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Crazy in Love
From a bestselling author comes a fun, flirty look at first love! High school senior Mary Jane Ettermeyer has been the good girl for a long time. To date, she's proud to say she's been able to keep her pledge of abstinence (not that anyone has challenged it). But when the cutest guy in school starts flirting with her, she suddenly finds herself crazy in love. Even though her inner Plain Jane is telling her he can't possibly think she's cute, her inner Sexy M. J. is questioning her vow to keep herself pure until marriage. Not to mention that hot Jackson House shouldn't even be talking to her, because he already has a girlfriend! There are a ton of good reasons why she should never speak to Jackson again, except that every time she sees him, all of her resistance seems to melt away. . . .
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2007
14 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Dandi Daley Mackall
352 books299 followersA professional writer for over 20 years, Dandi Daley Mackall has written dozens of articles for popular magazines and published around 500 books for children and adults alike, with sales of over 4 million.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 1, 2012
I learned a lot of things from this book, like:
- He wont buy the cow, if he can get the milk for free (yes they actually said this 5-10 times in the book).
- Popular boys do always want sex.
- Nice girls who have sex regret it.
- The other girls are whores.
Honestly, I thought the book might be ok when I started it, but it went downhill fast. The supporting characters were all so one-dimensional and cliche. And the way the characters act and talk is so unbelievable it's annoying. I would have appreciated the author showing the moral rather than telling us what it is. I honestly don't know how this book got published.
- He wont buy the cow, if he can get the milk for free (yes they actually said this 5-10 times in the book).
- Popular boys do always want sex.
- Nice girls who have sex regret it.
- The other girls are whores.
Honestly, I thought the book might be ok when I started it, but it went downhill fast. The supporting characters were all so one-dimensional and cliche. And the way the characters act and talk is so unbelievable it's annoying. I would have appreciated the author showing the moral rather than telling us what it is. I honestly don't know how this book got published.
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April 5, 2009This book is all about the two voices you have in your head; the conservative one and the party girl. I felt like this book had a bit of a split personality as well. It could have been good if it had disregarded the stupid premise and stuck to the story. The protagonist has conversations with her good and bad side continuously and I found myself immediately skipping over them right from the beginning.
This is a girl who has a mad crush on one her friend, Star's boyfriend and upon picking up pop from a store with him, get labelled with the tart tag. Although it was innocent, there were four minutes unaccounted for and as such Star starts an all out anti-MJ campaign. She uses the bullying as a way to justify the progression of her realtionship with Jackson. I admit to being pretty black and white (and maybe a tad judgemental) but this didn't sit well with me. Especially when MJ is painted as a victim of the gossip swirling around the school (she is one, but she put herself in that position).
There are many narrative points that I am going to skim over because I felt they were all rather cliche. There's the cute-as-pie sister with a disability, the abstinence pledge, a character that foretells what MJ's future could be if she betrays her pledge and a really mean girl. The fact that the mean, ex-friend is called Star just irked me from the beginning. Character development was minimal, clunked into scenes like I should be impressed. MJ makes some dubious choices and the fact that she is so loving and supportive of her sister seems to be put forward as a redeeming quality. At times, I felt like I was sitting in a (contradictory) morals class that I never signed up for.
In all honesty, the book didn't sit right with me but I can see some people liking it. To me, it appeared that Mackall had written it without passion, which sounds harsh but this discombobulated mess just annoyed me to no end.
This is a girl who has a mad crush on one her friend, Star's boyfriend and upon picking up pop from a store with him, get labelled with the tart tag. Although it was innocent, there were four minutes unaccounted for and as such Star starts an all out anti-MJ campaign. She uses the bullying as a way to justify the progression of her realtionship with Jackson. I admit to being pretty black and white (and maybe a tad judgemental) but this didn't sit well with me. Especially when MJ is painted as a victim of the gossip swirling around the school (she is one, but she put herself in that position).
There are many narrative points that I am going to skim over because I felt they were all rather cliche. There's the cute-as-pie sister with a disability, the abstinence pledge, a character that foretells what MJ's future could be if she betrays her pledge and a really mean girl. The fact that the mean, ex-friend is called Star just irked me from the beginning. Character development was minimal, clunked into scenes like I should be impressed. MJ makes some dubious choices and the fact that she is so loving and supportive of her sister seems to be put forward as a redeeming quality. At times, I felt like I was sitting in a (contradictory) morals class that I never signed up for.
In all honesty, the book didn't sit right with me but I can see some people liking it. To me, it appeared that Mackall had written it without passion, which sounds harsh but this discombobulated mess just annoyed me to no end.
March 12, 2009
This book has a cute topic: Mary Jane has two voices in her head: a good girl and a, well, not-so-good girl. These voices advise her about her relationship with Jackson, the boy she's fallen for, who is also dating Star, the popular, mean girl at school. The problem is, like the voices, the book is split in two with Mary Jane dealing with rumors Star is spreading about her and trying to decide whether to have sex with Jackson. There is a good message here about learning to listen to yourself. And there's definitely a bunch of topics that parents will be able to discuss with younger teens. But in the end, readers won't be too interested in Mary Jane's voices, or her love story.
The story seems to be all about Mary Jane wanting Jackson, then all the sudden Jackson is hers but she can't decide if she should have sex with him. It switches between her drama, her friends, and her sisters. As soon as it starts to get interseting again, it ends. I liked the begining of the book, but by the end it was dull and dry.
The story seems to be all about Mary Jane wanting Jackson, then all the sudden Jackson is hers but she can't decide if she should have sex with him. It switches between her drama, her friends, and her sisters. As soon as it starts to get interseting again, it ends. I liked the begining of the book, but by the end it was dull and dry.
September 17, 2020
2019
I think this book set out with good intentions.
But I think that it was also a bit short sighted
And I really need to start reading the synopsis of the book before I start it because I had no idea what this book was about (although sometimes I prefer that because then I don't have any preconceived notions about it and am usually not disappointed. However, I was disappointed in this one).
This book is about sex.
Or should I say "not having sex." Because the only people who have sex are whores (cue: Star, who was sleeping with her boyfriend and a slew of other guys) or they get dumped (cue: Alicia, who thought he was the one, but it turns out he just wanted a tumble). The only girls who are safe are the ones not having sex (cue: Red. She and her boyfriend are waiting for marriage and they are the only happy couple in the book).
In the beginning I actually had hope about the story. Mary Jane (or Plain Jane or MJ) was funny. She had spark and spirit and a certain sweet innocent quality about her. She couldn't understand why her friends had all turned their backs on her. Why everyone was spreading rumors about a non-event about her. She tried really hard to be in everyone's good graces. However, she was the underdog. But she was scrappy. So, she ends up with the boyfriend of her dreams, Jackson. And Jackson is sweet and charming and wonderful. Until he wants to have sex with her and she says no. And then he's all like "woah I thought we were a couple" and she's all like "why can't we be a couple but not have sex?" and he's like "cuz I want to have sex, that's why." So, then Mary Jane is super duper sad but she has her best friend, Alicia, who has just been broken up with after having sex, so all is good.
Sorry for the spoilers, but I figure why have you waste your time reading this book when you can just read that little blurb and feel like you read the whole thing?
I just feel like the author rushed through almost everything. And then tried to shove their beliefs down everyone's throat.
Now, I'm not saying everyone should have sex. I'm not saying everyone shouldn't have sex. I feel like that is your choice. You and whoever you want to have sex with (whether you are dating them or not). Just make safe, healthy choices with the people you have sex with.
Will you stay with someone forever just because you had sex? No.
But there is no guarantee that you will stay with someone forever just because you didn't.
I'm gonna drop a bombshell on you kids right now: THERE IS NEVER ANY GUARANTEE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A HEALTHY LONG LASTING RELATIONSHIP FOR FOREVER. No matter what. You might break up because someone is cheating. You might break up because your values are different. You might break up because you have grown apart. Or because you have a lack of communication. Or you know what? Someone might die. Life sucks sometimes. But you shouldn't feel pressured to have sex. And you shouldn't feel pressured to be abstinent. It is fully your choice to have sex or not.
I think this book set out with good intentions.
But I think that it was also a bit short sighted
And I really need to start reading the synopsis of the book before I start it because I had no idea what this book was about (although sometimes I prefer that because then I don't have any preconceived notions about it and am usually not disappointed. However, I was disappointed in this one).
This book is about sex.
Or should I say "not having sex." Because the only people who have sex are whores (cue: Star, who was sleeping with her boyfriend and a slew of other guys) or they get dumped (cue: Alicia, who thought he was the one, but it turns out he just wanted a tumble). The only girls who are safe are the ones not having sex (cue: Red. She and her boyfriend are waiting for marriage and they are the only happy couple in the book).
In the beginning I actually had hope about the story. Mary Jane (or Plain Jane or MJ) was funny. She had spark and spirit and a certain sweet innocent quality about her. She couldn't understand why her friends had all turned their backs on her. Why everyone was spreading rumors about a non-event about her. She tried really hard to be in everyone's good graces. However, she was the underdog. But she was scrappy. So, she ends up with the boyfriend of her dreams, Jackson. And Jackson is sweet and charming and wonderful. Until he wants to have sex with her and she says no. And then he's all like "woah I thought we were a couple" and she's all like "why can't we be a couple but not have sex?" and he's like "cuz I want to have sex, that's why." So, then Mary Jane is super duper sad but she has her best friend, Alicia, who has just been broken up with after having sex, so all is good.
Sorry for the spoilers, but I figure why have you waste your time reading this book when you can just read that little blurb and feel like you read the whole thing?
I just feel like the author rushed through almost everything. And then tried to shove their beliefs down everyone's throat.
Now, I'm not saying everyone should have sex. I'm not saying everyone shouldn't have sex. I feel like that is your choice. You and whoever you want to have sex with (whether you are dating them or not). Just make safe, healthy choices with the people you have sex with.
Will you stay with someone forever just because you had sex? No.
But there is no guarantee that you will stay with someone forever just because you didn't.
I'm gonna drop a bombshell on you kids right now: THERE IS NEVER ANY GUARANTEE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A HEALTHY LONG LASTING RELATIONSHIP FOR FOREVER. No matter what. You might break up because someone is cheating. You might break up because your values are different. You might break up because you have grown apart. Or because you have a lack of communication. Or you know what? Someone might die. Life sucks sometimes. But you shouldn't feel pressured to have sex. And you shouldn't feel pressured to be abstinent. It is fully your choice to have sex or not.
February 1, 2013
Crazy in love is a book about love. The title of the book basically explained its self. Mary-Jane Ettemyer is a senior in high school and loves a guy named Jackson House. Buy there us a slight problem because Jackson is dating Star, one of Mary-Jane's friends. But Jackson also has deep feelings for her as well. So at the end of the story Jackson breaks up with Star and starts to date the one who he actually belongs with, Mary-Jane.
I thought this story was quite interesting. I enjoyed each part of this book. Everytime I closed it, it made me want to keep reading.
I would definitely recommend this book to someone. It would mostly recommend to a mature age group. Hopefully others will enjoy it as much I did.
I thought this story was quite interesting. I enjoyed each part of this book. Everytime I closed it, it made me want to keep reading.
I would definitely recommend this book to someone. It would mostly recommend to a mature age group. Hopefully others will enjoy it as much I did.
December 9, 2014
Qué final tan decepcionante. Bueno todo el libro en sí fue decepcionante, en realidad lo único bueno que tuvo el libro fue Sandy, la hermana de Mary Jane, que incluso con su retraso era más madura que todos los personajes juntos.
Todo fue para nada? Digo, no es que hayan pasado muchas cosas, la verdad. Pero todo el drama me llevó a ESE FINAL? Ridículo, si me dejás decirlo.
Demasiados capítulos para algo tan trivial y típico, algo que podría pasarle a cualquier persona en cualquier vida.
Y la protagonista, Dios mío, todos esos pensamientos los tuve a los 12 años, no a los 17, lo juro.
No sé qué más decir, y tampoco creo que merezca muchas más críticas, para ser sincera.
Todo fue para nada? Digo, no es que hayan pasado muchas cosas, la verdad. Pero todo el drama me llevó a ESE FINAL? Ridículo, si me dejás decirlo.
Demasiados capítulos para algo tan trivial y típico, algo que podría pasarle a cualquier persona en cualquier vida.
Y la protagonista, Dios mío, todos esos pensamientos los tuve a los 12 años, no a los 17, lo juro.
No sé qué más decir, y tampoco creo que merezca muchas más críticas, para ser sincera.
April 12, 2011
Not a big fan of the whole guy falling for another girl while he has his own girl thing, but probably because i read this around a time bad things happen around me. I'll admit I enjoy looking at the cover and the ending satisfied me
September 24, 2009
During my 'romance book' phase. It was okay.
November 6, 2015
Un libro entretenido nada, mas
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February 6, 2020Crazy in Love
This book is about a girl (teen) that is trying to find out what her heart and her head wants. Until she finds out that her head and heart don’t agree. She goes through obstacles to see what her head and heart agree with.
The main character is Mary Jane. She likes this one guy and they kind of flirt. Mary Jane knows she shouldn't be talking to the guy because he has a girlfriend. Things happen and Jackson and her start dating and he wants to take things further, but Mary Jane doesn't know what she wants. She also made a pact to stay pure until marriage.
I relate to this story because it reminds me of this one girl that I don't like. She was friends with one of my friends. My friend had a boyfriend and they were really cute together.
Until she came and started flirting with my friend's boyfriend. Then they broke up and she got to him.
I liked this book. And that's saying something because I literally never read. My favorite part was when Mary Jane took time at the end because she is doing what is right for her. My least favorite part was when her boyfriend ex tried to tell Mary Jane that they weren't going to last. I really liked this book because it was interesting and different .
The type of people that would like this book are people that read crazy dramatic love stories. I recommend it if you are trying to find something different and something interesting.
This book is about a girl (teen) that is trying to find out what her heart and her head wants. Until she finds out that her head and heart don’t agree. She goes through obstacles to see what her head and heart agree with.
The main character is Mary Jane. She likes this one guy and they kind of flirt. Mary Jane knows she shouldn't be talking to the guy because he has a girlfriend. Things happen and Jackson and her start dating and he wants to take things further, but Mary Jane doesn't know what she wants. She also made a pact to stay pure until marriage.
I relate to this story because it reminds me of this one girl that I don't like. She was friends with one of my friends. My friend had a boyfriend and they were really cute together.
Until she came and started flirting with my friend's boyfriend. Then they broke up and she got to him.
I liked this book. And that's saying something because I literally never read. My favorite part was when Mary Jane took time at the end because she is doing what is right for her. My least favorite part was when her boyfriend ex tried to tell Mary Jane that they weren't going to last. I really liked this book because it was interesting and different .
The type of people that would like this book are people that read crazy dramatic love stories. I recommend it if you are trying to find something different and something interesting.
December 6, 2017
My book was about this girl and her name is Maryjane(MJ). It was senior year in high school and she didn't know what to think about this guy that she has liked since she was little. His name is Jackson House. He is the hottest guy in the whole entire school. She's been able to be good and keep her pledge.
After one night of him and her hanging out with a group of friends she got back to school and everybody was saying that she and Jackson were doing stuff. After that day that's where everything started between her and Jackson. Sexy MJ wanted Jackson and didn't care that he had a girlfriend. Plain MJ does care that Jackson has a girlfriend and is trying to stay away from him. Jackson broke up with Star but did MJ and Jackson start dating and live happily ever after? You’ll just have to read the book to find out.
I really enjoyed this book because it kept you on your feet. The book made you want to keep on reading it until the end. It also has a very good twist to it and I love romantic books.
After one night of him and her hanging out with a group of friends she got back to school and everybody was saying that she and Jackson were doing stuff. After that day that's where everything started between her and Jackson. Sexy MJ wanted Jackson and didn't care that he had a girlfriend. Plain MJ does care that Jackson has a girlfriend and is trying to stay away from him. Jackson broke up with Star but did MJ and Jackson start dating and live happily ever after? You’ll just have to read the book to find out.
I really enjoyed this book because it kept you on your feet. The book made you want to keep on reading it until the end. It also has a very good twist to it and I love romantic books.
November 15, 2019
I read Crazy in Love by Dandi Daley Mackall. During this book, Jane being falling for the bad boy and school and she been a good, star student for so long. He starts flirting with her. Though she is trying to contain herself because he has a girlfriend. But Jane has "two voices" in her head. Shy jane and bold out there Jane. Though does this stop, Jane. Read Crazy in love to find out?
July 25, 2017
It's a great book. I can relate to Mary Jane
December 7, 2017
Hermoso!! Una lectura rapida y amena
October 27, 2024
I read this book YEARS ago! So I don’t remember much about it. But I know that I absolutely loved it. I will reread in the future and write a review
August 26, 2024
Very high School romance nothing exciting.
May 24, 2020
First read this as a teen and it has stuck with me since. I can see why people dislike this book because the content is not the sort that ages well. However, I still enjoy it and think it's quite a good coming-of-age novel even now.
February 25, 2015
Mary Jane (aka Plain Jane... aka MJ) is a senior in high school. And she has a massive crush on Jackson House. But Jackson has a girlfriend, even though he HAS been flirting with Mary Jane. And his girlfriend just happens to be in Mary Jane's group of friends. So when rumors start flying about Mary Jane and Jackson... Well, things turn ugly. Her friends can't believe Mary Jane would betray a friend like that. But the truth is: nothing has happened! No matter, rumors fly fast. And soon Mary Jane's reputation is on the line.
As if high school life wasn't complicated enough. Mary Jane is already dealing with her best friend being away at college, her boss at the Twisted Pretzel being a big pain, and her "rents." And let's not even get started on how confused she is about love and everything else in the romance-world. While Mary Jane battles all the outside fiascoes of teenage life, there is a battle going on inside as well: the battle between Plain Jane and MJ, her two alter-egos with totally opposing viewpoints on sex and Jackson House. Because even IF Jackson did like Mary Jane, what would that mean? She'd promised to wait until she was married to have sex. She'd made a pact with her two best friends (both of whom are now away at college). She decides it's all a moot point anyway... Until things DO start changing with Jackson. And now Mary Jane must decide what she wants for her future and who she really is.
***I liked this book for a few reasons. I'd probably give it a little over 3 stars. The story, set in high school, was a little immature seeming most of the time. But that could be that my 34-year old self can't really relate to the high school angst anymore. But there were quite a few messages I appreciated in this book. Like how Mary Jane's best friend Alicia reasoned remaining abstinent until marriage: "Sometimes I feel like there's not so much of me to give, so I better save it for the man I want to marry. Like, I don't want to leave pieces of me all over the place... Plus, who wants to be married to this perfectly great guy but still be thinking about the super sex you had with some loser in high school?" I felt like there was a lot of depth in that. I also like that there wasn't a bunch of bad language in the book. That actually surprised me, and I liked it a lot!
As if high school life wasn't complicated enough. Mary Jane is already dealing with her best friend being away at college, her boss at the Twisted Pretzel being a big pain, and her "rents." And let's not even get started on how confused she is about love and everything else in the romance-world. While Mary Jane battles all the outside fiascoes of teenage life, there is a battle going on inside as well: the battle between Plain Jane and MJ, her two alter-egos with totally opposing viewpoints on sex and Jackson House. Because even IF Jackson did like Mary Jane, what would that mean? She'd promised to wait until she was married to have sex. She'd made a pact with her two best friends (both of whom are now away at college). She decides it's all a moot point anyway... Until things DO start changing with Jackson. And now Mary Jane must decide what she wants for her future and who she really is.
***I liked this book for a few reasons. I'd probably give it a little over 3 stars. The story, set in high school, was a little immature seeming most of the time. But that could be that my 34-year old self can't really relate to the high school angst anymore. But there were quite a few messages I appreciated in this book. Like how Mary Jane's best friend Alicia reasoned remaining abstinent until marriage: "Sometimes I feel like there's not so much of me to give, so I better save it for the man I want to marry. Like, I don't want to leave pieces of me all over the place... Plus, who wants to be married to this perfectly great guy but still be thinking about the super sex you had with some loser in high school?" I felt like there was a lot of depth in that. I also like that there wasn't a bunch of bad language in the book. That actually surprised me, and I liked it a lot!
September 19, 2014
Mary Jane Ettemeyer is a well behaved High School Senior dealing with gossip, figuring out who to trust, and maintaining a relationship with the hottest guy in school, even if he has just broken up with her ex-friend, Star.
Mary Jane made a pact with her two friends to keep their pledge of abstinence until marriage. However, she comes across temptation when she goes overly crazy in love with Jackson House and finds out that her best friend (NAME?) has broken the pact. Now Mary Jane’s confidence begins to falter.
To help her deal with her uncompromising conscience taking over her actions, Mary Jane has two voices inside her head: “Plain Jane”, the good-girl Jane, and “M.J”, the sexy, daredevil Jane. These two opposites rarely agree and are of little help to Mary Jane as she struggles with the big decision of whether to have or not to have sex before marriage.
When rumors abound and all may not seem what it really is, Mary Jane must take a stand for what she believes is the right thing to do. But right now, dating hot and handsome Jackson House, she is not really sure she can trust herself. Will Mary Jane be able to resist temptation and keep her pledge of abstinence? Or will she fall prey to the pressure and temptation?
Check out the book and find out.
Also by Dandi Daley Mackall:
All About Dandi
Winne the Horse
Wild Thing
Visit the author’s website: www.dandibooks.com
Reviewed by Jerly J., TAB@DBPL Reader Advisor since 2012.
Mary Jane made a pact with her two friends to keep their pledge of abstinence until marriage. However, she comes across temptation when she goes overly crazy in love with Jackson House and finds out that her best friend (NAME?) has broken the pact. Now Mary Jane’s confidence begins to falter.
To help her deal with her uncompromising conscience taking over her actions, Mary Jane has two voices inside her head: “Plain Jane”, the good-girl Jane, and “M.J”, the sexy, daredevil Jane. These two opposites rarely agree and are of little help to Mary Jane as she struggles with the big decision of whether to have or not to have sex before marriage.
When rumors abound and all may not seem what it really is, Mary Jane must take a stand for what she believes is the right thing to do. But right now, dating hot and handsome Jackson House, she is not really sure she can trust herself. Will Mary Jane be able to resist temptation and keep her pledge of abstinence? Or will she fall prey to the pressure and temptation?
Check out the book and find out.
Also by Dandi Daley Mackall:
All About Dandi
Winne the Horse
Wild Thing
Visit the author’s website: www.dandibooks.com
Reviewed by Jerly J., TAB@DBPL Reader Advisor since 2012.
April 12, 2011
I loved MacKall’s Love Rules and because it was sush an awesome little love story, I decided to pick up another one of her books. Crazy in Love however was not anything like the other book and was very...shallow. It mainly consisted of a fluffy main character, who despite having somewhat decent intensions, went completely crazy! Well I guess that’s the whole point of the story but it could have had more depth to it instead of a “flingy” romance–if you could even call it that. M.J.’s good-girl/bad-girl dialogue was sometimes funny at first, after awhile it seemed silly. The story sort of followed classic hollywood-style “mean girl” approach: Mary Jane becomes “enemies” the most popular group of girls when she starts falling for Starr’s boyfriend. M.J’s friendship is challenged and I disliked how Jackson never stood up for his feelings for M.J. Besides the characters having developmental issues, the message behind the book is just a little bit bias. The semi-“main” conflict for M.J. was whether or not Jackson was worth loosing her virginity over. This of course is a common conflict in YA and a lot of them–like this one–tend to ride the fence. Crazy in Love however I think would confuse teens a little more mostly because it has a “conservative” feel to it: M.J. goes to church, she’s never really had a serious boyfriend, she wants to “wait”, ect.
Recommendation: Crazy in Love was not the best by MacKall and wasn’t anything super special. Try Love Rules instead–it’s a much better story.
Ages 14+
Read the full review at booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com
Recommendation: Crazy in Love was not the best by MacKall and wasn’t anything super special. Try Love Rules instead–it’s a much better story.
Ages 14+
Read the full review at booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com
January 3, 2012
This is the story of Mary Jane AKA MJ who has a voice inside her who she calls Plain Jane. It's sort of a devil and angel on your shoulder type of plot as MJ lives a typical teenage life. Until the popular girl's boyfriend decides to stray in MJ's direction and all of a sudden MJ's phone number is posted on the boy's lav as the girl most likely to give a "good time." This is a typical book of teen angst, wanting to be pretty, popular, and happy. When the wanted boyfriend decides to date MJ and ditch the popular girl, MJ gets a taste of the good life in high school. BUt it doesn't take long for the idea of sex to keep a boyfriend becomes a topic of not only conversation but an emotional ride. Without giving it all away (bad pun) Mj's inner voices keep her going back and forth through what is pretty typical on the minds of teens today. OF course I am a grown up and teacher and my view a little adult. I enjoyed this book and liked the perspective that many young girls who both want to be popular but not ready for lasting adult decisions. THis is a little lighter version of some things I Have read on the subject but know many girls who will like this book and if their mom or dad pick it up and read through it, will like the message.
October 10, 2009
This is the first book I've read from this prolific author and I really enjoyed it. She captured what it is to be a teenager really, really well...the problems, the joys, the heartbreak, the worries. I love how she addressed the question of sexual abstinence before marriage and really made it relevant and current without being preachy.
Some of my favorite parts of the book were the depictions of the main character's (Mary Jane) mentally handicapped sister and her Special Olympics basbetball games and activities. My own sister is so much like this and it was beautiful and heart-warming to read about Mary Jane's love for her sister.
My only negatives about the book is the way the author tries a little too hard, at times, to sound like a teenager. I got really sick of Mary Jane calling her parents "rents" every other sentence.
The romance is also nicely handled, compelling, and non-predictable. The addiction of other "voices" in Mary Jane's head made it fun and different. I really enjoyed this book.
Some of my favorite parts of the book were the depictions of the main character's (Mary Jane) mentally handicapped sister and her Special Olympics basbetball games and activities. My own sister is so much like this and it was beautiful and heart-warming to read about Mary Jane's love for her sister.
My only negatives about the book is the way the author tries a little too hard, at times, to sound like a teenager. I got really sick of Mary Jane calling her parents "rents" every other sentence.
The romance is also nicely handled, compelling, and non-predictable. The addiction of other "voices" in Mary Jane's head made it fun and different. I really enjoyed this book.
November 16, 2012
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Can four minutes really change your life?
When Mary Jane leaves a party for four minutes with a boy to grab more soda, rumors start flying out of control. The boy in question is the school hottie, and boyfriend to Star, a very popular girl, not to mention Mary Jane's friend. She can't believe that people are talking about her and acting as though something major happened during that short time.
Now Star's bent on revenge and boys are phoning Mary Jane's house day and night asking for special privileges. As for the boy in question, Jackson admits wanting to date Mary Jane, but isn't sure if he can end it with Star.
Does Mary Jane have the gumption to straighten out the rumors?
How far will girls go for the right boy and is the cost worth it in the end? Devour this book along with A BAD BOY CAN BE GOOD FOR A GIRL by Tanya Lee Stone and kick girl power up a notch.
Can four minutes really change your life?
When Mary Jane leaves a party for four minutes with a boy to grab more soda, rumors start flying out of control. The boy in question is the school hottie, and boyfriend to Star, a very popular girl, not to mention Mary Jane's friend. She can't believe that people are talking about her and acting as though something major happened during that short time.
Now Star's bent on revenge and boys are phoning Mary Jane's house day and night asking for special privileges. As for the boy in question, Jackson admits wanting to date Mary Jane, but isn't sure if he can end it with Star.
Does Mary Jane have the gumption to straighten out the rumors?
How far will girls go for the right boy and is the cost worth it in the end? Devour this book along with A BAD BOY CAN BE GOOD FOR A GIRL by Tanya Lee Stone and kick girl power up a notch.
February 26, 2012
I liked this book a lot, but I feel no need to make my rating any higher than 3 stars. It was a very good book, though. It was humorous, sweet, and real. I recommend this book for pre-teens and teenagers who are going through the first stages of growing up and falling in love. Crazy In Love portrayed first love well, and there is not a thing I would change about this great book. So, if you're looking for a light, fuzzy read that deals with teen messages about young love and following your heart, you'll like Crazy in Love :)
April 12, 2014
Un libro que quizá si tuviera 13 años me hubiera gustado... aunque se supone que es un libro juvenil se me hace muy inocente y hasta bobo.
Demasiados capítulos o será que se me hizo muy bobo que lo sufrí horrores???
Lo más rescatable es Sandy, la hermana de la prota que a pesar de tener cierta discapacidad es más madura que su hermana y termina dándole razón a la historia.
Una lectura que no recomiendo y menos por su final... en sero tanto para nada???
Muy decepcionante
Demasiados capítulos o será que se me hizo muy bobo que lo sufrí horrores???
Lo más rescatable es Sandy, la hermana de la prota que a pesar de tener cierta discapacidad es más madura que su hermana y termina dándole razón a la historia.
Una lectura que no recomiendo y menos por su final... en sero tanto para nada???
Muy decepcionante
January 7, 2017
This book was really cute! The first person point of view of the main character is absolutely HILARIOUS! Like...seriously amazing!
Spoilers below...
The only thing I didn't like was how Jackson turned out to be a donkeybutt at the end of the book. I wanted him to be the Jackson I thought he was going to be. total bummer...BUT I see why the author wrote it that way. It teaches women a good lesson. :)
~J
Spoilers below...
The only thing I didn't like was how Jackson turned out to be a donkeybutt at the end of the book. I wanted him to be the Jackson I thought he was going to be. total bummer...BUT I see why the author wrote it that way. It teaches women a good lesson. :)
~J
February 7, 2008
A quick read high-school romance. Mary Jane is accused of trying to steal her friend's boyfrien (on whom she does have a crush). The accusations crush the delicate social structure of the friends clique and Mary Jane's reputation takes a hit. None of that seems to matter though, when the boy in question begins to court Mary Jane.
March 12, 2008
The book Crazy in Love is about a girl who mostly depends on her consciences. One of her consciences are very judge mental and gives MaryJane Ettymer a negative self concept. The conscience makes it seem like shes always doing something wrong. Her other conscience is a good girl and more practical and mature.
September 3, 2009
This book was distracting because the main character had multiple personalities that talked to her all of the time. Another fault I find with this author is that her books are written about one age but seem to be on a lower reading level...for example, this book was about a high school senior, but seemed written for a 12 or 13 year old.
Read
October 27, 2009Everyone has two voices in their head. In this story the girl has a good voice and a bad(ish) voice. She picks one over the other and goes with what they tell her to do. The girl, Mary Jane, has a crush: the most popular boy in the school. She is wondering if it is a prank or if it's real. Read the book to find out.
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