Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

56 reviews

cmqsf's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Violence, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

maaiike_91's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

2.5

Was this book good? No. Did I like the characters? Also no. Will I read the other books in the series? Probably yes, because the spicy scenes that weren’t questionable were pretty hot, and I’m a sucker for it. 

So hoping in next books the plot will pick up a bit, and there’s room for  more loveable characters😅

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, Bullying, and Rape

Minor: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting

mproper1's review against another edition

challenging 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Stalking, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Addiction, Blood, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Sexism, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Body shaming, and Infidelity

samflowerv6's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Kidnapping, Cursing, Misogyny, Violence, Physical abuse, Bullying, Classism, Confinement, Blood, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Torture, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

riosblu's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I’m conflicted. Screw men, but can I have some more of them? So many emotions, so much anger at ignorant entitled men but I couldn’t put the book down. Would I recommend this to everyone? No, but the people I would recommend it to already know who they are. To them I say, stay toxic and enjoy the shit show, I sure did.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Ableism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Confinement, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcoholism, Drug use, Addiction, Child abuse, and Sexual assault

Minor: Police brutality, Car accident, and Animal death

perksofem_'s review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The first half of the book basically every single character annoyed me but once I got to the mid way point after pushing myself to continue it got better. This is definitely for those who love a dark romance book. I'm still tipping my toe in the genre which is probably why I didn't devour this like so much of booktok has said. I still haven't decided if I want to continue the series but if I do I might just read Kai's story and that's it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Torture, Death of parent, Blood, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship

bettyswanreader's review

🌶🌶🌶
I am so lost as to what is happening.
They are awful to her and yet she never seems to react appropriately. They try to torment her, but she still sticks around, and when shit hits the fan, they throw a party and act like all is forgiven. That's where it lost me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Bullying

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

micado's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Animal death

mallaz's review against another edition

dark slow-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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting and Violence

sshpurple1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

Throughout this book, I thought to myself, ‘You guys need serious therapy.’ and ‘Rika, seriously, you’re going to take that from them?’. Told chiefly from Rika's and a little from Michael’s point of view, the story alternates between the present and the past. We are guided through the group’s history and present-day events. The author’s writing style makes the transitions smooth and keeps you in a mix of frustration and eagerly coming back for more. It was evident that though these ‘kids’ come from money, none have had an easy life emotionally. The characters are well-developed, and I could see them as real people. There are twists and intense steam.
I am looking forward to starting the second book in this series. One thing to note about this book is that this is a dark bully romance; this is not for everyone, and if you have never read this author or type of book before, I strongly recommend that you borrow it from the library before buying it. 
2. Hideaway (2017)
3. Kill Switch (2019)
3.5. Conclave (2019)
4. Nightfall (2020)
4.5. Fire Night (2020)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Bullying

Moderate: Gaslighting and Violence

It is suitable for ages 18+.