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!

I wish I had taken the time to read this one sooner. This book spoke to me on so many levels. Maddie and I could have bene the same person. Her struggles with her family mirror mine in so many ways. Not to mention the struggles that she has in her love life. In someway it felt that I was reading the story of my life even though Maddie was younger than me.

I really connected with the meaning of the word Maame. It is something that I struggle with in my family and an idea that I am trying to move away from. Seeing Maddie stand up for herself made me realize that I need to do the same in my family. Maddie became a new inspiration for me.

Profoundly moving and deeply with joy. Maddie was a great character that evolution and growth was wonderful. So much love, hope, sadness, family dynamics. Well written raw emotion.

Maame is one of my favorite books of the year thus far. George’s writing throughout the book feels effortless, yet is deep, heartwarming, and empowering. I connected with Maddie’s character almost immediately, especially as I recently lost my dad as well. The description of grief and guilt and moving on with your life really resonated.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this Arc. This is a great read, and it makes sense why everyone I know has given it 4+ stars! This book is very well written and the characters feel like friends by the end.

Is it unreasonable to hope that Jessica George publishes a book a month from now until... forever? That's how much I adored Maame, the story of a young woman who spends all of her free time caring for her ailing father until her mother announces that she's coming home from Ghana. Maame, also known as Maddie, finally seizes the opportunity to move out and pursue the "fun" lifestyle that she has been denied for her entire life.... only to discover that she still feels sad. When a series of personal and professional obstacles come her way, Maddie faces them with humor and heart. Filled with unforgettable life lessons and laugh out loud moments, Maame is a beautifully written and original story that will stay in your mind -and heart - forever.

Wow. I can't stop thinking about this novel. I have about 37 underlined quotes.

Maddie is a 25 year old woman who strikes out on her own for the first time after spending the last several years living at home taking care of her father with Parkinson's while her mother lives mostly in Ghana and her older brother jet sets around the world. As she moves into the world, she navigates friendships, relationships, situationships, workships, all with her trusty google search bar by her side.

As someone who recently lost a parent, this novel is especially near to my heart. Definitely recommend. 5 stars.

Maame by Jessica George is one of my top books of the year. Beautiful and terribly insightful, George writes a relatable main character and story in Maame that will stick with me for a long time. Maame is about love and loss and burden of responsibility. The MC's story is about her reflection of how this word, "Maame" has defined her throughout her life and she has let it determine a lot of her choices.

Gorgeously interior, George writes such intricate relationships for her main character with others and also her relationship with herself and the conflict experienced through those relationships. The struggle of family expectations and the two different cultural expectations the main character faces are so well done. All the while. the main character acts with grace and sweetness. The author writes such palpable emotion that it was hard not to feel whatever the MC was feeling and it was hard to put this book down or continue reading. What a beautiful and moving novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

Maddie is a 25 y/o Black woman who has lived a very sheltered life. Her mother goes to Ghana for a year at a time and comes home for "visits", so Maddie is left to take care of her father who has Parkinson’s disease. She went to University, but commuted and lived at home and now works to take care of her father. She is overqualified for her job, and her supervisor doesn't take her suggestion seriously, or even worse, passes them off as her own. How is she going to move forward? When her mother returns home she takes the opportunity to move out and into a flat with other flatmates. She begins to attend parties, go to bars and experience love and heartbreak. She also learns that people are not always what they seem and are not all to be trusted. This is an interesting coming of age story by a debut author.

There is a lot of sadness in this story as Maddie has essentially had to raise herself after the age of 17. She is lost, yet also strong. I didn't like her mother very much, abandoning her family to go live in Ghana for long periods of time, then try to justify herself to her children. There is an angry brother as well, but he doesn't play much of a role in this story. Maddie's father was a loving dad, who wanted more for his daughter, but was stuck with his illness. Maddie makes a lot of mistakes while trying to become an adult, but it is interesting to see how her Ghanian heritage and customs conflict with life in London. There is racism and the challenges of trying to begin a career with wages that are sub-standard. Being ignored and treated as an inferior were all there and very realistic. Although this is an interesting story, I felt it was definitely over-hyped. I enjoyed parts of it, but not all. Having said that, I will watch for more by Jessica George. In her biography, the author says she was born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield, so this book is definitely realistic, and I wonder if some is autobiographical

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was incredible! I want more coming of age stories like this one.

Maame follows late 20s Maddie who is the primary caretaker of her father who has Parksinson's. Maddie has put her own life on hold for years, to try and keep her family from falling apart, But after her father's sudden death, Maddie's world is fractured. She suddenly has only herself to care for and she's realizing that she doesn't know what she wants.

This book was fucking fantastic. I loved Maddie's character so much. She has so much empathy and care for people. It makes it easy for others to take advantage of her, but as she learns through this book, she has boundaries and she's going to start saying no more often.

Absolutely adored this book! This was an older coming of age story about a girl finally out on her own after being her father's caretaker in her off hours. We're with her as she lives with roommates for the first time and starts going on dates. It's hard to write a review without giving away too much, but Maame is easy to root for and this book is an enjoyable read.

Maame by Jessica George is an extremely positive and heartwarming novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. The story follows Maddie Wright, a young Ghanaian-American woman who is struggling to come to terms with the death of her grandmother, Maame. Maddie is forced to take on more responsibility in her family, and she begins to question her identity and place in the world.

George does a masterful job of portraying Maddie's journey of self-discovery. The book is full of humor, heart, and wisdom, and it will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or alone. I especially appreciated the way George explored the themes of grief, family, and culture in such a nuanced and sensitive way.

Maame is a must-read for anyone who is looking for a beautiful and uplifting story. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Here are some specific things that I loved about the book:

- The characters were so well-developed and relatable. I found myself rooting for Maddie and her family, and I felt their pain and joy as if it were my own.
- The writing was beautiful and lyrical. George's words painted such a vivid picture of Maddie's world, and I felt like I was right there with her on her journey.
- The themes of grief, family, and culture were explored in such a nuanced and sensitive way. I learned so much about Ghanaian culture, and I felt a deep connection to Maddie's story.
- The ending was both heartwarming and hopeful. I felt like I had been on a journey with Maddie, and I was so happy to see her find her way.

Overall, I absolutely loved Maame. It is a beautiful, uplifting, and insightful novel that I would highly recommend to anyone.

Maddie is a Ghanaian Londoner who has taken her nickname of "Maame" as a duty to dedicate her life to her family. As she gets a taste of freedom, it feels much like the Amish Rumspringa. She begins to take advantage of what it really means to be young and free all while still feeling the overbearing weight and guilt of needing to take care of her family. A coming to age story that is awkward and endearing. Perfect for fans of family dramas and black fiction.

3.9. Hard to get into and a little boring through through most. It picked up a bit at the end, although I thought the ending was a bit contrived. The premise was good—the young woman who notwithstanding family challenges takes the gauntlet and grows to be fiercely independent on her own terms. A good debut for this author Thanks to Netgalley for proving me an advance copy in exchange for a candid and unbiased review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

In this story you follow Maddie as she navigates life on her own for the first time. This is definitely a heavier read but so important. Maddie has to learn how to come to terms with things, stick up for herself, and learn to love herself for who she is/wants to be. The topics that were discussed is relatable in some ways. It was definitely an interesting read and I learned a little about another culture.