Really Good, Actually: A Novel

Released in 2023, Really Good, Actually is a Young Adult debut novel from screenwriter and comedienne Monica Heisey. The narrative centers on Maggie, a 28-year-old woman who is grappling with the dissolution of her two-year marriage. Heisey's work delves into themes of grief and the ironic aspects of everyday existence, deftly blending heartache with humor. The Times listed Really Good, Actually as the best popular fiction novel of 2023.

This guide refers to the 2023 William Morrow eBook edition.

Content Warning: The source material and this guide contain descriptions of grief, divorce, eating disorders, illegal drug use, risky sexual behaviors, and depression. The source material also uses language that some readers may find offensive.

Plot Summary

Maggie is a 28-year-old PhD student and research assistant who is married to Jon, an assistant advertising copywriter. When her marriage to Jon falls apart, she must face the aftermath and piece her life back together again. Their separation is initiated after less than two years of marriage, and the event prompts Maggie to reflect on how her personality traits and preferences may have caused her and Jon to drift apart.

Jon moves out in an awkward process that takes two weeks, after which Maggie is thrust into the reality of solitude. Struggling with insomnia and depression, she finds it hard to engage with daily life, and her issues are exacerbated by financial worries as she figures out how to pay rent and other expenses that were once covered or mitigated by Jon’s contributions. Despite her robust support network, Maggie delays telling her college friends (Amirah, Clive, Lauren, and "Emotional" Lauren) about the separation, but she finds solace when she eventually confides in them after her 29th birthday. Even Maggie's boss, Merris, offers to let Maggie work from home until the school year resumes.

However, Maggie's attempts to maintain a sense of normalcy falter as her social interactions become strained. As she withdraws from loved ones, grappling with detachment and indifference, collage art and self-help books offer brief respites amid occasional moments of clarity and introspection. Her financial concerns mount due to her impulsive online purchases, and her attempts at apartment hunting prove fruitless and disappointing. A chance encounter with Calvin, Jon's former roommate, reignites conflicting emotions and leads her to spend a platonic night with him.

Maggie's journey becomes a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows as she navigates life post-divorce. She soon realizes that she is a needy and difficult friend, but when a gesture of gratitude with flowers triggers a depressive episode; Maggie's friends offer her comfort. When Maggie encounters Amy, another divorcee, the interaction sparks Maggie’s envy for Amy’s fiery attitude toward her ex-husband. Amy encourages Maggie to use dating apps, and Maggie explores her bisexuality through Tinder. However, the overwhelming matches and comments range from sweet to disturbing and make Maggie aware of the complexities of online dating.

Returning to work, Maggie faces sympathy from colleagues but grapples with Jon's silence and distancing actions, such as removing her name as the cat's primary caregiver. Amidst escalating turmoil, encounters with coworkers like Olivia and Merris offer Maggie brief moments of understanding that are also laced with frustration. Seeking a distraction from her ongoing troubles, Maggie dives into the world of dating, experiencing both exhilaration and disappointment. A chance encounter with Simon, a 31-year-old who works at a local media company, leads to greater intimacy, but their subsequent interactions leave Maggie questioning her feelings and regretting the complexities of new connections in the wake of her divorce.

Maggie finds temporary respite in Merris's basement apartment. Emotional moments punctuate this move, such as when she gives away her wedding rings, and a chance encounter with Simon at a second-hand shop leads to an unexpected reunion. She also grapples with a flood of tears triggered by various incidents, notably crying after every sexual encounter with Simon. Despite enjoying festive dates and outings with Simon, tension brews in their relationship, which is exacerbated by her guardedness. The holiday season brings familial drama and leaves her feeling emotionally conflicted. After Christmas, Maggie falls into another depressive episode, eventually cancelling her New Year's Eve plans at the last minute and frustrating her friends. Maggie's solo New Years starts positively, but ends with Maggie sobbing and emailing an emotional note to Jon.

Maggie spirals deeper into depression, isolating herself once again. Attempts to reconnect with her friends at a trivia night backfire, escalating tensions and culminating in a strained encounter with Simon when Maggie unintentionally insults him and their relationship. Despite Simon’s efforts to address their issues, Maggie's inability to articulate her emotions leads to hurtful words and further discord, and Simon ends the relationship. Maggie's dissatisfaction with work and breakup with Simon intensifies her despair, which is also exacerbated by the pointed silence of her social circle. Fixating on appearances and struggling with insecurities, she withdraws emotionally, straining her relationships with her colleagues.

Maggie attends couples therapy with a therapist named Helen, but Jon does not attend. Maggie's suppressed emotions surface, culminating in a tense phone call with Jon, where she pleads for reconciliation. Despite Jon's refusal, Maggie pours out her heart, revealing her struggles and incessant attempts to contact him over the past seven months. Jon hangs up, and Helen recommends that Maggie return next week.

Maggie takes Merris to a wedding, and Maggie's cynical demeanor clashes with the festive atmosphere. Her evening spirals out of control as she engages in substance abuse and an inappropriate sexual encounter. When she causes a scene and dramatically leaves the event, Amy and Merris chase after her, and Merris trips and falls down the stairs, severely injuring herself in the process. After Merris's accident, Maggie faces Amirah's reproach and is prompted to reflect on her behavior and her fear of losing more friends. Alone in the hospital waiting room, she grapples with guilt and anxiety, awaiting news of Merris's condition. Upon Merris's discharge with a bruised hip, Maggie steps up to support her. However, Maggie also becomes reclusive, focusing only on work and therapy and attempting to mend friendships while reevaluating her connection with Merris.

Ultimately, Maggie decides to move to her father's place, prioritizing her therapy to address her emotional turmoil. Maggie settles into a new routine, dividing her time between her father's home and Lauren's, and she also works part-time at a cheese shop to improve her financial situation. She consciously reduces her online presence, focusing on her well-being.

Simon attempts to reconnect, but his timing coincides with Maggie's decision to pause dating on her therapist's recommendation. Despite the disappointment, she prioritizes her emotional health. Engaging in a triathlon, strengthening friendships, and making personal changes like getting a new haircut bring Maggie joy and appreciation for life's simple pleasures. In therapy, Helen challenges Maggie to confront uncomfortable truths, disconnect from distractions, and contemplate self-love. Maggie works to mend her relationship with Amy.

Reflecting on her desires and aspirations, Maggie longs for love and self-worth. As her teaching commitments end, she volunteers at a cat shelter and decides to step down from her research assistant role with Merris. One day, she encounters Jon and the cat, Janet, on a bus, which prompts her to reflect silently before deciding to walk away. At Amirah and Tom's engagement party, she reconnects with Amy, who invites Maggie to live with her. Maggie and Amy move in together, and Maggie turns 30. Celebrating her birthday with friends, Maggie shares her successes at the cat shelter, which lead to new job opportunities. Although Maggie has progressed, she still struggles with her emotions, often retreating to a graveyard to cry. She does this on her birthday and receives a text from Simon. Maggie considers reconnecting but eventually laughs at herself and returns home. In the epilogue, Maggie receives and signs the divorce papers, marking a subtle shift in her journey toward acceptance and moving forward.