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A review by keke_o
Credence by Penelope Douglas
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is certainly not for everyone.
As a reader of reverse harems their kind of implied incest even though no one is truly related is not a deal breaker for me. This isn't even the first book I've read via TikTok recommendations *eye roll* that included this exact trope of the sudden death of parents and being willed to a younger hot step-uncle.
I really enjoyed the writing of this book and disagree with the reviews that this is all smut without any real plot or character development and that she's just hopping from bed to bed.
She has a unique and developed relationship with all of them. There's small moments with each of them and little small things throughout the novel that build toward the relationship.
****Spoilers*********
Jake should have absolutely kept it in his pants he's 35-45, turn down the hot 18-year-old throwing herself at you just to feel affection. Just straight-up cock blocking the boys to then spank her as if that wasn't a sexual act in itself that was getting them both off. I'm not a Jake fan for sure. Not that she's not an adult (for the rest of the book) and mature enough to make her own decisions. I don't think he took advantage of her but he could have not engaged with her. He was also such a fucking CUNT about rubbing it in the boy's faces immediately afterwards just strutting into the house half-dressed like no one else lives there and he doesn't know it will hurt/upset the boys. He couldn't have been more gross or misogynistic about it without literally throwing her on the floor and fucking her right there.
They're all clinging to her for a different reason.
Jake because he completely shut himself off and never allowed himself to become emotionally involved with anyone for like 25 years, just hiding in the mountains.
Noah because he's desperate to find an escape from the mountains and also meet a girl who's not just trying to immediately have sex with him and talk to him which no one does since his dad has the emotional maturity of a potato and Kaleb is mute.
Kaleb is finding a kindred spirit in her. Both are very quiet and withdrawn due to abuse from their parents/parent and going through life numb due to neglect.
The sexual assault in the beginning was not okay but honestly, there are girls just showing up all the time just to sometimes literally hop on their dicks and leave. He's a flawed character but I don't agree that the relationship comes out of nowhere. He's watcher her all the time and noticing everything about her putting her pictures on the fridge, giving her a belt for her birthday with a custom buckle that even includes her nightmares. Something no one else seems to notice and we find out he's getting out of bed every night and holding her during them. I liked the ending and him teaching himself to talk to for her to be able to say that he loves her.
Tiernan is a character I deeply identify with as someone who experienced child-emotional neglect. The author really captured how it affects you and makes you numb. I love her and Kaleb together. They're love was a real slow burn for sure, they were obviously very attracted to each other but it was the little things that made the love happen.
As a reader of reverse harems their kind of implied incest even though no one is truly related is not a deal breaker for me. This isn't even the first book I've read via TikTok recommendations *eye roll* that included this exact trope of the sudden death of parents and being willed to a younger hot step-uncle.
I really enjoyed the writing of this book and disagree with the reviews that this is all smut without any real plot or character development and that she's just hopping from bed to bed.
She has a unique and developed relationship with all of them. There's small moments with each of them and little small things throughout the novel that build toward the relationship.
****Spoilers*********
Jake should have absolutely kept it in his pants he's 35-45, turn down the hot 18-year-old throwing herself at you just to feel affection. Just straight-up cock blocking the boys to then spank her as if that wasn't a sexual act in itself that was getting them both off. I'm not a Jake fan for sure. Not that she's not an adult (for the rest of the book) and mature enough to make her own decisions. I don't think he took advantage of her but he could have not engaged with her. He was also such a fucking CUNT about rubbing it in the boy's faces immediately afterwards just strutting into the house half-dressed like no one else lives there and he doesn't know it will hurt/upset the boys. He couldn't have been more gross or misogynistic about it without literally throwing her on the floor and fucking her right there.
They're all clinging to her for a different reason.
Jake because he completely shut himself off and never allowed himself to become emotionally involved with anyone for like 25 years, just hiding in the mountains.
Noah because he's desperate to find an escape from the mountains and also meet a girl who's not just trying to immediately have sex with him and talk to him which no one does since his dad has the emotional maturity of a potato and Kaleb is mute.
Kaleb is finding a kindred spirit in her. Both are very quiet and withdrawn due to abuse from their parents/parent and going through life numb due to neglect.
The sexual assault in the beginning was not okay but honestly, there are girls just showing up all the time just to sometimes literally hop on their dicks and leave. He's a flawed character but I don't agree that the relationship comes out of nowhere. He's watcher her all the time and noticing everything about her putting her pictures on the fridge, giving her a belt for her birthday with a custom buckle that even includes her nightmares. Something no one else seems to notice and we find out he's getting out of bed every night and holding her during them. I liked the ending and him teaching himself to talk to for her to be able to say that he loves her.
Tiernan is a character I deeply identify with as someone who experienced child-emotional neglect. The author really captured how it affects you and makes you numb. I love her and Kaleb together. They're love was a real slow burn for sure, they were obviously very attracted to each other but it was the little things that made the love happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Adult/minor relationship