This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
About The Book
I can’t help but smile at the lyrics in her letter. She misses me.
In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.
It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…
And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us.
Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.
We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?
Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen, loves Gallo’s pizza, and worships her iPhone. What are the chances?
F*ck it. I need to meet her.
I just don’t expect to hate what I find.
——–
He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha, neither would be a stretch.
Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening. It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his phone number or picture or something.
He could be gone forever.
Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.
We were perfect for each other. Until we met
My Review
First Impressions
Punk 57 is a standalone by Penelope Douglas, but there is a loose connection between some of her other books. So I do think that if you have read her other books than this is one that you can enjoy fully as well. I really adored this one here. I actually ended up loving it. This is such a hyped story so I will be honest I had NO clue how I would feel about this one. And with it being a bully romance, let me tell you this one was such an intimidating book, but honestly I ended up loving it so much. It was so fascinating to see this book come together and it was NOT what I expected. I did come into this book pretty blind except for the blurb. I didn’t even know much about the book other than that, didn’t even read the reviews, because I really wanted to go into this one with no opinions influencing it at all. And I have to say this book was beautiful! I absolutely adored it, and this is the first time I was cheering on the bully haha or the one doing the obvious bullying.
Anything to not need you, Anything to not fall for you, Anything to look at a girl who’s not you, But baby, there’s nothing but you.
Summary
The book starts out with with our hero Misha and heroine Ryen, exchanging letters. They have been pen pals since they were kids and they share their true selves with each other in these letters, but on the surface they are so much more than they share with the world. But when Misha’s sister is killed, he stops writing but Ryen has zero clue what has happened, and consistently writes him even though she hasn’t received a response in months because she mad a promise to him. But now Misha has figured out who Ryen is and he sees a girl at their school, who is NOT who she claims to be in her letters and he is determined to show her she is a fraud and will force her to face up to the truth and be honest with not just herself but the world. But it will take risks and dares for Ryen to realize the truths and embrace who she really is and not what the world wants to see.
Those letters are everything. They’re her and me, kids just trying to figure themselves out and going through our growing pains. They’re where I first started to fall for her and need her. They’re my fucking songs and a part of me.
What I Loved
Punk 57 was such a epic feeling book and I absolutely ADORED every single moment of this book! I honestly couldn’t seem to get enough of what was delivered on this one here. Its probably my favorite Penelope Douglas I have ever ever read! I have read many of her books, and I have to say that this is one of the most well developed books that she has written and was so entertaining. I couldn’t seem to stay away from this one. I did a combo read of this one, started it with the audio and finished it off with the physical book. I know that bully romance can be intimidating, but READ THIS ONE!! In most bullying romances, it NEVER makes sense the bullying. but in this one, it makes sense. Its where the hero is trying to being our the true self of the heroine and its not bad bullying. Its more getting the real Ryen to shine through the facade that she shows to the world. So basically Ryen, is a mean girl or at least hangs with the mean girl type of group. But inside she is a music lover and artist. She wants to be friends with the lows of the school, but she has ingrained herself with so much about being liked by the majority that she forgets about the minority and their value. I will be honest in that this one was rough to read about such a unlikeable heroine. I wanted to love her but it was a real struggle reading this one sometimes. Even in the author’s note, she talks about why she wrote the heroine’s character like this. And I really resonated with her note, so I really respected that. As it really showcased why I am picky about heroines. And in this one, we see a heroine not living her true potential, and the hero doing things to have her face up to that truth and embrace it. Its not an easy road but once she gets there, oh is it satisfying in seeing her find her true tribe.
Longing, because I miss her. I miss talking to her as me.
Lust greater than I’ve ever known, because we’re like this, it’s the only time she softens and changes and gives me an inch, and it’s a need that’s in my head just as much as my body. It keeps me on my toes.
What I Struggled With
Well the heroine….she was so hard to like at times. Like truly how she just dismisses true horrors was bothersome but its a journey of redemption and that comes with some rough bumps in the road.
Overall View
I found Punk 57 to be a stunning, intricately developed romance that delivered the heart, the soul and the healing that made this one such a win for me!
Eventually we all have to weigh what we want more: wanting back what we had or wanting what could be. To stay or to risk everything to move forward.
Title: Punk 57
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: New Adult/Young Adult Romance
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Owned/TBR
Length: 341 Pages
Book Links
Amazon| Barnes and Noble| Goodreads| LibraryThing| StoryGraph| Literal Club
Book Evaluation
Storytelling Quality: 5
Story Itself: 4.5
Character Development: 4
Writing Style: 5
World Building: 5
Feels + The Romantic Heart: 4.25
Pacing: 5
Plot: 5
Cover Art: 5
Ending: 5
Book Ratings
Overall Rating of the Book
Steam Level
Simmering—soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warm- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
About The Author
Penelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Their books have been translated into nineteen languages and include The Fall Away Series, The Devil’s Night Series, and the stand-alones, Misconduct, Punk 57, Birthday Girl, Credence, and Tryst Six Venom. Please look for The Hellbent Series and Motel, coming next.
They live in New England with their husband and daughter.
Your review has me on fire to read this one. I’ve read her older stuff and had this one on the TBR forever.
I have had this on my TBR for the longest while. Glad to see you enjoyed it. I need to pick this one up as soon as possible.
This is probably my Penelope Douglas book, too. It was so good! I’m glad it paid off for you to read it. Great review!
My gorgeous physical copy of this book has been sitting on my shelves for probably 5 years. And I still haven’t read it! Reading your review makes me want to dive into it right this very minute. The quotes you shared hit me right in the feels! Great review, love!
I recall loving it too but it’s been years since I read it so the details are a little bit fuzzy LOL
I enjoyed Ryen’s character arc. She went from this mean girl, trying desperately to fit in, only to alienate the one guy she wants to impress most. Then she starts being true to herself, with tons of encouragement from Misha. Even if he had to bully her to do it lol. I really liked this book and really like your review.