Set in contemporary California, the story revolves around Margot, who shares her life’s narrative with occasional shifts in perspective, switching between first-person and a third-person view. Born into a family with modest means, her mother worked as a waitress at a Hooters bar, where she met Jinx, a well-known professional wrestler and public personality. Despite his marital status, they had a child together, Margot, who grew up knowing Jinx was her father, even though he was rarely present. In contrast, Jinx is married to Cherie and has children with her, who look down on him for his trashy persona. However, Margot has always looked up to him.
Margot’s mother, Sheyenne, has relied on relationships with men for financial support since Margot’s childhood. Determined to carve her path in life, Margot managed to secure a place at the University of California Fullerton entirely on her own.
However, her life takes a complex turn when Mark, her English professor, becomes romantically involved with her, leading to an unplanned pregnancy. Mark, her mother, and her best friend Rebecca, who has moved to New York for college, all pressure her to have an abortion, questioning her ability to attend college and care for a child.
Struggling with the financial burden, Margot turns to the world of OnlyFans, creating explicit content to support herself and her baby. Jinx, surprisingly, supports her decision, understanding her need to survive. But when Rebecca exposes her online, Margot loses her social circle. Mark, seeing an opportunity, attempts to gain custody, and a legal battle ensues.
Despite the odds stacked against her, Margot emerges as a resilient character who refuses to give up. When Jinx’s addiction to heroin surfaces, Margot ensures he enters rehab, putting the custody battle on hold. Her lawyer advises her to open her life to scrutiny, and through transparency, she passes a series of tests from Child Protection Services.
However, the story takes an unexpected twist when it’s revealed that it was Sheyenne who had called Child Protection, motivated by her conservative fiancé, Kenny. Margot retains custody with the promise to explore a different career path. She then forms a consulting company with JB, a person she has been interacting with online, and her life starts taking a more positive turn.
This novel is a refreshing take on a 20-year-old heroine who faces real-world challenges and tackles them head-on. Margot’s working-class background and artistic sensibilities make her stand out. Every character in the story is multi-dimensional, even Mark, who, despite his flaws, is shown to be a caring father. The narrative seamlessly blends comedy with coming-of-age elements, portraying Margot’s resilience in the age of social media and privacy invasion.