What do you think?
Rate this book
Gladiator's Beloved: An Ancient Roman Historical Romance
She's the gladiator. He's the beloved.
Lea is one of the fiercest and most highly prized female gladiators in imperial Rome. She fights for her freedom, but the exorbitant sum her manager demands remains out of reach. When one spectacular victory catches the emperor's attention, he rewards her by sending his own physician, Kallias, to tend her wounds. Lea has no time for a man like refined, brilliant, and far too handsome. Yet between trading barbs and stitching wounds, a heat sparks she can't ignore.
Kallias yearns to escape the imperial family's tangled web, but freeing himself from the paranoid emperor's control is no simple matter. In Lea, he finds an impulsive, fearless woman who makes him crave the future he can never have while bound to the emperor's mercurial whims.
One stolen night becomes two, then three, and soon Lea offers him what she keeps carefully hidden--the real woman beneath the armor, whose desire for trust and surrender clashes with her fierce persona in the arena.
But with an unpredictable emperor pulling the strings, nothing comes easy, and Lea soon discovers that winning her happily-ever-after will be the most perilous fight of her life.
Gladiator's Beloved is Book 2 in the Imperial Games series, but can be read as a standalone. It features a chaotic gladiator heroine, a cautious physician hero, plenty of spice, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
Lea is one of the fiercest and most highly prized female gladiators in imperial Rome. She fights for her freedom, but the exorbitant sum her manager demands remains out of reach. When one spectacular victory catches the emperor's attention, he rewards her by sending his own physician, Kallias, to tend her wounds. Lea has no time for a man like refined, brilliant, and far too handsome. Yet between trading barbs and stitching wounds, a heat sparks she can't ignore.
Kallias yearns to escape the imperial family's tangled web, but freeing himself from the paranoid emperor's control is no simple matter. In Lea, he finds an impulsive, fearless woman who makes him crave the future he can never have while bound to the emperor's mercurial whims.
One stolen night becomes two, then three, and soon Lea offers him what she keeps carefully hidden--the real woman beneath the armor, whose desire for trust and surrender clashes with her fierce persona in the arena.
But with an unpredictable emperor pulling the strings, nothing comes easy, and Lea soon discovers that winning her happily-ever-after will be the most perilous fight of her life.
Gladiator's Beloved is Book 2 in the Imperial Games series, but can be read as a standalone. It features a chaotic gladiator heroine, a cautious physician hero, plenty of spice, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2026
About the author
Jenna Bigelow
9 books37 followersJenna Bigelow is a historical romance author based in Wilmington, DE. She has eleven years of Latin classes under her belt, as well as a minor in Classical Culture and Society. When not writing, she enjoys sewing, especially recreating historical fashions of the 18th and 19th centuries. She thinks about the Roman Empire every day.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 18, 2026
lea could bench press kallias and he would die happy about it
April 7, 2026
I can always trust Jenna to deliver a tight plot, interesting characters, and steamy sex. Oh, and we’re in Ancient Rome, so there’s the added element of a different feeling historical. The stakes in this feel oh so high, with Lea trying to earn money to buy her freedom and Kallias, recently freed, but stuck working for the crazy emperor. And honestly, he was kind of an excellent “villain,” creating friction with his volatile tantrums and constant paranoia for his and his sister’s health. Despite Kallias seeming like the more privileged of the two, and from the outside it would appear that way, he’s just as trapped as Lea. I did not know how this one was going to end for them both, and it kept me fully absorbed in the story.
Lea and Kallias have some really healthy kink discussion, and I appreciated how that played out in this. While I typically don’t mind not having this, it felt really important for these two to have these discussions. They both lack control over their everyday lives, that clearly defining boundaries and desires needed to happen before playing with pain and binding.
I appreciate how fast-paced Jenna keeps her stories. This one never felt like it dragged, and she’s willing to skip over days to get to the meat, which I respect. Sometimes, I think authors can get bogged down in details and day-by-day plays, when sometimes that’s not always necessary. She creates tension where it’s needed, but keeps the action moving! I liked how this one ended; it felt satisfying for both characters and felt very much like our Gladiator Goddess saving her hot doctor in distress.
4/5
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book.
Lea and Kallias have some really healthy kink discussion, and I appreciated how that played out in this. While I typically don’t mind not having this, it felt really important for these two to have these discussions. They both lack control over their everyday lives, that clearly defining boundaries and desires needed to happen before playing with pain and binding.
I appreciate how fast-paced Jenna keeps her stories. This one never felt like it dragged, and she’s willing to skip over days to get to the meat, which I respect. Sometimes, I think authors can get bogged down in details and day-by-day plays, when sometimes that’s not always necessary. She creates tension where it’s needed, but keeps the action moving! I liked how this one ended; it felt satisfying for both characters and felt very much like our Gladiator Goddess saving her hot doctor in distress.
4/5
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book.
April 16, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author.
3.5 stars ⭐
This was such a unique historical romance!
The characters themselves a female gladiator and male doctor was a combination it did not know I was missing out on but loved. I loved the duality of Lea's character displaying both her strength physically and emotionally but also how she can be caring, and soft at times.
Regarding the romance itself I would consider it a medium burn in pacing so not too fast and was developed well throughout the novel. There was kink play in this book (read content warnings at beginning of the book!) was done tastefully, lots of open conversation and discussion of consent between the characters. Overall, I think there was a healthy depiction of kink play but personally I do like my FMC's .
The plot and the historical setting were crafted amazingly well, perfect pacing of events throughout to keep the reader interested. Also, as both of our FMC and MMC are "trapped" by their own independent circumstances this provides a good amount of tension and angst in the plot and desire to keep reading to see how they break free and can be together finally. Lastly, I truly felt emersed in the Ancient Rome setting the author created and learned some new things about Ancient Roman life! I recommend reading the authors note at the end of the novel as it truly shows the effort and research that went into creating the novels setting and was quite an interesting additional read.
3.5 stars ⭐
This was such a unique historical romance!
The characters themselves a female gladiator and male doctor was a combination it did not know I was missing out on but loved. I loved the duality of Lea's character displaying both her strength physically and emotionally but also how she can be caring, and soft at times.
Regarding the romance itself I would consider it a medium burn in pacing so not too fast and was developed well throughout the novel. There was kink play in this book (read content warnings at beginning of the book!) was done tastefully, lots of open conversation and discussion of consent between the characters. Overall, I think there was a healthy depiction of kink play but personally I do like my FMC's .
The plot and the historical setting were crafted amazingly well, perfect pacing of events throughout to keep the reader interested. Also, as both of our FMC and MMC are "trapped" by their own independent circumstances this provides a good amount of tension and angst in the plot and desire to keep reading to see how they break free and can be together finally. Lastly, I truly felt emersed in the Ancient Rome setting the author created and learned some new things about Ancient Roman life! I recommend reading the authors note at the end of the novel as it truly shows the effort and research that went into creating the novels setting and was quite an interesting additional read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lea is a female gladiator, the best in the biz. And yet, "In moments like this, with twenty thousand people cheering for her, Lea knew she should feel elated. But while she felt satisfaction at a job well done, the victory brought her no joy." Lea didn't really choose the hashtag gladiator life, it chose her (when she was bought by the owner of the ludus. She is a slave, and is trying to earn enough money to buy her freedom. She catches the eye of the new emperor and he sends his personal doctor Kallias to tend to an arena injury. Sparks fly.
Kallias is a former slave, freed by Gaius when he came to power a few months before the start of this book. Bigelow spends a lot of time unpacking how this past and current enslavement of her MCs, and the past abuses they both suffered contribute to their current situations and personalities. Kallias is for all extents and purposes still owned by the emperor as there's no question of him leaving his post as personal physician. I really loved the way the author keeps linking past and present together, from Kallias' fear of being held down, to Lea's appreciation of pain and loss of power that she dictates and controls. I think the kink dynamic to their intimate relationship added a lot to our understanding of them as characters. A great example of intimacy scenes in a book furthering plot and character development.
Lea has a pretty well thought out reason for not entering into a relationship, that "As long as she remained a gladiator, anyone she got close to risked losing her." And she *very* briefly resists anything with Kallias for this reason, but never mind, soon they are calling each other beloved and trying to figure out how to make things work. It was a pretty quick turnaround, but I was happy to see that thread dropped. There was enough conflict figuring out how two people who could not leave their current employment might end up being together. As usual, Bigelow threads the needle and conjures a believable HEA out of near-certain disaster.
A little thing that casts a shadow over all these books is the fact that the director of the ludus, Lucullus, is "owner and manager" of Lea and the other gladiators in the book. And his niece Velia (heroine of book one Gladiator's Embrace) is his assistant, i.e., upholding the slave system. Her husband Ferox bought his freedom and they personally only train non-enslaved fighters in their own mini-ludus, but they are working for an enslaver as well. I get that it's a totally different system and context from the US history, but I bump up on it every time.
As usual, Bigelow's author's note is not to be missed. She gives insight into the wealth of research she has done in the era. There was a little "you're too impetuous/you're too cautious" that actually ended up with the cautious one acting a little too unthinkingly? IDK, Bigelow is the only one I know writing in this roman-era, and her books are well-plotted, entertaining and quick reads. 4.5 stars rounded up because I enjoyed myself a lot and the fantastic tie-in to Why They Like What They Like that made a lot of sense. Also shout out to everyone involved for being so casual and nbd about Kallias being bi.
Thank you to the author for an arc.
Kallias is a former slave, freed by Gaius when he came to power a few months before the start of this book. Bigelow spends a lot of time unpacking how this past and current enslavement of her MCs, and the past abuses they both suffered contribute to their current situations and personalities. Kallias is for all extents and purposes still owned by the emperor as there's no question of him leaving his post as personal physician. I really loved the way the author keeps linking past and present together, from Kallias' fear of being held down, to Lea's appreciation of pain and loss of power that she dictates and controls. I think the kink dynamic to their intimate relationship added a lot to our understanding of them as characters. A great example of intimacy scenes in a book furthering plot and character development.
Lea has a pretty well thought out reason for not entering into a relationship, that "As long as she remained a gladiator, anyone she got close to risked losing her." And she *very* briefly resists anything with Kallias for this reason, but never mind, soon they are calling each other beloved and trying to figure out how to make things work. It was a pretty quick turnaround, but I was happy to see that thread dropped. There was enough conflict figuring out how two people who could not leave their current employment might end up being together. As usual, Bigelow threads the needle and conjures a believable HEA out of near-certain disaster.
A little thing that casts a shadow over all these books is the fact that the director of the ludus, Lucullus, is "owner and manager" of Lea and the other gladiators in the book. And his niece Velia (heroine of book one Gladiator's Embrace) is his assistant, i.e., upholding the slave system. Her husband Ferox bought his freedom and they personally only train non-enslaved fighters in their own mini-ludus, but they are working for an enslaver as well. I get that it's a totally different system and context from the US history, but I bump up on it every time.
As usual, Bigelow's author's note is not to be missed. She gives insight into the wealth of research she has done in the era. There was a little "you're too impetuous/you're too cautious" that actually ended up with the cautious one acting a little too unthinkingly? IDK, Bigelow is the only one I know writing in this roman-era, and her books are well-plotted, entertaining and quick reads. 4.5 stars rounded up because I enjoyed myself a lot and the fantastic tie-in to Why They Like What They Like that made a lot of sense. Also shout out to everyone involved for being so casual and nbd about Kallias being bi.
Thank you to the author for an arc.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jenna Bigelow is doing for Ancient Rome what authors like Joanna Shupe have done for the Gilded Age in historical romance. She is setting a standard for what we as readers should expect from the level of research woven into the story and the quality of the romance writing.
Thanks to the author for the complimentary ARC of Gladiator's Beloved.
Penthesilea is an enslaved gladiator—one of the few female gladiators in Rome. She was sold to her ludus with no training or skill but has risen to become the premier female gladiator and a very prized possession for her owner. She wants nothing more than to buy her freedom, but with her wins, her value has increased to the point where she doesn't know how she'll ever be able to afford it. When Lea is injured in a tournament to honor the new emperor, he sends his personal physician to treat her wound. Lea is skeptical of the man but soon finds herself drawn to him, in spite of his lofty position.
Kallias was born a slave but, by luck, was able to train as a physician and found himself in the household of Gaius, the future emperor. As a reward for his years of service, he was freed by the emperor on his ascension to the throne, but that doesn't mean Kallias is free to leave or make decisions about his future. The emperor's hypochondria keeps him tethered to the palace, even when his services aren't needed. When he is called to treat the gladiator Lea, he is attracted to her but thinks no more of it because nothing could happen between them. But when Lea is forced to spend the night in the palace, he realizes that she is attracted to him too, despite their circumstances.
This book was so cool. I knew that there were female gladiators in Rome, but I didn't have much information beyond that. It was fascinating to read about how they fit within the ludus and how valuable they were because they were rare. Jenna wove the real history seamlessly throughout Lea's story, making everything feel organic. Kallias's profession was also deftly woven through the novel. I knew absolutely nothing about Roman medicine, aside from the fact that it was based on humoral theory. Beyond that, I knew nothing, but I was fascinated by the descriptions of Kallias's treatments and the way he practiced his craft.
Jenna knows how to write a romance. What was cool about Gladiator's Beloved was that it turned many of the conventions she's been working with in her previous books upside down. In a typical MF historical romance, the hero is the physically more powerful character. He may not hold all the soft power in the relationship, but he is usually capable of physical control. In this case, Lea is by far the more physically capable partner. She has been training as a gladiator for years and has immense physical strength, even if she is smaller than Kallias. I loved seeing that dynamic represented on the page and seeing how down bad Kallias was for Lea because she could beat him up.
Jenna is an auto-read author for me, and I am so glad that I not only get to read her books before they come out, but I also get to tell everyone I know to read them. They're great, she's great, and you should be reading her books. 4.5 stars.
Thanks to the author for the complimentary ARC of Gladiator's Beloved.
Penthesilea is an enslaved gladiator—one of the few female gladiators in Rome. She was sold to her ludus with no training or skill but has risen to become the premier female gladiator and a very prized possession for her owner. She wants nothing more than to buy her freedom, but with her wins, her value has increased to the point where she doesn't know how she'll ever be able to afford it. When Lea is injured in a tournament to honor the new emperor, he sends his personal physician to treat her wound. Lea is skeptical of the man but soon finds herself drawn to him, in spite of his lofty position.
Kallias was born a slave but, by luck, was able to train as a physician and found himself in the household of Gaius, the future emperor. As a reward for his years of service, he was freed by the emperor on his ascension to the throne, but that doesn't mean Kallias is free to leave or make decisions about his future. The emperor's hypochondria keeps him tethered to the palace, even when his services aren't needed. When he is called to treat the gladiator Lea, he is attracted to her but thinks no more of it because nothing could happen between them. But when Lea is forced to spend the night in the palace, he realizes that she is attracted to him too, despite their circumstances.
This book was so cool. I knew that there were female gladiators in Rome, but I didn't have much information beyond that. It was fascinating to read about how they fit within the ludus and how valuable they were because they were rare. Jenna wove the real history seamlessly throughout Lea's story, making everything feel organic. Kallias's profession was also deftly woven through the novel. I knew absolutely nothing about Roman medicine, aside from the fact that it was based on humoral theory. Beyond that, I knew nothing, but I was fascinated by the descriptions of Kallias's treatments and the way he practiced his craft.
Jenna knows how to write a romance. What was cool about Gladiator's Beloved was that it turned many of the conventions she's been working with in her previous books upside down. In a typical MF historical romance, the hero is the physically more powerful character. He may not hold all the soft power in the relationship, but he is usually capable of physical control. In this case, Lea is by far the more physically capable partner. She has been training as a gladiator for years and has immense physical strength, even if she is smaller than Kallias. I loved seeing that dynamic represented on the page and seeing how down bad Kallias was for Lea because she could beat him up.
Jenna is an auto-read author for me, and I am so glad that I not only get to read her books before they come out, but I also get to tell everyone I know to read them. They're great, she's great, and you should be reading her books. 4.5 stars.
April 13, 2026
Lea is a gladiator, and she's good at it. Maybe too good? Because she definitely has not earned the money she needs to buy her freedom from her current trainer/owner. She's hopeful that by participating in the current games to mark Caligula's ascent to the throne, she'll make a splash so big that she'll be able to request her freedom. Sadly, while she doesn't lose her first fight, she's injured. The emperor gives her a boon - but it's not her freedom: instead, it's asking his own personal physician to treat her. Said physician is, like, suuuuuper hot, and he seems kinda into Lea. He for sure needs to visit her often to make sure she's healing well!
As we've come to expect from Jenna Bigelow's books, Gladiator's Beloved manages to approach complex topics, give great characters, and serve up some really hot sex all in under 300 pages. We never feel bored when reading her books, but also never like the book is underdeveloped. In this series, the gladiatorial backdrop has plenty of drama, and the romances verge on the forbidden. We loved the way Lea and Kallias bonded over similar experiences while also having completely different coping mechanisms. (It also helps that their similar-experiences-to-different-coping-mechanisms also make them very compatible in bed.)
We were both truly unsure how they would get their HEA, but rest assured: they get one, it's totally perfect for their relationship, and it DOES involve the arena!
50-Word Summaries:
Meg: Isn’t it just so literarily tidy when opposites attract? Kallias, physician whose purpose in life is to save lives, falls for Lea, gladiator whose job it is to (at least try to) end them. He takes the lead in the bedroom even though she could snap him like a twig.
Laine: Today I learned enslaved people held all kinds of jobs in the roman empire, from gladiators inflicting stab wounds to the doctors stitching them up. Kallias was granted his freedom, but the terms of his employment and of his enslavement are basically identical and Lea wants to buy her freedom.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
As we've come to expect from Jenna Bigelow's books, Gladiator's Beloved manages to approach complex topics, give great characters, and serve up some really hot sex all in under 300 pages. We never feel bored when reading her books, but also never like the book is underdeveloped. In this series, the gladiatorial backdrop has plenty of drama, and the romances verge on the forbidden. We loved the way Lea and Kallias bonded over similar experiences while also having completely different coping mechanisms. (It also helps that their similar-experiences-to-different-coping-mechanisms also make them very compatible in bed.)
We were both truly unsure how they would get their HEA, but rest assured: they get one, it's totally perfect for their relationship, and it DOES involve the arena!
50-Word Summaries:
Meg: Isn’t it just so literarily tidy when opposites attract? Kallias, physician whose purpose in life is to save lives, falls for Lea, gladiator whose job it is to (at least try to) end them. He takes the lead in the bedroom even though she could snap him like a twig.
Laine: Today I learned enslaved people held all kinds of jobs in the roman empire, from gladiators inflicting stab wounds to the doctors stitching them up. Kallias was granted his freedom, but the terms of his employment and of his enslavement are basically identical and Lea wants to buy her freedom.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
April 14, 2026
4 ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧
This was such a fun, fast-paced read!
This was a first in a couple of categories for me: my first Jenna Bigelow and my first Ancient Rome historical romance. My experience on both fronts far exceeded my expectations! The setting was very interesting and a nice change from the standard Lord's and Lady's. Jenna Bigelow's writing was both delightful and masterful. You can tell how well researched this book was and that she has a passion for the time period. The writing was so addictive and everything was easy enough to visualize that I flew through and didn't even realize I had already reached the last chapter! I now definitely need to go back and read book 1 immediately! And I can't wait for Jason's book next!!
I really liked both Kallias and Lea! They were a great match for each other and I really enjoyed having a more unconventional H. I really enjoyed the unique layers that were added to the story with two characters who were slaves. Seeing the way each of their characters was effected by their past and present situations and how they were able to understand each other so deeply was beautiful! I also really enjoyed the talk around their sexual preferences in relation to this, as well, and how it intentionally contributed to their characterizations.
The author's note at the end was so so interesting and really established a deeper meaning to the story, especially the parts that were based on actual history. The pronunciation guides also included why the names were pronounced the way they were in Greek vs. English, which I also found super interesting. One of my favorite things about reading HR is being able to learn about different places and times and Jenna Bigelow certainly delivered on this as well!
Just enough action, just enough romance, and the perfect dash of a great supporting cast! Jenna Bigelow sure knows how to write an enrapturing romance that you can't help but lose yourself in!
Thank you to the author for giving me early access. All opinions are my own and are my 100% honest thoughts.
This was such a fun, fast-paced read!
This was a first in a couple of categories for me: my first Jenna Bigelow and my first Ancient Rome historical romance. My experience on both fronts far exceeded my expectations! The setting was very interesting and a nice change from the standard Lord's and Lady's. Jenna Bigelow's writing was both delightful and masterful. You can tell how well researched this book was and that she has a passion for the time period. The writing was so addictive and everything was easy enough to visualize that I flew through and didn't even realize I had already reached the last chapter! I now definitely need to go back and read book 1 immediately! And I can't wait for Jason's book next!!
I really liked both Kallias and Lea! They were a great match for each other and I really enjoyed having a more unconventional H. I really enjoyed the unique layers that were added to the story with two characters who were slaves. Seeing the way each of their characters was effected by their past and present situations and how they were able to understand each other so deeply was beautiful! I also really enjoyed the talk around their sexual preferences in relation to this, as well, and how it intentionally contributed to their characterizations.
The author's note at the end was so so interesting and really established a deeper meaning to the story, especially the parts that were based on actual history. The pronunciation guides also included why the names were pronounced the way they were in Greek vs. English, which I also found super interesting. One of my favorite things about reading HR is being able to learn about different places and times and Jenna Bigelow certainly delivered on this as well!
Just enough action, just enough romance, and the perfect dash of a great supporting cast! Jenna Bigelow sure knows how to write an enrapturing romance that you can't help but lose yourself in!
Thank you to the author for giving me early access. All opinions are my own and are my 100% honest thoughts.
April 16, 2026
Gladiator’s Beloved grabbed me from the start and never let go. What a fantastic story Bigelow has crafted in it. While giving you a grand love between gladiator Lea and physician Kallias, she also explores what it means to have autonomy for yourself or for those you love.
Lea, even though she’s renowned as one of the few female gladiators (taking her name from the Amazon Penthesilea), is also a slave—and her very rarity as a warrior and fame as a gladiator make earning the money to buy her freedom almost an impossible goal. Kallias may be a former slave granted his freedom by the emperor he serves—but Gaius (better known to us as Caligula), is a mercurial and obsessive employer, which makes Kallias free in name only.
I also have to shout-out how well Bigelow portrays Drusilla, the sister of Gaius. With the influence she has over her emperor brother, Drusilla is ostensibly the most powerful woman in the Roman Empire. But her brother’s obsessive need for her in his life (and his paranoia over normal things, like menstrual pain) show that she’s as trapped by her circumstances as Kallias or Lea. I simply adored how Bigelow humanized and granted a degree of power to Drusilla, a figure history considers only in light of her brother, showing how she also was willing to help others even if she was caught in a situation that was impossible for her to escape.
Seeing how these Lea and Kallias negotiate the circumstances that entrap them while also discovering their love (and what they’re willing to sacrifice for it) made this a gripping read. Bigelow is growing in assurance and power in her writing, and Gladiator’s Beloved is one of her finest.
Lea, even though she’s renowned as one of the few female gladiators (taking her name from the Amazon Penthesilea), is also a slave—and her very rarity as a warrior and fame as a gladiator make earning the money to buy her freedom almost an impossible goal. Kallias may be a former slave granted his freedom by the emperor he serves—but Gaius (better known to us as Caligula), is a mercurial and obsessive employer, which makes Kallias free in name only.
I also have to shout-out how well Bigelow portrays Drusilla, the sister of Gaius. With the influence she has over her emperor brother, Drusilla is ostensibly the most powerful woman in the Roman Empire. But her brother’s obsessive need for her in his life (and his paranoia over normal things, like menstrual pain) show that she’s as trapped by her circumstances as Kallias or Lea. I simply adored how Bigelow humanized and granted a degree of power to Drusilla, a figure history considers only in light of her brother, showing how she also was willing to help others even if she was caught in a situation that was impossible for her to escape.
Seeing how these Lea and Kallias negotiate the circumstances that entrap them while also discovering their love (and what they’re willing to sacrifice for it) made this a gripping read. Bigelow is growing in assurance and power in her writing, and Gladiator’s Beloved is one of her finest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
By now I shouldn’t expect anything less than a five star knockout from Jenna Bigelow and this one goes above and beyond. Jenna’s ability to consistently deliver historical content incorporating fresh and modern attitudes while remaining faithful to the source era is unparalleled. I wish regency authors would take note 🤨
In any event this is Lea and Kallias’ book. Lea is a badass female gladiator (apparently this really was a thing) who has been through some tough stuff in her life. It may seem bizarre that the handsome, aristocratic, smooth talking physician is her match but the two have more in common than they think. Both are beholden to the whims of their employers and neither can see a way out.
Kallias is exactly what Lea needs. No, he’s not stronger than her, but she doesn’t need anyone to protect her. What she needs is someone to give her a safe space to let her guard down. And Kallias needs to be needed. He’s a caretaker at heart - and rather filthy. These two discovering their kinks align and falling in love was beautiful to watch. Set against the backdrop of Caligula’s early days, Jenna’s depiction of the infamous Emperor and his neuroses was masterful.
As always we get well developed characters, an exciting plot, fantastic writing, and hotter than hades heat between our Gladiator and her beloved.
Thank you to Jenna Bigelow for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have received no compensation and all opinions are my own.
In any event this is Lea and Kallias’ book. Lea is a badass female gladiator (apparently this really was a thing) who has been through some tough stuff in her life. It may seem bizarre that the handsome, aristocratic, smooth talking physician is her match but the two have more in common than they think. Both are beholden to the whims of their employers and neither can see a way out.
Kallias is exactly what Lea needs. No, he’s not stronger than her, but she doesn’t need anyone to protect her. What she needs is someone to give her a safe space to let her guard down. And Kallias needs to be needed. He’s a caretaker at heart - and rather filthy. These two discovering their kinks align and falling in love was beautiful to watch. Set against the backdrop of Caligula’s early days, Jenna’s depiction of the infamous Emperor and his neuroses was masterful.
As always we get well developed characters, an exciting plot, fantastic writing, and hotter than hades heat between our Gladiator and her beloved.
Thank you to Jenna Bigelow for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have received no compensation and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wish I could give Jenna Bigelow 10 stars with every single book she writes because from the very first book she released to this one, I have yet to be disappointed if anything I keep getting more and more captivated by her books.
This book is definitely no different..
Lea (Penthesilea) wants something more than to be a gladiator but in order to do that she has to gain her freedom however that cost money and with that comes more fights and she could not only get badly injured but get killed.. but when she's badly injured during a fight she's summoned by the emperor because his sister wants nothing more than to meet the famous Amazon fighter.. but she meets the emperor's physician by chance as he is ordered to take care of her.. sparks fly..
Kallias is a freedman in a way.. he is stuck being the medical doctor for the emperor and the emperor's sister, he wants nothing more than to actually put his skills to use.. but it's entirely too risky for him to leave.. however he no longer wants to just accept his fate especially after meeting a very brave and stubborn gladiator who makes him want to do things he never thought he would ever do..
But will they be able to find a way to make it work or will their love be doomed from the start?
They definitely plan to find a way because he is physician and she's a gladiator.. nothing is impossible with that combination..
I can't wait to read the next book in this series..
I received this book from the author as advanced reader's copy and I thank you for letting me read it.
This book is definitely no different..
Lea (Penthesilea) wants something more than to be a gladiator but in order to do that she has to gain her freedom however that cost money and with that comes more fights and she could not only get badly injured but get killed.. but when she's badly injured during a fight she's summoned by the emperor because his sister wants nothing more than to meet the famous Amazon fighter.. but she meets the emperor's physician by chance as he is ordered to take care of her.. sparks fly..
Kallias is a freedman in a way.. he is stuck being the medical doctor for the emperor and the emperor's sister, he wants nothing more than to actually put his skills to use.. but it's entirely too risky for him to leave.. however he no longer wants to just accept his fate especially after meeting a very brave and stubborn gladiator who makes him want to do things he never thought he would ever do..
But will they be able to find a way to make it work or will their love be doomed from the start?
They definitely plan to find a way because he is physician and she's a gladiator.. nothing is impossible with that combination..
I can't wait to read the next book in this series..
I received this book from the author as advanced reader's copy and I thank you for letting me read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rome, early in the reign of Caligula.
Penthesilea, or Lea, is rare, prized female gladiator. She's been fighting in the ring for years, working to earn her freedom, but the price to buy that freedom remains high. When she is wounded in a fight, the Emperor himself orders his private physician, Kallias, to attend to her. Kallias attained his freedom when Gaius rose to the throne, but must continue to placate the hypochondriac emperor. Kallias falls fast and hard for the surly gladiator woman, and Lea in return finds comfort in Kallias's arms. But catching the personal attention of the most unpredictable and powerful person in the Empire can easily cloud the pursuit of peace and a happily ever after.
I adore the Imperial Games series by Jenna Bigelow, and since I met Lea in Ferox's book, I've been eagerly anticipating her romance. Lea is strong, fierce, and cunning. She's cautious of the attention her victories bring, and wary of the Emperor's sister's interest in her. Kallias is the perfect romantic foil for her: he's a caretaker who not only administers medicine, but has the empathy and patience to deal with unpredictable personalities.
The use of d/s k1nk in the story elevates the romantic relationship. Lea, in all her fierceness in the arena, doesn't realize that she is looking for a safe space in which she can relinquish control. Normally, I prefer fem-dom, but since Lea holds the physical upper hand in their relationship (which Kallias loves!) the balance of power works well here. Kallias's attention to Lea's physical and emotional state charges their intimate scenes, which in turn contribute to the emotional climax of the novel. Give me emotion in the arena - whatever the sport - and I'm there.
Thank you to Jenna Bigelow for an eARC. Gladiator's Beloved is out 4/10/2026!
Penthesilea, or Lea, is rare, prized female gladiator. She's been fighting in the ring for years, working to earn her freedom, but the price to buy that freedom remains high. When she is wounded in a fight, the Emperor himself orders his private physician, Kallias, to attend to her. Kallias attained his freedom when Gaius rose to the throne, but must continue to placate the hypochondriac emperor. Kallias falls fast and hard for the surly gladiator woman, and Lea in return finds comfort in Kallias's arms. But catching the personal attention of the most unpredictable and powerful person in the Empire can easily cloud the pursuit of peace and a happily ever after.
I adore the Imperial Games series by Jenna Bigelow, and since I met Lea in Ferox's book, I've been eagerly anticipating her romance. Lea is strong, fierce, and cunning. She's cautious of the attention her victories bring, and wary of the Emperor's sister's interest in her. Kallias is the perfect romantic foil for her: he's a caretaker who not only administers medicine, but has the empathy and patience to deal with unpredictable personalities.
The use of d/s k1nk in the story elevates the romantic relationship. Lea, in all her fierceness in the arena, doesn't realize that she is looking for a safe space in which she can relinquish control. Normally, I prefer fem-dom, but since Lea holds the physical upper hand in their relationship (which Kallias loves!) the balance of power works well here. Kallias's attention to Lea's physical and emotional state charges their intimate scenes, which in turn contribute to the emotional climax of the novel. Give me emotion in the arena - whatever the sport - and I'm there.
Thank you to Jenna Bigelow for an eARC. Gladiator's Beloved is out 4/10/2026!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jenna Bigelow writes Ancient Rome the way the best historicals write any era: love, loss and fear don't care what century you're in.
Lea (Penthesilea) is a slave and a gladiator. She wants to buy her freedom but that will be saving every sestertius she earns. She dreams of seaside cottages with fruit trees in the yard and is not looking for the complication of a romance. Too bad she meets Kallias, Gaius and Drusilla’s physician and a former slave. He’s a freeman but he’s also inextricably tied to the paranoid emperor and his sister in a way that complicates everything. Turns out, though, that he’s a surprisingly dirty talker. It's always the quiet ones.
Gaius and Drusilla’s characters are as vivid as Lea and Kallias. Drusilla’s quiet authority often keeps Lea and Kallias moving when they think they've run out of options.
Bigelow makes Ancient Rome feel human rather than epic; the fashions, names and foods are details that ground the world without turning it into a lecture.
The writing is fun and fast. Bigelow's observations are sharp and descriptive; you won’t want to put this down. Anyone who loves a happily ever after that both feels grounded in ancient Rome and universal will enjoy this book.
4.5-ish/5 stars. This one could stand alone, but book one is where it starts and it’s worth your time.
Lea (Penthesilea) is a slave and a gladiator. She wants to buy her freedom but that will be saving every sestertius she earns. She dreams of seaside cottages with fruit trees in the yard and is not looking for the complication of a romance. Too bad she meets Kallias, Gaius and Drusilla’s physician and a former slave. He’s a freeman but he’s also inextricably tied to the paranoid emperor and his sister in a way that complicates everything. Turns out, though, that he’s a surprisingly dirty talker. It's always the quiet ones.
Gaius and Drusilla’s characters are as vivid as Lea and Kallias. Drusilla’s quiet authority often keeps Lea and Kallias moving when they think they've run out of options.
Bigelow makes Ancient Rome feel human rather than epic; the fashions, names and foods are details that ground the world without turning it into a lecture.
The writing is fun and fast. Bigelow's observations are sharp and descriptive; you won’t want to put this down. Anyone who loves a happily ever after that both feels grounded in ancient Rome and universal will enjoy this book.
4.5-ish/5 stars. This one could stand alone, but book one is where it starts and it’s worth your time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another banger from Jenna Bigelow. The first line of the blurb already had me salivating (She's the gladiator. He's the beloved.), and the book itself definitely lived up to my expectations.
I really liked both protagonists, the level-headed, smart, and canny physician Kallias, and, of course, the fierce and prickly Lea, the titular gladiator. As in the first book of the series, the stakes were really high; not only did Lea risk her life with every battle in the arena, but they both also had to navigate the treacherous imperial court and the emotionally unregulated, peevish, and vengeful clown in charge, who was in no way fit for the office he held (…)
I loved that the book was so compact and relatively short, but perfectly paced; as in the first instalment of the Imperial Games series, the romance truly seemed doomed until the very end, but the impeccable plotting made the ending make perfect sense. And of course, there was a delicious element of BDSM, which saw the Amazonian gladiatrix relinquish her power to the mild-mannered physician with some wonderful pain play and mutually respectful exploration of kink and boundaries. Really, there wasn’t a word out of place.
Also, I love the cover and the depiction of Lea. I think I might have a bit of a crush on her.
Huge thanks to Jenna Bigelow for the ARC.
I really liked both protagonists, the level-headed, smart, and canny physician Kallias, and, of course, the fierce and prickly Lea, the titular gladiator. As in the first book of the series, the stakes were really high; not only did Lea risk her life with every battle in the arena, but they both also had to navigate the treacherous imperial court and the emotionally unregulated, peevish, and vengeful clown in charge, who was in no way fit for the office he held (…)
I loved that the book was so compact and relatively short, but perfectly paced; as in the first instalment of the Imperial Games series, the romance truly seemed doomed until the very end, but the impeccable plotting made the ending make perfect sense. And of course, there was a delicious element of BDSM, which saw the Amazonian gladiatrix relinquish her power to the mild-mannered physician with some wonderful pain play and mutually respectful exploration of kink and boundaries. Really, there wasn’t a word out of place.
Also, I love the cover and the depiction of Lea. I think I might have a bit of a crush on her.
Huge thanks to Jenna Bigelow for the ARC.
April 11, 2026
I love this series and author!
This is a great book, heavy on plot and conflict, which I love! The main characters admit their feelings but they still have to overcome obstacles to be together. I live for a badass FMC and Lea delivers. Kallias gets turned on by Lea being physically stronger than him and it’s the sexiest thing ever. He also admires her bravery and spirit. I appreciate a MMC who knows how great his partner is. Jenna’s ancient Roman setting is fascinating (reclining to eat?!) and you can tell she’s done her research. This can be read as a standalone but I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book in the series make an appearance.
This is a great book, heavy on plot and conflict, which I love! The main characters admit their feelings but they still have to overcome obstacles to be together. I live for a badass FMC and Lea delivers. Kallias gets turned on by Lea being physically stronger than him and it’s the sexiest thing ever. He also admires her bravery and spirit. I appreciate a MMC who knows how great his partner is. Jenna’s ancient Roman setting is fascinating (reclining to eat?!) and you can tell she’s done her research. This can be read as a standalone but I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book in the series make an appearance.
April 20, 2026
This one is a unique take on Ancient Rome gladiators as Lea is a female gladiator who gets injured in a fight and the emperor sends his physician Kallias to heal her after he witnessed a great fight. Lea and Kallias develop a relationship. Lea is also looking to gain her freedom as that she also wants that for Kallias. This story was pretty fast paced and interesting. I love how Jenna also brings in historical facts at the end. Looking forward to the last book in the trilogy.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
April 20, 2026
I was so happy to be given an arc of Lea, the female Gladiators HEA.
Kallia's calm and steady presence matched Lea's restlessness. He is the perfect cinnamon roll Hero and they were perfect for each other.
I love Lea, it was so refreshing to not only read a historical romance set in Rome, but to have it based on a female gladiator.
Kallias was just the perfect cinnamon roll Hero and
Jenna Bigelow writes steamy, well researched, Roman setting books and I cannot wait until the next in the series.
I received an arc via the author and this opinion is my own and review is submitted voluntarily.
Kallia's calm and steady presence matched Lea's restlessness. He is the perfect cinnamon roll Hero and they were perfect for each other.
I love Lea, it was so refreshing to not only read a historical romance set in Rome, but to have it based on a female gladiator.
Kallias was just the perfect cinnamon roll Hero and
Jenna Bigelow writes steamy, well researched, Roman setting books and I cannot wait until the next in the series.
I received an arc via the author and this opinion is my own and review is submitted voluntarily.
April 25, 2026
This book was a really interesting read and I found myself reading it straight through. I didn’t want to put it down. It’s full of tension and drama and sparks flying all over. It kept me on the edge of my seat from page one to the last word. Lea is one strong, bad*ss character. I couldn’t get enough of how dominant and assertive she is. Kallias and Lea really had some great communication and I appreciated it a lot, especially when it centered around the kink aspects. I’m all for open discussion and defined boundaries so this was seriously refreshing. And the way this book ended was so very satisfying. It was perfect for them and felt honest.
April 10, 2026
A great book with well-fleshed out characters and interesting historical details, both from the medical point of view and the reference to the world of gladiators. It’s very clear that the book is well researched! I love how the author always puts her characters in an impossible situation and when all seems lost, she finds a very clever solution to their predicaments. I also loved the steam in this book and the connection between the main characters. And I was happy to see the beloved characters of the previous book return as side characters. I can’t wait for the following book!
April 19, 2026
I loved this book. I loved both Lea and Kallias, and thought they were interesting and well crafted. Their relationship is lovely, and I adored that she's the one that is physically stronger, but that he's very clever and one of the things he likes about her is that she could squash him if she wanted to. The historical tidbits that Jenna Bigelow works in continue to fascinate and delight me. I enjoyed the supporting cast, and thought the tension and danger that the emperor was really well done as well.
April 12, 2026
Lea + Kallias
Gladiator's Beloved follows female Gladiator Lea and her physician Kallias. YES.. her physician. He serves the emperor but takes a liking to Lea. They share so much and he is so gentle with her. She allows him to take control and often let's go with him. I enjoyed this ancient Roman Historical romance because it's not the norm for romance. It still has elements of deceit, love, fighting for freedom and the story is so well written.
Thank you to the author for a reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gladiator's Beloved follows female Gladiator Lea and her physician Kallias. YES.. her physician. He serves the emperor but takes a liking to Lea. They share so much and he is so gentle with her. She allows him to take control and often let's go with him. I enjoyed this ancient Roman Historical romance because it's not the norm for romance. It still has elements of deceit, love, fighting for freedom and the story is so well written.
Thank you to the author for a reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 13, 2026
I loved the book, Mostly the differentiated way the theme of freedom is discussed with both protagonists fighting for actual freedom and having to take bold steps to gain it. I loved that until the very end it's uncertain how the relationship is going to have a future, but the solution is satisfying and earned. Also there is a very interesting power dynamic with the FMC being physically stronger than the MMC...
I received an early copy from the author.
I received an early copy from the author.
April 20, 2026
Gladiator’s Beloved by Jenna Bigelow is the story of Lea and Kallias.
Lea is hoping to earn enough money to buy her freedom. Kallias is the physician who is equally beholden to his employer. And they discovered that they are exactly what each other needs.
Bigelow has done it again with Gladiator’s Beloved. She masterfully combines great historical fiction, wonderful character development and lots of spice to create a story that is compulsively compelling and readable.
Lea is hoping to earn enough money to buy her freedom. Kallias is the physician who is equally beholden to his employer. And they discovered that they are exactly what each other needs.
Bigelow has done it again with Gladiator’s Beloved. She masterfully combines great historical fiction, wonderful character development and lots of spice to create a story that is compulsively compelling and readable.
March 25, 2026
This was terrific! Very accurate depiction of the level of medical knowledge and understanding at the time in ancient Rome. The book is also kink-affirming and written in a very sex positive manner. Loving the new Jenna Bigelow series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I would like to thank the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this! She’s the gladiator, he’s the beloved!
Really well written, the characters are so engaging and it shows you some of the harsher realities of the Roman Empire.
I loved this! She’s the gladiator, he’s the beloved!
Really well written, the characters are so engaging and it shows you some of the harsher realities of the Roman Empire.
April 14, 2026
Wow! WOW!WOW!!! A female gladiator what a refreshing and uniquely different plot. Amazing characters wrapped around historical events that will grab your attention, hold you in its grip and not let go until the end. Exceptional
April 12, 2026
I really enjoyed it, we need more romance books in different settings like this in roman times
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews