Thursday 10 January 2013

Review: The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

The Edge of Never

The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication date: November 15th 2012
My rating:  4 stars

 
 Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?


The Edge of Never was such a sweet and emotional love story!  Andrew and Camryn stole my heart, and made me cry.  I’ll be thinking about their story for some time to come. 

Both Camryn and Andrew have their own sad back stories, and while we find out Camryn’s fairly early, Andrew’s is a little more of a mystery unfolding.  Basically, this story starts out with Camyrn at a place in her life where she realizes nothing will turn out the way she wants unless she does something drastic.  So she hops on a bus, randomly picking a destination because this is more about the journey, to her, rather than where she’s going.  This is where Cam meets Andrew.  Andrew has an easy going and open way about him and they slowly become bus buddies and travel friends.  Neither one wants a relationship, so this works out well…..for a while.  Getting along really well with the opposite sex usually undermines the best of intentions. 

This story is told from alternating POVs, Camryn and Andrew’s, a method I’m a big fan of.  Like I said before, we learn Cam’s sad story early on; the reason why she’s wants nothing to do with a relationship or love.  She’s been hurt and feels she’ll never love anyone the way she loved her high school sweetheart.  But Cam accepts that, and doesn’t whine about it, which made her really easy to like.  The saying that you always find love when you’re not looking, or when you least expect it, is so true, as Cam finds out. 

I loved that Andrew and Cam started out as reluctant friends, and it developed slowly into more.  The minute Andrew got on the bus, Cam was on his radar, but he sensed a cautiousness in her and didn’t push, too hard.  Loved this quote:

I get the feeling that she would have no problem kicking me in the nuts if I touched her in an inappropriate way.  Not that I would.  Hell no.  But it’s good to know that she’s the type.  Hell yeah, I like the girl. 

He slowly got to know her, all the while looking out for her, and thankfully, keeping her safe.  Protective men always make me swoon!  I guess I never really thought about how dangerous it could be traveling alone on a bus, but I’ll never make that mistake again. *shudders*  I loved Andrew’s character and how he drew Cam out, pushed her self-imposed limits, and got her thinking out of the box. 

I have to tell you, while this was a sweet love story, it was also surprising pretty darn SPICY!  Enough to melt the socks, steam up the glasses, and have you fanning yourself for some relief!  Also, I must mention that the story took me a little while to get into, but J.A. Redmerski’s writing slowly drew me in a little closer with every click of the page.  This won’t be the last book I pick up by her.



16 comments:

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

This book sounds like it has a lot of what I love too. Alternating pov's and a protective male. Loving it already, but add some spice and I'm there :) Wonderful review as usual Rachel.

Unknown said...

She's a great author. I like your review on this. Sweet and Spicy?? must read this.

-Dannielle

Lyra said...

This has been on my TBR for weeks, but I've always kept myself from reading it for some reason. I guess the blurb didn't strike my fancy enough. From your review though I gather that I'll probably like this book a lot so I'm reading it next, Oh, and I love that they started out as friends!

Lyra @ Defiantly Deviant

Emma said...

I done a cover reveal for this book and I loved the sound of it immeadialey. I have started to grow with alternative POV between the characters, and I have grwon to like it the more I read. I love the sound Andrew, he one of those guys that I wouldn't mind having a travel with and develop into something more...perhaps. I love Cam's character how she is able to do something for herself, striving to become an independant wonam, and I think I can relate to that. I think I may beed to get my hands on this book! Lovely review, Rachel.

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

I'm not exactly of fan of alternating POVs, but I trust you that it works. I never would have guessed that this one is spicy, though. Must tell Lisa, haha.
Great review as always, Rachel!

Jenny said...

I'm a huge fan of a dual POV too Rachel, it's so nice to get inside both characters heads as their romance develops:) And SPICY you say? *runs to buy* I love a book with a whole lot of spice! Thanks for putting this one on my radar.

Sarah Elizabeth said...

I've wanted this book since I first saw the cover and have heard nothing but good reviews! Have got to pick up a copy soon! Thanks for making me want to oread it even more!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I agree about dual POV, I just finished Meant To Be and I felt it would have been so much better with a dual perspective. I bought this when it was at a low introductory price and I need to read it soon. I am very curious about traveling alone on a bus now.

Keertana said...

I feel like I've been hearing so much about this one lately, so I probably should read it. I'm worried it's going to be like On the Beach or The Sweet Gum Tree for me, though - good, but forgettable, unlike On Dublin Street which I just LOVED. I'm really glad you liked this one though, Rachel, and I might just try it after all. Amazing review, dear!(:

Gabby said...

I see so many awesome reviews on this book and somehow Its still not on my TBR pile!! if so many people are enjoying it obviously need to check it out! It sounds like I would really enjoy it!

Great review Rachel!

Gabby~

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

I loved the quote that you shared. I think I'll like to get to know Cam and Andrew. Guess my reading pile is getting one book heavier. Thank you, Rachel!

Anonymous said...

This is the second review that I had the pleasure to read tonight. I love a road trip book and this sounds like a book that I would like. Plus, the spice is a big bonus. Thanks for your awesome review.
Also, I see that you are 2/3 through your Bouts of Books Goal. Congrats. I have two out of three done too.

Unknown said...

Aww, great review, Rachel! I am such a fan of alternating pov, too. I love knowing what's going on in both character's heads. Such a beautiful story. I'm happy you enjoyed it, too!

Jess said...

I keep seeing this around which is usually a sign that I need to read it! After reading your great review and finding out it has an alternating POV (my favourite kind!) this has now gone straight to the top of my Kindle wishlist, I hope to get it soon!

Maji Bookshelf said...

aww i love relationships that start out as friends! This book seems like a book i would definitely love! Also, i just love reading books with alternating POV's! Great review dear!
- Farah @ MajiBookshelf

Jen (Books and Other Happy Ever Afters) said...

Yay! I'm so glad that you loved this one, Rachel. I bought it a couple of months ago and now I'll definitely be reading it. I'm a sucker for protective men, too! ;) In the New Adult genre these days we seem to see too much of insta-love, and purely physical attraction. I'm happy to hear that THE EDGE OF NEVER didn't have this situation! The slow development of friendship to something more sounds great. I can't wait to read this one! Brilliant review, Rachel! :)

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