The Edge of Never
by J.A. Redmerski
Publisher: Self-Published (Nov 2012)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, New Adult
Format: eBook (426 pages)
Source: AToMT Tours
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 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?
Due to sexual content and language, this book is recommended for 17+ – Adult Contemporary Women’s – New Adult Fiction
At A Glance
Except for the slow beginning, The Edge of Never rocked my book socks off. I want more already.
The Good
Here’s The Story…
Camryn has had one of the worst few years of her life. Her parents got divorced, his brother is in jail, and her boyfriend, someone who might have been the love of her life, died in a car accident. Trying to move on with her life, she planned to move in with her best friend and start a new job. But after one fateful night at a club that went horribly wrong, Camryn just has to get away. She knew she always wanted something more in her life, and she is determined to find that on the road. With just a few belongings, Camryn boards a Greyhound bus to anywhere and nowhere. But she never expected to find Andrew on her journey. Camryn has closed her heart to love, but Andrew is slowly wedging his way in. Now on a road-trip together, Camryn is finding it harder to ignore her growing feelings for Andrew as he makes her feel alive for the first time in a long time. But Andrew has secrets that can ruin everything. Will Camryn be able to live through another heartbreak?
Laughing and Crying…
Just. Wow. This book kicks you in the stomach, rips your heart out of your chest, and runs away laughing. Seriously. I had to sit alone for a little while after finishing The Edge of Never and just process the whole thing. There is such raw emotion emanating from each page. I wanted to laugh half the time and cry the rest. I am a little sad that it’s over. I want to spend more time with Camryn and Andrew. I miss them.
Camryn…
Camryn’s past broke my heart. She has had bad thing after bad thing bring her further down into a spiral of sadness. She really does try to continue on with her life, but the sense that something is missing, that sense of adventure that has been stirring in her won’t go away. And after what happened with her best friend, I think Camryn felt like it was the last straw. When Andrew came into the picture, Camryn was so grumpy and standoffish it was cute. Andrew thought so too. I totally understood why she kept Andrew at arms length. Letting people in after so many have let you down or left you is hard. But it was also frustrating. I just wanted to yell at her, “Love him already, you both deserve it!”
Andrew…
When I first found out we also got to experience this book through Andrew’s POV, I squealed like a little girl. Andrew opened my eyes to so much more of the world than Camryn did. Without his POV, this story would not have been as compelling. Andrew had so much passion, but he also had a past that had affected him greatly. I felt for him every step of the way. Especially when he was waiting for Camryn to finally admit that she loved him. When his secret was revealed, I wanted to punch him and hold him at the same time. I was genuinely surprised, I never guessed this twist.
Bone Deep…
The writing was well done and the story was beautiful. The characters all made me feel something bone deep. The relationship between Camryn and Andrew built slowly from friendship to lovers to something so much more. These two are so intense it was hard to handle sometimes. Andrew pushes so many boundaries I was often left giggling or red with embarrassment.
In The Moment…
The message behind this book is inspirational. To live in the moment. To never let love pass you by no matter the heartbreak that can come from it. To live everyday like it is your last. I want to be more like Camryn and Andrew. I admire them and respect the paths they chose. The Edge of Never is like a breath of fresh air.
The Bad
The only part that really sucked was the beginning. It was soooooo slow. It finally picked up around 40% the way through. So yeah, be ready to grit your teeth and bare through the beginning before you get to the good stuff.
The Snuggly
Though the feel of this book is New Adult, the sex is Adult. Well, I think so anyways. Andrew does not hold back anything and he loves to talk dirty, and it was SO FREAKIN’ HOT! I loved how Andrew drew Camryn out of her sexual shell. I ended up blushing as much as she did. Hehehhe.
Final Thoughts
I would love for there to be a book 2. I want to know even more about Camryn and Andrew. They fascinate me. Their love is so raw and consuming it made this story that much more amazing. This is a very highly recommended read.
“Heart always wins out over the mind. The heart, although reckless and suicidal and a masochist all on its own, always gets its way.”
*****
“I don’t think you ever really fall out of love with someone. I think when you fall in love, like true love, it’s love for life. All the rest is just experience and delusions.”
*****
“I think if past lives are real then we have been lovers in every single one of them. I’ve known you for a short time, but I feel like I’ve known you forever.”
*****
“She looks slightly relieved, until she realizes I was making fun of her and she sticks her tongue out at me and crosses her eyes. Not sure why that made me want to do her in the backseat, but to each his own, I guess.”
Author Bio
Sarah Elizabeth
I’m so glad you liked this! I’ve had it on my wishlist since i first saw the cover! (which I think was here actually)
I have to read this book! I’m in love with andrew just from reading your review! Yay! I can hardly wait! So excited!!
Jennifer Bielman
So excited that you are going to read this. I hope the slow beginning doesn’t bother you too much because the rest of the book is amazing.
Jaclyn Canada
Such a great review! I have this one on my TBR, but I have been waiting anxiously to hear more about it. I really like what you said the message of The Edge of Never is the most. I think walking away with that message would be worth gritting your teeth through a slow beginning. Old Follower 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven
Jennifer Bielman
I agree. As long as the ending is amazing and an importnant lesson is left with the reader, it is worth the slow beginning.
Christina K.
LOVE the quotes!! It certainly seems so emotional:)
I don’t mind slow beginning at all;))
Thank you:)
Jennifer Bielman
Perfect. Then you will love this one.
J.A. Redmerski
What an awesome review, Jennifer! Thanks so much for participating in my tour and for your support. So glad you enjoyed Camryn and Andrew’s journey. 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks so much. It really was an amazing story.
Imel Cullen
thanks for review, ok, my friends very recomended this book and I really dying to read and I like the quote 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks. I thought the quotes really reflected the whole story.
Jacy Resendez
I am looking forward to reading it. Great review!
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks. Hope you do get a chance to read it.
Proserpine
Hi! Thanks for sharing your review, I love to discover book that are so passionate (about love of course!) the cover is stunning! Thanks for this chance!
Jennifer Bielman
It is a very passionate book.
Ashley
I freaking love your epic awesomesauce review!!!!! I LOVED this book too!! It was so amazing and touching and I almost bawled like a baby at the end *sniff*. I read it on a plane and kept trying to hide my giggles, tears, and blushes (OMG those sex scenes were freaking hot!!).
Jennifer Bielman
Hehe. You flatterer, you. I am so happy you loved it too. And those sex scenes are epic.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo i want this now, my spending the last two weeks on books while I had the flu was out of control..even for me, so this is going on my wishlist and I entered to win it..LOL I am so in love with this new genre it’s like crack!
Jennifer Bielman
I know right? I am obsessed with this genere too. I am so happy you will read it eventually. And I know about spending too much on books, it happens.
Bookluvrs Haven
Love your review, and want to read this one ASAP! Thank you for hosting the giveaway!!!
Lily
Jennifer Bielman
You need to read it ASAP. hehe.
Majuchan
When I saw that you are giving away a copy for free, my eyes pop out… Hahaha… I love to read this. and your review esp. on the characters made me smile and more curious about them… I think I would be in an emotional ride when I read this. Thanks for this giveaway. xoxo
Jennifer Bielman
So happy you liked my review. The author is the one giving a copy away. Isn’t she awesome?
emaginette
Finally a book that is not YA. I could you a change and this book looks great. 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Yup, not YA at all. Very adultish.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Wow! Sounds like one heck of a read. Wonderful it drew you in so. Thanks for the wonderful review.
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks. I really did love it.
Ana Death Duarte
This quote is already my favorite> “Heart always wins out over the mind. The heart, although reckless and suicidal and a masochist all on its own, always gets its way.”
I am already in love with this book xD
Jennifer Bielman
Hehe. So happy to hear it. I thought the quote was beautiful too.
Jillyn
I’m dying to read this. It’s been sitting on my TBR list for awhile. Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Good Luck. Hope you get to read it soon.
Miss. Lucinda Fountain
Thank you so much for a brilliant guest post and giveaway. I would love to have the chance of reading ‘the edge of never’ as it sounds like a fantastic read, and i have herd so much postivity about the author JA Redmerski, whose work i am dying to discover! x
Jennifer Bielman
She is a great author and very nice. I think you will love this book.
Beckey
Thanks for sharing the great review …
Seems like it’ll be a great read 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Mary Preston
So glad the book picked up for you. I am looking forward to a great read.
Isabel Gomez
I’ve been wanting to read this for so long *dreamy eyes*
Jennifer Bielman
Sooooo *dreamy eyes*
Heather Fowler
I’ve been seeing this book everywhere, and while YA/NA are not usually my cup of coffee w/splash of liquor, this one has just been niggling at the edge of my imagination for some reason. It’s high on my TBR this year. Can’t wait to get my hands on it, one way or the other!
Heather
Jennifer Bielman
I love NA, I think this one wil call to you no matter what.
Meghan
Great giveaway! Love the cover… Thanks!
mestith@gmail.com
Jennifer Bielman
That cover is amazing.
Maris
I love this. Thank you so much for the giveaway. dsr002(at)gmail(dot)com
Jennifer Bielman
🙂 Good luck!