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rshearon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
this was a tough read. although i obviously can’t personally relate to the cultural or racial aspects of the MC’s journey, her role as the over-achieving, under appreciated, people-pleasing younger daughter keeping the family together is TOO relatable. her story was incredibly moving and heartbreaking not only because i could relate too deeply but also because she was just so lovable and such a complex, well-written character. this isn’t the usual genre i go for, but i had to pick this up based on the hype and i’m really glad i did. it felt cathartic and like i hurt and healed a little bit alongside Maddie. this one will definitely stick with me for a while!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
kateped's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Suicide
zikeyag's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Listening time: 7hrs 41mins
This was a good read about coming of age as a woman of color. This book covered topics of depression and how black women are always held to this high standard not just in society, but in the household as well. As someone just starting my healing journey myself and attending therapy, I’ve become more aware of how as children we assume the role of the “woman” in the house, whether that’s caring for siblings, helping our parents, which sometimes causes us to be people pleaser or resentful. It was good to see that the FMC went to therapy and was able to process everything and turn it into something positive.
This was a good read about coming of age as a woman of color. This book covered topics of depression and how black women are always held to this high standard not just in society, but in the household as well. As someone just starting my healing journey myself and attending therapy, I’ve become more aware of how as children we assume the role of the “woman” in the house, whether that’s caring for siblings, helping our parents, which sometimes causes us to be people pleaser or resentful. It was good to see that the FMC went to therapy and was able to process everything and turn it into something positive.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
kristenbynoe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Alcohol
aksmith92's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
I laughed! I cried! I loved it!
The setup: This book follows Maddie Wright, also known as Maame, to her Ghanaian mother. We meet Maddie when she is living with and taking care of her father, who unfortunately was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's. He needs full-time care, and Maddie seems to be the only one stepping up to help. Even though her parents are technically married, Maddie's mother is off in Ghana helping her family's business, and her brother lives a somewhat lavish lifestyle in the music industry. Maddie is working at a local theater that is very uninspiring and is taking care of her dad. Because of this, she realized she had forgotten to grow up. So, when her mother makes her way back to London for her usual visits, Maddie decides that it is time to reinvent herself and become the 25-year-old woman that she actually is. She moves out and tries to make a life for herself.
We witness Maddie navigate a career, friendships, relationships, grief, and mental illness. The story follows her in an almost coming-of-age story, even though she is already "grown up." She spends a lot of time Googling things and trying to be something she is not, which we can all relate to as we grow up. Maame intertwines family ties, dating, and meeting new people, all while threading it to her father's illness and what it means to be maame (woman).
What I loved: Everything! This novel showcased storytelling at its finest. Maddie seems to be a soft, fragile character, but we learn just how resilient she could be. I loved learning about Maddie and then watching her go through the stages of life quite quickly. Maame just hits with fantastic character development. I felt like I was standing by Maddie's side, watching her go through happiness, adventures, and grief. As someone who most certainly didn't come from a Ghanaian family, I also thoroughly enjoyed learning a bit about the culture and understanding some of the nuances of family in Ghana. Her unique situation and complicated relationship with her family members were incredible to read about. I just really loved how we watched Maddie go from sad to happy to depressed to not sure. It was highly relatable yet still nuanced. I also loved her friendships with Nia and Shu and messy conversations with her mother.
Anything not so good? Nothing for me. I loved this for the storytelling, learning about a culture, and someone's unique situation. I would imagine that some folks might think this errs on the side of YA because we are watching a 25-year-old live her life for the first time, but I think that whole "coming of age" thing was done well. I've also seen some folks say that they didn't love all the Google searches in the narrative, but I loved them and found them funny and quirky. I laughed out loud at some of them and then Maddie's response to the responses. However, to each their own.
Overall, I just had such a good time with this book; it made me feel all the feels. Getting to know Maddie, her friends, and her family along the way was an absolute delight. I'm looking forward to reading more from Jessica George.
The setup: This book follows Maddie Wright, also known as Maame, to her Ghanaian mother. We meet Maddie when she is living with and taking care of her father, who unfortunately was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's. He needs full-time care, and Maddie seems to be the only one stepping up to help. Even though her parents are technically married, Maddie's mother is off in Ghana helping her family's business, and her brother lives a somewhat lavish lifestyle in the music industry. Maddie is working at a local theater that is very uninspiring and is taking care of her dad. Because of this, she realized she had forgotten to grow up. So, when her mother makes her way back to London for her usual visits, Maddie decides that it is time to reinvent herself and become the 25-year-old woman that she actually is. She moves out and tries to make a life for herself.
We witness Maddie navigate a career, friendships, relationships, grief, and mental illness. The story follows her in an almost coming-of-age story, even though she is already "grown up." She spends a lot of time Googling things and trying to be something she is not, which we can all relate to as we grow up. Maame intertwines family ties, dating, and meeting new people, all while threading it to her father's illness and what it means to be maame (woman).
What I loved: Everything! This novel showcased storytelling at its finest. Maddie seems to be a soft, fragile character, but we learn just how resilient she could be. I loved learning about Maddie and then watching her go through the stages of life quite quickly. Maame just hits with fantastic character development. I felt like I was standing by Maddie's side, watching her go through happiness, adventures, and grief. As someone who most certainly didn't come from a Ghanaian family, I also thoroughly enjoyed learning a bit about the culture and understanding some of the nuances of family in Ghana. Her unique situation and complicated relationship with her family members were incredible to read about. I just really loved how we watched Maddie go from sad to happy to depressed to not sure. It was highly relatable yet still nuanced. I also loved her friendships with Nia and Shu and messy conversations with her mother.
Anything not so good? Nothing for me. I loved this for the storytelling, learning about a culture, and someone's unique situation. I would imagine that some folks might think this errs on the side of YA because we are watching a 25-year-old live her life for the first time, but I think that whole "coming of age" thing was done well. I've also seen some folks say that they didn't love all the Google searches in the narrative, but I loved them and found them funny and quirky. I laughed out loud at some of them and then Maddie's response to the responses. However, to each their own.
Overall, I just had such a good time with this book; it made me feel all the feels. Getting to know Maddie, her friends, and her family along the way was an absolute delight. I'm looking forward to reading more from Jessica George.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Medical content
imanin10's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Drug use, Racism, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
dejah_sowells's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Gaslighting, and Classism
cdzapata's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
larkspurlane'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
sarahmcg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
This was a stunning debut. The writing was wonderful and I was engaged throughout, wondering what our FMC, Maddie, would do next. I appreciated how many themes the author explored, and how they intersected: grief and guilt, identity, relationships (including female friendships, intimate partnerships, and complex family dynamics), and mental health.
It was interesting to hear how being a daughter of Ghanaian immigrants in Britain affected her sense of identity, especially her relationship with her dad who has Parkinson’s disease who she is a primary caregiver for (from the author’s bio and an interview I read, these are parts of her own experience that she pulled from while writing this book). These parts of Maddie’s life deeply affect how she shows up in work and friendships, and her hesitation to get help for her depression.
Although Maddie is 25, the story is very much a coming-of-age tale, and I really enjoyed reading a story like this that was not YA. It just reminds me that none of us are truly “grown up” and we’re all still figuring things out! I loved all of her googling throughout the book as she tried to navigate so many “firsts.”
⚠️ CW/TW: racism, familial trauma, death in the family, grief, panic attacks/anxiety, mention of suicide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicide