What do you think?
Rate this book
West Coast Doms #1
Punishing Penelope
UP FOR PREORDER
“It’s time to teach Penelope Wilder a lesson, and I’m the man for the job.”
Tragedy tears a group of high school friends apart. Peter can never forget the girl he once loved. Literally. Still fierce, and obnoxiously sexy, she has become a hotshot journalist who harasses him and the rest of the police force at every turn, and he’s had enough.
“Peter Hale is the enemy. He was my first love, but as a cop he stands for everything I hate.”
A crime reporter for L.A. Times, Penelope is determined to hold the law enforcement accountable for every misstep. Until she makes a mistake and is caught red-handed by the boy she has never forgotten.
Once sweet and devoted, now frighteningly rough, he’s intent on making her pay.
___
This is a new first book in the series, exploring how it all began, focusing on Penelope and Peter and their HEA.
Each book can be read as a standalone and comes with a HEA. The West Coast Doms series contains heavy elements of power exchange and rough scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book.
“It’s time to teach Penelope Wilder a lesson, and I’m the man for the job.”
Tragedy tears a group of high school friends apart. Peter can never forget the girl he once loved. Literally. Still fierce, and obnoxiously sexy, she has become a hotshot journalist who harasses him and the rest of the police force at every turn, and he’s had enough.
“Peter Hale is the enemy. He was my first love, but as a cop he stands for everything I hate.”
A crime reporter for L.A. Times, Penelope is determined to hold the law enforcement accountable for every misstep. Until she makes a mistake and is caught red-handed by the boy she has never forgotten.
Once sweet and devoted, now frighteningly rough, he’s intent on making her pay.
___
This is a new first book in the series, exploring how it all began, focusing on Penelope and Peter and their HEA.
Each book can be read as a standalone and comes with a HEA. The West Coast Doms series contains heavy elements of power exchange and rough scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book.
232 pages, ebook
First published January 11, 2022
204 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Nicolina Martin
30 books912 followersUSA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Nicolina Martin is a Swedish born lady who escapes the long, dark winter nights by writing hot contemporary romance/suspense.
Nicolina is a mother of three, a medical doctor, a quirky loner, and a social human being. She has traveled the globe, has had more lovers than she can count, has loved and hated, succeeded and failed, has gone through marriage and divorce. She has seen darkness and despair, as well as light and happiness.
All these experiences, she pours into her tales, taking her readers for a wild ride while twisting their minds. She loves showing that stories can be different even if the trope is the same.
Nicolina is a mother of three, a medical doctor, a quirky loner, and a social human being. She has traveled the globe, has had more lovers than she can count, has loved and hated, succeeded and failed, has gone through marriage and divorce. She has seen darkness and despair, as well as light and happiness.
All these experiences, she pours into her tales, taking her readers for a wild ride while twisting their minds. She loves showing that stories can be different even if the trope is the same.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
February 27, 2022
I might come back to this, but I've read enough to see that it's probably not for me for three reasons:
1) In a book set in our contemporary world, asking us to root for a character who in real life would not only lose his job, but also go to prison for what he does to Penelope required too much cognitive dissonance on my part. For someone depicted as an upstanding, law-abiding policeperson, he certainly doesn't act like it; rather, he's a hypocrite -- even worse, by undermining all the tenets he claims to hold dear, he actually proves Penelope's point;
2) Peter is, in fact, extraordinarily unlikable and very self-involved (everything is all about him). Indeed, as others have said, the characters are immature. While I understand that the childhood trauma froze them in time, so to speak, since they were never able to grow or move past it, their impulse control was so poor (particularly Peter's, which makes you wonder what kind of policeperson -- or "experienced dom" -- he actually is), that I couldn't invest in them;
3) Publishing a book with this kind of storyline and conflict is extraordinarily tone-deaf in a country where . Update: See author's note below re: Beta readers; I was wrong about this.
It may not be fair to judge an erotic book by #3, but given that the author spent time crafting this plot, then I feel justified in critiquing the ideology she pushes here. While it's possible that Peter changes towards the end, his actions and problematic stance towards issues I don't "both-sideism" are too cringe-worthy for me to get that far: I kept thinking that if I were Penelope, I would have had nothing to do with him. And once I think that about any MC, I can't invest in the romance -- even a "dark" one.
2 stars. For those not bothered by what I say above, then I suggest reading the positive reviews it's gotten. While I liked the other books I read in this series (Commanding Casey and Saving Sandra), there are some issues and ideologies that I can't put aside when I read; this book addressed two of them. Note: If you don't want to know what happens, I suggest not reading the reviews since several reveal salient plot points.
1) In a book set in our contemporary world, asking us to root for a character who in real life would not only lose his job, but also go to prison for what he does to Penelope required too much cognitive dissonance on my part. For someone depicted as an upstanding, law-abiding policeperson, he certainly doesn't act like it; rather, he's a hypocrite -- even worse, by undermining all the tenets he claims to hold dear, he actually proves Penelope's point;
2) Peter is, in fact, extraordinarily unlikable and very self-involved (everything is all about him). Indeed, as others have said, the characters are immature. While I understand that the childhood trauma froze them in time, so to speak, since they were never able to grow or move past it, their impulse control was so poor (particularly Peter's, which makes you wonder what kind of policeperson -- or "experienced dom" -- he actually is), that I couldn't invest in them;
3) Publishing a book with this kind of storyline and conflict is extraordinarily tone-deaf in a country where . Update: See author's note below re: Beta readers; I was wrong about this.
It may not be fair to judge an erotic book by #3, but given that the author spent time crafting this plot, then I feel justified in critiquing the ideology she pushes here. While it's possible that Peter changes towards the end, his actions and problematic stance towards issues I don't "both-sideism" are too cringe-worthy for me to get that far: I kept thinking that if I were Penelope, I would have had nothing to do with him. And once I think that about any MC, I can't invest in the romance -- even a "dark" one.
2 stars. For those not bothered by what I say above, then I suggest reading the positive reviews it's gotten. While I liked the other books I read in this series (Commanding Casey and Saving Sandra), there are some issues and ideologies that I can't put aside when I read; this book addressed two of them. Note: If you don't want to know what happens, I suggest not reading the reviews since several reveal salient plot points.
January 10, 2022
Punishing Penelope is the story of seven friends. We meet the group as they head into the summer before their senior year of high school.
Pen has a crush on both the bad boy, Stephan, and the good boy, Peter. Just as she makes her decision to pursue a relationship with Peter, tragedy strikes and everything changes.
Fast forward nine years. The group is completely out of touch, living their own lives, still bearing the scars of that fateful night.
“Our union, and our reunion, were always written in the stars.”
It’s said that hate and love are two sides of the same coin. Their feelings are complicated. Pen shut down and associates Peter with pain. Peter resents the loss of could have been, should have been, and the calcification of Pen’s heart. Her anger spurs her career, just as Peter’s does, though they find themselves on different sides, albeit fighting for the same things.
“The depravity, the feeling that I’d fall if he didn’t hold me, his crazed intrusion of all my holes, how he uses me and abuses me, is the sexiest, maddest thing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never felt so defenseless in my life. I’m completely and fully his, and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Punishing Penelope is the story of their second chance where these two young lovers become rivals and their relationship comes full circle.
⚠️ Safety Squad: Dub-/non-con.
📚 I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pen has a crush on both the bad boy, Stephan, and the good boy, Peter. Just as she makes her decision to pursue a relationship with Peter, tragedy strikes and everything changes.
Fast forward nine years. The group is completely out of touch, living their own lives, still bearing the scars of that fateful night.
“Our union, and our reunion, were always written in the stars.”
It’s said that hate and love are two sides of the same coin. Their feelings are complicated. Pen shut down and associates Peter with pain. Peter resents the loss of could have been, should have been, and the calcification of Pen’s heart. Her anger spurs her career, just as Peter’s does, though they find themselves on different sides, albeit fighting for the same things.
“The depravity, the feeling that I’d fall if he didn’t hold me, his crazed intrusion of all my holes, how he uses me and abuses me, is the sexiest, maddest thing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never felt so defenseless in my life. I’m completely and fully his, and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Punishing Penelope is the story of their second chance where these two young lovers become rivals and their relationship comes full circle.
⚠️ Safety Squad: Dub-/non-con.
📚 I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2022
*** ARC Provided for Honest Review ***
This was not one of my best reads, but I do feel that I will give the author another try. The first thirty to forty percent of the book was the back story for the actual meat of the book. The beginning was to slow, too much, information and not enough flow for me really to engage or enjoy. The ending was not much better. The two of them of them getting in the manner they did just really strikes me as so wrong. I know this is a dark romance, but the characters have to connect in some type of realistic fashion. This book was not for me, but it might be for you.
*** ARC Provided for Honest Review ***
This was not one of my best reads, but I do feel that I will give the author another try. The first thirty to forty percent of the book was the back story for the actual meat of the book. The beginning was to slow, too much, information and not enough flow for me really to engage or enjoy. The ending was not much better. The two of them of them getting in the manner they did just really strikes me as so wrong. I know this is a dark romance, but the characters have to connect in some type of realistic fashion. This book was not for me, but it might be for you.
*** ARC Provided for Honest Review ***
November 17, 2022
Punishing Penelope goes right back to the beginning of this group of friends.
And while it starts out sweet,with Penelope and Peter promising eachother forever,it goes downhill pretty fast.
Not because they don’t want that forever….no,because her younger sister dies and she shouldn’t have….
The difference in grieving for everyone involved,means they drift apart.
Even stand on opposite sides in their belief of what is right and what not concerning weapons and defending yourself.
Penelope ends up being a reporter that chases justice for victims of violence.
Peter ends up working as a cop doing his best to make sure justice is served.
Even though they’re on opposite sides,they both want the same,but don’t agree with the M.O. of the other.
But they don’t talk,not for years now….
Until,one day,Peter catches Penelope doing something she shouldn’t.
That’s the day he decides to punish her for constantly putting the policeforce in a bad light.
Only it turns out there’s more to it than that….
And even though he worries he’s gone too far,he hasn’t done any true harm.
In fact,it seems Penelope likes the way he handled her!
After that,they finally take the time to talk,really talk.
And they open eachother’s eyes to the what,how and why they were doing things the way they were.
Still,there’s the opposite sides they’re on…..
Can they find a middle ground?
Because they need it if they want to make it work this time!
I loved going back to the start,and meet everyone while they were young.
Even though Penelope lost her sister Savannah…
Seeing them as they struggled to find a way forward from that,how they drifted apart,was painful.
And yet….they kept following the others,seeing where they were,and what they were doing.
That bond,fragile as it may have become,was still there.
And once Penelope and Peter started talking,they were honest enough to admit their feelings.
Thát is special,and i love it!
What they did to stay together was a great solution!
Neither had to compromise and both were still able to do what they believed in.
Great story,one i enjoyed very much!
And while it starts out sweet,with Penelope and Peter promising eachother forever,it goes downhill pretty fast.
Not because they don’t want that forever….no,because her younger sister dies and she shouldn’t have….
The difference in grieving for everyone involved,means they drift apart.
Even stand on opposite sides in their belief of what is right and what not concerning weapons and defending yourself.
Penelope ends up being a reporter that chases justice for victims of violence.
Peter ends up working as a cop doing his best to make sure justice is served.
Even though they’re on opposite sides,they both want the same,but don’t agree with the M.O. of the other.
But they don’t talk,not for years now….
Until,one day,Peter catches Penelope doing something she shouldn’t.
That’s the day he decides to punish her for constantly putting the policeforce in a bad light.
Only it turns out there’s more to it than that….
And even though he worries he’s gone too far,he hasn’t done any true harm.
In fact,it seems Penelope likes the way he handled her!
After that,they finally take the time to talk,really talk.
And they open eachother’s eyes to the what,how and why they were doing things the way they were.
Still,there’s the opposite sides they’re on…..
Can they find a middle ground?
Because they need it if they want to make it work this time!
I loved going back to the start,and meet everyone while they were young.
Even though Penelope lost her sister Savannah…
Seeing them as they struggled to find a way forward from that,how they drifted apart,was painful.
And yet….they kept following the others,seeing where they were,and what they were doing.
That bond,fragile as it may have become,was still there.
And once Penelope and Peter started talking,they were honest enough to admit their feelings.
Thát is special,and i love it!
What they did to stay together was a great solution!
Neither had to compromise and both were still able to do what they believed in.
Great story,one i enjoyed very much!
January 11, 2022
This is first a story of young love. Peter and Penelope are in their teens when this story starts out. They are part of a group of young friends that you've hopefully read about already from Nicolina's West Coast Doms series. If you haven't, I suggest you give them a try. They are all standalone books and can definitely be read separately.
The story begins when they're teenagers and their tight group of friends do what teenagers do. Hang out together, having fun, and running wild like teenagers tend to do. I enjoyed this part of the book immensely and sort of wished we could have stayed longer with them. But I understand why we didn't. Tragedy strikes the group and it's emotionally hard on them all. But most of all on Penelope and Peter. And unfortunately, they go their separate ways, in more ways than one. Grief is a funny thing. It can bring people together or tear them apart.
We don't hear from them until 8 years have passed and Penelope and Peter have gone in such opposite directions with their careers that you really wonder where this story is going to take you. He's a hard-hitting cop and she's a crime-fighting journalist that wants to right all the wrongs, starting with the police. With neither one wanting to give in and it all comes crashing together between them one evening when Peter finds Penelope searching for something, that she has no business doing, in one of the rooms at his station. Peter is so angry with Penelope that he makes the decision to take her home and......well, punish her.
This was such a fast read for me and there was so much packed into this story that I was very pleasantly surprised. And you just know there are going to be some very hot scenes. It's a Nicolina Martin book after all. And she never disappoints in that regard. I think what I liked most about this story is when Penelope and Peter are both able to see the way they both took different paths in their lives and how wrong they were about each other. They're both stubborn but are able to finally see that life isn't black and white, but many shades of gray.
I say this every time I read one of Nicolina's stories. She just gets better and better at telling a story I want to read. As I said, this was a fast read for me, but packed with so much emotion. Friendship, love, grief, and forgiveness. I loved both the highs and lows and especially Penelope and Peter and how they were able to have their second chance and get their happy ever after. It wasn't easy for them, but that just made it all the more wonderful of a story.
The story begins when they're teenagers and their tight group of friends do what teenagers do. Hang out together, having fun, and running wild like teenagers tend to do. I enjoyed this part of the book immensely and sort of wished we could have stayed longer with them. But I understand why we didn't. Tragedy strikes the group and it's emotionally hard on them all. But most of all on Penelope and Peter. And unfortunately, they go their separate ways, in more ways than one. Grief is a funny thing. It can bring people together or tear them apart.
We don't hear from them until 8 years have passed and Penelope and Peter have gone in such opposite directions with their careers that you really wonder where this story is going to take you. He's a hard-hitting cop and she's a crime-fighting journalist that wants to right all the wrongs, starting with the police. With neither one wanting to give in and it all comes crashing together between them one evening when Peter finds Penelope searching for something, that she has no business doing, in one of the rooms at his station. Peter is so angry with Penelope that he makes the decision to take her home and......well, punish her.
This was such a fast read for me and there was so much packed into this story that I was very pleasantly surprised. And you just know there are going to be some very hot scenes. It's a Nicolina Martin book after all. And she never disappoints in that regard. I think what I liked most about this story is when Penelope and Peter are both able to see the way they both took different paths in their lives and how wrong they were about each other. They're both stubborn but are able to finally see that life isn't black and white, but many shades of gray.
I say this every time I read one of Nicolina's stories. She just gets better and better at telling a story I want to read. As I said, this was a fast read for me, but packed with so much emotion. Friendship, love, grief, and forgiveness. I loved both the highs and lows and especially Penelope and Peter and how they were able to have their second chance and get their happy ever after. It wasn't easy for them, but that just made it all the more wonderful of a story.
January 3, 2022
This is the first book I have read from this author. Unfortunately, I did not finish it. I really tried but this book did nothing for me. It did not hold my attention at all. The two main characters, having grown into adults, still acted like juveniles. I really did not like the male character in the story as he held a grudge because of a past traumatic event involving his then girlfriend Penelope. He took that event as a personal attack on him and that just turned me off. I was only able to get thru about 1/3 of the book and then I gave up. Maybe the story could have picked up later on, but I don't know. I just know that I so disliked the male character and his immature actions/beliefs that I could not finish the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
January 11, 2022DNF AT 40ISH %
I tried to stick it out but I'll be honest I couldn't get into this couple after a tragic thing and 8 years pass these two acted childish and not adult like.. wish I did but I couldn't vibe.. if anyone read this help on safety for the anyone who wants to read it.
Drama, no virgins
Recommend-ehhh
Cover-⭐⭐⭐
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Push/pull
Punishment
Dub-conish
I tried to stick it out but I'll be honest I couldn't get into this couple after a tragic thing and 8 years pass these two acted childish and not adult like.. wish I did but I couldn't vibe.. if anyone read this help on safety for the anyone who wants to read it.
Drama, no virgins
Recommend-ehhh
Cover-⭐⭐⭐
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Push/pull
Punishment
Dub-conish
December 20, 2021
Punishing Penelope is the new Book 1 in the West Coast Doms series and serves as a great prequel. It introduces not just Penelope and Peter, the main characters, but also their group of (high-school) friends which have their own stories told in the next books. Torn apart by a tragedy, Pen and Peter have both devoted their lives to helping others - yet their views keep them poles apart. Finally, Pen pushes too far and Peter takes a chance at showing her the errors of her ways - quite literally. The chemistry between them is hot and the en-suing scenes steamy. I liked how they each learned to respect the other. They deserved their happy end!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 14, 2022
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
I’ll start by saying I’m not a fan of dub con or non con and this book definitely has it. I made it to maybe 60-70% and had to put it down and had to mark it as DNF but that’s 100% due to me not enjoying that style.
The two main characters start off as kids in the book and I thoroughly enjoyed that section. Bring in their adult forms and that was when I started wondering if I was going to enjoy it any more. If it kept going the way it did with them as teens I’d have loved the book and that’s what makes me sad. I’ve never read from this author before and was unaware of the dub con going in.
The writing was enjoyable and so was the story but the dub con ruined it for me. Even as a DNF in my books ( normally get a 2 or less), this is still a 3 star because it’s not the writing that faltered, it was me. I’ll likely come back to this one day and finish it but I’m not in the proper state of mind at times to read dub con.
If you enjoy your dub con and non con then this book is good. However, know that this book contains more than just a few pages of dub con. It feels like it’s built around it. I’m the kind of person that doesn’t like that there’s a difference between dub and non con. It’s all non con from someone’s eyes. Call me biased when reading this review and take it with a grain of salt.
I’ll start by saying I’m not a fan of dub con or non con and this book definitely has it. I made it to maybe 60-70% and had to put it down and had to mark it as DNF but that’s 100% due to me not enjoying that style.
The two main characters start off as kids in the book and I thoroughly enjoyed that section. Bring in their adult forms and that was when I started wondering if I was going to enjoy it any more. If it kept going the way it did with them as teens I’d have loved the book and that’s what makes me sad. I’ve never read from this author before and was unaware of the dub con going in.
The writing was enjoyable and so was the story but the dub con ruined it for me. Even as a DNF in my books ( normally get a 2 or less), this is still a 3 star because it’s not the writing that faltered, it was me. I’ll likely come back to this one day and finish it but I’m not in the proper state of mind at times to read dub con.
If you enjoy your dub con and non con then this book is good. However, know that this book contains more than just a few pages of dub con. It feels like it’s built around it. I’m the kind of person that doesn’t like that there’s a difference between dub and non con. It’s all non con from someone’s eyes. Call me biased when reading this review and take it with a grain of salt.
January 14, 2022
Second chance , first love story
🔥🔥🔥🔥
I was anxiously awaiting this story. The wait was definitely worth it. Peter and Penelope were young and in love, tragedy breaks them apart. Eight years later they have become adults and are each trying to make amends for the damage that was caused one summer evening. Ms. Martin writes a emotional story of love, betrayal and explosive chemistry between these two damaged people who may after a little punishment find there way to a happy ending together. Sexy story with a little kink and chemistry that oozed of the pages. Another creative endeavor by Ms. Martin that I enjoyed from the first to the last page.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
I was anxiously awaiting this story. The wait was definitely worth it. Peter and Penelope were young and in love, tragedy breaks them apart. Eight years later they have become adults and are each trying to make amends for the damage that was caused one summer evening. Ms. Martin writes a emotional story of love, betrayal and explosive chemistry between these two damaged people who may after a little punishment find there way to a happy ending together. Sexy story with a little kink and chemistry that oozed of the pages. Another creative endeavor by Ms. Martin that I enjoyed from the first to the last page.
January 12, 2022
This is different. It’s the first book in a series where books 2-4 were released last year and yet it’s in many ways a prequel as well. The series is West Coast Doms and is amazing so once you read this be sure to check out the rest.
At the beginning Peter and Penelope are high school sweethearts and we get introduced to characters that are in the other books in the series. Then we jump to the now and read about what happened in between and going forward. The blurb gives a great summary and I don’t want to spoil the rest so I’ll just say it’s a very enjoyable ride. I love a great second chance romance and that’s exactly what I got.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
At the beginning Peter and Penelope are high school sweethearts and we get introduced to characters that are in the other books in the series. Then we jump to the now and read about what happened in between and going forward. The blurb gives a great summary and I don’t want to spoil the rest so I’ll just say it’s a very enjoyable ride. I love a great second chance romance and that’s exactly what I got.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2022
Super spicy story!
I really enjoyed Peter and Penelope’s love story. It was filled to the brim with so much emotion and heartache that it pulled on your heartstrings and had you gripping your kindle tightly in hopes of a happy ever after. It was thrilling, intense and highly entertaining from beginning to end.
The attraction and chemistry between the two of them was very intense and highly combustible. When these two finally collide – WOW – it definitely had my kindle exploding and my panties melting! Peter and Penelope are absolute fire!
Loved the story, loved the characters and loved the emotional rollercoaster ride this amazing author took us on!
I really enjoyed Peter and Penelope’s love story. It was filled to the brim with so much emotion and heartache that it pulled on your heartstrings and had you gripping your kindle tightly in hopes of a happy ever after. It was thrilling, intense and highly entertaining from beginning to end.
The attraction and chemistry between the two of them was very intense and highly combustible. When these two finally collide – WOW – it definitely had my kindle exploding and my panties melting! Peter and Penelope are absolute fire!
Loved the story, loved the characters and loved the emotional rollercoaster ride this amazing author took us on!
January 12, 2022
Ms. Martin knows how to turn up the fire in her books and keep readers interested till the end! Peter and Penelope were high school sweethearts. Tragedy strikes in Penelope's life and her world implodes. When the group of friends falls apart so do Peter and Penelope. Fast forward 8+ years and she's back home and working as a reporter; a cop, judge and lawyer hating crime reporter. Well, while she was gone Pete has gone on to become none other than a LA cop! Can 2 people from opposing sides come together, especially since they have history?? I look forward to the next books in this series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2022
Peter and Penelope's story began when they were teenagers in high school they were part of a group of seven friends that were struck by a tragedy that changed their lives. Peter is now on the police force and Penelope is a journalist who writes scathing articles against law enforcement. When Peter catches Pen in an awkward situation which just so happens to be breaking the law he's furious and decides to take her home and punish her. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this steamy story. I would definitely recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2022
This was a difficult story to read. It is essentially a two part story - the first part describes the traumatic events that shatter Penelope and Peter’s lives and create the foundation for their lives as adults and the second part describes their lives as they meet again as adults and struggle to come to terms with that trauma. There are some dark scenes and the punishment that eventually brings the characters back together is extreme. I can’t say that I enjoyed this story but I will read more in this series if only to find out how poor Cole fairs.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 11, 2022
Peter, Penelope and the rest of their group hang out together, running wild and being teenagers. The summer before senior year, Penelope loses her sister, and the group falls apart soon after. Peter becomes a cop, and Penelope a crime reporter, on the opposite side. When their paths cross nine years later, will they be able to reconnect?
Nicolina Martin has penned another fantastic story here. Penelope is more than feisty; she is a powerful woman. Peter is a fantastic counterpart for her. He grows from a skinny, awkward teenager into a strong man. This is a five star book well worth the one click.
I received an advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Nicolina Martin has penned another fantastic story here. Penelope is more than feisty; she is a powerful woman. Peter is a fantastic counterpart for her. He grows from a skinny, awkward teenager into a strong man. This is a five star book well worth the one click.
I received an advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
January 12, 2022
This is basically a second chance romance that starts when they are teens. A decade later, after a horrible incident during their teens, Penelope and Peter re- connect, but it's not the reunion Pen ever thought it would be. Peter is now on the police force and Penelope is a journalist that writes burning articles against law enforcement. When Peter catches Pen in an awkward situation which is also breaking the law, he takes Pen in hand to teach her a lesson and show her that they are meant to be together. Their reunion is conducted between the sheets and boy are they a hot couple when they go at it. I loved Punishing Penelope and I'm sure you will too.
January 11, 2022
Punishing Penelope begins with Peter and Penelope as high school teenagers. This story starts off juvenile then develops from there. Penelope, Peter, and their gang have their high school fun until tragedy strikes and changes everything. Eight years later... Penelope and Peter's paths cross again... this is more of a not so nice guy and a not so nice girl... I don't really find this novel to a dark romance or enemies to lovers or a d/s romance. I found it to me more a b!+ch and @$$hole role.
I am curious to read more from this author because I do love a good BDSM story.
I am curious to read more from this author because I do love a good BDSM story.
January 11, 2022
Ms. Martin starts the book with their high school years to lay the framework of what is to come. Both of them were hurt so badly in different ways. Dealing with them, let them on the path of trying to do what is right in their minds.
Peter starts a very rough punishment after he catches Penelope breaking the law to get a story. Penelope soon questions if she needs this harsh punishment for everything she has done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Peter starts a very rough punishment after he catches Penelope breaking the law to get a story. Penelope soon questions if she needs this harsh punishment for everything she has done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2022
Penelope and Peter were so intense with so much anger and darkness and hurt it was so sad that it changed everything they knew and loved.
This was so hot and sexy with very intense scenes not knowing the outcome of what Peter's plans are he's that dominate and does not take her punishment lightly.
I loved it it kept me interested and was very consuming and after all those years to find happiness finally and light in the dark was amazing.
This was so hot and sexy with very intense scenes not knowing the outcome of what Peter's plans are he's that dominate and does not take her punishment lightly.
I loved it it kept me interested and was very consuming and after all those years to find happiness finally and light in the dark was amazing.
January 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. Penelope and Peter get to have a second chance relationship after almost a decade and a lot of personal changes. One of my favorite stories are second chance romances and this one held my attention throughout the whole read. I'm really glad I got to read Penelope and Peter's story
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2022
Wow! What an emotional rollercoaster! Penelope & Peter are high school sweethearts, and then Penelope's sister gets killed. They go their separate ways.
Peter becomes a cop & Penelope a journalist. She believes the justice system is corrupt and tries to expose the injustices. Peter feels that she is causing the police force to be seen in a bad light, and that not everyone is corrupt. The story builds from there & eventually, after many twists and turns, they find their happy ever after. Definitely recommend this angsty, twisty dark romance.
Peter becomes a cop & Penelope a journalist. She believes the justice system is corrupt and tries to expose the injustices. Peter feels that she is causing the police force to be seen in a bad light, and that not everyone is corrupt. The story builds from there & eventually, after many twists and turns, they find their happy ever after. Definitely recommend this angsty, twisty dark romance.
January 13, 2022
Peter and Penelope were childhood sweethearts when tradegy struck, years later he is a cop and she is a journalist both committed to their careers, but life throws them back together.
This was a quick steamy read, including secondary characters which we will hopefully see again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a quick steamy read, including secondary characters which we will hopefully see again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 14, 2022
This book was very entertaining. There were some spaces where I literally could not stop turning the page, I just so badly needed to know what happened next. definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 11, 2022
Punishing Penelope by Nicolina Martin. Action packed story with plenty of drama (dark at times), steam, complicated characters, and angst. This is not the story for you if you want hearts and flowers. This is more for those looking for dark and delicious with bits of raw grit and emotion. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2022
cop vs reporter
This is a sexy story involving a cop and a reporter. Both seem to be in control but only one will come out on top. This is a sexy enemies to lovers/second chance romance story and I quite enjoyed it.
This is a sexy story involving a cop and a reporter. Both seem to be in control but only one will come out on top. This is a sexy enemies to lovers/second chance romance story and I quite enjoyed it.
May 21, 2022
The couple: Peter and Penelope
Romance genre: bdsm; second chance
Series: West Coast Doms
Length: 262 pages
Plot: Peter and Penelope had a short-lived romance in high school; it ended the night that her sister was killed. Since then, they've headed in different directions but for similar reasons. Years later their paths cross again; she's a journalist intent on exposing corrupt cops and Peter's a cop that hates the media. He's determined to show her the errors of her ways once he realizes she won't stop her pursuit of justice.
Commentary: This author is a great writer, and I've liked even her books that I found too dark for me in the end. This book was also well-written, but I felt like there was an attempt at social commentary that fell flat (or a lack of awareness of social issues in America - I believe the author is not American). I say this as gently as possible because from what I've read, the author attempted to research, but the issue here is police brutality-adjacent, and I think it's difficult to fully understand the totality of the issue here in America if you are not American. Furthermore, unless you are part of the targeted group here, it's easy to not only not understand but to actively avoid understanding.
The attitude that Peter has towards the media is part of the problem. Penelope, in my opinion, wasn't trying to be an agitator just to cause trouble; when she questioned the police at press conferences, it was about specific cases and specific people. She was advocating for people who are often powerless under the law. She was trying to help people who are supposed to be protected by the law but who are often exploited instead. Of course not all police are bad, but why should the good police be against calling out the bad cops, or the bad policies? I hate that that kind of question is shut down, and in this book, her actions were labeled as bratty or inappropriate, while it was okay for Peter to talk about the horrible media who make the cops' jobs harder. Freedom of the press is one of our most fundamental rights and the fact that Penelope was using it to try to make things better for people - practically, not just in the abstract - is exactly why it's there! But Peter treated her like a recalcitrant child who just doesn't understand, all while promulgating the idea that you're either a Back the Blue supporter 24/7, or you're actively trying to kill the cops. I'm pretty sure there's something in between, but his shortsightedness was deemed okay. Considering he was okay with kidnapping her, I can place him on that bad cop/good cop continuum quite easily, but he's got her brainwashed into thinking that maybe she did do something wrong. He actually thought to himself:
So for him it's not about right or wrong, it's about belonging to the group and maintaining the power they have without question. Considering that his attitude is part of what has led to some of the horrific unprovoked police brutality cases in recent years, it was a little off-color to use it as the set-up for a man (cop!) to kidnap his high school girlfriend and sexually torture her until she agrees to stop doing what he dislikes. Any frame story but this. It feels like a wrong time sort of situation, to be sure.
These characters never really moved on from the trauma they suffered as kids. Peter channeled his trauma into trying to save others as a cop and Penelope channeled hers into trying to save people as a journalist. It was a shame that they were still so mired in the past that they weren't able to see how they wanted the same thing and were simply using their respective talents to make it happen. I think that they weren't in a good enough place to come together in a healthy way. For me, though, it didn't even matter because I was so disgusted by Peter's attitudes about being a cop (what he thought he could get away with, what he thought everyone around him should think about his job, what he thought the media and general public should tolerate from him and his cop buddies) that I couldn't see him being a good partner or a good person, to be honest.
So while I would read something else from this author, it won't be anything in this series.
Next book in the series: Commanding Casey
Romance genre: bdsm; second chance
Series: West Coast Doms
Length: 262 pages
Plot: Peter and Penelope had a short-lived romance in high school; it ended the night that her sister was killed. Since then, they've headed in different directions but for similar reasons. Years later their paths cross again; she's a journalist intent on exposing corrupt cops and Peter's a cop that hates the media. He's determined to show her the errors of her ways once he realizes she won't stop her pursuit of justice.
Commentary: This author is a great writer, and I've liked even her books that I found too dark for me in the end. This book was also well-written, but I felt like there was an attempt at social commentary that fell flat (or a lack of awareness of social issues in America - I believe the author is not American). I say this as gently as possible because from what I've read, the author attempted to research, but the issue here is police brutality-adjacent, and I think it's difficult to fully understand the totality of the issue here in America if you are not American. Furthermore, unless you are part of the targeted group here, it's easy to not only not understand but to actively avoid understanding.
The attitude that Peter has towards the media is part of the problem. Penelope, in my opinion, wasn't trying to be an agitator just to cause trouble; when she questioned the police at press conferences, it was about specific cases and specific people. She was advocating for people who are often powerless under the law. She was trying to help people who are supposed to be protected by the law but who are often exploited instead. Of course not all police are bad, but why should the good police be against calling out the bad cops, or the bad policies? I hate that that kind of question is shut down, and in this book, her actions were labeled as bratty or inappropriate, while it was okay for Peter to talk about the horrible media who make the cops' jobs harder. Freedom of the press is one of our most fundamental rights and the fact that Penelope was using it to try to make things better for people - practically, not just in the abstract - is exactly why it's there! But Peter treated her like a recalcitrant child who just doesn't understand, all while promulgating the idea that you're either a Back the Blue supporter 24/7, or you're actively trying to kill the cops. I'm pretty sure there's something in between, but his shortsightedness was deemed okay. Considering he was okay with kidnapping her, I can place him on that bad cop/good cop continuum quite easily, but he's got her brainwashed into thinking that maybe she did do something wrong. He actually thought to himself:
Until she promises she will never write a word about law enforcement for the rest of her life.
She’s an amazing writer and journalist—I’ll give her that much credit—but there are so many fucking other things she could aim her energy at rather than throwing dirt at law enforcement. And she will.
“You write so well and have so much talent. It’s a shame you’ve become such a bitch.”(because she writes about cops)
So for him it's not about right or wrong, it's about belonging to the group and maintaining the power they have without question. Considering that his attitude is part of what has led to some of the horrific unprovoked police brutality cases in recent years, it was a little off-color to use it as the set-up for a man (cop!) to kidnap his high school girlfriend and sexually torture her until she agrees to stop doing what he dislikes. Any frame story but this. It feels like a wrong time sort of situation, to be sure.
These characters never really moved on from the trauma they suffered as kids. Peter channeled his trauma into trying to save others as a cop and Penelope channeled hers into trying to save people as a journalist. It was a shame that they were still so mired in the past that they weren't able to see how they wanted the same thing and were simply using their respective talents to make it happen. I think that they weren't in a good enough place to come together in a healthy way. For me, though, it didn't even matter because I was so disgusted by Peter's attitudes about being a cop (what he thought he could get away with, what he thought everyone around him should think about his job, what he thought the media and general public should tolerate from him and his cop buddies) that I couldn't see him being a good partner or a good person, to be honest.
So while I would read something else from this author, it won't be anything in this series.
Next book in the series: Commanding Casey
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
High School Friends Face Tragedy!!
A group of High School friends face a tragic event and all respond in different ways. We meet them years later, and two in particular are on opposites of an important issue.
Peter is now a police officer. Penelope is a journalist, but a thorn in everyone’s side about gun control.
There is attraction between these two, but can they bridge the chasm that stands between them?
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
A group of High School friends face a tragic event and all respond in different ways. We meet them years later, and two in particular are on opposites of an important issue.
Peter is now a police officer. Penelope is a journalist, but a thorn in everyone’s side about gun control.
There is attraction between these two, but can they bridge the chasm that stands between them?
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
January 5, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book. It is a dark romance over the span of about a decade. The spice was HOT, and I liked the storyline a lot. I felt there was too much time spent in their high school years, although I understand the need to explain a lot of what happened during that time as well. This book was an emotional rollercoaster but a good and pretty quick read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews