Corrupt
About Corrupt
Dreams might be a heart’s desire, but nightmares are its obsession in the first novel of a dark romance series from New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas. Erika Fane’s boyfriend's older brother is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college's basketball team gone pro, he's more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than he is with her.
But she saw him. She heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid...
For years, Erika bit her nails, unable to look away. Now, she’s in college, but she hasn’t stopped watching him. He’s bad and the things she’s seen aren’t content to stay in her head anymore.
Because he's finally noticed her. But Michael Crist knows the hold he has on Rika, how much she fears him. She looks down when he enters the room and stills when he’s close.
He knows she thinks only of him. When Michael’s brother leaves for the military, leaving Rika alone and unprotected, he knows the opportunity is too good to be true. Three years ago she put Michael’s friends in prison, and now they’re free.
Every last one of her nightmares is about to come true.
What readers say
A heroine returns home to face the four men who blame her for their time in prison, and readers enjoy her backbone, the tension, standout steamy scenes and the gothic setting. Many reviewers are frustrated by how cruelly the heroes treat her, how quickly she forgives them and how little the adults around her help. Several readers say the later books in the series are stronger.
Best for: Readers who like revenge plots, enemies-to-lovers and dark, possessive heroes.
Summary of public reader reviews, updated October 2026.
