Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas has received mixed reviews. Readers appreciate the emotional depth and chemistry between characters, alongside the engaging plot. However, some criticize the pacing and controversial themes. Overall, it is a well-crafted romance that captivates but may not appeal to everyone.

Readers who enjoy Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas often appreciate steamy romance with complex characters and tension-filled plotlines. Fans of 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James and Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire will find similar forbidden attraction and intense emotional chemistry in this novel.

Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas tells the story of 19-year-old Jordan Hadley, who, along with her boyfriend, Cole, is forced to move in with Cole's father, Pike Lawson. As Cole drifts apart from Jordan, she and Pike develop an intense attraction despite their significant age difference, leading to a complicated and taboo romance. The novel explores themes like parental neglect and the power of love to overcome obstacles. The book contains graphic sex scenes, explicit language, and age-related taboo elements.

Romantic / Emotional / Spicy / Bittersweet / Contemplative

**Jordan Hadley**  
A 19-year-old student of landscape design, characterized by her blonde hair and blue eyes, who navigates college loans and unsupportive family relationships while aiming to maintain her independence.

**Pike Lawson**  
A 38-year-old successful entrepreneur and father, he is depicted as tall, tattooed, and handsome, facing challenges in balancing his role as a caring parent with his personal desires.

**Cole Lawson**  
The 18-year-old blonde, easygoing son of Pike, who initially lacks direction and responsibility but begins to mature over the course of the story.

**Cam Hadley**  
Jordan's 23-year-old older sister, who works as an erotic dancer and is a single parent to her son, Killian, known for her resilience and protective nature toward Jordan.

**Lindsay Kenmont**  
Pike's ex and Cole's mother, portrayed through Pike's perspective as manipulative and having alleged promiscuous tendencies, serving as a contrast to other female characters.

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Chapters 1-6

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Chapters 7-12

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Chapters 19-24

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Chapter 25-Epilogue

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