Member Reviews

This is unlike any book I have read before. However, it is definitely a real world example of what could be going on next door.
There were moments where I laughed out loud and times I was cringing at how naive Margo was.

Definitely kept me interested because you just didn’t know what was going to happen next.

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Margo's in trouble. After an affair with her English professor and resulting surprise pregnancy, she decides to drop out of college to raise the child that no one wants her to have. Without adequate childcare, she loses her job and needs to make money fast before getting evicted from her apartment. Turning to OnlyFans for cash, she finds a way to channel the creativity she once poured into her writing into a paying job, all while trying to fight for custody, fend off child services, and keep her employment a secret.

Margo's Got Money Troubles is the kind of heartwarming story that becomes more endearing because of the struggles faced by the protagonist. The more you see her rise to the challenge of young motherhood on her own, the more you root for her to succeed. For almost every decision that Margo made, I found myself choosing the opposite. But, like her parents and friends, I came to respect that she's capable of living her life without my blessing. The writing in this book is insightful and interesting and shines a light on the double standard exacted on women and mothers.

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TL;DR: I mean, no surprise, I LOVED LOVED LOVED the latest book from Rufi Thorpe, she who brought us one of darkest, funniest books of the pandemic, 2020’s THE KNOCKOUT QUEEN. She’s back, this time with Margo and her money problems, a struggling single mom who ends up on OnlyFans trying to make ends meet. The book is raw and funny and emotional and heartbreaking and did I mention my stomach hurt from laughing? I loved these characters so much, in particular the relationship between Margo and her estranged father and washed-up former professional wrestler Jinx. If I had any issues with the book, I wish there was a scene that wrapped up Margo’s storyline with her mother Shyanne, but overall, this book is excellent.

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4.5 stars - rounded up to 5! This book managed to be heart-warming, funny, while also containing sentences and social commentary that took my breath away.

Margo, a community college student, finds herself pregnant after a short affair with her married professor. When her single mother and the child's father both encourage her to abort the pregnancy, she finds herself determined to keep and raise the child. Due to a unforeseen set of circumstances, she finds herself living with her former-pro-wrestler father, raising a newborn, and making ends meet by running an OnlyFans page that becomes ultra-successful after she collaborates with other OnlyFans creators on a comedic series that goes viral on TikTok. In the meantime, she also finds herself at the center of battles both legal and personal wit her parents, father of her child, and the government.

While this novel warmed my heart and made me laugh, I found it's impact was most profound in how it depicted how difficult the system makes it for single mothers to not only provide and raise their children, but to do so without judgement. This story made me want to be a little kinder and open-minded which I think the world could use more of these days.

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Rufi Thorpe's "Margo’s Got Money Troubles" is a captivating and humorous exploration of a young woman's struggle to carve out a place for herself in a world that seems determined to make things difficult. Thorpe's storytelling shines through her portrayal of Margo, a character who is both endearing and incredibly real. Margo’s journey from a naïve college student to a savvy entrepreneur is portrayed with a blend of humor and raw honesty. The novel's strength lies in its ability to balance comedic elements with poignant observations about the challenges of modern life. Margo’s interactions with her estranged father Jinx, whose wrestling background brings an unexpected layer to their relationship, provide both comic relief and emotional depth. Thorpe’s writing is sharp and perceptive, capturing the absurdities and triumphs of Margo’s unconventional path. The narrative explores the complexities of internet fame and personal branding with both wit and sensitivity, raising questions about authenticity and the cost of success. "Margo’s Got Money Troubles" is more than just a tale of financial desperation; it’s an empowering story about taking control of one’s narrative and finding strength in unexpected places. Through Margo's trials and triumphs, Thorpe delivers a thoughtful and entertaining read that resonates with anyone who has ever struggled to make their mark in a world that often feels indifferent. In conclusion, Rufi Thorpe's latest novel is a delightful and insightful read, brimming with humor and heart. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience required to overcome the obstacles life throws at us.

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This was an absolute delight. The premise is absolutely off the wall, 19 year old college student Margot has an affair with her professor, gets pregnant, drops out of college and starts an OnlyFans account to pay the bills. But there are so many other quirky characters that spice it up. Her mother, who seems to mean well, but is caught up in her own world. Her ex pro-wrestler dad who struggles with drugs and fidelity, her lovely roommate Suzie and the many other people she interacts with because of OnlyFans.

This was not my normal book choice, but it was laugh out loud funny and so immensely heartwarming. Great read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this title!

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Huge thank you to @williammorrow @librofm and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This audio narrated by Elle Fanning is so entertaining.
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Let me start off by saying this is going to be a new tv series on AppleTv and there was a bidding war before the book even came out. It’s being adapted by David E Kelley and executive produced by Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning. This alone had me so excited!
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Now the book when described sounds straight up bananas, but I loved it. Margot and is a twenty year old single mom and the daughter of an ex-Hooters waitress and ex-Pro-wrestler. She is running out of money fast. When her dad, Jinx shows up at her door asking to move in she agrees. She’s never lived with him before and he can help with childcare, but she still needs to solve her money issue. She experimentally creates an OnlyFans page and money starts coming in. Her dad was a Heel in wrestling (bad guy) so she starts to take his advice and her “character” on OnlyFans becomes more popular but with more popularity comes its own set of problems. This book is highly entertaining, wierd, and funny with a colorful cast of characters and I loved it. I cannot wait to watch this series!
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This storyline was not what I was expecting. I ended up listening to the audiobook version which was really well done. The narration held my attention and I couldn't stop listening. This is definitely a unique read but it was refreshing to read a different storyline.

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I'm a little bit stunned that I was moved by a book about Only Fans content creation. First of all...it's not just about that, and in many ways it is deep. I expected some fluff and got quit a bit more. I enjoyed the exploration of complicated family relationships, friends who are family, and support from those you least expect it to come from, Really enjoyed this one!

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Loved this! Do yourself a favor and don't read the blurb from the publisher and here on Goodreads, it went in blind knowing that The Knockout Queen was excellent so when offered an advanced readers copy I grabbed it, never reading what it's actually about. All I will say is it's well written and funny. Great main character who I was totally invested in. I can't compare this to any other book, I'll just say if you want a realistic mostly feel good book check this one out.

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Calling it now: MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES is 100% of the best books of 2024.

This novel was one of my most anticipated: I’ve love Rufi Thorpe’s previous work (If you haven’t read THE KNOCKOUT QUEEN, I strongly suggest you remedy that quickly) and the themes of this one—money, motherhood, social media—are things I deeply enjoy reading about.

Margo, a 20-year-old college student, gives birth to her English professor’s baby. Although their affair is over and Mark wants nothing to do with her, Margo decides to keep the baby. As she begins to financially struggle, she decides to create an OnlyFans account that can allow her to stay home with her infant son while supporting her new family. What surprises her is the level in which her father—a professional wrestler who is newly out of rehab—wants to be involved in her life, from taking care of Bodhi to helping her with her fledgling business.

What a masterpiece! This was an easy 5 ⭐️ read. When you read as much as I do, it’s easy to feel like you’ve read everything out there. I can assure you that you’ve never read a book with a) such a unique premise that b) manages to be equal parts thought-provoking, hilarious and emotional that’s c) written this damn well. I mean, the VOICE in here is astounding.

You’ll fall hard and fast for Margo, even when she makes terrible decisions. She’s earnest but her characterization never feels saccharine—she’s a 20 year old girl, so of course she makes mistakes. Everything about her is so endearing and I know she’ll be a character I think of often. She’s not the only character you’ll root for. Margo’s dad Jinx makes some DEEPLY frustrating decisions, but he remains so lovable.

Where this book absolutely SHINES is in its exploration of who is fit to be a parent. On paper, many would think Margo’s life is riddled with red flags, but as you read on, you check your own biases. She has an OnlyFans that allows her to provide for her child in ways she could only imagine, so why does that make her a seemingly unfit parent?

Such an impressive novel. I can’t stop thinking about it. If you go buy anything I recommend, make it this one!

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I'm not sure how exactly I want to rate this, I mean I guess overall I enjoyed the book but I didn't love it. The characters were okay, jinx grew on me and everything but it just felt too far away from me, maybe it was the narrator perspective shifting or maybe just the culture is so different from my experience but I felt detached from it. 3.5 stars

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this rocked beyond my wildest guesses. so quirky, so funny, so one of a kind: everything thesse weirdo characters did was unpredictable, and yet somehow they felt so real, and i cared about them and their relationships and their bizarre plans.

i will say the thing that keeps this from a 5 star is the fact that the baby at the core of the plot mostly feels like some sort of nearby puppet, in that his name is mentioned a lot but i don't really get his vibe. but that's fine too. i just have baby fever.

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"What the f***is Goodreads?" is a quote from this novel that should make it an instant purchase. Margot is a well-rounded character and the story's development compliments the growth. Sex work is a well-discussed topic in the book, along with the trials and tribulations of motherhood.

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This is delicious snack of a book! 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗢𝗧'𝗦 𝗚𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗦 has a lot of the same characteristics as a great fry - it's crispy and salty on the outside with its cheeky plot and clever banter, but also has a wonderfully soft (and heartwarming) center. And like the best french fries, you can't just have a taste - once you start, you can't get enough.

Thanks to William Morrow for the copy to review.

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☆☆☆☆½

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

From the very meta, and incredibly on point opening, to the full circle ending, Margo's Got Money Troubles is a book I knew I would probably like, but ended up loving.

After having an affair with her professor and then getting pregnant and having a baby, Margo tries to navigate her new life as a 20 year old mom with a very complicated family, no money, and the world stacked against her (and every single woman like her). Switching between first and third person to tell her own story, we watch as Margo flips the tables on the world and takes control of her path through OnlyFans and love and determination.

It's brutally heartfelt, entertaining, hilarious, sometimes sad, but always real.

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A funny, tender, smart novel about the curves life throws at you. I loved the voice here--snappy and wise all at once. A fun, introspective read.

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I loved this book! The author expertly crafted extremely flawed characters in an extremely sympathetic light. Will recommend to friends!

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Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Although, I loved the sample so much that I bought it before I won the ARC. It was an unique story and much of it I enjoyed, but I as a Gen X, I really wasn't into the OnlyFans and Camgirl creative way of making money. The robot sex work was just a little out there for me.

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Margo’s got money troubles by Rufi Thorpe was a super fun, wildly unique ride. The character development was great and Margo is so likable and relatable. Wonderful written and relevant, another good one from Rufi Thorpe!

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