5.19k reviews for:

Mary Jane

Jessica Anya Blau

4.11 AVERAGE

pink_alex's review against another edition

5.0

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

---

Mary Jane is 14, grows up in a very traditional household in the 70s in Baltimore. When she takes a summer job at the nanny of Izzie, the daughter of a local doctor, she learns that not all families are like hers. She meets a drug addicted rock star and his movie star wife who moves in with the Cohens for his treatment. She learns that love and warmth are more important that order, even though she and Izzie start to clean up the house and cook healthy meals. At the same time Mary Jane‘s view on the world is changed and she learns a lot about freedom. 
I loved this book. The narrator is a perfect match. Izzie is hilarious and I really liked Mary Jane. Sometimes she is a little naive but at the same time she grows into herself, learns to stand up for herself and about love. Definitely a good one. 

welshaber's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

bookaddictpnw's review against another edition

3.5

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

omgitsleahh's review against another edition

3.0

---

A quick, quirky read. I wanted a little more from the plot -- there were some short snippets of *something*, but it felt a little bit like a kite getting some air and then petering out before it got a big gust of action. I wasn't prepared for the racism/antisemitism, which I suppose was entirely realistic, but felt a little jarring in an otherwise light, coming-of-age tale. 3 stars for speed, but not sure I'd recommend it as a must read.

tdlang's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

breezie98's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lola_au_bellona's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

katyculsum's review against another edition

4.0

---

Cute book

sylvieb522's review against another edition

4.0

---

4.25 stars!! i really enjoyed reading this book and the vibes that came along with it. the characterization and character development in this book is just amazing and allowed to me to fall in love with so many of the characters. this book is definitely character-driven and slice-of-life with no real plot, but that didn’t bother me. i would just be aware, as it wasn’t totally what i expected.
overall, a really sweet and charming coming-of-age story that i would recommend to everyone, especially those looking for a peaceful 70s vibe.

cblancha8's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced