#Review #LibraryRead #TheLifeline

Will is sleepwalking through life. He works a dead-end job and volunteers at an anonymous crisis line to avoid facing his own problems.

Annie is sure she has her five-year plan all worked out. But when things start falling apart, she just needs someone who will listen…

They’re practically strangers but soon Will and Annie rely on their regular phone calls, challenging each other to be brave and rebuild their lives.

They’ve found connection in the most unlikely of places but is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never met?

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My Review

My first book by this author but certainly not the last! I’d seen this book advertised and have waited for ages to read it! We meet Will who volunteers on an anonymous crisis helpline. Whilst he’s there to listen to other people’s problems, Will seems to have some of his own. He limits his social interaction with people, has no friends and spends all his spare time with his cat. We also meet Annie who is a journalist and has been tasked with tracking down The Defectors, a once popular band who haven’t been seen for a few years. Annie also has some problems with her boyfriend, and coming to terms with the death of her father. She finds herself ringing the crisis helpline and speaking to Will, and it’s not long before they find themselves looking forward to their telephone calls.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s told from Will and Annie’s perspectives, with the occasional flashback to a few years before. They are both lovely characters, but are obviously dealing with some issues. For me, Will’s storyline seems sadder than Annie’s. He’s hiding a secret which gets revealed as the book moves on and leads a very lonely life. Annie however, whilst she has lots of friends, has difficulty coming to terms with her father’s death, and I felt like I could relate to her and her situation more. I love how they first meet over the phone call and it’s clear as she rings the helpline more that there is a chemistry between them. There is more to the chemistry though and whilst it’s obvious what this is as you read, I won’t reveal the connection between them for fear of spoilers!

This is a lovely read, although not quite the light-hearted read I first expected. It does deal with some serious issues – loneliness, suicide, death and mental health problems to name a few, but this is all sensitively and well written. It’s not all doom and gloom though, the main characters are so likeable and how their relationship unfolds is warming and how they begin to unravel and deal with their own issues is so wonderfully written. It is an emotional read, however it is filled with little pockets of love, family and friendship which will lighten your heart. An absolutely brilliant read which I thoroughly enjoyed! Would recommend!

The Author

Tom Ellen is the co-author of three critically acclaimed Young Adult novels: Lobsters (which was shortlisted for The Bookseller’s inaugural YA Book Prize), Never Evers and Freshers. His books have been widely translated and are published in 15 countries. He is a regular contributor to Viz magazine, and as a journalist he has written for Cosmopolitan, Empire, Evening Standard Magazine, Glamour, NME, ShortList, Time Out, Vice and many more. All About Us was his debut adult novel. Tom lives in Paris.