Great coming of age book that address so many different social issues, sex, race, immigration and just being different in the world where we all want be be same. If you like Lessons in Chemistry. Maddie is just a girl/ woman that you want to guide to happiness but people around her dont listen to her- they just use her for their happiness.

Loved this book so hard. The narration was spot on and I just couldn’t stop listening. So much to say about obligation, mental health, expectations.

Maddie is a young woman with responsibilities beyond her years. Her dad has parkinsons, and his care falls largely to her. Maddie's mother is in Ghana, and her brother James is living a carefree life. At 25, her life is not going the way she'd hoped it would, but if not for her, who would take care of everything? Maame, the name her family calls her, means woman in Twi after all- she must be the woman of her family.

When Maddie is offered a break, she takes it in hopes to reinvent herself. This book follows Maddie as she experiences a coming of age of sorts in her mid-twenties. Through real struggles of family, grief, heartbreak, love, and growth, Maddie begins to take shape, but does Maame fit her anymore? Did it ever?

I was taken by surprise by Maame! I listened to an audiobook and the narrator, Heather Agyepong gave Maddie such a distinct voice, perfect for the character. The emotion in this book as well as the changes and growth Maddie experiences gave it a depth that made it hard to put down. I really appreciated how complex this book was in the way it addressed the way Maddie perceived cultural biases from her family and her peers, warring against one another. Deep and emotional, this book offered a lot of insight.

Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an Advanced Listener Copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

4.5 ⭐️

What a stunning debut !!

Maddie is such a layered and relatable character. We witness her grow into adulthood from the very beginning. For a woman her age (24) she seems incredibly naive and innocent, yet experienced and burdened at the same time, but as we learn more about her cultural background and family dynamics, the pieces fall into place. By the end of this novel, Maddie is a woman shaped by love, heartbreak, grief, friendship, mental health, without having lost her kindness. Truly an amazing coming-of-age story 🥹

I couldn't stop listening to this one once I got started. I looked for things to do around the house just to draw out my listening time. This is absolutely a book for fans of Yaa Gyasi's outstanding work. This is a phenomenal debut about family duty/loyalty, female friendships, relationships, and finding your way as a young adult. While in many ways I can't even begin to understand Maddie's experience as a young Ghanian woman in London or what's it like to be a black woman anywhere, there were still many things I strongly connected with. Maddie's struggles to date and feel comfortable with all aspects of a relationship certainly struck a cord for me. Her revelations about depression and anxiety before and in the wake of her father's death also resonated strongly with me. The narrator, Heather Agyepong gave Maddie and all other other characters such rich voices and I highly recommend it in audio format.
This is a remarkable novel and I will be recommending to all my readerly friends!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an audio galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up 4 stars)

As someone in their 20s, I related to our main character Maddie who is trying to figure out how to live her life, and who she wants to be after being a caretaker for her father who has Parkinson's disease. This felt like a coming-of-age story but in your 20s. I enjoyed how mental health is represented throughout the story, and how Maddie comes to learn who she is and who she wants to be. Although, the development of some of the side characters could have been flushed out a bit better. I felt I didn't really know who they were and get to see how they impacted Maddie. It was more stated than shown, and that was it. The impact of culture and traditions plays a huge role, and that was something I could empathize with throughout the novel. Another aspect I felt iffy about while reading was the pressure of sex. While sex is very prevalent within modern culture, and the pressure around the topic of sex, I do wish it wasn't an aspect that Maddie felt pressured "to lose" right away. Sex should be an experience gained, and a fun comfortable enjoyable experience.

From that being said, I still adore our character and how she moves forward with her life, and the book was still very enjoyable since I binge-read the audiobook in one sitting. Although the novel wasn't perfect I do think it is one I would reread, and recommend to my friends. I think many of those in their 20s or who are trying to navigate life can relate to Maddie and would enjoy reading this one.

Our lovely narrator did an amazing job with the audiobook and made the reading experience much more fun!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance listening copy!

Thank you to @netgalley and @Stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @macmilliam.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

This was a perfect book to end my 2022 reading. George’s writing was beautiful and covered a lot of different topics in this debut novel. Living two different cultures, grief, loss, racism and learning to be strong for yourself.

Maddie was the main care taker for her father, who had Parkinson’s disease. Her mom returns from Ghana and Maddie moves out to start a life of her own. This is when her father dies suddenly sending Maddie in to a tailspin of grief, conflict with roommates, a new job, and love.

I can relate to the sadness and anxiety that cripples Maddie as I experienced the sudden loss of my father as well. I loved reading how she worked through the grief, the relationships she built and how she came out so much stronger.

5 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #ltbreaderteam #maame #jessicageorge #smpinfluencers

Can I just reach through this book and give Maddie a real life hug?? Bless her heart.

Putting a trigger warning that is spoiler-y at the very end of the review.

First thing's first - that cover is actual eye candy and I gravitated to it straight away.

Maddie has been her family's main caretaker for as long as she can remember. Her mother is away in Ghana most of the time, her father is battling Parkinson's, and her brother skirts responsibility as he spends all his money trying to become famous. Maddie is in her twenties, but has sacrificed her own life to only look after her family. After her mom comes back from Ghana, Maddie finds herself with a golden opportunity to move out and get her first apartment, go on her first date, and make LOADS of first mistakes.

I won't lie, the first half of this book is sometimes hard to read. I just wanted to holler at Maddie and tell her to stop being a doormat while simultaneously kicking all of her other family members in gear so they can start being more helpful. It's pretty heavy handed on the sadness. The second half is where this book really shines. I rooted for Maddie so hard.

Our author Jessica George really does capture so many different important topics in this book - racism in the workplace, straddling two different cultures, grief, learning to stand up for yourself, picking yourself up after failure, and so much more. This is a solid debut novel.

*Trigger - Parent death

Maame is the story of Maddie (nicknamed Maame by her family in the Ghanaian tradition), a first-generation Londoner of Ghanaian descent., and her journey of self-discovery as she makes her way through her mid-twenties.

Maddie is the caregiver for her father, whose Alzheimer's means she feels like a stranger in her own home. Her mom is away in Ghana for years at a time, and her brother is useless, as older brothers sometimes are. Maddie has had to grow up before she's ready, but when she finally moves out and tries to stretch her wings, she encounters one obstacle after another.

I loved this honest, raw, and thoughtful portrait of grief, what it means to be an "adult," and life as a Black woman living in present-day London. I don't know that I've ever read such a perfect portrait of what it feels like to have a panic attack. George's depiction of depression and anxiety is spot-on, and she has created such a wonderful character in Maddie. Maame hits shelves on January 31. I highly recommend the excellent narration by Heather Agyepong on audio as well!

Thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Maddy is a 25 yr old who is trying to figure out life and take care of her sick dad while juggling dating, friends, and work. This reminds me of Queenie. Maddy is having difficulty speaking her mind while also learning how to live when her father passes. It was a fine book and appreciate the discussion of depression, grief, and when she finally begins to speak for herself.

✨ Review ✨ Maame by Jessica George; Narrated by Heather Agyepong

Wow, was this a beautifully written debut and coming of age story! Maddie's a mid-20s woman caring for her father with Parkinsons -- she has a job that's not pleasant; her mom and brother are absent and not much help, and she just seems to be getting older without having any fun. When her mom comes to town, she takes the opportunity to move out into a shared flat, gets a new job after getting fired, starts dating, and explores ways to find out who she really is.

The book delves into topics of family and responsibility, love and dating and sex, friendship and support, career growth and stagnation, and so much more. As Maddie learns from her choices and mistakes throughout the book, she comes to a better understanding of who she is and who she wants to be.

This book will make you feel all the feelings -- you'll be ready to throw your book at the wall, you'll "awwww" at sweet moments, and you'll be cheering for her as grows. It's really a lovely book, with short snappy chapters, thoughtful writing, and feels fairly fast-paced. Definitely check this out if you like literary fiction, coming of age books.

I alternated between reading and listening to this book and both were great ways to engage -- I loved the narration, but the book includes lists and google searches and non-narrative pieces that take some getting used to before jumping into audio.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: literary fiction, women's fiction, coming-of-age
Location: London
Reminds me of: Wahala (less mean girls) and Yinka (less focused on finding on huzband)
Pub Date: January 31, 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ mid-twenties coming-of-age stories
⭕️ messy family structures; extended Ghanian families
⭕️ Feeling Feelings

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and #netgalley for an advanced copies of this book (physical and audio)!

A terrific coming-of-age story about twenty-something Maddie whose father is suffering from advanced Parkinson’s. Throughout the novel, Maddie learns to navigate the complexity of her identity as the eldest daughter of Ghanaian immigrants and a marginalized voice in all-white spaces. The author handles grief, the growing pains of burgeoning adulthood, systemic racism and the complexity of identity skillfully, and without ever being heavy handed. Perfect for fans of Queenie and eldest daughters everywhere.

Oh, I loved this one. It was so good! Maame's inner dialogue was perfect. It felt private, sweet and authentic. 
The responsible daughter coming into her own, dealing with grief, learning who she truly is, standing up for herself, Ghanaian culture, London, found family, friendship, the publishing world, romance; all of it packaged together messily. I loved it. A lot.

Beautiful book. I really enjoyed reading Maddie's story. While many of the aspects of her life were obviously not the same as mine, I found so many of her experiences very relatable. Growing up the eldest daughter of a religious home, the loss of a parent through illness, and the struggle to learn how to be your own person as a young adult were all very personally understandable to me and told in such a very realistic way. I loved seeing Maddie grow and blossom.

I’ve got a soft spot for the all single ladies (*cue Beyonce*) just trying to find their place in the world. I spent the bulk of my twenties as a single gal hashing out my beliefs, my career, and investing in friendships. Life was messy, formative, and uninhibited. At times my heart was heavy, but mostly I laughed until my face hurt.

MAAME is a unique coming-of-age debut by #ownvoices author Jessica George. The story follows Maddie in her 20s as she navigates a family tragedy, romantic relationships, and what she truly wants out of life. Living in London as the primary caretaker for her father, she must navigate her Ghanaian roots and carve out her own identity.

Maddie is every young woman fighting for a seat at the table. I rooted for her as found her footing, faced racism, and learned hard truths about love. The audiobook narration by Heather Agyepong brought to life the various UK and Ghanaian accents. This was a completely charming read and I’m excited to see what lies ahead for Jessica George.

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: January 31, 2022

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. Review will be posted to www.instagram.com/kellyhook.readsbooks in advance of publication date

Such a moving and beautiful book! I thought the narrator did an amazing job as well. I love a book that reads like poetry.

This was a 5-star read from the very beginning. It was almost painful at times, hearing a young woman tell of her first exploitative work situations and romantic and sexual experiences. The author portrayed the complexities an immigrant family might face when a parent has a degenerative disease compassionately and with humor. I found myself rooting for Maddie to find love and her voice in work and social relationships, and the ending was satisfying without being predictable.

This is definitely a character-driven book, and the audiobook narrator's performance brought every character to life beautifully. I will be following Jessica George's writing going forward!

Much gratitude to MacMillan Audio, the author, and NetGalley for a free copy for an honest review.

Maame by Jessica George
February 16, 2023
#Maame #JessicaGeorge #NetGalley #ARC

<3 This was one long azz BET miniseries! Some of it was pretty emotional but some of it was down right hysterical! Her navigation through dating as a 20 something year old virgin who used artificial intelligence to get advice for every aspect in her life was a repetitive scene that never got old. I love how these new Black writers are addressing the needs and concerns around the topic of mental health, therapy and stigma. I don't want to give too much away but this narrator delivered this manuscript brilliantly! This was quite an enjoyable theatrical #audiobooking experience! <3

Maame is a good-humored character-driven story about a young woman finding her own way - but with the help of Google.

At twenty-five, Maddie is living at home with her father who is sick with Parkinson’s while her mother is working in Ghana. Maddie works at a publishing house in London, but she is frustrated with being the only Black person in meetings.

Then a string of events occurs that change the trajectory of her life. After Maddie’s mother returns from Ghana, Maddie loses her job and Maddie decides to move out on her own. Soon she experiences a devastating loss. All of this forces Maddie to be propelled into adulthood.

Although there are heavy topics - terminal illness, loss, grief, family duty, and racism, the author is gentle and uses humor, and Maddie’s love of asking google’s opinion lightens the mood.
It was a fresh take on a coming-of-age. The audiobook is done very well, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you @stmartinspress for this gifted copy and @macmillan.audio for the complimentary audiobook.

This was a beautiful novel about Maddie, a young woman living in London. Her father has late stage Parkinson's disease, and she is one of his primary caretakers until her mother returns from a trip to Ghana. Mama is heartbreaking but also charming, and I found myself rooting for Maddie as she faced hardships and new experiences as a young adult.