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Devil's Night #1
Corrupt
Erika
I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.
His name is Michael Crist.
My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He's handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.
But I noticed him.
I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.
Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.
Because he’s finally noticed me.
Michael
Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.
My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.
Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.
In my city.
Unprotected.
The opportunity is too good to be true, as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.
We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.
*Corrupt is a STANDALONE dark romance with no cliffhanger. It is suitable for ages 18+.
I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.
His name is Michael Crist.
My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He's handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.
But I noticed him.
I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.
Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.
Because he’s finally noticed me.
Michael
Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.
My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.
Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.
In my city.
Unprotected.
The opportunity is too good to be true, as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.
We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.
*Corrupt is a STANDALONE dark romance with no cliffhanger. It is suitable for ages 18+.
518 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2015
33.8k people are currently reading
331k people want to read
About the author
Penelope Douglas
48books103kfollowersPenelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Their books have been translated into more than twenty languages and include The Fall Away Series, The Devil’s Night Series, and the stand-alones, Misconduct, Punk 57, Birthday Girl, Credence, Tryst Six Venom, and Five Brothers. Please look for The Hellbent Series, coming next.
They live in New England with their husband and daughter.
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They live in New England with their husband and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36,468 reviews
November 10, 2024
1 star
I want to take two knives and plunge them into my eyes for trying to read this book. This book was getting worse and worse the more I read it! Rika was awful. Michael was shit. THIS WHOLE BOOK IS A DISASTER. I HATE EVERYONE. THEY SHOULD DIE!
The characters in this book need serious therapy, and Trevor shouldn't be the one to die. Michael should be dead with him too, and I would've liked Rika's body floating somewhere in the sea more 😒
A lot of problematic things are romanticized in this book, and checking out the trigger warnings (I should've) before reading might change your decision (it def should). SPOILERS TOO
� ERIKA AND MICHAEL:
Rika � BADASS?? STRONG?? WHERE???
She was literally a doormat with a puny brain, a horny dumb ass with DADDY's money and a PRETTY face. If it weren't for the Christs, she would've been dead in a ditch with her I-don't-know-which-drug-on mother.
above all, she was suffering with the infamous Body Betraying Syndrome. 🤡
Rika's body always tingled whenever *SCARY* MICHAEL was in the room and he's her ONE TRUE LOVE since childhood too! i was actually getting second-hand embarrassment from her povs. She would've cut off her limbs just to have Michael touch her, so HER NOT EVEN TRYING TO GET A LITTLE APOLOGY FROM MICHAEL after the things he did and letting him touch her was expected.
NOT HER CALLING OUT FOR MICHAEL WHEN HE WAS LITERALLY THERE HELPING HIS FRIENDS TRYING TO SCARE/ASSAULT RIKA.
Michael � THIS BITCH NEEDS A THERAPIST. He is an immature, pathetic, self-proclaimed psycho basketball player. He was literally so dumb and had so many daddy issues. His excuses for his actions were really bad, and I couldn't stop myself from scoffing. I should've skipped his povs because they were yuck. He played the 'you-hurt-my-friends-we-will-take-revenge' card for years, and in the end, he attempted to assault/rape Rika with the help of his friends.
But the moment he found out she wasn't THE ONE to be blamed, the fucker was like,
'Ooooooh, I wouldn't even let my friends touch her or hurt her... I was just trying to scare her.'
SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GO DIE ALONE.
� but... is he good? OBVIOUSLY DUH.
He didnt touch Rika when she was 16 and begging him to do, because she's still not legal and he will claim her when she's 18 so she should WAIT for him and not let anyone TOUCH her.
and when she asked him 'NOT TO TOUCH OTHERS TOO',
he simply told her 'NO' because obviously he has his own NeEdS and Rika should wait for him.
YOU SEE? THAT'S A HEALTHY COMMUNICATION. 🤌🏻
� It was PORN (and not a good one).
There was catacombs scene where everyone was having an orgy and Rika was blindfolded and enjoying everything? and I guess she was also manhandled on her way and she became aroused....????
Not Michael & Rika role-playing in their highschool uniforms lmao!
I was barely tolerating this book but the threesome scene really did it for me! I fucking dnf right there! 🤌🏻 Kai was already giving me the creeps, and when he started dirty talking with Rika... boom... GAME OVER. That was the breaking point for me! 💀
╰� OTHERCRAPPY THINGS:
Aside from:
1. The boring & predictable plot twist.
2. The worst fucking thing to ever include 'HEALING THREESOME' between Michael-Rika-Kai.
3. Michael and the guys fucking others.
4. The getting horny while listening to other people having sex scene.
5. Damon assaulting rika TWICE.
6. Michael's father talking about impregnating Rika for her property.
7. No groveling from Michael after Attempted-rape.
8. Rika fucking Michael again because HE SAID SO after Attempted Rape.
9. Will and Kai being cuties after Attempted-rape because they're guilty.
10. Michael being territorial of Rika just 10 mins after the Attempted-rape.
11. Rika paying Alex to have sex with her.
12. Rika not studying.
13. Kai watching Michael eating Rika's 🐱.
14. Will getting drowned in the sea, then Michael saving him, only to see Rika drowning in the sea, and again Michael saving her, then Trevor drowning in the sea?!
yeahhh.... Misha and Ryen's cameo was cute 🥰 Also, DAMON IS THE BEST HORSEMAN! MICHAEL SUCKS. #DamonTorranceIsLove #CheersToDamonForTryingToKillRika
I want to take two knives and plunge them into my eyes for trying to read this book. This book was getting worse and worse the more I read it! Rika was awful. Michael was shit. THIS WHOLE BOOK IS A DISASTER. I HATE EVERYONE. THEY SHOULD DIE!
The characters in this book need serious therapy, and Trevor shouldn't be the one to die. Michael should be dead with him too, and I would've liked Rika's body floating somewhere in the sea more 😒
A lot of problematic things are romanticized in this book, and checking out the trigger warnings (I should've) before reading might change your decision (it def should). SPOILERS TOO
� ERIKA AND MICHAEL:
Rika � BADASS?? STRONG?? WHERE???
She was literally a doormat with a puny brain, a horny dumb ass with DADDY's money and a PRETTY face. If it weren't for the Christs, she would've been dead in a ditch with her I-don't-know-which-drug-on mother.
above all, she was suffering with the infamous Body Betraying Syndrome. 🤡
Rika's body always tingled whenever *SCARY* MICHAEL was in the room and he's her ONE TRUE LOVE since childhood too! i was actually getting second-hand embarrassment from her povs. She would've cut off her limbs just to have Michael touch her, so HER NOT EVEN TRYING TO GET A LITTLE APOLOGY FROM MICHAEL after the things he did and letting him touch her was expected.
NOT HER CALLING OUT FOR MICHAEL WHEN HE WAS LITERALLY THERE HELPING HIS FRIENDS TRYING TO SCARE/ASSAULT RIKA.
Michael � THIS BITCH NEEDS A THERAPIST. He is an immature, pathetic, self-proclaimed psycho basketball player. He was literally so dumb and had so many daddy issues. His excuses for his actions were really bad, and I couldn't stop myself from scoffing. I should've skipped his povs because they were yuck. He played the 'you-hurt-my-friends-we-will-take-revenge' card for years, and in the end, he attempted to assault/rape Rika with the help of his friends.
But the moment he found out she wasn't THE ONE to be blamed, the fucker was like,
'Ooooooh, I wouldn't even let my friends touch her or hurt her... I was just trying to scare her.'
SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GO DIE ALONE.
� but... is he good? OBVIOUSLY DUH.
He didnt touch Rika when she was 16 and begging him to do, because she's still not legal and he will claim her when she's 18 so she should WAIT for him and not let anyone TOUCH her.
and when she asked him 'NOT TO TOUCH OTHERS TOO',
he simply told her 'NO' because obviously he has his own NeEdS and Rika should wait for him.
YOU SEE? THAT'S A HEALTHY COMMUNICATION. 🤌🏻
� It was PORN (and not a good one).
There was catacombs scene where everyone was having an orgy and Rika was blindfolded and enjoying everything? and I guess she was also manhandled on her way and she became aroused....????
Not Michael & Rika role-playing in their highschool uniforms lmao!
I was barely tolerating this book but the threesome scene really did it for me! I fucking dnf right there! 🤌🏻 Kai was already giving me the creeps, and when he started dirty talking with Rika... boom... GAME OVER. That was the breaking point for me! 💀
╰� OTHER
Aside from:
1. The boring & predictable plot twist.
2. The worst fucking thing to ever include 'HEALING THREESOME' between Michael-Rika-Kai.
3. Michael and the guys fucking others.
4. The getting horny while listening to other people having sex scene.
5. Damon assaulting rika TWICE.
6. Michael's father talking about impregnating Rika for her property.
7. No groveling from Michael after Attempted-rape.
8. Rika fucking Michael again because HE SAID SO after Attempted Rape.
9. Will and Kai being cuties after Attempted-rape because they're guilty.
10. Michael being territorial of Rika just 10 mins after the Attempted-rape.
11. Rika paying Alex to have sex with her.
12. Rika not studying.
13. Kai watching Michael eating Rika's 🐱.
14. Will getting drowned in the sea, then Michael saving him, only to see Rika drowning in the sea, and again Michael saving her, then Trevor drowning in the sea?!
yeahhh.... Misha and Ryen's cameo was cute 🥰 Also, DAMON IS THE BEST HORSEMAN! MICHAEL SUCKS. #DamonTorranceIsLove #CheersToDamonForTryingToKillRika
March 30, 2022
don't mind the rating, this is my favourite book
i just love everyone so much.
- another girl with no personality
- dude whose love language is violence
- the two guys with no personality
- a pedophile
the best part about this book? it's not only bad, it's also boring!!
first i struggled staying awake for 60% and then i just struggled when the plot became so bad i had five mental breakdowns!!
does your man even love you if he doesn't freeze your accounts, burn your house down and then try gangr*ping you? definitely not! this is why all my relationships failed cause none of my exes ever wanted to go the extra mile!!
only a deadly whipping could be better than this book! maybe i'll get one next time!
highest rating, zero stars 🥰🥰🥰
i just love everyone so much.
- another girl with no personality
- dude whose love language is violence
- the two guys with no personality
- a pedophile
the best part about this book? it's not only bad, it's also boring!!
first i struggled staying awake for 60% and then i just struggled when the plot became so bad i had five mental breakdowns!!
does your man even love you if he doesn't freeze your accounts, burn your house down and then try gangr*ping you? definitely not! this is why all my relationships failed cause none of my exes ever wanted to go the extra mile!!
only a deadly whipping could be better than this book! maybe i'll get one next time!
highest rating, zero stars 🥰🥰🥰
Shelved as 'finished-writing'
May 23, 2021Teaser Scene #1--->
Teaser Scene #2--->
The Pinterest board is open. :)
--->
Book Club discussion questions here --->
Thank you for everyone's support on my new adventure.
I can't promise all of my readers will follow me down this rabbit hole, but I definitely love what I'm writing. This book has a "I want to read it, so I have to write it" feel just like BULLY did for me, so thank you for taking a chance and keeping an open mind.
<3 Penelope
Teaser Scene #2--->
The Pinterest board is open. :)
--->
Book Club discussion questions here --->
Thank you for everyone's support on my new adventure.
I can't promise all of my readers will follow me down this rabbit hole, but I definitely love what I'm writing. This book has a "I want to read it, so I have to write it" feel just like BULLY did for me, so thank you for taking a chance and keeping an open mind.
<3 Penelope
July 29, 2021
this is only getting a 3 star rating because it was addictive. all of these characters are mentally unhinged, they need major counseling, and therapy. these characters scare me. but i finished this in 2 days. it was so addictive. and after reading the trash book “den of vipers� this was a breath of fresh air. i honestly thought going into this that there would be an overwhelming amount of smut scenes but there wasn’t. it was the perfect amount. there was actually a plot that i was invested in. i cant believe i liked this shit. i cant believe i’m hyping this book up for doing the bare minimum.
January 5, 2021
No offense, but this author needs God, or a psychologist urgently.
April 13, 2021
decent smut but everything else set women's rights back 100 years
April 3, 2017
★★★★�! Corrupt (stand-alone, book 1 of 4). A suspenseful unfolding of a plot to revenge; greed, envy, violence, lust, deceit & in the midst of it all one of the best young alphas I have ever read!
“I only ever thought of him. Every fantasy, every orgasm…�
Books in Devil’s Night series should be read in order:
Book 1: Corrupt
Book 2: Hideaway
Book 3: Kill Switch
Book 4: Untitled
Corrupt (stand-alone) opens up to college student Erika Fane, Rika getting ready to move to a new town to get away from her ex and family expectation to make a life with him.
But what she’s running from is not as important as what she’s running to�
For as long as she can remember she has been both attracted to and scared of her ex’s older brother, basketball star Michael Crist. And now she is moving to complete college in his city.
Nothing could have prepared her for what’s ahead�
Her arrival sets in motion a plan of vengeance with dire consequences. But neither Michael nor Rika are prepared for the attraction and sense of belonging they feel. Sexual tension mixed with his anger and ruthlessness and her ignorance and reservations.
It’s like a being onboard a runaway train at breakneck speed with nothing to stop you and the destination equals devastation.
Michael Crist is top-3 best YOUNG alphas I have read. He is oozing of sex, manipulation, secrets, violence, danger, ruthlessness and corruption.
Seven words to describe Erika Fane, Rika: Good-hearted, smart, determined, forgiving, spirited, trusting and impressionable.
Corrupt, told from dual POV, is the cryptic, slow yet suspenseful unfolding of past and present events and the solving of a mystery, the corruption will also be explained. Just enjoy the ride. I personally wanted to crawl into my Kindle to be Michael’s target. I feel totally corrupted by him. As for ending, it was good, with an epilogue/flashback. Up next Kai’s story in Hideaway.
Spectacular plot! Effortless story-telling! Swoon-worthy and sinister hero! And a heroine to hold her own!
“I want to know everything my brother doesn’t do to you, you little liar.�
***
Hero: ★★★★�++
Heroine: ★★★★�
Plot: ★★★★�
Storytelling: ★★★★�
Sexual tension: ★★★★�++
Sex scenes: ★★★★�
Story ending: ★★★★
*
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Darkness: | HIGH FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | HIGH FOCUS |
Romance: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
July 8, 2023
Some girl named Kim recommended me this, and I just wanna say Kim if you’re seeing this, fuck you.
May 3, 2021
1.75 stars
i remember reading this, like, a thousand years ago - and bless my poor innocent ya dystopian/fantasy, hunger games/divergent reading era soul - i was appalled- DISTURBED.
i only remember a few things from this book like the fact that my hatred for betraying body syndrome originated here and the infamous steam room scene
in all seriousness tho, i was loving this book until the 65% mark where it all went downhill. the games Michael (H) and Rika (h) were playing with all that sexual tension, their history (Michael was Rika's best friend/ex bff's older brother and she's always had a crush on him but he ignores her, treating like her an annoying little sister, us readers knowing Michael is trying to ruin her life but Rika is oblivious, etc. were all CHEFS KISS MATERIAL but then a ton of stupid shit had to happen because of the rushed ending.
okay so everything below is going to be « SPOILERS » because of my ranting so enjoy.
� uhh sor- sorry i guess?
first of all... seriously?? that's how she- everyone is going to react after manhandling her and threatening her with rape??! are you serious? ok lemme show y'all just one conversation from this scene:
so as y'all can see i was appalled. i don't know if they were actually going to make her as their "sex slaves" but they were so vague with their plans so i don't know. and what's worst is that they literally threw a party right after they did all that to Rika and Will was like ehh ha ha oops sorry and Kai, well i actually thought he was sincere with his apology and as for Michael?? this bishh..
well ok his actions were not out of character but still. he made a girl sit on his lap to make Rika jealous and then his mindset was all like "ugh why can't she just give in after i let my friends manhandle her and threaten her with rape? im literally doing the bare minimum and yet she hates me?? omg why? i need help pleaaase uwu" after that i just went
i couldn't handle the dumbassery y'all. it was literally the most infuriating thing ever and yes, there was NO GROVELLING. no, i don't count sex as grovelling sorry. and yes, Rika gave in very easily.
� Damon Targaryen
to be fair, i forgot most of the things that happened here and Damon is my favorite out of all the four horsemen so far as i read his book recently, so when he showed up i got so excited but knowing what i know from and him doing all these things to Rika.. oh my god
Damon, sweetie... i'll drive you to therapy hmm kay? because that is your sIStEr.
� Rika and Kai plus that other dude
ahh... now we're at the � threesome � part of the review and well, i tried okay? i really did. i was traumatized from this scene from before so i tried exposing myself by reading this scene again and folks, just wanna let y'all know that sadly, my eyerolling-nitis syndrome was not at all healed. im so sorry.
i find this scene so distasteful not only because this happened at 83% and Rika initiated this right after she said "i love you" to Michael - and im not even joking, this threesome scene happened the next page - but it was so out of character for BOTH MCs. so you're telling me that Michael has a life-long rivalry and hatred for his brother, Trevor, because his brother had Rika and now he's suddenly okay with sharing his woman with his best friend... and Rika initiated this so they could "heal" themselves, so Kai could feel good again because he was "lost"
i-
YOU COULD LITERALLY DO ANYTHING ELSE INSTEAD OF HAVING THREESOME. watch kdrama, watch crash landing on you, itaewon class, or eat pizza or cookie dough ice cream or go to fucking disneyland, anything else that doesn't include sex, anything, please for the love of god.
well, at least Kai and Michael aren't ...
* * *
i forgot how unlikeable these characters are in this book but funnily enough, i love them in Damon's book so *michael scott voice* oh how the turntables...
i honestly had no sympathy for any of the four horsemen here and at one point i thought, im glad their entitled asses went to jail. they should've stayed longer. but of course my perspective has changed and i love their entitled asses now.
i like Alex but i swear to god if her, Emory and Will have a threesome in nightfall or any other orgy-like sex scene well, that's a hell no for me.
* * *
original rating (november 2015) � 1 star
Devil's Night series
#1: corrupt � 1.75 stars
#2: hideaway � 3 stars
#3: kill switch � 4 stars
#3.5: conclave � 2.5 stars
#4: nightfall � 1.75 stars
#4.5: fire night � 3 stars
i remember reading this, like, a thousand years ago - and bless my poor innocent ya dystopian/fantasy, hunger games/divergent reading era soul - i was appalled- DISTURBED.
i only remember a few things from this book like the fact that my hatred for betraying body syndrome originated here and the infamous steam room scene
in all seriousness tho, i was loving this book until the 65% mark where it all went downhill. the games Michael (H) and Rika (h) were playing with all that sexual tension, their history (Michael was Rika's best friend/ex bff's older brother and she's always had a crush on him but he ignores her, treating like her an annoying little sister, us readers knowing Michael is trying to ruin her life but Rika is oblivious, etc. were all CHEFS KISS MATERIAL but then a ton of stupid shit had to happen because of the rushed ending.
okay so everything below is going to be « SPOILERS » because of my ranting so enjoy.
� uhh sor- sorry i guess?
first of all... seriously?? that's how she- everyone is going to react after manhandling her and threatening her with rape??! are you serious? ok lemme show y'all just one conversation from this scene:
Will: Hey, what are we supposed to do when we get tired of her? We can't pay her for nothing, can we?
Damon: Of course not.
Will: I guess we can just pass her around
Damon: Yeah, shit, my father loves the young ones.
Kai: He used to give you his sloppy seconds. Now you can return the favor
so as y'all can see i was appalled. i don't know if they were actually going to make her as their "sex slaves" but they were so vague with their plans so i don't know. and what's worst is that they literally threw a party right after they did all that to Rika and Will was like ehh ha ha oops sorry and Kai, well i actually thought he was sincere with his apology and as for Michael?? this bishh..
well ok his actions were not out of character but still. he made a girl sit on his lap to make Rika jealous and then his mindset was all like "ugh why can't she just give in after i let my friends manhandle her and threaten her with rape? im literally doing the bare minimum and yet she hates me?? omg why? i need help pleaaase uwu" after that i just went
i couldn't handle the dumbassery y'all. it was literally the most infuriating thing ever and yes, there was NO GROVELLING. no, i don't count sex as grovelling sorry. and yes, Rika gave in very easily.
� Damon Targaryen
to be fair, i forgot most of the things that happened here and Damon is my favorite out of all the four horsemen so far as i read his book recently, so when he showed up i got so excited but knowing what i know from and him doing all these things to Rika.. oh my god
Damon, sweetie... i'll drive you to therapy hmm kay? because that is your sIStEr.
� Rika and Kai plus that other dude
ahh... now we're at the � threesome � part of the review and well, i tried okay? i really did. i was traumatized from this scene from before so i tried exposing myself by reading this scene again and folks, just wanna let y'all know that sadly, my eyerolling-nitis syndrome was not at all healed. im so sorry.
i find this scene so distasteful not only because this happened at 83% and Rika initiated this right after she said "i love you" to Michael - and im not even joking, this threesome scene happened the next page - but it was so out of character for BOTH MCs. so you're telling me that Michael has a life-long rivalry and hatred for his brother, Trevor, because his brother had Rika and now he's suddenly okay with sharing his woman with his best friend... and Rika initiated this so they could "heal" themselves, so Kai could feel good again because he was "lost"
"I wasn't sure what he needed. But I knew he felt. He felt a lot, and I wanted that from him, and I wanted Kai to release everything that was holding him back, and I wanted the three of us to vent the pain and frustration, because it had been bottled up inside of us for so damn long."
i-
YOU COULD LITERALLY DO ANYTHING ELSE INSTEAD OF HAVING THREESOME. watch kdrama, watch crash landing on you, itaewon class, or eat pizza or cookie dough ice cream or go to fucking disneyland, anything else that doesn't include sex, anything, please for the love of god.
well, at least Kai and Michael aren't ...
* * *
i forgot how unlikeable these characters are in this book but funnily enough, i love them in Damon's book so *michael scott voice* oh how the turntables...
i honestly had no sympathy for any of the four horsemen here and at one point i thought, im glad their entitled asses went to jail. they should've stayed longer. but of course my perspective has changed and i love their entitled asses now.
i like Alex but i swear to god if her, Emory and Will have a threesome in nightfall or any other orgy-like sex scene well, that's a hell no for me.
* * *
original rating (november 2015) � 1 star
Devil's Night series
#1: corrupt � 1.75 stars
#2: hideaway � 3 stars
#3: kill switch � 4 stars
#3.5: conclave � 2.5 stars
#4: nightfall � 1.75 stars
#4.5: fire night � 3 stars
April 14, 2022
As long as my morals, inner feminist, emotions and brain aren’t dead I won’t ever find anything like this acceptable. It's so fucked up. He let his friends assault her AND don't get me started on all the other shit they did. "I wanted to hurt you, because I thought you hurt me." where are we, in kindergarten?
September 2, 2024
synopsis: men throwing a tantrum because they had to bear the consequences of their actions..
December 6, 2015
4 Little Monster stars!
To say Corrupt is a dark romance is a bit of an understatement. I was not expecting this kind of book from Penelope Douglas. I was intrigued, repulsed (at times) and completely captivated while reading. The first 30% or so I struggled with the story. I didn’t know what direction it would take and I wasn’t sure if it was the book for me, but I’m so glad I carried on and finished. Once that 30% mark passed, I was unable to put it down.
Rika is in college and wants nothing more than to get away. Get away from her life, her friends, her family, her ex boyfriend. It’s not that they’re bad, she just wants a fresh start at a new place where no one knows her. She wants to be free to be herself. She’s only really felt like herself once. It was one night many years ago, she was able to be with someone who showed her it was okay to really be her.
Being in the city where no one knows her is crushed pretty quickly, because Michael Crist, her ex’s older brother lives in the same building as her. Michael is a pro basketball player. He’s out for Rika, and not in a good way. He and his friends want revenge for something that happened a while ago that changed their lives forever. Rika doesn’t understand the ‘whys�, but she knows they're up to something and she’s not giving in.
Rika was one tough chick. I loved her take no crap attitude. She didn’t let people walk all over her. Even Michael. Michael is a character you’re going to hate to love, but love to hate. Their relationship was a mess, but it was a hot mess in the best way possible. Let me tell you this- 82% will forever be burned in my brain. I will never look at a steam room the same way again. Douglas can write one heck of a steamy scene!
Michael and Rika have a tumultuous relationship. It’s not pretty most of the time. It’s down right volatile at times, but I grew to love them both. They were a perfect storm and it worked.
I’m not going to kid glove you here, there are parts of this story that are hard to read. There are things that happen that made me say ‘Hold up- that is taking it much too far�. Michael and his friends aren’t always nice guys. They’re more bad than good a lot of the story (but that doesn’t stop me from wanting more of them� I want a Kai book so bad!!!) If you read this book, be prepared to have your limits pushed. It’s not a pretty story, it’s not a happy story, it’s a story about two messed up people who find solace in each other. It’s more of a hate story than a love story. It’s a story of revenge and just how far you will go to get that vengeance you crave. Love this story, hate this story, either way know that this story will own you. It will stay on your mind for days. It really messed me up in the best way. If you love a dark romance and are looking for a hate/love story that’s twisty, INTENSE and sexy this is one I recommend!
To say Corrupt is a dark romance is a bit of an understatement. I was not expecting this kind of book from Penelope Douglas. I was intrigued, repulsed (at times) and completely captivated while reading. The first 30% or so I struggled with the story. I didn’t know what direction it would take and I wasn’t sure if it was the book for me, but I’m so glad I carried on and finished. Once that 30% mark passed, I was unable to put it down.
Rika is in college and wants nothing more than to get away. Get away from her life, her friends, her family, her ex boyfriend. It’s not that they’re bad, she just wants a fresh start at a new place where no one knows her. She wants to be free to be herself. She’s only really felt like herself once. It was one night many years ago, she was able to be with someone who showed her it was okay to really be her.
“There are too many people that try to change us, and not enough people who want us to be who we are. Someone once made me see that, and I wanted to give that to you.�
Being in the city where no one knows her is crushed pretty quickly, because Michael Crist, her ex’s older brother lives in the same building as her. Michael is a pro basketball player. He’s out for Rika, and not in a good way. He and his friends want revenge for something that happened a while ago that changed their lives forever. Rika doesn’t understand the ‘whys�, but she knows they're up to something and she’s not giving in.
I lost track of what the score was, whose move it was, or what game we were even playing anymore.
Rika was one tough chick. I loved her take no crap attitude. She didn’t let people walk all over her. Even Michael. Michael is a character you’re going to hate to love, but love to hate. Their relationship was a mess, but it was a hot mess in the best way possible. Let me tell you this- 82% will forever be burned in my brain. I will never look at a steam room the same way again. Douglas can write one heck of a steamy scene!
Michael and Rika have a tumultuous relationship. It’s not pretty most of the time. It’s down right volatile at times, but I grew to love them both. They were a perfect storm and it worked.
He was a sadist, and my little heart just had to go pitter-patter the second his yanks, grabs, and pulls turned into gentle caresses and his frowns, scowls, and snarls turned into whispers.
I fell, and I never even tried to stop myself.
I’m not going to kid glove you here, there are parts of this story that are hard to read. There are things that happen that made me say ‘Hold up- that is taking it much too far�. Michael and his friends aren’t always nice guys. They’re more bad than good a lot of the story (but that doesn’t stop me from wanting more of them� I want a Kai book so bad!!!) If you read this book, be prepared to have your limits pushed. It’s not a pretty story, it’s not a happy story, it’s a story about two messed up people who find solace in each other. It’s more of a hate story than a love story. It’s a story of revenge and just how far you will go to get that vengeance you crave. Love this story, hate this story, either way know that this story will own you. It will stay on your mind for days. It really messed me up in the best way. If you love a dark romance and are looking for a hate/love story that’s twisty, INTENSE and sexy this is one I recommend!
“Other people don’t matter to us, Rika. We don’t let their rules contain us. What we can and can’t do is irrelevant. Who’s going to stop us?�
November 4, 2024
God gave us a brain for a reason, Penelope 🙄
Anyways, it was trashy but also fun at times?!? The steam scene between Kai, Erika and Michael was hot asf 😋
___
It was October 30th. The night before Halloween, Devils Night 🙂↕�
Did I wait till the night of Oct 30th to read this so I could write this review? Yes 😝 yes I did.
Anyways, it was trashy but also fun at times?!? The steam scene between Kai, Erika and Michael was hot asf 😋
___
It was October 30th. The night before Halloween, Devils Night 🙂↕�
Did I wait till the night of Oct 30th to read this so I could write this review? Yes 😝 yes I did.
July 30, 2020
Corrupt - 2.5 stars
Hideaway - 2.5 stars
Kill Swith - currently reading
Nightfall - tbr
2.5 i-made-it ⭐️s
REALLY REALLY REAAAALLY LONG Rant Alert
Before we start this thing, I have to say this. I love PD. She wrote some of my all time favorite books (Taylor Marek, I’d let you be the senator of my state every day and twice on Sunday) and she is, without a doubt, an amazing writer.
Okay, now that that is out of the way, I hate this.
First of all, I re-read this just so I can rant about it because apparently GR is my therapy and y’all are involuntary therapists, deal with it (you bet I’m patting my own back for my dedication and treating myself to that overpriced pair of pants I swore I wasn’t buying)
Anyway, I was excited because I’d get to hate on Rika (one of my favorite pastimes because I’m pathetic okay) but am now deeply offended because my hate for her grew with the series. It’s hard to read a book with a character you hate because if this was my first time, I would’ve just rolled my eyes at her but I swear this fictional character’s very existence is bothersome to my very immature and very petty self. I’m royally pissed that I only get to judge her (in this review) based on this book, because of my upstanding morals (LOL JK that well is drier than me reading the horrible threesome)
Now, let’s talk about
Rika Fane and all the ways she’s the perfect prototype and the rest of us just really messed up the details.
She starts out as a good girl, innocent and sweet, a dutiful daughter, a poor rich girl that has everything handed to her except what she really wants (Michael, we’ll get to him later) and that just wants to fly away from the nest and see what she’s made of (a combination of perfect atoms, duh)
She’s also very intelligent, and calls out a professor that has probably been teaching since before she was born in a packed auditorium. He was so flustered and gobsmacked by her flawless logic that he just couldn’t answer. Better yet, Damon, who hates her guts, was speechless in the face of her sheer brilliance.
She’s so pure and whatever that she frowns upon prostitution and openly judges a prostitute named Alex. Okay Rika, you’re sheltered and innocent and you’ll grow up over time, right?
Wrong
Because BAM! Turns out Rika also moonlights as a sex phone worker. Okay, that’s not true (you’re no fun) but seriously some of the things she said.
“And his dick is built for my ass. When he slides it in, he owns me.�
And have I mentioned she’s so freaking beautiful??? Your eyes will legit hurt if you look at her for more than 3 seconds.
“Will leaned his elbows on the table, watching her as well, and I didn’t spare a glance at Kai to see if he was staring. I knew he was.
Who wouldn’t?�
Just when you think she can’t surprise you anymore, it turns out she’s a freaking ninja too.
And a dick whisperer. Yes, she fixes broken dicks. She’s that good and selfless. Us, regular females should just be ashamed and quit men altogether, I’m telling you.
Even Damon, the villain, is waxing poetics about her looks. (Not even going to open that can of worms right now, gotta leave something for later but ewwww)
She is the CEO of Body Betraying Syndrome Inc. Catch her dropping her panties whenever Michael looks her way, but she’s cooler than you because she’s owning it.
“I don’t forgive you for what you’ve done to me,� she whispered, her voice still shaking from the orgasm. “But you’re right. I don’t think I can say no to you.�
You can kidnap her mother, burn down her house, steal all her money and threaten her physically. That’s all cool. The one thing she would never forgive you for is if you don’t take her out on a date!!
“My first night at Delcour, she was in a dress, you were in a suit, and you both had just gotten back here from wherever you were at. You haven’t taken me anywhere.�
How dare you Michael??? She has only one deal breaker and you had to do it??
Lastly, she’s wiser than you when you were 13.
“Well, it’s like you’re saving your energy for something. Holding back,� she says, nestling into me and getting comfortable. “But it doesn’t make any sense. Life is one-way, and there is no return trip. What are you waiting for?�
Now let’s get on to
Michael Crist.
I have a picture of him.
Oh wait, it doesn’t show? Let’s try again.
Still nothing??? I guess he just blends so well�.
“What do you see in me that’s so fucking fascinating?�
That is the one million dollar question, tbh.
He had 0 personality. I don’t know if PD was trying too hard to make the others intriguing that she failed to develop Michael enough or what, but he was just so…meh.
Michael, honey,
In fact,
“You’re pretty fucking sick, aren’t you?� he teased.
“Just like me,� he whispered.�
Bitch, shut up. Rika, for all her flaws, has personality. You have none. Go back to your drywall existence, please and thank you.
The Threesome (yes it deserves a full section because I’m pretty sure it’s one of the reasons I’m half blind)
Hello, police of wherever PD lived when I first read this
So basically, prison broke Kai’s dick, but
Keep in mind that only like a few pages earlier, Michael was like
“If you ever let that happen, I will make you sorry.�
And then outta nowhere Kai is there like
“Tell her you love her,� a deep voice echoed.
At this point, it is my belief that Kai was inserted into the scene just to be Rika’s hype man (as if she needed one uggghh). Then Pd took a coffee break in the middle of the scene and something hard hit her on her lovely-incredible-writer-that-I-love head.
Result :
First of all, Kai’s goes from “This hurt� when she touches his freaking chest to “I’m gonna lick you so good baby� in like 0.2 seconds.
Then he asked Michael to “open her for him� LOL
In the end he “thanks her� and
Of course all this happened because
I wanted him and me and Michael and making something good out of the last three years, and I wanted him to know he wasn’t alone.
Things I liked (yes they exist LOL)
“Well, she’s not really his type, is she?�
We stopped as we neared the gazebo, and I turned my head, seeing Michael’s piercing eyes lock with mine.
"We want what we want,� he explained, the weight of his soft words meaning more than I think he intended."
I liked this, I felt it.
“Drowning Pool, Three Days Grace, Five Finger Death Punch,� I continued, “Thousand Foot Krutch, 10 Years, Nothing More, Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach, Bush…� I paused, exhaling nice and slow despite the way my heart drummed. “Chevelle, Skillet, Garbage, Korn, Trivium, In This Moment…� I drifted off, peace settling over me as I looked up at him. “You’re in everything.�
This whole scene is approved by all the known cuteness authorities.
The cave scene, that started out well and I actually felt some of their chemistry. Maybe it was because I read it on my lunch hour in a room of 200 people and felt scandalously naughty? Or maybe it really was good. I’ll never know because I was interrupted and only resumed when I was back at my desk (working really hard, as you can see) and my eyes landed on the word nub and BAM! scene ruined because I hate that word.
Some scenes I couldn’t help but comment on
--
“Why are we doing this?� Will mocked in my voice.
And then they all joined in.
“Why are we doing this?�
“Why are we doing this?�
What went through my mind
--
“Michael challenged me, and I met him, pushing back the whole time.�
If by pushing back you mean your legs, than sure.
--
Michael arriving at the grand finale knowing full well that the villains are waiting for him. The observation skills on this guy.
”Something was wrong.�
--
And why are all of them wearing suits and ties all the damn time??? Michael, you’re a basketball player and the rest, you just got out of prison so
If you made it this far, thank you for coming to my ted talk and I promise to shoulder at least 30% of your therapy bills.
Because honestly
Fuck, this felt good.
On to the next one, because Rika is about to get bitch slapped and I AM HERE FOR IT.
November 11, 2016
4.5 Stars - ***Spoiler Free***
Holy shit, Penelope Douglas, ho-leeeee SHIT.
Seriously though, all I can say:
And:
I want to keep this spoiler free and, frankly, I'm also a little short on time. So this will be short and to the point...in theory.
Cause I honestly have no clue what I will write half the time.
It's like diarrhea of themouth keyboard, really.
But anycray, I was captivated by this book from page one.
Sincerely. Completely enthralled.
I don't know what it is about Penelope Douglas, but boy can she write some seriously compelling, Grade A Asshole, people.
In fact, she should teach classes on it.
Or lead tour or...something.
Not since my Jared in have I encountered such a captivating fucking asshole of the male persuasion.
In fact, the lead H (Michael) here reminded me a lot of Jared.
A total dick of a bully.
But on an even grander scale.
In fact, if you liked Bully, you would probably like this one.
Now, the way the story was laid out is not my favorite format - past/present flashbacks.
But I'll take it any day over the whole "'present'prologue followed by the whole 'five years earlier' and now spend the rest of the book working your way back here" bullshit, fuck you very much.
Regardless, this format actually worked for me here and kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
So why not 5 stars, you say?
Well, the build up to some of the more...climatic moments was awesome...however, one of the grand events just didn't quite live up to the hype for me.
Plus, I thought that the h should have been a little more pissed off when she discovers...certain things.
Like seriously, she kind of glosses over some things that I would have grudge-matched for at LEAST a week.
But whatevs, I'll take it.
Because ENTHRALLED.
And awesome.
And read it.
Safety Gang Warning:
Find me at:
Holy shit, Penelope Douglas, ho-leeeee SHIT.
Seriously though, all I can say:
And:
I want to keep this spoiler free and, frankly, I'm also a little short on time. So this will be short and to the point...in theory.
Cause I honestly have no clue what I will write half the time.
It's like diarrhea of the
But anycray, I was captivated by this book from page one.
Sincerely. Completely enthralled.
I don't know what it is about Penelope Douglas, but boy can she write some seriously compelling, Grade A Asshole, people.
In fact, she should teach classes on it.
Or lead tour or...something.
Not since my Jared in have I encountered such a captivating fucking asshole of the male persuasion.
In fact, the lead H (Michael) here reminded me a lot of Jared.
A total dick of a bully.
But on an even grander scale.
In fact, if you liked Bully, you would probably like this one.
Now, the way the story was laid out is not my favorite format - past/present flashbacks.
But I'll take it any day over the whole "'present'prologue followed by the whole 'five years earlier' and now spend the rest of the book working your way back here" bullshit, fuck you very much.
Regardless, this format actually worked for me here and kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
So why not 5 stars, you say?
Well, the build up to some of the more...climatic moments was awesome...however, one of the grand events just didn't quite live up to the hype for me.
Plus, I thought that the h should have been a little more pissed off when she discovers...certain things.
Like seriously, she kind of glosses over some things that I would have grudge-matched for at LEAST a week.
But whatevs, I'll take it.
Because ENTHRALLED.
And awesome.
And read it.
Safety Gang Warning:
Find me at:
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
August 16, 2021DNF � skimmed to the end
I can understand why many loved this book, I really can. That said, it's sooo not my cuppa, that's for sure. I didn't like the way this story made me feel.
I can understand why many loved this book, I really can. That said, it's sooo not my cuppa, that's for sure. I didn't like the way this story made me feel.
August 30, 2021
*Warning! This review contains the description of explicit sex scene*
**This review contains my personal opinion on the matter of pornography and group sex. If this is a sensitive topic for you, I would advise withholding from reading this review**
Did not finish
Okay. I need some time to come to my senses and write a few words about this... thing. Corrupt is not a dark romance, it is simply porn. I have nothing special to say about the story. Everything is so predictable and... dirty. Penelope Douglas is good in writing New Adult books. It's clear she wanted to write a porn contemporary romance with more mature characters and issues but it all turned out ridiculously immature. I dropped reading the book at about 15% and just skimmed through the rest because I just wanted to know the reason behind all this overly dramatic hatred between MCs. It turned out to be overly marasmic: you know the whole oh-sorry-we-didn't-look-better-into-it-and-blamed-the-innocent-for-years. And the sex scenes... Well, this whole porn thing is about clits and cocks. The top scene on my list is when Mcs admitted to having feelings for each other and they went and had a threesome with a friend of theirs and it was written in detail, just like in porn. Phew! I want to gouge my eyes out and forget what I just read.
They went slow, finding a rhythm and moving in and out of me at the same time, and I circled an arm around Michael’s neck again, pulling Kai closer with my other hand.I was stretched and filled and my entire body tingled with the friction of skin and sweat and my hair sticking to my neck and back.“Harder,� I groaned, sucking in air through my teeth as I arched my back for Michael and dug my nails into the back of Kai’s neck. They moved faster, and it fucking stung where Michael was entering me, but it felt so good, too. Like my orgasm was coming from ten different places, all leading to one spot where they’d come together and explode
Why not do it with all four guys instead of just two?
I honestly did not expect this dirt from Penelope Douglas. She was nearly the only NA writer for me whose books were decent in this genre. Why did she have to go and write porn?! And why did she have to wrap it up and offer it to us as romance?! It is not love. I am not a prude. I am not against eroticism. I love hot sex in books. But pornography is disgusting, in my opinion. Earlier I added that I also think very low of people enjoying porn, but a comment from a friend of mine showed me that it is a little bit judgmental to call people names publicly for their tastes. Yes, it's everyone's business what to watch, read and do behind closed doors. What I was trying to say earlier, that non-consensual sex or intercourse where a woman is humiliated and lowered to the status of a sex slave, which seems to be a trend in the porn industry, is not something I would appreciate about the person who enjoys watching or reading about it. It's my personal perception of the world and morality. I find porn disgusting and this book looks to me like one distasteful porn scene. I felt dirty after reading it, therefore I can't recommend it to other people. Bare sex - yes. Sublime feeling and love - no.
Not recommended!
May 20, 2024
Penelope Douglas's Corrupt: Five Angsty Stars!!
I have never found myself so captivated in an audiobook before!
There is undeniable chemistry when the narrator is speaking the words. This audio left me on the edge of my seat, and it had me wanting to listen to it all over again.
Audiobook edition can be found here:
I won't spoil the plot here; with every chapter, each character's motivations are further unveiled, secrets are disclosed, and the lines between love and obsession are blurred. That thread of "I want you" runs steadily through the whole book, and the tension is palpable.
The audiobook narrator does an excellent job of maintaining the rising suspense and raw emotion throughout the story, and I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
Corrupt is a highly addictive, well-written, and thought-provoking listen that digs deep into the complexities of human emotion with an intensity and vividness that almost jumps out of the audio.
It's unlike any other love story I've read or listened to in a long time, and it's a haunting, unforgettable auditory experience. Corrupt is perfect for listeners who are eager to escape into the world of a dark and intoxicating romance thriller that is truly different from all the others.
If you typically listen to romances with mystery and suspense elements, you should definitely check out the audiobook of Corrupt. It's a rare gem that pushes the boundaries of convention in a way that is both thrilling and disturbingly seductive.
I have never found myself so captivated in an audiobook before!
There is undeniable chemistry when the narrator is speaking the words. This audio left me on the edge of my seat, and it had me wanting to listen to it all over again.
Audiobook edition can be found here:
I won't spoil the plot here; with every chapter, each character's motivations are further unveiled, secrets are disclosed, and the lines between love and obsession are blurred. That thread of "I want you" runs steadily through the whole book, and the tension is palpable.
The audiobook narrator does an excellent job of maintaining the rising suspense and raw emotion throughout the story, and I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
Corrupt is a highly addictive, well-written, and thought-provoking listen that digs deep into the complexities of human emotion with an intensity and vividness that almost jumps out of the audio.
It's unlike any other love story I've read or listened to in a long time, and it's a haunting, unforgettable auditory experience. Corrupt is perfect for listeners who are eager to escape into the world of a dark and intoxicating romance thriller that is truly different from all the others.
If you typically listen to romances with mystery and suspense elements, you should definitely check out the audiobook of Corrupt. It's a rare gem that pushes the boundaries of convention in a way that is both thrilling and disturbingly seductive.
February 24, 2024
-2.5 Stars-
How can a book be boring and enthralling all at once?
I'll start w the characters
RIKA 'PICK ME' FANE
So I know the romance community has a lot to say abt Rika (mostly negative) but honestly, I don't mind the dumb lil twat. I actually found her quite likable 🤡 Was she ridiculously overpowered? Yes. She legit had 0 surface-level flaws (and don't tell me a 2 inch scar counts), she was 'chill', 'one of the guys', a rich innocent good girl who was secretly bad *dun dun dun*, could dance, fence, apparently a knife expert? and she was insanely beautiful and everyone wanted to eat her ass. She was a completely unrealistic and unrelatable character but whatever, her personality didn't annoy me and that's what matters. I'm just gonna pray for her and that ghastly case of betraying body syndrome she's weirdly accepting of and keep it moving.
🤡
🙃
🤡
🙃
In reflection that paragraph makes me think my feelings aren't positive at all
No but fr tho the only thing that truly made me side-eye her was that her whole thing was that she wanted freedom from her gilded cage and hated ppl telling her what to do, but apparently to her doing what she wanted to do = doing whatever Michael wants to do to her and proving she 'can hang w the big boys' soooooo
Sure, I'll just do the mental gymnastics to see that as strong and not at all pathetic.
#feminism #logic #thisbookwastryingtoodamnhard
Moving on to,
MICHAEL 'IRRELEVANT' CRIST
My issue with this book laid mostly on this limp-dick bland asshole named Michael: a mediocre weiner of a character. I felt like he was v uninteresting but thought he was v interesting. That's worse than just stopping at being uninteresting. Dude is fake deep. He went on so many monologues I didn't know if he was trying to be dark and mysterious or attempting to convert Rika to anarchism.
WHO IS THEY? BRO WHAT IS YOU EVEN TALKING ABOUT RN?
He shits on Rika all day long for her privilege like him and his friends aren't the most privileged assholes ever. He really thought he was profound w the 'do whatever the fuck you want' mentality like daddys-money wasn't written all over it and society doesn't bend for ppl like them every day. Boy rly was so mediocre and I would say Rika can do better but she seems embarrassingly content to settle for a flavorless piece of toast but hey as long as she happy
Last note on Michael: why was this man a professional basketball player? 😂 so random I'm pretty sure it was mentioned like two times total in the story. His character was so freakin underdeveloped.
Onto,
THE ROMANCE
hang on hang on lemme squint for it
*coughs* but rly
WHAT ROMANCE? BISH WHERE??
It's like having a romance with a cement block. There's nothing there to work with. He legit did one nice thing for her this whole book and you know what it was? He took her to a fencing match.
Hold on, just me attempting to feel any type of swoon or waiting for a reason to arise that would actually make me want to root for these two trash shoots. Any minute now, I'm sure.
I'm fully aware that not all romances have to be traditionally 'swoon worthy', hell I prefer asshole couples to sugary sweet ones. But the difference was these two had a made up connection and I'm pretty sure they thought they invented 'toxic'.
What a joke. The amount of times they said,
"That's not us."
"We're not like everyone else."
"Other people don't live like we do-"
In the words of Lance Orion👑:
Smh truly terrible romance. Now that we got that out of the way let's move onto,
THE REAL ROMANCE
AKA: Rika getting DP'd by her boyfriend and his best friend 🌈✨💞�
The main reason I've been avoiding this series all these years is because I personally don't like sharing in my books, nothing wrong w it it's just not my thing, so I'm glad to say in this book I was able to *shocked breath* enjoy the threesome. I just didn't care abt the main couple so hard that I was just glad my boy Kai was getting it in.
I did think it was absolutely hilarious tho that someone walked in mid-way through. Imagine walking in on a full-on double penetration fuck sesh when you're at a fencing tournament of all places. That proper blue-blooded boy was probably scarred for life.
THE PLOT
It's a testament to PD's writing that the miscommunication trope didn't actually annoy me here. I did think the pacing was a bit off tho, I was withering away for the first 60% and then when shit finally hit the fan it only lasted 5%. Consider me disappointed too cause I thought they were gonna rly fuck her up but
THE HORSEMAN
So far Damon is deliciously creepy (the upside) but not in the way that I like my creeps (the downside). He's creepy in a skeevy way and I prefer my creeps selective. I have faith in his growth tho.
Kai is a total cutie pie and had the only quotable line in this book
and yeah that's it! Those are the four horsemen!
I will say tho that when shit hit the fan and they were getting their 'revenge' on Rika, I was bent over laughing. I hate them sm skjbswiwonw
they are so freakin annoying pls 🤚🏽🤣🤣
So freakin childish and annoying LMAO I'm sure my opinions will change as I get further into their stories but as of now
PROS
Since I just spent an obscene amount of time roasting this book (for real tho things got out of hand, I was just gonna shit on Michael and leave, I had no idea how much this book irked me until it was too late so I am so sorry for dragging you along w me🤦🏽♀�) but I'll try to say some positive stuff for a change
� the smut was hot. PD knows how to write good smut.
� from 65-70% was
that 5%? i was glued to my kindle.
� Rika wasn't bad
ummmmmwhatelsewhatelsewhatelse
� THE WRITING. as always with PD, the writing was top tier.
and ya! at this point im just forcing it 🥴🥴 it was clearly not my fav
hopefully Damon can bring it back around for me thooo 🙏🏽
How can a book be boring and enthralling all at once?
I'll start w the characters
RIKA 'PICK ME' FANE
So I know the romance community has a lot to say abt Rika (mostly negative) but honestly, I don't mind the dumb lil twat. I actually found her quite likable 🤡 Was she ridiculously overpowered? Yes. She legit had 0 surface-level flaws (and don't tell me a 2 inch scar counts), she was 'chill', 'one of the guys', a rich innocent good girl who was secretly bad *dun dun dun*, could dance, fence, apparently a knife expert? and she was insanely beautiful and everyone wanted to eat her ass. She was a completely unrealistic and unrelatable character but whatever, her personality didn't annoy me and that's what matters. I'm just gonna pray for her and that ghastly case of betraying body syndrome she's weirdly accepting of and keep it moving.
🤡
🙃
🤡
🙃
In reflection that paragraph makes me think my feelings aren't positive at all
No but fr tho the only thing that truly made me side-eye her was that her whole thing was that she wanted freedom from her gilded cage and hated ppl telling her what to do, but apparently to her doing what she wanted to do = doing whatever Michael wants to do to her and proving she 'can hang w the big boys' soooooo
Sure, I'll just do the mental gymnastics to see that as strong and not at all pathetic.
#feminism #logic #thisbookwastryingtoodamnhard
Moving on to,
MICHAEL 'IRRELEVANT' CRIST
My issue with this book laid mostly on this limp-dick bland asshole named Michael: a mediocre weiner of a character. I felt like he was v uninteresting but thought he was v interesting. That's worse than just stopping at being uninteresting. Dude is fake deep. He went on so many monologues I didn't know if he was trying to be dark and mysterious or attempting to convert Rika to anarchism.
"They tell us that what we want is wrong and that freedom is dirty. They see chaos, madness, and fucking as ugly, and the older you get, the smaller that box gets. You feel it closing in already, don't you?"
WHO IS THEY? BRO WHAT IS YOU EVEN TALKING ABOUT RN?
He shits on Rika all day long for her privilege like him and his friends aren't the most privileged assholes ever. He really thought he was profound w the 'do whatever the fuck you want' mentality like daddys-money wasn't written all over it and society doesn't bend for ppl like them every day. Boy rly was so mediocre and I would say Rika can do better but she seems embarrassingly content to settle for a flavorless piece of toast but hey as long as she happy
Last note on Michael: why was this man a professional basketball player? 😂 so random I'm pretty sure it was mentioned like two times total in the story. His character was so freakin underdeveloped.
Onto,
THE ROMANCE
hang on hang on lemme squint for it
*coughs* but rly
WHAT ROMANCE? BISH WHERE??
It's like having a romance with a cement block. There's nothing there to work with. He legit did one nice thing for her this whole book and you know what it was? He took her to a fencing match.
Hold on, just me attempting to feel any type of swoon or waiting for a reason to arise that would actually make me want to root for these two trash shoots. Any minute now, I'm sure.
I'm fully aware that not all romances have to be traditionally 'swoon worthy', hell I prefer asshole couples to sugary sweet ones. But the difference was these two had a made up connection and I'm pretty sure they thought they invented 'toxic'.
What a joke. The amount of times they said,
"That's not us."
"We're not like everyone else."
"Other people don't live like we do-"
In the words of Lance Orion👑:
YOU ARE NOT UNIQUE.
Smh truly terrible romance. Now that we got that out of the way let's move onto,
THE REAL ROMANCE
AKA: Rika getting DP'd by her boyfriend and his best friend 🌈✨💞�
The main reason I've been avoiding this series all these years is because I personally don't like sharing in my books, nothing wrong w it it's just not my thing, so I'm glad to say in this book I was able to *shocked breath* enjoy the threesome. I just didn't care abt the main couple so hard that I was just glad my boy Kai was getting it in.
I did think it was absolutely hilarious tho that someone walked in mid-way through. Imagine walking in on a full-on double penetration fuck sesh when you're at a fencing tournament of all places. That proper blue-blooded boy was probably scarred for life.
THE PLOT
It's a testament to PD's writing that the miscommunication trope didn't actually annoy me here. I did think the pacing was a bit off tho, I was withering away for the first 60% and then when shit finally hit the fan it only lasted 5%. Consider me disappointed too cause I thought they were gonna rly fuck her up but
THE HORSEMAN
So far Damon is deliciously creepy (the upside) but not in the way that I like my creeps (the downside). He's creepy in a skeevy way and I prefer my creeps selective. I have faith in his growth tho.
Kai is a total cutie pie and had the only quotable line in this book
“When you want to make an impression and you think you’ve gone far enough, go a little further. Always leave them wondering if you’re just a little bit crazy, and people will never fuck with you again.�
and yeah that's it! Those are the four horsemen!
I will say tho that when shit hit the fan and they were getting their 'revenge' on Rika, I was bent over laughing. I hate them sm skjbswiwonw
My legs started to shake. “Why are you doing this?� I demanded. “What do you want?�
“Why are we doing this?� Will mocked in my voice.
And then they all joined in.
“Why are we doing this?�
“Why are we doing this?�
“I don’t know. Why are we doing this?� Damon laughed.
they are so freakin annoying pls 🤚🏽🤣🤣
“What?!� I choked out, trying to keep the fucking tears at bay. “What do you want from me?�
“What do you want from me?� Kai mocked, followed by the others.
“What do you want from me?�
“What do you want from me?�
So freakin childish and annoying LMAO I'm sure my opinions will change as I get further into their stories but as of now
PROS
Since I just spent an obscene amount of time roasting this book (for real tho things got out of hand, I was just gonna shit on Michael and leave, I had no idea how much this book irked me until it was too late so I am so sorry for dragging you along w me🤦🏽♀�) but I'll try to say some positive stuff for a change
� the smut was hot. PD knows how to write good smut.
� from 65-70% was
that 5%? i was glued to my kindle.
� Rika wasn't bad
ummmmmwhatelsewhatelsewhatelse
� THE WRITING. as always with PD, the writing was top tier.
and ya! at this point im just forcing it 🥴🥴 it was clearly not my fav
hopefully Damon can bring it back around for me thooo 🙏🏽
November 10, 2024
gave this book for recycling 'cause it's a waste of paper hello. save trees 🫶🏽
February 18, 2016
EXPERIMENTAL READ OF THE MONTH: FEBRUARY 2016
Every month my friends and I go out of our comfort zones and embrace the world outside historical and contemporary romance. Thanks for accompanying me on this wild ride, sraxe!
DNF@65%.
Before I go on with the review, I will first destroy the part of my brain that understands the concepts of good writing, self respect, healthy relationships, and just plain ol' sane behaviour.
*takes a laser gun and shoots it at self*
Okay. Done. Now, I'm ready to talk about Corrupt.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the cow! This book was fucking amazing, I tell you! It was so great, in fact, that I had to stop reading it at 65%. I simply realized that I am too flawed, too dirty, too stupid to take it in all its glory. No, sir. I wouldn't even dare recommend this to people with an IQ of less than 180. That wouldn't give this story the respect it is due.
And respect it you must! Because like I said, it was fucking glorious. It was definitely not a melodramatic ranting of a spoiled, whiny little bitch with horrible taste in men and virtually no self-respect . Oh, no. It was a really deep story, man. Pacific Ocean deep. Look at a particular quote from Rika:
Whoa! "Dark deeds and bad seeds"indeed! If that isn't a substantial insight, then I don't know what is! Take that, Plato!
Oh, let's not forget Michael's rational observations about life:
Damn. I was speechless when I read that part. I tell you, kids today should really emulate Rika and Michael. They should also try to complicate life with non-existent problems so that they have something to think about while they spend Daddy's money on superfluous things philosophize during their spare time.
And by the way, can we focus on Michael? As my friend sraxe called him, he was an absolute dreamboat if dreamboat means unrepentant, fucked-up asshole .
I'm just saddened by the fact that people often misunderstand him. When he stood by and watched Rika get sexually assaulted by his friends? Of course he was just testing her. Duh. Also, his asshole attitude? That's completely justifiable. Sure, he hated her, and sure, he treated her poorly... But that's because he loved her, silly! All men in love let other women stroke their penises while they fantasise about their ladyloves . I'm also sure they treat their said ladyloves like "pathetic dog[s]" .
Seriously. People who don't get Michael are judgmental as hell, with their so-called "dignity" and "respect". Pfft. Those stuff are so overrated anyway. Who needs those when you have a hot guy, right?
I'm sure I've fangirled enough. If you're looking for a story that is not filled with blatant sexism, slut-shaming, unhealthy relationships and characters who need therapy then you've come to the right place.
Heh.
Every month my friends and I go out of our comfort zones and embrace the world outside historical and contemporary romance. Thanks for accompanying me on this wild ride, sraxe!
DNF@65%.
Before I go on with the review, I will first destroy the part of my brain that understands the concepts of good writing, self respect, healthy relationships, and just plain ol' sane behaviour.
*takes a laser gun and shoots it at self*
Okay. Done. Now, I'm ready to talk about Corrupt.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the cow! This book was fucking amazing, I tell you! It was so great, in fact, that I had to stop reading it at 65%. I simply realized that I am too flawed, too dirty, too stupid to take it in all its glory. No, sir. I wouldn't even dare recommend this to people with an IQ of less than 180. That wouldn't give this story the respect it is due.
And respect it you must! Because like I said, it was fucking glorious. It was definitely not a melodramatic ranting of a spoiled, whiny little bitch with horrible taste in men and virtually no self-respect . Oh, no. It was a really deep story, man. Pacific Ocean deep. Look at a particular quote from Rika:
Everything was so polished, and when I looked around at all the adults and families I grew up with, their money and designer clothes, I often saw a coat of paint that you apply when you’re trying to cover up rotting wood. There were dark deeds and bad seeds, but who cared if the house was falling apart as long as it was pretty, right?
Whoa! "Dark deeds and bad seeds"indeed! If that isn't a substantial insight, then I don't know what is! Take that, Plato!
Oh, let's not forget Michael's rational observations about life:
They tell us that what we want is wrong and that freedom is dirty. They see chaos, madness, and fucking as ugly, and the older you get, the smaller that box gets.
Damn. I was speechless when I read that part. I tell you, kids today should really emulate Rika and Michael. They should also
And by the way, can we focus on Michael? As my friend sraxe called him, he was an absolute dreamboat
I'm just saddened by the fact that people often misunderstand him. When he stood by and watched Rika get sexually assaulted by his friends? Of course he was just testing her. Duh. Also, his asshole attitude? That's completely justifiable. Sure, he hated her, and sure, he treated her poorly... But that's because he loved her, silly! All men in love let other women stroke their penises while they fantasise about their ladyloves . I'm also sure they treat their said ladyloves like "pathetic dog[s]" .
Seriously. People who don't get Michael are judgmental as hell, with their so-called "dignity" and "respect". Pfft. Those stuff are so overrated anyway. Who needs those when you have a hot guy, right?
I'm sure I've fangirled enough. If you're looking for a story that is not filled with blatant sexism, slut-shaming, unhealthy relationships and characters who need therapy then you've come to the right place.
Heh.
November 27, 2015
*** 2 Stars Another over hyped book that didn't do it for me ***
My rating is based on MY FEELINGS after reading this.
It's not an attack on the Author or people who have rated this book highly.The last time I gave a negative review on a highly rated book I got a load of abusive personal messages....this is my personal opinion.
So,I read the blurb for this and was so excited....revenge and darkness.Hell yes,I thought.
Really I should have given up quite early on.
The whole Horsemen thing was just too ridiculous for words.I mean what????
Past school members come into the school wearing masks and even the teachers do nothing!!
The four Male characters are immature,overprivileged dickheads(well maybe one wasn't)
I started of liking Erika but then just got pissed of with some of her decisions.
Don't even get me started on the 'hot alpha male', Michael.God I hated him.
The story was dragged out and the skimming started...
The only reason I kept on reading was to find out what happened that made these men so hell bent on revenge and if Erika was guilty of what they thought she was.
The only redeeming point/character was Kai and 'that' scene was totally hot...
My rating is based on MY FEELINGS after reading this.
It's not an attack on the Author or people who have rated this book highly.The last time I gave a negative review on a highly rated book I got a load of abusive personal messages....this is my personal opinion.
So,I read the blurb for this and was so excited....revenge and darkness.Hell yes,I thought.
Really I should have given up quite early on.
The whole Horsemen thing was just too ridiculous for words.I mean what????
Past school members come into the school wearing masks and even the teachers do nothing!!
The four Male characters are immature,overprivileged dickheads(well maybe one wasn't)
I started of liking Erika but then just got pissed of with some of her decisions.
Don't even get me started on the 'hot alpha male', Michael.God I hated him.
The story was dragged out and the skimming started...
The only reason I kept on reading was to find out what happened that made these men so hell bent on revenge and if Erika was guilty of what they thought she was.
The only redeeming point/character was Kai and 'that' scene was totally hot...
November 2, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ okay� interesting. i’m entertained. that’s all.
December 5, 2015
4.5 Stars SPOILER FREE Review
NOW LIVE:
How in the ever loving hell do I even begin reviewing this book?! Honestly. I'm completely at a loss for words. So my only way out is to be vague as shit and trust me when I tell you you'll thank me for it. You want to know absolutely nothing about this book. Even the very minute detail can be a spoiler. If you want my advise, avoid reviews altogether and go in absolutely blind. Hell, don't even read the blurb.
First of all, while this book is categorized dark, I wouldn't agree with that. It's a heck of a lot darker than anything Penelope Douglas has written and surely a leap away from anything she's written in the past. But dark? Well, on my scale, I'd rate it a light gray. It was erotic, and very edgy, but if you compare to the Pepper Winters, CJ Roberts, or the like, it's not quite on the same scale. It's also not for everyone. Penelope took some risks with this one and there are some scenes and occurrences that may not agree with everyone. But this girl? Devoured it like the crack that it was.
Erika Fane has been in love with Michael Crist. He captivated her with his brooding intensity, drew her in with his aloofness, and completely disregarded her. But something about him, something behind his eyes drew her to him like a moth to a flame. Erika was too young to really know. Too naive to really see. And she was also dating Michael's younger brother. Now she's single, in a new city by herself for college, and fully in Michael's crosshairs....
Michael Crist is a force to be reckoned with. He's enigmatic, rich, and used to not playing by the rules. Erika may have had the run of his house growing up, but now she's finally where he wants her. No longer under the protection of his family, no longer dating his brother. She's alone...and his to do with what he wants. And what he wants is revenge. He won't rest until she's paid restitution for what she did to him and his friends those fateful three years ago. He'll make her pay, even if he has to corrupt her fully to do it...
I don't remember the last time a book kept me up all night reading. I inhaled it in one sitting, completely enraptured. It was positively spellbinding and unlike anything I'd have ever expected from this author. There's one thing to say for Penelope's writing, it's absolutely captivating. She knows how to draw her readers in, how to make her characters so alive they practically leap off the pages at you. Michael was that character for me. He was so intense, in a way that equal parts terrified and seduced. The fact that you get both his and Rika's POV only serves to draw you in fully into the story. Even when he does something that you want to hate him for, even when Rika does something you want to throttle her for, you can't put it down. It was like an addiction. I had to have a hit. I simply couldn't stop until I knew what was going on. And Penelope keeps you hanging on that edge of suspense until the last page. They mystery behind everything is what really captured my interest. It's told in flashbacks of three years ago and present, but it's weaved together flawlessly. I know some readers don't enjoy the flashbacks from past to present, but it truly worked it. It's what drove the plot and the mystery. It whetted the appetitive for more.
I read this 2 days ago and I still can't stop thinking about it. There was one particular scene that really threw me and made me wonder if it was really necessary. However, after giving it some though, it was barely a blip on my radar. I also wished for a bit of something from Michael at the end (I won't say what because I'm a teasing bitch like that) but you'll see what I mean once you read it. But once again, thinking on it some more, Penelope stayed true to his character, and having him handle it any other way would not have been that. So I can respect that.
While young Rika frustrated me, I loved seeing her grow that backbone and truly come into her own throughout the book. She certainly gave as good as she got, and she got plenty. Michael is the epitome of an anti-hero that you'll love to hate.
Corrupt is much sexier than any of Penelope's other books that I can't even compare. The woman can write the hell out of a sex scene, let me just tell you. But everything about her writing just worked for me. Get ready to be Corrupted, because after reading this, you will never be the same.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
NOW LIVE:
Three years ago, curious little Erika Fane wanted to play with the boys, so we indulged her, and she betrayed us. There was no way we'd forget.
How in the ever loving hell do I even begin reviewing this book?! Honestly. I'm completely at a loss for words. So my only way out is to be vague as shit and trust me when I tell you you'll thank me for it. You want to know absolutely nothing about this book. Even the very minute detail can be a spoiler. If you want my advise, avoid reviews altogether and go in absolutely blind. Hell, don't even read the blurb.
First of all, while this book is categorized dark, I wouldn't agree with that. It's a heck of a lot darker than anything Penelope Douglas has written and surely a leap away from anything she's written in the past. But dark? Well, on my scale, I'd rate it a light gray. It was erotic, and very edgy, but if you compare to the Pepper Winters, CJ Roberts, or the like, it's not quite on the same scale. It's also not for everyone. Penelope took some risks with this one and there are some scenes and occurrences that may not agree with everyone. But this girl? Devoured it like the crack that it was.
Erika Fane has been in love with Michael Crist. He captivated her with his brooding intensity, drew her in with his aloofness, and completely disregarded her. But something about him, something behind his eyes drew her to him like a moth to a flame. Erika was too young to really know. Too naive to really see. And she was also dating Michael's younger brother. Now she's single, in a new city by herself for college, and fully in Michael's crosshairs....
Michael Crist is a force to be reckoned with. He's enigmatic, rich, and used to not playing by the rules. Erika may have had the run of his house growing up, but now she's finally where he wants her. No longer under the protection of his family, no longer dating his brother. She's alone...and his to do with what he wants. And what he wants is revenge. He won't rest until she's paid restitution for what she did to him and his friends those fateful three years ago. He'll make her pay, even if he has to corrupt her fully to do it...
Say it, Rika."
"I'm a good girl," she panted, her voice shaky.
"And I'm going to fuck you up."
I don't remember the last time a book kept me up all night reading. I inhaled it in one sitting, completely enraptured. It was positively spellbinding and unlike anything I'd have ever expected from this author. There's one thing to say for Penelope's writing, it's absolutely captivating. She knows how to draw her readers in, how to make her characters so alive they practically leap off the pages at you. Michael was that character for me. He was so intense, in a way that equal parts terrified and seduced. The fact that you get both his and Rika's POV only serves to draw you in fully into the story. Even when he does something that you want to hate him for, even when Rika does something you want to throttle her for, you can't put it down. It was like an addiction. I had to have a hit. I simply couldn't stop until I knew what was going on. And Penelope keeps you hanging on that edge of suspense until the last page. They mystery behind everything is what really captured my interest. It's told in flashbacks of three years ago and present, but it's weaved together flawlessly. I know some readers don't enjoy the flashbacks from past to present, but it truly worked it. It's what drove the plot and the mystery. It whetted the appetitive for more.
I read this 2 days ago and I still can't stop thinking about it. There was one particular scene that really threw me and made me wonder if it was really necessary. However, after giving it some though, it was barely a blip on my radar. I also wished for a bit of something from Michael at the end (I won't say what because I'm a teasing bitch like that) but you'll see what I mean once you read it. But once again, thinking on it some more, Penelope stayed true to his character, and having him handle it any other way would not have been that. So I can respect that.
While young Rika frustrated me, I loved seeing her grow that backbone and truly come into her own throughout the book. She certainly gave as good as she got, and she got plenty. Michael is the epitome of an anti-hero that you'll love to hate.
Corrupt is much sexier than any of Penelope's other books that I can't even compare. The woman can write the hell out of a sex scene, let me just tell you. But everything about her writing just worked for me. Get ready to be Corrupted, because after reading this, you will never be the same.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
February 29, 2016
This book doesn't exactly know what it wants to be. There is the New Adult component where we get sex scenes with college kids. There is the romance angle where the girl loves the jerky guy forever and he is always pushing her away, but he really loves her and they have their little HEA. And, then we have the Thriller/Mindfuck of revenge, murder, rape, etc.. Oh, and don't forget to add in the 50 Shades of Grey crapola - gotta have us some kinky fuckery. I didn't think it all fit together that well. I think it would have been better if it was more focused. It felt messy. I don't like messy books.
oh, but I love Messi! Best soccer player in the world!
So, we have a story of a group of spoiled little rich kids who decide they want to be bad and start a gang. This is a gang that drives Mercedes', have indoor pools, chefs, even fucking butlers. Seriously? You have a butler and you aren't satisfied? Dude! I'd kill for a butler and I don't even know what exactly they do! So, they rollin' through the mean streets of the upper class neighborhood causing trouble cuz they bad.
that's right, they OWN their own tuxedos. No rentals for these bangers!
But, not wanting to hurt their parent's reputations, or their trust funds and ivy league college chances, they wear masks as they terrorize the wealthy hood. Watch out, everyone, the Four Horsemen are in town with their little plastic masks and a full dozen of eggs! That's right, it's a drive-by egging for you, Biff!
So, one night they take their local Barbie with them to go out and throw down with their rival gang - the mall walkers, and things get carried away. Three of them end up in prison for three years because their daddies got them the best attorneys money can buy and if they had been poor or non-white they would have gotten at least 10. They spend their three years making a plan to get revenge on Barbie when they get out because they figure she is the one who put them in jail. No, it wasn't their own actions, caught on video, it was the bitch's fault. How dare you think that rich white boys should have consequences for their actions!!
and our chauffeur drives us over there. Then, it's on!
Now, our Barbie, actual name Rikka - short for Erica, has been in love with the one Horseman who didn't go to prison for her whole life. She has no idea that Michael has been keeping in touch with his homies in prison, helping to plot out their revenge on her.
Oh man, three years and unlimited money to plot the perfect revenge. This is going to be awesome! The things they must have come up with, right? The intricacies of a highly planned revenge that is greater than The Count of Monte Cristo will blow our minds, I bet!!!
So, they decide to make her their sex slave.
Yup. Sex slave.
Three years of planning. Sex slave.
Fucking stupid horny rich boys!!! I wanted them to blow my mind with layer after layer of slow torturous revenge. And, okay, they did a couple of other small things, but they were minor annoyances, not even slightly mentally damaging. *Sigh*
Oh, but wait, it gets more stupid. You see, the little wrinkle in this plan is that Erica has no freaking idea about who turned in the guys. She had nothing to do with it. And, considering that she lived in Michael's house for most of the last three years, it would seem to me that he might have wanted to... oh, I don't know.... maybe ASK her what happened? You know, so that he and the mensa society members that make up the rest of his gang could have put that brain trust to work on something else for three years. But, no.....
In between all of this brilliant revenge plot is the love story between Michael and Erica. Michael thinks he's Christian Grey half the time and Jason Voorhies the other half. He likes to scare her because it turns him on. He also seems to be fine with his friends having sex with her. Um, okay. Whatever, dude, but I have a better idea. Why don't you and your Barbie take your private jet to Paris and have a money fight in the best hotel in the city instead of all of this crap? You're not a big bad scary monster. You're a poor little rich boy who feels misunderstood. Money fights will make it all better.. Go on, now. Run along - I mean drive away in your Rolls. good boy.
oh, but I love Messi! Best soccer player in the world!
So, we have a story of a group of spoiled little rich kids who decide they want to be bad and start a gang. This is a gang that drives Mercedes', have indoor pools, chefs, even fucking butlers. Seriously? You have a butler and you aren't satisfied? Dude! I'd kill for a butler and I don't even know what exactly they do! So, they rollin' through the mean streets of the upper class neighborhood causing trouble cuz they bad.
that's right, they OWN their own tuxedos. No rentals for these bangers!
But, not wanting to hurt their parent's reputations, or their trust funds and ivy league college chances, they wear masks as they terrorize the wealthy hood. Watch out, everyone, the Four Horsemen are in town with their little plastic masks and a full dozen of eggs! That's right, it's a drive-by egging for you, Biff!
So, one night they take their local Barbie with them to go out and throw down with their rival gang - the mall walkers, and things get carried away. Three of them end up in prison for three years because their daddies got them the best attorneys money can buy and if they had been poor or non-white they would have gotten at least 10. They spend their three years making a plan to get revenge on Barbie when they get out because they figure she is the one who put them in jail. No, it wasn't their own actions, caught on video, it was the bitch's fault. How dare you think that rich white boys should have consequences for their actions!!
and our chauffeur drives us over there. Then, it's on!
Now, our Barbie, actual name Rikka - short for Erica, has been in love with the one Horseman who didn't go to prison for her whole life. She has no idea that Michael has been keeping in touch with his homies in prison, helping to plot out their revenge on her.
Oh man, three years and unlimited money to plot the perfect revenge. This is going to be awesome! The things they must have come up with, right? The intricacies of a highly planned revenge that is greater than The Count of Monte Cristo will blow our minds, I bet!!!
So, they decide to make her their sex slave.
Yup. Sex slave.
Three years of planning. Sex slave.
Fucking stupid horny rich boys!!! I wanted them to blow my mind with layer after layer of slow torturous revenge. And, okay, they did a couple of other small things, but they were minor annoyances, not even slightly mentally damaging. *Sigh*
Oh, but wait, it gets more stupid. You see, the little wrinkle in this plan is that Erica has no freaking idea about who turned in the guys. She had nothing to do with it. And, considering that she lived in Michael's house for most of the last three years, it would seem to me that he might have wanted to... oh, I don't know.... maybe ASK her what happened? You know, so that he and the mensa society members that make up the rest of his gang could have put that brain trust to work on something else for three years. But, no.....
In between all of this brilliant revenge plot is the love story between Michael and Erica. Michael thinks he's Christian Grey half the time and Jason Voorhies the other half. He likes to scare her because it turns him on. He also seems to be fine with his friends having sex with her. Um, okay. Whatever, dude, but I have a better idea. Why don't you and your Barbie take your private jet to Paris and have a money fight in the best hotel in the city instead of all of this crap? You're not a big bad scary monster. You're a poor little rich boy who feels misunderstood. Money fights will make it all better.. Go on, now. Run along - I mean drive away in your Rolls. good boy.
February 4, 2025
“a little early, aren't you? you usually like you're ass around ten.�
╰� the quote already makes me want to jump off a cliff like WHAT IS GOING ON?! 😭
3☆’s ➡️ 2.5 ☆’s
⁶�alexa play the ‘corrupt� playlist
+ “Devils Night� by Motionless in White
+ “Dirty Diana� by Shaman's Harvest
+ “You're Going Down� by Sick Puppies
+ “Jekyll and Hyde� by Five Finger Death Punch
⁶�tropes
+ high school
+f boys
+ mafia aesthetic
+ forced romance
+ kinky mask vibes (take from that what u will)
⁶�plot
umm im not even really sure myself bc i read the book and i still dont get it! I think mainly it was about this boy and girl trying to play down their feeling towards eachother u know the usual idc and i dont like u but i will hunt u down and beat up whoever touches u along with dude inviting his whole friend group into the mix (hence the other books)
⁶�my thoughts
well for starters i thought this was a wannabe mafia dark romance book like i said before in my pre review its like the cat and the hat book of dark romance like the starting book u would read when ur first learning how to read but even then this was like just little boys trying to play house like nothing they said made sense and i couldnt tell who the main couple was bc it was like everyone and their mom thought rika was just this slab of beef like cmon guys be for real u have money and u have feet go head and walk yourself to the store and get some actual food� they really thought this was Boyz To Men.....yeah no! in fact om going to take off a half star bc writing this review is making me realize even more how much I didn't like this one!
⁶�writing
the real life and the past times were kinda confusing me a bit like if u don't read the little words in ink at the beginning of the chapter ur kinda doomed! but other than that it wasn't to bad it was mainly the character development that was kind of trashy for me like the guys weren't really progressing at all
⁶� characters
♤erika aka “rika”♤
she was something i wasn't to impressed by her in this book like she did kinda stand her ground but she kept those guys walk all over her and it was kind of giving haunting adeline and shewas just not!
ˤm�
“DON'T BE ALONE WITH HER�
he was definitely giving the rich playboy vibes like him and his whole crew and I just couldn't understand him really like the stuff he did was so immature and it was giving little kid he needs to go back to kindergarten vibes from him temper tantrums to his kinky weird masks foreplay like i was not liking him! and his weird nickname “little monster�
╰� made me think of monsters inc and that's literally so bad bc im not trying to think of a children's movie when im reading this wannabe mafia dark romance!
3 things that I disliked about michael
-his obsession w/ rika like when reading dark romance I don't mind the obsession stuff but I felt like his obsession lead to the obsessions of the other guys too and it was becoming too much!
-his anger tantrums like it was giving “I had no naptime in kindergarten at all and too much sugar!
╰➤“You hear me? You’re not special. You’re nobody.”�
-he stole her money and put it in the guys bank accounts like its giving desperate rn for her attention
ˤk�
I did like Kai in this one bc he was so supportive and protective of rika against the other guys so I think he's a good one in book
ˤw�
he reminds me of Michaelangelo from the ninja turtles like he gives off playful funny vibes and I'm really looking forward to reading his book actually bc I feel like his might be the most laid back out of everyone's
ˤdDz�
he is such a cuddly teddy bear! jk but I really like damon despite the whole ending i feel like he is really misunderstood
ˤa�
absolutely love her sm! she is so kickass and I love her energy and I hope they do a book for her bc im definitely interested in reading more about her
⁶� romance
2/5 🔥
it was alright but some of the stuff they were doing was just a bit much like the kinky mask foreplay and stuff was just to much like we get it you like her! I could kinda sense something with Kai a little which turns out I wasn't wrong bc of the threesome they had with michael (which ngl was kinda hot 😋)
I mean kai really stepped up!
╰� he defend her no matter what even when she bit damon which was wild too! and he even told michael how lucky he is to have her!
but michael and rika as a couple I couldn't really get the romance vibes that I normally feel from other book couples! they did have some cute moments
♤cute rika and michael moments:�
+watching the alien vs predator movie together
+the little “meal� they had w/ the loafs of bread, peanut butter, marshmallows, and pickles (disgusting but at least they were being cute together)
⁶�scenes that made me go “WOAH”�
♤rika telling off the professor�
╰� I was like damn girls got some courage bc now a days these teachers really be thinking they can do whatever they want and then damon telling him “she asked you a question�
♤the little get ready w/ me behind the car while we stalk that one guy and all the guys look at her like she’s the only meal left on the planet�
╰� that scene had me speechless i was like damn girl! and then the guys all drooling over her
♤The bathroom fight in the restaurant�
╰� ummm that was a whole lot going on like what is really wrong with ppl
♤Rika riding her pillow to mess with michael�
╰� I don't think I even need to say anything this speaks volumes on its own already!
⁶�quotes
♤“Come here.� (michael)
“What are you doing?� (rika)
“We need the room in the back.� (michael)
“Why?� (rika)
“Your fucking mouth never stops, does it?� (michael)
♤“No one fuck’s with you but us.� (damon)
� “We’re going to a pool party. We’re going to pick you up in ten minutes, so have a swimsuit on. If you’re not ready, we’ll get you ready, even if it takes all four of us.� (michael)
♤“That little fight you put up was cute, though. What else you got?� (damon)
╰� love damon he is always ready to have a good time and he is funny! �
♤“You like being scared, don’t you? That’s your kink. When we used to wear the masks you liked it, didn’t you? It scared you, but it turned you on. Say it. It turned you on. I know it did. Did you think I couldn’t see how tense your body would get or how your n got hard through your shirt when you saw me wearing it? You’re a little twisted. Admit it.� (michael)
╰� and he says she's the twisted one!
♤“she's ready to ride a fence post with how horny she is for him.� (will)
♤“a little early, aren't you? You usually like you're ass around ten.� (rika)
╰� this one had me questioning myself about why I was still reading the book
♤“will you ever feel that for me? will you ever need me or fear losing me? will you ever let yourself be vulnerable?� (rika)
“I'll meet you outside.� (michael)
╰� he really pissed me off with this like she gave up her whole heart and he acted like he couldn't reciprocate that and it was like belly and Conrad all over again!!
♤“I love you rika.� (michael)
⁶�last thoughts
soo yeah u can see why I didn't like this one bc it was definitely very extra! do I recommend it yes and no the other books later on are good! I have read almost all the books in this series except will's so i can probably tell u who would be the most interesting to read about bc this one is just not it (but that will mentioned in the other reviews for kai and damon's books soon to come later on 😊) but until then brace yourselves when u read this book its a whole lot!
╰� the quote already makes me want to jump off a cliff like WHAT IS GOING ON?! 😭
3☆’s ➡️ 2.5 ☆’s
⁶�alexa play the ‘corrupt� playlist
+ “Devils Night� by Motionless in White
+ “Dirty Diana� by Shaman's Harvest
+ “You're Going Down� by Sick Puppies
+ “Jekyll and Hyde� by Five Finger Death Punch
⁶�tropes
+ high school
+f boys
+ mafia aesthetic
+ forced romance
+ kinky mask vibes (take from that what u will)
⁶�plot
umm im not even really sure myself bc i read the book and i still dont get it! I think mainly it was about this boy and girl trying to play down their feeling towards eachother u know the usual idc and i dont like u but i will hunt u down and beat up whoever touches u along with dude inviting his whole friend group into the mix (hence the other books)
⁶�my thoughts
well for starters i thought this was a wannabe mafia dark romance book like i said before in my pre review its like the cat and the hat book of dark romance like the starting book u would read when ur first learning how to read but even then this was like just little boys trying to play house like nothing they said made sense and i couldnt tell who the main couple was bc it was like everyone and their mom thought rika was just this slab of beef like cmon guys be for real u have money and u have feet go head and walk yourself to the store and get some actual food� they really thought this was Boyz To Men.....yeah no! in fact om going to take off a half star bc writing this review is making me realize even more how much I didn't like this one!
⁶�writing
the real life and the past times were kinda confusing me a bit like if u don't read the little words in ink at the beginning of the chapter ur kinda doomed! but other than that it wasn't to bad it was mainly the character development that was kind of trashy for me like the guys weren't really progressing at all
⁶� characters
♤erika aka “rika”♤
she was something i wasn't to impressed by her in this book like she did kinda stand her ground but she kept those guys walk all over her and it was kind of giving haunting adeline and shewas just not!
ˤm�
“DON'T BE ALONE WITH HER�
he was definitely giving the rich playboy vibes like him and his whole crew and I just couldn't understand him really like the stuff he did was so immature and it was giving little kid he needs to go back to kindergarten vibes from him temper tantrums to his kinky weird masks foreplay like i was not liking him! and his weird nickname “little monster�
╰� made me think of monsters inc and that's literally so bad bc im not trying to think of a children's movie when im reading this wannabe mafia dark romance!
3 things that I disliked about michael
-his obsession w/ rika like when reading dark romance I don't mind the obsession stuff but I felt like his obsession lead to the obsessions of the other guys too and it was becoming too much!
-his anger tantrums like it was giving “I had no naptime in kindergarten at all and too much sugar!
╰➤“You hear me? You’re not special. You’re nobody.”�
-he stole her money and put it in the guys bank accounts like its giving desperate rn for her attention
ˤk�
I did like Kai in this one bc he was so supportive and protective of rika against the other guys so I think he's a good one in book
ˤw�
he reminds me of Michaelangelo from the ninja turtles like he gives off playful funny vibes and I'm really looking forward to reading his book actually bc I feel like his might be the most laid back out of everyone's
ˤdDz�
he is such a cuddly teddy bear! jk but I really like damon despite the whole ending i feel like he is really misunderstood
ˤa�
absolutely love her sm! she is so kickass and I love her energy and I hope they do a book for her bc im definitely interested in reading more about her
⁶� romance
2/5 🔥
it was alright but some of the stuff they were doing was just a bit much like the kinky mask foreplay and stuff was just to much like we get it you like her! I could kinda sense something with Kai a little which turns out I wasn't wrong bc of the threesome they had with michael (which ngl was kinda hot 😋)
I mean kai really stepped up!
╰� he defend her no matter what even when she bit damon which was wild too! and he even told michael how lucky he is to have her!
but michael and rika as a couple I couldn't really get the romance vibes that I normally feel from other book couples! they did have some cute moments
♤cute rika and michael moments:�
+watching the alien vs predator movie together
+the little “meal� they had w/ the loafs of bread, peanut butter, marshmallows, and pickles (disgusting but at least they were being cute together)
⁶�scenes that made me go “WOAH”�
♤rika telling off the professor�
╰� I was like damn girls got some courage bc now a days these teachers really be thinking they can do whatever they want and then damon telling him “she asked you a question�
♤the little get ready w/ me behind the car while we stalk that one guy and all the guys look at her like she’s the only meal left on the planet�
╰� that scene had me speechless i was like damn girl! and then the guys all drooling over her
♤The bathroom fight in the restaurant�
╰� ummm that was a whole lot going on like what is really wrong with ppl
♤Rika riding her pillow to mess with michael�
╰� I don't think I even need to say anything this speaks volumes on its own already!
⁶�quotes
♤“Come here.� (michael)
“What are you doing?� (rika)
“We need the room in the back.� (michael)
“Why?� (rika)
“Your fucking mouth never stops, does it?� (michael)
♤“No one fuck’s with you but us.� (damon)
� “We’re going to a pool party. We’re going to pick you up in ten minutes, so have a swimsuit on. If you’re not ready, we’ll get you ready, even if it takes all four of us.� (michael)
♤“That little fight you put up was cute, though. What else you got?� (damon)
╰� love damon he is always ready to have a good time and he is funny! �
♤“You like being scared, don’t you? That’s your kink. When we used to wear the masks you liked it, didn’t you? It scared you, but it turned you on. Say it. It turned you on. I know it did. Did you think I couldn’t see how tense your body would get or how your n got hard through your shirt when you saw me wearing it? You’re a little twisted. Admit it.� (michael)
╰� and he says she's the twisted one!
♤“she's ready to ride a fence post with how horny she is for him.� (will)
♤“a little early, aren't you? You usually like you're ass around ten.� (rika)
╰� this one had me questioning myself about why I was still reading the book
♤“will you ever feel that for me? will you ever need me or fear losing me? will you ever let yourself be vulnerable?� (rika)
“I'll meet you outside.� (michael)
╰� he really pissed me off with this like she gave up her whole heart and he acted like he couldn't reciprocate that and it was like belly and Conrad all over again!!
♤“I love you rika.� (michael)
⁶�last thoughts
soo yeah u can see why I didn't like this one bc it was definitely very extra! do I recommend it yes and no the other books later on are good! I have read almost all the books in this series except will's so i can probably tell u who would be the most interesting to read about bc this one is just not it (but that will mentioned in the other reviews for kai and damon's books soon to come later on 😊) but until then brace yourselves when u read this book its a whole lot!
June 13, 2022
❗️TW: talk of sexual assault, abuse, statutory rape, violence, stalking, kidnapping❗️
1/5 �
first of all, the four main men in this book are all horrible people. The guys in this book are the reason women fear men.
The reason women are scared to walk alone, live alone, go to parties etc, are because of men that do the things these guys do.
frankly, i don’t care what any of their backstories are. there is absolutely zero excuse for any of the things they’ve done.
the things these guys do the the main girl (erika) are horrid, and completely unforgivable in every way possible.
the things happening in this book are real issues. they’re part of what’s so horrifically wrong with the world. these are real things, that have happened to real women� the MAJORITY of women have had things like this happen to them. not to this extend of course, but still.
i’m worried people are romanticizing this kind of thing. I own a physical copy of this book, and can’t stand to imagine my younger sister seeing it, and deciding to read it. Then thinking this kind of thing is okay, or is normal. or just because a guy is attractive automatically gives him the right to do these things without consequence. in my strong opinion, this is a dangerous book to enjoy. and NOT the kind of book we should be hyping up on huge platforms.
jot pointed thoughts:
- from the beginning to the end i just wanted it to be over
- what the actual fuck is wrong with all of them? everyone is horrifically cruel
- erika grew on me, but why is she turned on by abusive and toxic guys
- they’re all horrible people. all of them.
- made me wish i didn’t know how to read
- they put her through all that for absolutely nothing. they traumatized an innocent girl for no reason.
- hate damon more than anything and he deserves to d¡e
- kai and will we’re okay when they weren’t throwing erika to the ground
- i think micheal loves her but in his own sick way
1/5 �
first of all, the four main men in this book are all horrible people. The guys in this book are the reason women fear men.
The reason women are scared to walk alone, live alone, go to parties etc, are because of men that do the things these guys do.
frankly, i don’t care what any of their backstories are. there is absolutely zero excuse for any of the things they’ve done.
the things these guys do the the main girl (erika) are horrid, and completely unforgivable in every way possible.
the things happening in this book are real issues. they’re part of what’s so horrifically wrong with the world. these are real things, that have happened to real women� the MAJORITY of women have had things like this happen to them. not to this extend of course, but still.
i’m worried people are romanticizing this kind of thing. I own a physical copy of this book, and can’t stand to imagine my younger sister seeing it, and deciding to read it. Then thinking this kind of thing is okay, or is normal. or just because a guy is attractive automatically gives him the right to do these things without consequence. in my strong opinion, this is a dangerous book to enjoy. and NOT the kind of book we should be hyping up on huge platforms.
jot pointed thoughts:
- from the beginning to the end i just wanted it to be over
- what the actual fuck is wrong with all of them? everyone is horrifically cruel
- erika grew on me, but why is she turned on by abusive and toxic guys
- they’re all horrible people. all of them.
- made me wish i didn’t know how to read
- they put her through all that for absolutely nothing. they traumatized an innocent girl for no reason.
- hate damon more than anything and he deserves to d¡e
- kai and will we’re okay when they weren’t throwing erika to the ground
- i think micheal loves her but in his own sick way
March 5, 2021
3rd Re-read March 2021
(Please note that this review contains curse words. If you don't like the F word then please don't read on).
Do not think for one minute that you will own this BOOK.
You will never own IT.
It will own YOU.
It will CORRUPT you.
*picks up mic*
Ahem.
Penelope Douglas.
Has anyone seen Penelope this evening?
Can somebody go and check the bathroom or the bar. I need her on stage.
Oh there she is!
Penelope, come on up here, love.
Penelope, I have asked you on stage to tell you something and no I'm not wearing any pants.
Penelope...
On 22nd November 2015 at 13:26 I started your book, Corrupt.
At 22:47 this evening UK time I finished your book Corrupt.
On 23rd November 2015 at 22:47 your book became my ALL TIME FAVOURITE BOOK.
Your book is now level with Love, in English - My all time favourite book; My heart.
Take a bow while I go put a fresh pair of knickers on and take some valium.
I'm emotionally drained.
I'm giving up reading for life.
No other book will EVER top this one.
Now if you'll excuse me whilst I fly off my balcony.
*drops mic, muff moons you all and jumps*
(FULL REVIEW TO COME!)
(Please note that this review contains curse words. If you don't like the F word then please don't read on).
Do not think for one minute that you will own this BOOK.
You will never own IT.
It will own YOU.
It will CORRUPT you.
*picks up mic*
Ahem.
Penelope Douglas.
Has anyone seen Penelope this evening?
Can somebody go and check the bathroom or the bar. I need her on stage.
Oh there she is!
Penelope, come on up here, love.
Penelope, I have asked you on stage to tell you something and no I'm not wearing any pants.
Penelope...
On 22nd November 2015 at 13:26 I started your book, Corrupt.
At 22:47 this evening UK time I finished your book Corrupt.
On 23rd November 2015 at 22:47 your book became my ALL TIME FAVOURITE BOOK.
Your book is now level with Love, in English - My all time favourite book; My heart.
Take a bow while I go put a fresh pair of knickers on and take some valium.
I'm emotionally drained.
I'm giving up reading for life.
No other book will EVER top this one.
Now if you'll excuse me whilst I fly off my balcony.
*drops mic, muff moons you all and jumps*
(FULL REVIEW TO COME!)
September 13, 2023
this is a whole book of material for my therapist. its a walking trigger warning. im concerned for everyone involved in the making of this book.
now that i've said that, 10/10 would read again
now that i've said that, 10/10 would read again
February 6, 2016
Hot, Twisted And Absolutely Addicting!
This story was sooo screwed up! Yet, I couldn't put it down. I loved this messed up tale of vengeance and misguided fury. I finished this book hours ago, but I'm still trying to wrap my mind around everything I read. I'm outraged and conflicted. At the same time, I'm happy for Rika and Michael.
In a nutshell, Rika was the younger neighbor that Michael lusted after. She was forbidden fruit, intended for his younger brother, his family's golden child. As much as they wanted each other, Michael knew that he needed to stay away from the young Lolita that grew sexier every time he saw her.
One day, 16 year-old Rika is sitting in her class when Michael and his closest friends, Kai, Damon and Will, come to collect some of the school's basketball players. Michael and his friends had graduated years ago, but still came back to lead team activities/hazing, while the school officials looked the other way. When Michael shows up in her class, Rika and him share a moment, which compels her to abandon her "eager to please" ways and follow him on his secret outing.
While I was intrigued, I was also kind of turned-off by Michael and his friends. I mean, what kind of loser returns to their high school in their twenties to harass younger kids? Didn't they have anything better to do than relive their high school glory days? Just sayin'.
In any case, Rika is ecstatic to be accepted by Michael and his friends for a night. They hang out, raising hell and causing property damage. After pulling a series of "pranks", Rika makes out with Michael, only to have him reject her harshly. At the end of the night, she is crushed.
The next day, three of the four friends are headed to jail. Michael is the only one of his friends to avoid prosecution for the crimes they committed. The videos they'd stupidly recorded of them committing these crimes are all over the Internet.
Believing that Rika is the person who leaked the videos that led to their arrest, the group of friends begins planning their revenge. Three long years is how long they have to plan their vengeance, while all but Michael sit in jail. That time has finally passed and the group sets their plan in motion.
I won't go into too much detail, but I will say that the guys do so extremely f*@ked-up things to Rika. The story tip-toed around some very dark topics, without ever really going there. Just when you thought for sure that something really bad was going to happen, Rika would get a miraculous reprieve somehow. So, while it is disturbing on some levels, it is much milder in comparison to many darker vengeance tales.
Up until about seventy-five percent of the way through, I was completely hooked on this story. Then, when a new light is shed on the situation and truths are aired, I found myself disappointed in the way the story went.
Rika should have been outraged and out for revenge. Instead, she was like a sex-starved nympho, more interested in bedding the man that spent months terrorizing her. WTF!
I absolutely hate it when the Hero gets off easy, without any suffering. Michael should have had to grovel, beg and woo his way back into Rika's arms. Instead, he gives a flippant ultimatum, taunting her with other girls, and she caves. Really? What happened to the feisty, strong heroine that we loved for the first part of the book.
There were a few more twists and surprises along the way. The sex scenes were admittedly smokin' hot, (even if I thought she should have been abstaining to punish him). One scene in particular was exceptionally erotic.
Overall, it was a great book. I would have changed a few things, but it was easily better than most I've read. It was a five star read well past the halfway mark, but I just need my heroes to be punished more thoroughly when they screw up. I'm sadistic that way, I guess. This one will definitely stay with me for a while.
This story was sooo screwed up! Yet, I couldn't put it down. I loved this messed up tale of vengeance and misguided fury. I finished this book hours ago, but I'm still trying to wrap my mind around everything I read. I'm outraged and conflicted. At the same time, I'm happy for Rika and Michael.
In a nutshell, Rika was the younger neighbor that Michael lusted after. She was forbidden fruit, intended for his younger brother, his family's golden child. As much as they wanted each other, Michael knew that he needed to stay away from the young Lolita that grew sexier every time he saw her.
One day, 16 year-old Rika is sitting in her class when Michael and his closest friends, Kai, Damon and Will, come to collect some of the school's basketball players. Michael and his friends had graduated years ago, but still came back to lead team activities/hazing, while the school officials looked the other way. When Michael shows up in her class, Rika and him share a moment, which compels her to abandon her "eager to please" ways and follow him on his secret outing.
While I was intrigued, I was also kind of turned-off by Michael and his friends. I mean, what kind of loser returns to their high school in their twenties to harass younger kids? Didn't they have anything better to do than relive their high school glory days? Just sayin'.
In any case, Rika is ecstatic to be accepted by Michael and his friends for a night. They hang out, raising hell and causing property damage. After pulling a series of "pranks", Rika makes out with Michael, only to have him reject her harshly. At the end of the night, she is crushed.
The next day, three of the four friends are headed to jail. Michael is the only one of his friends to avoid prosecution for the crimes they committed. The videos they'd stupidly recorded of them committing these crimes are all over the Internet.
Believing that Rika is the person who leaked the videos that led to their arrest, the group of friends begins planning their revenge. Three long years is how long they have to plan their vengeance, while all but Michael sit in jail. That time has finally passed and the group sets their plan in motion.
I won't go into too much detail, but I will say that the guys do so extremely f*@ked-up things to Rika. The story tip-toed around some very dark topics, without ever really going there. Just when you thought for sure that something really bad was going to happen, Rika would get a miraculous reprieve somehow. So, while it is disturbing on some levels, it is much milder in comparison to many darker vengeance tales.
Up until about seventy-five percent of the way through, I was completely hooked on this story. Then, when a new light is shed on the situation and truths are aired, I found myself disappointed in the way the story went.
Rika should have been outraged and out for revenge. Instead, she was like a sex-starved nympho, more interested in bedding the man that spent months terrorizing her. WTF!
I absolutely hate it when the Hero gets off easy, without any suffering. Michael should have had to grovel, beg and woo his way back into Rika's arms. Instead, he gives a flippant ultimatum, taunting her with other girls, and she caves. Really? What happened to the feisty, strong heroine that we loved for the first part of the book.
There were a few more twists and surprises along the way. The sex scenes were admittedly smokin' hot, (even if I thought she should have been abstaining to punish him). One scene in particular was exceptionally erotic.
Overall, it was a great book. I would have changed a few things, but it was easily better than most I've read. It was a five star read well past the halfway mark, but I just need my heroes to be punished more thoroughly when they screw up. I'm sadistic that way, I guess. This one will definitely stay with me for a while.
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