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The Boundaries We Cross
He swears by his boundaries. But did he cross the line?At 8 o' clock on a blustery, mid-January morning, Charles Bliss is summoned to the head of school' s office at Carrington Academy. Charles, a teacher at the elite Connecticut boarding school, is surprised by the unusual request, but when he arrives, no time is wasted. Charles learns that he has been accused of engaging in a romantic relationship with a student.The student behind the accusation, Hayley Goodloe, is the daughter of a state senator, the granddaughter of an ex-governor, and an heiress to a massive fortune.But Charles has long prided himself on keeping proper boundaries with his students. He insists he would never cross the line . . . or would he? Hayley' s diary makes it clear she had strong feelings for her teacher. Was it just an unrequited schoolgirl crush? Or was it something more?When Hayley disappears under suspicious circumstances, a daunting pile of evidence points to Charles as the chief suspect. Charles swears he' s being framed. And it soon becomes apparent there' s only one way he can clear his name.Find her.Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Jodi Picoult
410 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2024
120 people are currently reading
2228 people want to read
About the author
Brad Parks
25 books783 followersInternational bestseller author Brad Parks is the only writer to have won the Shamus, Nero, and Lefty Awards, three of American crime fiction's most prestigious prizes. His books have been translated into 16 languages and have earned starred reviews from every major pre-publication journal.
A father of two terrific kids, Brad runs slowly, is bad at yoga, and occasionally performs as a very semi-professional singer. He's grateful for his readers, because otherwise he'd just be a guy who has a lot of conversations with himself in his own head.
For more information -- or to sign up for the newsletter written by his impertinent interns -- visit his website at www.bradparksbooks.com.
To find Brad on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BradParksBooks
A father of two terrific kids, Brad runs slowly, is bad at yoga, and occasionally performs as a very semi-professional singer. He's grateful for his readers, because otherwise he'd just be a guy who has a lot of conversations with himself in his own head.
For more information -- or to sign up for the newsletter written by his impertinent interns -- visit his website at www.bradparksbooks.com.
To find Brad on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BradParksBooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
February 1, 2026
Did I trust the right person?
Will you??
Charles Bliss is a Creative Writing teacher who swears by his boundaries. He is always Mr. Bliss to his students, not Charles or Mr. B-and he has never been summoned to the headmaster’s office at Carrington Academy…
UNTIL NOW.
The reason? He has been accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a student.
The student, is Ms. Goodloe- the daughter of a State Senator, the granddaughter of an ex Governor and the heiress to a sizable fortune.
The story unfolds from the first person POV of Charles Bliss, as he writes his book about being accused of a crime he says he didn’t commit and through excerpts from the journal that Hayley writes-which is one of the assignments from his class. Mr. Bliss assures them that the journal will be PRIVATE-he won’t read it-and the file is set up so that he can only see that each student’s journal has been accessed daily and continues to grow.
Her journal begins four and a half months before the accusation and opens like this: “Is Mr. Bliss really not going to read this thing? Let’s find out. Hey, Mr. Bliss, guess what? I think you’re kinda hot!!”
Charles Bliss always taught his students that every good story needs a Villain. And, when Hayley disappears and is presumed dead shortly after her accusation, he will be cast in that role.
Can he recognize friend from foe? Is there anyone who can be trusted?
VILLAIN or VICTIM?
I had a great time finding out! Set aside several hours when you start this book! Once you start this unique, twisty, shocking story you won’t want to put it down!
I had read and loved two stories by this author in 2017-2018 and I am not sure how he fell off of my radar! Shout out to my friend, Kaceey for putting him BACK on it with her enticing review!
This book is available NOW!
Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for the gifted copy provided through Edelweiss. As always these are my candid thoughts!
Will you??
Charles Bliss is a Creative Writing teacher who swears by his boundaries. He is always Mr. Bliss to his students, not Charles or Mr. B-and he has never been summoned to the headmaster’s office at Carrington Academy…
UNTIL NOW.
The reason? He has been accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a student.
The student, is Ms. Goodloe- the daughter of a State Senator, the granddaughter of an ex Governor and the heiress to a sizable fortune.
The story unfolds from the first person POV of Charles Bliss, as he writes his book about being accused of a crime he says he didn’t commit and through excerpts from the journal that Hayley writes-which is one of the assignments from his class. Mr. Bliss assures them that the journal will be PRIVATE-he won’t read it-and the file is set up so that he can only see that each student’s journal has been accessed daily and continues to grow.
Her journal begins four and a half months before the accusation and opens like this: “Is Mr. Bliss really not going to read this thing? Let’s find out. Hey, Mr. Bliss, guess what? I think you’re kinda hot!!”
Charles Bliss always taught his students that every good story needs a Villain. And, when Hayley disappears and is presumed dead shortly after her accusation, he will be cast in that role.
Can he recognize friend from foe? Is there anyone who can be trusted?
VILLAIN or VICTIM?
I had a great time finding out! Set aside several hours when you start this book! Once you start this unique, twisty, shocking story you won’t want to put it down!
I had read and loved two stories by this author in 2017-2018 and I am not sure how he fell off of my radar! Shout out to my friend, Kaceey for putting him BACK on it with her enticing review!
This book is available NOW!
Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for the gifted copy provided through Edelweiss. As always these are my candid thoughts!
November 5, 2024
Young teacher, the subject
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
Don’t Stand So Close To Me ~ Songwriter Gordon Matthew Sumner
Class is about to begin….
An exclusive, private boarding school. An institute where parents send their children for the best educational opportunities. Comfortable in the knowledge that the school and its staff will keep their kids safe.
Hayley is a senior at this prestigious school whose favorite class is creative writing, offered by Mr. Charles Bliss.
The current class assignment is to journal 250 words a day. Any topic they choose. Truth or fiction. It’s strictly their private journal. As long as the required word count is met, Mr. Bliss won’t read the content. (Hmmm… Charles, you really think this is a good idea?) With no boundaries, Hayley makes her decision. Ready for this one? Miss Hayley will document her affair with Mr. Bliss.
And Charles swears it never happened.
Who are we to believe?
I loved the format Brad Parks created. The storyline plays out from the perspective of Charles Bliss. We have excerpts of Hayley’s journal so we hear her POV throughout. The author also adds midlogues throughout for when Charles wants to explain something directly to the reader. The remainder of the book is Charles’ story.
I know it sounds confusing? But trust me it’s not! It’s actually brilliant!
It all adds up to one extremely unique read that was absolutely unputdownable!
I’ve enjoyed books by Brad Parks in the past and was so excited to see this latest! Now I absolutely cannot wait until his next! I highly recommend!
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Oceanview Publishing
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
Don’t Stand So Close To Me ~ Songwriter Gordon Matthew Sumner
Class is about to begin….
An exclusive, private boarding school. An institute where parents send their children for the best educational opportunities. Comfortable in the knowledge that the school and its staff will keep their kids safe.
Hayley is a senior at this prestigious school whose favorite class is creative writing, offered by Mr. Charles Bliss.
The current class assignment is to journal 250 words a day. Any topic they choose. Truth or fiction. It’s strictly their private journal. As long as the required word count is met, Mr. Bliss won’t read the content. (Hmmm… Charles, you really think this is a good idea?) With no boundaries, Hayley makes her decision. Ready for this one? Miss Hayley will document her affair with Mr. Bliss.
And Charles swears it never happened.
Who are we to believe?
I loved the format Brad Parks created. The storyline plays out from the perspective of Charles Bliss. We have excerpts of Hayley’s journal so we hear her POV throughout. The author also adds midlogues throughout for when Charles wants to explain something directly to the reader. The remainder of the book is Charles’ story.
I know it sounds confusing? But trust me it’s not! It’s actually brilliant!
It all adds up to one extremely unique read that was absolutely unputdownable!
I’ve enjoyed books by Brad Parks in the past and was so excited to see this latest! Now I absolutely cannot wait until his next! I highly recommend!
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Oceanview Publishing
December 10, 2024
It was okay, BUT I'm an outlier again! 🏝️
I was really enjoying the first half, the mystery that unfolded and the "meta" narrative. I was trying to figure out how this teacher found himself in such a precarious situation. Hmm....
"Wow, I say. "This is .... this is bad." This is the main character, Charles reflecting on his situation (not me talking about the plot twist). 🤔
I kept thinking that it would all make sense soon......
The twist just didn't work for me. I think my expectations were up in the clouds somewhere. ☁️
Anyway, many of my GR friends loved it, so check out the reviews! 🤩
Thanks to EW for my ARC. Came out on November 5, 2024
I was really enjoying the first half, the mystery that unfolded and the "meta" narrative. I was trying to figure out how this teacher found himself in such a precarious situation. Hmm....
"Wow, I say. "This is .... this is bad." This is the main character, Charles reflecting on his situation (not me talking about the plot twist). 🤔
I kept thinking that it would all make sense soon......
The twist just didn't work for me. I think my expectations were up in the clouds somewhere. ☁️
Anyway, many of my GR friends loved it, so check out the reviews! 🤩
Thanks to EW for my ARC. Came out on November 5, 2024
February 14, 2026
“Life is filled with boundaries—some we create for ourselves, some that are imposed on us.”
This novel is, at its core, a story about boundaries: the ones we respect, the ones we test, and the devastating consequences when they are crossed—or even perceived to be crossed. It is Mr. Bliss’s story, and from the very first page, readers are left wondering not only what happened, but why he feels compelled to write it all down. What, exactly, is he trying to explain—or defend?
“It is the paradox of life that we are all dying from the moment we’re born… It didn’t take me long to consider my priorities…”
As a teacher at a prestigious private academy, Mr. Bliss understands that this is no ordinary job. His students live on campus, blurring the line between professional responsibility and constant supervision. Maintaining clear boundaries—especially with students—is not optional; it is essential to preserving trust, authority, and one’s career.
So, what happens when Mr. Bliss is summoned to the principal’s office and confronted with accusations of inappropriate behavior?
From Mr. Bliss’s perspective, this is his version of events—his attempt to document what happened and why. In many ways, the author’s brilliance comes through when readers realize that the book we’re reading feels like the very record Mr. Bliss is creating.
Still, this is also Hayley’s story, told through her journal writing—the student at the heart of the controversy. This is where the suspense deepens. Whose version of events can be trusted, and how much truth is being shaped by perception?
What initially seems like a straightforward who-did-what scenario evolves into a psychologically gripping, character-driven, unputdownable thriller. The suspense builds not through action, but through uncertainty, perspective, and the slow unraveling of what we think we know. This is a compelling, unsettling read which leaves readers questioning just how fragile boundaries, trust, and truth can be.
A special thank you to Goodreads friend, Jayme for introducing readers to this author. Here is her compelling review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ stars
This novel is, at its core, a story about boundaries: the ones we respect, the ones we test, and the devastating consequences when they are crossed—or even perceived to be crossed. It is Mr. Bliss’s story, and from the very first page, readers are left wondering not only what happened, but why he feels compelled to write it all down. What, exactly, is he trying to explain—or defend?
“It is the paradox of life that we are all dying from the moment we’re born… It didn’t take me long to consider my priorities…”
As a teacher at a prestigious private academy, Mr. Bliss understands that this is no ordinary job. His students live on campus, blurring the line between professional responsibility and constant supervision. Maintaining clear boundaries—especially with students—is not optional; it is essential to preserving trust, authority, and one’s career.
So, what happens when Mr. Bliss is summoned to the principal’s office and confronted with accusations of inappropriate behavior?
From Mr. Bliss’s perspective, this is his version of events—his attempt to document what happened and why. In many ways, the author’s brilliance comes through when readers realize that the book we’re reading feels like the very record Mr. Bliss is creating.
Still, this is also Hayley’s story, told through her journal writing—the student at the heart of the controversy. This is where the suspense deepens. Whose version of events can be trusted, and how much truth is being shaped by perception?
What initially seems like a straightforward who-did-what scenario evolves into a psychologically gripping, character-driven, unputdownable thriller. The suspense builds not through action, but through uncertainty, perspective, and the slow unraveling of what we think we know. This is a compelling, unsettling read which leaves readers questioning just how fragile boundaries, trust, and truth can be.
A special thank you to Goodreads friend, Jayme for introducing readers to this author. Here is her compelling review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ stars
January 14, 2025
What an exciting book this was!
Is the teacher guilty of a sexual relationship with his student, or is the student lying?
This could be the premise of many novels, but The Boundaries We Cross takes it to a whole new level of intrigue and suspense.
Charles Bliss is a teacher at the prestigious Carrington Academy, an elite boarding school. He prides himself on maintaining firm boundaries with his students. To them, he is strictly “Mr. Bliss,” a professional who leaves no room for misunderstandings. But his world is turned upside down when, in mid-January, he’s summoned to the headmaster’s office. He knows this can’t be good.
Once there, Charles learns that one of his students, Hayley Goodloe, is accusing him of having had a sexual encounter with her.
Hayley’s parents are powerful and well-connected, and Charles realizes his life is on the brink of collapse. His reputation, his job, his friendships, his income, and, most importantly, his marriage are all at stake.
Can things get any worse?
Yes. Hayley goes missing!
The story is told primarily from Charles’s perspective, but Hayley’s electronic diary adds another layer, offering her side of the story. As the narrative unfolds, you can’t help but wonder: Who is lying? Is one of them an unreliable narrator? What really happened?
While I was able to guess the main twist, the ending completely blindsided me—I never saw it coming.
This was my first Brad Parks novel, but it certainly won’t be my last.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Is the teacher guilty of a sexual relationship with his student, or is the student lying?
This could be the premise of many novels, but The Boundaries We Cross takes it to a whole new level of intrigue and suspense.
Charles Bliss is a teacher at the prestigious Carrington Academy, an elite boarding school. He prides himself on maintaining firm boundaries with his students. To them, he is strictly “Mr. Bliss,” a professional who leaves no room for misunderstandings. But his world is turned upside down when, in mid-January, he’s summoned to the headmaster’s office. He knows this can’t be good.
Once there, Charles learns that one of his students, Hayley Goodloe, is accusing him of having had a sexual encounter with her.
Hayley’s parents are powerful and well-connected, and Charles realizes his life is on the brink of collapse. His reputation, his job, his friendships, his income, and, most importantly, his marriage are all at stake.
Can things get any worse?
Yes. Hayley goes missing!
The story is told primarily from Charles’s perspective, but Hayley’s electronic diary adds another layer, offering her side of the story. As the narrative unfolds, you can’t help but wonder: Who is lying? Is one of them an unreliable narrator? What really happened?
While I was able to guess the main twist, the ending completely blindsided me—I never saw it coming.
This was my first Brad Parks novel, but it certainly won’t be my last.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
November 25, 2024
Charles Bliss is a well respected teacher at the elite Carrington Academy. Colleagues and students alike admire him. He's not the kind of teacher that gets chummy with his students. He makes it his mission to support his students without invading their privacy. He wants to mentor them into being their best selves but doesn't want to hear about or be part of any of their teenage drama. He sets clear boundaries so no student will ever misinterpret their relationship.
Imagine his surprise when one of his students, Hayley, the daughter of a Connecticut Senator, accuses him of sleeping with her.
His life as he once knew it has imploded. His wife, his job, his friends - gone.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Things are about to get even worse for Mr. Bliss.
Is Mr. Bliss guilty or has he been wrongly accused? You'll have to read this to find out.
This is my first book by Brad Parks and I assure you it will not be my last. This was a rollercoaster ride in the best way possible. My mind was constantly churning with theories. There were several surprising reveals made along the way and the ending is a stunner. Enough said! 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Oceanview Publishing for my complimentary copy.
Imagine his surprise when one of his students, Hayley, the daughter of a Connecticut Senator, accuses him of sleeping with her.
His life as he once knew it has imploded. His wife, his job, his friends - gone.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Things are about to get even worse for Mr. Bliss.
Is Mr. Bliss guilty or has he been wrongly accused? You'll have to read this to find out.
This is my first book by Brad Parks and I assure you it will not be my last. This was a rollercoaster ride in the best way possible. My mind was constantly churning with theories. There were several surprising reveals made along the way and the ending is a stunner. Enough said! 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Oceanview Publishing for my complimentary copy.
December 3, 2024
3.5 Stars.
Charles Bliss has led a charmed, mostly contented life. He excels as a creative writing teacher at Carrington Academy, an elite boarding school. He is a published writer and is admired by colleagues and students. He prides himself on always maintaining strict professional boundaries with his students and never indulging in their personal lives or teenage drama.
Imagine the shock when he is called into the headmaster's office early in the morning on what was supposed to be an ordinary teaching day.
He is told that he is accused of having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student, Hayley Goodloe and gave her a sexually transmitted disease. Hayley is the daughter and granddaughter of a powerful political family who contributes to the school and she is the heiress to a massive fortune. Charles protests his innocence but is ordered to leave the campus immediately and have no contact with anyone there. He is now without work, no regular income, and in disgrace. His friends and law officials have turned against him. His marriage was already on fragile grounds, and now it could be ending. I empathized with Charles Bliss and felt very sorry for what happened to him.
One of his class assignments was for his students to write at least 250 words daily in a journal to get them accustomed to expressing their thoughts in writing. It could be fiction or non-fiction, and he would never read it, only checking that they were writing the required daily amount.
Hayley has been chronicling her massive crush on Mr. Bliss and her plans to seduce him. This turned into an ongoing sexual affair. Her journal entries alternate with Charles's chapters, detailing his shattered life in hopes that it will become a future book.
Charles's first impulse is to try to trace who might have given Hayley the sexually transmitted disease, but this attempt goes nowhere. Now, Hayley has disappeared, with signs of a struggle in her room, along with evidence of Charles's DNA, fingerprints, and her blood in her room and a car. He was taken publicly to police quarters for questioning and is the main suspect in her disappearance. He insists someone is setting him up for her abduction, but he is not believed.
Charles sits alone in his misery. His only friend and supporter is a new teacher at the school, Leo. Leo brings cases of beer to Charles's home and listens to him with encouragement and advice. His wife has moved out. She had other issues with him rather than the alleged affair. Things become much worse for Charles. He has learned that Hayley has been murdered. Next, her mother, a senator, is also killed. It looks like Charles will be imprisoned for a long time.
What is the truth? Who, if anyone, can be trusted? Most readers will love this book if they enjoy plenty of twists and turns. However, I felt there were too many twists, some over-the-top. Although all mysteries were solved at the action-packed conclusion, I found the ending tragic and shocking. By this time, my mind was numb from all the surprises and reveals.
This was my first book by Brad Parks, and I am interested in reading more of his stories.
Charles Bliss has led a charmed, mostly contented life. He excels as a creative writing teacher at Carrington Academy, an elite boarding school. He is a published writer and is admired by colleagues and students. He prides himself on always maintaining strict professional boundaries with his students and never indulging in their personal lives or teenage drama.
Imagine the shock when he is called into the headmaster's office early in the morning on what was supposed to be an ordinary teaching day.
He is told that he is accused of having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student, Hayley Goodloe and gave her a sexually transmitted disease. Hayley is the daughter and granddaughter of a powerful political family who contributes to the school and she is the heiress to a massive fortune. Charles protests his innocence but is ordered to leave the campus immediately and have no contact with anyone there. He is now without work, no regular income, and in disgrace. His friends and law officials have turned against him. His marriage was already on fragile grounds, and now it could be ending. I empathized with Charles Bliss and felt very sorry for what happened to him.
One of his class assignments was for his students to write at least 250 words daily in a journal to get them accustomed to expressing their thoughts in writing. It could be fiction or non-fiction, and he would never read it, only checking that they were writing the required daily amount.
Hayley has been chronicling her massive crush on Mr. Bliss and her plans to seduce him. This turned into an ongoing sexual affair. Her journal entries alternate with Charles's chapters, detailing his shattered life in hopes that it will become a future book.
Charles's first impulse is to try to trace who might have given Hayley the sexually transmitted disease, but this attempt goes nowhere. Now, Hayley has disappeared, with signs of a struggle in her room, along with evidence of Charles's DNA, fingerprints, and her blood in her room and a car. He was taken publicly to police quarters for questioning and is the main suspect in her disappearance. He insists someone is setting him up for her abduction, but he is not believed.
Charles sits alone in his misery. His only friend and supporter is a new teacher at the school, Leo. Leo brings cases of beer to Charles's home and listens to him with encouragement and advice. His wife has moved out. She had other issues with him rather than the alleged affair. Things become much worse for Charles. He has learned that Hayley has been murdered. Next, her mother, a senator, is also killed. It looks like Charles will be imprisoned for a long time.
What is the truth? Who, if anyone, can be trusted? Most readers will love this book if they enjoy plenty of twists and turns. However, I felt there were too many twists, some over-the-top. Although all mysteries were solved at the action-packed conclusion, I found the ending tragic and shocking. By this time, my mind was numb from all the surprises and reveals.
This was my first book by Brad Parks, and I am interested in reading more of his stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2024
Not my favorite Brad Parks book.
😭😭😭😭😭
(Yes, I am on Outlier Island AGAIN!)
Although this pacey tale of a respected teacher accused of crossing teacher/student boundaries was entertaining and compelling, it missed the mark for me.
Were my expectations set too high for a Brad Parks release?
(Probably!)
WHY NOT 5 STARS?
I listened to the 11-hour audiobook that easily could have been 9 hours.
WHAT UPPED MY STAR RATING?
As usual, Brad Parks' character development was stellar.
I also enjoyed Teralyn Davis and Joe Knezevich's expert narration and the book's gasp-worthy and unusual ending.
3.5 Stars
October 13, 2024
It’s a bit getting used to: when you download a book from the ‘Download now’ section, it will after a while disappear from your ‘to review’ list. Anyway, this title was still there and I really enjoyed reading it.
The subject is an important one: teacher Charles Bliss is called into the office of the board of the exclusive boarding school he works at, only to hear that one of his (young, beautiful) female students accuses him of sexual harassment.
Shock!
Charles cannot remember a thing and he would never, ever do such a thing because he is happily married to Emily. They live on the school grounds but at a fair distance of the actual school halls. How could he possible have secretly met with Hayley? And why is she accusing him?
We read the story through the POV’s of Charles and Hayley. Charles advises his students to write at least 250 words a day, but it doesn’t have to be a story or a book. No, just write what comes into your mind when you sit down with pen and paper, he said. And so they did – Hayley too. Slowly a rather chilling story unfolds with lots of very unexpected surprises. Right until the end when we read the biggest shock of them all.
A great book with lots to think about – a real eye-opener in some ways.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and Edelweiss for this review copy.
The subject is an important one: teacher Charles Bliss is called into the office of the board of the exclusive boarding school he works at, only to hear that one of his (young, beautiful) female students accuses him of sexual harassment.
Shock!
Charles cannot remember a thing and he would never, ever do such a thing because he is happily married to Emily. They live on the school grounds but at a fair distance of the actual school halls. How could he possible have secretly met with Hayley? And why is she accusing him?
We read the story through the POV’s of Charles and Hayley. Charles advises his students to write at least 250 words a day, but it doesn’t have to be a story or a book. No, just write what comes into your mind when you sit down with pen and paper, he said. And so they did – Hayley too. Slowly a rather chilling story unfolds with lots of very unexpected surprises. Right until the end when we read the biggest shock of them all.
A great book with lots to think about – a real eye-opener in some ways.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and Edelweiss for this review copy.
January 10, 2025
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and Brad Parks for granting me a digital copy of this book.
3,5⭐ - This was the first book I ever read of Brad Parks, but it won't be the last. The premise of the story is interesting - a respected teacher is accused of crossing the usual student/teacher relationship. But when the student goes missing, is the teacher behind the missing student or someone else?
Definitely give this one a go, if you like fast-paced novels and unreliable narrators.
3,5⭐ - This was the first book I ever read of Brad Parks, but it won't be the last. The premise of the story is interesting - a respected teacher is accused of crossing the usual student/teacher relationship. But when the student goes missing, is the teacher behind the missing student or someone else?
Definitely give this one a go, if you like fast-paced novels and unreliable narrators.
November 17, 2024
Charles Bliss is a fantastic teacher at a high end boarding school. He is called in to the head’s office to discover he’s been accused of sleeping with a 17 year old student. He swear’s he didn’t do it.
Now his life including his marriage looks to be over.
This story is absolutely fantastic. One of my favorite reads of the year!
Now his life including his marriage looks to be over.
This story is absolutely fantastic. One of my favorite reads of the year!
January 2, 2025
Why haven’t I heard of Brad Parks until now? Even though Parks has been writing novels for well over fifteen years, I’m grateful to have stumbled upon him recently-better late than never, right?!
The Boundaries We Cross was about Charles, a teacher, at the elite Connecticut boarding school, who was surprised by an unusual request, but when he arrived, he learned that he had been accused of engaging in a romantic relationship with a student. From that point on, the story only became more complex and stimulating as the complexity advanced.
Collectively, I thought Parks wrote a brilliantly straightforward narrative that quickly evolved into a gripping academia thriller! I was engrossed in Parks’ dark-atmospherically distinct-unputdownable story.
I equally loved Parks writing style. So unique. The narration was shaped so cleverly. The chapters alternated between desperate Charles and anxious excerpts from Hayley’s journal. What’s more is how Parks kept the pace moving briskly and the dialogue twisty.
Above all, I appreciated Brad Parks distinctly emotionally charged thriller. His masterful story telling talent was evident in how he shaped the convoluted characters and prominent plot. I’m so motivated now to read more by Brad Parks. Hands down I recommend this standalone book for those that want a dark academia thriller with a surprisingly fresh angle on well-trod subject matter. You will not be disappointed.
The Boundaries We Cross was about Charles, a teacher, at the elite Connecticut boarding school, who was surprised by an unusual request, but when he arrived, he learned that he had been accused of engaging in a romantic relationship with a student. From that point on, the story only became more complex and stimulating as the complexity advanced.
Collectively, I thought Parks wrote a brilliantly straightforward narrative that quickly evolved into a gripping academia thriller! I was engrossed in Parks’ dark-atmospherically distinct-unputdownable story.
I equally loved Parks writing style. So unique. The narration was shaped so cleverly. The chapters alternated between desperate Charles and anxious excerpts from Hayley’s journal. What’s more is how Parks kept the pace moving briskly and the dialogue twisty.
Above all, I appreciated Brad Parks distinctly emotionally charged thriller. His masterful story telling talent was evident in how he shaped the convoluted characters and prominent plot. I’m so motivated now to read more by Brad Parks. Hands down I recommend this standalone book for those that want a dark academia thriller with a surprisingly fresh angle on well-trod subject matter. You will not be disappointed.
November 24, 2024
Kept me turning the pages, but the twist about Leo and then Charles's realization about Hayley made me lop a star off my review.
December 21, 2024
Fast paced, excellent thriller!
October 25, 2025
I’ve always been a fan of Brad Parks’ stand-alones, and this one had me flipping the pages. My favorite part was his the book was set up, with a writer “writing” the story as it happened and inserting midlogues and journal entries. A few characters felt more two-dimensional but I was eager to see how everything played out and it was a fast and entertaining read.
November 9, 2024
I am so sad that I did not love this (as I have loved every single other book by Brad Parks!)
I will still look forward to his next book!
I will still look forward to his next book!
November 17, 2024
Kind of a weird book with a very unreliable narrator, but I kept turning the pages to see how it would end.
January 5, 2025
I've read quite a few Brad Parks mysteries, but none for the past five years or so. So it was a delight to find his new book, The Boundaries We Cross, which I would describe as a "fun thriller," two words I rarely use together.
Boarding school high school teacher Charles Bliss prides himself on maintaining a more formal relationship with his students than some of the other teachers at the Connecticut school. So he is flummoxed when he is summarily dismissed one morning by the headmaster after a female student's mother, a state senator, reports that daughter Hayley contracted a venereal disease from Mr. Bliss and insists that he be fired. There is no investigation because Hayley's wealthy family is just that prestigious, as well as a major financial contributor to the school. Besides having to leave his campus apartment, Charles also has to deal with his recent separation from his wife, who has just apparently decided to come home. WIth his career in tatters and his personal life not far behind, Charles makes some stupid decisions, especially when Hayley then disappears and is assumed kidnapped and/or killed.
The way Parks constructs the story is interesting--between first-person narration by the protagonist, the author intersperses chapters from Hayley's journal, as well as "midlogues" where he speaks directly to readers. But what I enjoyed the most were the twists and surprises that lifted this tale above a typical #metoo story and into a higher level of entertainment and intrigue. A favorite character is Mr. Bliss's attorney, who is surprisingly astute despite his appearance. And Bliss himself has a number of surprises for the reader.
Boarding school high school teacher Charles Bliss prides himself on maintaining a more formal relationship with his students than some of the other teachers at the Connecticut school. So he is flummoxed when he is summarily dismissed one morning by the headmaster after a female student's mother, a state senator, reports that daughter Hayley contracted a venereal disease from Mr. Bliss and insists that he be fired. There is no investigation because Hayley's wealthy family is just that prestigious, as well as a major financial contributor to the school. Besides having to leave his campus apartment, Charles also has to deal with his recent separation from his wife, who has just apparently decided to come home. WIth his career in tatters and his personal life not far behind, Charles makes some stupid decisions, especially when Hayley then disappears and is assumed kidnapped and/or killed.
The way Parks constructs the story is interesting--between first-person narration by the protagonist, the author intersperses chapters from Hayley's journal, as well as "midlogues" where he speaks directly to readers. But what I enjoyed the most were the twists and surprises that lifted this tale above a typical #metoo story and into a higher level of entertainment and intrigue. A favorite character is Mr. Bliss's attorney, who is surprisingly astute despite his appearance. And Bliss himself has a number of surprises for the reader.
December 15, 2024
If you want to be held hostage until the last page, get this twisty and clever thriller. It starts at a sprint and keeps relentlessly high tension until the shocking conclusion. It is the story of Charles Bliss, a teacher of an elite boarding school who was accused of engaging in a romantic relationship with Hayley Goodloe a student who happens to be the daughter of a state senator, granddaughter of an ex-governor and heiress to a massive fortune. When Hayley disappears under suspicious circumstances all evidence points to Charles….in order to clear his name Charles needed to find her……
The presentation is quite original : the book is said with chapters alternating between Charles, excerpts from Hayley’s journal and 10 “midlogues” where the author clarifies what he wrote. We have sharp dialogue, vigorous pacing and a fresh angle on a well-known subject. This story is an unexpected treasure giving us complex characters, an excellent plotting, emotional deepness and much more...
Is Charles Bliss a villain or a victim? To find out is the fun here. I for one had a terrific time finding out. There are so many unpredictable twists and shocking surprises that this story grabbed my complete attention…. excellent read.
Well-said and well-done. “The Boundaries We Cross” gets high marks from me…simply loved it.
I Received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing
The presentation is quite original : the book is said with chapters alternating between Charles, excerpts from Hayley’s journal and 10 “midlogues” where the author clarifies what he wrote. We have sharp dialogue, vigorous pacing and a fresh angle on a well-known subject. This story is an unexpected treasure giving us complex characters, an excellent plotting, emotional deepness and much more...
Is Charles Bliss a villain or a victim? To find out is the fun here. I for one had a terrific time finding out. There are so many unpredictable twists and shocking surprises that this story grabbed my complete attention…. excellent read.
Well-said and well-done. “The Boundaries We Cross” gets high marks from me…simply loved it.
I Received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing
January 3, 2025
Charles Bliss, a teacher at a boarding school, is accused of having a relationship with Hayley Goodloe, one of his students. Mr. Bliss wouldn’t cross any boundaries. But would he? When Hayley goes missing suddenly all of the evidence points to Mr. Bliss. As entries of Hayley’s diary begin to unfold we learn more about her thoughts and experiences. And more and more unfold.
Full of twists and turns I couldn’t put this novel down. Every time I thought I had a theory I was wrong. It had a sad ending though. I received a free ebook copy through a goodreads giveaway. I highly recommend this book!
Full of twists and turns I couldn’t put this novel down. Every time I thought I had a theory I was wrong. It had a sad ending though. I received a free ebook copy through a goodreads giveaway. I highly recommend this book!
November 17, 2024
4.5 stars-Charles is a married teacher who lives on campus at a private boarding high school. Hayley is a student in his creative writing class who is in love with him. During a break from school Hayley goes to the doctor with what she thinks is a uti, but is in fact a sexually transmitted infection. She accuses Charles, and shortly after goes missing. There are a LOT of twists and turns and just when you think you have it figured out moments in this book. In typical Brad Parks fashion, this is a smart and fast paced thriller.
December 25, 2024
This one was nice enough to keep reading, and it kept me curious, what the end would be, although it definitely lacked suspense. Especially the second half was getting increasingly boring, predictable and was - for my taste - too easy in terms of riddles and solutions. That the working class professor, whose life is about to be derailed, is a heavy drinker is quite clear from the onset. Thus, no surprise that his marriage is in trouble. And that's not going to be the only problem, he has to solve. On the other hand, the way he is described hasn't had me imagine a young man. He seems to be rather oldish. So, I'd say: If you have other books to read on your shelf, right now, you might want to leave this one for later or skip it. At least, know that you might be disappointed by the ending.
November 23, 2024
A quite intriguing tale, a different take on unreliable narrators, and twists and turns definitely kept my attention. As the novel unfolds with two threads considering what is fact and what is a lie becomes more difficult to discern.
More than who-did-what and where the author explores deeper issues.
More than who-did-what and where the author explores deeper issues.
December 16, 2024
Wonderfully tense, action packed. Full of twists and turns to the end! Well done Brad!! Will be reading more of his work!!
November 8, 2025
I am not rating this unbiased. I just felt Brad didn’t know how to handle his female characters. The plot twists worked but that doesn’t mean they were good enough -for meeeeeeeeee-
December 27, 2024
My Favorite Brad Parks book
Propulsive. Unputdownable. I have never read a book structured this way. It was a little strange at first, I came to really really enjoy it, and, at the end, when everything was made clear, I loved it. Great for gifting to man or woman.
Propulsive. Unputdownable. I have never read a book structured this way. It was a little strange at first, I came to really really enjoy it, and, at the end, when everything was made clear, I loved it. Great for gifting to man or woman.
December 2, 2024
***These are my random thoughts after finishing the book. Some of the thoughts are an overall review of the book, or any questions/feelings that nagged at me throughout. There will almost definitely be spoilers. Read at your own risk.*** ‐----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 stars
Some very questionable decisions were made in this book
A few little loopholes but nothing terrible
Had a feeling something was up with Leo
Ending was sad
3 stars
Some very questionable decisions were made in this book
A few little loopholes but nothing terrible
Had a feeling something was up with Leo
Ending was sad
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 2, 2026Loved this book, great writing, very scary and sad story. This one will sit with me for a while. The charecters are all flawed with lots of gray area.
I feel like the ending was rushed a bit but otherwise a great story. Would love for this to be adapted into a HBO show in the future.
I feel like the ending was rushed a bit but otherwise a great story. Would love for this to be adapted into a HBO show in the future.
Did not finish
December 2, 2024DNF: I’m sick of these plot lines either being “evil teenage girl making up stories to ruin a guy’s life” or “Teenage girls just can’t help but throw themselves at some middle-aged bland white guy”.
November 10, 2024
Internationally bestselling author Brad Parks is the only writer to take home the Shamus, Nero and Lefty Awards, American crime fiction’s most prestigious prizes. Raising the literary bar is not difficult for Parks, as evidenced by UNTHINKABLE and INTERFERENCE. Unique situations and challenged characters populate the pages. The only things that remain the same are his fingerprints and DNA.
A frigid January morning finds teacher Charles Bliss facing a virtual firing squad of board members at the prestigious Carrington Academy, a boarding school for the ultra-wealthy’s progeny. Accept the school’s severance package or suffer dire consequences. Diane Goodloe, the Connecticut General Assembly senator and a Carrington board member, alleges that Bliss transmitted chlamydia to her daughter Hayley, who is 17.
Then Hayley is kidnapped. Overwhelming evidence points a cluster of fingers at Bliss as the perpetrator. Detectives hound him, and his wife, Emily, drains their joint investment account and leaves him. Again.
The police claim that they’ve located Hayley’s body. Losing touch with reality, Bliss ponders confessing. Guilty until proven innocent. But if the body has been found, why did the cops not throw Bliss under the jail? A tiny brain niggle prevents him from caving in. His friend, Leo, often visited with a six-pack or two and provided sound advice. Where is his drinking buddy now that he’s facing the gallows?
After all, LEO is an acronym for law enforcement officer. Was Leo a cop loosening his tongue with booze and gathering evidence when Bliss was two sheets to the wind? After inebriation amnesia, Bliss wakes up, having “passed out in a pool of [his] own urine.” He has no alibi for his whereabouts over the past 12 hours. Complicating matters, “Diane Goodloe was murdered last night.”
Breaking the writer’s rule of no prologue, Parks crafts his creative writer protagonist rationalizing exceptions to established tenets. If there’s a prologue and epilogue, why not a “midlogue”? In this case, 10 of them are interspersed with Hayley’s journal entries. The mélange enhances the flow and works wondrously.
Breaching boundaries of the surreal and reality in fiction compels readers to analyze their own reactions given the same circumstances. THE BOUNDARIES WE CROSS is a winner!
Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy
A frigid January morning finds teacher Charles Bliss facing a virtual firing squad of board members at the prestigious Carrington Academy, a boarding school for the ultra-wealthy’s progeny. Accept the school’s severance package or suffer dire consequences. Diane Goodloe, the Connecticut General Assembly senator and a Carrington board member, alleges that Bliss transmitted chlamydia to her daughter Hayley, who is 17.
Then Hayley is kidnapped. Overwhelming evidence points a cluster of fingers at Bliss as the perpetrator. Detectives hound him, and his wife, Emily, drains their joint investment account and leaves him. Again.
The police claim that they’ve located Hayley’s body. Losing touch with reality, Bliss ponders confessing. Guilty until proven innocent. But if the body has been found, why did the cops not throw Bliss under the jail? A tiny brain niggle prevents him from caving in. His friend, Leo, often visited with a six-pack or two and provided sound advice. Where is his drinking buddy now that he’s facing the gallows?
After all, LEO is an acronym for law enforcement officer. Was Leo a cop loosening his tongue with booze and gathering evidence when Bliss was two sheets to the wind? After inebriation amnesia, Bliss wakes up, having “passed out in a pool of [his] own urine.” He has no alibi for his whereabouts over the past 12 hours. Complicating matters, “Diane Goodloe was murdered last night.”
Breaking the writer’s rule of no prologue, Parks crafts his creative writer protagonist rationalizing exceptions to established tenets. If there’s a prologue and epilogue, why not a “midlogue”? In this case, 10 of them are interspersed with Hayley’s journal entries. The mélange enhances the flow and works wondrously.
Breaching boundaries of the surreal and reality in fiction compels readers to analyze their own reactions given the same circumstances. THE BOUNDARIES WE CROSS is a winner!
Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy
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