Customer Reviews

On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity

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4 star:		(1)
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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.

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!?

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.

I was only four pages into the story when I realized there would be no skimming this book. It was like molten chocolate lava cake: each artfully chosen word had to be savored. Edgy, shocking, and painfully frank while at the same time surprisingly insightful and even poetic, this tale of reckless desperation makes you laugh out loud while simultaneously breaking your heart. It's chic lit that every man should read and learn from.

I just finished this book and am going to start reading it again tomorrow. There is so much fabulously written wit that I'm afraid I may have missed something! It covers all of the important topics: sex, drugs, rock & roll. I would really love to see this as a movie!

Lisa writes about living and working in LA. She colorfully tells the story in such a way you don't want to put down the book.

Most of us crack open a new novel for the same reason. We want to be transfixed, tantalized or simply transported to another space entirely. "On the Brink..." gives this to you in spades. Cerasoli will knock you sideways with her unabashed humor. No stone of inner turmoil is left unturned in her painting of "Annie" or her sculpture of "Billy". All of Cerasoli's characters vibrate and come alive in this wry and witty account of what could really be each and every one us while we floundered around in our 20s. You will find yourself locked into this novel immediately and with every turn of a page you will want more. When you find yourself at the end of "On the Brink..." you will feel like you made some new friends and you will feel satiated.

I thought this was a great book. It vacillates between hysterically funny to shockingly thought provoking with ease. The story is an interesting ride and the themes will stay with you long after you finish. From the first page, I thought, "I am going to read this book again...soon!" I hope to see more from this author in the near future!