School Library Journal
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Gr 9 Up—Toney's debut explores chronic illness, youth agency, and the fight to be heard. At its center is 17-year-old Delia Bridges, a high-achieving high school senior whose dreams of becoming a doctor are jeopardized by excruciating period pain—pain that has been dismissed by adults and medical professionals for years. When a well-intentioned gift from her younger sister—a homemade marijuana tincture—helps Delia make it to a crucial mentorship meeting, it also leads to her expulsion from their prestigious Texas prep school. Forced to finish out the year in public school, Delia reconnects with Ruby, a former best friend now dealing with her own chronic condition, IBS. Their renewed friendship becomes a catalyst for advocacy, as Ruby's fight against rigid attendance policies inspires Delia to raise her voice, too. With humor and tenderness, Toney deftly navigates themes of period stigma, systemic medical neglect, and health equity, grounding the story in Delia's candid first-person narration. Her emotional growth toward period positivity is supported by a likable, diverse cast. Toney's personal connection to the subject matter brings authenticity to the narrative, lending credibility and depth to Delia's experiences. VERDICT Honest, empowering, and deeply relatable, this novel is recommended for all young adult collections.—Alicia Rogers

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

What should be the most rewarding day of Delia’s high school career instead leads to her expulsion from her Texas prep school. Since middle school, 17-year-old Delia’s periods have brought her debilitating pain. This month, when her period begins two days early, it threatens to keep her home on a day when she must be present in order to stay in a prestigious premed program. Delia’s well-meaning sister gives her a homemade THC tincture that provides some relief, allowing her to go to school and meet her mentor—but when the dean discovers the substance, Delia’s kicked out. She must finish the year at public school. There, she reconnects with former best friend Ruby, who’s navigating her own medical issues with irritable bowel syndrome. Attendance policies that ignore complex illnesses could prevent both girls from graduating on time. Ruby’s activism around the subject inspires Delia to raise her own voice in a way that she’s been hesitant to before. An engaging protagonist, Delia often feels that she’s “too much” for her supportive family and friends. Her first-person narration is refreshingly candid as she chronicles her medical journey, including details of a pelvic exam by one of the many gynecologists she sees in search of a diagnosis. Delia’s determination to manage her medical condition ultimately pays off in unexpected ways. Delia and Ruby are cued white; other friends are racially diverse. An honest, empowering, and relatable story about self-advocacy and perseverance in the face of discrimination. (author's note, resources)(Fiction. 12-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Delia Bridges didn’t intend to ruin her future by getting caught high and in possession of a weed tincture at school, but her extreme period pain left her feeling desperate. When her period shows up two days early and interferes with the opening ceremony for a prestigious pre-med mentorship during her senior year, she makes a snap decision that ends up seeing her expelled, kicked out of the mentorship, and unaccepted from her dream college. At the same time, her seventh and eighth gynecologists are gaslighting her, refusing to give her the treatment she so desperately needs. Shunted back to public school, Delia reconnects with her ex–best friend, falls for a cute boy, and works to find the strength to stand up for herself and demand the care she deserves. Toney has crafted a compelling young-adult story that is simultaneously hilarious, enraging, and emotional. The book is well plotted with an interesting story that goes hand in hand with the important messages of empowerment and medical agency it has for teens. Delia’s righteous rage at the healthcare system is more than earned. 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.