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Punk Charming: A Mixtape of Travel, Love & 80s Pop Culture
1986 Shoulder pads are big, hair is bigger, and American college student Kate Spenser is set to embark on the biggest adventure of her life. Having been accepted to a summer studyabroad program in Oxford, England, Kate travels to Europe for the first time. Kate is psyched about a summer of exploring countries, experiencing new cultures, and perhaps meeting a charming man along the way. Armed with a FrenchEnglish dictionary and her Walkman loaded with Duran Duran, Kate is ready to start her adventure in France. Little does she know what awaits her when she arrives, and how she must use her wits to escape peril in Paris. Fortune favors Kate when she meets her Punk Charming, and it's love at first sight. Now, if she could only find him again! James Barrington meets his soul mate while on the run from Paris. Miscues and sabotage prevent him from reuniting with Kate, but he can never forget her. If only he had told her before it was too late. Or is it? Can true love conquer all?
Each chapter begins with a song title popular at the time and relevant to the story's timeline.
Each chapter begins with a song title popular at the time and relevant to the story's timeline.
506 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2019
1 person is currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Laura Quinn
34 books32 followersLaura Quinn learned to bake at her grandmother’s side, a skill that came in handy when she welcomed her paw-ticularly fussy Eurasier. Her hand-crafted dog treats went Hollywood when they were selected to be included in the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards® Presenter’s Package. Quinn’s grandmother also inspired her love of mysteries, from reading the complete collection of Agatha Christie’s books to watching Murder She Wrote together on Sunday nights.
Punk Charming is Quinn's debut novel. The sparks of an idea for the story came to her while in Oxford in '86. Years later, the sparks finally sparked her into action, and Punk Charming came to life. Quinn is now working on the sequel to Punk Charming, as well as her Pawtisserie Mysteries series.
Quinn studied writing at The Graduate School of Northwestern University and earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago. Although she earned her Private Investigator training certificate, crime-solving adventures are confined to the pages of her books. She is well-trained, and often outsmarted, by her beloved dog and cats.
She welcomes visitors to her website at http://LauraQuinnBooks.com or email at LauraQuinnBooks@yahoo.com.
Punk Charming is Quinn's debut novel. The sparks of an idea for the story came to her while in Oxford in '86. Years later, the sparks finally sparked her into action, and Punk Charming came to life. Quinn is now working on the sequel to Punk Charming, as well as her Pawtisserie Mysteries series.
Quinn studied writing at The Graduate School of Northwestern University and earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago. Although she earned her Private Investigator training certificate, crime-solving adventures are confined to the pages of her books. She is well-trained, and often outsmarted, by her beloved dog and cats.
She welcomes visitors to her website at http://LauraQuinnBooks.com or email at LauraQuinnBooks@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 3, 2016
We have all fallen in LOVE with the one who got away....now imagine yourself, back in time during the mid 1980s, travelling internationally on your first big adventure of your life, but travelling all alone.
One day you meet a person during your international travels who makes your heart beat faster and literally takes your breath away....this is the story of Punk Charming.
This is now my new favorite book of 2016.
I have enjoyed all the characters, and the book is chock full of the 80's pop culture & pop music from my favorite bands of all, time like Duran Duran, and the Pet Shop Boys etc.
Punk Charming is all about taking your first big step in your young adult life by travelling the world, having fun, learning about new cultures and falling in love.
Add in some great characters that you will LOVE and HATE along with a dash of light romance and spectacular writing, this is one book that you will enjoy. I won't give away the story, OR SPOILERS but you will enjoy this story of Punk Charming.
Also, the author Laura Quinn, has an extensive website online at www.PunkCharming.net which gives you more insight in the story and more information about the characters in the story. Also found a helpful travel map of the characters journeys and FUN Pinterest site, full of great photos.
January 29, 2016
Great writing, I just loved James and Kate in the story.
I had difficulty putting it down as it's very interesting and the characters are really
engaging. I really, really liked this book and am highly recommending it to all of my friends. I will definitely follow this author online.
I had difficulty putting it down as it's very interesting and the characters are really
engaging. I really, really liked this book and am highly recommending it to all of my friends. I will definitely follow this author online.
August 5, 2017
Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite
Punk Charming (A Mixtape of Spiked Hair, An Elusive Heir and Spiteful Snares) by Laura Quinn is a cultural fiction novel that would appeal most to a mixed audience of young adults and adults who enjoy romance in foreign countries. Kate Spenser is an eighteen-year-old college student who was accepted into a summer study-abroad program in Oxford, England. Kate began her journey armed with her excitement at visiting Europe for the first time, a French-English dictionary, and a Walkman; yet Kate never thought that her travels would lead her through perilous dangers and the chance of true love. Does Kate have what it takes to find her Punk Charming again or will she forever regret what could have been?
Move over Lizzie McGuire, Sam Montgomery, and Lane Daniels to make room for Kate Spenser in Punk Charming by Laura Quinn. Unlike the previously mentioned characters, Kate does not place her entire life on hold simply to go searching for the man of her dreams; instead she finds her true love while adventuring through France. I was originally worried that the story would be boring because of the love at first sight theme, but the author did a wonderful job in making the attraction between the two characters feel so real. Both characters also developed as individuals throughout the course of the story, which made them feel more like real people and not fairy tale characters. Overall, I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed this love story!
Punk Charming (A Mixtape of Spiked Hair, An Elusive Heir and Spiteful Snares) by Laura Quinn is a cultural fiction novel that would appeal most to a mixed audience of young adults and adults who enjoy romance in foreign countries. Kate Spenser is an eighteen-year-old college student who was accepted into a summer study-abroad program in Oxford, England. Kate began her journey armed with her excitement at visiting Europe for the first time, a French-English dictionary, and a Walkman; yet Kate never thought that her travels would lead her through perilous dangers and the chance of true love. Does Kate have what it takes to find her Punk Charming again or will she forever regret what could have been?
Move over Lizzie McGuire, Sam Montgomery, and Lane Daniels to make room for Kate Spenser in Punk Charming by Laura Quinn. Unlike the previously mentioned characters, Kate does not place her entire life on hold simply to go searching for the man of her dreams; instead she finds her true love while adventuring through France. I was originally worried that the story would be boring because of the love at first sight theme, but the author did a wonderful job in making the attraction between the two characters feel so real. Both characters also developed as individuals throughout the course of the story, which made them feel more like real people and not fairy tale characters. Overall, I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed this love story!
June 6, 2019
A fun, light read chock-full of 1980s pop culture and a little bit of the 1990s and 2000s as well. The story of an American student, Kate, who meets a charming punk rocker during a summer abroad in London; and James, whose punkish exterior hides his true identity as the rebellious son of a viscount. When the pair meet on a train from Paris to London, sparks fly and though they're only together for a short time, it's love at first sight. Even after they're separated, through bad luck and the manipulations of a rival, they never forget one another. A sweet story with a satisfying ending!
June 8, 2020
A fun, light read chock-full of 1980s pop culture and a little bit of the 1990s and 2000s as well. The story of an American student, Kate, who meets a charming punk rocker during a summer abroad in London; and James, whose punkish exterior hides his true identity as the rebellious son of a viscount. When the pair meet on a train from Paris to London, sparks fly and though they're only together for a short time, it's love at first sight. Even after they're separated, through bad luck and the manipulations of a rival, they never forget one another. A sweet story with a satisfying ending!
October 1, 2016
ENJOYABLE.
FUN READ.
GREAT CHARACTERS.
WELL WRITTEN & RESEARCHED
COVERING EVENTS FROM 1986 UNTIL 2000's.
THE AUTHOR LAURA QUINN HAILS FROM CHICAGO AND I GOT TO MEET HER THIS SUMMER.
MY BOYFRIEND GOT ME THIS BOOK AT THE WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON CHICAGO RECENTLY - WE WERE DRESSED AS COSPLAYERS (LORD OF THE RING CHARACTERS FRODO & SAM). ANYHOW THE AUTHOR WAS SO FRIENDLY, & ENGAGING AND WEARING A COOL PUNK CHIC COSPLAY OUTFIT - PUNK ROCK TSHIRT, RED PLAID PANTS & AWESOME VINTAGE RED PLAID DOC MARTENS BOOTS.
THIS STORY NEEDS TO BE TURNED INTO A COOL
MOVIE. AHEM, HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS I'M TALKING TO YOU. WE NEED MORE 80S ON THE BIG SCREEN!
HOPE TO SEE MORE FROM MY HOMETOWN CHICAGO AUTHOR.
BTW
I AM OUT & PROUD GAY MAN AGE 45 & PARTNERED WITH A GREAT GUY.
NOW I HAVE TO GET MY BOOK BACK FROM HIM. HE IS READING IT IN LONDON, WHILE RIDING TRAINS AROUND THE UK, JUST LIKE THE CHARACTER KATE IN THE BOOK. READ IT GUYS!!!
FUN READ.
GREAT CHARACTERS.
WELL WRITTEN & RESEARCHED
COVERING EVENTS FROM 1986 UNTIL 2000's.
THE AUTHOR LAURA QUINN HAILS FROM CHICAGO AND I GOT TO MEET HER THIS SUMMER.
MY BOYFRIEND GOT ME THIS BOOK AT THE WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON CHICAGO RECENTLY - WE WERE DRESSED AS COSPLAYERS (LORD OF THE RING CHARACTERS FRODO & SAM). ANYHOW THE AUTHOR WAS SO FRIENDLY, & ENGAGING AND WEARING A COOL PUNK CHIC COSPLAY OUTFIT - PUNK ROCK TSHIRT, RED PLAID PANTS & AWESOME VINTAGE RED PLAID DOC MARTENS BOOTS.
THIS STORY NEEDS TO BE TURNED INTO A COOL
MOVIE. AHEM, HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS I'M TALKING TO YOU. WE NEED MORE 80S ON THE BIG SCREEN!
HOPE TO SEE MORE FROM MY HOMETOWN CHICAGO AUTHOR.
BTW
I AM OUT & PROUD GAY MAN AGE 45 & PARTNERED WITH A GREAT GUY.
NOW I HAVE TO GET MY BOOK BACK FROM HIM. HE IS READING IT IN LONDON, WHILE RIDING TRAINS AROUND THE UK, JUST LIKE THE CHARACTER KATE IN THE BOOK. READ IT GUYS!!!
May 3, 2016
No Spoilers.
Book:
PUNK CHARMING
Author:
Laura Quinn (Chicago)
Genre:
Romance, travel, the 1980s, musical bands & POP CULTURE story etc.
Age group:
Teens & up.
Book or Digital:
Soft back book & digital versions available
I only read actual hard copies of books.
Book pages:
About 400 pages
Where I read book:
I read on the train, on my breaks at work and at finished reading it at my home.
Review & recommend:
My Goodreads rating is 5 stars!
Highly recommended!
My mom gave me this book as a present to read from a book event that she was at in Chicago. She knows I love romance books, but not the filthy kinds of ronance stories featuring buff muscled shirtless guys on the book cover. This book cover has the British flag on it, Eiffel Tower, a taxi and with a guy & a girl silhouetted lightly kissing each other.
Great book cover. I LOVE the British!
Quinn's writing was wonderful book is fiilled with some fabulous characters, the 1980s rocked, but I do need a part 2 of the story please...also I love Duran Duran and they are mentioned several times in the book.
I really enjoyed all the music group references for each chapter, and her book was loaded with 80s Pop Culture references! Anyone know what jelly shoes Or Pop Rocks were? I was born in early 90s so I missed the awesome 80s. Hollywood needs to make this into a MOVIE!
I also saw online that Laura Quinn has some great stuff on social media sites to look at & loads of pics & other good info about the PUNK CHARMING book and characters. Quinn's Pinterest site is extensive!
Now if only I could find my own
PUNK CHARMING... where are you?
Book:
PUNK CHARMING
Author:
Laura Quinn (Chicago)
Genre:
Romance, travel, the 1980s, musical bands & POP CULTURE story etc.
Age group:
Teens & up.
Book or Digital:
Soft back book & digital versions available
I only read actual hard copies of books.
Book pages:
About 400 pages
Where I read book:
I read on the train, on my breaks at work and at finished reading it at my home.
Review & recommend:
My Goodreads rating is 5 stars!
Highly recommended!
My mom gave me this book as a present to read from a book event that she was at in Chicago. She knows I love romance books, but not the filthy kinds of ronance stories featuring buff muscled shirtless guys on the book cover. This book cover has the British flag on it, Eiffel Tower, a taxi and with a guy & a girl silhouetted lightly kissing each other.
Great book cover. I LOVE the British!
Quinn's writing was wonderful book is fiilled with some fabulous characters, the 1980s rocked, but I do need a part 2 of the story please...also I love Duran Duran and they are mentioned several times in the book.
I really enjoyed all the music group references for each chapter, and her book was loaded with 80s Pop Culture references! Anyone know what jelly shoes Or Pop Rocks were? I was born in early 90s so I missed the awesome 80s. Hollywood needs to make this into a MOVIE!
I also saw online that Laura Quinn has some great stuff on social media sites to look at & loads of pics & other good info about the PUNK CHARMING book and characters. Quinn's Pinterest site is extensive!
Now if only I could find my own
PUNK CHARMING... where are you?
March 14, 2016
(request submitted by author for an honest critique)
Let me first start off this review stating that the 80's totally rocked!! Music, movies, tv shows.....best decade ever!! Well, almost the best. I don't miss the choking cloud of Aqua Net hairspray. :)
In this tale, Laura showed her love of this decade which made the conversations between Kate and James highly entertaining. However, when they parted ways, this is when the story seemed to grow stale. They met in 1986 and reunited in 2004 so most of the story was about their near misses and David's conniving scheme to keep them apart.
For me, the story resembled watching a car race. You get a burst of adrenaline watching the cars take off, but after a few laps, you grow bored.... same thing over and over. It's not until the final few laps that the adrenaline and excitement kicks back in.
The "final laps" in Punk Charming were when Claire and Kate took to matchmaking and also turning the tables on the wanker, David. That man needed to be taken down a notch. He was a douche with a capital D.
(See more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
Let me first start off this review stating that the 80's totally rocked!! Music, movies, tv shows.....best decade ever!! Well, almost the best. I don't miss the choking cloud of Aqua Net hairspray. :)
In this tale, Laura showed her love of this decade which made the conversations between Kate and James highly entertaining. However, when they parted ways, this is when the story seemed to grow stale. They met in 1986 and reunited in 2004 so most of the story was about their near misses and David's conniving scheme to keep them apart.
For me, the story resembled watching a car race. You get a burst of adrenaline watching the cars take off, but after a few laps, you grow bored.... same thing over and over. It's not until the final few laps that the adrenaline and excitement kicks back in.
The "final laps" in Punk Charming were when Claire and Kate took to matchmaking and also turning the tables on the wanker, David. That man needed to be taken down a notch. He was a douche with a capital D.
(See more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
January 6, 2020
I enjoyed this book, so much so, that I reread it again during my 2019 Christmas break.
I bought a newer version of the book with a brand new cover design (designed by the author, Laura Quinn) and there is much more content added to this new book edition. & I love the Mix tape lists
of mostly 80's music.
Punk Charming is a great love story of the guy who, you might meet, then things happen and then he gets away and then you find him again, but will it work out for them? Read the book. No Spoilers here.
5 Stars rating and I love the new book cover and new content.
I bought a newer version of the book with a brand new cover design (designed by the author, Laura Quinn) and there is much more content added to this new book edition. & I love the Mix tape lists
of mostly 80's music.
Punk Charming is a great love story of the guy who, you might meet, then things happen and then he gets away and then you find him again, but will it work out for them? Read the book. No Spoilers here.
5 Stars rating and I love the new book cover and new content.
September 30, 2016
A SWEET SENTIMENTAL LOVE STORY BASED IN THE 1980s
Fun and so cool...sharing book with our ladies book club.
We are having an 80s book club party in October & we have invited this Chicago author to be guest author and she has accepted!
Fun and so cool...sharing book with our ladies book club.
We are having an 80s book club party in October & we have invited this Chicago author to be guest author and she has accepted!
April 28, 2016
The writing is what turned me (way, way) off of this one.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews