The ending was believable at least.

It tied everything together in a rather satisfying way. One could see how all the events and plotlines had been leading up to this conclusion.

The characters' actions and decisions throughout the story had set the stage for this final outcome.

It wasn't a completely unexpected ending, but it wasn't overly predictable either.

There were enough twists and turns along the way to keep the reader engaged and guessing.

The author did a good job of bringing all the loose ends together and providing a sense of closure.

Overall, the believable ending added to the enjoyment of the story and made it a memorable read.

It left the reader with a feeling of satisfaction and a desire to recommend the story to others.

I was truly excited when I started reading this book. I had high hopes that a book centered around a Black child dealing with mental health problems and the hardships endured by the parent would deeply resonate with me. However, I was mistaken.

I found that for approximately the first 75% of the book, the pace was extremely slow. It seemed to drag on, and I struggled to stay engaged. Then, suddenly, in the last 25% of the book, everything ended far too quickly. There were a few moments where my curiosity was piqued, and I really wanted to know what would happen next. But for the most part, I felt rather bored.

To be completely honest, I'm not sure if I'll pick up another book by this author. This reading experience has left me somewhat disappointed, and I'm not convinced that their other works would be any different.

This is the final novel from the noted contemporary African-American writer Bebe Moore Campbell, who unfortunately passed away earlier this year. I have had the pleasure of reading a few of her other novels, such as Brothers and Sisters and Your Blues Ain't Like Mine. A few months ago, I also got an excerpt from this particular one through the Dearreader.com Book Club.

Single mother and businesswoman Keri Whitmore is facing a difficult situation. Her teenage daughter Trina has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which has completely disrupted her plans for college and the future. Trina herself is also struggling. She has to stay on her medications, attend therapy, and avoid non-prescribed drugs that can aggravate her mania and paranoia. Meanwhile, Trina's father Clyde has not accepted the facts of his daughter's illness, and at some level, neither has Keri. Underlying her daily efforts to manage their lives, she seems to keep hoping that she will find the one "magic bullet" that will bring back the daughter she used to know. This hope leads her to take a desperate step outside the mental-health care system.

Keri is a very relatable character. At times, she can be exasperating to the point of making you want to say "girl, please!" But at other times, she stirs great empathy. Her struggle makes you appreciate the things you don't have to deal with in your own life. The plot of the novel is engrossing, the writing is very direct and down-to-earth, and the characters are well-developed and believable. It's a great read that I would highly recommend.

3 1/2 stars rounded up.

This rating indicates that the overall experience or quality being evaluated is quite good. It's not a perfect 5-star rating, but it's definitely above average.

When we round up 3 1/2 stars, it gives a more positive impression and shows that the item or service has several notable strengths.

It might have some minor flaws or areas for improvement, but they don't overshadow the good aspects.

This rounded-up rating can attract more customers or readers who are looking for something that is reliable and offers a good value for their money or time.

It also gives the provider of the item or service a sense of achievement and motivation to continue improving and maintaining a high level of quality.

Overall, a 3 1/2 stars rounded up is a great rating that indicates a positive and enjoyable experience.

A Well-Written Story from a Mother's Perspective

This is a truly remarkable story that is told from the perspective of a mother whose teen daughter suffers from bipolar disorder. The narrative is both heartbreaking and highly realistic, drawing the reader in and making them feel every emotion that the mother experiences. The challenges and struggles that the mother and daughter face are vividly described, making it easy for the reader to empathize with their situation.

However, the ending of the story felt a bit rushed. After building up so much tension and emotion throughout the story, it seemed as though the resolution was somewhat abrupt. It would have been nice to see a more detailed exploration of how the mother and daughter continued to cope with the disorder and what the future held for them.

Overall, though, this is a very compelling story that offers a unique and poignant look into the world of a family dealing with bipolar disorder. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of this complex and often misunderstood condition.

This book was truly exhausting.

It presented such a captivating story that by the end, I was completely drained simply due to the numerous ups and downs and the intense emotional rollercoaster it took me on.

Books of this nature are of utmost importance, particularly within the black community where mental illness is seldom discussed.

It is essential to have such literature that shines a light on these often overlooked topics and encourages open conversations.

This book does an excellent job of fulfilling that purpose, making it a very good read indeed.

It not only entertains but also educates and raises awareness, which is a remarkable achievement.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging read.

It has the power to touch hearts and make a positive impact on individuals and communities alike.

The story started off very slow, almost lulling the reader into a sense of complacency.

However, around the two-thirds mark, it suddenly picked up pace and became much more engaging.

The author takes a close look at mental illness, delving deep into the complex and often misunderstood world of the human mind.

We are introduced to various characters who are struggling with different forms of mental illness, and we get to see how their conditions affect their daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being.

The author does an excellent job of portraying the characters with empathy and understanding, making it easy for the reader to connect with them on an emotional level.

Overall, this is a thought-provoking and engaging read that offers a unique perspective on mental illness.

This powerful novel presents the heart-wrenching story of a mother.

She is constantly striving to cope with the mental illness of her eighteen-year-old daughter, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

The mother's journey is filled with challenges, sacrifices, and an unwavering love for her child.

Her story will undoubtedly touch the hearts of every parent who deeply loves their children.

Moreover, any person who has family members diagnosed with mental illness will find themselves reflected in this realistic portrayal of the truth.

The book vividly depicts the difficulties and emotions that come with dealing with mental illness within the family.

It offers a unique perspective and valuable insights into the complex world of mental health.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any parent.

It is a must-read that will not only educate but also inspire and provide comfort.

Given the time this country is going through with mental health issues, this story is indeed very accurate.

Sadly, not much has changed over the years. The treatment available is often subpar, the cost of treatment is prohibitively high, and the facilities are far from adequate. It is truly a very sad state of affairs, with not much hope in sight.

However, there is one glimmer of hope. The only difference is that mental illness is now being diagnosed and talked about more openly. People are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health and are starting to seek help.

This is a positive step forward, but there is still a long way to go. We need to improve the quality of treatment, make it more affordable, and build better facilities to support those who are struggling with mental illness.

Only then can we truly say that we are making progress in addressing this important issue.

I read this book with great anxiety during the first half. Firstly, I was curious if it would be yet another story where the magical parent, psychiatrist, or treatment program comes to the rescue. Secondly, Keri's journey with Trina, her daughter constantly cycling in and out of psychiatric hospitals in search of a miracle cure, seemed like a nightmare scenario. It felt like something that could easily lead to someone dying or being incarcerated in a fruitless pursuit, all in the hope of achieving capitalism's version of success, the American dream.

Thankfully, they do not fall victim to a human trafficking ring, there is no miracle cure, and everything starts to make sense to me.

I have noticed that a lot of the works I've read about the parents of a psychiatrically disabled child often focus on finding ways to exonerate themselves, their child, (some of) their family, and/or partner. So, it was refreshing to read this fiction where the mother makes a huge mistake and actively works on correcting it. She fights for a life outside her child's illness, has to learn to be vulnerable, and has to let go of the idea that she always has to be the nurturer. The desire to change someone back to who they were before mental illness must be incredibly strong. I can empathize, although I'm not sure if I would have been able to forgive.

I also really appreciate that, for once, the protagonist of this fiction involving mental illness is a Black woman, and that "72 Hour Hold" was written by a Black woman based on her own experiences with her bipolar daughter. Mental health fiction from a non-white perspective, written by a non-white and respected writer, is not something you come across every day. It was precisely what I needed. There are references to certain instances where race complicates Keri's attempts to save her daughter. For example, when she warns the police that Trina is mentally ill and begs them not to shoot her while directing them to Trina's room, knowing that a disproportionate number of people killed by the police are Black and/or disabled/mentally ill. There is also the isolation she feels within the Black community due to the greater stigma surrounding mental illness and its treatment compared to white America, the mistrust from the very people she is seeking aid from because of racial bias (whether conscious or not), and multiple microaggressions long before that term became part of our everyday language. It's real life, and as uncomfortable or unnecessary as it may seem to some, it's an important story to hold onto as I wait for a story that will shed light on my own mother.

This was an engrossing read.

It truly captured my attention from the very beginning. The story was filled with interesting characters and a captivating plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.

As I turned each page, I found myself more and more immersed in the world that the author had created. The descriptions were vivid and detailed, allowing me to picture every scene in my mind's eye.

The pacing of the story was also excellent, not too fast that I felt rushed, but not too slow either. It maintained a steady rhythm that kept me engaged throughout.

Overall, this was a truly enjoyable and engrossing read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good book to lose themselves in.

Gave me insight into the bipolar disease. Bipolar disorder is a complex mental illness that affects a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. It is characterized by extreme mood swings, from manic episodes of high energy and euphoria to depressive episodes of low mood and hopelessness.

Understanding bipolar disorder requires knowledge of its symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Symptoms of a manic episode may include increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, and excessive involvement in pleasurable activities. Depressive episodes, on the other hand, may involve feelings of sadness, worthlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

The causes of bipolar disorder are not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Treatment typically involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. With proper treatment and management, many people with bipolar disorder are able to lead fulfilling lives.