The hype is real!

I tend to be wary of BookTok darlings because the hype is a lot to live up to, but wow, this one truly delivered. Forbidden love is one of my favourite tropes so I was super intrigued to see how the author was going to approach a taboo relationship or how it would all unfold, and I must say she did a magnificent job.

Everything felt perfectly paced and the writing is full of heart. I loved the natural progression of Jordan and Pike's relationship, all of their ups and downs. There was so much sexual tension and chemistry, and don't even get me started on the steam! Jordan is my exact kind of protagonist: strong but vulnerable at the same time.

I found myself not wanting to put this book down. It's spicy, emotional and absolutely riveting! New Penelope Douglas fan here helloooo!

Penelope Douglas never misses👏

I (juliana) have always loved Birthday Girl since I read it almost two years ago but this added bonus scene was CHEFS KISS!! I know a lot of people don’t typically go for the big age gap/ex boyfriends dad trope, including me, but birthday girl is the biggest exception!

Pike Lawson owns a special piece of my heart and he can keep it cause I don’t want it back🥹

This is one of those books that has been floating around for a while and I had to see what it was all about! I went in completely blind, knowing absolutely nothing about it! I have read the Devil’s Night series by this author and loved those so I thought I’d give it a try! I will say I was hooked immediately. I loved the characters. For those that age gaps, forbidden romances are their favorites this book is for you! This one has what i would call a true age gap. Meaning the gap is almost 20 years. I will say I was not ready for this one to end! This book surprised me in that it was lighter than I thought it would be. I would say though there is content that is mentioned on page that some might like a warning about. I read and listened to the audio of this one. I really enjoyed listening! The narrators were great! I definitely think that Penelope Douglas has become a must read author for me! I can’t wait to read more of their books!

It was fun. I don’t get the desk scene…? But sure, a steamy book about a girl falling for her boyfriend’s dad. Guaranteed to be a steamy read.

This book is the perfect combination of spice and what feels like a taboo but actually isn’t.

The additional Halloween content was an interesting look into Pike and Jordan’s relationship and the challenges they face due to their age gap.

Romance lovers, rejoice- this Birthday Girl is even hotter than before.

This one of the few books that have given me a "book hangover". I think that means that after reading it I can't get it out of my head and it makes me very emotional.

The story is that two 19 year olds, Jordan and her boyfriend Cole (who really is more like a best friend), move in with Cole's dad when Cole irresponsibly gets them kicked out of their apartment.

Jordan and Pike, the dad (38), fall in love, while Cole makes worse and worse life decisions. If you can stand the very slow burn romance and a HEA for most in the story (Cole's mother and Jordan's family are just as flawed as they have always been), I highly recommend this book.

I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.

I read the indie edition of Birthday Girl a few years ago, so I was excited to dive back into the story I knew I already loved.

As with the indie, I devoured this edition and was thrilled to see the bonus content. For the long-time fans of Pike and Jordan's story, it's definitely worth picking this book up for that extra spicy content!

For those of you that haven't read this book yet...
Yes, Jordan comes of immature at times. She's 19 and still learning to navigate life and adulthood.
Yes, Pike oversteps boundaries and is in a constant war with his feelings.
BUT the growth these two characters show through the story...the vulnerability and awkward moments because of their age difference all tie in really well to create an intriguing and realistic relationship.
There's so many emotions and hurdles to wade through for Pike and Jordan, and the story as a whole is completely worth it.

Still love this story!


Huge thank you Berkley Publishing for the e-ARC to read, enjoy, and honestly review! I'll definitely be adding this newly published edition to my bookshelves.

I decided to read this again before its rerelease in September from Berkley, and got an early copy which includes bonus content!

I first read this three years ago and the things I remembered were that this made me more comfortable reading age gap, and that Jordan and Pike were adorable together. That remains absolutely true. This isn't about forbidden attraction, or even a hint of daddy issues - it's about two people who genuinely connect the first time they meet. Shortly after they find out that Jordan is dating Pike's son Cole, and because Cole is a human disaster, they move in with Pike. In that kind of proximity they couldn't help but find all these other ways that their lives fit together.

What makes Birthday Girl so special in the genre is that their deep connection is built before anything physical happens. It's impossible to miss that under any other circumstances, these two people would've met and fallen in love. Their banter, deep conversations, the way they have similar values and aspirations for their lives even at such different ages, all of those things build something beautiful.

But let's also not underestimate the spice here. When Jordan and Pike cross the line, they are hot, teasing, and communicative. It's enough to make you sweat.

I'd also forgotten how pretty much every other character in this book makes me furious, and I do wish there was more of a conversation between Jordan and Cole about exactly how horrible he was. Part of me hates that he gets any sort of happy ending, regardless of him getting himself together by the end. Some things shouldn't be forgiven so easily, and Cole has a lot to atone for.

On a lighter note though, I'm still laughing about shower loofahs.

The new bonus content is heartbreaking to start but it also demonstrates how much communication and trust has grown between Jordan and Pike. And of course it gets hilariously spicy too.

Loved this book! Spicy and nice love story. It was a slow build but worth the wait for the steam!! A little over the top but I will take it.

I will for sure keep reading this author.

OMG I wanted to savor this one soooo bad. Penelope build and pushed those boundaries for sure for Jordan who fell for Pike which happens to be her boyfriends (Cole) dad! Huge age gap! They moved in with Pike due to circumstances. Force proximity ensues. Pike and Jordan met at a movie theater prior to being introduced, so it was really kismet. This was just a really fresh take for me on the big tropes on this one. Nothing was rushed so the anticipation was finally worth it. I really loved this one and is on my favorites shelf. One of the few standalones I could re-read. I highly recommend.

Update on the bonus scene from Berkley published edition: Pike and Jordan go on a date to the movies on Halloween and are faced with the opinions of what others think, but after a second of doubt they don't care. Loved it.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I love Penelope Douglas and I LOVE Birthday Girl!! This book definitely gives me "my ex is a POS but his dad treats me like a queen" vibe and I am totally here for it! I love Jordan and Pikes dynamic and the slow burn of this book really works well for the progression of their romance. This book also gives me grumpy male and sunshine female- which I am a total sucker for! Cole was a great "villain" and I Ioved to hate him and root against him and Jordan's relationship. Jordan's sister is also such a great b-role character and needs her own book, in my opinion. I would 10/10 recommend this book to anyone who loves a good smutty-taboo book between a girl and her ex's dad! It's very well done and never gave me groomy or icky vibes!!

Overall rating: 8.5/10
Spice rating: 3.8/ 5

I couldn’t put this book down! I needed to know how Pike and Jordan’s story would play out. This rollercoaster ride was so worth it and I was in love with Pike from day 1.

This was my first age gap romance in which the FMC ended up with the LI. It was fun to see how Douglas navigated the taboo.

The spice was great. And Jordan was a woman that I didn't find whiney, but Pike might have been too possessive and fatherly (though I realize that's part of the taboo). I don't know if age gap is for me, but I can imagine those that love it and ex's father will absolutely devour this book. Can't wait to handsell it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

Birthday Girl
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley, and Penelope Douglas for an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

✨Read this book if you enjoy: ✨
#️⃣age gap
🔃close proximity
🤫 forbidden romance
🔥 slow burn

This was my first Penelope Douglas book a couple years ago; I fell in love with it then and I still love it now. I still think about these characters all the time and I feel like this book really set the bar for doing the ex’s dad trope. The slow burn is so well done and the chemistry between Jordan and Pike is off the freaking charts.

Did I like this book? Yes. Am I comfortable admitting I liked this book? No. That’s what you have with this. 😂 It’s 100% taboo, I think I don’t realistically take the characters ages or fully accept their relationships when reading. I just disconnected and read the story for what it was. So read the description and proceed with caution…you’re either gonna love it or hate it.

I received this book from the publisher & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Pike and Jordan are bringing—
—Insta Feels
—Age Gap
—Ex’s Dad
—Forbidden
—Forced Proximity
—Slow Burn
—Small Town

I know I know I’m like the only romance reader on the planet who slacked on reading Birthday Girl, but I feel like Berkley and Pen rereleasing it is a good reason to finally jump on board! Thanks to @berkleyromance, @netgalley, and @Penelope.Douglas for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am decidedly not a hype reader. I know I’m guilty of hyping things, but I struggle to read things that get a ton of positive talk on booksta or booktok because I’m afraid of being let down. The hype is hard to live up to, but in Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas case my hopes were high and they were completely met.

Jordan might be 19, but she’s clued in on how the world works and mature. Unfortunately her boyfriend Cole still has some growing up to do and gets them kicked out of their apartment. They land with Cole’s estranged dad—the complication you ask? He’s the older hottie she met at the movies the night her boyfriend was tearing apart their previous life. The unwanted sparks are there, but so is her boyfriend—his son.. If you’ve not read this one yet then buckle in for a wild ride on the slow burn express.

—
I loved Jordan. Her character’s personality and traits read very realistic for a “wise beyond her years” nineteen year old—smart, but still prone to occasional dramatics if you push her. Pike—welp I considered strangling him a few times, but he’s completely redeemable and I loved him for Jordan. The ending is exactly what I needed for resolution.

Okay, wow... Penelope Douglas is absolutely WILD.

I read "Credence" and now "Birthday Girl" and... there isn't much else to say other than get ready for a LOT of spice and taboo. This book centers around Jordan, a young (but legal- very important) girl trying to make her relationship with her wayward boyfriend work. To save money, they move into his dad's house.

Pike knows that Jordan is completely off limits, but he can't help but become infatuated. When Jordan and her boyfriend break up, their chemistry pulls them together to create an unhinged, unstoppable romance.

Again, it was a wild ride, but I did enjoy this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Birthday Girl was my first Penelope Douglas but definitely won't be my last!!

Jordan is 19 and now living with her boyfriend, Cole, at his dad's house. Meeting an enticing man at a movie, she can't stop thinking about him until she realizes that he's Cole's father. But even then, she still can't stop thinking about him. Pike, Cole's dad, treats Jordan as she should be treated in general. He even buys her a cake for her birthday and has her make a wish. Tensions are high in this household but will either be able to resist one another?!

Birthday Girl had an enticing dual point of view set up and definitely brought on all the tension! I loved that the relationship wasn't just about the sex but about other things that Pike/Jordan could provide for one another. While I wish some of the chapters were shorter and there was less "pining" more action at some points, I enjoyed Birthday Girl and will definitely seek out another Penelope Douglas in the future!

I have seen this book a lot and after reading Corrupt from Penelope Douglas, I knew I had to pick this one up. I'm not much into age-gap romance unless they are super good so I wanted to see if this one is another good one. Let me say that I wasn't disappointed. Douglas hooked me with their writing from the first page and honestly I couldn't stop reading. Totally the wrong book to pick up during exam time but don't worry I somehow managed. The storyline was amazing, the meaning behind it was unique and just everything about the writing was good. This book had a lot of memorable scenes that I will for sure never forget about. It's one of those books that I will be rereading when I need something fun. This book is written in dual povs which was perfect for this book.

This book is written in both Jordan and Pike's pov. Jordan just turned 19, trying to save money with a boyfriend who doesn't treat her right. Then there is Pike who is Jordan's boyfriend's father and is crushing on Jordan who is staying with him. Jordan was kind of annoying at times in this book but also kind of enjoyed her. I loved how independent she is but she was whiny a lot of the times. Pike was charming and I enjoyed his character. Both characters had amazing character development and I enjoyed their dynamic relationship. There weren't many side characters except for Pike's son who I really hated and wanted him gone. The romance was steamy but not as steamy as I was thinking for a Douglas book. The relationship was still great though and totally ship the MCs.

The ending was well done and kind of cute. I loved the special bonus scene that we get in this edition and I hope that Douglas can explore more of Jordan and Pike in the future. I really enjoyed this book and could see what the hype was all about also why so many people want the Mystic box editions. I loved everything about this book and won't change anything about it. Yes it wasn't as steamy as Douglas's other books but the chemistry between the main characters totally made up for it. I totally recommend reading this book because honestly you will regret not reading it sooner.
*this e-arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

I think most TikTok readers have heard of Penelope Douglas at this point, she’s had lots and lots of trendy books. I’ve definitely not read all of her stuff, but I’m happy to tell you that of what I’ve read Birthday Girl is actually my favorite from her.

Age-gap and taboo romances can be very tricky, so of course if that’s something you’d rather avoid, I won’t recommend this book. That said, while the age difference is prominent here I didn’t personally get any ick vibes or grooming weirdness from the relationship in this case. The characters and their interactions are actually quite cute in a very odd way. Definitely not the most realistic story but this also isn’t trying to be. A great option for taboo romance with both plot and lots of spice.