Disclaimer: Affiliate Links have been included
It seems like a lot of the publishers have been picking up in the authors that have huge hits on indie publishing platforms or social media and this is one of those books.
I’ve never read this author before, but apparently this book has been out on Kindle for quite a while. It is now being released in paperback. I am sharing the reviewed here and I can understand why it has many rave reviews. Continue on for my complete thoughts.
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
Publisher: Berkley (September 26, 2023)
ISBN-13: 978-0593641965
SYNOPSIS:
True love comes from the most forbidden places in this TikTok smash hit from New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas, now with bonus material!
Jordan has nowhere else to go when her boyfriend offers to let her move in with him and his dad. Working a dead-end job, with her relationship sputtering, she jumps at the opportunity, expecting to help out around the house in exchange. What she doesn’t anticipate is for her heart to race every time Pike pulls into the driveway, or to burn when their eyes meet over the breakfast table. He’s kind and listens to her and protects her in a way no man ever has before. Her sister once told her there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable. Only Pike isn’t the unavailable one…she is.
As the days go by, Pike’s finding it anything but simple to have his son’s girlfriend living in his house. He can’t stop thinking about her and holding his breath every time they cross paths. It feels like she’s becoming a part of him. Except he knows they’re not free to give in to this. How could they when he’s her boyfriend’s father?
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas Review
This book has a bit of that naughtiness going on for those of you who enjoy the age-gap romance and forbidden romance tropes. If that is you, then this is the book I’m sure that you will devour.
Like all good authors, writing a forbidden romance that includes a young adult is definitely a science when it comes to keeping the edge on your story and those pages turning.
The author has taken us on a journey of a teenage girl crushing completely on her boyfriend’s dad and likewise. The tension and the sexual undertones are all over the story. The character development is great and the main characters all balance well.
The plot is engaging but I did have some issues with the book. Go figure. As a mature adult, in some instances, this was a tough book to read.
A little girl, games, and stereotypical storyline made it a little hard for me to enjoy. While I love the characterization, and the fact the author did really put a lot of creativity into her story, there was also a lot of the same methodology that you see in all of the young adult books.
Following a formula that gets you the break up, the crushing, coming back together, another break-up, games, running away, etc. etc., is somewhat boring for the reader. This reader is looking for more than just a formula used to write the books. The creativity doesn’t shine so brightly when the book is broken down so blatantly.
Well, Birthday Girl has plenty of steam and heat to it because of the forbidden romance aspect. There are some issues that I found with it because of the fact that it’s the same formula as all the other YA books.
The story is definitely for the younger generation and I’m not taking anything away from the author for that as she knows her audience.
If you’re looking for loads of anticipation, some sexy times, some drama and anxiety, but a happily ever after eventually, then this is the perfect story for you.
3.5 stars rolled to 4
Disclaimer: Affiliate Links have been included – Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.