The Boy Between

I very rarely read non-fuction, but the fact it was by Amanda Prowse was a no brainer. This must've been such a hard book to write. It's a very concise and honest account of living with depression, both for the person suffering depression, and the effects on his family. Obviously difficult to read in some places. My admiration goes out to Mandy and Josh for sharing their story, and hope that it could help other sufferers in the future

Please take the time to read this memoir. It will give you a truly honest and raw insight into the stigma that is depression. We really need to remove that stigma and be able to talk openly about our mental wellbeing. After all, everyone on the planet has it!

Josh and Mandy narrate the events of the few years Josh was in the worst time of his life and tell us how it affected them and everyone around them. It will give you an understanding from both the sufferers point of view as well the immediate family's.

It shows us that the Further Education establishments need to do more to support those who need it, from the very first signs. There MUST be dedicated and properly trained adults who can help, and for those who are young but classed as adults so parents not contacted, this HAS to change.

Thank you both for telling us about the most personal time of your lives so far. That was incredibly brave and enlightening.

What a searingly honest, heartbreaking, raw insight into one boy's journey through living with depression and an equally honest, open, terrifying view from his mother's perspective. I would ordinarily read an Amanda Prowse book in one sitting but The Boy Between took me places I could only visit for short periods of time..needing time to digest, ponder and consider each brave insight into this nightmare world of depression. I found so many personal parallels which tore my heart out reading from Josh's perspective. He bravely gave me insights and understanding into the mind of someone trapped in this tangled web which seems impossible to either penetrate or escape . I understood more easily Amanda's perspective. I'll say no more than I've been there, I am there and I pray for the bend in the road. Josh, I hope every young person leaving home for the first time , be it to travel or attend university, gets a copy of your book to take with them. .if I had the means, I would place a copy in every room in every Halls of residence. What I will be doing ,is buying copies for as many people as possible. I believe the first step to recovery is knowing you are not alone and you have put that fact out there. I know too well how impossible it is to access mental health services for young people. It is woefully inadequate and the current waiting list for an appointment is 3 months on average . We as a society are guilty of failing our young . We have heaped expectations and pressures on them , often failing in equipping them with the necessary tools to cope. Josh , thank you for your courage and honesty . I recognised that young boy who gazed out at the downs and wanted to cut the grass when he grew up because the men he watched doing that job looked happy. At that very young age, you recognised the fundamental truth and meaning of life, the one thing we all aspire to, happiness . We must all be free to pursue this goal in our own way without having to conform to society's template of what that should entail. I also wish I could have been in the classroom when that ignorant teacher shouted in you'd face. I would have shielded you, hugged you and told you you will do things in your own way, in your own time and you will achieve greatness. You HAVE accomplished an amazing thing in writing this book. I salute you and I wish you many bends in your road. May they each reveal something new and wonderful. God bless you.
Amanda, I am sorry I have concentrated on Josh' s side of the story. Yours is equally painful , heartbreaking and as honest as everything you write. You never spare yourself. I've never known a writer who leaves so much of themselves on each page. I have always found you inspirational but after reading what you were enduring in your private life while continuing to write, promote ,record and act so happy and bubbly on radio and television, just leaves me in awe. I also want to say to Simeon, you are a hero. You showed your bravery in your military life but how much more so did you bring your steadfast leadership, strength, endurance and courage to this personal trial. Your intuitive action on that fateful night, which could have been Josh' s last were it not for your parental instincts and your decisive response, also showed the strength of your love for a child who was not biologically yours, but the child of your heart. Bless you. Ben has been a footnote to this story but I found myself thinking of him and considering his perspective and I am happy he is following his own path and dreams. I am emotionally drained after walking your path a little way with you but I conclude in thanking you both for opening up this necessary discussion , helping break the taboo and stigma of mental illness and in offering hope. Congratulations on writing this book which may ultimately save lives

I have just finished this wonderful book and still have tears on my cheeks. The bravery on these pages is admirable, depression is can still be such a taboo and this book peels back those layers and gives you a frank insight from both perspectives.

Written with honesty you can feel the anguish Josh experienced whilst in his darkest moments and feel the frustration from Mandy that she couldn't find a way to just make it better which as parents is always our natural instinct.

I am in awe of the journey you have taken and chosen to share, highlighting that depression can be diagnosed in anyone in a multitude of situations and that help is available if you know where to go.

Josh is a superb example of someone who is learning to manage living with an illness. I have worked with many people who have depression and have seen the impact first hand of people saying how they think they should feel compared to how they really feel.

I cried throughout this book as some of the battles I recognised and know how
slippery that slope can be when trying to overcome illness both physical and mental especially when your saying what you think others wish to hear.

This is a book that should be read far and wide to help highlight the statistics of depression and it's affects. It is so worrying how many teens and young men go undiagnosed/ treated and fall through the cracks of our health care system and fail to get the help they need and I really hope this helps highlight they are not alone and enables them to feel they can reach out for help.

A harrowing yet superb read that I hope will help overcome the stigma of mental health and help others get the help they need before it is too late.

Massive hugs to Mandy & Josh for sharing their story to help others xx

Wow what an emotional roller coaster This story is told by Josh who has severe depression and Amanda his mum and from the first page it grips you and you can feel the emotion in every part of your body as you are reading it Makes you understand how it affects not just the person but the whole family who will do anything to make their child better Depression is a terrible illness and this story is told with much sensitivity and heartache but you can feel the despair from everyone involved Thankfully this family come out the other side and things look positive but from reading about Josh as a little boy and the struggles he and his loving family have been through I would say go mow that meadow Josh and be happy you so deserve it One of the best books I've read but warning tissues are needed

The Boy Between is a gut-wrenching memoir delving into the depths of depression, written by mother and son duo; award-winning contemporary novelist, Amanda Prowse, and her beloved son, Josh Hartley.
Imagine being that child, for whom nothing seemed to come easy. Perceptions and thoughts as a young person, differing from others all the time. Then finding out you were dyslexic and overcoming your learning difficulties to become a top student.
The world is literally at your feet. Universities of your choice sending offers, fantastic predicted grades.
Suddenly, a fog enters your mind. Nothing appears to stay in your brain. An overwhelming exhaustion hits. Nothing is more important that getting to that bed.
Now, flip the coin and imagine being the mother of that child for whom life has been quite tough. Finally, he’s got his break. He’s doing so well. You only want what is best for your boy.
Then a change comes over him. Interest in his work dwindles. He doesn’t want to really talk or interact. A call from his tutor confirms that there may be an issue.
What no one seems to realise is this is the time that child has begun to descend into the dark hole that is depression.
I was in tears, reading so many sections of this book.
Josh’s openness and honesty buried deep inside me, I could feel the darkness he was spiralling into.
Amanda’s recount of the same days, as a mother, who would never want anything negative to happen to her son, was just as heart-breaking. The realisation that her child was suffering from an illness, which she would not be able to heal easily, was hard to read, but so well written.
I applaud both Josh and Amanda for tackling an issue that is oft swept under the carpet. Depression can creep up on anyone. It doesn’t matter where you are from, what your background is. But it is serious. Serious enough that people take their own lives when they can’t take it anymore.
I can’t recommend this book enough.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a MUST read by Josiah Hartley, and his mother, Amanda Prowse.
It is a gut wrenching description of mental health issues, both from the impact on the sufferer, and their loved ones.

I applaud Josh ( Josiah), for having the courage to write this honest account of his illness, and the torment he was going through at the time, and the telling of his journey to where he is today.

The book relates the day to day struggles Josh experiences, and the depths the illness draws him into. His descriptive writing is a help to other sufferers reading the book, and also to their family and loved ones. From Amanda's perspective, it depicts how she, and the rest of her family struggled to appreciate how to deal / cope and help Josh with his illness. Even trying to strike up a conversation with takes on a whole new meaning. The journey starts with Josh from a young age, to where he / they are today.

This book truly is compelling reading, and one that teaches the reader, so much more about the illness.

Well done Josh and Amanda!

I rate this book 5 stars!

My thanks to the author and Netgalley for the Arc copy of this book, in return for a true and unbiased review.

This is hands down the most incredible, heartbreaking, inspiring story I have ever read. The bravery of Josiah and Amanda will absolutely save lives.

I always love Amanda Prowse books, and was lucky to be allowed to read this one that she wrote with her son Josiah Hartley, letting us into a world that had gone very grey for them and the whole family.

The underlying theme from Amanda as a Mother, seemed to be "what can I do to help you" and from Joshy as a young adult suffering from depression "You can't help me/leave me alone/help me/don't leave me".

I could feel Amanda's pain from knowing that if only Joshy could tell her, she would do ANYTHING to make it go away or take the pain onto herself and was desperate for a solution. But in reading Joshy's account I also began to understand how helpless, scared, exhausted and desperate he was for SOMETHING to happen that would make his world stop and for him to get off. Thank goodness for Simeon who, as someone just one step distanced from the maelstrom, could launch the life raft.

I cried for both of them in reading this wonderful book, and I am sure it will help so many parents and sufferers to gain a small insight into the complex world of mental illness. It is a credit to them that they have allowed their story to be told and shared so honestly and openly.

his is a gut wrenching read, I am sat with tears streaming as I write this review. I don't know how any review can do this gorgeous read any justice.

Throughout this book, we go to the depths of depression. We experience how the individual is effected and well as others close to that person

This is definitely unique to anything I have read previously read. I have to admire the author for this one because as well as being emotional, this read is incredibly thought provoking.


This is a book which will be relatable for many. It has definitely stayed with me long after reading.

This is the true story of a mother and son, and the evil illness which is depression. What happens when your lovely, sunny boy, in whom you have so much hope, love and expectation invested becomes so low with depression that their world turns grey, and they feel the only way out is suicide? How can any mother cope with the terrible pain and helplessness?

Amanda Prowse is an incredibly talented and prolific writer, and her son Josiah (Josh) is a very intelligent and likeable young man, and together they document their way through the darkest period in their lives, and how they eventually bring colour back to Josh's world with the help of Josh's incredible Stepfather Simeon, and the whole family. Amanda and Josh take turns at writing chapters, often telling the same incident from their different points of view, which is extremely inciteful.

This is a book that had to be written, and will stay with me for a very long time. It should be compulsory reading in every Secondary school in the country! My son was in his first year at University last year and found himself spending the whole night with one of his flatmates in his halls of residence, talking him out of ending his life. He had no previous experience with this insidious disease, but luckily can talk the hind leg off a donkey! He was very distraught afterwards, and I feel he would have been better equipped if he had read this book prior to the incident.

I would also like every member of the Government to read this book, and then ensure there are properly trained counsellors at every University, actively watching out for struggling children. I feel like a law should be passed to ensure this happens (Josh's Law?) And/or a charity set up to help these children. I feel very strongly that there but for the grace of G-d go any of us - particularly mothers of boys.

Please don't let anything I have said put you off reading this book in any way. Having said all the above it is also a very engaging book, well written, and not difficult to read. At its heart is the love of a mother and son and most can relate to that if nothing else.

If you only read one book this year, make it this one!

A book that for me should be read by as many people as possible to find out and be more aware of mental health issues and how it can affect the best of us. I decided to read this as having found out recently that I have had the black dog by my side for most of my adult life to find out more about others in the same situation and how they have dealt with it. I couldn't believe the number of similarities to Josh other than he had the constant loving care of his mother. This is a warts-n-all story told by both Amanda and Josh in alternate chapters. Josh was set to have sparkling A level grades and then a short time before his exams it was as if his brain went totally blank which was the beginning of a very dark time. Mental health is now something that is slowly getting talked about more but we are far from, as Josh says, having that conversation over the water cooler like we would the flu- and mental health isn't contagious. He also says that it is so very hard to describe how we are feeling. To anyone else our darkness or anxieties don’t make sense. I very much admire Amanda and Simeon for constantly having the utmost respect for Josh and his wishes which were shown at all times. When he came home at his lowest he was allowed to eat “under the duvet” and live in his very untidy room as to interfere would have distrubed his very fine equilibrium. This to me shows so much love and care to a very fragile being. Respecting someone when they are so very low for me, us beyond words. A book that made me look at myself and stop. A book that I hope will bring to the masses something that “isn't talked about''. A book of hope and reality. Of love and caring and one heck of a journey. Stunning 5*

(rest of links as part of blog tour)

I have been a long time admirer of Amanda Prowse and the brilliant books she writes, but I never knew of the personal struggle her beloved son Josh was facing with depression. This book is raw and honest told from both Josh and Amanda’s perspectives it really pulled at my heartstrings and made me shed a few tears.

Depression is an illness that seems to be swept under the carpet. This book faces it head on and will be a valuable insight for anyone suffering or their family and friends. One of my closest friend has travelled this journey with her teenage daughter and I could relate to many of the chapters in the book. As mothers we have an inbuilt reflex to try and fix things for our children. We want them to be happy and sometimes we have to realise that this is not something we can change ourselves no matter how much we would love too.

I loved how Josh recorded honestly his feelings, what a brave thing to do. Amanda is such a caring mum which shines through and her husband Simeon was such a rock I’m glad they all had each other. I’m so glad Josh has come out the other side and is improving this will be an inspiration for others.

This is a must read for everyone, we are all touched by mental health issues and the sooner they are acknowledged maybe we can understand and be kinder and less judgmental .I work in a primary school and more young people are presenting themselves with mental health problems. Early intervention does help and books such as this which spark difficult conversations which Is a positive powerful thing.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this insightful and honest book .

I finished this book about 12 hours ago, but have needed the time to think about how a review will do this book any justice.

We all know and love Amanda for her books and just being the inspiration that she is. What we didn't know, was that behind the scenes, this bright and bubbly lady, was going through the hardest time imaginable with her son Josiah (Josh) who was in the grips of severe depression.

Amanda and Josh have come together to share their journey from both their perspectives. This is the story of a mother's love, supported by her rock Simeon, and a son who's life is just beginning by doing his A levels in readiness for University, when the depression gets hold of him.

This is a very honest story and everyone who reads it will benefit from it. Whether it's someone for whom depression had never come into their life, or for people themselves who struggle with it, or family or friends who face the struggle.

I will think about this book for a long time, and thank Amanda and Josh for their honesty, and wish them all the best for a hopefully more positive and steady future.

Written by Amanda Prowse and her son Josh , this book gives an open and honest account of depression and the effect it has on family life .
I have a child that suffers from depression and it's so easy to think that it's just your family going through it. This book was almost a mirror image of my own familys experiences . From initially accepting there's a problem, a reluctance to seek help and medication , the not wanting to use the word depression , to the problems it can bring to other relationships within the family .
I am a massive fan of Amanda Prowse and I've watched her writing book after fantastic book and appearing on TV and being her lovely funny and caring self whilst all this was going on in the background.. She does admit to.crying a lot but what a strong woman she has shown herself to be.
Josh had the world at his feet when the curtain came down and there was no joy or even colour to his life. To have an end to this at his lowest point would have been a relief to him.
Josh was lucky to have a loving family around him to care for him and just to be there for him .
Both Amanda and Josh have given truly honest and brave accounts of their joint battle with depression . It truly is an illness that affects the whole family.
It's a book that everyone should read whether they are suffering from depression or looking after someone who suffers from it and will help the reader to see things from each others perspective.

I am a huge fan of Amanda Prowse and all her books, this however is very different.

This book is written by both Amanda and her son Josiah (Josh) Hartley. This book is no story though.

Josh got depression and at aged 19 when recently starting university planned to take his own life.

This book is both Josh’s feelings and memoir of how he felt and how he feels now and what happened and also Amanda’s feelings and how she coped and felt as his mom. How the family was affected.
This book is real, very real and very brave of both Josh and Amanda to put their feelings and thoughts into paper. I know this book will help other families out there who maybe going through similar and also may help people who are lucky enough to have never experienced anything like it to understand a little better what depression really feels like and how it can affect not just the person suffering but also the whole family.

A beautifully written book that’s raw and tells it how it is.
I wish Josh all the best and onwards and upwards to him and also Amanda and the rest of the family for being so brave and supportive and to keep going when I’m sure they were at a total loss.

Xx

A brutally honest, emotional and truthful account of how depression affects this authors household and beyond. This heart breaking book is written by Mother Mandy and son Josiah who suffers from mental illness. Both writers lay down their raw emotions of the struggles they have both faced and still do as they battle daily to carry on.
I cannot imagine the pain this family goes through knowing that it is a continuous fight to protect your beloved son from ending his life and hoping that he is happy. What is very clear is that the support everyone has and gives is paramount, as is the love and understanding this family has within. No one is perfect and mistakes are bound to be made, as this illness throws curve balls so it is very much a constant learning experience. I learned a lot about depression reading this book and the numbness and inability to function that a suffer endures is horrendous.
My heartfelt thanks to Mandy and Josh for writing their story as it no doubt brought up memories that both would rather forget but I hope in doing so it gives hope and inspiration to others.

This was such a powerful and frank read. Thank you both for writing this book and giving us an insight to what it's like to live with depression.
Josh, is/was lucky to have a solid foundation and a network of people who care for him.
I'm so pleased that Simeon had the feeling that some something was wrong and he was able to support both Mandy as well as Josh.
I'm sure that this book will prove to be an invaluable book to those families going through this situation.
I know this book will stay with me for a very long time.

Words cannot express how much his book resonated with me. I have a son who tried to take his own life in his second year of university and reading this book I could have been reading our story. There are many similarities between Josiah and my son, so this gave me a real insight into how he must have felt and how annoying I must have been.

Thank you for writing this story, which I read with my heart in my mouth and a tear in my eye. The helplessness I felt as a mother at that time is described so well by Amanda and similarly the way Josiah explains his depression is so brilliant you can almost feel that darkness surrounding and compressing you.

I do think that this book will help so many people whether they suffer from depression themselves or care for a sufferer and would give them both hope.

I started reading this author's books over 5 years ago, loved them and have been reading them ever since.

This one is totally different. Amanda's son, Josh, has battled depression from his late teens and at the age of 19 thought the only way to get peace was suicide, but something stopped him that particular day. This is the raw and emotional story of their journey leading up to that awful day to the present day.

Over the years I've read how well Amanda's books were doing, watching her on tv, listening to her on the radio and thinking, go girl!!!!! good for you. Never in my wildest dreams did I think she was going through this with her son and family. It must have been torture trying to smile for everyone but inside you are falling to pieces. This just shows we don't know what's going on in people's lives.

I felt Josh and Amanda's every word, I was inside the book watching everything unravel. We need more people like Josh in the world to tell their story. Josh, the world is a better place with you in it.

Note to Josh ........ You are an incredibly brave young man to open your heart and tell your story. I guarantee
by putting your story out there you will help many, many people going through what you
went through in your darkest days and in time you can begin to feel better and try to keep
the dark days at bay. If I was beside you now I would shake your hand and give you the
biggest hug.

A heart wrenching book a book that took guts to write I applaud Josiah and Amanda for bravely sharing their story.Dark& depressing at times but this is a subject that has to be told as rawly as real as possible..This is a book that mental health workers should be sharing with kids who they no need it..#netgalley#amazonuk

What a totally fantastic read,really gave an insight in to depression, josh you are so brave and how you got through the darkest days, with the support of your wonderful family and your sheer strength, I'm so pleased I read this, and I am so pleased you are starting to come through the other side, I would recommend this to any young man who thinks there is no way out of the dark place x

Wow.... I’m literally in tears! Massive thanks to Josh and Amanda for sharing their story. As a mother my self of similar aged boys this story opened a lot of memories for me, scenes from my boys childhoods and life so far. Josh you wrote with such honesty and I completely admire you and would love to hug you right now! Amanda you are just the best mum and never gave up.....

The Boy Between is a heartbreaking novel written by popular author Amanda Prowse and her son Josiah Hartley. It documents Josiah's (Josh) descent into depression, his attempted suicide and both of their progress from that day until recent times.

I've always loved the novels of Amanda Prowse and this one is no exception, although it is much harder to read because you know that it is not a work of fiction. The heartbreak and agony that she goes through in detailing her life from the moment she receives the call that her son Josh was stopped short of a suicide attempt by the fortuitious arrival of her husband Simeon at Josh's apartment while she was in Australia, the hell she goes through while finishing out her trip, unable to get back to England to him and her utter inablility to find a way to help her son is every parent's nightmare. How do we get through to our beloved children, whom we have always only wanted the best for? How do we make them believe that life will get better, that they are valued, that this darkness that is all encompassing is temporary and with the proper medication, outlook, tools...or something they will see the other side and regret that they wanted to take their life? Amanda Prowse shares her years long struggle with all of this, as Josh shares his struggle to fight off the darkness and whether or not he even wants to, what the pressures and stressors in his life are and how he manages to come out the other side.

The Boy Between is important reading for parents who are struggling with their children's depression, teens and especially students who can't see a way out of the grimness and fog of depression, parents who want to know the signs to watch for in their children and anyone who has an interest in mental health and depression. Please don't miss this important novel.

Thank you to the author, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Real, raw, truthful. This book resonated with me in so many ways having a history of depression in my family. It’s a brutally honest account and so at times makes difficult reading but I am grateful to Josh and Amanda for their openness to cover every aspect of Josh’s journey.

This book has already begun to change my life. It’s opened my eyes and helped me to understand the people around me who are battling with depression. I myself and people in my life live with different kinds of depression and anxiety and reading this has had an incredible effect on me. I thought I understood it a bit and that I was being supportive of those around me, but reading Josh’s account and how Mandy’s optimism and tears made things worse (sorry Mandy) I see how unhelpful I have been to them. I also understand my depression a little bit more and that for me was fascinating.
This book isn’t just a memoir or a window into a pair of souls, it’s an incredibly useful tool for people like me who think we are saying the right thing and may actually be making it worse. I have already changed the way I interact, the type of questions I ask and how I phrase them. I recognise the difficulties with decision making and the need to be included without feeling overwhelmed.
I am a better person because of the courage Josh and Mandy have, by opening their hearts and their lives to show us what its really like to live with depression and how it affects everyone. This book is moving, powerful, hopeful and so incredibly beautiful in a raw and at times frightening account.
I cried, there is one point where I simply could not make out a single word on the page and I sobbed for quite a while before I could even move to get a box of tissues. I read it really quickly because even though I know how it ends (Josh is still here to tell his story) it was gripping.

This book is brutally honest and if you are triggered by anything relating to suicide, self-harm or anything related to depression then I would steer clear of this and pick something a little more Iight and fluffy. I know that sounds obvious but this isn’t a stereotypical self-help manual, it’s real life. It has some shocking statistics and some helpful contact information for sign posting to people who can help. I would say, if you’re looking for a better understanding of how to support those around you, it’s the best book on depression I’ve ever read. It’s the only one where I’ve had one of those lightbulb moments where suddenly so much makes sense and I know that this book will stay with me forever, seeing Josh’s words in my mind and knowing it’s helping both me and those around me.

Wow. This is a raw and emotional read. It is so brave to have written this book. Thank you for putting everything down on paper. It takes a lot of courage to put your feelings on paper and allow them to be read. I feel emotionally wrung out after this. Some of it was very close to my own life. I feel that so many people will benefit from reading this book. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It is good to see the condition talked about and it was comforting for someone to say how painful it is. (So many medical professionals do not understand how bad the pain is.)

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

"When something is broken, by definition, it doesn't work! And depression is a brain that is broken."

This is definitely a beautiful, intense novel and one that needed to be written and one that certainly should be read by everyone!
While I was reading each chapter, I could feel the grueling pain, intense anxiety, heartache and love that both Josh and Mandy revealed to us in this memoir.
It was not an easy book to get through, but truly enlightening!
Do yourself a favor and read!
You could save a life or perhaps save your own life.
Excellent!

A true story about depression, anxiety living with it and getting through it.
Having read and cried over Will You Remember Me? by Amanda, I knew I was in for another tearful journey. This time its closer to home.

Sadly I could relate to almost everything. Josh and Amanda tell everything, nothing is held back. This book needs to be handed out to everyone who has ever found themselves in Josh's position. In fact, it just needs handing out to everyone! I was expecting to be 'badly triggered' by this book but I actually found comfort and a bit of closure in my own life. I did cry and I did find it hard to read but I'm glad I did. It's about time we talked positively. Thank you Josh and Amanda for sharing your book.

Josiah Hartley was nineteen years old, with his whole life ahead of him, he'd just started university when he was hit with depression and his mental health spiralled so dangerously low that he planned to take his own life. Amanda Prowse is a very well known and loved author, whose best selling fictional work is outstanding, writing about subjects that are very close to home with many of her readers, but this latest book is not fiction and Josiah, or Joshy as he's affectionately known, is not a character in one of her books, he is her son and the most important person in her life, so when his world begins to crumble it's not surprising that hers does too.

Josiah and Amanda have come together to write this book, to highlight the importance of mental health and how they fought through it, with the help of Simeon and the rest of their family, showing what it was like to live with depression, from both Josiah's and Amanda's perspectives in alternate chapters. Josh narrates his story with frankness and honesty, Amanda's story is full of heartache and pain as she tries to do what's best for her boy. I struggled to read this book, not because I don't normally read true stories, but because I couldn't see the pages through the tears that continually fell throughout this heart wrenching read. It's a total eye opener to what depression is all about, an illness that many of us are ignorant to the extent of its effect and guilty of not taking it seriously enough.

Josh, you are such a brave man, to put what you have gone through down on paper and share it with the world, I truly hope you continue to fight this illness, I'm sure with the help of your wonderful family and friends you will, and live a long and happy life. Amanda, I applaud both you and Simeon for the strength and love you've always shown your family, especially during these difficult times, I felt your pain as any parent would. I believe everyone should read your story, it would benefit so many people to know that they really are not alone. This one will stay with me for a long time to come.

I'd like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Depression and suicide in teens and adolescents is such an important topic that requires as much attention and awareness as possible. If more people are educated on the signs and clues of depression, they may be able to detect a problem early on and provide help before it is too late. I know this is not true in all cases... A very good friend of mine is a school psychologist who specializes in this area and has taught me so much. I thought I would know if someone were depressed, but after reading data on this subject and attending speaker workshops, I learned so many signs that can occur very early on that I would never have picked up on. As a parent to a teen and to an adolescent, I am so thankful to have learned what I have.

I felt very emotional when reading The Boy Between. My heart went out to Josh and to all of his family and friends. It must be so incredibly scary and hard to go through what they all did. I commend them for writing and sharing their story for everyone to see, with hopes to spread awareness. It was written beautifully and I love that Mandy and Josh worked together on it. I especially loved the note by Josh and dedication by Amanda at the beginning of the book.

This was such an important, engaging, and moving read and I encourage everyone to read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this advanced reader's copy of The Boy Between by Josiah Hartley and Amanda Prowse.

This is an account of the same time in a person's life, the person himself and his mother. It's an interesting concept for a memoir, telling the same story from two different perspectives. In The Boy Between, Josiah Hartley describes his bouts with severe clinical depression and his mother, Amanda Prowse, recalls her memories of the same events.

The great thing about this book is that a person is being open enough to share his struggle with mental illness, which is always helpful to others that may be struggling in a similar way. Unfortunately, the dual retellings were very similar too each other. Often incidents were repeated by both son and mother, creating a situation where what could have been an impactful read felt repetitive. I was also quite uncomfortable with the some of the beliefs that were repeated by both authors, such as a lack of belief that medication would be helpful to a person with severe clinical depression. Some things, even if they are true, are not helpful to repeat unless it is immediately followed up with factual information to clarify.

All in all, a good read. I wish that book had been structured in two halves instead of alternating between authors but mostly I enjoyed it.

AMANDA PROWSE is one of my favourite authors and I have read, enjoyed, and reviewed many of her novels. With THE BOY BETWEEN Amanda has turned to Non-fiction to write a book with her son Josiah Hartley (Josh) – a personal account of Josh’s struggle with mental health issues, specifically depression. The book’s chapters are written alternately by Amanda and Josh, Mother and Child, so that we can read this important narrative from both perspectives. I found THE BOY BETWEEN to be a very moving book of hope, and of a family dealing with mental health issues; full of love, emotion and sometimes despair which I could relate to being a parent with children of a similar ages to Josh. This book will stay with me or a long time and I have already recommended it to several others. The “endnotes” also include some statistics and some very useful resources. I give it 5 stars.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review

I had been anticipating this for such a long time!
Having suffered from mental health problems in the past, I thought the concept of this book to be incredibly fascinating! Hearing from both the 'sufferer' as well as the perspective of the family around him is such a great idea for a book. I have read many books about mental health, but none like this - it's incredibly original.

The book was a great insight into how your loved ones cope with your illness. Something that you don't tend to think about when you're in your own bubble and suffering with a mental health illness yourself. It was incredibly powerful to hear the 'other side' to the story. It made me think of how my family was feeling when I was going through it.

I urge anyone who has been through mental health issues to read this! I think there is so much to get out of this book! More books like this please publishers!!!

A personal account of depression.

To attempt a review of The Boy Between seems at best foolish and possibly, unintentionally, totally crass. Either way, I know my words will be inadequate in conveying what an important book The Boy Between is. What I really want to say is that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, should read The Boy Between. If they did, the world would be a better place, greater understanding of depression would be achieved and fewer families would find themselves suffering terribly tragedy. The Boy Between is the voice, through Josh, of every person whose depression had led them to dark, impenetrable, stultifying places and, through Amanda, of every friend and family member who has watched helplessly and impotently as that depression takes hold.


The Boy Between's non-fiction account of Josh's depression and desire to die is brilliantly presented. Alternating chapters showing Josh and Mandy's perspectives give a mesmerising insight into their lives in a structure that leads the reader through their experiences with such intensity that at times is is almost unbearable. This is an intimate portrait of a family in crisis that will resonate with readers across the globe. Those of us who have experienced depression at various levels or who love someone who has cannot fail to be moved to tears on several occasions by the raw, humane and affecting accounts presented here. I admit I found it hard reading Josh and Amanda's words at times because the resonance was huge.


However, The Boy Between might be about depression but it isn't depressing. Rather it provides relief for those who have similar experiences in knowing they are not alone, that there is a possibility of life and happiness even when the illness is at its worst. And one of the great strengths of The Boy Between is in illustrating that depression is an illness, not merely a life choice of the inadequate or lazy as is so often assumed. There is an extended metaphor of a broken arm that I think clarifies attitudes and mental illness far better than any text book or documentary ever could. Alongside the personal accounts, the carefully researched factual data adds a terrifying layer of authenticity too. On the day I finished reading The Boy Between, social media was abuzz with the fact that another young man of 17 had taken his own life. I truly believe he could have been helped if those around him had had access to this book. I genuinely think The Boy Between is revolutionary in promoting understanding of depression.


Eloquent, authentic and moving The Boy Between is a book that has sadly never been more relevant, more required and more honest. I thought it was astounding. I want to place a copy into the hands of everyone I know. We all need The Boy Between. Just read it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and the authors for writing and publishing this important book as well as gifting me a digital ARC to review. 5 stars - a must read for parents, teachers, administrators, and our youth. As someone who has been personally touched by the suicide of my ex-husband, I can say first hand how much this story needs to be told.

Written in alternate chapters between mom and son, we get to really see the truth of mental illness. It was so interesting to me to see how Josh interpreted his parents' questions and concerns and then see how difficult it was for Amanda and her husband to find the perfect way to interact with Josh.

I do believe that no one wants to interject themselves in what is someone else's private struggles but that leads to ignoring situations by teachers and friends who may be the best to see what is sometimes hidden from parents. I personally know the heartache of calling a university to check on my son who started exhibiting very concerning issues only to be told that he is an adult and they cannot provide any information. While privacy is important, so is having correct information so that intervention can happen if need be. This book outlines some of those changes happening in the UK..

Blessings and thanks go out to both Josh and Amanda for opening up their hearts and private struggles to help others. In this instagram perfect world, showing flaws is not the norm so we are all starting behind the curve thinking we are the only ones struggling. This is a beautifully written, raw account that is a must read.

You can’t even begin to imagine the fear, images and soul-consuming desperation you suffer every day, the lack of sleep and the sheer horror of your phone ringing. No, I don’t have depression but one of my grown-up children does. This book says it all. I knew every chapter that Amanda has written and I felt like I was inside my son’s head with the words of Josiah. I have sat by his hospital bed after attempts on his life, the last was so touch and go.

This is a book of raw and real emotions from both sides of this terrible black hole but at times it feels like the weight syndrome, you lose weight but put more back on, well each time it seems that depression finds a deeper place to go to. Medication is also talked about in the book, again from both sides. It can help some but can also have horrendous side effects too, which just take you down even more. Mental illness still has a stigma, like it is something you are using as an excuse.

A mother’s instinct is very strong, a feeling, seeing the little things when they are young, this is so true, so much I recognised in this book. The chapters of Josiah just tore me apart, the honesty is intense and physical as well as mental depletion disabling and draining.

If you know of anyone that suffers any sort of mental illness then this will help you understand it a little bit more. You can’t choose to pull yourself out of this, it isn’t a choice. I wish more good years than bad for you all. Just never give up.

I wish to thank Sarah Hardy and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

Oh my goodness, what an I say about this book. It gave me chills, goosebumps and made me cry. I can’t believe how open, honest, and above all very brave you’ve been in the writing of this book Josh. This seems to be a very taboo subject, especially with young men. I have a chronic illness myself, and I can totally relate to some of your journey. Unfortunately my illness took a good few years before I got a proper diagnosis. I was backward and forward to the Doctors, who because they didn’t know what was wrong decided it must be in my head. I was given antidepressants and sent to a psychiatrist, which in the end had me doubting myself. I was fortunate enough to have healthcare and was sent to a specialist who finally discovered what was wrong. It felt like a great weight was lifted off my shoulders. I am sure this book will help lots of people. This is the most honest book I’ve read. I hope that you have many more good days then bad. Good luck with your future Josh. I am giving you 5 stars I only wish I could give you more this book deserves it. I highly recommend this book well done.

Thank-you Josh and Amanda for such a raw and honest account of what you have and continue to go through. I have no doubt that your willingness to open up about your own pain and struggles will help others do the same, and I hope, ultimately save lives. Whilst I rarely read non-fiction this was an absolute must for me and although it was hard to read as it was in parts so sad and heart wrenching, it was also uplifting and gives hope for other families going through similar dark times. I am so grateful to you both for sharing your stories. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. A must read.

No matter who you are or what your circumstances, everyone can take something from this brave, frank and heart breaking account of a 'family's' battle with an unseen demon. Two very brave individuals have taken the time to document their very individual battle with the same antagonist. It has attacked them both in very different ways.
As a mum, it tore me to pieces and even though this is a personal story and I am very lucky not to have experienced what they have, I can see a bit of us in here. Society today demands much of us all and never more than from our young people. I feel for them but cannot ever understand what it is like to be them. Expectations, exposure, information and choice - they are bombarded with it. The weight must be immense.
I would highly recommend this autobiographical account. I thank them both and I hope that it has gone a little way to lift some of the weight for them and the stigma attached for others, to a very real, very serious condition that could touch anyone of us, at any time.

"Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people aged between twenty and thirty four years in the UK and it is considerably higher in men. One reason that men are more likely to complete suicide may be because they are less likely than women to ask for help or talk about depressive or suicidal feelings."

We need to smash the taboo and remove the stigma

I am a big fan of Amanda Prowse and her books always portray real life scenarios. This book is no different except that it IS real life. It is a joint effort between Amanda and her son Josh. It is a raw, emotional, brutally honest and open account of a young mans downward spiral with depression, the affects it has on himself and the affects it has on his family.

. I think this book should be available on prescription and in every university for young people who are in the grip of their illness or contemplating suicide because it will help them see that things can and often do get better.

I absolutely adore Amanda’s fictional work & will always respect her as an author, but this book opened my eyes and has helped me respect her also as a mother, and a human being.

This is an emotional, inspirational and honest memoir told through an original style, as mother and son write alongside each other to detail their descent into the “grey” world and their journey back out of it.

It was eye-opening and interesting to hear the details from two points of view, as it gave a whole new perspective on it each time you read the other person’s take on the situation. It was clear to see that Amanda’s actions came from a place of love, but also optimism and she seems almost blinded by the beauty of her son, which I think we all are when it comes to our children. Unconditional love, right? Whereas Josh’s take on the situations are very much blunt, dark and raw. At times, this makes it a difficult read, but it’s such an important one.

I loved how each chapter began with a quotation from a famous, usually literary, voice. This gave me time to pause, think and ponder and I found myself writing down many of the quotes for future reference. I also really felt the quotes related to motherhood resonated with me, as if they were almost universal truths. Being that my oldest child is not yet 3, I didn’t expect to relate so much.

This book is very much reminiscent to me, in some ways, of Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed that book, or anyone who has ever dealt with depression, either as a caregiver or an individual themselves.

It is totally captivating and beautiful.

The Boy Between Amanda Prowse Josiah Hartley
This is a book that everyone needs to read. I feel like I have been on an emotional rollercoaster. I think most people have had their lives touched by suicide, and if you haven't then you probably will in future.
I typically stear clear of books that claim there is raw emotion in them, so for me to say that's what in this book is huge.
As a massive fan of Amanda's books, this was one of my most anticipated reads for 2020. In her fiction Amanda has never been afraid to tackle huge and emotional topics, so I was expecting high emotion in this true life story.
I laughed I cried and I gasped reading this.
Both Amanda and Josh poured their hearts out on these pages, and I really think this book will be an important read to so many people.
As a mum to 3 young girls, and stepmum to a 27 year old, I felt all of the pain on these pages. My stepson is in final year of PhD, having had to swap courses after 1st year in college, I've probably only seen a fraction of how difficult it was for him at times.
This is one of those books that will stay on your mind for a long time after you finish it, and when I was done I really just wanted to give Amanda a hug!
Josh really left nothing unsaid, and I truly hope he continues to see life in colour.

I love Amanda’s books and have read all of them but this is a completely different book to her usual style so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a very honest and raw account of Josh’ s mental health problems which he has suffered with for most of his life and still continues to suffer with. Everyone should read this heart-breaking story to get a better understanding of a friend or loved one that is going through mental health problems. Thank you for sharing your story with us, it was very thought provoking.

First, I want to thank Josiah Hartley, Amanda Prowse, Little A, NetGalley and BOTBSPublicity for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

Josiah Hartley and his mother Amanda Prowse are incredibly brave to open up their hearts and share both sides of their very personal stories in The Boy Between. This book focuses on some very important issues such as Depression, Anxiety, Sucide and the effects it has on the family. Their hope is that with writing this book that it will bring awareness and help someone in a similar situation.

Josh dedicates this book for all those who are living with depression. For all those who are thinking or have thought of suicide might be the best option. Josh is proof that there is life to be lived with depression-though it might not always feel like it.
Don’t give up. Talk it through, write it down, run, dance, read, paint, sleep, play,etc.

Right off the bat you knew this book was going to pull hard on your heart strings. I was tearing up actually in Josh’s prologue.

So many times I wanted to reach into the book and give both him and his Mom a huge hug! I hated reading that they were both suffering.

Never have I read a book where there was a second prologue. To me that was very unique and special.

Josh’s writing is very deep, insightful,Inspirational and made you think. I was blown away by it. I must admit and am ashamed to say I had not heard of his Mom until this book. I am an avid reader too. This being said I must read more of her stuff. I also hope Mandy and Josh team up again as they worked well together.

One thing was for sure is the unconditional love Mandy had for Josh and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. I just loved that part.

My heart went out to Mandy on how she kept wanting to fix him and give him a pill to make it all better. I recently had a tragedy with my loved one in my life and I have said those exact same words! But like Mandy I too have to realise that this is as normal as normal will be. Not that we like it or not.

Mandy and Josh brought awareness to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It isn’t a syndrome talked about much and seems painful.

I loved how pictures of Josh, Mandy and the family were included in the book. It made it more personal.

In the beginning of each chapter there was a meaningful quote from some well known celebrity such as Gildna Radner, Maya Angelou, Obama, etc.

Josh does a great job of educating us on Depression, Suicide, Mental Health, etc. He wants you to know you are not alone there are others out there that suffer too.

My Review
I would like to say a thank you to Amanda and Josh. A thank you for both being so incredibly brave to share your story with us. You have given me a better knowledge of how a person suffering from depression feels and sees the world. I personally feel that the word depression and the phrase mental health still brings a slight discomfort to people and this needs to change.
Awareness and support is how it will change and what your book will do is bring that awareness to people for this illness….. xx

The Boy Between tells the story of a mum and her son’s battle with severe depression.
This story brought me to tears on more than one occasion.
It broke my heart as it is such a raw account of someone battling with depression and not understanding what is happening to them.
A family not understanding what is happening to their son and feeling so helpless.

Life is shit sometimes. We have all these rules to follow and achievements to achieve but none of it matters in the grand scheme of things.
If your mind isn’t where it should be or you are struggling to process your surroundings, then what good are rules or achievements. The mind is powerful yet so fragile and we all take it for granted.

Today I walked out my front door slightly taller and more aware of those around me having finished The Boy Between. It upsets me greatly to know there are so many people out in this world struggling with the illness that is depression.
I noticed all the beautiful, autumn colours of the trees as I drove by and it saddened me to think that some people see none of this colour.

It is very hard to stand by and watch someone you love struggle and nothing you do making a difference.
What resonated with me Amanda is the paragraph where you talk about putting the key in your front door and calling out waiting for a response. I have walked in those shoes and it is a terrifying feeling and one that I don’t think ever leaves you…

To Josh, I don’t know you but what shines through the pages of what you have written is what a lovely, kind and gentle young man you are.
You have totally won me over with your love of dogs.
I hope that you will always find happiness in what you do in your life. You have shown me that happiness within ourselves is really all that matters.
Be proud of who you are and how your story will go on to help so many others. I know it has helped me.
I honestly thought I knew about depression Josh but reading your story I realise I knew nothing about it. I now have a better understanding and I am very grateful to you.

If I could recommend one book to all the followers on this book page, it is The Boy Between.
Read it, understand it and one day you may be in a position to notice a look or a sign from someone close to you that may need a little help.

I'm used to being moved to tears by the characters in an Amanda Prowse book, but the ones in The Boy Between had a much deeper affect on me because they're not just characters, they're real people as you can see from the above book blurb.

This is an enormously courageous book written by both Amanda and her son, Josiah - known as Josh, about a family dealing with depression. We're given a very personal insight into their lives, from Josh's birth through to him attending university and planning to take his own life at the tender age of just nineteen. We get to follow both sides of the story as they share their feelings, warts and all - Josh's uncertainty about his feelings and wishing that everyone would just let him stay in bed and Amanda's struggle to cope with the changes in her beloved son, trying to do what she thinks is best for him, but not knowing that she could possibly be unintentionally adding to his emotional issues. I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like to re-live these times during the writing process.

My mum and I met Amanda and her husband, Simeon, at a local book festival several years ago and on the way home we talked about how friendly and gregarious they both were. It wasn't until after I finished reading this book that I realised we had met them at possibly one of the worst times of their lives but we had absolutely no idea what they were going through. It brought to mind the saying that you never know what people are going through and sometimes the people with the biggest smiles are struggling the most. This was certainly the case on that particular day and now, in hindsight, that day is tinged with a little sadness.

This book very deftly deals with a subject that some people would rather sweep under the metaphorical carpet and I think that a lot of the time this is because they don't understand it. Why would someone, who outwardly has everything going for them - good job, nice home, loving family etc - have any reason to be depressed? Sadly mental health issues are significantly more complicated than that and help doesn't come in a 'one size fits all' form as what works for one person may not work for another. According to the mental health charity MIND, one in four people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England and over the course of someone's lifetime one in five people have suicidal thoughts. That's some food for thought isn't it?

The Boy Between is a truly heart-wrenching book to read, but one which could be instrumental in helping others, raising awareness and encouraging conversations about a topic that should no longer be classed as taboo.

Finally, I'd like to send lots of love to Josh, Amanda and Simeon. The love that you and your family share shines out like a beacon in this book and thank you for sharing your story so candidly in an attempt to help others.

This is my fourth book by Amanda Prowse but this one is non-fiction about her son who suffers from depression. Each chapter goes back and forth from her POV and then to his. I was worried if I could read this right now with what’s happened to our family in the last 3 months but I was ok. Our sons bf lost his life and we are still grieving over this loss! This book is brutally honest and was an eye-opener to me in many ways. Thank you Amanda and Josh for bringing this subject to light and being so honest. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so heart braking in places to read...The fact it was Amandas true story was always in the back of my mind. It really opened up my mind and thoguhts as to what goes on, how to cope, how to deal with depression anxiety, and how to overcome it all as a parent and a son.
Such a brave book to write but amazing to share and help other parents going through similar and the same illnesses.

I have long been a fan of Amanda Prowse's books so when the opportunity came up to read this book, of course I jumped at the chance!

The thing is, I have been struggling with depression for the better part of 20 years and I understood how the world could look grey to Josh. I also understood how it is that you can have everything going for you on paper and yet be unable to function the way that everyone around you thinks that you should. I get why staying in bed for longer and longer periods of time would be something that happened, bed was my safe place too. I also understood the desire to opt out of life. One foot in front of the other, every day, that is all that you can do.

This is a very brave and honest portrayal of how depression can affect a person and I have to give some major kudos to Josh, and Amanda, for their decision to write this book. I think that a lot of people who have struggled with their mental health will, hopefully, realise that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I do think that Amanda should cut herself some slack though, as even though she is a wonderful mum and wanted to help out, at the end of the day, this had nothing to do with her. She didn't do anything wrong, she was just being herself. Josh didn't do anything wrong either, the monster had him in its grip and that is just how it was.

A powerful book, indeed, and a little bit triggering for me. I still battle my depression everyday and it never goes away, but I am still here and now that I am a grandmother, I am grateful for that :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK.

This books deserves more than 5 stars to be honest!

It’s the story of Josiah and his mum Amanda and his battle with depression over the years. It doesn’t sugar coat anything and it’s a completely raw, brutal and honest account of dealing with depression, but it is also an inspiring and hopeful account of his battle with this illness.

Whether you have experienced the affects of depression yourself, or know someone who has, or like myself didn’t really understand the true severity of it, then this book will open your eyes and change the way you think and see the world.

The story alternates between Josiah as he explains just exactly what he was thinking and feeling at his lowest points, and his mum Amanda as she explains the heartbreak of not knowing how to help your child through all of this.

Scattered throughout are also family photos of Josiah growing up which was so lovely to include and made the book even more personal.

Whilst this was heartbreaking to read at times it is without a doubt such an important book that I encourage everyone to read. As mentioned I haven’t experienced depression myself but it has helped me look at my own life, especially after reading Amanda’s chapters. I think the experience she has can help a lot of people, especially parents and not just those dealing with depression but for anyone who is struggling with any type of mental health issues.

This is a MUST read and remember to always be kind!

This is a truly amazing read from the fantastic author Amanda Prowse and her son Josh. It’s so hard to review this as it’s such a heart breaking read but also one of hope.

I have struggled with depression for over twenty five years. For the last two years my youngest son has struggled and has had meltdowns. The fear in me is pure raw when I’m watching him during these times. Due to my personal experiences this was a hard book for me to read although I’m glad I did as maybe in the back of my mind I won’t feel as alone.


I rarely read non fiction but I’m so glad I read this. Will need to get it in paperback in the hope other family members pick it up and I can seek some solace when needed.

The Boy Between is an incredibly personal book - and yet is something that so many people need to read and will find themselves nodding with understanding and realisation. I think it’s the first accurate and honest account of depression that I’ve ever read.


This book will mean different things to different people. It might be a book that you read and absorb quietly. Or it might be one that you shout about. It might not be the time, right now, for you to read it. But whenever you do, because you should, there are many great things to be taken from this Memoir.


It’s not easy to write a book - let alone one so personal. My heart goes out to both Authors and they have my praise for their open and honest account of an incredibly traumatic period of their lives. It is Josiah's honesty and uncensored emotional expression coupled with Amanda's very raw despair that makes this book both compelling and heart-wrenching.

This writer writes from the heart in all her books but this takes it all to the next level! The heartbreak and worry come out in every sentence, beautifully written by Mandy and her son. Considering he is a first-time author he definitely takes after his mum and could become another top-selling author.

This also gives you an insight into their lives as they try to combat this terrible illness and the effect it has on them all. A very true account and emotional to read.

This Book Is One Of The Best, Yet Heartbreaking Memoirs I Have Ever Read. The Brutal Honesty And The Pain That Openly Writing About This Must Have Caused Is Evident On Each Page.

Even After Reading It, You Cannot Begin To Comprehend What Josh And His Family Have Been Through And Its Really Quite Amazing That They Have Found The Strength To Put Their Story Into Words On A Page And Share That With The World.

It’s Very Hard To Review A Book Like This Without Giving Away Too Much And Spoiling It For Others. However, I Just Have To Say That I Loved The Dialogue Towards The End When Josh Says “No way. Firstly, it’s my story and, secondly, I could never, ever, ever work with you on anything, ever. You’d drive me fucking crazy!” I Laughed So Loud And Hard.... It Just Lightened The Mood To Finish It Off.

What an emotional rollercoaster this book was. I cried numerous times for both Josh and Amanda. I will admit to knowing little about depression and mental illness having never suffered or had someone close suffer and this book really opened my eyes. I have 2 boys similar ages to Josh and it's made me think about them and their lives and what I could do to help them. More so in the current pandemic and how it could be affecting them - particularly my youngest son. Someone I knew took their own life and I keep thinking about him and wondering if he went through similar turmoil to Josh. Such a shame he couldn't ask for help. Thus book is so worth reading and hats off to both of them for openly discussing this topic.

What a ride this book was. I adore Amanda Prowse as an author as her books are always so thought provoking. Teamed with her son this book kept me enthralled and desperate to continue reading. It is a sad book looking at life from both sides of the same dilemma. Josh 2ho suffers severe depression and Amanda as his mum. Josh’s final words explaining so much and pouring his heart felt feelings were so clearly expressed. I know now that I have changed my views on depression and also what causes it.
I highly recommend this as compulsory reading for as many people as possible to help spread the understanding of this terrible debilitating illness.

This is a book I so wanted to read, but it wasn't a book I necessarily wanted to review, how do you put words, your opinion, on someone’s life, someone’s struggles, a family’s trauma? What a brave and inspiring story, on both the parts of Amanda, and Josh, who are both suffering the effects of the terrible illness that is depression.
Luckily, I have not experienced this monster at the end of my bed, personally, or any close family member. Was I any less affected by Josh's story? Not at all. Not only will this book reach people who are, or have gone through such a terrible time, but also those who have not been affected, because, it can happen to any one of us, any one of our children or family, anytime. So, for that, I thank you for the insight into the way Josh felt, the reality of the disease, because it could happen to my children, and I now feel more educated as a result of reading Josh's brave story.
I feel like I would react exactly as Amanda explains she does, jolly, bubbly, all-is-well attitude, not fully being able to understand the fog that Josh is carrying and not being able to fix it. Because that is our job, as a Mother, to make everything all right. But, the family he has around him in Mandy, Simeon, Ben and is grandparents, truly do help, although we can see it's a struggle from both sides. As Josh points out, he knows he is lucky to have them (even though in his depths they were far from his mind, such as this illness takes over), many are not as fortunate, and for that I am sure many are grateful to read and relate to how Josh managed to get out of the depths and tell his story to people who need to hear it.

I truly am grateful to Netgalley, the authors, and publisher for the opportunity to educate myself with this book and hope that others gain from this story.

The boy between by Josiah Hartley and Amanda Prowse.
Wow. This book is about depression and anyone who loves someone with depression. Amanda and Josiah have a clear message for you.
Wow this book has real emotions. I had so many emotions while reading this. I have no words and get tissues as you will need them. 5*.

This is non-fiction a true story about a family struggling with Mental Health at a time when it still had a stigma attached. It still does today but at the time of this story it was much worse. Despite the progress some of the standard reactions to it still exist.

I am no stranger to mental health my mother had a complete nervous breakdown when I was 16 I remember that time, those days as though it was yesterday. Even so reading this book was very eye-opening. Tragic to think that at a different time this story would have had a very different ending.

The effect on family members of someone with depression is all encompassing and that came accross brilliantly in this story.

Told from Amanda and Josh's point of view the reader has a fly on the wall view of how depression affects not only the sufferer but also the parents, siblings. Any parents worse nightmare is for a child to have an illness they cant make better and that inability to 'fix' their child is something that eats away slowly and surely wearing the person down. Again this is something that came accross brilliantly.

I breathed a sigh of relief when at last there was a very small light at the end of the very long tunnel.

A heartbreaking story but one I am so very pleased to have read. Thank you so much to Sarah at Book on the Bright Side Publicity and the author for inviting me on the tour.

I don't think there's many people who can say that they haven't been touched by anxiety and depression, be it personal or extended family and friends. I fit in to all the categories and could relate to virtually everything that was happening in the book. It was brilliantly written and for the fortunate few who who haven't been blighted by this horrendous illness it is a good insight The love that the family have for each other shines through and the grass cutter job had me in bits, I sincerely hope that. Josh manages to keep the unwelcome visitor at bay and has a happy life from now on.

The Boy Between by Amanda Prowse and Josiah Hartley is a non-fiction book that should be read by everyone! This is a book that Amanda and Josh wrote together about their experiences with Josh's mental health and how it affected and still affects them.
I took it upon myself to take part in this tour due to my own, very personal experiences with mental health and did expect this account to touch me pretty deeply and it definitely did.
It is told in alternate chapters by Amanda and then Josh, so we can see exactly how everything affects each other. An account that doesn't pretty anything up so makes a more forceful impact.
Josh was 19 and had the whole world his for the taking when everything began to crumble. His mental health suddenly began to deteriorate. A fog descended on his brain and it got to the point were he just wanted his bed and to shut everything and everyone out of his world. This is slowly impacting on his work and his tutor even thinks there may be an issue. As his mother, Amanda, as every other mother, just wants the best for her child, who has mainly struggled in the past due to dyslexia. Josh overcame this to get where he is at this moment and she is overjoyed that he is getting somewhere. Then the revelation that noone realises initially, Josh is sinking into that black hole that everyone calls depression and everyone experiences it in their own way.
I was touched by Josh and his brutal honesty in this book. I have experiences with mental health, not mine but my ex husbands and my daughters have both suffered with it. That tore me apart at the time, so I can so much empathise with Amanda as a mother amd a wife.
When you realise your child has something you cannot fix, you first begin to crumble but then, as a mother you stand up and do your very best to help them recover in any way possible. Amanda's personal account could have almost been mine too.
This book has been written with so much strength and love, these things shine through and I think this may help a lot of families understand that terrible thing known as Depression. A hard read but truly worth it to know we are not alone with these battles! Well done Amanda and Josh.
Thank you to Book On The Bright Side Publicity, NetGalley, and both authors for my copy of this personal book to write this review today.

Firstly, having the courage to openly discuss a time in your life where you felt suicide was the only option, with complete strangers and in the form of a book, is such a brave thing to do. I take my hat off to Josiah for choosing to put awareness above everything else. Its not an easy thing to do at all. I don’t know you, but I’m proud of you.

Secondly, Amanda….its hard enough being a parent, let alone being a parent who has to watch from the sidelines whilst her child goes through a situation only they can get themself out of. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it must have been to go through that with Josiah, or the toll it took on your own mental health. Not only that, the courage it must have taken you openly dissect and ‘admit’ where you felt you went wrong as a parent, and to talk about such a heartbreaking time in your life. Your strength astounds me and I am so proud of you.

Depression is STILL seen as a taboo thing because you cannot see what is broken so, if you cannot see what is broken then nothing must be broken…..right? Completely and utterly wrong. In the book Josiah stated that he wished he had broken his arm or his leg because then he and others could see what was broken and what was needed to fix it. With depression or other mental illnesses, it isn’t a case of one thing fixes all.

How do I know this? Because like millions of other people, and like Josiah himself, I have depression and I also have a form of EDS too (hEDS in fact). As soon as I read about that diagnosis, my breath caught in my throat because I could relate to him on yet another level. I wanted to shout into the book that Josiah wasn’t alone because I could, and can, empathise with him.

This isn’t an easy read by any means. Its raw. Its hard hitting. Its emotional. Its dark. But above all else, its honest. Choosing to openly admit you were close to suicide, and choosing to talk about extremely personal things in order to bring awareness to the topic, is, as I’ve already said, such a brave thing to do. Unfortunately it can also bring a lot of judgement which, whilst its part of human nature to comment on the situations of the world and his wife, we have no right to do so as each and every one of us are different. Each and every one of us react to things in a different way, and what upsets one person may not upset another.

For example; in her chapters, Amanda spoke about how she felt she had let her son down with her parenting. Personally, I feel that she acted from the heart and in a way only a mumma bear knows how. I don’t think that she did anything wrong as a parent, because she was only acting out of love and fear. But Amanda does/did think those things. Is she wrong to feel like that? Hell no. Is my opinion wrong? No. Im an outsider looking in, there’s a huge difference.

Josiah’s story is a very relatable one and I would love to say that it’s unique in the fact that it doesn’t happen very often, but it does. What doesn’t happen very often is someone being so open about it instead of choosing to act like everything was all fluffy clouds and rainbows.

The honesty throughout this book, from both Amanda and Josiah, was incredibly moving and at times shook me to the core because I understood. Now me saying that isn’t taking the onus off them, not at all.

I am so proud of Amanda and Josiah for their strength and courage as they wrote this book together. It is such an important topic to discuss, more so as a one size doesn’t fit all and different things work for different people. I want to thank them both for sharing their stories with the world, and I wish I could hug them both. However my ramblings will have to do!

I cannot recommend this book enough. Its beautifully harrowing, tenderly heartbreaking, but poignant and severely honest. Its a little ray of hope when the skies turn grey. Its the one shining star in the night sky to help you on your way. Its a ‘friend’ when you feel like you have absolutely no one to turn to.

This is hands down one of the most important and emotionally driven books I’ve ever read. Of course there were bits I didn’t like but they’re not even worth mentioning because this story, this true and heartbreaking story is so so crucial.

I highlighted my way through my kindle copy of this (and I’m no a highlighter!!) to remember the important bits, for bits I can resonate with and for bits I think should be remembered. I cried twice and my heart hurt all the way through. A mother to a happy, healthy but sensitive little boy I’d be lying if I said there isn’t a part of me that isn’t anxious about the world he’s growing up in, how his mind might develop. But I’m hoping that although it’s common, that this story is something many of us will never have to face.

Not only do I highly recommend this book but I urge you to read it - drop everything and pick up this book, even if you’ve never experienced a bad day in your life I guarantee you’ll learn something from this. Let the story, the statistics and emotions open your eyes to something that is right in front of us. Something that should be spoken about.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and Netgalley for trusting me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Bestselling novelist Amanda Prowse knew how to resolve a fictional family crisis. But then her son came to her with a real one. In this book, Josiah and Amanda hope to give a voice to those to those who suffer, and to show them that help can be found. It is Josiah raw, at times bleak, sometimes humorous, but always honest account of what it is like to live with depression. It is Amanda’s heart-rending account of her pain at watching him suffer, speaking from the heart about a mother’s love for her child.
To say I enjoyed this book seems wrong as it was a long and emotional journey for both Amanda and Josiah, however, probably enlightened is more accurate. I felt both of their pain throughout. Usually you would get one perspective on living with mental health issues, but I loved how we were told two.
The statement of “unconditional love” is a term used loosely in current day, but the love and respect Amanda had for her son was truly this. It was hard to feel what she is going through and how all she wants is to “fix”, him. Her struggle seems similar to that of Josiah.
Josiah wrote with a stark truth, no holds barred, how his journey with depression affected himself. Talking about suicide is something more prevalent today. It appears in all areas of life. Josiah made me feel his pain, questioned himself and his family, but moreover, his relationship with his mum. He wants to be well for her first and him second which is so selfless and brave.
I feel privileged to have read this book. Despite my working in psychiatric care for 14 years, I feel like this is the most honesty I have ever come across and I learned so much too.
Thank you so much for trusting me with your story.

The Boy Between is an important and powerful book that I found extremely difficult to read in parts. The sheer helplessness of having a son suffering from depression shines through in Amanda (Mandy) Prowse’s searingly honest account of life with her son, Josiah (Josh). And there’s no sugar-coating on his part either. Depression is a cruel, desperate place to be – and there’s very little you can do as a mum, as Mandy finds out.
The shocking start to this book prepares the reader for what is to come: “The decision to end my life was one that came easily,” writes Josh. And throughout we learn how depression makes his life pointless and desperate.
This story of Josh’s life is told from both the mother’s and son’s point of view. Mandy is brave and loving , yet sometimes naïve, helpless and tactless. Josh gets to the stage of literally no longer being able to see colour, so bleak is his world.
Both expose themselves on the pages for the reader. I think that’s incredibly brave and salute them. Both talk directly to us, and it’s truly heartbreaking in parts.
One message that shines through is that we need to talk about depression, and mental health in general. There’s still such stigma and we desperately need to change this. “Secrecy, stigma, taboo, shame and judgement are enablers of this horrible illness when what we actually need is to expose how common this issue really is and confirm to those suffering that they are not alone,” writes Josh.
Mandy hopes this book will help others, claiming it’s one she wished she’d been able to read at the lowest points of their journey. Her writing is crystal-clear and she manages to create incredibly visual word pictures that enabled me to understand—and feel— what the family must have been going through, and continues to go through. She writes frankly about what she (and Josh) sees as her parenting mistakes.
On Mandy’s part, The Boy Between is part love poem to her son, part apology and part honest self-reflection.

I'm really late to the Amanda Prowse fan club but better late than never.

This book had me gripped from the first page. It is Amanda's story of her journey with her son as he battles depression and his own personal journey.

My heart went out to both Amanda and Josh and the raw emotion that went into the book was beautiful and heartbreaking.

As a mum I look at my son and wonder what his journey will be and as someone who suffers with bad mental health i hope he will knows I will be his rock.

Joshs' writing was beautiful and obviously shares his mother's talent in this regard.

I am so pleased I had the privilege to read such a stunning book and thank Amanda and Josh for sharing such personal stories that will be a huge benefit to anyone who reads this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Insightful. This has given me understanding for those who i know who are struggling inside themselves. I actually never about how friends and family deal with this. I hear alot about support groups for the families of cancer sufferers but not for the ones going through mental heath issues. This was well written and i have come away from it with a lot to think about.

The Boy Between is powerful, emotional, and most importantly, real. Josh (aka Josiah) and Amanda definitely have distinct voices in this - and that's a good thing. You get to see the story from both sides - the parent who only wants the best for their kid, and the kid who is struggling at times. Both sides are full of emotion, and the tale they tell together resonates with truth more than one of us has faced. A must-read for anyone who might be struggling or knows someone who is struggling.

This book absolutely devastated and shattered me … into about a million pieces. In fact at one point I couldn’t even read it with my family around. I went out and sat in a coffee shop and read it there. I needed some anonymity around me to ground me and to remind me to breathe regularly.

Told with bare, open-faced honesty and authenticity, this is the heart-breaking story (I hate calling it a story, because that implies that it’s fiction and it certainly isn’t that!), of Josiah (Josh) Hartley’s life with depression: what it felt like, what it did to him, how he experienced it and how it very nearly led to his suicide. Simultaneously, Amanda Prowse (his mom) gives her own perspective of how she was prevailing under the very same circumstances … except that they weren’t really the ‘very same’, were they? Because she wasn’t the one having to deal with the thoughts and feelings that were going on in Josh’s head. Amanda may have been going through a parallel experience, but it was a wholly different one. We hear from both of them in alternating chapters.

To read this unflinching account of the all-consuming pain, suffering, fear, numbness, desperation, dread, anxiety, despair, and utter hopelessness that depression causes, not only to the person who is attempting to navigate life with what seems like a permanent dark cloud surrounding them, but also to those who love them, is like being given a tiny peek into what life must have been like for this family. Because I have no doubt that if other readers feel one iota of the sorrow I felt reading this book, then for Josh and Amanda, it definitely felt thousands of times worse having to live through it!

But … this is isn’t just a telling of what happened during that time in their lives. They didn’t decide to write this book just to share it with others – they wanted to share the hope that they discovered by being able to work through this illness together, and yes … depression is an illness. As is repeated numerous times in the book, would you tell someone with cancer to just go for a walk or have a to cup of tea and they’ll feel better? Obviously you wouldn’t! People who don’t understand the situation are quick to offer flippant advice: “He needs to find a proper job” or “If he just exercised properly” or “He just needs to pull himself together” (if I had five pounds for every time I myself have heard the words “He just … ” from others when referring to my own son!) So just as with any other debilitating illness, one needs to find out if there is medication that can work for you; are there lifestyle adjustments that need to be made? There usually isn’t a quick-fix or even a cure, but there’s often a lot that can be done to make some positive improvements if you have the right support. And this is the objective that Josh and Amanda hope to achieve with this book.

The points that are made in the book about mental health support specifically for university students in England were disturbing. As is pointed out, for ‘Freshers’ (what we refer to in SA, simply as ‘first years’), the amount of pressure that’s put on you to ‘live your best life’ because you’re constantly told that it’s the best time of your life, can be all-encompassing. And if ever there was a ‘right’ time for everything to go wrong, then this would be it! You want to enjoy this newly gained freedom, but you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, attend classes, get passing grades, do your shopping, eat right, possibly also pay your student loans, which might mean finding a part-time job … the list is endless and the building pressure seems never-ending! This is spoken about in-depth. It certainly wasn’t something I’d thought about before and was an eye-opener!

This is a must-read! Not an easy read by any stretch of the imagination, but for anyone with children it should be prescribed reading! Don’t ever, EVER think that something like this can’t happen to you!

I don’t have enough words to thank Josh and Amanda for writing this book. Not only is it incredible that they’ve shared this in their own open, candid way, but the advice that is contained in these pages is invaluable – even when it’s not actually being portrayed as advice, believe me, the lessons are there for all of us to learn!

What do you even say when 5 stars just aren’t enough??!

Wow what an absolutely eye opening book. I can't even imagine how hard it must have been for Amanda and Josh to live through this and write about it. What amazing strength they both have. This book was brutally honest about how depression affects not just the person living with it but the surrounding people. It made me cry in parts, as a mother you only want your child to be happy and to read about what was happening to this family really hit home how awful this illness really is. I have family who have been diagnosed with depression and admittedly having never suffered with it myself I have fallen into the partially sceptical category of people who have used the phrase "oh they just need to snap out of it and they are just being lazy" Reading this has truly opened my eyes and was a real learning curve. I urge everyone to read this. I've ordered a physical copy and will be passing it around my family to read. Simply amazing!

I've read quite a few books about depression but i cannot say enough wonderful things about this book. I could totally connect to the characters very well and enjoyed the book...

My Thoughts: firstly you’ll notice that I’m doing things a little bit different this time, there’s no rating for this book because it just doesn’t feel right to rate someone’s harrowing journey with depression. you just need to know that I feel so honoured to be given the chance to read it & chosen to review it.

This really is a first hand account of what it’s like living with depression, I really felt for Josiah, I just wanted to bundle him up and hold him tight, reassure him that he really isn’t on his own.

I had to be on my own when I read this, because my eyes kept springing a leak and it just felt wrong to not give the book my full attention I just couldn’t deal with any kind of distraction.

The chapters told from Josiah’s point of view were a total mix of emotions and I felt a lot of them with him, I felt the darkness and the fatigue and just the total lack of any emotion at all at times, but then as the book went on I also started to feel the acceptance and the small rays of hope.

The chapters from Amanda’s point of view were just as emotional but for different reasons, as someone without children I found those chapters a little harder to understand but that doesn’t mean they were any less devastating.

I truly believe that this should be a required read for secondary school students, I feel it would help them learn how to deal with their own emotions but also to know how to help friends should they be going through something similar.

Lastly I want to thank Josiah and Amanda for putting this book out there and being willing to share the most devastating parts of their journey.

I was lucky to be given a copy of this wonderful book. Amanda and Josh - thank you both so much for sharing your stories - as a mother of two teenage children, this book had certainly my made me feel differently about what I hope for their futures. This book was raw, emotional, inspiring and insightful.

DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Boy Between by Josiah Hartley and Amanda Prowse is an emotional and a brutally honest portrayal of their journey through Josiah's depression. I have never read an Amanda Prowse book. I have seen her name before, but I haven't gotten around to her books yet. When I saw this title, I was intrigued, and I wanted to know more about their journey and experience regarding depression. I have struggled with it and trying to not let depression or darkness rule your life is a daily struggle. Reading this, I can see the different perspectives and also understand what goes through a person's mind when they are battling their inner demons. I want to congratulate Josiah for being open and honest about his experiences. Being courageous enough to open up about one's inner turmoil is not easy and I pray he finds peace and serenity in life.

The book is written in alternating chapters of Josh and Amanda's perspectives. They talk about the different events in life and how they dealt with it. Their stories were heartbreaking, with the individual struggle at the forefront and the ill-equipped family's persistence to make Josh better. Reading their experiences I could relate to their pain and frustration. Also, Josh's struggle in surviving and living was heart wrenching to read about. I could see the patterns and habits that were making things difficult for him. The story is emotional, and I had a hard time reading it. At times the emotions were too much for me, and at times I couldn't put it down either. It is a very important book that needs to be read by parents and children alike to see and hear things from the perspective of someone who is battling depression daily. I believe this book is paramount in bringing awareness and understanding of what is going through their minds. And it can also change the cultural stigma attached to mental illness and mental health.

Overall, this book was an amazing read. It was a compelling read. The writing is good, and it engages with you from the very first page. I gave the book 5 stars. While at times it was heartbreaking and emotional, I also loved the openness, and direct approach both of them took in telling their stories. If you are looking for books that talk about mental health and depression I highly recommend reading this book. In my opinion, this book should be read by everyone, period!

I’ve had the review copy sat on my Kindle for a few weeks, ready to read and review but I decided to wait until I had listened to Josh and Amanda being interviewed for a recent Reading Agency event when they were interviewed by Natasha Devon from http://www.natashadevon.com. Having heard Josh and Amanda read from their book and talk about it, I settled down to read. This was a book I didn’t want to put down and this resulted in a late night of reading.

As readers of my book review blog know, I have many books this year due to having been furloughed. However this is one of the most important books of the year, and should be read by parents, teachers and anyone working with young people. During our recent work safeguarding training, we were told that one in six young people in the UK are now said to be living with a mental health issue, exacerbated by the current global pandemic.

Thank you to Josh for being so open and articulate about what happened, how his world changed and became grey. As Josh points out, there wasn’t one major incident that caused his depression, it was a combination of events and life experiences. Thank you to Amanda for also being honest about what she and the rest of the family did or didn’t do during this time. When we have children, we tend to learn as we go, with help from family and friends and in the age of filtered Instagram families, it can be difficult to remember that few people (if any) are actually experiencing perfection. Hopefully this book will help many other families who find themselves in a similar situation.

I work with young people and this book has given me more clues about what to look out for, than any of the ‘educational’ publications I’ve read, because it is written by someone who has depression, rather than someone who works with people with depression. I lost my own brother to depression five years ago when he turned 40. I have struggled to understand why he didn’t reach out but having read Josh’s story, I now realise that he was trapped in his own grey world.

This is an emotional, well written read about a topic which many people find it difficult to talk about. As I said above, this is a book that parents and teachers should read. I will be recommending this to family and friends. Most definitely a five star read.

The Boy Between by bestselling author Amanda Prowse is a complete departure from her usual type of book. Here she joins forces with her son Josiah Hartley to tell the devastatingly honest and moving account of Josh’s battle with depression. I knew going in that this wasn’t going to be an easy read, but nothing could have quite prepared me for the raw and painful honesty of both mother and son’s words.

Make no bones about it, The Boy Between is an important book to read, no matter what your experience of mental illness is. I know it from both sides, having gone through a mental breakdown myself a little under three years ago, but also having personal experience of seeing a loved one go through it and the effect it has not only on them but on the whole family.

So for me I could identify with both Josh and Amanda as their painful journey with depression unfolded. From Josh wanting to end his life to Amanda’s sense of helplessness as she tries to cope with seeing her son in so much pain. Their words are so heartbreakingly powerful and I felt every emotion right alongside them.

Oh my goodness, what a powerful read this is! I have to admit I found Josh’s side of the story incredibly difficult to read at times as it took me back to a time that I hope never to go back to again. A time of darkness and pain, of just wanting everything to stop!

But, as painful as it is to read at times, The Boy Between is also about love and hope and how, even in the depths of despair, you’re able to learn to live again. To smile and feel the sun on your face once more.

Josh, thank you for sharing your honest account of living with this devastating illness. And Amanda, your words have always had the ability to move me, but here you have laid everything bare and shared so much of yourself and how it feels to see someone you love go through so much pain. Your words are going to help so many people who feel they have no one to turn to! And for that I truly thank you.

I’m not sure I’ve been able to do this remarkable book justice as it is such an emotive subject for me, so finding the right words is far from easy. But my words are from the heart and I’ve expressed them in the only way I know how.

Suffice to say The Boy Between is a brutally honest and beautfully written book that I believe everyone should read. A powerful and emotional insight into depression that not only shares the personal story of a mother and son, but also sends out a clear message of hope and understanding to anyone out there who is suffering with their mental health.

Reach out. Talk. You are not alone.

Highly recommended.

This book was sent to me to review for the blog tour orgniased. However, I had no idea that during the course of reading this, I would experience the situation discussed in such a personal manner. It has become the bible that has helped me through one of the most difficult periods of my life and reading the words of Josh and Amanda has given me so much comfort, understanding and moments of enlightenment. I can't begin to thank them enough for the bravery they showed in writing this book.

Due to the personal circumstances, I was unable to write a review without it being so personal, so I offered Amanda and Josh the chance to partake in an interview instead.

This is an incredibly affecting book, but one that everyone should read.

I am hoping to read this book at some point and review, but unfortunately due to the subject matter and my own personal circumstances I’m not in the right headspace to read it at this point in time I’m sure I will as I have read some amazing, thoughtful and touching reviews for this book.

This book was potentially the most raw and honest depiction of depression I have ever read. Both Josh and Amanda put their all into it, and weren't afraid to share the ugly bits. Amanda especially was transparent and honest, even when she came across in a bad light, she put her hands up and said this is how I reacted, even if it wasn't right.

I wouldn't recommend reading this when you are in a dark place (CW: Suicide Ideation, suicide attempts, graphic injury depiction, depression ...) But if you are supporting someone with depression or you yourself have come through it then I would say get your hands on this book.

No one wants to find themselves in a situation where their child becomes depressed or indeed has a mental health issue, but there is a heartfelt reminder at the start of the book that you are not alone. What Josiah and Amanda have done is bravely spoken out about how it is and how it came to be that a 19 year old boy became depressed. Hopefully one day it won't be a brave thing to do, it just will float into natural conversation, but I use, that sometimes overrated word because mental health is still judged and still needs to be part of this type of conversation to get it even more into the public domain and in the hope that people will seek help.

It starts with a prologue as to the state in which Josh became so depressed he could have committed suicide, followed by an introduction by Amanda that shows what a hard predicament to find a household having to deal with and write it down. It's such an honest account that they deserve kudos as they each write alternating chapters, so you as a reader can see 2 perspectives, one from Josiah who is deeply depressed and the other from Amanda who wants to save her son.
This book may resonate with some people, whether they are that person or caring for a person in similar circumstances and it also brings it more out into the public domain for a wider conversation, understanding and empathy.

The writing is absorbing because of the language that is used and you can almost feel what is being written. There is such honesty and a rawness that comes with that. It is incredibly moving and emotional and at the same time informative in a way and may well leave you just wanting to hug them.

There are some lovely tender moments when Amanda recollects when, Joshy, as she likes to call him, is very young and has the ambition of cutting grass and comes up with a rather emotionally intelligent answer as to why this and not something else. There is also, almost a bittersweetness to it. The importance of happiness also comes across.

The innermost thoughts are incredibly interesting from both Josiah and Amanda. What is fascinating and thought-provoking is some of the back-tracking Amanda does, from how her son was when he was very young to the present, in terms of his health and his personality traits and the correlations between how he was then and now, similarly as Josiah talks about his own life from the past and present. There are some uplifiting moments that just capture a different, more positive, lighter side of life that spike through times when life was quite the opposite.

It is highly responsible too that they have highlighted high profile mental health campaigns such as 'Campaign Against Living Miserably' and 'Britain Get Talking' amongst others, including Mental Health Month and then there is also MIND and The Samaritans. At the bottom of my review, I will add some contact links to people who can assist. Never find yourself alone. Within the book there is also a list of symptoms to depression. It's all incredibly well thought out, it is about the authors lives, which I'm certain many readers will be able to relate to and also has helpful information throughout it as well, that builds for a greater understanding. It is more than lists, it is from the point of view of how it actually feels for Josiah as well. There are the challenges of school, homelife and university life. There is the mother trying to do the best she can for her son and wishing for a better outcome and then there is the offspring, going through depression and in reality they are both, in different ways, having to deal with it and live with it. It really shows how mental health issues can affect the whole family, just in different ways.

The book takes a very interesting look into universities, it could actually provide some use for people within them, for students, but a greater insight for those who are staffing them. It also shows up what is lacking within society that needs fixing, whether that was intentional or not, I do not know, but it's certainly there, which could be very thought-provoking as a society as a whole, in how behaviours affect others. It is startling how much pressure is there, when it is actually all written down, from work/study/life balance to barely being seen as a whole human-being in places like universities and more and how it all made, in this instance, Josh feel and the impact it had.

The book also goes into an interesting look into anti-depressants, Josh's take on them and also some of the effects he had and being in the psychiatrist's office and also the lack of understanding from friends. This really is such an honest look into his life.

It concludes with very helpful advice for those who have depression and those who are carers/guardians/friends of those with depression that could really benefit someone in someway and are really easy to do. There is also a list of people, really famous people, who readers perhaps wouldn't have thought, could possibly have depression because of being in the spotlight so much for their achievements. It also shows some hope and positivity for the authors futures.

This is such a candid and emotional book to read. The book is written in alternative chapters telling Josh’s perspective and then Amanda’s. Depression is really not an easy subject to write about much less go through. But the honesty and the willingness of this mother and son to put it out there is truly courageous.

No family is prepared to have their child go through depression and to realize that a son doesn’t want to live any more is a mother’s worst nightmare. Amanda has shared her all her feelings of despair and helplessness about the situation. In sharing what has worked for her and what hasn’t, she’s helping other parents of depressed children to find some answers to their questions and confusion too.

Josh is such a brave young man, not only for the battle he’s fighting against depression but for sharing the raw emotions that he feels. For those young people trying to battle depression, to have a someone like Josh who can identify with their pain and the daily struggles that they face.

The Boy Between made me so much more mindful of what people with depression and their families go through. There were times I had to put the book down with the sheer weight of the emotions shared. And yet, this is a book of hope – a book that will show the way to others.

It goes without saying that the writing is impeccable. I would encourage every one to read this book, if only to become more aware, understanding and empathetic of those struggling with mental health issues.

Oh my word, my emotions went right through the wringer with this book - it has all the feels!

Josh is a young man from a close, loving family, achieving well at school, predicted great grades with conditional offers from brilliant universities when he is suddenly hit by depression. Depression which gets so bad he makes plans to escape it. Permanently. This is his story, and the story of his mum Amanda as she comes to terms with Josh's depression, tries to under it and work out how she can best support her son. There are some tough times for her, husband Simeon and other son Ben, but Josh has the hardest time of all.

I was keen to read this book for two reasons. I live with anxiety based depression. I am fortunate never to have felt as low as Josh (there but by the grace...) but I know what it's like to feel empty, or to cry at everything. Or nothing. Secondly, I am the mother of two boys in their late teens who've both had their struggles (not depression). And I have often lay awake wondering if their dad and I had done the best we could for them, made the right choices, consulted the right people, etc. So I could relate in some small way to the words of both Josh and Amanda.

The opening sentence of the prologue is 'The decision to end my life was one that came easily.' This book is very open, honest and raw. Josh is unflinching about his moods, his frustration, his shame and his use of alcohol for self medication. He is also clear about why he felt that suicide was the way out. I can only imagine how hard it was for him to revisit that time for the writing of this book, it was difficult to read in places. For Amanda, to see her child deteriorating in front of her, and not knowing how to reach him must have been heartbreaking for her. Especially knowing that he wanted to end his life. It was certainly heartbreaking to read. There is a moment in the book when Amanda is trying to make Christmas jolly and fun in the hope it will lift Josh's mood. The extended family are hugely supportive but the joy doesn't get through to Josh. She writes 'Their words slid from his sadness and pooled on the floor for us to slip in.' I found that sentence both beautiful and heartbreaking.

But there are two other people deeply affected by Josh's illness. Theirs is a blended family - Josh's friend Ben becomes his brother when Simeon marries Amanda. Simeon is incredibly supportive of Josh. And Amanda, of course. Arguably, he takes on more than most stepdads but he never once shirks his responsibility. Josh clearly appreciates Simeon and the way he speaks about him in an early chapter is just lovely. I had tears in my eyes. In a later chapter the stress of it all hits Simeon and it proves to be a turning point for the family. I was in tears reading it but so pleased they all opened up to each other.

There were so, so many moments that touched me. It shows the power of an inspiring teacher and the damage caused by bad ones. When Josh takes part, very successfully, in a public speaking event, the head teacher says to him something like 'Well I never, who knew you could do that?' and Josh replies 'I did, Sir, I knew.' I cried that Josh had to say it but was so proud of him for doing it!

This is a very personal story which Josh and Amanda been brave enough to share, and I know it will touch many people. Whilst more people are talking openly about depression, it's still not enough, and I really hope this will encourage more people to open up. Particularly young men. The suicide rate of men under is very high and part of that is because men feel unable to open up. Josh was brave enough to open up to his family and then to the world via this book, so I hope any struggling young man who reads his story will reach out to someone close.

Josh, thank you for sharing your story. I hope that you are very proud about how far you've come and how well you're doing. I'm so happy you're hopeful about the future. Thank you for your honesty. Amanda, I felt your pain. Thank you for being so open. The Boy Between is heartbreaking, heartfelt, honest, raw, beautiful and hopeful and will stay with me for a long time. Please read it.

4.5 stars

This is a powerful and heartbreaking story that speaks up about mental health issues and how we are so affected by it.

It's still a mystery how so many times we are afraid to speak up, to open up to anyone because of fear of rejection or indifference, because of what others will think of us and the judgment of our actions and thoughts.

A must read beautiful story for anyone indeed.

Before I start to talk about this book, I just want to thank the authors for speaking so openly about depression and mental health. It has helped my mental health and will encourage me to speak to others, friends in particularly about how my head works – I was always one of those people who laughed the loudest yet didn’t realise how my mental health had declined until early 2020. So again, thank you.

The book is written with Josh and Amanda writing every other chapter, the beginning of each chapter starting with a quote – great touch!

Josh hasn’t had the best start with his health, he suffered with joint pain from being young and in his late teens, he struggles with his mental health. Amanda, his mother, doesn’t really know how to deal with it.

The book narrates wonderfully how Josh deals with his depression, trying many different methods and finding the right solution him. Luckily, he is surrounded by such a supportive family who realised fairly early on, even before Josh, how he was struggling.

Finding out how much mental health has an affect on the family is such an eyeopener. Seeing how they are trying so hard to put on brave faces for such a long time until they cannot cope any further.

I would encourage as many people as I can to read this book. It would help so many cope with their own mental health and would educate those people who think that depression is made up.

Incredible read, raw and honest. This is a must read for parents and teenagers, really draws you into Amanda and Josh’ story. You want to reach in and give Amanda a big hug and to help Josh on his journey.

It took me a long time to finish this book because it's kinda heavy and I need to stop reading but then I wanted to keep reading it at the same time. There are parts where I'm crying and sometimes I feel mad lol

It was told based on a true story of a mother and the son who have a depression. It was an eye opening because you see depression through someone who have it and then you see his mom's pov trying hard to help him but don't know how to and how depression affected their lives.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for The Boy Between ARC! I recommend everyone to read this book!

A fabulous book from a fabulous author. A hard subject to deal with, especially in your own family and Amanda has told it beautifully. Highly recommended

This book tells a story that has to be told. A lot.
I wish it was not as recognisable, but it is. I remember all those times thinking 'I wish it was a broken arm'. When I did break my arm earlier this year and couldn't work for more than a month, it was way easier to call my manager than it would be to take a mental health break because of a depression. I could point at my arm in it's sling, and everyone recognised that I could not move it to unlock my laptop, and I could not hold myself while standing in a moving train with it. I was not asked to pick up even the tiniest of boxes, as Amanda's analogy went. It felt as a relief, for once it was something tangilbe.
I wish I were the only one who will feel both the dreaded sense of familiarity and the feeling of guiltily being ... not happy, but relieved that there are more people like us. I know I'm not, and while I don't wish depression on anyone, it does feel good that there are people who know what it is like.

'The Boy Between' is raw, honest, sad, sprinkled with some tiny specks of hope. I cannot do anything but wish Josh and everyone who loves him will find peace of mind and more and more specks of hope and happiness.

A very insightful read. Depression is not spoken about enough. The authors did a good job of letting readers see inside a young person suffering with this disease. It will make anyone who reads this have a much better understanding into this awful issue! Young adults should always feel that they should do with their future what makes them happy not what will make people around them feel happy. This will open your eyes.

📚 B O O K T O U R 📚
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The Boy Between Amanda Prowse and Josiah Hartley
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Many of us have read Amanda Prowse's fiction novels. I've read and enjoyed many of them. So this one was a little different. The Boy Between is the journey of her and her son navigating through his depression at the age of nineteen to the point of planning his own death.
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This book is so raw and gut-wrenching. But if you or someone you love has ever suffered with depression, it's the book you need to tell you that you're not alone. People love you. They want to help you.
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It's brutal honesty was a shock for me, who hasn't suffered with such a deep depression but has seen it in people extremely close. You think you get it, but you don't.
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I'd recommend this book to everyone. If you're suffering, read it in the hope that you'll feel less alone and perhaps find a way to make those first steps of reaching out for help. If you're not suffering, read it. I think we could all do with understanding what depression is like for others, a little (or a lot) more.
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Thank you so much to @lovebookstours for the #gifted copy in exchange for this honest review.
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#theboybetween #amandaprowse #josiahhartley #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #depression #lovebooktours #nonfictionbooks #nonfiction #booksilove

Right from the off I am going to say that if you have any interest in mental health, the effects on the sufferer or those around then you really do need to read this book. It is very insightful and also incredibly helpful.

Mental health has been in the news a lot this year, people are aware more of the effects it can have on everyday life, but still, it is not understood by many. Reading this from the viewpoint of a mother and son felt like a very privileged position to be in. Being allowed into the thoughts and feeling of individuals from different sides of the fence was a very personal view from a readers point of view.

This is not the journey of just one person. While it is Josh who to live with depression it is also the family that have to witness him live depression. What was insightful was how people think they are helping, but actually, they are not. But how can you help if you don’t know what you are doing for the best. It is a vicious circle.

This book is such an honest and open account, from a mother and a son. It is full of emotion, love, anger despair, frustration and all of it from the real lives of real people. Opening up and allowing people to see the journey of a family as well as an individual gives a balance. There is no one side to this book.

This is such a, well I want to say fabulous read, this feels wrong in some ways as the experiences of Mandy and Josh are anything but fabulous! But it is such an engrossing book, honest, with moments of humour and giggles. It is a book I would definitely recommend.

The Boy Between is a raw and honest account of the reality of mental health. It’s not as simple as reaching out and there is no magic cure, just a journey of ups and downs and trying to prevent the lows. I have read several books about mental health, as a mental health sufferer this is the closest to my own journey I have ever read.

Mental health though talked about more, remains a taboo. Mental health problems are not rare, Josh is one of many who continue to battle with an ongoing journey to achieve mental wellness. Co-written by Josiah Hartley and his mum Amanda Prowse, this is unlike any book you have written. A unique and interesting perspective of Josh’s story comes from Amanda’s chapters, the despair and helplessness of watching her son change from a vibrant character to someone who couldn’t get out of bed. It hits home just how much my parents struggled watching me spiral during my own low points.

This book contains real life accounts of Josh / Josiah’s mental health journey from his time in education university onwards. Similarly, to Josh, the start of university caused me to have a massive mental breakdown and was the start of things to come. It is a highly stressful time for many due to expectations and newfound independence.

The honesty from both Amanda and Josiah made for an insightful and heart wrenching read. Depression lies to you; makes you feel isolated and unloved. Amanda’s chapters show just how much depression and anxiety lies to you. Whilst in a dark place, it is apparent how much love Josh was surrounded in, even if he couldn’t connect or immerse himself in it.

Due to the personal nature of this book, I don’t feel it is appropriate to rate it. A huge amount of respect and love to Amanda Prowse and Josiah Hartley for a book I didn’t know I needed to read.

This book was sent to me as an ARC on NetGalley. However, all opinions are of my own.
I don’t have the words to describe how incredible this book really is. It spoke to me on a different level and I felt every word. It was insightful to see how different mental illness looks to someone who hasn’t struggled - and also trying to understand how others are feeling to. This book needs to be read by anyone, whether struggling with mental illnesses or not. Amanda and Josiah did such a fantastic job on this book, I definitely think it was my favourite of 2020!

This collaboration is written by both Josh and Amanda, alternating between one another per chapter both documenting their consecutive thoughts, feelings and emotions during this period of time. The amount of courage it has taken by both of them, to put pen to paper and share their journey cannot and should not be underestimated. The opening chapter, written by Josh hits you full on. This young man who had recently headed off to university and should be living “his best life” is sat on the edge of his bed in a darkened room, holding a handful of pills bought from the World Wide Web, contemplating taking his own life. His world he described as “the colour turned down until only grayscale remained.”

I work as a counsellor; Josh invited me into his world, his head and his life, an experience I will take with me when I work with clients in similar circumstances. For that I am eternally grateful.

Amanda’s raw emotions of being a mum whose son is in such a painful place, one she knows nothing about, and has no idea where to turn or who to ask for help is sadly a reality so many people face.

Ultimately this book offers hope. Hope that sharing their experiences will help anyone else in similar situations, hope that opening up this conversation will encourage others to do the same and hop that if you hold on for just one more minute, hour, day, week things can and will get better.

This is a hard book to rate as I suffer with anxiety and depression myself so while I think that it’s important that we raise awareness for important topics I do sometimes find it difficult to read about it can be a trigger for my own anxiety. That being said it’s an heartfelt book and very real and informative.

It took me months to finish reading this. Not because it isn’t a good book. Quite opposite, actually.

I was going through an especially difficult time when I’d picked this up. I read the first page and knew it wasn’t going to be an easy read. I even debated if I want to keep reading it after 3 pages. I didn’t read more than 5 pages at a time.

I’m glad I did read this though.

Not going to lie, personally, it was an excruciating and painful journey and my brain doesn’t even want a recap, but still, all I have is good things to say about this little masterpiece.

This raw and brave memoir is written by a boy Josh who’s struggling with mental illness and extreme depression and his mother who decides to be his light to guide him through. It’s such a powerful book and depicts the true realities of depression and the taboos that surround it. To give you an idea-Amanda, when she discovers Josh’s struggles, she’s devastated for her son and tries to find ways to “fix” him and slowly comes to learn, there is in fact no way to “fix” someone up.

A person who's gone through it all will tell how they never want to revisit those agonizing moments ever again, but the sheer bravery & honesty Amanda and Josh has shown while recounting them and penning them is truly admirable.

I recommend this book to everyone. Everyone who’s fighting the demons by themselves, everyone who wants to help another soul fight them, everyone who cares to learn how mental illness works.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Boy Between

After seeing a lot of hype around this book, I just had to read it. Amanda is one of my favourite authors and I was curious to see how her and her son’s real experience would unfold in the pages of a book.

Depression and mental health is something most people can empathise with, especially in today’s society; mental health is at the forefront of daily life. If you yourself personally haven’t dealt with mental health issues, chances are you know someone close to you who has. I think that because of this, the story of The Boy Between will resonate with so many people, I know this was certainly the case with me.

Different people will gain different things by reading this book, some will recognise themselves in Josh, they will identify with his unflinching honesty and raw emotion, others will recognise the journey that Amanda went on with her son, and some will relate to both sides of the coin.

There’s so much I could say about this book, but I genuinely think that although there will be triggers for many in the narrative, everyone should give this book a read. I thought I’d handled other’s mental health crises well before but this has given me tools to be a better friend hopefully.

Thank you Amanda and Josh for writing from the heart with such raw and powerful emotion. This book will touch everyone who reads it, five wonderful stars.

I struggled to write my review of The Boy Between and I kept editing and re-editing my words, never feeling satisfied. Whatever I wrote just didn’t seem right. My thoughts were clumsy and inadequate. My words couldn’t suitably describe the awe I felt at two people letting the world into their hearts, minds and deepest despair. My sentences couldn’t give voice to the anxiety I felt as I read Amanda’s memories of Josh’s childhood, knowing that their life would take a turn down a road no parent would ever wish to travel. My paragraphs couldn’t convey the raw emotion I felt as I read through tear-blurred eyes Josh’s description of his life with depression and the feelings of not wanting to exist any more. And my review drafts couldn’t make clear just how important I feel this book is for anyone touched personally by depression, or looking on with a feeling of helplessness as someone they care about struggles to get through each day.

So instead, I decided to start from scratch and allow my clumsy, inadequate thoughts to form and be shared authentically. I had to pause typing for a moment there to wipe away the tears which have finally spilled over before I tell you that this isn’t a book of sadness. It’s uplifting, funny at times and will hopefully be talked about for years to come for the difference Josiah Hartley and Amanda Prowse make to other people’s lives, to other boys and girls between.

Really insightful book about mental health, from first-hand experience. It must have been exceedingly difficult to write this book, but a very honest story.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

It is hard to put into words how powerful this story was for me. It was honest, open and raw – you feel their pain, their love and their hope. You feel the frustration and disappointment with the medical system. But most importantly, you feel connected to both Josiah and Amanda.

I have dealt with depression and anxiety for the last ten years (roughly) and I have good months and bad months. I have days where I feel I can accomplish anything (and take on more work than I can do and this backfires on me during my bad days) and days when I struggle just to get out of bed. I saw so much of myself in this story that at times it hurt. I know people mean well when they give suggestions on how you can “make yourself better” but going to the gym, eating better and just thinking positively doesn’t just make the feelings go away. It is almost a constant battle everyday, and it is not a battle that anyone else can do for you (although having a family who loves you and is your champion makes things so much better).

I hope that others reading their story that have never dealt with depression are left with a better understanding and compassion for others. That the stigma around mental health can be broken down and that there is better access to healthcare (not to mention providers that are able to support patients dealing with mental illness).

The Boy Between is a powerful and personal story, that took a lot of courage to share but I am so happy that they shared their story with the world. This is a definite must read for young adults and adults, and a great resource for families that are dealing with depression

I appreciate the advance reader copy of this book, although I have had to DNF it due to being triggered by some of the material it contains. I won't leave a bad rating as I'm sure this isn't a bad book, I just can't read it right now in the place I'm at mentally.

Brutally honest, provocative and emotive. Raw emotion leapt from the pages and engulfed me. This has kept me awake at night thinking. Highly recommend.

The Boy Between narrates the story of Amanda Prowse's and her son Josiah Hartley's journey with his experience of depression. The book is constructed of alternating chapters which go back and forth between Amanda and Josiah.

First of all, I want to preface my review by saying my 3 stars doesn't mean I am devaluing Josiah's story in any way, he has had a tough journey with depression, just that for me the book was an ok read and not necessarily one I would be shouting at people to read.

Josiah's chapters were fantastic, he gave a really raw and honest look into the reality of depression and how it can slowly engulf a person. He also really showed the reality of how it can ebb and flow with certain unpredictability. I honestly would have loved to see a whole lot more from him and his thoughts.

Unfortunately, Amanda's chapters were the ones I could not warm to. Parts where she argued with him that it was her story too, where she expressed her jealousy of the attention he was receiving/that he didn't turn to her and her repetitive mention of her success and books tours left me a little cold.

I really would have loved to have seen some of Amanda's chapters broken up with the POV of Simeon (Josiah's step-dad) who really seemed to be the glue that held their world together and seemed to be the voice of reason.

Please don't let my review put you off if you think this book would be helpful or indeed interesting to you. For me, I just felt other books cover the same topic in a better manner.

Wow! That’s what I thought! This is a hard hitting, emotional, truthful account of a family and how when mental health hits, what a devastating impact it can have.

What a brave young man to write such an open, raw and honest account and what a powerful impact I think this book will have on other families who are going through the same thing. And what a very brave mother too.

Amanda did a Facebook Live with me earlier this year and became very emotional when she was talking about this book giving an insight into the trauma that the family had been through. You can watch the interview by clicking here.

As a mother of a just gone teenage boy myself, my heart broke for Amanda as she talked about how a mother’s love isn’t enough to help someone who is suffering from mental illness and how serious it can be. How hard it was to accept that her son was suffering from an illness and needed to heal. As a parent, I cannot even begin to imagine how I would feel or cope with a situation like this. You only have to hope that you get a positive outcome. A friend of mine sadly lost her son from mental illness and I think of her every time I look at my son, grateful that he’s here every single day. So easily, these days, there could be a different outcome.

I’m glad to say that this story, has a positive ending, but I can’t imagine for one minute that this is something you ever really get over, but maybe with help, and love and support you learn to accept could crop up again at any time and that you’ll know how to handle it.

My heart goes out to both Amanda and Josh, and I hope sincerely that this book helps many others, to cope with similar situations. I believe books like this can be life-changing to so many others. It is a book that shows that there is hope in the darkest of times and that we should never under estimate the power of hidden illnesses and hope that we can encourage others to reach out for help when it is so desperately needed before it’s too late.

Hat’s off to Amanda and Josh for sharing their story and big hugs to you both.

I had seen a number of comments on this book and really wanted to read it.

The book is constructed of alternating chapters which go back and forth between Amanda and her son Josiah.
This is an honest and thought provoking read. This book really does get you thinking.
The emotion was there between the pages so strong you could feel it.
Beautifully done, the insight into Mental health and the affects it has on people.

Wow! This book is unlike any other I have ever read. It is such an honest account of suffering with mental health. It is also written from two perspectives, so you are able to gain an understanding of what it is like for the loved ones of those who are suffering.

I think that book will help so many people, whether they themselves suffer with their mental health or whether they have a close friend or family member who suffers.

By being so open and honest, I’m sure that Josh and Amanda will encourage others to speak out about their mental health and help to normalise talking about it.

It was an emotional read. As a mum of two young boys, I couldn’t help but think about how I would feel if either of them ever goes through what Josh has been through.

I highly recommend that everyone reads this book. It has definitely given me a better understanding of mental illness and what those who suffer it and those close to them go through.

This book written by Amanda Prowse and her son Joshua details the heartbreaking subject of depression.

Whilst this must have been extremely difficult to write, I thank them for doing so. It is written from the heart and I admit I cried throughout.

I think this is a great book and would be very useful for both those suffering and those living with the sufferer.

Reading this book was an eye-opener regarding depression and its effect on both the person with it and their loved ones.. This book is emotionally raw with the truth as told by the mother and son authors, Josiah Hartley and Amanda Prowse. That they both were willing to share their stories in order to be able to shine the light on the stigma surrounding depression, the lack of available services, and the lack of understanding was inspiring and heart-wrenching. Higher educational institutions need to become more much proactive in their understanding, responses, and abilities to offer guidance to those students who are suffering from this debilitating diagnosis while under school pressures at the same time they are trying to adjust to living away from home and becoming independent adults. Definitely a must-read for parents who know or suspect their child is suffering from depression and feel they are alone in their battle to do the right thing for them. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. #NetGalley #TheBoyBetween

Really heartfelt book and definitely got the sense that the authors put all their feelings into the writing. It deals with depression, not only from Josiah's point of view, but from his mother's as well showing how it affected them both.

As someone that suffers from depression, this book was hard to read at times because it hit too close to home. However, I think books like this and discussions on this subjected are needed more often. When you have depression, it doesn't just affect you, it affects all those that you love as is shown in this book..

I highly recommend this book to anybody that suffers from depression or has a loved one that suffers. Help is out there and you are not alone.

This book left me speechless. I know I’m not open much but this book talks about mental illness and the struggle a family experience when someone attempts suicide. I cried. And I can relate. If I have read this story 3 years ago maybe I would have felt relieve in knowing I wasn’t alone. I have depression and so much in this story I can relate. I think everyone needs to read this book. Highly recommend it. It is hard to talk about this subject. It still is even after 3 years so thank you for sharing and thank you for showing those who can’t see the light yet that there is hope.

I’ll get straight to the point and say, I believe I have suffered depression all my life and I am now 40.

Reading Josh’s journey so far, has helped me come to terms, a little more, with the fact I have suffered so long with depression and anxiety.

A lot of what I read reminds me of myself growing up. I do still forget that this is not a choice, I can’t just snap out of it, I have an illness.

Thank you Josh and Amanda for an insight into your lives and reminding me that I am not alone.

What an emotional read that is an honest and brutal view of depression. As someone who suffers from clinical depression, I admire the authors, Amanda Prowse and her son, Josh Hartley, for their upfront details and the willingness to openly share their journey. You will experience life for Josh as he is diagnosed and his efforts to seek assistance. You will also view life from a parent’s perspective and how much effort is put into supporting, encouraging, and accepting the trauma associated with depression. Kudos to both of them for the raw emotions they share to make the reader aware of this medical epidemic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little A for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This was an emotional read that deals with some very deep issues in relation to mental health, and does so very sensitively. The writing style was engaging and I found myself getting lost in this