This is an excellent read for anyone who is coping with an ongoing illness. It offered real insight into an issue rarely talked about not well understood from the outside. This being said, I believe the book is based on the author's experience as a teenager, and there have been HUGE improvements since then.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Kelsey B. Toney’s “The Unexpected Consequences of Bleeding on a Tuesday” is a bold and refreshing YA novel that deftly balances humor and activism while tackling topics like endometriosis, chronic illness, and medical gaslighting. Through the story of Delia Bridges, Toney brings an often-overlooked conversation about invisible illnesses to the forefront, creating a validating and educational experience for readers.

Delia Bridges is a straight-A high school senior with her sights set on a bright future. However, her life is upended by debilitating period pain that no doctor seems willing to take seriously. When a desperate attempt to ease her symptoms with a homemade marijuana tincture backfires spectacularly, Delia finds herself spiraling—losing her spot at her prestigious school, jeopardizing her college plans, and being forced to confront the fragility of the carefully constructed life she envisioned. Returning to her old school district, Delia must navigate friendships, budding romance, and the realities of living with chronic pain. Along the way, she reconnects with her former best friend, Ruby, who has her own chronic illness (IBS) and a renewed perspective on supporting Delia. The story is equal parts entertaining and thought-provoking as Delia learns to advocate for herself in a system stacked against her.

One of the best parts of this book lies in its unflinching portrayal of living with a chronic illness. Toney doesn’t shy away from the visceral realities of Delia’s condition, offering you an unvarnished glimpse into the frustration, pain, and hopelessness that come with battling an invisible illness while being dismissed by the medical system. For those with similar experiences, this representation feels deeply validating, and both Delia and Ruby may be extremely relatable to some readers.

The friendships in the story are another highlight. Ruby’s journey of redemption—owning her past mistakes and growing into a supportive ally—brings a layer of warmth and relatability. Ruby’s unabashed approach to discussing her IBS adds humor and normalization to the story, helping to destigmatize conversations about bodily functions and chronic illnesses.

The book’s humor and lighthearted tone keep the story accessible despite its heavy themes. Delia’s slapstick overdose incident is a comedic yet poignant reminder of how desperation can lead to reckless decisions. At its core, the book balances its emotional weight with relatable, funny, and entertaining moments that make it hard to put down, though the ending feels a bit abrupt and unresolved. The romance subplot, while sweet, occasionally feels underdeveloped compared to the richness of the friendships and activism themes. However, it does add a relatable element as Delia navigates the complexities of relationships while living with a chronic illness.

Overall, the inclusion of characters with chronic conditions like endometriosis and IBS in “The Unexpected Consequences of Bleeding on a Tuesday” is a step toward normalizing these conversations, particularly for young readers who may feel alone in their struggles. Toney’s ability to weave humor and light into a story about pain and frustration makes this book both educational and deeply empathetic. This story is a validation for anyone who’s ever felt dismissed or overlooked and a call to action for greater understanding of invisible illnesses.

A novel for its time for sure! A well-written look at what it means to be a female in America today. I hope anyone who has any connection to or lacks knowledge of periods and women's healthcare reads this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC.

A funny, heart-wrenching, realistic look at navigating life with uncontrollable period pain.
I loved the relationships between Delia and her sister, and Delia and Ruby as they picked up the pieces of a childhood friendship.
If you have had a period or know someone who has had a period, you'll want to pick up The Unexpected Consequences of Bleeding on a Tuesday.

An entertaining and reassuring text for teen readers. Tackling a topic like endometriosis for younger readers can be tough, but Toney creates a story that is both funny and educational for teens. I liked the unflinching detail that Toney uses to describe Delia's period pain, visceral as it may be, and felt that it added a lot to the story and helped to validate readers who may also be experiencing similar pain. You really feel for Delia as she bounces from doctor to doctor, constantly being gaslit into believing that her pain is being over-exaggerated. I also loved the reintroduction of Ruby, and how she grows emotionally to admit her wrongs in underestimating her friend's pain. I really appreciated the inclusion of IBS in the story as Ruby's chronic illness, and how unashamed she was to elaborate on a topic that most people find too embarrassing to bring up. Overall, I thought this was a good story. I liked the inclusion of romance and activism, although I wish the ending had been a little more tied up instead of ending on sort of a mid note. I also wish that there had been some educational backmatter included talking more about endometriosis, IBS, or other period conditions.