This was interesting and thought provoking. It was written in different POVs periodically, I think to show the difference in writing styles that Margo learned about in Mark's class. However it was a bit disconcerting. Overall, a great book following Margo's journey and one that really got me frustrated with Margo's mother, the CPS system and the unfairness of the entire parenting process. I also really hated Mark and his inability to be something other than a responsible adult as well as the fact that he is of the mindset of Only Fans being inappropriate sex work to support his child that he managed to extricate himself from. Overall, great read and fantastic book that really pulled you in!

A young woman with a newborn and a contentious relationship with the baby's father decides to start an OnlyFans, with the help of her new roommate: her long-absent, fresh-out-of-rehab, former pro-wrestler dad. What could go wrong, you say? Well, actually, let's think about what could go RIGHT.

This is a tender reflection on the complications of family and love. It was an inverse of what I think of as an "ennui girl book" (Nobody, Somebody, Anybody ; My Year of Rest and Relaxation ; Sad Janet ; etc. - all books I loved, for the record): Margo - thoughtful, emotional, and often afraid - cares a whole lot about doing the right thing - for herself and for her son - and about standing by those she loves and who have helped her. You root for her ceaselessly. I was more on edge during this book than I ever was with the last thriller I read: I couldn't stand the thought of things not turning out all right for Margo!

I loved the windows into the emotional reality of motherhood Thorpe offered here, and that they didn't consume the narrative. The glimpses were slim and extremely pointed, encapsulating the reality of so much love, pain, fear, and desperation in just a few lines. Well done! I'll be looking into Thorpe's backlist for sure.

Many thanks to the publisher + NetGalley for the ARC! This book - and several others with hot pink covers - releases this Spring: June 11. I liked it enough that I've already pre-ordered my copy!

I really think the "new adult" genre has a lot for those in their late teens and early twenties, and I think Rufi Thorpe's newest novel MARGO'S GOT MONEY TROUBLES fits perfectly into this space.

Margo has an affair with her professor, and she ends up pregnant. Wanting to keep the baby and with the baby's father not wanting anything to do with her, she drops out of college and starts an OnlyFans account on a lark to pay the bills after her lack of childcare makes almost all other jobs untenable. Her mother has been dysfunctional her whole life, and she's obsessed with her new guy and won't look after her son. Then her father from the pro wrestling world, who she has never had a relationship with, comes to try to find a place to live after he got of rehab. Margo is trying to get by as she lives with her father, her roommate Suzie, her new baby boy Bodhi and tries to establish herself on OnlyFans and TikTok. She does meet a man named "Jelly Bean" who becomes her highest-paying fan.

While there is an extensive deep dive on OnlyFans and the monetizing of social media, which I found interesting, I'm not sure it will resonate with all readers. There is quite a bit of drug recovery and the intricacy of Child Protective Services investigations, and I also found this educational. I've never seen this assortment of topics in a novel together before, but they served the greater purpose of Margo finding her purpose in the world.

Margo is a resilient character who you want to root for, and I really developed a fondness for her father Jinx as well. Pick up this novel if you like new adult novels and don't find OnlyFans objectionable.

Wow. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. When Margo’s college professor gets her pregnant, a surprisingly heartwarming journey ensues. This book tackles sex work and feminism in such an illuminating way. The larger than life characters throughout this book really make it something special. I could not recommend this more highly.

Do you ever have lines from a book stick with you for days? I literally cannot stop thinking about this book stating that the internet is like trying to have a nice dinner party in hell. A perfect description from a nearly perfect book.

Although the story line isn't appropriate for all ages, this novel is well-written. It shows the trials that a young single mother goes through to earn a living and provide for her child. Daycare is too expensive, bosses cannot deal with employees who cannot work because of their child care issues, and roommates leave due to the crying baby. With her options limited, Margo decided to post nude pictures of herself on an internet site. She is making money, but may lose custody of her baby because of this and the fact that her father, who is struggling with a drug problem, is now living with her. Just when Margo thinks things cannot get worse, the absent father files for custody and Child Protective Services receives a complaint from Margo's mother. The big question is what does Margo have to do to keep her baby and earn enough money to provide for him.

Got this book as an ARC from Goodreads. I really enjoyed this book! It’s a modern day, quirky story of a struggling young mother. The book goes into the deep relationships between the narrator, Margo and her parents. I did enjoy learning about Margo’s father, Jinx- but felt that many of the wrestling rants and stories didn’t add much. Jinx’s relapse did come at the right time in the story, but the relationship between jinx and Margo post relapse almost felt unrealistic and too good to be true. I’d say the book is three stars for me just because I wasn’t super interested in the wrestling story lines, and would’ve loved to hear more about Margo’s personal life. Again, I do think this book will be a great hit, and think the story line is unique.

I was really excited to read this book. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story just didn't pull me in but, I did like that character of Margo and especially Jinx. If you want a story of a young woman making a place for herself in the world, then this is s story for you!

I'm struggling with how to review this book. I liked the overall story it told of women in society and the social judgement against women that own their power and make a living on their own terms . But the story didn't grab me and pull me in.

This absolutely ripped! Thorpe took a big swing on the alternating first and third person POVs of the same character (plus all the fourth wall breaking!), but overall it really worked for me. Kayfabe, image making, and “reality” are all absolute catnip topics for me, though, so your mileage may vary. Oh, and the last line is tattoo-worthy.

Just wow. This was funny and profound and pure joy to read. I love how Thorpe took this idea of the things people do for money and turned it on its head. And the result is love and acceptance.

There are so many ways to show love, compassion, and kindness and I think Thorpe, through each character, showed us so many facets to create a complex and well built world for our entertainment. I hope this wins awards.

I was attracted to tthis book by the title and the cover. I thought it would be a light, frivolous read. Instead I found a book filled with wonderful, flawed, loveable characters.

I don't want to go into much detail regarding the plot due to the possibility of spoilers. Suffice to say the main character, Margo, starts as a very naive 19 year old, gradually metamorphasizing into an self confident young adult.

The author shines by creating a cast of quirky characters but Margo shines brightest of all.

The author tackles some women's issues but in no way preaches.

I plan on reading more of the author's books very soon.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was such a unique book and one that will stay with me for awhile. I felt like it rawly approached some subjects that you don't see in other books and was completely relatable in ways that I didn't think it could be. Definitely one to check out and I can see this one being popular once it publishes later this year. Would love to see what the author comes out with next. Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this one!

I was drawn in by the description of the book, and am glad I was. This is a very interesting read and also very comical at times. Thought provoking and also time appropriate. Enjoy the read.

I've read all of Rufi Thorpe's novels and this one absolutely did not disappoint. I was hooked from the first page and devoured this book in a day. Thorpe has an amazing ability to write such flawed
and truly human characters yet you still want to hear their story and root for them. I loved Margo's dad in a heart aching sort of way. This story will not be what you expect in all the best ways. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC!

I liked the book and thought the premise was interesting, but I felt like some things were skimmed over in Margo's relationships with the other people in her life. I also found the perspective changes at the beginning of the book a bit confusing, and it was hard to discern the narrator's position in the story at times.

I really enjoyed this one! Margo is a funny, observant, spunky character I really enjoyed following on her journey. She starts the book as a naive, insecure young girl and becomes a smart, capable woman with a strong sense of self along the way. While the characters are quirky and the subject matter can be challenging, I found the overall book very heartwarming and earnest. I also thought Thorpe did a great job covering young motherhood, sex work, and found family; she really challenges you to examine your preconceived notions and think about life from a different perspective. I would definitely recommend this one to contemporary fiction fans!

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Rufi Thorpe for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

4.5⭐️

I legit felt sad when this book ended. The story consumed me; the characters felt so real! Thorpe does a brilliant job of weaving in complex subject matter like infidelity, single-parent life, sex work, addiction, emotionally immature parents, harm reduction, fact vs fiction, self-advocacy, and... wrestling?!?! into a light-hearted, perfectly-paced novel. I'm beyond thankful to Thorpe for showing harm reduction and science-based recovery in action. A+ book. Can't wait for the series!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this Margo!

I’m gonna preface this review by saying, this book isn’t going to be for everyone. The main character starts an OF account because of money issues. So do with that information what you will. (But I honestly didn’t know I’d be so charmed by a 20 year old giving a pokemon description of body parts so there’s that haha)

But I am utterly fascinated by this book. One, the use of first person and third person throughout but knowing that it’s all coming from Margo is wild. I mean she even acknowledges it, sometimes it’s easier to write about myself in third person. Such a subtle detail, but it’s real.

Also, the way this story is written is raw and feels like truth. Like I’ve never been 19 years old and knocked up with a baby so do I know how that feels? No. But was a very clear picture painted for me and described in such a way that I could feel it? Yes.

It’s a very human story told in a very human way and even if I couldn’t relate, it resonated with me. It’s the struggle of being a woman and how the world perceives you and you can’t win no matter what you do. Also, this was surprisingly less graphic than you would expect a book about a girl who starts an OnlyFans account to be. It’s in there, but it’s not super descriptive.

Unfortunately, I had to put this one down after a few pages. I couldn't connect to Margot's character and what she was doing. I was a bit turned off by it all.
Though I hope another reader can find enjoyment in the book.

This is going to be the best book an awful lot of people read this year. I would not be surprised at all if I am one of them. Hilarious, touching, unexpected, and completely original - I stayed up late reading and loved every minute.