Reviews with content warning for Medical content - Wyznania rzekomo porządnej dziewczyny

Intelligent, original young adult contemporary novel that was heartfelt and real. I was interested in reading more young adult fiction by black woman authors, and the difficulties of growth and identity-searching when faced with pressures of a romantic relationship, religion, and secrecy appealed to me. Though Monique's situation is refreshingly individual, reading about her experience as a teenager brought up in a Black baptist church with religious parents reminded me of flawed ideas I had about sex and relationships at her age. I enjoyed seeing Mo come into her sexuality on her own terms, with better understanding of her body and its relationship to her thoughts and feelings, that allowed her to undo some of the shame and confusion that I think Christianity instills in a lot of us (honestly, loved seeing the undoing of a lot of virginity signalling in a modern setting, ones that I think other fictions like Jane the Virgin uncritically recycles.

There's an openness to this book that felt as though Goffney is parenting the reader. I think this novel is really for anyone who has current or past religious trauma that is sexual in nature, as it's so patient while also been so fun and bright. One thing I wasn't certain of was how great the shifts in personality are with a few characters; I felt at the beginning that Goffney was laying it on thick, and though the transition was smoother than I expected, I almost wanted a bit more tension at the end to show that morals and values are difficult to change, and it's a harder process than we hope. That said, she stuck the landing, finding balance between the friendship, romance, family, and personal aspects with a sweetness and wisdom that I really loved.

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katherine_kelley's review against another edition

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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!

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lettuce_read's review against another edition

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5.0

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chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book brilliantly explored societies relationship with sex, teenagers expectations and the importance of knowing your own body and having strong friends and family to be able to talk to.

Add in religious communities more extreme views and the conflict of what you want vs everyone else can feel very traumatic.

The book shines a light on largely unknown and discussed medical condition that is very important to feature in a YA book.

But themes aside, this story was gripping! I had so much fun hanging out with these catalysts and read this so quickly!

Monique was a protagonist I easily sympathised with and was rooting for and her unlikely friendships was a joy to read about develop.

I loved the family dynamic as slowly we looked under the surface of Mo's family and Reggie's exploring prejudice and judging people.

Forgiveness, listening, talking and standing up for yourself were all shown beautifully here. The family and friendship dynamic shone. An unhealthy relationship and a blossoming healthy relationship were interwoven so well as we share Mo's journey as she starts to see things differently. I love the healthy relationship and rooted for it very early on, but the friendship is the star of this book as is the very healthy sex talks. Highly recommend!

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toffishay's review against another edition

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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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