After the Devil’s Night series, Penelope Douglas became an auto-buy author for me, so I was thrilled to get my hands on Quiet Ones, her latest contemporary age-gap romance. It’s the third book in the Hellbent series, which follows the second generation of Douglas’ characters from Shelbourne Falls as they navigate a small town mystery tied to a creepy urban legend.
Quinn Caruthers has always been the quiet one in the family, a quintessential good girl. But now she’s twenty-one, and she’s ready to break free from the expectations that bind her.
When her childhood crush comes back to town after eight years away, all Quinn wants is for Lucas Morrow to see her as the grown woman she is. But Lucas left town all those years ago for a reason, and he wants to keep his dark past far away from Quinn. His secrets won’t stay buried forever.
I was lying to her. I was lying to everyone. I had no intention of returning, even for the baseball cap. I just didn’t want her to hate me. She was the only person who thought I was a hero.
Like most Penelope Douglas books, Quiet Ones is made by the characters. Quinn, in particular, was very well conceived. She craves freedom and independence, but is also a meticulous planner who likes control. She’s a complete dichotomy, and it makes her feel very real.
Lucas, on the other hand, is the exact brand of sexy fuck boy that readers have come to know and love from this author. He’s emotionally a trainwreck, possessive, and all kinds of hot.
This town is my home, Madoc is my family, and Quinn is mine to protect. She always was. And I know I’m not out of your system, you little brat.
Speaking of sexy fuck boys, Noah van der Berg has been showing up in these novels for years. For the love of all that is holy, give this man his happily ever after someday. Please. I must eventually read it.
The chemistry between Lucas and Quinn is palpable on the page, despite the almost cruel slow burn. He’s holding himself back in a Herculean way, despite how Quinn pushes his buttons. This book is not incredibly smut-focused, but what is there is forbidden and fiery.
It is worth noting that Quiet Ones is not *really* a standalone. You could read it that way, as it completely encapsulates Quinn and Lucas’ relationship, but the overarching mystery plot that is afoot in this town won’t make a lot of sense without having read the previous two books.
This is my favorite book in the Hellbent series so far. It’s fast-paced, fun, and exciting, all while tugging on the reader’s heartstrings. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and can’t wait to see what comes next in the series.
Leave a Reply