Book Review: Credence by Penelope Douglas
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After finishing Credence, we genuinely don’t know what’s more confronting……. the plot itself or trying to explain to someone why you’re completely obsessed with it.
Like seriously… before we even get into the storyline, let’s address the real question that we asked ourselves the entire time:
is there something wrong with Penelope Douglas… or is there something wrong with us?
Because the entire time reading this, you’re toeing the line between:
what the hell is happening and why can’t I stop reading this.
And it’s wonderful.
Plot:
At its core, Credence follows Tiernan, who ends up living in the mountains with her estranged step-uncle and his sons after her parents’ death.
It’s isolated, remote, and during winter? Completely cut off.
Snowed in for months at a time…
Just the four of them… alone.
And the sexual tension?
Immediate.
Characters:
Uncle Jake?
Hot. Like… hotttttttttttt.
But what really gets you is that he becomes this steady, grounding presence for her. He pays attention to her—really pays attention. Because Tiernan has grown up in a world where no one noticed her, no one gave her the time of day.
And then Jake comes in… and he sees her. He notices everything. He calls her out. He doesn’t let her hide.
“At least until I see you laugh… or yell or scream or cry…”
He wants her to feel something. He wants her to stay and he wants to take care of her. And that alone is enough to make you love him instantly. It’s subtle… but it’s not. Every interaction feels loaded.
Then enter the boys.
Noah.
He is the complete opposite energy to Jake. He is fun, playful, cheeky. The kind of “step cousin” who’s constantly pushing buttons, making jokes and not taking anything too seriously. He brings that lighter tension… the teasing, flirty, don’t take this too seriously vibe.
Kaleb.
Brooding. Mysterious. Always watching. Always glaring.
He doesn’t speak… but honestly? That somehow makes it better.
There’s something about the silence, the intensity, the way he’s just there, always observing everything. He quickly becomes one of the most intriguing characters in the whole book.
It’s the kind of energy where he doesn’t need words to be loud and it is HOT AS HELL. His energy gives neanderthal vibes. Me want, me take.
Spicy content:
As you can imagine, being isolated from the world for an extended period of time….. dynamics shift and lines begin to blur.
This book doesn’t just flirt with boundaries it launches itself over them and WE. ARE. HERE. FOR. IT.
There’s a moment on the couch where you’re sitting there like: no way this is happening…
…and then it does.
The tension doesn’t stay simple or one-on-one. It builds, overlaps and turns into something messy, complicated and impossible to stop reading. You won’t explain those scenes to anyone without sounding slightly unhinged… and honestly? That’s part of the fun.
Now….. about that part:
Let’s address the part everyone side-eyes.
At the beginning of the book, Tiernan is underage…..which, admittedly, feels a little off. But before anything serious happens, she turns 18 fairly early and the book makes that clear.
Still… this is one of those reads where you’re like:
“…am I allowed to be enjoying this?”
Final Thoughts
Credence is not for everyone.
Actually… it’s probably not for most people.
But if you like:
- taboo tension
- morally grey dynamics
- characters that all bring something completely different
- and a story that keeps pushing further than you expect
Then this will have you hooked.
Just be prepared to:
- question the author
- question the characters
- and definitely question yourself
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Because at the end of the day…
You won’t be able to explain this book.
But you will be thinking about it long after you finish.
Toy recommendations:
If this book left you feeling… a certain way…… just know we fully get it. The tension, the build-up, the what is happening right now energy.
It doesn’t have to end when the book does. We’ve got a few things at Dusk & Desire that might help you explore that and keep the vibes going.
Satisfyer Tongue Expert - Ultimate Pleasure Device – Dusk and Desire
Silicone Butt Plug 4.3 Inch - Pearl Wonders for Pleasure – Dusk and Desire
