Credence Paperback – January 13, 2020

If there is one thing Penelope Douglas does very well (plot twist: she does A LOT of things very well!), it is writing unconventional love stories about trauma, healing, arrested development, devotion, wounded souls, awakening, spicy spice, fate, mistakes and inner turmoil where people come together and figure it all out.Credence is a circuitous love story, a whirlwind of confrontation and connection. Ultimately, our MMC and FMC are on parallel journeys of self-worth and accepting love. Something they both struggle with in very different ways. Our FMC is stripped of her gilded cage at the beginning of the book, and upon meeting her, our MMC is stripped of his ability to exist in nothingness.This book reminds us that sometimes, standing in the light, seeing ourselves clearly, and seeing ourselves reflected in another is incredibly painful. And why is it painful? Because when love walks in the room, it shines a light on everything that love is not: all the love you never received, all the love denied to you, and all the ways this lack of love has dictated our perception of worthiness.One of the reasons I am so drawn to Penelope's writing is that she tells the stories of flawed human beings worthy of love, not despite their imperfections but because of them because it is honest and authentic and allows the reader to understand what it means to be loved in their wholeness.The characters in Credence (Tiernan, Jake, Kaleb, and Noah) say and do the wrong things. They disappoint one another, hurt each other's feelings, don't say the right things at the right time, are scared and self-conscious, don't take the direct path to get what they want and take us along for the ride. And the reason it resonates is that as wild as the story is, the characters feel so genuine, so loveable, so frustrating, and so honest. They're kinky, selfish, and selfless. And I love it."

I wasn't sure what to make of this book when I first started reading it. It was an easy read with a pretty calm plot from what I am used to. I was pleasantly surprised to find the storyline was a bit taboo and very steamy. 🥵🥵🥵 The spice in Credence was top notch!I enjoyed that this book had chapters depicting different characters perspectives. This book had a lot of emotional baggage, so much that I had a readers hangover when it was done. I really did enjoy this book. ❤️

Ok, this was a little different but still so good. Seriously! It’s about loneliness, sex, love, and discovering yourself. I really liked that the author included chapters with each character’s point of view. “Home is not a place, it’s a feeling.”

I really enjoyed this book — it definitely kept me hooked from start to finish. The spice was solid and well-written, adding intensity to the story without overpowering it. I do wish there had been a bit more character development in certain areas, but overall, it was a wild and entertaining ride that I’m glad I picked up.

Hurt people hurt people. Tiernan has a life everyone dreams of. Her parents are famous and have more money than anyone can spend. But they only have eyes for each other. She is literally ignored, sent away to schools and camps. Until one day her parents are both dead. Tiernan gets a mysterious phone call from a long lost step uncle with an offer to come stay with him and his two sons in Colorado. She goes and begins to learn about herself while engaging in multiple forbidden relationships. This book is amazing at character development. Each character evolves and heals. This is a must read.

I put off reading Credence for so long, and I honestly don’t know why. I went into it thinking it was just another smutty taboo romance, but wow, was I wrong! The emotional depth of this story is truly unparalleled. The way the male main characters (MMCs) bring out the best in the female main character (FMC) is simply beautiful.One of the highlights of the book is the found family aspect, which is executed perfectly. The evolving dynamics between the characters, particularly the growth of Tiernan and Kaleb, were a joy to witness. Their development and emotional journeys were nothing short of captivating. And the ending? Absolute perfection—a true "chef’s kiss" moment!Now, let’s talk about the absolute deliciousness of the taboo romance. The spice level? Freaking yum. If taboo romance is your thing, this book is a must-read. The chemistry is off the charts, and the tension between the characters will leave you breathless.The ups and downs throughout the story take you on an emotional rollercoaster, and the depth of feeling in this book is unlike anything I’ve read before.