This book made me feel like I need therapy (more than I already do). It was fine overall but I found the characters really whiny and annoying and in no world did this book need to be over 500 pages.


Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!

I kept seeing this book all over tiktok so was excited to get a copy from netgalley. I would probably put this book in the taboo category since it involves a step uncle and cousins. I had to remind myself a few times not to get hung up and the family aspect/dynamic. Overlooking that, I think the story was enjoyable. There are a lot of different things going on at the same time. The female lead was neglected by her parents, one of the cousins doesn't speak. All these little elements created intrigue and I was curious to learn more about the characters.

This book is like no other that you'll ever read.

It's spicy. It's taboo. It's amazing.

Tiernan is staying with her step uncle and his two sons, and the lines begin to blur as she wants them and they want her. I loved this book. I loved the drama, the spice, the everything. It was a fun read, and I love fun, entertaining reads.

I def recommend this one!

I don't really know how to feel about this one. It was okay, but there was a lot of problematic things going on. Really none of the guys were a good option for Tiernan, they were all toxic. What really blows my mind is that out of all the guys, she chooses Kaleb, after he assaults her multiple times, spits on her, and treats her horribly. I didn't like him AT ALL. He wasn't a great person. So I wasn't invested in them, and I didn't route of them. Did he have childhood trauma, yes. Did I feel bad for him, yes. However it didn't excuse how he treated Tiernan. He needed therapy, and in all honesty all the characters did, because how everyone treated each other and expressed what they thought love was, was very toxic. If I had to pick someone for Tiernan to end up with it would have been Noah, he was the least problematic. But I think she should have worked on herself and stayed alone, until she met someone who actually treated her right. The ending was decent, and everything wrapped up nicely. But overall this novel was a little too long, and it wasn't super memorable. I loved Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas, so I was a little disappointed in this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m really backed up on some of my ARC’s, so my apologies for not getting through these sooner. This story is a 5 plus level for spice, with a heartbreaking message at its core. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters and while the situations they found themselves in snowed in a cabin in the woods weren’t at all wholesome or what I would consider romance, it worked for the story and I enjoyed reading it. Don’t go into this book unprepared, it’s not for the faint of heart and I’m sure has its fair share of triggering moments for some people.

Penelope Douglas writes books that so many shy away from, and I LOVE it! Credence was no exception, it's a taboo kind of romance and had me hooked from the beginning. PD is not for everyone, the love interests are family but NOT blood related and all after the FMC is 18+, so tread lightly if this seems out of your comfort zone.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My first reverse harem story, and I absolutely loved every single depraved moment of this book! Penelope Douglas continues to amaze me with her stellar writing, drawing the reader into her world and making us FEEL all the feels the characters are experiencing, even the spicy ones! I loved how dirty this book got at times.

Douglas does an excellent of job of illustrating all three relationships as unique, while blurring the lines of right and wrong driven by a desire to feel a sense of belonging, and fueled by lust that ignites the pages. What’s supposed to feel icky and taboo ends bringing the heat on almost every single page, nonstop. I could not put this book down and finished it in less than a day. I cannot wait for more from this author!

My rating:⭐️⭐️

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Read if you like:
▫️why choose
▫️dark romance
▫️forced proximity
▫️multiple POV
▫️morally grey men
▫️possessive and damaged heroes

I don’t even know how to write a review for this book. Was it well written? Yes. Was it addictive? Absolutely. Was it also a misogynistic dumpster fire of missing consent, trauma, and unhealthy relationships with an underage/barely 18 girl and her 3 older step-relatives. Yep.

Jake was way too old for her and Kaleb was a psychopath. Noah was the only relatively normal, likable one. However, they were all related to her. Was it by blood? No. But it’s still weird. Couldn’t they be family friends? Why did they have to be her step-uncle and cousins?

Besides the obvious, my biggest issue with this book was that she took this why-choose dark romance and tried to turn it into a happily ever after sweet romance, and that didn’t match the tone for the rest of the book.

I just don’t even really know what to say about it. I’m not a dark romance reader, so perhaps I’m not the right audience for this one.

2.75. This one took me a while to finish. Don’t get me wrong it is hot and steamy and all those parts get 5 stars 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵I just had a harder time reconciling how she was treated and how easily it seemed resolved

Read as an e-galley for its republishing #Netgalley

This was not my first time here, but I absolutely jumped at the chance to reread under new publishing!

This is a taboo read and will NOT be for everyone. It is absolutely for me though! The love interests are not blood related, and any sexual activity happens after the FMC turns 18.

My only gripe of this book is that it’s always recommended as a why choose- when she ends up with only one love interest. That is not why choose.

Oh lord, this one was a wild ride!! If you like Penelope Douglas, you’ll definitely enjoy this one too! Just beware, it’ll test your openmindness! Definitely an intriguing read with intricate family dynamics. Glad it is getting re-released!

Every book I read by this author just gets better and better! I loved this whole story and as taboo as it was. I loved the unpredictability and I was super invested in the story and characters! Loved!

When I read the synopsis of this book, it was obvious to this reader that this book was not about conventional relationships or conventional people. That being said, a questions that plagued me throughout this very dark not-really-a-romance -- where is the line between unconventional and just downright in need of professional help? When is a dysfunctional person over the line? Is there a line between love and obsession? Love and sex? Lots of lines in this story for this reader.

Tiernan loses her parents and gets sent to her father's stepbrother. It's clear from the start that there's no love lost here and it's a bit hard to believe that she would be sent there, but then there wouldn't be a story then, would there? If you are looking for logic here, you may not find it. This is story that you just have to suspend what you know and just go with it, if you can. It's not a book for everyone and it crosses the line with the content. I think that's what drew me to reading this book. How far can an author go with forbidden themes? This author tries to answer that, and that's the most interesting aspect of this story.

Anti-Romance

Thoughts: 💡
Sometimes I wish P Douglas wasn’t such an entertaining writer. This book sucks you in and keeps you rapidly turning the pages completely engrossed in the story. The problem is that she doesn’t seem to use sensitivity readers. She writes about a few topics that she’s clearly unknowledgeable about and creates very problematic scenarios. I’m certain that this book would rate much higher and be enjoyed by a wider audience if she makes a few revisions.
The characters are all struggling and have intense issues that they really should seek therapy for, instead they just hole up on a mountain and yell at each other. They do end up finding solas and a way to live, and create a very entertaining story. I wish we would have seen more character development, instead what we got were dark themes and crazy hot smut. The bonus chapter found at the end of the paperback gives you a look into Khalib’s struggles and thoughts. I loved that it finally gave insight into a marginalized character and their struggles. If you’re a dark romance reader I’m certain you will enjoy this one, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone that doesn’t like darker themes.
As for the audio, I liked that there were four different narrators. The audio quality was a solid 4, as well as the three male narrators. However, I think the female narrator was spectacular and would love to head more from her.

Fun Bits:
⚜️ Super Smutty
⚜️ Lots of Angst
⚜️ An Interesting Plot
⚜️ Some Suspense

Important Note:✨
This book was rereleased by Berkley and the paperback has bonus content that the eBook doesn’t have.

Full Content Warning:⚠️
misogynistic behavior, power imbalance, group sex, sexual violence, dubious consent, suicide, child neglect, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and bondage

Stats:📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
💙💙💙💙
Audio: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Narrators: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
Dark Erotica: Taboo, Love Triangle, Coming of Age, Age Gap, Grief & Loss, Hurt/Comfort, Found Family
First Person, Present Tense, Multi POV

This book had me in my feels 🔥. I love a taboo romance and this was top tier 🫶🏼. So excited I got to arc read this special edition one

This was like watching a slow motion car crash…like I don’t really want to be watching, but I can’t look away 🫣

DEFINITELY CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS! This book will not be for everyone. I’m not easily bothered, but I was definitely reading with this face 😬

That being said, thank you to NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Tiernan de Haas has just lost her parents, will she survive the scandal and gossip too?

Now alone, she discovers they left her guardianship to an Uncle she never knew? Technically Jake is her Step- Uncle which means even in death her
parents left her with a stranger.

Tiernan has a choice - give her new “found family” a chance or seek emancipation.

A lifetime in her parent’s shadows forgotten and unseen Tiernan decides to take a chance and heads for Colorado.

Maybe this new chapter will provide closure and a fresh start. Little does she know the bear trap that awaits in Colorado.

It's time for Tiernan to brush up on her survival skills, dive into a bit of manual labor, and get dirty. The rugged outdoors is a far cry from the LA glitz and glam.

Spending time in the outdoors might do her a bit of good, help her process her grief and find peace.

If she can follow the rules she might be able to keep her secrets safe. What will happen when her new family discovers the truth? Will she still be safe?

Tiernan is at risk of becoming the prey from the local boys in a town and the animals in the wild. What did she get herself into?

This dark and gritty romance has

✔ Strangers to Lovers
✔ Taboo Romance - Step Uncle/Cousins
✔ M/F/M
✔ Suspense
✔ Found Family
✔ Multiple POV
✔ Revenge, Secrets, Twists & turns

Inferno Read ☕🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 contains:
Erotica, BDSM, explicit scenes of a sensitive or sexual nature, and M/F/M sex scenes

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the arc for an honest and fair review.

Trigger Warnings: misogynistic behavior and power imbalance, group sex, sexual violence, dubious consent, child neglect, suicide & bondages.

Anyone who believes such content may upset them is encourage to consider their well-being when choosing whether to continue reading.

In order to find love all of them will need to overcome pain, loss, betrayal, and deception. Who will find forgiveness, love and redemption?

This book is a journey that will leave you trying to figure it out until the last page. You think you know how it ends... but you don't.

I got an ARC of this book from NetGalley because it’s being traditionally published by Berkley for my honest review so let’s hop into it.

Gosh I hate read this book after 75% because I sure wasn’t gonna DNF at that point. This is my first ever one star. I don’t know what I was expecting from this book but boy it wasn’t this. I have heard a lot about this book from Tiktok of course like so many other. So I kinda knew what I was getting into but I still didn’t like the end. I don’t know what ending would have made me happy but it wasn’t what we got. I do understand why this book is popular and this is not me hating on everyone for liking it but it just isn’t for me.

Credence by Penelope Douglas is a captivating and unique novel that left me spellbound. Unlike anything I have ever read before, this book exudes an irresistible allure. The author skillfully crafts incredible relationship dynamics, building them up with a perfect blend of passion and tension. The story is infused with a tantalizing undercurrent of suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout. Credence is an exceptional and enthralling tale that will leave you yearning for more.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.