Book Review: ‘ Punk 57’ by Penelope Douglas

Penelope Douglas’s writing style has always hooked me. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and charged with emotional intensity and Punk 57 is no exception. I devoured Birthday Girl and your couldn't tear me away from Credence, but while I flew through the pages of Punk 57, this book was a difficult pill to swallow.

The story follows Ryen and Misha, two teens who’ve been writing letters to each other for years as part of a school project turned unexpected lifeline. When Misha discovers who Ryen really is, everything changes—and not always in comfortable ways. The book is gritty, messy, and full of the dark emotional warfare that Douglas writes so well.

Here's the official summary:

"We were perfect together. Until we met."

Misha

I can't help but smile at the lyrics 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 phone number or picture or something.

He could be gone forever.

Or right under my nose, and I wouldn't even know it.

But here’s my main struggle: they’re still in high school. And while the writing itself is compelling, the heavy sexual themes layered onto teenage characters made me uneasy. I often had to mentally age them up just to make it feel palatable, which isn’t ideal. It’s one of the things that made me pause, despite enjoying the story’s broader concept and execution.

That said, Punk 57 is undeniably one of those “holy grail” titles in the dark romance world; often recommended as a next step after reading authors like Colleen Hoover. It taps into the heightened emotions of teen angst, revenge, and desire in a way that keeps readers turning the pages. But I do think the marketing of these types of books can blur lines, especially for casual readers who aren’t expecting such dark and explicit content from a high school setting, or if they've picked it up in the supermarket.

Still, we can't police taste. Readers need to make informed choices, and as long as content warnings are clearly presented, it's up to them to decide if it’s a journey they want to take.

Will I read more by Penelope Douglas? Oh, always. I'm like a moth to the flame when it comes to her books. But if you're new to dark romance, I just urge a little caution. Otherwise, fill your boots!

Written by Sarah