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Finding Persephone
Seven years.
For seven years, Hades has been looking for his beloved wife who disappeared from his kingdom.
Why did she leave?
Seven years ago, Stephanie woke up on the bench in the middle of a farmers market on Florida’s Gulf Coast, with no recollection of who she was, and pregnant.
Where did she come from?
Their time has run out, the gates of hell are opening, will they find the answers in time?
Are they ready for the consequences to the answers?
For seven years, Hades has been looking for his beloved wife who disappeared from his kingdom.
Why did she leave?
Seven years ago, Stephanie woke up on the bench in the middle of a farmers market on Florida’s Gulf Coast, with no recollection of who she was, and pregnant.
Where did she come from?
Their time has run out, the gates of hell are opening, will they find the answers in time?
Are they ready for the consequences to the answers?
- GenresRetellings
78 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
34 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Rosaline Woodrow
5 books14 followersI enjoy writing the human experience of what it means to find the people who make you the best version of yourself. A little laugh, a little heartache; balance is important.
Witty banter is what my readers come to me for. Love stories and found family are my jam. Strong male leads and strong female leads that fill each other's gaps is what I strive for.
When not writing, I am likely sitting in a tree reading or thinking about writing. If not there, I am in my greenhouse and garden, daydreaming barefoot. If not there, then I'm probably hiding in a closet so I don't have to share my piece of chocolate with one of my three kids (if they didn't hear the wrapper from across the world and catch me.)
Unless it's winter. Then pray for me and send books and black coffee. Most importantly: do not disturb the potato.
Witty banter is what my readers come to me for. Love stories and found family are my jam. Strong male leads and strong female leads that fill each other's gaps is what I strive for.
When not writing, I am likely sitting in a tree reading or thinking about writing. If not there, I am in my greenhouse and garden, daydreaming barefoot. If not there, then I'm probably hiding in a closet so I don't have to share my piece of chocolate with one of my three kids (if they didn't hear the wrapper from across the world and catch me.)
Unless it's winter. Then pray for me and send books and black coffee. Most importantly: do not disturb the potato.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 1, 2022
Don't you hate it when you can't find your Persephone? It happens to me at least three times a week!
Cue rim shot and a smattering of pitying applause.
Hi, I'm Carl R. Jennings, owner and C.E.O. of the global phenomenon "Poor Jokes for Poor Folks". We've had fun here today, but there's a serious message behind our jocularity. Namely, to discuss Rosaline Woodrow’s book, Finding Persephone, a mythological romance book that fans need to experience.
The first thing that needs to be noted about Woodrow’s writing is the skill with which she crafts characters. It would be easy to create “characters” as opposed to characters. Please see the introduction to this blurb as an example of this.
“Characters” are put in a story in a utilitarian way: to serve a purpose. Characters are there to exist, as people, on a page. Books with these types of characters are the kind that people chew through with the vociferousness of a starving honey badger that had been given a birthday cake.
Complementary to her characters is the world in which they live.
It’s the Persephone myth in a real-world setting. It would have been an easy trap to fall into to allow the story to feel schizophrenic and disjointed. Not to mention, with well-known mythology of this kind, it’s difficult to make it something other than a dull re-telling.
This isn’t the case in Finding Persephone. Woodrow nimbly jumps over the punji traps labeled “cliche” and “melodramatic”. Here we go back to the characters, which elevate it from the trough of books released as a quick way to make a few bucks. She takes the myth that many are familiar with and builds onto it, making something known but also her own, using real work to craft a clever and compelling originality.
Readers will find that Woodrow knows her romance genre. The richness of her prose evokes the kind of emotions and situations that are addicting. Pages will fly by beneath the reader’s fingers. Before you know it, it’s over, and you’ll be shaking for another fix.
Woodrow writes with an unabashed earnestness to feeling that has the ability to light a long-ago forgotten lantern inside you, that spark for life that has been doused by popular culture, which has adopted a “too cool for school” attitude towards genuine feeling. It’s something that can make you soar, and send you into the ground to dig your own grave. And it’s all worth it, compared to a gray paste kind of existence. Pick up a copy, remember what you’ve forgotten.
Cue rim shot and a smattering of pitying applause.
Hi, I'm Carl R. Jennings, owner and C.E.O. of the global phenomenon "Poor Jokes for Poor Folks". We've had fun here today, but there's a serious message behind our jocularity. Namely, to discuss Rosaline Woodrow’s book, Finding Persephone, a mythological romance book that fans need to experience.
The first thing that needs to be noted about Woodrow’s writing is the skill with which she crafts characters. It would be easy to create “characters” as opposed to characters. Please see the introduction to this blurb as an example of this.
“Characters” are put in a story in a utilitarian way: to serve a purpose. Characters are there to exist, as people, on a page. Books with these types of characters are the kind that people chew through with the vociferousness of a starving honey badger that had been given a birthday cake.
Complementary to her characters is the world in which they live.
It’s the Persephone myth in a real-world setting. It would have been an easy trap to fall into to allow the story to feel schizophrenic and disjointed. Not to mention, with well-known mythology of this kind, it’s difficult to make it something other than a dull re-telling.
This isn’t the case in Finding Persephone. Woodrow nimbly jumps over the punji traps labeled “cliche” and “melodramatic”. Here we go back to the characters, which elevate it from the trough of books released as a quick way to make a few bucks. She takes the myth that many are familiar with and builds onto it, making something known but also her own, using real work to craft a clever and compelling originality.
Readers will find that Woodrow knows her romance genre. The richness of her prose evokes the kind of emotions and situations that are addicting. Pages will fly by beneath the reader’s fingers. Before you know it, it’s over, and you’ll be shaking for another fix.
Woodrow writes with an unabashed earnestness to feeling that has the ability to light a long-ago forgotten lantern inside you, that spark for life that has been doused by popular culture, which has adopted a “too cool for school” attitude towards genuine feeling. It’s something that can make you soar, and send you into the ground to dig your own grave. And it’s all worth it, compared to a gray paste kind of existence. Pick up a copy, remember what you’ve forgotten.
November 6, 2022
I love it when I find a beautifully written Greek Mythology retelling and Finding Persephone definitely made it to the top of my favorite retellings!! I love how I didn't just imagine the world in this story, but I felt like I was actually there witnessing the story, like I was a part of the story! And don't get me started on how much I loved these characters. I felt their every emotion and I loved every minute of it!! Lastly, and my favorite part, was the pacing of the story. It was so well paced that it made it very hard to put down because it had such a hold on me and I was ok with that!! I 100% recommend that everyone read this, you won't regret it!!
October 3, 2022
Brilliant. I was completely engrossed. This modern retelling was wonderfully done.
It made me laugh - Hades (especially with Theo James as headcanon) gave me a lot of chuckles. There were pangs of sadness, but they were in exactly the right spot. Rosaline has the ability to pull a reader right into a story and make you feel what they’re feeling. It was a quick read (for me) but it was good, I’d say it was well-paced. There was also a lot of attention to detail, which pulls you in almost as if you are watching the story in real time. It really made me feel like I was part of it.
The description of her home, the smells she experiences, the line about not arguing with her husband (and he trims his beard in the sink) made it feel like a totally relatable, almost non-fiction piece.
“What a terrible time to be such an omnipotent pain in the ass.” is a hilarious line. I’m going to start using that in my daily life.
But my favourite line that made me feel tightness in my chest and tears in my eyes:
“…the way she smiled at me and took my hand and we walked together into the kingdom of those the world had forgotten.”
My heart.
It made me laugh - Hades (especially with Theo James as headcanon) gave me a lot of chuckles. There were pangs of sadness, but they were in exactly the right spot. Rosaline has the ability to pull a reader right into a story and make you feel what they’re feeling. It was a quick read (for me) but it was good, I’d say it was well-paced. There was also a lot of attention to detail, which pulls you in almost as if you are watching the story in real time. It really made me feel like I was part of it.
The description of her home, the smells she experiences, the line about not arguing with her husband (and he trims his beard in the sink) made it feel like a totally relatable, almost non-fiction piece.
“What a terrible time to be such an omnipotent pain in the ass.” is a hilarious line. I’m going to start using that in my daily life.
But my favourite line that made me feel tightness in my chest and tears in my eyes:
“…the way she smiled at me and took my hand and we walked together into the kingdom of those the world had forgotten.”
My heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
I am a SLUT for mythology retellings and I will say that without shame.
This one though? Took some time to enjoy... The first few chapters felt pretty juvenile, almost; thought that fes like the wrong word, and such a harsh one as well. It felt like fanfic-y and young, which probably makes for a good starter into retellings for younger audiences, but it fell a little flat at first for me.
However, there were some BEAUTIFUL lines. I found myself highlighting more than I suspected I would, to be honest - which just goes to show: don't judge a book by it's cover... The age old saying haha.
Overall, it was a cute little short story, but it definitely is not my favourite retelling. It's a good short and easy read to help get out of a reading slump, I suppose!
This one though? Took some time to enjoy... The first few chapters felt pretty juvenile, almost; thought that fes like the wrong word, and such a harsh one as well. It felt like fanfic-y and young, which probably makes for a good starter into retellings for younger audiences, but it fell a little flat at first for me.
However, there were some BEAUTIFUL lines. I found myself highlighting more than I suspected I would, to be honest - which just goes to show: don't judge a book by it's cover... The age old saying haha.
Overall, it was a cute little short story, but it definitely is not my favourite retelling. It's a good short and easy read to help get out of a reading slump, I suppose!
October 2, 2022
Finding Persephone is a soft, lovely Hades and Persephone retelling, with a Hades desperate to find his missing wife and a Persephone forced to choose between the life she has now and the one she left behind. It has all the Zeus slander we could want and a villainous Demeter. It's a unique take on a classic love story, and full of love and hope.
October 1, 2022
This Novella is a gem for lovers of the original myth as well as lovers of relatable romance. A fresh take
on an oft told story, Finding Persephone will take you by the hand and leave you breathless by the last page.
on an oft told story, Finding Persephone will take you by the hand and leave you breathless by the last page.
October 3, 2022
Rosaline Woodrow's characters feel so like us, it feels like you can just raise your hand to touch them: flesh, blood, bones, and trying their best. Woodrow uses them to transport the myth of Persephone into present days first, and then to transport the reader into Persephone's shoes. Two magic spells disarmingly difficult that Woodrow makes look as natural as drawing breath.
November 15, 2022
Rosaline is the queen of writing heart wrenching scenes. 🥺💛
Wonderful characters and a story that pulls the readers in!
A few of my favorite lines:
That smile, it’s Hades’ smile.
Click.
But it’s not insanity; it’s clarity.
Quick and lovely read!
Wonderful characters and a story that pulls the readers in!
A few of my favorite lines:
That smile, it’s Hades’ smile.
Click.
But it’s not insanity; it’s clarity.
Quick and lovely read!
December 23, 2022
I have a new found love of pomegranate seeds thanks to Rosaline Woodrow! Finding Persephone was such an amazing retelling of Persephone and Hades. It is just as much a story about Hades as it is about Persephone. The story is a fast read, but still a heart gripping page turner. The ending is my favorite, although I don’t feel there could ever be a happily ever after - Rosaline does a wonderful job with creating the best case scenario and making you feel what true love and sacrifice is!
November 20, 2023
excellent
Excellent adaptation of the Hades and Persephone myth. I always believed Hades was innocent, and Demeter was in the wrong.
Excellent adaptation of the Hades and Persephone myth. I always believed Hades was innocent, and Demeter was in the wrong.
January 15, 2023
Utterly fantastic with poignant, beautiful examples of love. This five-star Greek mythology retelling is a beautiful page turner that will keep you hooked the entire time! From page one, I knew I was going to love this book and sure enough I flew through this story because of Woodrow’s ability to keep me engaged, and interested. Nay, invested. I was invested in these characters. I felt like I was a part of the story. It seemed like I knew these characters, I hurt with them I fell in love with them. And this is the exact sort of book. I need it at the moment to push me through the holidays. Oh, I found myself hiding away from precious family and friends that I had looked forward to seeing just so I could put in one more chapter. Hades, are you serious? I loved his perspective so much. Woodrow clearly is a romance author with a real knack for expressing dynamic relationships between characters. The pacing is beautiful. The writing is beautiful. Even the sentence structures are spot on lovely. I cannot wait to see more from this author.
October 11, 2023
A Hades and Persephone Retelling.
.5/5
a reader's guide to books and reviews | Pillowfort | Bookbub | LibraryThing | The Story Graph | livejournal | Litsy | Booksprouts
.5/5
a reader's guide to books and reviews | Pillowfort | Bookbub | LibraryThing | The Story Graph | livejournal | Litsy | Booksprouts
January 2, 2023
this was such a good retelling of Persephone and Hades, it did everything that I was looking for. Roseline Woodrow does a great job in telling the story and I saw the spark of the original tale. I look forward to read more from the author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2023
It's a beautiful short story about love and what somebody would do for it. It was fun to see how the greek gods would interact with the modern world. The ending was a bit sad when Hades has to let her and his son go back to the mortal world eventhough it is only for a couple of months. But all in all a lovely story.
January 28, 2023
I am proud of this story. It was inspired by a time when my children and I had relentless sickness and I joked that I had angered a deity by daring to love a mortal. My husband's love is woven into this story, and how he always ventures into the dark to find me when winter starts to drive me mad.
I hope you find love like that.
I hope you find love like that.
November 27, 2022
Sweet short story
I liked it. A different take on a very old story. Greek mythology has always been one of my favorite subjects
I liked it. A different take on a very old story. Greek mythology has always been one of my favorite subjects
March 21, 2025
Finding Persephone
This one is different spin. Not too bad for a novella. Of course, it’s a bit rushed but not bad.
This one is different spin. Not too bad for a novella. Of course, it’s a bit rushed but not bad.
May 2, 2025
heartbreakingly beautiful
September 29, 2025
amazing
There are a ton of Hades and Persephone retelling but this one truly embodies the original story of a woman you’re trying to have it all.
There are a ton of Hades and Persephone retelling but this one truly embodies the original story of a woman you’re trying to have it all.
October 5, 2025
3.5⭐️ short, easy read.
December 24, 2025
The idea was good, but the execution was very lacking. A lot of things went unexplained and could’ve been better explored.
January 26, 2026
A different outlook
I really enjoyed this book. I wish it had been longer. But wow. I hadn't read a version like this one. Highly recommend.
I really enjoyed this book. I wish it had been longer. But wow. I hadn't read a version like this one. Highly recommend.
June 29, 2024
This is the consensual version of their story.
January 15, 2024
I was not familiar with the story of Persephone and Hades so I was not expecting it to be as action packed or sad as it was. I enjoyed it though.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews