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A Good Person
Gone Girl meets Big Swiss in this electric, binge-of-a-debut about a millennial antihero who seeks revenge on her ex-situationship with a hex, only for him to actually, literally die.
Lillian and Henry have been enjoying each other’s company, especially in bed. Even though Lillian’s best friend calls it “situationship,” Lillian is determined to lock Henry down—and she has a plan. She’ll be the best, most accommodating version of herself until he falls in love with her. But when Henry blindsides Lillian with a breakup, Lillian exacts revenge by performing a drunken hex on him.
Lillian expects Henry to come crawling back to her. What she doesn’t quite anticipate is becoming a prime suspect in his murder case when he’s found dead. As Lillian grapples with the loss of her sort-of-boyfriend, she’s hit with another reckoning: That Henry had a long-term girlfriend he also left behind.
Desperate to control the narrative, clear her name, and assume her rightful place as Henry’s mourning girlfriend, Lillian’s pursuit of the truth will throw her into a dangerous tailspin. A deliciously addictive novel that explores our darkest, most human impulses, A Good Person heralds Kirsten King as a striking new voice in the canon of celebrated fiction.
Lillian and Henry have been enjoying each other’s company, especially in bed. Even though Lillian’s best friend calls it “situationship,” Lillian is determined to lock Henry down—and she has a plan. She’ll be the best, most accommodating version of herself until he falls in love with her. But when Henry blindsides Lillian with a breakup, Lillian exacts revenge by performing a drunken hex on him.
Lillian expects Henry to come crawling back to her. What she doesn’t quite anticipate is becoming a prime suspect in his murder case when he’s found dead. As Lillian grapples with the loss of her sort-of-boyfriend, she’s hit with another reckoning: That Henry had a long-term girlfriend he also left behind.
Desperate to control the narrative, clear her name, and assume her rightful place as Henry’s mourning girlfriend, Lillian’s pursuit of the truth will throw her into a dangerous tailspin. A deliciously addictive novel that explores our darkest, most human impulses, A Good Person heralds Kirsten King as a striking new voice in the canon of celebrated fiction.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2026
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January 11, 2026
╰┈➤ 𝟺.𝟽𝟻 ✰ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
❝𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒑𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕.❞
📚⋮ 𝐀 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧
⤷ buddy read with Nancy & Lina ♡
🖊️⋮ 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝙺𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚐
📱⋮ 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎
🏷️⋮ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚍𝚢
📆⋮ 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟷/𝟹/𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟼-𝟷/𝟽/𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟼
📃⋮ 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 Lillian and Henry have been enjoying each other's company, especially in bed. But when Henry blindsides Lillian with a breakup, Lillian exacts revenge by performing a drunken hex on him. Lillian expects Henry to come crawling back to her. What she doesn't quite anticipate is becoming a prime suspect in his murder case when he's found dead. Desperate to control the narrative, clear her name, and assume her rightful place as Henry's mourning girlfriend, Lillian's pursuit of the truth will throw her into a dangerous tailspin.”」
☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ
❝𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔. 𝑾𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒍𝒚.
𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒄𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓’𝒔
𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.❞
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★.75/5
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟺.𝟹𝟺 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ᴀɴʏ ᴛʏᴘᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀʟᴄᴏʜᴏʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ɢᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴀɴᴅꜱ ᴏɴ 🍻
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: 👍🏼
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ʙᴇ ᴛᴀᴍᴇᴅ — ᴍɪʟᴇʏ ᴄʏʀᴜꜱ
0:10 ———♡——— 2:48
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
╭───
┆
╰⪼ 🎶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘺, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘺𝘦𝘱, 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘺 '𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘶𝘺, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘯 '𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
🍸 ᴅᴀʀᴋ ʜᴜᴍᴏʀ
🔪 ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴅᴇʟᴜʟᴜ
🍸 ᴡᴇɪʀᴅ ɢɪʀʟ ʟɪᴛ
🔪 ᴘᴜᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʜᴇxᴇꜱ ᴏɴ ᴇxᴇꜱ
🍸 ᴜɴʟɪᴋᴇᴀʙʟᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ
❝𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔.❞
☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ
💬⋮ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
⤷ Wanna feel better about your mental state? Read A Good Person. Man, and I thought I was delusional, but our girl, Lillian, takes the cake. She is delulu with a capital D, the most unhinged girl in all the land. Basically she is cuckoo crazy nuts. While it was sometimes exhausting & uncomfortable being in her brain, I could not put this book down. I get why Kelsey raved about this one. I was cracking up & cringing simultaneously, it was an interesting cycle.
⤷ Even though Lillian is written to be unlikeable, I couldn’t help, but feel sorry for her & even tried to root for her even though it was hard to justice her actions. I felt even worse for her friend, Jamie, though. #justiceforjamie
⤷ I hate to admit this, but I found myself relating to Lillian in some ways. I think it’s only human to find ourselves unlikeable at times. And it’s good when we’re self aware to recognize our flaws, unlike our girl Lillian. I’ll let some of my favorite quotes do the talking with what me & Lillian have in common:
❝I felt like Dexter Morgan, making choices that were ultimately for the best, but that would be difficult to explain to others. But unlike Dexter, I wasn’t a murderer.❞
❝I would brush it under the rug with all the other things I didn’t want to look at.❞
❝…spent $62 on Taco Bell one night.❞
❝We flaunted our deepest traumas in TikTok videos. We claimed we did these things to feel “less alone” in the world, but we did it to feel special.❞
❝Every lie I told had a purpose. I was constantly guessing the needs of those around me and tweaking my reality to be what they needed to hear.❞
❝The day stretched in front of me like an ocean I was meant to cross with no boat. It was barely twelve in the afternoon, and I didn’t know what I would do until it was time to sleep. Was this what being depressed felt like? Like your life had stopped propelling you forward?❞
❝I was beginning to think this whole endeavor was a bad idea. I had hoped that my session would be like Tony Soprano’s; she would know I wasn’t perfect but be endeared to me still.❞
⤷ And if there is one quote to sum up Lillian as a person, it would be this:
❝It was unfortunate she couldn’t find confidence from her own inner world, like I did.❞
⤷ If you find yourself relating to Lillian a little too much, please seek therapy & don’t lash out on the therapist when they call you out on your narcissism.
⊹ Thank you to Nancy & Lina for joining me on this crazy little adventure. I loved our chats, theories, & trying to understand Lillian’s complex brain. 🤣
☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ
❝𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒚𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓.❞
♡ Thank you NetGalley & G.P. Putnam Sons for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Be on the lookout for A Good Person, hitting shelves on March 31st 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 4.25 ⭐️ Narcissistic personality but make it a woman's best trait! Lillian is our very best, flawed protagonist with massive daddy issues. She's 29 years old, hilariously delusional with the best depiction of sociopathic tendencies. She's truly unmatched in her craft and lives in the bubble where she believes there is no one else more rightly or better than her. She's in a relationship with Henry and has very interesting delusions of grandeur about where they are headed. However when Henry (surprise, surprise!) dumps her, she decides to hex him, except poor Henry winds up dead the next day...With a murder investigation now in full blown play, we meet another player that shatters Lillian's bubble and now she must reckon with all the consequences.
Lillian is the BEST millennial antihero you'll meet. To say she lacks decency or morals is an understatement. This is what makes this narration part hilarious, part diabolical. I've never read such a likably detestable character. The debut is loaded with cynicism, mistrust and frankly sharp commentary on relationships, men and false perceptions that ring close to reality on how women perceive things from a "hurt" perspective. You can't excuse her actions but you can definitely relate to the phase "to be seen by someone and to still be needed and loved".
This book was impossible to put down. This debut just drops you into the mind of a narcissistic chaos. I found myself laughing out loud, turning pages and before I knew it, I read 75% of the book in just a day. Books are meant to be therapeutic and this gave me the boost I needed. If you're looking for a perfect book club read, I promise this is one hell of a character study!
This book is featured as an add-on on BOTM! You can get this book just for $1 until April 30th using this link: https://www.mybotm.com/bgnrjn6qk0o
You can cancel anytime! I love this subscription service and always highly recommend them!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Putnam Publisher and the author Kirsten King for an early ARC!
Publication date: March 31, 2026
Lillian is the BEST millennial antihero you'll meet. To say she lacks decency or morals is an understatement. This is what makes this narration part hilarious, part diabolical. I've never read such a likably detestable character. The debut is loaded with cynicism, mistrust and frankly sharp commentary on relationships, men and false perceptions that ring close to reality on how women perceive things from a "hurt" perspective. You can't excuse her actions but you can definitely relate to the phase "to be seen by someone and to still be needed and loved".
This book was impossible to put down. This debut just drops you into the mind of a narcissistic chaos. I found myself laughing out loud, turning pages and before I knew it, I read 75% of the book in just a day. Books are meant to be therapeutic and this gave me the boost I needed. If you're looking for a perfect book club read, I promise this is one hell of a character study!
This book is featured as an add-on on BOTM! You can get this book just for $1 until April 30th using this link: https://www.mybotm.com/bgnrjn6qk0o
You can cancel anytime! I love this subscription service and always highly recommend them!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Putnam Publisher and the author Kirsten King for an early ARC!
Publication date: March 31, 2026
March 31, 2026
Happy publication day to this stunner!!
I NEED you to add this to your TBR if you were even remotely enthralled by that woman on TikTok that was in love with her therapist. I could not put this book down. It was funny, gave me anxiety, and had a great mystery.
OMG SHE’S BEING MADE INTO A MOVIE!!!! Congrats Kirsten King and Daisy Edgar Jones!
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this eARC! And a MAJOR thank you to Kirsten King for her physical ARC giveaway that I was the LUCKIEST recipient of.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: A millennial antihero (Lillian) seeks revenge on her ex-situationship, only for him to coincidentally die the next day. After an investigation is opened, Lillian comes to find out that she wasn’t the only woman in his life, and she becomes obsessed with being the better “girlfriend” and finding out what happened to him.
– Location: Boston, MA
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: A few open-door sex scenes (one of dubious consent)—but this is not categorically a romance book
– Tropes: suspense/literary fiction, narcissistic protagonist, millennial, murder mystery, weird girl lit
– Triggers: murder, narcissism/victim mentality, manipulation, dubious sexual consent, alcoholism, complex mother/daughter relationship
– Representation: LGBTQ+ main and side character, potty humor 😊
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: You’re So Vain by Carly Simon
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Narcissistic lead characters who are somehow also endearing, like in the TV shows Fleabag, BoJack Horseman, Girls, and You
➼ Weird, unlikable main characters who keep you on your toes and makes you thank your lucky stars that you are not inside their head 24/7
➼ That woman on TikTok (in 2025) that was in love with her therapist, or that woman from the documentary Unknown Number
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn—————————✧——Slow Burn
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
WHAT A DEBUT!! I was blown away and can’t wait for more from this author in the future. I could not put this book down. It was funny, gave me anxiety, and had a great mystery.
When I saw that this was being compared to Gone Girl, I was expecting more of a thriller (I remember being somewhat scared during that book), but this book was not scary to me. I mean, scary being inside that woman’s head, sure…but not like I was afraid to turn the lights off or anything. There is a murder. There is commentary about humanity. But it’s quite funny. I actually really appreciated that about this book.
The thing is, I think many people will relate to this book in ways that they may not want to fess up to, which is hilarious to me. It opens the discussion about being self-involved in a way that I haven’t really seen in books before. I loved to hate this character, but gall dang it if I didn’t also agree with her sometimes hahaha.
I also highly recommend checking out the author’s Instagram page (and her book-related page for the main character) if you read/like this book. It’s fun stuff.
Trying to get you to read this using some of my favorite quotes:
————————————-
Pre-read thoughts: I just love this cover. Also, this is a psychological thriller about a millennial woman who seeks revenge on her ex-situationship. A girl with hobbies! 🫰
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this eARC! Comes out March 31, 2026.
I NEED you to add this to your TBR if you were even remotely enthralled by that woman on TikTok that was in love with her therapist. I could not put this book down. It was funny, gave me anxiety, and had a great mystery.
OMG SHE’S BEING MADE INTO A MOVIE!!!! Congrats Kirsten King and Daisy Edgar Jones!
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this eARC! And a MAJOR thank you to Kirsten King for her physical ARC giveaway that I was the LUCKIEST recipient of.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: A millennial antihero (Lillian) seeks revenge on her ex-situationship, only for him to coincidentally die the next day. After an investigation is opened, Lillian comes to find out that she wasn’t the only woman in his life, and she becomes obsessed with being the better “girlfriend” and finding out what happened to him.
– Location: Boston, MA
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: A few open-door sex scenes (one of dubious consent)—but this is not categorically a romance book
– Tropes: suspense/literary fiction, narcissistic protagonist, millennial, murder mystery, weird girl lit
– Triggers: murder, narcissism/victim mentality, manipulation, dubious sexual consent, alcoholism, complex mother/daughter relationship
– Representation: LGBTQ+ main and side character, potty humor 😊
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: You’re So Vain by Carly Simon
╰┈➤ ❝You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you.❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Narcissistic lead characters who are somehow also endearing, like in the TV shows Fleabag, BoJack Horseman, Girls, and You
➼ Weird, unlikable main characters who keep you on your toes and makes you thank your lucky stars that you are not inside their head 24/7
➼ That woman on TikTok (in 2025) that was in love with her therapist, or that woman from the documentary Unknown Number
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn—————————✧——Slow Burn
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
WHAT A DEBUT!! I was blown away and can’t wait for more from this author in the future. I could not put this book down. It was funny, gave me anxiety, and had a great mystery.
When I saw that this was being compared to Gone Girl, I was expecting more of a thriller (I remember being somewhat scared during that book), but this book was not scary to me. I mean, scary being inside that woman’s head, sure…but not like I was afraid to turn the lights off or anything. There is a murder. There is commentary about humanity. But it’s quite funny. I actually really appreciated that about this book.
The thing is, I think many people will relate to this book in ways that they may not want to fess up to, which is hilarious to me. It opens the discussion about being self-involved in a way that I haven’t really seen in books before. I loved to hate this character, but gall dang it if I didn’t also agree with her sometimes hahaha.
I also highly recommend checking out the author’s Instagram page (and her book-related page for the main character) if you read/like this book. It’s fun stuff.
Trying to get you to read this using some of my favorite quotes:
╰┈➤ ❝In the past, I had dated people in two-month stints, the situation usually coming to an end when I started acting like a person with feelings and not someone they’d met at Coachella.❞
╰┈➤ ❝I wasn’t sure how honest you were supposed to be with your lawyer about these things. If I had actually killed Henry, would I really tell my lawyer the truth? Did Robert Kardashian know that O.J. Simpson had killed Nicole Brown? Did Kris Jenner know? Did Khloe? Did Kendall?❞
╰┈➤ ❝Why should I wait in queue with these strangers? I had known Henry intimately. We dated. He had been inside me! I was carrying his UTI!❞
╰┈➤ ❝Women were terrifying vindictive creatures. We stalked each other online and competed relentlessly. We would cut a beating heart out of each other’s bodies if it made our own stronger.❞
╰┈➤ ❝I told her that I thought I was a good person, but sometimes I felt other people were too stupid to see that.❞
————————————-
Pre-read thoughts: I just love this cover. Also, this is a psychological thriller about a millennial woman who seeks revenge on her ex-situationship. A girl with hobbies! 🫰
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this eARC! Comes out March 31, 2026.
Read
August 30, 2025I appreciate everyone who spent a little bit of time in Lillian’s mind — I hope you enjoy the ride 🫶❤️😭
April 12, 2026
Lillian, the main character of this book, meets a detective while being questioned about a murder and immediately fantasizes about kissing her. I read this book and immediately decided Kirsten King wrote it specifically for me. Maybe Lillian is rubbing off on me, or maybe Kirsten King is my soulmate?
Picture this: you're in a situationship, growing "slightly" attached (oops). You can't help but to imagine your future together. You start calling him your boyfriend in your head. And then... he dumps you. What?! In a drunken rage, you hex him. And then you text him that he deserves what's coming for him. The next day, he turns up dead. Someone stabbed him. And you just sent him a text saying he deserves what's coming. shit. Did the hex work? Did you just murder your boyfriend? Oh, and you also happen to be the most delulu, narcissistic person on the planet. Which means that you're important and magical enough that, indeed, it could be you. Obviously you can magic someone to death. But then again... you're a good person. right?
You don’t pick up a book sarcastically titled A Good Person and expect to relate to the main character, but here we are. Lillian is relatable, but not the kind you want to tell your friends about. It’s like that movie where feelings are people: Lillian is all of our bitter, selfish, vindictive thoughts made into a person. She’s delusional, she’s narcissistic, she self-sabotages, and somehow it’s never her fault—there’s always someone else to blame. And yet, she is somehow written so well that after a while, you can’t help but to feel bad for her. It’s weirdly cathartic. You feel seen, but also a little called out. I’m not saying I’m like Lillian (thankfully), but I think most people will recognize at least a little bit of themselves in her. And if not, well, that’s definitely something for me to bring up in therapy.
If you’re even a little bit chronically online, this book is a treat. The pop culture references are everywhere. If you like your books to know what year it is (and respect the power of Swifties), you’re in for a good time.
The writing is so smooth you barely notice you’re flying through it. It’s not a long book, and I could’ve finished it in a day, but I dragged it out over three just because I didn’t want it to end.
Normally I finish a book with maybe ten highlights. I finished this book with 52 highlights. That’s crazy. So obviously I have to share a few, just so you can get a glimpse into Lillian’s brain:
Picture this: you're in a situationship, growing "slightly" attached (oops). You can't help but to imagine your future together. You start calling him your boyfriend in your head. And then... he dumps you. What?! In a drunken rage, you hex him. And then you text him that he deserves what's coming for him. The next day, he turns up dead. Someone stabbed him. And you just sent him a text saying he deserves what's coming. shit. Did the hex work? Did you just murder your boyfriend? Oh, and you also happen to be the most delulu, narcissistic person on the planet. Which means that you're important and magical enough that, indeed, it could be you. Obviously you can magic someone to death. But then again... you're a good person. right?
You don’t pick up a book sarcastically titled A Good Person and expect to relate to the main character, but here we are. Lillian is relatable, but not the kind you want to tell your friends about. It’s like that movie where feelings are people: Lillian is all of our bitter, selfish, vindictive thoughts made into a person. She’s delusional, she’s narcissistic, she self-sabotages, and somehow it’s never her fault—there’s always someone else to blame. And yet, she is somehow written so well that after a while, you can’t help but to feel bad for her. It’s weirdly cathartic. You feel seen, but also a little called out. I’m not saying I’m like Lillian (thankfully), but I think most people will recognize at least a little bit of themselves in her. And if not, well, that’s definitely something for me to bring up in therapy.
If you’re even a little bit chronically online, this book is a treat. The pop culture references are everywhere. If you like your books to know what year it is (and respect the power of Swifties), you’re in for a good time.
The writing is so smooth you barely notice you’re flying through it. It’s not a long book, and I could’ve finished it in a day, but I dragged it out over three just because I didn’t want it to end.
Normally I finish a book with maybe ten highlights. I finished this book with 52 highlights. That’s crazy. So obviously I have to share a few, just so you can get a glimpse into Lillian’s brain:
“I cursed myself for not putting on makeup before leaving my apartment, though I wasn’t sure any amount of foundation could adequately cover for urinating on your ex’s doorstep.”
“I pictured myself printing out her admission of guilt and slamming it on Detective Jennings’s desk. “I got her,” I would say proudly, and then the detective and I would kiss. ”
“Maybe I had a delayed UTI from having sex with Henry. The thought warmed me; it would be nice to still carry a piece of him with me, even if it was via a bacterial infection.”
April 5, 2026
4 stars!
What a ride this book was. Lillian was such a complex character to read about. Being in her head was like being in a room full of all of humanity's intrusive thoughts and all these thoughts are battling with one another to get free😅
This woman was DELUSIONAL; like her delusions had their own delusions😅. She was so unlikable but at the same time delivered her delusional thoughts in such a funny way that you couldn't help but kind of.. like her a little bit? I would literally find myself laughing at her antics one second then cringing at her manic thoughts the next.
This was such a fun and unique take on a whodunnit with and ending that felt so true to Lillian after she starts to see who and what she really is.
If you decide to read this book, don't read the blurb and go in completely blind!
____________________________________________
pre-read:
It's always a good day to read about an unhinged woman.
What a ride this book was. Lillian was such a complex character to read about. Being in her head was like being in a room full of all of humanity's intrusive thoughts and all these thoughts are battling with one another to get free😅
This woman was DELUSIONAL; like her delusions had their own delusions😅. She was so unlikable but at the same time delivered her delusional thoughts in such a funny way that you couldn't help but kind of.. like her a little bit? I would literally find myself laughing at her antics one second then cringing at her manic thoughts the next.
This was such a fun and unique take on a whodunnit with and ending that felt so true to Lillian after she starts to see who and what she really is.
If you decide to read this book, don't read the blurb and go in completely blind!
____________________________________________
pre-read:
It's always a good day to read about an unhinged woman.
April 22, 2026
Men are a blight. Lillian is completely innocent, rational, and, to be honest, relatable. I think we've all had moments late at night on Etsy where we're considering buying a hex, casting a spell, or getting a pet psychic to help us really understand our significant other. If you haven't, it's never too far around the corner. Trust me.
Rich prose and nuanced messaging help bring this portrait of heterosexual romance to life. I found the ending a bit lacklustre, but if anything, it acted as a beautiful symbol for how often heterosexual men leave others unsatisfied.
---
Someone's delusion is another person's aspiration, and this book helps remind of us of that <3
---
This lady has made her way onto so many book covers... diva!!
Substack | Bookstagram | BookTok | BookTube | Bookshop.org Store | Libro.fm Bonus Offer
Rich prose and nuanced messaging help bring this portrait of heterosexual romance to life. I found the ending a bit lacklustre, but if anything, it acted as a beautiful symbol for how often heterosexual men leave others unsatisfied.
---
Someone's delusion is another person's aspiration, and this book helps remind of us of that <3
---
This lady has made her way onto so many book covers... diva!!
Substack | Bookstagram | BookTok | BookTube | Bookshop.org Store | Libro.fm Bonus Offer
November 18, 2025
crazy town banana pants!
uh huh uh huh...this is my type of weird girl litfic 🤏🏽🤏🏽
somebody lock my girl Lillian up, we are not safe with her running around. if you like unhinged narcissistic women that lives in her own delusions...this is for you. if you think you know unhinged...think again because you haven't met Lillian yet.
with perfect pacing, short chapters & dark humor that kept me giggling out loud, it was so easy for me to fly through this.
Lillian was....a lot. she's kind of the worst really but hear me out, i kinda loved her. she kept me on my toes. being inside her head & seeing how absolutely delusional she was about everything was so fun. watching her make certain decisions that 100% made situations worse was just the icing on the cake for me.
this was a train wreck but an absolute blast & exactly what i needed to lift my spirits up.. it might not be for everyone but it definitely was for me! March cannot come fast enough, i need this sitting on my shelf right next to Sky Daddy ASAP!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
uh huh uh huh...this is my type of weird girl litfic 🤏🏽🤏🏽
somebody lock my girl Lillian up, we are not safe with her running around. if you like unhinged narcissistic women that lives in her own delusions...this is for you. if you think you know unhinged...think again because you haven't met Lillian yet.
with perfect pacing, short chapters & dark humor that kept me giggling out loud, it was so easy for me to fly through this.
Lillian was....a lot. she's kind of the worst really but hear me out, i kinda loved her. she kept me on my toes. being inside her head & seeing how absolutely delusional she was about everything was so fun. watching her make certain decisions that 100% made situations worse was just the icing on the cake for me.
this was a train wreck but an absolute blast & exactly what i needed to lift my spirits up.. it might not be for everyone but it definitely was for me! March cannot come fast enough, i need this sitting on my shelf right next to Sky Daddy ASAP!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 /5 Stars
Much like Lillian, I have an unhealthy obsession and it is this book. “A Good Person” is about Lillian, who is broken up with by her situationship, puts a hex on him, and then he dies the next day. WHOOPS. Did the hex work? Who killed him? Oh and what’s that? He had a girlfriend of 10 years? Was she better than Lillian? Was she prettier? Did he like her more? And once again, who killed him?
You will probably like this book if you like:
🌟 Literary fiction that is mixed with a splash of mystery, horror, and cringe
🌟 A main character that is not meant to be likable
🌟 Laughing and then cringing and then laughing some more
🌟 Feeling like you can relate to the characters and then being worried that you’re relating to the characters
Lillian is the hero in her own story and the villain in everyone else’s. I loved how delusional, cringy, insecure but simultaneously confident, unhinged, and horrible she was. Lillian’s story is not meant to make you feel good or comfortable. She does some whack things and justifies them in her own mind and then spirals into doing even more whack stuff. She walks through life as if there are no consequences and when there are, she just ignores them. I would laugh with her, laugh at her, want to crawl out of my skin with second hand embarrassment, be so uncomfortable, and then start the cycle all over again. It felt like watching a science experiment where you have no clue if something will explode or turn blue or what will happen but it is somehow both exciting and terrifying.
And I think it is scary to admit that we have all done some of the things that Lillian has. If you’ve done all of them, perhaps talk to a mental health professional, but a few of them felt really relatable in a way that made me feel uncomfortable for myself. I got second hand embarrassment for past me. And that relatability made it hard to put the book down.
In some ways, Lillian is also a victim of the world around her. She is so convinced that she has to act like the cool girl who is casual and doesn’t ask for anything and is down for whatever and that is such a sad way to live life. She also centers her whole life around men. She doesn’t have hobbies unless they are things the person she is dating likes. She is convinced that everyone wants to sleep with her and that that is a good thing. I think this gives the book nuance. Yes, she is unhinged but she is unhinged within a system that kind of made her this way. She, in some ways, is a result of the system around her and that result is not pretty or nice.
I truly can’t believe this is a debut. The book is really well written and really sure of its point of view. It is bold and unapologetic with how Lillian is portrayed. It puts its foot down on the gas and doesn't let up. It combines the elements of the mystery in a really competent way. I’m really impressed and Kirsten King is an auto-read author for me now.
Thank you to Brooke and Nancy for the fun buddy read! Check out their reviews too!
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: March 31, 2026
_______________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Excited for this buddy read with Nancy and Brooke! Based on a recommendation from the wonderful, Kelsey.
Much like Lillian, I have an unhealthy obsession and it is this book. “A Good Person” is about Lillian, who is broken up with by her situationship, puts a hex on him, and then he dies the next day. WHOOPS. Did the hex work? Who killed him? Oh and what’s that? He had a girlfriend of 10 years? Was she better than Lillian? Was she prettier? Did he like her more? And once again, who killed him?
You will probably like this book if you like:
🌟 Literary fiction that is mixed with a splash of mystery, horror, and cringe
🌟 A main character that is not meant to be likable
🌟 Laughing and then cringing and then laughing some more
🌟 Feeling like you can relate to the characters and then being worried that you’re relating to the characters
Lillian is the hero in her own story and the villain in everyone else’s. I loved how delusional, cringy, insecure but simultaneously confident, unhinged, and horrible she was. Lillian’s story is not meant to make you feel good or comfortable. She does some whack things and justifies them in her own mind and then spirals into doing even more whack stuff. She walks through life as if there are no consequences and when there are, she just ignores them. I would laugh with her, laugh at her, want to crawl out of my skin with second hand embarrassment, be so uncomfortable, and then start the cycle all over again. It felt like watching a science experiment where you have no clue if something will explode or turn blue or what will happen but it is somehow both exciting and terrifying.
And I think it is scary to admit that we have all done some of the things that Lillian has. If you’ve done all of them, perhaps talk to a mental health professional, but a few of them felt really relatable in a way that made me feel uncomfortable for myself. I got second hand embarrassment for past me. And that relatability made it hard to put the book down.
In some ways, Lillian is also a victim of the world around her. She is so convinced that she has to act like the cool girl who is casual and doesn’t ask for anything and is down for whatever and that is such a sad way to live life. She also centers her whole life around men. She doesn’t have hobbies unless they are things the person she is dating likes. She is convinced that everyone wants to sleep with her and that that is a good thing. I think this gives the book nuance. Yes, she is unhinged but she is unhinged within a system that kind of made her this way. She, in some ways, is a result of the system around her and that result is not pretty or nice.
I truly can’t believe this is a debut. The book is really well written and really sure of its point of view. It is bold and unapologetic with how Lillian is portrayed. It puts its foot down on the gas and doesn't let up. It combines the elements of the mystery in a really competent way. I’m really impressed and Kirsten King is an auto-read author for me now.
Thank you to Brooke and Nancy for the fun buddy read! Check out their reviews too!
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: March 31, 2026
_______________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Excited for this buddy read with Nancy and Brooke! Based on a recommendation from the wonderful, Kelsey.
April 30, 2026
•Dark humor
•Witty
•Unreliable narrator
•Unputdownable
•Debut
A Good Person. By whose standards, exactly? Lillian was SO unlikable. Yet, I couldn't get enough. I devoured this book and can't wait to see what level of derangement Kirsten King dreams up next!
4 ⭐️
•Witty
•Unreliable narrator
•Unputdownable
•Debut
A Good Person. By whose standards, exactly? Lillian was SO unlikable. Yet, I couldn't get enough. I devoured this book and can't wait to see what level of derangement Kirsten King dreams up next!
4 ⭐️
April 29, 2026
This book is one of the funniest reads I’ve ever had. Lillian, our main protagonist, said some of the most shocking and laughable things I’ve ever read. Despite her delusional and narcissistic ways, I found myself rooting for her. Lillian’s interactions with the other characters in this book were so memorable. My jaw dropped at the end of the book. I look forward to more Kristen King’s books.
April 7, 2026
4.5 stars!! This book was a lot of fun to read!
I will say that I’m not a fan of the cover…
It was funny, had a completely unhinged woman as the main character and was easy to read! I was skeptical picking up this book and reading it, but I’m glad I did! I found a new author to read!
If you like reading about a completely unhinged woman, you should give this book a try. It gave me the book, “Best Offer Wins” vibes!
🖤 Addictive
✔️ Unreliable Narrator
🖤 Dark Humor
✔️ Short Chapters
🖤 Twisty
✔️ First Person POV
I highly recommend this one!!
Quotes:
“Am I a monster or is this what it means to be a person?”
“I wasn’t crazy. I was just paying attention.”
“It brought me extreme peace when rich people spawned ugly children.”
“We were like used condoms in the ocean.”
I will say that I’m not a fan of the cover…
It was funny, had a completely unhinged woman as the main character and was easy to read! I was skeptical picking up this book and reading it, but I’m glad I did! I found a new author to read!
If you like reading about a completely unhinged woman, you should give this book a try. It gave me the book, “Best Offer Wins” vibes!
🖤 Addictive
✔️ Unreliable Narrator
🖤 Dark Humor
✔️ Short Chapters
🖤 Twisty
✔️ First Person POV
I highly recommend this one!!
Quotes:
“Am I a monster or is this what it means to be a person?”
“I wasn’t crazy. I was just paying attention.”
“It brought me extreme peace when rich people spawned ugly children.”
“We were like used condoms in the ocean.”
Read
October 23, 2025This novel is told with a mix of this kind of writing:
A girl across from me stopped reading her book and looked up at me, suddenly aware that there was an interesting person in her proximity. I locked eyes with her, and she looked back down, embarrassed.
with spurts of this kind of writing:
It dawned on me that he was breaking up with me.
After I had just sucked his dick.
"I just sucked your dick," I said.
Henry swallowed. "Well, I didn't want to say no to you."
"You literally guided my head to your penis," I said my voice thick with venom. "It's not like I was begging you for a morning bowl of cum." I was growing angrier by the second.
I dunno. Something about the narrator saying her voice was thick with something in this context seemed unintentionally in poor taste. Just as the words “in poor taste” seem a little strained in this review. Also it seems like it shouldn’t be “Henry” doing the swallowing in this scene. Sorry, sorry. I thought Crush, co-written by Kirsten King and Casey Rackham, was sassy and fun. I can imagine this novel translating into a sassy, fun film very easily. I would enjoy watching it. Those who read for story rather than language will love this novel more than I did.
A girl across from me stopped reading her book and looked up at me, suddenly aware that there was an interesting person in her proximity. I locked eyes with her, and she looked back down, embarrassed.
with spurts of this kind of writing:
It dawned on me that he was breaking up with me.
After I had just sucked his dick.
"I just sucked your dick," I said.
Henry swallowed. "Well, I didn't want to say no to you."
"You literally guided my head to your penis," I said my voice thick with venom. "It's not like I was begging you for a morning bowl of cum." I was growing angrier by the second.
I dunno. Something about the narrator saying her voice was thick with something in this context seemed unintentionally in poor taste. Just as the words “in poor taste” seem a little strained in this review. Also it seems like it shouldn’t be “Henry” doing the swallowing in this scene. Sorry, sorry. I thought Crush, co-written by Kirsten King and Casey Rackham, was sassy and fun. I can imagine this novel translating into a sassy, fun film very easily. I would enjoy watching it. Those who read for story rather than language will love this novel more than I did.
April 8, 2026
"I was a good person, but sometimes I felt other people were too stupid to see that.
Lillian and Henry have been dating for four months. Though dating may be generous as they never really leave her apartment. Henry stops by, they have sex, and then Henry leaves. Admittedly, when you say it like that it doesn't sound good but Lillian knows that what they have is special. They have the kind of electric spark that others can only hope to find. All she needs to do is to get Henry to see how special their love story is and then they'll get married, have kids, and be the envy of all of those around them.
Then Henry says the one thing Lillian never expected, "We need to talk."
This is totally unacceptable. Who does he think he is? He has clearly had a mental break of some kind to suggest they break up.
Lillian knows what she has to do. Get shitfaced drunk and put a hex on him as a little reminder of how much he needs her. He'll come crawling back.
Until she finds out the next day that Henry is murdered.
I'll leave the rest for future readers to discover.
I had a hell of a time reading this book. Lillian is the best kind of unhinged. A narcissist through and through and always the victim in her version of events. I ping ponged between laughter and cringing throughout the entire book. And while I did love Lillian as a fictional character I can say with certainty that I wouldn't want to know her in real life. She is toxic.
I always gravitate to these types of stories. The more unhinged the better. Kirsten King's humor is the kind that delights my cold black heart. The kind where you know you shouldn't find it humorous but that little devil on your shoulder tells you otherwise. If King keeps writing batshit stories then I'll be a fan for life. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for my complimentary copy.
Lillian and Henry have been dating for four months. Though dating may be generous as they never really leave her apartment. Henry stops by, they have sex, and then Henry leaves. Admittedly, when you say it like that it doesn't sound good but Lillian knows that what they have is special. They have the kind of electric spark that others can only hope to find. All she needs to do is to get Henry to see how special their love story is and then they'll get married, have kids, and be the envy of all of those around them.
Then Henry says the one thing Lillian never expected, "We need to talk."
This is totally unacceptable. Who does he think he is? He has clearly had a mental break of some kind to suggest they break up.
Lillian knows what she has to do. Get shitfaced drunk and put a hex on him as a little reminder of how much he needs her. He'll come crawling back.
Until she finds out the next day that Henry is murdered.
I'll leave the rest for future readers to discover.
I had a hell of a time reading this book. Lillian is the best kind of unhinged. A narcissist through and through and always the victim in her version of events. I ping ponged between laughter and cringing throughout the entire book. And while I did love Lillian as a fictional character I can say with certainty that I wouldn't want to know her in real life. She is toxic.
I always gravitate to these types of stories. The more unhinged the better. Kirsten King's humor is the kind that delights my cold black heart. The kind where you know you shouldn't find it humorous but that little devil on your shoulder tells you otherwise. If King keeps writing batshit stories then I'll be a fan for life. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for my complimentary copy.
April 29, 2026
4⭐️ i can’t tell you if i loved this or if i hated it… but i think that might be the point!!
lillian starts off pretty delusional but in a funny, familiar way, and then she just keeps unraveling (to the point of no return)! but i could NOT look away! she’s objectively the worst but i was so entertained the entire time. being in her head is a wild ride because every decision she makes is somehow worse than the last?? and you just have to go with it!
the pacing is fast, the chapters are short, and the humor really worked for me! (definitely for my zillennials) it’s very sarcastic, very unhinged, very much a train wreck you can’t look away from. it’s essentially a *weird girl lit* spin on a whodunnit!
also i saw that daisy edgar jones is producing the movie and i think it has a TON of potential for a great adaptation!! so i can’t wait for that! 🎬
i do think i wanted a little more depth or something extra to make it stick long term, but in terms of vibes? it’s messy, and fun, and frenetic! 🤌
lillian starts off pretty delusional but in a funny, familiar way, and then she just keeps unraveling (to the point of no return)! but i could NOT look away! she’s objectively the worst but i was so entertained the entire time. being in her head is a wild ride because every decision she makes is somehow worse than the last?? and you just have to go with it!
the pacing is fast, the chapters are short, and the humor really worked for me! (definitely for my zillennials) it’s very sarcastic, very unhinged, very much a train wreck you can’t look away from. it’s essentially a *weird girl lit* spin on a whodunnit!
also i saw that daisy edgar jones is producing the movie and i think it has a TON of potential for a great adaptation!! so i can’t wait for that! 🎬
i do think i wanted a little more depth or something extra to make it stick long term, but in terms of vibes? it’s messy, and fun, and frenetic! 🤌
April 5, 2026
Lillian is a train wreck, and I could not look away! She's delulu, manipulative, and often picks the worst option in the multiple choice quiz of life. But she's not a murderer...is she?
Lilian is the epitome of "We are all the hero of our own story." In real life, I'd steer clear of Lillian. But as the unhinged main character of a book, I'm all in!
The ending, some of you aren't going to like it. But me, I see it as a defining moment that ended with a full stop, and also a ...
4.5 ⭐ rounded up to 5.
Lilian is the epitome of "We are all the hero of our own story." In real life, I'd steer clear of Lillian. But as the unhinged main character of a book, I'm all in!
The ending, some of you aren't going to like it. But me, I see it as a defining moment that ended with a full stop, and also a ...
4.5 ⭐ rounded up to 5.
![Profile Image for Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1746468325i%2F66224803._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 20, 2026
One word and one word only: ✨Delusional ✨
I told her that I thought I was a good person, but sometimes I felt like people were too stupid to see that.
Lilian has a problem that many women seem to have:
She’s stuck in a situationship.
Her next goal is to make it into a relationship, but sadly Henry has other plans.
So she does the only reasonable thing:
she tries to hex him.
Of course, you can’t expect immediate results.
But when she wakes up with a horrible hangover, she finds out something did happen: Henry died.
Every lie I told had a purpose. I was constantly guessing the needs of those around me and tweaking my reality to be what they needed to hear.
Lilian is the most narcissistic person I’ve ever read about and it was an absolutely wild ride to be in her head.
Did I have fun? 100%.
I thought about how, in that moment, I had gone to every crevice and corner in my brain except the one that was in that room in my own body.
A recommendation for all weird girl litfic fans.
I told her that I thought I was a good person, but sometimes I felt like people were too stupid to see that.
Lilian has a problem that many women seem to have:
She’s stuck in a situationship.
Her next goal is to make it into a relationship, but sadly Henry has other plans.
So she does the only reasonable thing:
she tries to hex him.
Of course, you can’t expect immediate results.
But when she wakes up with a horrible hangover, she finds out something did happen: Henry died.
Every lie I told had a purpose. I was constantly guessing the needs of those around me and tweaking my reality to be what they needed to hear.
Lilian is the most narcissistic person I’ve ever read about and it was an absolutely wild ride to be in her head.
Did I have fun? 100%.
I thought about how, in that moment, I had gone to every crevice and corner in my brain except the one that was in that room in my own body.
A recommendation for all weird girl litfic fans.
January 24, 2026
Poor Lillian. Nothing is ever her fault. No one understands her. She’s perfect and the problem is everyone else. Her narcissism is unrivaled. Which makes for an excellent reading experience.
Lillian is extremely oblivious to those around her. She thinks she’s in this perfect relationship with Henry until he breaks up with her. To us as readers, we can see those glaring hints along the way, but poor Lillian is just oblivious. The most obvious thing to do is to put a hex on him. Unfortunately, for Henry, he dies, and some of his best kept secrets are revealed. Lillian being Lillian can’t leave things alone and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
This was such a fun, quick read. Lillian is so unlikable that she makes for a great story. She’s unhinged without realizing she’s unhinged might be the best way to describe it. There were a few fun twists along the way and how it ended worked well.
I will definitely be checking out further books by this author for sure. Lillian will be a tough character to beat.
As a brief, FYI the blurb mentions this being similar to Gone Girl and I didn’t really seem to see that correlation.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Lillian is extremely oblivious to those around her. She thinks she’s in this perfect relationship with Henry until he breaks up with her. To us as readers, we can see those glaring hints along the way, but poor Lillian is just oblivious. The most obvious thing to do is to put a hex on him. Unfortunately, for Henry, he dies, and some of his best kept secrets are revealed. Lillian being Lillian can’t leave things alone and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
This was such a fun, quick read. Lillian is so unlikable that she makes for a great story. She’s unhinged without realizing she’s unhinged might be the best way to describe it. There were a few fun twists along the way and how it ended worked well.
I will definitely be checking out further books by this author for sure. Lillian will be a tough character to beat.
As a brief, FYI the blurb mentions this being similar to Gone Girl and I didn’t really seem to see that correlation.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2026
“Women were terrifying vindictive creatures. We stalked each other online and competed relentlessly. We would cut a beating heart out of each other’s bodies if it made our own stronger.”
Twenty-nine year old Lillian has really been enjoying hookups with her situationship Henry. She even fantasizes about turning their frequent romantic trysts into a serious relationship—one with possible marriage on the horizon. But when Henry unexpectedly wants to call things off, she is dumbstruck and furious. Then things take a destructive turn when Henry dies shortly after Lillian drunkenly hexes him with a spell from a witchy wellness guru. Now Lillian is suspect number one in his murder. And to make matters messier, it turns out she wasn’t the only woman in Henry’s life. She’s on a mission to prove her innocence…or at least control the narrative.
I absolutely loved being in the mind of this unhinged, destructive, delusional, self-serving narcissist of a woman. There were so many moments in this dark comedy that had me laughing out loud. ALL THE STARS!
Twenty-nine year old Lillian has really been enjoying hookups with her situationship Henry. She even fantasizes about turning their frequent romantic trysts into a serious relationship—one with possible marriage on the horizon. But when Henry unexpectedly wants to call things off, she is dumbstruck and furious. Then things take a destructive turn when Henry dies shortly after Lillian drunkenly hexes him with a spell from a witchy wellness guru. Now Lillian is suspect number one in his murder. And to make matters messier, it turns out she wasn’t the only woman in Henry’s life. She’s on a mission to prove her innocence…or at least control the narrative.
I absolutely loved being in the mind of this unhinged, destructive, delusional, self-serving narcissist of a woman. There were so many moments in this dark comedy that had me laughing out loud. ALL THE STARS!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐⭐.5
Me on This Book in Eight Ironic English Words: Good people don't have to tell themselves so.
"Women were terrifying, vindictive creatures. We stalked each other online and competed relentlessly. We would cut a beating heart out of each other’s bodies if it made our own stronger. What had happened between Nora and me was a kind of hatred that could only happen between two women who had cared about the same thing— and it was the most natural thing in the world." p111
"I considered what actually going to a therapist might be like. The thought of entering an hour-long session with the goal of receiving a stamp of approval that would keep me out of prison was unnerving. What if they didn’t get my sense of humor or my blunt honesty? What if they diagnosed me with all the things I was afraid I might have? Or, worse, misdiagnosed me? What if they told Hector I was a sociopath? Or that I was capable of murder? How would I move forward with my life after a diagnosis like that?" p140
In Short: Choice of footwear (like Crocs) can be about accessibility and calling people who wear Crocs "emotionally stunted clowns" doesn't go over with me. I wear Crocs in all seasons. I have insulated Crocs for winter. I add jewels to my Crocs for fun and fashion. I wear Crocs because they are extremely low-cost shoes with built-in step support. So let's stop judging people for every little thing, in life and in fiction. This is an interesting book about an interesting character, but it's clear the author doesn't understand the clinical definitions of common psychological concepts, like codependency. Her errors perpetuate some pretty terrible stigma. Also a therapist would not act like this. Professional ethics wouldn't encourage Dr. Cohen's approach. Also, it's not that easy to review mental health professionals that publish directly to the public. At the very least, Psychology Today does not allow this practice.
"Content Warnings:" pushing, falls, gorillas/wildlife, zoos, malingering, bullying, SA, non-con sex scenes, gr*pe, dissociation, irrational thought, sexual harassment, stigma,
Preread:
That cover with that title was an irresistible combo. Though, this female rage trope may be playing itself out for me.
Thanks you to the author and publisher, and NetGalley, for the advance copy.
Me on This Book in Eight Ironic English Words: Good people don't have to tell themselves so.
"Women were terrifying, vindictive creatures. We stalked each other online and competed relentlessly. We would cut a beating heart out of each other’s bodies if it made our own stronger. What had happened between Nora and me was a kind of hatred that could only happen between two women who had cared about the same thing— and it was the most natural thing in the world." p111
"I considered what actually going to a therapist might be like. The thought of entering an hour-long session with the goal of receiving a stamp of approval that would keep me out of prison was unnerving. What if they didn’t get my sense of humor or my blunt honesty? What if they diagnosed me with all the things I was afraid I might have? Or, worse, misdiagnosed me? What if they told Hector I was a sociopath? Or that I was capable of murder? How would I move forward with my life after a diagnosis like that?" p140
In Short: Choice of footwear (like Crocs) can be about accessibility and calling people who wear Crocs "emotionally stunted clowns" doesn't go over with me. I wear Crocs in all seasons. I have insulated Crocs for winter. I add jewels to my Crocs for fun and fashion. I wear Crocs because they are extremely low-cost shoes with built-in step support. So let's stop judging people for every little thing, in life and in fiction. This is an interesting book about an interesting character, but it's clear the author doesn't understand the clinical definitions of common psychological concepts, like codependency. Her errors perpetuate some pretty terrible stigma. Also a therapist would not act like this. Professional ethics wouldn't encourage Dr. Cohen's approach. Also, it's not that easy to review mental health professionals that publish directly to the public. At the very least, Psychology Today does not allow this practice.
"Content Warnings:" pushing, falls, gorillas/wildlife, zoos, malingering, bullying, SA, non-con sex scenes, gr*pe, dissociation, irrational thought, sexual harassment, stigma,
Preread:
That cover with that title was an irresistible combo. Though, this female rage trope may be playing itself out for me.
Thanks you to the author and publisher, and NetGalley, for the advance copy.
April 4, 2026
A (very!) good book, full of deliciously unhinged fun.
Lillian, a twenty-nine-year-old woman, is absolutely convinced she is the exception to every rule -especially when it comes to love. What she considers a budding relationship, everyone else (correctly) identifies as a "situationship". So when Henry, the object of her affection, abruptly ends things instead of declaring undying devotion, Lillian does what any perfectly reasonable person would do: she casts a hex on him. Unfortunately, Henry promptly turns up dead the next day.
What follows is a chaotic, darkly funny spiral as Lillian attempts to manage the narrative, clear her name, and - perhaps most importantly - secure her place as the grieving girlfriend she believes she was always meant to be.
This was, quite simply, hilariously unhinged fun. Lillian is not a "good person" by any conventional definition, but she is an absolutely magnetic antihero. Delusional, self-serving, and completely committed to her own version of reality, she barrels through the story with a kind of confidence that is equal parts horrifying and impressive. I have never met a narcissist I liked more.
The humor is clever and often very dark, leaning fully into Lillian's skewed perspective without ever trying to soften it. The result is a story that feels both absurd and yet grounded in the very real (and very recognizable) ways people rewrite their own narratives to stay the hero of their story.
A Good Person is Kirsten King's incredible debut - clever, well-paced, and full of twists that keep the momentum going. The novel never takes itself too seriously, but it also doesn't lose control of the story, even as Lillian very much loses control of… well, everything else.
If you enjoy messy, morally questionable protagonists and stories that fully embrace the chaos, A Good Person is a must-read. Deliciously dark, sharply written, and wildly entertaining! I'll absolutely be watching what Kirsten King does next.
Many thanks to Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"A Good Person" was published on March 31, 2026, and is available now.
Lillian, a twenty-nine-year-old woman, is absolutely convinced she is the exception to every rule -especially when it comes to love. What she considers a budding relationship, everyone else (correctly) identifies as a "situationship". So when Henry, the object of her affection, abruptly ends things instead of declaring undying devotion, Lillian does what any perfectly reasonable person would do: she casts a hex on him. Unfortunately, Henry promptly turns up dead the next day.
What follows is a chaotic, darkly funny spiral as Lillian attempts to manage the narrative, clear her name, and - perhaps most importantly - secure her place as the grieving girlfriend she believes she was always meant to be.
This was, quite simply, hilariously unhinged fun. Lillian is not a "good person" by any conventional definition, but she is an absolutely magnetic antihero. Delusional, self-serving, and completely committed to her own version of reality, she barrels through the story with a kind of confidence that is equal parts horrifying and impressive. I have never met a narcissist I liked more.
The humor is clever and often very dark, leaning fully into Lillian's skewed perspective without ever trying to soften it. The result is a story that feels both absurd and yet grounded in the very real (and very recognizable) ways people rewrite their own narratives to stay the hero of their story.
A Good Person is Kirsten King's incredible debut - clever, well-paced, and full of twists that keep the momentum going. The novel never takes itself too seriously, but it also doesn't lose control of the story, even as Lillian very much loses control of… well, everything else.
If you enjoy messy, morally questionable protagonists and stories that fully embrace the chaos, A Good Person is a must-read. Deliciously dark, sharply written, and wildly entertaining! I'll absolutely be watching what Kirsten King does next.
Many thanks to Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"A Good Person" was published on March 31, 2026, and is available now.
March 28, 2026
It takes real skill to write an unlikable narrator that is still entertaining and funny enough to be good, and this author did it beautifully. Lillian is like a character from “It’s Always Sunny,” basically. And you’re inside her head, hearing her thought process in detail, so buckle up.
The blurb kind of makes it seem like the boyfriend is an innocent bystander or even victim in this whole thing, but honestly I was thinking: “Good for her for doing that hex.” Lillian may be an awful person, (she might actually be psychotic), but the boyfriend is terrible in other ways.
This book took so many wild turns that I did not see coming! It was surprisingly funny, (a dark sense of humor is required), and I loved that it was set in Boston. The city played an active role in the story.
Lillian is delusional, projects her own insecurities onto others and constructs outlandish imaginary narratives. It was fascinating to watch her spiral, becoming worse and worse before my very eyes, yet somehow whenever she would get caught in a lie or her bad karma would catch up to her in certain situations, I was so uncomfortable. Not necessarily because I felt bad for her, (aside from the initial inciting incident), but because it was all such a train wreck. I was impressed by the author’s ability to write from the perspective of a vicious Narcissist so effortlessly and still make me want to keep reading. I don’t think I would be able to attempt a POV like this without feeling bad!
I feel weird calling this one “fun” because it was so crazy and being in Lillian’s headspace was shocking at times, but I honestly did have a good time with it and thought the humor was sharp and well executed. Kirsten King is an author who is not afraid to take risks.
4.5 stars. I’m not 100% sold on the ending, but I liked the book enough for that to be a minor complaint.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Sexual Assault, Alcohol abuse.
The blurb kind of makes it seem like the boyfriend is an innocent bystander or even victim in this whole thing, but honestly I was thinking: “Good for her for doing that hex.” Lillian may be an awful person, (she might actually be psychotic), but the boyfriend is terrible in other ways.
This book took so many wild turns that I did not see coming! It was surprisingly funny, (a dark sense of humor is required), and I loved that it was set in Boston. The city played an active role in the story.
Lillian is delusional, projects her own insecurities onto others and constructs outlandish imaginary narratives. It was fascinating to watch her spiral, becoming worse and worse before my very eyes, yet somehow whenever she would get caught in a lie or her bad karma would catch up to her in certain situations, I was so uncomfortable. Not necessarily because I felt bad for her, (aside from the initial inciting incident), but because it was all such a train wreck. I was impressed by the author’s ability to write from the perspective of a vicious Narcissist so effortlessly and still make me want to keep reading. I don’t think I would be able to attempt a POV like this without feeling bad!
I feel weird calling this one “fun” because it was so crazy and being in Lillian’s headspace was shocking at times, but I honestly did have a good time with it and thought the humor was sharp and well executed. Kirsten King is an author who is not afraid to take risks.
4.5 stars. I’m not 100% sold on the ending, but I liked the book enough for that to be a minor complaint.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Sexual Assault, Alcohol abuse.
April 7, 2026
2.25
The lack of nuance in this book needs to be studied. I am a fan of an unlikable female leads when there’s a point or even “method to the madness”. Lillian is just a bad caricature of severe narcissistic personality disorder and I’m sorry that is not enough for me to like your book! I’m not saying I need to be secretly rooting for evil characters or that I even want a redemption moment, but the ending shows there’s nothing redeeming about this person whatsoever. Maybe I read too many of these “unlikable female lead” books but this one felt painfully exhausting trying to keep up with Lillian’s mental gymnastics and mind games like I need a nap!! This book at the end of the day lacked any actual point for me other than “look at this horrible person isn’t she horrible” and I’m sorry you need to add more than that to keep me invested. The one moment we have of some clarity is the scene with the therapist but it comes way too late for any real convos to be had. The scenes with Nora were very good and complex, I will give it that.
This will get comparisons to Yellowface by RF Kuang which I see but I need to push back on because Yellowface actually had something to say about race!!! There’s some VERY weird comments on race from our main character too like I am white but the character constantly and casually reminding us she is white and correlating it with how she gets away with things due to that like it all rings very weird to me!!! Like you could argue it’s just driving home her privilege but it comes off so whack. Like if you’re going to bring up her race so much maybe I dunno SAY SOMETHING MORE??? What do we get? Comments about how a Latino man would be in jail over half the shit Lillian’s done?? Comments about being in fear about police accidentally shooting her, a white woman in Boston. Hey what are we talking about. A whole lotta nothing.
Last thing I wanna say that I don’t see many negative reviews of this book commenting on is the mistreatment of Jamie. I get writing a wallflower character but the way Lillian weaponizes Jamie’s obvious crush on her made me nauseous. And I know some may say, “that’s the point Lillian is a horrible person” that doesn’t mean I have to like it??? Jamie is also a caricature but of every bad pushover character ever and it just felt lazy at some points, like of course Jamie will hand over her CREDIT CARD TO PAY FOR LILLIAN’S LAWYER????????? HELLO?????
Next day edit: upon further review and discussion w a friend about Gone Girl comparisons this is getting, I think we need to charge Gillian Flynn with crimes against feminism. I fear the “cool girl Amy Dunne monologue” has done irreparable damage to the women who choose to date men community. Let’s be honest here, debasing yourself to be a “cool girl” and somehow simultaneously craft your dream guy out of the man you’re debasing yourself for??? Yeah if you’re calling this a “good for her” novel I’m (with the utmost love) begging you to think critically. (I want to say another thing here but it’s a spoiler so STOP READING NOW) SPOILER: finding out a woman murdered a shitty man in an Ambien fugue state is not the girl boss win you may think it is.
The lack of nuance in this book needs to be studied. I am a fan of an unlikable female leads when there’s a point or even “method to the madness”. Lillian is just a bad caricature of severe narcissistic personality disorder and I’m sorry that is not enough for me to like your book! I’m not saying I need to be secretly rooting for evil characters or that I even want a redemption moment, but the ending shows there’s nothing redeeming about this person whatsoever. Maybe I read too many of these “unlikable female lead” books but this one felt painfully exhausting trying to keep up with Lillian’s mental gymnastics and mind games like I need a nap!! This book at the end of the day lacked any actual point for me other than “look at this horrible person isn’t she horrible” and I’m sorry you need to add more than that to keep me invested. The one moment we have of some clarity is the scene with the therapist but it comes way too late for any real convos to be had. The scenes with Nora were very good and complex, I will give it that.
This will get comparisons to Yellowface by RF Kuang which I see but I need to push back on because Yellowface actually had something to say about race!!! There’s some VERY weird comments on race from our main character too like I am white but the character constantly and casually reminding us she is white and correlating it with how she gets away with things due to that like it all rings very weird to me!!! Like you could argue it’s just driving home her privilege but it comes off so whack. Like if you’re going to bring up her race so much maybe I dunno SAY SOMETHING MORE??? What do we get? Comments about how a Latino man would be in jail over half the shit Lillian’s done?? Comments about being in fear about police accidentally shooting her, a white woman in Boston. Hey what are we talking about. A whole lotta nothing.
Last thing I wanna say that I don’t see many negative reviews of this book commenting on is the mistreatment of Jamie. I get writing a wallflower character but the way Lillian weaponizes Jamie’s obvious crush on her made me nauseous. And I know some may say, “that’s the point Lillian is a horrible person” that doesn’t mean I have to like it??? Jamie is also a caricature but of every bad pushover character ever and it just felt lazy at some points, like of course Jamie will hand over her CREDIT CARD TO PAY FOR LILLIAN’S LAWYER????????? HELLO?????
Next day edit: upon further review and discussion w a friend about Gone Girl comparisons this is getting, I think we need to charge Gillian Flynn with crimes against feminism. I fear the “cool girl Amy Dunne monologue” has done irreparable damage to the women who choose to date men community. Let’s be honest here, debasing yourself to be a “cool girl” and somehow simultaneously craft your dream guy out of the man you’re debasing yourself for??? Yeah if you’re calling this a “good for her” novel I’m (with the utmost love) begging you to think critically. (I want to say another thing here but it’s a spoiler so STOP READING NOW) SPOILER: finding out a woman murdered a shitty man in an Ambien fugue state is not the girl boss win you may think it is.
April 20, 2026
4.44⭐️
I was really looking forward to reading this book, and I wasn't disappointed!
The main character is unhinged, delusional, narcissistic, and has every other flaw you could possibly find in a person. And that's exactly what makes her such a refreshing and entertaining protagonist to follow.
The book is hilarious from start to finish, poking fun at society, Millennials, and Gen Z. It's impossible to put down, despite a plot and murder mystery that aren't necessarily captivating.
The only downside is the numerous references to the 2020s. Although they’re all spot-on, they’ll undeniably be outdated very soon, and I’m afraid the book will be much less enjoyable to read in a few years because of that, since the story relies almost entirely on them.
I was really looking forward to reading this book, and I wasn't disappointed!
The main character is unhinged, delusional, narcissistic, and has every other flaw you could possibly find in a person. And that's exactly what makes her such a refreshing and entertaining protagonist to follow.
The book is hilarious from start to finish, poking fun at society, Millennials, and Gen Z. It's impossible to put down, despite a plot and murder mystery that aren't necessarily captivating.
The only downside is the numerous references to the 2020s. Although they’re all spot-on, they’ll undeniably be outdated very soon, and I’m afraid the book will be much less enjoyable to read in a few years because of that, since the story relies almost entirely on them.
April 4, 2026
I love an unapologetic baddie
Kirsten King’s debut novel, A GOOD PERSON, was not initially on my TBR until I was told by a friend that I would love it and needed to read it. Thank you @robyn_reads1 for your hardcover copy and thank you @prhaudio for the gifted ALC!
I alternated between the physical and audio, and I’m happy to say that both worked perfectly for me. A GOOD PERSON is a book for all us anxious attachment style folks.
Lillian is a hot mess and truly chaotic in all the best ways. When she tries to turn her casual situationship with Henry into a real relationship, he unexpectedly breaks up with her. Lillian drunkenly casts a hex on him, only for him to actually die, making her a prime suspect. As she scrambles to control the narrative, uncover the truth, and claim her place as his grieving partner, she spirals into a dangerous investigation that exposes dark secrets and her own morally complex impulses.
This book is fully a comedy-thriller, but less thriller and more fun and satirical. If you enjoyed books like Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft, Good Rich People by Eliza Jane Brazier, and All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman; then this book is for you! This book is truly unhinged and I had a total blast. Lillian is deeply flawed and psychotic, but you’ll be fully entertained by her. STARS: 4, PUB: out now!
Kirsten King’s debut novel, A GOOD PERSON, was not initially on my TBR until I was told by a friend that I would love it and needed to read it. Thank you @robyn_reads1 for your hardcover copy and thank you @prhaudio for the gifted ALC!
I alternated between the physical and audio, and I’m happy to say that both worked perfectly for me. A GOOD PERSON is a book for all us anxious attachment style folks.
Lillian is a hot mess and truly chaotic in all the best ways. When she tries to turn her casual situationship with Henry into a real relationship, he unexpectedly breaks up with her. Lillian drunkenly casts a hex on him, only for him to actually die, making her a prime suspect. As she scrambles to control the narrative, uncover the truth, and claim her place as his grieving partner, she spirals into a dangerous investigation that exposes dark secrets and her own morally complex impulses.
This book is fully a comedy-thriller, but less thriller and more fun and satirical. If you enjoyed books like Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft, Good Rich People by Eliza Jane Brazier, and All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman; then this book is for you! This book is truly unhinged and I had a total blast. Lillian is deeply flawed and psychotic, but you’ll be fully entertained by her. STARS: 4, PUB: out now!
April 24, 2026
Dark, hilarious, and absolutely unhinged. A Good Person is a compulsively readable story of narcissism, obsession, and revenge, with thriller elements that border on horror.
I wasn't sure where it was going, but it really paid off. Lillian's downward spiral was so damn entertaining.
I wasn't sure where it was going, but it really paid off. Lillian's downward spiral was so damn entertaining.
April 13, 2026
An absolute wild debut novel about a narcissistic woman named Lillian who is a prime suspect in a murder. The victim just happens to be someone she was dating. Lillian is volatile, self absorbed, and has zero idea of life outside of herself.
However there are moments where Lillian realizes she’s not perfect, far from it, but uses this to her advantage.
“I would never have a best friend with whom I became so intertwined that we combined our names into an acronym. I would never be the leader of the pack, or even a coveted follower. I would never be the kid you saved a seat for on the bus. I would always be outside, looking in.”
“I leaned over to get a better look at the kid’s face and was relieved to see that he was very ugly. It brought me extreme peace when rich people spawned ugly children.”
Wretched, evil, zero self reflection, but Kirsten King writes with such ease that you somehow feel sorry for Lillian’s inability to care about anything but herself.
No spoilers, but the ENDING. 😱
You won’t be able to put this book down!
However there are moments where Lillian realizes she’s not perfect, far from it, but uses this to her advantage.
“I would never have a best friend with whom I became so intertwined that we combined our names into an acronym. I would never be the leader of the pack, or even a coveted follower. I would never be the kid you saved a seat for on the bus. I would always be outside, looking in.”
“I leaned over to get a better look at the kid’s face and was relieved to see that he was very ugly. It brought me extreme peace when rich people spawned ugly children.”
Wretched, evil, zero self reflection, but Kirsten King writes with such ease that you somehow feel sorry for Lillian’s inability to care about anything but herself.
No spoilers, but the ENDING. 😱
You won’t be able to put this book down!
April 13, 2026
4.5 stars
Totally unhinged, weird girl lit (in all the very best ways).
Readers are literally dragged along on a woman's delusional train wreck at break-neck speed. You can't look away. You can't stop cringing. You also can't stop reading. This book made me feel itchy under my skin because I just kew Lillian O'Malley was going to make one terrible decision after another, but it's so much fun to spiral the drain with her. There were a times when her inner dialogue felt a bit too much like manipulation (I would've preferred to reach conclusions on my own, but this is a minor quibble).
The ending was chef's kiss.
Totally unhinged, weird girl lit (in all the very best ways).
Readers are literally dragged along on a woman's delusional train wreck at break-neck speed. You can't look away. You can't stop cringing. You also can't stop reading. This book made me feel itchy under my skin because I just kew Lillian O'Malley was going to make one terrible decision after another, but it's so much fun to spiral the drain with her. There were a times when her inner dialogue felt a bit too much like manipulation (I would've preferred to reach conclusions on my own, but this is a minor quibble).
The ending was chef's kiss.
August 27, 2025
I LOVED THIS! I could hardly put it down because I was so anxious to see how everything panned out.
The book begins on Lillian's 29th birthday with her lamenting how she's approaching 30 and doesn't feel accomplished compared to her peers that are getting married, having children and/or successful careers. Lillian works in marketing and lives with a roommate, and her longest relationship is with her current boyfriend, Henry, who she has been seeing for four months. Lillian became instantly obsessed with Henry and imagines herself marrying and starting a life with him (not just Henry - she fantasizes about nearly everyone she interacts with in this way). Her infatuation leans a bit stalkerish and makes her act impulsively. So, it isn't surprising to anyone except Lillian when the relationship ends in a messy breakup. Feeling embarrassed and heartbroken, Lillian takes matters into her own hands by deciding to hex Henry, enlisting the help of her best and only friend, Jamie.
Lillian is completely unlikable (MY FAVORITE). She is narcissistic, impulsive, brutally honest and darkly funny. She lives in her own little delulu world in her head where she is perfect and everyone is in love with her; in reality, others view her as weird and she's generally the black sheep in every group. Yet somehow still, Kirsten King is able to throw in little tidbits that make you relate to Lillian and able to empathize with her at times. This makes for a wildly entertaining ride!
While reading, this book brought to mind my Queen, Anna Dorn's, extremely chaotic and wonderful 'Exalted.' The relationship between Lillian and Jamie reminds me of that between the narrator and Reva in 'My Year of Rest & Relaxation.' If you know anything about my reading taste, those are some of the highest regards I can give to this 220-page gem of a book. I have NO doubt that A Good Person is going to quickly find its niche in the weird girl lit loving community.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Putnam Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book. A Good Person is set to 03.31.26 - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
The book begins on Lillian's 29th birthday with her lamenting how she's approaching 30 and doesn't feel accomplished compared to her peers that are getting married, having children and/or successful careers. Lillian works in marketing and lives with a roommate, and her longest relationship is with her current boyfriend, Henry, who she has been seeing for four months. Lillian became instantly obsessed with Henry and imagines herself marrying and starting a life with him (not just Henry - she fantasizes about nearly everyone she interacts with in this way). Her infatuation leans a bit stalkerish and makes her act impulsively. So, it isn't surprising to anyone except Lillian when the relationship ends in a messy breakup. Feeling embarrassed and heartbroken, Lillian takes matters into her own hands by deciding to hex Henry, enlisting the help of her best and only friend, Jamie.
Lillian is completely unlikable (MY FAVORITE). She is narcissistic, impulsive, brutally honest and darkly funny. She lives in her own little delulu world in her head where she is perfect and everyone is in love with her; in reality, others view her as weird and she's generally the black sheep in every group. Yet somehow still, Kirsten King is able to throw in little tidbits that make you relate to Lillian and able to empathize with her at times. This makes for a wildly entertaining ride!
While reading, this book brought to mind my Queen, Anna Dorn's, extremely chaotic and wonderful 'Exalted.' The relationship between Lillian and Jamie reminds me of that between the narrator and Reva in 'My Year of Rest & Relaxation.' If you know anything about my reading taste, those are some of the highest regards I can give to this 220-page gem of a book. I have NO doubt that A Good Person is going to quickly find its niche in the weird girl lit loving community.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Putnam Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book. A Good Person is set to 03.31.26 - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
April 13, 2026
In 1996 Gen X met Bridget Jones and found her narcissism quaintly hilarious. In 2026 Millennials are serving up narcissists of a different flavour in books like Yellowface, Best Offer Wins, and A Good Person and while there is still some hilarity involved, it is of a much darker kind that looks a bit more like hysteria.
Lillian is the most interesting person in the world, if only everyone else could understand that. They are obviously all idiots. The chaos that surrounds her convergence with the world is entirely not of her making. She is just cursed with bad luck.
I’ll be honest, I did find a lot of this book darkly humorous. I also saw so many people I have known over the years, some of them very close to me. Narcissistic people can be funny, charming, and enormously charismatic. They also tend to end up sucking the life out of you, but as they would say, there’s always a trade-off, right? For you, anyway, not for them.
If you aren’t triggered by reading about people like this (I’m not) then you will find Lillian’s story a great one, well told, and worth the time you spend with her and her ever calculating and justifying psyche.
Lillian is the most interesting person in the world, if only everyone else could understand that. They are obviously all idiots. The chaos that surrounds her convergence with the world is entirely not of her making. She is just cursed with bad luck.
I’ll be honest, I did find a lot of this book darkly humorous. I also saw so many people I have known over the years, some of them very close to me. Narcissistic people can be funny, charming, and enormously charismatic. They also tend to end up sucking the life out of you, but as they would say, there’s always a trade-off, right? For you, anyway, not for them.
If you aren’t triggered by reading about people like this (I’m not) then you will find Lillian’s story a great one, well told, and worth the time you spend with her and her ever calculating and justifying psyche.
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