Reviews with content warning for Rape - Hideaway

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Hideaway by Penelope Douglas

52 reviews

dkgreads's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

For a book that’s supposed to be about Kai, it sure seemed like it was more about Damon than anything. It was also really sloooooooow. And there was, like, ZERO chemistry between Kai and Banks. This one didn’t really do it for me. On to the next I guess…

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_terah_hansen_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is NOT a Young Adult (YA) book, I'm not sure why it's labeled that way. Not suitable for anyone younger than 18.

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kaylabrotzman's review against another edition

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dark tense

2.5

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booklovinmamas's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It was time for a reread of Hideaway due to the books being re-published by Berkley with new covers, but really, it was an excuse for me to revisit some of my favorite characters. This is one of my favorite Dark Romances/Romantic Suspense from Penelope Douglas, involving MMCs who wear masks. It also gives me an excuse to finally finish the series since I never read Will’s book. I’m a reader who starts a series and tends never to finish, which I’m correcting this year (2024). I was excited to reread Kai’s book because he’s always intrigued me. He comes off as reserved but is scary at the same time, if that makes sense.)

Female Protagonist: Banks is one female character who is quiet and reserved when you first meet her, but after you get to know her, she’s the complete opposite. She’s loyal to the ones she works for and lives with, but she’s also broken/damaged. She works for the worst kind of person, but she has learned how to handle herself. She doesn’t wear fancy girl clothes, and she is told to stay away from all males. Readers will find out why when they read this book.

Male Protagonist: Kai Mori is one of the four horsemen. He’s an ex-convict, a millionaire/billionaire with his real estate properties, and a martial arts instructor. He comes off as an alpha male because he goes after what he wants and he’s very commanding. I liked his character in the first book because he came off as mysterious. In this book, he was the same, but he also became darker. Kai is one character that is not as scary as Damon, but he has his moments.

Storyline/My Thoughts: First, let me say that this book won’t be a favorite. I looked forward to Kai’s book, especially after being introduced to him in the previous book. I wanted to know who would win over Kai’s heart and didn’t expect it to be Banks. If you read the first book, you would have found out why Kai Mori went to jail and why he feels lost in this book. This book mainly focuses on Kai trying to find Damon for specific reasons. The other horsemen want to find Damon, too, especially after what Damon did to them. Kai goes to Damon’s father for help and ends up doing something out of character that even his friends can’t believe he agreed to do. However, Kai does end up finding the one girl who got away 6-7 years ago. The one girl that he fell for hard, even though he didn’t know her. He never expected to see her working for Damon’s father. There were definitely twists and turns in this book because the FMC, Banks, is full of secrets that she refuses to say.

This book was good, but it dragged a bit, especially in the beginning. It took me a bit to finish it, even the second time reading it. Certain things drove me crazy, like the fact that Banks would not tell the truth to Kai about who she was, and then Michael was a douche in this book, especially to Banks.

Penelope did have me on the edge of my seat when it came to Kai and the others trying to find Damon. Damon is not for the faint of heart, and he does things that are downright scary, but readers will learn some things about him in this book that will make them understand him better. Banks knows him better than even the others after I got to know her more throughout the book.

Overall, this was a good book, and I gave it four stars. Now, I’m onto Damon’s book next, which is a reread.

If you haven’t read this series by Penelope Douglas, you are missing out on a dark and suspenseful read. However, check your triggers before reading this series.

Trope(s)/Element(s):
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Second Chance
🖤Brother’s Best Friend
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Found Family

Trigger Warnings: Violence, Animal Cruelty, almost rape scene, pedophilia and incest that is mentioned in the book.

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francess_m's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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modjeskapup's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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sienasummerrreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I listened to this on Audiobook and enjoyed this dark twisted, romantic suspense following Kai and Banks. The audiobook narration is great!

From the first book I felt Kai was my favourite so I was so happy when I found out this second book is based on Kai and the mysterious love interest Banks. I love the flashbacks we see into the past with regards to Devils Night it keeps the plot and the mystery going. Kai as a character I love as he opened up due to some past flashbacks and struggles he was having. I love when there is a tough lead character but also sensitive. Banks was a fire cracker, for how she gets treated by her family she dresses in baggy clothes and I would say not as “put together” as she doesn’t want to be noticed definitely doesn’t want her secrets of who she really is revealed.

The spice was great and the scene in the confessional. Lord have mercy I say!

Excited to see what the next book has to offer.

If you love:

🔹Dark Romance

🔹Romantic Suspense

🔹Enemies To Lovers

🔹Arranged Marriage

🔹Past Trauma & Abuse

🔹Smutty

This is for you!

Genre: Dark Romance 18+

APK: Kindle Read

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

Check Triggers ⚠️

Explicit scenes, child and emotional abuse, sexual assault, rape, self harm and minor animal cruelty.

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aichaa's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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valeskan's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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theteamsreader's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A further exploration into the world-building and characters at hand, this time we follow Kai Mori, who is desperate to get ahold of childhood lover-turned enemy Nikova Banks, to find Damon Torrance and bring him to justice for his crimes. However, Banks is smart and more loyal to Damon than the other Horsemen realise. The plot for this series only seems to get better and better, with always-promised spice and an increasing plot as tensions rise.

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