The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski Series: The Edge of Never #1
Published by Grand Central Publishing on 2 July 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Pages: 426
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett thought she knew exactly where her life was going. But after a wild night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she shocks everyone-including herself-when she decides to leave the only life she's ever known and set out on her own. Grabbing her purse and her cell phone, Camryn boards a Greyhound bus ready to find herself. Instead, she finds Andrew Parrish.
Sexy and exciting, Andrew lives life like there is no tomorrow. He persuades Camryn to do things she never thought she would and shows her how to give in to her deepest, most forbidden desires. Soon he becomes the center of her daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But there is more to Andrew than Camryn realizes. Will his secret push them inseparably together-or destroy them forever?
*I received a free ARC of The Edge of Never from Hachette Book Group via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
The Edge of Never is a very emotional story about not having a destination in life, feeling numb, and not knowing what to do next. Camryn has felt lost for over a year, ever since Ian died in a horrible accident, the only feeling she has is a sort of numb pain. She is unable to cry, and her life has become a set of situations where she is only going through the motions. Her best friend Natalie tries her best to cheer her up, date again, move out of her mom’s house – anything to get a reaction from Cam.
As Cam’s and Ian’s dream was to never have the same job for long, but to rather travel around the world and work when they had to – one evening, Cam just packs a small bag and leaves. She chooses Idaho as her destination because the woman behind the counter at the Greyhound Bus station is having a baked potato. The Edge of Never takes Cam on a trip across the US, and soon, she meets Andrew, whom she tries not to talk to, but who is charming enough that it’s hard to keep him completely away. I was chucking at Andrew’s inner thoughts, as he was sure Cam was underage, and that he should really stay far away from her – only he found it almost impossible not to like her spunk.
During different bus-rides, Andrew felt protective of Cam, and a strange kind of friendship among strangers develop between them. The Edge of Never truly is a beautiful story about how the journey is much more important than the destination, and I loved how the two main characters were able to bring out the best in each other. It did take me a long time to trust Andrew, though, because some of his thoughts were confusing, and the readers never knew exactly what those thoughts meant.
The writing is in dual points of views, some chapters from Cam and others from Andrew, being inside of their heads was a trip in itself, as they are both pretty deep characters, and there is a lot more going on with both of them than what is shown on the surface. A little reckless, a lot lovable and hey, there’s also some scenes where Andrew plays the guitar – so total win on that count too! – some hotness, and striving for more – The Edge of Never is about growth, healing and living your own life, not what others expect of you.
If you are an emotional reader, like I am, The Edge of Never will make you feel so many different feelings – your heart will ache and almost break, you will laugh, cry and swoon, and you will cheer for Andrew and Cam all the way – their tortured souls really do deserve release, love and peace. I loved crossing the state-lines with them, and it was awesome to visit different cities and see new places through their eyes.
Even before Ian died, I always kind of thought out-of-the-box. Instead of sitting around dreaming up new sex positions, as Natalie often does about Damon, her boyfriend of five years, i dream about things that really matter. At least in my world, they matter. What the air in other countries feels like on my skin, how the ocean smells, why the sound of rain makes me gasp.
The moment you tell someone else is the moment you become a whiner and the world’s smallest violin starts to play.
Those girls at school had no idea what it really means to be depressed. It’s not only about sadness. In truth, sadness really has little to do with it. Depression is pain in its purest form and I would do anything to be able to feel an emotion again. Any emotion at all. Pain hurts, but pain that’s so powerful that you can’t feel anything anymore, that’s when you start to feel like you’re going crazy.
And there’s always, always a single shoe on the shoulder somewhere. What is it with the shoes? A bus ride is like being in another world.
When I could hold my eyes open long enough, I did stare up at the rain pelting down on me. I’ve never looked at it like that, straight up into the sky, and while I flinched more than I could actually see, when I could see it was absolutely beautiful. Like each drop rocketing towards me was separate from the thousands of others and for a suspended moment in time, I could glimpse it and see its delicate facets.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I’ve been circling this one forever it feels like. I love that we get to travel with them and see different places. I will add a new shelf on my TBR list for emotional reads. If I create it, maybe I’ll be brave enough to venture that way. Great review, Lexxie!
I really enjoyed it, Robyn. And emotional reads can be SO good – it helps get some of those tears out.
Thanks for stopping by.
I agree with you. I really loved this one, it was so awesome and touching! Both is great to follow. I was just disappointed by book 2…
🙁 I still have high hopes for the 2nd book, Melliane 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
Not a big fan of emotional reads..but it sounds good. So hmmm, not sure..lol. 🙂
LOL Stormi 🙂 I enjoy emotional reads every now and then, and this one was awesome 🙂
Have a great day!
I am SUCH an emotional reader, too! I have seen this book around the blogosphere for awhile but for haven’t gotten around to it yet. Hearing that it touched you so much definitely makes me more interested, though…hmmm. *eyes teetering TBR pile* Why must you tempt me, Lexxie? Whyyy.
I can’t say I’m sorry for tempting you, Wendy 🙂 The Edge of Never had all the right ingredients for me, and I think you’ll enjoy it as well 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful review Lexxie!! I totally loved this one too! It is an emotional read and bought tears to my eyes… I think I nearly sobbed!! I hope you enjoy the next book too!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
I hope so too, Naomi, several people have told me it’s not as good, but I might still love it 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I had to pop in and say that I dodge new adult books, I do love the cover on this one!!
I think that not all NA books are equal, Lyn 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
You had me at “the journey is much more important than the destination”, Lexxie. The Edge of Never is a book that’s been on my tbr for quite awhile. And now it’s moved up on the priority list. You know I’m an emotional reader and Cam and Andrew sound like a couple I’m going to enjoy being on a journey with. *sigh* Your review is lovely, my dear. I can feel the emotions. 🙂
I hope your week started off well. I think you’re back home – I’m sure it was hard to leave Norway but I hope you’ve settled back in. We got ~2 feet of snow over the last few days and it’s still snowing…it’s not supposed to stop until Saturday. Winter has really arrived. 🙂
**BIG HUGS**
Brandee, you’re going to love The Edge of Never! It is truly awesome 🙂
My week has started off great, thank you. And even if it was a little hard to leave Norway, it was so great to have a few days there. I stocked up on hugs 😀
I had really nice snowy weather there, too. It was great to have real winter for a while.
*BIG HUGS*
Sorry for the little delay on this one, but as soon as I remembered you had to post the review at the beginning of the month I rushed here! 😀
What can I say? I am an emotional reader and I also love having both point of views, from the heroine and the hero. So I have a feeling this could be a wonderful read for me!
Gorgeous review, Lexxie!
Silvia, I loved this one so much! There are many things happening, and the way both of the characters discover both themselves and each other was very well done 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! *hugs*
I’m a very emotional reader too. I loved this book, and it did make me laugh, cry, smile, and feel a vast array of emotions. I agree this story was about the journey, and not the destination. (Just like real life) Beautiful and eloquent review Lexx 🙂
Yes, just like real life, Lindy 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! I’m so happy you’re able to post here again 🙂 *hugs*