Trace the Edges

by Laura Cacace

Charlotte Worth returns home from a semester studying abroad to find her life just as she left it. Her mother has still abandoned her, her father is still consumed by the book he's been writing for 20 years, and Nana Rosie—her best friend—is still gone. So, when her friend Andrea asks for help with the play she’s directing at a community theater in lower Manhattan, Charlotte agrees. But this new adventure becomes something more when she develops an unexpected connection with Graham, the play’s moody leading man. She grapples with her growing feelings for him and her fear of letting someone else into her heart—all while the parallels between the content of the play and her parents’ marriage force her to confront what it means to forgive, as well as what it means to love.

When all that she knows, but has avoided, comes to a head after the success of the play, Charlotte must decide if choosing to love those around her, just as they are, is worth it. And more importantly, whether letting them love her—as fully as they’ve always wanted to—is what she wants.

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2018

Reviews

[Tani Hanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone has felt the way the MC feels, I’d venture to say, no matter what their formative years were like. Laura Cacace pulls the reader in from the beginning, with a strong sense of place (New York City) and the person telling the story (Charlotte). It’s a lovely story, told in present day and flashbacks as two interwoven storylines. Charlotte is someone who’s never felt quite comfortable in her skin, and has shied away from too much introspection, even though she thinks she’s got herself and her emotions under control.
Cacace’s language washes over the reader in a soothing wave, giving a feeling of security, that she’s in control of the story and will guide us safely to the conclusion.
Using the dual metaphors of a play and her own artwork, Charlotte is finally able to come to terms with her past and face the future.
Nicely done, a lovely read!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first 25% of this book was a slow start for me. So slow in fact that I thought I was going to really dislike it. But then after that the book started picking up and the last 25% of the book is fantastic. I went from thinking this was going to be a 3 star read to it becoming a 5 star read for me. In between each chapter in this book is a flash back to Charlotte's childhood and mostly her relationship with her Nana Rosie. These were my favorite parts of the book. And while some may be annoyed by the jumping back in time between each chapter, it is really important to the story. I am not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this book, I can just tell you the book surprised me. The last parts of the book had me so emotional and I was trying not to cry because it was late at night and I had to get up early and couldn't afford puffy eyes. I'd love to see a continuation of the story. Also the editing of this book was phenomenal, I don't remember seeing even one mistake.

I voted for this book on Kindle Scout.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the things to touch your heart...

"She felt it all the time, somewhere deep within her—a need to look for that bit of silver, the small burst of light beaming through the dark clouds that sometimes hovered over life."

There is so much wisdom in this book! Charlotte Worth is a young woman coming to.terms with the contradictions of human nature, the complexity and ambiguity of love, and the depths of grief we risk in loving others with our hearts wide open. I laughed and wept out loud; I nodded my head in agreement and understanding. I finished her story with a sense of hope that there is indeed a brilliant, blinding light in every darkness if only we are brave enough to look for it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trace the Edges is a book I think many people can relate to. Even if they've never lived in a broken home, plenty of people sabotage their lives, refusing to live or love. Charlotte's story is a beautiful tale of a young woman learning to "trace the edges" of who she is like the way she traces the edges of her drawings, pretending she's back in a place and time where she was happy and free to be whoever she wanted to be.

I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.

[Janice perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

when I started reading this book, all I could think is "this is not my usual type of book." By the time I ended the first chapter, I didn't want to put it down! I loved this book, the storyline was amazing, the characters were so lifelike, I felt like I knew them. great book, fantastic read!

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read

A little disjointed, but interesting story of a 20 year old girl trying to figure out her life. Sometimes the angst just didn't ring true and seemed a bit overdone.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I get my hands on something that Laura has written I feel not only privileged but also lucky. Her words stay with you. You are the character, you live and breathe her work. She is so relatable and so real in every way. I absolutely adore her work and read and reread. Trace the edges is an amazing book which touches topics of every day life in a unique way. Go give it a read!