Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I feel bad rating this book as I did, as it was clearly the heartfelt words of somebody, but I'll explain why. Firstly, the opening chapter really grabbed me and I had high hopes but then it seemed to just change from there, with no warning. We never go back or really see the significance of this.

Secondly, the writing is fairly beginner, and seems very indulgent on the part of the author. He talks about what seems like a fairly normal life growing up in the 80s, but seems to view it as abusive and poverty stricken. In fairness, growing up working class myself, it seems far more extravagant that my own life and yet I'm not narcissistic enough to think anybody would care about my life. In fact I have read autobiographies of extremely talented and well-admired celebrities that come across far more humble than this.

He documents feeling 'other' his whole life and not wanting to be a girl, however he doesn't really explain this very well. As I recall in the 80s and 90s, toys were all unisex and so were hobbies. I played football and tag with the boys and you wouldn't have seen me dead in a skirt, but nobody would ever have called me a boy. I never felt of myself as a boy. Joly seems to be talking of very cliché things here, eg doesn't want to play football as it's for boys, and doesn't want to go to a boys school as he gets on with girls better despite having friends and sisters outside of school. It's unsettling that he places so much emphasis on materialistic things being for boys and girls, which he says other people put onto him but again these seem innocuous things that I can't imagine anybody else having umbrage with.

If we take away the content, which as I state I didn't really understand, rate or enjoy, the main point of a book is to entertain. I didn't find this book captivating, as the plot seemed to be everywhere, the writing wasn't great and I found it hard to believe so many points. So it didn't really hold my attention and I had to push through to the end. But I can see it as an applaudable first book and it really does seem to mean a lot to the author writing it, which I can appreciate.

Lastly, and the main reason for the 1 star review, is I feel this is a dangerous book from a mental health standpoint. The author seems to think that hearing about his life, which was neither unusual or particularly terrible, will save people but I think quite the opposite. I urge anybody reading this book, or contemplating it, to please seek professional help if you have imaginary friends, worlds or hear voices as an adult for the first time. This isn't something to accept, it isn't 'other', it has nothing to do with being trans and it seems to be very dangerous advise for one to give. However, I'm glad the author has spoken about something that clearly has affected his life in a very negative way, and I hope it has given him the peace he needs from the experience.

I would like to preface this review by stating that I have followed Jonathan and his family with their online presence for a number of years now so I feel very privileged to be able to get my hands on an advanced copy of a book depicting his life away from what is displayed on social media.

Learning about Jonathan, Giselle and Domdie was like being let into someone else's world, I mean that is what is happening so that would be a great way to describe it. Also learning of his upbringing in Dublin in the 80's and 90's, a place that wasn't the same as my own childhood and is hard to imagine otherwise, was really interesting for me to learn about through another's eyes.

The writing of the book was something to get used to but once you got into the swing of reading, it was easy to follow along to. It was also fairly easy to read but maybe too a little easy for my liking, although that might not be the same for everyone.

I would have liked more explanation of the begging of the book about the experience at the airport but I feel like it isn't a main part of the book so can be overlooked.

For anyone that has ever struggled with who they are and what they think they belong to, I think this would be a great book to let people know that you are good enough and you don't need to be what everyone else wants.

A brutally honest and extraordinary memoir, unlike anything I've ever read before.

TW: physical and verbal abuse, bullying, violence, child abuse, anxiety.

Firstly, I want to begin this review by disclosing that I have followed the author and his family throughout their online journey and therefore was going into this book with previous knowledge of Jonathan and some of the topics he has presented across social media. When Jonathan started to post Instagram stories about his struggle with identity, like any curious human being, I was intrigued to find out what happened in the former years of a personality we know so well in the present.

Following Jonathan from the ages of 3 to 10, we grasp a real insight into the mind of a child who is struggling to belong. Through vivid imagery, Jonathan explores the rollercoaster childhood of life in stigma-steeped 1980/90's Dublin and the dynamic of a family who don't understand one another. From brutal encounters with 'the Enemy' and ongoing bullying at school, Jonathan creates his own safe space, 'Domdie', where his invisible friends become his closest companions and protectors.

Although, this is Jonathan’s first book and there are some confusing structural choices and the story does seem exaggerated in places, I still enjoyed reading a memoir that held experiences (thankfully) so different to my own. I especially enjoyed the comparison Jonathan makes about parents treating their children's lives as a sat-nav where the expectations and destinations are already set, and we must simply abide by it. I think a great deal of people, especially those born before 2000, will relate to this poetic description.

I would've liked to learn more about the reasoning for Jonathan's airport incident and the discovery journey that followed but alas, we all are the authors of our own story and if Jonathan wants to keep that private then that he is absolutely valid to.

Even though, this book to me was merely a curiosity pick, it is evident that for Jonathan and anyone who has ever struggled with their identity, that this story could be life changing. However, I hope that those people seek to find the communities and help that is so widely accessible today as our society grows in acceptance. A concept that Jonathan so desperately needed in his childhood.

Honestly this is one of the worst books I have read in a long time. The writing is terrible, and is incredibly simplistic for the audience it is intended for. The book feels completely unedited with the plot everywhere. One minute you are in the present moment with Jonathon and the next minute you are somewhere between reality and fiction in "Domidie". There are also points in the book where the writing changes tense and then flips back with no warning. Lets not forget the painful descriptions of everything that happens, for example at the beginning of the book Jonathan describes the breakfast, he, Anna and the kids had at Costa; this information is completely unnecessary and would of been sorted if edited properly.

The opening line is the most cliché thing ever "I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out where to start this story"- an opening line should draw the reader in and leave them wanting more, but this just falls flat for me. We then follow Jonathan as a dad in Gatwick airport, as he has what only can be described as an outer body experience. The writing is melodramatic and unnecessary. He is then transported back to "Domidie" which was apart of his childhood. "Domidie" could be a whole host of different things it's quite hard to tell due to the poor writing, at the beginning it sounds like a panic attack, then other parts feel like maladaptive daydreaming or even a hallucination . The story then Jumps back to Jonathan being three years old. I would love to know how he has the ability to recall his memories in excruciating detail, this leaves me not knowing what is real or fiction. The chapters follow him as he gets older and relies more and more on "Domidie" to survive. Jonathan talks of his parents toxic relationship, and his experiences growing up in a boys school in rural Ireland. The book has no real plot and feels like you are reading fiction, and the ending is sudden and jarring, and would have been better for the book to end with Jonathan now in the present day reflecting on his childhood as he finishes the book. I struggle to see this book as a memoir as it does not span his life to date as a memoir normally would. This would have made for a better fiction book overall. I really do hope that Jonathan seeks professional help, as what ever the cause of "Domidie" is it deserves help and treatment.

I was attracted by the blurb but I struggled with the storytelling that I found confusing and didn't keep my attention.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

it is refreshing to read a memoir that it truly seeing the inside of someone’s head. I’ve never read anything quite like this before!!!! It is one thing to recount your life but this truly was an insight into Jonathan’s thoughts and feelings.

My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC.
I enjoyed reading this memoir, although harrowing in places it had gentle overtones that took you with Jonathan to his place of safety.
I did feel that the ending was somewhat abrupt and I’m still confused about why he needed to return to Domdie?

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I've been following Jonathan and his family for a few years now and I've been really looking forward to reading about his past.
At first, it was quite hard to read, as the book lacked editing, sentences that didn't make sense, lots of digressions that forced a reader to catch on quickly to what was going on, One time you were in school waiting for the action and then you are stopped by the long history how his parents met.
After about 100 pages I got used to this style and it was quite a pleasure to read.
Jonathan writes very vividly about his experience with his father and invisible Friends, which helps imagine the story. As a parent, it helped me see and understand better a child's point of view, how it sees when parents are fighting or an adult has anger outbursts.
No child should go through what Jonathan did, as a young boy, he was very unheard and he did what he could to cope and survive and that's what he showed in his book.

I feel like I need to start by saying how lucky I felt to be reading about Jonathan’s life experience. I have followed the family since I was 15 and now as a 24-year-old, I have a great respect for them and how they have handled a lot of the battles they have faced during their time in the public eye. This however does not change my thoughts on the book.

I would recommend going into this book with the understanding that this is the authors first book, and he talks openly on social media regarding the struggle he found writing it. The book is slightly jumbled, and the structure could be improved however that should not take away from the vivid picture Jonathan is trying to create with this story. I personally found the almost nonfictional style of writing to be more enjoyable.

I have seen a lot of reviews questioning how true the story is however I feel like that is the beauty of the book, we are reading about a young boy who used his imagination to escape reality so of course some parts may appear as unbelievable.

I found some parts of the story hard to read and I really connected with the line “I’m not sure how much longer I can keep floating, before I drown.” This book is for anyone who has struggled with their mental health or questioned their sexuality and if you don’t relate to this book, you’re very lucky.

From the first chapter I was invested in Jonathan, this book is is a testament to how strong the human will to survive is, despite many obstacles. This story is powerful and poignant reminder of life behind closed doors. It is beautifully written and I love how honest the author is and clearly he has done a lot of introspection. This book details life in the eighties and early nineties as well as life in a turbulent home and all of the complications that brings.

Thank you to Netgally for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, I’d like to say I’ve followed Jonathan and his family for around six or seven years now. I’ve really been looking forward to reading this book since he started talking about writing one. He’d spoken a lot on his Instagram about how he never felt like he quite belonged as a child, how he never fitted in and had quite a harsh, lonely childhood.

This book started out in 2016, in the airport with his family waiting to catch a flight back to Ireland for Jonathan’s birthday. Then we are introduced to Domdie, Jonathan’s alternate world that he spent a lot of his childhood in and his invisible friends that he explains saved his life. We spend a lot of time in this world throughout the book but he also takes us back in time to his childhood, starting when he was just 3 years old. Jonathan delves deeply into his childhood, which is filled with ridicule, humiliation and abuse from an early age. Jonathan is a scared, confused and misunderstood boy who is targeted because he is different and struggles to fit in. Throughout the book we alternate between Jonathan’s childhood with his friends in the ‘real world’ and the time he spends with them in Domdie.

I enjoyed reading more about Jonathan’s childhood and upbringing in Ireland in the 80’s and 90’s, but at times I felt like things just didn’t make sense. He seemed to remember specific things or days so clearly from as young as three or four year old that just didn’t make sense, maybe some things were exaggerated to grab our attention but I don’t think he needed to be so detailed about things I simply don’t believe are possible for him to remember as I think that’s what makes this so unbelievable to most people. However, this attention to detail makes me think Jonathan is a very talented storyteller and he should definitely try his hard at writing fantasy novels because Domdie sounded incredible.

It’s heartbreaking to hear about the childhood Jonathan was forced to endure but I think that’s what made him the brilliant father he is today. I also think the book had a very abrupt end, I was expecting the book to come back to present time and tell us where he is now. Are his friends around? Does he see them? Does he visit Domdie? Did Jonathan see Florence again? So many unanswered questions. Im not sure if Jonathan will write another book so unsure as wether that is his intention but if he does, I’ll most certainly read it.

I have followed the Saccone/Joly family for a long time and given the opportunity to read this book has given me a greater appreciation for Jonathan and what he offers to the world around him. The book had me smiling and crying within minutes of each other. The way his friends rescued him when he needed them the most was wonderful to read and without giving anything away reading the conclusion of the book made me smile. Jonathan is the Domdie that most people need in their lives with they are unable to find their own.

This is a very jumbled book with no structure at all. This book definitely reads more as fiction then non-fiction, especially the bits that appear to be written by one of his invisible friends?! It also ended really suddenly, I expected it to come back to present day and explain Jonathan as experiences life now and why Giselle returned to him when he was 36, which didn’t happen. I do however, really feel for Jonathan and what he went through.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus Books for sending me an advanced copy to give an honest review about.

I enjoyed the book and thought it had an interesting narrative which helped the reader to understand how young Jonathan was feeling when he was an infant to teenager. The story gave me a very vivid picture of what Jonathan thoughts and feelings were at different stages and times in his life and how he felt about his family-in particular his father. Also, I enjoyed Jonathan talking about Ireland thright the 80s and into 90s and thought that added a touch of realism to the story.

However, i do believe some parts of the story felt whimsical and surreal in a way that made you question if the story was completely real as I felt there were a little bit too much detail in some parts-especially with how young Jonathan was at the time. I did find it jarring with the switching between Jonathan and his inner friends, because I wasn't always sure who was speaking in that particular moment.

Moreover, I felt that some parts of the story ended without proper explanation or elaboration which left you confused and wondering were the rest of the chapter had gone. I believe that some chapters needed to include rest of that particular story/memory in them even if there wasn't a resolution.

I will say that this book is a page turner and does make you want to know more about Jonathan and his life. I would suggest Jonathan look into writing more about his life, especially his life as a Youtuber and being an online influencer and his mental state now-as it felt that the ending was quite abrupt and I would have liked to know more about how Jonathan is feeling in the present day. I would also like to know if Jonathan has spoken to a therapist about his traumatic childhood with bullying inside and outside the home.

Jonathan should also look into writing fantasy stories as he has a good ability to write interesting and fantastical stories that pull you into the story.

Thank you for the opportunity to read 'All My Friends are Invisible'.

This book was not at all what I expected and I was fascinated to read about Jonathan Joly's childhood. and his retreat into a world of invisible friends. From a psychological point of view, this is an interesting phenomena. Like other reviewers, I find it hard to believe that so much could be clearly recalled from such a young age.

I was not expecting an abrupt ending, particularly when the books begins with the return of the author's childhood companions. I wanted to know what has happened since their return but we are left in the dark.

Bravely honest and captivating. A book about a sensitive boy born into an insensitive, harsh world, and how the power of his imagination was the only tool at his disposal to help him survive it.

If you're not sure about it in chapter 1, stick with it a bit. When the story gets to "where it all began" back in the 1980s, that's where the story really gets going.

Anyone who is interested in "how different people live their lives", who likes daily vlogs, is interested in psychological phenomena like imaginary friends, and who enjoys a chatty, easy-to-read style of writing may enjoy this book.

Aside from finding it interesting to hear Jonathan's life story, I also really enjoyed getting a peek into life in Ireland in general. Although I didn't grow up in Ireland, I liked the nostalgia factor it had for me, as a child of the 80s and 90s, reminiscing together with Jonathan as he described memories of video stores and collecting fancy scented stationery.

Jonathan is a talented storyteller. He even does the trick I love of having a small cliffhanger at the end of some chapters to keep you wanting to read on. The whole book is very readable and gripping - you want to know what will happen next, and it's well structured all the way to the satisfying ending. It'd make a good movie!

Although this book isn't a comedy by any means, I loved the gentle touches of humour sprinkled here and there.

All in all, a really enjoyable read.

I've been a fan of the sacconeholys for years since 2014. They were always a fun family to watch on YouTube. The last year though Jonathan has been talking about his true self so inwas curious about the book which is why I asked for an advanced copy.

This was a confusing book. It reads more like fiction then non fiction. Of Jonathan ever wants to write a fantasy book he could probably pull it off

The way be made it sound on YouTube was this big revulation about his true self which I was intrigued by. However all it is is that he had invisible friends at a young age to cope with abuse. This honestly seems completely normal to me for him to have done. Most kids have coping mechanisms when they have been abused and a lot of kids had invisible friends growing up. Maybe it's more mainstream now or maybe it was where I grew up but I was rather confused by the entire thing as what the issue was. He wanted to be a girl that part I could understand why he hide understandable.

The thing that's confused me is he claims in the beginning of the book this all has come back and his invisible friends have returned. Its briefly mentioned but then it goes into his childhood. There is a major opportunity missed here because it should have swung back to present day Jonathan but it doesn't so your left thinking what was the purpose of this? What true self is he now talking about. It would have been better if it was more explained from present Jonathan connecting to past Jonathan. There should have been alternative pov's

In a nutshell we see kid jonthans true self but not adult Jonathan's true self which honestly I would prefer having read. We only see present Jonathan briefly at the beginning to explain his break down.

The structure of the book needs editing honestly it needs more explanation because it just comes across kid hiding from the world with invisible friends due to abuse. There is nothing wrong with that but it just doesn't add up to the narrative on YouTube or instagram we have been getting which left me feeling like I was missing something.

It was an easy read and I felt horrible for Jonathan with the abuse.

I dont know how else to review this because I'm left feeling confused.

This memoir is interesting in many ways. It spans the writer’s childhood, from when he starts primary school up until he is 14. Throughout, we learn of Joly’s life in Irish schools - the way he is bullied and humiliated, both by his peers and at home, particularly by his father.

One of the book’s main premises is Joly’s reliance on his invisible friends, and the imaginary world of Domtie. For anyone who has ever had a made-up friend, especially to help them cope with challenging times, this story will resonate. At times, it reads as if Joly is speaking to the friends throughout - but one has to realise a lot of what is happening is based on the writer’s thoughts: coping mechanisms for the trauma he experiences.

Evidently, there must be significant artistic licence here. It’s hard to know, at times, whether things actually happened. Was Joly treated badly by his father, or was it more in his imagination? I find it hard to believe that things in school were quite so dreadful - particularly comments about the teacher hitting him with a ruler, and the blatant humiliation. However, I think this is part of the story: memories can seem real to us, even if they’re far from he truth. I’m not disputing the story but it does beg the question of what’s real and what’s not.

Joly gets to a stage, in his early teenage years, when things are so much better for him - and then he says goodbye to the ‘friends’ that helped him so much. It’s interesting that this often focuses on Joly’s internal thoughts - and how many of us have imaginary friends to get us through the tough times.

Wow, I was not emotionally prepared for this book. I resonate with this story on such a deep level. I didn’t have the same journey as Jonathan, but if your understand feeling different, like you don’t fit in, and/or you experience emotions on a deeper level than the average person, then you will understand this story. If not, then you will most likely have more questions than answers!

Take this book for the beauty that it is, Jonathan is sharing his story of his experience growing up, what was going on in his external world, along with his internal. Jonathan is very brave to share this story, as it can be hard to understand if you don’t have an open mind, which can lead to judgement. This is a beautiful journey that is only just beginning. A journey that can bring so many into the light, if you are brave enough to let it.

’m so thankful to receive this early copy from NetGalley. I’ve had this book preordered since Jonathan announced it and I’m still excited to receive the physical copy in February!

Having watched The Sacconejoly’s lives for roughly 8 years, I felt a lot more connected to this book than other early reviews I’ve seen. I always knew Jonathan was suffering but the fact he has let us into his world and opened the box for us is incredibly brave and I’m so proud of him for finding that courage.

I will say honestly, as an avid reader though, you can see that Jonathan is not an author. The structure was a bit all over the place and I would’ve liked the book to have been extended just a bit more. It starts with Jonathan at an airport in 2016, then jumps back to the 80s to talk about his childhood. I would’ve been interested to hear more about what happened after the airport situation, even as maybe one extra chapter.

I feel incredibly privileged that I have been allowed to view Jonathan’s world from a window. As someone whose mental health is always up and down I really felt the line, “I’m not sure how much longer I can keep floating, before I drown.”