Book Review: Punk 57 By Penelope Douglas

January 18, 2025

Punk 57 By Penelope Douglas

Punk 57 - Rockstar Standalone Romance

Tropes: Pen Pals, Bully Romance, New Adult, Friends To Enemies To Lovers, Hidden Identity, Angst

Summary:

In Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas, Misha and Ryen have shared a unique, seven-year bond as anonymous pen pals, bound by three simple rules: no social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. Their letters are their sanctuary—until Misha stumbles upon a photo that changes everything. Driven to meet Ryen, he discovers a girl he doesn’t recognise and struggles with his expectations versus reality. This emotional and tension-filled story explores identity, vulnerability, and the complexities of connection, making it a must-read for fans of gripping contemporary romance.

💚 LD

As a huge fan of Penelope Douglas, I was thrilled to dive into Punk 57. While the high school setting wasn't my favourite, it’s undeniable that Douglas's storytelling remains compelling and unique. Her ability to craft raw, messy, and imperfect characters shines through, even if this wasn’t a personal favourite of mine. Despite my mixed feelings, I still admire her talent for weaving emotional depth into her books, and I’m eager to see what she creates next.

“We’re all ugly, Ryen. The only difference is, some hide it and some wear it.”

🤍 AD -⁠

Punk 57 felt like a refreshing reset for me. After reading countless books with similar storylines, this one stood out for its originality. The character development was phenomenal—I started off hating Ryen but ended up truly understanding and loving her by the end. The growth and layers of complexity in both Ryen and Misha made this book captivating from start to finish. Penelope Douglas has once again proven why her work is so widely loved, and I’d highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique, heartfelt story.

“She can be a nightmare, but this still feels better than any dream.”

💙 AG - ⁠

While Punk 57 didn’t fully meet my expectations, there were still plenty of moments I enjoyed. The raw emotion and tension kept me turning the pages, even if the ending felt a bit rushed and left me wanting more resolution. That said, I appreciate the bold, creative approach Penelope Douglas took with this book. Her characters are flawed, intense, and undeniably human, which makes her work so intriguing. I’m hopeful for even more depth in her future stories and will continue to follow her captivating writing journey.