Courting Death: A Why Choose, Paranormal Romance

by Verity Lennon, Jennifer Herrington (Editor), Nicola Hodgson (Editor)

Some girls have a type. Hers just happens to be death.

Iliana always felt adrift. Jobless. Alone. Now, haunted by the recent death of her parents, she sleepwalks off a rooftop and is caught by Thanatos, the god of peaceful death, only to discover a terrifying truth: an ancient curse has been hunting her family to extinction, and she’s the last one left.

Thrust into the treacherous world of the gods, Iliana becomes the unwilling ward of four divine beings from competing pantheons as she races to break an unbreakable curse. Thanatos offers her peace she’s never known, as his brooding twin, Hypnos, guards her sleep. Anubis refuses to let her see herself as helpless, as Hermes reminds her she deserves to live.

As training turns to stolen kisses, Iliana faces an impossible truth: her heart refuses to choose between them.

When the Fates reveal a prophecy tying their destinies together, her survival doesn’t just matter to the gods falling for her. It matters to the entire world. Ancient monsters are closing in, someone wants her bloodline extinct, and the gods are watching her every move.

Iliana must break a curse that’s claimed generations while navigating falling for four impossibly powerful gods who refuse to make her choose.

But her survival? That’s not guaranteed.

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Why Choose

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

About the author

Verity Lennon writes polyamorous, why-choose, and reverse harem romances that blend myth, magic, and emotional depth. Her stories traverse the realms of mythic romantasy, and paranormal romance, always centering on resilient heroines, complex lovers, and the power of chosen family.

With a background in anthropology and an insatiable curiosity for folklore and the afterlife, Verity infuses her work with rich world-building, layered character arcs, and unexpected humor. Her series includes Loving Death—a paranormal/fantasy romance with a cursed soul and death gods—and many passion projects in the works.

When not writing, Verity can be found juggling her full-time job, obsessing over design software, belting out karaoke, or cuddling up with her husband and fur-baby. She writes for readers who crave emotional seduction, slow-burning romance/danger, found families, and the freedom to choose love in all its forms.

Reviews

[Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot: 5/5 • Spice: 2.5/5 ➡️➡️➡️ I am a such a sucker for a mythology centered romance. Make it a RH/WC, and you’ve ensnared me.


Iliana has a curse. She attempts to hurt herself while asleep. Imagine sleep walking but elevated. Thanatos reluctantly has agreed to watch over her after Athena asked him to. “at all costs”. When he catches her after she attempts to walk off the roof of her apartment while asleep he takes her to the Underwold to keep her safe.


Hypno’s is tasked with watching over her while Thanatos asks Hades if the human can stay here while he figures out why Athena wants to protect her. What are brothers for? Hypno and Anubis watch over her while they can.


Upon fully waking up. She realizes “she’s not in kansas anymore”. It takes her a little to process that she’s amongst the gods. Her life is in danger? These hot as hell gods are looking out for her?


Hermes transports into the group and brings the gossip. He talks about the god, the fates, all the upper food chain.


Iliana is attracted to all of them. She has to break through Hypno’s wall, but at the very end you think they’re getting somewhere. Until they’re attacked while Hypo is dream chasing her curse. Anubis, Thanatos and Hermes were all called away. What a perfect time to attack? she’s just alone with one god.


Ends on a major cliffy. And it totally breaks me. I want her back. I want all the build up to come back. I love all of their dynamics. I hope this doesn’t break Hyno. As much as I love Thanatos and Abunis, I’m rooting for Hypno. Hermes? I’m still on the fence about.


With that loss? They now lose everything the fates told her. 💔💔 I understand why she didn’t, but now she just can’t. And she’ll never know.


Book 2. Please. Now. (I absolutely devoured this in one night) So good. 🔥🔥



I received an advance review from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nadia Sangalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 ARC REVIEW 📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⸻

💭 First Impressions:

This book hooked me IMMEDIATELY. The opening alone was enough to make me sit up and go “ohhh this is going to HURT.”

The mix of grief, mythology, humour, and tension was done SO well, and somehow this book managed to be emotional, hilarious, chaotic, and hot all at the same time 😭

⸻

📖 Live Reactions (aka me losing my mind):

- THAT opening?? Immediately obsessed
- The disbelief after the call felt SO realistic honestly
- Doctors just dismissing that situation?? absolutely not 😭
- The portrayal of grief and spiraling was actually really well done
- Thanatos debating whether to save her or let the curse take her 👀
- Iliana girl if Thanatos held me like that I wouldn’t wake up either 🤪
- “Kidnapping humans now?” “No… technically yes.” 😂
- Thanatos already possessive?? We love to see it
- Bringing a random unconscious girl to Hypnos for THREE DAYS… what could possibly go wrong 😭
- “Where in the fucking Barbie hellscape am I?” I LOST IT 😂
- Iliana waking up swinging instead of assessing danger is CRAZY behaviour
- “Enjoy your chaos, brother.” 😭
- The gods already struggling to focus because of her 👀
- Hypnos trying SO HARD not to get attached and failing miserably
- “No I think I’ll call you birdman.” 😂
- Hermes hello???? 👀
- ALL THREE OF THEM immediately jealous over Hermes when none of them made a move yet 😭
- “Show me what it’s like to have wings.” honestly such a perfect response
- Thanatos’s jealousy kicking in at only 25% 😂
- Ruh roh… the Fates are interested
- Uhhh guys… our girl passed out 😭
- Panacea 🥺
- Hypnos and Iliana bonding time had my heart softening
- Thanatos sharing with Anubis 👀
- FUCK OFF Pasithea
- CUDDLE PUDDLE 😭
- Anubis really became her emotional support god
- Getting distracted by books? Iliana is so real for that
- The way Thanatos has to constantly reel himself back in 😂
- Wait the Fates are the twins’ sisters??
- Training for Iliana = torture for Anubis 😭
- This man gets her in fighting stance and immediately kisses her neck 😩
- “I do not think we will ever be done.” ANUBIS PLEASE
- Thanatos really said punch first ask questions later 😂
- Hermes showing up like “Dinner is going to be awkward.” 😭
- Hermes flirting while transporting her 👀
- “Distracted by the woman trying to bankrupt me with baked goods.” okay I LOVE him
- “I’ve created a monster.” 😂
- Ohhh now I understand Thanatos’s reaction to the bruises…Eleni 🥺
- Hypnos interrupting makeout time for bedtime 😭
- HERMES WANTED INTO THE CUDDLE PUDDLE 🥺
- “Support gods” took me OUT 😂
- Girl I’m confused too 😭
- WHY wouldn’t the Fates warn her properly???
- TELL THEM THE PROPHECY PLEASE 😩
- I was SO stressed during that whole section
- The god of death being called cute 😭
- “I am fully capable of making you scream.” HAWT DIGGITY DAWG
- My heart hurts for Hypnos 😭 JUST TALK TO HER
- HERMESSSSS 😩
- Iliana kissing Anubis to escape training 😂
- “Naughty girl.” SIR 🥵
- The prophecy tension escalating 👀
- Another pineapple pizza convert 😂
- “Just your assholery.” 😭
- HYPNOS TELL HER OFF 👏
- Of course everything immediately goes to shit
- WHY WOULD YOU LEAVE THE SAFE PLACE 😭
- FUCK PASITHEA
- OMG NO
- okay phew 😭
- WAIT NOOOOO
- WHAT ABOUT THE PROPHECY?!?! 😩

⸻

🔥 The Highlights (rated out of 5):

✨ Characters: 5 ⭐️
Every single god had such a distinct personality, and somehow the author balanced them all SO well. Thanatos, Anubis, Hypnos, AND Hermes all brought something different to the dynamic, and Iliana fit into the chaos perfectly.

💘 Tension & Romance: 5 ⭐️
The jealousy, possessiveness, flirting, cuddling, banter, and emotional intimacy??? I was eating this UP. The romantic dynamics were SO entertaining.

🌀 Plot & Mythology: 5 ⭐️
The mythology elements blended really naturally into the story, and the prophecy storyline kept me constantly anxious about what was coming next.

😭 Emotional Damage: 5 ⭐️
This book managed to genuinely portray grief and emotional vulnerability while ALSO making me laugh out loud constantly.

⸻

🖤 Final Thoughts:

Courting Death completely sucked me in from the very beginning.

The humour, mythology, romance, tension, and emotional moments all balanced together so well that I genuinely never wanted to stop reading. I got attached to EVERYONE, which honestly made the prophecy plotline even more stressful 😭

And the group dynamic?? Absolutely elite.

This book was funny, emotional, chaotic, soft, spicy, AND heartbreaking all at once and I NEED the next one IMMEDIATELY.

⸻

📖 Read This If You Love:

• Mythology romance
• Possessive gods 👀
• Reverse harem / why choose vibes
• Emotional healing arcs
• Chaotic found family dynamics
• Banter-heavy romance
• Slow burn with fated mates🔥

⸻

⚠️ My Warning:

You will become emotionally attached and then have to watch as it falls apart

⸻

⭐️ Rating: 5/5

⸻

🗣️ Quote I’m Still Thinking About:

“I’m not worried about them. I’m too distracted by the woman trying to bankrupt me with baked goods.”

[JudyReadsFantasy Naude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured Courting Death by Verity Lennon and I already need the next book immediately.

This story starts with Iliana at one of the lowest points of her life — struggling to keep jobs, grieving the loss of her parents, and dealing with terrifying sleep episodes that place her in dangerous situations she cannot control. What begins as mystery and survival slowly unfolds into something far bigger involving gods, fate, prophecy, and beings who should never have cared about a mortal… yet somehow cannot stay away from her.

What I loved most about this book is that each god brings something different into Iliana’s life emotionally.

Thanatos gives her security.
Hypnos gives her safety.
Hermes gives her freedom and adventure.
Anubis gives her strength.

None of the relationships feel copy-and-paste. They all develop differently, and the emotional tension between the characters had me completely hooked. The found-family dynamic mixed with mythology, danger, prophecy, and slow-building trust worked so well for me.

The dreamscape scenes, the Underworld elements, the Fates, the monsters, the forgotten gods, and the growing mystery around Iliana kept pulling me deeper into the story. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, the book revealed something darker underneath it all.

And honestly? The sexual tension in this book is INSANE.

There’s emotional vulnerability, possessiveness, protectiveness, jealousy, tenderness, chaos — all wrapped into a dark mythology fantasy that somehow still feels emotional at its core.

By the end of the book I was fully attached to every single one of them and completely stressed about what’s coming next.

If you love:
mythology fantasy
why choose romance
emotionally damaged gods
prophecy and fate
protective morally grey characters
found family dynamics
tension that makes you scream into a pillow

then you NEED to read Courting Death.

[Amber Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Booksirens for the ARC and to the author for writing a banger of a why-choose!

Quick note at the top: this book ends in a cliffhanger, so if you are one who craves instant gratification, you may want to wait till the next book is released to start this one.

Ileana is being hunted in the most vulnerable situation: her sleep. She has no idea who has cursed her to try to kill herself while she is unconscious, but someone very powerful is pulling the strings. Because of this, Athena assigns Thanatos, God of Death, to guard and protect her. Thanatos enlists the help of other Gods with the task. Anubis, Egyptian God of Embalming and Guardian of the dead; Hypnos, Greek God of Sleep; and Hermes, Messenger of the Gods all step in as they feel drawn to the human and are intrigued by the mystery surrounding her.

After the Fates tell Ileana of a prophecy about herself, Ileana realizes her fate is tied to all of the Gods who have sworn to protect her and are secretly falling for her.

Though I felt some parts of the story could have been fleshed out a little better, this was really a fun read. I'm hoping the second book answers some of the questions from the first book such as: who is controlling the lesser Gods? Why is Ileana being targeted? Is there more about her than meets the eye?

Can't wait for the second book!

[gena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courting Death by Verity Lennon was a mysterious/slow-burn romance with Greek mythology elements. Thanatos is instructed by Athena to protect Iliana, and he is initially unhappy about it. Iliana lost her parents in a crash and has been dealing with her own issues that she is trying to work on. Thanatos ends up taking her to the underworld to keep her safe while also trying to save his twin.
I really loved the different layers to the relationships between Iliana and the four gods — Thanatos, Hypnos, Anubis, and Hermes. While the others all had their own unique connection with her and working through their own issues. Even after everything Iliana goes through, she still keeps her hope and positivity, which I loved about her character. Watching the characters slowly open up and grow throughout the story made me even more invested.
The underworld felt adventurous and mysterious, and some of the dialect and worldbuilding made it feel even more immersive. I also loved how Greek mythology was woven into the story without taking away from the romance and character development. I was invested from the beginning with emotional moments, mythology, and strong character growth. Definitely a great 📚.

[Emily Melton · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Reader Review 📓📓📓📓📚📚📚📚

This book is definitely rememberable in so many ways.

The amount of studying she'd had to have done to include all of the Gods from different theologies is insane! She had to have put extensive work into that alone.

I loved the main characters vibes and the ways that they were depicted.

As an ARC read, this book was definitely a little treat!

I would have left a five-star review if the author had not written the female heroin so meager and weak one moment and then tough and emboldened in the next. I would have liked to see the main character as weak in the beginning and throughout the story growing stronger- not just physically- but mentally.

As for the male leads, I'd love to see a little more toughness as they occasionally throughout the book seemed quite whiny.

This book has left me off on a huge cliffhanger so I am excited and curious as to when the next book will be out as I'd love to know what happens next!

You've definitely gotten me "Hooked on the Book!"

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bronwyn Wilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have why choose, slow burn, Gods and Mortals, curses and prophecies.
Iliana is a mortal, her parents have just died and every time she tries to sleep a curse works to kill her, but only when she sleeps.
Athena sends Thanatos to protect her. He is intrigued by the fact that Athena sent him on this task, on just a mortal. He enlists his twin brothers help, Hypnos. He also asks his best friend Anubis to help as well. Along the way Hermes joins initially as messenger, but he grows interested in the human.
My favourite part of this book is the melding together of the different pantheons. We have both Greek and Egyptian as he protectors. We later learn about a goddess book club that involves multiple pantheons from Greek, Celtic and Hindu etc. A book club I would love to be a part of and hopefully see more of as the series continues.

[LeeBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by this author and I have to say I highly enjoyed myself. I really like the mixing of mythological pantheons and although the heroine stressed me out with some of her decisions ( like girl just tell them the prophecy and like WHY WOULD YOU LEAVE THE SAFETY OF THE CAVE?!?! DON'T YOU KNOW THERE IS A TARGET ON YOUR BACK!?!? JUST GET YOUR MORTALL ASS BACK IN THERE!!!), I still had a blast reading about these characters. They were all distinct and different from each other and I found myself rooting for all 4 gods with the heroine (even though she stressed me out). But one thing I hope the 2nd book will do is raise the stakes and get our group out adventuring and battling God's instead of jumping from one safe house to the other.

I would definitely recommend this to those who love myths, curses, and why choose romances.

[Emma Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courting Death by Verity Lennon; what a brilliant read, the gods, the curse, the growth.
We have forced proximity, found family, a family curse, a prophecy, four gods & one human, betrayals, and a cliffhanger that has my jaw on the floor.
Iliana has been through the wringer and trust doesn’t come easily, but the same can be said for the four gods who are protecting her from some unknown unseen force.
Will they prevail and overcome the curse?
Will they all get over their past and the guilt?

Absolutely fantastic, this book was fast paced and kept my attention throughout.
I need book 2 now.!!!

Thank you to BookFunnel and Verity Lennon for this eARC which I received in exchange for my honest review.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This snuck up and caught me unawares and I’m so happy it did.
Gods from different pantheons, super protective, a bit grumpy (Hypnos) and charming.
I loved how Iliana adjusted to everything that was happening, she knew she wasn’t safe, that her mind was trying to make her hurt herself. But the breadth of this is way beyond that and no one seems to know why.
I was so happy with how everything was moving along, the relationships and emotional connections and then…….poof! The ending hit and I was shouting no, no, no! 😱😱😱
When book two comes out, I’ll be shouting yes, yes, yes! 😉
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️

[brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good!

It was well written, and the fact that it was a mythological reverse harem story made it even better!

Thanatos is assigned to protect a human Illiana by Athena, but is not given any details or reasoning. He enlists the help of his twin, Hypno and close friend Anubis. We also get to meet hermes, and Panacea and each one of these gods has a role to play in Illianas life even if the fates won't provide more then a riddle.

This is multiple POV, with us reading from the viewpoints of thanatos, hypno, hermes, Anubis and Illiana.

This book did end on a cliffhanger and so I am already dying for book 2.

[Zephyr Reign · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really loved this book; the only thing that kept me from rating 5 stars is that I wish that the characters' relationships were just a little bit more slow burn and got to know each other more before the spice. I felt like it was rushed. Everything else was amazing. The suspense, mystery, romance, etc was all captivating and interesting. Im actually hoping that the next book is already ready for ARC/out cause I would love to read the rest of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ewelina Paszkiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who needs sleep when you have such a fascinating book to read. A beautiful RH story with slow burn of four gods and a human girl who fell for each other and secrets to be revealed. You can feel the emotions, feelings and struggles of each character which make it easy to connect. With plots and twists the story pulls you in, making difficult to put the book down. Descriptive world building, pacing and storytelling with Greek and Egyptian mythology was fascinating.
Can’t wait for book 2.

[Jessica Sokol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow burn, Greek & Egyptian mythology, super protective MMC’s, why choose…what else do you need?! I was able to ARC read this and it was a really fun read. There are multiple POV’s and you can truly feel each one of their emotions during this story. This has a true slow burn with just enough spice to keep you satisfied but definitely wanting more. The book ended with a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to see what happens in book two!

[Shanna Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gods, a human, a curse and a cliffhanger always makes a good read.

This book took me a while to really get into and read, but I’m glad I put in the reading time. It’s a slow burn between the MMC’s and MFC. Well written story line. I love how the author has the Gods of different pantheons come together to protect a cursed human. The book leaves you on a cliffhanger that makes you want to know what happens next.

[Daniella Marchand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story. The heroine is a human with a curse that comes when sleeping & trying to kill her. Having 4 gods to help er Thanatos, hypno, Anubis & Hermès. There is also a profetie that she didn't share with them yet, but now that she lost her memory.....

Can't wait for next book so captivating was it.

[Lauren Ehlers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read form this author. I enjoyed the characters, story and how the relationships played out and were depicted and developed over the course of the book. The story also made me brush up on my mythology which was fun! I am eager to read what happens next with the characters.

[Kayla Stalder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. Iliana is a girl whose whole family line is cursed. Gods of death from different Pantheons become tasked with ensuring her survival as the curse works harder to complete its task of ending her line. This book answered questions with questions. Some things you just never see coming.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tara Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ✨

Overall I enjoyed reading this book. Is it a book i would reach for again? Not sure to be honest. Storyline was easy Yk follow and the characters within the book were funny cute sassy unhinged sad happy angry all the above. Overall it is a decent book

[Michele B · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say??? Couldn't put it down. I even read it while I worked! Mixing mythology, grief, longing with a little humor and you're set for a crazy ride. Gonna be so hard to wait for the next one!

[Renee collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for this amazing book! I love why choose romance and it’s my favorite genre when it comes to romance and fantasy. If I could rate this book at 10 stars I would! The characters are amazing and the story was so well written I didn’t want the story to end.

[Marilyn Formosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the intermingling and the world building.

[RaymieReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first romance book mixed with mythology and I'm definitely down for more! It was a fun read and interesting to see how all the characters came together.

[Jennifer Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the use of mythology from multiple pantheons in this series. Overall, I loved the plot and the characters of the story. The only reason it is missing the 5th star from me is there were a few parts that felt a little rushed and a couple that felt forced. The biggest thing for me was a plot inconsistency that just gnawed at me after reading it. The ending really has me antsy for what comes next!

This was an honest review of an Arc I received.

[Jody Stoutzenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the mythological in this book. Cant wait to see where this goes with the FMC being a human among the gods

[pie lover]

DNF at 30%

[Tammy McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH! MY! GOSH! It was a slow burn, but such a good burn!!! I loved every twist and turn. I am so sad I have to wait for the next book. I am SOOOO ready to dive into the underworld again. It usually isn't my thing, but this author took me on such a wonderful journey and has me on such a choke hold with ALL of these characters that I am absolutely hooked. Bring on the next book please.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a cool way of bringing gods and goddesses together, featuring both Greek and Egyptian deities! From the start, it's definitely giving me "The Sandman" vibes, which makes me want to read even more. Hearing about Athena and Anubis has me hooked. Overall, it's a refreshing read, and I can't wait for book two! 🤩📚

[Sara Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride!!!! Buckle up readers…

I got an advance reader copy and inhaled this plot. I have to say that I’m a big lover of Greek mythology so this one was right up my alley!

The story opens with the main character navigating the loss of her parents and not sleeping well. Athena tasks Thanatos to watch over her and keep her alive at all costs….

The book ends without resolution so I’m hoping the lovely Verity Lennon will not make me wait too long to see where this storyline goes…