Credence Paperback – February 13, 2024

I picked this up expecting pure filth. Honestly, I was ready to turn off my brain, ignore all logic and morals, and just enjoy a messy, taboo ride.But surprisingly, it hit me differently.Yes, the setup is wild. It is intense, chaotic, and morally questionable. But beneath all that, there is pain, grief, loneliness, and a deep craving for connection. It is not just about lust. It is about wanting to feel something after being numb for so long.Let me talk about Kaleb for a second. I thought I would just be physically drawn to him. He is rugged, silent, and mysterious, which already checks a lot of boxes. But I ended up falling so much harder than I expected. He does not speak, but everything he does says more than words ever could. His emotional breakdown and that one sign language moment nearly broke me. The depth, the quiet desperation, the way he loved without needing to say it, it was devastating in the best way.Noah also surprised me. He was the most emotionally grounded and kind. I just wanted him to find peace and freedom. He loved in a quiet, selfless way, and that made him unforgettable too.As for Tiernan, I was unsure about her at first. She came off as a very typical main character. But the more I read, the more I saw her grow into herself. She did not just fall in love. She figured out who she was and learned how to take control of her own life. That made her journey feel real and satisfying.The first part of the book is messy and overwhelming, but the second part ties everything together. I did not expect to love the resolution, but I did. It felt earned, and every character got exactly what they needed, even if it was not what I expected at the beginning.This book is not for everyone. Some readers will judge it based on the surface-level chaos. But if you read past that, there is something incredibly human underneath. It is a story about broken people trying to survive, and somehow, finding love and healing along the way.

Read on KU.Did I read this because I was influenced by booktok? Bookstagram? Book reels?Yes.One thing I will say however is I had come into it expecting spicy scenes right off the back because those platforms made it seem that way but it was so much more and that's what surprised me.The tension was great and you feel the intimate moments coming but it was really great to see Tiernan rediscover herself after living so long feeling like a shadow because of her parents (who are literally the worst). Reading her journey in finding her home up on the peak and letting herself love and be loved (physically and emotionally) was really interesting.Also beside when the boys were constantly chasing tail they were all sweethearts at their centers and I fell in love with all of them as well, but definitely got excited when it was Kaleb's POV.There was so much emotion I wasn't expecting and I hate that I assumed it was just going to be another smut book with only wild s*x scenes because I judged it (while yes there is plenty of spicy scenes that were all very very hot🔥) the angst and drama hooked me in and I was very happy I was wrong.The forbidden romance elements definitely drew me in but the compelling inner turmoil, angst, overcoming emotional parental abuse and broken people helping heal one another is what kept me going.I highly recommend this book to all the romance fans, this was one I'm glad I got persuaded to read.Will be checking out the authors other works in the future 👍

Title: CredenceAuthor: Penelope DouglasGenre: Dark Contemporary Romance / Age Gap / TabooRating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)⸻“Wild, taboo, and completely unputdownable—Credence dares to go where most books won’t, and it does it so well.”Penelope Douglas absolutely shattered my expectations with Credence. This book is bold, steamy, and emotionally complicated in a way that grabs you from page one and never lets up. It’s not your typical romance—and that’s what makes it so powerful. It’s about trauma, desire, freedom, and what happens when the rules of society are stripped away.Tiernan is such a complex, raw character. Raised with wealth but neglected emotionally, she’s completely unmoored after her parents’ deaths. Watching her find herself—sexually, emotionally, and mentally—in the wild isolation of the mountains with three very different men is as intense as it is unforgettable. Jake, Kaleb, and Noah each bring something unique to the story, and the chemistry between them is explosive.⸻What to Expect:Trigger Warnings:• Grief / death of parents• Age gaps• Taboo relationships (guardian/ward dynamics)• Explicit sexual content• Emotional manipulation• Themes of isolation, trauma, and healing⸻Spice Level:5/5 — Extremely spicy with a heavy focus on sexual awakening and taboo exploration. Very mature and unapologetically graphic.⸻Tropes & Themes:• Age gap romance• Guardian / ward• Taboo / forbidden love• Sexual self-discovery• Love triangle (or square)• Grumpy/silent love interest• Coming-of-age with adult themes• Found family, healing after grief⸻My Thoughts:I could not stop reading. It’s wild, emotional, and yes—deeply taboo—but somehow Penelope Douglas makes you care about every character, even when you’re unsure where it’s going. The emotional weight behind Tiernan’s growth, the way each relationship challenged and revealed a different part of her, made the story feel real even in its most unreal moments.Kaleb absolutely stole my heart—the quiet, brooding strength he showed, his protectiveness, the slow unfolding of who he really is underneath the silence? Incredible. And the emotional payoff? Chef’s kiss.⸻Final Thoughts:Credence is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s bold, daring, and deeply layered beneath the spice and shock value. If you love taboo, high-stakes emotion, and a heroine finding her power in the unlikeliest of places, this book is a must-read.It’s not for everyone, but if it is for you—you’ll never forget it.