The Edge of Harmony

by Lucy Milbaud

Wanting him was never part of the plan. Choosing him could cost her everything.

In a future UK where only genome-matched couples are allowed to have children, birth rates have collapsed, and reproduction has become a duty.

Aven's idea of hell is motherhood. But when her name is drawn in the lottery, she's forced to attend the Harmony Retreat, date her assigned matches, and choose one to start a family for the good of the nation.

Her plan is simple: survive the retreat, let Harmony think they won, and find a way to avoid the future chosen for her. But when a secret from her past resurfaces, compliance is no longer enough. Suddenly, the wrong choice could cost her far more than motherhood.

As Aven is forced to play a more dangerous game, an Enforcer she can't afford to want repeatedly breaks the rules to protect her. The walls she so carefully built start to crumble and the temptation of this forbidden, dangerous connection grows harder to resist as he becomes the only place she feels safe.

🔥 slow burn romance

❤️‍🔥 forbidden love

🫠 yearning & mutual pining

🛡 protective MMC

🔰 green flag love interest

🌶 earned spice

🥂 luxury dystopian setting

💛 found family

🤭 banter

🦽 disability rep

🗓 adult characters (late 20s/early 30s)

For readers who loved CONFORM, THE HANDMAID'S TALE and THE HUNGER GAMES.

Genres: Dystopia, Romance, Fantasy, Romantasy

451 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 17, 2026

Reviews

[Bianca C · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Okay, first of all, I LOVE a good dystopian romance, and this one had me hooked! The concept of a future where reproduction is controlled by the government and women are expected to fulfill their assigned roles was such an interesting and honestly terrifying premise. I really enjoyed the luxury dystopian setting and watching Aven navigate a world where everyone else seems to have control over her future.

The slow burn, the yearning, the forbidden connection, ALL OF IT. And can we talk about Asher?! Because I absolutely love him. The protective instincts, the rule-breaking, and the way he makes Aven feel safe when the rest of her world is anything but. I was eating it up! I also really loved the found family aspect, which added another layer to the story and made me even more invested in the characters.

Between the banter, the tension, the disability representation, and a romance that feels earned, there was so much to enjoy. And can we appreciate having adult characters in their late 20s and early 30s? We love to see it!

I’m genuinely excited to see where this story goes because THAT CLIFFHANGER?! Excuse me?! I need the next book immediately. I have questions, feelings, and absolutely no patience. 😂

Thank you so much to the author for the gifted eARC and for allowing me to read this one early! This book releases November 17th, so make sure to add it to your TBR! 🖤

[EmFearon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

I really liked the concept of this story. The idea that only genome-matched couples are allowed to have children in an attempt to eliminate genetic diseases and reduce the strain on the NHS is interesting, and I thought there was a lot of potential.

Tropes
🔥Slow burn
❤️‍🔥 Forbidden love
⚔️ He protects her
👩‍🦼 Disability rep
🏚 Dystopian-style setting

About
Aven’s name is drawn in a monthly lottery, meaning she must attend the Harmony Retreat, where she is genome-matched with three people of the opposite sex. She has four weeks to date each of them, choosing activities such as cooking, archery and more, before ultimately selecting her preferred match to go on and have a family with.

Potential Spoilers Below!!

Except Aven doesn’t want children.

Things get even more complicated when she realises one of her matches is her abusive ex-partner Tarin. With one of Harmony's Enforcer's breaking the rules to protect her, Aven has no choice but to play the game and pretend she will choose Tarin as he has something on her. But Harmony Retreat is tracking her every move, right down to her ovulation cycle. So how is she supposed to escape the impending pressure of forced motherhood?

This was a pretty easy read, and there was nothing particularly wrong with it. I just wasn't desperate to pick it up and read it every day which made it difficult for me to become completely invested in the story. The writing style also felt quite YA which isn't necessarily a bad thing ,but it did affect how I connected with the book.

One thing that really threw me off was the setting. The story uses real places such as London and Woburn, and because I know these places and have been to them multiple times, I couldn't stop picturing them exactly as they are in real life. I think if the locations had been fictional, I would have found it much easier to immerse myself in the world.

The Tarin storyline also wasn't my fave. He was just a d*ck!

Overall, I thought the premise was really interesting and I enjoyed the ideas behind the story, but unfortunately I just didn't find myself fully invested enough to love it.

Thank you so much to the author for sending me an eArc.

[Micaela Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy of this book! All views are my own. This was such an engaging read, I read it in two sittings over one day (never happens)! Such a unique dystopian story and a nice break from the typical war settings that dystopian and fantasy books tend to gravitate to. The story was original and exciting and lends great to a book two! While the story was in an alternate reality of the UK it was very easy to picture it as our own dystopian future for women. The idea of women’s sole value being their reproductive capabilities doesn’t seem too far fetched based on where some countries are headed currently.

While the book certainly dealt with some traumatic themes, it didn’t feel drawn out or overemphasized. I’d recommend checking reviews and the content warnings to avoid any uncomfortableness.

Also really appreciated the diversity in the background characters. A pleasant surprise.

Can’t wait for the next book!

[Eren Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely passed my expectations. I will say before choosing to read I would read the trigger warnings. I personally have no triggers so nothing was an issue for me but the book does touch on heavy topics but I do feel she touched everything with grace.

The FMC Aven honestly is refreshing. She knows what she wants, she's had a tough go around for sure with her past and unfortunately with being selected has no choice but to go to this HARMONY place. She's stubborn, determined, knows what she wants, and while she has trauma has also learned ways to cope with it and is willing to do what she can for others.

Asher is such a GREEN FLAG. I'm not even going to say more because he deserves the experience.
Honestly all the friends that you meet here are wonderful which is much needed in a world that's...... not so much.

This world is honest, it's fairly similar in some points to our world and honestly it's words that I needed. I needed the reminder that I matter. This book is more than just a dystopian story. It's got some great nods to coping skills for panic attacks, it's got gentle reminders to not blame yourself, or down play things. This story is real and can speak to your heart. Easily this is a book I'm going to remember not just for the words on the pages, but the words that really speak to me and give me those reminders. Be kind to myself. Be honest. Things may not be okay now, but they can/will be. That I matter.

If you want a book that doesn't shy away from the hard topics, but also does it with grace rather than crudeness, a dystopian story with a luxury resort-esque setting, characters you will love to hate and others you will just outright love then I would highly recommend this one. I do believe that if you have anything that triggers you to please read the trigger warnings.

[Renee Polks Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dystopian Romance but make it a forced matching retreat for genetic breeding 👏

This is the next Dystopian Romance book to add to your TBR.
If you loved Conform by Ariel Sullivan and To Cage A Wild Bird by Brooke Fast then you will enjoy this book.

Aven hates children and absolutely doesn't want to ever have any.
Unfortunately for her, the government has a forced genetic breeding program that is in place to increase the population's high quality genetics, and she is it's next candidate.

Harmony is a 'luxury' retreat that is designed to give conscribed candidates the chance to organically bond with one of their 3 genetic matches. By the end of their time at Harmony, every candidate will be paired - sometimes choices can be overuled in order to ensure this.

When Aven gets to Harmony she quickly realises how fucked her situation is and attempts to come up with her best strategy.... and lucky for her, one of the guards also helps 😉😏

- Dystopian Romance
- Genetic Breeding Retreat
- Forced Marriage Conscriptions
- Guard MMC x Conscribed FMC
- Blonde MMC
- Trauma involving abusive ex
- Betrayal, Rape, Hurt
- Spice
- Book 1 in a new series
- The book has character art throughout

I absolutely will be reading every book in this series 🙌

Thank you to Lucy for trusting me with her early eARC and our late night, early morning rambles xx I wish you all the success with your upcoming release.

[ᴹⁱʰᵃᵉˡᵃ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Harmony Retreat... a place where women's rights are none existent. They are supposed to reproduce and grow the population and that is all. If this makes you angry just as I was angry at the idea, then give this book a chance.

Aven is that girl, women, who doesn't want children. She just got chosen for this month's retreat, something she hoped wouldn't happen. But she won't go in there without a plan, she has something in mind. Thing is... plans don't always work, she will discover some things, someone from her past will try and make her 'stay' hell. And also... she will find love. Asher, the Enforcer at the retreat, the one she should not fall in love with, makes her feel everything. But a love between them is impossible. Harmony knows everything and even talking freely is hard for them. But every moment, every glance, every spoken word and them getting to know each other brings them even closer.

But will they be able to be together? You can only read and find out. But be prepared for a lot of emotions, you will be scared, anxious, angry, heartbroken. It's a book you feel, a dystopian romance debut worth reading.


I read an early copy.

[Onceuponatiktok · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an easy book to get into, and I really enjoyed the storyline, although some of it felt a little too close to home!

The Haven retreat is made to look like a luxurious matchmaking getaway, but there’s something far more sinister going on behind the scenes. Women’s rights have been completely stripped away, and their worth is determined by whether they’re fertile or not. It definitely gave me similar vibes to The Handmaid’s Tale, which made the whole premise even more unsettling.

And I do love a forbidden romance! The tension in this book was spot on, and that part of the story definitely didn’t disappoint.

Aven, our FMC, has already been through so much trauma, and you could really feel her frustration at having absolutely no control over her own life or the situation she’s found herself in.

I really enjoyed this one, and I’ll definitely be picking up book two because I have questions, and I NEED answers!
Thank you Lucy Milbaud for the ARC read.

[Carlene Williams]

I read an early copy.
An absolute delight to read! I loved it and devoured it. The narrative feels invigorating, with a plot that balances refreshing originality and well‑timed twists. The author has crafted a compelling foundation for the continuation of the series, leaving readers eager for what lies ahead. The characters are vividly drawn, and their dynamic interactions add depth and resonance to the story. It’s an exhilarating journey that offers something to captivate every reader. I am already anticipating the next instalment with great excitement

[Elle | The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say I could not put this book down, I say it with my whole chest - I. COULD. NOT. PUT. THIS. BOOK. DOWN.

I was absolutely hooked from the start, drawn in by the author’s easy writing style and sticking around for the humour and the delicately handled darker themes (please do check the triggers).

We’re carried through at a swift pace with one POV, with consistent plot and character development that keeps you really involved. It’s primarily character driven with clever world building that quickly sets the scene and really adds to the story.

I spent a large percentage of the book smiling and blushing like a goof at the most delicious tension. And the TWISTS! I was completely blindsided multiple times by the plot, and that ending?!

I’m so grateful to have been generously gifted an ARC of this book, I cannot wait to see how this story continues.

[Cnm_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

For lovers of a dystopian read, the Edge of Harmony is a must read. Dystopian books are what hooked me as a younger reader. This story brought back the nostalgia of being a reader hooked on a series and characters.
The emotional turmoil of the FMC is palpable. The tension of her forbidden love is just long enough to make you desperate for their connection, but not so short for it to feel like it’s just lust. The pacing was steady without any lulls in the storyline. The ending is not a cliffhanger, but leaves the story wide open for a series.
For some reason Asher having a beard and blonde hair JUST WORKS. 💞
Overall, I wouldn’t change a thing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ it’s a 6 star for me! I will have the book on my shelf as soon as possible with a space saved for book 2



{{"The Edge of Harmony” takes place in a time when the government is trying to repopulate the nation. The catch? Women are giving up their rights to their bodies and their choices by way of a fake smiles, empty commitment, and reluctant parenthood glossed over with shiny material gains.
Aven’s name is drawn for the Harmony retreat to reveal her three potential matches for her seven years of reproductive value to society. What she finds is a found family, a platonic love, and a forbidden love. A secret from her past threatens her journey from day 1 to week 4.}}

[Leanne ReadbyHer · Rating 4 out of 5]

e-ARC review. Thank you to the author for kindly sending me this e-ARC to review.

This has been a REALLY difficult one to rate because there were parts of this book I genuinely really liked, alongside some elements of the worldbuilding that occasionally pulled me out of the story.

Ultimately, though, I enjoyed reading it. I liked the plot, I liked the setting, I was invested in the characters and I wanted to know what was going to happen. So I’m giving it 4 ⭐️ based largely on that.

The Edge of Harmony is set in 2108, in a world where fertility rates have fallen and women are genetically matched with men to produce the healthiest possible children. Our FMC finds herself at a Harmony Retreat as part of that process — and I’m deliberately not going much further into the plot because I think this is one that’s much better discovered as you read.

The actual premise is REALLY interesting.

I also really liked the characters. I liked the FMC, I really liked the MMC — who is BLONDE, which shouldn’t be as refreshing as it apparently is — and there were several side characters I became surprisingly attached to. The relationships were probably one of the strongest parts of the book for me.

And importantly, I wanted to keep reading.

Where I struggled slightly was with some of the futuristic worldbuilding. This is 2108 — 82 years from now — and there were moments where some of the everyday technology felt surprisingly familiar considering how dramatically other parts of society have advanced.

This is a society sophisticated enough to genetically match people for reproduction. People wear biometric wristbands capable of monitoring incredibly intimate health information. There are robots performing medical tests. The entire structure of society has changed dramatically enough that we have concepts like the Harmony Retreat, Nulls and Wildborn.

And then there are other details that feel much closer to our world now — an app described as painfully slow and clunky, familiar ultrasound technology, references to the NHS and limited access to things like drones.

Initially, some of those things really bothered me because I found myself thinking, but would this really still be like this in 2108?

However, I actually spoke to Lucy after finishing the book and she gave me some really interesting context that changed my perspective on some of it.

For example, the old, yellowing Tupperware I originally questioned is completely intentional. With the population having fallen so significantly, demand for new products has collapsed, factories have closed and buying new things is expensive. People therefore reuse and repair what already exists — so that battered old Tupperware could genuinely have been around for decades. I actually liked that explanation; albeit maybe needs to be clearer in the book.

Likewise, the slow app is intentional rather than outdated technology. Harmony doesn’t particularly want its participants sitting on their phones communicating through an app; the system is designed to push them towards interacting in person.

And the limited drone access also has an explanation within the structure of Harmony: the people at the resort aren’t a specialist pursuit operation and would need to request additional resources from elsewhere.

Those explanations definitely softened some of my criticism. I still think a few of these details could perhaps be made a little clearer within the book itself, because they didn’t all come across to me while I was reading, and I still think certain elements of 2108 could feel a little more futuristic. But knowing there is actual reasoning behind many of the choices makes the world feel much more considered than I initially gave it credit for.

And honestly, I REALLY appreciated an author being so open to discussing it with me rather than simply dismissing the criticism.

For dystopian fiction to work for me, I need to believe in the world. I don’t need to believe this future WILL happen, but I need to understand how we could get there and why that society functions the way it does. With the additional context, I can see more of that thinking here.

So yes, there were elements of the worldbuilding that didn’t completely land for me while I was reading.

BUT I ALSO REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK.

And that’s ultimately what tipped it into 4 ⭐️ territory.

The premise is original, the plot kept me interested, I cared about the characters, I liked the romance, and when I reached the end I wasn’t thinking about the things that had bothered me — I was thinking about what happens NEXT.

And having now had some of my questions answered, I’m even more intrigued by the wider world Lucy is creating.

I also enjoyed the bonus chapters from other POVs which I read after. I’ll be reading the next book which says it all really.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review


Dystopian Married at First Sight/Love Is Blind meets The Handmaid’s Tale and The Selection vibes.

Set in a world that's not too far removed from our own, this story feels especially relevant given the ongoing conversations around reproductive rights and women's rights in general. It really drives home just how easily a society like this could become our reality, which made it all the more chilling to read.

I don't think I've ever related to a female main character as much as I did to Aven. As a woman in her late twenties, she's a refreshing change from the typical teenage heroine often found in dystopian novels. She's fiercely independent, adamantly child-free, and suddenly forced into a government-mandated reproductive programme. At the same time, she's trying to navigate the trauma of an abusive past relationship, made even worse by the fact that her ex-partner is revealed to be one of her three assigned matches.

Aven's journey was beautifully written and incredibly impactful. The emotional weight of her experiences felt so real, and I was completely invested in her story from start to finish. The hatred I felt towards Tarin was unmatched. Every scene involving him had me feeling angry, frustrated, and desperate for Aven to get the freedom and happiness she deserved.

And then there's Asher.

Asher is the perfect golden retriever, protective MMC, and he absolutely stole my heart. The chemistry between him and Aven is impossible to ignore from their very first meeting. Their connection is forbidden in so many ways, which only makes you root for them even harder. Every interaction had me eagerly turning the pages, desperate to see what would happen next.

One thing I'd love to see explored further in book two is the history of this world. I'd love a deeper look into how society reached this point, how these laws became accepted, and why so many people seem willing to comply with them. Learning more about the road that led to this dystopian reality would make the world-building even stronger.

Overall, this was an easy 5-star read for me. I genuinely couldn't put it down and found myself thinking about it whenever I wasn't reading. It's a thought-provoking, emotional, and completely addictive story that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction with compelling characters, high stakes, and a romance that will have you hooked from the very beginning. I cannot wait to return to this world and see what's next for Aven and Asher in book two!

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I received my ARC copy to read. The Harmony Retreat: basically like a forced Love Island/The Bachelor except your rights are non/existent to survive in a world that claims they need their citizens to “reproduce.”

Aven Amberlyn: selected to take part in the Harmony Retreat, forced to relive constant trauma and battle through / sort through her emotions. She’s forced to face her past day after day. Her saving grace? Mr. Green Flag Asher Cole, Harmony Enforcer. It’s forbidden, every touch, every conversation is earned. How do you fall in love with someone you can’t have? Maybe that’s what makes it more enticing.

I’m hoping for more world building in the second book as I would love to know what happened in greater detail all those years ago as to why this is the system now and how everyone goes along with it. Dystopian and reckless governments always start slow, stripping few freedoms in front of people’s faces they wouldn’t recognize until it’s too late. I love this setting though, it’s modern, it’s relevant, it’s not too far off into the future. It’s a bleak atmosphere. It’s not easy to resist the one man who constantly saves you and protects you.

I’ve never hated a character more than Tarin. It was written so beautifully, that each page I was so angry with anything he did or any words that came out of his mouth. Like, it was almost watching the pages come to life and play out in my head. The representation of emotional abuse that ultimately led to the worst was well-handled and well-written. It’s easy for the reader to connect with the FMC, especially if they’ve gone through similar circumstances. You feel some parts deep in your soul.

I think it’s an interesting and unique concept for a storyline today. I’ve always known I wanted to have children, but there’s some people who weren’t made for that, and that’s okay too. At the end of the day, the plot comes down to choices being stripped away from society, ultimate control and power hungry people in power. That’s why I think I want more background. I want to read more about how shady and dark the society goes and how everyone got to where they were. That would tie book 2 together with a big bow for me.

I loved this book so much, though. I hate being the reader that’s like “where’s book 2?” After reading an ARC but……I’m impatient and excited 👏🏼👀❤️

[Book.Lover.Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

ARC copy of this book from the author! 🥰

This book gave me total The Hunger Games & Divergent vibes and well i was in love!!

I was hooked from the very first chapters and honestly, I flew through it! The pacing, the world-building, everything just pulled me right in 😍 I loved how we get such complex, morally grey characters navigating impossible, heartbreaking situations—there’s so much depth here, and it deals with really heavy, tough themes that can be hard to read at times, but they’re handled with so much care and respect (definitely check trigger warnings before starting though!).

💙 Aven — oh my goodness, she completely stole my heart! 🥺 She’s such a layered, fierce, complicated FMC dealing with more than anyone should ever have to carry… and yet she keeps going. I felt every single emotion right along with her; her journey was so beautifully written and real, I was invested from start to finish. The hatred I felt toward Tarin was unmatched 😤 every scene with him had me fuming and desperate for Aven to get everything she deserves!

💙 Asher — sigh… where do I even start?! 🥹✨ Total golden retriever energy, protective, loyal, sweet… absolute GREEN FLAG through and through! 💚 The chemistry between him and Aven is off the charts from the second they meet—all that tension, the forbidden vibes… it just makes you root for them SO hard! Every interaction had me turning pages as fast as I could, desperate to see what happened next 🔥

I loved seeing how strong Aven’s support system is too; she’s not going through this alone, and that meant so much to me. The world is so interesting and immersive—one thing I’m already dying for in book 2 is to dig deeper into the history: how this society became what it is, how these cruel laws came to be, and why people go along with them! I need all the lore and backstory 👀

This was an easy 5-star read for me! I genuinely couldn’t put it down and kept thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading. I am SO ready for the next one—need to know exactly where this story goes next! 📚✨

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Lucy for giving me the opportunity to read the arc of this beautifully written dystopian romance.
I was immediately captivated by this world set in England’s (not too distant) future. The mentions of places in London and the NHS kept the story familiar but you could see how the world has changed by 2108 and not for the better.

I really loved the FMC, Aven, she knew her own mind. She knew what she wanted and more importantly what she didn’t want in life. I was immediately drawn to her character and ended up really caring about her journey throughout the book. I thought her past experience and her past catching up with her was written very well. Her past abuse was handled with care.

The MMC, Asher! Gosh where do I start. What a sweetheart. His character was written so well. I love the character in a dystopian that starts to work against the system they work for, or at least see it for what it is. He was a well written character who just had my whole heart from the moment he started to try to step in for Aven. His kindness, despite the hand he’d been shown in life, was truly heartwarming. His past only made me want to hug him through the page more.

I thought all the other characters were also well written, rounded characters. We knew just about enough about them to care but it was clear what the story was leading to be about.

I found this dystopian future (for women) particularly chilling and as the book went on, the level of control that Harmony had over people’s lives was staggering. I really look forward to book 2, I have so many questions about Harmony and its leader in particular. I’m invested in Aven and I am now concerned about her ending. The twist at the end about a certain character’s betrayal was a gut punch. I’d like to know how she’ll deal with that and her future. And of course if the lovers will find each other again.

Thank you Lucy. I look forward to book 2!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you so much Lucy for the physical and digital ARC of this book!

This was... wow! I felt like I never wanted to put it down. It was so fast-paced and engrossing.

The concept is of the UK in the future where only those who are genome-matched are able to reproduce, which I felt was really unique (and kind of scary because what if it could happen?). Is wasn't explicitly said why this was happening, but it was implied that it was to reduce / eradicate inherited diseases and illness.

The story follows the FMC who is forced into going to a retreat where each person has three pre-chosen potential genome-matches, where they spend a month getting to know each other and have mandatory dates to determine who they will then leave and reproduce with. One of her matches is her abusive ex-boyfriend and the description of what he does to her felt SO CLOSE to home it could have been written about mine?!? Very well described but please check the trigger warnings if this is something you may struggle with!

The MMC of the story is not one of her matches, but is an Enforcer at the compound and as such creates our forbidden love trope (which I EAT UP every time). Asher is so yearny and the biggest green flag. He's so protective and gentle and lovely and I just want to give him a hug. I love tension and yearning in a book so much! But it does come with high stakes and a lot of anxious reading.

This was un-putdownable, it was so addictive I truly didn't want to stop reading it. I lost sleep on Sunday night staying up way too late because I couldn't stop! The ending is definitely setting us up for book 2 and I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT!! I need to know what happens?!

[Shae Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just put this book down and I honestly loved EVERYTHING about it.

The premise had me hooked from the beginning. A dystopian world, a company called Harmony with its own reproductive program, and our FMC Aven being drawn into one of their retreats? I was immediately invested.

There is some incredibly heavy and triggering content throughout this book, particularly surrounding abuse and the past experiences of Aven. There were definitely moments that were difficult to read, but I thought these themes were handled with so much care. The story explores some really important issues and showcases so many different experiences, perspectives and types of people. This book is such a good reminder that every single person matters, and I thought that message was so powerful.

And the characters!! Our FMC, our MMC, her friends… I loved them all. The forbidden romance brought SO much yearning, like sooooo much yearning and I was dying over their shared glances, hand brushes and little moments.

Was there some massive, mind-blowing plot twist that I never saw coming? No. And honestly, I didn’t need one. There was a twist or two, but what made this book so special was the story itself. Everything felt like it served a purpose, and I genuinely think this book was exactly what it needed to be.

I loved the ending of the book! It had such a powerful message, the author Lucy has nailed it and the book has really resonated with me. I’m honestly just so excited to continue reading this story, if you need any beta readers I volunteer as tribute! An easy five star read, I loved it! ✨

[Jordan C. Honea · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW!!!!


First off I was so glad to receive this book early, I always feel so grateful to receive & read an arc copy.

The Edge of Harmony, is a fast-paced dystopian masterpiece. The government in a future UK is so focused on “healthy and harmonious” genome-matched couples.. the only couple who can held to the duty of parenthood.

The government is so twisted, and dark… there were so many points when I had to pause and just think woah… this is crazy! Our FMC Aven strongly believes her life does not include children, but the second she’s assigned to the Harmony Resorts everything changes.. I hated this government & found myself wanting to fight for women like Aven in this society.

This book is so fast paced, the entire storyline falling in just 4ish weeks. It made me want to keep reading and not put the book down. The characters, I found to be really relatable, and a great diversity & disability representations.
I wish we had more time with Aven and the Enforcer who’s tasked with following Harmony rules, and ensuring guests at the resort are working to build a relationship with one of their “assigned matches”…. It’s the biggest forced proximity & slow burn matches I’ve read in a while & I need more!

If you know you know, the beanie had me in tears…

4.5 starsss / 5 starsss

[Morgan Dahmani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished The Edge of Harmony and it is such a fascinating and terrifying futuristic dystopia where free will has been completely sacrificed for the sake of survival. In this society, genome-compatible matchmaking is mandatory to eradicate disease and force repopulation, leaving people with no real choice when it comes to their life partners.

It’s a fast-paced read with a really unique take on the dystopian matchmaking trope.
While it gave me strong Handmaid’s Tale vibes, it definitely stands on its own.

The story is heavily focused on the claustrophobic environment of the retreat and the immediate romantic tension where the protagonist is forced to navigate some impossible choices, and the emotional twists kept me completely hooked!

My only tiny note is that I would have loved to see a bit more of the broader world-building (how society actually got to this point and how the outside world functions). But honestly, that just means I am absolutely dying to read the next books to explore more of this universe!

Highly recommend to anyone who loves dystopian romance with high stakes and forced-proximity tension.

[Jojo_Bookish Nurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an advanced copy.

Wow. This author's writing sucks you in from the start. You have a society that needs more births. What better way then to draw names, find your perfect geome match, and have you go off to a retreat to start dating the choices.

Only our fmc had a bad past with her ex... and she's matched to him! She doesn't even desire children, but Harmomy gives you no other choice. And boy, does her ex have something big on her that can bring her world crashing down.

The wild born are birthed outside of the standards. She just so happens to meet and fall head over heels for one. Except he has a lot to lose himself.

The ex can't let the past go and makes it to where she ultimately has to escape. Now being out there in the wilderness, with nothing and no one, is going to be her greatest challenge. There's no going back.

Highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next.

[Devon Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to receive an ARC copy of the book from the author.

If you like The Hunger Games, Handmaid's Tale, Divergent, Fourth Wing, ACOTAR or any type of dystopian book then this book is for you!

The book had me hooked from the first couple of chapters. I loved the pace, world building and the exploration of morally grey characters dealing with turmoil and awful situations being thrust upon them. The book handles a lot of tough and difficult subject matters which at times can be hard to read but are handled well and not brushed off (do read book trigger warnings before reading). The FMC is very complex and multi-layered dealing with more than most can handle throughout the book but is surrounded by a strong support network and one hell of a green flag!

I can't wait for the next book and to explore what comes next for these characters!

[HopesBookCollection · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. The dystopian trope is one of my favorites and this one hit the mark. You do need to make sure you are checking your trigger warnings with this one. Huge thanks to the author for trusting me with this ARC.

I loved how confident and smart the FMC is in this book. She knows what she wants and who she is and doesn't let the world control how she should be. She stays true to herself. I also love that the author has showcased that being disabled isn't the end of your life and you can still live a fulfilling life and doesn't make you any less of a human being. The writing was fantastic and kept you engaged throughout the book.

I loved the dystopian aspect to this and it was done so amazing, I also loved that wasn't based in the US. For a US resident it gave it a fresh new feel for me rather then it being the same location like all the others. I loved the political issues of control and how the FMC didnt care and still just wanted to be herself.

I am excited to see where this story goes in book 2.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a unique and compelling story. I had to put down my PhD dissertation work just to finish this because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was much darker than I expected, but really, really excellent! As a self-proclaimed dystopian snob, this hit every mark! The character development was outstanding, the romance was believable, and the setting was easy to imagine. Dystopian is starting to become more mainstream, which means plots and tropes are starting to blend together but The Edge of Harmony was genuinely distinct and one of a kind which I was so impressed by. Thank you to the author, Lucy Milbaud for proving this ARC copy. I am super grateful to be chosen to read this and again LOVED IT!

[Megthebookgoblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me everything I've been craving from old black mirror episodes, it's filled the void I had and WOW!!

Not many books make me cry but this one had me blubbering, the emotional attachment you feel to the characters is so strong.

This is a dystopian romance in a world where you are being watched, listened to and forced into situations that should not be allowed. The emotional history of the characters paired with the current dynamics and the society expectations are so heavy.

The glimmer of slow burn romance and truly seeing a person is what ripped me over the edge YOU MATTER!! 😭🫠

I was so hooked from start to finish like literally didn't put it down and I need book 2 because this as a opening book to a series is so strong!!

A new auto recommendation 💖

[Hannah W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an early copy as a Beta reader and read this book months ago. I still think about it DAILY. I’m obsessed with Aven and Asher and the absolute yearning in this book, the stolen glances and touches were amazing! Asher’s thoughtfulness and how he cared for Aven melted me… and THE RING 😩

The amount of emotions this book makes you feel and how deeply you feel them is insane and something I’ve been craving for a long time. There’s little things that Lucy kept referring to that just added to the depth. I’ll never look at wisteria the same again!

I would sell my soul, a kidney and myself for book 2 and I can’t wait to read the finished copy! I’ll be the first in line to buy the book!

[Hariolatio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very lucky to receive this ARC, so thank you! I loved the setting in and near London, especially for an "ex-Londoner". I really enjoyed the Handmaid's Tale beforehand and I feel like it has a similar premise.

The book is well structured and keeps a steady action throughout with a big bang finish. There are SA descriptions so it is worth reading strigger warnibgs before. The world is set in a not as far dystopian UK as my comfort zone would like (yikes, anything can happen and it freaks me out!), but it was a great read. I am very excited to see how the story will be wrapped up and if everyone will get their HEAs.

[Brianna Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dystopian romance, but it is set in the most luxurious retreat.

I was invested in this story 100000%. The plot had me hooked, and every time I told myself “just one more chapter,” I was somehow still reading at midnight on a WORK NIGHT.

In this world, genome matches determine who is allowed to have children. With birth rates dangerously low, reproducing has become less of a personal choice and more of a societal duty to “save humanity.” And if you’re one of the unlucky unmatched citizens? You might just get selected in a random drawing to attend the Harmony Retreat, where you’ll be presented with three pre-approved genome matches to date, get to know, and ultimately choose from.

Sounds simple enough, right? WRONG. Because our FMC has history with one of her potential matches… and let’s just say it is not good history.

There are definitely some The Handmaid’s Tale vibes woven into this dystopian world, but with a luxurious setting, a romance that had me INVESTED, and enough tension to keep me turning pages.

Give me found family, a slow burn, forbidden romance, and banter that makes me want to reach through the pages and shake these characters. Lucy Milbaud understood the assignment.

If you love dystopian romance with high stakes, complicated history, and a plot that makes you say “okay, ONE MORE CHAPTER” until it’s suddenly tomorrow, add this one to your TBR!

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Dominoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️.5🌶
This was phenomenal! I was absolutely enthralled from page one. The story was rich with detail. The descriptions of Tarin and his actions successfully made me hate him with the physicality of real life, what an absolute wanker. I loved the friend group that forms in this, especially Emery. Aven is a great FMC, stronger than she thinks she is and incredibly resilient. Oofff, then there's Asher. What an epically amazing MMC. This was a roller coaster and I devoured this book in a little more than 24 hours. Thank you to the author for the advanced copy, I had a wonderful time reading this one and I can't wait to see who Aven's story continues.

[Katelyn Maier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and i absolutely loved it!! If you enjoyed Hunger Games, Divergent, or Handmaids Tale this is for you! Dystopian books are what started my reading journey so this felt so nostalgic for me.

The plot is fast paced, easy to read and understand, totally hooked me in early! This book does cover some hard topics but all are handled well. Green flag for sure! I really really enjoyed this story!

Tropes: forbidden love, slow burn, disability rep, dystopian setting

You should absolutely check it out!!

[Lucy-victoria Godsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me gripped from page 1 and kept me in a chockhold the whole way through. The relationship between Asher and Aven was steamy with the small amount of physical interaction they were able to have. Aven's story with her choice about having a baby was handled very sensitively. The side storys to do with the other characters was great and I loved all characters overall.
Loved, Loved, Loved this book, I need more like now please.