Oh lord, this one was a wild ride!! If you like Penelope Douglas, you’ll definitely enjoy this one too! Just beware, it’ll test your openmindness! Definitely an intriguing read with intricate family dynamics. Glad it is getting re-released!

Every book I read by this author just gets better and better! I loved this whole story and as taboo as it was. I loved the unpredictability and I was super invested in the story and characters! Loved!

When I read the synopsis of this book, it was obvious to this reader that this book was not about conventional relationships or conventional people. That being said, a questions that plagued me throughout this very dark not-really-a-romance -- where is the line between unconventional and just downright in need of professional help? When is a dysfunctional person over the line? Is there a line between love and obsession? Love and sex? Lots of lines in this story for this reader.

Tiernan loses her parents and gets sent to her father's stepbrother. It's clear from the start that there's no love lost here and it's a bit hard to believe that she would be sent there, but then there wouldn't be a story then, would there? If you are looking for logic here, you may not find it. This is story that you just have to suspend what you know and just go with it, if you can. It's not a book for everyone and it crosses the line with the content. I think that's what drew me to reading this book. How far can an author go with forbidden themes? This author tries to answer that, and that's the most interesting aspect of this story.

Anti-Romance

Thoughts: 💡
Sometimes I wish P Douglas wasn’t such an entertaining writer. This book sucks you in and keeps you rapidly turning the pages completely engrossed in the story. The problem is that she doesn’t seem to use sensitivity readers. She writes about a few topics that she’s clearly unknowledgeable about and creates very problematic scenarios. I’m certain that this book would rate much higher and be enjoyed by a wider audience if she makes a few revisions.
The characters are all struggling and have intense issues that they really should seek therapy for, instead they just hole up on a mountain and yell at each other. They do end up finding solas and a way to live, and create a very entertaining story. I wish we would have seen more character development, instead what we got were dark themes and crazy hot smut. The bonus chapter found at the end of the paperback gives you a look into Khalib’s struggles and thoughts. I loved that it finally gave insight into a marginalized character and their struggles. If you’re a dark romance reader I’m certain you will enjoy this one, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone that doesn’t like darker themes.
As for the audio, I liked that there were four different narrators. The audio quality was a solid 4, as well as the three male narrators. However, I think the female narrator was spectacular and would love to head more from her.

Fun Bits:
⚜️ Super Smutty
⚜️ Lots of Angst
⚜️ An Interesting Plot
⚜️ Some Suspense

Important Note:✨
This book was rereleased by Berkley and the paperback has bonus content that the eBook doesn’t have.

Full Content Warning:⚠️
misogynistic behavior, power imbalance, group sex, sexual violence, dubious consent, suicide, child neglect, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and bondage

Stats:📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
💙💙💙💙
Audio: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Narrators: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
Dark Erotica: Taboo, Love Triangle, Coming of Age, Age Gap, Grief & Loss, Hurt/Comfort, Found Family
First Person, Present Tense, Multi POV

This book had me in my feels 🔥. I love a taboo romance and this was top tier 🫶🏼. So excited I got to arc read this special edition one

This was like watching a slow motion car crash…like I don’t really want to be watching, but I can’t look away 🫣

DEFINITELY CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS! This book will not be for everyone. I’m not easily bothered, but I was definitely reading with this face 😬

That being said, thank you to NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Tiernan de Haas has just lost her parents, will she survive the scandal and gossip too?

Now alone, she discovers they left her guardianship to an Uncle she never knew? Technically Jake is her Step- Uncle which means even in death her
parents left her with a stranger.

Tiernan has a choice - give her new “found family” a chance or seek emancipation.

A lifetime in her parent’s shadows forgotten and unseen Tiernan decides to take a chance and heads for Colorado.

Maybe this new chapter will provide closure and a fresh start. Little does she know the bear trap that awaits in Colorado.

It's time for Tiernan to brush up on her survival skills, dive into a bit of manual labor, and get dirty. The rugged outdoors is a far cry from the LA glitz and glam.

Spending time in the outdoors might do her a bit of good, help her process her grief and find peace.

If she can follow the rules she might be able to keep her secrets safe. What will happen when her new family discovers the truth? Will she still be safe?

Tiernan is at risk of becoming the prey from the local boys in a town and the animals in the wild. What did she get herself into?

This dark and gritty romance has

✔ Strangers to Lovers
✔ Taboo Romance - Step Uncle/Cousins
✔ M/F/M
✔ Suspense
✔ Found Family
✔ Multiple POV
✔ Revenge, Secrets, Twists & turns

Inferno Read ☕🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 contains:
Erotica, BDSM, explicit scenes of a sensitive or sexual nature, and M/F/M sex scenes

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the arc for an honest and fair review.

Trigger Warnings: misogynistic behavior and power imbalance, group sex, sexual violence, dubious consent, child neglect, suicide & bondages.

Anyone who believes such content may upset them is encourage to consider their well-being when choosing whether to continue reading.

In order to find love all of them will need to overcome pain, loss, betrayal, and deception. Who will find forgiveness, love and redemption?

This book is a journey that will leave you trying to figure it out until the last page. You think you know how it ends... but you don't.

I got an ARC of this book from NetGalley because it’s being traditionally published by Berkley for my honest review so let’s hop into it.

Gosh I hate read this book after 75% because I sure wasn’t gonna DNF at that point. This is my first ever one star. I don’t know what I was expecting from this book but boy it wasn’t this. I have heard a lot about this book from Tiktok of course like so many other. So I kinda knew what I was getting into but I still didn’t like the end. I don’t know what ending would have made me happy but it wasn’t what we got. I do understand why this book is popular and this is not me hating on everyone for liking it but it just isn’t for me.

Credence by Penelope Douglas is a captivating and unique novel that left me spellbound. Unlike anything I have ever read before, this book exudes an irresistible allure. The author skillfully crafts incredible relationship dynamics, building them up with a perfect blend of passion and tension. The story is infused with a tantalizing undercurrent of suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout. Credence is an exceptional and enthralling tale that will leave you yearning for more.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Credence is definitely a taboo romance, so make sure you accept this before you pick it up.

It really crosses the line and then keeps going, but it grabs your attention and won't let go. I wanted to yell at these characters and some of the choices they make, but overall this is an attention grabbing romance from author Penelope Douglas.

This is my second attempt at this book. The first I had a little bit of an ick factor and gave up quickly. After learning their "family" isn't blood family though, I felt much better about it and actually really enjoyed it.

It's not a masterpiece by any means but it's a 5 star on my smutty reads scale.

I went through multiple emotions while reading this book when it came to the female lead and the guy she ended up with. Starts out with feeling bad for her, but then between them you are confused, annoyed, happy, disappointed, resigned, and finally satisfied, There is a lot that goes on during the story and each character has their struggles and demons, which I like. My friend is a long-time fan of Penelope Douglas, but this was my first book from her. You certainly don’t know which way the story is going to lead to next!

What a marvelous story. Once I started, I couldn’t seem to put it down. I was intrigued right from the beginning. I felt this book was very well written, and the characters had depth, which is one of the things I enjoy most about books.

This is a wonderful way to get into the more dark and taboo side of romance.

All these elements I would not like to even remotely be associated with in real life, yet worked so well in this book.
The plot is so unique, I simply haven't read anything like this before.
I know books like these are a great way to explore your limits in a safe and fictional place... this has been a whole reading experience!

I was blown away by this book! The writing is emotive, raw and steamy. The main character, Tiernan de Haas, is a complex and troubled young woman who has grown up with wealth and privilege but without any real love or guidance. When her parents suddenly pass away, she is left alone and numb. But when her father's stepbrother, Jake Van der Berg, assumes guardianship of her, Tiernan's life takes an unexpected turn.
Sent to live with Jake and his two sons, Noah and Kaleb, in the mountains of Colorado, Tiernan finds herself in a completely different world. And as she starts to get to know these men, she begins to realize that they have a say in what she cares about and what she doesn't.
The dynamics between Tiernan and the Van der Berg men are intense and captivating. Each of them has their own demons and struggles, but together they form a unique and powerful bond. I loved how the author slowly unraveled the layers of each character, giving them depth and making them relatable.
The romance in this book is unconventional and taboo, but it's also passionate and all-consuming. There is a strong chemistry between Tiernan and both Noah and Kaleb, and the way their relationships develop is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
What I loved about this book is how it explores themes of family, love, and loyalty. It's a story about finding yourself and your place in the world, and learning to let go of the past in order to move forward.
I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a steamy and emotional read.

People heal in different ways. Is there alarming behavior in this book? Absolutely. Did I occasionally make a disgusted face while reading it? Yes. But I get it. I think Penelope is a good writer, although it did drag for me towards the end. The characters are interesting and most of their behavior makes sense to me, even if I wouldn't do these things myself. I really liked the setting as well. I had put this off for a long time after hearing some spoilers, but I'm glad that I made the leap. Difficult, gross, sort of a modern gothic story. I dig it.

I do not know how to go about reviewing this book but I loved it. This book kick-started my love for reading and had me wanting more every chapter. I understand this book might not be for everyone but I would recommend anyone to give this book a solid try. The tropes in this book can be seen as very taboo but they are very complex to explain. I gave this book a 4.5/5 stars. Absolutely love Penelope!

Tbh I’ve heard a lot of people talk about this book, and frankly I only read because it was one of those things that I felt like I just needed to see for myself. Don’t ask me why. Idk. I just…curiosity got the best of me.

To start- this is NOT a why choose. I’m not sure why people keep saying it is. It’s definitely not. Which is unfortunate because that was one of the things that made me want to read it.

I’m not bothered by the whole step-uncle and his sons things tbh. More that I think all of these guys are kinda terrible lol

Choosing Kaleb felt like her walking away from one traumatic aspect of her life, healing a tiny bit, then going for that same trauma?? Like she spent her whole life being ignored by her parents and them not speaking to her basically ever, to falling in love with a man WHO WONT SPEAK TO HER

Tiernan says she was Kaleb’s from the first night in the shop when he didn’t even know her name….so the time he tried to rape her because she was saying no repeatedly and he didn’t care until Noah came out and said she wasn’t a townie????

I legitimately think I need to discuss this with my therapist next session.

⭐️⭐️.5/5? ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5? IDK MAN
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

I absolutley love this book! One of my top reads of 2023. It has spice, plot, thriller elements, and cabin vibes... do I need to say more? I will! Penelope Douglas is so good at writing a spicy book where you feel for the characters (whether you love them or hate them!) A spicy book that can spark emotions, is the best. There's a reason why people talk about this book so much, it is well deserved!