Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

Punk 57 happens in the same world as Corrupt, but the stories are not connected. You don't have to have read Corrupt first. Misha and Ryen grew up writing to each other as pen pals. Over the years, they talked about everything. They're best friends and begin falling in love with each other. Even though they don't live very far apart, they have an agreement to never have interactions besides snail mail. After a tragedy, things domino effect causing them to be up close and personal, and neither is what the other expected. They must get past what has been done to them and recognize what they have done to others.

This author has proven before that she has a real knack for tapping into the emotions of teens. She does it again with Punk 57. The feelings of needing to fit in, bullying and being bullied are major themes. Problems such as trying to be perfect overachievers by using stimulants in order to have the energy to do it all are highlighted. Inhalants make an appearance. I think this is the first time I've seen them mentioned in a romance novel. Social media impact is shown a lot. When something happens, the characters blast it on Facebook. Absentee parenting plaques the cast. This story does a good job of pointing out real issues kids have these days. It's a coming of age romance with adult sexiness.

I just wanted to add that I always love this author's playlists so I was happy to see it included, but also she attached the lyrics for some of the songs the characters write in the books (Misha is in a band, and Ryen is his muse). I thought that was a great bonus.