I received this book as an ARC and this is my review. I loved this book! The characters are colorful and flawed and the story deals with racism and mental health and job discrimination and family-related issues in a most interesting way. I totally recommend this book to readers who enjoy quirky stories and situations.

This is a really tough book to review. It’s gritty, honest, and important. There are so many important topics covered, and Jessica George does a brilliant job weaving them together into the story of Maddie, AKA Maame.

This is also the type of book that would benefit from a really thorough editor. It felt a bit like I was reading an early draft, not because there were grammar or spelling errors, but there’s a couple things that just don’t work for me. Mainly, the constant googling Maddie does. I skimmed all the sections and don’t think they add anything to the story.

Still, I’d recommend this book. It’s more a coming of age or New Adult novel, but it’s one that stands out for sure. I loved Maddie, in the end I really felt like I started to understand her family, and I adored her friends Shu and Nia.

3.5/5 stars

Maame by Jessica George is an emotional, raw, and compelling coming of age story. I won’t summarize, because I feel like the book description is spot on.

It was easy to feel for Maddie as she navigates extreme family responsibilities while trying to become her own woman. Sometimes sad and frustrating, other times joyful and hopeful, this book was a journey. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves an early twenties, female, coming of age story focused on the struggles between family responsibilities and independence. Maddie’s story will stick with me for a long while.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC via NetGalley.

This was really good, a quick read, easy to fall into and be consumed by , like talking with a good friend, very well written and enjoyable

It is a story about “coming to age” but not like most because this is a very sheltered 25 year old - and while she has been sheltered she was also made to grow up quickly talking care of her father who had Parkinson’s while her mother was off working in Africa leaving her for months / years to carry the family and the responsibility of caring for her ailing father. (Honestly made me so mad! I wanted to cuss her momma out!)

It brought up discussion on parenting and the reasons people have kids and how for many they have kids to have someone to take care of them when they are older or to hep with house / home responsibilities or have more kids because now they have kids old enough to watch the new kids etc. All of which frustrates me you bring someone into this life on your plan and for your needs - that is a person / an individual but I digress ….

There is so much in this story it is hard to narrow it down to talk in a review - it is a story about loss , change and growth , a story about dating and intimacy, friendship and making friends , work/life balance, finding happiness, finding your self, losing your virginity, family dynamics and so much more !

It is truly a great read - I would highly recommend you give it a go - it is likely a very different life and perspective from your own yet also relatable in many ways

Maame was one of my favorite reads of the year. It is a complex coming-of-age story with an older protagonist. Maddie is 25, living at home, treated poorly at work, and is the primary caregiver in her family, including her father, who suffers from Parkinson's disease. Maame explores complex family dynamics, depression, grief, dating, work, and racism as Maddie gains independence and discovers who she is and how she wants to live. This book is wholehearted and heartwarming. I was laughing and crying with Maddie as she Googled her way through some of life's most challenging questions.

It is a book I would recommend for any woman in their 20s who feel they are not who they want to be or to readers who love to read about complex family dynamics, grief, toxic family members, and complicated relationships.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Review Copy provided for review.

This book is absolutely stunning. Aside from being incredibly well written and beautifully thought out it's also engrossing, heartfelt, humorous and full of courage. Jessica George perfectly captures the struggle of dealing with family obligations while trying to also live a life of one's own.

It's impossible not to root for Maddie and want the world to open up for her. Witnessing her journey reminds us as readers that we all have the potential to learn from our experiences in life and rise above them to create a healthy and fulfilling life.

I recommend this book with my whole heart!

I was unsure at first whether I would like Maame as it is not my typical ready, but I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The characters were relatable, and the story drew me in as Maddie navigated difficult family situations. Thanks the NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Maame was an absolute pleasure to read. It was fresh, genuine, and emotional. Although many of the topics covered were heavy, there was an underlying lightness and unexpected humor throughout this book that I really appreciated. The author did an excellent job of capturing the journey of a mid-twenties woman navigating countless challenges such as racism and sexism, grief, difficult family relationships, and more. I loved the author's style of writing and especially how Maddie speaks directly to us, the readers. It felt both nostalgic and brand new - nostalgic in that it read like a young adult story at times but new since the style was applied to a story that is very much adult. I'm so glad I found this special book and look forward to re-reading over and over!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to review this eARC.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Maddie is a young woman struggling to take care of her family and find her place in the world. She is vulnerable and brave.

This debut has a clear, strong voice. But, I found the story incredibly depressing and (as a caregiver), too triggering to finish.

This is an interesting look at figuring out who you are when you think you should already know. We are all learning and growing and I think that is a big theme in this book. I liked the diversity also within this book.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

this reminded me of a combination of a lot of books I've read recently: Wahala, Midnight Library, Eleanor Oliphant, and a few others. Our main character struggles with being her father's caretaker due to Parkinson's, while trying to also enjoy the independence and freedom of being 25. We then really dive deep into topics of depression, grief, sexuality, cultural identity, and others which I found genuine. Overall, I found this to be a very heavy book, and the ending wrapped up in a way I found to be inauthentic. I do think there is a lot to unpack and discuss here, which would make this a great book club book!

I adored Maddie's narration, hilarious and heartfelt, albeit improbably naive. Its slow pacing and one-dimensional supporting characters made the second half much weaker for me. Still, I will definitely be watching out for George's future work. 3.5 stars.

Thank you for the advanced copy, St. Martin's Press!

This was such a beautiful coming-of-age story of a young woman, Maddie, and her life in London. The portrayal of loyalty, family strife, grief, dating, and love was so beautifully written and depicted that there were many times I felt overwhelming grief and sadness for Maddie's story. Even though her background, culture, and experiences were completely different from mine, Maddie is still incredibly relatable. I really enjoyed this book and Maddie's charachter - would love to read more about Maddie as her life unfolds!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc. This review is wholly my own.

What a powerful & moving story about the struggles, joys, failures, guilt and growth in starting over in life. You will fall in love with Maddie and her journey in finding herself and seeing herself & her family in new and different ways.

Unputdownable! Very well written and inspiring. You will laugh & cry repeatedly throughout the book, but by the end you will be smiling and glad you gave this story a go.

I will be honest, I sat on this arc for quite a while because it didn't sound like "my kind of book," but I am so glad I finally read it. There are few books that I give 5 stars to these days, but this was one of them I would highly recommend you get yourself a copy by whatever method you desire and start reading it NOW!

I'm a sucker for a good coming-of-age story, and this was absolutely phenomenal. I plowed through the first 50% in one sitting, after intending to only read a couple of chapters. Fast-forward to the following day, when I neglected all of my household chores in order to read the second half. I loved this book so much. Maddie is endearing and such a well-written character. The entire book, from start to finish, is worth your time. So many life lessons and messages involved, and since I don't want to spoil anything, I will just say that I'm sad for you that it doesn't come out until February 2023 because you all need to read this right now so that we can talk about it.
I plan on recommending this to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC!

This was so much more than I expected it would be. I loved it so much as it spoke to my heart and soul. I'm certainly not Black or Ghanaian, but boy did I easily identify with Maddie. Which further emphasizes the fact that we are all just people, struggling to get through life without hurting others while trying to carve out our own piece of happiness. This is about finding out who you are, where you fit, and learning that not only is it okay to take up space in this world, but you should puff yourself up and claim just a bit more space. Maddie touched me and resonated deeply. She is quiet, introspective, a bit naive and innocent, unsure, funny. Watching her come into her own and claim her place in the world was a joy. When she finds her voice and stakes her claim, I celebrated with her!!

I would like to start by saying thank you to Netgalley and St Martins publishing for an ARC of Maame in exchange for my honest review.

Maddie is the youngest of 2. In her mid 20’s, she is the main caregiver to her father who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Her mother travels to Ghana frequently and her brother can’t be bothered to help. Her mother has given her the nickname “Maame” since she was a young girl. Woman. The responsible one.

I found this book very relatable. Only I was fortunate to have all 3 of my siblings and my sister-in-law to help take care of our parents when they got older. . We lost our father 4 years and 5 months ago. And our mother 13 months later. Our father was the sole provider for years and our mother was in charge of tending to us. Throughout my childhood, I really never heard my dad say “I love you”. I know he loved us. He just never said it. I would say I love you and hear a grumble in response. As time went on, they got older, and the tables were turned. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and my father was diagnosed with Cancer. We became the caregivers. I began to see a different side of my dad. A nurturer. We would understand the “I love you” response, not just a grumble. Maddie attributes it to the way her father was raised. The same way we attributed it to the way ours was raised.

This book made me cry. It made me chuckle. It made me think and reminisce. I found it hard to put down once I started reading it.

Coming of age story about Maddie, a young English-Ghanian women. Even though she is in her mid-twenties, she hasn't lived much of her life until she finally moves out of her house and begins dating and thinking more about her career. She has a lot of her shoulders, including a death of someone beloved, meeting men who just aren't right for her, and dealing with her own struggles with being the only Black woman at her work. I loved Maddie and was rooting for her throughout. I think people will enjoy reading this book. It touches on many topics, including depression and racism, and I think it will be a hit.

CW: grief, loss, racism, anxiety, depression, family struggles and separation, alcohol, drug use, sex and more.


Thank you to Jessica George, St. Martin's Press, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.


This is the beautiful story of 25 year old Maddie, a young Ghanaian Londoner who is discovering herself outside of her caretaking role put upon her by her family. She wants to put herself out there, try new things, and bust out of her responsibilities, but they keep calling her back.

I'm so grateful I was able to read this novel (I was also in a bit of a physical reading rut and it helped me get through it!). Maddie's voice comes across so strongly in the writing; her perspectives and inner monologues are smart and funny, and you can feel the pain of growth right along with her. I wrote down several little poignant moments, like this one:

"A band whose songs make me think of summers that don't belong to me; of new Converses and cold drinks, short dresses and barbecues, and fleeting bursts of perennial freedom."

It's poetic, emotional, and personal. A wonderful debut by Jessica George!
4 out of 5 stars