Book Review: “Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry” by Joya Goffney

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney (2021)

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

Page Length: 368 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

Quinn keeps lists of everything—from the days she’s ugly cried, to “Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud” and all the boys she’d like to kiss. Her lists keep her sane. By writing her fears on paper, she never has to face them in real life. That is, until her journal goes missing . . .

Then an anonymous account posts one of her lists on Instagram for the whole school to see and blackmails her into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public. Quinn doesn’t know who to trust. Desperate, she teams up with Carter Bennett—the last known person to have her journal—in a race against time to track down the blackmailer.

Together, they journey through everything Quinn’s been too afraid to face, and along the way, Quinn finds the courage to be honest, to live in the moment, and to fall in love.

Review:

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry is a YA novel that was fun, swoon-worthy, and a story that gave me all the feels. The novel follows Quinn, who is dealing with the aftermath of having all of her secrets leaked out at school via Instagram. Her lists are a piece of herself and hold her deepest thoughts and feelings about everything. Determined to get her journal back she teams up with classmate Carter to find her blackmailer while also tacking some of her greatest fears along the way.

I loved this book to pieces and what I appreciated most about it is the raw honesty and emotions that not only Quinn, but other characters go through over the course of the novel. Seeing them open up and confront their past was rewarding even though it was hard to do. Quinn tries her best to, but she’s far from perfect. Losing her journal causes her emotional pain as it acts as her diary, and I could relate to her feelings. Journals allow us to reveal our most inner thoughts and provide a safe space for us to sort out our problems and de-stress.

Even though losing her journal rocks Quinn’s world it’s a chance for her to open up and get out of her comfort zone. This journey allows her to be more honest with herself, figure out what she wants, and also become closer to Carter. The romance that develops between Carter and Quinn is so sweet to watch especially as they bring out the good in each other. I enjoyed the new friendships Quinn makes and finally getting to say all the things that have been bubbling up inside.

Most of all outside of the romance, coming-of-age narrative, and friendships I like how Goffney has an open discussion about race as well as grief/acceptance. It’s a novel about coming into your own and finding all the things that make you happy. It’s a fantastic debut novel from Goffney and I can’t wait to see what she’ll write next.

TW: Racial Slurs, Racism, Bullying

Final Verdict: