
Corrupt (Civil Corruption #1)
Gwen arms herself with sarcasm and disdain against rising fame—and the rockstar who wronged her. When the past storms in, honesty gets messy, loyalty is tested, and what began in hostility starts to curve into something aching and unrecognizable.
About This Book
In Penelope Douglas's "Corrupt," Erika "Rika" Fane seeks independence by transferring to a new college, distancing herself from her overprotective boyfriend, Trevor Crist, and his enigmatic older brother, Michael. Unbeknownst to Rika, Michael and his friends—Kai, Damon, and Will—are plotting revenge for a past incident that led to their brief imprisonment. As Rika becomes entangled with Michael and his circle, she is drawn into a web of manipulation and dark desires, blurring the lines between love and hate.
The novel delves into themes of power, revenge, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of Thunder Bay, the story unfolds in a world where the boundaries between affection and animosity are dangerously ambiguous. The atmosphere is charged with tension, as Rika navigates the treacherous dynamics of her interactions with Michael and his friends.
As the narrative progresses, Rika's journey becomes a battle between confronting her past and embracing her desires. The story's mood is intense and suspenseful, with a slow-burn romance that challenges the characters' perceptions of themselves and each other. The evolving relationship between Rika and Michael serves as the focal point, driving the plot toward a climax that promises to redefine their understanding of love and retribution.
What Readers Say
Readers appreciate the book's intense, dark romance that keeps them on edge. Many praise Penelope Douglas's compelling writing style and immersive storytelling. Fans note the emotional impact, with the story being both thrilling and suspenseful. Some readers find the content disturbing, with themes of non-consensual interactions and psychological torment. This book is recommended for fans of dark romance and psychological suspense.
Rating Distribution
Based on 24 Open Library ratings
Reader Reviews
5 curated reviewsAnonymous Reader
Oct 15, 2014
Quality Fantasy
Its so easy to replace good story and development with cheap thrills. And when you find a fantasy novel that advertizes its focus on romance and sexuality, you expect it to go that route. Not with this story however, as Lilah and Glaurakos are anything but simple, and their journey is as interesting as they are. The colourful characters and places they come across are worth the entry fee. Able story-tellers integrate the romance and sexuality into a bigger plot thats in itself worthy of telling, and thats what this is. A good story in which sex is not a cheap thrill to draw you in, but a well
Claudia R.
Oct 16, 2014
Action, Adventure, Sex and Romance!
This book bridges the gap between your typical fantasy adventure and an erotica thriller. Its fun and exciting, but titilating. Glaurakos is a gruff, hard man, while Lilah is everything seductive and charming. Theyre the perfect pair for going on a fantasy adventure thats both exciting and arousing.
Penelope Wilson
Oct 15, 2014
The Hardest Hearts...
Lilah and Glaur both are demons who think that they have it all under control. When they start falling in love, though, neither of them knows how to deal with it. Theyre both afraid, but every one of their tender touches speaks to how much they truly are falling for one another. Even without the fantasy stuff, this is a really good novel about two people who don't know how to trust and are trying to come to terms with what that means. Do they risk opening themselves up to failure and rejection? Is it worth it? Its a very human story told through two demons, and I found it really interesting.
Twin Opinions
Oct 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this. Having never read the works of this ...
What a world! I really enjoyed this. Having never read the works of this author I was unsure what to expect. I loved it though and I really like this plot. So unique and yet the angel and demon come together. And do they ever. Sexy, steamy, romantic and full of wild adventure. I love this. The spark was instant for them and it was for me too. I feel like i say this a lot, but I was blown away here. I was not expecting such a passion filled adventurous journey. That is exactly what we get here and I loved it. I was pulled in and wasn't let go from page one. I love a book that I read straight th
Leona (Literary Treasure Chest)
Jan 22, 2015
Tried Something New
I received as an ARC courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review Sadly, this book did not connect with me at all. The beginning was so odd to me, probably because I had my mind set on how the story would start, so I was disappointed, but chose to go with the flow and so I then became curious. Their captivity wasn't so odd to me so much as what happened afterward. My aversion and confusion from this story came from the underdeveloped and unbelievable relationship, and my naivet in expecting the story to turn out or begin the way I thought the story would be about based off the syno
About the Author

Penelope Douglas
14 books in library
Readers are drawn to Penelope Douglas's novels for their deep emotional resonance and the exploration of complex, often taboo relationships. Her ability to craft morally ambiguous characters and intense romantic dynamics keeps audiences engaged and eager for more.


