Overview

The best book of the summer.” (InStyle)

“I LOVED this novel…. If you have ever sung along to a hit on the radio, in any decade, then you will devour Mary Jane at 45 rpm.” (Nick Hornby)

Almost Famous meets Daisy Jones & The Six in this “delightful” (New York Times Book Review) novel about a 14-year-old girl’s coming of age in 1970s Baltimore, caught between her straight-laced family and the progressive family she nannies for – who happen to be secretly hiding a famous rock star and his movie star wife for the summer.

In 1970s Baltimore, 14-year-old Mary Jane loves cooking with her mother, singing in her church choir, and enjoying her family’s subscription to the Broadway Showtunes of the Month record club. Shy, quiet, and bookish, she’s glad when she lands a summer job as a nanny for the daughter of a local doctor. A respectable job, Mary Jane’s mother says. In a respectable house.

The house may look respectable on the outside, but inside it’s a literal and figurative mess: clutter on every surface, Impeachment: Now More Than Ever bumper stickers on the doors, cereal and takeout for dinner. And even more troublesome (were Mary Jane’s mother to know, which she does not): the doctor is a psychiatrist who has cleared his summer for one important job – helping a famous rock star dry out. A week after Mary Jane starts, the rock star and his movie star wife move in.

Over the course of the summer, Mary Jane introduces her new household to crisply ironed clothes and a family dinner schedule, and has a front-row seat to a liberal world of sex, drugs, and rock and roll (not to mention group therapy). Caught between the lifestyle she’s always known and the future she’s only just realized is possible, Mary Jane will arrive at September with a new idea about what she wants out of life, and what kind of person she’s going to be.

Review

Mary Jane has taken a summer job as a nanny. Her mother is very pleased. It is a respectable job with a respectable doctor and his family. However, this does not turn out to be exactly what her mother expects.

Mary Jane is only 14 and has been raised, as I like to say, in a bubble. Her parents have put a bubble around her and their lives and all their experiences are completely contained. So, when Mary Jane is introduced to the Cone family, let’s just say, it opens up a whole new world.

There is so much I want to say about this novel. I love Mary Jane! I loved seeing her grow and form her own opinions. Plus, I fell in love with the whole Dr. Cone world. Add in Sheba and Jimmy and this book exceeded all expectations.

I have loved every single one of Jessica Anya Blau’s books. And this one is my favorite…and that is saying something because I never thought anything would top Drinking Closer to Home. This author can take any character and turn them into someone you know, want to know or must know!

The narrator, Caitlin Kinnunen, did an outstanding job. All the voices were amazing, including Izzy, Dr. Cone’s daughter. Some narrators can make a kid sound fake. Caitlin nailed it!

Now, I received and ebook copy from the publisher. Well..I am behind, as usual, so I got it on audible. So, that is why I reviewed the audible book. (I also purchased a signed copy…so I have 3 copies of this book…but who is counting!)

Need an all around good book which will make you smile and cringe all in the same chapter…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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