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henriettaenam's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So what do I think mm
I actually ordered a hard copy
Thanks to libro fm and MacMillan audio for an ALC
I think for a debut it’s a good book
There has been many stories written with this kind of premise but I didn’t see much cliche and the author still held my interest till the end
I love how she explored the anxiety / depression Maame seemed to be experiencing
It was very wholesome
She created a character that was under pressure from so many expectations and then give her right reactions as expected from someone who thinks they’re not living up to expectations
It was a relatable character
And a typical one; considering how people pleasing we African (esp. Ghanaian) children tend to be
Another thing I might say kinda irked me was the whole virgin situation lol
But then again that’s how we really are around here and make such a big deal out of it
I loved that in the end she found love that gave her a good sex life as well
We didn’t get to know what exactly was causing her discomfort initially but then again that part ended well so yaaay
I really thought Ben (first guy) would be the one for her and was sad when he turned out to be two timing
Also she did make peace with her dad’s death and so I had the satisfaction that she dealt with her loss
I don’t remember clearly what went on with her job but I think that was going well in the end too lol
I only remember that the boy she ended up with was supposed to start working with her new company
I had questions about her older company; what happened after she left because she was dismissed on the whims of her “depressed “ boss
Very few things irked me
“Baba” that pronunciation and then the thing with her mother’s other relationship
I don’t see how it played much into the story except cause undue trauma / pain which we already had enough of
I actually ordered a hard copy
Thanks to libro fm and MacMillan audio for an ALC
I think for a debut it’s a good book
There has been many stories written with this kind of premise but I didn’t see much cliche and the author still held my interest till the end
I love how she explored the anxiety / depression Maame seemed to be experiencing
It was very wholesome
She created a character that was under pressure from so many expectations and then give her right reactions as expected from someone who thinks they’re not living up to expectations
It was a relatable character
And a typical one; considering how people pleasing we African (esp. Ghanaian) children tend to be
Another thing I might say kinda irked me was the whole virgin situation lol
But then again that’s how we really are around here and make such a big deal out of it
I loved that in the end she found love that gave her a good sex life as well
We didn’t get to know what exactly was causing her discomfort initially but then again that part ended well so yaaay
I really thought Ben (first guy) would be the one for her and was sad when he turned out to be two timing
Also she did make peace with her dad’s death and so I had the satisfaction that she dealt with her loss
I don’t remember clearly what went on with her job but I think that was going well in the end too lol
I only remember that the boy she ended up with was supposed to start working with her new company
I had questions about her older company; what happened after she left because she was dismissed on the whims of her “depressed “ boss
Very few things irked me
“Baba” that pronunciation and then the thing with her mother’s other relationship
I don’t see how it played much into the story except cause undue trauma / pain which we already had enough of
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Racism
bookshelf_al's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Suicide
whatmadsreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Mental illness, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Infidelity
cee_ceon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Sexual content, Abandonment, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Lesbophobia, Racism, and Biphobia
anapthine's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you Net Galley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed listening to this book: the narrators were just right for the role of Maddie and perfectly portrayed her emotions.
Adding on to this, the emotion that was built into the entire novel was incredible - it felt like Maddie was speaking to you the whole time. It felt so genuine and that the author had taken time to create this 3D character that could have been sitting right in front of you.
The book explores leaving home and how a person has to deal with all these new feelings, with the aim of becoming their own unique person. Maame is breathtakingly beautiful and I would recommend this to everyone as it is relatable. I do suggest reading the content warnings before reading, as grief and sexual assault are both mentioned multiple times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
wherethewildreadsare's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Maame. Woman. But Madelyn (Maddie) Wright is so much more than that. She is a caretaker to her father who is battling Parkinson's disease and a mother who spends more time in Ghana than with her family and sick husband in England. She is a sister. She is a friend. She is a compassionate. She is funny. But she hasn't quite figured out what she wants to do with her life, as she is the sole caretaker for her father.
When her mother comes back to England for a year, Maddie is given an opportunity to move out & have a few normal 20-something life experiences. She makes a list of what the "new Maddie" should do. She meets a new man, gets a new job & things seem to look up. However, when tragedy strikes, she struggles with the guilt, grief and loss. There's no right way to grieve. She must look to her own mortality & decide what she wants to make of her life. Even as she stumbles along the way.
I really enjoyed this story! I loved her quirky family dynamic and her complex relationship with her mother. Her journey through her grief and self-awareness towards her mental health were a privilege to follow along with. Some great dialogue and fun characters, this book had equal amount of heavy discussion and fun energy. I especially enjoyed how much she Googled things - I completely related to that! Anyways, she was a great character & i loved her!
When her mother comes back to England for a year, Maddie is given an opportunity to move out & have a few normal 20-something life experiences. She makes a list of what the "new Maddie" should do. She meets a new man, gets a new job & things seem to look up. However, when tragedy strikes, she struggles with the guilt, grief and loss. There's no right way to grieve. She must look to her own mortality & decide what she wants to make of her life. Even as she stumbles along the way.
I really enjoyed this story! I loved her quirky family dynamic and her complex relationship with her mother. Her journey through her grief and self-awareness towards her mental health were a privilege to follow along with. Some great dialogue and fun characters, this book had equal amount of heavy discussion and fun energy. I especially enjoyed how much she Googled things - I completely related to that! Anyways, she was a great character & i loved her!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness and Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment, Infidelity, and Racism
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