Slap Heard Round Town

Riley Ackerman, a sharp, openly bisexual high school junior, finds herself in the principal's office after slapping Amanda Clarke, the golden girl of Madison High. The slap is not just a reaction to a personal slight but the culmination of months of tension, rumors, and the fallout from her sister Hannah's abortion and subsequent ostracization from their conservative church. Riley's refusal to apologize sincerely and her parents' tepid support set the stage for her forced penance: attend Pleasant Hills Baptist Church's spring camp or face suspension and miss her beloved school musical. The opening chapter establishes Riley's anger, her outsider status, and the hypocrisy of her small town, where football players get a pass and girls like her are punished for fighting back.

Exile to Church Camp

Riley's "volunteer" week at Pleasant Hills church camp is a sentence, not a spiritual journey. She's joined by her best friends, twins Ben and Julia Young—the pastor's children—who are both more at home in the church than Riley ever was. Packing for camp, Riley's resentment simmers, but her sister Hannah's quiet strength and the support of her friends offer a lifeline. The camp is a microcosm of their town: cliques, whispered judgments, and a veneer of virtue masking deep fractures. Riley's plan is simple: survive, keep her head down, and get back to her real life. But the camp's theme—living virtuously by conquering the seven deadly sins—sparks a rebellious idea: what if she did the opposite?

Seven Sins, Seven Days

After a fire-and-brimstone opening sermon, Riley is struck by the camp's obsession with sin and virtue. The workbook's relentless focus on stamping out sloth, greed, gluttony, wrath, lust, jealousy, and pride feels like a personal challenge. Riley decides to commit each sin, not out of malice, but to prove the hypocrisy and harm of the church's teachings. She begins documenting her experiences in her prayer journal, transforming her punishment into a subversive social experiment. The stakes are personal: if she can expose the cracks in Pleasant Hills' moral armor, maybe she can reclaim her own sense of worth—and protect others from the same pain.

Allies and Enemies

Camp life throws Riley together with old friends and former enemies. Julia, the pastor's daughter, is both a comfort and a source of longing—Riley's feelings for her are complicated by the church's teachings and Julia's own uncertainty. Amanda and Greer, once close to Riley's sister, are now adversaries, their loyalty to the church tested by their own secrets and guilt. Delaney and Torres, newcomers and outsiders in their own ways, become unexpected allies. The group's dynamics are fraught: alliances shift, old wounds reopen, and the pressure to conform is ever-present. Riley's quest to commit the seven sins becomes a catalyst for others to question their own beliefs and loyalties.

Under the Picnic Table

The first group activity—building a shelter without tools—becomes Riley's opportunity to embody sloth. Instead of working, she leads her group to hide under a picnic table, turning laziness into an act of rebellion. The moment is both comic and profound: a respite from the camp's relentless demands and a subtle challenge to authority. Greer, usually the model of diligence, is drawn into the act, revealing her own exhaustion and doubts. The group's shared defiance forges a fragile bond, but also exposes the fault lines between those who question and those who obey.

Thrift Store Temptations

A field trip to town—ostensibly for a lesson in generosity—becomes a covert shopping spree. Riley, Ben, and Julia sneak away to a thrift store, indulging in the "sin" of greed. The experience is liberating: they try on clothes, laugh, and for a moment, forget the weight of judgment. Julia's anxiety about being seen, her need to be an example, and Riley's longing for more—more time, more freedom, more of Julia—come to the surface. The act of buying something for themselves, in defiance of the camp's rules, becomes a small but significant act of self-affirmation.

Fasting, Feasting, and Fury

The camp's lesson on temperance is a day-long fast, but the girls' cabin refuses to suffer in silence. At midnight, Riley leads a covert raid on the camp kitchen, turning gluttony into a communal act of survival and joy. The heist is both hilarious and poignant: a group of girls, hungry for food and for agency, breaking the rules together. The shared feast becomes a moment of solidarity, but also a trigger for deeper conversations about what they're really hungry for—acceptance, forgiveness, and the freedom to be themselves.

Midnight Kitchen Heist

The midnight kitchen raid cements the group's bond. Greer, Delaney, Torres, Julia, and Riley become co-conspirators, their shared rule-breaking a form of mutual protection. The act is more than just about food; it's about reclaiming power in a place designed to make them feel small. The aftermath—cleaning up, covering for each other, and the thrill of not getting caught—creates a sense of belonging that the church has never provided. But the risks are real, and the consequences of being discovered loom large.

Capture the Flag Wars

The camp's capture the flag game becomes a battleground for old grudges and new alliances. Riley's rivalry with Amanda comes to a head, but the competition also provides an outlet for pent-up anger. The physicality of the game, the thrill of victory, and the camaraderie of the team offer a cathartic release. Wrath, usually condemned, is reframed as a necessary response to injustice. The game's aftermath—shared laughter, bruises, and a sense of accomplishment—shows that anger, when channeled, can be a force for connection and change.

Shattering Glass and Grudges

Riley and Amanda's animosity erupts in a private confrontation, leading to a surprising moment of vulnerability. Amanda confesses her own failures and fears, and together, they smash glass ornaments in the woods—a literal and symbolic act of breaking free from the expectations and judgments that have defined them. The act of destruction is healing, allowing both girls to express anger, grief, and regret. Apologies are exchanged, and while forgiveness is not immediate, the possibility of reconciliation is born.

Bonfire Confessions

A camp bonfire becomes the setting for confessions and revelations. Riley and Julia, sitting apart from the group, finally talk about the things they've been avoiding: their feelings for each other, their doubts about the church, and the pain of being outsiders. Julia admits that she loves the sense of community but hates the harm the church causes. Riley, emboldened by the night and the firelight, wonders if things could ever change. The moment is charged with longing and fear, and when Julia pulls away, the distance between them feels insurmountable.

Lust in the Chapel

A lesson on lust and chastity divides the camp by gender, with the girls subjected to a shaming, abstinence-only presentation. Riley, frustrated and angry, seeks out Julia in the empty chapel. Their conversation, raw and honest, leads to a kiss—tentative, electric, and immediately followed by panic. Julia, terrified of what it means and what it could cost her, pulls away, and the rift between them widens. The kiss is both a culmination of their longing and a catalyst for crisis, forcing both girls to confront the limits of their faith and their friendship.

Friendship Fractures

The fallout from the kiss is immediate and painful. Julia accuses Riley of using her for her "seven sins" project; Riley lashes out, accusing Julia of complicity in her father's harm. Their fight is brutal, dredging up old wounds and unspoken resentments. The group splinters, and Riley is left alone, her experiment in rebellion having cost her the relationships she values most. The sense of isolation is crushing, and for the first time, Riley questions whether her quest was worth the pain it caused.

The Great Walkout

Back home, the camp's secrets come to light when Pastor Young reads from a prayer book found in the girls' cabin—Julia's private confessions about her sexuality and her feelings for Riley. In front of the entire congregation, he demands the author come forward. Riley stands up to take the blame, but one by one, her friends rise to claim the book as their own. The act of collective resistance—each girl refusing to let another be sacrificed—undermines Pastor Young's authority and exposes the cruelty at the heart of the church's teachings. The walkout is a turning point: the girls reclaim their power, and the congregation is forced to reckon with its own complicity.

Bathroom Epiphanies

In the aftermath, the girls gather in the church bathroom—a place of exile and sanctuary. Julia, shaken but unbroken, comes out to Riley, admitting her love and her fear. The conversation is honest, painful, and healing: apologies are exchanged, forgiveness is offered, and the possibility of a future together is rekindled. The bathroom, once a symbol of shame, becomes a place of transformation. The girls leave together, no longer willing to hide or be hidden.

Prom Night Promises

The story closes with prom night, a celebration of survival and self-acceptance. Riley, Julia, Ben, Hannah, and their friends gather for photos, laughter, and the rituals of adolescence. The scars of the past remain, but the future is open. Riley and Julia, no longer hiding, share a kiss in the back of a limo, dreaming of a world where their love is not a sin but a blessing. The night is imperfect, but it is theirs—a testament to the power of friendship, resistance, and hope.

Amen and After

In the aftermath, Riley reflects on what she's learned: that faith can be reclaimed, that community can be rebuilt, and that love—messy, complicated, and real—is worth fighting for. The story ends not with a neat resolution, but with a promise: to keep questioning, to keep loving, and to keep building a world where everyone belongs.

Characters

Riley Ackerman

Riley is the protagonist—a bisexual junior whose anger at the hypocrisy and harm of her conservative church drives the story. Her relationship with faith is fraught: once a believer, now an outsider, she is both wounded and defiant. Riley's love for her sister Hannah, her complicated feelings for Julia, and her loyalty to her friends are her anchors. Psychologically, Riley is driven by a need for justice and belonging, but her anger often masks deeper pain and vulnerability. Over the course of the story, she learns to channel her rage into resistance, to forgive herself and others, and to claim her right to love and be loved.

Julia Young

Julia is Riley's best friend and the pastor's daughter—a girl caught between loyalty to her family and the truth of her own heart. She is kind, responsible, and deeply invested in her faith, but also questioning and quietly rebellious. Julia's journey is one of self-discovery: coming to terms with her sexuality, her complicity in her father's harm, and her desire for a different kind of community. Her relationship with Riley is the emotional core of the story—fraught with longing, fear, and ultimately, hope. Julia's development is marked by her willingness to risk everything for honesty and love.

Ben Young

Ben is Julia's twin and Riley's steadfast friend. Artistic and sensitive, Ben provides comic relief and emotional grounding. He is less conflicted about the church than Julia, but still aware of its flaws. Ben's loyalty to his friends, his gentle humor, and his willingness to stand up for what's right make him a crucial ally. His own subplot—navigating his artistic ambitions and his feelings for Hannah—mirrors the larger themes of self-acceptance and chosen family.

Hannah Ackerman

Hannah, Riley's older sister, is the catalyst for much of the story's conflict. Her abortion and subsequent shunning by the church expose the cruelty and hypocrisy of Pleasant Hills. Despite her pain, Hannah remains a source of strength and wisdom for Riley, modeling forgiveness and the possibility of reclaiming faith on her own terms. Her relationship with Riley is tender and complex, marked by mutual care and the shared experience of being outsiders.

Amanda Clarke

Amanda is the "perfect" church girl—talented, beautiful, and outwardly virtuous. Beneath the surface, she is wracked by guilt, fear, and the pressure to maintain her image. Her betrayal of Hannah and her rivalry with Riley are rooted in her own insecurities and the impossible standards of the church. Amanda's arc is one of reckoning: confronting her failures, seeking forgiveness, and ultimately joining the collective resistance against Pastor Young's authority.

Greer Wilson

Greer is Amanda's best friend and Riley's former ally—driven, competitive, and desperate to stay on the right side of power. Her loyalty to the church is tested by her own doubts and the harm she witnesses. Greer's journey is one of awakening: moving from complicity to courage, and ultimately standing up for her friends in the story's climactic walkout.

Delaney Adebayo

Delaney is a newcomer to the group, attending camp despite belonging to another church. Her outsider status allows her to see the hypocrisy and harm of Pleasant Hills with fresh eyes. Delaney is witty, perceptive, and unafraid to speak the truth, providing both comic relief and moral clarity. She becomes a key ally in Riley's rebellion and a model of what a more inclusive faith community could look like.

Torres

Torres, a younger camper and athlete, is initially on the periphery but becomes an important part of the group's midnight heist and later resistance. Her pragmatism and willingness to stand up for her friends make her a quiet force for change.

Pastor Young

Pastor Young is the antagonist—a skilled manipulator whose authority is rooted in fear and shame. He is both a loving father and a ruthless enforcer of the church's rules, unable to reconcile his faith with compassion. His psychological need for control and his fear of difference drive the story's central conflicts. Ultimately, his power is undermined not by a single act of rebellion, but by the collective refusal of his congregation to be complicit any longer.

Cindy and Gabe (Counselors)

Cindy and Gabe represent the well-meaning but complicit adults who enforce the camp's rules. Their attempts to teach virtue and stamp out sin are both comic and chilling, highlighting the absurdity and harm of the system. Their presence forces the campers to band together in resistance.

Plot Devices

Seven Deadly Sins as Structure

The narrative is structured around Riley's quest to commit the seven deadly sins, each becoming a lens through which to examine the hypocrisy, harm, and humanity of the church. This device allows the story to explore the complexity of morality, the arbitrariness of rules, and the ways in which "sin" can be an act of resistance or self-care. Each sin becomes a chapter in Riley's journey, a test of her relationships, and a catalyst for change.

Prayer Journal as Confessional

Riley's prayer journal, intended as a record of her rebellion, becomes a symbol of vulnerability and truth. When Julia's own journal is exposed, the private becomes public, forcing the characters to confront their secrets and the consequences of honesty. The journal is both a weapon and a shield—a place to process pain and a tool for collective action.

Collective Resistance and the Walkout

The story's climax hinges on the collective refusal of the girls to let one of their own be sacrificed. By each claiming the prayer book as their own, they expose the limits of Pastor Young's power and the possibility of a different kind of community. This device reframes resistance as a communal act, not just an individual rebellion.

Symbolic Settings

The camp, the chapel, the kitchen, the bathroom, and the prom are all charged with symbolic meaning. Each setting becomes a stage for transformation: the kitchen for solidarity, the chapel for longing and shame, the bathroom for confession and rebirth, and prom for celebration and hope. The movement between these spaces mirrors the characters' psychological journeys.

Foreshadowing and Repetition

The story uses foreshadowing—Riley's early anger, the repeated references to exclusion and belonging, the motif of hands and touch—to build tension and reveal character. Repetition of rituals (prayer, confession, group activities) highlights both the comfort and the constraint of tradition, setting the stage for their subversion.

Analysis

Say a Little Prayer is a fierce, funny, and deeply moving exploration of faith, identity, and resistance in the face of institutional harm. Jenna Voris uses the structure of the seven deadly sins to interrogate the ways in which religious communities can both nurture and destroy, offering a nuanced portrait of the costs and possibilities of belonging. The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: Riley's anger is both justified and dangerous, Julia's faith is both sustaining and suffocating, and the church is both a source of comfort and a site of trauma. The story insists that change is possible—not through individual heroics, but through collective action, vulnerability, and the messy work of forgiveness. In a world where exclusion is often justified in the name of virtue, Say a Little Prayer is a rallying cry for those who have been cast out, a testament to the power of chosen family, and a reminder that hope, like faith, is something we build together.

Last updated: May 16, 2025