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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love a good coming-of-age story!
Mary Jane is a naive teenager who works as a summer nanny for a family very different from her own. At age fourteen, for the first time ever, Mary Jane realizes that the way her family does things isn't the only way, and may not be the best way for her. She learned some valuable skills from her mother, like cooking and organizing, that serve her well in her new role, but comes to realize that her parents' narrow-minded approach to life may not be the best fit for Mary Jane. As she gets to know and integrates into the Cone family, and their long-term guests (a rock star fighting addiction and his famous actress wife), she realizes that image and propriety aren't her priorities as much as love and self-expression. She learns that addicts aren't necessarily terrible, dangerous people who should be shunned and avoided; they can be helped if they seek treatment and work to make changes. Once I got to know the characters, I became invested, and really began to care about them.
The relationship she develops with Izzy, the kid she's taking care of, it absolutely heartwarming. Mary Jane becomes like a big sister to Izzy.
Mary Jane is a unique and sweet story. I came to enjoy the characters so much, that I was sad when it ended.
Mary Jane is a naive teenager who works as a summer nanny for a family very different from her own. At age fourteen, for the first time ever, Mary Jane realizes that the way her family does things isn't the only way, and may not be the best way for her. She learned some valuable skills from her mother, like cooking and organizing, that serve her well in her new role, but comes to realize that her parents' narrow-minded approach to life may not be the best fit for Mary Jane. As she gets to know and integrates into the Cone family, and their long-term guests (a rock star fighting addiction and his famous actress wife), she realizes that image and propriety aren't her priorities as much as love and self-expression. She learns that addicts aren't necessarily terrible, dangerous people who should be shunned and avoided; they can be helped if they seek treatment and work to make changes. Once I got to know the characters, I became invested, and really began to care about them.
The relationship she develops with Izzy, the kid she's taking care of, it absolutely heartwarming. Mary Jane becomes like a big sister to Izzy.
Mary Jane is a unique and sweet story. I came to enjoy the characters so much, that I was sad when it ended.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was fine. Typical coming of age story, kinda corny. Low key though the dialogue pissed me off and not realistic to some of the characters. You can’t tell me a movie star and rock star with a drug problem in the 70s who don’t censor themselves and smoke pot in front of a kid suddenly draw the line at saying “sex”. If I had to hear an adult character say “making love” one more time I was gonna lose it
What's the point of all this? Such a bad book with a terrible writing style and a plot in which literally nothing happens.
Second time reading this. 5 stars again!
Found family, coming of age, heartwarming, summer in the 1970s! And a bit comical. Would 10/10 recommend to literally everyone
Found family, coming of age, heartwarming, summer in the 1970s! And a bit comical. Would 10/10 recommend to literally everyone
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This one kept popping up on my radar, and I finally picked it up. It is definitely worth the hype. I so loved this story and the characters. The author did such a great job of developing these characters and their relationships, and I will remember them for a long time to come. Blau also did such an excellent job of using the 1970's time period as an integral element to the setting and plot, and she used it so effectively to drive the story forward. The audio narration was excellent as well. I can't wait to check out more from this author in the future.