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georginainvisablestring22'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexism, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Grief
aliciachauhan_'s review against another edition
- 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
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
kiwi_00's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Goffney focuses on the very specific experience of being a middle class Black teenage girl in the United States, which a large number of people find relatable. Monique's Blackness is not the singular most important quality of hers, however, every thing that she lives through within the book is impacted by her race which is what happens in real life. We're all people who have different personalities but because of the way Blackness is treated in the face of white supremacy, every facet of our identity is affected by that. Intersectionality is such a big part of this book and the intracommunal discussions that need to happen around gender to improve the understanding of the struggles that marginalised genders encounter and the potential solutions. The intersection of gender and race are pivotal reasons as to why her father reacts in an appalling manner when
Whilst writing about this, Goffney also manages to explore class dynamics within the Black community and respectability politics. Monique's parents, especially her mum are a depiction of middle class Black people (or Black people above the age of 50ish) who think that the best way to advance economic classes is to adhere to the social standards that have been cultivated by white supremacy. Not being loud in public, dressing 'appropriately' and respecting your elders are all key parts of respectability politics, which can only function through the systemic and intracommunal policing of the self and of others,this phenomenon is most noticeable whenever Monique's mum and Reggie interact; albeit having a number of funny interactions,
The inability to say what you're thinking (among other things) is not conducive to forming a comprehensive idea of what an unhealthy relationship looks like. For many readers (but especially teenagers) it is imperative to learn what an unhealthy relationship can look like especially in comparison to a healthy relationship. Dom and Monique's relationship was unhealthy, not only because
Religion is a crucial component of this book since Monique is a pastor's daughter. However, it is the main way that respectability politics polices women. The conflation of female family members with personal property is the reason so many men get angry at the prospect of a future, imaginary daughter doing something that they consider 'fast' and inappropriate (regardless of if it actually was because they demean and maintain a strong distaste for women who do act like that). This is why Monique's dad gets so angry at her. Religion as the tool for respectability politics makes Monique feel guilty for desiring and experiencing any type of pleasure. One of the core beliefs of Christianity, especially in Catholicism is the idea that suffering is Christ-like and brings you closer to God and it is likely that this is prevalent across all denominations.
I love this book so much and I will continue to re-read it as it brings me so much joy.
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
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
lettuce_read's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Cursing, Medical content, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Racial slurs and Outing
betweentheshelves'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? Yes
4.5
At its core, this is a book about accepting yourself and advocating for yourself. Monique especially realizes her worth and I love the relationships she makes throughout the story, both romantic and otherwise. And the characters! They were so well rounded and each had their own motives and purpose.
My only complaint is that it felt a little on the long side. Mostly because I think maybe the climax came a little too early? But everything else was perfect, and I will definitely keep reading Goffney when she publishes new books.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Alcohol and Medical content
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Toxic relationship
dionnesims's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Monique, a Preacher’s daughter and girlfriend to the town’s golden boy seems to have the perfect life. But, with her parents thoughts on sex before marriage ever present and her boyfriends pressure to get intimate, Monique is torn.
Tired of waiting her boyfriend breaks up with her, spurring Monique into discovering her inability to have sex is caused by a medical condition. To win him back Monique plans to resolve the “issue” with help from the only people she can turn to—frenemy (and fellow church girl) Sasha and the town’s resident bad boy Reggie.
But I’m doing so, she must face some home truths: maybe she shouldn’t be fixing her body to please a boy, maybe Sasha was the friend she’s need all along and maybe Reggie isn’t so bad after all.
I found it utterly riveting and thoroughly entertaining and though Joya Goffney’s own experiences with vaginismus allow her to expertly and sensitively delve into such sensitive subject matter with gusto, she still manages to keep the plot lighthearted whilst bringing awareness to a condition that isn’t widely known about.
Monique’s depth and dimension as a character was superb and her conflicting emotions (fear, guilt, shame, anxiety) surrounding her body and sex will definitely resonate with readers currently facing similar experiences or situations, and hopefully encourage them to seek help or a safe space to talk about it.
I honestly loved both Sasha and Reggie-who were two of Monique’s biggest supporters throughout and I’m soo glad she had them both, cheering her up and being there to confide in when she needed it the most. One of the characters I didn’t particularly like in the beginning does get a redemption arc that I enjoyed (don’t worry it’s not who you think) and I really appreciated that they owned up to their mistakes in the end and sought to actively help.
The love triangle aspect was interesting but I have to say, the contrast between Monique’s ex-boyfriend Dom and Reggie was a really interesting one and proves that people’s perceptions of others aren’t always accurate. This is also the case for Sasha as well, who despite Monique’s initial judgement is actually pretty amazing.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, inspiring and thoroughly insatiable story of self love, body positivity and reclaiming your sexual identity that YA romance lovers simply must read!
Also, thanks to Hot Key books and Netgalley for the e-arc.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry