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Girl on the Line: An Authentic YA Romance About Mental Health and Finding Hope After Surviving Suicide
Life’s tough when you didn’t expect to be living it.
But now that Journey has a future, she apparently also has to figure out what that future’s supposed to look like.
Some days the pain feels as fresh as that day. The one with the pills, the hospital, and the end that didn’t come. Her parents don’t know how to speak to her. Her best friend cracks all the wrong jokes. Her bipolar II disorder feels like it swallows her completely.
But other days—they feel like revelations. Like meeting the beautiful Etta, a community college student who is a world unto herself. Or walking into the office of the volunteer hotline and discovering a community as simultaneously strong and broken as she is.
Or uncovering the light within herself that she didn’t know existed.
But now that Journey has a future, she apparently also has to figure out what that future’s supposed to look like.
Some days the pain feels as fresh as that day. The one with the pills, the hospital, and the end that didn’t come. Her parents don’t know how to speak to her. Her best friend cracks all the wrong jokes. Her bipolar II disorder feels like it swallows her completely.
But other days—they feel like revelations. Like meeting the beautiful Etta, a community college student who is a world unto herself. Or walking into the office of the volunteer hotline and discovering a community as simultaneously strong and broken as she is.
Or uncovering the light within herself that she didn’t know existed.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 19, 2021
88 people are currently reading
5061 people want to read
About the author
Faith Gardner
20 books911 followersFaith Gardner is the author of adult suspense and YA novels. She lives in the Bay Area with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
February 13, 2021
Girl on the Line is an impactful story about a depressed high schooler struggling with her mental health.
After Journey attempts suicide she has to learn how to be happy again. Journey is struggling with her mental health diagnosis. I really enjoyed being in Journey’s head. It wasn’t always a happy place to be, but it was interesting to see how she felt and why she reacted to certain things. Journey tries to leave everything from her old life behind which is hard on her best friend. Her boyfriend broke up with her and she is dealing with still wanting to be with him but also dealing with their lost friendship. Journey volunteers on a crisis hotline where she helps others. She does a great job and makes new friends with the other volunteers. She makes a mistake that goes against the hotline rules which causes her to feel like she is losing everything. Journey doesn’t think about how her choices affect others but is always trying to help people in need. Journey meets a new love interest which allows her to embrace her sexuality. She has a difficult family situation but great friends. She needs to learn how to let people in. Journey is a great character and I really enjoyed reading about her working through her struggles to become happy. Journey seemed so relatable. She made a lot of mistakes and felt guilty whenever she realized how her mistakes affected others. I recommend Girl on the Line for fans of books focused on teenagers struggling with their mental health.
Thank you Harper Teen and Edelweiss for Girl on the Line.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
After Journey attempts suicide she has to learn how to be happy again. Journey is struggling with her mental health diagnosis. I really enjoyed being in Journey’s head. It wasn’t always a happy place to be, but it was interesting to see how she felt and why she reacted to certain things. Journey tries to leave everything from her old life behind which is hard on her best friend. Her boyfriend broke up with her and she is dealing with still wanting to be with him but also dealing with their lost friendship. Journey volunteers on a crisis hotline where she helps others. She does a great job and makes new friends with the other volunteers. She makes a mistake that goes against the hotline rules which causes her to feel like she is losing everything. Journey doesn’t think about how her choices affect others but is always trying to help people in need. Journey meets a new love interest which allows her to embrace her sexuality. She has a difficult family situation but great friends. She needs to learn how to let people in. Journey is a great character and I really enjoyed reading about her working through her struggles to become happy. Journey seemed so relatable. She made a lot of mistakes and felt guilty whenever she realized how her mistakes affected others. I recommend Girl on the Line for fans of books focused on teenagers struggling with their mental health.
Thank you Harper Teen and Edelweiss for Girl on the Line.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
January 24, 2021
Did I read the same book as those people who gave it three stars? I definitely didn't read the same book as the person who left the profoundly unhelpful one star review. I'm also a bit perplexed by the child psychologist who wouldn't recommend the book. Of course Journey makes mistakes - that's what great characters do! And the mistakes she makes are relatable regardless of whether or not you suffer from PTSD or bipolar disorder. That's what makes this book so great - it is real and raw and beautifully crafted.
I started this book after work one day and read it through to the end. You would think that a book that starts with a suicide attempt would be difficult to read but I laughed out loud more often than I cried. The prose is absolutely stunning and poems are woven throughout in a way that enhances the meaning of the text without disrupting the flow. Here's a quick one: "I don't miss him / Like a fire misses its spark / But he misses me / Like an arrow misses a mark." How gorgeous is that?! I also personally loved the setting since I was born and raised in Santa Barbara, which Gardner captures perfectly. And Journey is a remarkable protagonist who is representative of many teenagers (I teach high school for a living so I know many of them). There's a great moment in the book when Journey is struggling and she asks a character what she sounds like and they respond, "You sound human." This is exactly the normalizing message we need to send to teens who are struggling and to those who know someone who is struggling. I cannot recommend this book highly enough; this is an important book that everyone should read and all English teachers should have on their shelves.
I started this book after work one day and read it through to the end. You would think that a book that starts with a suicide attempt would be difficult to read but I laughed out loud more often than I cried. The prose is absolutely stunning and poems are woven throughout in a way that enhances the meaning of the text without disrupting the flow. Here's a quick one: "I don't miss him / Like a fire misses its spark / But he misses me / Like an arrow misses a mark." How gorgeous is that?! I also personally loved the setting since I was born and raised in Santa Barbara, which Gardner captures perfectly. And Journey is a remarkable protagonist who is representative of many teenagers (I teach high school for a living so I know many of them). There's a great moment in the book when Journey is struggling and she asks a character what she sounds like and they respond, "You sound human." This is exactly the normalizing message we need to send to teens who are struggling and to those who know someone who is struggling. I cannot recommend this book highly enough; this is an important book that everyone should read and all English teachers should have on their shelves.
February 25, 2023
I just finished reading 'Girl on the Line', and let me tell you, it's not your typical "woe is me" story about mental health. Sure, our girl Journey has some serious struggles, but some seriously funny moments had me laughing out loud.
Journey is the kind of character you want to root for. She's flawed, she's relatable, and she's just trying to figure things out. And let me tell you, she's not afraid to break a few rules along the way. I mean, who hasn't made a mistake or two in their life, right?
The writing is on point, with just the right balance of heavy and light moments. And the supporting characters? They add a whole new layer to the story. Journey's best friend is hilarious, and the other crisis hotline volunteers are an eclectic bunch that you can't help but love.
But let's be real, this book isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are some moments that had me reaching for the Kleenex, but they only made Journey's triumphs that much sweeter.
So, if you're looking for a book that tackles mental health with honesty and humor, then give 'Girl on the Line' a try. It's a journey worth taking, and who knows, you might find yourself laughing and crying along the way.
Journey is the kind of character you want to root for. She's flawed, she's relatable, and she's just trying to figure things out. And let me tell you, she's not afraid to break a few rules along the way. I mean, who hasn't made a mistake or two in their life, right?
The writing is on point, with just the right balance of heavy and light moments. And the supporting characters? They add a whole new layer to the story. Journey's best friend is hilarious, and the other crisis hotline volunteers are an eclectic bunch that you can't help but love.
But let's be real, this book isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are some moments that had me reaching for the Kleenex, but they only made Journey's triumphs that much sweeter.
So, if you're looking for a book that tackles mental health with honesty and humor, then give 'Girl on the Line' a try. It's a journey worth taking, and who knows, you might find yourself laughing and crying along the way.
July 12, 2024
1.5 STARS
I adored Faith Gardner’s THE SECOND LIFE OF AVA RIVERS so I’m especially disappointed to dislike GIRL ON THE LINE as much as I did. Gardner did a good job writing about Journey’s noncompliance with meds and her resistance to her bipolar diagnosis, although Gardner never had her main character develop insight that her needs didn’t supersede those of others in her life.
Here are a few examples of why I rated the book so low and why I’d never refer it to one of my clients (I’m a child psychologist).
-Journey gets a volunteer job as a crisis call center months after attempting suicide. The hotline apparently did no vetting for volunteers because she didn’t have to go through an interview process that discussed her own history with mental health to see if she’s fit to do the job, which she clearly wasn’t. She had no boundaries and couldn’t separate her own issues from the callers.
-Speaking of no boundaries, Journey has none. She tries to manipulate her boyfriend with suicide talk then won’t respect his boundaries and blames him for having boundaries because he doesn’t want to get back together with her. Even with her best friend, Journey doesn’t understand that her suicide attempt impacted those around her. Journey gets angry because her best friend won an essay writing about the impact of Journey’s suicide attempt.
I appreciate that Gardner was trying to show Journey’s journey to better mental health, it didn’t work for me.
I adored Faith Gardner’s THE SECOND LIFE OF AVA RIVERS so I’m especially disappointed to dislike GIRL ON THE LINE as much as I did. Gardner did a good job writing about Journey’s noncompliance with meds and her resistance to her bipolar diagnosis, although Gardner never had her main character develop insight that her needs didn’t supersede those of others in her life.
Here are a few examples of why I rated the book so low and why I’d never refer it to one of my clients (I’m a child psychologist).
-Journey gets a volunteer job as a crisis call center months after attempting suicide. The hotline apparently did no vetting for volunteers because she didn’t have to go through an interview process that discussed her own history with mental health to see if she’s fit to do the job, which she clearly wasn’t. She had no boundaries and couldn’t separate her own issues from the callers.
-Speaking of no boundaries, Journey has none. She tries to manipulate her boyfriend with suicide talk then won’t respect his boundaries and blames him for having boundaries because he doesn’t want to get back together with her. Even with her best friend, Journey doesn’t understand that her suicide attempt impacted those around her. Journey gets angry because her best friend won an essay writing about the impact of Journey’s suicide attempt.
I appreciate that Gardner was trying to show Journey’s journey to better mental health, it didn’t work for me.
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January 25, 2021Hi all, today the book is officially out in the world, and I'd like to share the author's note that opens the galley copies along with some content warnings.
***
Dear reader,
Even though this book is a work of fiction, it’s based on my story. In high school, some unexpected events and my own mental health issues converged in a perfect storm, leading to a breakdown, or several breakdowns. Honestly, in some ways, that time of my life felt like one long, ongoing breakdown. It wasn’t all bleak—I experienced some of the highest highs, met some of my favorite people (one of whom I later married), and discovered the true power of music, writing, and art to turn the things I most hated about myself into things I could embrace, celebrate, and eventually love. But that time period also included the lowest lows; I spent a lot of time convinced I wasn’t going to survive. Sometimes, I really didn’t want to.
Like I said, this is my story. Your story might not look like mine, and that’s okay. No one journey is the same. What I do hope we can share is this: the understanding that there is no shame in seeking the help and support you need and the diagnosis and treatment that fit you. Even at your loneliest, you are never alone. Reach out. Lean on people. Call a hotline, see a therapist and/or a psychiatrist, seek your doctor’s advice, follow your treatment plan, do whatever feels like it’s right and healthy for you—and know you will get through this.
Lastly, no matter who you are and what your story may be, I’m so glad you’re here.
Faith
***
CONTENT WARNINGS: suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, depression, mental illness
***
Dear reader,
Even though this book is a work of fiction, it’s based on my story. In high school, some unexpected events and my own mental health issues converged in a perfect storm, leading to a breakdown, or several breakdowns. Honestly, in some ways, that time of my life felt like one long, ongoing breakdown. It wasn’t all bleak—I experienced some of the highest highs, met some of my favorite people (one of whom I later married), and discovered the true power of music, writing, and art to turn the things I most hated about myself into things I could embrace, celebrate, and eventually love. But that time period also included the lowest lows; I spent a lot of time convinced I wasn’t going to survive. Sometimes, I really didn’t want to.
Like I said, this is my story. Your story might not look like mine, and that’s okay. No one journey is the same. What I do hope we can share is this: the understanding that there is no shame in seeking the help and support you need and the diagnosis and treatment that fit you. Even at your loneliest, you are never alone. Reach out. Lean on people. Call a hotline, see a therapist and/or a psychiatrist, seek your doctor’s advice, follow your treatment plan, do whatever feels like it’s right and healthy for you—and know you will get through this.
Lastly, no matter who you are and what your story may be, I’m so glad you’re here.
Faith
***
CONTENT WARNINGS: suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, depression, mental illness
July 20, 2024
I loved this book for showing how important access to mental healthcare is for everyone. And how prevalent it may be for teens to be railroaded into feeding big pharmas profit margin without enough diagnosis, monitoring, or support. But the audiobook did an excellent job portraying the anxiety and extreme emotions of a young person going through typical teenage angst and outsized emotional reactions. The experience in the support center and discussions had some insight. Yes, it is highly unlikely that someone that attempted suicide would be answering calls on a crisis hotline, but it also might possibly be showing how hard it is to get people to fill that role. But this is a book, not an instruction manual. I gave 5 stars because I think this is an important topic and I enjoyed the audiobook. (I do probably give 5 stars easily, though, if I like the intention! 😘)
September 9, 2021
This book is mental health awareness at its very best. I’m so glad I read this book and will be suggesting it all the time.
A story of a teen who struggles with big emotions and being unsure of a diagnosis. The constant struggle with knowing if she should or shouldn’t be taking prescription medication is so relatable and the world needs this book.
Love it.
A story of a teen who struggles with big emotions and being unsure of a diagnosis. The constant struggle with knowing if she should or shouldn’t be taking prescription medication is so relatable and the world needs this book.
Love it.
February 12, 2021
You might have noticed by now that I like my YA emotional, it is the best YA. Here I want it real, and heart wrenching.
Journey tried to kill herself. She had a hard time before, she had ups that were high high, and lows that were bottomless. She was in an accident. She fell in love and was left. What really is going on is hard to know, some just want to give her pills and a diagnosis.
It takes place before and after, until we get to a time when we can go forward. And yes it feels real and sad, she is struggling so much. At times she is going forward, but then she falls into that dark hole where her thoughts plague her again. She has a loving family, she has her best friend, but she can't tell them of these things.
And do not think there is some happy ending, she is not suddenly cured, but at least I can tell you that it did not make me cry, so you know that she will make it. I think I can spoil that. We need some hope. And her hope is that she starts to see that she can get better, but she will never be fully hole.
I liked it. The sad and hard truths that were her life. But never going into really sad, it was life, she was human. We all have flaws.
I liked the narration, she had a great young voice for Journey, and distinct voices for all. She brought emotion into her narration
Journey tried to kill herself. She had a hard time before, she had ups that were high high, and lows that were bottomless. She was in an accident. She fell in love and was left. What really is going on is hard to know, some just want to give her pills and a diagnosis.
It takes place before and after, until we get to a time when we can go forward. And yes it feels real and sad, she is struggling so much. At times she is going forward, but then she falls into that dark hole where her thoughts plague her again. She has a loving family, she has her best friend, but she can't tell them of these things.
And do not think there is some happy ending, she is not suddenly cured, but at least I can tell you that it did not make me cry, so you know that she will make it. I think I can spoil that. We need some hope. And her hope is that she starts to see that she can get better, but she will never be fully hole.
I liked it. The sad and hard truths that were her life. But never going into really sad, it was life, she was human. We all have flaws.
I liked the narration, she had a great young voice for Journey, and distinct voices for all. She brought emotion into her narration
January 31, 2021
I really vibed with this book
February 20, 2022
Firstly, I know what this book was TRYING to say. Mental health is a tricky topic to tackle. Mental illness can be very hard to diagnose and people who work within the mental health field can be extremely infuriating. But! This book just isn't it chief. (Before I get into this, I'd like to say that I'm not an expert nor am I discrediting the character's experience. I just think that the problem is the author's lack of being able to write a fully developed character.) As someone who is bipolar (bipolar II), this book is a slap in the face. Bipolar isn't crying in dark rooms one day and then running your phone under cold water to break it the next. It is exhausting and debilitating. It feels like the author went on WedMD, read the entry for bipolar and thought that was enough to write a book on it. I know every bipolar experience is different (I know quite a few of us bipolars) but this just doesn't seem accurate. Also, bipolar is usually genetic and stems from a serious amount of trauma. It doesn't just *appear* like a wild Pokémon. I know Journey was in a serious life threatening car crash, and that is very traumatizing. But I don't think that it's enough trauma to make someone chronically mentally ill. Yes, you will be in a very dark place after that and maybe for years, but you aren't going to develop something as serious as bipolar over it especially when it's not genetic. Not every case of bipolar is genetic, but you're less likely to just develop it. If we were told that Journey's mom was bipolar and that Journey had a very traumatizing childhood, then yes, it would be more believable. I think at worst Journey has major depressive disorder and most likely, she's someone struggling to survive after a life threatening, traumatizing experience.
Besides for this, none of the characters are ever fully developed or become likeable. Journey is always only talking about herself and how "things are getting better". Like when that thing happens to Ruby (spoiler alert) and she sprayed pepper spray into that girl's eyes, I just didn't care. Why am I supposed to care about a side character that was hardly mentioned and has no personality. That's another tragic flaw with the book. It presents people as such one dimensional creatures. Ruby has one personality trait, she thinks she's quirky because she knows so much about science, the dad is just kind of there? The mother is just kind of there as well? And the younger sister, forgot her name because she was that forgettable. And Marisol. Jesus, Marisol. Marisol is supposed to be Journey's "bestie" and the audience is supposed to feel sad because she's moving away and going to college. But I just didn't really care. She never helped Journey whatsoever, she just talked about herself and then claimed to care "SO MUCH" about Journey. But she hardly makes an attempt to help Journey or support her through her treatment. She just acts like mental illness makes you "spicy". Like um no???? Mental illness is a very real thing and destroys so many people's lives. It doesn't just make you more fun or quirky. It's not a personality trait and it shouldn't be treated as one. I honestly think the Mom was the best supportive character, but Journey viewed her as bad. I know that it was supposed to be "cringe worthy" that she was Googling what to say to Journey during her treatment, but there was still and effort being made. The mom honestly was treated pretty poorly but I think that she was the most level headed character. Oh and JONAH. How could I forget that guy. He dismisses Journey's treatment and just tells her that she's a nutcase basically. I know he's supposed to be a bad character, but way to stigmatize mental illness even more. There's not much to say about him. He just is a background character that I could care less about. I will say that I love Etta. She's the redeeming character. I just love her she's over the top and a sweetheart. I loved her more than Journey.
Journey as a character is.... not great. She has no boundaries and is a self serving character who never thinks about anyone or anything other than herself. As stated previously, I am someone with bipolar and I know that sometimes I only think about myself as well. But this just feels off. Like when Ruby is showing signs of also being mentally ill, she just dismisses it, and it's never brought up again. Um hello? Your sister could be potentially hurting herself and she obviously needs help and you just have one cry session on the floor and forget about her. (I think the author forgot about Ruby as well as she's not mentioned much after the crying on the floor scene.) Also Journey stigmatizes mental illness SO MUCH. Having to take meds or being hospitalized doesn't make you "crazy" or a "nut job". Mental illness is so real and saying that people are "crazy" for having it, just stigmatizes it. If Journey wants to think she's crazy, fine. But don't sit there and write ten hundred times that people are crazy for having mental illness. It really hurts to see it portrayed and mentioned like this. People like me often believe we're crazy because books like this tell us that we're crazy.
Also shout out to JD a fellow non binary person, the second only redeeming character. But that's all I've got to say. I tried to read this book a year ago and I just actually read it fully a year later.
My final opinion: just don't read this book. Unless you like to think that mental illness is a cake walk and people with it just are a little more "spicy" and get more sad than the average person.
Besides for this, none of the characters are ever fully developed or become likeable. Journey is always only talking about herself and how "things are getting better". Like when that thing happens to Ruby (spoiler alert) and she sprayed pepper spray into that girl's eyes, I just didn't care. Why am I supposed to care about a side character that was hardly mentioned and has no personality. That's another tragic flaw with the book. It presents people as such one dimensional creatures. Ruby has one personality trait, she thinks she's quirky because she knows so much about science, the dad is just kind of there? The mother is just kind of there as well? And the younger sister, forgot her name because she was that forgettable. And Marisol. Jesus, Marisol. Marisol is supposed to be Journey's "bestie" and the audience is supposed to feel sad because she's moving away and going to college. But I just didn't really care. She never helped Journey whatsoever, she just talked about herself and then claimed to care "SO MUCH" about Journey. But she hardly makes an attempt to help Journey or support her through her treatment. She just acts like mental illness makes you "spicy". Like um no???? Mental illness is a very real thing and destroys so many people's lives. It doesn't just make you more fun or quirky. It's not a personality trait and it shouldn't be treated as one. I honestly think the Mom was the best supportive character, but Journey viewed her as bad. I know that it was supposed to be "cringe worthy" that she was Googling what to say to Journey during her treatment, but there was still and effort being made. The mom honestly was treated pretty poorly but I think that she was the most level headed character. Oh and JONAH. How could I forget that guy. He dismisses Journey's treatment and just tells her that she's a nutcase basically. I know he's supposed to be a bad character, but way to stigmatize mental illness even more. There's not much to say about him. He just is a background character that I could care less about. I will say that I love Etta. She's the redeeming character. I just love her she's over the top and a sweetheart. I loved her more than Journey.
Journey as a character is.... not great. She has no boundaries and is a self serving character who never thinks about anyone or anything other than herself. As stated previously, I am someone with bipolar and I know that sometimes I only think about myself as well. But this just feels off. Like when Ruby is showing signs of also being mentally ill, she just dismisses it, and it's never brought up again. Um hello? Your sister could be potentially hurting herself and she obviously needs help and you just have one cry session on the floor and forget about her. (I think the author forgot about Ruby as well as she's not mentioned much after the crying on the floor scene.) Also Journey stigmatizes mental illness SO MUCH. Having to take meds or being hospitalized doesn't make you "crazy" or a "nut job". Mental illness is so real and saying that people are "crazy" for having it, just stigmatizes it. If Journey wants to think she's crazy, fine. But don't sit there and write ten hundred times that people are crazy for having mental illness. It really hurts to see it portrayed and mentioned like this. People like me often believe we're crazy because books like this tell us that we're crazy.
Also shout out to JD a fellow non binary person, the second only redeeming character. But that's all I've got to say. I tried to read this book a year ago and I just actually read it fully a year later.
My final opinion: just don't read this book. Unless you like to think that mental illness is a cake walk and people with it just are a little more "spicy" and get more sad than the average person.
July 13, 2021
As it might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, I absolutely loved this book. As someone who has been recently diagnosed with bipolar within the last few years, as I navigate my way through life after high school, finishing college and not knowing what I ‘should’ be doing with my life, this book spoke to me on many levels.
As journey finds her way through life after her suicide attempt, expressing the amount of guilt and madness she felt for feeling so helpless and “dramatic” it was truly something I related to all the way through. To the very last few pages of her hoping her diagnoses wasn’t bipolar, and learning to accept it if it was. From shutting everyone she cared about out because she felt like she was too much, all the way through her learning how to simply just exist. This read was something that I felt very close with. I am also pursuing school for counseling soon, and I have always felt so crazy and so incapable of amounting to anything due to my diagnoses, and Journey is riding her way right to the finish line. The way Faith Gardner explained how bipolar felt vs. how it’s stigmatized and how others react to it was exactly how my experience has been. I picked this book out specifically because it was about someone with the same diagnoses as me, attempting to find some type of comfort or relief through hearing someone feel and see the world the same as I do, and I ended this book by sobbing because I finally felt understood and accepted. This book isn’t entirely for everyone, but if you have met someone with suicidal ideation, bipolar or even depression (or you are that person) this book would be great for you. As it’s a roller coaster, like the rest of our lives. It was such a lovely read.
As journey finds her way through life after her suicide attempt, expressing the amount of guilt and madness she felt for feeling so helpless and “dramatic” it was truly something I related to all the way through. To the very last few pages of her hoping her diagnoses wasn’t bipolar, and learning to accept it if it was. From shutting everyone she cared about out because she felt like she was too much, all the way through her learning how to simply just exist. This read was something that I felt very close with. I am also pursuing school for counseling soon, and I have always felt so crazy and so incapable of amounting to anything due to my diagnoses, and Journey is riding her way right to the finish line. The way Faith Gardner explained how bipolar felt vs. how it’s stigmatized and how others react to it was exactly how my experience has been. I picked this book out specifically because it was about someone with the same diagnoses as me, attempting to find some type of comfort or relief through hearing someone feel and see the world the same as I do, and I ended this book by sobbing because I finally felt understood and accepted. This book isn’t entirely for everyone, but if you have met someone with suicidal ideation, bipolar or even depression (or you are that person) this book would be great for you. As it’s a roller coaster, like the rest of our lives. It was such a lovely read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
I wish there was a word for "this book being one of the best mental health companions." Journey is like a piece of me, a fragment of my reflection, in some of her mental health struggles. ✨ She is the embodiment of how I feel, specifically today. I loved this book, and definitely need a copy to keep on my shelf, eventually. I really liked how realistic it is; down-to-earth, believable, inspiring. The characters don't sugar coat Journey and though I felt bad for her, I appreciate the author showing what the real world is like. We don't always know what to label ourselves when we struggle, and the parts of the book with therapists and psychiatrists were insightful and helped give me some "tools for my toolbox." I definitely recommend this book for everyone who deals with mental illness or knows someone who struggles with it.
February 22, 2021
The back and forth timeline of the first part of the book took a minute to get into but once I did this book was amazing. I struggled with anxiety and depression as a teen--I just didn't know it. I think this book would help anyone from 15 to 75 understand what it's like for a teen, twenty-something, and beyond to be told they are "too much" and their feelings are "too big." Too big for who? You? Well, they are pretty big for us as well. I really enjoyed Journey and her dark humor. This is a must-read!
September 14, 2023
Not the book for me. I really want to DNF around page 200... because I was bored. I skimmed the last few chapeters.
May 2, 2021
Working in a middle school environment during the pandemic when teen mental health is a massive concern— this book is especially prescient. So many aspects of Girl on the Line resonated with me, both in my own memories of being a teenager and dealing with “big feelings” and also in being alongside my students and their families who are struggling. Faith is a fantastic writer, and she captured Journey’s unique (and yet relatable) voice so well.
May 3, 2021
Took my time reading this one, and it was worth every page. Chose it because I thought the concept was pretty relatable, but it ended up being so that I cried my way through many parts of it. Love love love
May 8, 2022
It’s like Faith Gardner took every thought in my brain, and compiled it into a neat little book for me. Reading this was so incredibly validating. I just wanna hand it over to my therapist with all my notes and highlights and be like “THIS.”
January 27, 2021
This book was a very good read.
May 5, 2021
I think it was great a little dark at times but I'm glad that it ended pretty well
July 28, 2021
Loved this book
March 16, 2024
interesting…idk it got better towards the end
May 14, 2024
Loved it
July 30, 2025
More of a ' coming of age' book. outside of what I would typically read
April 13, 2021
Slow-moving plot, but enjoyed the thoughtful reflection of mental health and identity.
February 2, 2021
Funny & messy, this novel reflects how non-linear healing can be. It was really relatable, and one of the better representations of depression I've read. Great queer rep as well!
January 24, 2021
Amazing. Thank you for sharing your very layered existence.
October 14, 2021
this audiobook review was prepared for and appears in AudioFile Magazine.
Journey is a teenager who is recovering from a recent suicide attempt in this audiobook narrated by Caitlin Davies. The narrative bounces between the time shortly after this traumatic event to the present day, which sees Journey adjusting to life as a college student and crisis hotline volunteer. Bisexual Journey wants to get back together with her best friend turned boyfriend turned ex, at least that's the case until she meets the charismatic and lovable Etta. Though the story is serious, Davies retains a bit of levity in her performance, giving Journey a likable, sarcastic personality. Many listeners may be triggered by this audiobook's frank depiction of mental health crises, but, thankfully, a link to a pdf with resources is included.
Journey is a teenager who is recovering from a recent suicide attempt in this audiobook narrated by Caitlin Davies. The narrative bounces between the time shortly after this traumatic event to the present day, which sees Journey adjusting to life as a college student and crisis hotline volunteer. Bisexual Journey wants to get back together with her best friend turned boyfriend turned ex, at least that's the case until she meets the charismatic and lovable Etta. Though the story is serious, Davies retains a bit of levity in her performance, giving Journey a likable, sarcastic personality. Many listeners may be triggered by this audiobook's frank depiction of mental health crises, but, thankfully, a link to a pdf with resources is included.
March 25, 2021
Great book about mental health
It was nice to read a book that openly talked about mental illnesses and all the feelings that come with it. I love that she touches on there not being a "normal" in today's society.
It was nice to read a book that openly talked about mental illnesses and all the feelings that come with it. I love that she touches on there not being a "normal" in today's society.
November 18, 2020
Plot:
*Trigger Warnings: suicide, self-harm*
In the recent past, like a year ago, Journey Smith tried to kill herself. Taking pills by her favorite lake, she dreamed that the sky would be clear, she would smell the flowers, as she drifted peacefully into a forever sleep. When in reality the sky was a dull grey, there were ants everywhere, and her body rejected the pills. Discovered by dogs looking for their tennis ball, Journey was rushed to the hospital, stomach pumped, and met the eyes of her grief-stricken divorced parents. Diagnosed with bipolar, and forced to take medicine, two days in the hospital, Journey was back to being, well Journey. She always had these “big feelings”, always had mood swings where she could be facetime her friends till 3am, or not getting out of bed until 4pm. To her friends and family, Journey was always extra, and believed in her diagnoses, even when Journey told them she was not bipolar, nor mentally ill. Determined to get her life on track, Journey started seeing her therapist, Wolf, going to City College to get some credits for both university and high school, got a job to save money to move out on her own, and stopped taking her pills. To Journey, the pills established that she was mentally ill, where she did not feel any different from when she was undiagnosed and found the pills changed her into a Journey she did not know. Knowing her signs of when she becomes suicidal again, Journey works through her relationships from her best friend, sisters, parents, to her ex-best friend and boyfriend who thought “space” was what they needed when she needed him most. Journey is also determined to help people, as a counter for a crisis hotline, Journey knows what it is like to be on the other end of the line, willing to help those so they do not end up like her a year ago: stomach full of pills waiting to die.
Thoughts:
Faith Gardner story tells the tale of an eighteen-year-old Journey who failed at dying. Gardner divided the book into three parts, with no chapters besides distinguishing between the past (last year) and present (what is happening now). Ye,t this only happens in part one, as by the end you pretty much learn about Journey’s past suicide attempt, making parts two and three all about the present, and two very long chapters. Therefore, making the first part kind of confusing because you are switching between the present and very recent past, but do progress the story as past Journey struggles and you know the current Journey is okay. The title comes from being on the phone to a crisis hotline, something Journey has both used and worked at, centering around the idea of Journey who once needed help, can now give the help and the overall benefits of having a crisis line. A fun character development that Gardner added was Journey discovering she’s bisexual, having her long for her ex-boyfriend for the first half of the novel, to realizing she wants to be more than friends with Etta in the second half. Gardner made it not a big deal (as it should be), allowing her friends, family, and even ex-boyfriend to accept it as one of Journeys quirks. Where the writing was slow at times, as not a lot happened in Journey’s life between her volunteering, work, Etta, and school, Journey was a good character to have a point of view from, as she truly believes she is not bipolar, despite doctors saying otherwise. This made the plot tedious and oftentimes hard to get through because the main plot (of Journey and her mental illness) cannot happen overnight, thus the day by day (or chapter by chapter) was often a snooze fest. The best part of the novel was when Gardner had Journey off her medication, and where her signs of being bipolar were not spelled out like Journey was irritated today, but more implied with the conversations she was having with other characters and herself throughout the story. Basically allowing you to see the signs of her suicidal episode showing up, without having the character acknowledge it in any way. Thus, showing off Gardner strong writing skills with both the plotline and Journey as the character. Overall, this novel is worth the read for those looking for a contemporary happy ending mental health novel that has a little bit of a leaving high school vibe, and some boyfriend/girlfriend, family, and friend drama sprinkle in.
*Trigger Warnings: suicide, self-harm*
In the recent past, like a year ago, Journey Smith tried to kill herself. Taking pills by her favorite lake, she dreamed that the sky would be clear, she would smell the flowers, as she drifted peacefully into a forever sleep. When in reality the sky was a dull grey, there were ants everywhere, and her body rejected the pills. Discovered by dogs looking for their tennis ball, Journey was rushed to the hospital, stomach pumped, and met the eyes of her grief-stricken divorced parents. Diagnosed with bipolar, and forced to take medicine, two days in the hospital, Journey was back to being, well Journey. She always had these “big feelings”, always had mood swings where she could be facetime her friends till 3am, or not getting out of bed until 4pm. To her friends and family, Journey was always extra, and believed in her diagnoses, even when Journey told them she was not bipolar, nor mentally ill. Determined to get her life on track, Journey started seeing her therapist, Wolf, going to City College to get some credits for both university and high school, got a job to save money to move out on her own, and stopped taking her pills. To Journey, the pills established that she was mentally ill, where she did not feel any different from when she was undiagnosed and found the pills changed her into a Journey she did not know. Knowing her signs of when she becomes suicidal again, Journey works through her relationships from her best friend, sisters, parents, to her ex-best friend and boyfriend who thought “space” was what they needed when she needed him most. Journey is also determined to help people, as a counter for a crisis hotline, Journey knows what it is like to be on the other end of the line, willing to help those so they do not end up like her a year ago: stomach full of pills waiting to die.
Thoughts:
Faith Gardner story tells the tale of an eighteen-year-old Journey who failed at dying. Gardner divided the book into three parts, with no chapters besides distinguishing between the past (last year) and present (what is happening now). Ye,t this only happens in part one, as by the end you pretty much learn about Journey’s past suicide attempt, making parts two and three all about the present, and two very long chapters. Therefore, making the first part kind of confusing because you are switching between the present and very recent past, but do progress the story as past Journey struggles and you know the current Journey is okay. The title comes from being on the phone to a crisis hotline, something Journey has both used and worked at, centering around the idea of Journey who once needed help, can now give the help and the overall benefits of having a crisis line. A fun character development that Gardner added was Journey discovering she’s bisexual, having her long for her ex-boyfriend for the first half of the novel, to realizing she wants to be more than friends with Etta in the second half. Gardner made it not a big deal (as it should be), allowing her friends, family, and even ex-boyfriend to accept it as one of Journeys quirks. Where the writing was slow at times, as not a lot happened in Journey’s life between her volunteering, work, Etta, and school, Journey was a good character to have a point of view from, as she truly believes she is not bipolar, despite doctors saying otherwise. This made the plot tedious and oftentimes hard to get through because the main plot (of Journey and her mental illness) cannot happen overnight, thus the day by day (or chapter by chapter) was often a snooze fest. The best part of the novel was when Gardner had Journey off her medication, and where her signs of being bipolar were not spelled out like Journey was irritated today, but more implied with the conversations she was having with other characters and herself throughout the story. Basically allowing you to see the signs of her suicidal episode showing up, without having the character acknowledge it in any way. Thus, showing off Gardner strong writing skills with both the plotline and Journey as the character. Overall, this novel is worth the read for those looking for a contemporary happy ending mental health novel that has a little bit of a leaving high school vibe, and some boyfriend/girlfriend, family, and friend drama sprinkle in.
September 7, 2023
Girl On The Line written by Faith Gardner sucker punched my heart. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK, EVEN THOUGH IT DESTROYED ME. I had no clue what this book was going to be about, I just saw it on the shelf at the library and knew I had to read it immediately. IF SUICIDE IS TRIGGERING FOR YOU, PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!! Girl On The Line made me sob uncontrollably numerous amounts of time, it made me laugh, it made me question my sanity of why I decided to read this book after the first page left me in tears. The way Faith Gardener portrayed mental health, was so beautifully written and courageous. I don't know about any of you, but this book reminded me of those people on YouTube who blindfold their eyes, they have a cardboard sign that says "free hugs". I just remember hiding under my blanket, twirling my rings, thinking, why could anyone be so damn cruel? How could you say to someone who just committed suicide, did you do it for attention? I have never felt so angry reading any book before, the mom in this book just pissed me off so much, instead of questioning your daughter, maybe you should go give her the biggest hug? If you do decide to read this book, please be careful, it does get extremely heavy at times, and keep the tissues close by.
I just want to add a little message in this review, if you're struggling and just need someone to talk to, my messages are ALWAYS open, please don't ever hesitate to reach out. I LOVE YOU💗.
TW'S: MENTIONS OF COMMITTING SUICIDE!
I don't know how i'm going to write this review without getting all emotional again, so please, bear with me. Journey now has a future, she has to figure out what that future is supposed to look like. Some days are hard, some days are easy, but Journey is determined to make a future for herself after her failed suicide attempt. Journey never meant to commit suicide, but life just got too hard for her to keep going, which absolutely broke my heart. Journey felt like her life wasn't going the way it was supposed to, so she felt like the only way out was suicide. Some days the pain feels as fresh as the day as Journey attempted suicide, but some days, Journey feels like she's the best version of herself she can ever be. Journey's parents don't know how to speak to her, her dad is trying his best, her mom thinks she did it for attention, her little sisters won't even talk to her, and her best friend cracks all the wrong jokes. After Journey's suicide attempt she gets diagnosed with a bipolar 2 disorder and is prescribed new medication, she is now seeing a few therapists. Journey got a new job at a volunteer hotline, where she can help other people who felt like she did.
My heart broke for Journey so many times, I just wanted to reach into the pages of this book and give her the biggest hug. It breaks my heart hearing people say they can't do it anymore, that they just want to be put out of their misery, it just hurts my heart so much. The women who Journey worked with at the hotline were so supportive and comforting, it truly warmed my heart. It truly broke my heart when Journey's boyfriend broke up with her and said he needed space right after her suicide attempt, like I truly wanted to throw this dude in a dumpster. I can't recommend this book enough, it was so beautifully written, it portrayed mental health really well, it was so heart breaking, but overall an amazing story. I kept cheering for Journey as she kept bettering her life, and her willingness to help others so they don't have to feel the pain she felt the night she swallowed pills down by the lake. Faith Gardner, thank you so much for truly stabbing my heart, you owe me at least twenty boxes of tissues. Ladies, I don't recommend reading this book on your period like I did, because it will make you more emotional than you think it possibly could. Journey, girl, let me just say, i'm beyond proud of you for coming out the other end of your suicide attempt stronger.
I just want to add a little message in this review, if you're struggling and just need someone to talk to, my messages are ALWAYS open, please don't ever hesitate to reach out. I LOVE YOU💗.
TW'S: MENTIONS OF COMMITTING SUICIDE!
I don't know how i'm going to write this review without getting all emotional again, so please, bear with me. Journey now has a future, she has to figure out what that future is supposed to look like. Some days are hard, some days are easy, but Journey is determined to make a future for herself after her failed suicide attempt. Journey never meant to commit suicide, but life just got too hard for her to keep going, which absolutely broke my heart. Journey felt like her life wasn't going the way it was supposed to, so she felt like the only way out was suicide. Some days the pain feels as fresh as the day as Journey attempted suicide, but some days, Journey feels like she's the best version of herself she can ever be. Journey's parents don't know how to speak to her, her dad is trying his best, her mom thinks she did it for attention, her little sisters won't even talk to her, and her best friend cracks all the wrong jokes. After Journey's suicide attempt she gets diagnosed with a bipolar 2 disorder and is prescribed new medication, she is now seeing a few therapists. Journey got a new job at a volunteer hotline, where she can help other people who felt like she did.
My heart broke for Journey so many times, I just wanted to reach into the pages of this book and give her the biggest hug. It breaks my heart hearing people say they can't do it anymore, that they just want to be put out of their misery, it just hurts my heart so much. The women who Journey worked with at the hotline were so supportive and comforting, it truly warmed my heart. It truly broke my heart when Journey's boyfriend broke up with her and said he needed space right after her suicide attempt, like I truly wanted to throw this dude in a dumpster. I can't recommend this book enough, it was so beautifully written, it portrayed mental health really well, it was so heart breaking, but overall an amazing story. I kept cheering for Journey as she kept bettering her life, and her willingness to help others so they don't have to feel the pain she felt the night she swallowed pills down by the lake. Faith Gardner, thank you so much for truly stabbing my heart, you owe me at least twenty boxes of tissues. Ladies, I don't recommend reading this book on your period like I did, because it will make you more emotional than you think it possibly could. Journey, girl, let me just say, i'm beyond proud of you for coming out the other end of your suicide attempt stronger.
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