jadeajibola24's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
After finishing Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry, I was really looking forward to this book. However, I didn’t love it as much as the first. I definitely related to Mo and her background however I found her and Reggie quite unlikeable at times. The plot was slow at points and I didn’t love their love story as much as I did Quinn and Carter’s. Still, it was a nice quick read and I’d recommend it to others, especially because it is very reflective of what Christian teenage girls deal with.
isabelle2813's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
kaylihend's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
wingspan'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
Just when I think Joya couldn’t get any better, she writes Mo Mo’s story. And when I read the acknowledgment page, I realised she wrote this as a story for herself because she suffered from this medical condition as well.
I laughed so damn much, I love this book. I think it’s one of my favourite Contemp YA books I’ve read. Here’s some themes:
Dysfunctional but highly religious family
Found friends/family
Class clown love interest
Love ultimatums
Self hatred leading to self love
(Temporary) physical disability rep, vaginismus
Enjoy! Joya’s books are a must buy!
I laughed so damn much, I love this book. I think it’s one of my favourite Contemp YA books I’ve read. Here’s some themes:
Dysfunctional but highly religious family
Found friends/family
Class clown love interest
Love ultimatums
Self hatred leading to self love
(Temporary) physical disability rep, vaginismus
Enjoy! Joya’s books are a must buy!
chrisluvreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
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? No
5.0
liralen's review against another edition
4.0
Great look at sexuality, shame, and taking ownership of one's options. This is a pretty message-forward book, but it's a very healthy message, and one that too many teens aren't exposed to. I also love the cast of characters: varied, opinionated, stubborn, hearts (most of them) in the right place, able to change with the times, even if it isn't always on Monique's time frame.
One thing I would have liked to see: Although both narrator and Monique clearly understand that Sasha-as-therapist is not the same as a real, trained (licensed!) therapist, I don't think there's ever a point when Sasha is just...medically wrong. And I'm very happy for her not to be wrong in a big way, but (since this is a message book anyway), I wouldn't have minded there being something relatively minor that she just...was wrong about...that could be cleared up later—because while friends and other teens and so on can be valuable resources, they shouldn't have to be anyone's primary source of sex education.
That said—I hope this finds its way to many, many high school libraries.
One thing I would have liked to see: Although both narrator and Monique clearly understand that Sasha-as-therapist is not the same as a real, trained (licensed!) therapist, I don't think there's ever a point when Sasha is just...medically wrong. And I'm very happy for her not to be wrong in a big way, but (since this is a message book anyway), I wouldn't have minded there being something relatively minor that she just...was wrong about...that could be cleared up later—because while friends and other teens and so on can be valuable resources, they shouldn't have to be anyone's primary source of sex education.
That said—I hope this finds its way to many, many high school libraries.
abigail_ody's review against another edition
5.0
Ah-May-zing!!! I described the writing for ugly cry as soothing, this one was so entertaining. I loved the way the author shed light on vaginismus and the effects of religious trauma on women as well. Ughhh I loved everything. Definitely wanted to whoop Dom’s ass. All in all, a must read.
clockhartwrite's review against another edition
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
Absolutely loved this book! Everything about this book was warm and honest and I was rooting for the MC from the very first page. At this point, I will buy whatever Joya Goffney writes.