeb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrath of Love by @authorvanessastock
Release Date: October 31st, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Wrath of Love is an absolute rollercoaster! I will say I have always loved Greek mythology, I found this book to be a captivating blend of ancient legend and modern romance, making it an incredibly fun read. While I haven’t read many Greek mythology romances before, this one has definitely left me eager for more of this genre.

From the very first chapters, I was hooked. The author masterfully weaves together a thrilling plot and complex characters. The Romeo and Juliet-esque theme is done so well, and I’m amazed at how seamlessly Vanessa Stock blends these classic tropes into something new and exciting. I’m truly obsessed and can’t wait to see where the series goes from here!

Packed with action, drama, romance, betrayal, and revenge, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat. The emotions are intense, and the twists and turns make it impossible to put down. I can’t wait to see who the spotlight will be on in the next book!

Tropes:
🥀 Forbidden love
🥀 Star-crossed lovers
🥀 Family feuds
🥀 Love triangle
🥀 Revenge motive
🥀 Redemption arc
🥀 Scarred, bad boy
🥀 Mafia dynamics
🥀 Motorcycle gang
🥀 Bad boy with a heart of gold
🥀 Forced marriage
🥀 Greek mythology

If you’re a fan of high-stakes drama, complicated love stories, and a dash of mythological flair, you need to pick up Wrath of Love.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one pleasantly surprised me! Urban retellings don't normally do it for me, especially if there isn't any fantasy elements, but the realistic aspects of this sucked me in. It is not a pretty life, this mafia MC business, and Vanessa showed it well. I really appreciated how there was no mucking around, no monologuing - people just got on with shit.

At the start of the book the writing style was pretty jagged and choppy, but it quickly ironed out and flowed nicely. I think the characters were well fleshed out and the development that they went through fit with their personalities. I especially love the revenge that they got. The 400 pages flew by and I read it all in one day as my last book of 2024. I can't wait to read Hades and Persephone!

[lindseysbooklore · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 star

Not bad! Thank you to the author for bringing her book to my attention. I loved the Greek mythology names and she kept the personalities true to the history and relationships. There were moments of tension that were delicious. She had this book as a reimagining vs a retelling which was creative with a mafia and biker gang element mixed in. This book is heavier on the romance/relationships rather than the mafia and biker side of story telling. I didn’t feel like Aphrodite was a super strong FMC though and her indecision with her back and forth hindered the story for really progressing forward. It’s a great entry novel into bikers. I would have liked to see higher stakes, maybe a little more love triangle, more angst vs the instalust presented.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wrath of Love was… fine. I liked the idea of the story and there were moments where I was really into it, but honestly? Aphrodite drove me a little nuts. She kept going back and forth so much that it felt like every time the plot started picking up, she’d slam on the brakes again. It made it hard to stay fully connected or root for her.

There were definitely good bits and some chemistry that worked, but the constant indecision took a lot of the enjoyment out of it for me. Not a bad read — just frustrating enough that it landed at three stars.

[LivingReadGirl666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy MC dark romance with a Greek reimagining spin- this is the book for you. We follow Aphrodite and Ares’ forbidden love story as they search for Aphrodite’s brother Titan’s murderer. The writing style is lyrical and highly descriptive and the characters multidimensional. The chemistry between our scarred MMC and goddess-like FMC was spicy!

I was given a free copy. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the myths of Greek mythology meet the modern world with a tragedy as epic as Romeo and Juliet? The answer lies in a beautiful book, Wrath of Love. Vanessa Stock brings legendary gods and goddesses and their world to life in a world that plagued with rivalry and romance. Absolutely captivating and beautifully written, Stock has created a brilliantly imagined universe that is a treat to get lost in.

[Emily Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book !! The Greek mythology ties to the mafia was such a magical touch ! And out of the realm of books I usually read! It was such a nice change of pace for me!

Also I feel I learned a lot about Greek mythology as well! If your looking for a fun story that holds your attention, this is it!

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I loved the Greek mythology + biker/mafia dark romance vibes. Reminded me of Baz
Luhrmanns Romeo + Juliet.

I wish there was a little more spice scenes but the ones that are there are amazing. Loved the family/childhood trauma elements and all in all really addictive book.

Can’t wait for the sequel!

[Carleigh boose · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (If I could give it more, I would!)
All I have to say is “WTF” — in the best way possible.

Vanessa Stock absolutely nailed it with Wrath of Love. She had me hooked from the first chapter and never let go. The pacing was perfect — not a single dull moment — and every scene felt intentional and captivating.

I adored all the references to Greek mythology; they were woven into the story so well without feeling overdone. And that plot twist? Left me completely shocked and breathless. I didn’t see it coming at all.

This book is an absolute must-read — intense, emotional, smart, and unforgettable. Vanessa, you’ve earned a forever fan!

[Ashley M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one!
Taking the characters in Greek mythology and placing them in modern times in rival motorcycle gangs, Vanessa upped the game for similar stories/ideas. This book reminded me of the Persephone and Hades series by Scarlett St. Claire, but tbh, this book was better.
The two main characters were to die for, I loved their relationship. It was sort of like a forced love triangle, with two people wanting each other and the other one forced into the mix because of a forced marriage. The forbidden love trope was beautifully written from the start - it was an instant attraction and a sort of slow burn, but heated and passionate once it was there.
The characters angst and emotion in wanting something they couldn’t and shouldn’t have was beautifully written and I loved every second.
This was full of action, and so many great twists that elevated the story so well.
Can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Noemi Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrath of Love
By Vanessa Stock

4 ⭐ 4 🌶️

Tropes:
🥀 Forbidden love 🥀 Family feuds
🥀 Revenge motive 🥀 Redemption
🥀 Mafia 🥀 Motorcycle gang
🥀 Forced marriage 🥀 Greek Mythology

Main Characters:
Ares & Aphrodite

Stand out lines/quotes:
"I will love you in this lifetime and will find you in the next so I can love you once more."

My Thoughts:
Turning Greek Mythology into a mafia romance was a nice little spin and I genuinely enjoyed it. The twists and turns that this book turn had my head constantly spinning but boy did I enjoy each one of them. The angst and the spice were just right. The ONLY thing I didn’t like was her response to one particular person but I understand why it was added into the storyline.

[Krupa Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.8/5

I rarely read dark romance, but Wrath of Love by Vanessa Stock changed the game!!! I was hooked from page 1! Unputdownable! 🙌🏻 I cannot wait for Book 2 of the Olympus Syndicate series because I desperately need to know what happens next.

With each turn of the page, Stock ensures you are part of the character’s worlds, intertwined in the same chaos, fury and wrath. I felt the same anger, love and other feelings that can’t be mentioned if I want this post to stay up (iykyk 😉) as Aphrodite. And to top it all off, Ares is 🌹🫠🥵🏍️❤️‍🔥🤤.

One of my best reads this year!

[Elizabeth Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection. No notes.

This book was incredible. I was so lucky to be in the street team and have the opportunity to read an ARC of this. The amount of care that Vee put into this reimagining was so good. The story was new and fresh even with being the Greek characters we all have heard before. Aphrodite was such a strong fmc and I loved seeing her throughout this and the growth she had. The romance was incredible roo. So excited for book two.

[Shyanne Blankenship · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so much tension throughout the whole story. And not the attractive kind of tension that gets you excited. But like a giant ball of anxiety

The timeline was just so strange to me. Too much time in some places and not enough in others. Also how much time passed in certain areas was not clear.

Also some choices made were just silly and not well thought out by the characters (I’m trying to keep this as spoiler free as possible so that was very vague right there, sorry y’all😂)

I did enjoy the final bit of the book after Aphrodite and Ares were separated till the end of the book. I liked when they were fighting their own battles. Both fighting to return to each other

My favorite character was hands down Hades, what a frickin king. I love his loyalty to Ares

[chay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I’m a sucker for anything Greek mythology. Give me a Greek mythology re-imagining with dark mafia romance & I’m SAT.

Welcome to Aeolopolis, a world where mafia syndicates and motorcycle gangs clash, and love is as dangerous as it is forbidden.

Aphrodite is caught between duty and desire. Betrothed to Hephaestus for power, she’s irresistibly drawn to the dark and dangerous Ares. Will she honour her vows, or give in to a love that could destroy everything?

Tropes you’ll love:

🥀 Forbidden love
🥀 Star-crossed lovers
🥀 Love triangle
🥀 Mafia meets motorcycle gang
🥀 Forced marriage + revenge twists

Thank you to TorchLitInk for the chance to read this amazing ARC! 🫶🏼

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
-Forbidden love
-Bad boy
-Star crossed lovers
-Greek mythology
-Forced marriage
-Revenge
-Mafia + MC romance

Set in gritty underbelly of Aeolopolis, forbidden love and the driving need for revenge mingle with the roar of motorcycle engines and the thirst for power fueled by secrets and betrayal. Aphrodite, daughter of the city's ruthless mafia boss, finds that her life is shattered when her brother Titan is killed at a party. Desperate for answers, the Aetos Mafia forms a tenuous alliance with the Olympus Syndicate MC. Aphrodite is promised in marriage to Hephaestus, the vice president of the club, but that's not the club member that Aphrodite wants. Ares is a fearsome warrior, but he was friends with Titan and vows to keep Aphrodite safe no matter what. Stolen moments in dark corners reveals a passion that has ignited between the two, but since their love is forbidden, they are in constant fear of being caught as the wedding draws closer. As secrets are unraveled, Aphrodite must decide between following her heart or having a future that she had no say in.

This book captivated me from beginning to end, and it has garnered a well-earned position as one of my favorite reads. Vanessa's writing is simply gorgeous. The writing was evocative and stunningly crafted to reimagine Greek mythology with a modern twist. The setting of Aeolopolis is atmospheric and so vividly described, which allowed for a completely immersive reading experience. The suspense begins almost immediately with the death of Titan, and sets into motion a series of events resulting in a dangerous game for everyone involved. Aphrodite was absolutely shattered by the death of her brother, and everything that she has to endure after that was crushing. But through it all, Ares is there to support and protect her. Ares exudes darkness, but Aphrodite is able to pierce through his defenses and soften his warrior heart. Even though Aphrodite is promised to Ares' brother, they cannot stay away from each other. The tension between them as they try to fight their attraction was absolute perfection, and the clandestine scenes of intimacy between the two were searing. The ending built up to a worrying suspense, but the conclusion was worth every moment to get there. By far, one of the best books I have read!

[Lisa Conant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 3.5 out of 5
Spice: 🌶🌶 out of 5

🏍MC Underworld
💪Protective MMC
💘Star Crossed Lovers
⚔️Warring Families
💙Bad Boy With a Heart

✨️Blurb
In the gritty underworld of Aeolopolis, love and vengeance entwine to the soundtrack of motorcycle engines and hushed secrets. Aphrodite, daughter of Ouranos, head of the ruthless Aetos mafia family, finds her world shattered when her brother Titan is killed in an attack on his own family turf.

Desperate for answers and revenge, Ouranos forges a fragile alliance with Zeus’s merciless Olympus Syndicate. In a show of power, Ouranos offers Aphrodite’s hand to Hephaestus, Zeus’s eldest son, reducing her to nothing more than a pawn for the Olympus Syndicate and Aetos families, prioritizing his protection over his daughter's well-being.

Lurking in the shadows is Zeus’s other son, Ares, Titan's former ally and friend, who promised to protect Aphrodite for him at all costs. Passion ignites between them in stolen moments during her loveless engagement, but before long, Aphrodite and Ares are entirely consumed by each other, living in constant fear of their affair being exposed.

✨️Review
I think the way Greek mythology is woven in to a modern world of MC club vs a feudal war with a Mafia family was refreshing. It could be a little confusing to follow all the characters though. Note, this takes place in contemporary times, there is no fantasy element but the characters often share characteristics of their namesake which is neat!

Our Romeo and Juliet type couple fall very fast for one another (I do wish it was a little more slow burn) but they do have great chemistry. The mystery aspect of finding Aphrodite's brother's killer was an effective drive throughout.

I think what I really would've loved would've been a twist about Hephaestus. In the end, his motivations seemed counter to how he was built out to be in the middle act. In private he seemed so genuine and gentle. I really loved seeing the vulnerable side to him so it confused me as to how he ended up acting the way he did in the end. I really loved how complex he could've been.

Some great action though and especially did like Hades so I'm actually very much in to read his next book!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

I want to start off this post by saying that I am not a big greek mythology person. I do not think to go towards that genre pretty much ever. But when I saw the ARC sign up for this book, I saw motorcycle club and mafia. Yep, two of my favorite things. I will for sure dive right into that pool any day but throw them together, I’m gone. So when I picked this up and there was greek mythology added in, I will say I was a tad bit nervous. But y’all….. why was I nervous?!?!? Why did I let it have me a tad bit scared?!?!?! How rude of myself. Author Vanessa Stock down right killed it with this book. Seriously, who else is going to do mafia, motorcycle club, Romeo/ Juliet and greek mythology and nailed it? I’m all for this one!!!! Go read it. I actually am not sure if I want you to finish this blog post or just go read it….

Aphrodite and Ares are put through the wringer and test their love for each other every step of the way during this book. It takes great strength to make it through everything they do. I won’t give any spoilers away but their love is amazing. How else will they make it through Aphrodite being put into a forced marriage to someone that is not Ares? He continues to anchor Aphrodite through out the entire book and reminder the end goal. Sadly Aphrodite is just a pawn in so many peoples games and she doesn’t see it as easily as Ares does. In the end she see what was really going on and fights with all of her might.

Author Vanessa Stock really did a phenomenal job writing this book. She managed to keep my attention entirely and I looked forward to my time being able to read this ARC. If this is not your typical style, I recommend still giving this a try. The details were written with a sense of needed information, not just to fill the gaps. Everything was written in a way that would make the reader engaged and curious what that detail meant for the grand scheme of things. She leaves us with an Epilogue that has us ready for book two of this series. I will gladly be reading the rest of this series, especially if she keeps writing like this!

[Mars Rads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

The middle school/teenager version of me that was obsessed with Greek mythology got so excited when I started to read this book. The adult me that’s obsessed with mafia/ MC romances joined younger me in my elation. I really enjoyed reading this book. It wasn’t as simple as a lot of the mafia/MC stories I read where the mafia princess is forced to marry and they fall for each other through their forced proximity. This one had suspense, jealousy, brothers fighting over a woman, two people whose love is so strong, they just can’t stay away from each other, and a fantastic protective MMC that is nothing without the FMC. I really didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. The writing was amazing and the story was gripping, pulling me in and giving me something so different than what I have read in the past.

Just like in Greek mythology, there are so many different characters with different personalities. There are father types that are just complete bastards and have illegitimate children all over. There are secret loves that hide their forbidden passion. There are sons and daughters that do whatever they can to impress the fathers that will never be satisfied. The MCs are everything. Aphrodite is the typical mafia princess who's only worth to her family is to be married away, but she is actually so much more. She’s smart, tough, and able to play the long game to get the information she needs. Ares is the morally grey enforcer that has a heart only for the woman he has vowed to protect, even if it’s from his own family. Their passion is explosive, and the chemistry is off the charts.

This book caught me off guard. I was expecting a good mafia/MC story, with a spicy relationship between the MCs. I got that but I felt that this story had something extra. I really found myself caught in the hold of this story. The spice between the main characters was so hot and passionate. I am excited to continue this series and see what the other characters have to offer.

[Natasha Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review
3 ⭐️ Stars

APHRODITE
Aphrodite had so much weighing on her from the start, so throwing so much at her after that made me feel bad for her but it was also made my head spin trying to keep up.

Her relationships with Titan and Ares showed how much she relied on others to get her out of situations, I wish she fought more for herself.

I found it odd how quickly she accepted to go with Ares after trying to run away. I wish she had been more of a strong mind type of character. She seems like a young, naive, damsel in distress.

ARES
Ares read like a stock character to me. I knew things about him but they didn’t progress the story forward and I didn’t really care about him. This would have been better without his POV, because it didn’t do anything for the story for me.

I also didn’t like that he told Aphrodite that he’s her only hope and that he’s the only one fighting for her. SHE should also be fighting for herself, also, what about her friend who’s in the hospital? I’m sure she would be doing something, too. Messy man with an ego, no thank you.

CRITIQUE
I found that there was too much description that didn’t progress the story. There was also a lot of tropes being focused on, I wish that maybe 3 were the main focus. Using Greek Mythology and Romeo & Juliet aspects was too much.

I wish it hadn’t been dual POV, I wanted so much more from Aphrodite. I found myself skipping through Ares’ POVs.

Self editing was necessary.

OVERALL
The story itself was promising and had great moments, but some self editing was needed to hone in on one focused area. It read like the author was excited for the story and these characters, which is great, but due to a lack of self editing, the story itself fell flat for me.

It irritated me how insta-love this was, when these two knew nothing about each other. Aphrodite and Ares are trauma bonded, they are in lust with each other. This isn’t lov

Would I read this again? No.

[Booksnliftsdiary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)

“You’re everything I shouldn’t want, but the only thing I need.”

Aphrodite, daughter of the feared Aetos mafia leader Ouranos—known as the city’s untouchable crime lord who wields an insatiable thirst for power through ruthless tactics and mafia dealings. The city has turned into a desolate wasteland, a battleground for killers and drug lords—finds her world shattered when her brother, Titan, is brutally murdered at their family’s Halloween party, leaving betrayal in its wake. Determined to find his killer, the Aetos mafia reluctantly joins forces with the ruthless Olympus Syndicate, but the alliance comes at a price: an arranged marriage to Hephaestus, the powerful son of Zeus, threatening Aphrodite’s freedom. Amidst this turmoil, she’s drawn to Ares Olympios, the other son of Zeus, a charismatic enforcer and former friend of her brother, sparking a dangerous attraction. As Aphrodite navigates a landscape rife with secrets and shifting loyalties, she must decide between the path of revenge and the allure of love—will she sacrifice everything for vengeance, or will she dare to embrace a new future?

WRATH OF LOVE is packed with power, passion, and intense family bonds, all set in a chaotic world that keeps you glued to every page. If you’re a BIG Romeo and Juliet fan (same here!), you’ll be hooked by the fiery tension between love and loyalty that just jumps off the page. This story has the perfect blend of danger and romance that’s absolutely irresistible. If dark romance and high-stakes drama are your vibe, Wrath of Love is a must-read!

A big thanks to Luna Literary Management and Vanessa Stock for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

Release date: 10/31/2024.

[Kristine Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

-forbidden love
-family feuds
-revenge
-mafia
-motorcycle club
-forced marriage
-greek mythology inspired
-book 1 in Olympus Syndicate series

In this greek mythology inspired book by Vanessa Stock, there is a lot of tension and hatred between two families, who, under a tragedy, are forced to work together.
With this book, you get a mix of greek mythology, organized crime, and motorcycle bike club and mafia.

Aphrodite, our FMC, is the daughter of Ouranos, the crime lord of the Aetos Mafia in Aelopolis, who happens to be the rival Ares, our MMC, the son of Zeus the President of the Olympus Syndicate.

When Aphrodite's brother Titan is brutally murdered, she is determined to find out what really happened and who would want him dead. Her father, Ouranos, also wants to find out, but in doing so, he sells her off to the Olympus Syndicate to be married to Hephaestus, the brother of Ares. During her time with the Olympus Syndicate, Aphrodite gets close and falls for Ares, who was friends with her brother and promises to protect her. Both families are harboring so many secrets that, when exposed, can be deadly.

This book was so good and had my heart racing with anxiety, not knowing what was going to happen. I loved the tension between the characters and the newfound friendships. This will leave you on the edge of your seat with all the back and forth and not knowing who to trust and who is actually telling the truth. Right from the start, we are thrown into the action, and it is non-stop.

Vanessa's writing on describing the characters and the setting of the story is amazing. I was able to picture the whole thing in my head, it was like a movie playing in my head. I can't wait for the second book in the Olympus Syndicate series.