This is a great book that is cleverly written. An insightful look at what a young single mom will do to stay afloat and the people who help along the way.

My age is going to show on this review. I really wanted to love this and be trendy and au courant. Alas, I couldn’t put aside my…? Sense of propriety? Ethical bias? Yes, there were funny elements, but I guess I just found the premise as too authentic to be too funny. And maybe that was the point? Poke fun at social mores? Make people see humor in real life? If nothing else, it surely gave me a glimpse into a world completely unlike my own!

This is the summer story I am here for! Based on the description, I figured there would have to be something for me to love in this book, and I was not disappointed. Margot and her wacky friends and family are at once so beyond my experience and at the same time felt like friends. If you love a heartwarming, quirky story (heavy on the quirky, and just a teensy bit edgy, á la Hooters and OnlyFans), you will love this story.

Margot is still a teenager (nineteen) who has an affair with her college professor and ends up pregnant. With no support from her parents, she is desperate to make extra money and starts an Only Fans account, which becomes a runaway success. I couldn't help but root for Margo to succeed in life, even if you're slapping your forehead at some of the decisions she makes to get there. It was quirky and delightful on the surface and at its depths, explores the pain of abandonment and trauma and healing. It was so good on so many levels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy.

I didn’t know much about this novel, but I loved The Knockout Queen. This is a very different story, but what The books have in common are quirky characters and unexpected plot developments. College student Margo is a 19-year-old mom with very little support, but over the course of the book she finds support in unexpected places, including within herself. I thought the little romance was distracting and I wanted either more or less of it, but overall this was a very charming and compelling read.

A very fun, quick read! I loved Margo, Jinx, and Suzie’s dynamic so much. Agree with all the reviews that say the synopsis makes it sound like it’ll be too much (OnlyFans! Wrestling! Affair with a professor!) but that ultimately Rufi pulls the story off deftly. I also loved the switching narrator POVs and always appreciate stories that help normalize sex work.

5.0

Setting: California
Rep: n/a

This was excellent. So different to what I expected it to be - at times the tension and stress was unbearable - but it was also so funny and heartwarming and I would eat up another book entirely about Hungry Ghost and Rigoberto.

I will start with confessing that I didn’t know what OnlyFans was before I read this book. I just thought it was a social media platform. So my review is biased because of the moral qualms I have with it. However, Margo’s story really gripped me. I thought the random switch between 1st and 3rd person POV was weird and out of place (also used too sparingly for it to really work), but other than that, I thought the writing in this book was really good. Margo was a developed, complex character who was sometimes incredibly naive and sometimes really mature. I loved the motherhood side of this story and the way in which Margo confidently defends herself as a good mother. Her relationship with her dad was also a really compelling part of the story. I was hoping she would end up deciding not to stick with OnlyFans and find something else that used her strengths, but that’s my own convictions/feelings about it.

Thanks to the publisher and net galley for this ARC.

This book was delightful! I kept hearing such positive buzz and am so happy I listened to the hype! What a cast of characters and the author dealt with some pretty serious issues with grace and care. I adored Margo! Thanks for NetGalley for an early copy!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe.

I initially did not care for this book, everything about the premise turned me off. A young girl, impregnated by her professor, chooses to have a baby out of sheer stubbornness, and then SURPRISE, it's hard and she's completely broke and unprepared. I can't.

But slowly, I'll admit, it really started to grown on me, the relationships, especially the one she has with her ex-wrester dad, had me charmed. It also begins a great discussion about sex work and it's legitimacy and need for it to become less stigmatized.

I didn't fall in love with this book, but it definitely had it's likeable qualities.

Suffice it to say that this book is not what I expected. “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” is more than the bawdy, irreverent, lighthearted, laugh-out-loud book that I thought it would be. It’s full of memorable characters and moments that made me think. This is a book that truly had me reconsider my assumptions about people by reading from the point of view of someone who feels harshly judged by society and her own family/loved ones.

Margo is a 20-year-old student who recently gave birth to a child fathered by her married, much-older English professor, Mark. Cue the professor not wanting anything to do with Baby Bodhi and Margo. This leaves Margo alone, financially strapped and dealing with the stressors of new motherhood. Her mom, a former Hooters waitress and newly engaged woman herself, does not offer much in terms of support or help with childcare. Her father, a former pro wrestler with a substance abuse history, really steps up to the plate helping with his grandson, but Margo discovers that she can make a decent living by starting an OnlyFans page. Margo perceives a lot of judgment from people in her life about her new chosen profession, but her love for Bodhi truly shines through.

Mark’s character was just insufferable and horrible.

What worked for me: the characters in the story were memorable and funny. There are not many characters like this in fiction today. The dialogue was believable and witty. I loved the portrayal of Jinx’s redemption as a father and the honest depiction of addiction.

What did not work for me: the nitty-gritty of the DPS work up. I think the story would have still worked well without the amateur attorney-ing and Margo’s “got ya” of the DPS worker at the very end.

All in all, I enjoyed this book because it challenged my assumptions about people and the choices they make. This was a 4.5 star read for me, rounded up to 5 stars.

Many thanks to William Morrow/HarperCollins and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to William Morrow for the e-ARC on NetGalley!

It's been years since I read a novel in one sitting, but Margo's Got Money Troubles was incredibly captivating, I couldn't put it down until it ended. The story is so fresh and modern; I am completely obsessed with it. Margo is 19 years old and pregnant with her neglectful professor's baby. Living with her father and his roommate, a student at Fullerton College, Margo struggles financially while learning how to be a single parent. Desperate to make an income, she turns to OnlyFans. The novel is hilarious and heartwarming as it is unique and unexpected.

The characters are fantastically written. From page one, I understood who Margo is, what her motivations are, and why. Even though she was not relatable to me (I unfortunately saw more of myself in her long-distance best friend, Becca), I still found myself rooting for her happiness and victory. Her resilience and willingness to persevere was admirable. Margo's life is far from delightful, and so is her character to be quite frank, and yet I found myself being delighted from her perspective. Thorpe's use of both third person and first person to show Margo's actions and interactions with others, as well as her thought process, was ingenious. I am completely obsessed with it.

This novel is easily one of my favorites of this year. What a truly refreshing piece of fiction.

Margo has just figured out that having a baby at 19 in the US leaves few options for employment. The baby’s father, her college professor, has no interest. Her mother, a single mom herself, has moved on. It’s only when her father, a retired professional wrestler, starts helping that things start to look up. Margo discovers she can market herself on as an online sex worker and the money starts to roll in. When her identity is outed on social media, her carefully crafted world starts to crumble- can she save it and the happy life she has created with her baby? Funny, poignant, and a searing portrait of the struggle young single moms face to survive.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

This book was a lot of fun and extremely heartwarming. It was quirky. I love that. It was funny. I love that. It pulled at my heartstrings without becoming maudlin. I love that. This was a good one.

As the child of a Hooters waitress and an ex-pro wrestler, Margo Millet's always known she’d have to make it on her own. So she enrolls at her local junior college, even though she can’t imagine how she’ll ever make a living. She’s still figuring things out and never planned to have an affair with her English professor—and while the affair is brief, it isn’t brief enough to keep her from getting pregnant. Despite everyone’s advice, she decides to keep the baby, mostly out of naiveté and a yearning for something bigger.

Now, at twenty, Margo is alone with an infant, unemployed, and on the verge of eviction. She needs a cash infusion—fast. When her estranged father, Jinx, shows up on her doorstep and asks to move in with her, she agrees in exchange for help with childcare. Then Margo begins to form a plan: she’ll start an OnlyFans as an experiment, and soon finds herself adapting some of Jinx’s advice from the world of wrestling. Like how to craft a compelling character and make your audience fall in love with you. Before she knows it, she’s turned it into a runaway success. Could this be the answer to all of Margo’s problems, or does internet fame come with too high a price?

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishers for the advanced copy. You can, and should, read it now.

This was delightful! I fell in love with Margo instantly and was rooting so hard for her the whole time! In addition to being fun and entertaining to read, I think it was a very interesting portrayal of social media (not just Only Fans) and its effect on our lives and livelihoods. I enjoyed every minute of reading it.

Rufi Thorpe's "Margo's Got Money Troubles" is a contemporary novel that delves into the complexities of personal finance, relationships, and societal expectations with a blend of wit and introspection. The story follows Margo, a middle-aged woman navigating the challenges of financial instability, family dynamics, and her own existential crises in the wake of unexpected financial setbacks.

One of the novel's standout strengths is Thorpe's ability to create a deeply flawed yet sympathetic protagonist in Margo. Her struggles with money management, compounded by familial pressures and her own insecurities, resonate with authenticity. Thorpe skillfully explores Margo's internal conflicts and emotional journey, offering readers a nuanced portrayal of a woman grappling with identity and societal expectations.

Moreover, the novel shines in its exploration of contemporary issues surrounding wealth disparity and financial insecurity. Thorpe confronts these themes head-on, weaving them into the fabric of Margo's narrative without resorting to didacticism. The author's insights into the psychological toll of financial instability and the ways in which it intersects with gender dynamics and personal relationships add depth and relevance to the story.

However, despite these strengths, "Margo's Got Money Troubles" may falter in its pacing and narrative structure. The plot occasionally meanders, with subplots and tangential reflections on societal issues diverting attention from Margo's central arc. While these diversions enrich the novel's thematic scope, they can also detract from its overall cohesion and impact.

Furthermore, some readers may find the novel's tone and style to be overly introspective or detached. Thorpe's prose, while insightful and often poignant, may distance readers from fully engaging with Margo's emotional journey. Moments of humor and self-awareness, though present, may not always mitigate the novel's more somber undertones.

In conclusion, "Margo's Got Money Troubles" is a thought-provoking exploration of financial instability, personal identity, and the complexities of modern life. Rufi Thorpe's adept characterization and keen social commentary make the novel a compelling read, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of its protagonist. While the novel's narrative structure and tone may not appeal to all readers, its thematic depth and emotional resonance make it a worthwhile addition to contemporary fiction that tackles important societal issues with insight and empathy.

I had no clue what this book was about when I requested an early copy. All I knew was that people were buzzing about it, and I wanted to read it. While not exactly the story I expected, I ended up really enjoying this one, even laughing out loud a few times. The characters were so well written and deeply relatable. This was a heartwarming yet agonizing human story about the choices we make in life, and how we judge and view others. This book was witty, surprising, endearing, and had so much heart. I cannot wait for this book to be adapted for TV - as I believe it's already in discussions - because I will watch it in a heartbeat. Thanks NetGalley for the early copy!

I LOVED this book. It was funny and smart and pulled on the heartstrings. Thorpe's writing is so sharp! I loved the switching between POVs- it made it more interesting and pulled me in as a reader. I listened to the audiobook as well- Elle Fanning totally captured Margo's naïveté and cheesiness. Overall, a fantastic book!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Brilliantly written with vibrant characters. The plot was interesting and evolved at a great pace. The author did a great job of balancing the challenges of Margot’s life with Margot’s optimism. Will definitely recommend to others!

Rufi Thorpe's "Margo's Got Money Troubles" dives into the complexities of modern financial struggles with sharp wit, keen insight, and a deeply human touch. In this novella-length work, Thorpe crafts a compelling narrative around Margo, a character whose financial woes serve as a backdrop for a broader exploration of identity, relationships, and societal expectations.

At its heart, "Margo's Got Money Troubles" is a character study that delves into the psychological toll of financial instability. Margo, a woman in her thirties navigating the aftermath of a failed business venture and mounting debt, grapples with questions of self-worth and purpose. Thorpe skillfully portrays Margo’s inner turmoil, capturing the anxiety and shame that often accompany financial hardship.

Thorpe’s prose is both incisive and empathetic, drawing readers into Margo’s world with vivid detail and emotional depth. Through Margo’s interactions with friends, family, and acquaintances, Thorpe explores themes of privilege, class dynamics, and the pressures of social status in a thought-provoking manner.

What makes "Margo's Got Money Troubles" particularly resonant is its nuanced portrayal of the ways financial stress can impact personal relationships and one’s sense of self. Thorpe navigates these themes with sensitivity, avoiding easy answers and instead inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of financial insecurity and its ripple effects.

While the novella’s length limits the scope of its narrative, Thorpe’s focus on Margo’s internal journey allows for a deep exploration of character and emotion. The story unfolds at a brisk pace, propelled by Thorpe’s sharp dialogue and keen observations about contemporary life.

In conclusion, "Margo's Got Money Troubles" is a compelling exploration of financial struggle and its emotional toll, told with empathy, wit, and insight. Thorpe’s writing is engaging and thought-provoking, offering readers a poignant glimpse into the intersection of money, identity, and relationships in today’s world.