I decided to borrow this audiobook on a whim and was so pleasantly surprised and taken by the book. I had a hard time turning it off to do other things. It was adorable and it warmed my literary loving heart, reminding me of the days in high school and University when I would be studying classic novels. Mary was such a fun and unique character. She was clearly out of her depths when it came to socializing with kids her own age, as she talks and thinks very much like a classic literature heroine. She is naïve and never really seems to consider her own merits and worth. She also has a very wonderful character arc, which does not go about changing her personality or making her adapt to her knew surroundings, instead she is able to still be her bookish self, while seeing the error in comparing real life to books. I really enjoyed the way the plot played out, where the drama is not at all what it seems. It is a book very much about incorrect assumptions, miscommunication and things perceived in the wrong way. Mary pulls too much from outdated literature, instead of realizing that basic elements of classics may ring true, and may help to determine slight character flaws, but there is actually much more that a novel could never capture or prepare you for in real life (IRL). Mary is really her own worst enemy in this novel, underestimating her friends and the amount they care for her and not for what she can do for them. Mary's family is also super supportive of each other, even while they may be in their own little worlds a bit too much. I highly applaud finally reading a young adult narrative where the heroine of the novel actually seeks out advice from her parents when she has made a monumental error in judgement. Also, Mary confronts her own inability to talk to her parents, or owns up to the fact she does not share what is going on in her life, with the fact that her mother invites someone she is no longer friends with to her birthday party. Mary definitely has middle child syndrome, and often feels overlooked. But, that also has to do with her parent's trusting her judgement, and her parent's often not participating in any of their children's personal lives. Her sisters and brother are also supportive of her, in that they help her when she asks, and offer up advice when they know she is feeling down. The friends Mary makes are also a surprising lot. She introduces them as beautiful, popular girls. But, as we get to know them, Mary and the reader, learn they too are anxious about school, popularity, friendship, and life. They are very welcoming and authentic, and the reader hopes that Mary's use of classics to ward off certain boys does not ruin a wonderful and supportive group. I like that they are all different, but still manage to find common ground and like each other unconditionally. Absolutely loved Terry, yay to aroace rep, who harbours a love for true crime. The romance was also quite adorable, with Mary being consistently oblivious to Alex's attentions. She continuously underestimates her value and cannot fathom why a cute boy would want to chat with her. Their romance is very much about personality, and only slightly about sexual appeal. Mary is blind to the fact that some guys may also enjoy classic literature, and may find an abrasive, smart, know-it-all girl to be charming, witty, and beautiful in her own right. Pick up this book for a good laugh, a light hearted storyline, and just a plethora of classic book knowledge.
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