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

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 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.

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 .

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)

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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