Mary Jane: A Novel

Anyone who ever grew up knowing that they felt differently than their parents did will appreciate this book. Whether it is racial , sexual orientation, political, religious dogma, or whatever the issues, we can all identify with Mary Jane. And some of us had parents who never forgave them. She was lucky.

I would describe this as a light read. He really wanted to cheer for that main character Mary Jane a great coming-of-age story.

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “But foolish moments like this seemed worth the thrill and unexpected intimacy of being in on things with the adults.” Mary Jane is a 14 year old girl in the 1970s, who is in that awkward phase between a girl and a woman. She is just trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in this world. She was a shy girl who enjoyed singing, but only as part of a choir. She came from a straight-laced family and her parents were beyond proud when she landed a summer job as a nanny for the daughter of a local doctor. Little did any of them know, however, what exactly was in store for Mary Jane that summer. The doctor, a psychiatrist, and his family (Dr. and Mrs. Cone, and daughter, Izzy) agree to open their home to a rockstar and his movie star wife (Jimmy and Sheba). Dr. Cone is working with Jimmy to help him overcome addiction and his problems with drugs, sex, and alcohol which of course is only fueled by his rockstar lifestyle. Mary Jane, dubbed MJ as the summer progresses, is sworn to secrecy and sees and experience things outside her wildest dreams. She comes out of her shell a lot that summer and develops incredible friendships to last a lifetime. Mary Jane is a delightful read! After much of the heavier books I read (WWII historical fiction and psychological thrillers) this lighthearted, coming of age story was exactly what I needed to lighten the mood and break things up a bit. I found it to be funny, sweet and an overall just a refreshing read. “Well, we're all addicts of some sort...part of being alive is figuring out the balance between what you want, what you need, and what you have with what you don't want, don't need, and don't have”

This book was easy to read but that does not mean it was a simple book about a teen. Mary Jane was repressed by her parents but the skills she learned from her mother came in mighty handy for her summer babysitting job. It was very descriptive of all characters and scenes and that's what I found so enjoyable about it. Mary Jane learns a lot about herself and how to value herself in a summer of unusual circumstances. It's a feel good story with a satisfying ending. I found it to be an excellent read. Thanks for writing this book, Jessica Anya Blau!

This isn’t the genre that I normally read so I am probably mote critical of it than most people would be. First, I liked the characters and the author did a good job of describing them. I also loved the plot. I was Mary Jane, just without the spectacular voice! I had very strict parents and there was very little joy or laughter in our house. So I could really relate to how MJ felt. The part that bogged me down was the constant reference to music and singing. I skimmed through a lot of that. The author briefly touches on racism but then drops the ball, which I found disappointing. Overall, I found this book enjoyable and I think most readers will rate it higher than I did. If you like coming-of-age books, you will enjoy this one!

This book had me laughing out loud. I loved it! It was an easy read. I really enjoyed Mary Jane's story. I was a little disappointed at the ending...without giving too much away, it just felt a little lacking. I think maybe a fast forward of a few years would have been a great way to round things off. However, it was a fun, easy read which I would recommend.

What an absolutely spectacular coming of age story Mary Jane is. I read it in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. I LOVED it! It’s 1975 and Mary Jane is 14-years old, living in an upscale Baltimore neighborhood and, for the most part, only knows what her parents want her to. It’s stifling and she’s aware of this without initially understanding it. Mary Jane takes a summer job nannying for the Cone family’s precocious five-year-old daughter, Izzy. The Cone’s are the antithesis of Mary Jane’s strict, stoic, perfectly dressed, uptight family. Everything Mary Jane knows about her life is turned on it’s ear when she walks into the Cone’s house. Mary Jane is allowed to take this job because Mr. Cone is a doctor, a respectable profession - according to, you guessed it, Mary Jane’s parents. However, if they knew Dr. Cone was a, clutches pearls, psychiatrist she’d never have been allowed to take the job. Mary Jane is naïve to the ways of the world outside of her exclusive Baltimore enclave. She’s bookish, quiet, has very few friends, isn’t allowed to listen to rock n roll music, would never not wear a bra or be modestly dressed, has never been kissed or even had a boyfriend, but she knows how to keep a sparkling clean house and cook. Mary Jane’s primary source of escape is music - but only the kind her mom approves of, which are show tunes and church songs - and singing in the church choir. She treasures her monthly album from the Broadway Show Tunes of the Month club. The times were different kids were both more adult and more naïve at the same time and Mary Jane captures this feeling really well. This was also Baltimore, not the south-y-est of cities, but the south nonetheless, in the mid 1970’s. This was a time when gender roles still ruled, the racism was overt (sadly, we’re kinda back to that now, but I digress) and children obeyed their parents. It was also a time that these “norms” were being challenged. Mary Jane is just what the Cone’s and their summer houseguests - the very, very famous actress Sheba and her rockstar husband and addict Jimmy, whom Dr. Cone is treating - need and it turns out she needs them just as much. It is through Izzy and the rest of the bohemian Cone household that Mary Jane learns what love truly is and in finding love, she finds her true self. “To feel something was to feel alive. And to feel alive was starting to feel like love.” I love that Mary Jane was introduced to the chaotic, freewheeling, liberal household of the Cone’s which also included, frank discussions regarding sex and drugs, but she never lost her sense of self. It would’ve been really easy to have Mary Jane experiment with smoking marijuana or kissing Jimmy, but she didn’t and the book is better for it. And because of this it’s really a sort of love letter to Mary Jane’s mom, square and uptight as she is. None of Mary Jane’s accomplishments would have happened if not for her mom, just as her growth wouldn’t have happened without the Cones and Sheba and Jimmy. If you grew up in the 1970s/80s you’ll most likely be able to relate to the overall feeling of the novel and will probably also relate to and/or recognize someone personally in this story. If you didn’t Mary Jane will transport and immerse you to a different time.

Embalagem péssima, o livro chegou cheio de amassados nas bordas, essa capa é bem frágil e delicada, merecia um cuidado maior da Amazon.

Just Amazing ❤️..just amazing is all I want to say. Never expected a summer book quite like this. Just Awesomeeee

I loved every minute of this book. I was a teen in the 70s so I can certainly identify. These characters feel so real to me and I found myself completely caught up in their lives. Excellent story, great pacing and a good conclusion. Well done!

Mary Jane is a quite show tune loving, Sunday choir, white bread girl. She takes a summer job and enters a world of mayhem, rock and roll which changes her and her outlook on life. Simply gorgeous

Must read! Lovely coming of age story that i would have loved to read in my teens.