A review by palebea
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

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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