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bookishmillennial's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I loved Athena & Dionysus' friends-to-lovers romance, but will admit that at over 500 pages, the book dragged on a bit (get it, because the first book in this series is named Drag Me Up lollllll sorry I am corny!!!!) for me. There is always so much going on in Khaos Falls, and keeping up with the political turmoil can be a lot.
I loved the ADHD rep with Dionysus, and continue to adore this queer, neurodivergent, disabled cast!
steam rating: 5 out of 5
I loved the ADHD rep with Dionysus, and continue to adore this queer, neurodivergent, disabled cast!
steam rating: 5 out of 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, War, and Sexual harassment
mildrenreads's review against another edition
4.0
Black Romance. Neurodivergent MMC. Best friends to lover. Femdom & pegging š¤š®āšØ
Longest book in the series.
Even tho this one wasnāt my favorite in the series I still recommend it because itās important for the series plot! The only reason why I wasnāt rooting for this couple was because even though they werenāt in a relationship yet I didnāt want to see him with other people šš§š»āāļø especially when they looked like her. She hated seeing it too and I just felt bad for her š« so idk maybe it wonāt bother others. I will say it made sense for his character because he is like in the party scene especially with his job title. They did get closer during their assigned mission and again it was action packed and the plot twist always kept me entertained! Which is why I recommend! The smut was soooo good too, which is what I was really excited for! Femdom books are usually my fave!š¤
biancaneve's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one a lot. The world the R. M. Virtues has created is increadible and i can't wait to discover more of it. The characters were definitely my favourite part. Athena and Dionysos were both amazing and worked so well together. The side characters were also super intriguing and i can't wait for more of them to get their own story.
fictionmajorette's review
4.0
https://fictionmajorette.blogspot.com/2023/10/romance-wrap-up-september-16-30.html
This was another great entry in the Gods of Hunger series. I would recommend reading them in order because the non-romance plot does stretch across all the books. I found this to be the most well-balanced between the romantic and non-romantic plot and it felt like a more traditional romantic suspense. I also found the non-romance plot to be easier to follow than the previous book. I loved Athena and Dionysos as their own characters as well as a couple. They worked so well together and their long friendship was obvious. The sexual tension between them was well done and paid off so well once they get together.
This was another great entry in the Gods of Hunger series. I would recommend reading them in order because the non-romance plot does stretch across all the books. I found this to be the most well-balanced between the romantic and non-romantic plot and it felt like a more traditional romantic suspense. I also found the non-romance plot to be easier to follow than the previous book. I loved Athena and Dionysos as their own characters as well as a couple. They worked so well together and their long friendship was obvious. The sexual tension between them was well done and paid off so well once they get together.
dhee_reads's review against another edition
5.0
The she didn't want me here moment to worrying another person can share something that he can't. These two people want to be enough for their partner in their own ways. Even as they figuring out what's holding them back they never truly let each other down. It is ingrained in who they are from jump. I hope this bk gets its due because I see the caliber as well as the improvement. Nuance. Friendship. Top tier.
brii_brii's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
oxtailandcabbage's review against another edition
3.0
All i'm gonna say is , get you a boyfriend who's gonna buy you shrimp for dinner, roll you a joint upstairs, draw you a bath and eat you out into oblivion in the bathtub. Dionysos is that motherfucker you know? A smooth one at that. Oof!
I really enjoyed his humor, his wit, his charm, vulnerability, his sexual energy on the page, the way he cares for Athena. If you like a guy with an extensive knowledge about wine, crops, growing cannabis, good food then you'll definitely enjoy him. He knows all the hidden gems, the good spots to eat from, he's that guy. This character has a good eye for interior design as well as seeing potential in people, advising them, taking risks with them to make their dreams come true. He is passionate. I can tell a lot of research went into writing this book. I learned a lot about wine making while reading, it was entertaining.
Athena is a bad bitch period. Can i just say, i really love when female characters wear suits. She's always looking dapper, she's very particular about how she conducts business, very intense too, she definitely hangs in the dangerous side of things and does it well.
I do think this book was too long. Also this is very much a slowburn so keep that in mind. I think i went into this book with the expectation that it would move along the same line as the first book in this installement. This one was a bit more heavy on the politics, there is romance but there is so much going on in the world that you might find yourself losing patience if you were originally here for the romance. So keep that in mind.
I will be continuing with the series tho.
I really enjoyed his humor, his wit, his charm, vulnerability, his sexual energy on the page, the way he cares for Athena. If you like a guy with an extensive knowledge about wine, crops, growing cannabis, good food then you'll definitely enjoy him. He knows all the hidden gems, the good spots to eat from, he's that guy. This character has a good eye for interior design as well as seeing potential in people, advising them, taking risks with them to make their dreams come true. He is passionate. I can tell a lot of research went into writing this book. I learned a lot about wine making while reading, it was entertaining.
Athena is a bad bitch period. Can i just say, i really love when female characters wear suits. She's always looking dapper, she's very particular about how she conducts business, very intense too, she definitely hangs in the dangerous side of things and does it well.
I do think this book was too long. Also this is very much a slowburn so keep that in mind. I think i went into this book with the expectation that it would move along the same line as the first book in this installement. This one was a bit more heavy on the politics, there is romance but there is so much going on in the world that you might find yourself losing patience if you were originally here for the romance. So keep that in mind.
I will be continuing with the series tho.
andreatorres's review against another edition
4.0
4 āļø
This is my least favorite book in the whole series, and I still gave it 4 stars. Soooā¦ Yeah. Iām in love with these books.
This is the highly anticipated story of Athena & Dionysos, the best friends to lovers we have been waiting for since Drag Me Up . Athena, and her adoptive brother Ares, are one of the first lines of defense in Khaos Falls, given such duty by Hades, their uncle. With it, comes the feeling of extreme responsibility and fear of failure that Athena must carry around as she tours the region, Aegean, trying to sign peace treaties with the rest of its cities. The book begins with Athena returning to Khaos Falls after months of touring neighbouring islands and before departing for Thassos, whose newly appointed leadership has yet to take a standing after the events in Keep Me Close . Enter Dionysos, famous for his wine, easy-going personality, and his partying lifestyleā¦ and for being in love with his best friend, even if she is the only one oblivious to that fact. Dionysos, tired of seeing Athena leave him behind at every tour, volunteers to go with her to Thassos, a decision meet with hesitation from almost all his family, which only convinces Dio even more of just how necessary it is for him prove to everyone that heās able to handle the responsibilities of being a district leader like the rest of them. And maybe change his best friendās mind about what heās capable of doing and show her just how right he could be by her side; maybe prove it to himself too.
This story is beautiful, captivating, the world building is immaculate and complicated to the point of me having to pull out the map several times to find where we were and what we were talking about, but, my, oh, my, did I love it. All the favorites from the last two books make a return to the big stage. The twins are amazing and seeing Heph and Aphrodite together in their domestic bliss bubble is just so amazing I could cry.
My favorite part of this entire book was, to absolutely no shock to anyone, Dionysos. The giant, cuddly-bear hero with ADHD and no qualms about wearing his heart on his sleeve. It is no surprise because my dream man is an absolute mammoth with simping golden retriever energy, and I have never been particularly quiet about it.
My least favorite thing in this book was Athena, and I donāt know if itāll be shocking to anyone reading this, but it was shocking to me. Iām not in the habit of hating, or even disliking, strong-willed, independent heroines. In fact, any other book Iāve read that has a character like that, Iāve immediately loved. And I do love this book, but Athena was not the reason why. Her actions throughout this book were consistent and she was a very well written character, in my opinion, but for the love of everything, she was so. fucking. frustrating. Half of my annotations and comments for this book are just about how annoying Athena was beingā¦ like, the entire time. And while I (unfortunately) deeply understand the whole āpushing people away because of past traumaā thing, itās no excuse to the toxicity her character displays in some parts of this book. Her attitude towards Dio, for most of the first part especially, is just outrageous and down-right stupid. This is, however, a personal preference since, as I said, the character, her storyline and actions in the book are consistent as to who she is and what her worldview has come to be after everything sheās lived through. Still, most of the time I just wanted to grab her and shake her and yell at her to stop being an idiot.
Athena (24) and Dionysos (22) are the youngest MCs weāve had in this series, and it shows. Theyāre not as secure and confident in their choices, and as comfortable as they are with each other, theyāre still fearful and anxious, afraid of showing others and one another their wants, needs and, more importantly, their decisions when it comes to their lives.
Overall, I thought it was an interesting book, with great, consistent characters that (albeit annoying at times) were beautiful and rounded in the way R.M. Virtues has shown us theyāre able to do. The intrigue in this one was just as nail-bitingly intense as the first two. Also, I feel like the ending allows this world to continue on in further books, and Ares seems like a great candidate after complaining about having to work with Tethys - Iām nothing if not hopeful!
4/5 āļø
This is my least favorite book in the whole series, and I still gave it 4 stars. Soooā¦ Yeah. Iām in love with these books.
This is the highly anticipated story of Athena & Dionysos, the best friends to lovers we have been waiting for since Drag Me Up . Athena, and her adoptive brother Ares, are one of the first lines of defense in Khaos Falls, given such duty by Hades, their uncle. With it, comes the feeling of extreme responsibility and fear of failure that Athena must carry around as she tours the region, Aegean, trying to sign peace treaties with the rest of its cities. The book begins with Athena returning to Khaos Falls after months of touring neighbouring islands and before departing for Thassos, whose newly appointed leadership has yet to take a standing after the events in Keep Me Close . Enter Dionysos, famous for his wine, easy-going personality, and his partying lifestyleā¦ and for being in love with his best friend, even if she is the only one oblivious to that fact. Dionysos, tired of seeing Athena leave him behind at every tour, volunteers to go with her to Thassos, a decision meet with hesitation from almost all his family, which only convinces Dio even more of just how necessary it is for him prove to everyone that heās able to handle the responsibilities of being a district leader like the rest of them. And maybe change his best friendās mind about what heās capable of doing and show her just how right he could be by her side; maybe prove it to himself too.
This story is beautiful, captivating, the world building is immaculate and complicated to the point of me having to pull out the map several times to find where we were and what we were talking about, but, my, oh, my, did I love it. All the favorites from the last two books make a return to the big stage. The twins are amazing and seeing Heph and Aphrodite together in their domestic bliss bubble is just so amazing I could cry.
My favorite part of this entire book was, to absolutely no shock to anyone, Dionysos. The giant, cuddly-bear hero with ADHD and no qualms about wearing his heart on his sleeve. It is no surprise because my dream man is an absolute mammoth with simping golden retriever energy, and I have never been particularly quiet about it.
My least favorite thing in this book was Athena, and I donāt know if itāll be shocking to anyone reading this, but it was shocking to me. Iām not in the habit of hating, or even disliking, strong-willed, independent heroines. In fact, any other book Iāve read that has a character like that, Iāve immediately loved. And I do love this book, but Athena was not the reason why. Her actions throughout this book were consistent and she was a very well written character, in my opinion, but for the love of everything, she was so. fucking. frustrating. Half of my annotations and comments for this book are just about how annoying Athena was beingā¦ like, the entire time. And while I (unfortunately) deeply understand the whole āpushing people away because of past traumaā thing, itās no excuse to the toxicity her character displays in some parts of this book. Her attitude towards Dio, for most of the first part especially, is just outrageous and down-right stupid. This is, however, a personal preference since, as I said, the character, her storyline and actions in the book are consistent as to who she is and what her worldview has come to be after everything sheās lived through. Still, most of the time I just wanted to grab her and shake her and yell at her to stop being an idiot.
Spoiler
Especially after she stands Dio up THE SECOND TIME to go be a fool and spend time with Pallas again, AND THEY FUCKING KISS. No, cause I was so pissed off, you donāt understand. I wanted Dio to fuck Roxanne so bad after it happened just out of spite, which isn't very healthy of me (I know, I know) but I didn't even care at that point. Baby-boy deserved better. But alas. During the beginning of the first kiss/finding Dio talking to Hephaestus in the winery scene I wanted him to explode and just rip her a new asshole, I wanted him to tell her how unfair and hurtful she was being, but of course Dionysos loves her so much that heās willing to siphon crap as long as sheās the one feeding it to him (I know, gross mental picture, but I feel like it's justified).Athena (24) and Dionysos (22) are the youngest MCs weāve had in this series, and it shows. Theyāre not as secure and confident in their choices, and as comfortable as they are with each other, theyāre still fearful and anxious, afraid of showing others and one another their wants, needs and, more importantly, their decisions when it comes to their lives.
Overall, I thought it was an interesting book, with great, consistent characters that (albeit annoying at times) were beautiful and rounded in the way R.M. Virtues has shown us theyāre able to do. The intrigue in this one was just as nail-bitingly intense as the first two. Also, I feel like the ending allows this world to continue on in further books, and Ares seems like a great candidate after complaining about having to work with Tethys - Iām nothing if not hopeful!
4/5 āļø
ashleighbeanxo's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so this is my least favourite in the series so far, but it's still a really fucking good book.
RM Virtues has created such an amazing world and such warm likeable characters in his Gods of Hunger series, and the romances just hit every time. Let Me In is no exception. We have a beautiful friends-to-lovers story with Athena and Dionysus who have been in love with each other since they were kids but have never acted on it because they're also best friends. I think they complimented each other really well in this book. I just fucking love Dionysus and his warm sunshine personality.
Oh, and the pining? Uh the pining was on point. You could feel them both wanting each other but circumstances or other people or shit got in the way and when they finally admitted their feelings? Fuck, that was good.
One thing I will say about this book is there is too much of the world politics in it and not enough of their relationship for me. It takes quite a well before we even get a hint of a romance and there's a lot of political discussion and whatnot. So it's a very slow burn and it drags slightly at the beginning but that might just be my personal preference.
I really really really hope that this isn't the last book in this series because I absolutely adore these characters. I NEED MORE.
RM Virtues has created such an amazing world and such warm likeable characters in his Gods of Hunger series, and the romances just hit every time. Let Me In is no exception. We have a beautiful friends-to-lovers story with Athena and Dionysus who have been in love with each other since they were kids but have never acted on it because they're also best friends. I think they complimented each other really well in this book. I just fucking love Dionysus and his warm sunshine personality.
Oh, and the pining? Uh the pining was on point. You could feel them both wanting each other but circumstances or other people or shit got in the way and when they finally admitted their feelings? Fuck, that was good.
One thing I will say about this book is there is too much of the world politics in it and not enough of their relationship for me. It takes quite a well before we even get a hint of a romance and there's a lot of political discussion and whatnot. So it's a very slow burn and it drags slightly at the beginning but that might just be my personal preference.
I really really really hope that this isn't the last book in this series because I absolutely adore these characters. I NEED MORE.