Filthy Gods (American Gods, #0.5)

by R Scarlett

[stacey_is_sassy]

Protection, connections, success...

***4.5 Stars***

I started Filthy Gods with a plan in mind. Only like the story if the heroine was strong, the hero wasn't a complete douchewaffle and if money wasn't the only thing making them "Gods". Well, I admit, I liked the story and I sorta...kinda got everything I hoped for.

Juliette was strong but she had her vulnerabilities. Her moral compass took a bit of a battering but she didn't slip to a level where her decisions weighed heavy on her conscience. Juliette's strength was in her determination to make something of herself and worked hard to get it. Her determination led to her studying instead of partying. Her focus was to stay under the radar, work hard and keeps her marks up. Juliette knows that her success will only be achieved if she's at the top of her class. The only problem is, there's a God one step ahead of her.

Nathaniel is protected, connected and guaranteed success. His status as a God is because he's protected by family money, connected to powerful people and his success is guaranteed because the God's demand it. These Gods...American Gods, are boys that came together from a tragedy, formed a bond and grew up to support each other. Their code of ethics is questionable and I'm pretty sure they will do whatever is necessary to protect, connect and guarantee their own success.

The sorta kinda liked Filthy Gods is because while Juliette was strong she also willingly put her dreams and ambitions in jeopardy. You and I both know that romance stories are meant for you to put aside common sense when it comes to love. It's just that I can't turn my brain off completely. It just seems unrealistic that someone who has had a passion spanning years can just turn it off for a bit of somethin...somethin.

I sorta kinda think Nathaniel was a douchewaffle but not when it comes to Juliette. Sure, he tried to make me believe that he's a heartless, inconsiderate and self-absorbed jerk, but, I saw through it. Turns out I can handle his douchewaffle status as long as he gives me the sigh-worthy lovey-dovey devotion to Juliette.

Money does make the world turn round BUT it won't get you protection, connection and success unless you have a brain too. Now, I sorta kinda like that it was obvious that the "Gods" had brains and their success wasn't just based on money.

So, I really enjoyed Filthy Gods. Sure, my eye got twitchy but that had more to do with my aversion to NA dramatics. Overall, the good stuff outweighed the bad stuff. I managed to get by the nastiness, hormonal shenanigans and it's all about *ME* mentality, that normally sends me screaming for the hills. This proved that R. Scarlett has skills...MAD SKILLS!! She's on my radar and I will definitely be looking to go on in the series. SUCCESS!!