This is a feel-good novel if I've ever read one, and without any sappiness. If you're a child of the 70s like this reader, or even if you have a fondness for the decade, Jessica Anya Blau's Mary Jane will bring you nostalgia and joy!
It's 1975 Baltimore, and fourteen-year-old Mary Jane gets a summer job nannying for a family in the neighborhood. The household couldn't be more different than hers with Mary Jane's stuffy, regimented mother and her even colder father. The Cones are uninterested in how their house and yard look and embrace the hippie, free-spirited lifestyle. Mary Jane thinks of the Cone home as "a cluttered kaleidoscope". It's an eye-opener for young Mary Jane, who is caring for Izzy Cone, their five-year-old daughter.
Things get complicated when the Cones take in a famous rock-star named Jimmy Bendinger and his equally famous celebrity wife, Sheba. Dr. Cone is a psychiatrist and believes Jimmy will heal better if Jimmy and Sheba live on their third floor for the summer. This proves to be a challenge for Mary Jane because she knows her square parents won't approve of her working there with a heroin addict in the house.
However, Mary Jane soon falls in love with the whole crew. Little Izzy grows on Mary Jane's heart quickly as well as Izzy's unconventional but loving parents; and Mary Jane is surprised to find out Jimmy and Sheba are just as warm and kind as they are famous and kooky.
Blau hits the nail on the head depicting Mary Jane's teenage girl angst. Mary Jane hears Dr. Cone using the words "sex addict" and convinces herself that's what she is (and refers to herself as one in her thoughts throughout the novel) to hilarious effect. Later in the story when Mary Jane confesses this to Sheba, Sheba assuages her by saying, "Those are just normal human girl thoughts".
Things learned by Mary Jane in the summer of 1975: giving love and showing love trump housework; adults aren't always right and could be just as confused and make as many mistakes as kids; when people mess up, they still deserve love and affection; sex is not something to be ashamed of and to hide away.
Infused with wonderful musical and pop culture references, this book's pages practically turned themselves. Mary Jane is an utter delight that made me want to stand up and cheer at the end. I give Jessica Anya Blau's novel five stars out of five. https://youtube.com/shorts/7wANDRKG8Vk?si=JA7N_V33UTl-I6kS
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