[2] In 2007, Jones graduated from Vermont College's MFA program for writing, prior to which she completed the first draft of what would become her debut novel.

"[5] While reviewing the novel, Dana Rudolph of Bay Windows called it a story of "personal discovery," for both Dylan and Belle.

"[6] A review from Publishers Weekly stated that "the author's poetic prose ably captures her heroine's emotional upheavals.

[2] The novel's sequel, Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape), was labeled "challenging and thought-provoking, and always real and accessible," by author Kate Messner.

To cope with her difficulties, she writes messages to her hero, deceased movie actor John Wayne, and bonds with a friendly romantic interest from her school.

In addition to the central conflict, Need explores themes surrounding integrity[13] and personal phobias,[14] while also examining strong-willed heroines[5] and Norse mythology.

[15] The series has largely been met with critical acclaim,[16][17] while the initial entry was also listed as one of VOYA's best speculative fiction books of 2008.

[18] In a 2009 review of the first novel, Dale McGarrigle of the Bangor Daily News stated that, "While Need definitely has teen appeal, it's a book that, like the best in this genre, will attract adult readers as well.

[23] Musicians have also appeared more than once in her stories, with the characters Belle and Liliana (the protagonist of Girl, Hero) both having an interest in music.

Jones has stated that she plays piano in private, and that she participated in a song-and-dance company, along with comedian Sarah Silverman, while in junior high school.

[24] During a 2009 interview, Jones was asked about the appeal of the young-adult genre, and how the lines between fantasy and the real world blurred in her writing.

Like my character really cares about Amnesty International and human rights, and that's this incredibly important thing that goes on in our contemporary world.