A review by jillgoober
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.5

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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