This is a hard novel to describe. The promo summary, along the lines of “twenty-year-old single mom Margo starts an OnlyFans while her ex-pro-wrestler opoid-addicted dad helps with childcare,” makes the story seem more sensationalistic than it is. Mostly it isn't about drugs or porn, but the authenticity of human connection. Between Margo and her father, who has always spent most of his money and time on the children he shares with his wife. Between Margo and her mother, neither of whom want to admit how similar they are. Between Margo and the baby’s father; between Margo and her fans.

The book is full of meta-commentary, moments when Margo's narration shifts from third to first person so Margo can comment in retrospect on her own story and, very often, her naivete and youth. But even Margo’s older voice feels innocent (in fact, if she is commenting now on these events of 2018 and 2019, she is all of 26). Maybe because of this, or maybe because of all the unfair obstacles she is forced to overcome, I found myself frequently flinching from this story, putting it down and reading something else. But I'm very glad I finished it, because the narration is powerful, the second half is faster-paced and more interesting than the first, and the ending is satisfying.

Fantastic narration by Elle Fanning on the audiobook! Laugh out loud funny story that has you rooting for Margo and all the circumstances she overcomes to find herself, her people and her true calling.

THe details provided truly bring you into the complicated life that Margo is living. She's wise yet immature. She's funny and bold, and most importantly such a good person with good intentions and a huge heart. She does everything she can with the situation she's in, and makes us laugh throughout!

What a delightfully odd but heartfelt coming-of-age story. You can’t help but root for Margo, a naive young woman who finds herself pregnant after a brief affair with her English professor. Completely unprepared for motherhood and its accompanying financial hardships in this hellscape of a country with no paid parental leave or meaningful resources (seriously, tell me this is not a subtle but scathing social commentary on the state of our nation), Margo turns to OnlyFans to generate income and much hilarity ensues. Don’t let the humor fool you though - this book is full of tender moments and genuine connection between characters, my favorite of which involve Margo’s ex-professional wrestler father who shows up on her doorstep straight from rehab. The more I reflect on this one, the more I like it. 4.5 stars - highly recommend.

Pub Date: 6/11/24
Review Published: 6/11/24
eARC received from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much fun to read! There were so many things I loved about this book.

I loved Margo’s journey throughout the book. She figured out who she is as a woman and also as a mother and it was such a beautiful transformation.

There were so many wrestling references in this book and it made my wrestling fan heart so happy! I really liked Margo’s dad. Even though he struggled with his own demons he was there for Margo and Bodhi and always did what was best for them.

I really liked how the author approached some of the deep hard topics in this book such as the teacher/student relationship, drug addiction, and even sex work. This book was very well written and approached the subjects without making the atmosphere of the book become so dark.

I definitely look forward to more from this author.

Wow. Wow. WOW am I glad I decided to read this one! This will definitely be in my top reads of 2024!

I loved every single thing about this book! It surprised me in all the best ways and it was one of those rare gems that I just did not want to end. This really surprised me because I actually opted not to read it... but then I saw it was a BOTM pick AND I got an audio copy from Libro.fm (thank you!) and after seeing a few glowing reviews decided I'd give it a go. I had already fallen in love with it (less than halfway through) when I learned that Apple TV picked it up and hot dang I am excited!!

I listened to this novel on audio and the narrator - Elle Fanning - was spectacular. She was so, so perfect for the role of Margo and I'm not sure an audiobook has ever felt so natural to me.

The characters in this novel are perfection. They are developed just enough, there are just the right amount, and they are the right level of quirky and relatable while also feeling entertaining and fictional.

Margo was a gem of a protagonist. She was young but this didn't read like YA at all which was a plus for me and her age didn't often feel like a factor except when you considered how people took advantage of her and some of her less than excellent choices. But, overall, it was so easy to root for her. She was a wonderful mother and her love for Bowdie permeated through the pages.

Quirky, unique, well written, emotional, and overall just perfection. This book was amazing and I can't recommend highly enough. Thank you to William Morrow, Libro.fm, and NetGalley for the copy.

I absolutely loved everything about this quirky I want to say coming of age novel, but I don’t think that does the book justice.

When Margo, the child of a Hooter’s waitress and a married ex-pro wrestler, ends up pregnant after a brief affair with her community college professor, she decides to keep the baby. Not because she wants a baby, but because she thinks it’s the right thing to do. The professor disagrees. Strongly enough that he disappears from her life and leaves 19-year-old Margo on her own with a new baby.

There was a real brilliance in the writing of this book on many levels. One was the characters. So many of them could have been unlikeable in the hands of another author, but Thorpe somehow brings a humanity to every single one of them. It’s such a generous way to write, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about every quirky, beautifully fleshed out character. The form of the book was also brilliant, written in third person at times when Margo needed to distance herself from actions she thought the reader might judge her for and commenting on the choice. And the themes were also brilliant. The discussion of what is moral and when something crosses over the line into being pornography and who makes those decisions are things I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Actress Elle Fanning narrates. Sometimes I’m distracted by a celebrity narrator, but Fanning did an amazing job giving voice to Margo. I highly recommend this audiobook. But however you read it, this is a book that will stick with you.

It is so difficult for me to find a truly funny novel that makes me belly laugh. Thankfully this book is as advertised: funny, heart breaking, heartwarming, and surprisingly page turning. I loved the character of Margo and the supporting characters. The author brought them to life with such nuance and humor. In the running for my favorite book of the year.

I went into this book COMPLETELY blind and boy am I glad that was how I approached it. Was I completely thrown off in the first few chapters, as the reader is thrown into Margo's wild, slightly heartbreaking life? Absolutely. But I almost enjoyed the shock of not knowing what to expect from this book and enjoying every second of this wild ride.

Margo is a college student who starts having an affair with her English professor after he comes onto her. A few weeks later, she is pregnant with his baby. Despite being a poor college student with very little family support, Margo decides to keep the baby and become a single mother. Very quickly, this monumental decision uproots Margo's entire life. While she is hopelessly in love with her son, Margo quickly realizes that she doesn't have the finances, or the support to take care of a baby. She drops out of college, she gets fired from her job, her roommates move out, and suddenly Margo is stuck with a few things: her WWE famous wrestler, drug-addict dad, and OnlyFans.

The premise of this book was so unbelievably unique and fresh. It followed so many themes I wouldn't normally think would work well in a book or that I would be drawn to read, but it was done so well. I found myself falling trap with so many stereotypes of the different characters, and then navigating complex situations with Margo. Margo was such a weird, brave, caring woman and I loved seeing her come into herself and grow as a mother, a daughter, and a human. I found myself laughing out loud so many times throughout this book and truly could not put it down. At no time did I know what would happen next, and as Margo's life panned out in the most bizarre ways, I realized how this is a story reflecting what so many young woman go through. It was truly inspiring and freeing to read about Margo's choices, her attitude to life, and the way she chose to right her mistakes yet continue being unashamedly herself.

Everything about this book was so fun, beyond engaging, and will leave me thinking about this book for a long time to come. Thank you so much to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review!!

This is such a good story. Margo has an affair with her married 37 year old English professor which ends upon her finding herself pregnant. Deciding to keep the baby without resources or prospects, Margo’s got money troubles.
What Margo also has is the ability to really see people as they are, and although naive- a rare ingenuity. This book has questionable decisions and laugh out loud moments with an assortment of quirky side characters. If you are a fan of Kevin Wilson or are not bothered by irreverence, read this. Actually 4.5 stars for me and thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins.

This is my first Rupi Thorpe novel, and once I finished, I immediately wanted to dive in to her backlist. Margo’s Got Money Troubles follows Margo Millet – a young woman who, after an affair with her college English professor, gets pregnant and ends up alone with an infant to care for. Desperate for cash, Margo decides to start an OnlyFans page, creating a persona and becoming a major success.

I really enjoyed following Margo’s journey in this novel. She was such a compelling character. It helped that she was surrounded by an interesting and quirky ensemble of characters, including her wrestler father Jinx. My favorite aspect of this novel was the writing. Thorpe has such an engaging writing style, and I was totally sucked in by the opening paragraph. If you like Diablo Cody movies, I think you’d like this novel.

Thank you William Morrow for allowing me to read and review Margo’s Got Money Troubles on NetGalley.

Published: 06/11/24

Stars: 2

Incredibly sad when language overrides talent.

Thorpe has the ability to tell a funny, sincere, and clever story. Unfortunately I grimaced more than I laughed. Every word listed as profanity was freely used. Body parts and genitalia are not limited.

It is impossible to read and skim over the trashy words, I tried. The language does not add to the story.

This book was unlike anything I have read before. I DEVOURED it over the weekend, and haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

Margo Millet is a junior college student, the child of a former pro Wrestler who she seldom hears from and a Hooters waitress. She has big dreams but finds herself in a situation she never imagined - 20 years old and pregnant with her professor's child. She is unprepared in every way to be a parent - but particularly financially.

We follow as Margo tries to navigate life with a newborn - balancing her job as a waitress , living with her college roommates, figuring out child care and dealing with the child's father, who is still married. Her mother is of little help, and she is fired when she can't find childcare. One day her father shows up and offers to help with child care if she moves in. While they discuss his wrestling past she learns about Only Fans, and feels like this could be what she needs to make money quickly to take care of her and her son.

It is so funny but also a biting take on what it takes to survive and thrive in this country - particularly when raising a family, and the costs associated. It is also an insightful and humanizing look at folks that often are ignored: sex workers, young, single mothers, drug addicts, etc. It is quirky as hell, but also a book that made me laugh and think a lot.

Happy Publishing Day, Rufi! And big thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for letting me read this one early!

Will post on goodreads, retail sites and my bookstagram @scottonreads

After an affair with her married English professor, Margo becomes a twenty-year-old single mother. She is unemployed and desperate for cash when she creates an OnlyFans profile and starts making more money than she could’ve imagined. Margo’s inner circle consists of her ex-wrestler father, her LARPer roommate, and two other OF creators who work with her to create successful content. Before she knows it, Margo learns the true price of internet fame as her job creates waves among those around her.

I don’t think I’ve ever loved fictional characters more than I loved Margo and her ragtag crew. They were lovable, complex, and basically jumped off of the page. With humor and heart, Thorpe explores womanhood, power, creativity, stigma, friendship, complicated parent-child relationships, and more. Margo is an insightful, unforgettable heroine who narrates in first person in a fresh and witty voice and switches to third person when she needs some distance from her unpleasant moments. A heartwarming, hilarious, unpredictable story that left its imprint on my heart.

This book was so quirky and delightful. I never really knew what to expect from it, but I very much enjoyed the ride!

I absolutely adored Margo. She was so realistically crafted that I couldn’t help but root for her. I loved her tenacity and heart. Each side character was fascinating, and I enjoyed reading about them all (even the ones I hated). The writing was heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny at times (the Pokémon parts KILLED me). The humor helped balance some incredibly deep insights.

As I said, it was a weird story at times, but it was a pleasant one to read. If you’re looking for a unique book this summer, definitely consider this one!

Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for the ARC. Margo’s Got Money Troubles is out today!

The plot may sound like a silly beach read, but don't let a synopsis of this novel dissuade you from immediately grabbing a copy. An earnest college student, Margo, becomes pregnant by her married junior college English professor with whom she has no real interest much less chemistry and, in a rash decision, she decides to keep the baby. After Bodhi's birth, Margo realizes that she can't hold on to her waitressing job without childcare which she cannot afford. Then two of her three roommates move out in response to Bodhi's wailing. Her father Jinx, a retired professional wrestler with whom Margo has a distant, but loving, relationship, appears after a stint in rehab and on the heels of his impending divorce. He becomes one of Margo's roommates, helping with the rent and with Bodhi, and a cash payoff from Margo's former lover's mother tides her over for a period of time.

But, finances are becoming tight, so like any 21st-century heroine, Margot takes her "ginormous" boobs to OnlyFans. "Lonely, hot girl in financial freefall, please help me make rent this month. . . . If you want to find out what Pokémon your dick most resembles and what attacks it might have, send me a $20 tip and I'll provide a full write-up." Turns out Margo, who gets tips from Jinx on how to build a persona and cultivate an audience, and purchases the expertise of some OnlyFans viral stars - is very talented.

Rufi Thorpe's latest novel is more than a catchy concept. There is a level of craft in the writing which makes this daring novel funny, moving, thoughtful and deeply satisfying. Thorpe has crafted a character for the ages - a working class woman trying to seize money, power and control from a world that doesn't want to provide for her. This novel is receiving a lot of attention, including being optioned for a television series by A24 and Nicole Kidman in a project rumored to star Elle Fanning. Thank you William Morrow and Net Galley for introducing me to the incomparable Margo.

this book is funny, sweet, heartbreaking. margo's money troubles felt really relatable, her youth and naivete (+ grit and ambition) were portrayed accurately and lovingly. loved it!!!

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe was an unexpected gem of a book because I went into it thinking it would be a light and fluffy summer beach book. Spoiler, it isn't this at all. You could go into it and do a surface read and think it was just a fun book but if you actually stop to ponder and savor the writing it can be a really deep book. Margo is struggling to make ends meet after she unexpectedly had a child with her married college professor. She's left on her own to raise the baby while also struggling t o find work for a college dropout and daycare for the new baby. This all leads to some unexpected changes in her life. Read and enjoy!

What an absolute gem of a book!! This was my first and most definitely not my last book by Rufi Thorpe! Margo was everything you could dream of in a character. She was likeable, human, and someone you just felt like you really knew. I loved seeing her struggles as a teen mom. Nothing was candy coated and I loved the "realness" of this book. Her dad was an absolute gem of a character and someone that I'm really glad we got to know. I would absolutely love a sequel to this, just to see how Margo has gotten along with her Only Fans and new adventures with her boyfriend. This book touched on so many issues that this generation faces in the real world and I just loved how genuine and authentic it was. I can't recommend this book enough!

I am a big fan of Rufi Thorpe's writing. She writes very real characters -- deeply flawed, emotional, funny people -- that manage to elevate a commonly told story. She manages to breathe fresh life into a coming-of-age, complicated family drama. I loved this unabashedly.

Margo Millet has always known that she would have to work hard for herself to be successful and she decides to go to the local Junior College. She did not think that she would have an affair with her English professor, much less get pregnant from that affair. She decides to keep the baby and is dealing with normal life occurrences with a new born when she gets fired from her job for unreliable daycare. Her dad, an ex-pro wrestler, shows up on her doorstep after he really wasn't involved in her life and needs a place to stay so she lets him stay in exchange for him watching her baby. When she can't figure out what to do for work, she turns to OnlyFans and after some changes, she starts bringing in decent money. She is wondering how it will affect her child in the future, but also concerned with making ends meet right now.

I thought this book was hilarious but heartbreaking in so many ways. Her journey as a sex worker, even though she was not having sex with customers showed real issues that sex workers face in life. from judgement to being told they are unfit parents, and so much more, when they are really only trying to make ends meets and provide for their family. The growth Margo had throughout the story was great and she was truly smart and had great ideas, she just needed the connections to help with those ideas and of course the connection came form someone she would not have met without OnlyFans.