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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
TL;DR: Probably one of the best books I’ve read by this author.
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!
Plot: Hercules gets roped into a deal with Meg and Hades.
Characters: I really enjoyed these three. They had sharp edges but fit well together.
Setting: Definitely not the focus but it had some good shape around the characters.
Fantasy/Romance: The fantasy in this was very thin on the ground but the Romance was front and center and very strong.
Characters: I really enjoyed these three. They had sharp edges but fit well together.
Setting: Definitely not the focus but it had some good shape around the characters.
Fantasy/Romance: The fantasy in this was very thin on the ground but the Romance was front and center and very strong.
Thoughts:
Learn My Lesson was a very fun read for me. The dynamic between these characters is what really sold this, so do keep that in mind since I know not everyone is going to love that. The plot is light, the smut is heavy (something I tend to skim), but the characters are very good. Hades is a great dark and manipulative Dom, while Meg plays a wonderful Switch, and sweet Hercules. The combination of the two in personality alone, is lovely.
The atmosphere was also well done, you can feel the energy and weight of the club and the setting frequently. It adds to the character interaction and growth and I think really enhanced almost everything.
My only complaint I need to point out is that plot is just there as set dressing. We needed a reason for Hercules to be there, and we needed a ‘reason’ for him to be targeted by Hades. Unfortunately it laid low for a good chunk of the book. This isn’t a ‘go out and do a thing’. This was primarily these three getting on (and getting it on) while the plot cooked and cooled little by little.
If that’s your jam, you’re going to love this. I think it’s a fun reimagining of these mythical story characters and it was delightful to see the Oreo that is the triad here. Go in with the right expectations and you’ll love this.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did not expect to like this one as much as I did. I didn't really see how the dynamics of the three would mesh but it makes sense once you read it. It is nice that Hercules is connected to her Dark Olympus series. This is making me like this series even more than the Dark Olympus books.
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hercules is bartending to make a living after being kicked out of living with his father when he is approached by Meg, who has been sent to seduce him by her Dominant, Hades. After Hades interrupts their hookup, Hercules misinterprets the situation and makes a deal to Hades effectively selling himself to the older man for life. Meg wasn't given the full background information either, but the tension between the three eventually turns more than antagonistic.
For something that is effectively Disney fanfiction with the serial numbers filed off, this was a pretty decent book. I haven't actually watched the Hercules Disney movie or Hadestown, which were obviously big inspiration for Robert, but I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed her Hades/Persephone retelling, Neon Gods. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed Neon Gods, but it wasn't all that bad either.
I'm still confused about the specifics of Meg's contract with Hades, which admittedly may be because this is the second book in the Wicked Villains series and I haven't read the first. I think the writing could've done with more clarity in the worldbuilding and the plot, as it does in some ways seem like something that would be tagged "plot? what plot?" if it were posted on a fanfiction website. It seems a little misleading that this was categorized on NetGalley under Adult General Fiction and Romance, not under erotica at all. It was still an enjoyable book to read though, and it was fun to read from the perspective of Hades and Meg, who are definitely both villains in their own way. I'd recommend this to people who want to branch out from reading smutty fanfiction on fanfiction websites to "real books" as an intermediate step of sorts. It’s also worth noting that the bonus stories at the end of the book contain spoilers for books later in the series, which is only noted in asterisks after the story has already begun.
Thank you to Netgalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Katee Robert for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
For something that is effectively Disney fanfiction with the serial numbers filed off, this was a pretty decent book. I haven't actually watched the Hercules Disney movie or Hadestown, which were obviously big inspiration for Robert, but I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed her Hades/Persephone retelling, Neon Gods. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed Neon Gods, but it wasn't all that bad either.
I'm still confused about the specifics of Meg's contract with Hades, which admittedly may be because this is the second book in the Wicked Villains series and I haven't read the first. I think the writing could've done with more clarity in the worldbuilding and the plot, as it does in some ways seem like something that would be tagged "plot? what plot?" if it were posted on a fanfiction website. It seems a little misleading that this was categorized on NetGalley under Adult General Fiction and Romance, not under erotica at all. It was still an enjoyable book to read though, and it was fun to read from the perspective of Hades and Meg, who are definitely both villains in their own way. I'd recommend this to people who want to branch out from reading smutty fanfiction on fanfiction websites to "real books" as an intermediate step of sorts. It’s also worth noting that the bonus stories at the end of the book contain spoilers for books later in the series, which is only noted in asterisks after the story has already begun.
Thank you to Netgalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Katee Robert for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Slavery
Katee Robert has done it again!! I adored the OG series and somehow I love this updated version even more. Balancing a triad is incredibly hard to do, especially when two members have an established relationship but Katee Robert handles it masterfully in Learn My Lesson. All of the characters have complex needs and feelings and watching them find a way to a fulfilling partnership was nothing less than swoony. If you're interested in some kinky sex and lots of feelings then this is the book for you.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC!
Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC!
Yeah no. I tried to get through the second hoping the first just wasn’t my thing but this series isn’t the one for me. I WANTED to like this but it all felt very forced & like there wasn’t actually consent despite safe words being used often. Very much felt icky.
I wish it would of had a differnt plot line. There was just no plot until the very end pretty much and then it was one chapter, I really liked desperate measures and this just didn't match it
dark
fast-paced
I’ll give it bonus points for having a poly-relationship, which RARELY happens in books, and the dynamic between the three was good. EVERYTHING else was bad. Will not be continuing the series
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes