This is the book I will hand to kids who love God, but question how the church has often treated their queer selves or their friends. Riley used to find her church comforting, but after her sister is publicly outed and thrown out for getting an abortion, she knows her bisexual self will no longer be supported. It doesn't help that she has secret, complicated feelings about her best friend Julia, who also just happens to be the pastor's daughter. Riley has been reeling from her family's excommunication, angry at all the so-called friends who didn't stand by her sister's side, and so when a school incident threatens her role in the Spring Musical, she finds herself at spending Spring Break at a church camp in Kentucky with her old church crew on a "volunteer" basis to appease her church-loving principal. (Cue me also suspending my disbelief that this would fly at a public school as actual punishment, but hey, I'm here for the plot device). All she has to do is survive, and write an essay afterwards about all she has learned and repent. BUT then all the Seven Deadly Sins talk gets to her and she instead decides to engage in all of them as a way to stick to it the church establishment and her nemesis, Julia's dad. What she doesn't bargain for is understanding the girls who shunned her, a tortuous kiss/fight with her bestie, and everyone finding out her plan to expose them. As she reckons with her spirituality and her place in her community, Riley has to learn, like her sister implies late in the narrative, that their old church is not the standard for what's out there--that many people are good and willing to stand for love and inclusion instead of fire and brimstone. So often the church gets it wrong, and this book shows every part of this in its blasphemous, un-accountable doings. Would I have loved more comeuppance for the awful pastor? Sure...but as I'm living in times where accountability for judgy slime balls doesn't come easily, I can't say this one doesn't reek of parallelisms of our current times. I loved seeing the solidarity of all the girls standing up for one another in the end, and even if I wanted Julia to be "out" to her parents, I also realize that it's not safe for her to do so at this point in her life--a reality for so many teen readers.

This book is hilarious (the chapter titles are gold...may I present "POV: You're Watching Me Have a Proper, Full Gay Panic Attack" and "Some Light Property Destruction as a Treat"), the banter is solid, and even with some plotting for plot's sake, I'll sing this one's praises for years to come.

Thank you to Viking Books & Netgalley for the e-ARC. This one is out today, March 4, 2025.

This one is for every queer person who had to go to church camp (ie me) and lived to tell the tale. I loved Jenna Voris' debut, but Say a Little Prayer takes the cake. I truly felt this was written for my younger self. I loved Riley, and I know her story will help so many kids going through similar experiences, as well as some queer adults like me who might need a book like this for some healing.

I needed to take my time to write this review. This book is everything. I say this from a place of someone who knows what type of representation this book will mean to a lot of people. I think that it is raw, honest, and in some cases eye opening. Religion and those who hold the power of the community in their hands can truly cause a lot of damage to their congregation. Dealing with the pain from that fallout and then trying to navigate where you fit in once you lose that community can be extremely difficult. I think this book is beautiful and am so glad that it will be available for anyone who is possibly struggling because the church that was once home maybe is saying that it can’t be any more. It is a sad reality for many churches, and I truly hope that this can be a view that is changed were EVERYONE starts to feel welcome.
Thank you so much to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

4.25 stars

Say a Little Prayer holds a special place in my heart. From my inner teenager who could empathize with the pressures of being raised in a high-demand religion, to my adult self who is now choosing to parent differently, I am so very grateful that this book exists.

Queer teens need more stories where they see themselves, and this book does a great job of not only exploring queerness, but also religious trauma and bodily autonomy. Author Jenna Voris does an incredible job of balancing these heavy themes with wit, humor, and so much heart. I cannot wait to hand this over to my teen.

Say A Little Prayer is an unflinching, heartfelt, and hilarious queer coming-of-age story that I absolutely devoured. Riley has long felt like an outsider in her church, but when her sister is publicly shunned for having an abortion, her frustration turns into something more—anger and a need for rebellion. After getting in trouble at school for defending her sister, she’s forced to spend spring break at church camp instead of facing suspension. But rather than using the week to repent, Riley sets out on a mission to break as many rules as possible, hoping to prove that sometimes defiance is more righteous than blind faith. However, things get complicated when she starts falling for Julia—the pastor’s daughter—forcing Riley to confront not only her beliefs about religion but also about love, forgiveness, and the complexities of faith.

Jenna Voris has crafted a protagonist who is equal parts sharp-witted, passionate, and deeply relatable. Riley’s voice is so engaging that it’s impossible not to root for her, even when her plans spiral into chaos. The side characters are just as complex, with their own struggles and histories that make them feel like real people rather than just background figures. Julia, in particular, is a standout, providing both romantic tension and a counterpoint to Riley’s cynical view of faith.

What I loved most about this book is how it tackles heavy themes—religion, queerness, bodily autonomy, and standing up for what’s right—without ever feeling preachy or one-dimensional. Instead, it allows for nuance, showing the ways faith can both harm and heal, and how questioning something doesn’t mean you have to abandon it entirely. It reminded me a lot of Saved! in the way it balances biting humor with genuine emotional depth.

With its rebellious spirit, heartfelt exploration of identity, and unforgettable characters, Say A Little Prayer is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t quite belong and fought to carve out a space for themselves anyway.

When I picked up Say a Little Prayer on a whim, I had no idea that much of the book takes place in my home state of Ohio and our neighbor Kentucky. Oh, the number of times I’ve driven by the referenced “Hell is Real” billboard, and I can personally attest that the mindset that can be so prevalent in small Ohio towns is no joke.

The story here focuses on Riley, who is angry and feels out of place. She’s left her church after coming out as bi, her sister has been ostracized for having an abortion, and her schoolmates won’t stop putting her sister down. In order to avoid suspension for slapping one such schoolmate—which would prevent her from performing in the school musical—Riley agrees to attend church camp over spring break.

Riley’s best friend Julia, the pastor’s daughter, is the “good girl,” expected to set an example for others and not stray from the path her father demands, but there are cracks in the veneer. Together, along with Julia's twin Ben and their cabinmates, they navigate some pretty heavy topics, all while Riley attempts to subvert the pastor’s teachings by committing the 7 deadly sins over the course of the camp in an attempt to “prove” that he’s wrong.

Although I wasn’t raised in the church and have a liberal family, I really empathized with a lot of the characters and their experiences. It can be so hard to navigate through high school, with all the pressures, fears, and insecurity that can affect actions and decisions, and the growth for all of them was so realistic. I really appreciated how Voris handled all of that, and the redemption that came for some of the side characters was lovely. The story fell apart a bit at the end for me, which is why I’m going with the 4-star rating here, but it really is a great book overall.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.

This book was exactly what I didn't know I needed right now. Religious trauma mixed with a beautiful friends to lovers romance with a sprinkling of found family/unexpected friendships. I was so immediately invested that I don't think I could have physically put the book down if I tried.

I really enjoyed my time with this book and loved levity it brought to the experience of being queer in a close-minded religious community. Jenna does a good job of balancing relatively serious topics with humor, fun, and, well, being 17. I think this may have been a little too young of a YA read for me to absolutely adore, but I had a good time and some good laughs. Definitely recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

5⭐️

"People who are this moved by worship music clearly didn't drive four hours to see the Eras Tour last year. Talk about a spiritual experience."

I loved this! A queer theater kid having to attend church camp after her family was kicked out of the church is such a fascinating premise. The story telling was tense as well as silly and campy and that really pulled me into the story. Watching Riley try to figure out how to take down Pastor Young and the congregation that turned against her sister so quickly while also trying to get her best friend (who happens to be preacher's daughter) to fall in love with her was such a wild time and I loved the way it addressed religious trauma. I appreciated the way that even though Riley left the church on her own terms, which was something that her sister didn't get the privilege of, she still missed the since of belonging that she felt while attending the church. Misinterpreting the lesson regarding the seven deadly sins in an attempt to prove that Pastor Young was in the wrong was a beautiful calculated plan, but the execution by a 17 was flawed and that made it feel more real.

I really appreciated the growth from a lot of the side characters. Most of the conflicts stemmed from the fear that the love and acceptance they received from the church was conditional and could easily be revoked if they didn't meet the right conditions. Between Hannah's friends who still loved her dearly but were afraid at how fast Pastor Young ran her off after her abortion to the Pastor's own kid who was afraid to be her true self incase her father turned against her as well. This story really showed how true the phrase 'there's no hate like Christian love' can be. The girls coming together to stand against the church at the end of the book was beautiful and it felt like that followed Jesus' words much more than the way people use their religion to excuse their hate against certain groups.

I'm not religious, but grew up in the Baptist church. It felt refreshing to see a character have the same questions that I did as a teenager. I always felt so crazy watching the blind faith that people had that I didn't feel. Riley's journey through leaving the church, figuring out her sexuality and working through the indoctrination of the church was so well done and I would have loved a book like this as a teen!

Thank you Netgalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for Providing this ARC to me!

Say A Little Prayer is a cute little YA novel about a girl who has a fight in school and in order not to be expelled, decides to attend a religious summer camp. Her seventeen year old self is unwilling to participate and instead, chooses that she is going to commit all seven deadly sins to prove that she won’t be smited down by God’s wrath. The chapter titles are cute. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it even if our little main character can be… well, seventeen (if you know you know) …at times. I would definitely recommend for readers looking for a little something to escape their reading slump.

I really love the writing style of Jenna Voris, and I want to read more from her. From the first page I wanted to keep reading. I realte to Riley so much, as a teen I was also figuring out I was bi and the church just didn't accept who I was, so I left and I haven't been back since I was in middle school. The lessons she learns when she is forced to spend her spring break at church camp, although she is sometimes very dumb, she is very teenager and I loved every min of her journey. Witty, compassionate and YA queer in all the right ways.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed this read! Anyone who had a bad experience with religious camps, tread lightly when reading this. In all honesty, all of the chapter titles were fantastic and I was engaged throughout the whole book and anything with sapphic coming of age characters is always a must read!

Enjoyable read definitely check out! I quite enjoyed this book especially through the characters and their interactions. Though I am not religious myself I found the book quite interesting being able to touch on the impacts of religion on different people as well as learn more. I’ll be honest I found the book hard to get into at the start, the plot felt a little slow (this is definitely just me being picky) but I stuck it out and it was quite rewarding. I definitely recommend giving this book a shot and adding it to your list for a fun and easy read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Say a Little Prayer is a Young Adult book for gay kids who are made to feel like being gay is a sin. Riley is an angry teen who is kicked out of church for this “sin” by Pastor Young who is known for excommunicating parishioners if they don’t follow his rules. After an altercation at school Riley’s punishment is to attend church camp which is run by Pastor Young. Riley does not make the best choices during camp. To complicate matters she has a crush on the Pastor’s daughter. At a time when teens are exploring and growing they are limited and controlled by the church. Riley brings adventure and fun to the camp while also learning she has more in common with her peers than she thought.

This is a well written emotional but also humorous book. The author was able to flawlessly include human rights and differing beliefs while also keeping it light with wit and Taylor Swift references. Riley’s character develops so well and strongly throughout the book and learns to embrace kindness and values.

I attended Catholic school most of my life so I related to the strict rules and the close-mindedness of certain subjects. This book is so relatable on so many different levels I couldn’t recommend it enough!

Four stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Jenna Voris and Penguin Teen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Jenna Voris sophomore novel so I was incredibly excited to read Say a Little Prayer, even more when I managed to get my hands on a EARC.

My expectations were really high, and I'm so happy to say that it exceeded my expectations.
The chapter names are hilarious and really accentuate the humor in Riley's personality & point of view.
Talking about Riley, I really loved her arc between the books, saying all the rage and disdain, humor and kindness, sadness and love.
She's such an interesting main character, i immensely enjoyed her and all the other characters that we really got know.
The themes are so heartbreaking & hopeful, so hard but so beautiful.

Really recommend picking it up if you are interested on March 4th.

Queer teens fighting back against homophobic churches is a surefire way to get me to love a book. This helped heal some of my religious trauma and I'm so pumped to recommend it to all my fellow ex-vangelical friends!

My thanks to NetGalley and Viking/Penguin Random House for the ARC of "Say a Little Prayer" in exchange for an honest review.
I'm beginning to think that no genre takes on religious hypocrisy more effectively than YA, Nothing works better than a rebellious teen girl to burst the bubbles of pretentious, all=knowing adults who think they hold the moral high ground.
Okay, maybe I sound a tad facetious here, but that doesn't make "Say a Little Prayer' any less enjoyable. It's a fast paced rollicking read, filled with plenty of heart, humor and no end of insights into a group of teens coping with that greatest of challenges.....impending adulthood.
And that's the hero we have in 17 year old Riley Ackerman, who's abandoned her local church after its high-handed, holier-than-thou Pastor Young banished her older sister Hannah for having an abortion. And Hannah's only one among others who've suffered under the Pastor's dictatorial power over his flock (and the way he wields it like a controlling crime boss).
Riley, a dedicated theater kid, puts herself in the Holy Roller's crosshairs when at school, she slaps a girl for making a smirky insult about Hannah. Her principal offers her a deal - either take a suspension (and miss show rehearsals) or attend Pastor Young's Spring Break Church camp. Maybe it won't be all that bad......after all she'll get to hang with all-time BFF Julie, a sweet friend who also happens to be Pastor Young's daughter..
Well, there's bad and good. Queer Riley realizes her love for Julie goes beyond friendship and that it's entirely possible that Julie might feel the same way. And while her fellow campers must absorb lessons about the Seven Virtues, Riley's secretly having fun going through a checklist of Seven Deadly Sins. As for the bad, Pastor Young never misses a chance to exert his moral authority, always with a mirthless smile pasted on his insincere face.
Of course things go awry for Riley in all sorts of ways and you'll ache for her as she navigates her feelings about herself, Julie and the world at large. I loved the showdown-reckoning episode that borrows a trope from a classic movie.....which I'll now shut up about to not spoil anyone's fun.
Overall a thoughtful read that remembers to entertain and throw in some sharp wit along the way.

Loved this one! Jenna has a delightful sense of humor, and this book could really help a lot of queer kids in homophobic religious communities. I also appreciate how, though Riley isn't religious anymore, many of those surrounding her have found religious communities that do accept them for who they are.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for giving me an early copy of this book to read and review.

I think this healed something in my religiously traumatized gay little heart. I loved everything about this from the writing of Jenna Voris to the characters, to the story itself. It was funny, it was heart wrenching, and equally as heart warming.

As someone who grew up going to church and have been to many a church camp/retreat the setting was all too familiar. Many times nearly making me cringe from the memories of it all but to me that was a sign of excellent writing. I really connected with both Riley's struggle with faith and grappling with missing the familiarity of church even though you want nothing to do with the religion anymore. Along with Julia's struggle and the fear that comes with the realization that you like girls when you've grown up being told how much of a sin it was all your life.

I really loved every single character in this book. They all felt fully fleshed out and well developed throughout the book. I loved seeing their bonds with each other and how everything came together so nicely in the end. I think Ben was my favorite though. His support for Riley, his love for his sister and the romantic love he has for Hannah was all so beautiful to me. While I hated Pastor Young I love him as a character as he was a very well done antagonist. I felt so strongly every time Riley was forced to interact with him.

Also despite there already being feelings present between our two love interests and them having an already established relationship Jenna Voris did an absolutely AMAZING job at not making this feel insta-lovey. That is my biggest issue with so many romance books and what will constantly keep them from a five star for me but she captured the sapphic yearning of these two girls so damn well and I loved every moment of it. Definitely a bit of a slow burn but I was here for it!

An excellent book about queer love, struggling with faith, and so much more. If this sounds up your alley I would so very much recommend it. I also want to mention how much I love the chapter titles in this book. Almost every single one made me chuckle and just a nice little bow on an already wonderful book.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for access to this e-ARC in return for an honest review.
In case you needed any convincing to read this book, I stayed up until 2am to finish it. I started the night around 50% and literally just couldn't stop. I didn't realize what time it was until I finished, but honestly, totally worth it. This book was everything I was hoping it to be. I love how the focus was more about questioning the all or nothing thinking of Christianity. Riley isn't trying to say Christianity is evil - though she does have her own biases she faces regarding her religious trauma - she's just trying to prove that not everything has to be so rigid. And that there is literally nothing wrong with being different from others. As someone who started questioning their religion around the same age, I totally understand what Riley is going through. I'm happy at her age she has people to show her that not all people who practice Christianity feel the same way her pastor does, I wish I had had that part as well. I'm so glad this book exists for other teens adults to find and hopefully find solace in it like I did.