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Mathey Girls: A Novel
A heartfelt, moving novel about a Chinese American woman coming to terms with the evolving nature of family, friendship, and grief after the loss of her best friend.
On the outside, Esther Hsu looks like the proverbial second-generation immigrant success story, an Ivy League grad taking a well-earned break from her lucrative consulting career. However, she sees herself almost forty, jobless, aimless, alone. She's an imposter hiding her failure from everyone, including her oldest group of friends—the Mathey Girls, named after their old Princeton dorm.
When fellow Mathey Girl Claire dies in childbirth, Esther steps in to support Claire's grief-stricken husband by caring for his nine-year-old daughter Hannah for the summer. While this responsibility gives Esther a renewed sense of purpose, it also brings up a loss from her childhood that she never truly got over. In a summer of second chances, including a new job opportunity and a new romance, Esther must rise above the past and her self-doubt to forge a path forward for both herself and Hannah.
Editorial Reviews
"Well-developed female characters who are hopeful and empathetic are the beating heart of this novel. Esther is proof that what might look like failure is actually an opportunity to help someone else, and, as she transforms her grief and insecurities into supporting others, her narrative arc undergoes a stunning evolution as well, depicting a lovely model of camaraderie that inspires."
-- The BookLife Prize
"...an uplifting exploration of friendships and life possibilities that will lend especially well to book club recommendation and discussions... Filled with eye-opening reflections and moments of realization and growth, Mathey Girls is an unforgettable story filled with poignant revelations and cross-cultural inspections."
-- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
On the outside, Esther Hsu looks like the proverbial second-generation immigrant success story, an Ivy League grad taking a well-earned break from her lucrative consulting career. However, she sees herself almost forty, jobless, aimless, alone. She's an imposter hiding her failure from everyone, including her oldest group of friends—the Mathey Girls, named after their old Princeton dorm.
When fellow Mathey Girl Claire dies in childbirth, Esther steps in to support Claire's grief-stricken husband by caring for his nine-year-old daughter Hannah for the summer. While this responsibility gives Esther a renewed sense of purpose, it also brings up a loss from her childhood that she never truly got over. In a summer of second chances, including a new job opportunity and a new romance, Esther must rise above the past and her self-doubt to forge a path forward for both herself and Hannah.
Editorial Reviews
"Well-developed female characters who are hopeful and empathetic are the beating heart of this novel. Esther is proof that what might look like failure is actually an opportunity to help someone else, and, as she transforms her grief and insecurities into supporting others, her narrative arc undergoes a stunning evolution as well, depicting a lovely model of camaraderie that inspires."
-- The BookLife Prize
"...an uplifting exploration of friendships and life possibilities that will lend especially well to book club recommendation and discussions... Filled with eye-opening reflections and moments of realization and growth, Mathey Girls is an unforgettable story filled with poignant revelations and cross-cultural inspections."
-- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 12, 2025
a realistic & heartfelt novel about adult female friendships, chinese-taiwanese-immigrant families, grief, and healing -- with a slightly dysfunctional protagonist in her 40s trying to figure love out in philly -- written by my friends' aunt! feeling lucky to have my own real-life mathey girls
July 3, 2025
Beautifully Written, Fantastic Character Development
Wonderful character-driven and well-paced read. I loved Esther, all the Mathey girls, Hannah, Tony, and all the supporting characters so much.
Wonderful character-driven and well-paced read. I loved Esther, all the Mathey girls, Hannah, Tony, and all the supporting characters so much.
October 31, 2025
a page turning novel that drew me in with its plot and driven characters! i felt attached to the protagonist’s journey and loved the plot points. definitely a heart-felt and warming read
January 29, 2026
A wonderful first novel by author Melody Chu. I didn’t want to stop reading once I started. I was invested and interested in the characters and story and what would happen next.
December 29, 2025
A Thoughtful, Warm Novel About Identity, Ambition, and the Lives We Build
I don’t have much chance to read fiction these days, so this book was a genuine pleasure. Once I started it, I found myself moving through it quickly, drawn in by its voice, emotional honesty, and richly observed details.
The novel shines in how it captures the experience of growing up in a first-generation Chinese-Taiwanese American family, blending cultural specificity with themes that feel widely relatable. The descriptions of food, family rituals, and intergenerational expectations add texture and authenticity without ever feeling heavy-handed. These moments ground the story and make the characters feel real.
The Princeton theme and references are especially well done. Mentions of campus life, traditions, and reunions evoke a strong sense of nostalgia while also highlighting the unique pressures of being connected to a high-achieving peer group. The book thoughtfully explores the quiet, often unspoken comparisons that can linger long after college — the sense of “keeping up” that can persist into midlife.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its emotional interiority. Esther’s inner monologue is honest, vulnerable, and deeply human. In a culture where people tend to present polished versions of themselves, it was refreshing to read a character whose insecurities, doubts, and overthinking are acknowledged rather than hidden. These moments make the story especially resonant for readers balancing careers, family, and personal expectations.
The ending felt satisfying and true to the character — offering resolution without sacrificing realism. It honors Esther’s thoughtful, introspective nature and reinforces the book’s broader message about finding connection on one’s own terms.
This is a reflective, engaging novel that will resonate with readers interested in identity, family, ambition, and the quieter emotional currents of adult life. Highly recommended.
I don’t have much chance to read fiction these days, so this book was a genuine pleasure. Once I started it, I found myself moving through it quickly, drawn in by its voice, emotional honesty, and richly observed details.
The novel shines in how it captures the experience of growing up in a first-generation Chinese-Taiwanese American family, blending cultural specificity with themes that feel widely relatable. The descriptions of food, family rituals, and intergenerational expectations add texture and authenticity without ever feeling heavy-handed. These moments ground the story and make the characters feel real.
The Princeton theme and references are especially well done. Mentions of campus life, traditions, and reunions evoke a strong sense of nostalgia while also highlighting the unique pressures of being connected to a high-achieving peer group. The book thoughtfully explores the quiet, often unspoken comparisons that can linger long after college — the sense of “keeping up” that can persist into midlife.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its emotional interiority. Esther’s inner monologue is honest, vulnerable, and deeply human. In a culture where people tend to present polished versions of themselves, it was refreshing to read a character whose insecurities, doubts, and overthinking are acknowledged rather than hidden. These moments make the story especially resonant for readers balancing careers, family, and personal expectations.
The ending felt satisfying and true to the character — offering resolution without sacrificing realism. It honors Esther’s thoughtful, introspective nature and reinforces the book’s broader message about finding connection on one’s own terms.
This is a reflective, engaging novel that will resonate with readers interested in identity, family, ambition, and the quieter emotional currents of adult life. Highly recommended.
July 4, 2025
It’s been a long time since a book has pulled me in and taken hold of me the way Mathey Girls did. For some time, I’ve turned to books to escape; to dive into stories that take me away from my reality.
So I was surprised by how immediately I was drawn into a book where everything felt so deeply familiar. Despite dramatically different backgrounds from my own, the Mathey girls’ experiences as women coming into their own—and occasionally losing themselves—after college, in relationships, and in professional environments, resonated deeply.
This is in large part due to Melody Chu’s gorgeous and compelling writing. But it’s also the incredible time, attention, and thought she gave a character development (even the women who could so easily have become nothing but comic relief). There are no stereotypes or two-dimensional characters here. I was drawn to each of the women, and even the central man. Recognizing, finding, and maintaining your own identity— while exploring love, maintaining friendships, raising children, and engaging in meaningful work— is a challenge so many women hold, but rarely examine.
I took the book on a short work trip intending to read just a bit each night. But on the first night, I found it was 1AM and I had read a third of the book. Over the next couple of days I found myself laughing out loud, tearing up, and holding my breath (generally in public places because I found it impossible to put the book down) as I worked my way to the final chapter.
This is a book to be treasured and savored. I won’t get into the plot because it deserves to be discovered on its own. I’ve already purchased a couple of copies to share with women I love and trust they will find their own reasons to love the book. I just hope it’s not too long before Chu gives us another story.
So I was surprised by how immediately I was drawn into a book where everything felt so deeply familiar. Despite dramatically different backgrounds from my own, the Mathey girls’ experiences as women coming into their own—and occasionally losing themselves—after college, in relationships, and in professional environments, resonated deeply.
This is in large part due to Melody Chu’s gorgeous and compelling writing. But it’s also the incredible time, attention, and thought she gave a character development (even the women who could so easily have become nothing but comic relief). There are no stereotypes or two-dimensional characters here. I was drawn to each of the women, and even the central man. Recognizing, finding, and maintaining your own identity— while exploring love, maintaining friendships, raising children, and engaging in meaningful work— is a challenge so many women hold, but rarely examine.
I took the book on a short work trip intending to read just a bit each night. But on the first night, I found it was 1AM and I had read a third of the book. Over the next couple of days I found myself laughing out loud, tearing up, and holding my breath (generally in public places because I found it impossible to put the book down) as I worked my way to the final chapter.
This is a book to be treasured and savored. I won’t get into the plot because it deserves to be discovered on its own. I’ve already purchased a couple of copies to share with women I love and trust they will find their own reasons to love the book. I just hope it’s not too long before Chu gives us another story.
April 23, 2026
There's a particular kind of person who holds everything together by pretending there's nothing wrong. Esther is that person. Competent, cheerful, always the first to show up for everyone else—and quietly unravelling in private. "Mathey Girls" knows this type with uncommon precision, and the author has the patience and the craft to let Esther's layers come off slowly, the way they would in real life rather than in fiction.
The novel is built around loss—a friend dies early (not a spoiler), leaving a husband adrift and a nine-year-old daughter doing what grieving children do when they love their parents too much to burden them: hiding it. Esther recognizes that child immediately and viscerally, because she has been that child. The parallel between them is the novel's emotional core, and it's handled with real delicacy. This isn't a story about grief being resolved so much as grief being acknowledged, carried differently, and eventually made room for. The Mathey girls—Esther's university friends, now in their forties and still showing up for each other—are refreshingly human: capable of being wrong, annoying, and occasionally unhelpful, which makes their solidarity feel earned rather than convenient.
What lingers is Esther herself. Quiet, resilient, and deeply relatable—a woman who has spent so long being fine for everyone else that she's forgotten how to be fine herself. The happy ending, when it comes, feels neither miraculous nor inevitable but simply possible, which is exactly right. Mathey Girls is the kind of novel that doesn't announce its emotional punches. It just lands them, softly, one after another, until you realize somewhere in the middle that you've been holding your breath. A commendable debut that gets under your skin quietly, the way the best books do—without you noticing until it's too late.
The novel is built around loss—a friend dies early (not a spoiler), leaving a husband adrift and a nine-year-old daughter doing what grieving children do when they love their parents too much to burden them: hiding it. Esther recognizes that child immediately and viscerally, because she has been that child. The parallel between them is the novel's emotional core, and it's handled with real delicacy. This isn't a story about grief being resolved so much as grief being acknowledged, carried differently, and eventually made room for. The Mathey girls—Esther's university friends, now in their forties and still showing up for each other—are refreshingly human: capable of being wrong, annoying, and occasionally unhelpful, which makes their solidarity feel earned rather than convenient.
What lingers is Esther herself. Quiet, resilient, and deeply relatable—a woman who has spent so long being fine for everyone else that she's forgotten how to be fine herself. The happy ending, when it comes, feels neither miraculous nor inevitable but simply possible, which is exactly right. Mathey Girls is the kind of novel that doesn't announce its emotional punches. It just lands them, softly, one after another, until you realize somewhere in the middle that you've been holding your breath. A commendable debut that gets under your skin quietly, the way the best books do—without you noticing until it's too late.
September 4, 2025
Mathey Girls is an excellent book with a lot of complex themes woven throughout. As a Princeton alumna, I also loved the Princeton references! Of course, friendship and grief play a major role in the book and Chu illustrates how grief impacts so many aspects of life, sometimes in unexpected ways. By taking care of Hannah, Esther honored and helped her best friend and her family, but also re-analyzed her own relationships and her previous loss. Through caring for Hannah selflessly, Esther was also able to help herself. The strength of the Mathey Girls' friendship, even though they had not been in touch as much lately, enabled them to support each other, especially in the wake of a tragedy. I also loved how Chu writes about Esther's manifestation of imposter syndrome. I think this issue is something that plagues women more than men, especially women that have attended elite schools but think they aren't living up to expectations or shouldn't have been admitted in the first place. Multiple of my female friends have said they wouldn't have been accepted to Princeton (or other top tier university) today (I attended many years ago), but I can't recall a male saying something similar. I also enjoyed how Esther's relationships with family evolved in the story, showing how even long-set feelings and patterns can be changed. Sometimes opening up and being vulnerable can allow people to rise to the occasion and be there to support you when you let them. I felt that Esther's life had perhaps too many major positive events happening at the end of the book, but it is nice to finish with a lot of hope that things can change. Of course, her best friend has still recently died and she had been dealing with many difficult things, so she deserved it!
April 5, 2026
I really enjoyed this novel. It's about a group of women that all attended college together and have stayed tight decades later with regular reunions and heavy use of group texts. We should all be so fortunate to have such a support group in our lives. When tragedy strikes the group, they respond in different ways with one of the group stepping up to help another's family that's in need. Some things I love about this novel:
-the feel of the friend group in person and in the group text; my equivalent (a fraternity brother group) has experienced similar loss in the last few years and this book felt *right* in how it was all depicted.
-the inclusion/acknowledgement of the covid pandemic and how that impacted the lives of the characters.
-the depiction of Chinese-American family dynamics; though I've read a fair amount of Asian-American authors, I felt like this book was a real eye-opener and the family dynamics were fascinating to read about.
-the post-college life experiences of the characters felt familiar in many ways; I recognized myself or friends in the characters in the book.
This was a great first novel and I look forward to reading more from the author!
-the feel of the friend group in person and in the group text; my equivalent (a fraternity brother group) has experienced similar loss in the last few years and this book felt *right* in how it was all depicted.
-the inclusion/acknowledgement of the covid pandemic and how that impacted the lives of the characters.
-the depiction of Chinese-American family dynamics; though I've read a fair amount of Asian-American authors, I felt like this book was a real eye-opener and the family dynamics were fascinating to read about.
-the post-college life experiences of the characters felt familiar in many ways; I recognized myself or friends in the characters in the book.
This was a great first novel and I look forward to reading more from the author!
April 27, 2026
Great, heartfelt novel
This book offered a genuine, realistic look into how to navigate life after loss. Please check your triggers before reading this book as it does deal with loss of life from a pregnancy. I found the characters to be very realistic and empathized with their struggles. Even though this book started off with Esther going through challenging times, she had depth and emotion and drive that made you keep rooting for her. Esther gave a glimpse into how hard it is to ask for help for yourself when you feel like you have to support those around you. Watching Esther grow with her friend’s daughter Hannah opened up a touching relationship that squirmed its way into my heart. The author also did a great job of weaving in mentions of the challenges that Chinese Americans are faced with due to stereotypes and misconceptions that aren’t talked about enough.
This book offered a genuine, realistic look into how to navigate life after loss. Please check your triggers before reading this book as it does deal with loss of life from a pregnancy. I found the characters to be very realistic and empathized with their struggles. Even though this book started off with Esther going through challenging times, she had depth and emotion and drive that made you keep rooting for her. Esther gave a glimpse into how hard it is to ask for help for yourself when you feel like you have to support those around you. Watching Esther grow with her friend’s daughter Hannah opened up a touching relationship that squirmed its way into my heart. The author also did a great job of weaving in mentions of the challenges that Chinese Americans are faced with due to stereotypes and misconceptions that aren’t talked about enough.
October 12, 2025
This book is utterly stunning.
I knew the general plot but wasn't prepared, going in, for probably the best, most honest, most heartbreakingly authentic representation of grief I've ever read in fiction. We experience this journey with and through Esther but see so many of the various ways grief presents through the others, and all of it strikes true. I was ready to be moved, but I hasn't expected to weep. This book got me in the heart.
I couldn't put it down, either; cover to cover in under 24 hours. The plot is compelling and propulsive, and I was rooting for and empathizing with Esther every step.
Mathey Girls has just shot to the top of my list of books I will be almost obnoxiously recommending nonstop to everyone I know.
I knew the general plot but wasn't prepared, going in, for probably the best, most honest, most heartbreakingly authentic representation of grief I've ever read in fiction. We experience this journey with and through Esther but see so many of the various ways grief presents through the others, and all of it strikes true. I was ready to be moved, but I hasn't expected to weep. This book got me in the heart.
I couldn't put it down, either; cover to cover in under 24 hours. The plot is compelling and propulsive, and I was rooting for and empathizing with Esther every step.
Mathey Girls has just shot to the top of my list of books I will be almost obnoxiously recommending nonstop to everyone I know.
July 15, 2025
Mathey Girls is a good reminder that we don't know what others people carry and don't share with others, so reach out to those you love and connect about the things that are really important, that you're carrying in silence.
I was reminded of the Okinawan concepts of ikigai and moai reading about Esther's journey. How do we live lives with purpose and meaningful lifelong relationships? We often cover the parts that hurt of we are uncertain about, but sharing them with others results in better outcomes and a better journey. One meaningful relationship can change your trajectory.
I was reminded of the Okinawan concepts of ikigai and moai reading about Esther's journey. How do we live lives with purpose and meaningful lifelong relationships? We often cover the parts that hurt of we are uncertain about, but sharing them with others results in better outcomes and a better journey. One meaningful relationship can change your trajectory.
January 3, 2026
A beautiful, thoughtfully paced novel about friendship, family, fears and forward motion, told through the lens of a Taiwanese American woman whose best friends from college — the Mathey Girls, a tribute to their Princeton dorm — remain the most important and supportive people in her life. The group is devastated, and their dynamics are rocked, when one of them dies in childbirth.
A powerful debut novel from Melody Chu. Looking forward to reading more from her.
A powerful debut novel from Melody Chu. Looking forward to reading more from her.
July 5, 2025
Highly recommend for female book clubs, anyone interested in modern day content (especially following covid!).
Touches on family life and dynamics
Experiences of minority origins in US
Post grad life, internal challenges of the individual
Worth a read!
I generally prefer nonfiction and was pleasantly surprised by the relatable realness in the story line. Felt like a good blend of both!
Touches on family life and dynamics
Experiences of minority origins in US
Post grad life, internal challenges of the individual
Worth a read!
I generally prefer nonfiction and was pleasantly surprised by the relatable realness in the story line. Felt like a good blend of both!
November 16, 2025
Enjoyed the easy to read tale of intensely attached college friends who support one another for years after Princeton graduation. The protagonist struggles with self-discovery and authentic relationships. Her journey of self-actualization IS the story. The 9year old foil is very well drawn enjoyed the book.
January 28, 2026
Excellent storytelling! The struggles of Esther the protagonist were engaging and creatively woven of many threads. The background societal, economic, gender, and racial dynamics were present and incorporated as necessary background in a subtle non-polemical way. As a Clevelander who went to school in the East, I appreciate the understanding of that geography.
June 22, 2025
The writing of this wonderful novel just flows. We are introduced into the life and friendships of Esther and her friends, who are rocked by the death of one of their circle. How Esther handle the situation, and grows personally, is the story that is told. Well told.
July 14, 2025
I loved it! Melody Chu’s debut novel is well developed, compelling, and leaves me wanting more… please write a follow up novel about the Mathey girls. I really enjoyed reading about a woman nearing 40… the characters were relatable and I was very invested.
August 20, 2025
A story of friendship, redemption, & love. I’ve been seeing themes of trauma and loss (hopefully not just me 😅) a lot after COVID. The characters, especially Esther, are imperfectly human. Story is a good reminder of the importance of friendship/love and progress.
January 6, 2026
I devoured this novel in a day and a half. It was refreshing to meet the Mathey Girls and find them so relatable as they navigate their careers, relationships, intergenerational connections, loss, covid, and the nuanced dynamics of race and ethnicity.
Such a satisfying and worthwhile read.
Such a satisfying and worthwhile read.
May 29, 2026
Thank you for this lovely novel, which explores relationships and personal growth amid the social and cultural influences that often hold us back. The perfect light summer read. I can't wait for your next story.
May 10, 2025
Mathey Girls is a beautiful story that weaves across themes of friendship, loss, memory, and hope. If you have had life long friends, the stories and emotions will resonate. Highly recommend it.
July 27, 2025
Tender, insightful, and deeply human, this novel beautifully explores identity, loss, and the unexpected ways we rediscover purpose and connection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 20, 2025Who’s the target audience ?
Vocabulary was showing the sophistication and education of the author
But the main character was weak
Couldn’t get past tge lst 100 pages
Vocabulary was showing the sophistication and education of the author
But the main character was weak
Couldn’t get past tge lst 100 pages
November 13, 2025
This book was a great read. It really took me back to my college friends and how close we’ve stayed through the years. I loved the arc of the main character!
November 17, 2025
So beautiful, there were passages where it felt like Melody was describing moments or feelings or experiences in my life that I didn’t even know how to voice.
December 8, 2025
This book was a great read ... took me back to my college days and how close we've stayed through the years
December 17, 2025
A lot of Princeton nostalgia but I didn’t love the story or the protagonist.
January 25, 2026
A beautiful, relatable novel.
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May 9, 2026OK. Not my fav
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews