Really Good Actually

Author - Monica Heisey

Maggie, freshly divorced and feeling unmoored, tries to reconstruct her life on her own terms. She chases distractions—think midnight burgers, hobby lists, and digital oversharing—all while grappling with insecurity, existential dread, and the ghost of her former marriage. Told with humor, self-awareness, and multiple layers of emotional realism, it’s a candid and funny look at modern adulthood and the strange terrain of recovery.

Genre - Humor

Notes: Really Good Actually

• • The story starts right after a breakup.
• • Our main character, Maggie, is dumped by her long-term boyfriend, Josh.
• • She's heartbroken and feels like her whole life has fallen apart.
• • Maggie is in her late twenties and lives in Toronto.
• • She's a bit of a people-pleaser and struggles with direct communication.
• • The breakup happens via text message, which Maggie finds particularly hurtful.
• • She starts obsessively checking Josh's social media for clues.
• • Her friends try to support her, but she's not really listening.
• • Maggie decides to take a break from dating.
• • She tries to focus on herself and her career.
• • She works at a company that makes some kind of tech product.
• • Her job isn't particularly exciting, but it pays the bills.
• • Maggie starts to re-evaluate her past relationships.
• • She realizes she's often prioritized others' needs over her own.
• • She begins to question what she actually wants in life.
• • Her therapist encourages her to be more honest with herself.
• • Maggie starts journaling to process her feelings.
• • She makes some awkward attempts at self-improvement.
• • She joins a book club, but it's not quite what she expected.
• • She tries to embrace being single and independent.
• • There's a funny scene where she tries to assemble IKEA furniture alone.
• • Maggie starts to notice other people's relationships more critically.
• • She attends a friend's wedding and feels a mix of emotions.
• • She has a disastrous attempt at a rebound date.
• • She starts to feel a bit more confident in her own company.
• • She reconnects with old friends and finds comfort in their support.
• • Maggie begins to understand that breakups are often a chance for growth.
• • She starts to set boundaries with people who drain her energy.
• • She has a moment of realization about her own worth.
• • Maggie decides to take a solo trip to clear her head.
• • The trip is a bit lonely at first but becomes empowering.
• • She learns to enjoy her own company and make her own decisions.
• • She starts to think about her future without Josh.
• • Maggie has a few more awkward dating encounters.
• • She learns that "really good actually" can be a state of mind.
• • She stops comparing herself to others on social media.
• • Maggie starts to accept that life isn't always perfect.
• • She realizes that healing takes time and isn't linear.
• • She has a conversation with her parents that offers some perspective.
• • Maggie starts to feel a sense of peace about the breakup.
• • She's not actively looking for a new relationship anymore.
• • She finds joy in simple things and everyday moments.
• • Maggie starts to embrace her quirks and imperfections.
• • She learns to be kinder to herself.
• • The book ends with Maggie feeling more self-assured and content.
• • She's not necessarily in a new relationship.
• • She's found a sense of "really good actually" within herself.
• • The focus shifts from external validation to internal happiness.
• • Maggie is ready to face whatever comes next with more resilience.
• • The story is about self-discovery and finding happiness after a setback.