Credence

Okay, so Credence by Penelope Douglas... where do I even start? If you're into stories that make zero sense, a weak protagonist and characters that seem to be competing for the “Most Annoying Award,” then this might just be your next read.

The plot is all over the place. It's like Douglas threw together every taboo she could think of and stirred it into a messy, cringe-worthy soup. We've got a girl sent to live with her step-uncle in the mountains (because, of course, that's a great idea), and what follows is a bizarre love “square” that had me rolling my eyes more than turning pages. Truly appalling!

The characters? Well, let's just say they don't do the book any favors. The protagonist, Tiernan, is about as interesting as a wet blanket, and her love interests aren't much better. They're either creepy, over-the-top, or just plain unlikable. The relationships are awkward, the dialogue is cheesy, and by the time I reached the end, I was more relieved than anything else.

As for the writing, it's a bit like riding a roller coaster blindfolded—except without any of the fun. One minute, it's trying too hard to be edgy, and the next, it's painfully predictable. It's like Douglas couldn't decide if she wanted to write a thriller, a romance, or some weird mix of the two. The result? A disjointed, confusing mess that left me wondering why I even started it in the first place. Not to mention several trigger warnings!

If you're looking for a book that'll make you question your life choices, Credence might just be it. But if you're after a good story with well-developed characters and a plot that actually makes sense, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.