I loved this one so much. Joya Goffney has an incredible talent. A forever auto buy author. The topic discussed is one I’ve never read about but throughly enjoyed.

This book has such an interesting premise and brings much needed attention to a significant medical issue, as well as addressing the trauma of religion/purity culture. That being said, the book came off as a bit sex-obsessed as well as contrived. In particular, the fact that Mo immediately jumped into a relationship with a new guy after dating her ex for two years and seemingly being in love with him up until that point seemed a bit out of the ordinary. Adding to that, she also jumped at the idea of having sex with him not that long after they started dating, which felt intentionally set up so that he could say he's not ready yet (which kudos for that, I just wish it were more natural). This was further compounded by her parents quickly changing their minds and her relatively quick "recovery." It might have been nice to end the book with her still working on therapy to "cure" her vaginismus, as it's often a condition that takes more than a few months to treat. Seeing her be in a relationship and still be working on therapy (or portraying hetero sex as not needing to be penetrative) might have been more significant than "curing" Mo so she could have a happy ending.

4.5 stars

I enjoyed Goffney's debut but her sophomore novel is even better. I'm embarrassed to say that — even as a person who considers herself to be knowledgeable on sex education — I knew little about vaginismus or vaginal dilators before reading this book. I wish I had been able to read CONFESSIONS OF AN ALLEGED GOOD GIRL as a teenager, and I'll certainly be gifting it to the teens in my life.

The dynamics with Monique's strict parents felt messy but real. I need to read more books centered on religion — it’s honestly so weird that most fiction is agnostic considering how central faith is to millions of people. Or maybe I'm just reading the wrong books! While I’m not Black/Christian/Texan, I still could sympathize (and cringe) with Monique sometimes. Navigating parents with moralistic/slut-shaming views while also loving them… oof.

If I had to describe this book, it would be "religious trauma with teenage joy." Perhaps some parents don't deserve to forgiven, but the reality for many folks is encouraging family to shed toxic views and accepting their limitations. It's just... complicated. Not that there's anything wrong with estrangement or cutting off a community, but I appreciated the nuance and hopeful loose ends. I also liked how Monique and her sister responded differently to feeling trapped. Maybe it's not the choice I would've taken, but it felt true to Monique's character arc and that particular family. I just have a lot of thorny feelings, and I'm grateful to the author for not flinching away from difficult topics and tackling them head-on. Life doesn't have clear-cut answers, so there's no reason that fiction should be neat and tidy.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodness, this book is an emotional delight! I love so much that a book for teens that discusses vaginismus and sexuality and pressures for sex exists fills my heart. Reading Monique’s story is an entire emotional roller coaster and I loved see her growth and the relationships she develops with Sasha and Reggie. Seeing her find her own strength and breaking from the toxic relationship she’d been in for the last two years. I really don’t know how to talk about this book except to say my heart is so full, and I hope many folks find this book and too fall in love with MO’s journey and growth.

Y’all, Joya Goffney’s writing is some of my favorite ever. Her characters feel so real that I could reach out and hug them. The issues that her characters deal with are layered and realistic. Her writing is funny and sweet and just makes you feel warm and fuzzy ugh I just love her

Monique is the preacher’s daughter. There’s other stuff about her, but also, not really. Being the preacher’s daughter definitely defines you. Especially when you date a boy from church who your dad obsesses over, and can’t wait for you to marry.

Little do Monique’s parents know, she and Dom aren’t waiting until marriage. Well, they don’t want to, at least. They’ve tried to have sex 29 times over the course of their relationship - Monique has kept track. It just won’t work. Physically, they aren’t able to make it happen.

After try #29, on their two year anniversary, Dom finally decides he can’t deal with the lack of sex and dumps Monique. Trying to find out more about why she can’t have sex, in an attempt to smooth things over with Dom, she goes to the womens’ clinic. And who’s manning the front desk other than Sasha, the churchiest church girl Monique knows (and resents). But Sasha ends up helping Monique, as does Reggie, the “bad boy” her dad has taken under his wing, who really isn’t so bad at all.

They all start to spend time together as they learn that Monique has vaginismus, a condition that basically means her body and mind subconsciously shut her vagina down whenever it’s time to have sex. Good news: it’s manageable with therapy, both mental and physical. Bad news: her parents can’t know about it, because they can’t know she tried to have sex, and she can’t get formal treatment, because then her parents would know, and yeah… So this story is mainly about the mishaps and wins involved with teens trying to treat a disorder behind adults’ backs. There’s definitely worse things they could be doing lmao

Monique has to really learn herself to learn why she is dealing with this disorder. She has to learn who she is without Dom, who she is without her parents, and what she brings to the world just by being her. She has to confront sex, something her parents’ and church’s teachings would rather her pretend not existed and something Dom would rather just happen already. Does she even want to have sex or does she just want to please Dom?

She has to get over her misgivings about both Sasha and Reggie. She thought Sasha was a stuck up religious type and thought Reggie was a delinquent, but turns out they’re both really just fun to be around and have their own reasons for the way Monique perceives them. They’re both so accepting of Monique, her condition, her sheltered views of sex, and her fear of her parents. They slowly bring her out of her shell and test her limits, all while just having fun. Their relationship is so sweet to watch and makes you miss your own besties.

And Dom…. smh, at least she spends most of the book broken up with him. Will they end up getting back together? Will Monique be able to have sex with him after all? It’s kind of hard for her to think about Dom when Reggie is right there, though…..

And underneath all her daily drama, we find out that Monique’s sister was basically excommunicated by their parents two years ago, and Monique hasn’t seen her or heard from her since the night she left. This book definitely delves into the toxicity of religion and strict parenting and the way it can backfire when kids come of age. Monique has spent a lot of time thinking her sister was so stupid for leaving, for not just placating their parents, but she finally starts to empathize with Myracle over the course of the book. Things come to a head with Monique’s family drama, with results that may surprise you. I think that’s my one qualm with this story - how quickly and smoothly the family storyline wrapped up. But you can only fit so much trauma into 300 pages so whatever lol

This book made me literally laugh out loud, it made me tear up, it basically just made my heart feel full and I’m already drooling over whatever Joya Goffney puts out next. This is a great, feminist, sex-positive story for any teen in your life and tbh for you and your life as well

Joya Goffney, author of the acclaimed Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry, delivers a powerful second novel about a preacher’s daughter in small-town Texas and her journey toward loving herself and her body, filled with heart, humor, family drama, and a dynamic love triangle.

Mo is my bestie in my teenage head. I loved this story so much. I think with the story anyone will not want to put the book down. As she battles being a teenager and PK (preacher's kid), you really get a feel for her struggle. Her mother was not one of my favorite people in this story but that is an excellent compliment for the author to make such a character whom is easy to dislike for valid reasons. The relationship does bloom in the story which gives us all a little light at the end of the tunnel! I definitely rec this book. A great story for high schoolers to read as well as adults.

Wow! I read this whole thing in only a couple days. I really loved the characters and how Mo grows and changes and learns more about herself.
I liked Reggie and Sascha and how they helped Mo too.
I really loved the dynamic between Mo and her mom and how it got better and healthier as the story went on.
It can be hard to be the daughter of the pastor and expected to be perfect. But we see Mo learn that she doesn't have to be perfect and telling the truth and asking for help are the best ways to communicate within her family.
I also really loved the look at sex and how it can affect teenage lives. I can see that some parents would not want their teen reading this, but I think this provides such a positive image of getting the right kind of help and getting questions answered when it comes to sex.

Such a great book. I will be thinking about this one for awhile.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

5 stars

I loved Goffney's debut. so I was thrilled to read this second novel, and for me, this one is even better than its predecessor!

Monique is a high school student who is simultaneously managing these issues: her preacher father, her rigid mother, her runaway sister (see aforementioned parents), her creep of a boyfriend, and her apparently rebellious body. The "alleged" part of the title is critical. Monique appears perfect from the outside, and her parents are determined to keep her perfect in every way. What's unfortunate is that Monique kind of is perfect; she just doesn't know it.

Goffney accomplishes so much here. Monique is a really brave character who struggles emotionally and physically with the extreme constraints of her upbringing. She tries so hard to do what is right according to parents, but she is also a normal kid and a relatively self-aware individual; she works toward doing what is right for her, and this is not a journey to be missed. Monique finds herself caught between two dudes who could not be more different. Their internal and external identities are completely opposite, and it is gratifying to watch not only Monique but others around her come to terms with who these folks actually are and can be. Additionally, Monique experiences some struggles in her romantic relationship that in some ways will be relatable to most readers. This relatability translates into the enhancement of character relationships, too. These characters do not experience magical changes, but they express the capacity for growth and hope over time. Not every person is lucky enough to have folks around them who can do this, but seeing characters who possess a variety of identities and starting points demonstrate different levels of growth is certainly a hopeful - and overall realistic - perspective. The sibling relationships, friendships, and parent/child relationships are all highlights here, too. Most of all, I love that this novel absolutely has the setup to be a regular ol' YA romance, but any of these relationships - while interesting - are just another part of Monique's growth. They aren't the central focus. So, yes. A lot happens here.

Goffney's first novel received a lot of well-deserved buzz, but I expect folks who enjoyed that one - or who like a good YA novel in general - will be even more pleased with this second effort. This writer is absolutely one to watch, and I am already eagerly anticipating what comes next!