A unique telling of a common storyline. I couldn't help but have empathy for a person most novels would have had me rooting against.

I liked the workplace politics part of this but felt the emphasis on the relationship between the title character and the colleague distracted from deeper insights the author could have made.

Green Dot tackles the existentialism that comes with be in your twenties, it slices through hustle and work culture, and cleverly, with a lot of nerve tackles the concept of infidelity. Hera, the main character, is telling the story reflectively, so there's a nuance and self-awareness in that reflection.

Excellent Bildungsroman. For readers who enjoy Sally Rooney. Love the peek into the life of a young Australian as they navigate becoming a young adult.

This book is a perfect workplace listen and it was entertaining as hell with some genuine laugh out loud moments. I found the ending to be appropriate and satisfying. Hera as a character I should've hated but the author does a great job creating empathy for her and still rooting for her, despite her morally grey behavior.

This was a joyride of wit, introspection and nontraditional relationship exploration! I enjoyed each minute of it. I found the main character somewhat unlikeable, but in an endearing way that added substance to the plot, which I thought was very interesting.

I featured this book in a new release video prior to publication and was very excited to read a story about a messy [possibly unlikable lol] character. I love queer drama stories! Will update when final review posts, but I'm expecting 5 stars!

This book follows a young woman trying to figure out her life while dealing with big emotions. It’s relatable and full of moments that feel so real, especially if you’ve ever felt unsure about what’s next. Perfect for readers who like honest, character-driven stories.

I'm late to the Green Dot party, I realize, but once I finally got around ti it, I absolutely loved Madeleine Gray's simmering, gorgeous, raw book. It's the story of having an affair with a married man, sure, but it's also a piercingly accurate account of the emotional messiness of your 20s, a time when the opportunities are endless and impossible simultaneously. It belongs in the same category of Dolly Alderton's Ghosts and Monica Heisey's Really Good, Actually, a searing, lovely, often-hilarious account of growing up.

This was an entertaining, quick read but it was unfortunately harder to root for this narrator than other "unreliable and messy" main characters for the majority of the book.

A surprisingly sad and frustrating read, this wasn’t what I expected—for good and bad. Guess I should’ve paid more attention to the synopsis. I thought this would be more a story about modern life in an office job (probably the cover gave me that idea), but the focus is instead on a doomed situationship between two people who aren’t particularly likable, or brave, or smart. But they feel so real and this novel hit me in places where it really hurt. I was often undone by the sheer beauty of the prose, the way it captures so eloquently the pain and danger and euphoric highs of illicit affairs. I docked a star not because of the novel itself, but the feelings it stirred in me. I might come back and give this a 5, but for now it’s a 4. I was often frustrated while reading, I wanted these people to do things I wouldn’t do. But we are human, and we are imperfect. And life is often is tragic.

"Green Dot" is a compelling portrayal of a young woman on the brink of self-realization, resonating with anyone who has ever questioned their choices or struggled to define their place in the world. Through Hera's witty and introspective voice, Grey crafts a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of modern relationships and the unpredictable nature of desire.

Overall, "Green Dot" stands out as a bold exploration of personal growth and the messy, sometimes painful, journey towards understanding oneself in a world filled with uncertainties.

After hearing about this book from so many sources, I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of GREEN DOT by Madeleine Gray in exchange for my honest review. A big thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publishers, Henry Holt & Company | Henry Holt and Co.

GREEN DOT tells the story of 2o something Hera who falls in love with a coworker, only to learn he is married. This novel tackles a lot of heavy topics - the COVID-19 pandemic/lockdown, depression and isolation, loneliness and grief, growing up and coming into your own - and handles them all really gracefully. I thoroughly enjoyed Gray's writing and will look out for any future work by this author - I didn't love the plot of this but loved the writing and characters, so would recommend.

24 year old Hera Stephens does what every twenty-something every post-grad does—finds herself stuck in a soul sucking corporate job while wishing her existence will one day be meaningful. She’s ultimately unsuccessful, until she meets Arthur, the man across the office from her. He’s genuine and funny, but most importantly, he makes Hera feel important. But, he’s twice her age and married. Hera finds herself wrapped up in a confusing office romance and affair, consumed by Arthur’s green dot signifying his online status. This book is messy and funny! Hera is such a realistic narrator, and her unlikeableness made her appealing to me. This is some great little plot mostly vibes lit-fic!

such an addictive, quick read. while this follows a common and somewhat trite (oversaturated as of recent) trope: woman in her 20s has an affair with an older married man. however, the writing and hera's imperfect yet relatable monologue allowed the book to have its own standout characteristics from the rest.

that being said, i feel like the monologue got a bit tiring after the halfway point of the book and i was not as interested in it as i was at the beginning. it was a weird dichotomy because while many points of her introspection were so painfully relatable, she was so hard to connect with as a whole character.

but if you are looking for a 'sad girl lit fic' (so broad, i know), this is definitely one to check out!

UGH Hera, my gal, this was painful. I was your bestie! I was there rooting for you!

I reeealllyyyy enjoyed this one. This is a protagonist that will be wildly frustrating for some and so guttrenchingly relatable for others.

Madeleine Gray really captured the complexity of being a mid twenty-something trying desperately to know wtf is going on and how the heck to handle it all. From finishing her education and the "allure" of getting your first job, to falling in love with the entirely wrong person, to the dumb decisions you just can't bring yourself not to make (it's painful!).

The writing is witty and had me completely invested and immersed in Hera's life. In particular, there were a few times the writing acknowledged the "fourth wall" (me, the reader), and those addresses really endeared me. I think right now this settles with me at a solid 4.5 but who knows, the more I think about it the more it could creep up on me!

From the very first page, I found myself deeply connected to the main character, experiencing every emotion alongside her. I laughed, I fell in love, I cried, I got angry—sometimes all at once. Madeleine Gray's ability to breathe life into her characters is nothing short of extraordinary; I found myself not only rooting for the protagonist but also seeing shades of myself in her—a rare and unsettling realization.

While normally skeptical of social media's presence in novels, Gray seamlessly integrated it into the narrative, making it feel essential rather than intrusive. Even unconventional choices in punctuation and narrative structure, like the bold use of exclamation points and the gripping karaoke scene, felt purposeful and expertly executed. The blend of poignant inner monologues, clever references to music, movies, and pop culture, all contributed to an atmosphere that was refreshingly genuine, avoiding the pitfalls of cliché.

"Green Dot" isn't just a story; it's a mirror that made me reflect deeply on my own life. Gray masterfully navigates complex themes—morality, desperation, hope, and an insatiable longing for something more—with a plot that unfolds seamlessly. It's a poignant yet humorous exploration that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I don't know what the point of this story was. I feel like there was so much potential here and it feel short. The characters were so awful. I'm not one for a cheating trope and that lowered my rating. I didn't like the fat phobic and the abortion remarks in this. The writing was really cringy. I think it was from trying to make the main character seem edgy. This was a huge letdown.

This was a great book! I very much enjoyed it and I look forward to reading the author’s next work! Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

really interesting take on the complexities of knowingly being a mistress and falling in love with that married man. Hera is a fun but frustrating character to follow, a fantastic debut from Gray.