I’m embarrassed it took me so long to finally read this one, but man, was it good! Once I started, I tore through it. Rufi Thorpe is a talented writer and this novel is unique in structure (I loved the mix of first and third person), original in plot and premise (college student is impregnated by her professor, has the baby, bonds with formerly absent father, become an onlyfans star? but it’s so much more than just that lol), and just so funny and delightful. Highly recommend!

Margo was one of the most wildly enjoyable books I've read in a long time. It packed so much nuance into a plot that managed to be both entertaining and heartfelt. The way this book reframed how we as a society think about women, shame, and what makes a family was done without being preachy or in your face with its messaging. I found myself rooting for certain characters because they just simply deserved it (and being so defeated when others couldn't see the reality of the circumstances because of their systemic beliefs).

My book club ended up reading this together, and it was unanimously well received. It was as challenging and rich with topics to discuss as it was readable and fun.

I thought this book had a lot of modern charm. Margo was a likeable character! I wasn’t as enamored as other readers, but I found the story quite enjoyable.

Margo is a college student in a relationship with a professor, Mark. They conceive a child and Margo’s life completely changes. After Mark wants no involvement, Margo decides to raise her son, Bodhi, alone. But a baby with three roommates is an untenable situation so once two of them move out, Margo suddenly has to figure out how to cover 3/4 of the rent.

The novel is narrated in a mix of first and third person points of view. I enjoyed this technique as it gave a more complete picture of Margo and her reality. The author is witty so it was fun to read this book. I got drawn into Margo’s world and was hoping to see her come out on top despite her struggles. The characters were definitely not all lovable. In fact, I had strong negative feelings about several of them, another way I was drawn into and invested in this book. The characters were well developed by the conclusion, and their actions tracked for their histories and traits.

Beneath the laughs, there were serious topics explored: reproductive rights, the role of women in society and the expectations we are held to, and addiction issues to name a few. This is the first book I have read by Thorpe, who authored three other books to much critical acclaim. I am going to add them to my TBR list - I like Thorpe’s ability to write about a heavy situation but still have lightness and humor. I really liked this novel and would definitely recommend it.

This was an ok read. I did have trouble connecting to most of the characters and the plot.
I thought Margo made a lot of naive and bad decisions but I have to give her credit for doing what she has to in order to provide for her child. She did have a lot of pluck.
Mark was a fiend and a jerk and I disliked his character.
Jinx had his flaws but I thought he was more supportive of Margo than her mother was.
One thing I didn’t like about the book was the switching back and forth from 1st person to 3rd person narration without any warning. It maybe the prose clunky.

Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with a free copy of this book.

This was so lovely and odd. I've never read a book like this, and I really enjoyed it. Against all odds, I ended up loving Margo and how she had to fend for herself and her baby. I was rooting for her the entire time, despite the fact that we are very much different people.

Margo is young and smart, but her life gets turned upside down when she gets pregnant while having an affair with her community college professor. She decides to keep the baby and that's where the adventures begin. Margo needs money - she can't waitress without childcare. Could she start doing OnlyFans? Her dad, a former professional wrestler with plenty of his own problems, moves in with her and a roommate. Together the three of them - and the baby - form quite a team. This was unexpected, a bit wild, and ultimately heartwarming.

Very quirky and well written story. Not for everyone, but I loved Margo and her ability to deal with life on her own terms. It was odd, and I went in blind not really knowing too much about it.

Margo was raised by a single mom with her Professional Wrestling affiliated father showing up when he could fit her in around his wife and their kids. So naturally she fell for her married college professor and started a torrid affair. When she got pregnant, the professor bailed and she was left to figure out how to support herself and their son. Her mother was not much help since she was dating a pastor who served as a youth minister. Rufi Thorpe created characters in Margo's Got Money Troubles that scream for an adaptation and A24 and AppleTV answered the call. The book was a fun romp, especially for anyone with a history with the WWE. It is a little spicy in spots!

Margo is 19 when she gets pregnant with her married literature professor's baby. She decides to be a single mother only to realize that she really has "ruined her life": she loses her job because she can't find childcare, two of her roommates move out because they can't handle living with a newborn, and her mom is focused on her own new relationship with a judgmental youth pastor. So, Margo does what many women, young and old, have done to get by: she turns to sex work (in her case, OF). Her dad also shows up and moves in. He's got his own issues - he just got out of rehab and is going through a divorce of his own, since his wife finally decided she had enough. It's a blessing in many ways, since he is great with babies, loves cleaning and cooking, and Margo has wanted a closer relationship with him for years. Incidentally (well, not incidental to the substance abuse), he's a semi-retired professional wrestler, so he has great ideas to help with her OF persona and how to market herself as a commodity.

The book is about Margo and her specific situation, but it's also about art and artificiality and authenticity. This is highlighted by the alternating first and third person POV (they're all Margo, but still), Margo's flashbacks to her literature course (which also help explain why she had an affair with her prof even though he's objectively a sleazeball), and her father's love for his own profession, despite the toll it has taken on his health and personal relationships.

I flew through this: the writing is accessible, but still broaches deeper issues. Also I cried?? At a really weird part??? (Crying at a book isn't unusual for me, but I was still surprised at what exactly provoked the tears.) While this is not a romance novel, there is a very satisfying non-romantic HEA. I highly recommend this one.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Being an adult is hard and that is what this story is about. Told with wit and humor, this story kept me turning pages. It was an enjoyable read and I don't know why I kept putting off reading it. Maybe it was the cover? Overall, a cute read and I will check out more by this author!
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this book not only was it entertaining it really makes you rethink how you view sex workers, cam girls and only fans creators. I could not put this book down finished it in just over a day. The writing was fun and thought provoking and I loved the wrestling references throughout! This is my first book from this author but really look forward to reading more from her in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is one of the most charming, human stories I’ve read in a long time. I laughed, I cried, I shoved it in a million people’s hands immediately. The cover and buzz around this book is in some ways misleading; it may come off as messy/sad girl lit, or as being too filled with modern youthful archetypes (e.g., TikTok, OnlyFans, affairs with older men) to be widely relatable, but there’s so much more to this book than meets the eye.

Margo is such a unique protagonist, both naive and insightful, still figuring it out but incredibly street smart. I think this book is best enjoyed when you’re surprised by its depth and commentary, so I won’t say much except that there are so many layers to this book so buckle up. Rufi Thorpe created such a multi-dimensional, flawed, lovable cast of characters, and explored a lot of topics that people may shy away from in a nonjudgmental, curious way. The narrative structure is similarly unique, and matches the voice of our simultaneously messy and controlled Margo. I deeply loved living in this world for a bit, alternating humor and philosophical questions, and even though this book certainly had its moment this summer, I think it’s a must-read for anyone looking to sneak some more hits in before 2024 is up. Thanks so much @williammorrowbooks and @netgalley for my copy!

Margot's Got Money Troubles is a hilarious and also heartwarming story that I couldn't put down! The writing was so original, and I have never read anything like this before. A touching story that also involves OnlyFans?! Who would have thought! Definitely recommend this one!

I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I greatly appreciate it!

This book is a slice of real life, and it challenges the reader to question the societal issues of motherhood and a mother’s choice of occupation. Not only does it portray the trials a single mother has to endure on a daily basis, but it also presents the struggle of a mother trying to keep the State from taking her child away when she has done nothing wrong. While "Margo’s Got Money Troubles" is a fictional story, there are so many women who are living that life, trying to be the best mothers they can be no matter what life throws at them. I genuinely enjoyed this unique story, and it gave me a newfound respect for mothers who hustle in unconventional ways!

This was an interesting premise and felt like a romping adventure with an extra quirk. After a questionable affair with her college professor, Margo finds herself pregnant with roommates and she decides to raise the baby alone. She decides to start an OnlyFans and channel the persona she's learned from her Ex-Pro Wrestler dad, Jinx.

Thorpe did a really good job of making her characters quirky without being cliched, and flawed without losing charm. They felt familiar and like they could be friends.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful and original story this was! Margo is a 19 year old college student who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a brief affair with her college professor. Her romantic thoughts about motherhood prove to be completely different from harsh, stark reality. Her motley crew of helpers including her wrestler, drug addict father and good natured roommate Suzie were incredibly endearing. I thought that Margo's unorthodox methods of finding work to support herself and her infant son were totally relatable and believable. A surprising gem! Loved this book

Love, love, love! From reading the synopsis I was expecting something much different from this novel. However, it was a pleasant surprise. While some of us may never find ourselves in the same position as an Only Fans model or a pro wrestler, Rufi Thorpe does a great job of humanizing both professions and lets us in on the behind the scenes of what it's like to work in those professions.

fun feel-good novel about a fun feel-good protagonist with excellent and immaculate vibes. would totally recommend A+

This was a delightful read. I couldn’t get enough of the unique characters and I loved the messaging. At first I thought having multiple POV was weird, but it grew on me. Hoping Margo gets a sequel!