Wicked Beauty

I don't usually enjoy poly romances, so I was prepared to struggle with this one even though I really wanted to read it. Guess what? I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it!

Helen is tired of being used like a pawn, by her family, in the Olympus game. However, Helen's brother after assuming Zeus' mantle is doing it again. But now, for once in her life, she stands up to Zeus and the Thirteen by going after what she wants: Ares' role. However, that puts her competing against others that will do anything to win. Achilles has wanted a bigger role since he was a child. As soon as Ares' spot is available, he doesn't hesitate. Patroclus, his boyfriend, enters the competition too, but he only wants to help Achilles win. When Zeus announces that he'll offer the new Ares Helen's hand in marriage, after the competition ends, everything gets a little convoluted, particularly because there's a powerful attraction between all three of them. But when Helen enters the competition too... everything goes up in flames!

It was heartbreaking to see Helen dismissed as a potential candidate during the first half of the book, even by Achilles. Patroclus, as the true strategist he was, saw way more in her than her beauty. Their connection was immediate from the start. Achilles caught up, eventually, and started to see the fierceness in Helen. Even though Patroclus and Helen had a deeper connection from the beginning, it was interesting how Achilles was the one that could read her so effortlessly and understood deeply how badly she was dismissed and mistreated by others. It was fun to see how their dynamic slowly changed and deepened. Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus complemented each other perfectly! I also loved the forced proximity aspect of the story. And one of my favorite aspects in this was how the trials ended: pure GOLD!

These 3 characters had me hooked as soon as we got their first interaction. I was invested in the story, plot, character's goals and fears, and chemistry between all three of them... hot, hot, hot!
The pining, the angst, and the steamy scenes made this story a fantastic read. I also really enjoyed the trials and the Olympus politics.

I'm enjoying this series a lot. Super interested to see where it's going to go next.

Please, don't go into this book expecting a retelling, it's very loosely inspired by greek mythology (hence it doesn't feature Briseis and Paris takes an entirely different role here).

You can check this review and other stuff @ Books, Coffee & Passion