Scan barcode
ycano's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It was a good book and the story was written really well. There were parts of the store where i was shocked but then remembered that technically they are not really related. She needed to know what it was to be cared for and loved since her father and mother where to consumed by each other they couldn't seem to understand to love their daughter. Even though she found her family and love it was strange how she found it. They each had their own problems and didn't know how to deal and talk to each other till she came along and her presence made the guys open their eyes. Happy they all got their happily ever after.
andreaaaoid's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
kjay2232's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
seconnally's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
avrorabaes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-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? No
5.0
This is my second book by PD after Birthday girl and it definitely surpassed my expectations! I was wondering if it should be 4.75-5 stars and in the end I concluded that if that's a book I couldn't stop thinking about and something I was so invested in, I shouldn't think twice and give it 5 stars!
I understand that this is the kind of book that isn't for everyone. It's a taboo romance with a lot of dark romance elements. To me though, this wasn't too much at all. Maybe it's because I've read too many works containing similar or darker notes. You have the synopsis, if you decide to go into this knowing you wouldn't be okay with those themes then why are you even reading in the first place? Penelope Douglas definitely isn't an author that can be everyone's cup of tea. It's just that you either love or hate her books and no in between (just like Rina Kent). I am definitely part of those who love her books so I will be reading her other standalones and series in the future!
Now about the story. I absolutely loved Tiernan's character development and progression. Her interactions with each of the other mmcs was so interesting to follow. I loved how they all felt unique and different. It was amazing how she helped each one of them the way they also helped her. They became one (strange) family and I was absolutely immersed into the story.
I loved the late summer/autumn/winter vibes. The setting was just so incredible - cabin in the woods, small town, motorbikes, far from civilization, with all those amazing views and places, it was incredible. I love when a book can really make me feel like I am right there, experiencing those views, feeling the vibes.
The romance was everything. I am not going to lie, I was rooting for Kaleb since the beginning. While I do think that Tiernan would have made a very good match with Noah, I think that she shared something very different and special with Kaleb. He had red flags, he fucked up on numerous occasions, but he also had that gentle, caring and protective side and aren't we all suckers for book characters like that? In real life he would be unbearable. But I always draw a clear line between fiction and reality and allow myself to enjoy and love things I wouldn't otherwise in real life just because I know it's ink on paper in the end of the day! So is Kaleb a little too much? Certainly. Do I mind it? No. (The guy ran over the bikes of the men endangering Tiernan, are we serious?!)
The gasp I let out when I realized the tattoo behind Kaleb's ear was Credence?? I love it when books draw such reactions out of me like woah I enjoy it so much when I don't see something coming! Another thing that was very intriguing was the whole "One had her first, the other wanted her desperately, but only the third will have her forever" along with the advice from the mother about the 3 men. I love little things like this and the moment Jake became the first one whom Tiernan got with, I knew my KalebTiernan will be endgame!
The ending was absolutely EVERYTHING. Kaleb teaching himself how to talk again just to be able to be with Tiernan was incredible. I loved how the two brothers and their father repaired the cracks in their relationship. The fact Tiernan and Kaleb had a child too? That made me so happy, I love those epilogues where we see the couple after a few years having a family. Is it standard and cliche? Yes. Do I crave it like crazy? Yes! I didn't spend 600 pages with those characters not to see them have the absolutely best ending!
Bottom line is, Credence was such an INCREDIBLE read to me. Birthday girl is one of my favorite books of the year and Credence managed to surpass it. I just really like PD's writing style and those taboo-ish romances which she always writes in a way that is just right!
Ps. I wish we could see Kaleb as a girl dad 🫣
I understand that this is the kind of book that isn't for everyone. It's a taboo romance with a lot of dark romance elements. To me though, this wasn't too much at all. Maybe it's because I've read too many works containing similar or darker notes. You have the synopsis, if you decide to go into this knowing you wouldn't be okay with those themes then why are you even reading in the first place? Penelope Douglas definitely isn't an author that can be everyone's cup of tea. It's just that you either love or hate her books and no in between (just like Rina Kent). I am definitely part of those who love her books so I will be reading her other standalones and series in the future!
Now about the story. I absolutely loved Tiernan's character development and progression. Her interactions with each of the other mmcs was so interesting to follow. I loved how they all felt unique and different. It was amazing how she helped each one of them the way they also helped her. They became one (strange) family and I was absolutely immersed into the story.
I loved the late summer/autumn/winter vibes. The setting was just so incredible - cabin in the woods, small town, motorbikes, far from civilization, with all those amazing views and places, it was incredible. I love when a book can really make me feel like I am right there, experiencing those views, feeling the vibes.
The romance was everything. I am not going to lie, I was rooting for Kaleb since the beginning. While I do think that Tiernan would have made a very good match with Noah, I think that she shared something very different and special with Kaleb. He had red flags, he fucked up on numerous occasions, but he also had that gentle, caring and protective side and aren't we all suckers for book characters like that? In real life he would be unbearable. But I always draw a clear line between fiction and reality and allow myself to enjoy and love things I wouldn't otherwise in real life just because I know it's ink on paper in the end of the day! So is Kaleb a little too much? Certainly. Do I mind it? No. (The guy ran over the bikes of the men endangering Tiernan, are we serious?!)
The gasp I let out when I realized the tattoo behind Kaleb's ear was Credence?? I love it when books draw such reactions out of me like woah I enjoy it so much when I don't see something coming! Another thing that was very intriguing was the whole "One had her first, the other wanted her desperately, but only the third will have her forever" along with the advice from the mother about the 3 men. I love little things like this and the moment Jake became the first one whom Tiernan got with, I knew my KalebTiernan will be endgame!
The ending was absolutely EVERYTHING. Kaleb teaching himself how to talk again just to be able to be with Tiernan was incredible. I loved how the two brothers and their father repaired the cracks in their relationship. The fact Tiernan and Kaleb had a child too? That made me so happy, I love those epilogues where we see the couple after a few years having a family. Is it standard and cliche? Yes. Do I crave it like crazy? Yes! I didn't spend 600 pages with those characters not to see them have the absolutely best ending!
Bottom line is, Credence was such an INCREDIBLE read to me. Birthday girl is one of my favorite books of the year and Credence managed to surpass it. I just really like PD's writing style and those taboo-ish romances which she always writes in a way that is just right!
Ps. I wish we could see Kaleb as a girl dad 🫣
caitlinhamill3's review against another edition
1.0
Well that was 4 days of my life I’ll never get back. I did not enjoy this one bit the whole thing made me feel icky
kayla_mae21's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lizpat0319's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0