Now you may be thinking, Laur you've talked about The Edge of Happiness before! You're correct, I have talked about it in my February Anticipated Releases, in my January Top 5, and also in my most recent weekly wrap up.
So why am I talking about it again? Well in those posts I just focused on the book description, and telling others to read the book! Here I can at least share a bit more about the book, as well as quotes I loved, while also doing my best to avoid spoiling the book. Plus when you find a book you love, you talk about it. Sometimes ad nauseam. Sorry, not sorry.
So why am I talking about it again? Well in those posts I just focused on the book description, and telling others to read the book! Here I can at least share a bit more about the book, as well as quotes I loved, while also doing my best to avoid spoiling the book. Plus when you find a book you love, you talk about it. Sometimes ad nauseam. Sorry, not sorry.
First and foremost, we need to discuss the fact that The Edge of Happiness is the debut novel by Kristin Turnage, and it releases TODAY! Oh, and also, there are four more books coming in The Edge series. You already know I'm giddy about that. I get to stay with these amazing characters! Now I just need to be patient as Kristin writes the books.
After reading the book, I feel that there should be a content warning for bits and pieces of the story. There are sensitive subjects related to mental illness that occur. So know that going into the story. If you want specifics, please send me a message on instagram or facebook.
Also, if you are an emotional person (like me), have tissues on hand. Just trust me on that. I mean I went through quite a few in the first five chapters, so yeah.
If you've read the description of the book, then you know that Cassie is struggling with events that have happened in her life. We don't know the full story of what sent Cassie into this spiral, but she's hurting. And now, her Dad is sending her to stay with family that she doesn't know. At least it's better than the alternative that his Dad's girlfriend (Jennifer) was proposing.
Upon arriving in Oaks North Carolina, Cassie is immediately introduced to her Aunt and Uncle. It's a bit overwhelming, but with her dad by her side it's a bit more manageable. Which is understandable because we're always most comfortable with those we know. We can let our shield down a little bit.
The hug scene with Aunt Katie, in chapter 2, warms my heart. And yes, it may have made me tear up a bit.
More introductions are made, and Cassie now knows her cousins Tyler and Josslyn. I also like how Josslyn and Cassie immediately bonded, and that Josslyn felt that she could be herself around her new cousin. It was an instant connection between the pair, and Cassie's circle started to take shape.
Josslyn convinces Cassie to run to the grocery store with her, and it is there that she meets Ryan (and Mac). There is an immediate attraction for Cassie and Ryan. Probably more so on Ryan's part though. More than that attraction though, there is an immediate connection. It's like two missing pieces finding each other.
Her arms wrap around me and squeeze me in all the right places, a true mother's hug. I feel my muscles relax and my heart fill with warmth.We all need that sort of hug from time to time. A true mom hug just feels different. It's as though you feel the love coming through. It's everything.
More introductions are made, and Cassie now knows her cousins Tyler and Josslyn. I also like how Josslyn and Cassie immediately bonded, and that Josslyn felt that she could be herself around her new cousin. It was an instant connection between the pair, and Cassie's circle started to take shape.
Josslyn convinces Cassie to run to the grocery store with her, and it is there that she meets Ryan (and Mac). There is an immediate attraction for Cassie and Ryan. Probably more so on Ryan's part though. More than that attraction though, there is an immediate connection. It's like two missing pieces finding each other.
That meeting, at the grocery store, set the stage for everything that happens next.
A few days after Cassie arrived in town, she finds herself at a birthday party for Mac. After a little time passes, all these new faces become a bit too much, and Cassie goes to find a quiet place. Ryan finds her, and asks "Are people too much sometimes?" He understands her. He sees her.
This group that Cassie now has, is amazing. They've all connected in a deep way. Even though Cassie hasn't told them her past, they love and accept her for who she is. Cassie in turn repays that to them. Whether it is helping with a wedding, making their favorite foods, being a shoulder to cry on, etc, it's her way of giving of herself.
Another thing that I love his how Cassie wants to learn. She doesn't want anyone to do things for her. She wants to learn how to do it. Whether it is setting up a fishing pole, baiting the hook, working at the farm, working in her Aunt's store, whatever. Teach her, and she's good to go.
After a particularly rough day for Ryan, Cassie plans a surprise for him that she pulls off with the help of their friends. She doesn't want anything from Ryan. And this quote sums it up nicely.
This group that Cassie now has, is amazing. They've all connected in a deep way. Even though Cassie hasn't told them her past, they love and accept her for who she is. Cassie in turn repays that to them. Whether it is helping with a wedding, making their favorite foods, being a shoulder to cry on, etc, it's her way of giving of herself.
Another thing that I love his how Cassie wants to learn. She doesn't want anyone to do things for her. She wants to learn how to do it. Whether it is setting up a fishing pole, baiting the hook, working at the farm, working in her Aunt's store, whatever. Teach her, and she's good to go.
After a particularly rough day for Ryan, Cassie plans a surprise for him that she pulls off with the help of their friends. She doesn't want anything from Ryan. And this quote sums it up nicely.
"We all have shitty days. We all get in moods where we don't want to be around people, and just want to be left alone. But we also have those days where sometimes it's nice to know there's ice cream and spaghetti waiting for you. It's nice to know someone sees you struggling, and doesn't try to bombard you with questions."
Once that Ryan realizes she doesn't want anything from him (except for him to be happy), he relaxes a bit. They spend time just hanging out and watching movies.
Eventually Cassie finds herself going to the farm with Ryan. There she meets his parents (Caleb and Cora), and gets to help out around the place. While it's hard work, Cassie is enjoying it. When a storm rolls in, and the two are essentially suck in the barn, Ryan asks Cassie to "tell me your story". 
"It's not pretty."
"I don't want pretty. I want yours."
"I don't want pretty. I want yours."
That reply of Ryan's had me nodding my head in agreement. If we want a true relationship with others, we have to be vulnerable and let people know where we are hurting. If we let them know our past, our struggles, together we have the option of overcoming it, of working through it. So yeah, that line was perfection.
You want to know what thought of Ryan's damn near broke my heart? It was this one:
I know that I'm going to be the one that's going to shatter her soul. It kills me but I have no other choice. She deserves more than the asshole I am.
Then later in chapter 28, he thinks this:
I need her to hate me because I can never hate her. No matter how hard I try. It's hard to hate the sun when it shines so beautifully.
That last part happens after everything that's revealed in chapter 27. So just when Cassie needs Ryan the most he pulls this garbage. UGH.
Things happen, and I want to smack Ryan. But I can understand why he did what he did.
The conversation between Jace and Cassie, in chapter 34, wrecked me. We got to hear just a snippet of Jace's story, and I can tell already that once he gets his turn, I will need a box of tissues. I'm positive that a couple tissues won't be enough.
"Everyone's broken, sweetheart. We all have our demons that we battle every day. The key to winning isn't about making them disappear. Winning is about knowing what you were and changing for what you want to be."
"Everyone feels fear when they are faced with what they can't forget. You're always going to feel this. It's never gonna go away. The memory will be with you forever. It doesn't matter how much you grow as a person. Your demons will always be there. Always knockin' on the door, but you have the choice if you open the door or not."
So a whole lot of more stuff happens, that I can't discuss because spoilers, and Jennifer appears in town ready to take Cassie home to her Dad. Jennifer drives her back to Trent and Kate's to grab her stuff, but there is a crew waiting to protect Cassie. Time passes and it is at Trent and Kate's house that Cassie and Ryan finally have it out. She gets all of it off her chest. Does she feel better? No. But she feels a bit lighter. She's been holding all of this in.
After some conversation, Cora tells Cassie that "even on the darkest days, we always look to the sky, Sunshine." That line triggered a memory for Cassie, and that opened up information that we didn't have prior.
I literally gasped when everything came out. GASPED. (okay and teared up because emotions.)
Oh and after that, Ryan made me want to smack him again for his actions with Kayla. Stupid stupid man.
Prepare yourself friends. Because Cassie wrote Ryan a note, and left him a flash drive with videos to watch. My heart. OH MY HEART. I was prepared, but I wasn't.
I want to talk about what happened in chapter 37, I really do. More so about how sneaky Cora is. Of course I also love that she wasn't the only one in on it. I love this group.
After some conversation, Cora tells Cassie that "even on the darkest days, we always look to the sky, Sunshine." That line triggered a memory for Cassie, and that opened up information that we didn't have prior.
I literally gasped when everything came out. GASPED. (okay and teared up because emotions.)
Oh and after that, Ryan made me want to smack him again for his actions with Kayla. Stupid stupid man.
Prepare yourself friends. Because Cassie wrote Ryan a note, and left him a flash drive with videos to watch. My heart. OH MY HEART. I was prepared, but I wasn't.
I want to talk about what happened in chapter 37, I really do. More so about how sneaky Cora is. Of course I also love that she wasn't the only one in on it. I love this group.
In chapter 38 we get to find out Ryan's story, and why he had everything bottled up. It was interesting to hear everything he's been through, and it helps me to understand him a bit better.
I want to tell you so much more, but spoilers. Just know that this book is worth reading. It's worth the emotional roller coaster that we go on. I hope you do read it. If you do, please come tell me your thoughts.
Please accept my apology for being long winded. It's who I am, and I just truly love this book. Thank you Give Me Books PR for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review. Congrats Kristin Turnage on publishing your first book! I look forward to reading more of your books in the months and years to come.
Happy Reading my friends,
