Bestselling author Penelope Douglas specializes in romance but not your average kind—their new adult, erotica, and contemporary romances often explore dark and taboo themes that push boundaries and maybe even raise a few eyebrows.
And Douglas’s millions of fans wouldn’t have it any other way. With over 35 published books to their name, Douglas continues to write provocative novels that explore multifaceted characters and complicated relationships.
In this post, we’ve rounded up Penelope Douglas’s top 10 books based on reader reviews.
Best Penelope Douglas Books
Here are Penelope Douglas’s 10 best books according to Goodreads:
1. Punk 57
Published in 2016, this Goodreads Choice nominee follows Misha and Ryen, who were set up as pen pals by their teacher back in fifth grade. They formed an intense bond, but there are a few essential rules to their friendship: no social media, no phone numbers, and no pictures.
When Misha accidentally comes across a profile of a girl named Ryen online, Misha immediately knows it’s his friend.
He needs to meet her, but he never expected to hate what he found. When Misha suddenly stops writing, Ryen is left to wonder what happened to her friend and their deal that had worked so well for years.
2. Bully
Tate was once best friends with the boy next door, Jared. But that all changed the summer before high school, after Jared returned home from a trip to visit his father.
Jared became the worst part of Tate’s day, and she can’t understand why. He turns her into a social pariah and causes her misery.
But after spending a year in France, Tate returns home finally feeling stronger—and Jared, without explanation, suddenly seems like the boy she used to know, treating her with care and tenderness. Who is the real Jared, and can Tate ever trust him again?
3. Birthday Girl
When 19-year-old Jourdan moves in with her boyfriend and his father, sparks immediately fly between her and her 38-year-old host.
They both know they shouldn’t feel the way they do, but every day proves a struggle to follow the rules and resist this taboo temptation.
4. Corrupt
Erika Fane has always been both terrified and mesmerized by her ex-boyfriend’s older brother, Michael. She knows he’s done bad things, but she can’t stop watching him. She thinks he’s never noticed her.
But it turns out Michael was watching her too. And what she also doesn’t know is that he blames her for sending three of his friends to prison three years ago, and now that they’re out, he’s determined to make every one of her nightmares come true.
5. Credence
Tiernan has always lived a privileged life, but not one of love. When both of her wealthy parents die, her father’s stepbrother assumes guardianship of her, since she is still two months shy of 18.
Tiernan goes to live with him and his two sons in the mountains of Colorado, and as the three men teach her how to work and survive, she realizes that lines blur and rules become easy to break when no one else is watching.
6. Until You
Until You is Jared’s perspective of the events from Bully. Jared explains things from his point of view, including why he felt betrayed by Tate when he returned home from a visit to his father.
When Tate comes home from her year abroad, Jared doesn’t recognize the girl who pushes back, and he’s not sure either of them will ever be the same.
7. Hideaway
This continuation of Corrupt follow Kai and his friends, who are determined to find Damon because he poses a threat to Rika.
While visiting Damon’s father, the friends come across Banks. Banks and Kai have history—six years ago, Kai witnessed a very possessive Damon. Banks might just prove to be the leverage they need.
8. Kill Switch
The third book in the Devil’s Night series (following Corrupt and Hideaway), this book picks up three years after Winter sent Damon to prison.
Now Damon is out, and he’s had plenty of time to plot his revenge. But Kill Switch sees Damon transform from a clear villain in previous books to a complicated antihero.
9. Rival
Rival follows two supporting characters from Bully and Until You: Madoc and Fallon, two step-siblings who push the boundaries between hate and love.
Fallon went away to boarding school for two years, but now she’s back, and the two have a lot of unfinished business, including betrayal and a strong desire for revenge.
10. Falling Away
Falling Away also follows recurring characters from Bully and Until You. In this book, K.C. (Tate’s backstabbing best friend) finds the worst kind of temptation next door in Jax (Jared’s younger brother).
Jax hasn’t forgotten K.C., the only girl to ever tell him no. When fate brings her back into his life, what he thinks is a great twist of luck turns out to be too close for comfort.
Reading Books by Penelope Douglas
Penelope Douglas’s books definitely push boundaries, and they’re certainly not every romance reader’s cup of tea. Most come with content warnings, so be sure to check those out before you dive in.
If you do enjoy Douglas’s style, check out our list of dark romance novels that take love to the extreme and test the limits of the romance genre.
Do you have a favorite Penelope Douglas book? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
