Review: Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

"We were perfect together. Until we met."

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.

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MY REVIEW
★★★★☆

Honestly, will there ever be a Penelope Douglas story that I won't like? I haven't found one yet, not that I'm looking or anything. But c'mon, she's gotta have an off day right?

I really thought this book was going to do it. Show me that this author isn't perfect. I hated Ryen at first. Well, maybe not so much hated but I strongly disliked her.

I learned a long time ago that you don’t need to reveal everything inside of you to the people around you. They like to judge, and I’m happier when they don’t.

I am no fan of pretenders and she not only lied about who she really was to look good to others and to feel good about her horrid self, she stood idly by while people were being hurt. Heck, she was part of the problem and did NOTHING until she was forced to. I say forced because we all know that she stood absolutely no chance with Misha with the way she was. Her behavior and lack of honor were turn offs to him and he wouldn't want anything to do with her. And he didn't. And I didn't blame him one bit.

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

I loved the idea of the mix up for pen pals and how these two became fast friends without ever meeting. I loved how they supported one another and how real their friendship was, at least on paper. I didn't love that Misha was 100% true in everything he did and didn't receive the same in return. So yeah, I despised this chick with every fiber of my being for a hot minute. But then Misha gave her the wake up call that she very much needed and everything was right as rain.

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.

Honestly there was so much to love in this book, especially because of the awesomeness that was Misha. This boy... he was so incredible. He kept me reading, turning the pages for more of his voice like a fanatic. And I have absolutely no shame. I'm a Misha fangirl, head of his fan club, and willing vessel for his seed. Okay, I went too far with the last one, but you know what I mean.

Release: October 21, 2016

Dual POV - 1st person

Heat: 3.5

Standalone - YA➝NA Friends-to-lovers

Format: ebook through Kindle Unlimited