The Brink: 'Clever, fresh and original' Prima Magazine

by Jamie Fewery

Selected for the Woman’s Own Book Club May 2023
One of Prima Magazine’s Best New Books May 2023
'Warm, wry, sad and brilliantly sharp' Daily Mail
'Clever, fresh and original' Nina Pottell, Books Editor at Prima Magazine

Dan and Anya Moorcroft have decided to get a divorce. Together, they’ve done it all. Two kids, three owned houses, four rented flats, fifty-something holidays, and one affair apiece. Now, after fifteen years together (nine of them married) they’re on the brink.

But as they go through couples’ mediation, revisiting and rediscovering their shared history in sessions surrounded by lawyers and paperwork, are they about to find something that’s worth saving? Or are they going to reaffirm their decision to end things for good?

Each section of the book is a focus area for the divorce mediation sex, home, money, family, us. Through this, the novel explores how marriage is built on bonds between people and the experiences they share. It goes back in time to reveal Dan and Anya’s past. And then returns to the present day as they work out their future.

'Witty, wise and honest' Katie Marsh
'Moving and charming' Kate Sawyer

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2023

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a saddening family drama that explores the end of a marriage. It is a relationship that has seen many highs and lows and it felt like you were an intruder into Dan and Anya’s mediation towards a divorce. I thought this was a really well-written narrative and whilst quite sad in places, I liked the optimism that comes through the pages.

The non-linear narrative is effective because of the juxtaposition established between present day Dan and Anya, and specific moments in the past. The book itself is broken down into sections, reflecting the topics that their mediator is working through. Dan and Anya are forced to re-live these times for the reasons of their divorce proceedings, but this also brings back feelings they perhaps were not expecting. Yet, as you would expect during such a turbulent time, the present day narrative in such a official setting was never going to be positive and I thought the spats between the two characters felt realistic and made me sympathise with them all the more.

Whilst we not only move between past and present, Fewery changes between Dan and Anya’s perspective. I thought this added more depth to each of the characters and could not help but contemplate which one reader would find themselves sympathising with more. For me, I thought Dan had more of a harder position in the marriage and felt more sorry for him than Anya. Having read the story, I thought Anya was a bit more manipulative towards the relationship and not open enough with her husband. I wonder if the writer intended for readers to side with one character over the other?

It is not all doom and gloom in this story and I liked sharing the special moments of Dan and Anya’s story. From first meetings, moving in together and children, I thought the presentation of their growing relationship and family was particularly vivid and realistic. It showed a better side to the couple that Dan and Anya have to reconcile with, whilst explaining their relationship in present day. Indeed, their connection in the mediation room is volatile at times yet, I was equally bemused by how they behaved once away from it: it is like the room symbolised a necessary distance whilst outside in the streets of London, they feel able to be themselves around each other once more.

I liked this story because it felt so different and I enjoyed exploring what it was that made Dan and Anya such a good couple. They don’t realise it themselves at the start of the narrative because they are so bogged down by the failings of their marriage. Yet, I think Fewery portrays that whilst relationships can be a challenge, it is always worth the work because of the positive experiences that come from it.

With thanks to Legend Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[bookishcharli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you enjoy stories about “failing” marriages but you can’t really seem to pick a side as they’re both as bad as the other? Yes? Then you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. I loved going back and exploring Dan and Anya’s relationship to see how they got to the point of wanting to get a divorce. Both characters were very relatable and personable, there were a couple of moments that had me doing a double take while we explored all of their good and bad moments from their relationship.

I’m not sure I’ve read anything like this before but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can’t wait to pick up whatever Jamie writes next.


Thank you to Legend Press for sending me a proof of this one and having me on the blog tour.

[Anita · Rating 1 out of 5]

So basically this is about Dan and Anya, who are married and have two kids together, but can`t seem to stand each other after cheating on each other (shooker). And honestly I absolutely understand why they can`t stand each other, I wouldn`t either.

[kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you nosy? Do you love gossip? Do you enjoy marriage in crisis stories? If you answered yes to these questions, can we be friends? Oh and I have a book for you.

The Brink is the tale of a marriage told through the couple’s divorce mediation. Anya and Dan are parting ways after 15 years, 2 kids, 3 houses and an affair each, and through the talks with the lawyers and mediator we see their relationship unfold and questions arise. Are they doing the right thing?

I was sold on the concept right out the gate. I loved getting into the nitty gritty of Dan and Anya’s marriage, the dynamics between them and the lawyers, the back and forth of the mediation and flashbacks to their past. It was smooth and I found myself not really picking a side, with both of their faults sort of equalizing. That was a pleasant surprise because otherwise I probably would’ve been disappointed by the ending whichever way it went.

There were however 2 things that completely threw me off. Two huge reveals that, instead of being ‘ohhh that makes sense’ moments, made me stop dead in my tracks, rewind the whole book up until those points and rethink Dan and Anya’s whole dynamic because, well, they were dynamic-altering reveals. Considering the form of the story, the jumps between then and now, it would’ve made much more sense for those things to be out in the open from the start, or at least alluded to.

There’s a thousand books your character can be reading instead of Harry Potter. It’s just tired at this point. Better yet, don’t even name the book and avoid sounding dated altogether. ‘A popular middle grade novel’ is perfectly fine and no one has to stop and think if it’s a dogwhistle or just out of touch.

All in all this was a very fun and gripping read and I look forward to seeing the final product.

Thank you to NetGalley and Legend Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give me a book about married couples and I am all in. The Brink made me feel as though I were peeking through the window of the couple’s house, witnessing all of the ups and downs, the happiness, and pitfalls, and how they attempted to mend a broken relationship.

I read Our Life in a Day by this author a few years ago, so I already knew that he had a knack for writing about the messier side of relationships. He gives an honest, real portrayal of marriage in all of its loving glory as well as all of its uglier parts. Everyone knows that being in a relationship isn’t always roses and sunshine, and that’s what I appreciated about The Brink.

Dan and Anya Moorcroft have decided to end their marriage. It wasn’t an easy decision, and it wasn’t without several attempts to fix their issues. I enjoyed how Fewery wrote their story. After deciding to go to couples’ mediation to try to work out the details in a more amicable and communicative fashion, they revisited several pivotal times in their relationship from when they began dating, their engagement, careers, family life, and the obstacles that they faced along the way.

I felt as though I got to know Dan and Anya. Did they each make mistakes in their relationship? Yes. Were they likeable? I did like them. Did I like all of their choices? Of course not. Was I on Team Dan or Team Anya? I honestly didn’t pick a side. As I previously mentioned, I wasn’t looking for perfection, I was looking for a book about a married couple dealing with trying times. It was never going to be about perfection. It was about being real.

The Brink kept me wanting to read on, to discover more about Dan and Anya’s life together, and to see if they were going to be better off living apart or if they would find the desire to try again. I enjoyed their journey and sifting through their love story. I will be looking forward to reading more books by Jamie Fewery in the future.

*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC from Legend Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this novel. Each character was well written and relatable. We follow Anya and Dan as they attend lawyer supported mediation to make their divorce easier in a sense. Through discussions with their mediator, we learn about them and their relationship. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get into this book. At first I thought that it was going to be sad and depressing but, as I read on I found myself really enjoying this unusual story. This got better as the story progressed and i ended up laughing and loving the characters. I'm glad I carried on with it.

[Nebulous · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Fewery's "The Brink" is a refreshing, realistic read. Dan and Anya have been together for 15 years and have decided to get a divorce. Different facets of their relationship are explored as they work with a mediator, which always concludes with a resounding question, "How did we get here?" This book is unique in how their relationship has evolved, mainly through meandering past and present events. Broad topics such as infidelity, finances, homes and children give a glimpse of Dan and Anya as lovers, partners, homemakers and parents. I appreciated how realistic this book is, relationships require honesty and effort, and love isn't enough. There are no rainbows and sunshine, or romanticisms, a deviation from your usual romance reads. Instead, it focuses on how these two individuals are flawed beings and are in the process of determining whether or not they wish to continue being together. There were moments when I laughed and got emotional. The ending was beautifully written and heartfelt. It left a lasting impact as I read the final chapter twice. If you're looking for something different that touches on the realness of relationships, give this book a go!

Thank you, NetGalley & Legend Press, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read!!

I loved how the story was ‘back to front’ and we see the ending of the relationship first.

Both the characters were endearing, I enjoyed the ‘mediation’ and how the books was divided into the sections of divorce.

I’m looking forward to reading more by the author

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me a long time to finish. It was good in the sense it told a story but not always what I wanted to pick up while going through my own divorce.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paperback published by Legend Press 4th May
ISBN 9781915643872

I love reading fiction novels about husband and wife’s relationships. I highly recommend. I found The Brink, most enjoyable, being totally different from some of the other marriage problems, I normally read about.

Dan and Anya are on the brink of their marriage after being together for fifteen years. Dan confesses to his wife Anya, that he’s being sleeping with another woman. Instead of going through a stressful courtroom battle with lawyers, Anya suggests to Dan, mediation sounds a better idea.

Part of a chapter on pages 20-23

‘Okay,’ Margot began, ‘I’ve spoken to you both individually. But I’d like to start these sessions with a little reminder of why we’re here.’ She handed both of them a stack of A4 pages, stapled together in the top corner.

‘Mediation is a way of ending the period of your life together that’s defined by your marriage,’ she said, clasping her hands together.

‘As you know, my method is a blend of counselling and mediation. So in the course of our time together today and tomorrow, we’ll cover the emotional side of your relationship and the physical and shared property when you separate. And how your relationship your partnership should look like when you’re on the other side of this river we must cross together.’

Medication is not about blame. Or scoring points off of one another for the things you each believe that the other did wrong. We’ll explore the past . But our focus is on the future only, and ensuring that we come to an understanding that is mutual, kind and created by you, not enforced on to you. As we proceed, you will see me filling out some documents and taking notes. These will become the Minutes of Agreement and relevant forms your solicitors and I must lodge at court to obtain your decree nisi.

‘Just a few preliminaries first. Now, Dan, you are Daniel Peter Moorcroft. Thirty-nine years old. Living in Suffolk. And you are a she paused. It says here a repair man.’ Sort of. I repair instruments. Guitars, mainly.’ ‘Lovely. And Anya Siobhan Moorcroft, maiden name O’ Hanrahan. Forty. Also living in Suffolk. And you are a writer.’

[E Dod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is was a really interesting concept of a novel and as a reader of more mystery/thrillers this was definitely a new genre to explore and I am really glad that I was accepted for an ARC from Netgalley.

I have not read any other novels by Jamie Fewery but I will be reading more from this great author.

We meet married couple, Dan and Anya who have be together for years and done the whole "get married; have kids" thing and have now decided to get a divorce. The author takes us on an exploration of how they became in the situation that they are in and we really discover both Anya and Dan as individuals and also as a couple. This is such a great concept of a tale and is super relatable to any person who has been with their partner for years.

Thanks to Jamie Fewery, NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[hiaa123 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Brink tells the story of a couple in the process of mediation as they end their marriage. Anya and Dan look back at their shared history, both the good and the bad, and start questioning if they are making the right decision.

This felt like a realistic, everyday romance. Not about grand gestures but about the difficulties of life in a marriage where you get complacent, go through difficult circumstances, and sometimes can't stand each other. It was fascinating to see their marriage picked apart. And there was always shocking new information being uncovered. But at the heart of it, there was always a steady and sure love between these two characters.

I enjoyed this book overall. It felt very original and moving. I was definitely rooting for Aanya and Dan and despite the affairs, could see the decent couple who cared for each other.

[Romance Novels List · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having gone through numerous books that seemed to be centered around romance fluff, this book came across as an unexpectedly revitalizing read. In a genre where many authors tend to overly idealize love and relationships, this story stood out by shedding light on the nitty-gritty aspects—the highs and lows, the sacrifices, and the eventual repercussions that arise when one pursues satisfaction outside their relationship instead of addressing the underlying issues within. This marked a departure from the norm for me, and I found the exploration of these themes to be quite stimulating.
As a first-time reader of this author's work, I was thoroughly impressed by their writing style. The narrative was captivating, and it consistently piqued my curiosity, driving me to eagerly turn the pages.

[eva sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

An authentic story about marriage
This book is not as light as you could think from the cover. Dan and Anya are together since 15+ years with 2 kids. The story begin at the first day of their mediation, they choosed an holistic approach in the hope to stay friends at the end. During the mediation they talk about the good and the bad of their fifteen years together. Sometimes it's a little long. But I liked this book, it's good to read something authentic about a love story on the long run and not just the meet-cute. There is no big twist in it but again it's more authentic that way. Maybe I would have love for the end to be a little less abrupt but I was still happy about it. It's one of those books who makes value what you have instead of dreaming of living in a romantic comedy.

[Honestmamreader]

This book delves into the mediation process of Dan and Anya. It's sectioned up in a way that we get to know them better. What brought them together, what made them tick, what went wrong.

The Brink is a delightful summer read, I found myself really engrossed in Dan and Anya's lives. And, read the book in a day wanting to know how the mediation would pan out.

Reading this made me appreciate the life I have 😊 seeing Dan and Anya dissect their relationship made me look into my world and answer some of their questions. It made putting myself in their shoes a bit easier, and made me more invested in their story.

I won't tell you how it all pans out, that would be spoiler alert 😊 but its a really good book.

[Naomi Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love story with a difference, it starts in the divorce lawyer’s office, or rather ‘mediation’ as that’s so much more civilised and pleasant. It’s a gripping tale going backwards and forwards in time. I expect we’ll all been there. Meeting someone, are they the one? What happens next? How to sustain a fun and engrossing relationship with the added challenges of jobs, travel, parents, children, finding somewhere to live, money and so on -it’s a wonder that anyone is able to do it successfully.

The author keeps us on our toes throughout and it’s an unputdownable novel, well written, funny in parts and tragic in others. You will surely recognise yourself in one of the characters. Highly recommended!

[Gurleen Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
A marriage-in-turmoil romance, The author kept the description real for a couple in their 40s.
Second chances are always my favourite.
There was so much angst between the couple.
I wanted more of their relationship though.
I am happy with the ending but i cant get past how both them excused their infidelity.
Dan's teenage flee is also something i dont think is okay.
I felt bad for both anya and gemma.
He was so good as a dad ofcourse not to Rhys, which i think he should have not broken up before knowing if gemma was pregnant. He becomes the same kind of dad to rhys like he feared he did not want to be.

I was infuriated at anya's missed opportunity due to eddie's death, however Dan addressed it in his marriage speech- was cute

[Zuzu Burford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed by reading The Brink because I had high hopes after seeing how many five-star reviews there were.
The author ran out of ideas while utilising a railway derailment and a torrential downpour to bring up a significant change in the plot, and the story dragged on far too long, especially with husband Dan complaining most of the time.
This reader found it difficult to follow up with the disconnected timelines during the marriage and the son's sudden desire to become a police officer for no apparent reason other than to complicate the plot.
This is a independent review thanks to NetGalley / Legend Press

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an unusual read….but unusual does not mean bad,in this case it was mainly pretty riveting to see how Dan and Anya had come to their almost divorce….all aspects leading up to this point are looked into and discussed and its like a rom com in reverse
I really liked both characters,they were honest and ‘normal’ and enjoyed getting to know them better as the book progressed
It really is a different kind of read and the conclusion is……obvs not gonna say but will say its really well written and if you are looking for something that bit different this will not disappoint

[HEATHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by Jamie and i really enjoyed it. I liked this story because it felt so different and I enjoyed exploring what it was that made them such a good couple. They don’t realize it themselves at the beginning because they are so bogged down by the failings of their marriage. I like how he explained how relationships can be a challenge, it is always worth the work because of the positive experiences that come from it.

Thank you NetGalley and Legend Press for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

[Kelly Pramberger]

Once again I desired to read a book because of the cover! It was one that was told from end to beginning. Very intriguing storytelling. I am always fascinated with books about marriage and divorce and how couples navigate with children. While this one was not my favorite it was still a decent book to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for the purpose of this review. Four stars.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a very interesting read. It was wrote as a kind of cross between a story / case study / divorce guide. With the current divorce mediation of the couple interweaved with flashbacks of their history and how they came to the end of the relationship. Definitely a very different style to anything I have read before. Recommended.

[Lidia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, lucid and spietaded on marriage or better the end of it. I liked also Anya and Dan because are been always true at their self and with the partner. In the end this is a love story and how need work on marriege and yourself to go ahead and be happy. I liked that the mediator give the go for tell their history.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prepare for an emotional trip as you watch this couple retell the story of their life together, looking at the bad times and the good. It's impossible to tell how things will turn out until the very end and even then, we have no idea if they have made the right decision or not.

(Full review on my blog : https://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspo...)

[Teresa Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an enchanting read. I found it very endearing and emotional at times to hear all about this couple throughout their lives past and present. Throughout the entire story i was wondering, does love conquer all? You will have to read this book to find out.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply touching book and a marriage and a family. Anya and Dan decide to divorce after 14 years- and two kids- together. The book follows their "peaceful mediation" in which they recount their history and make a plan to end their marriage.

[Pip Snort · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this approach, constructing a relationship by watching its demise. I was also really glad about the ending, hope instead of defeat and despair, which is always good and so rare. I found this to be quite realistic, which was so excellent. All around, well done.

[Chyns Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a bit silly tbh… wanted to divorce each other cause wasnt happy then had counselling told they need to work out a plan and then their daughter had a accident and then they ended up back together! Yet both cheated he had a son she didnt no about? Really

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the premise of this book was absolutely fascinating - the book, itself, however was a huge disappointment. Save your money and your time for something else