This was a lovely story made more beautiful by the authors way of writing. Heartwarming and engaging. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

This book went somewhat viral last year. At least within my circles. It wasn’t a quick read for me but something inbetween my other reading.

Maame was an excellent and engaging debut novel from Jessica George. I will definitely be looking out for future books from her

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a wonderful debut that was had a rich plot and vibrant characters.

Maddie is stuck between two worlds in a sense. Her mother spends most of her time in Ghana and she is the primary caretaker of her father with Parkinson's in London. She is trying to move out and be on her own, but she is feeling guilty for not caring for her father properly.

There are many disagreements between mother and daughter in this story and they come together after a major life event to be honest with one another.

There are many different layers to this novel that touch on big topics such as racism and family dynamics.

"Maame" by Jessica George is an exceptional book that left a lasting impression on me from start to finish, I was captivated by the story and the profound impact it had on my emotions. This book is an absolute gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to readers of all genres.

I really enjoyed this book! It was one of my book club's selections for last year and we had a great discussion.

3.5 stars !

“ Sometimes I think of love as pieces of one heart. I love someone, I break off a piece and give it to them. There are not so many because that way each piece is substantial, but without a doubt, my dad has one of the biggest pieces I have and will ever give. It cannot be replaced. It is his forever.”


This is a Emotional well written story, coming from age story. I liked the writing style ,the character and overall storyline.

Maame is heartfelt, insightful, funny, devastating, and hopeful all at the same time. Author Jessica George delves into the complexities of identity, family, and the search for belonging, as the protagonist Maddie navigates a challenging life in London, where she cares for her father battling advanced stage Parkinson's while juggling a demanding job and the complexities of being the only Black person in her workplace. Throughout the novel, Maddie works towards changing her path while facing unexpected setbacks, tragedy, and betrayals.

"Maame" is a moving and thought-provoking read that resonates with readers on a deeply emotional level. George's skillful storytelling and vivid character development make Maddie's journey one that readers will not soon forget. It is a book that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and friendship in overcoming life's challenges.

An emotional book that I had a hard time putting down. The main character was easy to care about and I related to situation because my mother has Parkinson's Disease just like Maddie's dad. Maddie has so many things that stress her out at such a young age and yet she holds herself together pretty well. She is definitely a people pleaser and needs to take more time to care for herself. She did not have much of a childhood thanks to her dad's health problems and the instability of her mom. I felt for Maddie throughout this book.

The writing is thought provoking and very realistic. Though the pace started out a bit slow I was thoroughly invested by the middle and very satisfied with the ending. I highly recommend this heartfelt book. This is a stunning debut for Jessica George, and I look forward to reading many more of her books!

I have voluntarily written an honest review and am very grateful to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this beautiful book.

I loved this book. A coming of age novel about a women who is experiencing all the things (racism, sexism, grief, family drama, romance, etc.). This is one of the best books of 2023.

A daughter is the one who holds down the family when the mother is away. But should she have to be the main caretaker of her father? Dealing with his doctor's appointments and making sure he is eating and getting exercise, so his disease does not destroy him. When she decides to take some time for herself, the inexplicable happens.

This is a great book about families and the relationships between mother/daughter, daughter/father, brother/sister, and husband/wife.

Many thanks to NetGalley for a free early review copy.

Loved the perspective of a new-adult immigrant woman - so different from my own. Loved the perspective of losing a dad - so similar to my own. The main character is young, sheltered, ignorant, and innocent all at the same time. Her decisions are frustrating to watch, but she does learn and grow. I suspect this is a book I'll be thinking about for a while.

Absolutely loved this novel - what a beautiful, breathtaking story - and it landed in my top ten for 2023. I am hopeful that the author will publish more of her work in the near future but, until then, I cannot recommend this one enough!

Thank you St. Martin Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC of the book.

This book describes Maddie's journey as she moves out of her childhood house, changes her job and starts dating.
It was one of those books where I wanted to hug the protagonist because I felt that she wasn't heard and seen by many people in her life. Even though it was a tough journey to find herself and her own voice, I enjoyed following her journey.
Jessica's writing style is beautiful and poetic.

Maame by Jessica George was one of my favorite reads of 2023. I was delighted to discover a new author to love, and I was captivated by George's storytelling. Following Maddie's journey of self-discovery was one beautiful ride.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

This is an amazing novel of love and family, loyalty and setting boundaries, sadness and joy in unexpected place. I was slow to read this novel but it gave so much more than I expected. A amazing debut work, the writing is poignant. We can all relate to the situations the main character finds herself in as she navigates her life as a young adult getting out on her own. The guilt involved in forging your own life away from that of your family and the consequences of bad decisions. I loved this book and look forward to the author’s next work. Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for providing me with an ARC.

Breathtaking book, really surprised me with how deeply moved I felt while reading it. Having neglectful parents myself, this was a book that hit close to home, but instead of hurting, it felt healing.

The book was okay; I'm not sure why it got such hype....maybe I'm not the demographic that should be reading or would be raving about this. I didn't find myself liking the main character as she seemed somewhat ridiculous. I understand that the book is kind-of a "coming of age/ self-discovery" story, but there was SO MUCH going on that it was very disjointed and I couldn't track why certain things were even in the story line as it didn't advanced the story.

After accepting this read on a whim, I'm glad I finally picked it up. Although I did find a few of the character's traits naive and a little immature for 25, I did enjoy the message about struggles with life in your twenties and all the relationships that come with it. There were several moments that brought me to tears and appreciating my own relationship with my parents. Overall, it was a decent read.

Maame by Jessica George is a well-written coming-of-age story that is both sad and charming. 20-something Maddie is wise beyond her years and deals with some tough issues like grief, depression, family, self-growth, guilt, regrets, and starting over. Such a heartfelt and compelling story. I look forward to more from Jessica George! Thank you to #NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Jessica George for the digital ARC. Opinions expressed are completely my own.