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katiemdelee's review against another edition
5.0
I definitely plan on reading more books by Penelope Douglas. I've read Birthday Girl and now Punk 57, and I've really enjoyed both. I loved this book so much!
jazzminda's review against another edition
3.0
This book was ok. I knew going into it that it was a smutty read and expected fan fiction quality but it actually had very padded out characters and had some good twists in it to keep it interesting. The angst was good and the relationship was spicy a good amount, it wasn’t overkill. The main characters both not being perfect either made them more realistic, though it made the FL a bit more annoying I suppose as she was such a bitch haha! But no, her character development is nice and her need to be popular is sad to read really but if anyone in her situation reads this, I think it would be good for showing people that ‘popularity’ means nothing at school, as more people actually hate you than like you.
No, this was a fun little read from a friend’s recommendation and was a nice easy read to break up the more complex books.
Also, there were gay characters that were briefly hinted at flirting at the end of the book and…hell yeah gimme that queer representation but also, like I would read a spin off about them honestly Hahahha.
Also (the last one lol), the very end of the book ends with the FL sending a letter to her childhood friend who she ditched to go with the ‘populars’ and js…as someone who’s been in that situation…I would be so upset receiving a letter of apology cause like it just proves that all your pain really meant nothing to them and that they did it to make themselves more likeable like…that’s so cruel and some half assed apology is supposed to fix it? Nah the FL was too fickle, though I suppose that made her more realistic as there are many fickle people out there.
Oops- I’ll leave it there, think I need to sleep off some of my emotions lol
No, this was a fun little read from a friend’s recommendation and was a nice easy read to break up the more complex books.
Also, there were gay characters that were briefly hinted at flirting at the end of the book and…hell yeah gimme that queer representation but also, like I would read a spin off about them honestly Hahahha.
Also (the last one lol), the very end of the book ends with the FL sending a letter to her childhood friend who she ditched to go with the ‘populars’ and js…as someone who’s been in that situation…I would be so upset receiving a letter of apology cause like it just proves that all your pain really meant nothing to them and that they did it to make themselves more likeable like…that’s so cruel and some half assed apology is supposed to fix it? Nah the FL was too fickle, though I suppose that made her more realistic as there are many fickle people out there.
Oops- I’ll leave it there, think I need to sleep off some of my emotions lol
nientjuhhh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lilithjane's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I cannot say that I understand the hype about this one. I'm unsure if I missed something but other than a fast reading experience there was nothing good about this one.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 📝
Misha and Ryen were pen pals for seven years, they match perfectly. Until Misha meets Ryen and she's not at all who she said she was.
The plot itself is hardly explanatory, it's full of smut, romance? and fights and crime plus a weirdly written anti bullying campaign. The plot feels as if it was written by a horny 13 year old, who wanted to appear like an adult and drop some wise advice.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 👥
Ryen and Misha are very...weird. They are supposed to have character development but it seems like there is only the before and after. The development itself isn't visible to me, it's like that step was skipped.
The rest of the characters are also highly stereotypical. A bullied emo, who might also be part of the lgbtqia+ community, an aggressive f-boy who's a pain in the arse and treats women badly, the sl*tty fake friend, the mafia friends of the bad boy main character? Everything about this made me uncomfortable.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 💭
The fact that being pen pals for seven years should mean something made me feel weird, as I didn't see that connection between the two main characters. It was mentioned several times and there were many anecdotes but it felt like the feelings weren't portrayed well to me as a reader.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 1.5 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀? ⭐
Truly the only good thing was that I could finish this book in 3 days. I can't even say it was written okay.
The plot made no sense to me, there wasn't a real goal and there were many many plot holes. There were one or two plot twists and it was the first time I actually had to close a book because they were either weird or uncomfortable. The Characters actions weren't understandable to me, not to mention that apparently adults have no authority at all in this book.
I'm happy I read this book because now I know that it wasn't worth it. I can truly only recommend this if you like a fast read.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 📝
Misha and Ryen were pen pals for seven years, they match perfectly. Until Misha meets Ryen and she's not at all who she said she was.
The plot itself is hardly explanatory, it's full of smut, romance? and fights and crime plus a weirdly written anti bullying campaign. The plot feels as if it was written by a horny 13 year old, who wanted to appear like an adult and drop some wise advice.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 👥
Ryen and Misha are very...weird. They are supposed to have character development but it seems like there is only the before and after. The development itself isn't visible to me, it's like that step was skipped.
The rest of the characters are also highly stereotypical. A bullied emo, who might also be part of the lgbtqia+ community, an aggressive f-boy who's a pain in the arse and treats women badly, the sl*tty fake friend, the mafia friends of the bad boy main character? Everything about this made me uncomfortable.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 💭
The fact that being pen pals for seven years should mean something made me feel weird, as I didn't see that connection between the two main characters. It was mentioned several times and there were many anecdotes but it felt like the feelings weren't portrayed well to me as a reader.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 1.5 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀? ⭐
Truly the only good thing was that I could finish this book in 3 days. I can't even say it was written okay.
The plot made no sense to me, there wasn't a real goal and there were many many plot holes. There were one or two plot twists and it was the first time I actually had to close a book because they were either weird or uncomfortable. The Characters actions weren't understandable to me, not to mention that apparently adults have no authority at all in this book.
I'm happy I read this book because now I know that it wasn't worth it. I can truly only recommend this if you like a fast read.
kristyloves2read's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I'm not sure what to say......this book reminds me why I both like and dislike teenage angst. There were things I hated about this book and there were things I loved, but 2 things stand out. The first is teenagers have way too much freedom and lack of guidance in this book, which unfortunately occasionally feels too true in society today. The second thing that stands out is that as adults we often forget how big everything feels at that young age of 16-20 and how traumatic it can be, this serves in a fictional sense as a great reminder of those feelings of anger and betrayal.
Misha and Ryen both have a lot of things going on in their lives and while I would never accept some of the things they do to each other, especially some of the things Misha does to Ryen, I have to stop and remind myself of some of the things my teenage self accepted and realize that as unhealthy as it seems, as unacceptable as it should be and as unhappy about it as we are as adults, that age lends itself to both into doing the hurtful things and to the acceptance of those things being done to us. This is why as adults we should be guiding our teenagers not trying to stuff them into the “you’re a child” box and not trying to suppress them, they are going to do that stupid stuff behind our backs anyway, you know we all did it at there age too. Better to be open and available. As a parent of two teenagers, I’m glad I read this book.
That being said…... This was a crazy book and I’ll admit I loved it. I love the plot twists, the dark edginess, and the turmoil. Misha and Ryen are hot and spicy, often toxic together and it works as a story.
I'm not sure what to say......this book reminds me why I both like and dislike teenage angst. There were things I hated about this book and there were things I loved, but 2 things stand out. The first is teenagers have way too much freedom and lack of guidance in this book, which unfortunately occasionally feels too true in society today. The second thing that stands out is that as adults we often forget how big everything feels at that young age of 16-20 and how traumatic it can be, this serves in a fictional sense as a great reminder of those feelings of anger and betrayal.
Misha and Ryen both have a lot of things going on in their lives and while I would never accept some of the things they do to each other, especially some of the things Misha does to Ryen, I have to stop and remind myself of some of the things my teenage self accepted and realize that as unhealthy as it seems, as unacceptable as it should be and as unhappy about it as we are as adults, that age lends itself to both into doing the hurtful things and to the acceptance of those things being done to us. This is why as adults we should be guiding our teenagers not trying to stuff them into the “you’re a child” box and not trying to suppress them, they are going to do that stupid stuff behind our backs anyway, you know we all did it at there age too. Better to be open and available. As a parent of two teenagers, I’m glad I read this book.
That being said…... This was a crazy book and I’ll admit I loved it. I love the plot twists, the dark edginess, and the turmoil. Misha and Ryen are hot and spicy, often toxic together and it works as a story.
heartscontent's review against another edition
4.0
With absolute and utmost honesty, I read this book because I’m desperately waiting on the fourth book in the Devil’s Night series and some of the lovely ladies who are waiting with me and discussing ALL POSSIBLE THEORIES about Will’s book, Nightfall, suggested that I check out Punk 57.
So of course I did. Mostly, I did it because they told me that Will Freaking Grayson would appear in this book. I started reading this book for that very reason. I wasn’t particularly expecting to enjoy Punk 57, even though I’d heard good things about it. So I was both surprised—and not, because Pen is BAE—that I was rather intrigued, moved and nose deep into Misha and Ryen’s story. There was something very different about Ryen and I think I was a lot lot lot lot more intrigued by her simply because of the kind of heroine she was. When Pen addressed it at the end, I knew that it had been a gamble. Writing a heroine who’s bad by nature is different; but writing a heroine who is aware of the bad and does not like it but doesn’t do anything about it hard.
Pen did it anyway. It wasn’t easy to like Ryen, I think perhaps because we’ve all sometimes kept our heads low when we could’ve spoken up, or we’ve all sometimes craved to fit in, to be happy the way that we see others be happy or to just be seen. We do desperate things to be heard, understood and seen.
Misha. Misha I felt a lot more pain for. He truly had suffered, he felt guilt, he’d faced demons, he struggled everyday but he did his best... except with Ryen. He was angry, lashing and punishing with her and strangely their relationship was that that, neither could do anything that would make the other hurt them.
In the end, as messed up as Pen’s characters can sometimes be, the bottom line for me is how there’s always someone out that that will love you, see you, believe in you and be there for you. And sometimes that’s enough to bring everything back into focus. Bring you back. Show them all your ugly and when they love you anyway, you become beautiful. A strange metaphorical Beauty and the Beast story maybe?
So of course I did. Mostly, I did it because they told me that Will Freaking Grayson would appear in this book. I started reading this book for that very reason. I wasn’t particularly expecting to enjoy Punk 57, even though I’d heard good things about it. So I was both surprised—and not, because Pen is BAE—that I was rather intrigued, moved and nose deep into Misha and Ryen’s story. There was something very different about Ryen and I think I was a lot lot lot lot more intrigued by her simply because of the kind of heroine she was. When Pen addressed it at the end, I knew that it had been a gamble. Writing a heroine who’s bad by nature is different; but writing a heroine who is aware of the bad and does not like it but doesn’t do anything about it hard.
Pen did it anyway. It wasn’t easy to like Ryen, I think perhaps because we’ve all sometimes kept our heads low when we could’ve spoken up, or we’ve all sometimes craved to fit in, to be happy the way that we see others be happy or to just be seen. We do desperate things to be heard, understood and seen.
Misha. Misha I felt a lot more pain for. He truly had suffered, he felt guilt, he’d faced demons, he struggled everyday but he did his best... except with Ryen. He was angry, lashing and punishing with her and strangely their relationship was that that, neither could do anything that would make the other hurt them.
In the end, as messed up as Pen’s characters can sometimes be, the bottom line for me is how there’s always someone out that that will love you, see you, believe in you and be there for you. And sometimes that’s enough to bring everything back into focus. Bring you back. Show them all your ugly and when they love you anyway, you become beautiful. A strange metaphorical Beauty and the Beast story maybe?
zutsie's review against another edition
4.0
Yep. I really enjoyed this one. I was sucked in immediately and just went along for the ride. I liked the setup of Misha and Ryen being pen pals for years, and the complicated feelings that all came from that.
I thought they had fantastic chemistry throughout, and I was there for it. A lot of angst and anger, secrets and lies, and I just wanted more, more, more. Misha with his damn scribbled words everywhere... yes.
I liked that the author wrote such a wretched lead character (Ryen) - usually this can go a bit too far, so great direction. However, I liked how Penelope Douglas delved down deeper about this.
The book contained shallow, awful characters, and others that were so much better. There were quite a few themes throughout the book, and a lot of them were quite tough and complex, making this book absolutely my cup of tea.
So yeah. As you can tell, I really enjoyed this. I was hooked. It’s been awhile since I read something that dragged me in. I will certainly be checking out more of Douglas’s books.
I thought they had fantastic chemistry throughout, and I was there for it. A lot of angst and anger, secrets and lies, and I just wanted more, more, more. Misha with his damn scribbled words everywhere... yes.
I liked that the author wrote such a wretched lead character (Ryen) - usually this can go a bit too far, so great direction. However, I liked how Penelope Douglas delved down deeper about this.
The book contained shallow, awful characters, and others that were so much better. There were quite a few themes throughout the book, and a lot of them were quite tough and complex, making this book absolutely my cup of tea.
So yeah. As you can tell, I really enjoyed this. I was hooked. It’s been awhile since I read something that dragged me in. I will certainly be checking out more of Douglas’s books.
marrydebi's review against another edition
5.0
Minha magnifica Penelope Douglas ataca novamente e imagina o meu prazer em identificar os cavaleiro aparecendo no final do livro? huuuuuum, o gostinho da saudade do que aqueles homens aprontaram, serio mesmo!
Mas enfim, nossa eu gostei bastante da história, como não se remete as outras, teve um momento que fiquei meio enjoada por conta da serie dos cavaleiros, mas essa foi uma supresa agradavel, e muito romantica apesar dos s*xos hahaahaah
Mas enfim, nossa eu gostei bastante da história, como não se remete as outras, teve um momento que fiquei meio enjoada por conta da serie dos cavaleiros, mas essa foi uma supresa agradavel, e muito romantica apesar dos s*xos hahaahaah
reinethereader's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was so interesting, the idea is quite creative, it’s definitely worth the hype.
It might not be easy to read for everyone because the male character is a bit intense towards the female character, but as you read you understand why, I loved this book not too dark but definitely not vanilla
It might not be easy to read for everyone because the male character is a bit intense towards the female character, but as you read you understand why, I loved this book not too dark but definitely not vanilla
lolz_taylor's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book! There were so many twists and turns, I felt so many different emotions reading this. As much as Ryen could be horrible at points, she was a girl that never fitted in so she tried to change herself to what she thought people wanted. I loved the tension between Ryen and Misha/Mason, their arguments were perfect. Ryen found her match in Misha, he could humble her fast. The whole time I kept wanting him to tell her who he really was instead of keep lying to her especially after the drive in scene. I do feel really sorry for Misha and all he went through, I couldn’t believe the principal was his mum!