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Really Good, Actually

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Really Good, Actually follows Maggie, a 29-year-old navigating life after her marriage ends just 608 days in. As a Surprisingly Young Divorcée™, she faces financial struggles, an unfulfilled PhD, and the chaos of redefining happiness alone. Through Maggie's humorous and heartfelt journey, the novel explores the uncertainties of modern love, friendship, and self-discovery in a relatable and poignant way.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This debut novel will appeal to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with a comedic yet emotional take on relationships and personal growth. Fans of witty, millennial-centred narratives and those interested in stories about navigating post-divorce life will find this particularly engaging.

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The No. 2 SUNDAY TIMES Bestseller

An Observer Best Debut of the Year

‘Intoxicating … heralds a really good author to watch’ THE TIMES

‘Hilarious and profound’ DOLLY ALDERTON

The must-read major Sunday Times bestselling debut novel of 2023

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

THE NO. 2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

LONGLISTED FOR THE COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZE 2025

The Times Popular Fiction Book of the Year

‘A heartbreaker of a book’ THE TIMES

'Alarmingly relatable' MARIAN KEYES

‘Hilarious and profound’ DOLLY ALDERTON

The hottest debut novel of 2023 from Schitt’s Creek and Smothered screenwriter and an Observer debut author of the year, Monica Heisey.

Maggie’s marriage has ended just 608 days after it started, but she’s fine – she’s doing really good, actually. Sure, she’s alone for the first time and can’t afford her rent, and her obscure PhD is going nowhere… but at the age of twenty-nine, Maggie is determined to embrace her new status as a Surprisingly Young Divorcée™.

As Maggie throws herself headlong into the chaos of her first year of divorce, she soon finds herself questioning everything, including: Why do we still get married? Did I fail before I even got started? And how many 4am delivery burgers do I need to eat until I am happy?

Really Good, Actually is an irresistible debut novel about the uncertainties of modern love, friendship and happiness.

'Hilarious, heart-warming, wise' PAULA HAWKINS

‘Heisey makes me laugh hard and often’ ROB DELANEY

‘A Sex and The City for social media-obsessed millennials … Irresistible’ METRO

‘Wry, modern, self-deprecating’ INDEPENDENT

‘One of the most talked-about releases for 2023’ EVENING STANDARD

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008511739

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 January 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fourth Estate Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 400g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Monica Heisey is an author and television writer from Toronto, now based in London, UK. Her writing has been published in The New Yorker, the New York Times, The Cut, Vogue, the Guardian, VICE, and elsewhere. She was previously an Editor at Large at Broadly. Her first book, an acerbic collection of essays called I Can't Believe It's Not Better, was published in Canada by indie Red Deer Press. She has written on shows including Schitt's Creek, Workin' Moms, Baroness von Sketch Show and Gary and his Demons.

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