The Unexpected Consequence of Bleedin..., Kelsey B. Toney
The Unexpected Consequence of Bleedin..., Kelsey B. Toney
List: $23.00 | Sale: $16.10
Club: $11.50

The Unexpected Consequence of Bleeding on a Tuesday

Author: Kelsey B. Toney

Narrator: Mara Wilson

Unabridged: 7 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/17/2025


Synopsis

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Delia Bridges is striving to become the compassionate doctor she's been unable to find in her journey to diagnose her excruciating period pain--but when a single rule-breaking incident jeopardizes her future, she must find a way to reclaim her dreams in this funny, period-positive novel.

A YALSA BEST FICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS BOOK OF THE YEAR

High school senior Delia Bridges has the most amazing mom and sister, a killer GPA--and periods that are so painful they make her scream, pass out, and throw up. Though she doesn't know it yet, Delia has endometriosis, an affliction plaguing millions of people that is notoriously difficult to diagnose.

Pain makes everything harder, but Delia is just one semester away from graduating from Stockwood Prep and pursuing her dream of becoming the kind of doctor she's never had: one who takes her symptoms seriously. But when she breaks a rule for the first time ever and is caught using marijuana at school to manage her pain, Delia is expelled.

Her expulsion jeopardizes her college acceptance, her planned mentorship, and everything she had carefully planned for years. Without her academic success and no closer to a diagnosis, is Delia anything more than her period?

About The Author

Kelsey B. Toney writes humorous, heartfelt stories about the hope that exists after our most laughably bad decisions. In past lives, Kelsey has been a teacher, recording artist, and actress—always in pursuit of connection through art and empathy. Learn more at kelseybtoney.com, on her podcast, or in her newsletter.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Lauren | Wordsbetweenlines on April 02, 2025

It’s hard to explain what I would have given to have had this book anytime in the last 20+ years. I have never felt more seen in a book, and in most situations actually, as I did while reading this. Delia has painful periods. Except it’s not just painful period. This was my story and so many others. T......more

Goodreads review by لیما on December 22, 2024

Once I started reading this book, I truly could not put it down. We're shown the life of Delia Bridges, a straight A high schooler with big dreams and nothing stopping her.... except for her own body. She goes through excruciating pain that could go off at any moment, and no professional wants to be......more

Goodreads review by Sydney | sydneys.books on May 31, 2025

This is one of the best depictions of chronic pain I have ever read. And I have read quite a few. Toney does not sugarcoat the experience of being disabled and gaslit by medical professionals, especially as a teenage girl. I know this book is going to become so so important to some readers out there......more

Goodreads review by Tracy on March 03, 2025

Loved this story! Told with humor and grace it's a beautiful story about a teen trying to find answers to why her period each month leaves her in debilitating pain. Racking up absences at school and plodding her way through eight different gynecologists has left her desperate and sinking into depres......more

Goodreads review by Sable on January 09, 2025

Such a phenomenal book! I had the very good fortune of getting to read this early courtesy of NetGalley and I had trouble putting it down! Thank you, Kelsey, for highlighting what so many women and BIPOC people experience: medical gaslighting, belief in myths of how people experience pain, being dis......more


Quotes

★ "With laugh-out-loud catastrophes that are told with empathy, Toney’s debut is a fast-paced romp full of heart, presenting not just an engaging story but a helpful road map for teens seeking to practice self-advocacy." —Booklist, starred review

"An honest, empowering, and relatable story about self-advocacy and perseverance in the face of discrimination." —Kirkus Reviews

"Toney comingles humor with the horrors of Delia’s “violent and shocking” periods with aplomb, writing cringe-worthy laugh-out-loud scenes without ever taking away Delia’s power on her path to getting the help she needs." —The Bulletin

"Honest, empowering, and deeply relatable." —School Library Journal


Awards

  • Kentucky Bluegrass Award