On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity [Paperback]

Lisa Cerasoli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

Annie, a sassy, self-deprecating, authentically raw 28-year-old, hazardously, yet humorously, freefalls from an all-time low to rock bottom ... She s lost her job, feels legitimately trapped inside a bad relationship with arguably the most charming prick on the planet, is stifled by her past ... and, oh, a perpetual buzz. Then, she meets Billy, a soulful, petty thief. Add barbed witticisms from Annie s cousin, an angry acupuncturist, and quips from two sadomasochistic elementary school teachers, and watch as reckless desperation leads to blind fearlessness in this modern-day tale where love is lost, found, whined and dined, but mostly redefined.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Pure, uncensored, humorous madness. --Siegal Entertainment, Inc.

Like J.D. Salinger for his generation or Bret Easton Ellis for the 80s, Lisa Cerasoli writes with a wit and frank honesty that cuts you to the core. --Sean Madden, Producer, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Masterfully told through a flawed protagonist and irreverent cast of characters, On the Brink… is an exhilarating ride through a quarter-life crisis. The story makes you wince and laugh simultaneously at the brutal honesty of love, adulthood, and how not to handle them. --Bill Hinkle, Producer, Secret Lives of Women WE Network

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Five Star Publications, Inc.; 1st edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589851218
• ISBN-13: 978-1589851214
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,889,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars **OUTRAGEOUS**, July 12, 2009

By 

Geraldine Ahearn "Author Geri Ahearn" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity (Paperback)

As Annie looks in the mirror, she sees a reflection of a twenty-eight
year old woman who leads a life with absolutely no direction. As she tries to make a better life, her luck just gets worse-and-worse. She learns the hard way in a relationship with Michael that she cannot change
him, or the manner in which he treats her. As he continues to portray the
no-good-for-nothing, cheating boyfriend, Annie decides to find a new path. While she becomes unemployed, and thinking about her painful childhood with a mother who was nonexistent, she stumbles into Billy. Her relationship with Billy is not as good as Billy's relationship is with Michael. Billy, and Michael become very good friends. Billy is an ex-con, who wants to be a musician. He needs to find his inner-self, and a loving relationship doesn't seem to fit his schedule. Michael is all about Michael, and Billy is all about Billy. Where does that leave
Annie? The more Annie thinks about ways to fix her entire world that falls apart, the more wrong turns she makes on the road to happiness. Sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll just don't seem to help in any way. Annie's bad luck turns into desperation for a new life, while she realizes that she has no family, or friends to turn to. Billy tries to fulfill his dream, Michael continues to be arrogant, and Annie's solution to all her problems depends on the amount of tequila she's drinking. As Annie's reckless life begins to shatter like a broken glass, with a heart that needs mending, where will she go now? Does she ever meet Mr.Right, or does she stay with a charming, Mr. Wrong? As the saga continues in the ups-and-downs of Annie's life, will she find bliss,
or insanity in her future? I recommend this novel to chick literature lovers, and everyone who enjoys a true-to-life story, with a blend of humor. Lisa Cerasoli penned an offbeat, delicious slice of life about a
down-on-her-luck girl, and brings her to life. This book is brilliantly
funny. The characters are smashing, and the story is outrageous, and touching. "ON THE BRINK OF BLISS AND INSANITY" is as wild as MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING, and as hilarious as THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, with
Cameron Diaz.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On the Brink...Finalist in Foreword's 2009 Book of the Year Awards!, March 24, 2010

By 

Ms. Marie - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity (Paperback)

On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity just became a finalist for Foreword's 2009 Book of the Year Awards. The winners are announced at Book Expo America in NYC on May 25th, 2010.
The book is up against four others in Romantic Fiction. Over 1,400 submissions in 60 categories. If that's not reason to purchase this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud, thought-provoking weekend read, I don't know what is!?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wryly written, May 15, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity (Paperback)

What can you do when everything falls apart around you? "On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity" is the story of Annie. Attracted to a prick, newly unemployed, Annie's life seems to be a on a downward spiral that she cannot control. Add in an utterly fascinating cast of characters and one has the recipe for an intriguing and story, sure to compel the reader. "On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity" is wryly written, and a top pick for new fiction.