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bookishevy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I hear your vagina is broken."
Poor Monique. Her father is a pastor, and her mother is more like a warden. All they do is restrict her freedom and knowledge about her body. Mo's been trying to have sex with her boyfriend Dom for two years, but she's physically incapable of having intercourse. Predictably, he breaks up with her. But Mo finds an unlikely resource in prim church girl, Sasha, who's surprisingly knowledgeable about sex. They team up with bad boy Reggie to help Mo find a cure for this disorder and win Dom back.
Every time Mo says her body or vagina is broken, I think about that Insecure episode where Issa tells Molly she has a broken p*ssy. Issa was joking, but it's no laughing matter. Mo is struggling with a psychological disorder that makes it hard for her lock to be opened with Dom's key. It all comes down to the fear her parents instilled in her and pressure to please Dom. This turns from a plan to get Dom back to Mo's education on sex and herself. Is sex something she even wants?
Mo learns a lot about her two new friends. Reggie's more than his bad boy reputation. He's a lot more understanding of Mo's condition than Dom, who is seen as perfect in Mo's father's eyes. And Sasha's not this stuffy church girl who judges others. She's open-minded, has a lot more freedom than Mo, and can therefore be her true self.
Mo's parents aren't who she thinks they are either. Her father is this misogynistic, domineering authority figure but is ignorant about a lot of things, including his own daughter, who's too afraid to open up. And there's a lot more to Mo's mother than the submissive wife who chooses her husband's happiness over that of hers or her children's.
Mo must learn to stand her ground and teach her parents and Dom that she is the owner of her body and should be able to decide what she does with it and with whom.
This is a fun read about the importance of sex education that I would also recommend to parents who need to know that they're doing more harm than good by not having "the talk" with their kids.
Poor Monique. Her father is a pastor, and her mother is more like a warden. All they do is restrict her freedom and knowledge about her body. Mo's been trying to have sex with her boyfriend Dom for two years, but she's physically incapable of having intercourse. Predictably, he breaks up with her. But Mo finds an unlikely resource in prim church girl, Sasha, who's surprisingly knowledgeable about sex. They team up with bad boy Reggie to help Mo find a cure for this disorder and win Dom back.
Every time Mo says her body or vagina is broken, I think about that Insecure episode where Issa tells Molly she has a broken p*ssy. Issa was joking, but it's no laughing matter. Mo is struggling with a psychological disorder that makes it hard for her lock to be opened with Dom's key. It all comes down to the fear her parents instilled in her and pressure to please Dom. This turns from a plan to get Dom back to Mo's education on sex and herself. Is sex something she even wants?
Mo learns a lot about her two new friends. Reggie's more than his bad boy reputation. He's a lot more understanding of Mo's condition than Dom, who is seen as perfect in Mo's father's eyes. And Sasha's not this stuffy church girl who judges others. She's open-minded, has a lot more freedom than Mo, and can therefore be her true self.
Mo's parents aren't who she thinks they are either. Her father is this misogynistic, domineering authority figure but is ignorant about a lot of things, including his own daughter, who's too afraid to open up. And there's a lot more to Mo's mother than the submissive wife who chooses her husband's happiness over that of hers or her children's.
Mo must learn to stand her ground and teach her parents and Dom that she is the owner of her body and should be able to decide what she does with it and with whom.
This is a fun read about the importance of sex education that I would also recommend to parents who need to know that they're doing more harm than good by not having "the talk" with their kids.
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
sleepycelly's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma
Minor: Ableism, Racism, and Alcohol
lmcarr0314's review against another edition
emotional
informative
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
4.0
I enjoyed this book, One because it showed a lot of what some people go through in the heart of the south especially in bible country. Inadequate sex-ed leads to a whole different problem in itself. This book tackles a lot of different topics, and I believe it has done it well.
This book was thoughtfully laid out and made the experience of reading it a lot less hard, but also super insightful into what felt like a similar teenage mind to many.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcohol
marns20_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Funny, wholesome and cute, whilst touching on deeper topics around sexuality, body image and consent. Essential read for any young girl, honestly wish i had read this when i was a teen. Another great read by Joya Goffney, i love her writing style, how she uses pop culture references and slang that i can identify with it just makes the characters more relatable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, and Sexism
escapismforlife's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
I'm in love with the ease of how Joya Goffeny wrote this story. Every character is realistic in certain traits they have . Not to mention I read this knowing I was going to learn some things. But I mean even then, some of it was unexpected.
So as the main teen character, Monique, Or Mo for short, learned about her vaginismus I felt utter respect. Even though its YA and there were moments of lack of maturity on the MC and side characters, Reggie and Sasha decisions. In particular with Reggie, the wild and funny reform teen project for Mo's dad. But I'm okay with him as things were often hectic and upbeat. A necessary personality for a character in this type of setting to ease the things Mo faced. Also Sasha who if there was a next book I'd want to read from her point of view. She is everything and mature for how things unpack.
On to a more serious note since thats all my thought on the main characters trio.
Sometimes to firgure out sexual activity or concerns help comes in the most unexpected way. I mean the people in life who are seemingly the most religious. This storyline made it a reminder again that help comes in surprising moments. That and learning that not everyone can be trusted at first.
Anyways my emotions are wrecked into pieces. Then have rebuilt with new hope by the end of Mo's story. It was relatable in certain ways. But when it wasn't I felt genuine eagerness for Mo's self-discovery journey.
So as the main teen character, Monique, Or Mo for short, learned about her vaginismus I felt utter respect. Even though its YA and there were moments of lack of maturity on the MC and side characters, Reggie and Sasha decisions. In particular with Reggie, the wild and funny reform teen project for Mo's dad. But I'm okay with him as things were often hectic and upbeat. A necessary personality for a character in this type of setting to ease the things Mo faced. Also Sasha who if there was a next book I'd want to read from her point of view. She is everything and mature for how things unpack.
On to a more serious note since thats all my thought on the main characters trio.
Sometimes to firgure out sexual activity or concerns help comes in the most unexpected way. I mean the people in life who are seemingly the most religious. This storyline made it a reminder again that help comes in surprising moments. That and learning that not everyone can be trusted at first.
Anyways my emotions are wrecked into pieces. Then have rebuilt with new hope by the end of Mo's story. It was relatable in certain ways. But when it wasn't I felt genuine eagerness for Mo's self-discovery journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
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: Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
alyrayj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While this book did feel a little bit too happily ever after for my tastes, it was one of the first times in a long long time that I have felt so seen and represented by a book. Vaginismus is so taboo to talk about and it is so important to talk about it. The author did an excellent job representing that experience, although it went kind of quick and, as I said, felt a little too happily ever after. But the religious side of that disorder is so very real and damaging. This is an important read for anyone within organized religion or purity culture. It does not shame the religion itself but provides the reader a framework for rethinking sex ed within that religious context.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
haley49'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? It's complicated
4.0
I love Mo and her story. I related to a lot of aspects of her journey with self worth, fear of $€><, and an obligatory need to “be good”. I don’t say this often but this would make a good movie; particularly a coming of age movie. All the characters were fun with a sense of depth.
However, the adult characters of this story have messy characterization at best. They realize their mistakes way too quickly and are forgiven even faster. Monique shouldn’t be thanking her lucky stars for parents who take her to the doctor when she needs it. That is a necessity of parenting:/ I wish there was a better arc for her parents because the lack of deserved character development partially ruined my enjoyment
However, the adult characters of this story have messy characterization at best. They realize their mistakes way too quickly and are forgiven even faster. Monique shouldn’t be thanking her lucky stars for parents who take her to the doctor when she needs it. That is a necessity of parenting:/ I wish there was a better arc for her parents because the lack of deserved character development partially ruined my enjoyment
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, and Outing
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: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol