This Immortal Heart

by Jennifer Saint

The epic, captivating tale of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who must reconcile her mind and heart when she is drawn against all odds to Ares, the god of war, from the internationally bestselling author of Ariadne and Hera.

From the moment Aphrodite emerges fully formed from the sea, she is devastatingly beautiful and imbued with ancient power. Driven by passion yet strategic in how she moves through the halls of Olympus and the earthly realm alike, the free-willed goddess wields unparalleled influence over every living being.

When fate brings her face to face with Ares, she bristles at this surly, hot-tempered warrior who’s seemingly her disliked by everyone and devoted to stirring up conflict. Yet these gods are no more immune to the dizzying highs and lows of love and loss than anyone else, and soon, they are irresistibly drawn to one another.

As their love affair spans mortal lifetimes, Aphrodite begins to question the gods’ games and her role in them. But there’s only so much room for fire and passion in Zeus’s kingdom. Before long, she must test her devotion to her own divine purpose—and to a love that can only lead to ruin.

Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Romance, Greek Mythology, Retellings, Historical Fiction, Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2026

About the author

Jennifer Saint is a Sunday Times bestselling author. Her debut novel, ARIADNE, was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2021 and was a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards Fantasy category in 2021. Her second novel, ELEKTRA, comes out in 2022 and is another retelling of Greek mythology told in the voices of the women at the heart of the ancient legends.

Reviews

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-3.75!
Ooh Aphrodite ❤️ FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!!!



This is a story of a love that can lead to ruin. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, comes face to face with Ares, the god of war, with whom she begins a love affair that spans mortal lifetimes. She begins to questions the gods' games and her role in the realm. The story highlights how central love is to her, above all else.

I am obsessed with Greek mythology and the world of the Olympians, so hope this is a winner.



Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballentine Publisher and the author, Jennifer Saint for an early copy.

Publication date: June 9, 2026

[Lucy Goodfellow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jennifer Saint offers an ambitious reimagining of one of Greek mythology’s most complex goddesses, but ultimately This Immortal Heart feels uneven in its execution. While there are moments of insight, the narrative arc struggles to build tension or fully explore the implications of its own creative choices.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the characterisation of Aphrodite herself. Saint presents her as thoughtful and observant, and there are glimpses of a more introspective goddess beneath the familiar veneer of beauty and desire. However, Aphrodite often feels frustratingly passive. Despite being positioned as a powerful, ancient deity, she frequently reacts to events rather than shaping them, which undercuts the authority and agency the narrative seems to promise. This passivity is especially noticeable in her relationship with Ares. Ares feels underdeveloped, and the emotional foundation of their relationship feels thin. There is not enough build-up to make their connection compelling, which weakens what should be one of the most dynamic and charged relationships in Greek myth.

The retelling itself is extremely loose, and while reinterpretation is expected, the degree of deviation here often diminishes the story’s stakes. The marriage narrative is significantly altered, along with Hephaestus’s character. Galatea fleeing to Artemis’ forests and becoming her lover feels trite. Moreover, Eros is already born and has no father, rather than being fathered by Ares. These choices feel arbitrary rather than purposeful. Because the story selectively reshapes mythological elements without fully committing to the consequences of those changes, it becomes difficult to feel any real tension. The plot seems to pick and choose which myths to honour based on convenience, rather than using them to build a coherent internal logic.

The decision to make Aphrodite the daughter of Ouranos rather than Zeus is one of the more intriguing decisions, but it is not explored deeply enough. This origin should give Aphrodite a vastly different perspective from the Olympians—particularly given her references to being older than Ares and other gods. However, the calamity of her birth feels more like an afterthought than a defining aspect of her character. It rarely informs her decision-making or worldview in a meaningful way. Instead of delving into this unique perspective, the novel often falls back on extended sequences of plotting and name-dropping minor mythological figures—what readers have come to expect from Greek myth retellings, but without enough variation or emotional payoff to make them feel fresh. Without stronger character-driven tension or clearer thematic focus, these sections begin to feel repetitive.

Overall, while the novel has an interesting premise and a solid central character, it lacks narrative tension and emotional stakes. The looseness of the retelling, combined with underdeveloped relationships and missed opportunities for deeper character exploration, prevents the arc from fully realising its potential.

I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily 📚.

[rina (hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‎ ‎ ੭୧‎ ‎ 3.5 stars‎ ‎ . ۫

These last few months have been incredibly chaotic and honestly put me into such a reading slump, but oh my gosh… this book gave me everything I needed 😭

I surprisingly took my time reading this one and savoured every word. It was such a beautifully written and entertaining story. The romance felt gentle and fresh, and I adored every minute spent with Aphrodite and Ares together.

Of course, like all of Jennifer Saint's retellings, I really appreciated the feminist perspective woven throughout the story. The pacing was also perfect for me, and while the writing is simple, it still felt lush and captivating.

I will say I was not quite as invested in Part 3 or the larger conflicts between the gods. The love story was by far my favourite aspect, and honestly, I wish it had been even more of the focal point.

Overall though, this felt like such a lovely breath of fresh air, and I would definitely recommend!

‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “ You were my life, ” he says simply.
‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “ Always. ”

Thank you to Jennifer Saint and Ballantine for the ARC! This Immortal Heart releases June 9, 2026.

CW: death, violence

────

finished: 05/23/26 𖥻𓈒 ꒱ ੭
this was just what i needed right now!!

pre read: 05/21/26 𖥻𓈒 ꒱ ੭
i haven't read a greek mythology book in soo long, but after hearing this one is an aphrodite x ares retelling, i just had to pick it up asap! this looks like a great palate cleanser, which i desperately need right now bc i'm in a mini slump 😕

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for an ARC of This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint.

🌟4.5🌟

Those who have been around these parts know that I absolutely love mythology, especially Greek mythology. Does that make me biased? Perhaps. But one could also argue that it makes me a tougher critic. Either way, this was a book I really enjoyed for several reasons.

I appreciate how it branched out and explored gods and goddesses we don't usually hear much about. Sometimes I find mythology based stories can feel a bit choppy, but this one flows exceptionally well. The story itself is engaging and exciting, making it easy to get swept up in the narrative.

You can clearly tell this was written by someone who is also deeply passionate about mythology. It's most definitely worth reading if, like me, mythology is your jam. And if you've been looking to dip your toes into the genre, this would be an excellent place to start.

Until next time
Hades
🩵

[S. ≽^•⩊•^≼ I'm not here yet]

Finally... Ares

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5****

I really enjoyed this retelling!! This is probably my second favourite of Jennifer Saints (Ariadne will forever hold my heart).

I was so excited going into this book and I was not disappointed. This book is solely from the perspective of Aphrodite.

Jennifer’s take on Aphrodite was refreshing (and Ares too!!), it was so nice to see Aphrodite portrayed as a more gentle Goddess (I feel she is usually portrayed in Greek myth/retellings as very egotistical and a bit flighty). It showed her role as a goddess, the interactions with other gods, and how her and Ares come together. I especially enjoyed her love of mortals and her strong empathy skills.

I really loved reading Ares and Aphrodite together. The grumpy / dark and mysterious man and the goddess who seems his opposite in every way. How they are drawn together was beautiful. It was also great to see the character of Ares more fleshed out and a new perspective of him (I find he is usually written as a bit of a brutal idiot in other books/telling of Greek mythology).

Jennifer writes in a beautiful lyrical way and her descriptions are so vivid that I had no issue imagining the beauty of some of the scenes.

Again, with her other retellings, the author seamlessly interweaves different Greek myths into the story. I was highly curious which myths Jennifer Saint would include in this retelling as Aphrodite in mentioned in a lot of them! And I was excited to uncover myths I had never heard of before.

Will I be buying this when it comes out? Absolutely!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Immortal Heart was a wonderful read. I really enjoyed the story and the concept is good. The cover is beautiful but I feel understated. The colours are great and they pop. It's eye-catching. The writing is excellent and the story flowed beautifully. I loved the element of Greek Mythology. It was obvious just how much Jennifer invested into the research of Greek Mythology. The setting was good and I thought I worked well. Jennifer's world-building was strong. I liked the characters. It was great reading about Aphrodite and Ares and watching their story unfold. If you enjoy Greek Mythology you will definitely enjoy this book.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennifer Saint has built her career on giving the women of Greek mythology room to breathe outside the narrow frames their original poets gave them. With This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint, she steps onto unfamiliar ground in two ways at once. First, she hands the narration to a goddess rather than a mortal woman. Second, she leans openly into romance for the first time, threading her usual mythological scholarship through the bones of a love story that her acknowledgements freely admit is her switch into the genre.

The result is a sensuous, slow-burning retelling of Aphrodite and Ares, an affair the ancient sources usually treated as gossip, scandal, or a punchline involving Hephaestus and a golden net. Saint takes that tabloid sliver and stretches it across centuries.

Premise and Setup, Spoiler-Free

Aphrodite tells her own story. She is newly born from sea-foam and her father's blood, comfortable in her power, devoted to her worshippers' secrets and the quiet pleasures she stirs in mortal and divine hearts alike. Her dalliances are brief and bright, and she is determined never to marry, having watched what marriage has done to Hera.

Then a battle she cannot prevent steals away a mortal she has just blessed with a second chance. The man behind the spear is Ares, brooding, untouchable, despised by most of Olympus. Their spheres of power could not be more opposed: she stirs longing, he stirs war. Beneath the friction, the two recognise something of themselves in each other. What follows is a courtship pulled taut between desire, divine politics, and the bargains gods are forced to make in Zeus's court.

The Voice in This Book

Saint writes Aphrodite in a register that feels deliberately drawn from her source material:

A languorous, sensory prose style indebted to Sappho and Ovid
Long looping sentences thick with petals, oils, salt, smoke, and skin
A first-person narrator who is amused, observant, slightly vain, and not above admitting it
Cool, quick dialogue that offsets the lyrical interior monologue

Readers who came to her through Hera, Atalanta, Elektra, or Ariadne will recognise her instinct for plain emotional clarity inside ornate sentences. But Aphrodite is a different kind of narrator. She is a goddess speaking in her prime, not a girl looking back on a tragedy, and the book takes its tonal cues from her appetite for the world.

What the Book Does Well

A few craft choices come through as genuinely strong:

The mortal interludes. Phaon, Pygmalion's Galatea, Pandora, Iphis, and Adonis each anchor a self-contained novella in miniature stitched into the larger arc, and they carry much of the book's moral weight.
The reframing of familiar episodes. Hephaestus's exile, Pandora's jar, the trial at the Areopagus. Saint diverges from the versions she used in her earlier novel Hera, and the author's note is refreshingly honest about why.
The chemistry. Ares is written with restraint rather than posturing. He listens before he speaks, and the slow accumulation of his presence in Aphrodite's thoughts is one of the book's best-paced threads.
The Amazons sequence. The detour to Scythia, drawn from Adrienne Mayor's nonfiction work, gives the second half fresh geographic and emotional air.
Where the Cracks Show

For a romance promising sparks between fire and passion, the early courtship sometimes runs cooler than the blurb suggests. Saint's lyrical instincts occasionally smother the heat she is supposed to be generating, and a few central encounters are described with so much atmospheric language that the bodies and stakes inside them go a little soft.

Other readers may stumble on these points:

Aphrodite's mortal lovers in the first hundred pages can blur into one another, since they share a rhythm of meeting, melting, and moving on.
The Olympian council scenes carry useful exposition but slow the pulse whenever they appear back to back.
Hephaestus, who carries enormous narrative weight, is granted less interiority than the central pair, which makes one major turn in part two feel more engineered than inevitable.
The mortal subplots are sometimes so vivid that the central romance suffers by comparison.

None of these are fatal flaws, but they explain why the book reads, even to admirers, as a strong four-out-of-five rather than a clear five.

Where This Sits in Saint's Wider Work

This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint is her fifth novel. Ariadne was the breakout, Elektra and Atalanta both hit number one on the Sunday Times list, and Hera reframed the queen of Olympus through her grievances and her dignity. Set against those, this is the warmest book she has written. Less brutal than Elektra, less wounded than Ariadne, less politically claustrophobic than Hera. It is the book of an author granting herself permission to enjoy her gods.

It is also the first of her novels where the protagonist openly wants pleasure, and where the page lingers on it without flinching. For longtime readers, that loosening of register is the most interesting evolution on offer.

Who Will Love It

Anyone expecting a fast paranormal romance in togas may need to recalibrate. This is mythology first, romance second. It is best suited for:

Readers who loved Madeline Miller's Circe and want a similarly reflective, first-person goddess voice
Fans of Natalie Haynes who enjoy mythological retellings with a feminist edge
Romance readers willing to trade urgency for atmosphere
Anyone who has wanted Saint to give the gods themselves the microphone

If you prefer the tighter dread of Ariadne or the white-hot vengeance of Elektra, you may find this softer at the edges. That softness is, I think, part of its argument.

Closing Thoughts

This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint is not a flawless novel, but it is a confident one. Saint knows what her readers come to her for, and she gives them that while also taking a real risk in opening the door to romance. The book glows more than it burns, ruminates more than it races, and makes a quietly radical case inside its mythological frame: love is not weaker than war, it just outlasts it. For readers willing to sit inside that argument, This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint is a generous, lyrical addition to her body of work, and a promising opening if she chooses to write more in this register.

[emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars

The first 2/3 of this book was sooo good. 5 stars actually. It’s been way too long since I’ve picked something up with writing that is actually good. But unfortunately, the last 1/3 of this book lost me a bit. I think I was just hoping for different drama. More scandal maybe.

[Sarah Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer has spun yet another breath stealing Greek tapestry in This Immortal Heart. I am lost for words. This is one of the most beautiful, mythological pieces I have ever read. Sensual and full of this magnetic, pulling power 🏛️💘

Ares and Aphrodite: the oldest love story in Grecian history, and yet they began as the ultimate cosmic antithesis. The reviled Ares-shunned on Mount Olympus for his insatiable lust for bloodshed, and the charming Aphrodite: sprung to life from sea foam and in command of the heart and its chamber of desires. This isn’t an illicit tryst, this is a fierce insurrection against the meddling in Zeus’s court. You can really feel the headiness of it all coming off the page and into your bones. Saint’s Aphrodite is more dangerous than an army carrying a thousand bronze shields. The two together, threaten to tear Olympus apart at its very seams. It is utterly joyous. What a feast ✨

I absolutely love the way Saint pairs the terrifying, careless immortality of the gods with the fleeting, burning brilliance of a mortal life. She is excellent at conjuring a world of
divine politics and the agonizing cost of seeking liberty in a world that demands a goddess be a possession. The Olympians are suffocating tempests, and the mortals caught in their wake must learn to navigate a sea of celestial caprice. Aphrodite herself builds a fortress out of her own resilience 🏛️

When the Gods grow cold, the stories of those who loved and suffered in their shadows will forever burn with an inextinguishable, brilliant flame 🔥

[Sarah Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers for sending me an arc of this book!

3.5⭐️

I want to preface this by saying this is my first Greek mythology read and my first Jennifer saint book too. So I didn’t really know what to expect but I enjoyed it! Even though I don’t know the full lore about all the Greek gods, I enjoyed being introduced to them and other people we’ve all heard of before - Adonis, The Amazons etc

But I can’t comment on how accurate it is to the known mythological stories of Aphrodite out there as I’m unfamiliar.

The pacing was a little off and it felt like it was lots of little episodes but together rather than one full story. There also wasn’t much tension or build up at the end.

But I enjoyed the romance between the God of Love and the God of War and I did find myself not being able to put it down!

I will definitely be checking out Jennifer Saint’s other books because I love her writing!

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Immortal Heart takes such significant liberties with greek mythology that it simply wasn’t for me. It made me realise I personally prefer seeing those stories and characters remain a little more recognizable.

Case in point: I nearly started liking Aphrodite in this version. Considering I usually can’t stand her in most myths, that’s saying something. 😂

[Carrie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This retelling was a breath of fresh air, I’m so happy Jennifer chose to write a gentle Aphrodite. Usually portrayed as haughty and self obsessed it was refreshing to see her reimagined as kind and somewhat naive.

Hephaestus usually surly and abrupt is shy and a little awkward where Ares is harsh and uncompromising.

I was a little sad to see Hera back to being typecast as jealous and quarrelsome again after loving her story so much, though it is Aphrodite’s POV so I suppose that’s fair. But guess what every retelling continues to agree on? Zeus is still a prick.

As for the story, the tension between Aphrodite and Ares in part one is nothing short of exquisite. The events leading to the inevitable marriage in part two were a great take on the story, in fact this felt like a retelling of a retelling exploring different motivations with softer eyes and I actually loved this version so much.

This was such an enjoyable read, I sped through it and I already can’t wait to see who gets the Saint treatment next. (Athena PLEASE) 🙏🏼

[Catherine Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I really enjoyed the latest book by Jennifer Saint, I’m not afraid to say I am a huge fan girl of all her books. This was a really interesting version of the Aphrodite and Ares story and a very different version, as Saint herself explains in the authors note after the events conclude. I loved the fully rounded out characterisation of these and other gods. No one dimensional archetypes here. Aphrodite so often depicted as selfish and single minded is a wonderfully feminist version of herself, the interlinked stories of mortals she comes across and helps all add to the interest. I loved her interactions with Eros and the pair of them oozed kindness and care towards mortals where it is so often portrayed otherwise. The Ares written here is deeply flawed but also sensitive, his loyalty to the females in his life is played out beautifully. Hera is shown in her usual aloof and detached manner here- a slight shock to the system after Saint’s treatment of her in the book of the same name. I loved this book and while the story lacked pace on occasion the characterisation and juxtaposition of ideals was wonderful. After reading so many novels set in Greek mythology I am always delighted when my preconceptions of the gods are challenged and my own views tested. Thought provoking and eye opening, this book certainly won my mortal heart. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review following the receipt of an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley.

Firstly, thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. This was a magnificent read, and I feel so lucky to have read it early! This was one of my most anticipated books of 2026 and it didn’t disappoint me at all.

I loved the angst, the action and the tension. Some depictions of Aphrodite have painted her in a more negative light, so it was also interesting to view her in another perspective.

Like all Greek mythology, what would it be without drama? I’d bring the popcorn every time Zeus appears on the page if I were you!

This was engaging from start to finish and has truly been a delight to read. Thank you so much!

[Mella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

This Immortal Heart - Aphrodite’s novel was a fever dream set in the backdrop of the feuding Greek Gods. Rather than the often-portrayed flippant Goddess of Love, Jennifer Saint’s Aphrodite, is a Goddess who actually cares about the mundane affairs of her human worshippers and goes to great trouble to rectify errors she inadvertently fashioned. The tension between the God of War and the Goddess of Love was absolutely perfect, who knew that Ares was capable of such love?. What captivated me the most was her genuine friendship with Hephaestus and her entourage. Reading This Immortal Heart on the heels of completing Hera (which I also enjoyed immensely), I appreciate how little repetition there was of the events in the previous novel. It was also a sharp contrast in portraying how Aphrodite ‘managed’ Zeus and Poseidon with her wiles vs Hera’s vengeful wrath.

I am already looking forward to the next installment in Jennifer Saint’s World of Greek Mythology. This Immortal Heart is another dazzling jewel in her collection!

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Ballantine and PRHAudio for the preview. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

Jennifer Saint is a magician. Having read tons of mythology stories, it’s safe to say I actively disliked Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaestus. But Saint made me feel so tenderly towards all three and desperately hope for a happy ending for them. This story was utterly entrancing and I loved it.

Aphrodite here is independent, caring, and loves deeply. She truly wants to positively answer the prayers of her followers, and sees encouraging love as beautiful mission. When someone is hurt or disappointed in love, she hurts with them. Ares and Hephaestus are both extremely sympathetic here too. Aphrodite hates that she cannot love Hephaestus, and he in turn is so poignantly sweet. Ares loves her deeply, and their love story is breathtaking. Their separation at one point is so painful.

Saint evokes so many emotions here. I cared deeply about these gods (not you Zeus and Poseidon, y’all still suck). I couldn’t put the book down and highly recommend. I also really enjoyed Lydia Leonard’s narration for the audio and would definitely recommend that format!

[Abi SF · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved everything Saint has written, but this book is perhaps her best. Beautifully immersive mythological settings, developed and gripping character portrayal and interestingly unravelling plot lines.

Prior to this, I have always been interested in the ephemeral presentations of Aphrodite and Saint certainly didn't disappoint. However, I think it was the raw, brutal and somehow completely relatable presentation of Ares that really gripped me. Saint was able to keep his harsh, violent persona while making it seem completely understandable how the Godess of Love could fall so passionately in love with him.

An absolute joy to read!

[Adri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Espectacular.

Que alguien me de 100 más así.

Quiero releer y volver a vivir todo.

La forma tan poética de escribir de esta autora es impresionante.

Tiene que ser de mis libros favoritos de mitología. La forma de presentar a los personajes y de incluir tantos mitos y de una forma tan bonita es increíble.

[Aina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 100 pages were very slow to read. After that, it became enjoyable. 3.5⭐️

[Fern · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible and beautiful retelling, with a fresh take on Aphrodite. Saint weaves this story with so much passion and complexity it grips you from the very start, and it’s a breath of fresh air to read a version of Aphrodite that is a stark contrast to how she is perceived in other retellings, more gentle and thoughtful. Forever grateful for the ARC and couldn’t recommend this book enough!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 RTF

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you all know, I love a good mythological retelling, especially if there's a great author's note in the back. I feel like the genre was a little bit exhausted for a while, but Jennifer Saint revived it here with a retelling from the POV of one of the Olympians themselves instead of a demigod. I feel like so many of these retellings portray Aphrodite as a floozy or a narcissist, but Saint portrayed her and her realm so well. I loved the explanation that love and synchronicity are not just women's duties– they help keep the entire world in balance.

My only hang up was that the end felt a little rushed, but besides that, this was a stellar book– one I will certainly be recommending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! 🏹

[Indy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh echt een prachtige retelling, ik wil meer Aphrodite en Ares

[Sophia Menidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually have no words for how completely beautiful this book was. That was a true joy to experience and I am at a loss for words by how breathtaking it felt

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

I am a huge Greek Mythology fan, and have read many tales spanning the Greek Gods and Goddesses and their stories, strifes, loves and losses, and when I saw the ARC for this, I jumped at the chance!

I absolutely devoured the story of Aphrodite, I knew about her marriage to Hephaestus, and her love affair (Is it really, though???) with Ares. What part didn't sit right with me was her utter despondence when things broke off with him. Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love, and she is known for her lovers. I guess being the Goddess of Love doesn't spare you from heartbreak, though, does it?
I also feel the story paints Hephaestus in a much lighter and fluffier light, from the tales it's a stark difference, but I can see what Saint was going for, wanting to keep the story light. In the true myth, their marriage is not so amicable or friendly, and ends quite badly. Regardless of this, I absolutely devoured this book. The story is vivid, the emotions are tangible and I just couldn't put it down for love nor money.

I love Saint's style of writing, and her ability to capture her audience and keep you hooked is second to none. Amazing, an easy 5 stars for this.

[Madeline Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was so excited to read this after enjoying Ariadne but it was a miss for me. I did enjoy the interpersonal politics between the gods on Mount Olympus, but overall I think the plot struggled to build tension and lead to any kind of pay off for the reader, with the second half in particular feeling quite rushed.

This retelling veered too far from established myth for me, and too many characters and stories were added that didn't have an impact on the overall plot or on Aphrodite's arc. This made some parts begin to feel repetitive and formulaic.

I really wanted to love this, but Aphrodite's passivity and the lack of characterisation of the other gods left me feeling cold.

I'll still look forward to Jennifer Saint's future retellings but this one wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin/Viking for this eARC

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Immortal Heart was such a compelling take on Aphrodite! I already knew going in that this would be centred around Aphrodite and Ares, but I was really interested to see how Aphrodite’s relationship with Hephaestus would fit into the story too. Their friendship ended up being one of my favourite parts of the book, and I loved the different take on Hephaestus’ exile compared to Jennifer Saint’s other retelling ‘Hera’.

The prose is absolutely immaculate throughout, and I loved all the subtle references to other Greek myths woven into the story. It made the world feel really interconnected in a way that’s especially rewarding if you already love Greek mythology.

Ares completely won me over here as well! The yearning! The devotion! The fact he genuinely seems to care about nobody but Aphrodite was somehow both ridiculous and incredibly entertaining, and honestly I supported him the entire time!

Zeus was awful (as usual), and honestly most of the gods were terrible (very true to the myths), although the goddesses weren’t exactly much better. You can also really feel Aphrodite’s loneliness throughout the novel. Out of the six female Olympians, Hera is firmly on Zeus’ side and disapproves of Aphrodite not being married, while Artemis, Athena, and Hestia are all sworn virgin goddesses, leaving Demeter as the only one she could really have connected with. But even then, all the politics and tensions of Olympus keep them from being especially close, which made Aphrodite’s friendship with Hephaestus feel even more important.

One thing that always catches me off guard is Poseidon. Growing up reading Percy Jackson definitely left me with a much kinder image of him, so seeing him portrayed more in line with the original myths as manipulative and predatory is always a bit jarring.

I also really liked seeing Aphrodite portrayed with so much wisdom and restraint. As one of the oldest beings among the gods, she often feels far more emotionally aware than everyone around her, constantly trying to keep some sort of peace despite the chaos of Olympus. I especially enjoyed the depth given to her character here. She’s so much more than the shallow goddess of beauty she’s often reduced to, and it’s clear how deeply she cares for the people around her and how much she genuinely wants them to be happy.

Overall, this was a beautifully written and nuanced retelling that balanced romance, politics, and mythology really well. An excellent addition to Jennifer Saint’s mythological universe!

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for the E-ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[talkingchicle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Once again, Jennifer Saint delivers a stunning addition to her Greek mythology retellings. I truly enjoyed this instalment. Aphrodite is such a well known figure, yet she’s rarely given the nuance she deserves. Often portrayed as vain or self absorbed, Saint instead reveals a gentler, more complex side. Told entirely from Aphrodite’s perspective, This Immortal Heart offers a refreshing take on one of the oldest love stories in Greek history.

Aphrodite and Ares begin at odds, but what unfolds between them is nothing short of epic. Their love shifts from secretive to abandoned to something powerful enough to shake Olympus. Saint captures the tension and longing with such precision that you can’t help aching for them to find their way back to each other, all while navigating the constant meddling of Zeus’ court. In this version, Aphrodite is dangerous in a quiet, calculated way, while Ares embodies a more overt, war born brutality. Together, they threaten to unravel the very foundations of the divine realm.

Saint excels at portraying the brutal politics of Olympus, where the cost of power is often a goddess’s autonomy. Aphrodite’s forced marriage, despite her vow never to wed, highlights how goddesses are treated as possessions rather than beings with agency. The contrast between the careless immortality of the gods and the brilliant, fleeting lives of mortals is also beautifully drawn, especially in the way mortals become collateral damage in divine disputes.

A captivating read from start to finish, I can’t wait to see which myth Saint chooses to reimagine next.

[Heather | Nerdy By Nature Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aphrodite rose from the sea, radiant with ancient magic and beauty powerful enough to captivate gods and mortals alike. She avoids the petty squabbling of Mount Olympus, choosing instead to devote her energy to helping mortals realize their desires. But when Zeus summons her back, she is forced to confront the brutal war god, Ares—and Aphrodite's fate is forever transformed. Ares is her opposite: surly, tempestuous, and reveling in strife. Yet, the two are irresistibly drawn together. What begins as a fleeting affair soon becomes something deeper, leaving Aphrodite questioning her own divine purpose.

Ugh, I will never get over how brilliant Saint's prose is. She has a way of fully immersing readers into her stories. I love seeing her take these myths and put a fresh spin on them. She makes these familiar characters wholly her own, and her take on them is always thought-provoking and beautiful. Aphrodite is usually portrayed as just an egotistical, flirty goddess, but Saint gave her so many layers and complexities. I enjoyed seeing how she interacted with mortals, and how much she truly cared for them. I also liked her relationships with her attendants and the other Olympians. The highlight of the story for me was her relationship with Ares. I loved seeing how they were drawn together, and I appreciated how Saint depicted Ares. He wasn't just some macho, bloodthirsty being. There was so much more to his character, and I liked how Aphrodite brought out this almost softer side of him. Saint continues to be one of my favorite authors for retellings, and I look forward to seeing what she tackles next.