Really Good, Actually

⭐️⭐️🌟

I read this as part of a read along for tandem collective. Thank you to the publisher and author for having this available.

Mixed feelings on this book from the get go. I had a hard time getting into the actual read. It seemed like that for a few of us in the readalong. I’m giving this a generous 3 but it’s more like 2.5-2.75

What I can appreciate is the author’s writing style and build up of the character Maggie. I personally didn’t like Maggie and found her annoying because she was not self aware and her obliviousness to her obnoxious attitude when it came to life and friends bugged me.

As she came to accept her divorce, I kept wondering if maybe she was the problem. The ramblings suggested that and the incessant need to contact Jon was a bit too much. I was thankful for the therapist scene as we found out just how overbearing she was.

I guess this is a book of self discovery. How you can go from being attached to someone and then have the hard task of actually navigating life on your own. I can’t relate to Maggie as I actually listen to friends and family when they are talking and genuinely care about their lives. It seemed like Maggie never did this and only wanted to talk about herself, so I can’t relate to how self-centred she is. I just wouldn’t be friends with someone like her. It’s as if she holds judgement for anyone she encounters.

I was happy that she got therapy and actually grew as a person in the end. Also liked how it was left open ended with any real possibility and she didn’t just end up with another guy, embracing a single lifestyle and actually being comfortable with herself.