Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

11 reviews

maria_schnecki's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Bullying, Death of parent, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence

ashleereadsbooks692's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Cursing, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Abandonment, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Physical abuse, Sexism, Stalking, Violence, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Infidelity, and Sexual harassment

riss__reads's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Violence

coles14_'s review against another edition

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Bullying, Child death, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Death, and Sexual content

Minor: Pregnancy, Drug abuse, and Drug use

tea_rea's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Homophobia, Death, and Infidelity

alliereadsandreviews's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Abandonment, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Violence

nymphalis's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Biphobia, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

itsemlyyn's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

vienna_reads's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

nicole_m's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

About 500 page book with long chapters but I went through it quickly which is great. The plot is good and the characters love is good too. The plot twists should have been predictable but I was too caught up. Overall book was good but not great. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence

Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Outing, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Cursing and Gaslighting

If any of these warnings trigger you I don’t recommend, but if not enjoy the book!