Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

12 reviews

tarakb08's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Punk 57. Wow. What a ride. I loved this book to pieces honestly. Just—beautiful.
The emotional scenes are what really got to me; taking two incredibly rough, cocky characters and watching them break down, be vulnerable, and being able to come right back around again was everything to me.
The spice felt a bit abrupt at some parts, but was generally very good,
and got even better towards the end when it was rightfully placed around more vulnerable scenes.


My jaw dropped when I found out about certain details
like Ryen being Punk, and Misha’s mom, so points for the plot twists there. I also liked the high school group that ended up forming in the end, as well as the brief college plot, though the five-year time skip was a little much for me. Regardless, it was a very beautiful ending either way, and I loved it.
Ryen and Misha kick ass, and genuinely have amazing, raw chemistry that doesn’t feel forced.

And, side note: as a metalhead and rock enthusiast, the playlist and  references mentioned throughout this book are so real and absolutely amazing. Plus, I cried reading the extras and author’s note at the end.

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maria_schnecki's review against another edition

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2.5

why? Not gonna lie, it kept me entertained but I also kinda feel icky about that, so yeah.
I liked the premise - pen pals that are not sure their friendship would survive the switch from just communicating by letters to meeting in person. There was potential there. I also liked the idea of having a not super likeable mc that has a great personality development. However, that was just not it.
Why all the bullying? Why? I get it, insecurities are tough and lead to ugly behaviour in some people, but... that does not excuse what this story is portraying. Also, our male mc
going the psycho route when finding out that said penpal is not a "nerdy loser" but a popular mean girl? Sorry, but whilst I might get being angry about being deceived for years (kinda), there is just no going back from that. The way Misha is overly possesive, brutal, mean and aggresive? Not something you can just have a good talk and be back to normal. But the author knows at least that, so what is the next best thing? Crime and very awkward hate-sex. Idk man but thats just not it. Also, albeit the not-so-great smut scenes, I did not hate this book by this point (mind you I also didn't enjoy it), but the ending??? What is going on? It would have been fine if Misha and Ryen had their happy ending, I get that, romance genre and all. But to have the audacity to assume the victim of years of bullying through the hands of Ryen (yes, standing by is, at the age of 18, something that you have to accept responsibility for) just joins their friend group for some fun times? Yeah no, you did the poor guy so dirty. At least leave him out of there. Most people deserve their happy ending, but not at the cost of other peoples well-being. Yikes


so yeah, yikes. Do not read if you get upset by bullying, aggressive behaviour, fighting ( both physical and verbal), sexual harassment and yeah like lots of bullying

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ashleereadsbooks692's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25


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clarissa_lily's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

 Sigh, where to begin. There's a fair bit about this book I really didn't enjoy, so I'll start with the positive: I finished it. Despite my gripes, it had me invested enough to take the time to finish it (albeit after a heavily considered DNF).

What I didn't like? First off, can we stop romanticising abusive behaviour? It's not romantic, it's not something desirable, and I'm so sick of it being the norm in romance novels.
Related to this, I was genuinely rooting for the FMC to get as far away from the MMC as possible. He's entitled, misogynistic, hypocritical and straight up a narcissist. But alas, despite the breaking and entry and assault the book starts with she's in love with him by the end soooo.

Honestly, I'd avoid this book. There's better dark romance out there. 

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coles14_'s review against another edition

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2.0


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tea_rea's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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alliereadsandreviews's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0


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nymphalis's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

Some things are so bad they're good... This is just straight up awful. 
I'm surprised this was even published and it's getting this level of attention, it's straight up a bad fanfiction (and, for some perspective, most fan fictions I've read are way better). 

It really tried to make a redemption arc for a bully that supported other violent bullies... Because she just was ✨ not like the other girls ✨ and had a deep dark bad boy love interest.
It's awful, the whole Manny forgiving her after her "boyfriend" Ripped his earlobe? I can't believe people don't see how wrong this book is... 
Using the abuse of others to make a character arc? Ffs

I could write a 5 page essay about all the shameful tropes this book used, pretty much no character is redeemable, so much homophobia and misogyny it's disgusting. 

Save your neurons and skip this one, even wattpad has better and less abusive stories (and definitely better smut) 

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grayotter's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Wow um never again thank you

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vienna_reads's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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