🎂Birthday Girl🎂 by Penelope Douglas

BIRTHDAY GIRL is a stand-alone, contemporary romance, taboo/new adult suitable for ages 18+

JORDAN

He took me in when I had nowhere else to go.

He doesn’t use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He doesn’t treat me like I’m nothing, take me for granted, or make me feel unsafe.

He remembers me, laughs with me, and looks at me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway after work.

I have to stop this. It can’t happen.

My sister once told me there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable.

Only Pike Lawson isn’t the unavailable one.

I am.

PIKE

I took her in, because I thought I was helping.

She’d cook a few meals and clean up a little. It was an easy arrangement.

As the days go by, though, it’s becoming anything but easy. I have to stop my mind from drifting to her and stop holding my breath every time I bump into her in the house. I can’t touch her, and I shouldn’t want to.

The more I find my path crossing hers, though, the more she’s becoming a part of me.

But we’re not free to give into this. She’s nineteen, and I’m thirty-eight.

And her boyfriend’s father.

Unfortunately, they both just moved into my house.

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Review by Bubbles The Book Pimp

This author is a new to me author. I have had birthday girl on my the for a while and I sure it was a recommended read. It’s filled with angst and drama ( the good kind ) and filled with a real life vibe,a small town,where everyone knows everyone’s business, where the sun doesn’t always shine and people are trying their best to make their way. .

This is a pretty gripping story from the get go. The opening chapters reveal a desperately unhappy, somewhat isolated girl, Jordan and her ( neglectful time wasting ) boyfriend Cole who despite being together live pretty separate lives. She’s focused on her job and studies and he just wants to get drunk and spend time with his friends. Their situation is one that was friendship that turned to relationship following the passing of a friend. Living together out of necessity rather than love for each other. Despite Jordan knowing this, she literally ‘puts up’ with coles behaviour and continues to plod on one day to the next wishing for a better day tomorrow.

Following their eviction, after a birthday party goes wrong ( for Jordan… that she doesn’t actually attend ) they find themselves moving into coles father ( Pike’s ) house on the proviso that they do their share and help out around the house. Jordan and pike’s actually met the night of the birthday party, and they are drawn to each other, it is pretty special, turned sad as it’s revealed who they actually are to each other.

Of course the relationship between Cole and Jordan deteriorates as fast as the relation ship between pike and Jordan grows.

It’s a wonderfully crafted slow and steady burn as they each try to control ( and not act upon their feelings for each other ) until the inevitable happens.

Up till this point I freaking adored this book… Pike, who I had previously perceived as a strong and steady mc, was so conflicted and torn between his love for his ( spoilt drunkard ) son and his ( untrusting and scared to believe in) love for Jordan… it was fantastically done and showcased some kickass writing skills, but the way he resolved the situation.. or didn’t as they case actually was..just damaged my opinion of him… and I was gutted by that…I wanted him to fight for his son and fight for his girl and fight for his own happiness… and he did…eventually. But it wasn’t the grand showdown or gesture that I was desperate for…and I disappointed that Jordan didn’t stick to her guns. I wanted her to fight more for her own sense of self worth.

The epilogue however made me exceptionally happy… I mean who doesn’t love a happy Ever After of epic proportions. I loved that Pike recognised how exceptionally lucky he was…. so much so that I almost forgave him 🤣🤣🤣

For a taboo read this book was brilliantly written, not gratuitous or for shock factor. There was true emotions between the mc’s and on the whole it was a delicious juicy emotional read. I know who to read when I’m craving my next ‘gritty dose of reality/angst’ fix.