It took awhile for me to get into this book, but once I did, I had to finish. I really grew to love Maddie and to try to understand her. I hate when girls are taken advantage of by their families and left to take care of everyone else. Which is what happened to Maddie and now she is trying to find her place in the world. It doesn't help her mother is absent but somehow still overbearing. Her brother is no help. And after losing her father, she is trying to be a better daughter to him. Once Maddie starts opening up about her feelings and her loss, her family starts opening up as well and she sees a whole new side of them which helps the reader dislike them a little less as well. Maddie does have good friends in Nia and Shu to help her through boy problems, family problems, work issues, and her grief. The way grief is portrayed is so real. Maddie's grief comes and goes in waves and any progress she thinks she makes sometimes slips away and she has to keep going. After reading The Rachel Incident and Adelaide, this was a beautiful edition to the genre. The writing is so sincere, I could not distinguish between Maddie and her writer, Jessica George. I can't wait to read more from George!

Absolute must read with a narrator on the audio version that brings thr story to vibrant life.

I loved depth and vulnerability to Maddie’s journey, and felt every heartbreak and triumph woven with rich reflections of her Ghanaian upbringing.

An incredible coming of age story I just could not get enough of. Chalk full of emotion and hope, this definitely was not an easy read, but it was so worth the emotional turmoil I went through reading it. It left me raw, but in a good way.

I loved the characters, they just felt so real. I thought they were developed to begin with and they just became even more real as the story went on. As a character driven reader, I absolutely loved this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Excuse me while I wipe the tears so I can see what I'm writing ... whew

For some, this may not hit that close to home or be relatable, but for others it will. How many of us feel isolated and alone even when we supposedly have people who love us and care about us? Or feel like we have to do it all and make sure everyone else is happy first? I bet there are quite a few who feel this way. For a long time I was one of them ...

Man my heart...Maddie (Maame) is such a great character. Her innocence, strength, determination and quietness are showcased so well and the fact that she is introverted and doesn't like to speak up had my soul hurting. I FELT all of that. I cried a lot during this one.

There is a lot that I could relate to with Maddie and her thoughts. Even the parts that I haven't had to deal with yet left a mark. All around good read, while at the same time sad. Definitely recommend for those that want a solid and serious read that tugs at the heartstrings.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

🌺Maame - the coming-of-age story of late-blooming Maddie, caught between her Ghana roots and her London life. It's impossible not to cheer for her as she stumbles a lot yet finds her way in romance, career, family and friendship.. Especially impressive since this is a debut. Liked it a lot!

Maame has several meanings in Twi but when applied to Maddie it means woman and oh boy, does she have to grow up quickly. She becomes the primary carer for her father who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease while her mother spends most of her time working in Ghana. Even from a distance her mother rules the roost and is an expert in the art of manipulation and less tour and more force. When her mother returns home for a while Maddie takes the opportunity to move out and start living the more normal life of someone in their 20s. When tragedy strikes it forces Maddie to reassess a multitude of issues.

What a beautiful read this is, Maddie captivates me from the start and I become fully immersed and engaged in her life as she faces all her ups and downs. It’s sad at times and at others it’s poignant, sweet, tender and very moving especially the relationship between Maddie and her father which is written with such empathy and love. You want to yell at her mother and brother whose selfish use of Maddie makes you so angry. Maddie is such an endearing character, she’s bright, somewhat of an innocent and a bit naive but she’s very caring while keeps her emotions in check until she doesn’t. Then I’m cheering her on from the sidelines loving her telling certain characters exactly how it is! She makes me laugh too, I love her Google questions and who doesn’t have conversations with themselves? I love both the old and the new Maddie.

This is a book that takes you on a journey, that of an an an awakening and a voyage of self discovery. It sounds includes some difficult topics but does so really well and with sensitivity. I love the ending, in fact, scrap that, I love the whole book. It’s feels fresh, different and is a wonderfully written debut novel. Highly recommended.

I was drawn to this book by the description of Maddie as the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson’s. I was hoping the book would shed light on what that looked like and the challenges and considerations of helping loved ones with degenerative diseases. The book wasn't exactly that, but it was also a lot more than just that.

It started slow but I'm glad I stuck with it because it's a beautiful sort of coming-of-age story that pulls you in and makes you feel. The emotions were real and felt - I didn't need to fabricate feelings, they were drawn out of me by the story and the author. Moments of cringe, aches of sadness, tears of joy, and calm assurances were all part of the rollercoaster of this book. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm glad this book wasn't just what I hoped it to be because if it had been, it couldn't have been as deep and complex as it actually was.

Triggers: loss of virginity, drinking, drug use, manipulation, broken family, death

I loved this novel about family. It beautifully showed how complicated caretaking relationships can be. I continue to think about it.

4.25 stars!

This book really touched a piece of my heart and I thought it was a brilliant debut! Maame is such a great exploration in what it means to be a woman, especially a Black woman, in society and I loved every inch of Maddie and her story. I thought it was great that the author touched on so many topics - relationships, being a caregiver, peer pressure, romance, and a multitude of other themes. Although it was definitely emotional at times, I also really enjoyed the moments of joy and laughter. Would recommend to others and also read some of her other books in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Jessica George for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

Maame, written by Jessica George, is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of identity, family, and personal growth. Set in London, the story follows the life of Maddie, a young woman who finds herself juggling various responsibilities while yearning for a more fulfilling existence.

The novel begins by introducing Maddie's challenging circumstances, from being the primary caregiver for her father who suffers from Parkinson's disease to dealing with an overbearing mother who is frequently absent. Maddie's experiences as the only Black person in her workplace further highlight the racial dynamics she faces on a daily basis. These initial struggles set the stage for her journey towards self-discovery and finding her place in the world.

When Maddie's mother returns from Ghana, Maddie seizes the opportunity to break free from her familial obligations and embrace new experiences. She embarks on a quest to explore "firsts" in her life, such as finding a flat share, pursuing career recognition, and navigating the world of online dating. However, as Maddie begins to embrace her newfound freedom, tragedy strikes, forcing her to confront the true nature of her unconventional family and the complexities of love.

George's writing style is both smart and humorous, effectively capturing the essence of Maddie's experiences. The author skillfully tackles a range of themes, including familial duty, racism, female pleasure, and the power of friendship. Through Maddie's journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own sense of belonging and the challenges of navigating multiple cultures and identities.

One of the strengths of Maame lies in its relatable and well-developed characters. Maddie is a compelling protagonist, and her struggles and triumphs resonate with readers on a deep level. The supporting characters, such as Maddie's father and her friends, add depth and authenticity to the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Overall, Maame is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that tackles important contemporary themes with sensitivity and wit. Jessica George's storytelling prowess shines through as she explores the complexities of identity, family dynamics, and the pursuit of personal happiness. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and heartfelt story that celebrates the power of resilience and finding one's place in the world.

Loved this story of Maddie and her upbringing and experiences as a twenty-something Londoner. She was incredibly likeable and the book was well-written. I wished some of the characters were explored more further, such as James, but I still loved this!

Everyone should read this and wed all come away with something that touched us. A true novel with heart and all the feels.

Yes, yes, and yes again! Read this book as soon as you get your hands on it, and then start wondering why you didn't do so sooner.

I had thought this was going to be more literary fiction than chick lit, but it was a good chick lit, for sure. Reminded me of Bridget Jones, Queenie, and plenty of others, but it was well written and had excellent emotional depth.

Okay, so apparently I’m in the minority here, but this book was just okay for me. Like, 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. I found myself getting annoyed with the main character, felt like other characters were flat, and her struggles personally frustrated me. Grief is brutal, I get that, but altering personalities in order to fit in with different people and forget the grief just didn’t bode well with me.

I’m thankful I received this copy from the publishers and NetGalley, rather than purchasing from BoTM.

This was an ARC I received in exchange for my honest review.

Maame is Jessica George's debut novel, right? It certainly does not feel like it! The story was like a beautifully woven tapestry, with lovely writing and phenomenal storytelling. It's also one of those rare books that I feel like I would be happy to reread. The characters were written well, and it was poignant but comforting at times.

I really loved this book. It was deeply moving and extremely relatable across cultures. The writing was beautiful, and I felt heartbreak when Maddie did. Maddie's struggles with balancing family relationships with friendships, a relationship and a job were marked with sadness and incredible growth. I connected to this story so much; it was powerful and compelling.

There is a lot I want to say about this one...

I could relate a lot to the burden of responsibilities that some African families place on ONE sibling. It feels totally unfair but like a burden we must carry, as our duty in life--to care of a sick parents and sacrifice oneself.

Her brother was no help.

Learning about the ins and out of the publishing industry was also an interesting take although I typically stay away from books about the industry. Maame's experience was frustrating!

What didn't personally work for me was the excessive Google searches. Some of them felt a bit much but it seems that some people do actually Google EVERYTHING.

Overall, the writing was raw and honest, which I loved.

Maddie is a young Ghanaian woman in her mid-20s living in London, working and caring for her father who is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. Her mother splits her time between London and Ghana, where she runs a hostel with her brother. Maddie is unfairly treated by both her mother and brother. It’s past time for her to move on with her life. With themes of family, mental health, independence, the novel is witty, sympathetic and engaging.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ability to read this one early!

I loved every minute of this book! I still can't believe this was the author's debut novel. It was so poignant and beautiful. And I could so much of myself in Maddie, especially when it came to the guilt that comes from family duty. I can't recommend this book enough!