Challenge Corner discussion

"Let me worship you," he said.
She remembered the words she had whispered to him in the back of the limo after La Rose. "You will worship me, and I won't even have to order you." His request felt sinful and devious, and she reveled in it.
She answered, "Yes."

Persephone is the Goddess of Spring in title only. Since she was a little girl, flowers have only shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hoped to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. All of that changes when she sits down in a forbidden nightclub to play a hand of cards with a hypnotic and mysterious stranger.

Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. But nothing has ever intrigued him as much as the goddess offering him a bargain he can't resist.

After her encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, and his terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone's failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—a love that is both captivating and forbidden

Starting this today. Been catching up with other BRs.

I didn't write this in my planner so I forgot, sorry! I'll try to start in the next day or two

Ch 1-7 (view spoiler)[ I wonder if Persephone has no powers, or if she just has other powers she hasn't discovered yet?
When Hades told her to bring life to the Underworld, maybe he also meant she could bring her life energy there? Like spend time there, make it more of a home than a barren shell. Or she could even have a baby? Hmm... (hide spoiler)]

Ch 8-15 (view spoiler)[ I don't think Persephone is giving Hades enough credit. He seems to want to help people beat their vices by making deals and he obviously cares about the souls in the Underworld.

I knew Adonis was a piece of crap and I hope Persephone tells her friend to stay away from him. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 16-24 (view spoiler)[ I'm sad that Persephone has so little confidence in herself and Hades that she immediately believed Hades only acted like he wanted her for a bet, instead of him being in love with her.

I hope she changes her mind soon and knocks her mom and Adonis down. Screw the haters! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-7: (view spoiler)[I think she hasn't tapped into her powers because of her environment. Demeter is scary.

She's still living under restrictions, even though technically she has her mortal life. I doubt the stress would allow her the chance to explore the growth and freedom needed to be the Goddess of Spring. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8-14: (view spoiler)[I think Persephone has blinders on when it comes to Hades. She's determined to make him a villain, even though he's showing some signs that he's not unreasonable. Like allowing that mother's daughter the chance to recover was pretty good and it definitely seems different than reviving someone who died. (hide spoiler)]

Apparently my last buddy update didn't post? I don't know why that keeps happening to me.

Ch 25-End (view spoiler)[ I'm happy Persephone came to her senses and talked to Hades. They're a cute couple and she brought some happiness to the Underworld. I also love how Minthe got turned into a mint plant lol (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Chapter 1-7: I think she hasn't tapped into her powers because of her environment. Demeter is scary.

She's still living under restrictions, even though technically she has her mortal life. I doubt..."

@1-7 (view spoiler)[ that's a good theory for sure! Demeter is scary and very controlling. I feel bad for Persephone (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "Chapter 1-7: I think she hasn't tapped into her powers because of her environment. Demeter is scary.

She's still living under restrictions, even though technically she has her mortal life. I doubt..."

@8-14 Yes! I definitely don't think Hades is as bad as she wants to think he is

Chapter 15-21: (view spoiler)[I'm glad Adonis got what was coming to him. He's such a jerk. It's good to see Persephone call out his behavior how she did; hopefully she can do the same with her mother. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22- END: (view spoiler)[Yay to her getting in touch with her powers and standing up to her mother! (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Chapter 1-7: I think she hasn't tapped into her powers because of her environment. Demeter is scary.

She's still living under restrictions, even though technically she has her mo..."

Yeah. (view spoiler)[The lack of worshippers also makes sense but I still think it was a lack of confidence. Although I also kind of wish Demeter had actually acted out on her threats. She was like
a phantom villain till she tried to keep Persephone in the green house at the end. (hide spoiler)]

***************************************************************
***************************************************************

RESTARTING JULY 28TH, 2022

*******************************************************************
*******************************************************************

Aly wrote: ""Let me worship you," he said.
She remembered the words she had whispered to him in the back of the limo after La Rose. "You will worship me, and I won't even have to order you." His request felt s..."

Starting this a few days early... :)

Ohhhh this is good, really good. I am getting Fifty Shades of Grey vibes!!

Can't wait to start! I'm starting The Deal tonight and will start after I read that one.

Ashlyn wrote: "Can't wait to start! I'm starting The Deal tonight and will start after I read that one."

I can't wait for you to read it. I'm about half way through and it's fantastic. I am going to have to run out to B&N to get the other two.

Books about forbidden love are some of my favorite because they have so much passion and tension in them that you can almost feel it yourself.

Through Chapter 14 I think? I'm not good w/roman numerals. LOL

I knew when he told that her contract was to create life that a baby was be what he was referring to, not creating a garden. Plus she is the Goddess of Spring and she can't get a garden or flower to grow?? Strange *insert thinking emoji here*

Through Chapter 15.

He is supposed to be hated and evil and deceitful and conniving and he loves her, I know he does and he is so protective over her but I'd get really mad if he teased me as much as he does her.

Through chapter 21.

This is probably by far the best book I've read this year. Finally, they finally gave into their desire for each other and dangggggg.. it got a little hot but I love it when I read a book and I can feel the tension and passion myself. I wonder if the terms of the contract that Hades wants Persephone to "create life in the Underworld" meant that Hades wanted an heir, not a garden?? Maybe?? I can't wait to read the rest of this series.

Done:

THIS WAS THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ THIS YEAR!! Hades and Persephone are fantastic together and I'm hoping the next book leads into a baby maybe??

I do not like her mother at all and when Persephone finally stands up to her, I couldn't help but cheer. Her turning Minthe into a mint plant was the icing on the cake. As for Adonis, he got what he deserved when they fired him. And who knew the Underworld could be so beautiful. I can't wait to read the second book.

I'm going to start this one next week. I haven't been feeling very good the past couple of days and I have two library books that I have to get to before they are due back.

I’m sorry you feel bad and I hope you get to feeling better soon. I can’t wait for you to read this one

Carrie wrote: "I’m sorry you feel bad and I hope you get to feeling better soon. I can’t wait for you to read this one"

Thank you!

Chapter 1 – 5 : (view spoiler)[mmmmm I don’t really think Hades meant garden when he said Persephone had to bring life to the underworld….he doesn’t even really seem to know that Persephone doesn’t have her mother’s power. Oh, her mother, so…controlling ugh. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 – 10 : (view spoiler)[hmm Hades warned Persephone to stay away from Adonis and now he’s lurking near her workspace, VERY suspiscious. She actually started working on the garden in the Underworld, I really thought it would be something *different* but oh well (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11 – 15 : (view spoiler)[Adonis is such a creep! So glad Hades appeared at the right time and saved Persephone. I am just a little annoyed that she doesn’t seem to try and understand him AT ALL, he does care about souls and isn’t just blindly binding them into contracts (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16 -20 : (view spoiler)[AAAHHH things got really hot there for a while, I just love it when I can feel all the angst and chemistry between the characters while reading. Also Persephone finally realized that Hades is good so YAYYY! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21 – 23 : (view spoiler)[I hate her mom, she wants to dictate every aspect of Persephone’s life and it hits too close to reality. Adonis is evil as well, I am kinda wishing Persephone and Hades both just go to the Underworld and have their HEA (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Hated the fact that Persephone believed Aphrodite so easily over Hades and didn’t even give him a chance to explain. It all seemed really fast paced then, her so readily acting on her feelings and finding herself with Hades. It made little sense to me. (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I loved this book and I can't wait to read the next!!

Chapter 1 - 6 (view spoiler)[I have mixed feeling right now. I like the enemies to lovers vibe, but I just think this is a little strange. I think Hades wants a child? But I'm not really sure yet why he needs her to make life. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7-12 (view spoiler)[I don't get why her mother is so controlling. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 13 - 19 (view spoiler)[I feel like nothing is happening. I going to assume that she will get pregnant and that is the life to fulfill her deal. And what's with her being a test with the Fates? (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[Well, I didn't love this one, but Persephone showing Hades how to bake was cute. (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Me too! The ending was too rushed.