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.

"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.

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.

"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.