The novel 'Are You Mad at Me?' is this incredibly relatable story about miscommunication and the anxiety that comes with it. The protagonist, a shy college student named Ellie, accidentally sends a private rant about her roommate to the wrong group chat—specifically, one that includes said roommate.
the fallout is immediate and brutal, with Ellie spiraling into
panic over whether her roommate is secretly furious or just giving her the cold shoulder.
the plot twists through awkward encounters, passive-aggressive sticky notes, and a slow-burn reconciliation that feels painfully real. What I love is how the author captures the tiny, cringe-worthy moments of dorm life, like sharing a fridge with someone you’ve possibly offended. The side characters, like Ellie’s overly blunt best friend and the roommate’s suspiciously calm boyfriend, add layers to the tension. By the end, it’s less about who’s mad and more about how hard it is to be honest, even with people you live with.
I couldn’t put it down because it mirrored so many of my own overthinking habits. The way Ellie analyzes every text message and hallway interaction hit close to home. There’s a scene where she rehearses
apologies in the shower that had me laughing and wincing simultaneously. The book doesn’t wrap up with a neat bow, either—some relationships mend, others don’t, and that ambiguity makes it stick with you. If you’ve ever obsessively reread a message wondering, 'Wait, does this sound rude?', this novel is your spirit animal.