Corrupt by Penelope Douglas Pages: 516
Series: Devil's Night #1
Genres: Dark Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also by this author: Next to Never
Goodreads
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 is 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 can be read as a stand-alone. No cliffhanger.
I waited a long time to read Corrupt. I think because I was afraid it wouldn’t be a true romance (with an HEA). Perhaps it was because I knew it was super dark, and how can that end happily? But, I’m a more worldly reader now than I was, and I have been reading more dark romance. I loved some of Penelope Douglas’ previous books, so I decided it was time to try.
Let me say, the book is dark. There are all kinds of triggers, so reader beware. The story is messy, but in an honest way. The “hate” is such a forced hate. More of an “I love you so much, I realized you would wreck me, so I’m gonna wreck you 1st” kind of love. They are teenagers when their story begins. The past is revealed slowly throughout the present events. The present events are the real hatred and darkness until everyone understands the past events.
If you enjoy multi-layered stories with deception, back stabbing, and a thin line between love and hate, you will enjoy Corrupt! I simply could not put this book down!
- POV: dual
- Tears: a few
- Trope: enemies to lovers
- Triggers: View Spoiler »
- Series/Standalone: standalone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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authors like Shantel Tessier, Rina Kent, Sophie Lark, Caroline Peckham…then you will probably like Corrupt!
Corrupt
Yeah, this author most definitely will deliver the HEA!!! lol I know its dark romance but as long as its a romance, it will have that HEA. I really loved this one when I read it. She writes bully romance really well. Glad it was such a strong hit for you!
I am not the biggest dark romance, but occasionally I do really really enjoy certain ones. This one does sound good. Although, one thing that I don’t usually enjoy is a lot of bullying, and the one being bullied not having a problem with it. But I might look into this one as good as you say it is. Great review!