Yeah, you heard that right. Stepbrother. With a stepsister who made me forget the one damn thing I'd spent my entire life aspiring to be.
One step ahead.
I'd been selected from the Army Special Operations Command's 75th Ranger Regiment for Delta Force. The Unit was my home. Eliminating threats was my specialty. I took a few hits, but I was always one step ahead… until they stole her.
Now I had a new mission, and trust me, no one was walking out alive except for me and my stepsister.
HELIOS is the third standalone book in the heart-pounding Paragon Operations series by USA Today bestselling author, Sybil Bartel! If you're ready to step into a whole new world of romantic suspense, come meet Helios and the darkly dominant Tier One Operators at Paragon Operations who will make your e-reader combust!
This romantic suspense novel has the following Billionaire Hero, Forbidden Love, He falls first, Dominant and Possessive Hero, Protect his heroine at all costs hero, Black Ops band of brothers, Former Special Forces Military hero, High Stakes rescue operations, and ALL the twists!
Sybil Bartel is a USA Today Bestselling author of unapologetic Alpha heroes. Whether you're reading her dominant Alpha Elite mercenaries, her protective Alpha Bodyguards, or her page-turning romantic suspense, all of her heroes are sexy-as-sin and unwaveringly Alpha!
Sybil lives in South Florida, and she is forever Oliver's mom.
If you're a fan of possessive alpha holes, this is the book for you, lol. He's a total controlling turd , but you can't help but fall in love with him anyway. Sibyl Barrtel completely delivers with this one. Tons of action, lots of angst, you'll get completely sucked in too!
My expectations were sky-high because I loved Helios in all the previous books, but reading his and Feralyn’s story completely blew me away!!! Everything about this book was perfect. I don’t even know where to start because it was SO good!!!
HELIOS…omg it’s hard to even describe this dichotomy of a man. He’s a WARFIGHTER to his core— fiercely protective of his family, insanely lethal, gorgeous, and always a hair’s breadth away from going off for the people he loves. He faces everything in life head-on. He’s a brash and domineering warrior, but this man has a freaking heart of gold, and the way he pushes Feralyn outside her comfort zone, immerses her in her fears, and reshapes her definition of safety and home with him is PERFECTION.
And Feralyn is a warrior in her own right!! They complement each other from completely different sides of the spectrum, but she’s a baddie in her own lane. I loved that her strength looked different but was equally powerful.
The chemistry between them has been building for years, and it absolutely delivers. The spice is H.O.T., but it’s also layered with so much nuance, trust, and unexpectedly sweet vulnerability. This story is an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. I was fully locked in and turning pages way too late into the night.
I need a new word for “perfection” because every one of Sybil’s books keeps redefining it for me. At this point, 5 stars doesn’t even feel adequate. The way she weaves together high-stakes action, scorching romance, and artful literary depth with recurring motifs and layered meaning is completely unique. She does it better than anyone else in this genre!
5/5 Stars, and I’m counting down the days until Ares releases!!!
I’m still trying to process all that is Helios. As a Greek mythology nerd, I’ve been hooked on Helios, and his brother Ares, since they were first introduced, but this book took that fascination to a whole new level. Helios is the definition of an over-the-top alpha, and somehow it just works. The man truly gives zero f*cks about anything or anyone except his Feralyn, and when he commits? Gawd Almighty, he is an absolute force to be reckoned with. Intense, unapologetic, and completely consuming.
And I don’t know how Sybil Bartel keeps doing this, but now Ares has me completely intrigued. I’m such a sucker for the quiet, withdrawn, lethal types, and he’s giving exactly that energy. I cannot wait to see what kind of woman is strong enough to break through all those layers, and all that tactical armor, guarding his heart.
I love the way Sybil writes. Her books include subtle layers and themes. She has a way with descriptive words while not over explaining anything. Her characters have depth, show growth and yet seem at once made up perfection and every day normalcy.
I love the contrasts. In this book we have taboo stepbrother, trauma bonding and subsequent healing. And bright, sunlight, daybreak, night and day….the sun god, Helios, and his brash loudness. And Feralyn that survives, thrives while steadfastly believing her anxiety is a liability.
As usual, well worth the read, finishing the book in 1 day.
Sure this book is about Helios, but it is really the start of my love for Ares.
Okay okay, Helios is pretty great too, that grumpy ol' snugglebunny.
While this is definitely a taboo relationship, the yearning wasn't quite what you usually see in step siblings romances. Feralyn and Helios knew they were soul mates (soul deep) but they both needed to get themselves together before actually "being" together. The yearning was more of a healing process after everything our girl endured. It was an interesting and enjoyable take on a taboo relationship.
I also love that from Feralyns POV, Ares is referred to as her brother but Helios is always her stepbrother. She knew lol. Souuul deep.
Also, shout-out to Ares for being the world's best big brother. I just want to give that homicidal, silent, sensitive boy the biggest hug and a forehead kiss everytime he took care of his baby sister. These poor kids got so screwed over by their god awful parents. At one point Feralyn says she thinks they turned out okay and I'm like...
Girl, every single one of you needs to see a therapist daily.
Regardless, I love me a good fictional codependent taboo relationship and Helio and Feralyn fit that bill. Their story is one where they're continuously learning how to go forward together and it leaves you with the hope they'll just keep growing together and Feralyn will trust her family more and more and they can shed the weight of the trauma they carry.
This was an ARC read and the review is the product of two read through because these two had me in a stranglehold since the AES day.
How do you prepare yourself for the Sun God's arrival? Short answer? You don’t!
As we know from the storyline prior, Helios has never had the headspace for softness or weakness. As a Tier 1 operator, this attitude keeps him alive. As a brother and stepbrother, it's difficult to live with, as Ares and Feralyn have experienced.
The family dynamic and lineage threads twist and swirl into a horriffic situation that I was not expecting. I could not stop reading, as the events' intensity grew. Feralyn and her relationships with Helios and Ares kept me engaged and entertained, with a huge variety of emotions.
Knowing how things in this addictive series move, I happily settled in for all the mayhem and retribution Helios would be delivering... and whew! He absolutely did! I read this in one night, stayed up way too late, but the book hangover is absolutely worth it!!
This is a VERY intense, very addictive read that should be read in order for the best experience with the characters and this storyline. It contains everything we love from this author's creativity - a rollercoaster of deadly traps, unseen deceptions, former characters we love (I'm looking at you, Talon) unwavering intent, immovable passion, bloody retribution and shifts you will not see coming. JUST SOO GOOD!
As expected, some things in this world are resolved and others are not, and I am on the edge of my seat, waiting for Ares' story to bring more clarity.
I appreciate this author's creativity and craftsmanship. She delivers us a dangerous world to get lost in, and I cannot wait for more.
I thank the author for my ARC, and happily leave my thoughts.
Ok, this is my opinion solely because I absolutely love this idea but it may not be extremely accurate... but if Echo and Shade (Shameless book) had a ridiculously attractive 6.6 foot Alpha baby, it would be Helios 🤣 Echo and Shade happen to be 2 of my favorite men Sybil has ever written so to combine them and have the end result be something like Helios is just pure gold. All 3 of those men would have very strong opinions to that analogy though.
I was not surprised I liked Helios, but I was surprised by how much I LOVED Helios. He is everything. Pure male, raw, take no bull, say it how it is, dependable Alpha. He let's very few people in but the ones that get in, get all the way in. He doesn't sugarcoat, or coddle. He protects fiercely and without apologies. He loves the same way.
I loved reading their chemistry from the very first scenes. In no way is it a uncomfortable taboo feeling in this story. Sybil perfectly created a protective and loving relationship from the very first pages, but you felt the difference between her step brother relationship with Ares and her connection to Helios. It was so perfectly crafted to show their bond without feeling inappropriate to their situation of being step siblings.
I am always blown away by her sheer talent to turn words into magic. To make a made up world feel so familiar and safe. These characters are our friends, our safe spot, our home. We love with them, grieve with them and ride beside them into battle. I will forever love these Alphas and their stories. Theyve pushed their way into my soul with no apologies.
I am excited that Helios’ book is FINALLY here! I couldn’t wait to read his book from when I first heard his name in the previous series of books by Sybil. Helios was also in the first two books of this Paragon Operations series, and he was a character who often showed nothing but anger. But the other characters in the books saw something in him and knew there were other facets to his personality.
This story explores the relationship of families not related by blood, but by circumstance, and how that affects their own viewpoints as well as those of outsiders looking in. It explored the relationships between Feralyn and Helios, Feralyn and Ares, and Ares and Helios. It explores feelings of the three about their respective parents, and half-sibling.
The story follows how the three first met, their circumstances and the events that cement Helios feelings for Feralyn, and how those feelings slowly come to the surface. It also deals with the fallout of their relationships, and how others see it.
This is book #3 in the Paragon Operations series, and you are going to want to jump on the bandwagon for this series. You will continue to meet the characters from the first two books, as well as a character or two from the previous series, Alpha Elite Security. You will fall in love with all of them.
Thank you, Sybil Bartel, for another fabulous book and sharing your craft with all of us readers!
📚Review ~ Helios (Paragon Operations Book 3) 🖋Author ~ Sybil Bartel 🖋Features: Military Romance, Romantic Suspense ⭐️Rating: 5/5
Helios & Feralyn ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☀️ Stepbrother 🏍️ Scarred Hero ☀️ Delta Force Operator 🏍️ Innocent Heroine ☀️ Soul Deep
Helios & Feralyn ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Terrorist...Traffickers...Feralyn...Ghost, Helios, Ares—I was the weak link in their chain. I was a college dropout who’d been abducted and beaten. Helios was a Tier One operator who’d been shot defending our country. We were not equal, and I would never be worthy of a man like him.
Transfixed. Enthralled. Mesmerized. I am absolutely transfixed by Helios. He is a battle-scarred pure force of nature. Even the sun bends at his will, never mind the woman who has always represented his one safe space. Unwavering and passionate, he will do anything to protect his Haven.
Like the evolution of the sun around Helios's world, secrets, lies, and connections begin to explode like a solar flare. With Feralyn caught between three Tier One brothers, only one has had her heart from the very beginning. Unapologetic, this slow burn will set their souls on fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
💘 Helios has just moved to the top of my BBF list...Sorry, Talon and Neil 💘
I’ve been so excited to read Helios’ story since we met him earlier in the series - I think he’s hilarious and I love his gruff/grumpy/alphaness. From the jump, the book pulls you into Helios and Feralyn’s story where vulnerability, danger and fire collide in the very best way possible.
I found Feralyn strong, intelligent and impressive, but she also broke my heart. Her history is really devastating, and seeing she has one heck of a rollercoaster, I loved reading about her growth. Helios is there every step of the way. Their relationship is complicated and tense at times, but you see how much they love each other. Every moment with them was intentional and meaningful.
Sybil outdid herself with Helios; he’s well-written, layered and deliciously captivating. The story balances his strength and darkness with a softer side only for Feralyn. He’s intimidating but still feels real. Helios is powerful and emotionally-charged.
The pace is what we expect from this world - fast, fun and one heck of a ride. The steamier moments and suspense is all there to make sure you’re invested from start to finish. Helios explores some taboo/darker themes, but in a way that enhanced the complex emotions of the story.
When I began reading the book, I was captivated by the promising start, especially the dynamics between Ares, Feralyn, and Helios. However, the narrative gradually became tedious, and the protagonist, Fe, became increasingly irritating. Her insecurity and excessive concern for others, were grating. For instance, when she found herself on the island and a terrorist threatened her life, I had hoped she would reflect on the importance of enjoying life and expressing her feelings. Instead, she chose to do the opposite.
When Ghost’s mother visited her, her reaction was particularly upsetting. Why should she care so much about what her mother thinks? After living and doing everything with Helios for over eight years, she suddenly feels ashamed? It was absurd and frustrating.
Another thing that aggravated me was how much they repeated the he was a Delta and how he was a sergeant, seriously, I got it the first 10 times, don’t need to remind me in every chapter of the book.
In retrospect, I was expecting more, more action, more smutty times, more drama and connection between them, and definitely more tension.
Oh my Lord! This book, the characters, the plot ALL WRECKED me in the BEST way!
I could NOT have asked for a more perfect MMC than Helios or a more perfect MFC than in this story! I was immediately swirled into the story and absolutely could not stop reading it until the last word. And even then I was so ensnared by the story and characters I literally sat in limbo for some time still DEEP in the afterglow of this book after finishing. On top of loving the dynamic characters and enthralling plot, Ms. Bartel's stellar writing skill effortlessly caused my total immersion into the story and made the characters real: I found my emotions intensely impacted by events and feelings experienced by her characters. I am truly finding my vocabulary skills utterly inadequate to express how flawless this book is. It hit every one of my desires for a story such as this and I am STILL a full day later basking in the glow of my intense enjoyment of the superbly written tale. I sooooo looooove Helios. Both the character (. . . . romantic sigh . . . . ) and the book.
Thank you Ms. Bartel for an absolutely AWESOME book and characters.
After a long time i tried again to read a book by this author but dang...it's so hard to like this plot style... there were soooo many things OFF page, to much telling than showing and i hate it so much expecially if it's in a long book...put ON page the good things we need ,to help us connect with the MMC ,not the repetitive stuffs and confusing things all over the place ...it was frustating . I was so confused sometimes, so many time jumps without us knowing a thing of what happened...when things were kind of talked over trought the end of the book it didn't help , whyyyy? why chose to write it like this????
Don't even let me start with how they talk, i get it he is Delta whatsoever but he isn't a robot lol, when he talks seems like he is giving only commands, a few words barely a full sentence, their dialoge seems broken LOL .
Those 8 years OFF page with them living together etc NEEDED TO BE ON PAGE or better YET it wasn't neccesary at all to have that time jump, to damn long, so much time lost when they could've actually be together as a couple....it was so dragged on for nothing...ugh give us something lol...i needed more!!! There was also no epilogue just a HFN come on.... the plot was interesting but the delivery was not IT.
Totally dominant, alpha Ranger Helios stands 6’6” inches of solid muscle in comparison’s to Feralyn’s short shapely body. Their story of dominance, submission, fear, anger, love, so many emotions kept me on edge in the best way throughout their tempestuous relationship. Love, fear, anxiety, hate, pick any emotion they are all there as Helios, Feralyn, Ares, and Ghost’s lives take you on a roller coaster of intense feelings throughout their interactions. I was so involved in their lives, fears, hurts, emotions so deep it was impossible to put the book down and as a result I lost a night’s sleep from their stories being unable to pull my self away. The woman not by a long shot are totally submissive to their dominant heroes. I believe Helios is my favourite alpha hero…so far, but I will be rereading the series more than once so Ares, maybe Ghost I don’t know…I just know Sybil writes about my kind of men and women!
Helios Titan Grayson (you gotta love the name) works hard, plays hard and loves hard. What you see is what you get. He tells the truth, straight up, even when it's hard to hear. He's a protector to his very core. Feralyn Grayson has a different kind of strength; she's survivor. Despite life routinely dragging her down, she keeps moving forward although she does have help from family. The core of this romance centers on Feralyn's recovery from trauma. When she was put in danger, Helios moved heaven and earth to find her and then took no prisoners as they were all dead. She becomes his "Haven." Ms. Bartel explores the differents sides of family dynamics and they work both for and against siblings. Also familiar faces from from both the Paragon and Alpha Elite series make appearances that only serve to enhance an already superlative story.
Helios, the third book from Sybil Bartel’s Paragon Operations series brings readers an action packed read. It’s angsty, intense, and extremely addictive, you won't be able to put this one down. Helios is abrupt, and vulgar, with a foul mouth and an even fouler attitude, but god he is good, you wouldn't have him any other way. Helios has a big heart (it’s not the only thing big about him😉) and it’s in the right place, especially when it comes to Feralyn. Feralyn’s slowly learning to live her life again after having gone through a traumatic time. Helios played a part in her rescue the first time around, and when danger rears its ugly head again he’s prepared to move heaven and earth to do what’s necessary to get and keep Feralyn safe. There’s always been a spark ready to ignite between the pair, their chemistry is out of this world. This one’s a bit of a slow burn yet it’s fast paced, trust me it will all make sense once you read it.
Buckle up and enjoy the ride, it’s a hell of a one. Sybil has smashed it out the ballpark with this book. Now it’s hangover time until the next one.
Its always the ones with the hardest exterior that have the softest gooey center and Helios is no exception. This man, every molecule in his body was created for 2 purposes , warfighting & Feralyn.
This book went soooo fast, it just seemed like I had started it, and I was reading the epilogue. I was a bit nervous I would not like Helios, he was a bit aggressive with his anger and attitude in Phoenix's book, but I was so happy to see that he's just a big teddy bear for his woman.
I loved the cameo's by some of our long time fav's.
Now if you will excuse me, I am off for some cake :)
This was Sybil’s most dominant alpha man yet and I wasn’t mad at it!
Helios and Feralyn’s history runs deep, and finally getting the full backstory on their family dynamics gave their relationship so much more depth. One thing about Helios he loves his woman consistently, and without hesitation. I really enjoyed how he always showed up for Feralyn in his own way, no matter what was happening around them.
I’m already a sucker for a step sibling romance, but what made this one stand out was how upfront Helios was about his intentions from the very beginning. No games, just pure, focused devotion.
This story pulled me in from start to finish, and all the cameos were the perfect cherry on top.
Feralyn and Helios start out as step brother and step sister although Helios is quite a bit older. You follow Feralyn as she grows older with flashes of interactions with Helios and Ares her other step brother. The two relationships are very different and this helps the feelings she develops for Helios feel less taboo. Not going to lie for a fair bit I thought Helios was an absolute arse but the character development for both Helios and Feralyn is excellent. I was really pleased with how the book ended and there was plenty of drama for him to flex his Tier 1 muscles at too. Another really excellent Sybil Bartel book.
Helios was everything and more. I went in expecting him to be a certain way and he was the direct opposite. At first I hated him but he grew on me fairly quickly. I love the found family in these stories. A brotherhood of men who have their backs no matter what. As tough as these guys are and the stone faced exteriors, inside is a man who will move heaven and earth for the people he loves. Throw in some heart pounding experiences, maybe a few explosions, and a swoon worthy alpha male. I cannot wait to see what happens next in Ares book.
I didn’t want to like Helios, the character, in the beginning. He made it hard to feel any good feeling toward him. But I found myself slowly warming up to him and by the middle of the book, I was in love with this character. This character is deep and it shows just how much Sybil Bartel excels as a writer. She finds a way to create totally unique personalities in the alpha males she writes about. They are all different but all hold the core values of being the perfect alpha males. This book is beautiful. It shows how much love can exist between two people. So good!
I preordered Helios as soon as it was available and have waited patiently for its release. It has not disappointed. I am a huge fan of Sybil Bartel’s writing and they are amongst a few books I have reread multiple times (they’re that good). Helios had it all. By chapter 7 I had already cried, laughed and found myself smiling so much my family wanted to know what was the matter. I loved the slow burn that built and the interactions between the characters. Helios is definitely competing with Neil for my the book boyfriend position.
In romance, one of the most often heard sentiments is that it’s too predictable, that it can’t be brilliant when you know the ending before you begin the book, but I’d have to argue that it’s because you know how it’s going to end that the journey there is even more gut wrenching, heart breaking, the ending more sweet. There’s something about two imperfect people navigating less than perfect circumstances and finding their way back together that makes romance worth the ride. AND THIS IS WORTH EVERY SECOND OF THE BLEEPING RIDE.
Wow!! I can not say enough about Helios!! That man oozes predator, offers extreme deadly protection yet pieces Feralyn together in a commanding yet intensely loving way. Gentle was never how I would have described Helios, hardheaded seems more appropriate but Feralyn is certainly his weakness. The spark was always a breath away between them but the intensity of their chemistry is out of this world. I’d say their story was a slow burn but it was so emotionally charged that it went by so quick. I can only explain their story as addictive and all consuming. Sybil knocked it out of the park.
Helios, the god of sun, he may not have had great parents but they did name him perfectly.
I loved this couple. They were everything I was expecting and more, along with the rest of the Paragon crew.
Gosh, I love Sybil Bartel’s writing. Every character has their own story and they are never repetitive. I’m always hooked from the first word to the last.
Fantastic story and I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
I have to say Helios was a bit of a suprise for me when I read Phoenixi thought he was a real jerk after reading his book I realized how locked down he kept himself, and Feralyn was exactly what he needed with her fear and shyness, I enjoy how much Feralyn grew into herself after her trauma and learned to live her life. I truly enjoy how all these books are connected, and you get to see recurring characters, I can't wait for Aries book.
So involved in the story of Helios and Feralyn it cost me most of a night’s sleep. Following the lives of Feralyn, Area and Ghost, my emotions were up and down. Their story has it all…fear, anger, regret, love, secrets and you don’t know from page to page chapter to chapter what will happen next.I believe this is the best so far that Sybil has written to date. Thank you Sybil
Helios, sun god, warrior, protector. I loved this character and all his alpha-ness. He knows what he wants and he makes it his own. Feralyn, knows early on what she wants and its the sun god, Helios. I really enjoyed their story except I really needed more.. I want, need to see this relationship develop into more. Sybil, why couldn't you double this book????? Cannot wait to see Ares, hint, hint Sybil!!!