Listen this book will inevitably get compared to Sally Rooney and while that's a fair comparison, this one is much funnier! I was snorting and cackling my way through this book. I haven't read something I've wanted to hand off to my (overeducated sad sarcastic) friends so immediately. Good work.

The protagonist is the biggest draw. I knew I would like this book in the first few pages - extreme apathy from someone overeducated but underqualified? Yes, please! Hera is perfectly designed for the jaded grad school kids. I also loved the constant references to pop culture that surely millennials will understand but might be vaguely alienating to other readers.

We follow left-leaning, bisexual Hera, who makes my heart hurt with how badly she treats herself. She's a painfully relatable character, infatuated with her own idea of love that she's projected onto a cheating asshole who doesn't mind wasting her youth with empty promises. She stays with this married man for an unreasonable amount of time, waiting for him to leave his wife.

Once in a while Hera does something vaguely uncharacteristic, but overall the characters are well written and engaging. The dialogue is sharp and witty. I laughed openly on more than one occasion. I'm excited to see what else Madeleine Gray has to offer.

Thank you to @netgalley and @henryholtbooks for an early digital copy!

I got this as an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher.

I did not want this book to kill me, because it is about a lovable early-20-something who is extremely smart but extremely stupid in that early-20s way - but it did! It killed me! The dialogue is smart, funny, and human, and gave all the characters a three-dimensionality that I am always hoping for but was not expecting. The story is what it promises: a listless recent college graduate who is trying to find her footing takes odd jobs and falls in (reciprocated) love with a married man. Every world-weary fiber in my being was screaming at her not to do it, but their relationship is written so charmingly that you are tricked into, even for a brief moment, rooting for them.

I really enjoyed this. The story follows Hera, a 24-year-old with her first-ever office job as a comment moderator. She quickly becomes involved with an older, married coworker and embarks on an intense affair.

I don’t usually reach for books about infidelity, but this is a gripping story. Hera is a very interesting protagonist—it is unclear at some parts as to whether you should be deeply annoyed by her or rooting for her. She’s very Fleabag-esque. Even when you’re watching her spiral and make horrible mistakes, she’s still relatable. Madeleine Grey is a sharp writer, and I could see fans of Sally Rooney liking this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for sending me an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Though Green Dot seems quite well written, the main character and the subject of the story itself are quite off-putting. Hera is a young, college educated (sometimes gay) woman who takes a mundane job that she really doesn't like. She meets Arthur at work, and the affair begins. I was able to get about 50% through this book, but ultimately decided to not finish because I found Hera's sarcasm irritating, and the details of the affair were actually depressing to me. I didn't really want to experience what I knew would be a bad ending for both Hera and Arthur.

But I did like the "readability" of the text, and having those short chapters is always a plus.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Green Dot.

Green Dot packs a punch with its well-crafted plot and skillful use of sarcasm. The story unfolds with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the final pages. Gray's clever writing had me both amused and intrigued as I tried to piece together the puzzle she so cunningly presented.

In short, Green Dot is an enthralling read that appeals to both the thrill-seeker and the humor enthusiast. Madeleine Gray has created a work of art that seamlessly blends hilarity, honesty, and sarcasm, leaving readers thoroughly entertained and satisfied. If you're looking for a refreshingly unique and engaging thriller, this book should be at the top of your must-read list, I could not put it down.

4.5

Interesting story. Felt like it took a bit to really get into the story but came to a quick ending. I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters. Usually I like the characters so much that I want more and I didn’t really feel that from the characters. I did like the concept of the book, just could have better developed characters.

Ms. Gray presents solid writing with a continuously gripping plot line. I found myself drawn into the character conflicts and embracing their personalities. The writing keeps the reader in the moment and makes it difficult for the reader to leave. The plot is not extremely complicated and some might wish for more, however, for me, I truly enjoyed the realistic turmoils and ongoing turns of events. In the end, I will remember this novel more than most, and well, that should be the most telling review of all.

I must be honest, I go into any book that's billed as "like Sally Rooney" with some skepticism. I am not a huge fan of navel gazing auto fiction, and a lot of "Sally Rooney-esque" novels fall within that description.

Green Dot is a standout for me. Madeleine Gray has accomplished a feat here, writing an entire novel from the POV of a woman knowingly engaged in an extramarital affair with a married man, and made her wholly sympathetic while also entirely real. Hera's own self-awareness is what set this novel apart for me: she admits to her wrongdoings and her misdeeds, sometimes as they're happening, and is incredibly clear eyed about how, when, and where it all went wrong.

The only reason I'm giving this four stars instead of five is that I found Arthur to be uniquely despicable. And yet - so like so many other men in this situation! I think partly because of how well-drawn Hera was, I never felt any connection whatsoever to Arthur. He was a neutral villain: I couldn't muster up any true hatred for him because he was just so utterly predictable. A jar of mayonnaise, lying in wait to break a young woman's heart.

All in all, there's some great character work here - Hera's relationship with her dad is one I've not read before, and I found it refreshing. Her friendships may not have passed the Bechdel Test, but I loved that they were supportive, resignedly so, at least of the feelings of their dear friend. So often authors have their characters approach affairs as if it's black and white and really, it's not. Everything is so complicated, and I appreciated that it was written authentically here.

Four stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt Books for the ARC.

Green Dot follows an approximately two year period in Hera's life when she, at 24, decides it is time to buckle down and get a desk job. As she becomes acclimated to her boring job at a news outlet, she also quickly becomes interested in an older coworker, Arthur. It is only after their first night together that Hera learns Arthur is married. Falling in love hard and fast, Hera embarks upon her affair with Arthur.

Hera narrates the book by breaking the fourth wall and telling her story directly to her readers. Thus, we're privy to her moral dilemmas about participating in an affair, as well as all her other opinions and wayward thoughts. At times, Hera's narration can be a bit pretentious, but this is exactly how a real person such as Hera would think and speak--if a reader is annoyed at Hera, it is only because Gray has captured her character so well. My heart broke for Hera, which is due solely to the story-crafting exhibited by Gray. I truly hope she publishes again.

Although I was not immediately captivated by Hera, a twenty-something who is trying to navigate the new to her world of adulting, she grew on me. The fresh, specific, and raw first person narration won me over to team Hera and I found myself rooting for her to find the satisfaction and love and relationships with peers that she keenly desires. I also like the fact that it is not exactly a happily ever after story, but it is not a tragedy either. Madeleine Gray has crafted a truly authentic tale of life in the 21st century and all of the triumphs and pitfalls that accompany the journey.

Based on the cover, I expected this book to be quite somber. I was pleasantly surprised to find that much of it is funny, though it does eventually get heavier and more intense. It’s also a lot more about (directionless, white-collar) early adulthood than I expected.

The main character is easy to dunk on, if you want to: She’s a white woman with multiple advanced degrees and a family safety net, and most of her thoughts are either about a) how much she hates having a job, or b) the married man she’s fucking. Many readers may find it hard to sympathize with her, which is totally fair! But, personally, I felt acutely seen by the portrayal of a soul-crushing office job and the accompanying low-grade situational depression. You know when you hear a complete stranger voice precisely the feelings you have felt, and you feel desperately relieved to know that you’re not the only one? This book made me feel that.

The affair with the married man is predictable, and the main character knows it. A young woman and a middle-aged married man who keeps promising to leave his wife? *Miranda Priestly voice* Groundbreaking. You’ve heard this story a million times before. But somehow, I was still interested, I still read the book in two days. The premise isn’t original at all, but the execution still makes it good. And I say this as someone who normally doesn’t like infidelity plotlines.

I also liked that the main character’s bisexuality was a non-trivial part of the book even though the book is mainly about her relationship with a cis man.

You might *not* like this book if:
-You don’t like a young-millennial narrative voice that includes the occasional meme (e.g. “the Mariah Carey voice: I don’t know her”)
-You don’t want any covid-related content in your fiction.

Recommended for fans of:
-The Adult by Bronwyn Fischer
-My Mother Says by Stine Pilgaard
-Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead
-The Very Nice Box (probably; I haven't actually read this, but the description sounds similar)


Content Notes: Infidelity, obviously. Depression and passive suicidal ideation. Moderately explicit sexual content. Portrayal of the COVID-19 pandemic (mainly from about 69-75%)—not a huge part of the book, but more than just passing mentions. Parental estrangement (off-page, prior to the events of the book) due to probable abuse of some kind (nothing is specified, only vaguely alluded to).

Witty, compelling, and completely immerseful is this character driven novel, Green Dot. The story starts with Hera, a 24 year old, who is trying to navigate life after graduating from school and who decides to search for a job. Once she scores a job as an online comment moderator and meets her coworker Arthur, who is not only much older than her, but also married. An affair unravels between the two which brings frustration, heartbreak and confusion. At parts you couldn’t help but feel bad for Hera as she devalues herself for a man who couldn’t give her what she deserved. Couldn’t help but rate this 5 stars, Gray perfectly captured the order on how affairs typically happen and the emotional rollercoaster it takes you.

Oh Wow! I really liked this book! Hera is such a good main character. She is witty, sarcastic and leads a messed up life. Falling in love with a married man was her downfall and it was heartbreaking. Her friends - squad goals - try to warn her and convince her to end the relationship, but she just won’t stop believing that he is going to leave his wife.

All the characters were written so well. The banter between them throughout the book was really fun and I actually laughed out loud at some of the one liners from both Hera and her friends. It made my heart happy that her closest friends and family supported her even though they knew she would end up being hurt.

I gave this 4 stars and I highly recommend reading it!

Thank you @NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I flew through this smart and darkly funny novel about a young woman's affair with a married man. As I read, I was reminded of the saying about placing a frog in boiling water who doesn't realize he's being boiled until it's too late. That is exactly how Hera reacts to falling in love with Arthur, a magnetic but highly inappropriate partner. Gray perfectly describes the timeline for how such an affair would go down: you don't know you're in deep until it's too late. Emotional and sexy and wildly funny, this is wonderful novel about being young and lost and in love.

Hera is 24 years old, has three art degrees and lives with her single father. She finally has given in that she needs a job to provide for herself. She gets hired as an online community moderator. She’s been bored with her life, struggles somewhat with her bi-sexuality and longs to have contentment. Then enters a romantic interest who may or may not be available. This is not a romance though, it’s a character driven story about a young woman making all of the choices that had this older woman simultaneously wanting to shake her and be her friend at the same time.

The novel has wonderfully sarcastic and smart humor throughout and I laughed out loud many times. Hera is such a great main character. She’s wildly funny, but she unfortunately gets involved with a married colleague and it’s sad to see this intelligent girl start to accept so much less for herself than she deserves. “He would care if I died! It’s a low bar but I’ll take it.” Watching her go down this cliched rabbit hole was frustrating and heartbreaking.

I thought this was so well written. Hera was bored with her life until she became obsessed with Arthur and the imaginary life she fantasized the two of them having. I felt Hera’s frustration, but at the same time I wanted this brilliant girl to open her eyes. We all know how these affairs almost always end up and which party gets hurt. What I felt the author did so beautifully in this debut was to take a tale as old as time and make it modern, fresh and unique.

Thank you to @netgalley and @henryholtbooks for an early digital copy of this absolute gem!

“A green dot tells me he’s online.”

I cannot read another word of this awful book! I despise the main character, Hera, and she is definitely not a person I give one fig to know more about nor waste anymore time reading about her. I read 25%. Could I Give NO STARS?Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt & Company for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley, #GreenDot.

Green Dot by Madeleine Gray is a novel I won’t forget any time soon. It takes the hard-to-see meta realities of our world (because we’re immersed in and living them) and dwindles them down into tangible bits we can consume in a highly digestible and very readable narrative.

At first, you will question whether you should root for or abhor the protagonist, Hera (whose name is worth noting and considering for a beat). But you will ultimately find yourself tangled in her humor and close relationships and relatable real-world struggles, especially if you graduated from college after 2000. Who from that generation of grads hasn’t worked a thankless, soul-sucking job with no real purpose or adequate compensation, all while feeling alone and lost to some degree, like the protagonist?

Getting wrapped up in Hera’s personal relationship with Arthur, who is much older than her and married, is also easy to do, oddly enough. Even for the most ‘moral’ among us. While you know the whole time you’re reading that the outcome of their relationship is likely predictable, there is so much relatable hope and longing, via Hera, that keeps you hooked and reading– offering an experience like one might encounter when reading a suspenseful novel. Sure, Hera might be disgruntled and lost, but there is hope and longing underneath her outer veneer… as is represented by Arthur and all he represents (stable respectable career and reputation, good income, marriage, family…) and the green dot.

The green dot that appears next to Arthur’s name when Hera is messaging him on social media represents her hope for a deeper connection with not only Arthur, but with other humans, and ultimately with the world she lives in as a whole. A connection she likely ends up finding once the dot fades, and she stops seeking it… although that is left up to interpretation in the end. I would love to hear more about what other readers think of the green dot and what it symbolizes, especially regarding capitalism and other things this generation is consumed by.

Also, did I mention that this novel is hilarious? I laughed out loud a lot, especially as I read the first few parts.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to Lit Nerds, the entire millennial generation, and those who enjoy narratives with complex and interesting characters who are still relatable.

Note: I received an ARC Ebook version of this novel through Net Galley.

Green Dot is a compelling, humorous, yet sad first novel about 25-five year old Hera with an inconsistent work history who accepts a job as a content reader for a news organization in Sydney. Hera falls in love with her 40-year old married co-worker, Arthur, who, of course, promises to leave his wife, Kate. Author Madeleine Gray writes about the complications and clandestine details of Hera and Arthur's relationship and shows the hope--or hopelessness of the situation. Green Dot is recommended for a long weekend read.

Green Dot follows Hera, a woman in her mid-20s who after delaying the inevitable realizes she must get a job like the rest of her peers. She gets one as an online comment moderator and things suddenly become more interesting for her as she begins an affair with an older, married coworker. I normally do not particularly enjoy stories centering around infidelity, but this was definitely the exception. This is thanks to Hera, our main character. Madeleine Grey absolutely nailed it writing one of the most hilarious and relatable characters I’ve ever read. Even when she did something I didn’t agree with I would think “you know what, I get it tbh”. Even through dark or heavy moments of the book I had a ton of fun reading this.

ARC provided by NetGalley.