Reviews

Snake in the Grass by Staci Hart

jasmyn9's review

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5.0

This is the second book in the Good Gods series by Staci Hart - I highly recommend reading the first book, Deer in Headlights (also a top bite) first - you can find my review HERE.

After winning round one of her challenge, Aphrodite is all set for round two - even if it is against Ares, her "I love you- I hate you" friend. This time Ares has chosen his player well, and Aphrodite is a little worried at first - until she realizes the siblings are a love match as well. What could be better than beating Ares with a two-for-one! Ares isn't sure how he wants to play this round. On one hand, the god of war can't stand being defeated. On the other, he would do anything to make Aphrodite his forever - even throw the game by not using his most valuable card.

Meanwhile, back on earth, the players of this great game are set for action. Kat and Dillon are two of the most angry characters I've ever seen - and they're perfect for each other. But only if they can cool their tempers long enough to say a civil word to each other. Kat hates men - especially after what happened with her sister's, Kiki, ex-boyfriend (cant give too much away here). She is determined to keep her sister, and herself, man-free for as long as she can. Moving over to Dillon and Owen - Dillon has been his brother's protector for as long as he can remember. Dillon knows that his uncontrollable temper means no love life for him - and he's determined to keep Owen from being hurt by falling for the wrong girl as well. Both sets siblings are a study opposites that was very comical at times. I love Staci Hart's sense of humor when it comes to writing about her humans.

Back in the realm of the gods - Aphrodite is starting to unravel an ancient mystery that involves Ares and Apollo, and she's not liking the way it looks. While she struggles to find a happily ever after for all her players, she realizes she may have just lost hers. The mythology was spot on again, and helped to tie the complicated lives of the gods together in a wonderful ball of tangled yarn. As Aphrodite tries to untangel part of her thread, she may be distracted just enough not to notice the danger her players are about to encounter - danger that could not only cost Aphrodite the game, but the humans their lives.

Another amazing book by Staci Hart. I very rarely love sophomore books in a series as much as I liked the first book - this is one of the very few exceptions. It was the perfect follow-up and I really want to see what happens in round 3.

jasminepnwgirl's review

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5.0

Staci Hart does not disappoint, and let me tell you why!

Dita, may not be perfect...she has made mistakes. And finally something "may" come back from her past, and ruin her life completely. If you have read Deer in Headlights, you found out that the Gods and Goddesses, like to bet against Dita, that she cannot get 2 humans to fall in love with each other. Well, Ares wants to place his own bet against Dita....Does Dita Win? Will Ares Win? Will things ever be the same again? Can Dita and Ares fight the urge?

Kat and Dillon, are the 2 humans who are caught in this game. You have Kat, who is not your typical all American girl, she is a drag racer and Dillon is a boxer, he has never lost a match. When these two meet, it does not go very well.....

Kat and Dillon will do anything to protect their siblings, even if that means that they have to put their lives on hold. Even though their lives are not perfect, and both has had a very rough start in life. They both seem to have a connection with each other.

limabean74's review

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5.0

This may contain very minor spoilers the end and major events were left out of the review

Ok, where do I start? I received an advanced copy of this book to give an honest review because Staci Hart is my favorite person EVER!!

So let me be completely honest

I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK BEYOND WORDS.

One of my favorite books this year. WOW the emotions that this book makes you feel, is overwhelming and completely awesome. Books that make you want to throw them across the room because you get so angry at the characters = an AMAZINGLY AWESOME READ!!!

Lets start at the beginning....

You will be happy to get a glimpse at what Lex and Dean are up to since we last left them. It’s not to long but just enough to make you want to read the first book all over again Hahaha

Ok so in the book we have a new competition with new players. This time Dita goes against Ares (that handsome god of war) and both pick players with some major issues. All your favorite gods are back and you get to hang out with a few that weren’t or had small parts in the first book. The chemistry between Dita and Ares is HOT. They have a few SEXY moments that I may or may not have read twice…. Seriously that HOT ;) They both have such a strong history together and with Adonis out of the way (Because Dita gave Apollo Daphane back) Ares finally has his shot with Dita and this time he plans to make her his forever…. Obsessive? Like scary stalker, do-anything-to-get-the-person-I-want-kind-of-obsessive (still kind of makes him hot in a crazy obsessive person way) ;) Dita is also trying to find out the real story of who killed Adonis and with the help of Perry and a few others she learns the truth but she also realizes something about Adonis. (No I’m not going to tell you) which cause a series of events that will truly break your heart and by the end bring you to tears. I actually can’t think about it because it makes me want to cry.

(Well, thanks, guess whose crying again, damn it)

**grab’s tissues, takes deep breath, release**

OK…

This time the players are Kat and Dillon and OMG do they have issues. They both come from completely different backgrounds, Dillon’s backstory is heartbreaking and Kat’s is a pretty average childhood (sort of) but they are both stubborn, hot headed and truly dedicated to their younger sibling going above and beyond to protect them. There is so much emotion between both of these characters that one minute you want to mush their faces, the next minute you are so happy and the next minute you want to throw the book then grab it again, apologize and find out what happens next. I had a few moments with Kat, that I was ripping my hair out she drove me crazy how she kept stuff to herself. At some one point I was screaming for her to PICK UP THE PHONE!!!!

Kat left Vegas to get away from her sister Kiki’s ex boyfriend who is an abusive jerk. Which brings them to NY were they go into hiding. They meet Owen and Dillon at the bar the girls work at. Kiki falls instantly for Owen and you can feel the sparks between Kat and Dillon but they are so hostile towards each other at first, kind of guarded trying to protect there younger siblings. As Kat feels herself getting closer to Dillon she is scared that she will let her guard down and Kiki’s ex will find them. How can she keep her sister safe if Dillon and her feeling for him distract her?

Any book that can make you feel the emotions of each character and have your heartbreak with them or worry that things will go wrong for them is a great read.

I love how the stories all mesh together and you can see a bit of Kat and Dillon’s story project in Ares and Ditas. It’s hard to explain without giving too much away,

You really must read the book!!! I have given you just a glimpse at what is going on there is so much more!!!!!

Staci Hart really knows how to tell a story with great detail. I loved the flashbacks; just like the first book they add so much to the story. They were just as interesting to read as the actually present day storyline.

Hanging with the Gods again was like joining a group of friend at a reunion. It was so great to catch up on what has been going on and hear about things that went on in the past.

I can’t express enough how much I love this series and how strongly I feel that you should read them. You will not be disappointed. Yet again Staci did an amazing job bringing the lives of the Greek gods and the players to life. I will miss them. Can’t wait for the next one.

nogenreleftbehind's review

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5.0

This is the second book in the Good Gods series by Staci Hart - I highly recommend reading the first book, Deer in Headlights (also a top bite) first - you can find my review HERE.

After winning round one of her challenge, Aphrodite is all set for round two - even if it is against Ares, her "I love you- I hate you" friend. This time Ares has chosen his player well, and Aphrodite is a little worried at first - until she realizes the siblings are a love match as well. What could be better than beating Ares with a two-for-one! Ares isn't sure how he wants to play this round. On one hand, the god of war can't stand being defeated. On the other, he would do anything to make Aphrodite his forever - even throw the game by not using his most valuable card.

Meanwhile, back on earth, the players of this great game are set for action. Kat and Dillon are two of the most angry characters I've ever seen - and they're perfect for each other. But only if they can cool their tempers long enough to say a civil word to each other. Kat hates men - especially after what happened with her sister's, Kiki, ex-boyfriend (cant give too much away here). She is determined to keep her sister, and herself, man-free for as long as she can. Moving over to Dillon and Owen - Dillon has been his brother's protector for as long as he can remember. Dillon knows that his uncontrollable temper means no love life for him - and he's determined to keep Owen from being hurt by falling for the wrong girl as well. Both sets siblings are a study opposites that was very comical at times. I love Staci Hart's sense of humor when it comes to writing about her humans.

Back in the realm of the gods - Aphrodite is starting to unravel an ancient mystery that involves Ares and Apollo, and she's not liking the way it looks. While she struggles to find a happily ever after for all her players, she realizes she may have just lost hers. The mythology was spot on again, and helped to tie the complicated lives of the gods together in a wonderful ball of tangled yarn. As Aphrodite tries to untangel part of her thread, she may be distracted just enough not to notice the danger her players are about to encounter - danger that could not only cost Aphrodite the game, but the humans their lives.

Another amazing book by Staci Hart. I very rarely love sophomore books in a series as much as I liked the first book - this is one of the very few exceptions. It was the perfect follow-up and I really want to see what happens in round 3.

elyse_rn's review

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5.0

It's time for round two with the Gods! And in the words of Staci Hart herself it's panty ripping! After Dita beats Apollo in the last game and Lex & Dean are living out their life happily together - it's time to face Ares. The God of War, and the God you love to hate. He's sexy, arrogant, and he'll do anything to win even if it costs the lives of Dita's new player Kat and her sister Kiki. Ares has chosen a fighter with a temper to match his own - but Dillon will not risk hurting a girl he cares about. So how on earth is Kat going to get close enough to Dillon for the two of them to fall in love? This may make Dita's winning a little harder than she had hoped.

Wow, this book was even better than the first! This book was full of so much emotion. DEM FEELS! Both Kat and Dillon weren't perfect characters, which is one of the things I loved about them. They fought, and argued, they both had skeletons and baggage, they were real. And my Gods! The Gods, Staci never ceases to amaze me with how much she updates them to make them current with the times; while staying true to their personalities and characteristics from Greek Mythology. Dita and Perry are by far my favorites, they are best friends and girlfriends to boot- and act just like 20 something year old girls do. Hilarity ensues whenever they are together.

I highlighted the crap out of my eBook copy of Snake in the Grass, Staci just has a way with words. To describe a scene so thoroughly you're entranced and feel like you're living it. "For the first time, she had something real in her grasp before it slipped through her fingers. The loss of that was so great that it was acid on top of her physical fear of him, burning through her heart, tearing holes and rips in the tissue that she didn't know could be repaired." - Kat. I mean WHAT?! Staci cannot have the next book in the series in my hands fast enough. This is a fantastic series, and I can't wait for more.

liferhi_inspired's review

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5.0

While I enjoyed the first Good Gods book, I LOVED this one. There story was great and there were several things that occured but the author kept you on the seat of you chair trying to figure oit how exactly those things would unfold. I'm dying to get my hands on the next book in the series. This will be one of my "to follow" series.

katrinamarie's review

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4.0

Staci Hart has a magnificent way of showing love in all of its forms. She also has a unique way of bringing difficult issues, such as abuse, to light. Snake in the Grass is a rollercoaster of emotions.

Kat is a tough character. She’s never felt the need to be coddled. This could be because she’s an older child, but she has always shown a level of leadership. Kat is rough around the edges, and finds it hard to let others in. I liked seeing her grow throughout the book. She accepts that she has faults and wants to improve herself. Dillon is another hardcore character. He’s a fighter, and thinks that is the only way he can deal with his anger issues. He fears becoming a monster, and doesn’t think he is worthy of a relationship. Ares and Aphrodite also have a lot to learn about themselves. Dita knows that Ares is bad for her, but she can’t resist him. Through the events of the competition she learns a lot about the past. Dita just wants answers to questions that have plagued her for eons.

I love how the scenes go back and forth between multiple perspectives. We are able to see what’s going on with each character. There are moments that you are clenching your teeth because you just can’t believe what the characters are doing to each other, and themselves. Then we have the times where we are trying to hold our tears in because of the injustices done. Dita’s quest for the truth is the most heartbreaking. She knows deep down that something isn’t right, but doesn’t really want to believe it.

Snake in the Grass is a book that will have you going through all the feels. Make sure to have tissues handy because the ending is brutal. I could not stop crying!

fryemomma05's review

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5.0

This book is just WOW!!!! Staci Hart has pulled it off again! Shift is such an amazing story that will pull you in and spit you out! I am addicted to this series and I need more!!!!

addyrunes's review

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4.0

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The stakes are higher for Dita as the next round of Love Connection is on against her long time enemy/lover Ares, the God of War. Ares is overly confident and takes what he wants and there is nothing else that he wants than Dita.

The players chosen for this round are Dillon and Kat, who are both very guarded and protective individuals. When they met there is an immediate attraction, but they are scarred after years of loneliness and the need to be strong to let their feelings get in the way of their lifetime goals. But love is love and Aphrodite is determined to win this next round and have Kat and Dillon find solace within one another.

I truly enjoyed this sequel! The premise was the same as in Deer In Headlights, but it was different in many ways involving the characters. We get to see the dysfunctional relationship between Ares and Aphrodite 10x more than we had already known. It was hot, to say the least. All the sexual tension between them would surely start a wildfire. I absolutely loved the flashbacks. It adds insight and is a great way for the reader to have an in-depth realization of the characters.

Then there are Kat and Dillon, who are both loyal and fiercely protective of their siblings. Dillon grew up in an environment where fighting was the only way to protect oneself. He lived in an abusive household where his father was a volatile drunk. Dillon’s father killed his wife and took out his anger on his sons. That kind of turmoil would affect anyone and it certainly affects Dillon. He fears getting close to someone because he doesn’t want to be his father. Hart writes Dillon’s emotions really well. It’s raw and real and made my heart constrict a little. There were times where I just whispered, “No, Dillon,” because I didn’t like the way he was thinking and feel genuinely sad for him.

Kat, on the other hand, is sort of the complete opposite of Dillon. Kat is a badass. She’s a tough girl who doesn’t take bulls*** from anyone. Just as Dillon, Kat is fiercely protective of her sister. Family means everything to Kat, it’s all she has left and nothing will get in the way of her sister’s safety (physical and emotional). Her weakness becomes Dillon as his becomes Kat. In a way, they soften each other and shed the years of wariness they have. I liked that there was an incredible amount of family values in this installment. It was a theme and I do love themes!

Overall, this second installment was AH-MAZING! It exceeded all expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Just as the first book, Snake In The Grass was a unique and fresh take on Greek Mythology. If you love Greek Mythology and don’t mind a modernization twist, then this book is definitely for you!

jpgrina's review

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4.0

I finally finished this and my gosh, so much trouble in love islandー the humans have it, even the gods themselves have it.

That ending was sad... but I'm glad Aphrodite made her decision because honestly, that kind of relationship feels like going nowhere.
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