"Thoughtful, immersive, and often darkly humorous. An intelligent and timely novel that raises important questions about therapy, technology, and identity, but also keeps us entertained along the way."
Readers’ Favorite magazine
"... a compelling read that tackles important themes with sensitivity and depth. It is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in contemporary fiction."
Alex's Book Blog
"The author is very good and I'd definitely recommend it to young adults."
Lisa Miller
via Amazon US
"… very interesting characters and adult insights that will inspire readers."
IndieReader Magazine
"... a very good book that looks at how AI could eventually become the way that treatment of mental health is handled."
Wendy L
via Amazon US
"In a world increasingly driven by social media and AI, this is a timely examination of the impacts these technologies can have on one person's mental health. Highly recommended."
James Evans
via Amazon
"Absolutely breathtaking. As someone who struggles with mental health and gender issues, I truly felt as if I was seeing myself represented within the pages of this novel."
H Buttery
Beta Reader
"Heartfelt & intelligent, slightly Gaimanesque, this book will suit a bright YA reader - ideally one with a philosophical bent, and an at least moderate attention span."
Catullus
Via Amazon Australia
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time meets Life of Pi
The Making of BRIO McPRIDE is a debut novel by R.A.Ruegg and the inspiration for two upcoming films. The story explores themes around gender, mental health, spirituality and AI.
No matter how many shrinks they throw at him, fifteen-year-old Brio’s going to prove to his beloved Izzy that it’s not him who’s mentally ill, it’s the rest of the world.
Logie’s a different kind of psychotherapist, though, and a despairing Brio thinks that maybe this weird ‘narrative therapy’ actually could help him find the father he never knew. It might even stop him grieving for his mum and worrying he’s gay.
But behind Logie lurks a big-data giant that’ll stop at nothing to win approval for its AI-driven mental health platform, and all Brio really knows as he disappears into the hypnotic haze of his ‘deepmind parable’ is that it’s going to be a life-or-death mission like no other story he’s ever written.
Book Reviews
The final draft of The Making of BRIO McPRIDE was read by thirty-seven paid beta and sensitivity readers from eleven different countries.
Author Q&A
Reader questions answered as fully as possible—without spoilers!
Book Club
Resources for book clubs and reading circles.
Discover ‘Spiked’
The Making of BRIO McPRIDE is about a teenage boy who’s guided by an unconventional therapist to heal himself by telling a story through which he can understand both the people in his life and his own emotional challenges. The therapy story he tells in the book has become a story in its own right and made into a film (formerly working titled Tally Ho!) that will be released under the name SPIKED.
Purchase Book
Paperback
On demand
Worldwide
$11.99
Paperback
Quality trade print
Available in the UK at
£12.99
Kindle
Worldwide
$6.99
Audiobook
Worldwide
$9.99
30% of royalties go directly to mental health charities, helping to provide support for those who need it most.
Audiobook available on all major audiobook platforms.
Message R.A.Ruegg
Have a question or want to share your thoughts on The Making of BRIO McPRIDE? Message direct to R.A.Ruegg and connect with the author behind the story.
