Really Good, Actually: A Novel

Maggie embarks on a series of Google searches, starting with inquiries about skincare and gradually transitioning to divorce-related information and tutorials on Tinder. Her search journey culminates with a quest for 24-hour alcohol delivery services and instructions on deleting TikTok.

During the initial month after the separation, Maggie finds it challenging to focus on work and becomes engrossed in scrolling through Instagram. As she turns 29, she feels compelled to confide in her friends about the separation. Clive promptly visits her apartment to lift her spirits, highlighting statistics indicating that single women are happier than married ones. An hour later, Amirah arrives and distracts Maggie with tales of her own work entanglements. Their conversation veers towards Maggie's family dynamics, and Maggie reveals her mother's invitation to move back in with her. Amirah suggests therapy, but Maggie dismisses the idea.

Before Amirah leaves for work, she urges Maggie to reach out to the Laurens, fearing that Maggie might isolate herself. The following day, Maggie struggles to muster the energy to return to work. She contacts her boss, Merris, who kindly advises her to take as much time off as necessary. Although Maggie and Jon have agreed to unfollow each other on social media, Maggie secretly monitors Jon's activities through the account dedicated to their cat, Janet. Maggie misses Janet and hopes for a shared custody arrangement despite Janet's tendency to destroy Maggie's belongings. Meanwhile, Maggie finds even simple tasks like cooking and showering daunting but makes half-hearted attempts to improve her mental well-being. She spends her evenings consuming Cointreau, one of the few remaining items left by Jon, and indulges in unhealthy 4 a.m. burger orders.

As time passes, Maggie withdraws from family and social gatherings. She begins to feel a perverse sense of invincibility, convinced that nothing could be worse than the anguish of her impending divorce. As her mental health deteriorates, she also begins to entertain thoughts of danger, secretly hoping for a break-in that might end her misery.

Maggie writes to Jon, ostensibly to explain the necessity of a year-long separation before applying for a divorce. Subsequently, she crafts another email to clarify why the message originated from her iPhone. Finally, Maggie sends a third email to apologize for the first two.

Maggie finds the divorce process daunting, particularly the associated expenses, and enlists the services of a divorce attorney named Lori. She also turns to Merris for additional work opportunities even as she acknowledges her limited skill set. Amidst the turmoil, Maggie experiences occasional moments of clarity and introspection, during which she immerses herself in collage art. Inspired by these brighter days, she hosts a belated solstice celebration for her friends, sparking discussions about body image, aging, and Maggie's newfound indifference to other people's opinions.

As Maggie describes her feelings of detachment and reduced anxiety, Lauren suggests that Maggie may be experiencing depression, which frustrates Maggie. In response, Maggie impulsively purchases several self-help books, attempting to validate her coping mechanisms as acts of self-care rather than avoidance. During a moment of reflection, Maggie notices the resemblance between her hands and her mother's, prompting her to pen a heartfelt email expressing her newfound appreciation for their relationship. She imagines her mother's emotional response and embraces the openness she has discovered since the breakup, recognizing positive transformations in herself. The following day, Maggie's sister, Hannah, reaches out to check on her well-being, conveying their mother's concerns.

Multiple individuals attempt to console Maggie, but their efforts prove ineffective. Some express unfounded optimism about the possibility of reconciliation, while others subtly insinuate that Maggie is to blame for the separation. Additionally, some point out Jon's apparent resilience in handling the break-up. These well-intentioned attempts at comfort only exacerbate Maggie's distress. In their misguided attempts to offer solace, they all bring up the concept of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer and metal powder. This ancient practice symbolizes the beauty of imperfection and the notion that something broken and repaired can become even more exquisite than its original, unbroken form.

Maggie's landlord broaches the topic of modifying the lease, triggering concerns about Maggie's ability to afford the rent without Jon's financial support. Despite her dwindling bank balance, Maggie indulges in impulsive online purchases, only to regret her actions upon receiving her credit card statement and promptly returning the items.

To explore alternative living arrangements, Maggie searches for new apartments. However, she finds flaws in each option and is dissatisfied with every prospect. Lauren helps, but Maggie struggles to articulate her personality and habits to prospective landlords without Jon as a point of comparison. After enduring several disappointing apartment viewings, Maggie concludes that remaining in her current apartment is the best option for the time being.

Maggie sends multiple emails to Treatza, expressing frustration with their phone-first policy. She points out that her profile had Jon's number listed, leading the drivers to contact Jon for all 15 of her 4 a.m. burger deliveries. Maggie emphasizes the importance of clarity regarding the policy and recounts apologizing to her ex. In a subsequent email, Maggie explains that the early morning deliveries are for her dog before sending another email to apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Maggie encounters Jon—or people whom she momentarily believes to be Jon—in various places, making it challenging to venture outside. She also frequently encounters acquaintances, which leads to uncomfortable social interactions. Maggie grapples with the reality of being divorced at a young age and struggles to navigate her social situations. An inadvertent confession of her troubles to an acquaintance backfires when she learns that the acquaintance's father is terminally ill. Despite later sending an apology, Maggie receives no response and begins ordering groceries online to avoid further social mishaps.

One of Maggie's greatest challenges is interacting with Jon's friends, many of whom she misses dearly. During a restorative yoga class, Maggie unexpectedly encounters Calvin, Jon's former roommate, who subtly observes her throughout the session, stirring conflicting emotions within Maggie. After class, they return to Maggie's apartment, and Calvin shares that Jon has been disheartened but is now seeing someone new. Despite Maggie's fleeting hope for a reconciliation with Jon, Calvin vehemently dismisses the idea. Their evening together takes a turn that surprises Maggie when Calvin kisses her, prompting her to push him away after a moment. They spend the rest of the night smoking marijuana and watching YouTube videos. Maggie invites Calvin to stay over platonically. They fall asleep together, but Maggie wakes alone.

Maggie has a dream about performing at a karaoke bar, and she appears and sounds stunning. Her voice resonates with power and emotion, captivating friends and strangers alike. In her dream, Maggie garners admiration for her incredible voice, striking appearance, and unwavering resilience.