From New York Times Bestselling author Penelope Douglas comes a new forbidden love story?JORDANHe took me in when I had nowhere else to go.He doesn’t use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He doesn’t treat me like I’m nothing, take me for granted, or make me feel unsafe.He remembers me, laughs with me, and looks at me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the … the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway after work.I have to stop this. It can’t happen.My sister once told me there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable.Only Pike Lawson isn’t the unavailable one.I am.PIKEI took her in, because I thought I was helping.She’d cook a few meals and clean up a little. It was an easy arrangement.As the days go by, though, it’s becoming anything but easy. I have to stop my mind from drifting to her and stop holding my breath every time I bump into her in the house. I can’t touch her, and I shouldn’t want to.The more I find my path crossing hers, though, the more she’s becoming a part of me.But we’re not free to give into this. She’s nineteen, and I’m thirty-eight.And her boyfriend’s father.Unfortunately, they both just moved into my house.*BIRTHDAY GIRL is a stand-alone, contemporary romance suitable for ages 18+.
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I just…fell into this book and couldn’t get out. I was intrigued, I was turned on, I was living, breathing, and loving Jordan and Pike.
And the taboo aspect? Gah, it just brought that much more to the table.
This book wasn’t easy. But not for the reasons you’re thinking. It wasn’t easy because the angst is real. The looks, the possessiveness, the need and desire…it’s all real. This is chemistry you can feel in your bones. This is a passion and a love that you don’t want to give up–even when you think it’s for the best.
It’s a love that knows no barriers or bounds. It doesn’t have limits. It doesn’t let go.
This is a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
Jordan and Pike. Man, this is a couple I can support. And do support. Their love, their drive, their passion for…everything. Each other, work, their town. They just want the life.
And so do I.
**The narration. Holy moly, this narration. I can never get enough of Andrew Eiden. His voice, his ability to make characters feel as if they are sitting beside you. The way he says “Jordan” during that ONE scene (you’ll know the scene when you hear it). Just, yes. Jennifer Mack is new to me, but I’ll always hear her as Jordan. She s amazing and I never grew tired of hearing her voice. She makes me want to download all of her audios. I can’t wait to see what else she has done.
Unexpected Treat
I didn’t read the back before starting this book so I truly went in not knowing what to expect. I loved this story. Douglas did a great job in showing the maturity difference between the characters. Both the H & h are so well developed.
This story is about a 19yo girl who’s relationship with her current boyfriend ends. However living under his dad’s roof, she finds that they have a strong attraction to each other. Pike, the dad is torn between his heart and his son who he already has a rocky relationship with.
Angsty, steamy, everything I love in a romance!
I have had this on my TBR since it released. I saw all the praise it received in posts from fellow readers. I have been trying to get to it. So when I saw it on audiobook, I decided to listen to it while I did housework or got ready for the day. Of course, I usually ended up simply sitting and listening because it swept me up in the story. Loved it! Jordan & Pike’s story is tortured, steamy, sweet, angsty, and sooo good!! I see where the praise for Pike comes from. A very enjoyable listening experience.
A really good read!
Really enjoyed this book, it was a bit of a slow burn but, I liked it. The characters had good chemistry and the author showed good growth in them as individuals and as a couple.
Wow what an amazing story. Birthday Girl was intense, forbidden and gripping. I was hooked from start to end and I loved every moment of the story. This sexy steamy novel will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride. You will feel every minute of the intensity and angst and will be rooting for these characters in no time. The chemistry between Pike and Jordan was off the chart hot and I loved seeing how their relationship developed
I listened to the audible version of this novel. It was narrated by Andrew Eiden and Jennifer Mack . They did an excellent job with the narration and brought the story to life. I loved it and would highly recommend it.
It’s so wrong yet nothing about this book was anything but right.
“Everything felt easy. But the girl of my dreams is off-limits. She’s Cole’s, and she’s nineteen. There’s no way.”
My favorite book by Penelope is Corrupt because that kind of story is just my kink as far as reading goes. This is nothing like that story but this is easily one of her best books. I read everything she puts out but this one just hit me in a way that none of her other “lighter” books ever did.
“It’s hard to find that one person who speaks your language.”
There are a couple of spots that had me in tears and there were a few parts that had me with tears in my eyes. My heart broke in several spots and then it soared in others. Being able to draw actual emotions from your readers is one of the things I love about Penelope’s books. Nothing about the way Pike and Jordan felt about each other was wrong but the journey was nothing but difficult.
“I don’t know if I love her, but I’ve never wanted anything or anyone this bad.”
I know we had all thought we knew what she was releasing and when. This book was a big surprise and I can’t say that I am upset or even remotely bummed about it. I loved this book. I loved Pike. I loved Jordan. I love it when an idea consumes a writer so much that they can’t think of anything else and they have to write it. Those books lead to ones like this one. Ones that are flawless and phenomenal. Ones that are unique and heart-stopping. It was everything and I’m glad she wrote it.
I wanted to come through the pages and shake both of them! How could they be so loveable and so insufferable at the same exact time? I dont want to give any spoilers away, but I totally cried. Like, cried cried. I wanted to smack him. But, I gave it 5 stars because it was one of those books that just move your soul. Soul searing is what I call it.
I remember when the cover to this book scrolled across my INSTAGRAM feed and I was like ohhhh, what is this, so I read the blurb. The author got me with “my boyfriend’s dad” and I’m over here like hey there, little taboo treat, let me read you, so I did. First off, can I say, this was NOTHING like I expected and EVERYTHING I wanted in a good read. This was my FIRST Penelope Douglas book (I know those of you judging me harshly right now lol) but it was amazing! Seriously, I can’t say enough about this couple. The SLOW BURN is torturous in the best way. Pike is an unforgettable character. His son, eh, not so much, but he does have a few redeeming qualities. Still, this is my top read of 2018, even beating Corrupt (which I still LOVED and am close to reading hideaway) Go read this book. You won’t be sorry.
5 Scented Candle Stars!!!
I’ve only read one other book by this author and now find myself scratching my head as to why? When I opened this book to start it, I knew nothing about it. Went in totally blind after hearing people talk about how good this book was. The genre that I love reading about. Younger Gal/Older Man top it off with the man being the father of the younger gal’s boyfriend. WOWZA…
Jordan has had her fair share of people leaving her life. It’s like she’s the welcome mat that is constantly getting used but not in a good way. Recently turning 19, she’s been through more in her life than most go through in a lifetime. Faced with eviction, her and her boyfriend Cole move into his father’s house to save up money until they can afford to move once again into a new apartment.
Let tomorrow be better than today.
Pike has always been there for his son. Even though his son has always believed everything his mother has said about his father, Pike has always been man enough to do the right thing for his only child. Even if his mother filled his head with lies. He’s a successful business man even though he had to give up going to college and his dreams all those years ago.
It takes conviction to do what you know you’re supposed to do regardless of what you want. Conviction to do what you know you’re supposed to do…
It all started at the midnight movie. Two strangers who felt the pull. Who would have ever imagined that a midnight movie would open the gate for these two to find out what true love really is.
#BookBistroBlogApproved
This author is a new to me author. I have had birthday girl on my the for a while and I sure it was a recommended read. It’s filled with angst and drama ( the good kind ) and filled with a real life vibe,a small town,where everyone knows everyone’s business, where the sun doesn’t always shine and people are trying their best to make their way. .
This is a pretty gripping story from the get go. The opening chapters reveal a desperately unhappy, somewhat isolated girl, Jordan and her ( neglectful time wasting ) boyfriend Cole who despite being together live pretty separate lives. She’s focused on her job and studies and he just wants to get drunk and spend time with his friends. Their situation is one that was friendship that turned to relationship following the passing of a friend. Living together out of necessity rather than love for each other. Despite Jordan knowing this, she literally ‘puts up’ with coles behaviour and continues to plod on one day to the next wishing for a better day tomorrow.
Following their eviction, after a birthday party goes wrong ( for Jordan… that she doesn’t actually attend ) they find themselves moving into coles father ( Pike’s ) house on the proviso that they do their share and help out around the house. Jordan and pike’s actually met the night of the birthday party, and they are drawn to each other, it is pretty special, turned sad as it’s revealed who they actually are to each other.
Of course the relationship between Cole and Jordan deteriorates as fast as the relation ship between pike and Jordan grows.
It’s a wonderfully crafted slow and steady burn as they each try to control ( and not act upon their feelings for each other ) until the inevitable happens.
Up till this point I freaking adored this book… Pike, who I had previously perceived as a strong and steady mc, was so conflicted and torn between his love for his ( spoilt drunkard ) son and his ( untrusting and scared to believe in) love for Jordan… it was fantastically done and showcased some kickass writing skills, but the way he resolved the situation.. or didn’t as they case actually was..just damaged my opinion of him… and I was gutted by that…I wanted him to fight for his son and fight for his girl and fight for his own happiness… and he did…eventually. But it wasn’t the grand showdown or gesture that I was desperate for…and I disappointed that Jordan didn’t stick to her guns. I wanted her to fight more for her own sense of self worth.
The epilogue however made me exceptionally happy… I mean who doesn’t love a happy Ever After of epic proportions. I loved that Pike recognised how exceptionally lucky he was…. so much so that I almost forgave him
For a taboo read this book was brilliantly written, not gratuitous or for shock factor. There was true emotions between the mc’s and on the whole it was a delicious juicy emotional read. I know who to read when I’m craving my next ‘gritty dose of reality/angst’ fix.
*4,5 stars*
After seeing all the teasers for this book and hearing friends gushing over it, I finally decided to read it. I was a bit on the fence for it due to the synopsis and not really knowing if it was going to be a book for me but I’m glad to be wrong once 🙂 I definitely enjoyed the story and the way it was told, you can’t help but fall for Jordan and Pike’s characters!
Jordan and her boyfriend Cole have nowhere else to go after not being able to pay the bills and they are moving into his dad’s place until they can get back on their feet. But Cole’s partying still gets out of hand and he’s out with his friends more than being with her at the house. Jordan feels lonely and her bond with Pike seems to grow every day. But being nineteen Pike doesn’t see her as more than just his son’s girlfriend but the more time they spend together, the more the attraction becomes hard to handle for him. Even though he won’t cross that line, he finds it harder to resist her. Will they give into the temptation and their attraction for one another?…
‘Birthday Girl’ is the first book I’ve read by Penelope Douglas and I can honestly say I enjoyed her writing style. It flows well and gripped me from the start.
The book centre’s around the troubled life of Jordan, a teenage girl who one evening makes a connection with a stranger on her birthday after being stood up, only to find out he’s actually the father of her boyfriend Cole. Despite how much she tries to deny or fight her feelings, she can’t help but find Pike Lawson mysteriously intriguing.
Pike is desperate to get back into his sons life, using his easily formed connection with Jordan to try and repair their broken relationship. But the more Cole pushes him away, the closer he becomes to Jordan and he can’t help but feel himself start to want to blur the lines. His resolve slipping the more she acts up and taunts him with her own flirtation.
It’s not usually a plot of a book that I’d consider reading normally, but it was very well written, gripping and had me quickly reading through the pages to know how their great love affair would end.
Overall an enjoyable read.
Birthday girl is the story of Jordan, a very strong heroine that was alone in life, her parents weren’t in the picture, didn’t care that much about her and she had to survive, working and moving all around..
Jordan is living a very hard life as she doesn’t have a real place to stay, her only hope is to follow her “boyfriend” Cole so they can save money and finally rent a place on their own.. but life hasn’t prepared her for all these challenges, sooner or later she will have to make a decision stay or leave before things start to collapse because she didn’t count her heart was about to get in the middle of her life plans..
“You make my heart pound so hard it hurts, Jordan. You, your mouth, and who you are, it all makes me want to touch you. It makes me not want to stop this.”
Pike wasn’t looking for anything new in his life, he was a single dad with an ex that still was giving him a hard time and a son that didn’t much appreciate him, thanks to some past drama. life has a funny way to show us what we’re lacking and bring us things that will help us but also break us, Pike didn’t know things in his life were about to change so drastically now is a matter to him if he is willing to embrace this changes or continue living a life full of emptiness and lies..
“I know everything we’re doing is wrong, and I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to anyone, but right here—right now—I don’t want to be anywhere else. I wish I could die as happy as I am right now.”
I really love, Pike and Jordan. Jordan really was a very mature heroine, life and circumstances made her that way and I believe that made it more easy for Pike to fall in love with her.. Jordan had mature so fast due to her past situations and her lack of family.. making her grow even faster than her own age… whenever she was around Pike i could never saw any difference between them.. on the contrary for me they were perfect..
“Pike is proof that we learn when we’re forced to and maturity is more the result of experience than age,”
Pike was kind of stubborn and try to always put walls and excuses between them, it was understandable his fears and doubts but at the end, love is what conquers everything and sooner or later all his excuses meant nothing when they finally realize there was no escaping from his feelings and emotions..
“I hope you love me, because I love you like crazy, and I’m going to want you the rest of my life. I tried to stay away, because I thought it was the right thing, but I fucking can’t. I need you, and I love you. This doesn’t happen twice, and I’m not going to be stupid again. I promise.”
Overall it was a good story, great characters, really love my first book by Penelope Douglas.
A forbidden romance that will leave you grinning from ear to ear! So much angst, love, lust and oh then there’s Pike! My newest obsession!!! The father of Jordan’s boyfriend that will leave your head spinning! I loved the characters in this book and the storyline is fantastic! One of my favorite books this year! Well done!!!!
Birthday Girl.
God I luv Pike.
I don’t know why I ‘ve waited so long to read this. I had heard so many great things about it. I m so glad I ‘ve finally gotten around to reading it. It was so good. I do enjoy a forbidden romance. Pike and Jordan’s story isnt easy but him being her boyfriend’s father it was never goin to be.
I luvd this book from the very start. I really liked Jordan she has been through her ups and downs but she still keeps her chin up. Even when times are hard she tries to keep positive. Cole her boyfriend isn’t really great to be honest I didn’t like him from the start. I did wish that Jordan dump his backside but she needed him cause she was living in his father’s place. And God is that man gorgeous. Even when Jordan first saw I felt it with her. Pike Lawson just has it I can’t say what IT is it’s just everything. You know when he’s around he just has that power. I don’t know if it’s him being older but his this man is just great I luvd everything about him. The sexual tension between him and Jordan was crazy from the start. The way they met was so good and I was actually dying for them to be something from that point. I know Cole is Pike son but that guy has some growing up to do if he wants to be anything like his father. I got so frustrated with Cole throughout this book. He just isn’t a great guy and no way near good enough for Jordan. She is just a great girl and will do anything for anyone. I just wanted to care for her.
I would highly recommend this book from the start I was hooked. I needed to know what was goin to happen. I really enjoy this authors work. She really know how to keep you on the edge throughout. I m hoping there is going to more from this book. I know it’s a standalone but I would luv more of Cam Jordan’s sister there is just something about her. She is wild and I like that she is totally different to Jordan. I know a lot of people aren’t crazy about forbidden romance but I did think this book was done in good taste. It was crazy or over done it was just to people that feel for each other and were made to be together. Things aren’t alway easy and sometimes the fight is worth it. Luvd this book.
Penelope Douglas is a new-to-me author. I don’t often read this trope, but after reading someone else’s review of this book, I just had to read it. And wow! Months after, the story is still fresh in my mind. Miss Douglas is one heck of a story teller. I felt all the feels!
This is a story about a forbidden romance between a young and brave woman and the father of her former boyfriend, but it was so much better than I expected…
While reading you could understand the characters through their thoughts and enjoy this book, so if you like this genre, you could give this book a try.
I loved it! I loved the characters, the action, the romance and the drama!!! Penelope Douglas is fantastically talented!
I absolutely adore this book! It’s so moving yet sexy. One of my all time favs.
“We want it, but we know we shouldn’t.”
First of all I’m a fan of Penelope Douglas and her writing. The author has a talent to pull you immediately into a story and ability to connect you to characters. I love forbidden romance. It’s just when I read the synopsis I wasn’t convinced it’s my kind of story. But I was wrong Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas blew me away! Like I said I was a little sceptical about this storyline. But I loved it so much. Honestly, I didn’t know I would fall in love with this book and Pike and Jordan. This surpassed all my expectations and it’s easily one of my favorite books I read this year. I inhaled this book from start to finish and never wanted it to end.
Jordan really had a difficult past, childhood and was dealt pretty shitty card. Nobody ever cares about her. She has taken care of herself all her life. That’s why she feels like a burden and inconvenience. She might be only nineteen but she’s so mature for her age. She is smart, brave, strong, self-assured young lady, loveable with a heart of gold but vulnerable. I adored her love of the 80’s. She’s amazing heroine.
Pike is beyond AMAZING. He’s so charming, loveable, broody but also vulnerable. He is such an amazing hero and down to earth guy. He will always put the happiness of the the people he cares about first and later think about himself. He is responsible, dependable father and possessive, passionate lover.
Pike and Jordan together were amazing. They are just two people that shouldn’t fall in love and yet they did. They are each other’s calm in the storm. They fit so perfectly. And Gosh their chemistry, pull and UST pretty much sizzled right off the pages! I loved how Pike was treating her and how protective he was. All he ever wanted was for Jordan to be happy and to get all that she wants. All their conversations were so amazing and meaningful. I enjoyed the smartass comments, the teasing and banter. I loved the whole anticipation and the angst of these two forbidden lovers and when they finally gave into their desires even when they knew they shouldn’t. The romance between them was a slow burn and I really liked the build up; their doubts, their thoughts, their inner turmoil. I like that it was written in dual POV so I can understand both of them. Pike and Jordan are the proof of the saying “you can’t help who you fall in love with.” Loved the two epilogues we got but I need more lol
What I love about this book is that Penelope took a so to say taboo story and made it into an epic, emotional love story with smart, flawed, complex characters. This story has so much heart.
The best way to enjoy this book is to go into it blind, and just enjoy the ride. Highly recommend.