If you've been around my blog for a while, you may recall me blabbering on about a book called The Edge of Happiness by Kristin Turnage. It is one of my favorite books that I've read so far this year, and I fell head over heals for the characters and the setting. Well, Kristin Turnage has just released the second book in The Edge series called The Edge of Serenity. In this book we find out exactly what went down with Joss and Mac that one night, and we witness their vulnerability, compassion, and life unfold.
Before I say anything about the book, I'm going to say it now. IF you are an emotional person, have the tissues handy. I did not, and my pillowcase was quite wet when I finished the book. Kristin Turnage has put a content warning on the book for abuse and loss of a loved one. So please know that going in. I knew of the content warning, but for some reason I thought I'd sneak by with no tissues. HA!
Josslyn and Mackay have known each other for YEARS. After all, Mackay is one of Tyler's best friends. So he was often around the house growing up. Josslyn has always been intrigued by Mackay, and has had feelings for him for a while now. Mackay too has been interested in Josslyn, but he won't make a move because it's his best friends little sister. Until that one night where he had too much to drink. Joss was there to take care of him, and make sure he was safe. After arriving to Joss's house, these two spent the night together. Joss cannot forget it, and Mac can't remember it. He knows he was with some one, but he doesn't know who it was. Flash forward a bit, and Joss is moving into the house that he shared with Jace and Ryan. Joss had been evicted from her apartment and needed somewhere to go. Naturally her brother mentioned her living at the house. Temptation was right there. The person Joss wanted just steps away, and she couldn't have him. Instead he chose her former friend, and that was just a kick to the gut. The one person who knows all her secrets, is now with the man she wants. Things are going just fine, until the night a snowstorm has them stuck in the house. Alone. This night has the potential to change everything.
When I finished reading The Edge of Happiness, I knew I needed to know Joss and Mac's story. I was crossing my fingers that it would be the next book, but that is never a guarantee. So when I heard that The Edge of Serenity was going to be their story, I was eagerly anticipating the book. And this book, it did not disappoint. Not one bit. If anything The Edge of Serenity had me falling even harder for the characters and the setting. There is something about the world that Kristin Turnage has created that has me wanting to move in. I want these folks as my friends, as my neighbors. They are just amazing. They have each others backs, and are not afraid to impose a little hard love when needed. To give each other the push needed to go after what (or who) they want. As you'll learn, Mac has a painful history. His childhood was not ideal, and it was a rocky time until he, his mom, and his sister moved to Oaks. Even after the move, he was having a difficult transition. Until Ryan's dad took him under his wing, and gave him the love and guidance he needed. I love the bond that these two have. So when it is shared that Mac's dad is in town, and wants to reconnect with his kids, Mac is right to be skeptical. All the pain and suffering that he's tried to push down, is bubbling right to the surface. He's struggling. Then there's Joss. That sweet woman has been through a lot as well. Not to the same extent of course. Joss struggles with believing in herself, and definitely has some self esteem issues that are holding her back. Add in the fact that she doesn't have many friends, is tomboy-ish, and is having difficulty with finances/adult things, and it's just a lot for her. She's struggling to find out who she is. She's struggling to find the courage to follow her passions, and to believe in herself. Then there are the relationship issues where she is assuming things that are not true. I can relate to Joss on so many levels, and I think that is why I gravitate towards her. When the big dramatic moment arrived, I was not ready. I saw it coming, but still. Then when they were about to be reunited, and what happened happened? MY HEART SHATTERED. Things were revealed to Mac (and everyone else that was there), and seeing him take all that in, just. Ugh. My heart. But after that, and after I dried my tears, we got on the right path towards the happily ever after. And watching that? So good. Until I read about what happened to Jace. At that point my jaw dropped, and I found myself hoping that his story was next. (psst: Kristin Turnage says it is!)
I loved this book. I am buying a physical copy of it. (and I'll be buying The Edge of Happiness at the same time.)
I love the characters. I love the setting. I want it to be a real place with real people. But alas, it isn't. It's fictional.
I highly recommend this series. Go read them. Go fall in love with the characters. Just have the tissues handy because they are going to be needed. Also, this was a 5 star read for me.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura
BLURB
Josslyn Davis isn’t your typical Southern belle. If you ever call her that, she’ll probably punch you in the throat. Dresses make her itch, and being polite hurts more than shoving a drill bit through her skull. She’s the redheaded wildfire that you don’t want to mess with.
She loves to be outside and work on her family’s bee farm, taking pride in doing things herself. But, over the last few months, she’s felt like the biggest failure of all time. After getting evicted, she had nowhere else to go except to move in with her brother’s two best friends. The only problem is she’s madly in love with the one sleeping on the other side of their adjoining bathroom. The one who doesn’t remember their drunken night together.
Mackay Graves has been cursed since he was a young boy, a family gift passed down from his father, the same man that made Mac do things no child should do. Always alone with his emotions, he grew up with the pain of being abused by his father. And now, his dad is trying to worm his way back into his life.
Apart from his father, his best friend’s little sister has moved into his house, the same woman he’s been secretly in love with. His solution is to ignore his emotions, brushing off his father and swallowing his feelings for Joss, not wanting to ruin the “family” he gained when moving to Oaks. But with her living in the room next door, his feelings have become unpredictable, wreaking havoc on his life.
Both dealing with unprecedented circumstances, Joss trying to bury her feelings for Mac and straighten out her life, and Mac ignoring the fact that his family dynamic is shifting, their lives start to spin out of control.
What will happen when life forces them to be alone together, confronting the feelings that are trapped inside? One day can’t change their destiny, or can it?
Content Warning: This book contains sensitive subject matter that relates to abuse and loss of a loved one. Reader discretion is advised.
PURCHASE LINKS
EXCERPT
A knock on my window jerks me out of my fading memory. Blinking the tears away, I realize I’ve pulled off in a field staring at the now setting sun. Looking over, Josslyn waves for me to roll down the window. “Hey there, Hulk,” she smiles, and my heart aches, “you want to let me in?”
I know what she means, but I wish for a moment I could really let her in, with no consequences, no repercussions, and no fear of the curse over me.
I would let her in all the way if that was the case.
Kristin Turnage is an indie author that lives close to the beach in Florida with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. She has been writing for eight years and has been chasing her dream of becoming a published author for a long time. The Edge of Happiness from The Edge Series is her first published work and has turned her dream into a reality. She is excited that you are all taking this journey alongside of her.
AUTHOR LINKS
Thank you to Kristin Turnage, and Give Me Books PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Edge of Serenity.
