Rufi Thorpe’s book Margo’s Got Money Troubles immediately caught my eye when it came out because, I mean, who doesn’t have money troubles? The more I read it, the more I was drawn in. The story follows 20-year-old Margo as she gets unexpectedly pregnant from a brief affair with her college professor. He promptly abandons her when she decides to keep the baby, and as Margo faces unemployment and possible eviction, her ex-pro wrestler dad Jinx asks to move in and agrees to help with childcare. Margo then concocts a plan to support herself and her new baby, Bodhi, by creating an OnlyFans account. Her dad’s wrestling advice comes in handy as she begins building her fan base, including tips on how to switch from a face to a heel persona.
As a single mom myself, this story really stood out to me. Over the years, I’ve grown accustomed to unsolicited comments and questions about my situation, often from people who barely know me. More than once, I’ve been asked, “Are you married? Divorced? Artificially inseminated?” It seemed unfathomable to them that a mother could, in fact, not be married, divorced, or artificially inseminated and still be a mother.
That’s something I love about Margo’s Got Money Troubles. It normalizes more single motherhood experiences like mine. Books starring single mothers are scant as it is, and it’s refreshing to come across a story that I can relate to more.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles has so much to offer beyond the single motherhood story, though. Rufi Thorpe’s writing is so funny that I burst out laughing multiple times while reading. Her commentary on life and relationships is so on-point, too. She explores powerful themes like complicated family dynamics, recovery from substance abuse, fame, art, sexuality, empowerment, finding yourself, and so much more.
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Now that the TV series adaptation of Margo’s Got Money Troubles has aired on Apple TV—starring an incredible cast, including Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman—I wanted to put together a list of books for fans of Margo’s Got Money Troubles. Once you’re done reading Margo and watching the show, check out these fun readalikes!
Books for Fans of Margo’s Got Money Troubles
The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe
I couldn’t kick off this list without mentioning Rufi Thorpe’s exceptional backlist, which I’m working my way through now. While I’d recommend them all, this debut novel by Thorpe emphasizes motherhood themes, so it has the closest feel to Margo’s story. Mia and Lorrie Ann have been best friends since they were kids, and as they grow up, they’ll face ups and downs in life, including abortion, motherhood, love, loss, substance abuse, and discovering their passions. I like Thorpe’s nuanced examination of friendship and how these relationships change as we do. This story is so heartbreaking at times, yet hopeful too. It’s one of those books that stays with you.
Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo, translated by Chi-Young Kim
This emotional novel by Gu Byeong-Mo digs into the challenges of new motherhood. It also gives an interesting, alternative perspective on the common phrase “it takes a village.” The story follows the lives of four very different women and their families living in a new government-run affordable housing apartment near Seoul. I loved the sociological issues the novel explores, including parenthood, community, gender dynamics, weaponized incompetence, self image, sexual harassment, and more. This one was a very validating read about how hard motherhood can be.
Laura & Emma by Kate Greathead
Just as Margo’s helps normalize the single motherhood experience of having a child with a man the protagonist has only known for a short time, so too does this debut novel by Kate Greathead. The story stars a woman in her thirties named Laura who comes from old money and lives in the Upper East Side of New York City. When she meets a man named Jefferson, she sleeps with him, and then he disappears. Soon after, Laura finds out she’s pregnant. Greathead deftly weaves together humor and emotional depth as she draws us on a journey through New York City during the 1980’s and 90’s while Laura raises her daughter Emma on her own.
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
A compelling part of Margo’s journey is how she navigates backlash for her OnlyFans work, both from her son’s father and from Social Services. In this powerful novel, Gabrielle Zevin also examines misogynistic double standards and the judgment women face in society. Motherhood takes center stage in the story as well. After a Jewish intern named Aviva’s affair with a congressman goes public, she finds her life falling apart while the congressman coasts by mostly unscathed. Zevin intertwines the stories of Aviva; her mother, Rachel; another mother named Jane running for office; her daughter, Ruby; and the congressman’s wife, Embeth, offering a multi-faceted lens to the sexist events that unfold.
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
Like Margo’s Got Money Troubles, this funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story by Jessica Anya Blau touches upon parenthood, family, substance abuse, fame, creating art, and finding yourself. In 1970’s Baltimore, bookish teen Mary Jane lands a summer job as a nanny for a psychiatrist’s toddler daughter. What Mary Jane didn’t realize is that the doctor is hosting a famous rock star and his movie star wife for the summer as the rock star works on recovering from substance abuse. Just as Margo gets life advice from her famous dad, so too does Mary Jane from the eccentric and lovable cast of characters she spends her summer with.
What a Time to Be Alive by Jade Chang
This entertaining novel by Jade Chang involves the protagonist, Lola, dealing with the ups and downs of unexpected internet fame, reminiscent of Margo. Lola also has money troubles. She’s unemployed and back in her old home from childhood. Just as she’s grieving the unexpected death of her friend, a video she makes goes viral, and suddenly people start seeking her out for life advice online. Motherhood themes surface in this story as well, as Lola also tries to learn what happened to her mother, who fled China’s one-child policy and came to America pregnant, only to be deported when Lola was a child.
Sky Daddy by Kate Folk
Margo’s Got Money Troubles has plenty of funny sex-related shenanigans, and so does this quirky novel by Kate Folk. Linda’s day-to-day life involves moderating comments online and living in her windowless garage apartment in San Francisco. Things look quite different for her one Friday a month, though, when she takes a round-trip flight to a regional airport and tries to hide the fact that she has a sexual obsession with planes. As her life begins to unravel a bit, Linda will have to decide if she’s ready to share who she truly is with the world. Like Margo’s, this story is very much about unashamedly embracing exactly who you are.
Before You Go…
Rufi Thorpe’s wit and wisdom on the single motherhood experience in Margo’s Got Money Troubles left a lasting impression on me. I hope these books will give you the same feels that a heel like Margo’s did. If you’d like more great single mom reads, check out these books too.
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