In “Maame,” the protagonist and narrator is Maddie Wright, a 25 year old London-born daughter of Ghanaian immigrants. From an early age, she had to take care of herself because her mother spent most of her time in Ghana, while Maddie’s older brother, James, stayed with friends until he was old enough to be on his own. For the past 8 years, Maddie has also had sole financial, physical and emotional responsibility for her father, who is suffering from Parkinson’s. As a result, she still lives at home so she can take care of him.

When her mother returns from Ghana on one of her rare visits to London, Maddie decides to move out of her childhood home and share a flat with two strangers. During the course of the following weeks, she loses her unsatisfying job, finds a new one, starts dating and going out to bars with her roommates, stretching past her comfort zone. Along the way, she learns about hidden racism, betrayal, true friendship, love, loss and her own self-worth.

Although I’m generally not a fan of first person accounts, this style works for this book. Maddie’s thoughts and emotions are so clearly conveyed that the readers feel as if they are inhabiting Maddie’s skin and living first hand the minority immigrant experience. Well-defined characters and a roller coaster ride of emotions make this a compelling read, one that will have the reader thinking about Maddie and her experiences long after finishing the book.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

Perfectly satisfying debut about race, gender, family and friendship. Solid book but also enjoyable enough as a beach or pool read. . Looking to see more from this author in the future

If I could give this more than five stars, I would. At first, I was frustrated with our main character, Maddie, because I felt like she was just a doormat in all aspects of her life, but having lost a parent in the recent past, the way Jessica George writes about Maddie’s grief and how she dealt with her own loss was powerful. It was fascinating to watch Maddie try to figure out who she was and where she fit in this world, and it was heartening to see her learn to stand up for herself and grapple with the emotions tied to the complexities of family relationships…all while trying to finally be her own person out in “the real world”. I loved her friends, Nia and Shu and the way they were there for her no matter what. I also appreciated the ties to her Ghanaian culture and the importance/significance of her name in the story. I’ve always believed names are important and impactful parts of a person’s identity, and her story highlights this beautifully.

Jessica George’s Maame is beautifully written and so moving. The emotion and thought she put into her character brings you into the book and guides you through Maddie’s life as if you were right along with her. You can feel the love and loyalty she has for her family, you can feel the push and pull to keep her life balanced. This book kept me fully engaged from start to finish. This is a winner for sure.

Jessica George's debut novel Maame tells the story of a woman's candid love, loyalty and devotion to her family. It is emotionally charged and contains relatable scenarios that will bring you to your knees.

Synopsis:
Twenty-five-year-old Maddie's life in London is far from ideal. She struggles to balance her life as caretaker of her critically ill father, target of her mom's verbal tirades, and a difficult career. After her mom returns from an extended trip to Ghana, Maddie moves out on her own for the first time. It's her opportunity to finally explore the life experiences that many girls discover in their teens. When Maddie begins to open herself up to the possibility of a romantic relationship, tragedy strikes leaving her emotionally depleted. As a result, Maddie is forced to confront her non-conforming family and decide where she fits into the larger world. Is Maddie able to achieve her potential?

Maane is touching, witty, and deals with current topics in our culture. Readers quickly become engaged in the fate of the fictional characters. Jessica George's writing is straight from the heart with liberal doses of humor sprinkled in.

Maane by Jessica George is available February 7, 2023. (5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for allowing me to review this brilliant e-book. Your kindness is appreciated!