From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas comes a new dark romance…ErikaI 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 … 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+.
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“Our scraps and bruises, tattoos, scars, smiles and wrinkles told our stories and I didn’t want a pristine piece of wallpaper. I wanted her and everything she was..”
I picked this book up at a time in my life where I found it difficult to connect with a book the way I needed. I was losing my escape and felt desperate to find a book that would latch onto me and pull me in. I came across a post about this series that really caught my attention so I decided to give it a try and I am so grateful that I did.
This book checked all my boxes. The angst kept my heart racing. The suspense had me flipping pages faster and faster and I could barely put it down. Every time I thought I knew what the heart of the mystery was, something would be done or said and I would be guessing again. One of the best parts was the heat that caused my mouth to dry and my skin to heat.
The characters were well-developed in some areas and a little lacking in others. The four horsemen carried with them mystery, darkness, intensity, fear and heat. Michael, Kai, Will and Damon were a group I could see myself wanting to know when I was their age. All of them were at the top in family wealth, athletic skill and popularity. They all thought they were untouchable due to those facts. Then they learn that sometimes you have to pay. Then there was Erica “Rika” Fane. She had known Michael and his family since birth. For as long as she could remember, all of her attention focused on Michael. He was older and seemed completely indifferent towards her. But the magnetic chemistry between them was impossible not to notice.
I loved the way the mystery unfolded. Rika became one of my favorite and unique female characters. She was never held down for long and she never ran far before steeling her spine and remembering she never backed down. Every game they made her play only made her stronger and smarter as well as more irresistible to the horsemen.
I don’t want to spoil anything. What I can say is I loved this book. It reignited my love of reading. Bad boys were my crack and I felt high often in the book. I won’t hesitate to read the rest of this series and see where each horseman finds his equal and I hope an HEA all their own. I have definitely found another favorite author and I plan to devour the rest of her books.
“He understood what I wanted more than anything. Freedom. “Own who you are,” he commanded. “And don’t apologize. Do you understand? Own it or it would own you.”
Well where have these characters and their world been my whole life? Damn I devoured this story! Erika and Michael pulled me in immediately with their own tortured feelings and longing to be something else…something different than what has been preordained for them. Though to the outside world she is soft, there is a darkness lurking inside Erika and she doesn’t understand it, but she knows she is drawn to the thrill and freedom that Michael represents. Michael is more overt with his own dark side and troubled self-doubt, and he can’t help his feelings for the neighbor girl that was never meant for him. A brief fateful night together, along with Michael’s closest friends, starts with dangerous excitement and ends in damage beyond repair.
Tragedy, misunderstandings, betrayal, thirst for revenge, incontrollable lust, heartbreak, incredibly steamy sex scenes, terror, deep connection…have I missed anything? Ha! How about an amazing, ‘keep you on the edge of your seat with surprise, tension, lust and intrigue’ storyline? Yep, that sums it up. Absolutely loved these characters and this world and I can’t wait to keep reading more!! 5 plus plus DARK stars for Corrupt!
“The only way we find out what we’re capable of is by getting into a little trouble.”
Have you ever read a book that has an ‘atmosphere’? I felt the atmosphere in Corrupt. It was eerie, angry, and forbidding and it added to the plot. The story that Douglas tells is immersive. I was never bored listening to this book that’s for sure. Rika and Michael have been circling one another since her birth and eventually, they are forced to meet in the middle. I loved Rika’s developing strength and Michael’s developing vulnerability.
The audiobook was narrated by Tatiana Sokolov and Jeremy York. Both did a fantastic job of narrating this book. I felt like I was really there in the scene and that can be tricky when relying on someone else’s verbal delivery of a story. York especially does a great job portraying Michael. I really felt his personality and his ominous intentions toward Rika, as well as his fascination with her, just by listening to his voice.
One of the prominent ideas throughout Corrupt is owning who you are. I could feel the book encouraging me to have an open mind. The limitations we hold onto so strongly only exist from society. In our short life, we don’t have to conform to the expectations set for us. The author does a wonderful job with this message of nonconformity. I do feel that the story and the message in it: “own who you are” and what you desire from life, will stick with me for quite a while.
Loved it 🙂
I’ve read this book quite some time ago. I don’t really remember much of it, but I’d like to review what I remember.
So, I remember that the main characters besides the woman think she betrayed them while ago and they want to make her life a living hell. I hated this. Why? Well, they didn’t investigate any further as to know if she really did it or how much she took a part in it! I mean, c’mon. If you want a revenge, first make sure you are 100% sure!
Then I remember that maybe somewhere 50% in the book, I HAD TO put the book down! It was too much for me. From the side of torture and how far they went to really punish her. I hated it to the marrow of the bones! I couldn’t pick the book back up because of this. I wanted to finish it and see where it’ll go, but every time I thought of it, I remember how cruel they are and I couldn’t. It took me quite some time to come back, convince myself to read it and finish it.
I’m not gonna say I hated the book. I’m not gonna say I loved the book either! I don’t know whether to give it 3 or 4 stars, simply because I’m torn between love and hate for this book. I think I might settle at 3. Why? Well, 4 stars for me is when I really liked the whole book, it just didn’t have everything I searched for. This book didn’t have them, so 3 it is!
I’d recommend this book if you have a tough shell and are ready for it. It you think you can’t handle stronger/violent actions towards someone without prove, this ain’t for you.
Wow does not even describe the state that I’m in after finally reading Corrupt. This book was amazing and disturbing and so darkly delicious.
Michael and Erika were so oddly drawn to each other but neither could make that move. Until one fateful Devil’s Night when trust was built and also torn away. From there revenge is all on Michael’s and the rest of his crews mind. So many secrets are unraveled and I don’t want to say too much to give anything away. This is a fabulous story telling of revenge and that not everything is as it seems!
First book I read by Penelope and I freaking loved it!!!! Corrupt, corrupted me. Devil’s Night is off to a bang. Michael and Erika’s story will blow the roof. I can’t wait to read book two.
Once, I started I couldn’t stop reading this book it was full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and I loved every moment. The chemistry between these two was undeniable and leaves you rooting for them even though it seems impossible at times. I can’t wait to read the next story in the series to see what the author has in store. Definitely recommend this book to others.
Corrupt is the explosive first book in the devil’s night series by Penelope Douglas. And I say explosive because that is precisely what it is – an explosion of lust, love, and secrets.
The story centers around a night of extreme pranks gone wrong. Michael, Kai, Damon, and Will are best friends home from college for one night, October 30, also known as Devil’s Night. It’s the one night of the year they can get away with anything and be who they want to be by pushing boundaries, wreaking havoc, and getting revenge. But something goes drastically wrong, and the boys are set out to pay back what was given to the – consequences and jail time. Corrupt is the story of Michael and Rika.
Erika Fane, aka Rika, has known and been in love with Michael her entire life. She is the quiet, demure, straight-A student that has her whole life planned for her courtesy of everyone else. However, don’t mistake her kindness for weakness. With a little (and sometimes harsh) push from the guys, she finds her strength. She can give it just as well as she can take it. One thing I love about Michael and Rika’s relationship is his refusal to see her for anything less than she is. A badass.
“You’re not a victim, and I’m not your savior.”
Michael is the leader of his team and his friend group. He is quiet, calculating, and has a dirty mouth that I adore. He is the mastermind behind this revenge plot and executing each step carefully. However much he might hate Rika, he can’t deny the fact that he is attracted to her. But choosing between her and his friends is an impossible task.
I’ve been in love with this book since I first read it in 2018. I think Penelope Douglas did a fantastic job creating the world of Thunder Bay all the whole dropping little life lessons along the way. Be who you want to be, not someone others tell you to be.
Solid five stars
Best book series ever
Devil’s night
‘ , , .’
I’ve read this numerous times, but never reviewed for whatever reason. But, my god, if this isn’t my favorite of the series, then I don’t know what could be.
Michael & Rika are just laden with bad choices, poor timing, & a lack of communication, while simultaneously vibrating at a higher level than what can be seen. It’s a beautiful push and pull.
So where do I even start from? SPOILERS AHEAD.
Plot
Typical miss understanding.
Michael blames Rika for sending his friends to Jail. Once they all are out they plan to get back at her. But then in the end they get to know she was innocent all along so all their hazing was for nothing. I’m just going to list out everything they had done to her so that when I start talking about what a bimbo Rika is, it will make sense.
1. The send Rika’s mom to rehab, without telling her. So she thinks they kidnapped her mother and have done something to her.
2. Burned Rika’s house
3. Took all of her money and asked her to “satisfy them” in order to receive cash.
Characters
Michael
I have no feelings towards him. I didn’t like him nor did I hate him. He was just meh. There was nothing special about him. I was more interested in Will and Damon, than the main lead.
Rika
Self Respect – pride and confidence in oneself; a feeling that one is behaving with honour and dignity. something Rika lacked in
Bimbo – an attractive but unintelligent or frivolous young woman something Rika is.
Does the jury want evidence? Okay, here are Two moments I believe justify the above allegations regarding the suspect Erika Fanes the best.
Okay so AFTER Rika gets to know Michael and his friends did all of the above mentioned points to her, used her, Traumatized her for something she DID NOT do. SHE WAS PISSED. And hurt. Especially at Michael.
But……
Who can resist the magic dick?
“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.”
And again, I thought she was supposedly pissed at him right? Ignoring his texts and calls. (But still letting him come at night to fuck her). But then this amazing woman had the nerve to complain to Michael that he is “hiding her”.
“You took Alex out,” I reminded him. “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.”
So the main issue here for Miss Erika Fanes is that he isn’t taking her out or in her words keeping her “hidden” and just using her as someone to fuck. AND NOT what his friends and him put her through? Okay. Cool. Cool.
Next.
“Michael,” she panted softly. “I never wanted anyone else. Don’t you see that?”
I mean how cute right? Doesn’t matter that She confesses that the same night she got to know about Michael and his friends.
But anyway the reason this line is important right now is because a few chapters later she tells Michael that she loves him. He doesn’t respond back. Kai who was watching them fuck secretly reveals himself and tells Michael to say it back or he will lose her. And what does Miss Erika Fane do?
She tells Kai to touch her. Oh why you may ask?
“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.”
Ladies and gentlemen Erika Fanes is channeling her inner Oprah and giving her body as a vessel for both the men (the man she just confessed her feelings to and his friend) to use and vent out their feelings.
Wow what a generous human being. A role model for the society of Bimbo’s.
I rest my case.
I now know what all the fuss is about. This book. THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s rare for me to be on the edge of my seat for the entire book. I was. The entire time!!!!!
I listened to this on Audio and then had to buy the ebook. I’ll be adding paperbacks as soon as I can.
Michael was so complicated. I believe he is the standard for dark bully romance. He is how the Main man needs to be. Torn, Angry, and so sexy.
Rika. I adore you. She was so strong. But yet completely human. I LOVED how she became herself through all these trials. She became stronger, and better.
But Rika and Michael together. Perfection.
I’m also not one for darker sexy times, but this book has made me consider that it might be fun
“I don’t win by playing your games. I win by making you play mine.”
One of my best friends has been DEMANDING me to read this series. Yes.. demanding. So, as soon as I got a moment of free time in my schedule, I dove in. And I don’t regret a single second of it.
Dark. Brutal. Addicting.
Penelope is such a strong writer. Her stories dig themselves into your soul and stay there forever.
The four Horsemen are dark and depraved, each in their own unique way. They are so bad but so good for my tortured and needy soul.
Michael and Rina are absolutely perfect for each other. A little damaged. A little broken. A little lost. But together, they are two pieces of the same puzzle, coming together to make the perfect picture.
I’m dying to read the rest of this series. I cant wait for the rest of the boys depraved little souls to feed my bad boy addiction.
“Fear wasn’t the enemy. It was the teacher.”
“The closer you got to anything beautiful, the less beautiful it became. Allure was in the mystery, not the appearance…”
A thousand dark stars!!! OMG I’ve been putting this book on hold for so long, I was so afraid of it; I couldn’t imagine that this could live to the expectations I had… how wrong I was, this book goes beyond any expectation; this is my new addiction, one I gladly embrace!!!
Rika has been sheltered her whole life, she can’t figure out what she wants or who she is because of it. One night with them, the Four Horsemen, that’s all it took for her to feel free and not alone. Michael Crist is the one she feels, she’s nothing to him but one look and she could feel him everywhere, but the same night that changed her, change him; and now he’s going after her, he’s collecting in the name of the Four Horsemen.
Dive in, just do it!! You’ll thank me later 😉
I have heard nothing but amazing things about this book and series for years. I finally decided yesterday to pick this and see what it was all about. I am so freaking happy that I did. I love it!! Dark romance’s are probably my favorite genre and this one was top notch. I did not want to put it down. It keep me up late last night and then I woke up and grabbed my kindle first thing and started finishing it. Oh my gosh it is freaking incredible. Michael and Rika have the best back and forth and chemistry that will set you a blaze. This book is so freaking angsty. From the first page to the last. It is dark and sexy and so freaking suspenseful. This book is a high like no other. My eyes were glued to my screen not wanting to miss a moment. These boys are so twisted and hurting and vengeful. They had me on edge and I could not get enough. Rika is unlike any character I have read before. She loves the game and the fear. She is a badass bitch who gives back as much as she takes. Her and Michael are two sides of the same coin. Whenever they are in a room together sparks fly. Meant to be isn’t even enough to explain how perfect they are together. This couple is extraordinary. Their book is insane. I loved it! “Corrupt” is will be on favorite reads of 2020 list for sure. You all need to experience this book! It defiantly lives up to the hype.
I’ve changed my rating. The first time read it, I rated it 4 stars but I think I might have been crazy. I’m re-visiting all of Penelope Douglas’ books through audio and this was the last one on my list. For some reason, I thought I didn’t like this book so I wasn’t real sure I wanted to listen to it. Thank God I did anyway!! That was a true mindf*ck if I’ve ever read one. I think Micheal might just knock Jared off that a**hole shelf he sits on so proudly (I still love you, Jared!)
Sooooo, this is just a quick little review because I HAVE GOT to start Hideaway!!
I read the first time Corrupt in 2016, and it was my favorite read of that year and one of my all-time favorite books. Since I read it then and didn’t write a review, I wanted to re-read the book and write a review now…It was like I read it for the first time…Same feelings, emotions, love, cills, and goosebumps. The first cills first love. That teenage love and butterflies…Pure love. I couldn’t put the book down. I was hooked and intrigued as I was the first time. You know what I’m talking about…
This book was my first read from this author so I didn’t know what to expect. I started this book on ambition. Someone told me that this book is awful, because it is so dark, with rapes and gangbang. So I said WTF… I must read this book! Let me tell you right from the start that are no such things in this book…Every story has a start and Rika’s and Michael’s story started one night…the Devils Night.
Rika is a girl who all her life was in love with Michael. She grew up with him, their families were really close friends. Although Michael loved her from the first time he laid eyes on her, she was meant to be for his brother Trevor. Everybody wanted that, only Rika had eyes only for Michael. Rika was the forbidden fruit for him. As much as Michael wanted her, he needed to stay away from her. But every time he saw her, she was growing sexier. Michael never looked at her, or at least that’s what Rika thought.
Michael and his best friends were a legend. Michael, Kai, Damon, and Will, they were Thunder Bay’s favorites sons. All of them from rich and powerful families. The Four Masked Horseman…And on every Devils Night, they made the law. They were the law… Everyone knew that. On Devils Night everything was permitted. That Devils Night, Rika was 16 and spends the most amazing night of her life. Rika is in haven to be accepted by Michael and his friends, even for just a night…But at the end of the night, she is crushed.
The next day, Kai, Damon and Will are arrested. Only Michael not. They believe Rika turned them. So for three long years, they plan their revenge. Rika is in college now, away from her life, family, friends and especially away from Trevor, her ex-boyfriend. She wants to be free, to be herself, like she felt in that night, years ago.
“Own who you are and don’t apologize”
Only she doesn’t know what’s expecting her. The monster is near, actually, the four monsters are together again and they are coming for her.
I loved Rika with all my heart. She was AWESOME. Strong, feisty, nothing scare’s her. Has a unique personality. Same for Michael. Love him. Alfa man from the gang, the leader. Strong, ambitious, sexy, hot, MBA player, rich…
I can’t say more…just that I can’t wait to read the next book.
I highly recommend this book!
5 Little Monster Crowns
This book was Gritty, Dark and utterly delicious. The utmost definition of a page turner and Dark Romance at its finest! Penelope had me completely enrapture from the first page and I could not put it down until the last. I was on the edge of my seat absolutely riveted waiting to see what new twist and turn Penelope had in store.
“There were dark deeds and bad seeds, but who cared if the house was falling apart as long as it was pretty, right?”
If you like your books intense, dark, suspenseful and chock full of all the heat you can handle than this book is for you! This story was all the things I’ve come to love with this genera. I was captivated with the way Penelope wrote the story and brought so much life to these characters.
Each character brought their own thrill to the story and were completely individualized. She wrote them so well you could see each of them in their own light. I love this so much about her writing. They can all do the exact same thing but because of how she wrote them, it will determine if you like them or not. This is why I don’t like Damian that and a myriad of other reasons. It’s going to take a lot to endear me to him, but I don’t doubt Penelope will work her magic and I’ll end up liking him at some point.
“I’m hungry, Rika,” he said, pressing his hard body into my back, his lips hovering over mine. “I want everything they tell me I can’t have, and I see that hunger in you, too.”
Michael and Rika are a deliciously deviant slow burn. That will melt your Kindle when they finally combust. Their push and pull was magnificent, Michael from the start was pushing Rika to be more, to stand up for herself and stop letting everyone coddle her. It’s exactly what she needs! They each have a darkness in themselves and it gravitates and recognizes the darkness in the other. They are so HOT together and the way they play is enough to turn a nun on! (Steam Room is all I’m going say about that).
“Rika,” he whispered against my neck. “I need you. I need you every day, every hour, every minute…..”
This book is completely unapologetic and wonderfully original. If you don’t like your romances dark/suspenseful and full of grit than I wouldn’t recommend reading this. But if you love your romance more on the dirty side, with thrills that will have you on bated breath just waiting to see what’s going to happen, than this is most definitely a book for you! Penelope is a master at her craft and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the boy’s end up and just what type of woman bring them to their knees!!
Now that was one wild ride!!! I loved this story!!! LOVED IT!!! It was so thrilling from beginning to end and I couldn’t get enough of how thought provoking it was!!! My favorite part was the DP scene!!! Hell yessssss!!! I’ve been waiting for something hot like that for sometime now and Penelope didn’t disappoint!!!