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The Cost of Bliss
Jane Prince has everything any normal 14-year-old girl would an inseparable group of friends, the top grades in her class, name brand clothes, gourmet meals, and a gorgeous house with the appropriate number of five bedrooms for her family of four. Everyone at school likes her. Well, except for maybe Preston Miller, who acts like she's some snooty member of a royal family. Whatever, it doesn't matter. Jane knows he's just jealous of her perfect life, though probably not her annoying little sister. See? Jane has everything she needs and (almost) everything she wants...until one day when an innocent piece of paper rips it all away.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 15, 2023
Fourteen-year-old Jane Prince’s perfect life began changing for the worse when she noticed that piece of paper stuck to the door of her beautiful, five-bedroom house. On top of that, her father unexpectedly loses his job, and the Princes are forced to relocate. Down the road on the rougher, low-income side of town, the family of four stays temporarily with Jane’s great-grandmother in her cramped home. Jane feels panicky and ashamed and vows to keep this secret from her three best friends. But a boy from her school, Preston, won’t let her forget. Despite her family’s worsening financial situation, Jane is most worried about her reputation at Blossom View Middle School. The friction between her and her friends is causing rifts, and she worries that she’ll go to the eighth-grade ball alone. If that isn’t bad enough, Preston Miller keeps popping up everywhere, annoying her.
Jane wants everything to return to how it used to be before the moving truck appeared on her driveway and before her dad lost his job.
“The Cost of Bliss” by Kelsey Conkling is a wildly affecting story about overcoming obstacles and resilience. The text is geared toward young readers between the ages of ten and eighteen and is told from Jane’s perspective. The young teen is introspective and emotional as she struggles to understand the plight of her parents’ money woes and why she has been uprooted from her idyllic life. Classic themes of identity, family dynamics, and friendship are woven into this coming-of-age book, sure to become a favorite of teen readers.
As kids, we often put our parents on a pedestal, assuming they are perfect, and they have the capacity to solve every problem. That is until some unforeseen circumstance ameliorates that notion. Conkling did an excellent job capturing this revelation as Jane sees her parents in a vulnerable light. Her father’s job loss causes a change in their socioeconomic status, causing that perfect facade to crack. Suddenly, Jane has to make sacrifices like never before, like taking care of her sister, eating meager meals, and washing her clothes at the laundromat. While Jane’s feelings toward her parents shift between pity and anger, the adversity ultimately forces her to become more independent and tolerant. Moreover, being thrust into harrowing situations has been an eye-opener, and she begins to see the world in a different light as she learns that things aren’t always as they seem.
There couldn’t be a more fitting title for this heartwarming book— “The Cost of Bliss” encourages young adult readers to examine their beliefs of what brings us joy. Not the fleeting kind that a new dress or expensive sneakers provide, but the real bliss you get from connecting with others or volunteering your time to a worthy cause. Those are the things that fill your bucket—and they cost nothing.
“The Cost of Bliss” is a memorable book, chock-full of important lessons for young adults. The main character’s evolution was skillfully depicted through her ever-changing beliefs, and she showed immense grit when overcoming obstacles. Further, the emphasis on money not buying happiness is a good reminder for readers of all ages.
Jane wants everything to return to how it used to be before the moving truck appeared on her driveway and before her dad lost his job.
“The Cost of Bliss” by Kelsey Conkling is a wildly affecting story about overcoming obstacles and resilience. The text is geared toward young readers between the ages of ten and eighteen and is told from Jane’s perspective. The young teen is introspective and emotional as she struggles to understand the plight of her parents’ money woes and why she has been uprooted from her idyllic life. Classic themes of identity, family dynamics, and friendship are woven into this coming-of-age book, sure to become a favorite of teen readers.
As kids, we often put our parents on a pedestal, assuming they are perfect, and they have the capacity to solve every problem. That is until some unforeseen circumstance ameliorates that notion. Conkling did an excellent job capturing this revelation as Jane sees her parents in a vulnerable light. Her father’s job loss causes a change in their socioeconomic status, causing that perfect facade to crack. Suddenly, Jane has to make sacrifices like never before, like taking care of her sister, eating meager meals, and washing her clothes at the laundromat. While Jane’s feelings toward her parents shift between pity and anger, the adversity ultimately forces her to become more independent and tolerant. Moreover, being thrust into harrowing situations has been an eye-opener, and she begins to see the world in a different light as she learns that things aren’t always as they seem.
There couldn’t be a more fitting title for this heartwarming book— “The Cost of Bliss” encourages young adult readers to examine their beliefs of what brings us joy. Not the fleeting kind that a new dress or expensive sneakers provide, but the real bliss you get from connecting with others or volunteering your time to a worthy cause. Those are the things that fill your bucket—and they cost nothing.
“The Cost of Bliss” is a memorable book, chock-full of important lessons for young adults. The main character’s evolution was skillfully depicted through her ever-changing beliefs, and she showed immense grit when overcoming obstacles. Further, the emphasis on money not buying happiness is a good reminder for readers of all ages.
October 7, 2023
Good read for all ages
A great story for anyone who thinks they're alone with their problems and challenges. I liked how the author uses one persons viewpoint to tell her story. I also love happy endings!
A great story for anyone who thinks they're alone with their problems and challenges. I liked how the author uses one persons viewpoint to tell her story. I also love happy endings!
July 26, 2024
I've been following Kelsey on TikTok for a while and she's so entertaining. As soon as I found out she wrote a book I knew I had to read it. This is such a good story for young adults, and anyone that finds themselves experiencing hard times. Great life lessons. I also loved the Easter egg of Braxton and Stacy! IYKYK 😀
October 8, 2023
Sweet story
Really enjoyed Jane’s growth throughout the story! I hope we will see another novel from Kelsey in the future please!
Really enjoyed Jane’s growth throughout the story! I hope we will see another novel from Kelsey in the future please!
October 2, 2023
Very good read. I couldn’t put it down. Loved the ending.
October 16, 2025
great classroom read aloud
When books and movies usually show an idealistic viewpoint, The Cost of Bliss shows the reality. Jane’s life is turned upside down during a financial reversal of her parents. Her family and school relationships are altered.
I would highly recommend this book as a fifth grade teacher. Jane’s struggles as she learns to navigate this giant upheaval is very relatable to the students that are in my community. I have several students that would really enjoy this book.
It read smoothly and with much detail. This would make an excellent read aloud for 5-8 grades.
When books and movies usually show an idealistic viewpoint, The Cost of Bliss shows the reality. Jane’s life is turned upside down during a financial reversal of her parents. Her family and school relationships are altered.
I would highly recommend this book as a fifth grade teacher. Jane’s struggles as she learns to navigate this giant upheaval is very relatable to the students that are in my community. I have several students that would really enjoy this book.
It read smoothly and with much detail. This would make an excellent read aloud for 5-8 grades.
May 13, 2025
First time author and frequent Disney influencer shares a poignant story of a middle school girls drastic life change as revelations about her family come to light. As the mom of a 6th grader, I felt a deep connection to the main character. I would highly recommend this book to middle school girls especially and hope they would take away the message that real friends show them selves when you pay attention and circumstances can be overcome with perspective and honesty.
February 6, 2025
An absolutely excellent debut novel. Kelsey Conkling’s characters are so believable, especially her portrayal of those in middle school. The story she tells is, unfortunately, very realistic, and as I read it, a wealth of emotions coursed through me. She reminds us to never take for granted what we have.
January 26, 2026
I have followed Kelsey on social media for a long while. When I discovered she had written a book, I had to check it out. It did not disappoint. Jane's story is hopeful, heartwrenching and beautifully written.
December 29, 2025
Really heart warming story. I look forward to more from Ms. Conkling!
June 1, 2026
Great book, I really enjoyed it!
September 28, 2023
I wrote this and I think it’s really good :) 5 stars for effort
November 19, 2023
Such a great and easy read for tweens, teens, and adults
This was an excellent read by this new author. This story explores middle school friendships, crushes, family dynamics, and life challenges as seen through the eyes of 14-year-old Jane. Highly recommend this coming of age story for anyone looking for a feel good story and a reminder of how you never know what someone else is going through. Read it and get a copy for your kids.
This was an excellent read by this new author. This story explores middle school friendships, crushes, family dynamics, and life challenges as seen through the eyes of 14-year-old Jane. Highly recommend this coming of age story for anyone looking for a feel good story and a reminder of how you never know what someone else is going through. Read it and get a copy for your kids.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews