Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl

By: Joya Goffney

Narrated by: Angel Pean

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

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. Perfect for fans of Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles and Calling My Name by Liara Tamani!

“Powerful, boundary pushing, and charmingly funny.” —Camryn Garrett, author of Full Disclosure and Off the Record

"Deeply empowering, sweet yet candid. A fearless story about the path to self acceptance.” —Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan, authors of Unpregnant and Save Steve

“A heartfelt, funny, and irresistible read…smart, sex-positive, and positively terrific.” —Kirkus (starred review)

“A compassionate novel that encourages teens to prioritize the control, safety, and comfort of their own bodies.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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 discovers that she physically can’t have sex.

After two years of trying and failing, her boyfriend breaks up with her. To win him back, Monique teams up with straight-laced church girl Sasha—who is surprisingly knowledgeable about Monique’s condition—as well as Reggie, the misunderstood bad boy who always makes a ruckus at church, and together they embark upon a top-secret search for the cure.

While on their quest, Monique discovers the value of a true friend and the wonders of a love that accepts her for who she is. Despite everyone’s opinions about her virtue, she learns to live for herself, inspiring us all to reclaim our bodies and unapologetically love ourselves.

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2022 List Nominee

“A triumph in not just dynamite contemporary fiction but also in critiquing purity culture and the harm it can do.” —Buzzfeed

“[Monique's] journey toward recognizing her own value is hard-won, and her awareness of her own worth, when it comes, feels like a true victory. An empowering read.” —Booklist

©2022 Joya Goffney (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

God this is a good read

This book healed my inner teen. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear these words until I finished.

MUST READ for the alleged good girls out there

As an alleged good girl who grew up in a Christian household, every ounce of Monique’s story resonated with me. Her character is so relatable and so whole - you really get an understanding of why she is the way she is, and why sex is such an end-all thing for a “good girl” to do. Anyone who has ever struggled with being a good girl and having your worth tied to purity or virginity should read this!! The author handles the topics of sex, consent, and sexuality so delicately and beautifully. Joya did her thing once again!!

You have to read this book!

This book was everything I needed! I loved how much I related to this book, the characters, the plot, the romance! Just…*chef’s kiss*

Let’s talk about sex!!

When I was a teenager, I was given all kinds of talks. My mom would sit me, my sister, and all of our friends down to discuss threesomes, pregnancy, and stds. It did not stop any one of us from doing what we do but the conversations must happen between child and parent! This book illustrates that so well and I applaud the way Joya Goffney went about it. The story was wonderful, the characters were believable/ relatable, and I felt empowered upon completion even at my grown age. Read it!

Great book for everyone!

This book was great to listen to, I binged daily because I wanted more and more!

Joya Does It Again!

Again, another story I wish I had as a teen…so beautifully told and relevant to young people’s experiences. I hope both teens and adults read this and use it as a teaching and learning moment. Particularly at a time when sex ed is so threatened in schools, we need community more than every to find ways to share the facts and teach the messages in ways that are relatable without being preachy or judgmental. 10/10, would definitely recommend. BRAVA! 🔥

Slow at first but picks up!

Loveeeeee! At first, the beginning was kind of cringe, but powered through the first couple chapters and I’m obsessed! I hope she’ll write more books!

AMAZING!!!

This book was so eloquently written. I would LOVE a part II. Love this book!

LOVED IT!!💖‼️

I binge listened to this book and I do not regret it! Monique really takes us on an adventure and makes you wanna root for her every step of the way. This story is laugh out loud hilarious as well as fundamental in letting anybody know that sex should not be a taboo (teach not preach ✍🏽) and it definitely shouldn't be something that's abused or prioritized in a relationship or in general. Monique had me on my feet ready to fight for her and her safety! 😂🤜🏽💪🏽
you could just feel the emotions jumping off the page, including all of the love and support from the village of family and friends around her.
their are amazing characters that portray the TOO REAL depictions of who they are versus how they are received in society.
Overall I LOVE this book, I found so much comfort in it!!! 💖 Joya Goffney is truly an incredible author and I can't wait to see what's next for her!! (if you haven't already, go read/listen to her other book "Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry" it's another beautiful masterpiece!)

This is so good and relatable.

This book was basically a memoir for me, minus a few things. I can fully relate to the story of having this condition while living in a very Christian house. I too had to learn that shame was instilled in us to keep us stuck, and that can make us feel alienated.I had to battle not just living in a Christian house but constant sexual assault and feeling like that's all men wanted from me. Growing up, I did not see any examples of good men, and as such, I have been scared of them and their ways. As a black woman living in Jamaica, that means the resources were as limited as they could be, and I had to depend on Google and figure out ways to navigate the situation. It makes you so stuck because people make you feel as if this isn't real or something is wrong with you, and male doctors are the worst to go to about these things. I am happy that this story told a story. I wish I had had this story when I was going through my situation, but I'm still so happy to know that it is receiving more recognition. The book was well written and narrated.