I loved this book so much that I think I'm going to reread it again before the pub date even though I have nine gazillion other books to read.

I don't even know what to say other than it was weird and smart and funny and emotional without being gross and thought-provoking without being preachy, and if you don't love Margo, I'm pretty damn sure I don't like you.

Definitely one of my favorite books of 2024.

All the stars. Rufi Thorpe has done it again. I've been waiting since The Knockout Queen for another book from Rufi, and Margo's Got Money Troubles is well worth the wait! It absolutely loved this book. Thorpe's writing is clever, funny, and raw, and I could not put it down. The story is so propulsive and the characters felt so real. It's one of those books that just works its way into your heart and makes you not want to let go.
Highly recommend!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC.

I devoured this delightfully fresh story. Rufi Thorpe is a force!

Margo's extensive money troubles begin multiplying after she decides to keep the baby from an unsatisfying and brief affair with her occasionally sweet but often gross English professor. Postpartum with no support system and roommates that want her newborn to keep it down, Margo becomes desperate and, like so many of us in times of need, she turns to the internet for answers, She starts an OnlyFans account with many mixed feelings, including shame and hope. She approaches her account with a businesslike determination as she brainstorms ways to drive traffic and paid subscribers to her account with mostly *not tasteful* nudes. All in the name of keeping a roof over her and her son Bodhi's head.

Thorpe writes this story and Margo with a tender understanding of motherhood and becoming an adult. Margo is raw and honest as she struggles with how to find her own narrative and identity in a situation that gets messier by the day. Her father, Jinx, comes to live with her and he honestly almost steals the entire book and rips it miles away from poor Margo. As a former wrestler and manager of WWE wrestlers, he has a beautifully unique way of looking at the world. He quietly helps build Margo's confidence in herself while he is battling his own demons. There is a moment when Jinx says to his daughter, "Oh, Margo, Margo! You delight me." and it just about ripped my heart open. The thread of fatherhood throughout the book is interesting and poignantly written. Margo's former professor/baby daddy makes his way back into the story and the book grapples with what it means to be a father.

Heart spills from the page in this book without making the reader feel manipulated. Thorpe has a unique ability to delve extensively into emotional and complex issues (unwanted pregnancy, drugs, sex work, internet personas, etc.) with a light touch and open mind. And humor! I think this is probably due to how well she develops and writes her characters. They are all flawed, stumbling their way through hard and scary situations. But there's no condescension or outside voice ringing through trying to guide the reader to a certain conclusion. The story unfolds in a way that still allows the reader to have lots of different feelings because Margo herself has lots of feelings about it all.

I just absolutely loved this book and hope it gets the attention and recognition it deserves! I loved The Knockout Queen and I think readers that loved that book will also enjoy Margo. It is a story with meat and substance that is also a page turning, messy, funny read that feels almost a little trashy and juicy at times in the best possible way.

Rufi Thorpe obviously needs to be added to my favorite authors list because after reading her two latest novels - The Knockout Queen and Margo’s Got Money Troubles - and loving both of them, it is apparent she can do no wrong by me. Perhaps what I love most about Rufi’s books is that she writes stories that I have never heard before. As someone who works in a literary profession and who reads well over 100 books a year, you start to notice that some plotlines are just recycled over and over again with little variation. Not with Rufi Thorpe’s books though! Her novels are refreshingly unique and substantive, while also being wholly compelling.

Her newest novel, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, has already been optioned for a TV series before it has even been published, so that tells you that Rufi has something special here. And she indeed does, although potential readers should be warned that the content of this book may be deemed unsavory by some as it dives into the seedy corners of the internet by way of Only Fans.

The book follows college dropout Margo as she navigates life as a teenaged single mom, pregnant by none other than her professor. Margo is having a hard time supporting and caring for herself and her new son Bodhi, so on a whim, she turns to Only Fans to make some quick cash. The only problem is creating content that actually pays is no cake walk, and Margo is fast running out of ideas. In the meantime, she is surprised when her ex-professional wrestler father Jinx decides to move in with her to help out with Bodhi. Jinx was rarely around when Margo was growing up, but she takes comfort that he is in her life now, providing her fatherly advice and support. But who would have thought that his advice would extend to her Only Fans account? While Jinx doesn’t necessarily approve of the way Margo is making money, he still has some ideas for how she can grow her following … and they are all rooted in pro wrestling philosophy.

When Margo puts some of Jinx’s theories to the test, she finds that her dad actually knows what he is talking about, and she soon finds herself going viral. But as they say, more money, more problems. More subscribers means more eyes on her account and body, which means there’s a greater chance Margo will be recognized and outed. Is Margo willing to risk it all to make a quick dollar?

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a book for the modern age with more and more women turning to Only Fans to make ends meet. Both a piece of thought-provoking social commentary and a hilarious coming-of-age-the-hard-way novel, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is an authentically engaging read. Rufi Thorpe has a gift for writing intriguing characters and inserting them into even more intriguing plots. You’ll find yourself rooting for Margo and her crew, while at the same time holding your breath when you realize the mess she has gotten herself into.

A quirky, unconventional standout, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is recommended to readers who love offbeat books and films.

I loved it! That’s the long and the short of it. I was hooked right away, as Margot is a great character. In fact, the characters are all great. Not only that, so are the settings. I felt like I could really see them and the characters fit so well. (Speaking of characters, I was really rooting for them throughout the book.)

Needless to say, the plot was fascinating and was not only interesting but also makes you think about morality, judgement and all of the issues in the book and how our society looks at them.

The book ends a bit tidy but not in a negative way. Rather, it feels realistic and healthy for the characters. Which after reading this book, I definitely wanted.

Advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and William Morrow Books but all opinions are mine.

Who knew professional wrestling skills were transferable?!

MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES is unlike anything I’ve ever read and I doubt I would have picked it up had I not seen a few glowing reviews from readers I trust. Plus, a TV series is currently in the works with Elle Fanning starring and producing (alongside Nicole Kidman, I might add)!

First and foremost, this book will not be for everyone. To start, the writing style is very quirky, but so unique, and I ended up absolutely loving the way the story was told.

Now for the story: When Margo becomes a single mom at nineteen she finds herself in an unimaginable position and turns to OnlyFans to make ends meet.

This is mature but also weird. It’s equally irreverent and smart and it touches on important societal themes while also being downright hilarious. I truly loved it, but I don’t take things too seriously and it takes a lot to make me blush.

Margo is incredibly endearing. She’s a teenager forced to grow up very quickly and at times I wanted to shake the naivety right out of her but there were also moments that I found myself so impressed with her strength and character.

Margo’s father, a former pro-wrestler and current hot mess, was also an amazing character. I didn’t really want to root for him, but I couldn’t help myself. He’s flawed but so lovable and I am absolutely dying to see who they cast to play him in the Apple TV series.

The majority of this book is really fun but it honestly made me think so much about how quick we are to judge others when we know literally nothing about their circumstances. While I have nothing in common with Margo, I also have no idea what I would do in her situation. Her career might be unconventional and looked down upon, but she’s doing whatever she can to put her kid first just like any good mom would.

There were parts of this book that made me uncomfortable but also had me reevaluating my opinions on things and questioning why I had opinions on them in the first place. Basically, a huge round of applause for this phenomenal story that took me out of comfort zone, made me laugh out loud, and encouraged me to see a lot of things in a new light.

I loved Margo’s Got Money Troubles! Rufi Thorpe is a true master at creating fully realized characters who feel as real as your friends and neighbors. I was rooting for Margo’s success from page one: she is so endearing and her experience of new motherhood is completely convincing. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

I’ll admit I was skeptical coming into this one, but Margo (and the rest of this novel’s cast of misfits) stole my heart.

In Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Margo is a young, single mother who’s dropped out of college and lost her waitressing job. To make ends meet for herself and her son Bodhi, she starts an Only Fans, drawing inspiration from her dad’s wrestling career to create a character who will make men fall in love - or at least lust.

The heart of the novel for me was the love between Margo, Bodhi, and Margo’s (formerly absent) father, Jinx. They’re an unconventional family you can root for. Jinx has substance abuse issues and Margo is making all kinds of bad decisions, but the author never judges them for it - even if Margo, “writing” this tale in alternating first and third person, judges herself. They’re fully fleshed out characters who you want to see get a hard-earned win in life.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a moving and funny and sometimes sad portrait of the family at its core. If you’ve ever struggled to make ends meet or struggled trying to understand your parents as an adult, you’ll relate to Margo.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles and it’s like, well, don’t we all!! The relatable title is just the first of many things to speak to me in this book. Margo, herself, is a fascinating character, one who is irresistible. Her heart, her wit and her singular determination to take care of her baby made me love her. Her perspective on things and her relationship with her father, Jinx, were two highlights of the book for me. Thorpe has such a distinct writing style and it immediately immersed me into this world. Immediately adding the rest of her books to my TBR! This publishes on June 11th and it is as must read!

Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and Rufi Thorpe for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This was a really entertaining and unique book. It follows Margo while she’s going through A LOT - having a baby, having money problems, taking care of her dad, and more. The characters in this book are not perfect, and are pretty messy, but I loved a lot of them. I really liked Margo and was rooting for her the whole time. She’s a very human character, as is her dad. The book goes into some important topics, such as the experience of being a young single mother, having an OnlyFans, and more. I recommend this one, especially if you like coming-of-age stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC! This was a fun read — humorous and heartfelt. Margot is such a messy main character but she has really is trying her best and it’s hard not to root for her. The supporting characters were especially fun but I would have liked for them to be more fleshed out. I wasn’t a huge fan of the switch between first and third person and didn’t find it to be particularly beneficial but overall I enjoyed it.

Oh Margo. The "love" child of a Wrestler and a Hooters waitress, Margo had a rough start of it. Enrolled at her local Junior College, Margo has a short affair with her English professor and manages to get pregnant. Unlike so many other young girls, she decides to actually keep the baby rather than get the abortion that her professor, her mother and her friends feel she should. She loses her waitress job and then two of her three roommates let her know that they are moving out at the end of the week. Desperate for money, she reaches out to her estranged father Jinx, for some help to pay her bills and keep a roof over her head. Then out of nowhere, her professor's overbearing mother came to her, offering her a settlement of $15,000 plus $50,000 in trust for her baby, but she had to drop out of school and not mention her relationship with her son. With this slight cushion, Margo opens her door one morning to find Jinx standing at the door. He offers to move in and help her with the rent and the baby. Jinx begins to share his wrestling life and shares a story about another female wrestler who has a very profitable side gig on OnlyFans. Margo is curious about this and decides to try and see if she can monetize.herself doing this as well. And this is only the beginning of a wild ride that Margo is on and one she takes us with her. I applaud Margo. She may be poor and not traditionally educated, but she is one smart cookie and I really enjoyed seeing how she not only worked but excelled in outwitting the system and the obstacles that came her way. I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

You can't put this book down because you just have to know what is going to happen. This story takes you through all of the emotions. I laughed. I was angry. I was frustrated. I was sad. It is a rollercoaster of a book.

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thrope was so uniquely different from anything I have ever read and it was such a fantastically amazing read. I seriously cannot get over how much I enjoyed reading it. I actually would stop reading it because I wanted to savor it but I was also worried what was going to happen to the characters I absolutely loved (specifically Jinx). I think the character development that occurs in this book is great, you can't help but feel for Margo and why she is the way that she is. Her parents are quite the characters and the environment that she grew up in.

There was so much I loved about this book. The characters, the storyline, the vibes. I never thought I'd love an elderly ex-pro wrestler who struggles with drug addiction but here I am, loving Jinx.

Overall, I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone and quite honestly, forcing them to read this marvelous book.

This book was really good. It balanced the sad and humorous parts in a great novel that follows a character who is pretty relatable. The writing was great, and the balance of tones really helped the book

This is the second Rufi Thorpe book that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I did her other book, The Girls of Corona Del Mar. These are very different books, and Ms. Thorpe has a unique and creative mind to come up with the ideas for her books. Margo is an 18 year old girl who becomes pregnant by her professor and decides to keep the baby. She has no earthly idea how she will care for a baby or support herself, and what follows is an adventure and the unusual coming of age story of a new age girl/woman in some most unpredictable situations and present day problems. It's really nice to have the opportunity to read such a book, as I learned some things myself about internet sites with which I was not familiar. The story is well written, the characters are developed in a realistic and interesting way and I will continue to look forward to other books by this author. Thank you #Netgalley and Kelsey Manning from #Harpercollinspublishing for the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for an honest review.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles just might be my favorite book I’ve read in all of 2024 and it’s only the end of Q1. MGMT* is not your typical book, in fact it’s unlike most books you’ve probably read. To say I loved this book is an understatement. It’s both philosophical and pedestrian, but all heart.

I’m the antithesis of Margo and I was rooting for her and her unconventional societal life choices and I think you will too. MGMT is an unflinching tale of female empowerment and of incredible character growth. I was thrown a bit when the narration switches from first to third person, but the more you read the more used to it you get and the more you understand it. It’s also quite meta.

MGMT doesn’t shy away from taboo or difficult topics. In fact, they’re at the forefront. By embracing teenage pregnancy/single motherhood, OnlyFans, addictions, abuse of power, financial insecurity, and societal expectations MGMT helps to shed light and provide an understanding of these topics, and more, in a relatable way. I gained a lot of empathy and knowledge of how unfair and unrealistic the current public assistance and daycare programs are towards people who work and/or want to work, but don’t fit into the traditional nine to five workday.

Even though you might not be dealing with any of these issues, you most certainly know someone who has. If nothing else, you’ll learn something, whether it’s about OnlyFans, professional wrestlers/wrestling, what it means to have to choose between feeding your kid or losing them ... hopefully you’ll finish MGMT and not be so quick to judge that of which you don’t know.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a book that begins with a girl full of promise who then proceeds to ruin her life only to reclaim it on her terms. Margo is a badass feminist who doesn’t even realize it and I love her for it and I hope you do too. I highly recommend you give it a read. Margo’s Got Money Troubles is also an excellent choice for book clubs.

All of that being said, MGMT is not going to be for everyone. I do caution those of you who are unflinching in your devout Christian beliefs either not pick this one up or go in knowing MGMT might be shocking to you. But know this, all of the religious references - and there aren’t many - only emphasize empathy and love, which is the backbone of all religions. So remember that as you judge Margo for her choices and thoughts.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the digital ARC of Margo’s Got Money Troubles

*I just noticed, as I typed this, that the acronym is an abbreviation for management, which is entirely apropos.

3.5 stars

This is such an unexpected quirky and original coming of age story with some very mature elements as well. A very clever premise executed well, although I did not personally enjoy the alternating points of view.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Margo has more than money troubles! Pregnant, living in an apartment with college roommates, and forced to leave college her life is in total flux - and stays that way through the entire book. The cast of characters is strong in this book and while I truly didn't LIKE any of them, I kinda liked all of them at the same time. They were real and they were flawed. I went from wanted to slap Margo, her mom, and her dad to wanting to hug them. Even her mom! Face it, sometimes you've got to look after yourself. Margo was a strong, smart character.

Many reviewers said they laughed out loud. I did not have that reaction.

I would recommend this to new adult readers who can connect with the social media side of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was unlike anything I have ever read. The absolutely gripping plot was grounded in such realism, and I felt so immediately present in the story. Margo's life was thoroughly captivating, and Thorpe did an incredible job at making not only Margo but all side characters feel important and necessary. I had assumed this would be another "depressed young woman" novel, but Margo's Got Money Troubles had so much more heart. The sudden relationship with her absent father, Jinx, was especially heartwarming. With such a triumphant ending, this is a book that had me full of hope and love when I read the last page. This book did not shy away from the dregs of American poverty, and was an excellent portrait of young motherhood. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone.

I will post an additional review on instagram (linked below) closer to publication date.