Review: Dark Restraint by Katee Robert

The princess of the enemy finds herself running with romance on her heels.

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@shereadsbooks.sometimes

Dates read: 17/12/25 to 29/12/25

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Word to describe: shrugs

Genre: Greek Myth Retelling, Fantasy Romance

You guys know that my love for Greek Mythology is at an all time high with this series so much that my entire favourite name list of filled with Greek Goddesses (thanks Katee Robert). In a continuation of the legendary Dark Olympus series - book 7 (!!) as if I've read that many! we have a nice little filler book. Whilst technically its another romance the main plot I am interested in is the barrier, the war, pending doom, all the good stuff.

In Dark Restraint we are yet again introduced to the naive princess Ariadne and her dysfunctional family. In the previous books we have seen her hiding in her room from her dad, being disgusted by her former brothers, and becoming acquainted with Hades' own sister in law. The latter has given her an outing she so desperately needs to escape her family, and The Minotaur when a rushed sexual encounter leaves a gift she does not want .

Nothing says true love like a quick shag.

Ariadne and The Minotaur have held lover for each other and in a hastened act seal their attraction by banging in the garden (classy folks) which leaves Ariadne pregnant and desperate to run away. True love is not an option when you're vaguely related, it is Greek Mythology after all and blurred incest was kinda a big thing. We also have a male run household and society, of course an abortion is gonna be touchy subject when her own dad believes her only worth is her ability to marry and breed with the next available rich guy - don't blame me that's literally a rewrite of Ariadne's internal monologue. So it's give me a child and death or freedom and mental anguish. Yikes.

Fearing death, displacement, and abuse Ariadne runs away to the underworld seeking out her newfound friendship in exchange for the side plot of information. In her efforts to escape the only way she can be offered salvation is through an arranged marriage with eligible bachelor no.1 Dionysus and quite possibly the cutest platonic friendship to ever come out of this series. Yay Dionysus for being the perfect gent and husband. I actually loved this dynamic and since Dionysus is one of my favourite side characters I thought it was sweet to see more of him in this book. Now I wish he ends up with a better romance, but I will settle for a platonic marriage with plenty of side ass.

Of course nothing is ever easy, her father is set on ruining her life and how better to do it than have her own lover Minotaur after her head. Will he or won't he? No key spoilers today folks.

Dark Restraint is an easy read, the characters are predictable and the only thing you really need to enjoy this is six books worth of heavy backstory to get the politics. That being said, it does have a heavy focus on what's next and we know all will be revealed in book 8.