Penelope Douglas's 'Punk 57' Isn't Just a Gorgeous Cover

Book Reviews

Title: Punk 57
Author: Penelope Douglas
Publisher: Penelope Douglas LLC
Pub. date: 18th October 2016
Series: none
Pages: 371
Genre: new adult, romance, contemporary

Misha
I can’t help but smile at the words 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.
Ryen
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 number or picture or something.
He could be gone forever.
Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.

Content warning: bullying, cheating (mentioned), death of a sibling, depression, drug abuse, homophobic slurs, explicit sexual content, slut-shaming

I have heard great things about Penelope Douglas. Pretty much everyone seems to know her and her books have amazing ratings on GoodReads, so I should definitely join the party, I thought. And I’m very glad I did.

Punk 57 is centred on a boy and a girl who starts out as pen pals. They grow up, life catches up and boy meets girl, but the girl doesn’t know he is her pen pal! Sounds twisty enough yet? Believe me, the story gets ‘mind-blowingly twistier’ as the story progresses. Be warned, this is a dark romance, so things get pretty NSFW into the story.

I really loved the characters. Not just Misha and Ryen, but the rest of the ensemble too. Misha is a heartthrob honestly; a tattoo-sporting, future rockstar with dark family secrets. Ryen is the cheerleader Mean Girl who is more than what she seems. Both protagonists had an amazing depth to their characters, and I very much bonded with them. I am craving to see more of them, and I’m praying for more of their story!

I’ll admit that I was frustrated at Ryen in the initial chapters. I didn’t think I’ll like her at all, but she totally grew on me. So, I guess that’s not really a negative point.

Then there’s the rest of the ensemble. My personal favourite? J.D.! His character had so much potential and, keeping with the theme of the story, I didn’t spot it till the last few chapters. Ten! Manny! Man, I need more story on these great characters!

I loved the twists in this story, too. There were some obvious ones that I suspected, but it’s always great to have your half-ass guesses validated by the author!

One legit negative is that this is standalone! I have spoilt myself on the Devil’s Night series, so I totally recognised Misha’s cousin and his hot friends (I pretty much frothed at the mouth when they made an appearance), but I need more of just Misha and Ryen! They’re just amazing characters! So realistic and raw!

Absolutely loved it, and I think this was a good introduction to Penelope Douglas’s work! I can’t wait to read the spin-off series: Devil’s Night! I’m so ready for more Thunder Bay boys!

Penelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her books have been translated into fifteen languages and include The Fall Away Series, The Devil’s Night Series, and the standalones, Misconduct, Punk 57, Birthday Girl, Credence, and Tryst Six Venom. Please look for Falls Boys and Motel, coming next.

She lives in New England with her husband and their daughter.