Electric Idol (Dark Olympus #2)

Author: Katee Robert

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Electric Idol is the second instalment in the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert where we follow the story of Psyche, daughter of Demeter – goddess of the harvest, grain, and fertility; and Eros, son of Aphrodite – goddess of love, pleasure, passion and procreation. It is a modern day retelling set in dark Olympus where Psyche is forced to go into an arranged marriage with the new Zeus and become the next Hera. Eager to escape the set-up made by her ambitious mother, Psyche bumps into the most vicious and notorious man – Eros. The two are seen leaving the restrooms together and in just a couple of hours thousands of paparazzi photos are blasted all over the internet. It is no secret that Demeter and Aphrodite are blood-sworn enemies, so once the later sees the photos, she is quick to come up with a revenge plan and put those rumours to rest once and for all.

Aphrodite’s solution to fix this ‘disastrous’ situation is of course to send her ‘errand’ son to kill the innocent lovely girl. However, little does she expect for her son to finally grow a conscious and set in motion events which will turn the whole Olympus upside-down. Upon meeting with Psyche, Eros cannot but feel entranced by her character and beauty. He comes up with a ‘temporary’ solution until they both can escape unscathed – a fake marriage, present a front so convincing that the whole Olympus will be head over heels with their romance and protect them form his mother’s malicious desires. Though reluctant Psyche agrees to the marriage. And sooner than later they both start to develop feelings towards each other.

Both characters were so easy to love. Psyche is strong, independent, cunning and desperately desires for normality in her crazy life – for a person to love and cherish. Little did she expect to find her ‘person’ in the face of the most notorious killer in all Olympus. Eros, on the other hand, presents a cold and distant facade but is such a softie on the inside. His simple desire in life is to have a family, something which he finds in the eyes of the woman he loves. Ughhh they were so precious!!!

It is a sexy, thrilling and fun story which I am so grateful to have the chance to read before release date. For this, I want to say thank you to NetGalley for gifting me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Certainty of Chance

Author: Jacquelyn Middleton

Genre: Adult Romance

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

What a lovely read this was! The Certainty of Chance is an absolutely heartwarming story about love, loneliness, longing, grief and how the best things in life usually happen when you are expecting them the least.

A few days before Christmas, Madeleine Joy finds herself in a very complicated situation. She’s supposed to spend the holidays with her sister in Paris, however, due to a volcano eruption, all airports are closed and she has no other choice than to stay in London until she can travel again. Not only that but the period coincides with the one-year anniversary of her best friends death. Needless to say, her joyful spirits are nowhere to be found. Until the stars align in her favour and she meets a kind, sweet British guy who takes her on a journey around London with his black cab.

Madeleine didn’t expect her trip to turn out this way but when Julian Halliwell looks at her with longing and understanding in his eyes.. well.. it is impossible to deny their instant connection. Both characters are absolutely amazing and as cliche as it sounds just ‘made for each other’. Both are respectful, caring, kind and strong despite the few setbacks in their lives. I loved, loved, loved Madeleine and Julian’s relationship. We see them quickly become friends and form a real bond over music, books, art, food and the one thing they both struggle with… grief- dealing with the loss a loved one and having no one who understands you. Mrs Jacquelyn Middleton did an amazing job in her portrayal of grief and left an important message for her readers – Every person deals with loss differently, there’s no ‘time-limit’ for feeling sad, there’s no recipe on how to move on. The Certainty Chance was such an emotional journey which definitely made me tear up a couple of times. So so happy both characters found in each other their ‘safe space’.

I need to add an honourable mention for Julian’s friends which were hilarious and supportive throughout the whole book! And of course not to forget poor little Winnie who also got his happy ending!!

The Certainty of Chance is such an atmospheric book which immediately teleports you there with Julian and Madeleine, exploring London during the most beautiful time of the year! This book put me in a wonderful Christmas mood and now all I dream off is booking a one-way ticket to London for the holidays!! Honestly, the whole time while reading I was thinking what a great movie this could be!