I loved this novel about family. It beautifully showed how complicated caretaking relationships can be. I continue to think about it.

4.25 stars!

This book really touched a piece of my heart and I thought it was a brilliant debut! Maame is such a great exploration in what it means to be a woman, especially a Black woman, in society and I loved every inch of Maddie and her story. I thought it was great that the author touched on so many topics - relationships, being a caregiver, peer pressure, romance, and a multitude of other themes. Although it was definitely emotional at times, I also really enjoyed the moments of joy and laughter. Would recommend to others and also read some of her other books in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Jessica George for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

Maame, written by Jessica George, is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of identity, family, and personal growth. Set in London, the story follows the life of Maddie, a young woman who finds herself juggling various responsibilities while yearning for a more fulfilling existence.

The novel begins by introducing Maddie's challenging circumstances, from being the primary caregiver for her father who suffers from Parkinson's disease to dealing with an overbearing mother who is frequently absent. Maddie's experiences as the only Black person in her workplace further highlight the racial dynamics she faces on a daily basis. These initial struggles set the stage for her journey towards self-discovery and finding her place in the world.

When Maddie's mother returns from Ghana, Maddie seizes the opportunity to break free from her familial obligations and embrace new experiences. She embarks on a quest to explore "firsts" in her life, such as finding a flat share, pursuing career recognition, and navigating the world of online dating. However, as Maddie begins to embrace her newfound freedom, tragedy strikes, forcing her to confront the true nature of her unconventional family and the complexities of love.

George's writing style is both smart and humorous, effectively capturing the essence of Maddie's experiences. The author skillfully tackles a range of themes, including familial duty, racism, female pleasure, and the power of friendship. Through Maddie's journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own sense of belonging and the challenges of navigating multiple cultures and identities.

One of the strengths of Maame lies in its relatable and well-developed characters. Maddie is a compelling protagonist, and her struggles and triumphs resonate with readers on a deep level. The supporting characters, such as Maddie's father and her friends, add depth and authenticity to the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Overall, Maame is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that tackles important contemporary themes with sensitivity and wit. Jessica George's storytelling prowess shines through as she explores the complexities of identity, family dynamics, and the pursuit of personal happiness. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and heartfelt story that celebrates the power of resilience and finding one's place in the world.

Loved this story of Maddie and her upbringing and experiences as a twenty-something Londoner. She was incredibly likeable and the book was well-written. I wished some of the characters were explored more further, such as James, but I still loved this!

Everyone should read this and wed all come away with something that touched us. A true novel with heart and all the feels.

Yes, yes, and yes again! Read this book as soon as you get your hands on it, and then start wondering why you didn't do so sooner.

I had thought this was going to be more literary fiction than chick lit, but it was a good chick lit, for sure. Reminded me of Bridget Jones, Queenie, and plenty of others, but it was well written and had excellent emotional depth.

Okay, so apparently I’m in the minority here, but this book was just okay for me. Like, 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. I found myself getting annoyed with the main character, felt like other characters were flat, and her struggles personally frustrated me. Grief is brutal, I get that, but altering personalities in order to fit in with different people and forget the grief just didn’t bode well with me.

I’m thankful I received this copy from the publishers and NetGalley, rather than purchasing from BoTM.

This was an ARC I received in exchange for my honest review.

Maame is Jessica George's debut novel, right? It certainly does not feel like it! The story was like a beautifully woven tapestry, with lovely writing and phenomenal storytelling. It's also one of those rare books that I feel like I would be happy to reread. The characters were written well, and it was poignant but comforting at times.

I really loved this book. It was deeply moving and extremely relatable across cultures. The writing was beautiful, and I felt heartbreak when Maddie did. Maddie's struggles with balancing family relationships with friendships, a relationship and a job were marked with sadness and incredible growth. I connected to this story so much; it was powerful and compelling.

There is a lot I want to say about this one...

I could relate a lot to the burden of responsibilities that some African families place on ONE sibling. It feels totally unfair but like a burden we must carry, as our duty in life--to care of a sick parents and sacrifice oneself.

Her brother was no help.

Learning about the ins and out of the publishing industry was also an interesting take although I typically stay away from books about the industry. Maame's experience was frustrating!

What didn't personally work for me was the excessive Google searches. Some of them felt a bit much but it seems that some people do actually Google EVERYTHING.

Overall, the writing was raw and honest, which I loved.

Maddie is a young Ghanaian woman in her mid-20s living in London, working and caring for her father who is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. Her mother splits her time between London and Ghana, where she runs a hostel with her brother. Maddie is unfairly treated by both her mother and brother. It’s past time for her to move on with her life. With themes of family, mental health, independence, the novel is witty, sympathetic and engaging.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ability to read this one early!

I loved every minute of this book! I still can't believe this was the author's debut novel. It was so poignant and beautiful. And I could so much of myself in Maddie, especially when it came to the guilt that comes from family duty. I can't recommend this book enough!

I wish I had taken the time to read this one sooner. This book spoke to me on so many levels. Maddie and I could have bene the same person. Her struggles with her family mirror mine in so many ways. Not to mention the struggles that she has in her love life. In someway it felt that I was reading the story of my life even though Maddie was younger than me.

I really connected with the meaning of the word Maame. It is something that I struggle with in my family and an idea that I am trying to move away from. Seeing Maddie stand up for herself made me realize that I need to do the same in my family. Maddie became a new inspiration for me.

Profoundly moving and deeply with joy. Maddie was a great character that evolution and growth was wonderful. So much love, hope, sadness, family dynamics. Well written raw emotion.

Maame is one of my favorite books of the year thus far. George’s writing throughout the book feels effortless, yet is deep, heartwarming, and empowering. I connected with Maddie’s character almost immediately, especially as I recently lost my dad as well. The description of grief and guilt and moving on with your life really resonated.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this Arc. This is a great read, and it makes sense why everyone I know has given it 4+ stars! This book is very well written and the characters feel like friends by the end.

Is it unreasonable to hope that Jessica George publishes a book a month from now until... forever? That's how much I adored Maame, the story of a young woman who spends all of her free time caring for her ailing father until her mother announces that she's coming home from Ghana. Maame, also known as Maddie, finally seizes the opportunity to move out and pursue the "fun" lifestyle that she has been denied for her entire life.... only to discover that she still feels sad. When a series of personal and professional obstacles come her way, Maddie faces them with humor and heart. Filled with unforgettable life lessons and laugh out loud moments, Maame is a beautifully written and original story that will stay in your mind -and heart - forever.

Wow. I can't stop thinking about this novel. I have about 37 underlined quotes.

Maddie is a 25 year old woman who strikes out on her own for the first time after spending the last several years living at home taking care of her father with Parkinson's while her mother lives mostly in Ghana and her older brother jet sets around the world. As she moves into the world, she navigates friendships, relationships, situationships, workships, all with her trusty google search bar by her side.

As someone who recently lost a parent, this novel is especially near to my heart. Definitely recommend. 5 stars.

Maame by Jessica George is one of my top books of the year. Beautiful and terribly insightful, George writes a relatable main character and story in Maame that will stick with me for a long time. Maame is about love and loss and burden of responsibility. The MC's story is about her reflection of how this word, "Maame" has defined her throughout her life and she has let it determine a lot of her choices.

Gorgeously interior, George writes such intricate relationships for her main character with others and also her relationship with herself and the conflict experienced through those relationships. The struggle of family expectations and the two different cultural expectations the main character faces are so well done. All the while. the main character acts with grace and sweetness. The author writes such palpable emotion that it was hard not to feel whatever the MC was feeling and it was hard to put this book down or continue reading. What a beautiful and moving novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!