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stephanie_inman's Reviews (228)
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
** spoiler alert ** TW/CW: murder, violence, cheating
I had heard about this book for a while, but didn't decide to pick it up until I saw Jeneva Rose's TikTok. If this were a rating on Jeneva herself, her TT content or the sheer genius of her marketing, I'd be at a minimum of 4 stars.
But, unfortunately I'm reviewing the book. And I feel bad that my first thought, upon completing this book, was "Damn, Scott. You were onto something". (Follow Jeneva and her Scott drama. Whether it really happened or just is insanely good marketing, it's absolutely entertaining)
I wanted to love this book. The synopsis sounded amazing. However the book quickly fell apart. Because the only way this plot works is if every character in the book is just about as smart as a bowl of cereal. You give just one character one brain cell and the entire plot falls apart.
I still can't get a handle on whether or not I was ever supposed to like our main character, Sarah. While her husband was absolutely the worst, I also really hated her. She is a privileged wyt woman who looks down on pretty much everyone.
I could say more. But honestly I would be here all day if I wrote out everything I hated about this book.
I do want to end on something positive, so I will say the pacing was excellent. While the book drove me bananas, I did keep reading until the end because of the pacing. I knew it wasn't going to be a big time investment. Also Jeneva Rose seems to be a very creative person. I think she has the ability to be much better than this book.
I had heard about this book for a while, but didn't decide to pick it up until I saw Jeneva Rose's TikTok. If this were a rating on Jeneva herself, her TT content or the sheer genius of her marketing, I'd be at a minimum of 4 stars.
But, unfortunately I'm reviewing the book. And I feel bad that my first thought, upon completing this book, was "Damn, Scott. You were onto something". (Follow Jeneva and her Scott drama. Whether it really happened or just is insanely good marketing, it's absolutely entertaining)
I wanted to love this book. The synopsis sounded amazing. However the book quickly fell apart. Because the only way this plot works is if every character in the book is just about as smart as a bowl of cereal. You give just one character one brain cell and the entire plot falls apart.
I still can't get a handle on whether or not I was ever supposed to like our main character, Sarah. While her husband was absolutely the worst, I also really hated her. She is a privileged wyt woman who looks down on pretty much everyone.
I could say more. But honestly I would be here all day if I wrote out everything I hated about this book.
I do want to end on something positive, so I will say the pacing was excellent. While the book drove me bananas, I did keep reading until the end because of the pacing. I knew it wasn't going to be a big time investment. Also Jeneva Rose seems to be a very creative person. I think she has the ability to be much better than this book.
Content Warnings
Spoilers
dark
medium-paced
Two stars because I was intrigued with the couple that the next book will feature. If not for those side characters, this one would have been a DNF.
Lucas and Gemma fell flat for me. He's like a caricature of a hs bully romance "hero". She needed a backbone. Neither of them developed throughout the story.
Lucas and Gemma fell flat for me. He's like a caricature of a hs bully romance "hero". She needed a backbone. Neither of them developed throughout the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual harassment
I’m obsessed with this book. Just completely, ridiculously, off the walls obsessed. It made me smile and swoon and just have feelings that no book has been able to do for me in a long time.
Alex and Henry are worth rooting for. The side characters are worth rooting for. Yes, I love Alex and Henry, but I also fell for June, Nora, Pez and Bea.
I laughed at the joking between Alex and Henry. At the snark of June and Nora. How they loved Alex and just accepted him, always. I cried when Alex finally realized his feelings. Not just his feelings for Henry, but when he realized his bisexuality. And when he thinks of how he felt learning about Stonewall and the emotions of the SCOTUS decision in 2015 that made it legal in all 50 states for same sex couples to marry? Tears rolling down my face.
I read some critical reviews of this book saying that it’s too idealistic. Too perfect. That may be true. But, personally, I’d love to live in a world where a President like President Claremont is elected. Where the Alexes and Henrys of the world are open and free to be exactly who they are. To me, this book isn’t some utopian fantasy. Honestly, it’s what we should be working towards. And, even if things aren’t there yet, it made me feel really good to peak into that world for just a little while.
History, huh?
Alex and Henry are worth rooting for. The side characters are worth rooting for. Yes, I love Alex and Henry, but I also fell for June, Nora, Pez and Bea.
I laughed at the joking between Alex and Henry. At the snark of June and Nora. How they loved Alex and just accepted him, always. I cried when Alex finally realized his feelings. Not just his feelings for Henry, but when he realized his bisexuality. And when he thinks of how he felt learning about Stonewall and the emotions of the SCOTUS decision in 2015 that made it legal in all 50 states for same sex couples to marry? Tears rolling down my face.
I read some critical reviews of this book saying that it’s too idealistic. Too perfect. That may be true. But, personally, I’d love to live in a world where a President like President Claremont is elected. Where the Alexes and Henrys of the world are open and free to be exactly who they are. To me, this book isn’t some utopian fantasy. Honestly, it’s what we should be working towards. And, even if things aren’t there yet, it made me feel really good to peak into that world for just a little while.
History, huh?
This book. I'll admit I'm a little late to Penelope Douglas, but I've decided this is the year I'm dusting off the Kindle shelf and delving into the books that I've let sit too long (along with re-reads of everything else I can manage). I remember being excited about this book, so I don't know why I let it set for so damn long.
Punk 57 is the story of Misha and Ryen. Due to their gender neutral names, they get matched as pen pals in elementary school and develop a friendship. Although they only live a town apart, they agree to not meet irl, and they also decide to not even look each other up on social media. They both like having each other and their relationship exactly as it is.
Then something happens (no spoilers) and Misha finds himself face to face with Ryen. What happens, though, when you realize the girl you thought you knew isn't who you wanted her to be? Not only that, you don't even like the girl that she appears to be?
This is what I LOVED about this book. Ryen is not your one dimensional, good girl, cookie cutter heroine. She screws up. Majorly. And often. She's not the nicest person in the world. She has a good heart, sure, but she doesn't really show it. This is a trait we usually see in men, when it comes to books. I love that the author flipped it. And, in another twist, Misha isn't yet another hero who spends his time bouncing from bed to bed! Both characters have depth.
This book is often referred to as a "bully romance", but compared to other bully romances of the day, this isn't on the same level. It's still darker than a typical romance, but with the popularity of bully romances right now, it seems they have taken a much grittier turn. If you're a reader who reads a lot of the really dark bully romance, you might actually find this a bit light.
Punk 57 is the story of Misha and Ryen. Due to their gender neutral names, they get matched as pen pals in elementary school and develop a friendship. Although they only live a town apart, they agree to not meet irl, and they also decide to not even look each other up on social media. They both like having each other and their relationship exactly as it is.
Then something happens (no spoilers) and Misha finds himself face to face with Ryen. What happens, though, when you realize the girl you thought you knew isn't who you wanted her to be? Not only that, you don't even like the girl that she appears to be?
This is what I LOVED about this book. Ryen is not your one dimensional, good girl, cookie cutter heroine. She screws up. Majorly. And often. She's not the nicest person in the world. She has a good heart, sure, but she doesn't really show it. This is a trait we usually see in men, when it comes to books. I love that the author flipped it. And, in another twist, Misha isn't yet another hero who spends his time bouncing from bed to bed! Both characters have depth.
This book is often referred to as a "bully romance", but compared to other bully romances of the day, this isn't on the same level. It's still darker than a typical romance, but with the popularity of bully romances right now, it seems they have taken a much grittier turn. If you're a reader who reads a lot of the really dark bully romance, you might actually find this a bit light.
