At the Water's Edge

by Annette Lyon

Annela grew up in Helsinki feeling alone and unwanted. Now she has decided to begin a new spiritual life. In her heart, she knows that this new path will lead her to the happiness and peace she desires. But shadows from her past keep reappearing, stalling her progress and making her ultimate goal seem unreachable. First her boyfriend, Tommi, pledges his love, all the while acting in ways that destroy her faith in him. Then her mother, Helena, keeps a dark secret from her that could change Annela's life forever. Then Kenneth appears in her life, but during his brief stay in Finland, will he help her find the love and happiness she’s looking for, or will he prove to be one more complication?

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Lds, Christian Fiction, Realistic Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2004

About the author

Annette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, an 9-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction (three times for novel-length works and five times for short fiction), and a Whitney Award winner for BAND OF SISTERS. She's the author of over a dozen novels, at least that many novellas, a cookbook, a popular grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.

She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.

Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"At the Water's Edge" takes the reader to Finland and follows the story of Annela, a young woman who is making changes to better herself, but at great costs. Annela hasn't ever had a very good home life, due to her volatile father. When she decides to become a member of the LDS church (Mormon), her world, as she knows it, turns upside down and many changes occur. While this story is very dominant in religion and romance, it isn't heavy and preachy.

Annela is a young woman who knows her heart and does whatever it takes to follow it. I enjoy a story with a character that is easy to admire. She has a lot of strong qualities, yet she's very sweet and vulnerable. Those characteristics do cause her a few problems, but overall, she is an exemplary person. I love how content Annela seems in her new life. Kenneth is a wonderful friend and hero and I love how he comes to recognize what direction he must go. He is by no means perfect, but he's very likable.

Full of heartache, fear, angry, sadness, hope, love, joy, and wonderful friendships, this book took me on an emotional journey that I won't soon forget. I love the connection this couple made to their past--it gave me chills. I love the thought that the world is so small, in so many different ways. Of course, the ending is absolutely perfect. There aren't a lot of twists, but there are a few and they are great, really adding to the story.

Content: moderate religious elements, specific to the LDS church; mild romance (kissing, attempted attack); mild violence (abuse, death).

*Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All thoughts and views are my own opinions.*

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes place in Finland. It’s about a young woman named Annela and her family (mom, dad, and younger sister). Annela wants to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints so she can’t live with her boyfriend, Tommi, and her father is so against it he throws her out. She moves in with Sister Henderson from her church ward and gets a job at the mall. The story is about her struggles to live her religion.

Annette tackles the subjects of abuse and alcoholism while telling Annela’s story. Sister Henderson plays matchmaker a couple of times and through her Annela meets Kenneth, an American who served a mission for the LDS church in Finland. They spend all summer getting to know each other until he has to return to the states to finish his doctorate.

I really got into this book and read it in just a few days. I don’t think you have to be a member of the LDS church to understand the storyline because of the way Annette Lyon writes it into the story. There are a few unexpected turns in the last few chapters but it all works out in the end. I loved it.

[Kenya Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't imagine writing such detail and emotion in a book such as this. It has been fantastic to read, especially as I live a member of the LDS church. Annette Lyon described the life of a woman in Europe who wants to and becomes a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her father doesn't want her to be part of it, and as she does, he puts off all contact with her and forbids Annela to talk to her mother and sister as well. She has a boyfriend Tommi, who may not be such a nice boyfriend, and she lives with Sister Henderson, a Mormon older lady, who treats Annela like she's her daughter. This story brings tears, encouragement, and hope. Congratulations Annette Lyon.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I recently won a copy of this eBook (YAY for free books!). Although At the Water's Edge is not as polished as Lyon's more recent novels, it is a good story with lots of depth.

I was pulled in as I followed Annela on her journey breaking away from the life she was familiar with to a new life that held much more purpose. She had constant battles, but was able to push forward.

I haven't read many books that include abusive relationships. That aspect of this story was eye opening. Especially the look that Lyon gives readers at why the women weren't running away.

[Jamier1947 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Like her style and the lds theme, but personally have a hard time reading about abusive husbands so not a fun part for me to read. So good but not great.

[Dorry Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that shows how hard it is to get away from an abusive person. Annela is joining the Mormon church and wants a new life for herself but finds she can't get away from her past. Lot of sadness.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really tough to review. It's a very dark book for the most part, which is not my favorite type of novel, but I don't feel that it was poorly written. I just didn't love it because I'm me, not because of any fault on Lyon's part.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent clean book for young adults. No foul language or sexual content. Faith inspiring. Relatable for a Mormon girl like me. Thank you. :)

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annette Lyon couldn't write a bad book if she tried (which I hope she never does

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have found that full-length novels by Annette Lyon have a depth not often found in today's literature. Admittedly, I have read more of her novellas than full-length novels and given the contraints of that medium the depth isn't really possible. I have decided I need to track down and read more of her longer works.

At the Water's Edge tells the story of Annela - a twenty-something young Finnish woman who at the opening of the book has just decided to be baptized in the LDS church. Her father disowns her and her new beliefs impact her relationship with her boyfriend Tommi, but through all the difficulties she faces, she is able to find peace in the gospel that she knows is true.

Annela's story isn't a simple one. There are a lot of complexities in her backstory, her current relationships, and then the new relationships she begins with Mrs. Hendersen, Kenneth, Mia, and even her family members. If Annela believed that joining God's church would secure for her a life without difficulty, she would have been wrong. However, she knew she'd face difficulties and despite moments of despair and weakness, she held fast to her faith and found that God is mindful of her and that He will provide for her.

This was an emotional story - there were some upsetting events that pulled at my heartstrings and other tender moments that made me sigh. As the story unfolded some things were predictable (as they should be) and others came as a bit of a surprise. It was a very well-balanced story that kept me turning pages and not wanting to put it down.

FYI ~ clean read with LDS (Mormon) themes along with mainstream topics (drinking, abuse, etc.)
Honest disclosure ~ I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun to read and was also an easy read. It's a good story and kept me interested. However, it did end a little simplistically for me and I thought that the Lyon could have taken a little more time and a few more pages to really wrap up the story in a more detailed and possibly more realistic way. Then again, no one ever accused romance novels of being realistic. Despite that I would still recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy, quick, romantic read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annela's never felt her parent's love, and now that she's been baptised, her father declares her dead. Unfortunately, her father is also an abusive husband, and Annela worries about her mother and little sister. Tommi, Annela's boyfriend, cannot understand her obsession with the Church, and also becomes abusive. Following her heart, and with the help of Sister Henderson, Annela will find true love. The story takes place in Helsinki, Finland taking in several sites.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These characters were very real for me. I really enjoyed that Lyon made the characters personal enough that you actually could relate to them. The only thing I didn't like was so many times I was lost because of the culture references of Finland, however, I'm not sure the book could have done without them.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is set in Finland which I really enjoyed. It's not a standard setting, and I liked how the author incorporated some of the customs and culture into it. Even though it is a love story, this one is not always happy and sweet like some light-hearted romances can get. At the Water's Edge is also sprinkled with a few twists that I didn't see coming. I quite enjoyed the book!

[Angee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying Annette Lyon's books! This one was really good about a girl's struggles to find love, come with terms from her past, and the sacrifices that come from living the Gospel. I couldn't put this one down! I just wish there was a sequel...

[Emmeli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was so good. I liked that it's setting was somewhere other then America so it really made it unique. good book

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of cheesy, especially the end. Don't run out and buy it, but if you run onto it somewhere, it isn't a waste of time.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok Lds read

[Judy Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good day's read. LDS author and theme. I liked it!!

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually I give it 3 1/2 stars

[Heidi Pack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finnish love story; this was a fun, fast book with a catchy plot and not too many details or side-stories to distract from the main idea.

[Sharlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars