Coming off of two amazing Jones books, I was very disappointed in Just Between You and Me. It got three stars only because her trademark wit and talent for not veering into the cliche was still present here. Here's a list of my problems.

1. I didn't see how it was fair for Maggie's dad to just call her up out of the blue and demand she come take care of his niece. If they don't get along, Maggie could've just said, "Forget about it." Worse off, he constantly tries to guilt her into staying like it's her fault Riley doesn't have any consistency.

2. Maggie's dad doesn't show his daughter any kindness or understanding, at least through most of the novel, even though she's seemingly done nothing wrong. She's successful and smart, and yet he couldn't care less. Instead, he dotes on the mentally ill, drug addicted daughter.

3. Maggie's sister blames way too much on her.

4. Conner seems to hate Maggie immediately on nothing other than a mentally ill drug addict's word. He still judges her for what she did in high school. In fact, the whole town does. I mean, really?

5. Maggie does not have the spark of Finley or Lucy. It's hard for her to carry the novel.

6. The plotline gets a little too dramatic (a little cliche might sink through here). Many of the supposedly more heartfelt moments come off forced. Ex. Dad's apology.

I love Jenny B. Jones, I really do, but I just didn't love this novel.