Hera has a new job that she finds mind-numbing and boring, until she meets Arthur, a middle-aged journalist there. She finds herself falling for him fast, even after finding out about his wife.

I wouldn’t typically think I’d enjoy a book about a woman dating a married man, but the main character really made the story. Of course everyone thinks they are the exception to the rule. Hera is funny and her inner thoughts were the best part for me. I felt there was a lot missing from the backstory, but I also understood that since it was her story to tell, she didn’t have to include the details. I especially enjoyed the time at the office and the cliche, but hilarious office happenings.

“I understand why people start wars, I understand why people blow up their lives. If the choice is this or not this, I will destroy everything else every time.”

Green Dot comes out 2/27.

Green Dot is a laugh-out-loud character driven novel. Based primarily in Australia, we follow Hera through her new job, meeting a new love interest, and discovering he has a wife. While I found the plot to be slow at points, Hera’s self-awareness and hilarity kept me turning the page.

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co for an ARC of this novel.

Would you enjoy spending 300+ pages engaged in a slow moving car crash? Green Dot is for you! I am sort of kidding, but the subject matter leaves little to doubt on how this is going to ultimately turn out, even more so that is begins with an older Hera reflecting back on a time in her younger years where she had an affair with a married man. We know it does not work out, so reading how the relationship developed and morphed is a bit like slowly pulling teeth. Red flags abound from the beginning, and you want to scream at Hera "RUN GIRL RUN", and logically she knows what she is doing will not turn out well, but nevertheless, she continues. Perhaps she will be the exception to the rule. Not to dismiss the writing- Madeleine Gray digs into Hera's mindset and does a good job of tracking the decisions she has made and why she has made them. She also provides context into her relationships with her father (loving), mother (complicated- wish she had spent more time on), and friends (supportive, despite their misgivings). If you can get passed the idea on we all know how this is going to end and not internally scream at Hera, Green Dot (named for the green dot that shows someone is active online) is a well-written novel about a young woman unmoored in life, trying to figure out purpose, and love.

Thank you Henry Holt & Company via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

I hated the main character in this book, but I also related to her so much which was so weird to experience. She’s like the epitome of a 20 something kid, thinking they’ve got the world figured out and life owes them something. I think we can all remember a time like that in our own lives, but man it was PAINFUL listening to her and watching her shit on her life, and everyone else’s around her. I wanted to smack her throughout most of this book, even when I could fully understand where she was coming from and how she was feeling. I also hated Arthur. What a complete douche that guy was. He was so happy getting a piece of a young girl and had no intention of ever leaving his wife. He sucked. He took complete advantage and wasted over a year of her life. I think she learned a lot of lessons throughout all of this that we all have to learn at some point, but it was just a series of unfortunate choices. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this, it was an enjoyable train wreck.

A story about coming of age and a workplace affair. I really didn’t like the writing style here. It felt very unstructured in a way that just wasn’t for me. I can definitely see others who like more stream of consciousness or Freeform styles liking this.

Reading from Hera's perspective is like spending time with your best friend and enjoying a day together and then suddenly realizing they are the most insightful, funny, and exciting person you've ever met. The Hera's tangents were so fun to follow, I loved her savviness and quips. I loved this story, I felt enveloped from the beginning. Toward the end there was a touch of fourth-wall breaking that didn't feel totally explained, but I could easily see Hera writing this novel in a journal to process. Gray writes it herself: this book is perfect for the "young, smart-mouthed, female, reasonably big-titted". Reminded me a lot of Dolly Alderton's wittiness and Emily Henry's emotionally resonate characters. I cannot wait to read more of what Madeline Gray writes.

This book captures so genuinely the delusion of one's mid twenties. Madeleine writes with such wry humor and self deprecation that encapsulates the feelings of being off your "set" path, while also having no desire to forge a new one. While I couldn't directly relate to the situational material, I felt so seen by the feelings expressed within this book. I loved the inner dialogue, the reflection on poor decisions, the group of girlfriends- all of it.

This book also revolves heavily around social media and it was executed very well. It is a tricky line to incorporate as many "trendy" themes as she did in this book, but it felt timely and current without being too on the nose.

I read this in one sitting and will now be adding Madeleine Gray to my list of automatic buy authors.

"I want to die but, devastatingly, this does not occur. I am very much alive, and I am sitting on a rolling chair."

Thank you to the publisher Henry Holt & Company for providing an ARC via Net Galley!

Hera is witty, kinda lazy, charming, and a mistress. She is every married woman's nightmare, yet for some reason, in this story we are rooting for her. It shouldn't work this way and yet, here we are.

Hera is a young 24 year old who doesn't have a whole lot of ambition in life, but knows she needs to do something because that is what is expected of people her age and part of growing up. When she lands a pretty mindless job and gets to know the office she meets an older, good looking co-worker and the connection is almost immediate. There's only one issue... he's married. Thus begins a tale of all-encompassing love, but is it reciprocated?

Man, I really wish I could say that I disliked the main character because obviously she's a bad person if she can date a married man, but really, I just feel bad for her. This story, unfortunately, is so real and messy and it's scary how easily it could actually happen. It's so frustrating and you just want to shake her so that she wakes up and realizes all the time she's wasting. At the same time, it's also heartbreaking seeing her so desperate and wanting this love to work out. While this is not something I personally have experience with, I feel like it's a story a lot of people will sadly be able to relate to.

Pub. Date: Feb. 27, 2024
Thank you Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for my early copy!

Normally, I do not share my full review that I plan to post on my blog. However, this novel deserves it (Full Review to be posted January 26th on duffrunstough.com)

The Review

The first few pages of 'Green Dot' by Madeleine Gray sparked a sense of familiarity that I couldn't quite pinpoint initially. It soon became apparent that Gray's prose carried a conversational tone reminiscent of my past creative writing essays. Narrated in a long flow of chaotic consciousness, 'Green Dot' unfolds as Hera grapples with the transition to the workforce, applying for a job as a community moderator. The narrative takes a turn when she encounters Arthur, a journalist, leading to a whirlwind infatuation.

Hera emerges as a complex, likable but frustrating, character, challenging societal norms while still succumbing to stereotypical expectations. Her sarcastic nihilism is on par with Camus, and her stylistic delivery is comparable to Rupi Kaur. Above all though, I couldn’t help but chuckle at how stereotypically bisexual she is - the first man she crushes on in years is laughably unattainable and yet she still plans to pursue them. Which is ultimately, the most infuriating part about her. Hera clearly knows what she is doing is horrendous, and yet, even as morally sound as she is regards to the sociopolitical climate, she still fell hard for the delusion.

Had Hera fallen in love with literally anyone else, this novel would have received a much better reception from the public. There was such a heavy focus on Hera's relationship with Arthur, that unfortunately, too many readers were caught up in the lack of "sisterhood" and "support" for "the wife" that they missed the true magic of this novel. However, if you pay close enough attention, what Gray excels at with writing this novel is with what is implied but isn't said.

Ultimately, what made me rank this novel as a 4.5 stars instead of 5 was due to a minor complaint I had based on the stylistic choice of the novel and how it translated on the PDF eARC version of the novel. It was difficult to tell where one chapter stopped, and another began. While this did help achieve the "long flow of chaotic consciousness" mentioned above, it did confuse me because for the first 60-70% of the novel, I thought the prologue was Madeleine Gray writing about how she got the idea for the book based on a time she was the other women. It wasn't until the closer to the end I realized the meta-forth-wall-breaking that occurred meant that the prologue was Hera's POV not Gray's. Which didn't really change the plot of the story, but did change my mind on how I perceived this novel.

Gray's prose as Hera is so raw that it is a true testament of her ability as a writer. When I thought this entire novel was "based on a true-story", a fictional essay rooted in factual ideas, I wasn't sure where Gray's real-life thoughts ended and Hera's began. I was impressed with the metaphorical sentence construction, but was not in awe. The moment it clicked that, this entire debut novel is a fictional author writing a fictional story about a fictional event in their past I was gobsmacked. Gray effortlessly created an entirely fully complex being out of thin air as real as you or me.

In conclusion, "Green Dot" by Madeleine Gray is a compelling exploration of Hera's complex character and her tumultuous journey through infatuation and self-discovery. Gray's raw and conversational prose immerses the reader in Hera's chaotic consciousness, eliciting both frustration and empathy. While the focus on Hera's relationship with Arthur may overshadow other elements of the narrative for some readers, Gray's skillful implication and the novel's thought-provoking nature shine through.

Short Review (AKA TLDR)

The first few pages of 'Green Dot' by Madeleine Gray spark a sense of familiarity, with conversational prose akin to one long chaotic consciousness. The narrative follows Hera's journey into the workforce and her whirlwind infatuation with journalist Arthur. Hera is portrayed as a complex and likable character, challenging societal norms while succumbing to stereotypical expectations. Despite engaging prose and thought-provoking implications, the heavy focus on Hera's relationship with Arthur may overshadow other elements of the narrative for some readers. Ultimately, "Green Dot" is a compelling exploration of Hera's character and her tumultuous journey through infatuation and self-

Green Dot is a phenomenal book that perfectly describes the listlessness and boredom that you can encounter in your early twenties. The book follows Hera, who lives with her dad and doesn't have a job and simply wants to spend her life in school even though she has enough education that she cannot use it as an excuse any longer. She ends up getting a job moderating comments for a news website, where she meets Arthur, an older journalist. Hera is intrigued by Arthur and they begin messaging at work, dancing around what they are, before eventually embarking on a full-fledged affair, as it turns out that Arthur is married. The book is definitely character driven, and it is fascinating to learn more about the characters and their relationships and histories as it goes on. Hera makes incredibly frustrating choices, but she is young and in love, so it is understandable. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Sally Rooney and Ottessa Moshfegh.

I really liked the narrator and MFC point of view and the raw honesty in which it is written. As a reader, you are really involved with the MFC. The narrator speaks directly to the reader, which is different than most books. This story pointed out the generational gaps, for sure….I’m getting old! Although I could understand why choices were made, but I did not agree with any of them. I wonder if this is a personal story, one of the authors that she is now sharing. Why would someone be the mistress? Thoughts and feelings from that point of view. Interesting, but could have been more of a short story for me.
I would give 3 1/2 ⭐️

Endlessly quotable, self-aware, sarcastic. The narrative here is funny and smart and a little bit exhausting: much like one’s twenties. A lot of this book was relatable, but the desire to be seen by someone most stood out to me. I think that’s a defining characteristic of many people’s twenties; it was for mine, at least. Does Arthur see our narrator/protagonist, Hena? Will he? That question kept me reading, and I was compelled by their budding relationship. But what compelled me more was the question of whether Hena would come to see herself clearly. I found her journey, and especially the ending, to be very satisfying. Also, the relationship between Hena and her father was lovely, and I won’t soon forget it!

This book gets a .5 star because you know the ending was alright.

we follow our main character as she gets her first corporate job, and of course finds a coworker attractive. and we all know how coworker flings go.

But the main character, Hera, she’s naive. She’s a little too naive, she trusts this man through every warning sign, even when she’s pieced together what’s going on she continues to build a relationship with him. and in the end, it pans out exactly like it should.

i have been steadily avoiding books that discuss COVID, and i somehow missed this book timeline deals with it. i’m not sure why, but i don’t like reading about it.

also, the writing dragged for me a little. i found myself skimming sometimes and then going back. it probably could’ve been 50 pages shorter.

First book of the year off with a bang! This was so, so captivating - a lot like watching a well-written, wryly funny car crash. It’s a story of a young, aimless woman who has an affair with a married man - a simple plot, one that’s been done before. But Gray writes her main character with such an authentic, believable, lovable, hateable, hilarious voice that is utterly addicting, and as the affair goes further and further, you want to look away but simply can’t. I really feel for her, and yet I hate her decisions, and yet I understand exactly why she does what she does. Such is the experience of being a 25 year old woman in the world. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via NetGalley!

I read this book in one gulp on a Saturday afternoon and enjoyed every minute of it. Hera is so painfully relatable - she is funny and clever but also deeply stupid at some points, as we all can be. I felt for her and cringed for her, and every point of her relationship with Arthur is so painful and yet feels so real. I was not familiar with this author before but am eager to see what she does next - this felt like the discovery of a real new talent.

Hera lives with her divorced dad, is in her twenties, bisexual, unmarried, and has no job. When she was at school she felt the safety of structure and routine. It was when she got older and had to make real decisions about figuring out life (like what she was going to do for work) that was a mystery. As she rode the bus and watched people on their way to and from work she thought about the vapidness of their lives and whether they really found any meaning in their jobs- or were they just like automatons? I actually identified with her when she got on an elevator at a corporate job and felt like she was playing a role in a movie and not really being her true self.

Hera has a melancholy undercurrent running through her life and feels like she has to make some changes. She finally gets a job through BS-ing on some details (which she's very good at) and meets Arthur, an older guy at work. There is an obvious mutual attraction that is eventually acted upon. Hera has mostly been with women as of late, so this is a huge change for her, and they fall hard for each other. The problem is, he's married. The bulk of the book navigates this rollercoaster of emotions as Hera presses Arthur to leave his wife.

I like offbeat, imperfect characters such as Hera, who are trying to find themselves and make mistakes along the way. She was mildly depressed, but possessed an inner strength and survival instinct, and a quirky sense of humor that she could conjure up at will. This is a first novel for this author, and I thought it was a well-written, enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher Henry Holt & Company for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

5 stars-There are so many reasons I loved this book! Within the first few pages I was laughing out loud, and I knew, the author and I have the same sense of humor! You had me at “I had one more chance to not be a dick, and I did not take it.” The true heart of this book is that the main character begins an affair with a married man, and the green dot is the signal that he is on Instagram and they can message…the secrets, and the justifying o friends, and the hopes and plans that he will tell his wife and they will be together. A tender statement from her dad “Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is leave, provided you’ve determined that what you might gain is more important to you than what you might lose..” The writing is phenomenal, and you feel so much for the characters. I cannot wait to read what this author writes next! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. It was a pleasure to read and review this book!

Wow. Green Dot captivated me with its raw portrayal of love, denial, and desperation. The author skillfully immersed me in the character's emotions. A truly compelling and genuine story that left a lasting impact.

If you liked acts of desperation by Megan Dolan you will absolutely love this.

The FMC was hilarious and darkly funny but oh the hope that she had was infuriating! Funny enough I kept rooting for her.

I can’t wait to read more from Gray!

2.5 ⭐️ This started out as a lovely character study, but unfortunately lost me about 20% of the way through. Eventually it felt like I was being fed plot points and there was a lot of repetitive meeting in hotels, yearning, etc.

I gradually became less and less interested in Hera and what happened to her. Her voice shifted from relatable to smug and pathetic. If this was the intention, the author hit the nail on the head, but I didn’t particularly enjoy reading it.

The pacing threw me off a little, and I found at least half of the trendy pop culture references to be cringey and out of place.

All of that to say, I didn’t dislike the writing here, there were some wonderfully written passages that did really grip me, I just didn’t really care about either of the main characters so it was hard for me to care about the plot. Play stupid games win stupid prizes ya know?