Penelope Spindel’s arrogance has been well-earned. In a true rags-to-riches tale, she has risen from first-year fashion student to art director and design lead at one of the oldest and most revered fashion houses in New York—Pláthōs.
Minerva Fallax is the creative genius behind Pláthōs, as well as one of the wealthiest women in the world. Her clever eye for anticipating trends and effortless elegance and sophistication have made her a household name, yet she remains incredibly elusive. The world knows virtually nothing about the woman behind the name.
When Penelope finds herself entangled in Minerva’s secrets, nothing could prepare her for the truths she comes to learn. Her life hangs in the balance of a dangerous agreement and a competition where everything is on the line. Can she beat Minerva at her own game, and does she even want to win, when losing feels so good?
Bound by Conceit is a dark romance inspired by the myth of Arachne and Athena for fans of The Devil Wears Prada and Project Runway.
Felt like the version of The Devil Wears Prada that we should have gotten.
READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS!!!
Super fun and hot read IMO, I don’t always get to read a story and keep myself an outsider, usually I without realizing have aligned myself as one character or the other because of my interest in what they’re doing. I did not at any point in time want to be either. Poppy and Minerva were so very clearly two halves of the same whole. Minerva with her webs, I was hanging from the edge of my seat every single time she strung Poppy up. Poppy, the brattiest of brats, will be tamed for no one…or will she?
“Ambition is a tool. Like shears. Useful in the right hands, dangerous to the inexperienced.” — Minerva. 💚 A rebellious, determined FMC 💚 A ruthless, charismatic boss 💚 First person single POV 💚 Workplace romance (but their job is actually relevant!) 💚 Whoops, they stab each other with something 💚 Magical shibari 💚 A competition sealed with blood and body As someone who could happily wear black for an entire week and not care less about fashion, I did not expect this book to hook me. But Bound by Conceit grabbed me by the throat from chapter one. Because honestly, who doesn’t love an FMC who wants to kiss and strangle her boss at the same time? Meet Penelope: a rising star in the fashion industry ... If only Minerva, her boss, would stop trying to crush her under her heel. Minerva acts like an untouchable queen. Penelope is pure wildfire, fueled by sheer spite and pride to prove herself. Enemies to lovers? Rivals? Worse, they're hunter and prey :) What happens between them had me hiding under my blanket and screaming into it at 2 a.m 😏 Welcome to a book so unhinged it made me question my sanity for even applying to read it. The author said it’s an Arachne retelling. Did I know what that meant? Nope. Did I go in completely blind without even reading the blurb? Yes. I see shiny tropes, I click. Clown behavior as always 🤡 Even the non con warning only made me hesitate for half a second, but ughhh curiosity won?? 😬 I love Penelope. Her narrative voice is sharp and witty. The writing is descriptive without drowning in purple prose, just enough metaphor to feel beautiful without being exhausting. I sympathized with her. I wanted to hug her. But if she were my coworker? Mmm nah, I’m transferring departments immediately 😂 She’s terrifyingly ✨ ambitious ✨ Talented, but aware talent isn’t enough. She pushes. Breaks rules. Knows when to shut up, and absolutely does not shut up anyway 🤧 Which ofc captures Minerva’s attention. And Minerva ... Whoa 🤨 She’s written like a literal goddess even before the big reveal that made me sit straight up. Seeing her through Penelope’s eyes makes you love her and hate her at the same time. It reminds me of a line from The Hunger Games: "Everyone either wants to be you, kiss you, or kill you." There’s no in between. Their chemistry was like 🧨💥🔥 I’m not exaggerating. My stove felt cold compared to them. Penelope defies Minerva. Minerva humiliates Penelope. And with that boss–employee power imbalance, Penelope is constantly being crushed, folded, wrecked, yet she still refuses to kneel. Stubborn queen behavior. Respect 😍 They’re so toxic together it’s almost impressive. I mean tragic. Yup, definitely tragic 😔 The first intimate scene happens when the tension is already feral, and then it just keeps going. For, like ... Five chapters straight. I repeat, FIVE 🙂 Normally I prefer plot over spice, so that number usually scared me. But somehow it didn’t feel excessive at all. It felt intense, dark, and emotionally charged. Nothing sweet. Nothing soft. Just raw and messy and dangerous. Sapphic authors really write a completely different breed of intimacy it's crazy 🤯 But what really impressed me was the job aspect. Their careers as fashion designers aren’t just aesthetic wallpaper. The industry knowledge is detailed and immersive. You can tell the author did serious research. Even when I only understood like, 40% of the technical terms, I LOVED it. Nothing annoys me more than "workplace romance" where they work once and then just make out in conference rooms for 300 pages??? Yikes on a bikes. Bound by Conceit made me felt like standing backstage at a runway show with needles, fabric, and chaos EVERYWHERE. By the time I closed the book, I just lay on my bed like: 👁️👄👁️ Absolutely stunned. I immediately added "read more sapphic books" to my reading goals :)) Thank you, Heather Nix. You broke my brain in the best way 😇
Thisssss is the k1nky sapphic goodness that I need in all the books, pls and thank you. The hate, tension, and insanely hot spice are the perfect recipe for a binge read. I did not want to put this down for a second. I know less than nothing about the world of fashion, but I sure as heck was invested in every stitch Penelope and Minerva made. The way these two characters clashed together was … inevitable. I loved every second of it.
First off, I loved the unique premise — sapphic boss/employee, toxic work environment, devil wears prada vibes. Both Penelope and Minerva are complex characters with strong personalities which makes for an interesting dynamic and electric clashes.
I did struggle a bit to get into this book in the beginning. The first 25-ish % felt a bit like the narrator was recalling the story to us, with a lot of background expository and a huge timeframe stuffed into a few pages. I would’ve liked to see more about how Penelope and Minerva first met and for their interactions to unfold more slowly, as well as interactions with other people besides eachother, eg other clients etc. At around 50%, both the sudden sexual escalation and the revelation of Minerva’s nature felt a bit out of the blue to me (it wasn’t a bad thing but I was just like wtf lol). Still, the yearning, the spice, the mutual obsession, the sexually charged power games & rivalry, the praise/degradation and the relatable desire for approval from an older woman in a position of power makes up for it! Still a solid 4 stars because I binged the whole thing in 2 days and kept wanting to know what happened next, even if my brain went ‘wtf’ half the time lol.
TLDR: definitely recommend this for anyone who, when watching high fashion movies/shows, always roots for the ambitious FMC to end up with her toxic female boss. Very bingeable read with some 👌🏻👌🏻 lines. I’m not really a fashion person but given the attention to detail, I’m sure fashion lovers would enjoy this for that reason also. I would recommend looking up the Arachne/Athena myth before diving in, I didn't at first but when I later looked it up, things made a lot more sense to me, and I thought the author did a really creative spin on the myth.
Highlighted quotes: - "It felt like something stolen from time, like Minerva had grabbed hold of the space between captivity and competition and grappled it to the ground. It was desperate, unrestrained. It wasn’t like Minerva, and truthfully, that scared me." - "It’s an incredibly overused cliche, but diamonds are created under immense pressure, in infinite darkness, by heat and unrest and power, and a series set into motion by the earth itself. Every time I expected to find you broken, I found you’d become stronger, shone more brightly, your edges grown more sharp.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
ARC REVIEW Single 1st Person POV. 4.5🌟 5🌶️. 238 pages 6.5 Spicy + Heavier BDSM Scenes
This is the 4th book by Heather Nix that I have read and it definitely will not be my last. I read Currency in Flesh which is the 1st book in this series of stand alones, sometime last year and this has prompted me to re-add it to my TBR for a re-read.
Bound by Conceit follows Penelope in a rags to riches tale as she goes from first year fashion student to art director and design lead at Pláthõs, working under Minerva Fallax. The ice queen and creative genius of the fashion house, a woman whose ego is so large she cannot stand to see it threatened. The book is a whirlwind of high fashion, toxic work environments and paranormal secrets that will have you questioning everything.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I’m a big fan of dark romances, often the darker the better and Bound by Conceit definitely delivers and then some. I did however find that the first 11 chapters felt a little narratorish, like someone trying to fit a very long, somewhat detailed timeline into such a short period of time. But after chapter 12 the book really got into the swing of things. It’s deliciously dark, tantalisingly twisted and devastatingly depraved and I loved it!
Bound by conceit will be released March 14th, add it to your TBR if you are a fan of dark romances, fashion and the Devil Wears Prada, but please check trigger warning before reading!
CW/TW: Toxic/Abusive Work Environment, Kidnapping, Torture, Forced Piercing, DubCon/NonCon, Humiliation, Waterboarding through Water Sports
Things to LOVE: ✨Dark Paranormal Romance ✨Age Gap (27 + Late 50s?) ✨Fashion Industry ✨Kidnapping ✨Goddess Ice Queen Fashion Mogul ✨Human Design Lead ✨Heavier BDSM ✨Rope Play/Shibari ✨🍑👈 + 🍑👅 + 🍑🍆
“The fact that I tolerated Minerva’s treatment was bad enough, but the fact that I had liked it made me want nothing more than to crawl into my own flesh and die.”
I’m loving these Heather Nix books that are inspired by Greek mythology. First there was Currency in Flesh, a sapphic retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth. Now we have Bound by Conceit, a sapphic story inspired by the Athena and Arachne myth. The author says this book is for fans of The Devil Wears Prada and Project Runway, but I would also like to add the 2021 Cruella movie featuring Emma Stone.
Our main characters are Pláthōs design house founder Minerva Fallax and her design lead Penelope Spindel. Arguably, Minerva has shaped and created Penelope to be the designer she has become. Penelope possesses a wealth of talent and hones her skills under the watchful eyes of Minerva. She lives for the crumbs of acknowledgment she receives from Minerva despite how she tells herself she loathes and hates the founder.
Soon Penelope begins to get her own recognition which seems to threaten Minerva’s ego. This leads to Minerva taking extreme measures and forcing Penelope to a contest where they will design a look for each other and see who comes out on top.
I loved the tension, the competition and egos, and the spice. I’m a big fan of Project Runway and loved the fashion design house setting. This book was definitely dark and has many trigger warnings including dubious consent. There are elements of heavy BDSM including rope play. But if you are into dark romance this book will definitely scratch that itch. I hope Heather Nix continues with these sapphic stories inspired by Greek mythology and can’t wait to read whatever she writes next. Thank you Heather Nix for the ARC.
This book isn't what it seems at first. I started reading it and was about 25% in, and wondering is this really a paranormal novel or just an office rivalry? Then slowly the rope gets tighter until it's too late and you've become ensnared in its web. Each strand meticulously crafted much like the two fashion designers FMCs. Definitely, gives off Devil wears Prada with the age gap between the face of the fashion house and the young upstart. As you become aware in this world, you'll see that the truth is based in one's own reality. The blindfold slowly is removed to show you the truth. This isn't your traditional paranormal but more a fantasy retelling of ancient mythology expertly woven like a tailored suit. Hats off to the author for blending in it subtly at the beginning.
The story had me entranced and I'm not normally into fashion per se. When the stakes are high and the gameplay between the fmcs is top notch, then it doesn't matter what the subject is you'll easily fall into their world.
As with most mythology, it's not for the faint of heart. There are a lot of triggers, so if you're sensitive please take heed is the warning.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I'd love for this author to pull in more from this pantheon in subsequent novels (🤞).
Tropes and triggers: age gap, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, one bed, heavy bdsm, dub con, degradation, an@l, bullying, shibari, restraint, etc
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
Wonderfully well written dark sapphic romance from this amazing author. Thank you to the author for an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Workplace, hot for boss, delicious hate and banter. This author knows how to sneak in all the tension and desire mixed with the anger and humiliation.
This was the Devil Wears Prada I wished to have seen! Mix in some paranormal/fantasy aspects and it’s ‘chef’s kiss’.
Penelope was the perfect match for Minerva, challenging, brilliantly talented and ambitious. I was rooting for her all the while in more ways than one ;). Also she was a glorious brat lol.
Minerva was perfectly dark and morally gray. I would have loved to get in her head! Her rope play was fantastic and I enjoyed the Arachne and Athena retelling.
This was a fun read. I like Penelope and Minerva's drive, even if I can't relate to it. If I were Penelope, I'd have given up, but I admire that she didn't. I also love how she sort of just goes with the flow after
I thought the spice was spicy, the characters were flawed, but real, and the story was fun. The fashion aspect added something unique. I love the twist - that was really fun. I didn't fully connect with either MC, I think because I just don't love the cut throat ambitious attitude, but I enjoyed them nonetheless.
This was a fun read!
Notes: 3/5 spice levels, demon/human, captor/captive, boss/employee, fashion designers, coworkers, age gap
This book is Heather Nix at her absolute best. The fashion industry setting was perfection, the chemistry between the FMCs was off the charts, and the spice was as delicious as it always is when Heather writes it.
(Note: read the trigger warnings to make sure this is for you.)
Many thanks to the author for the advanced copy of this one!
Once again, Heather Nix brings you a phenomenally written sapphic romance. I devoured this book. The Heather is able to write with such ease but create such impactful sentences is pure talent. The tension? Delicious. The competition? Addicting. The growth? Incredible. Sign me up for a season with Minvera, minus that one scene that had me SCREAMING.
Grateful to have had the opportunity to read an ARC of Heather Nix’s newest work! Have you ever thought to yourself, The Devil Wears Prada would have been wayyyy better if it was a dark paranormal lesbian romance where Miranda and Andy get together? Then this is the book for you!! ((This book has dubcon and a power imbalance, so check your triggers))
The relationship between the two characters is exactly what I was waiting for. Banter, tension, and delicious spice! The ending wasn’t what I was expecting but it’s still satisfying. I loved both Minerva and Poppy in their own ways and it was a very enjoyable read.
This book is definitely one you wanna read the trigger warnings for. This pulled me in from page one and didn't let go, I absolutely devoured it. You really start by thinking this is a The Devil Wears Prada situation but it totally evolves into WAY more than that and I was absolutely SHOCKED in so many spots. Such an insane read that is hard to put down.
The Devil Wears Prada meets Arachne and Athena. This was a fabulous, snarky, smart, and very fashion forward paranormal sapphic tale. I always enjoy Heather’s writing—plenty of story mixed with delicious spice. Check your triggers, but this one is excellent.
I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.
I received this as an arc read, and have to say I enjoyed everything about this. This was unexpected, raw, and absolutely feral. well deserving of 5 ⭐️ and definitely buying a hard copy on release day.
Not sure where to start with this one. It was a good book overall. It was interesting and full of intrigue. It was dark and kinky and sapphic and generally hot. Just didn't end up being my cup of tea. Still giving 4 star review because as I said it was good.
Ooooo no she didn't! Dang, Heather Nix, are you trying to unalive us in the best way possible!?! Because Minerva and Penelope were absolutely electric, magnetic, unhinged, and elegant. This story was a wild ride and I enjoyed every moment of it.
I don’t think I’ve ever (that I know of) read a retelling centering the Athena and Arachne myth. Especially, like THIS. A sapphic dark romance with a paranormal twist. Yes please. The play on their names was such a fun little nod to the original story woven in as well.