Maya is in high school, a time that can require a student to be both vulnerable and have an incredibly thick skin. At seventeen, students often think they have their life together but in reality they are often just beginning to start the self-exploration phase of who they are and how they want to identify and interact with the world. Maya however, doesn’t feel like she has her life together…as a matter of fact…the exact opposite. She feels like her life is out of control and beginning to crumble. She feels like she is about to lose her mind. She walks around with the weight of everyone else’s problems on her shoulders.

Why, one might ask? Because Maya can simply look at someone and instantly know everything about them. She doesn’t know how to stop or even manage the issue. In turn, her parents send her to Whispering Pines for psychiatric evaluation, support, and treatment. Once Maya is discharged, she starts her coursework at another school where she meets a young man that she is interested in getting to know better. What Maya doesn’t know is whether or not she is capable of making friends or starting a relationship. Will she know too much? Each day is trial and error.

Takeaway:
This book reminds me that oftentimes we are our own worst critic. If only we could sometimes know how others truly see us. I bet we’d be shocked…whether that be good or bad.

Favorite Quotes:

“Maybe there have always been girls like me. Girls with elusive powerful magic they can’t fully understand or unleash, because the patriarchy is stronger than god and much more insidious.”

“Thoughts are not the truth, you know.”

🎧 Just finished listening to Mysterious Ways by Wendy Wunder, and I am completely captivated! 🌟 This audiobook is a beautiful journey filled with emotion, mystery, and a touch of magic that left me wanting more.

The narration was absolutely fantastic! The voice brought the characters to life in such a vivid way, making their struggles and triumphs feel incredibly real. I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering them on throughout the entire story.

Wunder’s exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected paths we take in life resonated deeply with me. The way she weaves together the themes of fate and connection is truly enchanting. I loved how each character’s journey unfolded, revealing layers of depth and complexity.

If you’re looking for an audiobook that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you engaged from start to finish, Mysterious Ways is a must-listen!

Actually couldn't get into this one. I will for sure try at another time as it could have been my mood at the time of reading

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, Wednesday Books, Wendy Wunder, and Georgina Sadler (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of Mysterious Ways in exchange for an honest review.

Mysterious Ways follows Maya, a girl who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. Nobody else in the world seems to have an ability like hers, so she often questions the divinity of this gift...or curse...

Because she can hear every person's thoughts, her mind can never escape to silence. She knows all the secrets, all the plans, and all the history encompassing an individual she may encounter. Because of this, she is sent to Whispering Pines Psychiatric Facility where she can talk in confidence about the ability that so burdens her. She finds it intriguing at the same time. Who wouldn't want to know if someone if plotting against you or planning something sinister? But then Maya meets Tyler.

Tyler is someone whose thoughts Maya wishes she can avoid. This is because it would not only be respectful for him, but she also worries that whatever he does think might affect the way she sees herself in his eyes. With the actual weight of the world on her shoulders, or rather in her thoughts, Maya is a bit degrading when it comes to others with opposing ideologies than herself, making her power even more of a burden. In the fight to maintain control of her mind (and maybe fine a cure?), Maya currently aims to accept what she knows, with the home that too much knowledge of others won't be detrimental to her life and those around her that she aims to keep close.

This book was okay. It didn't stand out to me as ultimately unique, as mind-reading has been seen worked in different plots and scenarios many times before. I was interested in Maya's drive to find a way to get the thoughts to stop permanently, but the way she went about it and her hypothesis discussion with the psychiatrist was a bit cringy.

The book is an enjoyable fix if you have nothing better to read, but there aren't many I would recommend this particular novel to. It does certainly have some merit though. I think readers seeking a teen romance with that little (minor, very slight) paranormal twist will enjoy this one.

This will be a DNF for me. I will be kind to the author and will not post this anywhere in social media or on Amazon, etc.

I don't mind authors using their books for political platforms - - but give it to me in bits and pieces. This was overload and it overwhelmed the book to the point that it wasn't enjoyable.

As such, I won't continue with the audiobook either.

DNF at 50%. I could not get past the way this book felt like it was trying far too hard and was far too pretentious while doing it. I tried, I really did

author Wendy Wunder crafts a clever and humorous coming-of-age story centered on seventeen-year-old Maya, who possesses the extraordinary ability to know everyone's deepest secrets and struggles. While this power initially burdens her, leading to her stay at Whispering Pines Psychiatric Facility, it also offers her a unique perspective on life and relationships. As she navigates a new school and her complicated feelings for the charming Tyler, Maya discovers that her gift might hold the key to meaningful connections—or perhaps too much knowledge can be overwhelming. Perfect for fans of John Green and Nicola Yoon, this witty novel explores the complexities of adolescence, self-acceptance, and the delicate balance between understanding others and safeguarding one’s heart. A delightful and thought-provoking read!

I'll be honest ... when I first started reading Mysterious Ways, I really did not like it. I felt like the book, despite its surreal premise, lacked direction and a thesis statement. You can also tell that the author has not been a teenager in a while. The humour just didn't work for me. However, as I approached the final act, I found myself really invested in this story. And I absolutely love how it ended. The character arcs and themes really found their footing, and I found myself enjoying the author's voice much more. As she delivers her final thoughts at the end of the story, you can feel the surety in her tone. And the themes themselves wrapped up in a way I really enjoyed. By the end of the story, the author had made profound statements on choosing to see the good in the world and put more good into it yourself. She also examined the strangeness of being a teenager and feeling stuck in between adult and juvenile beliefs and responsibilities. And lastly, I really liked how Maya's condition was never given a backstory or reason. I don't think it needed one, so I'm glad it didn't get convoluted. Overall, I was really surprised by this book. Although I really wanted to give the book a high rating by the time I got to the end, I do feel as though the first bit needed more revision.

Mysterious Ways by Wendy Wunder is a thought-provoking YA novel centered on Maya, a 17-year-old clairvoyant who can hear people's inner thoughts. While this gift makes her highly empathetic, it also weighs on her, and the novel explores how she navigates the challenges of growing up in an anxiety-driven world. The book touches on relevant issues like mental health, school pressures, and societal struggles, making it relatable for today’s teens. However, I found the pacing to be slow, with too many side characters and subplots that sometimes distracted from the main story.

Though I didn’t connect deeply with the characters, especially given the slow pace, the overall message of empathy and understanding shines through. Wunder does a great job of capturing the essence of today’s anxiety generation, but it might not be for everyone. YA fans interested in realistic coming-of-age stories may enjoy this, even if it didn’t fully work for me.

I did think the narration was well done and would recommend the audio version for those giving this one a try.

From all that I read, I should enjoy this book! I cannot get into it. I've started so many times. If I get through it in the future, I'll update the review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #MacmillanYoungListeners #MacAudio24 #audiobook #WendyWunder #MysteriousWays

Title: Mysterious Ways
Author: Wendy Wunder
Format: Audio Book
Narrator: Georgina Sadler
Publisher/Producer: St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: August 27, 2024
Themes: teenage/young adult friendships, college life, climate change, feminist, mental health
Trigger Warnings: mental health discrimination, psychiatric facility, feminism,

This book tells the story of Maya who has the supernatural ability to instantly know everything about anyone. All she needs to do is look at them. Because of this, Maya spent time at a Psychiatric Facility and why she’s starting fresh at a new school. Maya must struggle to maintain friendships and even romantic relationships, despite what she can’t help knowing.

This one had an extremely slow start. I could not find the hook I needed to really dive into and experience this story. For me, the pacing was just too slow and I couldn’t relate to Maya. I had trouble shifting from one point of view to another. I felt that it required too much work to follow. In addition, the character of Maya was almost too frustrating to me. I often found myself wanting to smack her for being dense and self-involved. I also felt that the narrative was too political in nature. There is a time and a place for that, but I didn’t feel that this was it. I’m disappointed because there is a good story somewhere in all these words. The author seems to know a good deal about how the teenage, female brain works. I just wish that the story was developed more and maybe a little more polished.

3.5 stars. This was an interesting book - a teenager who can hear the thoughts of the people around her navigating life and the complexities that an ability like that brings. I thought the MC was pretty nuanced at times and I definitely empathized with her and her experiences. There is a huge focus on mental health in this book - which I appreciated. Everything from therapy to being admitted into a facility, coping mechanisms and the way that society accommodates (or doesn't) people who may need extra mental health support.

I found myself getting irritated at times with the adults in the MC's life and the way that they interacted with her. The added element of being able to read their thoughts was disappointing at times and watching her compensate for the thoughts that she heard was heartbreaking. Overall an enjoyable read - going in blind left me not knowing what to expect, which I think worked out for this book.

The narrator was great - she did a great job with the overall narration and nuance between the different characters. I will say, there were a couple of times where I wasn't sure that this book translated well to audio just based on the fact that I struggled sometimes early in the book to differentiate between thoughts the MC was hearing and actual dialogue that the characters were saying. It got better as the book progressed and I'm not sure how much of that was me getting used to the format of the book and/or whether there were more specific cues that helped me translate between thoughts vs dialogue. Thank you the the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

What a great quirky YA novel!!

Maya is in a psychiatric hospital having been misdiagnosed with a mental health disorder… Actually Maya has a gift… She can read minds.

When she is transferred to a new school, Maya has to decide whether to embrace her abilities or hide them from the people around her…

Its loaded with teen drama and a splash of magical realism. It was super cute and I high recommend it.

4 stars

Misunderstood and mislabeled as a teenage girl with mental illness, Maya has the ability to read people's thoughts while in their presence. After she transfers to a new school and begins to meet new friends, and even date for the first time, she is torn between speaking up about her ability and keeping it to herself. This was a unique story that combines a fantastical element to common teenage drama - great narration as well!

While YA isn't really my genre, I found this to be a refreshing take on a coming-of-age story of a teenage girl. There is an element of magical realism, as the main character has the unique ability to read people's minds, which has led her to struggle with her mental health. She catastrophizes everything and disconnects from peers her age due to being overwhelmed with the responsibility of knowing everyone's innermost thoughts. I found the writing to be witty and insightful, though the ending felt a bit rushed and abrupt. I enjoyed the narration on the audiobook! Thank you to NetGalley, the author, MacMillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for e-book and audiobook arcs in exchange for my review!

This was a cute, quirky YA read. I liked the overall concept of a teen being able to read minds. The characters were interesting and spunky. I would have liked a little more resolution at the end of the story though. Also, the use of slang didn’t seem completely genuine. I felt myself getting distracted by an adult’s writing as a teen rather than appreciating the story at points.

As if high school isn’t hard enough, 17 year old Maya has the power to know everything about everyone. She knows their private thoughts and entire life history just from looking at them. She is sent to Whispering Pines Psychiatric Facility for a time, and upon release she enrolls in a new high school. She makes new friends and even begins dating a guy. Maya typically uses people’s thoughts to make them like her, knowing exactly what to say and do next to align with how others are feeling, but she starts to wonder how she can make her powers stop.

This has an interesting premise, but the story is all over the place. There are some important topics discussed, but none are covered with any depth. Also it got weirdly political at times—beliefs I actually hold, but it felt out of place in the context of a book about teenagers. I wish the story would have been told only from Maya’s perspective. The random chapters from other characters’ POV didn’t add anything to the plot. Just overall a miss for me. Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Wendy Wunder for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for the opportunity to read the book. This book follows Maya who can read people’s minds. This has given her a very jaded outlook on life. We follow her trying to cope with this along with all the regular teen drama. I found the audiobook to be average. The story itself sounded interest but felt like a stream of consciousness and preachy at times. I found the multiple point of view to be interesting but the novel just fell flat for me. The pacing was off and the story didn’t always keep my attention.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC & audio for my honest opinion.

This is a great book for teenagers and young adults, but as you can see even adults can love this book as well. It’s about a teen named Maya who is different from the other teenagers her age, she knows more about their lives and their thoughts even though she wishes that she didn’t know anything. This lands her in a Psychiatric Facility because her parents just don’t understand where all these dark thoughts are coming from and it’s not from her but everyone else’s thoughts all mixed in. While she is there, she gets some help and different ways that she can try when she is out, and she tries to have a normal life in public school, but she finds out that it’s easier to talk to your friend and have them confined to you. She also uses her powers to help her fellow peers and adults get through some of their darker days and shows them what hope is and the power of hope.

I really enjoyed this coming-of-age story. It was full of pop culture, music and the difference of all the generations. I loved that this author gave us a story of what normal teens and adults think about when the worst case, or the loss of hope comes out. You will see though even through the hard times, with friends, family, music and art, having a purpose really can help people through times like this, but it will also show you how it's not for everyone. For me the author wrote this book to let people understand more about mental health in general but made it something fun with having Maya being able to read minds. You will find that there is bullying, rage, thoughts of death a lot more but for me the way that she wrote all of this was something beautiful and I think everyone should read it. It was not a slow, boring book; the pace was fast and there was always something going on. I loved the characters, but Maya was my favorite, then it would be Lucy. Maya was a genuine person, who just wanted to understand more about why she has this ability and no one else does. She even tried to get rid of it, and it was kind of funny how she thought she would be able to do it, but hey her logic wasn’t bad. I liked that even though Maya was dealing with so much she still made sure to help out whoever she could. She might be a little naïve, but she has a lot of wisdom for being so young. She is smart and funny, caring and a great listener.

I received the ebook, physical book and the audio book. I thought the narrator did a great job with Maya. She really brought Maya to life too, you could feel the emotions that Maya was feeling, and I wouldn’t have picked a better narrator.

I want to thank NetGalley/Macmillan audio/St. Martin Press for the opportunity to review this book.

This had a very interesting premise - while interesting, my interest was not kept throughout the book. In some parts, it felt a little too slow for my liking and I would lose my attention. The writing style was a little off for me and was a little difficult for me to feel connected to Maya. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.