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Jane Anonymous
by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: January 7th 2020
Genre: Young adult, contemporary
Source: Tour organizer
Synopsis:
Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz returns with Jane Anonymous, a gripping tale of a seventeen-year-old girl’s kidnapping and her struggle to fit back into her life after she escapes.

Then, “Jane” was just your typical 17-year-old in a typical New England suburb getting ready to start her senior year. She had a part-time job she enjoyed, an awesome best friend, overbearing but loving parents, and a crush on a boy who was taking her to see her favorite band. She never would’ve imagined that in her town where nothing ever happens, a series of small coincidences would lead to a devastating turn of events that would forever change her life.

Now, it’s been three months since “Jane” escaped captivity and returned home. Three months of being that girl who was kidnapped, the girl who was held by a “monster.” Three months of writing down everything she remembered from those seven months locked up in that stark white room. But, what if everything you thought you knew―everything you thought you experienced―turned out to be a lie?

my thoughts and whatnot

I love the writing style, I love how we truly doesn't know what happened at the start, like we're piecing the memories together with the main character. It made me feel connected to Jane. While reading, though, I have this feeling that Jane's not really a reliable narrator. I feel like there's something missing and I wasn't wrong. From the synopsis, I kind of guess what the twist (if it's a twist) is going to be but it still wished that what I was thinking was right and I feel for Jane. She's such a tough cookie, this character. Everything that she went through (before) and what she was going through (after) was so horrifying and devastating. I just... I wish what happened to this book won't happen to anyone (but I know for a fact that this happens which makes it a lot sadder).

I like the characters, especially Jane's parents, bless those characters. You could gather that they really love Jane (see the sixth quote below), they just doesn't know how to handle her after what happened to her. I also appreciate Jane's friends. I especially love the addition of Jack - the one character that kind of know what Jane is experiencing.

Overall, I really liked this poignant book. The plot was extremely interesting. This is not only a journey of survival but also of healing.

favorite quotes

For those brave enough to share their honest truth and the attentive listeners who really, truly hear it. (not really a quote, more of a dedication but I love it so adding it here)

Writing is how I'm able to make some sense of this screwed-up world. ... ... It's how I used to end every day.

We've all carried our regret around like anchors, struggling not to drown.

And so what am I supposed to do? Ignore what I'm feeling? Change myself for him? For her? For everyone? But me.

... no one found me. And I'm still searching for missing myself.

Mom filled up yet again. "I'll do whatever you want. Just tell me whatever you want." I just want her not to feel my pain.

Healing starts the moment we feel heard.

"Mary?" she asks, when I click the phone on. "No. It's Jane." (I just like seeing my name spelled out lol, don't mind me)

Sometimes we simply don't get the answers we want. Other times, we get them, but not until we're ready.

"We're all broken in some way; it's part of that being-human thing I was talking about before. The key is to learn how to carry your broken pieces as you move forward day by day."

"And when the pieces get too heavy?"

"I hope to make them lighter, but try not to think of them as solely negative. Our broken pieces are what make us whole."

The mind, like the heart, is an amazingly powerful thing. One day, I hope that both can be open again.

About the author:

Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.

Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.

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