Sadly this read wasn’t for me. I didn’t connect with the characters or story line. I can see it being for others and it is really well written.

Thank you for the opportunities to read this book. I have attempted it on a number of occasions but unfortunately I haven’t been able to get into it.

Eli Ross is a popular high school senior with a huge secret: his use of drugs has gotten out of control. Overdosing in his car at a party, Eli is given no choice but to go to a recovery program designed for teens like himself. Will Eli be able to face his demons head on and learn how to live life in a clean and positive way?

I would give this novel 3 1/2 stars if the rating system would allow, simply because the small holes in the plot add up to some missed opportunities by the author. The description of therapy, including the treatment process and the steps taken to move the teenagers to the right path, is well done. The detoxification process, however, is glossed over and not given the weight that it should. Additionally, the ease at which Eli comes to certain realizations about his present and his past seems too unrealistic. Lifeline does not present as strong of a message to the target audience, though it might be a good conversation opener for parents. Overall, Lifeline was a good read and one I would recommend to readers of YA realistic fiction.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Lifeline by NetGalley and the publisher, Tiny Fox Press. The choice to review this book was my own.

I really loved this! It was a lot of fun, well written and the characters were well developed! I highly recommend this for others!! This was an important read and I found the book to be so great!

3.8 stars

When popular teen Eli overdoses he is sent to rehab to get must needed help. There he has to face his addiction and the things that lead him there. A good story tacking a tough subject,

Lifeline is not your typical high-school drama. Eli is the popular jock yes, but he has a big problem. He's an addict.

The story was told is a gripping way and I was sucked in. I really enjoyed this book and the way it was written.

Brilliant, quick and emotional read. People who are looking for a similar read after Juno Dawson's Clean would do well to read this.

4.5 stars! I thought this was a very accurate portrayal of recovery in a story! Even though majority of it takes place around a rehab facility for young adults who are dealing with different types of drug problems and NA meetings the underlining message is that recovery is a process. One of the characters has been at the facility a few times and in the process of recovery a couple times separate to being at the location it takes place. Also our main character has a lot that he goes through and there is a lot of growth as the book continues. My favorite part is that the author Abbey Lee Nash doesn't sugar coat anything to make it more reader friendly. It is a very raw story with raw emotions though I would put a slight trigger warning on the topics of: drug addiction, mention of an overdose and self harming. This book isn't for everyone but it is a really well written story and there is even resources for people to reach out to in the back of the book if they or someone they know is currently struggling with an addiction.

Book Review
Title: Lifeline
Author: Abbey Lee Nash
Genre: YA/Mental health
Rating: *****
Review: The opening to Lifeline was good we are introduced to Eli a school jock on the lacrosse team after he lands the first win of the season, while he projects the image of the All-American lad he is actually taking drugs or performance enhancer to get through training and exams without falling behind in anything. It is clear from the format of this novel which is told in hours and days that things aren’t going to go well for Eli.
As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel, as I predicted things don’t go right for Eli, at the party he basically experiences the beginning of a panic attack so goes to his car to get high and overdoses. He ends up in the hospital after his heart stopped where things just go downhill, his girlfriend breaks up with him, and he is facing drug charges if he doesn’t go to rehab as he was snorting heroin. Eli like any other 18-year-old boy feels like his life is ending especially since he feels like his stepfather is always trying to shove him out of the picture because he isn’t his son like Benny is. Despite fighting it every step of the way Eli ends up at LakeShore Recovery Centre’s Detox unit for the next 28 days of his life, which to a teenager is an eternity but from his reactions they things he is going to miss the most is his brother and school not the rest of his family or friends. For the first few days Eli meets some people in a similar position to him but the only one he begins to connect with is Red (which always makes me think of the Shawshank Redemption). For a while Eli refuses to admit anything is wrong with but when his therapist tells him what path he is on and where is it going, he realises that he might need some help although he isn’t keen on the idea at all.
As we cross in the ¼ mark in the novel, Eli is on day 6 of his 28-day course and he is beginning to acknowledge his feelings about the drugs he has used and what has lead him to this point, he also seems to be intimidated and infatuated with Libby. Libby is a broken girl, that is the way she sees herself and Eli immediately begins wondering how she sees him which he hasn’t done with anyone else at the clinic. Through the other teens in the clinic Eli begins to learn about the people there for help and the people providing help and slowly we can see them all chipping away at the walls Eli has built around himself for protection.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, Eli seems to be settling quite nicely to his new environment even sharing in group although it causes him to have a small melt down which is avoided surprisingly with Libby’s help although she doesn’t hit him this time. He also gets to phone home for the first time and we can see how much Eli relies on his mother’s guidance and affection to keep him on track which he obviously hasn’t been getting for a long time and he is also desperate to see Savannah and asks his mother if she can come on visitation day. However, just when Eli is making progress Savannah drops a major bombshell by breaking up with him to be with his team mate Alex when he has been gone less than a week, but he finds some shallow comfort with Libby. Despite being dealt this major blow Eli doesn’t stumble as badly as I thought he would but rather actually delves deeper in what drove him to drugs and his family seem to be the cause of it primarily the relationship between him and his biological parents.
As we cross into the second half of the novel, Eli is getting closer and closer to the route of his problems and they are his mother, he blames his mother for his dad’s death and he feels completely abandoned by her and feels left out of the new family. However, when he has a session with his mother and see reveals some things that Eli never knew it knocks him straight back where he started just with a different type of drug, however, this causes to lash out at everyone especially Richard. As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, Eli is seriously contemplating leaving the clinic and facing the wrath of the courts after Libby leaves but in an emotional session with Richard he realises the pattern in his negative behaviour and agrees to stay. However, we also get to see a relapse from the unlikely one; Will and how it affects the people he has become friends with including Eli.
As we cross into the final section of the novel, Eli finally understands what the clinic is meant to teach and what tools it has actually given him for going back into the big, scary world. The ending of this novel provided resolution, but Eli wasn’t magically cured this was just the beginning of his journey, he still has a long way to go. My favourite part of this whole novel was the tear-jerking moment between Eli and Steven and how their relationship changes, how alike they realise they are and how they can help and support one another. Super highly recommend for mental health and addiction rep.

Eli is not your typical addict. Popular, private school lacrosse captain, with a gorgeous girlfriend, Eli's drug use is well hidden from those around him, until he nearly dies from an overdose at a party. Eli gets sent to LakeShore Recovery Center to complete a 28 day rehab program. There, he learns how to deal with his past and his addiction.

I think high school students will definitely love Lifeline. Crank, by Ellen Hopkins, is one of our most circulated books, and Lifeline will appeal to those same students. I like that it's from a boy's perspective. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I didn't fully believe Eli's transformation in such a short span on time.

Lifeline by Abbey Lee Nash is the story Eli Ross, who almost died from a drug overdose. Eli is very popular and the captain of the lacrosse team at Lions Heart Academy. After a big win, Eli and his girlfriend Savannah, the most beautiful and popular girl at school attend a party. After Eli chugs several beers he goes alone to his car and overdoses. Eli has a choice of jail or going to Lake Shore Recovery Center for inpatient treatment, he chooses treatment for 28 days. I really enjoyed this book, it takes a serious look at teenage substance abuse. Will Eli make it or not? Highly recommend.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

"I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review"

Popular high school senior Eli Ross has the perfect life. He’s captain of the lacrosse team at LionsHeart Academy, and he’s dating Savannah, the hottest, most popular girl at school. But that life comes crashing down when he overdoses at a party and is sent to LakeShore Recovery Center, an inpatient substance abuse treatment program where he’ll spend the next twenty-eight days.

This book was so much better than I was expecting, I was gripped pretty early on in the book and loved the format that each chapter was a day in the inpatient program and watching him admit his issues and why they came into play.
When I was reading this book it reminded me of the movie 28 days with Sandra Bullock except it was a teenage boy. I was a big fan of that movie when I saw it so I should not be surprised that I liked this book also. I can't say for sure if this is the way inpatient treatment centers work or people with addictions would react but I think it a believable representation on it by what I know (I have a mother with addiction issues). I have never suffered from a drug addiction but as a daughter of a mother who has one I have always been afraid I would follow the same path which I am lucky I have not so that aspect of the story I found very powerful.
The only issue I found is it didn't really cover the withdrawal process and how hard that can be, I think is an important part of the story. I also would of loved to see 6 months later how he was doing with his family and if he managed to stay clean. Even with those issues this was a great book to read and I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I would love for there to be books about some of the other characters such as Will, Red and Libby. Their stories seem so unfinished and would love to read more about them. So please Abbey bring more books out about them.

Eli, who at face value has everything he could ever want. He's attending an expensive, private school, he's captain of the lacrosse team and he's dating the most popular girl in school. He goes to a party and overdoses, landing him in a rehab facility.

Cliche? Yes, but I have a soft spot for these kinds of YA books. Unfortunately, the cliche is the truth for many addicts and I thought this book did a wonderful job handling that. I really enjoyed this read and I have to thank the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.

This review is based on an ARC of Lifeline which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Tiny Fox Press).

The plot of Lifeline is cliché and overused. We have all read a book like this.

<spoiler>
>dude has everything
>dude fucks up with drugs
>dude goes to rehab
>"I'm not like you freaks here"
>dude makes friends with a freak
>dude meets emo girl
>dude falls in love with emo girl
>"you're my real friends"
>"the future is uncertain but I'll be okay"
</spoiler>

That being said, I love this cliché in particular and it is one of my favorite kinds of books to read, despite how many times it makes me roll my eyes.

I enjoyed Abbey Lee Nash's take on this trope. I think that she presented a realistic situation and a believable character. Probably my favorite part of Lifeline is the relationships Eli makes--the platonic ones in particular. I liked seeing his character development (thought, in my opinion, this was slight) and watching him come to terms with himself and his addiction.

But, speaking of Eli, this brings me to a con: Eli is a jerk. Occasionally the book grew frustrating to read because Eli is a big tantrum-throwing baby, he is self-centered, and his outbursts and statements borderline verbal abuse. I mean, I get that he's having struggles because he's in rehab, but take a chill pill. (lol wait) No need to attack those who are trying to help you, dude.

I have one last note, which isn't exactly a criticism, but something that I just have to get off my chest. Benny and Blue's Clues. It is 2018. This kid had to have been born in 2012 AT LEAST. Where did his parents find a Blue's Clues coloring book? Why isn't he watching Paw Patrol or some other modern kids' show? I watched Blue's Clues in preschool. I am 19. How does this 5-year-old have the same favorite show as I did when I was younger than him? Just... what?!

Wow, this book. I don't even know what to say.  This has hit way too close to home for me. Anyone that has dealt with addiction in their life, if it is a loved one or even you, then you will know what I mean.

This was real. I felt my my heart breaking. Bandages being pulled off of old wounds. There were such powerful words in here that helped the characters but also me. It left me with a sense of triumph. We all have pain in life. It's the way you deal with it that is important. Usually people with trauma has a drug. If it is an actual drug or more like art, books, a higher power, etc. This story will open up your eyes on the true details of addiction. I haven't cried like this over a book in long time.

I found myself in Eli a lot (I didn't have to go to a rehab because of heroine). But we did share a lot of the same trauma on some type of level. He is so brave. All of these characters are. Libby is so troubled and broken. She still has a long way to go to being healed. But so does Eli. They all do. Some may still be in rehab, some may just got out, but they all have to deal with this disease. It doesn't just go away in 28 days. There are steps you have to do the rest of your life. The romance was comforting. They found solace in each other.

Thank you Abbey for showing this side of addiction.

I thought this book was very well-written and handled a teen substance abuser's story very well. Eli was an addict but he was so far in denial it was sad. He was really in a great place in life: popular, beautiful girlfriend, captain of his lacrosse team, loved by his classmates etc. Except on the flip side he wasn't happy because he was empty on the inside. He had lived through some important losses in his life and had not dealt with how he felt about and that is why he felt lonely, empty and powerless. He used drugs to fill a void in his life. After he almost died, he was sent to rehab. It was hard for him being so far in denial. The story seemed extremely realistic because everyone in the story was flawed as people in real life would be--Eli's family, his fellow patients, his shrink, his friends--everyone seemed like a normal person and nothing was sugar-coated which is why I liked this book so much. All the characters were totally believable. Addiction, especially in a high school student, is hard to portray realistically and I thought the author did a great job in that respect. Very emotional in rehab especially when Eli realized that he needed help and he WAS an addict. Sometimes hard to read but worth it! Thanks NetGalley!!!

LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I really enjoyed getting a guys point of view of drug usuage and his rehab experience. You don’t really see that in many books did usually about a girls experience. Definitely see this book being read by many different people because it gave a good in sight into rehab facilities and why it can be hard and difficult to break down walls .

I am rating this book 4 stars because it tackles a difficult subject - substance and recovery and does it, for the most part, well.

The first few chapters are extremely well written and the reader jumps right into the action, as we sit with the main character who immediately shows us, via his actions, that he is a full fledged junkie, even if he is a Lacrosse star.

The honest look at addiction and recovery is also well done as we are transported to rehab with Elie.. Once in rehab, Elie must learn to admit that he is a junkie, but also what his triggers are. One the good side, Elie, while almost completely unlikeable has moments of kindness towards his friends in rehab and this, despite seeing his "perfect" life outside rehab crumble.

Elie, as I mentioned, is not a particularly likeable character and that's okay, however, he is also, at times, quite a vanilla character - somehow not bad, but not good either, I suppose he represents the average person who has gotten in over their head with drugs. However, this makes for a bit of a boring story once he enters rehab (and that is pretty early in the story). I like that he makes some friends, but the whole Libby thing is completely over the top and I could have done without it. Why the need for "romance" especially since everyone knows that recovery is NOT a place to find your next date.

I definitely liked the earlier part of this book more than the recovery part, but overall this was written well, paced well and obviously researched well.

A good read.

I actually really liked this book. It is about an all american teen who is a lacrosse player, who is dating a blonde cheerleader type & is the life of a party but he has one problem. addiction. He gets sent to rehab where he discovers himself and a dark family secret. Anyways i am bad at writing blurbs but i found myself tearing up a bit when he fell to rock bottom. Eli was a very down to earth relateable character who often puts his foot in his mouth when he is upset. I liked the writing style and the story. the blurb sucked me in and i read the book in one sitting the only issue i had was the ending it was kind of abrupt and i feel like there could have been a few more chapters

This story is about the reality of addiction. There were raw emotions in here that show how hard saying you need help and that you have an addiction. I've learned a lot from this book and am happy to have read a story on such topic.