Name: Birthday Girl
ISBN: 9781976333088

Penelope Douglas

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

Birthday Girl

Levi-Mae 

“Time passes by you like a bullet,” he says, “and fear gives you the excuses you’re craving to not do the things you know you should. Don’t doubt yourself, don’t second-guess, don’t let fear hold you back, don’t be lazy, and don’t base your decisions on how happy it will make others. Just go for it, okay?”

stephie

Andrea

Hailey

Taylor

Amanda Autumn Berrey

Celina Hoang Vo ♥︎

"You're going to eat all six donuts?" he questions. I stop the pastry two inches from my mouth and glare at him. "Would that disgust you or something?" "No, I'm just wondering if I get one."

"You know who you're meant to be," I tell him. “Committing tot is a different process for everyone, but you'll get there."

"we don't hold a woman responsible for a man's behavior." 

Nicole Mills

For what the books about It actually wasn't bad

Keira

Katie Roberts

Something about an older, sexy dad is intriguing <3 

Kayley Herremans

Something about an older, sexy dad is intriguing <3 

man I love this author 

Boyfriend's dad? Yes, please. The book was great, finished it in under two hours. Lots of tension and Pike is definitely one of my favorite MMCs that P.D (not diddy) has created. 

Emma-lee Carrow

This book made me realize that I love age gap romance books. I love how their relationship have grown. The tension and emotion I felt reading this book is cute and I love Pike, my gosh he looks hot. I love the ending, good for them. One of my favorite reads last 2021.

Takes WAAAAAY too long to get to the spice. Maybe a good starter book into the genre, but not for seasoned romance readers. 

Kristen Savage

I normally dislike plain romance novels and went in with incredibly low expectations which is probably why this got any more than 2 stars 

mads

Brizah

Stacey Nicole

Loved this

I loved this. It took me on such an emotional rollercoaster. Beautifully written. Can't wait to read more of Penelopes books

I liked it but I also hated it at the same time, it wasn’t about the age gap that made me hate it, it’s like treating Jordan like a daughter more than a future girlfriend or more, and even though Jordan didn’t charge on Cole, there was some emotional cheating and that doesn’t sit right with me, I didn’t like the fact that the author threw Cole around and made him the worst teenager possible, and how Jordan was more mature and somehow how everything in common with an older man?? I don’t know, I liked it because there were some good scenes and characters and I loved it but I also didn’t like it! But it’s a good book as well so if you’re looking for age gaps and ex’s dad trope then this book is genuinely for you.

v a l ☆

I can understand a lot of what people say when they read this book but I’m also wondering why too. I know the main trope is ex boyfriend’s dad but I didn’t know that she was going to be with said boyfriend for half the book before becoming exes. Because in my book what they were doing was emotional cheating and I don’t like that trope. Individually they were great characters but it honesty took too long for the ball to get rolling. Especially since she was so oblivious to what was happening and how it could have occurred sooner. So I guess another part of me is saying that it was too long too. But this is seen in every age gap so I shouldn’t be surprised where it went because the third act break up in all of these have been consistently the same for what I have read up to this point. 

I did really like all of the side characters. They added a nice piece of entertainment to the book. I also love how the ex boyfriend/son felt like a main character but was never around😂 

All around it felt like a fever dream and it’s been a week since I finished and I still don’t know if I liked it or not. I feel like I’m still just confused on a lot of stuff though. 

Priscilla Stanfield

I can understand a lot of what people say when they read this book but I’m also wondering why too. I know the main trope is ex boyfriend’s dad but I didn’t know that she was going to be with said boyfriend for half the book before becoming exes. Because in my book what they were doing was emotional cheating and I don’t like that trope. Individually they were great characters but it honesty took too long for the ball to get rolling. Especially since she was so oblivious to what was happening and how it could have occurred sooner. So I guess another part of me is saying that it was too long too. But this is seen in every age gap so I shouldn’t be surprised where it went because the third act break up in all of these have been consistently the same for what I have read up to this point. 

I did really like all of the side characters. They added a nice piece of entertainment to the book. I also love how the ex boyfriend/son felt like a main character but was never around😂 

All around it felt like a fever dream and it’s been a week since I finished and I still don’t know if I liked it or not. I feel like I’m still just confused on a lot of stuff though. 

Sara Uribe

Hello Penelope Douglas, it’s nice to finally read a book by you. 

“Birthday wishes don’t always come true, so I don’t waste a chance when I blow out a candle.”

I loved this book. I really loved this book. I honestly think I loved everything about this book. The story, plot, characters. This book gave me all the feels. Okay, okay, let me compose myself.

I have heard nonstop good things about Penelope Douglas and this book since I love a good forbidden/taboo/age gap romance. So going into this I had some pretty high expectations. Boy, did this book exceed them.

The romance and age difference felt like it was handled on such a different level than other age gap romances that I've read. A lot of other books like this kind of force and put it in your face that this is “a forbidden/age gap romance and don't forget it”, and while at times this book does that too but it doesn’t shove it in your face. It feels more natural. If that makes sense. The romance and attraction between Jordan and Pike blossomed at a perfect pace, I was in love with them from the first chapter and knew that this was going to be one of those books that will end up being an all time favorite read. This book was delicious and I devoured it up as fast as I could. Hands down, one of my favorite reads of the year so far. If you’re looking for a real steamy and emotional read, this is the book to pick up!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Chloe Yeargan

Ana Clara Moreno

Charlsy Sekyere

This is the second Penelope Douglas's book I have read so far. My first being Punk 57 and I have got to say that, Punk 57 is surprisingly the better book, even though I'm quite certain I gave that book only a 2 or 3 stars. 

I am NOT a fan of age-gap romances but I wanted to give this book a try, especially when a lot of people on booktok are obsessed with this book. However, this book is simply not the best. Me giving this book a lower rating than Punk 57, should say it all.

There is so much things I do not like about book, especially it being an age-gap romance. After finishing this book, I realised that none of the characters in this book were actually likeable. Maybe Dutch and Danni, which we briefly got introduced to at the end of the book. Cole is whatever. In the beginning he reeked of insecurities, but I guess he redeems himself at the end. Cam is okay. I actually have no thoughts about her character. Lindsey can go straight to hell. She was beyond annoying. Poor Pike. 

Moving on to Pike and Jordan.

Pike and Jordan's relationship was so unserious to me and they both had their extremely childish and ridiculous moments. Jordan with her absurd habit of tearing up or getting mad at the weirdest moments of the book and Pike's need to control and treat Jordan as her daughter, really ruined the okay moments of the book. Especially Pike's constant reminder that Jordan is a 'kid' and 'little' every chapter, reminding me how gross I thought their age-gap was. Like 19 and 38? Yeah, this one was tough one to read, especially when they both acted like toddlers at times.

Jordan and Pike do, however, have great sexual chemistry and the smut was great. No complaints there at all. BUT once I finished the book, I felt like they did not know a lot about each other. I mean, conversations about their fears, future goals, career aspirations and so on were not explored. All they seemed to do was sleep together, get into weird, pointless disagreements and hide their relationship from the rest of the word (this was the only part that was understandable though). Honestly, I don't get the hype of this book at all. It's a no for me, sadly. One star for the sexual chemistry and smut. Another for the okay, cute moments.

Krystyna 

I really enjoyed this book. This was my first book by Penelope Douglas; so, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I loved Jordan and Pike. Their relationship was filled with so much tension. I loved how protective he was over Jordan and how he wanted to do anything he could to make her happy. I loved Jordan's character; she is nineteen in this book but she was pretty mature for her age. She had a rough history and not much of a loving family. Jordan and Pike got under each other's skin constantly, but it made their relationship so much more realistic. I loved Pike's character; he has a rough exterior and some people form inaccurate opinions about him but he is totally the opposite. This forbidden romance was written so well and was so believable. I loved the relationship between Pike and Cole, even though sometimes it's a little rocky Pike is always there for his son. I also enjoyed the relationship between Jordan and Cam. They are sisters and best friends and she is pretty much the only family Jordan has. These relationships felt so realistic. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did but I am glad that I gave it a shot. If you like forbidden romance books, this is a good one to try.

Faith Kitowski

YES YES YES. AGE GAP ROMANCES FOR THE WIN. ugh this book was so good. literally from the first page i was hooked. you literally feel the tension, literally chefs kiss. now my book is full of tabs and highlights and im happy. I LOVE THEM SM

Elisa Almonte

much better then you think

I saw every part of this one coming right from the beginning BBUUTT still gave it 5 stars! The way the story is written just put me in every room like a fly on the wall! Still laughed, cried, and was broken hearted in all the right spots! The play list is helpful to really put you in the mood! But my suggestion is stop reading to really listen to song! Then just pick up where you left off! Loved this one!

Glenda

Haney Hayes PR

Where do I even start with this book. It was my first book by Douglas and I loved it so freaking much. This was my first ex-boyfriends father. You know that sound where your like, do I like this? Oh, absolutely I do. This book has created a Douglas fan and now I can’t wait to get the rest of the books!

Mara Rose

I love her writing style so much! I can’t stop reading her books I’m in love!!! This one i possibly my fave of hers so far, I loved pike and his love for her is so pure I love it!!

Tasha Ells

Not at all what I expected!! In good ways and bad.