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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Religious bigotry
Minor: Physical abuse
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
a soft and sweet story despite the dark subject matter of growing up in a religious cult
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked this book and the ways that the characters approach deconstructing. At some parts it was laid on a bit thick but you could feel the characters working through religious trauma. Loved how the author showed the nuances of being queer and wanting a faith. She showed that queer people can be in church.
Overall a great book for anyone who has or is currently “hating the pray away”.
Overall a great book for anyone who has or is currently “hating the pray away”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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:
Complicated
I often times struggle with audiobooks primarily because the narrator’s voice irks me or fails to keep my attention but Natalie Naudus’ performances are always spectacular so when I heard she had released a book of her own, I had to listen to the audiobook ASAP. I am so glad I did.
The main character, Valerie, goes through an incredible amount of self-reflection and growth from the beginning to the end as she reevaluates the life she has lead the past 17 years, including the relationships she has with her family, her community, and God. But this book is of course a love story, and I adored Valerie and Riley’s and how it unfolded. The way they supported one another, especially Riley supporting Valerie as she made so many discoveries in her life, was so important.
Gay the Pray Away is in no means a complex story but it needn’t be . It is a beautiful story of hope and courage and love, and is young adult novel that will surely help a lot of queer teens who need it. Naudus has spoken on how this book was inspired by her own upbringing, so I trust the presentation is accurate, which makes much of the story all the more heartbreaking but also more hopeful, particularly regarding religious trauma and healing (do check triggers before reading if this applies to you).
I highly recommend Gay the Pray Away, and especially recommend listening to the audio where Natalie Naudus gives her best performance yet.
The main character, Valerie, goes through an incredible amount of self-reflection and growth from the beginning to the end as she reevaluates the life she has lead the past 17 years, including the relationships she has with her family, her community, and God. But this book is of course a love story, and I adored Valerie and Riley’s and how it unfolded. The way they supported one another, especially Riley supporting Valerie as she made so many discoveries in her life, was so important.
Gay the Pray Away is in no means a complex story but it needn’t be . It is a beautiful story of hope and courage and love, and is young adult novel that will surely help a lot of queer teens who need it. Naudus has spoken on how this book was inspired by her own upbringing, so I trust the presentation is accurate, which makes much of the story all the more heartbreaking but also more hopeful, particularly regarding religious trauma and healing (do check triggers before reading if this applies to you).
I highly recommend Gay the Pray Away, and especially recommend listening to the audio where Natalie Naudus gives her best performance yet.
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
I found this book randomly on Libby while searching for my next audiobook at work and I am so happy I tried it!
This premise is unlike any other YA book I’ve tried and it intrigued me so much to see into this type of life. I was rooting for Valerie throughout the book and loved seeing her question the norm she grew up in. (I also loved every reference to One Last Stop😂) The ending had me tearing up and I’m so thankful to have been able to listen to such a good story.
This premise is unlike any other YA book I’ve tried and it intrigued me so much to see into this type of life. I was rooting for Valerie throughout the book and loved seeing her question the norm she grew up in. (I also loved every reference to One Last Stop😂) The ending had me tearing up and I’m so thankful to have been able to listen to such a good story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
This is such an important book for young queer people dealing with religious trauma