Rufi Thorpe's most recent novel was released in June of this year and is on Amazon's list of the best books so far of 2024, and has been picked up by Amazon to be made into a movie starring Elle Fanning. I'm not sure when it will release, but Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer have also signed on to the project. Most illustrious, I chose it as my book club's September 2024 pick. It deals with addiction, body shaming, bullying, drug abuse, misogyny, sexual content, pregnancy, and a toxic relationship.
Margo is a nineteen year old college student who just found out she's pregnant with her married college professor's baby. When she decides to keep the baby, said professor (Mark) ghosts her and enlists his mother to present Margo with an NDA and an agreement to drop out of college and never mention this to anyone in exchange for fifty thousand dollars in trust for the baby, which Margo signs. What a gem. Margo's mother is unwilling to help her, afraid it will tarnish her own reputation and budding relationship, and Margo gets fired for not being able to find a babysitter. So she does what one does in these situations, she starts an OnlyFans account. With the help of her retired pro wrestler father, Jinx, Margo makes an popular OnlyFans persona for herself and things are going swimmingly, until Mark shows back up and asks for full custody, and someone calls CPS.
I really liked this book. It was funny, relatable, and undeniably real. Margo and Jinx were incredibly endearing and you end up rooting for them both at every turn, as they make their decisions both good and bad. The story kept me captivated, my the end of the second chapter I had already laughed out loud, gasped in outrage, and snorted in amusement...twice. Was it ground breaking. No. Was it super weird at times. Yes. Does it involve two podcasters who drink magic mushroom tea while they record. Yes. And that's basically everything I look for in a book. A lighthearted, body positive book that was a wonderful palate cleanser from some of the heavier books that I've read recently, and I was delighted with the ending.
I'm giving Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe 4.25 stars out of 5 and I will definitely be tuning in for the television series when it comes out. I've already put Rufi Thorpe's earlier novel on my To Be Read list.
For more from Rufi Thorpe, check out her website at https://www.rufithorpe.com/
Pairs well with a slice of cornbread and a quick round of Fortnite.
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