*I received a free copy of The Rose from Harlequin MIRA via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
The Rose by Tiffany Reisz Series: The Red #2
Published by Harlequin MIRA on 16 April 2019
Genres: Adult, Erotica, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
On the day of Lia’s university graduation party, her parents—wealthy art collectors with friends in high places—gift her a beautiful wine cup, a rare artifact decorated with roses. It’s a stunning gift, and one that August Bowman, a friend of her parents and a guest at Lia’s party, also has his eye on. The cup, August tells her, is known as the Rose kylix, and it’s no ordinary cup. It was used in the temple ceremonies of Eros, Greek god of erotic love, and has the power to bring the most intimate sexual fantasies to life.
But Lia is skeptical of August’s claims of the cup’s mythology and magic—after all, he’s a collector himself, and she suspects he just wants to get his hands on this impressive piece of art. So he dares her to try it for herself, and when Lia drinks from the Rose kylix she is suddenly immersed in an erotic myth so vivid it seems real—as though she’s living out the most sensual fantasy with August by her side…
Realizing the true power of this ancient and dangerous relic, Lia is even more wary of giving it up, though August insists it is only safe with him. He’s willing to pay the full value of the cup, but Lia has another type of trade in mind. One that finds them more tangled up in each other—and in fantasy—than either was prepared for.
The Rose is a beautiful erotic mix of Greek mythology, a fairytale and a romance. Reisz just enchants her readers, and that was even more the case with this story.
With her talents as a storyteller, Reisz brought on the next level with The Rose. Both Lia and August were characters that made me curious – and I wanted them to get to know each other better. With the kylix, and traveling to different worlds to have hot sex, it was even better.
The Rose wove the Greek mythology elements together with Lia and August so nicely, and I could believe that the kylix actually worked. I think I was a believer faster than Lia was. I also found myself nodding quite often with things either Lia or Mona would say. Especially when discussing the women in Greek mythology. Those who were taken by Greek Gods – and were included in the mythology in many ways. How some women were not depicted in art because they made the mortal men look bad, for example.
There were many things I loved in The Rose, but I don’t know how to share something about them without spoiling anything, so please, just trust me. Get the book on release date, lay back, and enjoy 😉
“I have a gift for you.” He offered her a box wrapped in plain brown paper and twine. Lia saw her mother flashing her the old side-eye. Lia ignored it. “You didn’t have to bring me anything,” she said. “I have everything I want or need.”
“But you don’t have this,” he said, and there it was again – that winking smile, that smiling wink.
You will hear colors and smell sounds.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
This does sound rather magical in a hot, intense sort of way. 🙂
It was fantastic, Sophia! Reisz is a wordsmith of the highest order, and her stories always bring me the feels 🙂
Cover is,beautiful. Love the color of her dress. Sounds so different and I interesting.
Most of Reisz’ novels are a bit different in some ways. Her originality, and her amazing writing skills bring me to pick up her books each time there’s a new release 🙂
Tiffany Reisz does do quite a good erotic romance kind of thing, read Red totally love it ( Think it’s called Red)
She sure does, Ailyn! And this is set loosely in the same universe as The Red 🙂
Oh. Interesting, I am very intrigued and interested. The Red was good
Well I do know how much I love Reisz’s writing and I’m a fan of Greek mythology as well as, um *ahem*, erotic romance. LOL So you know I’ll be picking up this one. And when I return from Europe, I’m seriously taking a month to binge on Reisz!! Glad you loved this one, wifey!
{{{big hugs}}}
LOL Wifey! Yes, I do know all of that 🙂 I can’t wait to see how much you’ll love everything Reisz if you manage to binge on her books for a month! You have to be careful so you don’t get withdrawals 😉
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
I am glad you enjoyed this one. I love her mystery/suspense books.
It was awesome! And there was a little bit of mystery, here too. I am in love with her writing style and her characters, for real!
I’m glad you enjoyed this book so much. I don’t know if it’s for me, but I do think it sounds interesting. That cover sure is eye-catching!
Yeah, I’m not 100% sure you’d enjoy this one as much as I did, Maureen! But you could pick up The Lucky Ones by this author. That one’s a mystery that spans over a rather long time 🙂 Then you can enjoy her beautiful writing!
I really need to finally read a bok by Reisz. I have had them on my TBR forever. This sounds great too.
I was a little afraid when I picked up her first Original Sinners book, Grace. Because I thought I’d be creeped out by the BDSM parts of the story. However, the characters, the story, the writing, and the setting all made my soul sing!
I love seeing mythology in romance and I am really excited to pick this one up. Definitely sounds like something I would really enjoy. Thanks for sharing such a stellar review.
It was so well done, Renée! I hope you’ll be able to pick it up when it releases 🙂
Wonderful review – sounds like just the thing when I’m in the mood for magical, erotic romance. Anne – Books of My Heart
I hope that will be soon, Anne 🙂 It’s out next month, and it was so well done 🙂
Twitter: nadz1809
You had me at Greek mythology.
*fist pump*
Twitter: limabean74
Ok so I skimmed it when I realized it was a book two but Greek mythology? Yes please! 🙂
Tiffany Reisz can do no wrong, really. Her writing is amazing. I am all for Greek mythology being involved in any way because that mythology is one I know a lot about because I researched it as it interests me so much. Seeing it in books always makes me happy ^.^
Twitter: Mlsimmons
Oh, I hope this gets picked up for audio. like The Red. I loved that book so much. Hell, I love all of Reisz’s books. I will read this one if it isn’t available on audio. Great review.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart