Punk 57

By: Penelope Douglas

Narrated by: Laurie Catherine Winkel, Matthew Holland

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Penelope Douglas comes the latest new adult romance with a bit of everything...friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and a somewhat interesting use of public places.

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 had only 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--k 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.

©2016 Penelope Douglas (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Way better than expected

What does Laurie Catherine Winkel and Matthew Holland bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

These two performers were amazing. The story would not have been as emotional and intriguing without their performances.

Any additional comments?

I don't know why now, but I had been hesitant about buying this book even though it had been on my wish list for several weeks. The description is very minimal compared to the all the twists, turns, and emotions that were felt when reading it. Both characters are likable, even despite Ryen's "I'll walk over people if I have to" attitude; however, Misha's character was wonderfully written and I really found myself liking him more and more throughout the book. I've seen other reviews referring to him as arrogant and controlling, but I think he really had a good reason to be that way towards Ryen and I like that he treated her that way because of his own moral standpoint and outlook on life and how people should be treated. If you are hesitant about reading it, go for it! It was definitely worth it. This was one of my favorites and I've been an audible member for a few months now. I definitely recommend it.

Didn't see it coming!

High school was not where I wanted to really go with this story. The main characters were far from high school but the secondary characters were definitely high school. The story has so many twist that I found myself surprised at the end. It was so easy on the ears that I could not stop listening.

Laurie Winkle was very believable in this story of Ryen. I like how she didn't change her voice a whole lot between characters. It made me think of how I would read the story to myself.

Matthew Holland, his voice was like silk. I will be looking for his voice for future books.

I will be listening again when credits are gone and money is tight. Or just sick of searching for new.

Usual P Douglas Formula

It’s the same-old story of just how badly will the male lead treat the female, how much will she roll over and take, how much dysfunction can you overlook by engaging in some rough sex... I lost count of how many times she said no, or stop, or we shouldn’t, only to have him proceed merrily into her panties. Impossible to care much for either character until the last 5 chapters. Secondary characters very flat and undeveloped.

Top Listen for 2017!! A Must for Audio Lovers!!

What did you love best about Punk 57?

The story flowed from one page to the next. The characters were unforgettable!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Punk 57?

The entire book is memorable! Punk 57 is at the top of my favorites list!

Which character – as performed by Laurie Catherine Winkel and Matthew Holland – was your favorite?

Both narrators were amazing.
I loved Misha and Ryen.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It gave me all the feels. The strongest feelings were excitement and anticipation of what was to come.

Any additional comments?

My full review...
I absolutely LOVED this book!!
I don't even know where to start.
Penelope Douglas knocked it out of the park with Punk 57!!
This was different than anything I've ever read before.
The characters, the flow, the twists, turns, and dialogue.
It was all the right ingredients mixed together to serve up the perfect story and like a woman starved, I DEVOURED it page after page!!!

Misha and Ryen are introduced to each other in elementary school as part of a pen-pal project. But when the year ends, the two find their connection doesn't.
They continue to write and find comfort in each other.
As years pass they agree it's best if they never meet. They've built such a strong bond and confide in each other and neither want to risk losing what they share.
But when tragedy strikes and plans change, Ryen finds herself the prey of the new kid in school. Mason. He's quiet but confident. He's cocky but reserved. He's cautious but protective. He's
As Ryen walks the line of the girl she pretends to be and the girl she wants to be, she finds she's tired of living a lie.
But at what cost will it come to for the truth to unfold.

Secrets, lies, bullies, and backstabbing, the weight of it all begins to change the relationship between Misha and Ryen. And with that, becomes Ryen and Mason.

I can't tell you much without giving away the story so I'll tell you the most important part of my review...
You absolutely, positively, 100%, without a doubt, NEED to read this book!!!

I listened to this on audio.
I was introduced to Narrators Laurie Catherine Winkel and Matthew Holland and highly enjoyed their performance.
As soon as I started listening, I was HOOKED!!
Both narrators are amazing!!
I will definitely be listening to audiobooks by them in the future.

When an author finds the perfect narrators to tell their story, the characters come to life and the story becomes so much more than just another book. It comes alive with emotion, with lessons, and truths. It brings about feelings that derive straight from your heart.

Punk 57 was all that and more...

Punk 57 has earned a spot on my all time favorites list!!!

graphic Teenage sex ruins a good story

I’m not sure who is the intended audience, there are messages that could prove hopeful to those still in high school: everyone feels alone, wants to be liked, to fit in, feels emotional pain from thoughtless taunts and actions. It has character development and growth combined with a well written story...but then it suddenly has long, and graphic sex scenes. I switched to 5x speed to skip over them because it made me feel like a pedophile to be listening to the explicit sex scenes of high schoolers.
And if the audience is those in their teens, it is treating sex as something to undertaken with little thought and that it will be fabulous.
This would have been a really good story had the sex been left out, or not explicitly described in detail

WOW !!!! JUST WOW!!! THIS BOOK WAS SO GREAT 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Any additional comments?

I am awe struck bcuz this is highschool. This book was so good from start to finish. I was on the edge of my seat. This was worth the credit and the narration is excellent. There is not enough good words to say about this book. Just Enjoy

PINK 57 PERFECT

I can't emphasize enough how much I love this story and book.
I'd read the kindle edition of this story last year and I loved it so much I got the paperback copy short after that, and when I recently discovered they published the audible version as well, I just had to have that too.
Well the two narrators performance is GREAT, REMARKABLE, FLAWLESS and they made me enjoy this second time reading and listening so much better and in just the perfect way. Awesome narrators, great story, perfect combination of good writing and talented performers. This book will last in my heart forever.

Spray paint & lyrics!

This audiobook had me going, the emotional connection I felt with the characters was beyond what I was expecting! The narration from Holland & Winkel had me swooning. The music and artistic reference where a plus! I would definitely recommend the author and the book, I just couldn’t stop listening!

4 Punk 57 Stars

I was searching the “Dark” genre under the romance package and this was on the last page, I was intrigued I saw all the hype when this first came out and thought oh I need to read that I just never did.

I am very glad I picked it up, it was different than I was expecting. I want to say it is like Penelope’s Bully but it really isn’t there was a lot more going on.

Misha and Ryen are characters that are truly meant for each other in some really odd ways.
I will say I like Ryen at the beginning but not so much in the middle but that got turned around again to like by the end. I feel like having my emotions turn around makes me like the characters that much more.

Misha was intriguing to me, he was this cool guy but he was mysterious too. You wanted to know his story and why he was doing the things he was.

Ryen’s cliché is interesting there are a few I would like to know more about.

Would I say this is a “dark” romance not really but who am I. I really did enjoy it and do like the frenemies’ trope it was fun.

I liked the narration nothing jumped out at me but I think they both did a good job at keeping me engaged.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

Surprisingly a good listen!

I had toyed with listening to this story for a few months. I finally decided to listen and I am glad I did! This story is a young adult (sort of). The sex scenes were hot, unexpected in a high school story. However, this story is well written. The characters and sub-characters are interesting and the love story believable. I would recommend this story for a credit or sale! Definitely better than most available audio's at the moment!

Complicated but enjoyable

This book does have a weird premise. It’s problematic aspects feature around one of the core themes of the book: bullying, and how that fits in with the core romantic relationship. Can we really get behind a romance where the two main characters start off treating each other so badly? However, I think Penelope Douglas somehow managed to give the characters enough backstory, depth, and growth, that by the end of the book it was about two very different people (who managed to develop in a realistic way and were still recognisable) who loved and understood each other, treated each other well, and supported each other. As a reader I could understand why they were together and I believed in their relationship.

The journey along the way was also entertaining, despite both characters having certain unattractive traits and sometimes clearly making the wrong decisions. Having both points of view in the story allowed me as the reader to understand why they were acting a certain way, even though I didn’t have to support it, and also allowed the chemistry between the characters to blossom. This book is STEAMY.

The narrators were okay. I didn’t start off as a fan of their voices, however as the book went on I gradually got used to them and though I didn’t love them at the end, I no longer hated them either.

I also like how the characters made mistakes, learned from them, and tried to do better. It’s relatable. And sometimes we only realise that we could have done better in retrospect.

This is not my new all time favourite read. But, I am really glad I read it. It was interesting, fun, steamy, dramatic, and just a good read. It helped me get over a reading slump I had had recently, and I must admit that I listened to this book in the equivalent of the way I can sometimes stay up all night reading a good book until completion.

I have also read Douglas’ BULLY, and this one is far more coherent, less cringeworthy, and the romance is more well rounded. If you enjoyed that series you will love this one.

X-rated Sweet Valley High

I bought this on one of the Audible special offers (3-for-2 or something). If you’re looking for soft(ish) porn to listen to then go for it. Other than that, I really really wouldn’t bother. The storyline is ridiculous and the ‘twists’ very very predictable. I kept waiting for something to happen on the plot, but it just doesn’t. The two main characters have a ‘small’ amount of depth, but none of the others do. It’s as if it’s written by teenage girl.

Terrible, do not waste your time

I can honestly say this was painful to listen to and i could not finish the book. These characters are supposed to be teenagers?! Terrible!

Not for me

I think this book is aimed at people much younger than me! Did not like the characters which is not a good start. There are graphic sex scenes which I wasn’t expecting- think I didn’t read info properly before purchasing.

Wonderfully terrible

Voice actors did great but this book is just high school cliches on legs + insane justifications for characters actions + sex. But if you love reading things to see just how batsh t crazy they can be go ahead and read this lmao.

just do it

after the reviews I read I was sceptical. but I really enjoyed it. it flowed well and I was surprised by the twists (which is always nice) it's spicy, romantic and had an actual good story line, which is sometimes hard to fine in this genre

4.75 Stars

Re-Read 08/12/2021 Sticking with same rating. I re-read this to determine if this is my favourite book. I've decided while everything I said in my original review is valid, and I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone who asks. It isn't my GOAT book. It's a favourite for sure, but not THE.

4.75* (original read 4/6/2018)

I was worried before I picked this up. This author, and this book in particular has been hyped up for me in a big way.

THE HYPE IS REAL, PEOPLE. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Are Ryen and Misha perfect? No. Far from it. Is this book perfect? Kinda.

There's not much I can say without spoiling it, but I'm in LOVE with Penelope Douglas's writing and I loved this way more than I thought I would. So much so I'm itching to pick up everything she's written.

Awesome story

After someone gave this recommendation for this book it sounded awesome so I bought it. I loved this book

Amazing

Brilliantly written and great characters. Love how The author captures real life and displays it in her stories A reread-able book.

Very enjoyable

Good story with a twist at the end I didn’t see coming. Very much enjoyed it.