I just finished reading the book "Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl" by Joya Goffney and I'm still reeling from the experience. This book was a good read that tackled the complexities of growing up around African parents, faith, identity and sensitivity.
The title of the book was enough to spur my interest but before I read the book, I had seen a few reviews on it and all I could think of was “what did the protagonist actually get herself into?” I guess there was only one way to find out.
I spent about two days reading this three hundred and sixty eight paged novel while juggling other activities and as such, I will be sharing a review of the book and I shall try my absolute best to avoid any conscious spoilers.
About The Book
Monique is a preacher's daughter who detests the impossible rules of her religion. Everyone expects her to wait until marriage, so she has no one to turn to when she realizes that it's physically impossible for her to have sex.
After two years of trying and failing, her seemingly understanding boyfriend breaks up with her. In a bid to get her boyfriend back, Monique teams up with a devout church girl who surprisingly knows so much about her condition–Sasha and Reggie, the misunderstood bad boy. Together, they embark on a top secret search for a cure to Monique’s condition. Would these teenagers be successful on their quest for a cure?
My Thoughts
There is this stereotype that follows many preacher's children. Everyone expects them to be saints, untainted· pristine. The preacher's kids on the flip side usually have a mind of their own and I admire most of them for that. The ability to break loose from the shackles the society is trying to place on them and actually do the things they love to do takes courage and Monique–the protagonist–possessed a truckload of such courage.
Monique as a character was well developed and with relatable experiences. Throughout, she battled with her faith, her relationship and her desires. The beautiful thing is that during the course of the battles, she underwent a significant amount of growth and development. She discovered the value of a true friend and the beauty of a love that wasn't laced with so many conditions.
The themes of identity, self-discovery, relationships and consent, mental health, empowerment and anxiety were explored in the pages of this book; some more than the others.
However, to a degree, the plot was predictable. One could tell what was going to happen once a different character was introduced. This made the climax of the book seem underwhelming. I believe there was a way the author could have made the protagonist's experience relatable without giving off too much hints to the readers.
The author's engaging and concise writing style was not overlookable. I was also impressed by how seamlessly the author transitioned between scenes and plot twists, making it a tad bit easier to stay glued to the book. Joya Gaffney also handled sensitive topics like sex, consent and vaginal health with optimum care.
One particular thing I loved so much about this book was its authenticity. The author ensured she said things the way they were meant to be said, without beating around the bush. She also did well to paint vivid pictures of the characters and the things they were going through. For brief seconds, I could actually imagine how Monique felt in certain situations. The fear of having to embark on a top secret mission with two individuals who were otherwise strangers. The constant urge to cover your tracks and to watch your back just so you do not get caught. The sadness of having to go through a condition as a minor and not being able to confide in your parents who are the ideal set of people to get you the right care. It all seemed too real.
Recommendation and Rating
The book was written for an audience of young adults judging from the themes explored in the piece. Although the book wasn't an extremely outstanding one for me, it wasn't a bad read either. With that, I will give it a 6/10 rating because I believe that certain things could have been done differently, like the inclusion of suspense.
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Liebe🤍