by
Amanda Cox
SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!
Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he’s ever loved.
In this dual-timeline story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth—both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others—takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go.
This story will grab you from the first chapter, and will not let go! As much as I couldn’t stop reading, I made myself slow down because I did not want my time with these characters to come to an end. For a story filled with so many broken people, their individual paths to love and redemption is a true testament to second chances and faith.
Alternating between past and present timelines, readers follow Harvey’s determination at caring for an abandoned baby, while Ivy struggles to learn the truth about her adoption. It’s not hard to figure out early on what is going on, but the path to learning how it all came to be was incredibly heartfelt and surprisingly unexpected. The balance between moments is absolute perfection! You spend just enough time to build suspense, but then shift to the alternate time for more understanding. It’s incredibly well done especially given the inclusion of so many difficult topics such as PTSD, suicide, domestic abuse, which could easily take the book into a much darker place. Though many tears were shed, the story always remained spellbinding, graceful, and above all hopeful. Love shines brightly even in the darkest of places, and my heart and faith are certainly fuller after finishing this tender story.
Over and over, the author beautifully explores the idea of “entertaining angels unawares.” We’ve all been dealt a bad hand, made hard decisions, suffered through the consequences of a mistake, but we just never know when a chance encounter turns into the unexpected blessing we needed or the surprise happily ever after we’ve been dreaming of. This is a story that celebrates life in all of its ups and downs. Joyfully ride the wave while it’s high, but when you’re headed for the crash, remember there’s healing in the heartbreak and splendor just beyond the struggle.
Family dynamics and structure were another crucial message examined throughout the course of the story. Families are created in so many different ways and bound together by love that doesn’t end just because you reach a certain age. We are all God’s children, so it speaks to a higher purpose and calling when strangers can welcome and embrace each other in loving arms to “rest and be reassured.”
Honor humanity and commemorate compassion with this stunning debut that should not be missed!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. I was so excited to see a finished edition in my mailbox, I did a happy dance back to my door! This one is going to be treasured and placed on my special books shelf. I will happily return to this story again and again.
Amanda Cox is a blogger and a curriculum developer for a national nonprofit youth leadership organization, but her first love is communicating through story.
THREE WINNERS!
1st: Copy of The Edge of Belonging + Fern Tote Bag + $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card
2nd and 3rd: Copy of The Edge of Belonging+ $10 Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Many thanks again to the author and Lone Star Book Blog Tours! It was an absolute pleasure reading, reviewing, and hosting! And be sure to check out the other stops on the tour for more opinions and extras!
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
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9/1/20
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Author Interview
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9/1/20
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BONUS Promo
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9/2/20
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Excerpt
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9/3/20
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Review
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9/4/20
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Review
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9/5/20
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Playlist
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9/6/20
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Author Interview
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9/7/20
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Review
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9/8/20
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Top Five List
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9/9/20
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Review
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9/9/20
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BONUS Promo
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9/10/20
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Review
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That's What She's Reading 
LOVE this review! This book sounds like just what I need to fill my depleted bucket right now. Thanks for the post!
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