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Birthday Girl

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Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas is a contemporary romance novel that explores the forbidden love trope, focusing on the relationship between Jordan and Pike. The story unfolds as Jordan, celebrating her birthday, meets Pike, her boyfriend's father, at a movie theater. Despite the age gap and societal taboos, their connection deepens, leading to a complex and angsty love story. The writing style is described as genuine, sweet, and well-paced, with a slow-burn romance that builds on genuine chemistry and character development.

Characters:

The characters include a young woman with a difficult background and her boyfriend's father, who is protective and emotionally complex, with various supporting characters affecting their dynamic.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is descriptive and vivid, although some readers find it juvenile or overly simplistic with occasional mixed metaphors.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a forbidden romance between a young woman and her boyfriend's father, exploring their emotional struggles amidst a complicated living situation.

Setting:

The setting primarily takes place in Pike's home, blending everyday life with the complexities of their relationship.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with an engaging middle but some readers feeling the story drags towards the end.
Unease pricks at the back of my neck. If he’s not answering, then he’s either asleep or out. Both could mean he’ll remember me after it’s too late. He’s not always unreliable, but this wouldn’t be the...

Notes:

The main characters are Jordan, a 19-year-old waitress, and Pike, her boyfriend's 38-year-old father.
The story explores the taboo topic of an age gap romance between the two main characters.
Jordan and Pike's relationship begins in a movie theater where they meet before realizing their connection.
The book features elements of forced proximity, as Jordan moves in with Pike and her boyfriend due to financial difficulties.
The relationship dynamic is characterized by tension and sexual chemistry, with a significant slow burn leading to their romance.
Readers have noted issues with the emotional maturity of the characters, particularly regarding the portrayal of Jordan.
Pike is described as a protective figure, but some readers find his behavior overly dominant or controlling.
The book has received mixed reviews, with some readers loving the plot and steaminess, while others criticize the writing and character development.
The themes of emotional turmoil, jealousy, and familial relationships are explored in the narrative.
The book is popular among fans of forbidden romance and age-gap tropes, contributing to Penelope Douglas's following.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of emotional cheating, age gap concerns, dysfunctional family dynamics, and previous trauma experienced by characters.

Has Romance?

The romance is a central theme, with a high level of emotional and physical intimacy between the characters.

From The Publisher:

From New York Times Bestselling author Penelope Douglas comes a new forbidden love story...JORDANHe 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. PIKEI 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. *BIRTHDAY GIRL is a stand-alone, contemporary romance suitable for ages 18+.

Ratings (202)

Incredible (42)
Loved It (74)
Liked It (45)
It Was OK (28)
Did Not Like (10)
Hated It (3)

Reader Stats (343):

Read It (211)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (85)
Did Not Finish (4)
Not Interested (40)

4 comment(s)

Loved It
1 week

Not sure if it's 3.5 stats or 4 stars. Really enjoyed the book and as expected the age gap made me bit uncomfortable at the story but I eventually rooted for the couple at the end. The taboo aspect, the slow romance as well as the trying not to feel the feels and then seeking around was intense. I really lived the epilog that was 9 years later as it was it really added something. But I skipped the other epilog as it felt weird with the time jumps for the diffrent epilogs.

 
4 weeks

Didn’t like the writing

 
Incredible
6 months

This was just one of those reads that happened at the right moment and made me all swoony. The romance was adorable. There were quite a few bullshit bits but this is more a guilty pleasure read than anything else - so I easily overlooked them but not everyone will be able to.

But for all its flaws I do think there's something really special about this book. The relationship between Pike and Jordan was ridiculous at some points (for mature adults they really drag things out - and it is understandable to some degree but also just made me want to bang my head against a wall) but there was also something really genuine about them too. When they were together without the angst they always just seemed really happy which made me feel happy. This book is far from perfect but it is really good in a lot of ways and for me - hit all the right notes.

So five stars but keep in mind I'm biased. As I said, it was just the right book and the right time with the right mood. I'm trying to think objectively how I would rate it but I'm still too hyped up on the good feelings to be able to. If nothing else, the writing is riveting.

 
Incredible
7 months

YES

 
 
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