Ungodly Rich

by Katharine McGee

Old gods, new rules. New York Times bestselling author Katharine McGee puts a modern-day twist on ancient mythology in this bold reimagining of the Greek gods as a family of billionaires—with all the messy drama that entails.

When Julia Dodds meets Harry Adams, love hits her like a lightning bolt. He’s adventurous, charismatic, and impossibly handsome. Little does Julia know that her boyfriend has left out a few key details. His name isn’t Harry: it’s Ares, as in the ancient god of war. His mother is Hera, and his father is Zeus.

Soon, Julia is caught up in a world of wealth and privilege as she joins Harry at a lavish family reunion. Except these billionaires don’t just have wealth—they have divine powers. And the moment she steps onto their private island, Julia becomes their latest target.

It’s no secret that the Gods love to meddle, and when it comes to Julia, Harry’s immortal relatives each have their own agenda. Harry’s mother, Hera, will do anything to protect her own. Harry’s sister-in-law Aphrodite has a deeply personal reason for hating Julia, and tasks Hermes, keeper of family secrets, with digging up dirt. Meanwhile, Hades has spent years trying to upend Zeus’s power—and now he finally sees an opportunity to strike.

Set against a globe-trotting backdrop that sweeps from New York’s exclusive private clubs to the wilds of New Zealand to the gated estates of the British aristocracy, Ungodly Rich is a story of love, revenge, secrets, sex, and the most ancient motivator of all: family.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Mythology, Fiction, Adult, Retellings, Romantasy

384 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2026

About the author

Katharine McGee is the New York Times bestselling author of American Royals and The Thousandth Floor trilogy. She studied English and French literature at Princeton University and has an MBA from Stanford. She lives in her hometown of Houston, TX with her husband.

Reviews

[Liralen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Julia meets her boyfriend Harry's family, it's something of a shock to the system—they aren't an ordinary family but a business empire in and of themselves, and they're jaw-droppingly powerful and rich...some might say ungodly rich. And there's just one tiny thing that Harry hasn't told her...his name isn't Harry. It's Ares. And there's a reason his family is so powerful.

The squeal I squelt when I saw that McGee had a new series in the works—I'm still not over the fact that the American Royals series is complete, and the Queen's Match duet sent me down so many Wikipedia rabbit holes that I'm surprised my laptop didn't overheat and die. Like many kids, I had D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, and you'd better believe it stuck with me...so this was a total delight.

This is the Greek gods if they'd managed to make it into the modern age with a little bit of luck and a whole lot of savvy. They've adapted—maybe people are no longer leaving offerings or building temples, but they've found other ways to stay relevant and powerful, and they've found ways to maintain privacy even in a world where everyone has a camera and the Internet in their pocket. What they haven't found is a way to make peace with each other...or a way to welcome newcomers into the fold.

This is full of drama, and it's delicious. McGee doesn't write her characters squeaky-clean—rather, some of her most interesting characters are grasping and determined and focused. They want to maintain their positions or gain better positions; they have power without necessarily accountability. They make bad choices, and choices that hurt other people, and at the same time you're able to root for them, because it's possible to see where they're coming from just how much they have on the line.

Not sure how long this series will be, but I'll be along for the ride.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

[Erin Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely everything I hoped it would be! 😍😍😍

[mehreen]

if there is a katharine mcgee book, i am THERE to read it

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SUCH a unique take on the Greek gods and their myths, but in a contemporary setting.

Basically, while the gods are no longer “worshipped” as such and ordinary people are not aware that they are gods (they think they are just a wealthy and influential family), people’s interests in what they represent give them power (Ares appeals to adrenaline junkies, Aphrodite to those obsessed with beauty and vanity, etc).

Right off the bat, I thought the naming system of the gods was so clever (Athena = Alina, Zeus = Bruce, Hera = Tara, etc). It was so fun to follow along and learn the new name for each god.

I really liked the story as well. Julia was an interesting character to follow as the only “normal” person so to speak. She managed to hold her own really well and was really quick witted as well. I loved her relationship with Harry and they were so cute together! Normally I don’t tend to enjoy book where the couple have fallen in love prior to the events of the story, but it worked really well here since they had great chemistry and there were some flashbacks.

There are multiple perspectives and I liked seeing the gods interacting with each other as well as how the overarching plot came together. I also liked the various nods to mythology scattered in the story.

Also, that ending! What?!? There had better be a sequel coming!

Definitely pick this book up if you’re at all interested in Greek gods and mythology because it was very well done. I really enjoyed it!

[Jamie Rosenblit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a sequel NOWWW

[Julia Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley and Katharine McGee for this ARC, which I received in exchange for my opinion.
3.5 stars.
This was an interesting and unique take on Greek mythology where your Greek God's have gotten with the times and go by other names. But God's will be God's, there are still some hijinks and other things going on behind the scenes. The romance between Julia (!!) and Harry was sweet although there were some parts that I didn't love so much (that proposal!) and of course you have in-fighting as people who have known and been together for eternity will do. this book should definitely have a sequel. would recommend!

[Yiling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a delightful summer read! Big Crazy Rich Asian vibes with the additional added craziness of the Olympians.

The drama of the characters and their relationships had me glued to the page. Even at moments I felt myself getting bored with the main characters the supporting cast came out swinging. There was several moments I felt myself getting emotional at their backgrounds and McGee did a great job at adapting the gods personalities to the modern backdrop.

I got an arc at bookcon and am upset at the amount of time I have to wait for the sequel. The ending was a great setup promising some storylines I can’t wait to see play out.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing a read.

I enjoyed this book, but I felt like it was more of a set up for the next book than an actual book?

We meet our cast of characters, we see them interact, we see that there is suspicion (or was it fate) on how she met her fiance.

It'd make a fun film or a TV series (I guess something like this aired on Netflix with Jeff Goldblum), but I want some more depth. Watching a back and forth upper-handed fight between a goddess and a mortal(?) was just too simple of a plot for me.

Based on the ending of the book, we're getting book two, which will seem to get the ball rolling on the dramatics and the family spatting.

It's a fun book, but it's not 5 stars original and new.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is peak rich people behaving badly energy, but elevated into something even more chaotic and entertaining. It takes a bit to settle into—there are a lot of characters and the double names can feel overwhelming at first—but once it clicks, it really clicks.
And you don’t need Greek mythology knowledge at all. I definitely didn’t remember most of it, and it didn’t matter. The story gives you everything you need in a way that feels accessible and fun rather than heavy.

What makes this so addictive is the constant shifting power dynamics. Everyone has secrets. Everyone has leverage. Everyone is playing a longer game than they admit. And Julia’s POV works perfectly as the outsider perspective slowly realizing she’s stepped into something way bigger, messier, and more dangerous than expected.

It’s dramatic, addictive, and fully committed to its own chaotic world. I really hope we get more from this universe because the setup has huge potential, it’s really built to be a new series.



Perfect for Readers Who Love

* Modern mythology with a fresh, contemporary twist
* Toxic rich family drama with constant betrayal
* Multi POV ensemble storytelling
* High gloss, soap opera style fiction
* Beach reads with romance, chaos, and power plays

[Devan (devsday) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I did enjoy this, but I think it was just a bit too much for my brain to handle. I am not *that* well versed in Greek mythology and I kept trying to remember which character was each of the gods, what their relationships were like with other gods, their grievances, their powers/strengths. And I feel like this constantly being in the back of my mind took away from the story. I almost wished it was just a retelling of Greek mythology through rich people, so I didn’t really need to worry about connecting the dots on all of this information at every conflict or interaction.

I kind of just wanted to read a story about Julia and Harry, where he introduces her to his crazy rich family and chaos ensues. Honestly, this feels like more of a me problem than a problem with the book itself. I think if you love family drama and Greek mythology you’ll love this one!

[Claire Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh this was FUN. This reference probably dates me, but it gives major OG Gossip Girl vibes (but make them gods and goddesses). Unbelievable wealth and privilege, intrigue, affairs, prophecies, and sexual tension - this one’s got it all. I really enjoyed the different relationships between the immortal characters and comparing the story to the actual Greek mythology. While this did feel like a step up in maturity from the American Royals series, it did slip into more YA-feeling territory at times but certainly not a dealbreaker. I can’t wait to see where this one goes and need the sequel announced stat!

Pub Date: 7/7/26
Review Published: 6/11/26
eARC provided at no cost by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Abigail E · Rating 4 out of 5]

••• ARC REVIEW •••
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
Do I recommend: LOOK it was fun and silly (complimentary) so probably!!
***Available July 7***

I loved the American Royals series and was immediately drawn in the premise of this one (no they have not SAID it was a series but we’re all brilliant here and can smell a setup when we see it, yes?!).

Julia and Harry are a sweet lil couple, happily living on love when a chance encounter with one of Harry’s cousins reveals something he’s been hiding - he is part of a famous family of billionaires. Julia wades into this world of privilege, not realizing one other key detail - Harry’s family is made up of gods. He is actually Ares, and his parents are Zeus and Hera.

INTRIGUE! BETRAYAL! POWER! LUST! RICH PEOPLE BEHAVING BADLY! We *were* missing an amazing makeover montage, which disappointed me to NO END I tell ya. We were ALSO missing a helpful glossary of gods and goddesses with their powers and their book name - Zeus as Bruce and Hera as Tara works for me but what do you mean Valentine made sense as a “modern” name for Aphrodite? Also I don’t think the characters were supposed to be unlikeable but I disliked all of them sooo 🤷🏻‍♀️

I liked the story well enough and despite its predictability (and CLEAR set up for a sequel) found myself enjoying it overall! I do wish it hadn’t felt like such a setup, and while I understand the need for the full cast of characters I wish we hadn’t had to spend quite so much time getting to know them/their power/their mortal name every time we encountered them.

At the end of the day - fun! Quick! A little repetitive, but me and my goldfish memory probably deserved that tbh. Not YA but has moments where it feels young (put it on my LinkedIn, honestly). Clearly banking on a sequel, WHICH I WILL HAPPILY READ!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publiahing for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Kerry Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had two main problems with this book: the plot and the characters.

The plot: Warning that this is clearly meant to be the first book in a series. It does NOT tell whole story in itself and the whole things read like set up. I just kept waiting and waiting for something to happen and barely anything does.

The characters: The author was really disserved by sticking to the personalities of Greek gods and not explaining throughly enough why they don’t act like normal people. They are selfish and vain and awful which makes sense in context of being immortal beings, but not in context of enjoying reading about them. The only non-God charcter is our main one, but she is essentially just a Mary Sue. She is so boring and there is no chemistry between her and Henry. The author kept telling me they were in love but I never saw it or felt it.

[Brittany McGruder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise, but the execution is clunky and a bit trite. Julia and Harry live a happy, simple life when his past and family suddenly threaten that. Julia finds herself not only in the midst of extreme wealth and status, but also unknowingly caught in a war for power among the infamous Greek deities. Imagine Crazy Rich Asians, except they’re gods and goddesses.

The story is bogged down by introductions and constant reminders of who each entity is, their domain, their magic, their grievances, their lovers, etc. Each chapter ends similarly, with the same threat of ruination, only for each mini-conflict to be solved in the very next chapter, and some of the conflicts are the same, just repeated in a new way. Around the middle, the plot picks up and is fairly interesting, but then, we fall back into the same rote, predictable story. And once you get the end, you realize all of it is just exposition for the next book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Crown for a free e-book in exchange for this honest review.

[J Davis Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.5

What if the Greek gods secretly controlled the modern world? That’s what we find out in Ungodly Rich by Katharine McGee. Julia has spent the last two years with the love of her life, Harry. They have been living together and having a good time until they run into one of Harry’s cousins. The cousin reveals that Harry is an Ellenes, a billionaire family that lives in New York. Harry wants to steer clear of his family, but Julia is eager to get to know them. However, Harry is holding onto a big secret. His real name is Ares, and his family is the Greek gods of myth. He knows the petty games they play, especially when messing with the lives of mortals. Will Ares be able to prevent Julia from becoming a pawn in his family’s hands?

The treatment of humans is intriguing in Ungodly Rich. Gods like Hera, Hermes, and Aphrodite have no problem with using their powers on humans to gain what they most desire. The top 12 gods even have a conference every year to discuss the human affairs they want to intervene in for better or worse. What humans want is none of their concern. They only care about their own self-interests and think humans are beneath them.

Considering their thoughts on humanity, it is pretty ironic that they have family dramas as humans do. Hera is peeved that Zeus not only cheats on her constantly, but is even more mad that she can’t leave him. Aphrodite is concerned that her husband married her only for her appearance. Aphrodite is also on thin ice with all the goddesses, not only because of her beauty, but also because of the affair that she had with her husband’s brother. Hermes is family, but none of the gods treat him as such. He is treated as a messenger boy instead of a member among the gods, and has to stop what he is trying to do to answer the whims of all the gods. Despite all the money and power they have, their insecurities prevent them from moving forward.

Power is considered more important than anything in this world, and the gods exploit each other’s insecurities to gain it. They scheme and change alliances to get what they want. Hermes does this all the time by providing info to people in return for favors. He believes that his knowledge over other gods will help him gain more power. Aphrodite is worried about losing her power. All the goddesses hate her, including her mother-in-law, and she constantly schemes to make sure she is in the top inner circle among the gods. She remembers what it felt like to be a human without choices and strength, and she never wants to experience that lack of power again.

One of the things we learn from Aphrodite is that there is an inequality between men and women even amongst the gods. Ares and Aphrodite have an affair. Ares runs away to escape the fallout, but Aphrodite stays behind and suffers the ire of everyone involved on her own. When Ares comes back, he is accepted back with open arms, but Aphrodite is still considered the black sheep. She and Ares were both involved in the affair, but she is the only one who gets the blame. Women are always held to a higher standard even when they are a goddess.

Overall, I thought the story was great. It put a new spin on the Greek myths and made it entertaining by having several different points of view. The gods have their own drama, insecurities, and gender inequality as humans do. It makes you wonder if, in future books, the gods will realize that humans are not as inferior as they like to think. It is a good book to binge on a weekend.

Thank you NetGalley and Crown Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Lukyan's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Katharine McGee, and when I heard what this book was going to be about, I was totally riveted. I will say that this definitely feels like the first book in a series. Much of this book is dedicated to setting up the story and the world because we're meeting the characters, understanding the way magic works, and being introduced to the dynamics between the gods. The plot is pretty slow-going because we are bouncing between the different characters' points of view and getting insight into their lives and relationships, but there is definitely a certain event that is driving most of the story that kept me engaged. I will say that I did not feel as immersed in this book as I have with some of Katharine McGee's previous novels and series. It took me a little while to get used to the characters, and even then, I felt like it was difficult to connect with them at times. At the beginning, we have six POVs, but then the majority of the rest of the book switches between the same few. I was hoping for a really frothy, fun, intense plot, but it mostly focused on one particular thing, and the book is really dedicated to internal monologue as opposed to forward plot progression. The book was still juicy and easy to read, which is why I'm giving it 3.5 stars, but I suspect the next books in the series will be more what I am looking for. I think the things that this installment revolves around were interesting, but not gripping enough to be a whole book, which is why it felt like we were constantly wading through the characters' inner thoughts. I also was a bit confused about the magic system and the history, and which parts of Greek mythology were canon in this world/iteration. I never really got the sense that the characters' voices were those of gods, so I am hoping that will change in future books. I know it sounds like I'm bashing the book, but I actually had a good time reading it. When I look at the book as a whole, I think it was quite solid, but on a page-to-page basis, I did have some critiques, which is what I'm mentioning in this review. I think the concept is really cool, and the execution was good as well, but did leave some stuff to be desired. I will definitely continue on with the series because I think the future books have a much more engaging scope, especially now that much of the plot will not have to rely on dramatic irony. I predict that the sequel will really dive into the power struggle and the soap opera vibes that I was craving in Book 1. Overall, a sound foundational book and one that sets up for what should be an enticing series.

[Liberty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Crown Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Ungodly Rich is a modern take on the Greek Gods where they've gotten with the times and this family of billionaires still wants to bend the world to their will. When Julia meets Harry, love hits her like a lightning bolt. Little does Julia know that her boyfriend has been keeping a secret: his name isn't Harry, it's Ares, as in the ancient god of war, his mother is Hera, his father is Zeus. Soon, Julia is caught up in a world of wealth and privilege and she becomes the target of the gods' latest schemes. Ungodly Rich comes out on July 7th and is available for preorder now.

I loved the premise of rich people problems but make it the Greek Gods. I also really like the idea of dropping a normal person into a rich family and seeing what unfolds. However, this fell flat for me. I think it could make a really great TV show or movie because it feels like those adaptations could really capture the scope of their wealth in a way that I don't think the book does. I agree with others who felt this was lacking in depth. It felt like such a stupid thing for a couple of goddesses to be fighting with a mortal. I know that this is the kind of drama that happened in a lot of the Ancient Greek Myths but it just doesn't land well here. I know we're supposed to root for Harry and Julia but I wish we had gotten more of their romance since most of the focus of the novel is the in fighting in the family. I wanted to feel like they had an unshakeable bond even through all the drama but it felt like they weren't as solid as they should have been. This book was an absolute set up for another one which is fine but I wish it hadn't been clear so early on in the book.

I also found a review that said the book was bogged down by constant reminders of who was who and what their domain and magic and backstory is. I think we could accomplish this better with something at the front of the novel listing out the gods/goddesses and giving the readers all the required details. I think that would help speed up the novel a bit and keep it from getting too clunky.

Overall, the premise is fun and the jet setting, billionaire family with intense power dynamics keeps the reader interested.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever retelling of Greek mythology through a novel about wealthy Greeks billionaires who quarrel, play tricks and generally are obnoxious creates a fun read.

Julia Dodd, a simple New Zealander, meets Harry Adams and it’s like a thunderbolt - hmm may it actually was one! She’s everything she’s dreamed of - is he too good to be true? Little does she know that Harry is part of the wealthy Ellene family. Persuading Harry to reconnect with his estranged family, the two venture to the family home where Julia becomes their plaything as only the rich and wealthy can conspire - or are the Ellene’s something more?

Just keeping everyone in suspense as we know this is Greek mythology retelling. McGee has exquisitely fashioned this retelling, faithfully following the mythology story - like Ares’s affair with Aphrodite - but in a modern vein. The family schemes are sometimes typical “I’m better than you kind of thing”and of course making Harry look bad but then they can be pretty brutal as at book’s beginning with Bruce’s - aka Zeus’s - secretary demise which is hilarious for its writing but awfully frightening for what happened. But Hera and Aphrodite suspect Julia of being more than the simple person she projects. Then these Hades dappling in ways to unseat his brother Zeus. So much mischief.

The book is told from alternating POVs with Hera and Aphrodite being the biggest contributors. But Julia is central to the story - maybe a little too sweet and simple but ever steely in her love for Harry - so her POV is part of the book. When it comes to planning her wedding, Julia grows a spine but of course those interfering gods are having none of that and infer. When the denouement is revealed - I’d love to tell you but you simply have to read the book - the Ellene’s are stymied as is often the case in Greek mythology but Julia prevails. Loved it!

I enjoy Greek mythology and recently it’s come back in vogue through novels that reimagine the gods and goddesses as well as events like the Trojan war, for example. So hurrah for another Greek mythology story! This book is good fun and a fanciful story that’s easy to read whether you know the myths or not. It’s perfect for book lovers who enjoy a good story.

My thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC.

[Gabby L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy Received from NetGalley

I've read one of the author's other series in the past, so when I saw this new book pop up, it definitely intrigued me. I'm also on a Greek mythology kick recently so to hear about a modern twist to the usual Greek myths sounded so interesting!

Katharine invites us into the world of the Greek Gods and Goddesses, where the "Ellenes" are secretly the gods and goddesses we know, but to the world, they are famous billionaires. Their individual powers help fund their lives and motivations, and also fuel the usual drama between all of them. Julia is a new original mortal character to all of this, who falls in a love with a man named Harry. However, little does she know, Harry is actually Ares. Hera and Aphrodite are very unhappy that Ares is in a serious relationship with Julia, for their own separate personal reasons, and do their best to break them up, while also managing their own marriages. However...Julia has a secret, one that threatens to upend everything that these Gods and Goddesses know.

So I originally enjoyed this book when I had started reading it. It reminded me of a grown up version of the Percy Jackson series, with somehow even more drama between the Gods and Goddesses. It was interesting trying to suss out the motivations of each character that was introduced, while comparing them to the myths I already knew. However, at some point in the middle, it felt like the plot was going in a bit of a circle and it wasn't really moving anywhere substantial. It did pick up towards the end, especially when Julia's secret gets revealed and everyone finds out. I wish Katharine had continued the plot in this book for a little longer, especially regarding the consequences it has for Ares' and Julia's relationship. I'm not sure if this book is meant to be a stand-alone or if it is the first book in a new series, but I am hopeful and eager to see more.

[Stephanie Coniff · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚡️🏺💃🔱 Ungodly Rich by Katharine McGee
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
My Rating: ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Summary:
Julia Dodds is head-over-heels in love with Harry Adams. They met by chance at a bar in New Zealand and have been inseparable for two years. When Harry finally pops the question, Julia is overjoyed... but now she will finally meet Harry's family.

There's only one problem... Harry is actually ARES, the Greek god. And his parents are Bruce and Tara Ellene (ZEUS & HERA)... This book is about the greek gods but living in modern times among us, as the wealthiest and most influential people of today's society. Harry is desperately trying to keep this from Julia, and for his family to accept a mere mortal as his future wife. But some of his family does not think Julia is worthy and will stop at nothing to keep this wedding from happening...

Review:
It's no secret that I LOVE greek mythology retellings. I loved how this book set it in modern society, yet kept the personalities and typical flaws of the greek gods quite in character. Julia was such a strong character and I loved how she grew in confidence and as a person as she mentally and physically battled the Olympians (without even realizing exactly who they were). The love between Harry and Julia was definitely real and believable, and I rooted for them all the way through. Do not expect this one to end all wrapped up in a bow, as there is clearly going to be a second book (no spoilers!). I personally loved this one and always enjoy how Katharine McGee seems to do lots of research on her historical (or fantasy) characters to make them seem very real in her stories. I loved her YA series of American Royals and then her YA duology of A Queen's Game, and it was fun to see her write her first adult novel. This was a fantastic summer read and I look forward to the next book!

[Suzi (Lil Bit Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved Greek mythology ever since middle school English class, and Greek mythology retellings are near and dear to my heart. I’ve read all types, from literary retellings like Madeline Martin’s “Circe” to Katee Robert’s dark romance series “Dark Olympus.” So I couldn’t wait to get my hot little hands on Katharine McGee’s first adult novel!

What McGee is doing in Ungodly Rich is a totally clever and original spin on things, giving us a brilliant modern-day reimagining where the gods are a family of wealthy elites. If Crazy Rich Asians and the Percy Jackson series had a baby, it would be this book, and it was absolutely everything I hoped it would be and then some! It’s such a romp and there’s drama galore – secrets, betrayals, affairs, lust, revenge, power plays, and more – and I loved every minute!

It’s obvious the author knows her stuff when it comes to Greek mythology, because the characterization of the gods and goddesses is sheer perfection: their personalities, their motivations, even their names. When I learned that Zeus and Hera were billionaires named Bruce and Tara, I may even have squealed a little at the rhyming pseudonyms. The rest of the gods have modern aliases that are similarly clever or easy to associate with their Greek god origins (but I won’t tell you what they are, because it was so fun to discover each one), so even if you don’t have much knowledge of Greek mythology, it’s easy to keep track of everyone even with their double identities and a large cast of characters.

Saskia Maarleveld does a phenomenal job of narrating the audiobook. She differentiates the characters with different voices and inflections, which really enhances their personalities. Her portrayal of Hera/Tara is particularly masterful, infused with all of the icy haughtiness befitting the imperious queen of the gods.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing, and PRH Audio for providing me an advance copy of this book.

[Cindy Huskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up expecting a fun mythology retelling. What I got was Greek gods with generational wealth, unlimited pettiness, and absolutely zero conflict resolution skills.



Imagine if the Olympians hired a PR team, bought a private island, and collectively decided therapy was beneath them. That’s the energy.

Julia falls for a guy who forgets to mention one tiny detail: he’s actually Ares, the god of war. Honestly, forgetting to mention you’re immortal feels like the kind of red flag that should’ve come up before defining the relationship, but here we are.

The family reunion is exactly what you’d expect if your relatives had infinite money, supernatural powers, and absolutely no interest in healthy communication. Every conversation feels one awkward comment away from divine lightning strikes.

Every member of this billionaire god family has an agenda. Hera is plotting. Aphrodite is stirring the pot. Hermes is collecting receipts. Hades is patiently waiting for his villain era. Zeus continues proving that unlimited power does not, in fact, come with unlimited wisdom.

The modern billionaire twist on Greek mythology is ridiculously entertaining. The globe-trotting settings were glamorous, the family drama was delightfully unhinged, and the plotting kept me flipping pages because every chapter somehow found a new way for these immortal rich people to make catastrophically bad decisions.

If you’re looking for perfectly accurate mythology… this isn’t that book. It’s a bold reimagining that borrows a few recognizable nods to The Odyssey and Hamilton’s Mythology, then happily runs off to do its own wildly entertaining thing. It’s deliciously over-the-top in the best possible way.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown for this review copy.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Ungodly Rich

Author: Katharine McGee-new to me author

Publication date:7/7/26 | Read: 7/8/26

Format: e-Book 384 pgs.

Genre: 
*Adult Fic/Women's Fic
*Romantasy

 Tropes:
*secret identity
*Greek mythology retelling
* family drama
*family business/ politics
*magic/gods/goddesses
*hidden secrets/betrayals
*marriage

POV:3rd person multiple

TW: plagiarism, S/A, cheating, murder 

Setting: New York/New Zealand/Olympus/London

Summary: Harry and Julia are invited to his family reunion by his cousin Hermes on a private island. Harry hasn't seen his family in years, but he agrees as he plans to propose to Julia after two years together. Many in the Ellene clan are cutthroat and plot to ruin Julia and Harry's relationship, each with their own agenda.

 Heroine: Julia Dodds-27, was an art major at Harvard, gets hired at an art studio
 Hero: Harry Adams/Ares-god of war, works for his father at the family business TWL

 Other Characters

*Tara Ellene/Hera-Harry's mother
*Bruce Ellene/Zeus-Harry's father
*Alina/Athena-Ares's sister
*Valentine/Aphrodite-Harry's sister-in-law, has son Eros
*Hector/Hephaestus-Harry's brother, married to Aphrodite
*Percy/Hermes-Harry's cousin
*Hades-Zeus's brother
*Abby-Julia's BFF
*Claire-Julia's mother, deceased when Julia was nine, and adopted by Aunt Jess and Uncle Daniel
*Preston Hayes-Julia's ex-boyfriend at Harvard

 My Thoughts/Likes:
-Julia's new confidence w/ Harry's family
-The affair scandal and exile
-use of magic-shapeshifting, taking memories, forced humans to tell the truth
-Julia and Hermes friendship
-Ends in cliffhanger

Rating:4/5    
Spice level:2/5 

Thanks to NetGalley, Crown Publishing| Crown, and Katherine McGee for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.                                                                                            

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gossip Girl + Crazy Rich Asians + Lore Olympus and OH MY GODDDDDD (pun intended).

This was fantastic and addicting, and I absolutely need more.

Somehow, despite modernizing the gods and goddesses, so many aspects of their mythological personalities (particularly Hera and Aphrodite who really get the most focus in this book) was really stuck to. And, oh my gosh, I despised both of those two. I also found it really interesting to have Ares effectively as the main god in a Greek mythology book that isn't centered around violence and war. It was a cool take on him, and I really enjoyed it.

Ares, going by the name "Harry Adams" meets Julia Dodds in New Zealand when he runs away from his family after sleeping with his sister-in-law Aphrodite at a annual family reunion. They date for two years and, that whole time, Ares tells her nothing about his life but the two fall in love. While celebrating their two year anniversary, they run into Dionysus (aka Dylan, currently) who lets it slip to Julia that Harry is actually a son of the Ellenes family, a known family of billionaires whose cruise line Julia had previously worked for. Julia encourages Harry to reconcile with his family, and they attend the annual family reunion where Julia meets everyone.

They end up getting engaged, and the wedding planning commences. Julia is thrust into life with the Elleneses, and uproots her life in anticipation of starting her life with Harry. But not everyone is welcoming of Julia in the family, particularly her future mother-in-law "Tara" and future sister-in-law "Valentine."

Julia is not aware of the full impact of the Ellenes family on her life, nor are any but one of the Elleneses aware of the impact she is about to have on theirs.

Thank you to NetGally, Crown Publishing, and Katharine McGee for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!

[Mal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the advanced reader copy.

When Julia Dodds meets Harry Adams, she's swept off her feet. Harry is attractive and adventurous and kind; she's in love. Because she wants to know as much as she can about the man she loves, Julia encourages Harry to go to his family reunion. What she isn't prepared for is to find out that Harry is a member of the Ellene family: a powerful and wealthy New York family. Suddenly, Julia is swept into the whirlwind of Harry's life. But there's even more that Julia doesn't know about Harry or his family--namely that Harry is really Ares, the god of war, and his parents are Zeus and Hera. Julia's presence in their lives shakes the Olympians in ways that they never expected, especially when Harry announces that he and Julia are engaged. Now all the gods and goddesses are making moves to better their own positions--even if it means sacrificing Julia along the way.

I loved Katherine McGee's American Royals series and found UNGODLY RICH to have that same sense of over-the-top drama and fun, while also being grounded in research. I loved getting to know more about the Olympians and seeing McGee's interpretation of what they'd be like if they existed in the modern world. Getting a handle on all the characters actual names and then their "godly" names took some time, since we're introduced to a lot of people in the first couple of chapters. But once I got a handle on that, this was a great romp. It's a perfect summer publishing event. The only thing that kept this from being five stars was the ending. I know it's setting up a sequel (which I'm very excited for!) but the end of this book felt a bit rushed and not as believable as the rest of the story.

Ungodly Rich is out July 7, 2026.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This modern day interpretation of the lives of Greek gods walking among mortals is a captivating read, especially for someone who enjoyed their school courses in mythology. Julia Dodds is fed up with wealthy, entitled men, especially after her college boyfriend stole her law school entrance essay, and her spot in law school. Furious, Julia escapes to work on a cruise ship and travel the world. She isn't ready to fall in love again, with anyone. But when she meets Harry Adams, she can't help herself.

The two of them move in together and are happy to scrape by on their small salaries from working in the tourism industry in New Zealand. They run into one of Harry's relatives, who reminds him of an upcoming family reunion. Julia talks him into going and is surprised to find it will be held on the family's private island near Greece. And even more surprised to learn that his family, and Harry himself, are incredibly rich.

Things become even more unbelieveable when Julia is told that his name isn't really Harry, it's Ares, god of war and he is the son of Zeus and Hera. Family tensions run high and most of the family members have one reason or another for disliking Julia. But, she encourages Ares to join with his family and they move to New York to begin planning their wedding.

The wedding weekend, planned for an island off the coast of Julia's home state of Georgia arrives and the gods pull out all stops to promote their own agendas. Julia's caught in the middle. This story combining the timeless and modern drama is a spellbinding read. Perfect for a vacation read.

Note: I read an ARC, courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Katharine McGee's previous series, American Royals - a reimagining of what might have happened if, after winning the Revolutionary War, America had established its own monarchy, told through the lens of its modern-day descendants. Ungodly Rich operates in a similarly clever vein: the Greek gods live among us as a family of billionaires, their true identities unknown to the general public. It's a creative concept, and the mythology provides fertile source material for messy family drama - the gods do love to meddle, after all. The cast of characters may technically be adults (or immortal), but this reads like the kind of addictive guilty-pleasure soap you'd happily watch on The CW, very much in the spirit of American Royals.

I knew just enough about Greek mythology to stay intrigued by how each god or goddess would be interpreted, while remaining ignorant enough to avoid spoiling myself - though the dictionary feature on my Kindle proved irresistible at times. I especially enjoyed the specific details about how each deity's abilities manifest in the modern world. At times the narrative moves more quickly through what felt like should have been a longer emotional journey - possibly a result of the number of perspectives it juggles - but it's a fun, compulsively readable story that touches on desire, power, wealth, and loyalty. It left me intrigued enough to see where the sequels go.

If you're a fan of Greek mythology, creative retellings, or a reading experience not unlike Crazy Rich Asians, this one might be for you.

Thank you to Crown Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley!

[Danielle Cappolla · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for something fun to put in your beach bag this summer, Ungodly Rich by Katherine McGee might be what you need. McGee writes a modern retelling of Greek mythology wrapped in a Gossip Girl-style world of obscene wealth and social intrigue.

Ungodly Rich centers on Julia, who learns some shocking things about her fiancé, Harry, after their engagement. Julia is thrust into a glittering, cutthroat world after becoming engaged to Harry and meeting his powerful family for the first time. What follows is a whirlwind of secrets, betrayals, and drama that feels straight from a primetime soap opera.

The Greek mythology angle was intriguing. It gives the story texture that elevates it above your average rich-people drama. The story has an aspirational energy that's easy to get swept up in.

Julia's story is the novel's greatest strength. She's a compelling protagonist. Watching her backstory came ot light is the most engaging part of the book. There's complexity to her that kept me turning pages.

The pacing is slow at times. Most of the big twists could be predicted chapters in advance. Some of the characters had potential (like Aphrodite) but were never fully realized. They fit their assigned roles (king, messenger, love goddess) a little too neatly. Most of the excitement happens in the last quarter of the book.

Ungodly Rich has some fun moments, if you can make peace with a predictable plot and characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Crown Publishing for sending me a free advance copy!

I took a chance on this one as I don’t read much fantasy and Greek mythology wasn’t my thing when we briefly studied it in school. Glad I stepped out of my comfort zone though because UNGODLY RICH turned out to be a fun read. Reminded me of those good ol’ primetime soaps of my youth like Dallas and Dynasty where you got wealthy families full of secrets, lies, betrayal, you name it.

Julia and her boyfriend of two years, Harry, live in New Zealand and are madly in love. Harry has a rather big secret though. He comes from a ridiculously rich family and they are all gods and goddess. Yeah, that’s right, Harry is actually Ares, his dad is Zeus, and his mom is Hera. While Harry reluctantly agrees to introduce Julia to everyone he’s gonna keep their true identities as immortals under wraps for now as he’s afraid it will drive her away. Julia better watch her back though as not everyone will be willing to welcome her into the fold.

I didn’t have a ton of Greek mythology knowledge prior to reading this book so it was slightly confusing in the beginning to keep track of everyone as I also had to remember their regular “human” names that Julia knew them by. Eventually I was able to make sense of all the gods and goddesses and the author did a good job of providing the background info of their special powers. Lots of scheming, cattiness and power plays made for an entertaining read.

There’s room for a sequel here in my opinion and I’d love to read it if it comes into fruition.

[RUTH GUCKIEAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look, I'm a simple person. You give me Greek mythology, Olympian gods behaving badly, and a modern billionaire family drama wrapper? I'm going to eat it up with a spoon.

Ungodly Rich is exactly the kind of clever, indulgent fun I reach for when I want to turn off my literary brain and just enjoy myself. Katharine McGee takes the messy, petty, scheming Olympian pantheon and transplants them into a world of private islands, exclusive clubs, and generational wealth that makes their divine drama feel deliciously contemporary. Zeus as patriarch. Hera protecting her own with terrifying intensity. Aphrodite nursing ancient grudges. Hermes keeping secrets. Hades scheming in the shadows. It's mythology as soap opera, and I mean that as a compliment.

Julia stumbling into this viper's nest through her relationship with Ares—sorry, Harry—is a fun entry point, and watching her navigate a family reunion where everyone has divine powers and personal agendas kept me thoroughly entertained.

Is it great literature? No. But it's not trying to be. It's glamorous, globe-trotting, mythologically-infused escapism.

The star deduction: this felt heavily expositional, more like setup for the series than a fully realized first installment. I wanted more story and less groundwork. But I'll absolutely be back for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.