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A review by stephanie_inman
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
5.0
This book. I'll admit I'm a little late to Penelope Douglas, but I've decided this is the year I'm dusting off the Kindle shelf and delving into the books that I've let sit too long (along with re-reads of everything else I can manage). I remember being excited about this book, so I don't know why I let it set for so damn long.
Punk 57 is the story of Misha and Ryen. Due to their gender neutral names, they get matched as pen pals in elementary school and develop a friendship. Although they only live a town apart, they agree to not meet irl, and they also decide to not even look each other up on social media. They both like having each other and their relationship exactly as it is.
Then something happens (no spoilers) and Misha finds himself face to face with Ryen. What happens, though, when you realize the girl you thought you knew isn't who you wanted her to be? Not only that, you don't even like the girl that she appears to be?
This is what I LOVED about this book. Ryen is not your one dimensional, good girl, cookie cutter heroine. She screws up. Majorly. And often. She's not the nicest person in the world. She has a good heart, sure, but she doesn't really show it. This is a trait we usually see in men, when it comes to books. I love that the author flipped it. And, in another twist, Misha isn't yet another hero who spends his time bouncing from bed to bed! Both characters have depth.
This book is often referred to as a "bully romance", but compared to other bully romances of the day, this isn't on the same level. It's still darker than a typical romance, but with the popularity of bully romances right now, it seems they have taken a much grittier turn. If you're a reader who reads a lot of the really dark bully romance, you might actually find this a bit light.
Punk 57 is the story of Misha and Ryen. Due to their gender neutral names, they get matched as pen pals in elementary school and develop a friendship. Although they only live a town apart, they agree to not meet irl, and they also decide to not even look each other up on social media. They both like having each other and their relationship exactly as it is.
Then something happens (no spoilers) and Misha finds himself face to face with Ryen. What happens, though, when you realize the girl you thought you knew isn't who you wanted her to be? Not only that, you don't even like the girl that she appears to be?
This is what I LOVED about this book. Ryen is not your one dimensional, good girl, cookie cutter heroine. She screws up. Majorly. And often. She's not the nicest person in the world. She has a good heart, sure, but she doesn't really show it. This is a trait we usually see in men, when it comes to books. I love that the author flipped it. And, in another twist, Misha isn't yet another hero who spends his time bouncing from bed to bed! Both characters have depth.
This book is often referred to as a "bully romance", but compared to other bully romances of the day, this isn't on the same level. It's still darker than a typical romance, but with the popularity of bully romances right now, it seems they have taken a much grittier turn. If you're a reader who reads a lot of the really dark bully romance, you might actually find this a bit light.