Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Credence by Penelope Douglas

295 reviews

challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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challenging emotional reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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dark fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

To describe this book in one word: cringe. It was painful trying to finish this book. I have read a lot of dark and messed up stories, but this one did not give me the drive to finish it. I was determined to finish it once I started, but even finishing it was not rewarding.
The characters in this book are very one dimensional. Everyone is apparently obsessed about sex all the time. The focus on the characters and their develiping relationships were inconsistant and unnatural. She moves from the uncle to her cousins in no time flat, then is all the sudden in love with one of them? There felt like no development at all between her move from Jake to Kaleb. It was just weird how ot teetered from scared of the cousin who almost raped her to all the sudden obsessed and in love with him. And then all the sudden after 15+ years of no talking he can talk? Like wtf. How can you even have a relationship with someone who fucked your dad and brother? Who knows. The pace was insonsistant, moving too fast at times, then a sudden brake to a crawl. Characters were unnecessarily thrown in, just like the cringe song references like this was a poorly written A03 fanfic.
All in all I can at least say I have read it and cross it off the list, but there are so many better books that deserve your time. 

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Tiernan is an interesting character with a surprising level of complexity regarding her relationships with her parents and how she starts to actually explore new relationships.

And as weird as it is to have her having sex with her step family, they're so far removed from her life until the death of her parents it honestly isn't even that much of a problem and it's actually quite enjoyable to have her explore what she wants with people who not only really want to sleep with her but also care about her so quickly and in their own rough ways.

Love Jake, he's a big sweetheart. Noah is the best and I so wished that Tiernan maked the smart choice and goes with him. All the boys have their inherent misogyny challenged having a young woman in their house as well which while frustrating to experience is good to see.

And then there's Kaleb. Honestly, this hateable bastard makes you want to scream and punch him along with our FMC but he does grow on you and I'm genuinely so pleased with his character arc and the growth he underwent. I just wish he wasn't such an absolute asshole for majority of the time we spend with him as he several times went way way way too far with how he treated someone he was supposed in love with.

Couch scene was hot as hell though.

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dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was well written but the plot was unrealistic. 

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

 Credence by Penelope Douglas had been sitting on my TBR for years, its buzz on BookTok impossible to ignore. The premise—a young woman spending a secluded winter with her step-uncle and his two sons—promised emotional intensity, complex characters, and a storyline that would push boundaries. Still, I hesitated. The semi-taboo dynamic made me wonder if I could fully immerse myself in the narrative. But now, after hundreds of books and an evolving sense of what fiction can explore, I dove in—and I’m so glad I did.


This book shook me.


Tiernan’s story is emotionally raw, deeply introspective, and yes—provocative. Penelope Douglas writes with a visceral clarity that makes you feel everything Tiernan feels. I found myself embarrassed when she was, crying when she cracked open, and completely captivated as she slowly discovered her voice, her strength, and her identity. Her emotional growth is the beating heart of this story.


While the relationships between Tiernan, Jake, Kaleb, and Noah are central—and definitely push past what many would consider comfortable—Douglas navigates these dynamics with emotional depth and stunning complexity. These men are not caricatures; they are flawed, evolving, and ultimately instrumental in Tiernan’s journey of self-discovery. Their growth doesn’t overshadow hers, but complements it beautifully.


Credence
is not for everyone, and that’s okay. Fiction isn't meant to be one-size-fits-all. But for those willing to explore something bold, tender, and daringly honest, this book offers a reading experience unlike any other. By the time I turned the final page, I was a sobbing mess—wrecked, fulfilled, and completely in awe.

If you're in a place where you're ready to read beyond the conventional and explore a deeply character-driven story about desire, identity, healing, and choice, then Credence may just be the powerful, polarizing, unforgettable ride you didn’t know you needed. 

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dark emotional slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I’m not big on the incest trope, and a few scenes felt very unbelievable
like the first time Kaleb lays eyes on T he can’t help but try and rape her? Or that someone as possessive and jealous as Kaleb would want his first time with her to be while his brother is also balls deep? I wasn’t a huge fan of ol step uncle Jake getting her “cherry” or using her dead parents leaving her to him as foreplay, ignoring the weird step incest I could enjoy the spicy scenes. I mean, at least they waited til she was 18 for full penetration?
it was nice if you go into the book knowing it’s all a little farfetched and once you focus on that it’s enjoyable 

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dark emotional slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It’s written well, just a little too dark for me with the incest stuff 🫠

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