Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Wyznania rzekomo porządnej dziewczyny by Joya Goffney

7 reviews

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. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual content

Minor: Abortion, Cursing, and Chronic illness

jodierose14's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content

alyrayj's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

While this book did feel a little bit too happily ever after for my tastes, it was one of the first times in a long long time that I have felt so seen and represented by a book. Vaginismus is so taboo to talk about and it is so important to talk about it. The author did an excellent job representing that experience, although it went kind of quick and, as I said, felt a little too happily ever after. But the religious side of that disorder is so very real and damaging. This is an important read for anyone within organized religion or purity culture. It does not shame the religion itself but provides the reader a framework for rethinking sex ed within that religious context. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Medical content

Minor: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders

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

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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

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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

toffishay's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative 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

4.0

Books like this remind me why I continue to return to YA stories as an adult. It was funny and emotional and telling a story that is so often not told. I really connected with the main character and her struggles to find support in her family. It was also a really great exploration of the dangers and irresponsibility of not giving young people accurate sex education and information about their bodies. I never would have found a story like this when I was in the demo for YA, but I love that they exist now and I can't imagine all the good that this will do for people reading it. The style of writing is also fun and the characters feel like real teenagers. I also love stories with growth and you get a really interesting and intense third act conflict.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Cursing and Alcohol

hayleygray's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

[Huge thank you to Bonnier Books UK for sending me an uncorrected final proof of this books before its publication date!]

This book was a breath of fresh air and a nostalgic experience, all at once.

Joya Goffney is a literary genius as she knows exactly how YA teen rom-coms should be written and read: a combination of reminiscence and modernism. Throughout reading this book, I was transported back to my teenage years and remembering what it was like to go through the majority of the things that Mo was going through–strict parents, boys, sex, and understanding your own body and boundaries–whilst also learning so many new things. This book was romantic, funny, emotional, and educational–I learned so much about the female experience and body... and I am a woman! It made me question why these topics are so taboo and why this book is so needed in literary discourse!

The diversity and female empowerment inherent in this book was also incredible and I can't wait for the world to enjoy all that it has to offer (I was sent a final proof from Bonnier Books UK before the publication date in May 2022). Goffney truly shows the power of taking control of your body, mind, and life through various characters and mediums–there is something that everyone will relate to in this novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Medical trauma