Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - A Touch of Ruin

I had to deduct a star because *fuck* Persephone is so much like a college freshman. You can tell this is her first relationship. But that's what makes it so juicy.

There is just so much to this book that I wouldn't have expected. Everything with Apollo (almost cried during his scene with his lover), meeting Leuce and learning more about her, the abduction, the proposal (s), the ending. It all intertwined beautifully for me. There were several times when I had to pull away from this book because it was just *so god damn good*. The love and passion Hades and Persephone share really, really touches my heart.

The author's note mentions learning more about Hades' life in the Upperworld and what he does. I am very excited for this because I just want to slurp up every piece of lore I can get about Hades. He loves so beautifully and fiercely, and I *need* to know what makes him tick.

There are some very prominent characters we have yet to meet. Where does Zeus stand in all of this? Poseidon? What's going on with Aphrodite? So many questions, so few answers.

Please make sure to read content warnings for this book. It'll make it easier.

Content Warnings

zc2's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I felt as though Persephone was always trying to retaliate against Hades and that part kinda got old. I was entirely shocked with the whole Lexa situation that was something else. I didn’t like Mr janitor guy from the beginning and didn’t know where his character was going. I’m still not the biggest fan of Luice though like when Antoni was like once a traitor always a traitor I was on edge from that point forward.

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maddysoup's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

very mild spoilers.…

holy shit persephone was so fucking aggravating for 60% of this book and it really took me out. miss girl was really out here getting mad at hades for not caring about what she was going through when she refused to tell him what she was going through!!! make that make sense!!!!!! ALSO the way persephone treated lexa while she was in the hospital (( pre-meeting w apollo,,,don’t even get me STARTED on that)) was giving terrible friend vibes. i know if any of my best friends were in the hospital like she was i would have never left to begin w. maybe just mAybe that’s me projecting but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

on to the stuff i liked:

even tho persephone was a PAIN IN THE ASS for the majority of the book she did have some growth so good for her. and mr. god of the underworld and dead and rich and xyz yadda yadda yadda HADES…this man…oh my god…he slays both literally and in my heart

in conclusion: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Content Warnings

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

While I hate the miscommunication trope especially in romance novels, this one is less annoying than most. Maybe it’s because the characters are more stubborn than scared or maybe it’s because they are likeable in other ways or maybe the sex scenes make up for the parts when both Persephone and Hades are being dumb. This story is pretty and the love these two gods have for each other is sweet and sexy. I love that Hades’ worships Persephone and in turn helps her build her powers. That’s such a beautiful metaphor for feminine power through male support and adoration. I can’t wait to start the last book!

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