Can You Handle a Girl Like Me?: She left the cult that raised her. Then she had to learn how to live.

by Bek Condello

We all grew up under constant from the pulpit, from our parents, from each other. The Ten Commandments. Obedience. Submission. Purity. Fear God. Honour your leaders. Hell for the wicked. There was no space for questions because we already had the answers. If something felt unclear, that was our spiritual flaw.
Pray harder.

In a sleepy Canberra suburb, Bek Condello was raised in a strict patriarchal Pentecostal movement. The influence of the Geelong Revival Centre extended deeply into the lives of the congregation, promoting discipline and dictating how girls and women behaved, who they socialised with and who they would marry.

After enduring a tumultuous marriage, Bek Condello made the courageous decision to start her life again. Anyone who leaves the GRC is cut off, from family, identity, history.

Can You Handle A Girl Like Me? chronicles Bek's journey of challenges and transformation as she navigates dating and friendships. With little experience, she is rebuffed and exploited.

Through embracing healing and self-empowerment, Bek is now embarking on a second life of adventure and joy.

Audible Audio

Published July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really powerful story about leaving behind an abusive childhood and all you've ever really known in life to pursue happiness and what resonates with you personally for your wellness. This obviously has its trigger warnings in boatloads as it tackles cults, abuse, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, harassment, just overall poor mental wellbeing and suffering. It was a very eye opening peak in to religious cult life and I'm glad for Bek's voice and her bravery. A hard read but a good one, made for a great audiobook and was narrated very well.

[Lauren Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great story to hear how conservative Christian culture can impact a child through to adulthood but I found the story telling a little repetitive and she uses key phrases over and over. E.g. "awoke something deep inside me" must have been used about 20 times. "Taking up space" was another phrase used a lot. It also jumps around years a lot which is ok but can get confusing when the timeline goes back and forth quite a bit in the last few chapters.

[Kaitlan Sharpe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting and eye opening memoir about growing up in a conservative family/religion.
It was hard to listen to at times due to the nature of the abuse and experiences of the author but a real testament to her strength and perseverance.
While it was interesting I feel like I was lost a bit with some of the back and forth.

[Dana Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of this book in particular was really interesting. Obviously set across Australia it is really cool to be able to contextualise the places. I did however find it repetitive.

[Sheree Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

💔 way too closets home in so many ways