Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey: A Book Review

You know when you read a book and it's, well, meh? This book was exactly that. 'Really Good, Actually' by Monica Heisey is one I picked up as others rated how funny and brilliant it was. I like comedy books, sometimes it's nice to read a comedic book between romance novels and thrillers. So I had high expectations when I bought Monica Heisey's debut novel. Hmm, let me explain...

Let's set the scene:

Maggie claims she is fine. In fact, she's doing really good, actually (hence the title). Her life isn't going her way, she's just separated from her husband at 29 after 608 days of marriage. Even though she is going through heartbreak, Maggie is determined to make the most of being a 'Surprisingly Young Divorcee'. She starts taking up new hobbies, joins dating apps, explores her sexuality and occasionally wakes up on the floor. As you do.

We see her navigate her life through being a divorcee, how she deals with life, how her friends help her to cope and how she feels about life after separation.

As I said, I had high hopes for this book, I thought this would have me belly-laughing or crying tears of laughter. It made me chuckle in some parts, but, this book fell flat. I was waiting for something big to happen, which never came.

It did have some funny parts, but as the book went on, it started to feel repetitive and the plot stayed the same. Maggie got on my nerves, she became very narcissistic, self-absorbed and whiny - like she was the only woman in the world going through a divorce. As the central protagonist, the book would work better if she was likeable, she definitely isn't likeable for me.

I can see why others loved reading this book, but it wasn't for me. I hate to say this - but I stopped reading the book after the halfway point. My first DNF (did not finish) in a long time. As someone who has never married, I cannot relate to much in this book, even when Maggie is single - which is for the large portion of the book. 

I have to give Monica Heisey some credit, she explored a topic which is currently visited in everyday life and in other fiction books. 

Would you recommend Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey?

From my perspective, I wouldn't. However, I think it's purely because this book is not something I can relate to. I've seen my parents go through a painful divorce and it's not something I like to revisit. Not that this book triggered anything for me personally, but reading about someone's fictional divorce was not fun!

I'd love to know your thoughts! Have you read this book before?