Kennedy Ryan, the celebrated RITA Award-winning romance author, has recently shared intimate details of her own mental health journey, underscoring her commitment to destigmatizing mental illness through her writing. This candid conversation arrives as her latest novel, *Score*, the second installment in her Hollywood Renaissance series, hits shelves, continuing her tradition of centering complex love stories around mental health themes.

*Score*, which became available around May 2026, introduces readers to Verity Hill, a screenwriter navigating life with bipolar disorder, and her college sweetheart, musician Wright Monk Bellamy. Their story unfolds as they reunite to collaborate on a Harlem Renaissance biopic, a professional endeavor that forces them to confront their past and work towards reconciliation. The narrative deeply explores Verity's personal journey of self-understanding and the ongoing management of her bipolar disorder, highlighting the daily vigilance and adjustments required, and the profound impact these realities have on those who love and support someone living with the condition.

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Ryan, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, approaches these sensitive subjects with meticulous research and a deeply personal conviction. For *Score*, she conducted extensive interviews with individuals living with bipolar disorder, their families, partners, psychiatrists, and therapists. Her goal was to ensure an accurate and non-sensationalized portrayal, a stark contrast to how mental illness is often depicted in media. She has publicly stated that depictions of bipolar disorder have been