☠️ Dark Romance Bookclub ☠️ discussion

Okay, before I willingly walk into the unhinged wilderness that is apparently Credence… I BEG:

Has anyone here read Credence by Penelope Douglas_??
I Keep seeing mixed reviews + ✨questionable✨ edits all over my feed and idk what to think! Is it messy and life-altering or just messy and brain-rotting?? 😭

I loved devil's night series by her!— thinking of trying Credence next.
— does it give that crack cocaine Penelope Douglas energy
— or is it just “girl… no.”

I’ve been putting it off because I’ve heard everything from masterpiece to girl what did I just read — and I’m scared.

someone pls give me ur spoiler-free takes 👀
✔ I should dive in
❌ or keep my peace of mind 🤧

HELP ME DECIDE BEFORE I TRAUMATISE MYSELF AGAIN 🙏🏻

I loved it. Completely not the vibe of devils night, but I feel you’ll still be rooting for some characters.

GURLL I FEEL THIS IN MY BONES 😭

Devil’s Night turned me into a certified Penelope clown — but the way people talk about Credence like it’s step-family wilderness erotica on crack… I don’t know if I should read it or baptise myself LMFAO

I also need honest, spoiler-free tea because my curiosity is CURIOUSING but my dignity is fighting for its life 💀

Is this my sign to read Credence because I've been debating it for a while?

I really loved Credence. I hate "daddy" kink - but love age-gap. I am also not much into mutiple brothers sharing the same girl. That being said, this is RH and all the MMF's are related (but not to the FM), and I still loved it. It's not for everyone and it was my first Penelope Douglas book, so I am really glad I loved it, because I have loved most of her other books as well. Is it dark...I didn't feel like it was "that" dark. The way it was written I never once felt uncomfortable or that the author was just writing to push limits.

I also loved Birthday Girl. Another one you might consider by her.

It was one of my top 10 reads of 2024. It was also my first Penny D. book ever. So I can't compare. I understand why so many people talk about. She's walking a thin line with this one that is surely not for everyone. However, I didn't expect the emotional depth that it has. I thought it was just a scandalous read. It is not. It's essentially about a young girl that has experienced no love growing up. Not even from her own parents. She has no idea what family means. She meets her dad's stepbrother one day and the story gets a little wild for a bit. Essentially, I think this is a book about a girl who still has to find her place in this world and the obstacles she has to overcome to get there.

I totally enjoyed Credence and I would absolutely put it in my top 5 books that I have read thus far. I totally recommend!

I didn’t love Credence, but I also could not stop reading it - like finished it in a few days. I also did not stop thinking about it for about two weeks so do what you will with that info.

Credence was one of the first books I read by Penelope, as well as one of the firsts I’ve read when I got back into reading years ago— it fully catapulted me into being a huge Penelope Douglas fan and a spicy taboo romance lover. It was worth it! It’s one of my favorites.

I just finished it and I loved it. It’s unusual and probably not everyone’s cup of tea but it took me on an emotional journey and despite some of the details I never got an icky vibe. The characters make a lot of very questionable choices but the intentions are good.

I saw some reviews the MC beat and rape the fmc

I wouldn’t say that. They have a turbulent relationship and he’s a horrible communicator (seriously, you’ll see what I mean) but they are drawn to each other. And he never beat her! There’s one scene with a physical altercation but definitely not abuse and makes sense in context.

I wouldn't say that either. There are some con/noncon scenes for sure. But the biggest taboo in this book is it is RH with MMC's that are related (not to her). I never felt like it was abusive, or icky or uncomfortable to read.

tengo mucha curiosidad por ellos, son tan buenos como dicen?

idk cuz people was telling me he forcibly raped with whike she tried to run and she was telling him no and running away

One piece of advice I would give to you as a reader of dark romance is be very comfortable with what you pick to read. Read the summary, read the list of genres it falls under, and if you have trusted reading friends that are telling you something, ones that have similair reading limits, then I would listen to their advice. Your mental health is the most important thing. Don't push if you even feel like the book might not be for you.

I try to make sure that if there is a taboo that I know I can't read, would have wanted to know before I read a book, and that I want other readers to know about it before they make their decision to read a book, I will mention that in my review.

Yes, this one is RH. Yes it involved a young girl, a father and his two sons. No they were not related to her. Is that taboo, yes, no doubt. Is it age-gap, yes. Is it dark...I didn't feel like it was that dark for ME, but it is dark. The way it was written I never once felt uncomfortable or that the author was just writing to push limits. But she did push limits.

If I am ever in doubt after asking and getting numerous people's opinion, I do not read the book. I find a different book. I might try a different book by the same author and see if I like their writing style and see what "dark" means to that author. A lot of times if I do that, it will make my decision very easy to decide if I want to go back and read the book I have been questioning.

oh yeah I love dark romances, and I like taboo as well. idk just not a fan of the MC SAing the FMC. I tend to stay away from those types of books