"Since her dad died three years ago, 18-year-old Julie has been having ongoing conversations with an imagined professional wrestler, the Masked Man, who lives in her head. . . . One of the joys of this terrific, character-driven novel is watching these lives intersect. . . . Julie's grief for her dead father gives a poignancy that adds depth to her character and is never maudlin. . . . The engaging tone of this terrific novel is spot on, while Bliss demonstrates a welcome gift for dialogue. . . . The feel-good novel of the year." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Julie's wryly funny, self-deprecating, and authentic narrative voice, the wide cast of eccentric but realistically drawn characters . . . and the beautiful, unshowy writing will keep readers going all the way to the auspicious end. A smart, poignant meditation on losing someone you love and living with the loss." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Bliss writes incisively about grief, approaching a weighty topic with empathy, grace, and genial humor. Sweet, caring relationships--parental, platonic, and romantic--add to the uplifting tone." -- Publishers Weekly
"Bliss ably balances humor, poignancy, and raw grief, emphasizing that mourning looks like all sorts of things." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Julie is a well-imagined, strong female lead, and the portrayal of her humor and strength is balanced with the way she navigates grief, loss, and love. Complex and thoughtfully constructed. . . . This book reminds readers that grief is not a one-size-fits-all process, and it opens a window into the world of professional wrestling and its fandom. A unique and moving portrait of grief and love." -- School Library Journal
