Parents' Guide to

Between the Bliss and Me

By Mandie Caroll, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Teen faces mental illness, falls in love in heartfelt tale.

Book Lizzy Mason Family Life 2021
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What's the Story?

At the start of BETWEEN THE BLISS AND ME, Sydney admits to her overprotective mom that she'll go to NYU at the end of the summer, instead of living at home to attend nearby Rutgers, as they'd planned. She goes to visit her dad's parents to escape her mother's anger and disappointment, and while there, they tell Sydney what her mom wouldn't, or couldn't: Sydney's dad has schizophrenia, and he's been living on the streets of New York City for many years. Sydney is angry that her mom hid the truth from her, terrified that she might develop schizophrenia, too, and devastated that her dad is unhoused and untreated. Sydney makes some reckless, out-of-character decisions, like getting drunk, pursuing romance with hot Grayson, who's already got a girlfriend, and dragging her best friend to New York to track down her dad. But if they find him, will he even want Sydney's support? Even though her plans for the future could be upended, she decides she has to try.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

This thoughtful book gets high marks for handling mental illness with sensitivity, though it sometimes veers off into teachy and preachy territory. Exciting subplot, including forbidden love and a cruel acquaintance intent on getting under Sydney's skin add interest, but this story is all about Sydney and her efforts to understand herself and her family in light of the truth about her dad. Sydney's compassion and empathy for her dad and people like him is inspiring and models for teen readers positive, shame- and blame-free ways to think about these important issues.

While the author's efforts at examining mental illness from legal, historical, familial, and social perspectives is admirable, it can feel forced, with characters and scenes shoe-horned in for the purpose of teaching the reader about the largely ineffective mental health care system in the United States. The inclusion of socioeconomic class conflicts is also uneven, with some scenes and lines feeling contrived and stereotypical. Still, the steamy romance, likable supporting characters, and respectful approach to mental health and illness gives this novel wide teen appeal.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the portrayal of mental illness in Between the Bliss and Me. Did you learn anything new or surprising about mental illness? If you are concerned about your mental health, or that of anyone else you know, who can you talk to?

  • Differences between the rich and working class people (like Sydney's mom and Marta) are a consistent theme in this book. How do these socioeconomic issues compare to what you experience? Why do you think the author included this theme in the book?

  • What did you make of the way Grayson and Sydney interacted? What do you think is the right way for people to deal with attraction when one or both are already in a relationship?

Book Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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