Eros meets Psyche in the second book of Robert's Dark Olympus series. Psyche Dimitriou, one of four daughters of Demeter, has a problem. Just as she's helping an injured Eros Ambrosia at an Olympus party, a paparazzo takes a candid of them in an apparent romantic clinch and the photo goes viral. The problem is that Eros' mom, Aphrodite, hates Demeter and orders her son, whom she uses as a fixer in her political power games, to punish Psyche as a lesson to her mom. Though used to doing his mother's bidding, as she's groomed him from childhood to kill, Eros can't execute this latest order. Instead, he offers Psyche, a smart, plus-sized social media influencer, a different bargain--a PR marriage of convenience that might protect her from his mother's wrath. Despite the tense start to their relationship, the two find their arrangement quickly morphing into an erotic and emotional connection. The couple copes with their new feelings while dealing with powerful family members, all under intense social media scrutiny, giving the book the atmosphere of a Kardashian-style reality show version of Greek myth. Robert creates an Olympus for our time in a manner somewhat reminiscent of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunters series. She keeps the core of the original Eros and Psyche story even as she humanizes her protagonists, though not always successfully: There's the somewhat tired trope of the hero as victim of his traumatic upbringing, a bad boy cured by the love of a good woman. The ass-kicking heroine is also a familiar type, but Psyche is better sketched, a fat-positive yet secretly vulnerable and media-savvy young woman. The pair's chemistry, in and out of the bedroom, gives them added dimension. Both the protagonists' mothers harken back to the terrifying matriarchs of myth and could have used more updating to counter old stereotypes of mothers gone feral. On the other hand, the inclusion of a couple of Black characters in the roles of famous mythological figures, which seems like an attempt at diversity, feels like hollow colorblind casting. Like an amusement-park ride through a new Olympus. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Robert's sensational second Dark Olympus romance (after Neon Gods) pairs social media influencer Psyche Dimitriou with hired gun Eros in a thrilling struggle against the forces that rule the futuristic, dystopian city of Olympus. When Psyche impulsively helps Eros, the son of her mother's rival, Aphrodite, clean himself up after a hit job, a paparazzi shot of the two together sparks speculation of their involvement. The evil, image-conscious Aphrodite, a powerful politician, can't abide the rumors and demands Psyche's heart on a platter (literally). But Eros devises a way to protect her from his mother's wrath: through marriage. If Psyche is his bride, his mother can't touch her. The sham match quickly gives rise to sizzling sex scenes and genuine emotions, leaving Eros ready to protect Psyche with his life. Eros makes a complicated hero; his willingness to knock off his mother's foes is off-putting, but, like a fairy tale prince awakened by a kiss, this tortured soul allows love to transform him. Meanwhile, plus-size Psyche's conviction, feistiness, and passion will inspire and empower readers. Cameos from the first installment's lovers will delight fans, while the steamy, fast-paced story will have new and old readers alike turning the pages as quickly as possible. This satisfies on every level. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (Jan.)