Mary Jane is as a very different genre from what I usually read but I enjoyed it. It was well written, heartwarming, and had you rooting for the characters in it, especially Mary Jane, the main focus of the book. The book tells of a summer for 14 year old Mary Jane as she gets a summer nannying job surrounded by people very much out of her family’s norm.

The characters and their families showed plenty of dysfunction in an often humorous way, and I thought the story portrayed really well how we all need to surround ourselves with people who are different than we are in order to grow, how to invest in one another and put aside judgement, and to fight for one another’s best even if it’s outside of your comfort zone. The only real reason for a lower rating is that it just isn’t what I’d normal choose and not totally up my alley in subject and genre.

Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I tend to stay away from dated coming of age books - I am dated and feel I should try and connect more to the present. This takes place in the 70s. But in the description it mentions that the mother has a subscription to Broadway showtunes of the month record club and I had a flashback.. I remember my whole family driving over to hear the latest one at a friend's house, (albeit in the late 50s), .so I was hooked and decided to read Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau. It was delightful. Mary Jane has been brought up with order in her life. There has been no questioning of values - her parents values are hers. But when she takes a summer mother's helper type job for a new neighbor, it opens the doors to lots of questions, not all of them ones you'd ever think to ask.. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll. She learns adults don't all behave the way they probably should and yet she is drawn to their humanity. They, in turn, are drawn to the order she tries to bring to their lives. I found myself rooting for Mary Jane as well as for the young child she is taking care of in the family of chaos. Things do not end up all neat and tidy but they do end up hopeful - for everyone. Worth the read.

I whizzed through this in a day, and found it super charming, though I don't think the DAISY JONES comp is at all accurate. Mary Jane was a really believable character, though some times it felt a bit too obvious the points that Blau was trying to make. I felt like the discussion of sex would be incredibly poignant in a young adult book, but here it felt almost mocking. I wanted a little bit more conflict, and for Mary Jane to have a bit more of a struggle in running a house and mothering Izzy--specifically, I wanted a witch!

I loved this book's premise. A girl babysits for a psychologist who is secretly treating a '70s rock star in his home for the summer. I absolutely loved the power this book possessed to send you back to that time. A real amazing world to get lost in. My one minor criticism is I thought the protagonist Mary Jane was maybe just a little too perfect. But as I say, it's a small flaw. The overall magic of the book is tremendous.

Netgalley provided me with a free e-galley of this book in return for this review.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and William Morrow and Custom House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC! I found this book to be a compelling read, although I simply couldn't connect with it!

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC of Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau.

Mary Jane is a coming-of-age story about a 14-year-old girl growing up in Baltimore in the 1970s. Mary Jane's an only child from a very conservative family. She will spend her summer as a nanny for the Cone family who is the opposite of everything Mary Jane knows. Mary Jane learns that order and rules are not as important as love and security. Throughout the story, Mary Jane is forced to rethink the beliefs of her parents to learn who she wants to become.

Jessica Anya Blau did an excellent job creating characters that are endearing. She creates situations that make you laugh and others where you find yourself rooting for Mary Jane. The added nostalgia of the 1970s in Baltimore made this book one that will stick with me for a long while.

Mary Jane, oh sweet Mary Jane! I really enjoyed this book and haven’t read anything like it!

Mary Jane is asked to nanny for Izzy, an adorable 5 year who thinks a witch lives in her house for the summer. Her parents Dr. and Mrs. Cone are not like the other parents in Mary Jane’s neighborhood and Mary Jane learns they will be having guests for the summer. These guests and the Cone’s open Mary Jane eyes to a world of possibilities and different ways of thinking outside of what she has learned from her parents and it’s a summer that changes her life!

It is so hard to nail the voice of a child especially one going through so much at the ripe age of 14. Mary Jane comes across as very naïve and not knowing more about the world than what her parents show her. It was fun to watch her explore herself, her thoughts and the world as the Cones/Jimmy/Sheba know it! They brought so much to her young life and she will never be the same because of that summer.

Love this book, very readable and hope everyone enjoys it! I loved every character, especially Izzy who I just wanted to huge tight and loved how it ended.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through William Morrow and Custom House. .

This novel reminded me of a book I read in sixth grade where a girl from a straight laced middle class upbringing ended up hanging out with a hippie family for a summer. Same basic story line. Ultimately, the girl sees a bit more of the world and loosens up and rubs off on them as well. Great read for sixth grade. Not an adult contemporary fiction. Not Almost Famous meets Daisy Jones and the Six. Does have a vinyl record on the cover. Lots of 1970’s references, but it gets to be overkill, actually, and feels stilted rather than background for the story. I was underwhelmed.

I had very high expectations and a keen interest going in to Jessica Anya Blau's new book, Mary Jane. A coming of age novel set in the 1970s? Sign me up! Coming of age stories are some of my favorite to read due to their tendency to reveal and expose the truths about life, love, and people, in general. Furthermore, I have heard my parents talk much about growing up during the 60s and 70s, and how that distinct period of time was in such stark contrast to the world in which we live today. I have a bit of a nostalgia for this era that I have never seen with my own eyes, and find myself fascinated with the history and culture contained within these years. It might be obvious for me to say that Mary Jane was a perfect fit for me and that I loved every minute of it.

Mary Jane is a fourteen-year-old girl who has lived quite the sheltered life. Her father is a patriotic, hard-working, God-fearing attorney, who fulfills the traditional paternal role of leading and providing well for his family. As can be expected, Mary Jane's mother's lot in life is that of the quintessential housewife, planning out nutritious meals daily, keeping an orderly and respectful home, and tending to her perfect daughter, Mary Jane. And Mary Jane is everything her parents want her to be - a dutiful daughter, who sings in the church choir, always looks presentable, and never talks back or deceives her parents.

So imagine Mary Jane's surprise when she takes a summer job as a nanny at the Cone's home; a family who appears distinguished and respectable on the outside (Mr. Cone is a doctor, after all), but are anything but behind closed doors. It's not that they are BAD people; it's just that their home is a mess, there is no organization to their lives, and their daughter Izzy is generally left to fend for herself. Mary Jane has a huge mess on her hands, literally and figuratively, because if her parents knew what the Cones were really like, they would never let her set foot in their house again. To further complicate matters, Dr. Cone has a secret that cannot escape the house - he will be treating a very famous rock star and his starlet wife this summer, as he helps the musician work toward drug addiction recovery.

Mary Jane soon finds herself swept up in the world of the Cones, and their celebrity guests, Jimmy and Sheba ... and she loves every minute of it. Although her days are mostly spent entertaining Izzy, keeping the Cone home tidy, and cooking meals for the family, she feels that she can finally be herself around these caring and accepting people, and she is experiencing a kind of life she never knew existed - one where she can be happy and free. Mary Jane feels herself changing day by day - for the better - and when she goes home at night, she no longer recognizes the consummate daughter she presents to her parents. What would they do if they ever learned the depths of Mary Jane's deception, and how she can reconcile the little girl her parents see her as with the young woman she is becoming?

I cannot say enough good things about Jessica Anya Blau's Mary Jane. This book is simple, yet deep, and packs so much emotion and angst into its pages. I found myself devouring this novel, and so enjoyed watching Mary Jane blossom and grow throughout the course of the story. But perhaps even better, Mary Jane is one interesting book! Coming of age stories sometimes have a tendency to be predictable, and while Mary Jane follows the well-worn path of a young girl finding herself over the course of a life-changing summer, there were so many interesting story lines worked into the plot that further developed and enhanced Mary Jane's journey. The addition of Jimmy and Sheba was an excellent choice by Blau, as they provided Mary Jane with a varied view of a world much larger and colorful than the one that has been delineated to her by her parents. The relationship between Mary Jane, the Cones, and Jimmy and Sheba is as interesting as you would expect, yet at times touching as well. These individual lives converge to create a whole that is better together - it is not only Mary Jane who blossoms from her time spent at the Cone's - there is something for everyone to learn from the relationships forged here. Furthermore, Blau's characterization is captivating and rich, and I found myself falling in love with the way she unites people in this heartwarming story.

Anyone who can relate to Mary Jane's parental plight and upbringing will surely love this novel of a young girl's struggle to unite, what feels to her, her multiple selves into one person who will be loved and accepted by everyone who is important to her, but most importantly, to herself. Recommended to those who loved Judy Blume's books growing up - Mary Jane carries on Blume's tradition of the classic coming of age story in a new novel that is fun, fresh, and fantastic.

Thank you to NetGalley & William Morrow & Custom House for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who actually came of age in the same time period as portrayed in this book, I was very interested in reading it. However, I found the writing style and story a bit too simple. Although there were a few very adult incidents, and some language, overall it read to me more like YA or even middle-grade fiction. I did enjoy the references to things from that era that I’d almost forgotten (Screaming Yellow Zonkers!). Ultimately, I was disappointed that the book didn’t quite live up to its description. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The plot for 'Mary Jane,' by Jessica Anya Blau really stood out to me. A young girl from a conservative household gets hired to spend the summer 'nannying,' for the Cone family who end up opening Mary Jane up to other walks of life. This book could easily have gone down the road of the movie, "Thirteen," which I was really nervous about, but was pleasantly surprised at how Mary Jane adjusted to knowing this new side of life.

Mary Jane is a coming-of-age tale of a girl in the 1970's torn between the conservative world she knows and a free spirited new age lifestyle she discovers over one fateful summer.

I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. I loved Mary Jane's character and her devotion to Izzie. Her parents are a traditional, straight laced couple who are also blatantly racist, anti-Semitic, and sexist (on par for the 1970s) who provide a colder home life. No one expresses emotions or love. Mary Jane is then thrust into a chaotic world of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. Living through both extremes, Mary Jane is able to find her center and become the person she wants to be.

I enjoy coming-of-age tales and this one was a winner for me. It was fun getting to know the rock star, movie star and free spirited therapist and his young wife. The story was told from the day-to-day life of being a Nanny over the summer. Nothing happens but yet everything happens. I couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend.

I totally enjoyed this book! It took me back to my childhood and the best summer ever. It describes the innocents of children and the moment they grow up. It made me root for the main character through the whole story.
Good Read!

I just had such a good time reading this book. Mary Jane, despite being solitary and sheltered, raised by parents to whom showing affection was anathema, is intelligent and kind, open-minded and accepting. And she's funny! She is both naive and mature, out of her depth in the adult world she finds herself in, yet able to hold her own because of her innate poise and grace. Over the course of the summer, she learns about addiction, racism, and the heartbreaking reality that those closest to us may not be the good people we always considered them to be.

Blau absolutely nails Mary Jane's voice, and experiencing the world through her eyes is a joy. It's been *ahem* a while since I was a teenager, but Blau's immersive writing put me right back in the heady days of youthful summer where the world was simultaneously a mystery and containing each and all possibilities. I was cooking dinner with Izzy in the Cones' sticky kitchen; I was on the Delaware shore. This is a coming of age story that isn't preachy, with a lead that's genuinely good. Fun to read, with an ultimately feel-good outlook on growing up.

I honestly liked this book much more than I expected. I loved the interaction between Mary Jane and the adults and especially her love for Izzy. I expectedly there to be a little more about the social issues at this point in history. There are mentions of it only in context to how it relates to Mary Janes parents. Overall, I definitely recommend it. It was a fun quick read.

Ah Mary Jane! I want to cradle her in my arms and protect her at all costs. I haven't seen such a pure girl trying to figure her way around in an environment that is so unfamiliar to her without judging anyone for the decisions they made. It's a rare gift to be able to see good in everyone and trying to do something selflessly to improve others' lives. Mary Jane is perfect like Jimmy and Sheba would say!

Mary Jane didn't know what she was getting herself into when she agreed to take care of Izzy over the summer. Izzy was this curious, amazing little girl that Mary Jane loved at first sight. But she was also little bit different than other 5 year olds she knew thanks to her family. Izzy's family was free spirits of 70s where Mary Jane's family was quintessential church going, country club attending, President Ford loving middle class, white Baltimore family. Mary Jane had a culture shock the moment she walked into the Cones residence and things got even weirder yet freeing for her as a rock star and a Hollywood star walked into the same house.

As days went by, Mary Jane went through a self discovery. She started to recognize how limited her live and point of view was when there was a whole world out there. Yet she wasn't mad at her parents. She stayed as the same person she was before meeting her friends but she managed to touch everyone's lives while opening more doors of understanding for her and her family. You'll like this story if you like Daisy Jones and the Six, but I have to say there is something more to this story!

This review will be posted on my instagram account on publication day

14 year old MaryJanes parents are super strict and not much on showing MaryJane emotion and love. No hugs, no kisses, no I love you's no warmth. Everything is orderly, planned out and stiff. Parents are strict Christian's and not big on inclusivity.
MaryJane takes a summer nanny position for a couple in the neighborhood, Dr. And Mrs. Cone, and their daughter Izzy.
What a difference a family makes! This family is relaxed. They are messy, eat out most nights, and have no real schedules. But most importantly they show love and have fun!
Dr. Cone is a therapist and take a famous recovering drug addict i(and his wife) nto his home for continued therapy. These two are free spirits and MaryJane is quite surprised at the things they do and say. But the whole summer she is shown love and emotion and has the time of her life.
This is a great coming of age story, I definitely recommend!
Thanks netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A beautiful coming of age story with sex, drugs and rock and roll. It was a nice break from the pandemic mindset we live in at the moment. It's a very quick read and very relatable.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this gem!

Mary Jane is 14 years old and decides to take a job being a nanny for the Cone's family for the summer. It seems like it will be a nice job taking care of a respectable family's young daughter. However, innocent Mary Jane is going to have her world opened beyond her imagination. She is thrown into a wild world completely unlike her own and is soon exposed to sex, drugs, and rock and roll. At first shocked by what she is learning and seeing, she soon comes to love the Cone's family and starts to question what really is considered good and 'normal' for a family - and learns that maybe her own parents are not so perfect after all.

Mary Jane is a fun book with its share of laughs and drama. I wish there had been more of a resolve of the issues in her relationship with her mother and father. Also, sometimes it felt a little repetitive - her days spent with Izzy cleaning and cooking, and all the singing on every car ride. But overall, it was a good coming-of-age story that I think many will enjoy!

Mary Jane has lived in a sort of bubble for the majority of her short life. Just moving into her teenage years, she doesn't feel especially comfortable with most of her peers- with the exception (at times) of a pair of twins who live nearby. Her days mirror each other, often consisting of school, food prep and housework with her mother, dinners with chaste conversation, and Church on Sundays.
All of this changes the summer she becomes the nanny of a small child down the street. Izzy is bright, boisterous, outspoken, and lives with parents who embrace her for who she is. The Cone family is deeply unconventional for the neighborhood, and while this is awkward at first, Mary Jane comes to fall in love with the way she is able to feel, really FEEL around them. The house is a mess, the family never cooks, and Mary Jane quickly becomes a pillar of added security to the home. Dr. Cone is a therapist, and this summer he takes on a live-in client, a rock star working through the throes of addiction. He, along with his famous wife who has come to support him, forms a bond with the Cone family and Mary Jane that changes her significantly.
This is a novel about growing up and realizing that your parents aren't always right. Mary Jane witnesses clear racism from her parents, has to listen to rants about the Cone family's Jewishness, and ultimately learns how to speak up for this new family who she's grown to love so much.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, though there were a few things that kept my star review down to three.
First, the pacing felt odd to me. Much of the story is told feeling... well, the same. And then a single thing happens, everything changes, and it feels like redemption comes a bit too quickly from the rigidity of the characters I'm referring to (no spoilers). I think the intention of the author was to help the reader come to realizations at the rate that Mary Jane does, and for that I feel she absolutely did well. I'm not sure how I would choose to change up the pacing, and maybe it's intended to just be jarring? It's a technique that works well in lots of books, but it just felt odd to me here.
Second, I loved the feeling of comradery of the Cone family and their charges, but I think I felt more for how the characters created the tone... than the characters themselves. With that said, I was really impressed by that tone that was established so early. I'll be excited to read more work by Jessica Anya Blau in the future!
3.5/5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC. All opinions are my own.