This was an interesting read as someone who did not grow up in an Evangelical religion - I think those who did would find it very relatable. For me, some characters felt evil to the point of being far fetched, but sadly people like this probably do exist. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I first read Jenna Voris last year with "Everytime You Hear This Song" and loooved it! I received the ARC of this book so I'm sure the published copy changed a little bit. My main issue is that I wish there had been a little bit more character development between Riley and Julia. This book is also probably more YA than other books I usually read but I did like it overall.

(rounded up from 4.5 stars)

"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘥. 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬."


Seven Days. Seven Deadly Sins?

Woah. There is some traumatizing religious nonsense going on in this church group 😅

I've never personally gone to a Midwestern Baptist church, so I've never witnessed stuff like this, but I know people who have.

And it truly breaks my heart that people like this exist out there in the world.

Thank you to @penguinteen, @vikingbooks and @netgalley for the early copy of this book in exchange for this review!

🙏🏻 Spring Break Church Camp
⛺️ LGBTQ (Bi) Teen
🙏🏻 Religious Trauma
⛺️ Questioning Organized Religion
🙏🏻 Pastor's Daughter/Best Friend
⛺️ Seven Deadly Sins
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#bookstagram #booksta #books #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #ilovereading #thetwistedlibrarian #professionalbookworm #sayalittleprayer #jennavoris #whatsnikkilisteningto #whatsnikkireading #book22of2025 #lgbtqiap #lgbtqteen #churchcamp #religioustrauma #sevendeadlysins #penguinteen #vikingbooks

I really wanted to love this book, and while there were definitely moments that made me laugh out loud, I found myself having a hard time staying engaged and fully connecting with the story.

That said, I also recognize that not relating is, in many ways, a privilege. This story wasn’t written to reflect my experience, and that doesn’t lessen its impact. I think it’ll be a powerful and affirming read for the right audience—it just wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Books for the eARC!

This was a fun book. Riley’s loss of faith is understandable after the way her sister was treated by people who were once their friends. She doesn’t want to go to church camp, but she doesn’t want to be suspended either, so hello church camp!

As with all stories, our plucky protagonist goes into her endeavor with the intention of causing havoc and taking down the establishment from the inside. But of course, she also learns some valuable lessons along the way. The journey is familiar, but Voris brings a fresh perspective to the trope. There is even some romance to be found with the preacher’s daughter, although it’s certainly not something Riley sought out. What’s more important is that Riley realizes that everyone is imperfect and that everything is not always as it seems and that challenging the status quo might yield results, but not always in the way we anticipated.

I hate to be pedantic, but there was one little thing that stuck out to me. Riley’s sister says something about Crocs being a fashion disaster. I work at a middle school, and not only are Crocs common footwear—even in a New England winter!—but these kids wear Crocs WITH socks!

I would recommend Say a Little Prayer. This contemporary YA has a big heart and while some parts are predictable, there is enough whimsical spontaneity to make this book appealing.




I received a digital ARC of this book from Penguin/NetGalley.

Short and sweet! I feel like Riley was a realistic character with both likeable and unlikeable qualities. She’s just a theater girl living for the dramatics of life and I get her. I enjoyed scenes that showed different sides to all of the characters but of course I liked the romance. Lots of yearning, my favorite! I really enjoyed how Julia got to explain her perspective because religion is complex. Especially when your father is the pastor.

As a child of the Bible Belt, I know these people. I was surrounded by these people. I went to Vacation Bible School and after school programs with people because it was the only way to make friends. What I'm saying is that I saw myself in this book.

I also saw quite a bit of the plotline turning out how it did, even though I liked the concept anyway. I still enjoyed it quite a bit and hope that it finds the right readers who need it!

I was hooked on Say a Little Prayer from the first chapter. Right away I noticed the spunky, strong voice and connected to the main character. I loved all the little details used to subtly bring the characters to life. The book was so funny, making me laugh at least once every chapter.

The book was framed around the idea that the main character grew up in an oppressive church, and I think Voris did a great job of showing this without implying the entire Christian faith was problematic. Any jokes about Jesus or the church/pastor were, I thought, done tastefully while still being funny, especially coming from teenagers. As the main character helps herself and others heal, I think the reader can find comfort in the journey, too.

This book is YA, but adults can definitely enjoy the book, too. Anyone who likes a good laugh and a cute sapphic storyline will absolutely love this book. I would recommend anyone sensitive to religious trauma be cautious while reading, since it is a subtle theme in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who went to multiple sleep away church camps and came out as bi later in life, this book felt like a healing experience to read. Say A Little Prayer gave a very accurate portrayal of the highs and lows of church camp; of the fine line everyone in a more “traditional”church community walks while trying to live the life expected from them from the community and one that it’s realistic, modern, and, more importantly, authentic. I loved reading Riley’s complete disillusionment with her church while also struggling with missing the community and sense of belonging and certainty that space provided. To me, the romance, while adorable. in this book felt very much like a subplot to the examination of faith as a queer person and in the present day—and that is not a complaint at all.


I would absolutely recommend this book, but especially to anyone who loved the movie Saved! or who is still seeking some healing from being part of the “pray the gay away” and purity assembly trauma.

Yes! Give me all the sapphic books!! This one was just so fun. I loved every minute of it. This book had everything I want in a YA romcom

I really wanted to like this book, but it fell flat. The overall plot was interesting, but the characters were...not great. Riley was very unlikeable and I felt zero chemistry between her and Julia. It seemed like the reader was dropped in the middle of a story already in progress.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC>

What a super cute sapphic slow burn set at a church camp where she is in love with the pastors daughter!! I really enjoyed Jenna’s writing, i devoured this in like one day!

Thank you to Viking Books and NetGalley for an Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.

A little late to the party but a very appropriate Pride Month read! This is the story of Riley, a bisexual queen who left her church following her sister Hannah's abortion and the backlash surrounding it from their pastor.

She ends up getting into a kerfuffle at school that leaves her with two options: miss out on tech week for Shrek The Musical or go to bible camp for the week and write an essay about your experience. The kids at camp are given an assignment: learn about and reject each of the seven deadly sins. Riley decides to turn the assignment on its head and prove the pastor's messaging surrounding the "sins" wrong.

This book was such a fun time. I was giggling and gaggling at Riley's shenanigans at camp and felt really proud of her effort to prove Pastor Young and his backwards thinking wrong. If you have religious trauma, this will hit hard. This was my first book from this author and I am excited to dive into more!

If you’re queer and grew up in a small religious town and were subjugated to church camp, retreats, lock-ins, etc. you should be entitled to financial compensation. Happy pride month!!!!

Over all 5 stars i loved the whole story. 2 girls that dont like each other goes to camp and falling love. I also liked that this takes place in ohio. The characters were well-developed. I read and listened to this in one sitting. I couldn't stop. The author has a way of
Wrapping you up in a story and.not letting go. I highly.recommend this story if you like lesbian romance

WOW, Jenna how did you hurt my heart in so many ways in one little book?! My religious trauma wounds opened up so quick but then were so delicately stitched right back up while reading this book. So painfully relatable as a ex youth group kid who, as it turns out, is so gay. I loved this group of characters and would do anything for them!! The final scenes at the church will never leave me.

I loved this and read it in like four hours. It was engaging and funny and I wanted to punch the pastor into next year the whole time. I gave it four stars instead of five because it didn't really feel like a strict romance, which is what it is marketed as. The romance is veeeery minimal- which was fine, I liked the way the story was told and the way things progressed between Riley and Julia, especially since it only takes place over a week. Anyway, I really enjoyed this. It was a quick, fun read with a very satisfying ending.

I love a good “pray the gay away” type of story with religion and bisexuality involved. I am always impressed with Voris’ writing!

Say a Little Prayer was a fun, feel-good YA romcom. I felt like I was watching a teen movie! The characters and themes were engaging and entertaining. This was such a cute sapphic YA coming of age romcom! Would recommend to anyone who is a fan of teen movies!

Oh, this one was a romp and an adventure and a cutting commentary rolled into one delightful package.

Voris reminds me of Sophie Gonzalez and that's my highest praise. This is so "of the moment". Riley is relatable and tugged at my heartstrings so thoroughly. Julia was the quintessential pastor's daughter. Anyone (especially queer) who has been to an all caps CAMP will really feel seen in this.