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fabell6's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wish I had something like this to read when I was a teen. It handled the topics of religion, sex, friendship, family, romance, race—so many things—in such a respectful and honest way while still being funny, entertaining, relatable, and believably from a teen perspective. It felt affirming to read, as if I could have a sense of closure and healing for my childhood wounds through Monique’s coming of age story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
Minor: Abortion, Cursing, and Chronic illness
lmcarr0314's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book, One because it showed a lot of what some people go through in the heart of the south especially in bible country. Inadequate sex-ed leads to a whole different problem in itself. This book tackles a lot of different topics, and I believe it has done it well.
This book was thoughtfully laid out and made the experience of reading it a lot less hard, but also super insightful into what felt like a similar teenage mind to many.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcohol
sarajuni's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Sexual assault
escapismforlife's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I'm in love with the ease of how Joya Goffeny wrote this story. Every character is realistic in certain traits they have . Not to mention I read this knowing I was going to learn some things. But I mean even then, some of it was unexpected.
So as the main teen character, Monique, Or Mo for short, learned about her vaginismus I felt utter respect. Even though its YA and there were moments of lack of maturity on the MC and side characters, Reggie and Sasha decisions. In particular with Reggie, the wild and funny reform teen project for Mo's dad. But I'm okay with him as things were often hectic and upbeat. A necessary personality for a character in this type of setting to ease the things Mo faced. Also Sasha who if there was a next book I'd want to read from her point of view. She is everything and mature for how things unpack.
On to a more serious note since thats all my thought on the main characters trio.
Sometimes to firgure out sexual activity or concerns help comes in the most unexpected way. I mean the people in life who are seemingly the most religious. This storyline made it a reminder again that help comes in surprising moments. That and learning that not everyone can be trusted at first.
Anyways my emotions are wrecked into pieces. Then have rebuilt with new hope by the end of Mo's story. It was relatable in certain ways. But when it wasn't I felt genuine eagerness for Mo's self-discovery journey.
So as the main teen character, Monique, Or Mo for short, learned about her vaginismus I felt utter respect. Even though its YA and there were moments of lack of maturity on the MC and side characters, Reggie and Sasha decisions. In particular with Reggie, the wild and funny reform teen project for Mo's dad. But I'm okay with him as things were often hectic and upbeat. A necessary personality for a character in this type of setting to ease the things Mo faced. Also Sasha who if there was a next book I'd want to read from her point of view. She is everything and mature for how things unpack.
On to a more serious note since thats all my thought on the main characters trio.
Sometimes to firgure out sexual activity or concerns help comes in the most unexpected way. I mean the people in life who are seemingly the most religious. This storyline made it a reminder again that help comes in surprising moments. That and learning that not everyone can be trusted at first.
Anyways my emotions are wrecked into pieces. Then have rebuilt with new hope by the end of Mo's story. It was relatable in certain ways. But when it wasn't I felt genuine eagerness for Mo's self-discovery journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Misogyny
haley49's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love Mo and her story. I related to a lot of aspects of her journey with self worth, fear of $€><, and an obligatory need to “be good”. I don’t say this often but this would make a good movie; particularly a coming of age movie. All the characters were fun with a sense of depth.
However, the adult characters of this story have messy characterization at best. They realize their mistakes way too quickly and are forgiven even faster. Monique shouldn’t be thanking her lucky stars for parents who take her to the doctor when she needs it. That is a necessity of parenting:/ I wish there was a better arc for her parents because the lack of deserved character development partially ruined my enjoyment
However, the adult characters of this story have messy characterization at best. They realize their mistakes way too quickly and are forgiven even faster. Monique shouldn’t be thanking her lucky stars for parents who take her to the doctor when she needs it. That is a necessity of parenting:/ I wish there was a better arc for her parents because the lack of deserved character development partially ruined my enjoyment
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Child abuse, Outing, Cursing, and Death of parent
georginainvisablestring22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexism, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Grief
aliciachauhan_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death of parent, Medical content, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Cursing, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Grief, Ableism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Body shaming, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
kalynaobyrne's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.75
This book was fantastic and is probably my favorite YA that I have read all year! There were so many fantastic things about this book. I loved the discussion on sexual health for teens and the traumatic effect shame can have on them. Monique was very relatable and so many readers will see themselves in her story.
I really liked how this book discussed some of the harsh expectations that can be associated with religion without denoucning it. Even though I am not religious myself I appreciated the way this book was able to walk the line in between both.
I loved the characters and how they grew throughout the story. I loved the evolution of Monqiue’s mom that we got throughout the book! I loved how Monique and Sasha’s friendship developed and how Reggie and Monique's relationship changed. The way he treated her with such respect and patience was amazing. It is such a good reminder to find someone who will love you for who you are and not someone who will pressure you into things you are uncomfortable with and who only wants your body.
I loved how sex postivie this book was. This is such a great YA book and I will be highly recommending it to everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
katherine_kelley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this!! Probably the best or one of the best books of the year. I hope every teenager, especially girls, reads this because its message is so important and it’s told so well. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Medical content