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bkyng313's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! I love silly little rom coms and the bit of escapism they provide. Watching how Mo grew into herself and her body made me hopeful for other young black women to be able to do the same.
Content Warnings
Minor: Outing, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
jaz_gets_literary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Growing up as a preacher’s daughter, 17 year old Monique, was taught absolutely nothing about sex other than that she should wait until she is married. If Dom, her boyfriend of 2 years, is the man she’s going to marry she feels like there no point in waiting. But after numerous failed attempts at completing the act, Dom breaks up with her. Heartbroken Monique tries to get to the bottom line of “what’s wrong with her” and maybe she’ll be able to win him back. With the help of 2 unlikely people, she finds about the reason why having sex with Dom had been so difficult for her. Will it be enough to win him back or will she even want to be with him anymore after her revelation?
I am so happy that the youth of today have so many diverse YA books that they can relate to. This story shows everything that can go wrong when you use religion to shield your children from the real world instead of being transparent and honest with them. This goes on in a lot of religious households including my own. Not as bad as Monique but I was still so uninformed all the same. As parents, we have to be open and honest with our children and trust that they hold onto the values we instill within them. Monique’s mother comes off as harsh and somewhat unloving in the beginning and all because she doesn’t want her daughter to make the same mistakes she did. But in the end, she realized that she’s failed her daughter by not talking to her about her past at all. <SPOILER>And let’s not get on them just up and ready to throw out their children over very petty and small disagreements. Like WTH! I wanted to throw my phone while listening to the audiobook lol. Parents have to stop trying to make their children live a certain life or live their life over through them. They are their own human beings and allowed to live their own life as they see fit.
This is a heart-wrenching coming of age story filled with difficult family dynamics, sexual liberation, and an unexpected love triangle. I would recommend this book to all the young ladies in my life to allow them to go on the journey with Monique of finding out that you are more than just your body and that you are enough just as you are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol
auteaandtales's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Minor: Alcohol, Child death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
sierranichole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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: Sexual content, Medical content, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death of parent, Blood, and Alcohol
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Cursing and Alcohol
amberinpieces's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
tense
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
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
emotional
funny
informative
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
4.5
This is only Goffney's second book, but I think she's already cemented her place as a pro at writing teen romance. From beginning to end, I was impressed with the way she handles difficult topics with a great set of characters you're going to love from the beginning. Well, maybe with the exception of one. If you've read it, you probably know exactly who I'm talking about.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Alcohol and Medical content
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Goffney once again wrote a 5⭐ novel. It was full of laughter, romance, unexpected friendships, internal freedom, self discovery, heartache, and utter perfection. I was here for it, completely captivated by this page turner. Thank you, thank you Netgalley and Hot Key Books for an advanced ebook of one of my anticipated books for 2022 🥰🥰🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Toxic relationship