Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - Mary Jane

This novel is a sweet coming-of-age novel about a fourteen-year-old girl named Mary Jane growing up in the 70s. She has very strict and cold parents but doesn't realize that anyone lives much differently until she becomes a summer nanny in the Cone household, where everything is messy and unorganized but filled with love and fun.

This book was definitely more about the atmosphere and MJ's character development than the plot. You get to see how she changes and makes new realizations about herself and the world based on what she's seeing in the Cone household. The only small issue I had with this book was that I thought the ending with her mom was a bit far-fetched (but maybe I'm just cynical).

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maddiet425's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Despite the character driven plot (something that doesn’t always draw me in) this book was addictive and I read it in one day. I thought the ending lacked some conclusions, and the way one of the characters suddenly changed felt unrealistic to me. However, I fell in love with the characters and the overall theme of a girl trying to find her place in between two cultures, one of which is neat and orderly but fake, full of unconscious bias, and privileged; and the other of which is full of honesty and exploration, but is messy and unstable at times. I think it perfectly represents the phase we all go through where we begin to realize our parents ideals aren’t all we should believe. Overall, a really good coming of age story.

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stepnic's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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faduma's review

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dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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katherinesortareads's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Went into this book thinking it would just be fine, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Our main character, Mary Jane, a young teenager from a conservative upper middle class family in the suburbs of Baltimore, she finds herself getting a gig as a summer nanny for a family that’s new to the neighborhood. Her new employers are nothing like the family she knows at home.

I was worried that the juxtaposition would feel too forced or cliche, but Mary Jane is such a sincere and realistic character that it actually lends itself well to the her coming of age. We see her grow as she is confronted with topics like responsibility, sexuality, and conflict.

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macglass8's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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lindsayerin's review

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funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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