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I Was A Small Town Medusa
Medusa
I'm the Gorgon Gourmet, L.A.'s most feared food critic. One glare from me and your overcooked risotto becomes a literal stone-cold disaster. I've built an empire with these snakes on my head and my scathing reviews, and I left my tiny hometown of Olympus Falls eight years ago without looking back.
But now my grandmother's passed, and she's left me her house—with one massive I have to be married to inherit.
The solution? A fake marriage. The problem? The only person desperate enough to say yes is Orion—my infuriatingly handsome college ex, the world-class chef running Olympus Falls' hottest restaurant, and the only man who can drive my snakes wild.
Orion
When the woman who shattered my heart eight years ago walks back into my restaurant asking for a favor, I should say no. But my father Poseidon has a parade of goddess daughters lined up for me to marry—political alliances that benefit him, not me. A fake marriage with Medusa will get him off my back, and maybe I'll finally get closure on what we had.
The rules are fake it in public, keep our distance in private, and walk away clean when it's over. But living in a small town means everyone's watching, and those serpents of hers keep leaning into my touch like they remember me.
We may be pretending, but my heart thinks we're playing for keeps.
Turns out the hardest part of a fake marriage isn't the lying—it's remembering why we're pretending in the first place.
I'm the Gorgon Gourmet, L.A.'s most feared food critic. One glare from me and your overcooked risotto becomes a literal stone-cold disaster. I've built an empire with these snakes on my head and my scathing reviews, and I left my tiny hometown of Olympus Falls eight years ago without looking back.
But now my grandmother's passed, and she's left me her house—with one massive I have to be married to inherit.
The solution? A fake marriage. The problem? The only person desperate enough to say yes is Orion—my infuriatingly handsome college ex, the world-class chef running Olympus Falls' hottest restaurant, and the only man who can drive my snakes wild.
Orion
When the woman who shattered my heart eight years ago walks back into my restaurant asking for a favor, I should say no. But my father Poseidon has a parade of goddess daughters lined up for me to marry—political alliances that benefit him, not me. A fake marriage with Medusa will get him off my back, and maybe I'll finally get closure on what we had.
The rules are fake it in public, keep our distance in private, and walk away clean when it's over. But living in a small town means everyone's watching, and those serpents of hers keep leaning into my touch like they remember me.
We may be pretending, but my heart thinks we're playing for keeps.
Turns out the hardest part of a fake marriage isn't the lying—it's remembering why we're pretending in the first place.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 28, 2026
The story is so funny,exciting, and steamy hot. The characters are quirky and unique.
Medusa is a Gorgan But not the famous Medusa of myths. This Medusa grew up in a little town in Wyoming called Olympus Falls. There she fell in love with Orion the son of Poseidon god of the sea. Yes in Olympus Falls some of the Greek gods children live. Even though she knew she loved Orion Medusa left to hunt her own fame as a podcaster. Now Eight years later after her podcast bombed. Medusa comes back home after hearing her grandmother passed away. Her grandmother left everything to Medusa even a house worth a fortune. Only one catch Medusa must live in the house for at least 100 days! While there she meets up with Orion again!
Orion has a problem his father is trying to force him to marry. Together Orion and Medusa cook up a plan. They will get married for the time it takes her to claim her inheritance. But did the fates arrange this so the couple realizes they still love each other?
You will love this five star plus story!
Medusa is a Gorgan But not the famous Medusa of myths. This Medusa grew up in a little town in Wyoming called Olympus Falls. There she fell in love with Orion the son of Poseidon god of the sea. Yes in Olympus Falls some of the Greek gods children live. Even though she knew she loved Orion Medusa left to hunt her own fame as a podcaster. Now Eight years later after her podcast bombed. Medusa comes back home after hearing her grandmother passed away. Her grandmother left everything to Medusa even a house worth a fortune. Only one catch Medusa must live in the house for at least 100 days! While there she meets up with Orion again!
Orion has a problem his father is trying to force him to marry. Together Orion and Medusa cook up a plan. They will get married for the time it takes her to claim her inheritance. But did the fates arrange this so the couple realizes they still love each other?
You will love this five star plus story!
March 31, 2026
Gleeful Goblin Review: I was 100% one of those kids who read every single mythology book and retelling in my library growing up, and now as a grown up monsterfudger I have a special place in my heart for a new spin on an old yarn as they say. I found this book utterly charming and I loved the concept of Medusa as a food critic/influencer and Orion The Hunter as a 3 Michelin star chef of his own restaurant. This is a story of second chances at first love plus fake marriage/relationship turns not so fake which is a delightful combination of tropes. This is a lighter read and a perfect palate cleanser. 5/5 Stars
January 23, 2026
'Turns out the hardest part of a fake marriage isn't the lying—it's remembering why we're pretending in the first place.'
The characters carried the story and they were so very appealing and likeable and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters carried the story and they were so very appealing and likeable and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2026
A great HEA for Medusa and Orion!
Who doesn't love a good paranormal HEA? It is so fun that a Gorgon like Medusa, and other paranormal beings, and even the Greek Gods are accepted as "normal" in this world by everyone. Especially welcome in Olympus Falls of course. The story and characters are engaging from start to finish. Beautiful love story!.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Who doesn't love a good paranormal HEA? It is so fun that a Gorgon like Medusa, and other paranormal beings, and even the Greek Gods are accepted as "normal" in this world by everyone. Especially welcome in Olympus Falls of course. The story and characters are engaging from start to finish. Beautiful love story!.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2026
Medusa and Orion are meant-to-be and their journey back together is fraught with their own assumptions, the interference of several Greek gods, and the antics of their friends and families. I love how seamlessly the author integrated the Pantheon into modern day life and the fun quirks they added to the story. It really highlighted the main characters' evolution and added a few gigglesnorts.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2026
The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Medusa and Orion. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with a shared past, a fake relationship, realizations and second chances.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2026
I know we shouldn't choose books by it, but I was won over by the cover. I don't think I have ever seen such a prettily drawn gorgon. I was not disappointed in the story. I really enjoyed how much fun they had working together. And just when I got a little tired of the typical fake relationship communication issues they managed to find their HEA.
January 21, 2026
I enjoyed this story and the chemistry between Medusa and Orion is off the scales. When they get a second chance at love will they be brave enough to take it. Great romantic read.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 27, 2026
This was such a cute small town paranormal romance that was adorable because you wouldn't the characters so bad to be together.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a sweet little romance with re-imagined gods and all the cuteness you want in a romance with some spice. I found the entire story to be enjoyable and well worth the read.
January 21, 2026
Wow, what a fabulous story all about the gods of ancient Greece. A world-renowned chef. A famous food blogger. How could you miss?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews