A parent should reach for this book when their teen is struggling to balance ambition, family expectations, and their own mental wellbeing, especially if they seem hesitant to talk about it. This Is My Brain in Love follows Jocelyn, a driven teen trying to save her family’s restaurant, and Will, the charming new co-worker she falls for. The story deftly explores their budding romance while also portraying their individual, secret battles with anxiety and depression. It's an excellent choice for teens because it normalizes mental health struggles and therapy, portraying them with nuance and hope. The book provides powerful representation for Asian American teens and opens the door for crucial conversations about vulnerability and seeking help.
The book's primary focus is on mental health (anxiety and depression). The approach is direct, secular, and destigmatizing. The author, who is a doctor, provides realistic, empathetic portrayals of panic attacks and depressive episodes. The resolution is hopeful and grounded in reality: the characters seek and benefit from professional therapy and medication. It emphasizes that recovery is a process and that support from loved ones is crucial, but not a cure. The book also touches on the cultural stigma surrounding mental health in some Asian American families.
Ideal Reader
A teen aged 14-17 who feels the weight of academic or family pressure and may be experiencing anxiety or depression themselves. This reader will connect with the desire to appear perfect on the outside while struggling internally. They'll appreciate a realistic romance that acknowledges and incorporates mental health challenges, rather than ignoring them or using love as a magical cure.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the detailed descriptions of a panic attack and a depressive episode, which are realistic and may be intense for some readers. These scenes can serve as powerful conversation starters. The book can be read cold, but parents may want to be prepared to discuss the importance of therapy and the reality that loving someone doesn't mean you can fix their problems. The romance involves kissing and making out, but is not sexually explicit. A parent notices their high-achieving teen seems overwhelmed, irritable, or withdrawn. The teen might say things like "I'm just tired" or "My brain won't shut off," but resists deeper conversation. The parent is worried but unsure how to broach the topic of mental health.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-15) will likely be drawn in by the sweet romance and the engaging plot of saving the restaurant. They will gain a foundational, non-threatening understanding of anxiety and depression. An older teen (16-18) will more deeply appreciate the nuanced portrayal of mental illness, the complexities of family dynamics and cultural stigma, and the realistic depiction of navigating a relationship while managing one's own mental health.
What Makes It Special
This book's key differentiator is its medically-informed, compassionate, and direct portrayal of teen mental illness from an author who is also a physician. It masterfully intertwines the mental health narrative with a genuinely sweet and supportive romance, showing them as interconnected parts of a whole life. The specific Chinese-Filipino cultural context provides a vital and underrepresented perspective on the intersection of identity, family, and mental health stigma.
Read plot summary
High school junior Jocelyn Wu takes it upon herself to revitalize her family's struggling Chinese-Filipino restaurant. She hires a new intern, Will, and together they hatch a brilliant marketing plan. As they work closely, a powerful romance blossoms. However, both are hiding significant personal challenges: Jocelyn has undiagnosed generalized anxiety disorder and depression, while Will manages social anxiety. The novel follows their journey to save the business, navigate their first love, and confront their mental health issues, learning to be vulnerable with each other and their families.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Joss uses metaphors like a 'troll' for her anxiety and a 'Dementor' for her depression. How did these descriptions help you understand her internal experience? Why do you think people create metaphors for their feelings?
2
Joss and Will are both afraid to tell each other about their mental health struggles. What were they worried might happen? How did their relationship change once they were honest with each other?
3
Joss's father initially reacts to her depression by saying, 'Anak, we do not have this problem in our family.' Why was it so difficult for him to accept? How does the family's attitude toward mental health evolve?
4
The book shows that love can't 'cure' mental illness, but it can be a source of support. What are some specific ways Will and Joss supported each other that were helpful, not harmful?
