Review of Ordinary People Like Us by Kelly Ann Morey

This book had me in my feels from page one. A generational story that follows a line of Māori mothers and their daughters, navigating the world. Each suffers, and each thrives in their own unique ways.

I thought I would find it difficult to relate to each woman on the page, but I found it so easy. The writing wrapped me up in the story, building itself around me until I felt like a member of the family. It grows, each page adding a small layer of emotion until you’re brimming with feelings. Coming into this knowing very little about Māori culture, I feel as though this is the first small step to reading more about it and the Māori people. I loved the uniqueness of every character and the tenderness with which they were written. Beautiful.

Published on 10.09.2026 by John Murray

Reviewed by Rebecca