Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

142 reviews

ninasmilliondreams's review against another edition

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

1.0

Rika girl get up!!!!! 



(I am genuinely baffled at how this book resolved (???) the conflict. Michael didn’t even apologise and yet they just went back to fucking as if nothing happened. He literally destroyed her life and he was the one who came up with the plan!! And suddenly they love each other?? What!?? I do love my book boyfriends a bit toxic but this was downright abuse. The male protagonists were so rapey, sexist and disgusting and I just don’t understand how Rika wanted anything to do with them after everything)

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alyssadorn's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

This book was really captivating— so much tension and lurking danger throughout. I stayed up until 2:30 or 3 this morning to finish the last half all in one go! 

There’s angst and sexual tension and urgency— what’s not to love? 

I do wish there was a bit more groveling and I don’t think it had to be as long as it was, but the nuance added to the characters from having it go back and forward in time was really great, and helped me see the guys as they were before prison and made them sympathetic in a really subtle, well-handled way. 

And that sauna scene! 🥵

Def be careful though about the content warnings— there is a heavy presence of sexual threat.

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justinewalker's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I think this just wasn’t my cup of tea, but if you like dark romance I recommend giving it a try at least! I personally didn’t like certain characters to an extent that they made the whole book worse to read, but other parts and characters I did enjoy. All the side characters are quite flat imo. The flipping between past and present really worked for me, though I can see it not working for others.

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palebea's review against another edition

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dark tense 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

This is probably my first "dark romance" where the MMC really is nasty. Check your TWs for this one and don't lean into the fact it's apparently a romance. There's not much romantic about it. The relationship is toxic, possessive, bit taboo with the weird obsession with her as a child? It's a bully romance. The MCs are not nice. Content warning info:
There's some risky SA/rape scenes that get a little hairy but no actually depicted rape. You do not have enough trust in the characters to feel safe that it won't happen though
 

I liked Rika, she was a pretty likeable FMC considering the circumstances. My heart broke for her a couple times and no I don't think Michael did nearly enough grovelling for me personally. This was gnarly to read but gripping and intriguing. 

The HEA also felt a bit forced


The twist I liked and although I didn't exactly guess it, I had an idea it was coming. 

Overall, a disturbing read that was addictive, dirty and had me questioning my morals. Difficult to rate as it's the first book I've read like this where the darkness in the dark romance presents itself as toxicity in the relationship. 

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carley4's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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samflowerv6's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Unpopular opinion... I loved this book. Everyone seems to hate Michael but I really didn't. Michael and Rika were so high stakes and complicated. I really enjoyed the mystery, secrets, devils night antics and even the horsemen in all their mean bad boy glory. I found all the characters so interesting and Michael was fucked up but I couldn't help loving him. Also, maybe I just like hot guys who are a bit evil? Seems to be my type. I am a seasoned dark romance girly but this was super solid. I would definitely say it's taboo at times but what can I say, I ate it up. Even Damon, who is such an asshole..... i was having so much fun. I know it's problematic and all the men are straight up terrible. I think I have bad taste. Whatever bad things people say, are mostly right but..... I like messed up people and dark romance. I do wish Michael groveled though, Rika forgave him too easy. They should have all begged on their hands and knees. The catacombs, the mask scene and the sauna... I was sweating. RIKA SAID LETS GO TO PARIS.  Rika is so real though with being in love with an asshole for her whole life and being blinded by hotness. I did like the ending and they honestly fit. I did expect her to have more of a backbone and was disappointed with her not making the boys beg but at every turn.. she folded. But this was all kinds of fucked up. Check trigger warnings. I feel mildly shameful for how much I enjoyed this. I love these freaks. 

And it was October 30, the night before Halloween. Devil’s Night.

Damon Torrance, Kai Mori, Will Grayson III, and—I locked my gaze on the blood red mask covering the face of the one always in the lead a little more than the others—Michael Crist, Trevor’s older brother.

“It’s just you, Little Monster. Own it or it will own you.” 

“Run all you want, Little Monster,” he said, sounding like a threat. “We’re faster.”

They were here. The Four Horsemen. They were Thunder Bay’s favorite sons, and they’d gone to high school here, graduating when I was a freshman.

As individuals we had weaknesses, but as the Horsemen we were invincible. We each brought something different to the table, and where one lacked, the others stepped in.

Three years ago, curious little Erika Fane wanted to play with the boys, so we indulged her, and she betrayed us.

“Trevor’s not my boyfriend.”
“Too bad. I like playing with shit that’s not mine.”

That’s what I admired about the Four Horsemen. They were always in control and always visible.

“You robbed your own fucking store, Rika!” Will laughed and grabbed fistfuls of my sweatshirt, shouting into my face. “You’re the fucking king, baby!”

Will started singing, then slid out of his seat, and I shook with laughter as he straddled me, giving me a lap dance to the music.

“When we used to wear the masks,” Michael said, dropping his voice to a near whisper, “you liked it, didn’t you?

“So you like the mask. You’re pretty fucking sick, aren’t you?” he teased.

“Such a beautiful little monster,” he whispered

“Because you’ve corrupted her nice and good. She’s a force now, and it won’t be long before she’s brave enough to demand what she wants. If you don’t give it to her, she’ll find someone else who will.”


THE KAI AND MICHAEL SANDWICH  CHANGED LIVES!

Alexa play Monster by Skillet

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chels984's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.75


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ohshebookish's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow wow wow! This was my first foray into dark romance and it was sooo good! Penelope Douglas weaves such an intricate story of love, hate, revenge, and obsession. This book sucks you in from the beginning and keeps you wanting more because the story is so addicting. The dual pov and flashback between the past and the present are written in a way to keep you on the edge of your seat and to keep you guessing. You're trying to figure out what Rika did wrong, you're trying to figure out if Michael loves or hates her, you're trying to figure out what the guys are planning, and that's not even the half of it. The plot twist!? I did not see it coming at all! I was floored. Penelope definitely kept me on my toes.

The characters were written with so much depth. Each character made you feel something different, and you felt it hard. They all had their own struggles that were like little threads, that intertwined their stories into one. Michael was dark and broody, and reading his inner struggle with his pressing feelings for Rika vs. his loyalty to his friends was so interesting. I loved seeing Rika accept and lean into her dark side. I was rooting for her! I really liked Kai and I was kinda rooting for a poly relationship with him, Michael and Rika. That one scene though 🤭 I did not like Damon and definitely wouldn't trust him farther than I could throw him. He deserved jail and should've stayed there. I'm interested to see what his book will be about though. 

I am so glad that I got this book through a bookstagram traveling book group. I devoured it! The scenes were detailed, the plot was well written, and the spice was definitely spicing. I can't wait to read the other guys stories and see what our Horsemen are up to.

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han_olenik's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • 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


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alahnisfjrd's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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