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Cerberus #1

Daughter of Persephone

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Poppy is nothing special.

She was making ends meet and trying to enjoy life. But a strange necklace caught her eye at the thrift store. Now, three gorgeous men have stumbled into her life, and she's torn between being terrified and excited. That is until they tell her she is the future queen of the Underworld.

Not only that, but she needs to bond with her hellhounds, the three heads of Cerberus, and protect the Underworld from a goddess who wants it for herself. Forced to face unnatural enemies, and too-sexy-for-their-own-good men, Poppy must choose: keep the life she's always had or take her rightful place as queen.

If she survives.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 2018

928 people are currently reading
2261 people want to read

About the author

Helen Scott

109 books1,276 followers
USA Today bestselling author Helen Scott spends her time alternating between fantasy and reality. She likes to think she’d be sorted into Hufflepuff and would have been a Physical Kid from Brakebills. Her days are fueled by tea and cuddles from her four-legged kids and amazing husband in their home in the Chicago suburbs.

When not reading or writing, Helen can be found baking, enjoying a walk in the woods, crafting, or playing video games. She’s a lover of sushi and K-Dramas and is convinced there is magic in the world if you know where to look.

Whether paranormal or contemporary, Helen loves writing sassy, kick-butt heroines and drool-worthy love interests. She's the author of the House of Wolves and Magic series, the Cerberus series, and the Of Demons and Dragons series.

Subscribe to Helen’s newsletter for a free book to get started on the adventure today! https://geni.us/HelenScottNewsletter

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5 stars
604 (25%)
4 stars
715 (30%)
3 stars
670 (28%)
2 stars
267 (11%)
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94 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
Profile Image for Marguerite (M).
767 reviews653 followers
dnf
March 21, 2018
I DNF'd a 85 pages long book and i'm not very proud of myself.
Profile Image for Danyelle.
388 reviews56 followers
April 28, 2019
Not the best Greek myth ever but it was ok
Profile Image for Carrie (The Butterfly Reader).
1,033 reviews95 followers
May 27, 2020
Not what I was expecting... I wanted to try a RH novel to see what all the hype was about. Not my thing, too much porn, not enough plot. The writing was good though but hardly any character development and they really matters to me. So I won’t be continuing this series.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews129 followers
Want to read
August 29, 2018
💝FREE on Amazon today (8/29/2018)!💝

Blurb:
Poppy is nothing special.

She was making ends meet and trying to enjoy life. But a strange necklace caught her eye at the thrift store. Now, three gorgeous men have stumbled into her life, and she's torn between being terrified and excited. That is until they tell her she is the future queen of the Underworld.

Not only that, but she needs to bond with her hellhounds, the three heads of Cerberus, and protect the Underworld from a goddess who wants it for herself. Forced to face unnatural enemies, and too-sexy-for-their-own-good men, Poppy must choose: keep the life she's always had or take her rightful place as queen.

If she survives.
Profile Image for Natalie.
184 reviews21 followers
November 6, 2020
2020 Review
Poppy was just a normal person working to scrape by in life. But everything changed in the most unexpected way. It all started with a magical necklace. Her powers are awoken, her heritage revealed, and her hounds find her. Poppy is not just a normal human. She is the descendant of Hades and Persephone, and the next queen of the underworld. Now all they have to do is find her judges and get to the underworld while dodging a goddess's army who is hellbent on killing the next queen of the Underworld. Simple right?

I was, once again, excited to read a book about Greek Mythology. But once again, I realized that there was pretty much nothing about mythology in the book. In fact, there was nothing in the book other than sex basically. I need at least some plot with my smut ya know? ;)

There always seems to be that one broody dude that is a total jerk to the girl. And this time it was Hunter. I really don't like him. His "im better than everyone and know everything" attitude was super annoying, and he was always whining about betraying Katherine for thinking Poppy would be a good queen.

Anyways, I still liked it as a quick fun read :)

__________________________________________________________________


Since she found a magical necklace in a thrift store, you could say Poppy's life has been turned upside down. Now she is the next queen of the underworld, has three, no four hot hellhound shifters to "bond" with, then add some really creepy white haired blued eyed somethings that is trying to kill her, Poppy's life just got a little bit more complicated. Will she be able to survive longer than the last queen did?

I love Greek mythology YA. And this book didn't disappoint. While I would have wished there was more of the actual mythological side to the story, I still liked it. I never read a book about hellhounds and I'm really excited to read the next book about them. ;) I wonder what is special about Nolan with his acid saliva and green eyes. I loved the guy's relationship with Poppy. It was hot, but they actually cared about her and were really protective. But I didn't really like Hunter. He was kind of a jerk to her. But he might be making up for that. At least he has a reason to be a jerk with what happened to the last queen and all. Can't wait to see more of Poppy's powers. Wonder what they are? And where are they going on the road trip? I think they are going to look for her judges. But it didn't actually specify. Oh well. Guess I'll have to read the second book to find out. Can't wait. :)))))
Profile Image for Zen.
3,017 reviews
March 21, 2020
**minor spoilers ahead**

Very fast read. Although I liked the story, it seemed very hurried. When reading fantasy, there is a level of suspension of disbelief that must be maintained. Although you are reading about something fantastic, it still must work within some realistic guidelines and I don't feel like the behavior of the heroine always did so. For example, when she meets Knox for the very first time and is stopped by Hunter,it didn't feel genuine that she just accepted it and then lead them to the ally so the could talk. I repeat, she met a hellhound that changed into a naked human in front of her and she was like, yeah, whatevs, he's got a great ass. Nolan's acceptance so quickly struck me also. He made out with a stranger in an elevator, decided to leave with them when she told them to, and then accepted a blood bond all in the same night.

I didn't dislike the novel, however. I'm going to read book 2 almost immediately. This just felt like it needed to be fleshed out a bit more to stop feeling like a short story written to be published in a periodical.
Profile Image for Gabriella.
691 reviews28 followers
April 18, 2021
I love PNR and anything Greek mythology related.
It was fast paced, action packed, but a bit on the flat side. The steamy scenes were ok, but I had no connection with the characters.

About the story: A magical necklace has chosen Poppy, to be the next Queen of the Underworld. And now three gorgeous men have come into her life to protect and guide her.

This could be a good book if the story and the characters had more background and depth.

Sadly I don't think I'll read the nex book.

Profile Image for Motaung.
352 reviews35 followers
July 28, 2020
I liked the book alright but I just wish some things were explained a little better and that emotions and reactions were elaborated on a little more.

E.g.
-Who is Nolan and how does he feel about the whole being hellhound thing? He was surprised when Poppy started kissing him but from then it seems he is just going with the flow. I wish we were given more or a bit of his POV.
-Even Poppy's acceptance of her knew reality is a little downplayed and over simplified. Like, she met these guys who tell her she is the destined queen of the underworld, and she is like, Okay. Really, that's all the reaction we are gonna get?
-I don't mind insta-love but I don't understand why its okay to have it with Knox and Emmett but she has to get to know Nolan first, whats the difference. She was kissing and trying to sleep with Knox from day one, why does Nolan have to wait?

The story needs a little more meat, but its not a bad read if one doesn't mind insta-love or predestined relationships.
Profile Image for ❀ Crystal ✿ -  PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS .
2,533 reviews310 followers
May 3, 2021
This was a decent read even as short as it was. It read very lightheartedly and not as in depth as I was hoping for as it deals with the Gods. The heroine took to her new place in the world in no time and barely batted an eye which was a little odd but to each is own I guess. She learns she's to be the new Queen of the Underworld after grabbing a new necklace at a thrift store which is odd but slightly funny. She meets three men, parts of Cerberus who she's meant to be with in some form. Honestly there wasn't much action or adventure as it was more about filling the heroine in on her role and they set off to find a couple more guardians. It was a super quick read and I was rather shocked when the end came out of nowhere. Wish there was more action but I guess as she comes more into her 'powers' and outside forces learn who and what she is, the action will undoubtedly pick up.
Profile Image for Abi.
2,281 reviews
August 9, 2018
I did not love this book. It didn't totally suck, though.

Good stuff:
- Interesting premise
- Hot sex

Bad stuff:
- Didn't really like Poppy. She was meh.
- Very weak plot.
- Not a ton of character development from the start to end of the book (it was, however, a first book, so this is sort of okay.)

As you can see, the negatives outweighed the positives. This book just didn't do it for me. It could have been really well executed, and I honestly would have liked this same thing minus the reverse harem, which might have allowed for more character development and plot besides them all getting together. Also, Poppy was weak.
Profile Image for Elena.
461 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2021
This book was super interesting! I loved how Cerebus was three hot guys instead of a three headed dog and the craziness of the book really makes you invested. I cant wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Jamielee.
587 reviews22 followers
June 12, 2018
4 I want her Boyfriend Stars

Poppy was just your average girl. Working a job she hated to pay rent and trying to build her business on the side. She shared an apartment with her roommate Roxie and lived vicariously through Roxi's escapades. That was until one night at the Club when her eyes locked on with a stranger and her entire world shifted.
She would go from the living in the shadows watching others take chances to taking some of her own, finding her voice and finding some new lovers. Meanwhile being tracked by people who are on a mission to kill her.
All while trying to convince herself she really could be the one these men have been searching for... she really could be the Queen.


Let me tell you this girl has some sexy men fighting beside her... wowzas.



There are multiple partners in this book there are No MM scenes nor is there any sexual chemistry between the men. There are a few MFM scenes but IMO it is light nothing extreme.
Profile Image for Runningrabbit.
1,387 reviews99 followers
Read
May 31, 2018
KU

This is an enjoyable read with 4 sexy blokes and a great, credible heroine. I will definitely be carryong on to the with series.
Profile Image for Dena.
4,473 reviews12 followers
May 4, 2018
Started

This is a interesting story of a necklace. I liked the premise of the Geek gods and them playing chess. I can't wait to see how she conquers Hunter.
Profile Image for C.J..
Author 4 books391 followers
May 29, 2018
Really didn’t connect to this story or its characters at all. Not sure why.
402 reviews29 followers
March 19, 2018

I love Poppy the most! She is definitely one of the most reasonable heroines in the reverse harem community. And by reasonable, I meant, she took into consideration those "pieces of evidence" about her true heritage and about those of the heroes. She hasn't acted in ignorance, like some of those 'strong & badass' heroines I've known, and hasn't directly endangered any of the characters by being stubborn.

In short, she isn't a PITA.

She's also able to establish her relationship with each of the heroes. I like them all but there's one I might like less. And he's kind of a hypocrite when he told Poppy to stop being in denial and pick whether she's going to accept the throne in the underworld or continue being mundane and human. All the meanwhile, he's the one being in denial; he cant decide whether to move on from previous queen or to treat Poppy what she deserved. Projecting much?

Well, anyway, he admitted to being a jerk so that's a start. Hopefully he decides to stop being difficult. Just kidding. Kind of.

I'm only giving four stars because as much as I have enjoyed it overall, I'm kind of being impatient to finally meeting the underworld and being impatient for the lack of development. Buuut yeah, I do understand it's all due to the focus in the buildup of the relationships/bonds.

Profile Image for Ana.
2,038 reviews6 followers
August 30, 2018
Come On Down.....

Can you imagine one day you are serving drinks to a bunch of old horn dogs and the next thing you know you are being told you are the queen of hell by 3 gorgeous hunks? Well that's exactly what happened to Poppy. And that's not all, she has to bond with them all, well not all cause one of them is kind of a grouch, oh did I forget to mention she gets a fourth one too.

To top it all off they are all Hellhounds, in order to better protect her from what is to come before they get to the underworld so she can claim her throne, she has to do the dirty, or not so dirty deed with them. So now that she has accepted her horrible, or not, lot in life, begins her trials and tribulation in order to get down there...I should get so lucky!

This is going to be quite the journey with Poppy, Nolan (Grouchy) Emmett, Knox and Nolan and I can't wait!
Profile Image for Sherry Westendorf.
4,603 reviews22 followers
April 5, 2018
Well written and entertaining. I love anything that talks about Greek Mythology. And add in the reverse harem and all other aspects and this makes for one terrific story that is well worth reading. It has a lot of different things I am unused to reading. But that made if so I couldn't put it down. It is exciting, fun, hot, suspenseful and so much more. I recommend it. I was given a review copy by booksprout and voluntarily review it.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
Author 3 books20 followers
July 7, 2019
Started out interesting and I really did think the interpretation of Cerberus within the context of a reverse harem was clever, but I dnf'ed at about the 2/3rds mark. There wasn't any chemistry between her and any of the guys, only pre-ordained massive physical attraction.
4,297 reviews20 followers
March 19, 2018
This is a very promising start to a new RH series. The storyline is well-written with some drama, paranormal characters, and a sensible heroine. The characters are developed, sassy, strong, and mostly likable. Perhaps one will come around and become more likable. I liked it. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Kiana.
310 reviews9 followers
April 19, 2020
2.5 stars. This was okay but not great. Didn’t seem like much happened and just wasn’t my thing I guess.
Profile Image for Natalie Booktokk.
22 reviews3 followers
May 22, 2024
Wtf was this?😂
1 star for myself to finish it
1 star for de smut
Profile Image for Karli.
158 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2018
Spoilers below

****SPOILERS!!!******

Hmm I’m not entirely sure what I think about this book! I liked the premise as it is Greek mythology which I totally love. Plus I really like the idea that this new queen of the underworld would be bonded to her hellhounds. I haven’t read many books with hellhounds in them and I thought it was cool! It is also super steamy and has some great sexy scenes! I liked Poppy as a character as well. She was pretty cool and was ready to accept her new life which is good (I hate when girls are in denial forever). The only reason why I wouldn’t give this 5 stars was that I felt like some of the relationships were lacking a bit. Obviously, instalove isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and sometimes isn’t popular but I do feel like some of the relationships seemed to concentrate a lot on sex and I wasn’t entirely sure what they felt for Poppy besides lust. There was a bit of insight with one of the characters, but still I was hoping for a bit more with them being totally smitten with her and not just wanting to jump her bones all the time. However, I did like the guy characters that she did have a sexual relationship with and I can definitely see how their emotional relationships could progress in the next book. The REAL reason I gave it 4 stars was because of one of the guys in particular. So I don’t know if it’s just because I’m a jealous beyotch or what but I realllly don’t like when guys have past loves (especially when they are still pretty obsessed with them). One of the guys is still really hung up on the last queen of the underworld and refuses to have a relationship with Poppy at all. I assume that he will eventually get over this in later book(s) but I still just really didn’t like that part of the story. As for reading the next book, I’m not entirely sure if I will simply because of that one guy since that aspect really bothers me. That being said, if you don’t mind those kind of things in your RH books then definitely give this book a read!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
233 reviews
April 22, 2018
Ok so while I really did enjoy the book, it only got 4 stars because it just didn't make sense. Yeah sure there was plenty of issues and action but...it was too easy in a way. I mean Poppy gave in way too fast and easy even with a pull. Nolan jumped on way too easy as well....I mean random woman, yeah a pretty one, jumps in an elevator with you says her name and instantly starts making out with you..which then she calls you a hound and herself a queen and then right after you turn into one to fight like you've always been one. But other than that type of stuff I really liked the back bone of the story.
807 reviews
May 18, 2018
This novel had an intriguing concept, but absolutely nothing beyond that. The novel goes nowhere. One can see a plot in the overall series, but there is none here in this novel. It's more like a short story that lasts 250 pages, or an introduction or prologue for the series. The female main character is out with her friend, wearing a new necklace she found at a thrift store, and she drinks something funny. She's hit on by a guy who doesn't seem to understand no. Then she's rescued by other guys that, for some reason, don't want to be on her radar. Weird stuff happens. She has sex with the weird guys, who turn out to be hell hounds, and she's supposed to be the next queen of the underworld. The end. Don't waste your time.
Profile Image for Yeri (wildflowerreader).
1,519 reviews79 followers
July 11, 2018
An okay read.

The idea of this book is a solid 5 stars but, to me, it just didn't reach it's full potential.
Poppy was too accepting, too naive, too wishy-washy. I couldn't stand behind her, and half the time I wasn't sure I even liked her.
"Why'd you keep reading then?"
I wanted to love this story! It has everything I love in a good paranormal romance it just did not deliver. There's not enough showing, I don't feel the connection between Poppy and her men, the steamy scenes were okay, I was told the "connection" was there but, I didn't experience it.

I will read the next book but, only because I hope the story will get better and I will love it and the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews

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