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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
DNF'ing 75 pages in, Tiernan is underage and forming a parental relationship with step-uncle Jake and that's a haaaaaaaaard pass for me considering what is going to happen in the rest of the book. I don't care if she's 18 when their "relationship" occurs, he's a predator.
One star because homegirl fixed the fridge on her own.
One star because homegirl fixed the fridge on her own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “What in the twisted, snow-covered, holy hell was THAT?”
So here I am, emotionally gutted and morally confused, writing a review for a book that had no business being this good or this unhinged. Credence is Penelope Douglas at her boldest—like, “ma’am, is this legal?” bold.
Let’s get something straight: this is not your average romance. This book is a psychological deep-dive into grief, isolation, and finding yourself in the middle of nowhere—surrounded by mountains, unresolved trauma, and three ridiculously hot, emotionally unavailable men who should come with warning labels.
Tiernan is a broken, closed-off girl who has never belonged anywhere. Then suddenly she’s stuck in a Colorado cabin with her step-uncle and two step-cousins and—let’s just say it’s not Little House on the Prairie, okay?
There’s heat. There’s angst. There are questionable choices that had me internally screaming, “Girl, you better not—oh. Okay. You did. Wow.”
And yet—it works. Underneath the steam, the taboo, and the snow-drenched chaos is a coming-of-age journey that feels earned. Tiernan’s growth is raw and messy and beautiful. You watch her go from invisible and numb to someone who demands space, takes control, and carves out her own future.
I laughed. I yelled. I questioned my moral compass. I bookmarked spicy scenes like I had no shame (because I don’t). And when it ended, I sat there, emotionally full and vaguely scandalized.
If you want safe, fluffy romance—this ain’t it. But if you want something wild, messy, emotional, and entirely unforgettable? Buckle up. Credence is a ride.
honestly don't even know what to say.. the story line was just so weird and cringe. I tried to push through and I decided to stop reading around 25%. I questioned wtf I was reading so often I couldn't even do it anymore. If you’re thinking about reading this book let me make it easy for you and say just don’t read it lol
Wow
Wow
Penelope.. smut still needs a resemblance of a plot. This gave me the ick tbh. 2 stars because it was decently written. I would feel better as a person if I had not read this
Its decent but overhyped. There is actual character building but the story is nothing new. Still a nice cozy read
Copy and paste, lmfao! I felt exactly the same way. I was only excited the last 30% when Jake or Noah showed up on the page. I was completely turned off my Kaleb as a character.
I do appreciate that she realized she needed to leave instead of staying the summer. It did show some growth in her character instead of making her into some desperate girl. Yet, she didn't fully make the decision herself and leaned on his actions to do so. I just couldn't get by Kaleb at all. His character was NOT redeemable in the least bit at all.
Although I enjoyed the peak into Kaleb's head with the use of the writing in the book, I don't think it was enough to truly justify they had fallen into this deep love that was portrayed. It didn't feel complete forced, but there was a lot to be desired for a good romance. I'm still stuck on the passionate scenes with Jake.
Every single time she was with Kaleb it never felt as powerful. It was sad to see that only way he could show his love was through sex. They basically were some horny teens with a superficial connection at best. I can't get behind that 'the heart wants what the heart wants' bull crap in teen angst books. I can't fault Penelope Douglas for writing more new adult content. I'm just not a new adult or ya reader; I'm past that phase in my life. So, it's hard for me to connect with any character's in that phase.
I do appreciate that she realized she needed to leave instead of staying the summer. It did show some growth in her character instead of making her into some desperate girl. Yet, she didn't fully make the decision herself and leaned on his actions to do so. I just couldn't get by Kaleb at all. His character was NOT redeemable in the least bit at all.
Although I enjoyed the peak into Kaleb's head with the use of the writing in the book, I don't think it was enough to truly justify they had fallen into this deep love that was portrayed. It didn't feel complete forced, but there was a lot to be desired for a good romance. I'm still stuck on the passionate scenes with Jake.
Every single time she was with Kaleb it never felt as powerful. It was sad to see that only way he could show his love was through sex. They basically were some horny teens with a superficial connection at best. I can't get behind that 'the heart wants what the heart wants' bull crap in teen angst books. I can't fault Penelope Douglas for writing more new adult content. I'm just not a new adult or ya reader; I'm past that phase in my life. So, it's hard for me to connect with any character's in that phase.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
tense