Review: Credence

Credence by Penelope Douglas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

🏔️ Dark, forbidden, and utterly addictive—Credence pushes boundaries and delivers a story you’ll never forget.

🔥 Forbidden love, age gaps, messy desire, and a heroine’s awakening—dark, taboo, and completely unforgettable. Penelope Douglas at her boldest!

Tropes

• Forbidden Romance 🚫❤️
• Age Gap 🔥
• Why Choose / Reverse Harem (multiple love interests) ✨
• Remote Cabin / Forced Proximity 🏔️
• Coming of Age + Sexual Awakening 🌙

Credence is one of those books that grabs hold of you from the first page and doesn’t let go. It’s bold, it’s taboo, and it’s written with the kind of raw intensity only Penelope Douglas can deliver.

After losing her parents, Tiernan de Haas is sent to live with her estranged step-uncle and his two sons in the snowy isolation of the Colorado mountains. What follows is a provocative, boundary-pushing exploration of grief, identity, and desire. Tiernan’s emotional and sexual awakening unfolds in a setting that’s both claustrophobic and freeing—a wild, secluded landscape that mirrors her own inner storm.

The dynamics in this book are messy, complicated, and addictive. Jake, Kaleb, and Noah each bring something different to Tiernan’s journey: danger, tenderness, rebellion, and ultimately love. It’s not just about the romance—it’s about her finally choosing to live, to feel, and to take control of her future.

Yes, the book is dark and controversial, but that’s what makes it unforgettable. Douglas doesn’t shy away from taboo themes or morally gray characters, and instead of offering a neat, tidy romance, she gives us something layered, challenging, and fiercely emotional. The sexual tension is explosive, the angst is palpable, and the payoff is completely worth the ride.

For readers who crave edgy, forbidden romance with emotional depth and a heroine finding her own voice in the midst of chaos, Credence is a five-star knockout.

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