Jacqueline's Reads: Giveaway - The Edge of Always (The Edge of Never #2) by J.A. Redmerski

Camryn Bennett has never been happier. Five months after meeting on a Greyhound bus, she and her soul mate Andrew Parrish are engaged-and a wedding isn't the only special event in their future. Nervous but excited, Camryn can't wait to begin the rest of her life with Andrew, a man she knows in her heart will love her always. They have so much to look forward to-until tragedy blindsides them.

Andrew doesn't understand how this could happen to them. He's trying to move on, and thought Camryn was doing the same. But when Andrew discovers Camryn is secretly harboring a mountain of pain and attempting to numb it in damaging ways, there is nothing he won't do to bring her back to life. Determined to prove that their love can survive anything, Andrew decides to take Camryn on a new journey filled with hope and passion. If only he can convince her to come along for the ride...

Edging to a 3.5 stars

This will be a difficult review to write. I loved The Edge of Never, it was a six star read for me and a top on my list of favorites. I have been waiting F.O.R.E.V.E.R for The Edge of Always and as much as it pains me to say this, I was left disappointed.

I need to first put this out there. There are a lot of five star reviews for The Edge of Always and I can understand that. It’s just a matter of taste and personal preference. The sequel did not affect me like the five star reviewers and I guess when it comes down to it, if an author is going to write a sequel on a couple you absolutely love, what can the author write about that will hold your interest?

I love Andrew and Cam. I love Andrew period and yes one of the reasons is because he has the same name as my husband. So when we leave off from The Edge of Never, it was a HEA right? The two couple is moving forward (this is not a spoiler).

So, there needs to be tension right for book two? I think this is where I had a hard time in enjoying the book. I couldn’t agree with the tension. I am the type of reader that likes couples to go against the world, where they use their love for each other to work out struggling issues. The issues come from a third party and or external force. I do not like it when the tension is between the Heroine and Hero. It’s because I already went through that. I went through the couple’s struggles in the first book and I simply do not want to go over that again.

So, yes, Cam and Andrew go through issues and as a result of these issues, it creates tension in the relationship. I honestly believe a lot of things could have been resolved with a conversation or just pure logical reasoning. Cam was silly, she frustrated me and I wanted to slap her. If I want to slap anyone in a book, it’s the downfall for me.

Now, there’s other things that go on and at one point (we all know what I am talking about, if you have read it) I was kind of like, oh yeah this is perking my interest! I want this kind of drama, and then just as I was getting into it, the thing fizzes out.

And then towards the second half the story drags. I hate to do this because I love Redmerski so much (yes I have a girl crush on her), but I **gasp** skimmed! I know I hide my face in shame. I just didn’t care about this or that, that or this. So what? Big deal? Let’s get something going on.

I don’t know where the story was suppose to take me. I wanted to feel for Andrew and Cam, but what I got was a young couple going through problems, but reacting kind of ridiculous and then boring.

I say this though, you may not react the same way as me. If you are true Andrew and Cam fan, please read this book. If there is another book in the series, I will read it. I will read anything by Redmerski because to me, she is one of the top writers. I have faith in her and I just think she may have been snatched by aliens when she wrote this book.

Sorry, I went there. But I really do love Andrew, Cam and Redmerski. I hope I’m not hated by many after this review.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

“Get up, birthday girl,” Andrew announces from somewhere near the foot of the bed. I hear him slap the tabletop by the window with the palm of his hand repeatedly.

I roll over onto my side, putting my back toward the bright sun and then burrow underneath the sheets. A gust of cold air hits me when Andrew snatches the sheets off me.

“Oh come on!” I moan, drawing my knees toward my chest and pulling the pillow over my head. “I should be able to sleep in on my birthday.”

Suddenly my body is being dragged off the bed and my arms come up wildly, trying to hold on to the edge of the mattress. Andrew’s hand is wrapped firmly around my ankle. I kick and flail, trying to get away, but he drags me across the bed so fast and without much effort that I just give up. My butt hits the floor and the sheets tumble down and around me.

“You are such an ass!” I laugh.

“But you love me. Now get up.”

With my hair all tangled around my head, I look up at him and pout. He smiles at me and reaches out his hand. I take it, and he pulls me into a stand.

“Happy birthday, babe,” he says and pecks me on the lips.

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Born November 25, 1975, J.A. (Jessica Ann) Redmerski is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC's The Walking Dead.

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