Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “The boy everyone sees but nobody knows … the girl who everybody knows but nobody sees.

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds

Smart. Responsible. That’s seventeen-year-old Breanna’s role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyberbully’s line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas “Razor” Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don’t belong. But when he learns she’s being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it’s time to step outside the rules.

And so they make a pact: he’ll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she’ll help him seek answers to the mystery that’s haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they’re both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they’re going from here. (Goodreads)

Razor caught my eye in book one-Nowhere But Here. Best friends with fellow prospects Oz and Chevy, Razor is now a patched member of the Reign of Terror MC. Portrayed as a quiet, dangerous young man, he is painted with a wide brush by the town due to his affiliation with the club. I was interested to see how McGarry would flesh him out. A rough jagged exterior hides a tortured soul whose loyalty and friendship are worth their weight in gold.

Walk The Edge is a mature YA whose premise revolves around two people who find one another when  they are at their lowest points; falling in love while striving to find away to survive the fall out in their lives. An emotionally bittersweet tale with a cast of well-defined characters whose lives demand you pay attention and acknowledge what they are going through. Steady pacing and various subplots create an emotionally poignant story abound with drama, angst, and romance. McGarry builds a wonderful relationship between our protagonists. We watch them develop a sort of friendship that gently and effortlessly blooms into love as they struggle to handle love, hate, grief, hope, and choices.

Though the trope is somewhat predictable, a majority of McGarry’s books follow a similar premise, it’s the journey that is appealing. Heavily character driven, these people breathe life into the storyline and elevate it beyond a simple YA romance. Dynamic in development, Ms. McGarry has created real people with real issues. They are easy to relate to. Their joys, fears, wants, and needs are laid bare and we are allowed to share in their journey as they experience and deal with the growing pains life hands us. The execution flows smoothly and the dialogue is a compelling account of the cliff they both are poised on. We are never left to guess at their feelings and thoughts.

I enjoyed Razor and Brianna as individuals and a couple. Brianna is far stronger than she appears. She leaves you cheering for her while wanting to protect her at the same time. Razor seems like Brianna’s opposite but in reality, they are very similar. Both are strong, intelligent characters whose emotions and reactions are realistic. Both struggle with family and the drama and heartache that is often present. Brianna has issues concerning her placement in her family’s dynamics. As one of nine siblings, Brianna has been forced into adulthood far sooner than she should have been and your heart breaks for her when you see just how selfish her parents are.There are quite a few scenes in here that if I could have leaped through the book and slapped them-I would have. Razor also suffers because of his family. His family was essentially destroyed with his mother’s death but the club stepped in and helped raise Razor. Only, now the club’s demands of absolute trust flies in the face of the lies he has discovered they have told him concerning his mother’s death. Both Razor and Brianna are suffocating in this town and the very people who are supposed to protect them are the cause.

It’s like this town is diseased. Gossip and rumors and people playing with everyone’s lives. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to drown.

The romance builds very slowly, amping the sexual tension and intense chemistry that seems to erupt with first love. McGarry doesn’t use tired cliches and emotional manipulation to facilitate their romance. The actual relationship remains a work in progress even at the end. You never doubt these two are meant to be together but their meeting and subsequent relationship isn’t an instant fix for all their problems. Both have very good reasons to not get involved with one another yet it’s like stopping an avalanche. I loved the protectiveness they have towards one another. Neither try to change the other and both learn that love doesn’t always come with conditions.

This is heartbreaking and consuming and addictive. It’s terrifying and peaceful, crazy and serene. It’s a million things in one brief moment and it’s something I don’t understand and never want to live without.

The secondary characters add even more drama, humor, and hype to the story. Some I enjoyed-others I wanted to annihilate. McGarry does an excellent of developing and sticking to her characterization.  found Kyle’s characterization interesting in that while his actions were horrendous, McGarry digs deep to show us why he is willing to do what he did. The MC remains secretive on the whole but tidbits of information are given that provides Razor with the answers he needs and to direct us into the next book. Oz, Chevy, and Violet all hold ample page time and I am VERY interested in seeing where McGarry takes Chevy and Violet after certain events were revealed. Brianna’s parents don’t redeem at all my eyes but Brianna does develop a deeper understanding and acceptance of her relationship with her siblings.

This family is messed up, but it’s still my family.

The ending is climatic and heartfelt. Both main conflicts wrap up in a satisfying manner; allowing for closure and for us to see that both protagonists have found peace with themselves and those around them.

Grade: B

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