You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
“I am going to proceed,” she said, “on the assumption that you are a sane person who occasionally says insane things like ‘the Greek gods exist’ and ‘I’ve had sex with a cloud.’”
If you combine Reisz's signature mindf*ckery, panty-melting erotic scenes, and banter with Greek mythology and the modern British peerage... you get The Rose.
I devoured this book. It's delicious. I don't have better words to say this, so I'll just give you my initial impression:
I would like to drizzle this book over a lover and lick it off.
Where The Red was an experiment in pain/pleasure and pushing the boundaries of reality and the physical body, The Rose is a little sweeter. Of course, it isn't too sweet, because this is Tiffany Reisz and she doesn't do that.
The Rose opens with a young woman, daughter of an Earl, about to have a graduation party as she's just wrapped up her time at university. She's 21, and she has a bit of a secret. You see, she's a Madam. She arranges appointments and handles the financial bits for several of her friends. She's got the connections, they've got the skills and desire to use them.
This is all going smoothly, until the night of her graduation party. Her father has invited a stranger to the party as a sort of consolation prize. You see, Ophelia's father outbid August Bowman at an auction recently. The piece up for bid? A rose kylix (an ancient cup made for drinking wine, decorated with an image of a young woman and a rose). August is sexy as hell, but he also warns Ophelia that the kylix is dangerous and has the power to transport people who drink wine from it into their deepest sexual fantasies. You see, August is a prostitute with the Cult of Eros and this Kylix is a gift given from Aphrodite to her son (Eros).
She tells him to go away and figures that's that.
Until the artist (and terrible person) who took her virginity blackmails her. Unless she pays him 1,000,000 pounds, he's going to tell the papers about her escort service and destroy her life. This leads Ophelia to go to August with a deal - he gives her the money, she gives him the Kylix. But she doesn't need the money for a week... so why shouldn't they play with it first?
The week that follows is the bulk of the book, and it's full of Reisz's combination of erotic scenes, angst, and enough mythology to satisfy fans. It's like reading the myths again, but without the X-Rated bits removed. As a bonus, since Ophelia and August are acting these scenes out, it's pleasurable when Achilles forces Briseis into his bed every night. It's hot as hell when a shower of literal gold glides over and into Danae/Ophelia's body. And it's romantic as hell when August and Ophelia fall for each other while they explore the bounds of their trust.
The Rose is lighter on BDSM and I wouldn't say it contains dubious consent like The Red, but only because Ophelia is knowingly entering scene wherein the original character was raped. These are her fantasies, and August is there to protect her. It's still a big mindf*ck, but not like The Red was. There are several content warnings, which I've listed below, but I think that if you had a difficult time with The Red, this one will be easier. If you loved The Red, you'll probably enjoy The Rose, too.
Oh and there's definitely a happy ending.
Content warnings: mention of rape, blackmail, "pleasurable rape" fantasy, character in peril, bad first-time sex
Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
I devoured this book. It's delicious. I don't have better words to say this, so I'll just give you my initial impression:
I would like to drizzle this book over a lover and lick it off.
Where The Red was an experiment in pain/pleasure and pushing the boundaries of reality and the physical body, The Rose is a little sweeter. Of course, it isn't too sweet, because this is Tiffany Reisz and she doesn't do that.
The Rose opens with a young woman, daughter of an Earl, about to have a graduation party as she's just wrapped up her time at university. She's 21, and she has a bit of a secret. You see, she's a Madam. She arranges appointments and handles the financial bits for several of her friends. She's got the connections, they've got the skills and desire to use them.
This is all going smoothly, until the night of her graduation party. Her father has invited a stranger to the party as a sort of consolation prize. You see, Ophelia's father outbid August Bowman at an auction recently. The piece up for bid? A rose kylix (an ancient cup made for drinking wine, decorated with an image of a young woman and a rose). August is sexy as hell, but he also warns Ophelia that the kylix is dangerous and has the power to transport people who drink wine from it into their deepest sexual fantasies. You see, August is a prostitute with the Cult of Eros and this Kylix is a gift given from Aphrodite to her son (Eros).
She tells him to go away and figures that's that.
Until the artist (and terrible person) who took her virginity blackmails her. Unless she pays him 1,000,000 pounds, he's going to tell the papers about her escort service and destroy her life. This leads Ophelia to go to August with a deal - he gives her the money, she gives him the Kylix. But she doesn't need the money for a week... so why shouldn't they play with it first?
The week that follows is the bulk of the book, and it's full of Reisz's combination of erotic scenes, angst, and enough mythology to satisfy fans. It's like reading the myths again, but without the X-Rated bits removed. As a bonus, since Ophelia and August are acting these scenes out, it's pleasurable when Achilles forces Briseis into his bed every night. It's hot as hell when a shower of literal gold glides over and into Danae/Ophelia's body. And it's romantic as hell when August and Ophelia fall for each other while they explore the bounds of their trust.
The Rose is lighter on BDSM and I wouldn't say it contains dubious consent like The Red, but only because Ophelia is knowingly entering scene wherein the original character was raped. These are her fantasies, and August is there to protect her. It's still a big mindf*ck, but not like The Red was. There are several content warnings, which I've listed below, but I think that if you had a difficult time with The Red, this one will be easier. If you loved The Red, you'll probably enjoy The Rose, too.
Oh and there's definitely a happy ending.
Content warnings: mention of rape, blackmail, "pleasurable rape" fantasy, character in peril, bad first-time sex
Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
I have no recollection of this book although my ebook history shows it.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Where do I begin with The Rose? Is it the absolutely gorgeous Greek imagery? Perhaps. Reading Tiffany Reisz's interpretations of Achilles and Briseis and the like really took me on a journey.
Or is it the swoon-worthy August?
Perhaps it is that. I certainly fell for August by 30% into the book.
Or is it the positively lust-inducing scenes?
*SOMEONE BRING ME SOME WATER*
The Rose is much like its predecessor [b:The Red|30755704|The Red (The Red, #1)|Tiffany Reisz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1479308848s/30755704.jpg|51304450] in that it is certainly erotica, but I found that unlike The Red, there was a love story between August and Lia woven in between the sex. A love story that I wanted more of.
I also loved the small mentions of Old Number Thirteen from The Red. They were like Easter eggs that Reisz threw in there for her readers. While you certainly do not have to read The Red to read this, I recommend that you do as Ophelia is related to some of those characters.
So why not a 5 star rating? One thing time and time again took me out of the book: the word "organ" is used in sex scenes 29 times. Not to yuck someone's yum, but that word is probably the least sexy word for penis that I have encountered. If that's not an issue for you, then this will likely be a 5 star read for you.
4.5 stars
Where do I begin with The Rose? Is it the absolutely gorgeous Greek imagery? Perhaps. Reading Tiffany Reisz's interpretations of Achilles and Briseis and the like really took me on a journey.
Or is it the swoon-worthy August?
"Falling in love is brave and dangerous," August said. "Like climbing a mountain or going to war. Foolish, too, just like climbing a mountain or going to war. You shouldn't hate yourself for doing something brave and dangerous."
Perhaps it is that. I certainly fell for August by 30% into the book.
Or is it the positively lust-inducing scenes?
"Now that is how a man wants to hear his name spoken by the girl he's bedding," he said, laughing softly. "The next word you speak will be my name and you won't speak - you will scream it. Until then, moan and groan and paint and gasp all you want, but otherwise shut up, Lia. I'm working.
*SOMEONE BRING ME SOME WATER*
The Rose is much like its predecessor [b:The Red|30755704|The Red (The Red, #1)|Tiffany Reisz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1479308848s/30755704.jpg|51304450] in that it is certainly erotica, but I found that unlike The Red, there was a love story between August and Lia woven in between the sex. A love story that I wanted more of.
Spoiler
I could have read an entire book about the two of them once they finally got together in the end.I also loved the small mentions of Old Number Thirteen from The Red. They were like Easter eggs that Reisz threw in there for her readers. While you certainly do not have to read The Red to read this, I recommend that you do as Ophelia is related to some of those characters.
So why not a 5 star rating? One thing time and time again took me out of the book: the word "organ" is used in sex scenes 29 times. Not to yuck someone's yum, but that word is probably the least sexy word for penis that I have encountered. If that's not an issue for you, then this will likely be a 5 star read for you.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
The Beauty of a Rose
The Rose by Tiffany Reisz published by MIRA. I was lucky enough to receive an arc of the first book The Red and it is amazing! So when I saw the arc of this one and I knew I had to read it. I have to say when I am in the mood for erotica Tiffany Reisz is my girl! I know many people are picky with the erotica but this is a must read. Anything by this author is worth the time. I would have finished this much sooner if work had not gotten in my way what a shame. I love how the author pours love into each component, character, plot and subplot and in the end this one gives you a perfect Rose. I love that the Greek history and Myths are accurate and it makes my nerdy side thrilled when my brain can be worked in between sexy pages. The blurb for this book is so spot on. Lia is gifted what she’s told is a magical erotic cup, and she is believably reticent about its powers. Even when she and the male lead, August, take their first sips of wine from it and descend into the myth of Andromeda and Perseus, she chalks it up to something rational like hallucinogenic compound traces in the clay paired with hypnosis. The amount of disbelieve in this book makes Lia and August’s journey with the cup such a beautiful slow burn that it is worth every minute you spend with it. Thank you to Netgalley and all parties involved for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I hope that this series continues because I am a fan through and through.
The Rose by Tiffany Reisz published by MIRA. I was lucky enough to receive an arc of the first book The Red and it is amazing! So when I saw the arc of this one and I knew I had to read it. I have to say when I am in the mood for erotica Tiffany Reisz is my girl! I know many people are picky with the erotica but this is a must read. Anything by this author is worth the time. I would have finished this much sooner if work had not gotten in my way what a shame. I love how the author pours love into each component, character, plot and subplot and in the end this one gives you a perfect Rose. I love that the Greek history and Myths are accurate and it makes my nerdy side thrilled when my brain can be worked in between sexy pages. The blurb for this book is so spot on. Lia is gifted what she’s told is a magical erotic cup, and she is believably reticent about its powers. Even when she and the male lead, August, take their first sips of wine from it and descend into the myth of Andromeda and Perseus, she chalks it up to something rational like hallucinogenic compound traces in the clay paired with hypnosis. The amount of disbelieve in this book makes Lia and August’s journey with the cup such a beautiful slow burn that it is worth every minute you spend with it. Thank you to Netgalley and all parties involved for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I hope that this series continues because I am a fan through and through.
Tiffany Reisz is a master of characters + humor + wit + steam and its actually insane. August was an absolute dream boat and I loved Lia and her parents and her friends, and how supportive and open everyone close to Lia was. Her stories don't feel like erotica because theres so much character depth and development. I also cannot get over the dry humor in all of her stories. I loved it all
This story was so cool, and so hot all at the same time. If I had the ancient kylix that was gifted to Lia, and August by my side, I would drink from it every night and I would become an expert in Greek mythology
4.25 Stars / 4 Steam Fans
Video review available in Week 4 Jan 19 – 25 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Video review available in Week 4 Jan 19 – 25 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Fun read, dirty in all the best ways. The Ancient Rome dream was my faaaave.