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Punk: Inspired by a true story, historical biographical women’s fiction with a contemporary twist
A mystery, a coming of age, a family saga, and classic women’s fiction, with a healthy dose of romance and just a little tragedy.
Delia Elliott just finished her junior year, unscathed and without incident. Oh, wait. Actually, there was an incident. With an ex-boyfriend. You know the kind—controlling, selfish, arrogant, all about himself. Yeah, that kind. Now Delia must face the ramifications, including being a social pariah and being grounded by her mother indefinitely.
Stuck at home, Delia stumbles across her great-grandmother Didi’s diary from 1932, and unlocks a mystery. Didi is falling in love with a man, and yet no one has ever heard of him. What happened to this man? When Delia notices parallels between Didi’s love interest and her own misguided, failed relationship, she predicts the heartache that will follow and pledges to never let herself fall victim again.
In the meantime, Delia’s mom, Heather Elliott, is divorced and struggling with commitment issues—with her children, her job, and her latest boyfriend, Brian. Will the ghosts of her family’s past teach her how to understand her defiant daughter and the inner workings of her own heart?
Set in Rochester, New York, and told in first person by three generations of women, Punk is a primer on how to recover from past mistakes and how a family legacy can be a window into the souls of survivors.
Delia Elliott just finished her junior year, unscathed and without incident. Oh, wait. Actually, there was an incident. With an ex-boyfriend. You know the kind—controlling, selfish, arrogant, all about himself. Yeah, that kind. Now Delia must face the ramifications, including being a social pariah and being grounded by her mother indefinitely.
Stuck at home, Delia stumbles across her great-grandmother Didi’s diary from 1932, and unlocks a mystery. Didi is falling in love with a man, and yet no one has ever heard of him. What happened to this man? When Delia notices parallels between Didi’s love interest and her own misguided, failed relationship, she predicts the heartache that will follow and pledges to never let herself fall victim again.
In the meantime, Delia’s mom, Heather Elliott, is divorced and struggling with commitment issues—with her children, her job, and her latest boyfriend, Brian. Will the ghosts of her family’s past teach her how to understand her defiant daughter and the inner workings of her own heart?
Set in Rochester, New York, and told in first person by three generations of women, Punk is a primer on how to recover from past mistakes and how a family legacy can be a window into the souls of survivors.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2021
12 people are currently reading
1664 people want to read
About the author
Amy Q. Barker
8 books99 followersAmy Q. Barker, best-selling author of “A Better Man” romance series, her love stories are filled with heart, humor, healing, happiness (oh, and heat too!). Amy was raised in a small town in Western New York State and now lives on a lake in Indiana with her husband. When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys reading, kayaking, and hiking.
To connect with her:
www.amyqbarker.com
Instagram: @amyqbarker_author
Facebook: amy.barker.9003
To connect with her:
www.amyqbarker.com
Instagram: @amyqbarker_author
Facebook: amy.barker.9003
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 27, 2021
I love stories that span generations and this book does not disappoint. Amy Barker nailed the teenage voice in Delia. Delia's story is my favorite part of this book, as she recovers from the devastation of a toxic relationship. The historical aspect of Didi's diary is interesting, weaving a mystery through the narrative for Delia to solve. There are some great messages in this book about relationships, self-respect, and healing.
February 3, 2021
For the most part, I really liked this book. I loved the intertwining stories of Delia, Heather, and Didi, and I loved the growth shown throughout the novel. There were a couple of chapters that I thought were unnecessarily long or overly-cliched, but even those didn't bother me so much because I really liked the characters and the storylines. And the lessons taught are universal; if we hold on to them, understand them, and learn from them, we'll each walk away from reading this book with a (hopefully) different attitude about life - about all of the craziness that is thrust upon us from time to time and what that truly means.
February 22, 2021
Sometimes, life has its own mind.
🦄🦄🦄
Delia Elliott just finished her junior year, unscathed and without incident. Oh, wait. Actually, there was an incident. With an ex-boyfriend. You know the kind—controlling, selfish, arrogant, all about himself. Yeah, that kind. Now Delia must face the ramifications, including being a social pariah and being grounded by her mother indefinitely.
Stuck at home, Delia stumbles across her great-grandmother Didi’s diary from 1932, and unlocks a mystery. Didi is falling in love with a man, and yet no one has ever heard of him. What happened to this man? When Delia notices parallels between Didi’s love interest and her own misguided, failed relationship, she predicts the heartache that will follow and pledges to never let herself fall victim again.
In the meantime, Delia’s mom, Heather Elliott, is divorced and struggling with commitment issues—with her children, her job, and her latest boyfriend, Brian. Will the ghosts of her family’s past teach her how to understand her defiant daughter and the inner workings of her own heart?
🦄🦄🦄
Punk is a coming of age women's fiction novel by Amy Q. Baker.
I loved how the author managed to tie in the stories of three women from the same family that lived very different but very similar lives as well as making sure the difference between past and present happenings can be distinguished by the change in tone and writing styles. The book feels lengthy with a lot of 'skimmable' content that put me off a bit (mostly Delia's replies to the diary entries felt unnecessary) because I wanted to get to the good content that had substance.
Delia is considered troublesome, but when we get to why I really felt for her. Sometimes you understand characters in ways you wish you didn't an this was one of those moments. She's someone who had her life turned upside down because of someone else's stupidity and I wish I could sucker punch her ex in the face and if I could, I would, believe me.
Didi turned out to be so much more than her letters convey and she ended up being my favourite character out of the entire book.
Heather is trying her best, maybe it's not always the right way of going about things (according to me) but you do sympathise with her because of the burden she carries on her shoulders.
I do like the way the story was written with the plot being engaging but the ending felt a little bit rushed but it was decent and satisfaction because everything was tied up in a neat little bow. Overall, I would highly recommend this book however I do love 'Rue' the author's first book a lot more.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 8/10
Melina L.
🦄🦄🦄
Delia Elliott just finished her junior year, unscathed and without incident. Oh, wait. Actually, there was an incident. With an ex-boyfriend. You know the kind—controlling, selfish, arrogant, all about himself. Yeah, that kind. Now Delia must face the ramifications, including being a social pariah and being grounded by her mother indefinitely.
Stuck at home, Delia stumbles across her great-grandmother Didi’s diary from 1932, and unlocks a mystery. Didi is falling in love with a man, and yet no one has ever heard of him. What happened to this man? When Delia notices parallels between Didi’s love interest and her own misguided, failed relationship, she predicts the heartache that will follow and pledges to never let herself fall victim again.
In the meantime, Delia’s mom, Heather Elliott, is divorced and struggling with commitment issues—with her children, her job, and her latest boyfriend, Brian. Will the ghosts of her family’s past teach her how to understand her defiant daughter and the inner workings of her own heart?
🦄🦄🦄
Punk is a coming of age women's fiction novel by Amy Q. Baker.
I loved how the author managed to tie in the stories of three women from the same family that lived very different but very similar lives as well as making sure the difference between past and present happenings can be distinguished by the change in tone and writing styles. The book feels lengthy with a lot of 'skimmable' content that put me off a bit (mostly Delia's replies to the diary entries felt unnecessary) because I wanted to get to the good content that had substance.
Delia is considered troublesome, but when we get to why I really felt for her. Sometimes you understand characters in ways you wish you didn't an this was one of those moments. She's someone who had her life turned upside down because of someone else's stupidity and I wish I could sucker punch her ex in the face and if I could, I would, believe me.
Didi turned out to be so much more than her letters convey and she ended up being my favourite character out of the entire book.
Heather is trying her best, maybe it's not always the right way of going about things (according to me) but you do sympathise with her because of the burden she carries on her shoulders.
I do like the way the story was written with the plot being engaging but the ending felt a little bit rushed but it was decent and satisfaction because everything was tied up in a neat little bow. Overall, I would highly recommend this book however I do love 'Rue' the author's first book a lot more.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 8/10
Melina L.
February 23, 2021
I started reading this book not knowing what to expect. But guess what, it was a woman/historical fiction with
a twist!
The story is set in Rochester, New York.
Delia is grounded by her mother and it all because of her controlling boyfriend.
While at home, she finds a diary from 1932, that belongs to Didi, her grandmother. What Delia discovers reading her grandmother's diary makes the story more interesting as you go through chapters. However, if you want to know what happens to the diary you need to wait till the last pages.
The story is highly engaging, from the first chapter. Punk covers three different generations in detail. I liked how Didi, Heather, and Dalia's character developed and grew through the book.
I found the timeline remarkable. The plot was perfectly paced. However, I wanted more at the end of the book. The similarity between Didi and Dalia was something that I could easily connect to.
If you enjoy women's fiction featuring complex, strong women this book is for you.
Note to Author: The font used for the diary was so modern and eye-catching for me. I loved it.
Many thanks to @amyqbarker_author for sending me this gifted copy.
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Amazon
June 2, 2024
Punk by Amy Q. Barker is a coming of age book that you don't remember just for it's plot and writing but also the connection, a relationship, that it forms with you!
The author with her novel Punk, has defied categorisation by writing a book that expands to myriads of genre including women's fiction, contemporary coming of age and historical fiction in a way!
The author has weaved a layered narrative that shifts through the perspectives of not one, not two but three generations! I adored the voice that Ms. Amy gave to the character of Delia Elliott, probably because her story is something I could personally relate to on some level!
I loved how the author has managed to capture the life and emotions of all the 3 generations, their differences and their stories, in a calm, collected and a nuanced way! Also, the plot which was very perfectly placed and revealed things about the characters and their relationships in a way that feels like I'm tieing up a beaded necklace where slowly all things start to make more sense!
The only thing which I wanted more from this book was it's pace towards the ending to be a little slow, probably because I didn't want the story to end!
overall, this book was a great read for me which I read during my low time and it gave me a feeling that my heart will get cured!
The author with her novel Punk, has defied categorisation by writing a book that expands to myriads of genre including women's fiction, contemporary coming of age and historical fiction in a way!
The author has weaved a layered narrative that shifts through the perspectives of not one, not two but three generations! I adored the voice that Ms. Amy gave to the character of Delia Elliott, probably because her story is something I could personally relate to on some level!
I loved how the author has managed to capture the life and emotions of all the 3 generations, their differences and their stories, in a calm, collected and a nuanced way! Also, the plot which was very perfectly placed and revealed things about the characters and their relationships in a way that feels like I'm tieing up a beaded necklace where slowly all things start to make more sense!
The only thing which I wanted more from this book was it's pace towards the ending to be a little slow, probably because I didn't want the story to end!
overall, this book was a great read for me which I read during my low time and it gave me a feeling that my heart will get cured!
March 9, 2024
Im on a phone so forgive me for any mistakes. This is just my opinion, btw!
There were editing mistakes as well as some things unanswered and wrong. I see the female empowerment (somewhat), but men still had to be kind of the heroes. Not that it's bad, but just something i noticed.
That isnt what really bothered me, though.
Maybe i just feel for Delia because we're closer in age, but i noticed that her family didnt really...love her? Her neighbor's mom showed more love, compassion, and comfort than they did. And legally, what happened to her is illegal in the state i think it's based in. And as of today's society, morally wrong.
There was no justice when there should have been. Her mother went through a lot in her life but i think she took that out on Delia. I have a problem with the dad because he left Delia to fend for herself while she was battling depression so he could cater to his new wife if i remember correctly. I could be remembering wrong! Nonetheless, there was no compassion from her parents or love shown, in my opinion.
As for Didi, i didnt understand her role. I think if heather was cut out and it just be a didi and delia story, it might have flowed better. Or a heather and delia, or heather and didi, etc.
Anyway, those are some of the things that really bothered me. I think the editing mistakes should have been fixed and delia, especially, should have gotten justice rather than just kicking greg in the head. The message should show women, young and older, that if you are violated, the bastards should suffer consequences. That women have rights. That being violated, abused, and sexually harassed and assaulted is not the victim's fault. It is those who talked about it, shared it, and may be manipulated her into it.
Again, this is my opinion and it is fiction. It wasnt the worst book but i wouldnt reread it. The message was hazy and there are editing mistakes that can bother people. I have questions about some characters and issues that blocked the enjoyment. Other than that, a skim through or quick read.
There were editing mistakes as well as some things unanswered and wrong. I see the female empowerment (somewhat), but men still had to be kind of the heroes. Not that it's bad, but just something i noticed.
That isnt what really bothered me, though.
Maybe i just feel for Delia because we're closer in age, but i noticed that her family didnt really...love her? Her neighbor's mom showed more love, compassion, and comfort than they did. And legally, what happened to her is illegal in the state i think it's based in. And as of today's society, morally wrong.
There was no justice when there should have been. Her mother went through a lot in her life but i think she took that out on Delia. I have a problem with the dad because he left Delia to fend for herself while she was battling depression so he could cater to his new wife if i remember correctly. I could be remembering wrong! Nonetheless, there was no compassion from her parents or love shown, in my opinion.
As for Didi, i didnt understand her role. I think if heather was cut out and it just be a didi and delia story, it might have flowed better. Or a heather and delia, or heather and didi, etc.
Anyway, those are some of the things that really bothered me. I think the editing mistakes should have been fixed and delia, especially, should have gotten justice rather than just kicking greg in the head. The message should show women, young and older, that if you are violated, the bastards should suffer consequences. That women have rights. That being violated, abused, and sexually harassed and assaulted is not the victim's fault. It is those who talked about it, shared it, and may be manipulated her into it.
Again, this is my opinion and it is fiction. It wasnt the worst book but i wouldnt reread it. The message was hazy and there are editing mistakes that can bother people. I have questions about some characters and issues that blocked the enjoyment. Other than that, a skim through or quick read.
September 3, 2021
I received an ARC of this book.
My rating is probably more of a 3.5/3.75. I really wanted to love this book based on concept alone. The book is inspired on a 1932 diary of the authors Grandmother. Punk follows three different generation of females in a family line, how they are connected, how they are similar, and how they realize they don't know all that the other has gone through. This is such a great way of connecting the past and the present.
I did have one issue, that I just couldn't get past. My oldest daughter is the same age as the main character. I am the age of her mother, a supporting character. My Grandmother is the age of the other main character. The slang and lingo used for each generation seemed off. It felt like the story was written by someone in the generations in between The Greatest Generation, Gen X and Millennial. Something just always felt off, but I could never put my finger on what it was. That is the only reason I am not giving a full 4 star review.
My rating is probably more of a 3.5/3.75. I really wanted to love this book based on concept alone. The book is inspired on a 1932 diary of the authors Grandmother. Punk follows three different generation of females in a family line, how they are connected, how they are similar, and how they realize they don't know all that the other has gone through. This is such a great way of connecting the past and the present.
I did have one issue, that I just couldn't get past. My oldest daughter is the same age as the main character. I am the age of her mother, a supporting character. My Grandmother is the age of the other main character. The slang and lingo used for each generation seemed off. It felt like the story was written by someone in the generations in between The Greatest Generation, Gen X and Millennial. Something just always felt off, but I could never put my finger on what it was. That is the only reason I am not giving a full 4 star review.
December 4, 2021
Amy Barker does a marvelous job weaving the story of three generations of women, giving each woman a very unique voice and original way of telling her story. All three woman are very relatable and likable. I was engaged with all the women and with the book from page one. Highly recommend this wonderful read.
March 27, 2021
Book club book.
December 3, 2024
Great story set in Rochester NY where I live.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews