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This Immortal Heart
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Expected 9 Jun 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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50 copies available
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The epic, captivating tale of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who must reconcile her mind and heart when she is drawn against all odds to Ares, the god of war, from the internationally bestselling author of Ariadne and Hera.
From the moment Aphrodite emerges fully formed from the sea, she is devastatingly beautiful and imbued with ancient power. Driven by passion yet strategic in how she moves through the halls of Olympus and the earthly realm alike, the free-willed goddess wields unparalleled influence over every living being.
When fate brings her face to face with Ares, she bristles at this surly, hot-tempered warrior who’s seemingly her disliked by everyone and devoted to stirring up conflict. Yet these gods are no more immune to the dizzying highs and lows of love and loss than anyone else, and soon, they are irresistibly drawn to one another.
As their love affair spans mortal lifetimes, Aphrodite begins to question the gods’ games and her role in them. But there’s only so much room for fire and passion in Zeus’s kingdom. Before long, she must test her devotion to her own divine purpose—and to a love that can only lead to ruin.
From the moment Aphrodite emerges fully formed from the sea, she is devastatingly beautiful and imbued with ancient power. Driven by passion yet strategic in how she moves through the halls of Olympus and the earthly realm alike, the free-willed goddess wields unparalleled influence over every living being.
When fate brings her face to face with Ares, she bristles at this surly, hot-tempered warrior who’s seemingly her disliked by everyone and devoted to stirring up conflict. Yet these gods are no more immune to the dizzying highs and lows of love and loss than anyone else, and soon, they are irresistibly drawn to one another.
As their love affair spans mortal lifetimes, Aphrodite begins to question the gods’ games and her role in them. But there’s only so much room for fire and passion in Zeus’s kingdom. Before long, she must test her devotion to her own divine purpose—and to a love that can only lead to ruin.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 9, 2026
About the author
Jennifer Saint
7 books7,367 followersJennifer Saint is a Sunday Times bestselling author. Her debut novel, ARIADNE, was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2021 and was a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards Fantasy category in 2021. Her second novel, ELEKTRA, comes out in 2022 and is another retelling of Greek mythology told in the voices of the women at the heart of the ancient legends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
੭୧ 3.5 stars . ۫
These last few months have been incredibly chaotic and honestly put me into such a reading slump, but oh my gosh… this book gave me everything I needed 😭
I surprisingly took my time reading this one and savoured every word. It was such a beautifully written and entertaining story. The romance felt gentle and fresh, and I adored every minute spent with Aphrodite and Ares together.
Of course, like all of Jennifer Saint's retellings, I really appreciated the feminist perspective woven throughout the story. The pacing was also perfect for me, and while the writing is simple, it still felt lush and captivating.
I will say I was not quite as invested in Part 3 or the larger conflicts between the gods. The love story was by far my favourite aspect, and honestly, I wish it had been even more of the focal point.
Overall though, this felt like such a lovely breath of fresh air, and I would definitely recommend!
“ You were my life, ” he says simply.
“ Always. ”
Thank you to Jennifer Saint and Ballantine for the ARC! This Immortal Heart releases June 9, 2026.
CW: death, violence
────
finished: 05/23/26 𖥻𓈒 ꒱ ੭
this was just what i needed right now!!
pre read: 05/21/26 𖥻𓈒 ꒱ ੭
i haven't read a greek mythology book in soo long, but after hearing this one is an aphrodite x ares retelling, i just had to pick it up asap! this looks like a great palate cleanser, which i desperately need right now bc i'm in a mini slump 😕
These last few months have been incredibly chaotic and honestly put me into such a reading slump, but oh my gosh… this book gave me everything I needed 😭
I surprisingly took my time reading this one and savoured every word. It was such a beautifully written and entertaining story. The romance felt gentle and fresh, and I adored every minute spent with Aphrodite and Ares together.
Of course, like all of Jennifer Saint's retellings, I really appreciated the feminist perspective woven throughout the story. The pacing was also perfect for me, and while the writing is simple, it still felt lush and captivating.
I will say I was not quite as invested in Part 3 or the larger conflicts between the gods. The love story was by far my favourite aspect, and honestly, I wish it had been even more of the focal point.
Overall though, this felt like such a lovely breath of fresh air, and I would definitely recommend!
“ You were my life, ” he says simply.
“ Always. ”
Thank you to Jennifer Saint and Ballantine for the ARC! This Immortal Heart releases June 9, 2026.
CW: death, violence
────
finished: 05/23/26 𖥻𓈒 ꒱ ੭
this was just what i needed right now!!
pre read: 05/21/26 𖥻𓈒 ꒱ ੭
i haven't read a greek mythology book in soo long, but after hearing this one is an aphrodite x ares retelling, i just had to pick it up asap! this looks like a great palate cleanser, which i desperately need right now bc i'm in a mini slump 😕
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jennifer Saint offers an ambitious reimagining of one of Greek mythology’s most complex goddesses, but ultimately This Immortal Heart feels uneven in its execution. While there are moments of insight, the narrative arc struggles to build tension or fully explore the implications of its own creative choices.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the characterisation of Aphrodite herself. Saint presents her as thoughtful and observant, and there are glimpses of a more introspective goddess beneath the familiar veneer of beauty and desire. However, Aphrodite often feels frustratingly passive. Despite being positioned as a powerful, ancient deity, she frequently reacts to events rather than shaping them, which undercuts the authority and agency the narrative seems to promise. This passivity is especially noticeable in her relationship with Ares. Ares feels underdeveloped, and the emotional foundation of their relationship feels thin. There is not enough build-up to make their connection compelling, which weakens what should be one of the most dynamic and charged relationships in Greek myth.
The retelling itself is extremely loose, and while reinterpretation is expected, the degree of deviation here often diminishes the story’s stakes. The marriage narrative is significantly altered, along with Hephaestus’s character. Galatea fleeing to Artemis’ forests and becoming her lover feels trite. Moreover, Eros is already born and has no father, rather than being fathered by Ares. These choices feel arbitrary rather than purposeful. Because the story selectively reshapes mythological elements without fully committing to the consequences of those changes, it becomes difficult to feel any real tension. The plot seems to pick and choose which myths to honour based on convenience, rather than using them to build a coherent internal logic.
The decision to make Aphrodite the daughter of Ouranos rather than Zeus is one of the more intriguing decisions, but it is not explored deeply enough. This origin should give Aphrodite a vastly different perspective from the Olympians—particularly given her references to being older than Ares and other gods. However, the calamity of her birth feels more like an afterthought than a defining aspect of her character. It rarely informs her decision-making or worldview in a meaningful way. Instead of delving into this unique perspective, the novel often falls back on extended sequences of plotting and name-dropping minor mythological figures—what readers have come to expect from Greek myth retellings, but without enough variation or emotional payoff to make them feel fresh. Without stronger character-driven tension or clearer thematic focus, these sections begin to feel repetitive.
Overall, while the novel has an interesting premise and a solid central character, it lacks narrative tension and emotional stakes. The looseness of the retelling, combined with underdeveloped relationships and missed opportunities for deeper character exploration, prevents the arc from fully realising its potential.
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily 📚.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the characterisation of Aphrodite herself. Saint presents her as thoughtful and observant, and there are glimpses of a more introspective goddess beneath the familiar veneer of beauty and desire. However, Aphrodite often feels frustratingly passive. Despite being positioned as a powerful, ancient deity, she frequently reacts to events rather than shaping them, which undercuts the authority and agency the narrative seems to promise. This passivity is especially noticeable in her relationship with Ares. Ares feels underdeveloped, and the emotional foundation of their relationship feels thin. There is not enough build-up to make their connection compelling, which weakens what should be one of the most dynamic and charged relationships in Greek myth.
The retelling itself is extremely loose, and while reinterpretation is expected, the degree of deviation here often diminishes the story’s stakes. The marriage narrative is significantly altered, along with Hephaestus’s character. Galatea fleeing to Artemis’ forests and becoming her lover feels trite. Moreover, Eros is already born and has no father, rather than being fathered by Ares. These choices feel arbitrary rather than purposeful. Because the story selectively reshapes mythological elements without fully committing to the consequences of those changes, it becomes difficult to feel any real tension. The plot seems to pick and choose which myths to honour based on convenience, rather than using them to build a coherent internal logic.
The decision to make Aphrodite the daughter of Ouranos rather than Zeus is one of the more intriguing decisions, but it is not explored deeply enough. This origin should give Aphrodite a vastly different perspective from the Olympians—particularly given her references to being older than Ares and other gods. However, the calamity of her birth feels more like an afterthought than a defining aspect of her character. It rarely informs her decision-making or worldview in a meaningful way. Instead of delving into this unique perspective, the novel often falls back on extended sequences of plotting and name-dropping minor mythological figures—what readers have come to expect from Greek myth retellings, but without enough variation or emotional payoff to make them feel fresh. Without stronger character-driven tension or clearer thematic focus, these sections begin to feel repetitive.
Overall, while the novel has an interesting premise and a solid central character, it lacks narrative tension and emotional stakes. The looseness of the retelling, combined with underdeveloped relationships and missed opportunities for deeper character exploration, prevents the arc from fully realising its potential.
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily 📚.
Want to Read
July 20, 2025Finally... Ares
April 17, 2026
4.5****
I really enjoyed this retelling!! This is probably my second favourite of Jennifer Saints (Ariadne will forever hold my heart).
I was so excited going into this book and I was not disappointed. This book is solely from the perspective of Aphrodite.
Jennifer’s take on Aphrodite was refreshing (and Ares too!!), it was so nice to see Aphrodite portrayed as a more gentle Goddess (I feel she is usually portrayed in Greek myth/retellings as very egotistical and a bit flighty). It showed her role as a goddess, the interactions with other gods, and how her and Ares come together. I especially enjoyed her love of mortals and her strong empathy skills.
I really loved reading Ares and Aphrodite together. The grumpy / dark and mysterious man and the goddess who seems his opposite in every way. How they are drawn together was beautiful. It was also great to see the character of Ares more fleshed out and a new perspective of him.
Jennifer writes in a beautiful lyrical way and her descriptions are so vivid that I had no issue imagining the beauty of some of the scenes.
Again, with her other retellings, the author seamlessly interweaves different Greek myths into the story. I was highly curious which myths Jennifer Saint would include in this retelling as Aphrodite in mentioned in a lot of them! And I was excited to uncover myths I had never heard of before.
Will I be buying this when it comes out? Absolutely!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC
I really enjoyed this retelling!! This is probably my second favourite of Jennifer Saints (Ariadne will forever hold my heart).
I was so excited going into this book and I was not disappointed. This book is solely from the perspective of Aphrodite.
Jennifer’s take on Aphrodite was refreshing (and Ares too!!), it was so nice to see Aphrodite portrayed as a more gentle Goddess (I feel she is usually portrayed in Greek myth/retellings as very egotistical and a bit flighty). It showed her role as a goddess, the interactions with other gods, and how her and Ares come together. I especially enjoyed her love of mortals and her strong empathy skills.
I really loved reading Ares and Aphrodite together. The grumpy / dark and mysterious man and the goddess who seems his opposite in every way. How they are drawn together was beautiful. It was also great to see the character of Ares more fleshed out and a new perspective of him.
Jennifer writes in a beautiful lyrical way and her descriptions are so vivid that I had no issue imagining the beauty of some of the scenes.
Again, with her other retellings, the author seamlessly interweaves different Greek myths into the story. I was highly curious which myths Jennifer Saint would include in this retelling as Aphrodite in mentioned in a lot of them! And I was excited to uncover myths I had never heard of before.
Will I be buying this when it comes out? Absolutely!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC
April 17, 2026
Thank you to the publishers for sending me an arc of this book!
3.5⭐️
I want to preface this by saying this is my first Greek mythology read and my first Jennifer saint book too. So I didn’t really know what to expect but I enjoyed it! Even though I don’t know the full lore about all the Greek gods, I enjoyed being introduced to them and other people we’ve all heard of before - Adonis, The Amazons etc
But I can’t comment on how accurate it is to the known mythological stories of Aphrodite out there as I’m unfamiliar.
The pacing was a little off and it felt like it was lots of little episodes but together rather than one full story. There also wasn’t much tension or build up at the end.
But I enjoyed the romance between the God of Love and the God of War and I did find myself not being able to put it down!
I will definitely be checking out Jennifer Saint’s other books because I love her writing!
3.5⭐️
I want to preface this by saying this is my first Greek mythology read and my first Jennifer saint book too. So I didn’t really know what to expect but I enjoyed it! Even though I don’t know the full lore about all the Greek gods, I enjoyed being introduced to them and other people we’ve all heard of before - Adonis, The Amazons etc
But I can’t comment on how accurate it is to the known mythological stories of Aphrodite out there as I’m unfamiliar.
The pacing was a little off and it felt like it was lots of little episodes but together rather than one full story. There also wasn’t much tension or build up at the end.
But I enjoyed the romance between the God of Love and the God of War and I did find myself not being able to put it down!
I will definitely be checking out Jennifer Saint’s other books because I love her writing!
February 10, 2026
This retelling was a breath of fresh air, I’m so happy Jennifer chose to write a gentle Aphrodite. Usually portrayed as haughty and self obsessed it was refreshing to see her reimagined as kind and somewhat naive.
Hephaestus usually surly and abrupt is shy and a little awkward where Ares is harsh and uncompromising.
I was a little sad to see Hera back to being typecast as jealous and quarrelsome again after loving her story so much, though it is Aphrodite’s POV so I suppose that’s fair. But guess what every retelling continues to agree on? Zeus is still a prick.
As for the story, the tension between Aphrodite and Ares in part one is nothing short of exquisite. The events leading to the inevitable marriage in part two were a great take on the story, in fact this felt like a retelling of a retelling exploring different motivations with softer eyes and I actually loved this version so much.
This was such an enjoyable read, I sped through it and I already can’t wait to see who gets the Saint treatment next. (Athena PLEASE) 🙏🏼
Hephaestus usually surly and abrupt is shy and a little awkward where Ares is harsh and uncompromising.
I was a little sad to see Hera back to being typecast as jealous and quarrelsome again after loving her story so much, though it is Aphrodite’s POV so I suppose that’s fair. But guess what every retelling continues to agree on? Zeus is still a prick.
As for the story, the tension between Aphrodite and Ares in part one is nothing short of exquisite. The events leading to the inevitable marriage in part two were a great take on the story, in fact this felt like a retelling of a retelling exploring different motivations with softer eyes and I actually loved this version so much.
This was such an enjoyable read, I sped through it and I already can’t wait to see who gets the Saint treatment next. (Athena PLEASE) 🙏🏼
February 26, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!
This Immortal Heart - Aphrodite’s novel was a fever dream set in the backdrop of the feuding Greek Gods. Rather than the often-portrayed flippant Goddess of Love, Jennifer Saint’s Aphrodite, is a Goddess who actually cares about the mundane affairs of her human worshippers and goes to great trouble to rectify errors she inadvertently fashioned. The tension between the God of War and the Goddess of Love was absolutely perfect, who knew that Ares was capable of such love?. What captivated me the most was her genuine friendship with Hephaestus and her entourage. Reading This Immortal Heart on the heels of completing Hera (which I also enjoyed immensely), I appreciate how little repetition there was of the events in the previous novel. It was also a sharp contrast in portraying how Aphrodite ‘managed’ Zeus and Poseidon with her wiles vs Hera’s vengeful wrath.
I am already looking forward to the next installment in Jennifer Saint’s World of Greek Mythology. This Immortal Heart is another dazzling jewel in her collection!
This Immortal Heart - Aphrodite’s novel was a fever dream set in the backdrop of the feuding Greek Gods. Rather than the often-portrayed flippant Goddess of Love, Jennifer Saint’s Aphrodite, is a Goddess who actually cares about the mundane affairs of her human worshippers and goes to great trouble to rectify errors she inadvertently fashioned. The tension between the God of War and the Goddess of Love was absolutely perfect, who knew that Ares was capable of such love?. What captivated me the most was her genuine friendship with Hephaestus and her entourage. Reading This Immortal Heart on the heels of completing Hera (which I also enjoyed immensely), I appreciate how little repetition there was of the events in the previous novel. It was also a sharp contrast in portraying how Aphrodite ‘managed’ Zeus and Poseidon with her wiles vs Hera’s vengeful wrath.
I am already looking forward to the next installment in Jennifer Saint’s World of Greek Mythology. This Immortal Heart is another dazzling jewel in her collection!
February 28, 2026
The first 100 pages were very slow to read. After that, it became enjoyable. 3.5⭐️
March 31, 2026
An incredible and beautiful retelling, with a fresh take on Aphrodite. Saint weaves this story with so much passion and complexity it grips you from the very start, and it’s a breath of fresh air to read a version of Aphrodite that is a stark contrast to how she is perceived in other retellings, more gentle and thoughtful. Forever grateful for the ARC and couldn’t recommend this book enough!
April 8, 2026
4.5/5 RTF
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
I am a huge Greek Mythology fan, and have read many tales spanning the Greek Gods and Goddesses and their stories, strifes, loves and losses, and when I saw the ARC for this, I jumped at the chance!
I absolutely devoured the story of Aphrodite, I knew about her marriage to Hephaestus, and her love affair (Is it really, though???) with Ares. What part didn't sit right with me was her utter despondence when things broke off with him. Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love, and she is known for her lovers. I guess being the Goddess of Love doesn't spare you from heartbreak, though, does it?
I also feel the story paints Hephaestus in a much lighter and fluffier light, from the tales it's a stark difference, but I can see what Saint was going for, wanting to keep the story light. In the true myth, their marriage is not so amicable or friendly, and ends quite badly. Regardless of this, I absolutely devoured this book. The story is vivid, the emotions are tangible and I just couldn't put it down for love nor money.
I love Saint's style of writing, and her ability to capture her audience and keep you hooked is second to none. Amazing, an easy 5 stars for this.
I am a huge Greek Mythology fan, and have read many tales spanning the Greek Gods and Goddesses and their stories, strifes, loves and losses, and when I saw the ARC for this, I jumped at the chance!
I absolutely devoured the story of Aphrodite, I knew about her marriage to Hephaestus, and her love affair (Is it really, though???) with Ares. What part didn't sit right with me was her utter despondence when things broke off with him. Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love, and she is known for her lovers. I guess being the Goddess of Love doesn't spare you from heartbreak, though, does it?
I also feel the story paints Hephaestus in a much lighter and fluffier light, from the tales it's a stark difference, but I can see what Saint was going for, wanting to keep the story light. In the true myth, their marriage is not so amicable or friendly, and ends quite badly. Regardless of this, I absolutely devoured this book. The story is vivid, the emotions are tangible and I just couldn't put it down for love nor money.
I love Saint's style of writing, and her ability to capture her audience and keep you hooked is second to none. Amazing, an easy 5 stars for this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Was so excited to read this after enjoying Ariadne but it was a miss for me. I did enjoy the interpersonal politics between the gods on Mount Olympus, but overall I think the plot struggled to build tension and lead to any kind of pay off for the reader, with the second half in particular feeling quite rushed.
This retelling veered too far from established myth for me, and too many characters and stories were added that didn't have an impact on the overall plot or on Aphrodite's arc. This made some parts begin to feel repetitive and formulaic.
I really wanted to love this, but Aphrodite's passivity and the lack of characterisation of the other gods left me feeling cold.
I'll still look forward to Jennifer Saint's future retellings but this one wasn't for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin/Viking for this eARC
This retelling veered too far from established myth for me, and too many characters and stories were added that didn't have an impact on the overall plot or on Aphrodite's arc. This made some parts begin to feel repetitive and formulaic.
I really wanted to love this, but Aphrodite's passivity and the lack of characterisation of the other gods left me feeling cold.
I'll still look forward to Jennifer Saint's future retellings but this one wasn't for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin/Viking for this eARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Once again Jennifer Saint enriches a story that we all know and love and makes something new and magical eminate from the pages (or in this instance, a screen).
I have been lucky enough to read the ARC copy of this book and it did not disappoint. We follow Aphrodite and her turmoilous love with the God of War. One cannot be without the other: Love and War, always at odds with eachother, but also living side-by-side harmoniously.
The story deviates between their love affair and stories that they become involved in, notably Aphrodite's marriage to Ares's brother, Hephaestus and how it effects them both. The self-proclaimed exile of Ares and the lives they create for themselves from the pieces of broken hearts. To when they realise it was all too much and they actually belong together.
There was passion (without the need for spicy scenes), there was humbleness, quiet laughter, so much content that it was impossible to put down and of course, love and war(s). Jennifer Saint clearly puts a lot of time and effort into her work and it shows on every page. She fills the pages with atmosphere, colour and imagination. She has a way with words that transports you to the point she is making. I have enjoyed this book as much as I hoped I would.
5⭐️
0 🌶
Fave quotes:
"Love is always the antidote to loss, the balm to any wound"
"If you didn't care so much, you wouldn't be the Goddess of Love". He takes a breath. "You wouldn't be the Goddess / love..."
"... he's appealing to my heart, it has already shrivelled to ashes in the furnace of my wrath".
"Hurt and grief are not the price of love; they are the testaments to its strength".
I have been lucky enough to read the ARC copy of this book and it did not disappoint. We follow Aphrodite and her turmoilous love with the God of War. One cannot be without the other: Love and War, always at odds with eachother, but also living side-by-side harmoniously.
The story deviates between their love affair and stories that they become involved in, notably Aphrodite's marriage to Ares's brother, Hephaestus and how it effects them both. The self-proclaimed exile of Ares and the lives they create for themselves from the pieces of broken hearts. To when they realise it was all too much and they actually belong together.
There was passion (without the need for spicy scenes), there was humbleness, quiet laughter, so much content that it was impossible to put down and of course, love and war(s). Jennifer Saint clearly puts a lot of time and effort into her work and it shows on every page. She fills the pages with atmosphere, colour and imagination. She has a way with words that transports you to the point she is making. I have enjoyed this book as much as I hoped I would.
5⭐️
0 🌶
Fave quotes:
"Love is always the antidote to loss, the balm to any wound"
"If you didn't care so much, you wouldn't be the Goddess of Love". He takes a breath. "You wouldn't be the Goddess / love..."
"... he's appealing to my heart, it has already shrivelled to ashes in the furnace of my wrath".
"Hurt and grief are not the price of love; they are the testaments to its strength".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2026
3.5 rounded up. I was unsure going into This Immortal Heart after really not liking Hera, but this feels like it was written by a completely different author (in a good way)!
This Immortal Heart takes a look at Aphrodite’s story — mainly her romance with Ares. Ares was as broody and morally grey as you’re typically MMC in modern Romantasy, which I loved. I also enjoyed watching Aphrodite grow and also confront double standards, both her own and those put on her.
The use of first person really made a difference compared to Hera, as did Saint’s decision to tackle a smaller range of myths. For comparison, a huge plotline of This Immortal Heart is maybe a chapter in Hera. This let Saint have more creative freedom with her story and helped me get more invested. If you are a mythology buff you’ll appreciate Saint’s ability to tackle similar storylines within her own novels from different angles using varying original mythology sourcing (the Author’s Note at the end is very interesting).
Read if…
- you like mythology (even if you didn’t like Hera)
- you enjoy a broody and morally grey MMC
Skip if…
- you want a strict retelling of Greek mythology (would have liked seeing Eros as her and Ares’ son)
- you dislike an occasionally passive FMC
Spice: 🌶️
Violence: 🗡️
*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
This Immortal Heart takes a look at Aphrodite’s story — mainly her romance with Ares. Ares was as broody and morally grey as you’re typically MMC in modern Romantasy, which I loved. I also enjoyed watching Aphrodite grow and also confront double standards, both her own and those put on her.
The use of first person really made a difference compared to Hera, as did Saint’s decision to tackle a smaller range of myths. For comparison, a huge plotline of This Immortal Heart is maybe a chapter in Hera. This let Saint have more creative freedom with her story and helped me get more invested. If you are a mythology buff you’ll appreciate Saint’s ability to tackle similar storylines within her own novels from different angles using varying original mythology sourcing (the Author’s Note at the end is very interesting).
Read if…
- you like mythology (even if you didn’t like Hera)
- you enjoy a broody and morally grey MMC
Skip if…
- you want a strict retelling of Greek mythology (would have liked seeing Eros as her and Ares’ son)
- you dislike an occasionally passive FMC
Spice: 🌶️
Violence: 🗡️
*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
May 23, 2026
As always I really enjoyed the latest book by Jennifer Saint, I’m not afraid to say I am a huge fan girl of all her books. This was a really interesting version of the Aphrodite and Ares story and a very different version, as Saint herself explains in the authors note after the events conclude. I loved the fully rounded out characterisation of these and other gods. No one dimensional archetypes here. Aphrodite so often depicted as selfish and single minded is a wonderfully feminist version of herself, the interlinked stories of mortals she comes across and helps all add to the interest. I loved her interactions with Eros and the pair of them oozed kindness and care towards mortals where it is so often portrayed otherwise. The Ares written here is deeply flawed but also sensitive, his loyalty to the females in his life is played out beautifully. Hera is shown in her usual aloof and detached manner here- a slight shock to the system after Saint’s treatment of her in the book of the same name. I loved this book and while the story lacked pace on occasion the characterisation and juxtaposition of ideals was wonderful. After reading so many novels set in Greek mythology I am always delighted when my preconceptions of the gods are challenged and my own views tested. Thought provoking and eye opening, this book certainly won my mortal heart. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
January 4, 2026
Saint writes so well about Greek mythology and with particular emphasis on the female perspective, a genre which has given us some great novels from the likes of Natalie Haynes, Pat Barker and my current favourite Claire North.
This book centres on Aphrodite (intriguing fact: this is the first of her books which does not have the central character’s name as its title) and particularly her relationship with Ares and Hephaestus.
The insights are interesting - Aphrodite is more excited and interested in the fate of mortals than her fellow gods. Events are based on established mythology and we meet well known characters like Pandora, Adonis, Eros and the Amazons within the narrative.
However, the central relationship isn’t fully convincing and events tend to be rather episodic. That doesn’t mean they’re any less entertaining though and it will be interesting to see which character becomes the focus in Saint’s next novel.
Athena is seen by Aphrodite as austere and one-dimensional so surely deserves an opportunity to present her own view of the world!
(I was given an advance copy in exchange for an honest review)
This book centres on Aphrodite (intriguing fact: this is the first of her books which does not have the central character’s name as its title) and particularly her relationship with Ares and Hephaestus.
The insights are interesting - Aphrodite is more excited and interested in the fate of mortals than her fellow gods. Events are based on established mythology and we meet well known characters like Pandora, Adonis, Eros and the Amazons within the narrative.
However, the central relationship isn’t fully convincing and events tend to be rather episodic. That doesn’t mean they’re any less entertaining though and it will be interesting to see which character becomes the focus in Saint’s next novel.
Athena is seen by Aphrodite as austere and one-dimensional so surely deserves an opportunity to present her own view of the world!
(I was given an advance copy in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This Immortal Heart
A Novel of Aphrodite by Jennifer Saint
Pub Date Jun 09 2026
This Immortal Heart is a book about Aphrodite and Ares. Told through Aphrodite's POV. I like Jennifer Saint's writing and have enjoyed a few of her books. I've never been academic about how I write reviews. If I enjoyed the book, it was entertaining, it flowed well, the characters weren't annoying, and I finished it without wanting to put it down; that's a win for me. This book is a 4-5 star read. I love mythology and retellings. Did I LOVE Aphrodite? Not really. She was her, and her nature made her behave and think in certain ways. I liked that her character made sense. She's the goddess of love. She's strong and loves her followers. This is a story about her, Ares, her followers, Hephestus, and the politics of the Olympian Gods. Zeus is, of course, the universal A-hole. There really is no way to spin that one to make him any different. Ares and Hephestus, I really liked. They were true to their nature. They both had a past that shaped them and put them on different paths. Which I suspect is all of us.
Reading as Aphrodite weaved through life and the politics of Olympian court life while staying true to her core was interesting. The story flowed well. It is not a long read. Well paced.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine | Ballantine Books, for this galley. I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own.
A Novel of Aphrodite by Jennifer Saint
Pub Date Jun 09 2026
This Immortal Heart is a book about Aphrodite and Ares. Told through Aphrodite's POV. I like Jennifer Saint's writing and have enjoyed a few of her books. I've never been academic about how I write reviews. If I enjoyed the book, it was entertaining, it flowed well, the characters weren't annoying, and I finished it without wanting to put it down; that's a win for me. This book is a 4-5 star read. I love mythology and retellings. Did I LOVE Aphrodite? Not really. She was her, and her nature made her behave and think in certain ways. I liked that her character made sense. She's the goddess of love. She's strong and loves her followers. This is a story about her, Ares, her followers, Hephestus, and the politics of the Olympian Gods. Zeus is, of course, the universal A-hole. There really is no way to spin that one to make him any different. Ares and Hephestus, I really liked. They were true to their nature. They both had a past that shaped them and put them on different paths. Which I suspect is all of us.
Reading as Aphrodite weaved through life and the politics of Olympian court life while staying true to her core was interesting. The story flowed well. It is not a long read. Well paced.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine | Ballantine Books, for this galley. I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own.
April 26, 2026
This is a review following the receipt of an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley.
Firstly, thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. This was a magnificent read, and I feel so lucky to have read it early! This was one of my most anticipated books of 2026 and it didn’t disappoint me at all.
I loved the angst, the action and the tension. Some depictions of Aphrodite have painted her in a more negative light, so it was also interesting to view her in another perspective.
Like all Greek mythology, what would it be without drama? I’d bring the popcorn every time Zeus appears on the page if I were you!
This was engaging from start to finish and has truly been a delight to read. Thank you so much!
Firstly, thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. This was a magnificent read, and I feel so lucky to have read it early! This was one of my most anticipated books of 2026 and it didn’t disappoint me at all.
I loved the angst, the action and the tension. Some depictions of Aphrodite have painted her in a more negative light, so it was also interesting to view her in another perspective.
Like all Greek mythology, what would it be without drama? I’d bring the popcorn every time Zeus appears on the page if I were you!
This was engaging from start to finish and has truly been a delight to read. Thank you so much!
January 6, 2026
I generally enjoy Greek myth retellings and I found this one interesting in its focus on Aphrodite and intra-Olympian politicking. The story lacked emotional resonance for me, however, and the character development felt a little flat. Maybe it’s too tall an order to make the gods of Mount Olympus relatable, but none of the main characters really came alive for me and so their trials and tribulations left me only mildly interested. The pacing also struck me as slightly off, with the Scythia portion of the story compressed right at the end despite the considerable narrative weight it was meant to hold, and the Adonis storyline being so brief as to have virtually no impact on the reader.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
May 12, 2026
4.5⭐️
*thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC*
I love a Greek retelling! I love the way Aphrodite was written in this tale, as a soft and powerful goddess with her own domain and goals. Is it always completely accurate to myth? No, but I don’t expect it to be. Also, Ares! Opposites attract, but are they really opposites? There is a lot of comparisons drawn between love and war and how similar they are in the end. The plot did seem to struggle at various points where the tension wasn’t as high as I was expecting, but ultimately the characters and beautiful prose pulled me through until the end.
*thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC*
I love a Greek retelling! I love the way Aphrodite was written in this tale, as a soft and powerful goddess with her own domain and goals. Is it always completely accurate to myth? No, but I don’t expect it to be. Also, Ares! Opposites attract, but are they really opposites? There is a lot of comparisons drawn between love and war and how similar they are in the end. The plot did seem to struggle at various points where the tension wasn’t as high as I was expecting, but ultimately the characters and beautiful prose pulled me through until the end.
February 23, 2026
This is a really beautiful retelling, I loved the prose and characterization. I knew a little bit about Aphrodite going into the book, specifically her relationship with Hephaestus, but didn’t know much at all about her and Ares. This portrayal of the intensity and longing in their relationship has such a great payoff.
The pacing felt a bit choppy at times, more like a bunch of shorter stories about Aphrodite melded into one. Despite the ending feeling a bit rushed, it was still satisfying. I couldn’t put this down!
The pacing felt a bit choppy at times, more like a bunch of shorter stories about Aphrodite melded into one. Despite the ending feeling a bit rushed, it was still satisfying. I couldn’t put this down!
April 4, 2026
Jennifer Saint has done it again! And I fear this may be my favourite so far - I absolutely devoured this story. I loved this gentle, soft version of Aphrodite and her view of the world. It was a beautiful romance, but still filled with the usual vengeful, angry gods and fascinating glimpses into other myths, like Pandora’s box. I’d highly recommend for fans of Greek mythology retellings, especially if you enjoy a truly poetic, yearning romance story as well. These two have my heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!
May 23, 2026
The love story that spans the ages is finally told in “This Immortal Heart.” I had heard of Aphrodite’s romance with Ares, but I didn’t know many of the details. Jennifer Saint lays out this compelling story, showing Aphrodite in a new light. She is one of the misunderstood goddesses from Greek mythology, and it was interesting to see her perspective. Love is one of the most powerful forces in life, and we see that theme at play in this novel.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Want to Read
December 23, 2025aphrodite and ares??? hell yes
Read
March 25, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
Read
February 4, 2026EARC LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO
April 25, 2026
The 1st and 3rd act of Saints retelling of Aphrodite and Ares love affair were excellent. However, the momentum really fell lax in the middle. As always, stellar character and settings writing, but the missing cherry on top in my opinion was a more fluid and tight plot. I will read this women’s grocery list at this point, always looking for her next bold and immersive recounts of Greek mythology!
May 9, 2026
3.5 stars had high hopes for this!
May 24, 2026
what happens when you put two strong minded gods in a room together? they inexplicably fall hard for each other, of course! in this heartrending retelling of aphrodite is reimagined as woman and goddess whose determination and fortitude outshines the mere convention of what we know her to be. i felt her frustration and triumph as she went through a journey in understanding her power and wielded it in what she thought was best. the politics of olympus were also such an entertaining landscape, giving life to the tug of war that surrounds aphrodite and ares' relationship.
the deep yearning of ares is unlike no other and his broody, dark moods complemented aprodite so well - i wanted to learn more about them and their inner world so much so this was such a page turner. i also loved that saint incorporated so many other stories from myth including iris, pygmalion and galatea and so many nods to how colorful these characters can complement the lives of immortal gods.
there were also tense moments that kept me on the edge of seat - especially when zeus was involved to showcase his cruelty to his own family. the book truly felt like a real testament to love and devotion among gods who are just as flawed as they are immortal, and they remind us time and again why we choose to look stories of god in life and in love :)
the deep yearning of ares is unlike no other and his broody, dark moods complemented aprodite so well - i wanted to learn more about them and their inner world so much so this was such a page turner. i also loved that saint incorporated so many other stories from myth including iris, pygmalion and galatea and so many nods to how colorful these characters can complement the lives of immortal gods.
there were also tense moments that kept me on the edge of seat - especially when zeus was involved to showcase his cruelty to his own family. the book truly felt like a real testament to love and devotion among gods who are just as flawed as they are immortal, and they remind us time and again why we choose to look stories of god in life and in love :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Actual Rating: 3.5
Greek mythology retellings are a definite favourite of mine and so far I've enjoyed everything that Jennifer Saint has penned. 'This Immortal Heart' is no different in the sense that I enjoyed it on the whole, although it did admittedly take me longer than usual to connect and my overall experience was more mixed throughout.
There are definite times when 'This Immortal Heart' shines and unsurprisingly many of them occur when Aphrodite is in, or meddling with, love. Anytime that she found herself drawn to a specific mortal and interfering with their love life I found myself hooked. It was eye opening to see some of her antics through her own eyes, rather than to hear about them from somebody else. Here you get to discover Aphrodite's motivations firsthand which was refreshing. I also especially loved the section when Adonis was around, the love and heart of those segments truly shone through, keeping me invested in the manner that I usually am with the authors work.
When it came to Aphrodite and Ares as a couple though my experience was more disjointed. The spark and pull between the two was undeniably there; the two Gods drawn to one another like magnets, powerless to one another's pull. There were some truly sensuous scenes involved too which were beautifully depicted. Yet I never really brought into their pairing on a more emotional level. The heat and attraction, the magnetic allure; yes, but the more meaningful bond beneath? Not so much. Which is such a shame as it understandably made my experience with this novel falter.
Earlier this year I read another title focused on Aphrodite and the depiction there truly blew me away. I made sure to leave a bit of time, and read a few different things, in between both books but I do think I couldn't help but compare the two depictions to some degree. Here Aphrodite is more sensual, which I appreciated, but at times I felt like she was missing that unearthly spark that made clear she was something beyond mortal. For some reason I wasn't entirely convinced by the depiction of Zeus and Eros here either; the first of which I find surprising as he's definitely featured in other books I've read by the author and I don't remember struggling with his depiction within any of those.
On the positive side of things though I quite like the angle that the author took when it comes to Hephaestus's character. There's one scene, perhaps, where his actions could use a little more explanation but on the whole I found it refreshing to see a softer side to this god who wants to fix what's wrong in the world.
There were a couple of other moments that stood out to me as noteworthy too. The effect that Aphrodite's own experiences with love can have on the wider world was such a clever inclusion and I was glued to the pages when the Amazons appeared on the page. Here's hoping they feature again in a future book by the author.
For me personally I have to say that it felt like this one took a bit of time to find its feet. It had plenty of moments that I loved throughout, but others that didn't quite click for me. I do wish we'd gotten to see a couple more instances of Aphrodite dealing with mortals' pleas of her. I also can't help but wish that we'd seen a couple more instances when she was in love, as it was at times like this when her character really shined.
Overall I recommend 'This Immortal Heart' although I have to say it's not my favourite title by the author. For me it took a while to find its way, although part of that could be my experience with another book focused on Aphrodite earlier this year. It has some interesting scenes and some clever inclusions, but I didn't feel like the gods always sparked quite as strongly as they tend to do within Jennifer Saint's books. It's still an interesting look at Greek Mythology though and I'll definitely still be keeping an eye out for whatever the author writes next.
Greek mythology retellings are a definite favourite of mine and so far I've enjoyed everything that Jennifer Saint has penned. 'This Immortal Heart' is no different in the sense that I enjoyed it on the whole, although it did admittedly take me longer than usual to connect and my overall experience was more mixed throughout.
There are definite times when 'This Immortal Heart' shines and unsurprisingly many of them occur when Aphrodite is in, or meddling with, love. Anytime that she found herself drawn to a specific mortal and interfering with their love life I found myself hooked. It was eye opening to see some of her antics through her own eyes, rather than to hear about them from somebody else. Here you get to discover Aphrodite's motivations firsthand which was refreshing. I also especially loved the section when Adonis was around, the love and heart of those segments truly shone through, keeping me invested in the manner that I usually am with the authors work.
When it came to Aphrodite and Ares as a couple though my experience was more disjointed. The spark and pull between the two was undeniably there; the two Gods drawn to one another like magnets, powerless to one another's pull. There were some truly sensuous scenes involved too which were beautifully depicted. Yet I never really brought into their pairing on a more emotional level. The heat and attraction, the magnetic allure; yes, but the more meaningful bond beneath? Not so much. Which is such a shame as it understandably made my experience with this novel falter.
Earlier this year I read another title focused on Aphrodite and the depiction there truly blew me away. I made sure to leave a bit of time, and read a few different things, in between both books but I do think I couldn't help but compare the two depictions to some degree. Here Aphrodite is more sensual, which I appreciated, but at times I felt like she was missing that unearthly spark that made clear she was something beyond mortal. For some reason I wasn't entirely convinced by the depiction of Zeus and Eros here either; the first of which I find surprising as he's definitely featured in other books I've read by the author and I don't remember struggling with his depiction within any of those.
On the positive side of things though I quite like the angle that the author took when it comes to Hephaestus's character. There's one scene, perhaps, where his actions could use a little more explanation but on the whole I found it refreshing to see a softer side to this god who wants to fix what's wrong in the world.
There were a couple of other moments that stood out to me as noteworthy too. The effect that Aphrodite's own experiences with love can have on the wider world was such a clever inclusion and I was glued to the pages when the Amazons appeared on the page. Here's hoping they feature again in a future book by the author.
For me personally I have to say that it felt like this one took a bit of time to find its feet. It had plenty of moments that I loved throughout, but others that didn't quite click for me. I do wish we'd gotten to see a couple more instances of Aphrodite dealing with mortals' pleas of her. I also can't help but wish that we'd seen a couple more instances when she was in love, as it was at times like this when her character really shined.
Overall I recommend 'This Immortal Heart' although I have to say it's not my favourite title by the author. For me it took a while to find its way, although part of that could be my experience with another book focused on Aphrodite earlier this year. It has some interesting scenes and some clever inclusions, but I didn't feel like the gods always sparked quite as strongly as they tend to do within Jennifer Saint's books. It's still an interesting look at Greek Mythology though and I'll definitely still be keeping an eye out for whatever the author writes next.
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