Corrupt

This is the first book in the Devil’s Night series by Penelope Douglas. Each book focuses on a different man from the main group of friends. The story takes place in the same world as stand alone Punk 57 (whose main character is cousins with a character from the Devil’s Night series). You could read this as a stand alone too because there is no cliffhanger. This is the second Penelope Douglas book I’ve read and it will definitely not be my last. I decided to pick this one up because I realized how much I enjoyed Punk 57 and her writing style, plus the reviews for this book were all along the lines of “wtf” and “what the what did I just read?!” and another person was just like go in with no expectations and enjoy the ride. And what a freaking ride it was, that’s the best way to describe it. My head is still reeling, I had the most bizarre dreams after finishing it, and I’m pretty sure my senses are fried. I also tweeted this sentiment at the author and she responded with an evil Grinch gif saying it was all according to plan, so yeah. This is a new adult erotic contemporary romantic suspense book and I can honestly say I have never read anything like it. I can’t say that means that there is nothing out there like it, but for me this was really new. It’s dark, uncomfortable, twisted, creepy, exciting, intense, thrilling, and still very sexy. This wasn’t a romance story that’s just set within a suspense plot, the romance itself was suspenseful and nerve wracking. This is one where I feel like trigger warnings are important but really the whole thing could be triggering so I don’t even know how piece it apart. Consent is on the shakiest ground here and there are multiple nonconsensual interactions where the main character is clearly saying no and being harassed or attacked and an almost rape scene situation. Pretty much all of this behavior is meant to add to the scary suspense of the story and it definitely works, making you question just how far these characters are going to go and if you can handle it. The plot is very imaginative. Michael and his three friends are called the Four Horsemen and have a reputation for going around on Devil’s Night, the night before Halloween, to pull some pretty serious “pranks” while wearing these super creepy masks and one year they come back after they’ve graduated and end up bringing high schooler Rika along with them. The POV switches between Rika and Michael and the story jumps between that night out in the past and the present time where Rika is in college in a new city and begins running into Michael again as well as the three other Horsemen who were just released from prison after three years and they’re all acting like sinister jerks. The boys blame Rika for getting locked up and now they are after this really elaborate and scary revenge against her. But she has no idea until it’s too late. I really loved every single character in this book. They were dark, tormented, and absolutely thrilling (sorry not sorry for the overuse of those adjectives!). I would be terrified and but still really excited to hang out with these people and I would also never be able to hang out with them because I am not that hardcore. The settings are purposefully creepy and luxurious and completely fit the tone and mood of the story. The theme was about owning who you are, not being sorry for or hiding your true self, and finding strength (and sexiness!) in fear. I want to tell you a bazillion more things about this book because it was so nuts but honestly, going in somewhat blind really makes the ride so much more wild and worth it. But probably based what I’ve already said you can tell, this is not for everyone!! It had a HEA but it is a messed up story meant to push your limits – I’d be getting restraining orders and therapy after this if it happened to me, but again, what a ride. Also if you’re not into sex scenes in public places and mfm threesomes, steer clear! This was definitely a book that is so wrong that it also feels so right in the “omg I can’t believe I’m such a dirty bad girl being so into this” kind of way. I read this in one sitting and every time my husband tried to interrupt me I about ripped his head off haha! I cannot praise Douglas’s writing enough. She is truly skilled, making you feel exactly what she wants you to. Despite how truly bonkers this story was her writing held it up without being laughable or cheesy. Recommend for fans of erotic romantic suspense and scary hot alpha dudes in masks.

Penelope Douglas delivers a dark, intoxicating, and unforgettable ride in Corrupt, the first book of the Devil’s Night series. This story masterfully blends danger, desire, and psychological tension, creating a reading experience that’s as addictive as it is unsettling. The plot unfolds with a slow burn that keeps you teetering between curiosity and obsession. The alternating timelines and dual perspectives pull you deeper into the twisted relationship between Erika and Michael—two characters whose chemistry practically crackles off the page. Their back-and-forth banter is sharp, charged, and often laced with a tension that’s both emotional and electric. You’ll find yourself caught between rooting for them and questioning everything at once. Douglas doesn’t shy away from the darker themes—revenge, control, and redemption all swirl together in a story that challenges comfort zones. Yet, despite its intensity, the pacing and the simmering buildup make it impossible to put down. If you love dark romance with a complex dynamic and an addictive slow burn, Corrupt will hook you from the first chapter and refuse to let go. It’s thrilling, provocative, and beautifully written—a near-perfect blend of danger and desire. Final Verdict: ★★★★½ — A dark, seductive, and unforgettable read that lingers long after the last page.

Three years ago, Erika “Rika”, did something bad and sent Michael’s three best friends to jail. Now they are out, and the four men want payback. Rika has left the safety of her relationship with Michael’s younger brother and their small town and transferred to a new college in the city where Michael lives. This puts her exactly where the four men want her, in their grasp. We don’t find out what happened until well into the book. I enjoyed the way it was given to us in flashback chapters along the way. In the beginning, I was chaffing at not knowing. What can I say? I’m a wait and binge watch girl. But at the end, I can say the book was much better for not front-loading this information at the start. Penelope Douglas is an excellent writer, keeping me up way too late because I can’t stop reading and must find out what happened. The story and pacing kept me gripped the entire way through. There was much drama and some welcome humor to relieve the tension. The characters are complex, believable, and I liked them even when they didn’t like themselves. They are all flawed, but this is what makes them great. I loved how strong Rika is. I was thrilled that she saved herself several times, not needing a man to do it for her, or at least she did a lot of damage before help arrived. The sex scenes were hot and very well written. Their little kinks made things more interesting. There was nothing repetitive or boring here. I do have a couple of complaints. 1. The guys are all promiscuous. They don’t make women pay or feel shameful, so at least they aren’t manwhores. Thankfully, we don’t have to read any sex scenes with other women. 2. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say a major apology is missing. Someone should have had to grovel and didn’t do so at all. I must caution some readers. This is a dark romance. It does not contain actual rape, but rape is threatened several times by different characters. There is sexual molestation and harassment, including unwanted touching and kissing, again by different characters. Anyone with these types of triggers should stay away. This is a sexually graphic novel. It contains many sex scenes. There is one menage scene. It felt right for the story, not gratuitous, dirty, or shameful. I actually thought it was the hottest sex scene in the book. I give this five stars because I would read it again. I’m definitely reading the rest of the series. Now for the grammar: 1st person past tense with chapters from both Ericka and Michael. “Grinded” and “thrusted” are not a words. The past tense of grind is ground. It’s thrust in the present and past. 12 other errors: spelling, quotation marks, and italics problems. Two minor problems with continuity. Favorite Quotes: Rika speaking to her mom: “We could re-watch Thor again. I know you like his hammer.” “I’ll see what Noah’s up to tonight, but if I need bail money or I come home pregnant, you only have yourself to blame.” Michael: Rika was a lot like I was a few years ago. Confused, caged, and corruptible. The most valuable lesson anyone learns in life should be learned as early as possible. That you don’t have to live in the reality someone else had invented. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Ever. Redefine normal. None of us know the full measure of our power until we start pushing our boundaries and pressing our luck, and the more we do, the less we care what others think. The freedom feels too good. Rika: There was no one to help me. There was no one to help me but me. You’re not a victim, his words came back, and I’m not your savior. I turned around, looking back at the house and seeing the lights inside slowly come on. They were in there. And once… I was one of them. Once, I ran with them, kept up with them, and stood next to them. I wasn’t their victim, and I had their attention. I’d learned how to fight. This was on me, and while I wouldn’t make it easy for them, I wouldn’t run. I would never run. I was built for this. Michael: “…I respectfully request that, when you come home, you do me before your homework…”

just the beginning to better parts

‘Corrupt is a twisted romance packed with suspense and a twist of heated thriller. A killer of a read!’ ~ Kelly, Perusing Princesses This book for all its intents and purposes not only satisfied my craving for something new, but it knocked it right out of the park and left me wanting more - not just from these intriguing, complicated characters but from Penelope Douglas because damn, this woman can write! There were moments in this story when I didn’t think our heroine would actually survive, I was absolutely terrified for her. This is no easy romance, and from what I could tell in the earlier chapters, I was setting myself up for a dark capture story, yet the way the scenes flitter between past and present POV narrative starts to paint a very different picture, loving the fact that I had no idea what direction it would eventually go. Some readers get frustrated with past and present tense as it can become a little complicated keeping up with the separate time frames, especially if you stop reading halfway through a chapter, but all I can say here is that it worked so well! This story focuses on first love with the one you can’t have. A tale of rich kids who have it all, but are left bereft from loss or impossible parental aspirations that take the talented, rich and untouchable to dabble wholeheartedly in the adrenaline rush of rebellion. One Burns Night three years ago, friends Michael, Kai, Damon and Will take their pranks to a whole new level, and when they invite Erika ‘Rika’ Fane, the downtrodden girlfriend of Trevor Crist, Michael’s golden boy younger brother, things start to take a precarious turn. What was supposed to be some harmless fun turns nightmare when a prank goes too far and there are serious repercussions as Michael says goodbye to Kai, Will and Damon as they are carted off to Prison. Three years they were incarcerated. Three years, Michael and his friends have been plotting their revenge and now the time has come to make good on those plans. Rika, now at college, alone, away from the security of Thunder Bay, has no idea that she’s about to become a key part of a sick and twisted game of cat and mouse, as everything she holds dear is about to be destroyed… Complication comes in the way of Rika loving Michael since she can remember. Trevor was always a friend, one that promised a comfortable home and a loving heart but she was never content with just kissing her friend, she loves the danger, the monster that resides in the penthouse above her new apartment. She’s alone, not a threat but he looks at her like she’s the enemy, so why does she want nothing more than for him to see her? She never forgot his words he whispered to her that night three years ago as she let herself be free for those few hours; ‘own who you are.’ Yes, she wanted to own herself, own her actions, be the person she wants to be, and her heart is telling her that Michael should be a part of that... sleeping with the enemy can only go one way, and Rika is about to find out the hard way. Corrupt had me literally hanging off my reading chair by the thread of my pants. This book touched on every conceivable emotion including fear. What I loved most though was the anticipation of what happens next. The sexual tension is electrifying and yes, the sex is fabulous with one steam room scene in particular that I just cannot seem to get out of my head, and trust me… I don’t actually want to. I could scream about this book from the rooftops because I loved it that much, alas I will just implore you to read it. You can Corrupt me any time Penelope Douglas! 5 ‘Own who you are’ Crowns

Staat nog op mijn TBR, maar het boek kwam netjes en zonder beschadigingen toe. Mooie cover en goede kwaliteit van papier en kaft. Ziet er goed uit naast de rest van de reeks.

I was really excited to get Corrupt by Penelope Douglas, but the top front corner arrived bent, and the design is peeling off. If I try to fix it, the whole cover film might tear. It’s disappointing because the rest of the book looks great, but the damage definitely brings the rating down.

Okay, so first of all I just want to say this isn’t the type of book I normally read. I decided to dip my toe into the waters of this genre and this was highly recommended by female booktubers. I didn’t think I was going to like this at first, the young impressionable woman who sees a rich bad boy male as some sort of god is overdone. However, what I loved about this book is that I was actually really interested in the plot. There is a dual timeline and the promise of something kind of cringy hanging over things for a lot of the story. I think most of us can relate to the feelings one gets when they experience unrequited love. You will have to suspend your disbelief a little as the small town filthy rich families situation is a bit convient. It tends to lead to some dramatic events that are a little unrealistic, but you don’t read these things for a taste of reality do you? I was really invested in the female lead Rika. Throughout the story we get to see such a huge amount of character development in her. She really is everything a semi kinky feminist woman would want in a female protagonist. She starts off as an awkward teen who is trying to belong in this group of cool older guys, but she becomes a badass woman. She doesn’t let Michael or any of the guys rule her, they may harrass her but she is mentally strong. She is finding and embracing her sexuality and learning to just be who she is, regardless of the expectations of others. I really loved following her story. This book is part of a series so I found myself paying closer attention to the other “Horsemen” trying to figure out what their stories were. The author does a great job of making the others dynamic by giving us hints about who they are and what role they’ve played in the past story. The curiosity about the fact that the next books are all based on these guys makes me want to read more of them. My favorite side character was probably Kai, he has a moral code and keeps the others from doing anything too bad. He is also particularly tortured by his experience in jail. The male lead Michael is in some ways your typical bad boy gone romantic, but he also has some deep feelings that are well explored in the book. I didn’t like him at first but he grew on me. So yes the sex scenes are very spicy, I know you all are wondering about that. However they are well placed and make sense with the story, and I don’t think they are overdone. It reads like a soft Bdsm experience. So if you’re interested in a story that will keep you on your toes and also curling your toes *wink wink* or you’re curious about Dark romance like me, this is a pretty safe one to start with. I didn’t feel like there was anything terribly problematic that happened in this book.