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    The Edge of Belonging
    The Edge of Belonging
    The Edge of Belonging
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Edge of Belonging

    Written by Amanda Cox

    Narrated by Leah Horowitz

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee an estate sale, she soon discovers that her grandmother left behind more than trinkets and photo frames--she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy's adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.

    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-time 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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateSep 8, 2020
    ISBN9781705003312
    Author

    Amanda Cox

    Amanda Cox is the Christy Award-winning author of The Edge of Belonging, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, He Should Have Told the Bees, and Between the Sound and Sea. She holds a bachelor's degree in Bible and theology and a master's degree in professional counseling, but her first love is communicating through story. Her studies and her interactions with hurting families over a decade have allowed her to create multidimensional characters that connect emotionally with readers. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her husband and their three children. Learn more at AmandaCoxWrites.com.

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    Reviews for The Edge of Belonging

    4.5/5

    127 ratings36 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be an awesome, fantastic, and phenomenal read. It is a heartwarming story of redemption, love, and faith. The book keeps readers guessing with its phenomenal storylines and lovable characters. It is a wonderful blessing that will make you shed a tear and laugh. If you love Christian fiction, this is a must-read of 2020.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      This is my favorite rate of 2020. If you love Christian fiction that will keep you guessing, phenomenal storylines and a story that will make you shut a tear and laugh and fall in love with the characters you really need to read this book

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Awesome! Fantastic! Phenomenal!
      New author for me, but I’ll be reading everything she puts out!

      Such a heartwarming story of redemption, searching, and seeing how God unfolds His amazing plans.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      A romance novel - Christian style. Not my thing.
    • 5/5
      There are not enough stars in the universe to rate Amanda Cox’s debut The Edge of Belonging.

      Amanda Cox created six equally extraordinary strong characters, who each in their own way were broken, for her readers to fall in love with, which I did over and over again. In 1994 we are introduced to Pearl (Grandma), who tries to be the healer of this family of misfits, Harvey James (a 30 year old homeless orphan), who just wants to be loved, Ivy Rose (an abandoned newborn), the glue who is loved by all, Pastor Thomas Lashley (the new minister at Triune First) and his wife Miriam. In Present day (24 years later) Amanda Cox continues the ties that bind the original 5 characters plus adds a new character Reese Dylan Wright (Ivy’s childhood friend). These six individuals come together forming a family for a little girl named Ivy Rose. Amanda Cox’s prose is so engrossing capturing this reader’s attention from the first word to the last. She guides us through the lives of her characters as they deal with physical and emotional abuse, foster care, homelessness, suicide, and PTSD with dignity, compassion, and forgiveness.

      Usually at this point in my review I let my fellow readers know which timeline I preferred and who my favorite character is, and why. However for the first time I find this impossible. Throughout the entire book I was equally drawn to both timelines and each individual character’s story, so much so that I still cannot stop thinking about them. Emotionally this is the best roller coaster ride I have been on in a very, very long time. Being a Christian fiction reader, I have read many, many time split books, and this is the best debut I have ever read by far. I highly recommend The Edge of Belonging to everyone who wants to read an awe-inspiring heartfelt story of a group of strangers who come together to become a family built on faith and love.

      I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      Cox has knocked it out of the park with her debut novel The Edge of Belonging, and she has become a favorite author for me now. This story drew me in and I found it difficult to put it down. I loved this story of healing, forgiveness, and acceptance. The characters were relatable and real. The author did a wonderful job of tying the story together. The dual-time line was very easy to follow, and you do not find this very often. I very highly recommend this book.

      I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      This book is a wonderful blessing of people loving and excepting each other through faith of God’s guidance.
    • 4/5
      Harvey lives on "the edge" - his camp by a highway is close enough to human civilization that he can scavenge what he needs from the things thrown out of passing cars, but far enough away so that he can avoid interacting with people. That all changes the night he finds the abandoned baby. Meanwhile, the book shifts 24 years ahead in time to the story of Ivy Rose, who finds out that her grandmother - "Nan" has passed away. Ivy ditches her abusive boyfriend, heads home, and discovers that Nan left her some clues as to the circumstances that brought her into their family. These two stories will intertwine eventually, but it is so satisfying to see how it happens. Harvey especially learns to open up and trust people, a troubled couple finds new life for their marriage, and an woman who lost her son finds new purpose - all because a baby is brought into their world. This is a such a heartwarming book and one I would highly recommend to fans of thoughtful Christian fiction and "found family" stories.
    • 5/5
      In "The Edge of Belonging", Amanda Cox takes a look at family dynamics. She shows the difference one person can make in the lives of others. A newborn changes everything. But so does a 30-year-old. Whether one is born into a family or placed there by a different set of circumstances, we are all important to one another. And we make a difference to all we meet if we take the time. This was a very inspirational and touching story about caring for one another, especially the broken and beaten down. You can be the person making a difference in another's life. Or, if you open your heart, they may make a difference in your life.
    • 5/5
      What a beautiful story! What wonderful writing! As we learn, along with Ivy, the story of her adoption we see many facets of love--romantic, parental, friendship, becoming a family. We see four broken people become a family for Ivy. We see the unconditional love they learn to feel for each other. We see love good and bad and watch people change and grow from that love. I loved this story. I loved these people. I cried happy tears throughout as I watched love form between these people. I felt so satisfied at the upliftedness of this story. It is a keeper.
    • 5/5
      There are not enough stars in the universe to rate Amanda Cox’s debut The Edge of Belonging. Amanda Cox created six equally extraordinary strong characters, who each in their own way were broken, for her readers to fall in love with, which I did over and over again. In 1994 we are introduced to Pearl (Grandma), who tries to be the healer of this family of misfits, Harvey James (a 30 year old homeless orphan), who just wants to be loved, Ivy Rose (an abandoned newborn), the glue who is loved by all, Pastor Thomas Lashley (the new minister at Triune First) and his wife Miriam. In Present day (24 years later) Amanda Cox continues the ties that bind the original 5 characters plus adds a new character Reese Dylan Wright (Ivy’s childhood friend). These six individuals come together forming a family for a little girl named Ivy Rose. Amanda Cox’s prose is so engrossing capturing this reader’s attention from the first word to the last. She guides us through the lives of her characters as they deal with physical and emotional abuse, foster care, homelessness, suicide, and PTSD with dignity, compassion, and forgiveness.Usually at this point in my review I let my fellow readers know which timeline I preferred and who my favorite character is, and why. However for the first time I find this impossible. Throughout the entire book I was equally drawn to both timelines and each individual character’s story, so much so that I still cannot stop thinking about them. Emotionally this is the best roller coaster ride I have been on in a very, very long time. Being a Christian fiction reader, I have read many, many time split books, and this is the best debut I have ever read by far. I highly recommend The Edge of Belonging to everyone who wants to read an awe-inspiring heartfelt story of a group of strangers who come together to become a family built on faith and love.I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      I knew after finishing this book that I couldn't put the full experience into words. The closest I can come is to say that it felt like a hug. It felt simultaneously comforting and eye-opening.
      It has life beyond the pages, and those pages were infused with hope and healing.

      Everything about it is genuine, and there was no place for contrived misunderstandings, drama, or superficiality because the characters had so much depth. They care about each other, they keep reaching out when it's hard and their attempts are rejected. They keep offering support, whether to a homeless man trying to take care of a baby abandoned like himself, a hurting best friend learning to lean on others again, or a grieving wife learning to navigate a new life. And I loved how the author took the familiar concept of found family and expounded on it, showing that family is who you love.

      This book came to me when I needed it and blessed me so much. I found myself making notes in the margins and empathizing with the characters more than I thought I could.

      This quote beautifully embodies the heart of this book:
      "There came a point when it was like a knife had cut through the fog. Marriage, relationships, they were made for leaning. Not as an excuse not to grow, mind you. But we all need a place to rest and be reassured. God puts people in our lives to have and to hold. To give this existence richer meaning. I don't think we were ever meant to fight life's battles alone."

      *happy sigh* I'd recommend this to those who love found family stories with strong relationships and a touching redemptive arc.

      I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. A positive review was not required.
    • 4/5
      Harvey, a homeless man, finds a baby along the side of the highway in 1994. He names her Ivy Rose, and plans to shelter her. When he gets caught trying to steal supplies for her care, his life changes. Enter the pastor, Thomas, and his wife, Miriam, her are unable to have children, and kindly Pearl, who lost both her husband and son in the past year. These people change the path of Harvey and Ivy's lives.
      Fast forward to present day, and Ivy Rose is in a bad relationship. With her grandmother dying, her fiancee refuses to let Ivy leave to see her. Her dear friend, Reese, stands by her and helps her with the instructions her grandmother left her. Ivy is determined to understand the circumstances around her adoption which have been shrouded in a bit of secrecy, and to find her roots and her love.
      This is a sweetly told story, with the characters relying on their faith in many situations. I enjoyed it very much.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed reading this book of a young woman learning who her real parents were and why her adoptive parents took her. This also showed how a family can be found not born into. I loved Ivy and Henry James. I love how the story was told. I did not want to put this book down. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
    • 4/5
      I don’t seek out Christian Fiction, but this book was so subtle that I didn’t even realize it was until I read other reviews. The characters were all very detailed and unique, and the dual-timeline was really well done as well. It varies between Harvey finding a baby in 1994 and coming to terms with being loved and wanted, and present day Ivy coming home to a funeral after leaving an abusive relationship. The book mentions a lot of hardships and struggles that some people may find triggering, but I felt they were well handled and acknowledged. The characters showed a lot of strength and realism and it was clear that Amanda Cox understands people and has done her research.
    • 5/5
      The one of best books I’ve read this year. Moving, heart warming, vibrant. The title encompasses both Ivy and the drifter that finds her as a newborn, abandoned beside the road near his camp. Her birth changes the lives of everyone she came in contact with as a baby. Told in present day and flashbacks to 1994 (a format I usually don’t care for), we learn about Ivy, her grandmother, and the man that found her and saved her life. An outstanding debut novel by author Amanda Cox. I can’t wait to see what else she has to offer.
    • 4/5
      I received this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. SPOILER ALERT! This story is very intriguing and keeps the reader wanting all the answers. While there are some storylines that are predictable, such as Ivy falling for Reese, others keep you guessing just where everything will end up. I absolutely loved the ending even if it was a bit sappy! Christian themes are strong throughout, but not everbearing. Too many Christian fiction books are unreadable, but this one I found enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      Ivy Rose, adopted as an infant, seeks the answers to her personal identity in this compelling story. Set in two time periods - the fall of 1994 and present day - we learn some secrets to her past as her story unfurls in real time. Woven into this tale of secrets is the coming to grips with her own feelings - both towards her fiance and her best friend from childhood. Is she a product of her nature or her nurture as regards her relationships with men? I was drawn into the story quickly and, although some of the secrets were easy to discern, I wanted to know how Ivy would react if and when she was told the truth.
    • 5/5
      THE EDGE OF BELONGING by AMANDA COX
      It is hard to believe that this is a debut book. I was blown away by the emotions that seeped through the pages and the characters that I began to feel like I knew. Hands down my favorite character has to be Harvey. This sweet homeless man embraces a baby that someone tossed away and protected it as his own. I wondered why the baby was left and why a mother would abandon her baby? His story tugged in my heart so much I wanted to give him a hug. Maybe he thinks there is no hope or reason for his life, but God in His perfect time will reveal the call He has on his life.

      I love dual time stories and this one was one I will never forget. The author handles the time slips with ease and allows readers to grasp the intensity the story will take. It was easy to cheer for Harvey because he loved the child with everything he had. His protectiveness was priceless and I loved how people reached out to help him.

      When we go to the present we are introduced to Ivy. My very first thought as I got to know her was that she needed to run as fast as she could away from her boyfriend. He is emotionally and physically abusive, rude, arrogant and unpleasant.

      The author delivers a story filled with abandonment, PTSD, secrets, pain and the knowledge that we all belong to God. As Ivy uncovers her past, she realizes that her life does matter and soon she comes to accept that God was watching over her. There are other characters in the story that bring wisdom, hope, longing for family and forgiveness. This is a must read for everyone who loves a great story that not only illustrates kindness, hope and family, but twists that will surprise you.

      I received a copy of this book from The Librarything Early Reader Program.
    • 5/5
      “If the story of my life could say one thing, I’d hope it would show the importance of venturing into the highways and the hedges to let invisible people know they’re seen and loved. To invite them in.”

      A breathtaking tour de force, Amanda Cox’s “The Edge of Belonging” tugs at the heartstrings and reminds readers that belonging goes beyond having a place to live to encompass the people who love us and, by so doing, help us to truly belong. Cox employs a split-time structure to tell Ivy and Harvey’s story, and what I love about this format is the short time lapse; the two main storylines take place in 1994 and the present day, creating a small generational gap that allows readers to follow the same characters from one period of time to another. For a debut novel, “The Edge of Belonging” hits the perfect notes, drawing all of the characters together in a symphony both heartwarming and bittersweet.

      With this intricately nuanced cast of characters, Cox demonstrates her keen understanding of and insight into the human psyche. In the present: a broken 24-year-old young woman who does not know who she is anymore and wonders if she ever did. Twenty-four years prior: a homeless man with a sorrowful past who finally has solitude and routine until he finds a newborn baby. An older woman heartbroken from recent losses but with much love still to give. A couple aggrieved by their inability to have children. And the thread of hope and faith that binds them all together.

      My favorite aspect of the characters is how they exemplify Jesus amidst their mistakes and brokenness and humanness. Pearl is a prime example of this, and she is my favorite character, despite my incorrect characterization of her when she is first introduced. As a result of this and of several scenarios in the narrative, I find “The Edge of Belonging” to be convicting. How often do we judge someone based on their behavior or appearance without making any effort to reach out to them or know them on a personal level? Pearl is one of the foremost characters who demonstrates openhearted compassion, which she sums up in a simple and beautiful way: “Nurturing is nurturing. It doesn’t take a blood relative. We’re all adopted into God’s family through Jesus. And I decided long ago that if it was good enough for God, it was good enough for me. So I set in my heart that I would love and mother anyone who crossed my path who needed that kind of love.”

      By far one of the best debut novels I’ve had the pleasure of reading, “The Edge of Belonging” gently speaks to many current issues, including PTSD, fostering and adoption, domestic violence, abuse, grief, and both platonic and romantic love. Most of all, it guides us toward the unconditional love of the One Who gave His life for us, and in Whose arms we will always find our place of belonging.

      I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox is a dual timeline story that bounces between present day and 1994. The story tugs at the heart of the reader. Harvey is a homeless man living in a lean-to on abandoned property who finds an abandoned baby and cares for her as his own. Without money, he attempts to get food and necessities for her from a church and ends up becoming the janitor and living with the elderly lady living next to the church. Present day, the baby is grown and has now come home to clean out the elderly lady's home after her passing and is trying to find out more about who she really is.
      I loved this story. It is a story that will stay with me for a while. The story is well written and easy to envision. The characters are dealing with issues of their own, but form to make up a strong family unit. The topics of foster homes and abuse are hard to read but show how Harvey could become so attached to the baby immediately.
      I received an e-book copy of this book from Revell Publishing through NetGalley, this is my honest review.
    • 5/5
      I am sure Amanda Cox is going to be put on my favorite authors list! I had trouble finding a point to stop reading when I needed to put the book down. I liked the uniqueness of her storyline. It was riveting with many surprises along the way. I was hooked after the first paragraph!
      The story interchanges between the present and the past. It begins with a hurting 30 year old homeless man finding an abandoned baby on the side of the highway. Finding himself damaged from being in the foster care system that left him feeling rejected and unloved, he vows to care for this newborn girl and protect her from his fate. With nothing to offer but his love, he ventures to provide for her needs. God works through unexpected circumstances to place the exact people he needs into his and baby Ivy’s life. All of them crushed by difficult issues in their lives. None of them dreaming they will ever know peace and happiness again. Yet God brings them all together, totally unaware each one holds the other needs.
      The present day is 24 year old Ivy coming home for her grandmother’s funeral, and seeking the truth about the secret circumstances of her birth.
      With so many things I liked about this book, there are two that stand out for me. One is that no matter what wounds life has put upon your heart, God can heal them. There is always hope, but we have to be willing to see His Hand and work with Him. Second, families are not just flesh and blood relatives. Love, commitment and compassion create “family” ties among the most unlikely people and in incredible ways. This bond is as strong as any we are related to by birth sometimes even greater. An incredible book! At the end she had the first pages of her next book. I am already looking forward to it and will HAVE to read it!
      I received this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
    • 5/5
      As I read this book, I was amazed that a debut novel could touch me so deeply. From the first paragraph, when I met Harvey James for the first time, until the closing lines, I was mesmerized by this story. The Edge of Belonging is told in dual-time, alternating between 1994 and the present, but these times blend together so that I felt like I was seeing a movie unfold. Harvey James, who felt like he had never belonged, grabbed my heart when he found a newborn baby abandoned in weeds along a busy highway and decided that this baby would be treasured as he himself had never been. Move to present day and the story focuses on counselor Ivy Rose and newly discovered secrets of her past that will forever alter her future.
      Author Amanda Cox has created a cast of remarkable characters, including Harvey, Ivy, Pearl, Rose, and Reese and she tells their stories with memorable words that often made me cry.

      Cox tackles some heavy topics, such as abandonment, abuse, addiction, and depression but she buffers them with love, hope, and the realization that a family unit can be created by more than blood ties. She also shows that there is mercy and grace through the power of God's love.

      If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction, you absolutely need to read this book. I predict that Amanda Cox and The Edge of Belonging will be mentioned quite often in the months ahead and I wish that I could give it more than 5 Stars!

      I received a copy of this book from Revell. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
    • 5/5
      Wow, wow, wow!! I cannot believe this is Amanda Cox's debut book! This author truly tugs at ALL of your emotions. It was excellent. I absolutely have become a time-slip junkie so this book was right up my alley and she does both timeline so incredibly well. I didn't know which timeline I wanted to stay in more because they were equally captivating.

      In this story we meet some amazing main characters but four really stood out to me. Ivy is really the main one and whom the story is about centers on. She is an orphan who was adopted and is trying to find answers about how her adoption came about. She feels like something has been missing her whole life. She is a social worker and in abusive relationship. We meet Harvey who is also a broken soul and finds Ivy and his heart opens up in a way he never thought possible. He pours his unconditional love upon her without hesitation.

      I can't forget about Pearl because she truly was my favorite. She is the glue that holds all these people together. She is the person that you strive to be like in your Christian walk. She is not perfect by any means because after all she is a human but she has those godly characters that you seek after. She knows what its like to grieve and feel alone so she puts all those gifts at play when it comes to these people in her life.

      I have to mention Reese because he is swoon-worthy!! And I am not going to ruin it for you because I promise you, you will swoon at his character traits.

      Amanda Cox truly penned a beautiful story about acceptance, redemption, unconditional love, healing, hope and connections that come full circle. It really was an amazing story that I highly recommend. If you like dual time lines you will definitely love this story and you need to go pick it up ASAP!!

      I received a copy of this book from the Revell. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
    • 5/5
      "The Edge of Belonging" by Amanda Cox is a wonderful, heartfelt story about the true meaning of love and family. It's told in two timelines: present day, in which main character Ivy returns home to clear out her deceased grandmother's house, and twenty+ years earlier, when Ivy was an infant. Both timelines were amazingly well-written, and I very much enjoyed reading both of them and trying to anticipate how they would eventually come together.

      All of the major characters (Ivy, Harvey, Pearl, and Reese) are beautifully drawn and very detailed. Each seems very real and knowable, which unique strengths and weaknesses. I enjoyed seeing how each learned knew things and grew throughout the course of the story.

      In addition to great storylines, this book packs quite an emotional punch. I freely admit to crying several times due to the situations and the beauty of the storytelling. The final effect was almost cathartic, as I felt like I had emerged on the other end of the situations right along with the characters.

      There is a strong Christian message throughout the book. Most of the major characters are Christians at the start of the story, and it was nice to see how each lived their faith out in their lives. Pearl, in particular, was truly inspirational.

      If you're looking for a strong, interesting story, great characters who experience personal growth, and a strong Christian worldview, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this book.

      Five out of five chunks of smooth medium Cheddar!
    • 5/5
      Title: The Edge of Belonging
      Author: Amanda Cox
      Pages: 400
      Year: 2020
      Publisher: Revell
      My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
      In the present day, Ivy Lashley has just ended an emotionally and psychologically abusive relationship that has caused her to miss the final minutes of her grandmother’s life. She has returned home to divvy up her grandmother’s possessions to various charities and cleaning up her home. Ivy’s best friend, Reese, has been wondering why Ivy has been uncommunicative over the last several months. He soon learns why.
      In 1994, Harvey James hears a strange wailing at the side of the road. He discovers an abandoned baby girl, who he falls in love with right away. He lives in the woods and doesn’t have a job, but he determines he will love this little girl and make sure she knows it. Harvey has led a difficult life being in 14 different foster homes growing up, with each family eventually returning him when he didn’t fit in. He breaks into a church that has a little store with baby items but is caught by the pastor. The pastor offers Harvey a job that Harvey accepts, but how is he going to perform his job with a newborn? Pearl spies Harvey tending the church grounds and offers him a cup of coffee. He accepts and his life will never be the same.
      I fell in love with just about every character in this novel! I couldn’t put the book down. I just had to know what was going to happen next in each character’s life. The author’s use of flashback tells the background of the characters, and the present-day chapters show readers the results of choices made in the past. All of the characters in one way or another face a challenge that sets them apart from belonging or normality. Pearl is the very picture of Christ’s love, compassion and mercy demonstrated by her acceptance of who some might deem unlovable. She loves them immediately, right where they are in life. Harvey has such a loving heart for the baby girl he rescues. Reese’s patient waiting for his girl to realize he has loved her forever. I could go on and on, but readers will have to get this book and discover the wonderful tale within. This is definitely going on my “keeper” shelf. I can’t wait to see what this author pens next! Don’t miss this one!!
      Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 5/5
      The Edge of Belonging is such a spellbinding, dual-time novel from Amanda Cox. I foresee Edge of Belonging winning an award for debut novels. For myself, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page. Heart-rending themes such as foster homes, homelessness, human trafficking, depression, and PTSD are dealt with from both the sufferer’s and a loving helper’s POV. The raw loneliness hurt, and need that several of the characters experience is portrayed so poignantly. It seems each character in the earlier story (Harvey, Pearl, Thom, and Miriam) feels they are on the edge of belonging to some degree. In the later story, Ivy is the focal point who feels like she doesn’t quite belong, but her best friend Reese has often struggled with those same sentiments. I was thrilled to see how the book’s title applied to so many. I also loved seeing the hope and mercy that certain characters, especially Pearl and Reese, generously dole out to others. Again, so many of Ms. Cox’s characters show significant growth by the end of the story.
      While it is easy to see early on where the stories will connect, there remains the fascination of just how
      Ms. Cox is going to work it all out.
      I usually like to pick a favorite character, but they were all faves. I love Reese for his steadiness and undying care. Harvey, for the way he supersedes his own fears to love another. And Pearl, for her radar to find and genuinely love lost souls.
      Get your own copy of this must-read debut!
      I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through Revell Reads via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and no positive review was required.
    • 4/5
      This debut novel by Amanda Cox is a well written novel about creating a family out of the people that you love. The characters are well written and though I had a favorite, they are all very real. This novel is dual time line and I enjoyed both time lines equally and was eager to see them brought together at the end.

      1994 - Harvey James is homeless and lives in a lean to in the woods. He has never felt loved or cared for and when he finds an abandoned new born baby in the woods, he decides to raise her so that she will feel love right from the beginning of her life.

      Present Day - Ivy has just broken up with her very controlling fiancé and has returned home to help settle her grandmother Pearl's estate. Even though she has been raised by wonderful parents, she still wants to know about her birth family and how her parents adopted her. The basic facts of her adoption have been kept secret from her for her entire life.

      I really liked all of the characters - except for the controlling fiancé - but my favorite was Harvey. He is such an amazing and caring person despite the problems that he had growing up. Seeing his love and care for baby Ivy was very touching and watching him grow and learn to accept love and help from others was wonderful to read about.

      This was a wonderful novel about love and family, secrets and redemption and I highly recommend it.
    • 5/5
      I was excited to receive this book to read and review. I had not read anything by Ms. Cox so I wasn't sure what to expect. Not only did I enjoy the book, I enjoyed the book very much.

      The main characters were very well developed. Ivy is trying to figure out her life and her past, Harvey is trying to overcome his past. The other supporting characters were very well defined as well.

      This book jumps back and forth in time, but it is not in an annoying way, it works very well. This book is one I did not want to put down and one that I also was sad to see come to an end.

      This book is a Christian book, but not in a preachy way. Two of the characters are a pastor of the church and his wife this book shows that we are all sinners and have our faults. I felt that the book shows the importance of leaning on your faith to help you in your everyday life.

      The editing of this book was also very well done. I did not notice any errors at all.

      My review is totally my own, unbiased opinion and the book was given to me in return for an honest review. I would recommend this book to my friends. I give this book a 5 out of 5 star review and am looking forward to more books by Amanda Cox.
    • 5/5
      The Edge of Belonging is the powerful and moving story of exceptional love. Harvey was an unusual man who suffered a horrible childhood. He bore years of hurt, guilt and loneliness. He lived in a lean to in the woods near a major highway. He walked everywhere as he couldn't bear to be in a car. He discovered an abandoned infant who he named Ivy. From that point on the lives of five people changed in ways no one could have foreseen.
      The story is told both in the past and present. Ivy as an adult is very aware she has always been loved by her adopted and unconventional family. None of them are related by blood. She wants answers as to who her biological mother was. After the death of her grandmother her search begins in earnest. Will anyone tell her the truth?
      This is one of the best books I have ever read. The characters are so well defined that readers can feel their emotions. They are people we don't want to let go of. This story is about memorable people who under unusual circumstances become a family of their own making and who were bonded by love. Engrossing and heartfelt, this book is well worth reading. Highly recommended.
      I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
    • 5/5
      I loved this debut novel! Oh my goodness! The book made me feel so many emotions I’m still having trouble catching my breath days after I’ve closed the last page. Amanda Cox’s writing style is powerful and flawless, creating a story that easily pulled me in from the very first page (I’m not ashamed to admit I cried in the first chapter!). I had a really hard time putting the book down as I was drawn into the story and wanted to read more about the characters—I developed very real emotions over these fictional people! I think I stayed up much too late one night to finish the book. This story is packed full of such great messages including adoption, homelessness, suicide, abuse, PTSD, depression, grief, childlessness, depending on God, being loved by God, and the sense of belonging both in family and in society. I loved the spiritual themes that I could apply to my own life. The connections across the split time narrative were such a joy to read. I can tell the author poured her heart into writing this book and I am so appreciative of the incredible story. I think I could write pages and pages about what I loved about this book, but to quickly summarize—it has become one of my favorite reads this year and I cannot recommend it enough!

      I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.