Hi. I'm not okay. I just finished reading an advanced copy of The Edge of Forgiveness by Kristin Turnage. My heart is happy, my mind is all over the place, and my emotions took a hit. If you've been around for a while, then you know how much I adore The Edge series. There is just something about the small town of Oaks, and all of the characters that I've met. I want to go visit, befriend them all, or even better yet have Cora and Caleb adopt me.
If you're new to The Edge series, like I said it is small town romance. Not only that but each book hits a different emotion just right. If you're an emotional reader, then you should have tissues close by. Here in The Edge of Forgiveness you'll also find these two tropes: forced proximity and enemies to lovers. In a way I think, at least for Courtney, the trope of found family also applies. It could also be considered a second chance romance of sorts. Especially given the history between these two. We've met both Hunter and Courtney in previous books, so it's nice to finally hear their stories.
So what's The Edge of Forgiveness about? Let's read the blurb first:
Courtney Rogers has two secrets, secrets that she’s kept from her best friend. One involves a night that changed her best friend’s life forever and the other is her best friend’s soon to be brother-in-law. She thought she was going to take both secrets to the grave, to make sure neither sees the light of day. But, when her best friend asks her to housesit while she goes on her honeymoon for two weeks, her once concrete walls start to crumble. Courtney’s always prided herself on being able to put on blinders and forget about her problems, but now the pressure seems to be too great. If she talks and lets out what’s trapped inside, she’ll be more alone than ever.
Could her best friend handle knowing that she was the reason her life changed forever?
Then, there’s the other serious issue, Hunter Freeman, AKA The Other Secret. The one she pushed so far away that, instead getting lustful glances and playful banter, she gets nothing but cold stares and a rock-hard heart. She thought it was for all the right reasons, he made her feel things, and those things were uncontrollable.
Hunter Freeman knows the game. He understands what needs to be done, but his problem, he doesn’t want to play. So, he doesn’t. Don’t expect him to bring you flowers, he won’t. Don’t expect him to chase you because his ass ain’t running. After going through his own heartbreak, and watching his brother struggle with love, he has decided to stop, to just stop trying. The fear of rejection hangs over him like a dark cloud. He’s seen the dark side of love and it’s not worth it to him. The highs never make up for the lows.
Just when he felt things starting to turn around, life decided to throw a wrench in his gears or, in his case, life decided to throw in a little bit of Courtney Rogers, the fucking curveball that came out of nowhere and always sends him home licking his wounds.
Now, she’s back after a year and will be in his world for two weeks. Both fighting to end what was started before it becomes too much. Both needing what everybody always wants.
Love, acceptance, and a little forgiveness.
Content Warning: This book contains sensitive subject matter. Reader discretion is advised.
Doesn't their story sound good? Right off the bat you know it's going to be an emotional one. Especially once Courtney shares her backstory. This woman has been hurt, and she has the trauma to go with that hurt. Yet she tries to bury it as deep as possible. Thankfully people are starting to see the cracks forming, and she's going to need the support once it all crumbles down. Don't think that this book is only about Courtney's journey toward healing. Oh no. You see Hunter also has some issues that he keeps hidden. There is a reason he stays away from relationships. There is a reason there is a brick wall surrounding his heart.
My rating for The Edge of Forgiveness:
 |
| 5 Stars |
Now if you've read The Edge of Happiness, then you know that Courtney is Cassie's best friend. These two have known each other for a long time and have an incredible bond. So when it's Cassie's wedding naturally Courtney is by her side on the big day. It is also Courtney that Cassie asks to house/dog sit while she and Ryan are off on their honeymoon. Now was there more to the story about having Courtney house/dog sit for 2 weeks? Of course there was, and that is part of Courtney's story. Naturally during these two weeks she and Hunter are at each other's throats. Ever since that relationship that wasn't a relationship ended, there has been a lot of pain/frustration/heartache/longing happening. Here we are now and they are pretty much forced to be near each other. Even more so since Hunter works with Ryan (aka his brother) as the horse trainer. There are so many words flung back and forth between these two, it's ridiculous. Yet they can't stay apart. It's a wild ride.
You might be wondering how they get together if there is so much pain separating them. Well all that forced proximity is coming into play with the verbal volleys. It is when one of those moments spark something, and causes Courtney to panic that has Hunter's wall starting to crack. He sees the vulnerability, and knows that he needs to push a bit to get her to open up. Hunter just doesn't expect that this push is going to result in a verbal vomit. That's precisely what happened. These two have finally aired all their dirty laundry, and have bared their souls. It is now that a real relationship can form. That is if they want it to happen, or if they don't screw it up in the process.
I'm not going to touch too much on their relationship as it's really interesting to take in as you're reading it. That being said, Courtney has created bonds with others in Oaks. Whether it is Cassie, Joss, AJ, Madison, or even Cora. Not just those people though, she's finding that she has these connections within the town. She may not like it as it scares her, but those connections have been formed. She's found her family essentially. I think one of my favorite connections though was with Ollie. Ollie Freeman is the brother of Hunter and Ryan. He's the baby. He's trying to find his place in the family business, as well as in life. Something is causing him pain though, and Courtney sees that in him. She's called him on it, and I love that. She's let him know that she'll be his safe place to land when he's ready. It was that connection that had me wishing that Kristin would write his story as well.
Let's talk about the fact that the two weeks is up, and Courtney is heading back to Texas. After all that's where her apartment is, her job is, and a good portion of her life. As much as Courtney wants to get out of Oaks (or so she thinks), she's also feeling that perhaps Texas isn't where she's meant to be any longer. Yet she says her goodbyes to all except one. It is right before she leaves that she has a heartfelt conversation with Cora. It is that conversation that had me sobbing. I thought that since I had made it this far through The Edge of Forgiveness that I wouldn't get hit with the emotional moments. Yet this happened as Cora shared something from her past that resonated with Courtney, and it hit me. It was that simple conversation that had the flood gates opening. I was busy wiping away my tears while feeling all the compassion and love pouring off of Cora. She was speaking truth, she was speaking from her heart, and pouring this love into Courtney when she needed it most. I think that this conversation reached Courtney at just the right time. Perhaps something clicked into place even though she was still trying to run.
Since this story was almost over, not only did I think I was going to get out of getting hit in the feelings, I also was wondering if church was going to happen. Now not traditional church. No no no. Church is where the group of friends (who are really family at this point) come together for one to bare their soul. To tell the things that are causing them pain. This therapy of sorts isn't always voluntary. Sometimes it is the group showing up to your house to have it out. To call you on your shit, and make you face the things that you might not want to. Yet at the end of the conversation, that therapy session, you find yourself with the answers you need. THAT is church. THAT is what this group continues to encourage, as well as experience. It may be something their parents started many years ago, but they are gladly carrying it into the future.
There is so much more that I want to say about The Edge of Forgiveness, but I've been long winded enough. If you're an emotional reader...take breaks, have the tissues close by, and feel free to message me while reading. I may have messaged the author a couple of times while reading, and I regret nothing. Hunter and Courtney are now part of my fictional family, along with the others I've "met" in Oaks. These characters have wedged themselves into my heart, and it is glorious. May we all find a group of friends similar to Ryan, Cassie, Mac, Joss, Jace, AJ, Hunter, Courtney, Travis, Madison, Ollie, and Noah. (I can't leave out Cora and Caleb either.)
When I started reading The Edge of Forgiveness I was worried. I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as the others in the series. I was worried that I wouldn't connect with Hunter and Courtney. Yet here I am on the other side, and I did love their story as much as the others. I did connect with them. I did empathize with their situations. I was rooting for them since their initial meeting back in The Edge of Happiness. So to know that they've found their happily ever after, and that they are making their mental health needs a priority, just has me loving it all the more. I look forward to reading Noah's story when it comes out. Kristin has solidified herself as an autobuy author for me, and also her books are going to be on my 5 star predictions list. Time and time again she's shown me how talented she is with her words, her characters, her world buiding, and also all the energy (physical, mental, emotional) that she pours into creating these books. It's phenomenal. It is also why I buy the kindle copy of the book, as well as the paperback. I want to support her writing career as much as possible. It's my way of showing my appreciation for the stories she brings to life.
I truly hope you'll consider picking up The Edge of Forgiveness. If you haven't read the other three books (Happiness, Serenity, Redemption) I suggest you do. They all hit different. They all have emotional moments. They all struggle with something different. These books are not just romance, they are so much more than that. If anything these books are healing. The Edge of Forgiveness releases on April 13, 2023. Go preorder it, and get ready to fall for these characters.
Happy Reading,
Laura
Thank you Kristin Turnage, and Grey Promo, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Edge of Forgiveness.
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