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Once Bad Intentions

A Love Story of Triumph and Redemption

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About this listen

Stephanie Johnson is a young, Black, and spirited, though troubled eleven-year-old girl seeking to find her place in a world that doesn’t understand her.

As she and her girlfriends navigate their experiences of friendship, family and first love together, Steph seeks a better future for herself – but will she be able to escape the hand she’s been dealt?

Once Bad Intentions is a redemptive journey into womanhood; a heartfelt story that unfolds over a decade in 90s black London, where suffering and love, humour and forgiveness, triumph and loss all co-exist as part of a passage toward redemption. Its characters are worth celebrating: self-disciplined and morally complex, big on image, and who like to floss!

©2023 Monique Campbell (P)2025 Monique Campbell Coming of Age Genre Fiction Psychological Heartfelt
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This novel offers a layered and emotionally grounded look at growing up in 90s London through the eyes of a young girl navigating a world of complexity. The writing captures both the struggles and the resilience of its characters with clarity and nuance. It explores themes of identity, friendship, hardship, and redemption with a tone that is both candid and thoughtful. A reflective and engaging read that offers a meaningful portrayal of personal growth and social reality.

A Gritty and Honest Coming-of-Age Story

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Amazing coming of age book about not becoming a product of your environment I highly recommend

Amazing book highly recommend

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Listener received this title free

I rarely find audiobooks that stay with me long after the final chapter, but "Once Bad Intentions" has carved a permanent place in my heart. The narrator perfectly captures Stephanie Johnson's spirited voice—a young Black girl navigating the complex maze of 90s London with determination despite her troubles.

What struck me most was how authentically the story portrays female friendship. The conversations between Steph and her girlfriends transported me back to my own adolescence—the whispered secrets, the fierce loyalty, the shared dreams. Their journey through first loves, family struggles, and self-discovery unfolds with such honesty that I found myself laughing and tearing up, sometimes within the same chapter.

The decade-spanning narrative shows Stephanie's transformation without ever feeling rushed. Her path to redemption isn't linear—there's triumph alongside heartbreak, humor alongside pain—making her growth all the more meaningful.

This audiobook doesn't just tell a story; it immerses you in a world both culturally specific and universally relatable. A remarkable achievement that deserves every bit of its acclaim.

An Unforgettable Coming-of-Age Journey

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Listener received this title free

This is a thoughtful coming-of-age story that really captures the mood of 90s London. The characters feel authentic, and the emotional depth comes through clearly. Some parts felt a little slow, but the overall message and character journey made it well worth the listen.

Honest and reflective

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I loved this so much, I loved the journey, found it both engaging, sometimes frightening as well as sad at times. Beautiful story, the voices made the story come alive, bringing forth the pain felt, the experience of falling in love for the first time , redemption and so much more. Beautifully written.

Beautiful love story despite all the odds

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