Payback, Penelope

by May Alder

I thought I was living happily ever after with my ex-husband despite giving up my dreams of having children to be with him. At least, I had been until I turned thirty, and he started losing interest in me. Now, single at thirty-seven years old and feeling foolish for sacrificing too much for my ex, my internal clock was ticking faster than ever.

When the school year resumed, I introduced myself to the new history teacher, who turned out to be my younger former neighbor. When the giant of a man called me Mama, I discovered we shared the same dreams and fantasies. I went a little overboard in my baby-making quest and thought I scared him off…until he came back with a wicked plan to give me what I deserved—payback.

Payback, Penelope is a standalone, insta-obsessession, reverse-age-gap romance novella about a divorcee who goes after what she wants and the hefty hero who takes role-playing to the next level. Happily ever after guaranteed.

Genres: Novella, Romance, M F Romance, Contemporary Romance, BDSM, Erotica, Contemporary

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2024

About the author

May Alder would like to thank her life-long maladaptive daydreaming disorder and rampant #daddyissues for the storylines that have been brewing in her mind for years. Her need to turn them into something productive, a positive instead of a negative, has spurred her to write her stories and release them into the world.

Reviews

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

HELP 😭 what just happened I-

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars?! (But I can totally see other people giving this a 1 star rating) 😶‍🌫️

The tropes were 👀, there was non-con (between the main characters) that they both seemed ok with, and the whole thing was pretty unhinged. I thought I knew how unhinged it was (the MMC has been obsessed with his older neighbour his whole life), and then it escalated in a very unexpected way…

[Jen ♥]

Self note:
 
Look, I love this author's writing style, and I really enjoyed her other books, but I just can't do reverse age-gap (15); it's not my cup of tea, I'm sorry. ☹️😭

Anyhoo, I hope this finds its intended audience and works for them. 💖

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exciting read with an age gap twist, he is younger than her.
Payback, Penelope was smexy and wonderful to read and kept me glued until the end.

[Deanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall enjoyable but I didn't fully vibe with the character's or their dynamic because it felt very back and forth with something that I won't spoil but it was fun and entertaining as well as easy and quick to read

[Ashley - The Tattered Page]

HOOK:
🪢 t!3d to the bed after p4ss!ng out from multiple 💦

♥️Reverse ag3 g4p (37/22)
♥️First crush / former neighbors
♥️Size difference
♥️Br33d!ng with pregnancy
♥️She’s unh!nged
♥️Edg!ng / f0rc3d O’s / p3gg!ng
♥️S0mn0ph!l!a
♥️R0l3-pl4ying as st3pm0m/st3ps0n & *cheating on dad
*no actual cheating

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning this book is ALL spice! Hot role playing, forced Os, and reverse age gap 🔥🤤

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this one. I really liked the reverse age gap and the mama thing, but the step fantasy bothered me. Not because it was steps, but because they were basing it on her actual family. It was weird that they were imagining her ex-husband, and the step kids as part of the fantasy. I just kept getting the ick from it. But besides that, I really liked their story.

[Ciru · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've ever watched Good Girls, Jacob is a stockier/built version of Rio in my head. With a heavy step son fantasy kink.

This was funny, smutty, eww why am I reading this taboo genre.

The most unrealistic scene was the post copy room fight.

I preferred alternative epilogue 2 over the original epilogue 2.

I absolutely, positively loved when Penelope's 'crazy' came out and surpassed Jacob's. I was laughing through those parts.

[Jordan Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second reverse age gap to The Wild One and while Im not particularly a fan of him being 22 I did really like this book.

I felt bad for Penelope, not finding her happiness with Daniel and starting over. I honestly swore the whole seeing Jacob in school and him touching her immediately was like a joke. I had to re read those scenes a few times and I was cracking up.

Jacob being obsessed with her since he was a kid was also cute and funny. His dad walking in on him masturbating to her.

The step son kink like this was a first for me, spicy but different. They went all in with the role play.

Even after he left her house and avoided her I thought it was a joke, I was like are these two really acting like this and it felt like such a filthy rom com. Loved it

And when he came to the conclusion that she was just as crazy as him

Her tying him up and using him until he passes out and can’t remember the next day was wild

Loved the two different epilogues

Wasn’t expecting them to have that many kids but I’m so for it

[yourlavishbooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

C’est un livre qui m’avait été recommandé, alors j’avais hâte de le lire. Le début était prometteur et, quand j’ai réalisé que c’était une nouvelle, je me suis dit que ça m’aiderait peut-être à sortir de ma panne de lecture récente.

Mais tout a été gâché au moment même où Jacob l’a violée. Le mec la viole pendant qu’elle dort et ce n’est même pas noté dans les trigger warnings ???

Quand je les ai relus, j’ai vu qu’il était mentionné de la somnophilie, ce que je n’avais pas du tout remarqué au départ — sinon, je n’aurais jamais lu ce livre. Mais même là, ça ne justifie pas le viol. Le consentement est totalement absent.

Et je ne pensais pas que ça pourrait empirer, mais la suite est vraiment catastrophique. Je n’arrive pas à croire ce que j’ai lu. Franchement, encore un trauma.

update : « dub-con » est mentionné dans les trigger warnings, mais pour moi, c’est du pur viol quand même (et il faut vraiment que je les lise plus attentivement, la prochaine fois !!)

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tropes - reverse age gap, breeding kink, forbidden, workplace, novella, neighbours (in past), HEA

I came for the smut, and the book delivered it, but the plot was just not as engaging or enticing.

If a stranger did any of the things Jacob did to Penelope on first meeting me or anyone I know, I would be calling the cops on them.

If there had been a bit more background or chapters exploring their connection, this book would have earned a higher rating. I need a proper connection between the MCs before sex, which was missing here.

The noncon part felt strange to me—especially when the couple knew very little about each other.

Jacob running off seemed so bizarre, especially since he was the one who initiated things in the first place.

I did appreciate the author providing more than one epilogue and an alternative one—allowing us to choose the ending we want for the couple.

The spice was nice, but I found it quite dull reading the story in the book.

[Kim B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haha! Ok that was a wild ride! The back and forth of this book was pretty crazy!! And the "stepmom" and "stepson" role playing was 🥵! An age gap with a twist - older woman with a younger man. Jacob grew up obsessing about Penelope (his neighbor) until she moved away and he lost touch and couldn't locate her online. He shows up for his first job post college - as a teacher - and there she is, a fellow teacher (but now divorced). The attraction between both was intense and the same day they meet, that night there is a scene that may make you wonder about Jacob's sanity (somnophilia). But then how that entire weekend goes is like wow! And I didn't understand why he left her and didn't communicate, but their dynamic was a bit psycho - by both of them so they balanced each other out. 🤣 Needless to say this one is spicy! And sweet too of course!

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The smut and dirty talk was 🥵 not 5 stars bc the turn the h did halfway through the book left me like 🥴 I was like girl whatttt she def turned a bit psycho and desperate. Which wouldn’t bother me too much but she was obsessed with getting pregnant bc she felt like she was too old and her inner monologue about that was super annoying. It left me feeling like she only wanted the H to use him to get her pregnant. She literally kept saying she needed to make the most out of their weekend to get herself pregnant. She also said if he didn’t get her pregnant and didn’t want to have sex with her again she planned to go out and find someone to get her pregnant 🥴
4 stars for the H (I loved how obsessed he was with her ans how she was his childhood crush/love) and for the first half of the book.

Also I definitely preferred the second epilogue. 🌶️

[Spoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reverse age gap of 15 years!

I’ve read other books from May Alder so I already have an idea on what I’m getting into. I find it funny when both MCs match each other’s freaks, and in this case, it’s the MMC who first cried because of how raw his dick was from cumming. He literally had tears in his eyes and he avoided the FMC for a while because every time he sees her his dick automatically salutes and it was hurting him! Of course the FMC thought he’s done with her but it’s actually the opposite.

There’s some kinky role play and other filthy stuff here and there, so it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I liked it and had fun reading it. 3.5 stars!

[St.Peaches · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️: 4/5

This might be less unhinged out of all the other novellas May Alder have AND THAT'S SAYING ALOT 🤣🤣
DON'T GET ME WRONG ..
It's still unhinged AND HOT AS HELL!!
But the plot is alot more ... wholesome 🤣🤣🫠🫠
AND GODDAMN THOSE SPICY SCENE 🤣🤣🤣
DEFINITELY PREFER THE SECOND EPILOGUE 🤣🤣

FUN FUN FUUUNN RIIDDEEE 10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR AN UNHINGED TABOO ROMANCE READERS!!

Book Contains:
- Reverse Age Gap
- Dub/Non-Con
- Somno
- MMC Packing
- Mama-Step Son Play
- Over Stim
- Edging
- Bondage
- Breeding with Pregnancy
- 🍑 Play (Both Side 😉)
- Toys (LOTS OF THEM)

🍑 HAPPY READING YALL!!!! 🍑

[I read for the vibes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very conflicted about the rating but finally settled on 2 stars.

I love that the woman is older. I don't mind the 15-year age gap. The MMC had a crush on the FMC growing up. She only had minor interaction with him and didn't have any sort of authority over him so no grooming stuff. They were both adults when they met again and the relationship started.

What I am struggling with is the noncon part. Sure, they both ended up being ok with it but it really didn't sit well with me while I was reading those parts. And I'm more than okay with somnophilia.. just with consent first.

[Ah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is basically wall-to-wall spice with only a sprinkle of plot. The main characters are absolutely unhinged—but somehow it works for them, so who am I to judge? I try not to yuck anyone’s yum, but some parts veered a little too weird for me personally. On the bright side, it’s a super quick, easy read, so if you’re in the mood for fast-paced chaos with plenty of heat, this one delivers. Just a word of advice: check those trigger warnings, tropes, and themes before diving in (unlike me).

[Magalie Bonneau · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out fine and got weird real fast. So you would think it would be a reverse age gap / second chance vibe until it becomes very 🍇y. This wasn’t CNC. Straight up abuse up in your sleep without your consent. And then leaving so you get your “revenge” by breaking in and drugging you and using you while you were drugged.

The last chapter was satisfying when she sees her deadbeat ex husband getting scammed from a bimbo and her having a hot younger hubby and beautiful kids.

[Susan Ansorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot, hot, hot

Age gap, 22(m) 37(f). He has loved her forever. The little neighbor boy. After her divorce, and he is an adult, he finds her and the results are explosive. They use bedroom role play as stepson, stepmother, but there is no relationship. forced O's, toys and hot smex.

[Jane Who Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.40/5.00 ⭐️ rating
3.00/5.00 🌶️ rating

Tropes/Kinks: age Gap (37yr old FMC to 22yr old MMC), oral, anal, toys, edging, breeding kink, somnophilia, drugging, bondage, stepson/stepmom kink, forced orgasms

Thoughts:

I honestly love May Alder’s books and this one is no exception. This is kinky and beyond taboo. Would 10/10 reread.

[Canadianmombooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the overall story line with the reverse age gap but I don’t love the roll playing it felt really cringe for me. I also thought the “payback” didn’t make a whole lot of sense since how things started was non con but he had an issue with the roles reversed with a woman he’s been obsessed with…

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ☆☆☆
Just a little boring.

Genre?: Erotic romance
POV: dual pov first person present tense
Plot: ☆☆☆
Pacing: ☆☆☆
H: ☆☆☆
h: ☆☆☆
Side characters: ☆☆☆
Ending: ☆☆☆
Spice: ☆☆☆
Chemistry: ☆☆☆
Kinks: stepmom/stepson roleplay, bondage, overstimulation, somnophilia, orgasm denial
Triggers: sexual assault, cheating (ex husband)

[Miri · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have been inhaling every book this author has written.
for a damn good reason too. she is hilarious and always finds this oddly perfect balance between wholesome and filthy. this was such a fun take on the reverse age gap trope.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg both of these characters are insane... And absolutely perfect for each other. This was one steamy story with age gap(older female, younger male), characters obsessed with each other, and heavy on baby making. If that's what your looking for then jump right in!

[María · Rating 4 out of 5]

TABÚ!!!!!
No por la diferencia de edad es por la descripción de sus aventuras sexuales, PEROOOOO el Respeto, entendimiento, aceptación y sobre todo el acuerdo en juegos sexuales como el de roles es maravilloso y sano !! Por que son ellos dos disfrutando de su sexualidad monógama ❤️

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎶Is somebody gonna match my freak🎶

These two definitely matched each other's freak for sure! She's mental for him and he for her. Heavy on the noncon with tears and ice packs needed with how much they "punish" each other.

[The Book Palace · Rating 3 out of 5]

damnnn fantasyyy

-Trope: Reverse age-gap (FMC 37, MMC 22)
-Kink: Dub-con, Bondage, Breeding, Somno, Forced Os & edging, Role-playing (stepson/Mama, cheating)

-cw/tw: Actual cheating (not between main characters), Attempted SA (by a side character)

[Caroline Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A WILD RIDE

What did I just read? I loved it. Penelope is freaking crazy and one bada$$ woman.
Very interesting to read at this point in my life too, mid-30s and freshly divorced. #manifesting

[classy cliterature · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️
5/5 🌶️

Reverse age gap (37-38/22)
Teachers
He had a crush on her as a neighborhood kid
Brêêding kink
Toys
Sömnö by both characters 😴
Tie up
HEA
Epilogue x2 (with a bonus rewrite of the second, so technically 3!)