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Devil's Night #2
Hideaway
DEVIL'S NIGHT is returning! Hiding places, chases, and all the games are back...
BANKS
Buried in the shadows of the city, there’s a hotel called The Pope. Ailing, empty, and dark—it sits abandoned and surrounded by a forgotten mystery.
But you think it’s true, don’t you, Kai Mori? The story about the hidden twelfth floor. The mystery of the dark guest who never checked in and never checks out. You think I can help you find that secret hideaway and get to him, don’t you?
You and your friends can try to scare me. You can try to push me. Because even though I struggle to hide everything I feel when you look at me—and have ever since I was a girl—I think maybe what you seek is so much closer than you’ll ever realize.
I will never betray him.
So sit tight.
On Devil’s Night, the hunt will be coming to you.
KAI
You have no idea what I seek, Little One. You don’t know what I had to become to survive three years in prison for a crime I would gladly commit again.
No one can know what I’ve turned into.
I want that hotel, I want to find him, and I want this over.
I want my life back.
But the more I’m around you, the more I realize this new me is exactly who I was meant to be.
So come on, kid. Don’t chicken out. My house is on the hill. So many ways in, and good luck finding your way out.
I’ve seen your hideaway. Time to see mine.
*Hideaway is a romantic suspense suitable for ages 18+. While the romance is a stand-alone, the plot is a continuation of events that began in CORRUPT (Devil's Night, #1). It is strongly recommended that you have read Corrupt prior to reading this.
BANKS
Buried in the shadows of the city, there’s a hotel called The Pope. Ailing, empty, and dark—it sits abandoned and surrounded by a forgotten mystery.
But you think it’s true, don’t you, Kai Mori? The story about the hidden twelfth floor. The mystery of the dark guest who never checked in and never checks out. You think I can help you find that secret hideaway and get to him, don’t you?
You and your friends can try to scare me. You can try to push me. Because even though I struggle to hide everything I feel when you look at me—and have ever since I was a girl—I think maybe what you seek is so much closer than you’ll ever realize.
I will never betray him.
So sit tight.
On Devil’s Night, the hunt will be coming to you.
KAI
You have no idea what I seek, Little One. You don’t know what I had to become to survive three years in prison for a crime I would gladly commit again.
No one can know what I’ve turned into.
I want that hotel, I want to find him, and I want this over.
I want my life back.
But the more I’m around you, the more I realize this new me is exactly who I was meant to be.
So come on, kid. Don’t chicken out. My house is on the hill. So many ways in, and good luck finding your way out.
I’ve seen your hideaway. Time to see mine.
*Hideaway is a romantic suspense suitable for ages 18+. While the romance is a stand-alone, the plot is a continuation of events that began in CORRUPT (Devil's Night, #1). It is strongly recommended that you have read Corrupt prior to reading this.
466 pages, Nook
First published October 5, 2017
About the author
Penelope Douglas
33 books94.8k followersPenelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Their books have been translated into nineteen languages and include The Fall Away Series, The Devil’s Night Series, and the stand-alones, Misconduct, Punk 57, Birthday Girl, Credence, and Tryst Six Venom. Please look for The Hellbent Series, coming next.
They live in New England with their husband and daughter.
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They live in New England with their husband and daughter.
Would you like to join the reader group? ---> https://www.facebook.com/groups/16198...
Looking for News?
Text DOUGLAS to 603-519-3800 to be alerted when new releases are live!
Website: www.penelopedouglasauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PenelopeDoug...
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PenDouglas
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/penelopedoug...
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1A8hUBX
Instagram: www.instagram.com/penelope.douglas
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Shelved as 'finished-writing'
May 23, 2021★.•*°★ HIDEAWAY is LIVE!! ★.•*°★
Thank you to everyone who's waited and been so patient! As a thank you, the book is currently only $2.99 during release week!! Grab it before it goes up to its regular price!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2yRPIZB
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2yDkCUo
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2xSasC4
Amazon AUS: http://amzn.to/2wt7bGa
KOBO: http://bit.ly/2fHnCrq
B&N: http://bit.ly/2xdSivx
iBooks: http://apple.co/2xOQBnU
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2fK7Box
Pinterest Storyboard: http://bit.ly/2hpxYQw
Are you ready? Hiding places, chases, and all the games?
BANKS
Buried in the shadows of the city, there’s a hotel called The Pope. Ailing, empty, and dark—it sits abandoned and surrounded by a forgotten mystery.
But you think it’s true, don’t you, Kai Mori? The story about the hidden twelfth floor. The mystery of the dark guest who never checked in and never checks out. You think I can help you find that secret hideaway and get to him, don’t you?
You and your friends can try to scare me. You can try to push me. Because even though I struggle to hide everything I feel when you look at me—and have ever since I was a girl—I think maybe what you seek is so much closer than you’ll ever realize.
I will never betray him.
So sit tight.
On Devil’s Night, the hunt will be coming to you.
KAI
You have no idea what I seek, Little One. You don’t know what I had to become to survive three years in prison for a crime I would gladly commit again.
No one can know what I’ve turned into.
I want that hotel, I want to find him, and I want this over.
I want my life back.
But the more I’m around you, the more I realize this new me is exactly who I was meant to be.
So come on, kid. Don’t chicken out. My house is on the hill. So many ways in, and good luck finding your way out.
I’ve seen your hideaway. Time to see mine.
*Hideaway is a romantic suspense suitable for ages 18+. While the romance is a stand-alone, the plot is a continuation of events that began in CORRUPT (Devil's Night, #1). It is strongly recommended that you have read Corrupt prior to reading this.
And CORRUPT (Devils Night #1) is currently only $0.99!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SSFb3Q
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Lh6K0q
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1Sv3Nie
Amazon AUS: http://bit.ly/1MgOV5v
KOBO: http://bit.ly/20XLnNe
B&N: http://bit.ly/1NZVifQ
iBooks: http://apple.co/219gLsd
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2xNre3v
Thank you to everyone who's waited and been so patient! As a thank you, the book is currently only $2.99 during release week!! Grab it before it goes up to its regular price!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2yRPIZB
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2yDkCUo
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2xSasC4
Amazon AUS: http://amzn.to/2wt7bGa
KOBO: http://bit.ly/2fHnCrq
B&N: http://bit.ly/2xdSivx
iBooks: http://apple.co/2xOQBnU
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2fK7Box
Pinterest Storyboard: http://bit.ly/2hpxYQw
Are you ready? Hiding places, chases, and all the games?
BANKS
Buried in the shadows of the city, there’s a hotel called The Pope. Ailing, empty, and dark—it sits abandoned and surrounded by a forgotten mystery.
But you think it’s true, don’t you, Kai Mori? The story about the hidden twelfth floor. The mystery of the dark guest who never checked in and never checks out. You think I can help you find that secret hideaway and get to him, don’t you?
You and your friends can try to scare me. You can try to push me. Because even though I struggle to hide everything I feel when you look at me—and have ever since I was a girl—I think maybe what you seek is so much closer than you’ll ever realize.
I will never betray him.
So sit tight.
On Devil’s Night, the hunt will be coming to you.
KAI
You have no idea what I seek, Little One. You don’t know what I had to become to survive three years in prison for a crime I would gladly commit again.
No one can know what I’ve turned into.
I want that hotel, I want to find him, and I want this over.
I want my life back.
But the more I’m around you, the more I realize this new me is exactly who I was meant to be.
So come on, kid. Don’t chicken out. My house is on the hill. So many ways in, and good luck finding your way out.
I’ve seen your hideaway. Time to see mine.
*Hideaway is a romantic suspense suitable for ages 18+. While the romance is a stand-alone, the plot is a continuation of events that began in CORRUPT (Devil's Night, #1). It is strongly recommended that you have read Corrupt prior to reading this.
And CORRUPT (Devils Night #1) is currently only $0.99!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SSFb3Q
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Lh6K0q
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1Sv3Nie
Amazon AUS: http://bit.ly/1MgOV5v
KOBO: http://bit.ly/20XLnNe
B&N: http://bit.ly/1NZVifQ
iBooks: http://apple.co/219gLsd
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2xNre3v
May 24, 2022
ok so this book was 10x better than whatever the fuck corrupt was liiiike…😭💖🤞🏽 it was like a breath of fresh air reading about Banks & Kai than Rika & Michael weakasses.
Banks is a fucking badass. i love her so much. she fucking carried this book on her fucking back. she could literally to the slightest thing and i was gripping the bedsheets. i’m literally down soooo bad for her yall 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
Kai was tolerable. ok tbh he was just way better than Michael uglyass 🤢 Kai is sweet and kind. and i like how protective he was over Banks. like yeahhhhh protect her bro even though she could easily beat your ass😩🤌🏽💖
idek if this is an unpopular opinion but tell me fucking whyyyy damon was the star of the fucking show and this ain’t even his book?!? liiiike?!?! i know something is legitimately wrong with me when i already love him, psychotic tendencies and all 🥵🤞🏽like istg anytime he was mentioned or even spoke, i fucking moaned. like those red flags are looking very much green to me !!! i would literally summon the ancestral powers to get to him 😩😩😩 i can’t wait to read his book next 🤪🤪🤪
Banks is a fucking badass. i love her so much. she fucking carried this book on her fucking back. she could literally to the slightest thing and i was gripping the bedsheets. i’m literally down soooo bad for her yall 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
Kai was tolerable. ok tbh he was just way better than Michael uglyass 🤢 Kai is sweet and kind. and i like how protective he was over Banks. like yeahhhhh protect her bro even though she could easily beat your ass😩🤌🏽💖
idek if this is an unpopular opinion but tell me fucking whyyyy damon was the star of the fucking show and this ain’t even his book?!? liiiike?!?! i know something is legitimately wrong with me when i already love him, psychotic tendencies and all 🥵🤞🏽like istg anytime he was mentioned or even spoke, i fucking moaned. like those red flags are looking very much green to me !!! i would literally summon the ancestral powers to get to him 😩😩😩 i can’t wait to read his book next 🤪🤪🤪
October 18, 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Hideaway (stand-alone book 2 of 4). The dark mystery continues as Kai goes head to head with his match!
Books in Devil’s Night series should be read in order:
Book 1: Corrupt - Michael Crist
Book 2: Hideaway - Kai Mori
Book 3: Kill Switch - Damon Torrance
Book 4: Nightfall - Will Grayson III
Hideaway (stand-alone, book 2) is ex-convict, real estate investor and martial art instructor Kai Genato Mori story.
Story takes us back to when Kai and his friends ruled their high school as the “Four Horsemen”. Girls pined after them, boys wanted to be them while the parents in their upscale community looked on, letting them run wild… until something went horribly wrong…
Fast forward seven years and Kai is still recovering from his time in prison. He has isolated himself from the world. Running into the enigmatic tomboy Banks stirs up memories. In an unfolding mystery Kai decides she might hold answers, but he did not count on her holding the key to his heart.
Eight words to describe Kai Genato Mori: Broken, lonely, lost, conflicted, loyal, determined, naïve and commanding.
Nine words to describe Banks: Broken, strong, unassuming, loyal, reflective, nurturing, shrewd, naïve and lonely.
Hideaway, told from dual POVs, is a suspenseful, dark, violent and cryptic quest for truths. While Banks is weaved into story beautifully and my heart bled for her, parts of story felt long-winded. It ends with shockers, truth, sacrifice and forgiveness. I cannot wait for Damon’s story in book 3, Kill Switch.
***
Hero: ★★★★
Heroine: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★1/2
Sexual tension: ★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | HIGH FOCUS |
Darkness: | HIGH FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
ARC provided to me by author Penelope Douglas in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2021
3 stars
first of all, im just grateful that there's an asian male lead because they are being slept on in the romance genre!!! like... why tho? asian men are literally so hot??
➳ here's a list of asian men that have blessed my eyes:
ok ANYWAYS. enough thirsting on beautiful asian men and time to talk about the book.
i gotta be honest, since i did read Corrupt very recently and that horrible scene is still fresh in my mind, it ruined the reading experience for me. im so sorry but i really can't get over the threesome scene with Kai (H), Michael and Rika. i'll just share y'all my trauma with this scene // SPOILERS:
DO YOU SEE WHAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH. i- i am not okay.
i really can't get over it. i'll forever be traumatized knowing the fact that Kai enjoyed eating Rika out or that she felt so good or how he "fucked hard and fast like he was possessed" or that having sex with her was "better than anything he remembers". like why even do this tho? of course there's gonna be consequences from that threesome and that consequence would most likely be bad.
pro tip : don't read Corrupt a day before reading this because of reasons above.
➳ characters
to be honest, i don't know how i feel about KAI MORI (H). he's actually very nice and waaay less toxic than Michael and he's very considerate and sweet to Banks after he was being mean and i really appreciated that but ehh i find Damon more interesting. and as for BANKS (h) welll... once she bitch slapped Rika let's just say i fell in love at first sight. she does give in a little easy with Kai but i didn't mind it because at least he's not planning on ruining her life.
➳ romance
going back to the threesome in Corrupt, that ruined the romance here but that's not the only reason. i didn't feel the chemistry between Kai and Banks in the present time because everything was all over the place and i guess there was also a bit of less showing, more telling. Kai tells us that Banks makes him hungry or some shit like that but like, when? 6 years has gone by the last time y'all saw each other and once you see each other again, there's barely any chemistry?
although this was the case, there were some scenes where i lived for the wholesome content and the emotional bonding (spoilers) like the shower scene where they were talking about stargazing, them eating steak and Kai opening up, and Banks saving and bringing in 9 dogs and her cook and basically adopting them and Kai was just like that's my girlll but like in a sly way. it was really cute.
➳ OW/OM drama (spoilers)
okaaay time to mention the stupid threesome scene from the first book again. so we all know there's obviously gonna be blowback from that stupid shit and Banks knew about this so she despised Rika at first and that's understandable. so, yes, uhh there was girl fight here where Banks and Rika were legit fighting each other with fists and such and... well, i was highkey cheering on Banks. im sorry but i just don't like books 1 and 2 Rika. she was the most annoying character in this series with her entitlement when it comes to the boys like please girl stay in your own lane.
but that isn't the worst part. another scene comes up where another out-of-character shit happens where Banks and Rika make out in front of Kai and Michael because apparently Banks and Kai need to be equal and since he had Rika, it was now her turn...
let's forget that Banks is shy and all of her other characteristics for the sake of smut 🙄. also, the two couples had sex in the same room and it gave me The Punk and the Plaything vibes and (spoilers) i hated the group sex in that book.
* * *
one thing i learned from this book is that Damon could seriously be a spy or something because im honestly so impressed with his stealth skills. he could quite literally be batman if he wants to.
also, knowing more stuff about Damon in this book suddenly made me blind about the shit he put Rika through in the first book. what did he do again?? i really can't remember? oh he kidnapped and hurt and- oops. there goes my memory being erased again. oh weellll.
Devil's Night series
#1: corrupt ↠ 1.75 stars
#2: hideaway ↠ 3 stars
#3: kill switch ↠ 4 stars
#3.5: conclave ↠ 2.5 stars
#4: nightfall ↠ 1.75 stars
#4.5: fire night ↠ 3 stars
first of all, im just grateful that there's an asian male lead because they are being slept on in the romance genre!!! like... why tho? asian men are literally so hot??
➳ here's a list of asian men that have blessed my eyes:
- christian yu // i mean look at those tattoos tho yummm
- alex landi // this dude is in greys anatomy and oh boyy when i saw him i was about to call 911 cuz my heart stopped and i wanted him to revive it 🥴
- dev patel // can we talk about this mans glow up???
- hideo muraoka and daniel matsunaga // these two could be Kai because... yes
- and finally, every kpop star ever // every. single. one. of. them.
ok ANYWAYS. enough thirsting on beautiful asian men and time to talk about the book.
i gotta be honest, since i did read Corrupt very recently and that horrible scene is still fresh in my mind, it ruined the reading experience for me. im so sorry but i really can't get over the threesome scene with Kai (H), Michael and Rika. i'll just share y'all my trauma with this scene // SPOILERS:
“Jesus, you feel so good. I can’t believe I went without this for so long.”
Sweat made his body shine, and I sucked his bottom lip between my teeth. “You’re so deep. Make me come again, Kai.”
He tightened his fist in my hair. “You don’t even have to ask, baby.”
DO YOU SEE WHAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH. i- i am not okay.
i really can't get over it. i'll forever be traumatized knowing the fact that Kai enjoyed eating Rika out or that she felt so good or how he "fucked hard and fast like he was possessed" or that having sex with her was "better than anything he remembers". like why even do this tho? of course there's gonna be consequences from that threesome and that consequence would most likely be bad.
pro tip : don't read Corrupt a day before reading this because of reasons above.
➳ characters
to be honest, i don't know how i feel about KAI MORI (H). he's actually very nice and waaay less toxic than Michael and he's very considerate and sweet to Banks after he was being mean and i really appreciated that but ehh i find Damon more interesting. and as for BANKS (h) welll... once she bitch slapped Rika let's just say i fell in love at first sight. she does give in a little easy with Kai but i didn't mind it because at least he's not planning on ruining her life.
➳ romance
going back to the threesome in Corrupt, that ruined the romance here but that's not the only reason. i didn't feel the chemistry between Kai and Banks in the present time because everything was all over the place and i guess there was also a bit of less showing, more telling. Kai tells us that Banks makes him hungry or some shit like that but like, when? 6 years has gone by the last time y'all saw each other and once you see each other again, there's barely any chemistry?
although this was the case, there were some scenes where i lived for the wholesome content and the emotional bonding (spoilers) like the shower scene where they were talking about stargazing, them eating steak and Kai opening up, and Banks saving and bringing in 9 dogs and her cook and basically adopting them and Kai was just like that's my girlll but like in a sly way. it was really cute.
➳ OW/OM drama (spoilers)
okaaay time to mention the stupid threesome scene from the first book again. so we all know there's obviously gonna be blowback from that stupid shit and Banks knew about this so she despised Rika at first and that's understandable. so, yes, uhh there was girl fight here where Banks and Rika were legit fighting each other with fists and such and... well, i was highkey cheering on Banks. im sorry but i just don't like books 1 and 2 Rika. she was the most annoying character in this series with her entitlement when it comes to the boys like please girl stay in your own lane.
but that isn't the worst part. another scene comes up where another out-of-character shit happens where Banks and Rika make out in front of Kai and Michael because apparently Banks and Kai need to be equal and since he had Rika, it was now her turn...
let's forget that Banks is shy and all of her other characteristics for the sake of smut 🙄. also, the two couples had sex in the same room and it gave me The Punk and the Plaything vibes and (spoilers) i hated the group sex in that book.
* * *
one thing i learned from this book is that Damon could seriously be a spy or something because im honestly so impressed with his stealth skills. he could quite literally be batman if he wants to.
also, knowing more stuff about Damon in this book suddenly made me blind about the shit he put Rika through in the first book. what did he do again?? i really can't remember? oh he kidnapped and hurt and- oops. there goes my memory being erased again. oh weellll.
Devil's Night series
#1: corrupt ↠ 1.75 stars
#2: hideaway ↠ 3 stars
#3: kill switch ↠ 4 stars
#3.5: conclave ↠ 2.5 stars
#4: nightfall ↠ 1.75 stars
#4.5: fire night ↠ 3 stars
October 6, 2017
➳EXCLUSIVE Deleted Scene is up on my site-> CristiinaReads' Blog
➳The four horsemen are back, and one of them in particular will do just about anything to protect the ones he cares for, but also, to claim the one person who has captivated his dark and sinful soul for good…
➳After reading that captivating ending from Corrupt , the question we asked ourselves was: “What’s next?” Well, Penelope is here to give you the final answer! Kai is back and ready to hunt down the one person who has soulfully grasped his attention, but also his underlying cause of keeping his guard up. Kai Moris is the one individual out of all the four horsemen that caught my wholesome attention due to his heritage and background. He may not be the most mysterious sort of say— because after reading this book, Will is definitely on my radar of wanting his story ASAP— but he sure has that sadistic vibe that you not only become so enthralled to, but also want to run away from due to its creepiness. After a year of being outside of Thunder Bay and building lives that take away from their reputation of being in prison, Kai, Michael, Will, and Rika are encountered with the unrealistic truth that Damon has been MIA for so long, but has been keeping a strong eye on them all. Kai did not only grow up to become a business man by owning his own dojo gym, but he also has grown to become accustomed to a routine that influences his mind to constantly go to the darkest part of it and rehash on the idea of being dark, sinful, dangerous, but most of all, lonely. That’s when Banks appears in the picture. The girl with the snarky mouth and attitude...
➳Banks, as we learn throughout the story, had a bigger appearance and influence on Kai than what we all ever thought. Going back with flashbacks from six years ago on that one Devil’s Night run— the very same one we read in Corrupt— Banks is introduced as someone who doesn’t share much with others, is “homeschooled,” hides her figure behind baggy boy clothes, and is kept hiding from the outside world with Damon’s manipulative ways.
➳After revealing herself as the mysterious figure in the confession chapel, Kai learns that during that six year gap, Banks becomes a woman with full “authority” and power to her stride. She is not only confident in a way that makes everyone turn faces around the room when she saunters, but she also has that dark mystery hidden behind her petite figure. Kai recognizes her in a way that has him shook after their encounter. “Sparks were flying” is definitely not the appropriate term to identify or clarify the relationship between Banks and Kai, more like an imagery of a tug of war battle is the perfect description. Control is what both do not lack, and not wanting to back down, both of them having forces that cannot be wrecked have indulged in a relationship filled with angst and sexual tension that makes you crave more and more of their attraction towards each other. They are a couple that have such a unique way to nourish the actions of foreplay and a dark kink to the mixture of consuming pleasure—a way to enhance the power of satisfaction and tenderness at the same time. They both make each other crave things that no one else has—especially Kai when he covets her attention, her body, and her soul;
➳And Banks feels that strong connection that would be a misery to deny and not lust over;
➳Though the story revolves itself around the mystery of finding out exactly who Banks is, the need to find Damon is also there. Banks looking for him in one corner, Kai, Will, Michael, and Rika looking for him on the other corner, and Damon’s father— Gabriel— trying to get his son back without requiring a reputation bust to him and the family name. Throughout the story, we learn more things about the four horsemen that were not delineated in Corrupt , and now in Hideaway, we get that overview with the relationship between all four— Michael, Kai, Will, and Damon— and how even though they portray those vibes and sceneries of power and strength, relationships begin to break and also begin to be tested. Michael and Erika have made their choices, and now Kai and Banks have made theirs. Where do Will and Damon come through? I guess we have to wait until their story hits shelves next year and in 2019 for Will’s— which by the way I am honestly super excited about since Will is my ultimate favorite;)
➳Overall, this was a story that defiantly satisfied by hunger for a good Penelope Douglas novel. I have all her books sitting on my shelf and I cannot wait to get this beauty up there as well once the PB’s are out to the public. Thank you to Pen for letting me read this novel that has turned my world upside down in a way that will have me in a total book hangover for a good while I am sure. ** This story is recommend for those who are interested in reading an angsty romance novel, filled with suspense and dark scenes that acquire you to take a break and step outside ‘cause your room and where you are reading from will fog with steam once being read. I highly recommend getting yourself a fan since Kai Moris will forever change your appetite for “a good time.” **
➳Devil's Night Series:
Corrupt (Devil's Night #1) ♕ Hideaway (Devil's Night #2) ♕ Kill Switch (Devil's Night #3) ♕ Nightfall (Devil's Night #4)
➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review…
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➳The four horsemen are back, and one of them in particular will do just about anything to protect the ones he cares for, but also, to claim the one person who has captivated his dark and sinful soul for good…
➳After reading that captivating ending from Corrupt , the question we asked ourselves was: “What’s next?” Well, Penelope is here to give you the final answer! Kai is back and ready to hunt down the one person who has soulfully grasped his attention, but also his underlying cause of keeping his guard up. Kai Moris is the one individual out of all the four horsemen that caught my wholesome attention due to his heritage and background. He may not be the most mysterious sort of say— because after reading this book, Will is definitely on my radar of wanting his story ASAP— but he sure has that sadistic vibe that you not only become so enthralled to, but also want to run away from due to its creepiness. After a year of being outside of Thunder Bay and building lives that take away from their reputation of being in prison, Kai, Michael, Will, and Rika are encountered with the unrealistic truth that Damon has been MIA for so long, but has been keeping a strong eye on them all. Kai did not only grow up to become a business man by owning his own dojo gym, but he also has grown to become accustomed to a routine that influences his mind to constantly go to the darkest part of it and rehash on the idea of being dark, sinful, dangerous, but most of all, lonely. That’s when Banks appears in the picture. The girl with the snarky mouth and attitude...
➳Banks, as we learn throughout the story, had a bigger appearance and influence on Kai than what we all ever thought. Going back with flashbacks from six years ago on that one Devil’s Night run— the very same one we read in Corrupt— Banks is introduced as someone who doesn’t share much with others, is “homeschooled,” hides her figure behind baggy boy clothes, and is kept hiding from the outside world with Damon’s manipulative ways.
➳After revealing herself as the mysterious figure in the confession chapel, Kai learns that during that six year gap, Banks becomes a woman with full “authority” and power to her stride. She is not only confident in a way that makes everyone turn faces around the room when she saunters, but she also has that dark mystery hidden behind her petite figure. Kai recognizes her in a way that has him shook after their encounter. “Sparks were flying” is definitely not the appropriate term to identify or clarify the relationship between Banks and Kai, more like an imagery of a tug of war battle is the perfect description. Control is what both do not lack, and not wanting to back down, both of them having forces that cannot be wrecked have indulged in a relationship filled with angst and sexual tension that makes you crave more and more of their attraction towards each other. They are a couple that have such a unique way to nourish the actions of foreplay and a dark kink to the mixture of consuming pleasure—a way to enhance the power of satisfaction and tenderness at the same time. They both make each other crave things that no one else has—especially Kai when he covets her attention, her body, and her soul;
“This is what I wanted. What I always wanted, since the first time I’d seen her. Someone who knew me and wanted to dive with me…”
➳And Banks feels that strong connection that would be a misery to deny and not lust over;
“I loved how he looked up at me and just stared. I loved how his right eye pierced a little more than the left. And I loved how just the sight of him made my stomach flip…”
➳Though the story revolves itself around the mystery of finding out exactly who Banks is, the need to find Damon is also there. Banks looking for him in one corner, Kai, Will, Michael, and Rika looking for him on the other corner, and Damon’s father— Gabriel— trying to get his son back without requiring a reputation bust to him and the family name. Throughout the story, we learn more things about the four horsemen that were not delineated in Corrupt , and now in Hideaway, we get that overview with the relationship between all four— Michael, Kai, Will, and Damon— and how even though they portray those vibes and sceneries of power and strength, relationships begin to break and also begin to be tested. Michael and Erika have made their choices, and now Kai and Banks have made theirs. Where do Will and Damon come through? I guess we have to wait until their story hits shelves next year and in 2019 for Will’s— which by the way I am honestly super excited about since Will is my ultimate favorite;)
➳Overall, this was a story that defiantly satisfied by hunger for a good Penelope Douglas novel. I have all her books sitting on my shelf and I cannot wait to get this beauty up there as well once the PB’s are out to the public. Thank you to Pen for letting me read this novel that has turned my world upside down in a way that will have me in a total book hangover for a good while I am sure. ** This story is recommend for those who are interested in reading an angsty romance novel, filled with suspense and dark scenes that acquire you to take a break and step outside ‘cause your room and where you are reading from will fog with steam once being read. I highly recommend getting yourself a fan since Kai Moris will forever change your appetite for “a good time.” **
➳Devil's Night Series:
Corrupt (Devil's Night #1) ♕ Hideaway (Devil's Night #2) ♕ Kill Switch (Devil's Night #3) ♕ Nightfall (Devil's Night #4)
➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review…
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August 1, 2020
Corrupt - 2.5 stars
Hideaway - 2.5 stars
Kill Swith - currently reading
Nightfall - tbr
2,5 very conflicted ⭐️s
This rant is one big spoiler
First of all, I would've never finished this if it wasn't for the lovely Arena. So thank you, girl, for making this journey fun and marveling at the stupidity of some of these characters with me. 💖I hope you fall in love with Damon even more in Kill Switch. 🙈
Speaking of Damon, I don’t know any Russian men in my life, but these Russian heroes are just superior (if you haven’t met Christian Allister and Maksimilian Sevastyan, idk what you’ve been doing with your life but it ain’t it).
Damon Torrence is an intriguing Russian character, but not only is he Russian (enough to get me on board, tbh), he’s also a villain, a tortured, broken, went-through-hell-and-made-people-go-through-hell anti-hero.
Mix all of that together
And you’ve got yourself
In my mind, he’s Emmet Cullen from Twilight
He really is him
Just
oh no, Damon, nothing really. Just OUR HEARTS!!!!
*room becomes strangely silent*
*looks around, notices everybody staring like what is she going on about*
*visible confusion*
*checks teeth for lettuce*
*remembers book* *eyes fall over blurb*
Uhhh, wait a sec!!! This book is about Kai and Banks???
Because it sure didn’t feel like it.
To be completely honest, I’m still not 100% sure how I feel about this book.
I liked some parts, disliked others, hated some and rolled my eyes at most.
And y’all are trapped with me, so let’s do this.
*evil laugh for the fact you just realized this review hasn’t even started yet*
So this is Banks and Kai’s story *cough* not *cough*.
Devil’s Night, six years ago, Kai meets Banks and feels an instant connection to her. Stuff happens (eloquent as always, as you can see), life goes on and in the present, they meet again. Luckily, “their connection” is still there.
Therein lies my first problem: what connection exactly are you talking about, especially in the present?? I don’t like instant-anything (ffs he told her she was his the same night) but I tried to get over it in the flashbacks.
I even decided that when I asked “when did you connect?”, Banks answered me.
The confessional. The trunk. The Bell Tower. The grave. Small spaces with him. Always small, dark spaces
but what about the present??
“But not around you. Around you, I get hungry. Like I’m starving.”
Okay but, like, when did this happen?
Me, the entire book, looking for clues to understand how and when they connected in the present
The Characters (warning : rant about things I didn’t like about them)
➩ Kai Mori
Why do male heroes in this series stand out in other books but almost never in their own? Kai didn’t hold my interest at all as a person, and his character building was flaky, IMO (but he did have his moments). So he’s this really deep thinker, strategist, silent, whatever guy and he’s such a sad puppy because he disappointed his dad. But then he’s this dark person who supposedly does dark things, that is cunning, ruthless and dangerous. You guys, he likes to watch!!!!
Because he’s so scary, here’s the rule to avoid his dark side : make sure to never close your blinds.
The only one, really.
He compares Banks to the ✨flawless Rika ✨
I’d been captivated by our Little Monster, because she reminded me of Banks.
Spoiler alert : he does. Repeatedly!!
He’s incredibly possessive.
“You’re out of your mind?” Kai pushed in, inching into Michael’s space. “I don’t share.”
2 pages later
“Take off her boxers, Rika,” Kai suddenly said in a husky voice.
Does Rika, like, not count as a person because she’s a woman?? What is this fuckery?
Honestly
I’m impressed I even have something to say about him, tho, because he was so meh that Michael outshined him in a scene.
“I love you guys,” Michael said, “but are you fucking dense? You’re my friends. She is everything. Maybe someday you’ll know what the fuck I’m talking about.”
When Michael Drywall Crist stands out more than you, you know it’s time to go home.
✨ Pro Tip ✨
Don’t call a woman “kid” when your head is between her thighs, please and thank you.
➩ Nikova Banks
Banks is a character (I loved than hated)x10 than I don’t know anymore.
Here she is in a picture
Is it the shy, mousy Banks that was indoctrinated by her brother all her life, wearing baggy clothes and binding her chest to hide, only to suddenly get naked in front of Michael and Rika??
Or it the ballbuster, sassy, strong Banks that is sooo much better than the horsemen and Rika, but one taste of their peculiar sexual activities and she’s one of them??
She bitch slaps Rika (which brings joy to my heart because I dislike Rika 🙈) but uh why exactly?? Because she had a threesome with Michael and Kai? I’ll never be okay with that threesome but I’m sorry, when she does it “she’s a bitch and Michael has no pride”, but when you end up kissing her, its okay because “you’re freeing yourself and blah fucking blah” ??
You’re jealous, okay, we get it but aren’t you supposed to be this good person?? What “good person” thinks this knowing what Damon put Rika through? I hate her right now for making me defend Rika, btw.
but God, I hoped he was going to do everything he could to make trouble for her now.
And because she’s delusional
Is she okay? Your little princess threw the first punch, asshole.
Was she supposed to hug you when you said this to her?!
“When Damon ties you up again, show him what a scrapper you are. It’ll amuse him.”
She has her priorities straight, tho. When Damon tells her he’s going to kill Kai in the church, she runs to save Kai but instead of leaving the church, they end up fucking there.
And in case you’re still not convinced she’s two people
“They’re probably checking to make sure I found you. We should stop.”
“No.” I kissed her neck, feeling my orgasm coming as I groped her breast.
“Ah,” she whimpered. “Go harder. Please.”
Her issues were so built up but not really mentioned after the ✨magical sex scene ✨
How does she just move on from
“I wasn’t supposed to change,” I said quietly. “I wasn’t supposed to grow up.”
When Kai asks why she’s waxed to nothing?? Am I the only one who found this creepy af?!
In the end, tho, I knew she needed to go home too when Michael gave her some facts. God, she even has me praising Michael, what is going on right now??
Look in the fucking mirror the next time you want to cast aspersions on her character. All you’ll see is your own self-hate and jealousy.
✨ Pro Tip ✨
Please see a therapist, please and thank you.
The Romance
I’m tired of trashing these people so i’mma just focus on the things I liked here.
“Do you feel that?” he whispered.
“What?”
His long arms blanketed mine, my hands resting inside his. “You fit me like a shirt. It’s a perfect mold.”
I smiled to myself, feeling a blush of heat my face. “For now,” I said. “I’m done growing, but you’re probably not.”
Men typically kept growing a little longer than women.
His breath hit my ear. “Then we’re on borrowed time, aren’t we?”
“This means nothing,” I mumbled, still snuggling into his body.
His chest shook under my head. “Absolutely nothing. I promise.”
Can I tell you something else?
You’ll never leave this house.
“Sometimes when everything and everyone around me is hard to face, I look up.”
The steak scene, the shower scene, the dogs and cook scene (especially Kai’s reaction to the new arrivals), those really soothed some of my frustration. I loved them.
I wanted to grow up.
This and her scene with her mom broke my heart.
Stuff (it’s 3 am and it shows)
➩ My favorite character in this book is Will. I wish he’d gotten more dialogue.
“What the hell would he want with her when we have top-shelf chicks in our cars right now? Didn’t you see how she was dressed? No make-up, guys’ clothes... She’s a feminist.”
➩ The existence of Alex
➩ I don't even have the energy to hate on Rika and Michael, just
and
➩ I tried counting how many times Damon is mentioned, I stopped a little north of 123456789.
➩ All that build up around Damon showing up and that grand finale was lame af.
✨ Pro Tip ✨
If you want to convince me a book is not merely a set up for another character’s book, don’t make the epilogue about him, please and thank you. 😇
Water cascaded down his face, making his black hair hang over his eyes, and I knew I couldn’t ever not love him. Bleeding, broken, lost, and alone, he was back up, wasn’t he? He would always be able to take whatever anyone did to him. Twist it. Turn it. Swallow it.
Final Thoughts
A quote from the book perfectly expressed my feelings for it.
”He doesn’t hate you,” I assured him, smiling to myself. “He’s waiting for the better you. That’s all.”
October 16, 2024
2.75 stars
•all the characters were waaay too generous with sharing their corporeal fluids with each other for my too-narrowed & too-monogamous perception of relationships.
•romance? where ? WHO? inexistant relationship development. it was an internal loop of ‘hate.. omg no, LOVE me’ blahblah.
•why is everyone always horny like a dog with Penelope ? & don’t get me started with the pedophilia, inceste, r@pe, child neglect, SA.. and it goes on and on. i hope these subjects are going to be treated properly in the next instalment and not brushed with a supposedly ‘good smut scene’.
•the ending was underwhelming considering the build up and anticipation of Damon’s reappearance and représailles DURING ALL THE FREAKING BOOK. basically nothing happened.
——————
okay guys.. it’s happening 😋
•all the characters were waaay too generous with sharing their corporeal fluids with each other for my too-narrowed & too-monogamous perception of relationships.
•romance? where ? WHO? inexistant relationship development. it was an internal loop of ‘hate.. omg no, LOVE me’ blahblah.
•why is everyone always horny like a dog with Penelope ? & don’t get me started with the pedophilia, inceste, r@pe, child neglect, SA.. and it goes on and on. i hope these subjects are going to be treated properly in the next instalment and not brushed with a supposedly ‘good smut scene’.
•the ending was underwhelming considering the build up and anticipation of Damon’s reappearance and représailles DURING ALL THE FREAKING BOOK. basically nothing happened.
——————
okay guys.. it’s happening 😋
March 29, 2022
if i had to choose between going to a 24 hour lecture by my most boring professor and spending five minutes with Kai Mori, i wouldn't hesitate picking the first option
January 3, 2019
Wow! It gave so much chills! This is amazing book. I’m angry at myself to wait too long to read it but on the other hand I’m happy because I’ll only wait a month to read Damon’s story who is the most intriguing character of the gang.
By the way, this book has one of the greatest badass heroine! I loved BANKS so much she’s tough, smart, always one step ahead from the gang. She is adorable and deserved to be fourth horseman.
Can’t wait the other two books. I love these series!
By the way, this book has one of the greatest badass heroine! I loved BANKS so much she’s tough, smart, always one step ahead from the gang. She is adorable and deserved to be fourth horseman.
Can’t wait the other two books. I love these series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2020
who is going to tell nikova banks you can wear men's clothing without slut shaming and berating other women for breathing
October 5, 2017
3 STARS
Hideaway just may have been one of my most anticipated releases EVER. I adore all things Penelope Douglas and haven't read a book of hers I didn't love. After the high octane and spine tingling ride that was Corrupt, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Kai's book.
Sadly, I think my expectations got the best of me with this one. I wanted to love it, but I ultimately struggled to stay engaged. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike it, but it just didn't blow me away like the first book did.
Banks and Kai have a six year history. Having met her before he even met Rika, Banks never left his thoughts. Since the moment he first saw her, unassuming, in boy clothes, and totally cloaking her sexuality, there was something that drew him to her. Even when she disappeared from his life, he never stopped thinking about her. Now, years later, it doesn't matter the obstacles that lay between them, he'll have her no matter what.
Banks was a firecracker. This chick is hard as nails but with a hidden layer of softness that she hides behind the tough girl exterior. She has to, living in a den of wolves and hiding who she really is. Kai threatens everything that she holds dear in this world, but their connection is undeniable, even if it's just as dangerous.
I struggled a lot to get into the story at first. It took me almost half the book to really feel connected to the story or Kai and Banks. While the second half was certainly quicker paced, the romance never managed to hook me. Kai felt very two dimensional and I really struggled to connect to the romance between him and Banks. So much so, that I was never really sold on it. Hideaway felt more like a setup for another character that I'm absolutely salivating for. It felt like a prequel to him book and it was what kept me turning the pages ultimately, hungry for more details. Sadly, it just never grabbed me or gave me that goosebumps feeling that Corrupt did. There's a lot of puzzle pieces that click into place here and if you're a Damon fan like I am, you're definitely not going to want to miss it. The romance may not have been the thing that hooked me here, but I did eagerly keep turning the pages for another morsel of detail on Damon and let me tell you, It. Was. DELICIOUS.
Hideaway may not have been my favorite by this incredible author, but it was still a highly entertaining read. If the intent was to leave me nearly delirious with need for Damon's story, then mission most definitely accomplished.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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But I don’t…I didn’t want to play!”
“Oh, you’ve been playing with me all night,” he said, a growl lacing his voice. “Run. Because I turn into a very different person when no one’s looking.”
Hideaway just may have been one of my most anticipated releases EVER. I adore all things Penelope Douglas and haven't read a book of hers I didn't love. After the high octane and spine tingling ride that was Corrupt, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Kai's book.
Sadly, I think my expectations got the best of me with this one. I wanted to love it, but I ultimately struggled to stay engaged. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike it, but it just didn't blow me away like the first book did.
“So, stop taking an interest.”
Banks and Kai have a six year history. Having met her before he even met Rika, Banks never left his thoughts. Since the moment he first saw her, unassuming, in boy clothes, and totally cloaking her sexuality, there was something that drew him to her. Even when she disappeared from his life, he never stopped thinking about her. Now, years later, it doesn't matter the obstacles that lay between them, he'll have her no matter what.
Banks was a firecracker. This chick is hard as nails but with a hidden layer of softness that she hides behind the tough girl exterior. She has to, living in a den of wolves and hiding who she really is. Kai threatens everything that she holds dear in this world, but their connection is undeniable, even if it's just as dangerous.
I struggled a lot to get into the story at first. It took me almost half the book to really feel connected to the story or Kai and Banks. While the second half was certainly quicker paced, the romance never managed to hook me. Kai felt very two dimensional and I really struggled to connect to the romance between him and Banks. So much so, that I was never really sold on it. Hideaway felt more like a setup for another character that I'm absolutely salivating for. It felt like a prequel to him book and it was what kept me turning the pages ultimately, hungry for more details. Sadly, it just never grabbed me or gave me that goosebumps feeling that Corrupt did. There's a lot of puzzle pieces that click into place here and if you're a Damon fan like I am, you're definitely not going to want to miss it. The romance may not have been the thing that hooked me here, but I did eagerly keep turning the pages for another morsel of detail on Damon and let me tell you, It. Was. DELICIOUS.
Hideaway may not have been my favorite by this incredible author, but it was still a highly entertaining read. If the intent was to leave me nearly delirious with need for Damon's story, then mission most definitely accomplished.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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Shelved as 'arc-to-read'
September 30, 2017
November 7, 2017
My brain is scrambled from staying up late to finish this one. All I can say is that Pen Douglas never disappoints. She writes the most complicated characters I've ever come across in romance, and whenever I'm in a book slump, she's the one to pull me out of it. The voice of her characters are always so compelling and intriguing. She writes flawed characters, my favourite kind, and she creates the most balanced gray area so I'm rooting for them. I've yet to come across another writer in dark romance who gets that balance so perfect. The psychology, the pace of the writing, the heat of the romance and the suspense are all fantastic. Moreover, her heroines have their vulnerabilities but they're so brilliantly strong and fierce and Nik Banks is no exception. For me, Pen Douglas is without a doubt one of the most talented writers out there. This series is a MUST READ.
April 13, 2021
4.5 stars
I want to give it five stars but I want to give the other books a chance to top it. If they don’t, I’ll be back to give Kai and Banks all my stars.
Oh my, I thought I loved Kai in Corrupt but with Banks in his lap and all his pretty words. I love him!!!
Of course Banks should be broken so I have to love her. But the thing is, she’s not broken because she’s a fucking fighter and that just makes me love her more.
Jesus! Damon’s mother is disturbing to say the least.
It’s weird loving both characters so much that it hurts twice as much when they hurt each other. Gah! It’s so unfair! 😩
They’re just so stinking cute! After she brought her men, then the dogs and the cook, his reaction was everything!
And that’s nothing compared to the way he loves her. Oh lord, if you find that kind of love, you hang on to it and never let it go! And to top it all off they totally deserve each other!
I don’t know how anyone can top Kai. I already know I have a soft spot for Damon and all his fucked up broken pieces but I don’t think he’ll top Kai but I’m more than willing to find out.
I want to give it five stars but I want to give the other books a chance to top it. If they don’t, I’ll be back to give Kai and Banks all my stars.
Oh my, I thought I loved Kai in Corrupt but with Banks in his lap and all his pretty words. I love him!!!
Of course Banks should be broken so I have to love her. But the thing is, she’s not broken because she’s a fucking fighter and that just makes me love her more.
Jesus! Damon’s mother is disturbing to say the least.
It’s weird loving both characters so much that it hurts twice as much when they hurt each other. Gah! It’s so unfair! 😩
They’re just so stinking cute! After she brought her men, then the dogs and the cook, his reaction was everything!
And that’s nothing compared to the way he loves her. Oh lord, if you find that kind of love, you hang on to it and never let it go! And to top it all off they totally deserve each other!
I don’t know how anyone can top Kai. I already know I have a soft spot for Damon and all his fucked up broken pieces but I don’t think he’ll top Kai but I’m more than willing to find out.
July 28, 2020
DAMN...this is fuckin awkward 😕
As much as i looked forward to KAI's story I really can't say what my assesments are right now...cause i m totally browsing in my dark confused hallways of my brain...
I've slept it over and I'm still not quite sure of what I feel about this story...
so, in case that was exactly the point of this book, to leave a taste of confusion and undecisiveness then it hit the mark, otherwise...
tsk, tsk, tsk...
First of all, this is my impression alone, so don't take that as granted, cause it might be purely the aftermath of my present state of mind
Anyhow, for me this was a case of "I want it all and I want it now" plot, which never or rarely ends up in coherence and round up bundle...
So, inspite of the fact I liked KAI (duh?!), well most of the time, I didn't like the rest of the gang...
I didn't like Banks (yikes!) and she was supposed to be the carrier of the essence in development...well, fuck it, she was a mess - interchanging personalities and yet totally undeveloped as a character...and the romance part was not quite believable for me...cause the fact that they (Banks and Kai) had vivid sexual interactions years ago...what the hell happened in between, he didn't even look for her, and she "watched" him...then, when the time came, she (re)appeared in his life and suddenly the "pull" is here...
tsk, tsk, tsk...
I also had issues with the segments of the twist in the story, they were supposed to build up the lingering tension and the thrill of the suspense but here, those segments were kind of confusing and made no sense as in reasoning for the characters to act/re-act on those ployish reactions and tests...
and the story unravels, slowly...the pacing was just slowish, for me or it was the fact that there's a large number of pages for the book that thrives on suspense and thrill, this was a bit off as i really couldn't "wait" for the "culmination" to come...
then the ending...the one, the exiled "son" they have all been dreading and were waiting on to show up while they are seemingly searching for him at the same time, was rushed, in my opinion and NO actual resolvement was presented...
He showed, scared them a bit, there was a little bit of a rouse and then...bip, bip, bip...
Silence of the lambs...the thrill is gone, it's gone, baby...
and the epilogue was the indication that more of the crazed would, in fact, have a chance to actually redeem itself, in the next installment, Killer switch
*sigh*
There's no doubt that Penelope Douglas can write maestrally, she's a queen of psychological suspense and the dark, creepingly intense atmosphere, and here, that just wasn't enough to make all the other mixed segments and combinations afloat in the wholesome thriller/romance drama.
As much as i looked forward to KAI's story I really can't say what my assesments are right now...cause i m totally browsing in my dark confused hallways of my brain...
I've slept it over and I'm still not quite sure of what I feel about this story...
so, in case that was exactly the point of this book, to leave a taste of confusion and undecisiveness then it hit the mark, otherwise...
tsk, tsk, tsk...
First of all, this is my impression alone, so don't take that as granted, cause it might be purely the aftermath of my present state of mind
Anyhow, for me this was a case of "I want it all and I want it now" plot, which never or rarely ends up in coherence and round up bundle...
So, inspite of the fact I liked KAI (duh?!), well most of the time, I didn't like the rest of the gang...
I didn't like Banks (yikes!) and she was supposed to be the carrier of the essence in development...well, fuck it, she was a mess - interchanging personalities and yet totally undeveloped as a character...and the romance part was not quite believable for me...cause the fact that they (Banks and Kai) had vivid sexual interactions years ago...what the hell happened in between, he didn't even look for her, and she "watched" him...then, when the time came, she (re)appeared in his life and suddenly the "pull" is here...
tsk, tsk, tsk...
I also had issues with the segments of the twist in the story, they were supposed to build up the lingering tension and the thrill of the suspense but here, those segments were kind of confusing and made no sense as in reasoning for the characters to act/re-act on those ployish reactions and tests...
and the story unravels, slowly...the pacing was just slowish, for me or it was the fact that there's a large number of pages for the book that thrives on suspense and thrill, this was a bit off as i really couldn't "wait" for the "culmination" to come...
then the ending...the one, the exiled "son" they have all been dreading and were waiting on to show up while they are seemingly searching for him at the same time, was rushed, in my opinion and NO actual resolvement was presented...
He showed, scared them a bit, there was a little bit of a rouse and then...bip, bip, bip...
Silence of the lambs...the thrill is gone, it's gone, baby...
and the epilogue was the indication that more of the crazed would, in fact, have a chance to actually redeem itself, in the next installment, Killer switch
*sigh*
There's no doubt that Penelope Douglas can write maestrally, she's a queen of psychological suspense and the dark, creepingly intense atmosphere, and here, that just wasn't enough to make all the other mixed segments and combinations afloat in the wholesome thriller/romance drama.
April 22, 2024
1.5⭐
Hideaway = boredom.
I can't believe I'm finally done with this book.
It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Finishing this 😩
This was so boring, I fell asleep three times while I was reading it.
Also the plot is very messy like I don't even understand what this building that they are talking about.
At first, I liked the way this book started I loved how 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗞𝗮𝗶 met it looked promising to me.
And then, things went down too fast.
𝗞𝗮𝗶 is tolerable, he is actually the nicest in the horsemen gang, but I expect more from him than what we got.
𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 is wayyg better than 𝗥𝗶𝗸𝗮 🤢, she is stronger, thogher and doesn't back down easily. And I love her for slapping 𝗥𝗶𝗸𝗮 like without that scene this book would've got 0 stars if that was possible.
Now that's what my opinion on each one of them individually.
Now about that relationship they have 😄, connection? Chemistry? Love? No also no also no.
I think the author had the idea but didn't know how to make it happen.
No because for real, the relationship was awful, didn't feel anything while reading it.
And I have a genuine question, why does this horsemen try to scare their love interest and jump on them from the corners when they come to meet them 👀🤨.
𝗞𝗮𝗶 man you can:
𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼.
I can teach you how to spell it,
H E L L O.
You don't have to jump on top of a person to great them. Problem solved? Thank you.
I honestly, imo this book is centred around 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 yes that awful mf.
After he disappeared in the end of the first book, everyone now is looking for him.
𝗞𝗮𝗶 is looking for him to shut him up about something that 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 is holding against him.
But guess who else is looking for 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 and who is supposed to have no connection to him.
𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀.
And who is 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 to him? His sister. Yes he has a sister. And don't worry it's not a spoiler, it's actually mentioned on the beginning of the book.
So now they have to work together to find him, expect each for their own reason, 𝗞𝗮𝗶 wants to shut him up, 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 wants to protect him.
Ngl this sounded interesting to me in the beginning, I was looking for angst, betrayel maybe a bit of enemies to lovers. But there was none.
And other thing that annoyed me so much is the mention of thr3esome scene again. Like I already washed my brain with soap to forget it and now I have to do it again 😭.
Also the mention of Micheal and rika everytime made me gag,
Why does miss girl act like that 🤨🤔?
Don't worry I don't know the answer either. It will remain a mystery.
Now let's move on to the thing that killed me painfully.
𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 & 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 relationship.
They are sibling right? Yeah.
I was like, oh im actually interesting to read about this guy caring about someone finally.
But no, what the hell 😭 I wish I didn't.
They sleep on the same bed, since they were kids. But boo you are not kids anymore and he is your brother and she is your sister, stop you live in a mension, there is enough rooms for everyone.
He actually brought her from her mother when she was twelve, her mom is a drug addict and doesn't afford the bare minimum for her daughter so that's cool he saved her. But no he treats her like he owns her.
Whenever he founds her with a guy, he gets mad and be like you are mine and you only love me.
This girl doesn't even own clothes, she only wears Damon's old clothes, she doesn't even have a bra. She wears ACE bandages or whatever they are. He controls everything about her life.
That's not OK.
This book also mentions the back story of 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 which was so sad, I get why he hates women now.
It was painful reading about it and it made me feel for him even though I hate him.
(not an excuse for the awful things he is doing though).
Again I say this book was supposed to be about 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗞𝗮𝗶 but no it was more like about 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 to me, and he wasn't even there.
I still want to find out why people love him so much like he is so horrible but I'm going to give him a chance and read his book.
Also someone get this 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅 girl out of the series, i don't want to read about her again.
She perv on girls more than any man and it's annoying like girl get a life, it's more than pussy and sex.
And at the mention of sex, I hate every smut scene in this book. Nothing special, and I'm not even going to talk about when they were watching each other 😭😑
Sorry about that long review I had to get it out of my chest.
𝗣𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱:So glad I won't be reading about micheal anymore. Let's see how this guy kai turns out.
Hideaway = boredom.
I can't believe I'm finally done with this book.
It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Finishing this 😩
This was so boring, I fell asleep three times while I was reading it.
Also the plot is very messy like I don't even understand what this building that they are talking about.
At first, I liked the way this book started I loved how 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗞𝗮𝗶 met it looked promising to me.
And then, things went down too fast.
𝗞𝗮𝗶 is tolerable, he is actually the nicest in the horsemen gang, but I expect more from him than what we got.
𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 is wayyg better than 𝗥𝗶𝗸𝗮 🤢, she is stronger, thogher and doesn't back down easily. And I love her for slapping 𝗥𝗶𝗸𝗮 like without that scene this book would've got 0 stars if that was possible.
Now that's what my opinion on each one of them individually.
Now about that relationship they have 😄, connection? Chemistry? Love? No also no also no.
I think the author had the idea but didn't know how to make it happen.
No because for real, the relationship was awful, didn't feel anything while reading it.
And I have a genuine question, why does this horsemen try to scare their love interest and jump on them from the corners when they come to meet them 👀🤨.
𝗞𝗮𝗶 man you can:
𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼.
I can teach you how to spell it,
H E L L O.
You don't have to jump on top of a person to great them. Problem solved? Thank you.
I honestly, imo this book is centred around 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 yes that awful mf.
After he disappeared in the end of the first book, everyone now is looking for him.
𝗞𝗮𝗶 is looking for him to shut him up about something that 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 is holding against him.
But guess who else is looking for 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 and who is supposed to have no connection to him.
𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀.
And who is 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 to him? His sister. Yes he has a sister. And don't worry it's not a spoiler, it's actually mentioned on the beginning of the book.
So now they have to work together to find him, expect each for their own reason, 𝗞𝗮𝗶 wants to shut him up, 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 wants to protect him.
Ngl this sounded interesting to me in the beginning, I was looking for angst, betrayel maybe a bit of enemies to lovers. But there was none.
And other thing that annoyed me so much is the mention of thr3esome scene again. Like I already washed my brain with soap to forget it and now I have to do it again 😭.
Also the mention of Micheal and rika everytime made me gag,
Why does miss girl act like that 🤨🤔?
Don't worry I don't know the answer either. It will remain a mystery.
Now let's move on to the thing that killed me painfully.
𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 & 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 relationship.
They are sibling right? Yeah.
I was like, oh im actually interesting to read about this guy caring about someone finally.
But no, what the hell 😭 I wish I didn't.
They sleep on the same bed, since they were kids. But boo you are not kids anymore and he is your brother and she is your sister, stop you live in a mension, there is enough rooms for everyone.
He actually brought her from her mother when she was twelve, her mom is a drug addict and doesn't afford the bare minimum for her daughter so that's cool he saved her. But no he treats her like he owns her.
Whenever he founds her with a guy, he gets mad and be like you are mine and you only love me.
This girl doesn't even own clothes, she only wears Damon's old clothes, she doesn't even have a bra. She wears ACE bandages or whatever they are. He controls everything about her life.
That's not OK.
This book also mentions the back story of 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 which was so sad, I get why he hates women now.
It was painful reading about it and it made me feel for him even though I hate him.
(not an excuse for the awful things he is doing though).
Again I say this book was supposed to be about 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗞𝗮𝗶 but no it was more like about 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 to me, and he wasn't even there.
I still want to find out why people love him so much like he is so horrible but I'm going to give him a chance and read his book.
Also someone get this 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅 girl out of the series, i don't want to read about her again.
She perv on girls more than any man and it's annoying like girl get a life, it's more than pussy and sex.
And at the mention of sex, I hate every smut scene in this book. Nothing special, and I'm not even going to talk about when they were watching each other 😭😑
Sorry about that long review I had to get it out of my chest.
𝗣𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱:So glad I won't be reading about micheal anymore. Let's see how this guy kai turns out.
April 12, 2024
I ate this shit up🤭
—
Pre-read: Continuing my reread of this series🤭
ahhhh i missed kai😩
—
Pre-read: Continuing my reread of this series🤭
ahhhh i missed kai😩
June 9, 2021
dnf @ 45%
these books are fcking testing me 🙃 and i am not passing 🙃 also i'm feeling all types of scammed rn at GR saying Kill Switch is 522 pages and then when i download it to my kindle it's 670???!!?!*!'
this series got me fucked up in abt 18 different ways but none of them are the ways i like bro. should i even read on?? ok here's what i'm thinking: i only started this series for kill switch but at this point it might be safer to leave it untarnished in my brain, rather than risk disliking it? cause so far i hate it here and rly don't care abt any of em
these books are fcking testing me 🙃 and i am not passing 🙃 also i'm feeling all types of scammed rn at GR saying Kill Switch is 522 pages and then when i download it to my kindle it's 670???!!?!*!'
this series got me fucked up in abt 18 different ways but none of them are the ways i like bro. should i even read on?? ok here's what i'm thinking: i only started this series for kill switch but at this point it might be safer to leave it untarnished in my brain, rather than risk disliking it? cause so far i hate it here and rly don't care abt any of em
October 2, 2020
My emotions after rereading this book:
Favorite Quotes:
"Aside from what got him arrested-assaulting a child-abuser who just happened to also be a cop-he had always been a model kid. He knew how to party but never went over the limit like Will. He enjoyed women, but they never seemed to hate him for it like they did Damon. And he could be tough and hard and scary, but it never came off as mean like it did with Michael. Kai was the best of their whole little crew."
"People will think what they want to think, not because they believe they are right, but because it's in their nature to maintain that they are. By defending yourself, you feed the appetite for drama. By not, you've ended the conversation. You. Not them."
"I agreed with her. It was still no excuse. Plenty of people had it rough and behaved just fine. In theory. But when you're in the thick of abuse and still live with the torment in your head every day, it's a little different. No one handles it. They just fake it better. How else do you cope with the terrible sh*t you've been through?"
"People dictate rules based on how they want to be treated, but I'll tell you something. When someone else misbehaves, it's black and white, isn't it? We judge, and we condemn, but when we do it, it's a gray area all of a sudden. Other people are subject to your convictions, but not you, right?"
"Everyone thought he was inhuman. Incapable of feeling. Resistant to emotion. Sick. Unwell. A machine. No. He felt everything. He never shunned an emotion. Not one. He knew that letting it run its course was the only way to get rid of it. Shame. Fear. Anger. Love. Worry. Sadness. Betrayal. Guilt. He owned every single one."
Favorite Quotes:
"Aside from what got him arrested-assaulting a child-abuser who just happened to also be a cop-he had always been a model kid. He knew how to party but never went over the limit like Will. He enjoyed women, but they never seemed to hate him for it like they did Damon. And he could be tough and hard and scary, but it never came off as mean like it did with Michael. Kai was the best of their whole little crew."
"People will think what they want to think, not because they believe they are right, but because it's in their nature to maintain that they are. By defending yourself, you feed the appetite for drama. By not, you've ended the conversation. You. Not them."
"I agreed with her. It was still no excuse. Plenty of people had it rough and behaved just fine. In theory. But when you're in the thick of abuse and still live with the torment in your head every day, it's a little different. No one handles it. They just fake it better. How else do you cope with the terrible sh*t you've been through?"
"People dictate rules based on how they want to be treated, but I'll tell you something. When someone else misbehaves, it's black and white, isn't it? We judge, and we condemn, but when we do it, it's a gray area all of a sudden. Other people are subject to your convictions, but not you, right?"
"Everyone thought he was inhuman. Incapable of feeling. Resistant to emotion. Sick. Unwell. A machine. No. He felt everything. He never shunned an emotion. Not one. He knew that letting it run its course was the only way to get rid of it. Shame. Fear. Anger. Love. Worry. Sadness. Betrayal. Guilt. He owned every single one."
November 29, 2023
— 3.5 Stars ★
“𝙔𝙤���� 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙞𝙩. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙔𝙤𝙪.”
I guess you could say I'm obsessed with this series and these fucked up characters. I hate them so much but there is some part of me that also likes them and their not so fucked up parts.
Did I enjoyed this book?? I guess I did.
Did I knew what the plot was?? Absolutely NOT.
The plot was there only for the first 30% of this book but after that it felt like so much was happening but also nothing was happening. I was just reading this for enjoyment and feels so that is the only reason I enjoyed this and also the Kai and Banks are less messed up Michael and Rika. Their hate for each other made everything between them more interesting because Banks was not a girl who can be easily manipulated into doing something and Kai was very persistent because he only wanted Banks.
This was also written in two timelines — the present and the past (Devil's night Six years ago). I feel like Penelope tried so hard to connect the plot with the both the timelines that it ended up vanished in the second half of the book. The 6 years ago timeline was set up to show us some budding friendship between Kai and Banks but I was more interested in the present timeline which fleshed out their realtionship in a better way and not just based on the lust and attraction they felt.
In the past, it felt insta-lovey from Kai's side and though I understand that was because Banks was the only one he could really talked to about his dirty little secrets or whatever. But dude just met her first time and told her "I only like talking to you." Also the mystery about The Pope and all was a little predictable for me in both the timelines. I thought it had some gothic mansion vibes after seeing the aesthetics but they lied to me.
I also liked Michael and Rika in this one. Rika being a badass and standing up for herself wasn't what I expected from her. And can we talk about Damon the hot topic of this series!?!? I hated this man for the 80% of this book. The whole possessive brother shit was too much and it was toxic. Damon was gaslighting Banks into believing that all man do is use woman as their sluts and that she is better than this and the reason why Banks tried to hide herself with Damon's clothes. He made me cry in the end and this is not even his book so I guess that means something right?? I think I can love him in his book or maybe hate-love him. I didn't know he went through this much torture in this and all the things he said in the end 😭 it was heartbreaking.
As much as I enjoy reading spicy scenes written by Penelope I hated the useless orgies she's trying so hard to dump in this series. I had no problem with Michael, Rika and Kai having threesome in Corrupt but two couples having sex in the same room 😭 and before that Rika and Banks made out and then they had sex with their partners in the same room. Yeah I'm out BYEE -
➸ Kai Mori
I liked him a lot in this. So far he is the only Mmc in this series I think have some good qualities and not just the fucked up ones. He is sweet, caring and is good at comforting others. I was always drawn toward him since I started this series and mostly because the things he says always hits hard. He seemed like too good to be a part of their group but that's not true. Kai is just like them but atleast he tries to be better. He pays attention to all the mistakes he had done. He is loyal to fault and would anything for his friends and family. Also possessive and introvert Kai is hot ❤️🔥🤌🏻
➸ Nikova Banks
I don't hate but I also don't like her. I'm neutral about her. I was sympathising with her character and how she tried to hide herself because she didn't wanted to grow up to look more women like. But her choices in this book didn't make any sense. All she had to do was ask him to not kill Damon and Kai is too good to kill his best friend and she knew it. She was trying to be a badass and she was in some ways but she ended up being just a pathetic girl who don't know how to make the right choices in her own life. Also her calling Rika slut for having threesome with Kai and Michael and then kissing her when she was in relationship with Kai. Yeah Banks thats who we call hypocrites.
╰┈➤ Their realtionship
Kai and Banks might be the sweet couple of this series. They are less toxic and fucked up than Michael and Rika. I liked their relationship development and the forced proximity which added to their palpable sexual tension and the burning slow burn. They were always trying to unravel each other just to see what they hide behind all those lies, masks and clothes. The whole push and pull was frustrating me to be honest because all they needed to do was just talk and the problem was solved about Damon and everything.
I didn't expected Kai to treat Banks the way he did. He was patient with her and gave her all the time she needed to figure out her shit and her insecurities but she still choose the worst choice. If she wanted to be with Kai and liked him then why the hell she didn't choose him when he was asking her. Kai was too good for her. Also the wedding deal?? I'm sorry it didn't add anything to the plotline. Why was it even there not that I'm complaining because husband Kai was something else but still. All in all they served the sweet, spice and angst and that was what I wanted.
The ending had a little drama but the way Kai and Banks' story ended was satisfying. And I knew Damon wouldn't do anything bad to anyone so the whole "We need to find Damon before he hurt Rika or Will or Kai" was useless. They just overestimated his psychotic tendies. I can't wait to read his book and also Will's book because he somehow managed to show atleast 10% of his personality in this book. Also I wish we see more of badass Banks not the pathetic one and more of Kaibanks in the next books.
I had a good time reading this book with Koisty 💕 and telling each other how fucked up they all are.
—————————————————————————
I guess its time for me to enter my dark romance era again 💅🏼
buddy reading this with my lovely friend koisty 💞
“𝙔𝙤���� 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙞𝙩. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙔𝙤𝙪.”
I guess you could say I'm obsessed with this series and these fucked up characters. I hate them so much but there is some part of me that also likes them and their not so fucked up parts.
Did I enjoyed this book?? I guess I did.
Did I knew what the plot was?? Absolutely NOT.
“We’re only ever good, because there are consequences,” I told her. “Take those away, and everyone shows their true self. Kind of like taking off a mask.”
“Or putting one on,” she replied. “After all, there’s freedom in hiding, isn’t there?”.
The plot was there only for the first 30% of this book but after that it felt like so much was happening but also nothing was happening. I was just reading this for enjoyment and feels so that is the only reason I enjoyed this and also the Kai and Banks are less messed up Michael and Rika. Their hate for each other made everything between them more interesting because Banks was not a girl who can be easily manipulated into doing something and Kai was very persistent because he only wanted Banks.
“You’re such a brat, you know that?” I said. “I might spank you if I didn’t think you’d ask for seconds just to piss me off.”
“I’ll never behave for you.”
This was also written in two timelines — the present and the past (Devil's night Six years ago). I feel like Penelope tried so hard to connect the plot with the both the timelines that it ended up vanished in the second half of the book. The 6 years ago timeline was set up to show us some budding friendship between Kai and Banks but I was more interested in the present timeline which fleshed out their realtionship in a better way and not just based on the lust and attraction they felt.
“My friends were simply mine. That was it. They were separate from what happened at home, in class, or even in my head sometimes. That’s what I liked about them. When we were together, we were a planet.”
In the past, it felt insta-lovey from Kai's side and though I understand that was because Banks was the only one he could really talked to about his dirty little secrets or whatever. But dude just met her first time and told her "I only like talking to you." Also the mystery about The Pope and all was a little predictable for me in both the timelines. I thought it had some gothic mansion vibes after seeing the aesthetics but they lied to me.
“People will think what they want to think, not because they believe they are right, but because it’s in their nature to maintain that they are. By defending yourself, you feed the appetite for drama. By not, you’ve ended the conversation. You. Not them.”
I also liked Michael and Rika in this one. Rika being a badass and standing up for herself wasn't what I expected from her. And can we talk about Damon the hot topic of this series!?!? I hated this man for the 80% of this book. The whole possessive brother shit was too much and it was toxic. Damon was gaslighting Banks into believing that all man do is use woman as their sluts and that she is better than this and the reason why Banks tried to hide herself with Damon's clothes. He made me cry in the end and this is not even his book so I guess that means something right?? I think I can love him in his book or maybe hate-love him. I didn't know he went through this much torture in this and all the things he said in the end 😭 it was heartbreaking.
“When someone else misbehaves, it’s black and white, isn’t it? We judge, and we condemn, but when we do it, it’s a gray area all of a sudden. Other people are subject to your convictions, but not you, right?”
As much as I enjoy reading spicy scenes written by Penelope I hated the useless orgies she's trying so hard to dump in this series. I had no problem with Michael, Rika and Kai having threesome in Corrupt but two couples having sex in the same room 😭 and before that Rika and Banks made out and then they had sex with their partners in the same room. Yeah I'm out BYEE -
➸ Kai Mori
I liked him a lot in this. So far he is the only Mmc in this series I think have some good qualities and not just the fucked up ones. He is sweet, caring and is good at comforting others. I was always drawn toward him since I started this series and mostly because the things he says always hits hard. He seemed like too good to be a part of their group but that's not true. Kai is just like them but atleast he tries to be better. He pays attention to all the mistakes he had done. He is loyal to fault and would anything for his friends and family. Also possessive and introvert Kai is hot ❤️🔥🤌🏻
➸ Nikova Banks
I don't hate but I also don't like her. I'm neutral about her. I was sympathising with her character and how she tried to hide herself because she didn't wanted to grow up to look more women like. But her choices in this book didn't make any sense. All she had to do was ask him to not kill Damon and Kai is too good to kill his best friend and she knew it. She was trying to be a badass and she was in some ways but she ended up being just a pathetic girl who don't know how to make the right choices in her own life. Also her calling Rika slut for having threesome with Kai and Michael and then kissing her when she was in relationship with Kai. Yeah Banks thats who we call hypocrites.
╰┈➤ Their realtionship
Kai and Banks might be the sweet couple of this series. They are less toxic and fucked up than Michael and Rika. I liked their relationship development and the forced proximity which added to their palpable sexual tension and the burning slow burn. They were always trying to unravel each other just to see what they hide behind all those lies, masks and clothes. The whole push and pull was frustrating me to be honest because all they needed to do was just talk and the problem was solved about Damon and everything.
“I want you,” I told her again. “And I don’t care what your name is, and I don’t care who your parents are or how much money you have or don’t have. I just want you, upstairs, and dressed in nothing but my sheets.”
“No matter how you cover yourself, it’s never enough. You’re beautiful.”
I didn't expected Kai to treat Banks the way he did. He was patient with her and gave her all the time she needed to figure out her shit and her insecurities but she still choose the worst choice. If she wanted to be with Kai and liked him then why the hell she didn't choose him when he was asking her. Kai was too good for her. Also the wedding deal?? I'm sorry it didn't add anything to the plotline. Why was it even there not that I'm complaining because husband Kai was something else but still. All in all they served the sweet, spice and angst and that was what I wanted.
“I want your smart-ass mouth.” I kissed her lips. “I want every memory you’re going to make from now on.” I kissed her forehead. “And I want this.” I gripped her, yanking her into me as I bit her neck. “In the car, on this table at breakfast tomorrow, everywhere…”
Kai grabbed me, wrapping his arms around my torso, under my arms, and lifting me up. “I love you,” he whispered against my lips as he backed us away from the others. “And he can send me to prison again for a very long time. I’m not letting that happen now that I’ve found you. Please.”
The ending had a little drama but the way Kai and Banks' story ended was satisfying. And I knew Damon wouldn't do anything bad to anyone so the whole "We need to find Damon before he hurt Rika or Will or Kai" was useless. They just overestimated his psychotic tendies. I can't wait to read his book and also Will's book because he somehow managed to show atleast 10% of his personality in this book. Also I wish we see more of badass Banks not the pathetic one and more of Kaibanks in the next books.
I had a good time reading this book with Koisty 💕 and telling each other how fucked up they all are.
—————————————————————————
I guess its time for me to enter my dark romance era again 💅🏼
buddy reading this with my lovely friend koisty 💞
September 16, 2024
this was kai's book but damon OWNED it.
but still, kai mori, the man that you are 🧎♀️
and, nikova banks, the woman that you are 🧎♀️(her putting every fucker in their place is what i live for)
the writing was infinitely times better than the first one. the way penelope wrote all of Damon's creepy, haunting scenes— chills. Damon is exactly how you write a truly and thoroughly fucked up character.
but still, kai mori, the man that you are 🧎♀️
and, nikova banks, the woman that you are 🧎♀️(her putting every fucker in their place is what i live for)
the writing was infinitely times better than the first one. the way penelope wrote all of Damon's creepy, haunting scenes— chills. Damon is exactly how you write a truly and thoroughly fucked up character.
October 3, 2017
4 STARS
These four horsemen, rich and entitled were something else as teenagers. Their love of hard core pranks and scares on their friends and enemies on devil’s night has given them all secrets that six years later are still haunting them. My how things have backfired…
One of the horsemen is in hiding and he’s enjoying torturing all the others. All the while our heroine is linked to him in a way Kai Mori never imagined.
"I love him so much. More than I’ll ever love anyone”
Wheeling and dealing with Daemon’s father Gabriel has Kai and the crew under the gun to secure their secrets and safety. Meanwhile Banks our heroine and Kai’s connection and attraction only intensifies.
The fall for Banks and Kai was well done as was the storyline as it continues with just as much excitement as the first book. It is recommended to read Corrupt which is book one of this series before entering into this book. Perhaps even look over the first to refresh your memory.
"You’re not scary without your mask, Kai Mori.”
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
These four horsemen, rich and entitled were something else as teenagers. Their love of hard core pranks and scares on their friends and enemies on devil’s night has given them all secrets that six years later are still haunting them. My how things have backfired…
One of the horsemen is in hiding and he’s enjoying torturing all the others. All the while our heroine is linked to him in a way Kai Mori never imagined.
"I love him so much. More than I’ll ever love anyone”
Wheeling and dealing with Daemon’s father Gabriel has Kai and the crew under the gun to secure their secrets and safety. Meanwhile Banks our heroine and Kai’s connection and attraction only intensifies.
The fall for Banks and Kai was well done as was the storyline as it continues with just as much excitement as the first book. It is recommended to read Corrupt which is book one of this series before entering into this book. Perhaps even look over the first to refresh your memory.
"You’re not scary without your mask, Kai Mori.”
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
December 8, 2020
nope. no thank u. banks most annoying mc ever. everything she did was so unprovoked, like... wtf??? she tried to act all badass but came off annoying and whiny.
1 star for my michaelrika and damon breadcrumbs
1 star for my michaelrika and damon breadcrumbs
April 15, 2020
Re-read multiple times !!
Let me start out by saying that these books should not be read as a stand-alone. You need to start at the beginning or you might get confused. I also know that in order to read the third book in this series, which is coming out on February 11th, you need to have read "Corrupt". So in case you haven't, go back now and get on with it ;)
As much as I enjoyed Rika and Michael's story in "Corrupt", I just knew I was gonna love Kai's story even more...and I was right (as always). Kai was absolutely awesome, though I have to say that I have a bit of a girl crush going on Banks. She was quite kickass herself.
Banks and Kai go way back it seems, and they have made quite an impression on one another. Now 6 years later, she isn't the girl she used to be...She is a woman now ..a tough "take no shit" woman and even though, I loved the woman she became, I am sure Kai loved it even more !!
It is very rare for me to find a heroine that I fully appreciate, so I was tickled pink about this one. I never liked Rika as much as I like Banks and there was this one scene with Rika, when I fully felt what Banks must have been feeling toward her. I wanted to jump into the book and kick some ass myself !!
Again, plenty of secrets are being kept and revealed, and I was on the edge of my seat most of my reading time. Banks and Kai kept pushing and pulling...but not in the way that usually annoys me.
The tension and the steam between these two... was delicious !!!
Now I can't wait to see what's gonna happen with Damon. His book will be out soon and I have already read some snippets...I am sure it's gonna rock. I also wouldn't mind reading Will's story. I absolutely adore him
I highly recommend this series !!!
Let me start out by saying that these books should not be read as a stand-alone. You need to start at the beginning or you might get confused. I also know that in order to read the third book in this series, which is coming out on February 11th, you need to have read "Corrupt". So in case you haven't, go back now and get on with it ;)
As much as I enjoyed Rika and Michael's story in "Corrupt", I just knew I was gonna love Kai's story even more...and I was right (as always). Kai was absolutely awesome, though I have to say that I have a bit of a girl crush going on Banks. She was quite kickass herself.
Banks and Kai go way back it seems, and they have made quite an impression on one another. Now 6 years later, she isn't the girl she used to be...She is a woman now ..a tough "take no shit" woman and even though, I loved the woman she became, I am sure Kai loved it even more !!
It is very rare for me to find a heroine that I fully appreciate, so I was tickled pink about this one. I never liked Rika as much as I like Banks and there was this one scene with Rika, when I fully felt what Banks must have been feeling toward her. I wanted to jump into the book and kick some ass myself !!
Again, plenty of secrets are being kept and revealed, and I was on the edge of my seat most of my reading time. Banks and Kai kept pushing and pulling...but not in the way that usually annoys me.
The tension and the steam between these two... was delicious !!!
Now I can't wait to see what's gonna happen with Damon. His book will be out soon and I have already read some snippets...I am sure it's gonna rock. I also wouldn't mind reading Will's story. I absolutely adore him
I highly recommend this series !!!
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November 1, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ unpopular opinion but this was really boring to me? idk. i loved banks tho!!
i hear the next two books are the best ones so im excited for that 😈😈
i hear the next two books are the best ones so im excited for that 😈😈
October 5, 2017
4.5 Stars
Such a brilliant story, I'm speechless.Penelope Douglas proved for one more time how talented she is.I devoured Hideaway, it was fantastic,dark,mysterious and hot.I was so anxious waiting to see what will happen next.
Kai is one of my favorite characters, I couldn't wait to learn more about him.I loved being in his mind.Banks is also a unique heroine,I loved her.She is strong and sassy.The author did a wonderful job with the storyline where it switched back and forth from the past to the present.The story felt more intimidate.
For one more time the main characters rocked this book!Also it was amazing seeing all the characters from the previous book again.Penelope Douglas did an amazing job, creating this world.I highly recommend it to everyone!
Such a brilliant story, I'm speechless.Penelope Douglas proved for one more time how talented she is.I devoured Hideaway, it was fantastic,dark,mysterious and hot.I was so anxious waiting to see what will happen next.
Kai is one of my favorite characters, I couldn't wait to learn more about him.I loved being in his mind.Banks is also a unique heroine,I loved her.She is strong and sassy.The author did a wonderful job with the storyline where it switched back and forth from the past to the present.The story felt more intimidate.
For one more time the main characters rocked this book!Also it was amazing seeing all the characters from the previous book again.Penelope Douglas did an amazing job, creating this world.I highly recommend it to everyone!
June 6, 2024
I couldn’t tell you what happened in this book even if you held me at gunpoint
June 12, 2024
this was one wack ass book! definitely filing this away for future therapy 🤯 but guess what um gonna do.. keep on reading the next ones bc im addicted! lexie ur paying for my therapy still!!
April 2, 2021
“You don't know what I had to become to survive three years in prison for a crime I would gladly commit again.”
The following ratings are out of 5:
Audio/Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Romance: 💚💙💜🖤❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📘📗📕📙📘
World building: 🌏🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😎🤨🙂🙃🤓
The Setting: Meridian City & Thunder Bay Ontario.
The Hero: Kai Mori - went to prison for nearly three years for beating up a cop. The cop had been abusing his younger sister. Kai’s friend William was in love with the cop’s sister so they beat him to get him to stop. Kai has secrets.
The heroine: Nik Banks - wears men’s clothes. She lived in the Torrence home and disguised herself as a boy when she was in her teens. She was a Damon’s secret and he wanted to keep her to himself.
The Love Story: Kai met Banks in a confessional the year before he graduated high school. He was confessing his sins while she was sitting on the priests side. Though she dressed like a homeless tomboy he was interested right away. Years later they meet again when he was looking for Damon.
The Four Horsemen consist of Michael Crist, Kai Mori, Damon Torrence and Will Grayson. Damon was sent to prison for 33 months, while Kai and William were sentenced to 28 months each. Michael wasn’t arrested but felt guilt the entire time his friends were away, thinking it was his fault. In Corrupt, the guys had recently gotten out of prison and were doing their best to get revenge. Only things went bad and Damon tried to kill them along with Michael’s brother Trevor.
Damon ran away and the last word they guy’s had was that he was in Russia, though Kai figured out that Damon was much closer to home. He figured out that Damon was in an abandoned hotel owned by his father, across the street from Kai’s dojo. There is a rumor that the hotel has a hidden twelfth floor that the elevator doesn’t stop at.
I know the next book is about Damon and I don’t know how he will be able to be reformed. Though he was one of the four horsemen, Damon was evil in the second half of Corrupt and in this entire book. Not only was he threatening Kai, his whole relationship with Banks is crazy.
He wants Banks to only love him. Supposedly Banks lived with him from the time she was twelve and he lives like any son of a rich man, but she has never tasted steak and she wears his hand-me-downs? I just don’t get it. Even if Banks’ father wouldn’t pay for her clothes and things, why wouldn’t Damon buy her stuff and didn’t she eat whatever everyone in the mansion ate? It is obvious that Damon loved her but some things just didn’t make sense. Despite that, the book is a good one. I liked the story, the characters and the suspense. The romance between Kai and Banks is a bit of a slow burn but it is steamy. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.
As for the Audio, the same narrators were used for this one as for Corrupt. I don’t know if I just got used to them more or what, but I liked the narration better in this one. My one negative in the last book was that the male narrator didn’t have a deep enough voice, he sounded too gentle to be such a bad boy as Michael Crist. However, I think he used a deeper inflection as Kai, so I liked him better in this book.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Audio/Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Romance: 💚💙💜🖤❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📘📗📕📙📘
World building: 🌏🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😎🤨🙂🙃🤓
The Setting: Meridian City & Thunder Bay Ontario.
The Hero: Kai Mori - went to prison for nearly three years for beating up a cop. The cop had been abusing his younger sister. Kai’s friend William was in love with the cop’s sister so they beat him to get him to stop. Kai has secrets.
The heroine: Nik Banks - wears men’s clothes. She lived in the Torrence home and disguised herself as a boy when she was in her teens. She was a Damon’s secret and he wanted to keep her to himself.
The Love Story: Kai met Banks in a confessional the year before he graduated high school. He was confessing his sins while she was sitting on the priests side. Though she dressed like a homeless tomboy he was interested right away. Years later they meet again when he was looking for Damon.
The Four Horsemen consist of Michael Crist, Kai Mori, Damon Torrence and Will Grayson. Damon was sent to prison for 33 months, while Kai and William were sentenced to 28 months each. Michael wasn’t arrested but felt guilt the entire time his friends were away, thinking it was his fault. In Corrupt, the guys had recently gotten out of prison and were doing their best to get revenge. Only things went bad and Damon tried to kill them along with Michael’s brother Trevor.
Damon ran away and the last word they guy’s had was that he was in Russia, though Kai figured out that Damon was much closer to home. He figured out that Damon was in an abandoned hotel owned by his father, across the street from Kai’s dojo. There is a rumor that the hotel has a hidden twelfth floor that the elevator doesn’t stop at.
I know the next book is about Damon and I don’t know how he will be able to be reformed. Though he was one of the four horsemen, Damon was evil in the second half of Corrupt and in this entire book. Not only was he threatening Kai, his whole relationship with Banks is crazy.
He wants Banks to only love him. Supposedly Banks lived with him from the time she was twelve and he lives like any son of a rich man, but she has never tasted steak and she wears his hand-me-downs? I just don’t get it. Even if Banks’ father wouldn’t pay for her clothes and things, why wouldn’t Damon buy her stuff and didn’t she eat whatever everyone in the mansion ate? It is obvious that Damon loved her but some things just didn’t make sense. Despite that, the book is a good one. I liked the story, the characters and the suspense. The romance between Kai and Banks is a bit of a slow burn but it is steamy. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.
As for the Audio, the same narrators were used for this one as for Corrupt. I don’t know if I just got used to them more or what, but I liked the narration better in this one. My one negative in the last book was that the male narrator didn’t have a deep enough voice, he sounded too gentle to be such a bad boy as Michael Crist. However, I think he used a deeper inflection as Kai, so I liked him better in this book.
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June 17, 2021
This book was better than Corrupt. I enjoyed the journey. Banks and Kai were decent protagonists. The push and pull between them kind of annoyed me but at the same time I enjoyed it. Banks being Damon's sister was a big plot twist. I didn't see that coming.
I was annoyed seeing everyone's shitty parents such as Micheal's, Damon's, and Rika's. It was good to see Kai have decent parents. It's a good change otherwise, it would feel repetitive. Will was almost nonexistent in this book. Alex was great. However, something about this series doesn't feel right. I feel the author tried desperately to make the character's dark, mysterious but it seemed forced, not natural. Everyone desperately wants to be bad guys or bad girls in this book. It's like forcing darkness when there isn't any.
I was annoyed seeing everyone's shitty parents such as Micheal's, Damon's, and Rika's. It was good to see Kai have decent parents. It's a good change otherwise, it would feel repetitive. Will was almost nonexistent in this book. Alex was great. However, something about this series doesn't feel right. I feel the author tried desperately to make the character's dark, mysterious but it seemed forced, not natural. Everyone desperately wants to be bad guys or bad girls in this book. It's like forcing darkness when there isn't any.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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