What I loved about Credence by Penelope Douglas
Updated: May 9
Credence by Penelope Douglas...I loved this book. A few hours after finishing it, I'm still steaming in the afterglow of electric sexual tension. Here's my review...
Credence by Penelope Douglas: A quick overview
If you don't know about it already, it's a story about an almost 18-year-old woman whose parents die. She gets invited to live with her father's estranged younger step-brother (her uncle, technically, who she's never met, and they aren't biologically related) and his two sons, who are a little older than her.
Testing social norms
It's smut. So, you must know, it's sexy as fuck. She ends up sleeping with all three of them (after her 18th birthday), obviously. But what I loved more than that was the exploration of sexuality and intimacy in a controversial setting. It really tested the 'rules' of society - challenging how far is 'too far' and making you question why.
Whether or not I agree with the 'okayness' of it happening in real life is irrelevant. I just loved that it opened a window into an alternative, genuinely beautiful experience for us to peak at. For us to open up to. To let ourselves be a little more okay with 'different', so we can maybe explore the typically taboo things we like, but hold ourselves back from for fear of what others think.
Granted, whether it would pan out like this in reality is debatable, but stories and concepts don't always have to be based on reality.
Shameless sex
I also loved the lack of shame. Not that there weren't elements of it. There was some ugly slut shaming and the expected squirming around the fact that they're family, but she didn't cave into herself from it. She didn't behave differently because she'd allowed herself to do these things.
In my own life, and I'm sure many women's lives, I've completely shut down from sexual shame. I'm inspired by how she allowed herself to have the experience without shriveling away.
Character growth
Lastly, I loved the emotional development of all the characters - especially the men. They all evolved, like their coming together (pun playfully noted) was exactly what all of them needed.
In the end...
I knew when I started the book that it was controversial. In the early stages, I couldn't imagine finding a way to the end without it turning icky. But Penelope crafted it tenderly, turning what even I assumed would be a really sticky, shameful journey into a loving, special, and truly enviable experience.
It's not an award-winner or anything, and the overarching hero's journey was somewhat predictable at times, but the characters rocked, and it breaks barriers and perceptions around sexuality, which I'm always up for.
Want to read it? It's available in various formats (including Kindle) on Amazon. Buy it via my link, and I'll even earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. :) Enjoy!
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