The Leading Edge of Now

by Marci Lyn Curtis

Just when Grace is beginning to get used to being an orphan, her estranged uncle suddenly comes forward to claim her.That might have been okay if he'd spoken to her even once since her father died. Or if moving in with Uncle Rusty didn't mean returning to New Harbor. Grace once spent the best summers of her life in New Harbor. Now the place just reminds her of all she's lost: her best friend, her boyfriend and any memory of the night that changed her forever. People say the truth will set you free, but Grace isn't sure about that. Once she starts looking for it, the truth about that night is hard to find --- and what happens when her healing hurts the people she cares about the most? Marci Lyn Curtis, the critically acclaimed author of The One Thing, has crafted an honest and emotional story that will resonate with the wide range of readers impacted by sexual assault. Sexual assault does not define this story, however, just as it does not define Grace. Wry humor and true love emerge as Grace, like many in the #MeToo era, seeks to find her truth, face her truth, and speak her truth.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Abuse

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2018

About the author

Marci Lyn Curtis is the author of two contemporary young-adult novels, The One Thing (Disney-Hyperion), and The Leading Edge of Now (Kids Can Press). She lives near Tampa, Florida, where, when she's not writing or reading, she can be found watching football, bicycling, muttering to her dog, or tending to the peculiar assortment of food she cultures on her kitchen counter. You can learn more about her on Twitter/X (@Marci_Curtis) or on Instagram (@marcilyncurtis).

Reviews

[Lara Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite Netgalleys of all time!! So beautiful, heart-breaking, lovely and moving, definitely go read it as soon as it comes out!!

This book hit me right in the feels!!

I loved that Owen & Grace had a backstory and it wasn't insta-love at all! They were so cute together and I ship them so much. They were always rooting for each other even when everything was terrible and ASDFGDSSAASFAHFHASA they are so cute!!!

But just the development of every single character in this book is spot on?! Like, you could literally name any main or side character and I would begin gushing about how well written they all were.

I LOVE ALL OF THESE CHARACTERS SO MUCH I AM SCREAMING!!!!!! Sorrynotsorry ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ BUT THEY ARE ALL PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!

And it was quite a short book which I liked. The pacing was good and it didn't drag! I was really sad when it was over, but the length was perfect!!

And the ending was beautiful. You need to read it to see what I mean, which is something I highly recommend doing. It just fit so well and was a little unexpected too!

This book also deals with heavy stuff, but it is quite sensitive and a really powerful novel. Though it tackles some heavy stuff, this fits in with the book and was done really well.

I want to rate it five stars, but it was just missing a little extra something that I can't put my finger on. It was definitely a completely amazing read though!!

Highly recommend this one to all readers of YA!

(Also, let's take a moment to appreciate this cover. Go look at it again, you didn't see it properly the first time!)

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a review copy! All opinions are my own.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 Sep '18 update: RELEASE DAY TODAY!

This book really surprised me, I did not expect it to be this good!
Having not read any other books by the author and the title giving little away, I went into this one a bit blind. Also, having just read Courtney Summer's Sadie, which I loved, I thought it would be hard for my next YA read to make a mark. Well, I can tell you that The Leading Edge of Now has definitely made one.

The tale of the main protagonist Grace, is a sad one. Becoming an orphan at the age of 15, Grace has to deal with the nightmares of what happened to her that night at her uncle's house. After two years in foster care, Grace now returns to her uncle's house who finally requested her custody. Grace is back at the town where she used to spend all her holidays, met her best friend and found a boyfriend. Convinced that Grace knows who abused her 2 years ago, she is suddenly realising that she might have got it wrong and blamed the wrong person. If it wasn't Grace's boyfriend Owen, then who raped Grace that night?

I am impressed with Curtis' incredible writing. The story comes to life and every element of it feels very real.

"When you're a virgin for 15 years of your life, it's pretty easy to tell when you suddenly aren't. And even if you don't remember it when you wake up the next morning, and even if the boy has long since gone, the tale is crystal clear."

The book tackles a very sensitive subject without an unnecessary detail describing the act, however, rather by portraying the raw feelings and pain of the victim afterwards.

I loved this book. The story resonated with me and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I would say it is a contemporary YA Must Read and I really really hope it gets as much attention as it deserves.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anja H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

*5 OUTSTANDING STARS*

Before I start, my review will not do justice to this book, so can anyone who doesn’t have this book on their tbr yet, go add this right now?!? This was my first approved Netgalley book and I did not expect it to be this good.

This emotional rollercoaster is about Grace, who lost both her innocence and her father in a matter of weeks and ends up in foster care for two years. She then finally gets claimed by her only living relative, her uncle Dusty, only to be brought back to the place she used to love, but where her life fell apart one fateful summer.

Do you know the kind of book that just grips you by the throat and refuses to let go? Yeah, this is one of those books. I was hooked right from the start! The writing and pacing was just phenomenal.
I don’t want to spoil too much about the story because you really need to experience it all firsthand. The way she finally learns to deal with her grief, anxiety and guilt, reconnects with the people from her past and finds out what actually happened that fateful night... This will destroy your faith in humanity and restore it. It’s heartbreaking, it’s real, and it’s beautiful.

Grace is a really brave and inspirational female lead, effortlessly hilarious one moment, yet manages to make you cry your eyes out the next. She’s not your typical contemporary heroine and I loved that about her.
Owen is perfect book boyfriend material, so supportive and kind, and I just want to hug him.
Their character development was spot on, and this whole book just moved me immensely.

Strongly recommend everyone to pick this one up asap!
Beware though, this deals with some heavy topics like rape, grief and death, but delivers a powerful message.

Received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Schizanthus Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content warnings for sexual assault, alcoholism, drug abuse, foster care, and grief.

I don’t think I’ve ever agonised about a book review as much or for as long as I have for this book. See, I’m conflicted. I absolutely loved the style of writing and most of the pieces that made up the main character. I also highlighted so many sentences that I want to read to you so you can sigh with me about how perfectly they capture the feel of the story. I want to bathe in sentences that are simultaneously beautiful and heartbreaking like these:

Now would be the proper time to speak. But I’m pretty sure that my mouth has been blown apart and then reattached backward and inside out, a couple of miles north of my vocal cords.

I can feel all the loose ends in my life tangling around my ankles like seaweed, threatening to pull me under.

Memories are like land mines that I step on everywhere I turn.

At the same time, this book pushed so many of my buttons. I don’t expect other readers to feel the same way as I do about the niggles I had because hopefully your experiences have been different than mine, but I try to write authentic reviews and I can’t do that if I gloss over the not so shiny things in life.

The story begins with Grace moving in with her only living relative, her uncle Rusty, who has been MIA from Grace’s life since her Dad died. Grace has been in foster care for the past two years and has been dealing with her grief by herself, as well as the impacts of a sexual assault she experienced a few weeks before her father died.

The aftermath of sexual assault is painfully authentic in Grace’s character. The lingering shame, self doubt, fear, anger, grief and many other legacies of sexual assault are explored. I loved Grace’s resilience and bonded with her over her ability to speak sarcasm fluently. She thinks she knows who raped her but, because of medication she’d taken, that night is almost entirely a blank. As a result she doesn’t know who to trust and I wound up suspicious of almost everyone at some point in the book so I felt the author did a great job of creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.

While this book tackles some big issues the swoonfest diluted their impact for me. Boy wonder was a sweetheart but I would have liked him much more if he wasn’t so frustratingly perfect. As a huge romantiphobe I wouldn’t have chosen to read this book had I realised that swooning was going to be as prevalent as it was.

Longing, fiercer and more powerful than ever, is a hand on my back, propelling me toward him.

Had I bypassed this book I would have avoided sentences like that one and been relieved of some annoyance and nausea, but I also would have missed out on some stellar ‘I have to highlight this!’ writing. I wish that the lovey dovey parts had been replaced by friendship and banter between Grace and boy wonder but I expect most readers will love the romantic interludes. What really annoyed me was that it seemed that no matter what Grace was facing everything eventually boiled down to whether boy wonder still liked her or not.

I felt that where Owen was mysteriously going at exactly the same time every Saturday fell within Captain Obvious’ jurisdiction and there were a few other developments that I picked up on well before they were revealed. I mention this only because I usually suck at knowing what’s going to happen in a book before it does.

So, this is probably where my review will start to sound like a therapy session. Apologies in advance.

Some of the characters seemed to waft into a scene to impart the knowledge required for the next step in the investigation before disappearing from the book entirely and the mystery of who raped Grace unfolded too easily for me. I almost stopped reading the book when I found out who the rapist was because I didn’t find it believable that it was this particular person.

I despised Rusty’s character even though I think he was supposed to be sweet, if misguided. When the care of a traumatised teenager has been entrusted to you then irresponsibility is never going to be cute or endearing. I wanted to yell at him or smack him off the page or something.

I wouldn’t have thought it possible to envy someone’s experience in foster care but apparently it is. Grace only has two foster placements in two years and the second set of foster parents sounded like they should have been nominated for Foster Carers of the Year. While it’s refreshing to hear that good foster parents do exist the foster kids I’ve known haven’t lived in any award winning homes. It would have been more realistic to me if Grace had had some dodgy placements before hitting the foster kid jackpot.

The takeaway seemed to be (to me but you may not read it like this) that if you are raped it’s your responsibility to report it to the police to protect that person’s other potential victims. This puts so much pressure on a person who is already traumatised and while I’m all for reporting if that’s what the person wants to do it is their choice. While it would be incredible if the justice system actually dispensed justice in these cases it can be harmful to someone who has experienced sexual assault to attach their healing to an outcome for the perpetrator. On RAINN’s website there are statistics that I thought of when the characters were trying to push Grace to go to the police.

“Out of every 1,000 rapes, 994 perpetrators will walk free.
310 are reported to police.
57 reports lead to arrest.
11 cases get referred to prosecutors.
7 cases will lead to a felony conviction.
6 rapists will be incarcerated.”

I don’t quote this to discourage anyone from reporting sexual assault. I’ve personally reported some sexual assaults but not others so I can see the benefits and pitfalls of both options. I only want to say that if you have experienced sexual assault it’s your choice whether you report or not. Reporting is not the only path to healing.

I’d give this book 3.5 stars but am rounding up to 4. Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read this book.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warning: rape.
Let’s start this review by saying that this book is simply outstanding.
The story this book tells is not an easy one, but it manages to do so in a very admirable way.
All the characters are very well crafted, Grace especially. Her story and her bravery truly moved me. The emotions the author describes are raw and real, something that I appreciated very much considering the fact I was reading a YA novel.
“The leading edge of now” is filled with pain, trauma, loss and so much more but in the end there’s also a little ray of hope, something that keeps all the characters going, something to believe in.
I applaud Marci Lyn Curtis for being able to write such an authentic and important story.

[mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew that coming here would unearth all sorts of nasty memories. And just standing here, I’m hit with a multilayered emotion that’s heartache and shame and panic, my past so close I can sense it brushing against the fine hairs on the back of my neck.

I think I originally requested this title to read and review because of a few things: a) that gorgeous cover, b) I want to stretch myself out of my reading comfort zone a bit and read more contemporaries, and c) this part of its blurb: “an honest and emotional story that will resonate with the wide range of readers impacted by sexual assault.”

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Before this review really gets going, here’s some content warnings for this novel (and mentions of these topics in the review): rape (including flashbacks and discussions), death of a parent, PTSD, panic attacks, foster care experiences (non-abusive).


To be kind of personal here (sorry), I am one of those “readers impacted by sexual assault.” It’s years in my past now, but while I’m in a far better place now that I was before, being a survivor will forever mark me, at least in some way. I’m not saying that it’s my whole identity, because it’s not. But it’s a big scar in my memories, even if it’s healed. So. While every reading experience is inherently shaped by one’s own experiences and perception of the world, this book felt extra-personal to me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now that we have that established, what’s this novel about?


The Leading Edge of Now is a contemporary novel set in small-town, coastal Florida. The protagonist, Grace, is being taken into her uncle Rusty’s custody after spending two years in the foster care system. An orphan who copes through a very selective pattern of sticky-fingers pickpocketing and through ferociously practicing the violin, Grace has a wry, prickly personality coupled with loads of grief from the death of her beloved father.


The novel’s plot is set in motion by Grace coming back into contact with Owen, her former boyfriend who she is believes betrayed her; Owen’s sister and Grace’s frozen-out ex-bestie, Janna; and other people she used to know in beachy New Harbor. Did Owen breach her trust? Can she find a way to seek justice? Did her uncle know about what happened two years ago? How can Grace find a home in a place holding so many heavy memories? Those questions and more are posed to Grace as she unravels what happened to her and finds a support system.


I want to step back a bit from the plot to mention that the setting was very well-realized. (I have a thing for settings, okay? I always have to mention the setting.) I lived in Florida a while back (okay, maybe 10 years), and while I never lived in small-town Gulf-coast Florida, the depiction of New Harbor felt real and alive. I could easily envision her uncle’s house, the local diner, and other locations.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now to discuss the characters.

There’s no way he had time to think about it, no way his reply is anything but a canned response. I’m not looking for canned. I need honesty. Or else, a well-crafted lie. Anything that shows me he cares, at least a little.

Grace has major trust issues, and rightly so. Her experiences in the two years prior to the novel’s first scene would make a cynic out of even the most optimistic of people. My heart absolutely ached for her, and I cheered along with her in righteous (or even indignant) anger. But her sense of humor also clicked with me. It’s the kind of humor I use sometimes to cope with The Bad Shit™. Healing isn’t as simple as receiving some stock apology and “forgiving” someone, and you can’t just tell someone to move on and expect them to do so. Marci Lyn Curtis did a great job with her.

Rusty caused me some issues at first. His negligence and blithe facade were the last things that Grace needed, and I spent a good portion of the book being frustrated with him right alongside her. Still, Curtis doesn’t paint Rusty with one all-over color. She gives him depth, and while I still think that how he handled Grace’s custody was painfully bad, he shows genuine remorse and makes actual efforts at doing the right thing. His grief and insecurities ultimately made him sympathetic, even if I’d still want to give him a good long talking-to if I ever met him in real life.


Owen was interesting. I was very unsure about him during the early portions of the novel, as Grace was. I have a hard time trusting men in meatspace, so I was fully ready to straight-up launch Owen into the sun if Grace’s suspicions proved right. I won’t spoil anything here, but as with Rusty, I appreciated that Curtis gave pretty much every character dimensionality.


◊ Quick sidenote before I discuss a few other characters: while the characters are all given depth, sexual assault and rape are never, ever excused or blamed on victims in the novel. The implicit and explicit text of the book states that rape is an awful, inexcusable crime which is often committed by people known by the victim prior to the assault, not strangers. The author’s note at the end and provided support links to victims of assault make it clear that this novel’s purpose is to provide a story which shows victims that they are not alone. ◊


Janna was a good surprise. She and Grace fell out of touch through all-too-common misunderstandings (which make sense in the context and are not unrealistically overdramatized), despite being best friends for many years. She isn’t presented as a stereotypical mean rival or discredited for being attractive and outgoing, two things I hate to see in secondary female characters. She and Grace’s journey and their bond with each other were written beautifully.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I’ve waited so long for an apology, and now that I have one, I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel. Does it matter to me? Yes. Does it make everything alright? Not really.

Before I end this review, I want to discuss the themes and messages of the novel a bit.


I said earlier that the novel does not excuse rapists or assaulters. It absolutely does not, and I love it for that. The last thing I need when reading a book that mentions a subject so heavy and so incredibly personal to me is to see the author explain away why “the perpetrator had their reasons” or some similar bullshit. I want stories that embrace survivors with open arms, acknowledging that what was done to them was not okay, not even remotely. This novel provides one of those stories.


It also has this beautiful message of hope that avoids faux-positivity crud that makes my skin crawl. I don’t need to be told an asinine thing like “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent” - something that was actually said to me, y’all, I shit you not - like...what happened to me was without my consent. If I feel bad feelings about it, I’m not going to pretend like that’s my fault. No victim should. This novel takes that idea of positivity and puts it right in the garbage where it belongs. It instead proffers the idea that for real healing to occur, not only is acknowledgment of trauma important, but a support system and the knowledge that what happened to you was real and not your fault is as well. For bridges to be mended between people, real efforts at and actions of reconciliation - not just words of apology - are vital.


So, would I recommend The Leading Edge of Now? Yes, wholeheartedly, if you are in a headspace where you can read about the topics it addresses. I thought the ending was a little too neat, and there was a line about librarians/libraries that made me both laugh and roll my eyes (y’all, public libraries are often not silent or stodgy places anymore), I both sped through this and “enjoyed” it. (“Enjoyed” because it was a difficult and emotional read, but it was ultimately cathartic for me.) I hope this novel gets some love.


This novel was provided to me for free by the publisher via NetGalley. All quotes are taken from a pre-release copy.


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[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: rape (not graphic but frequently mentioned)

It took me almost the entirety of this book to figure out how I felt about it.

That might not seem significant, but I’m the type of reader who can usually get a sense of whether a book is working for me within a few chapters. Not with The Leading Edge of Now.

I had a lot of high expectations for this novel going in, being that I have long considered Curtis’s The One Thing to be one of my favorite YA contemporary novels. With her newest release, I quickly found myself having to throw my expectations out the window.

This book is an odd combination of the fluffiness of a Morgan Matson/Kasie West/Sarah Dessen novel and thoughtful examination of sexual assault, grief, anxiety, trauma, and family.

The novel follows Grace Cochran, a teenage girl who has been in foster care following the sudden death of her father. Grace is moving back in with her uncle, back to the town where her former best friend and boyfriend are living. Grace is also coping with the trauma of having been sexually assaulted right before her father’s death.

I struggled a lot with the beginning simply because of how romance heavy it was, and I’m notoriously picky with my romances. However, as the story goes on, the romance shifts more into a subplot, the story becoming much more introspective as Grace confronts the loose threads in her life.

No, it’s not as sarcastic and funny as The One Thing, but that’s okay. That wasn’t what this story needed. Where it shines is in the way it uses the main character to explore heavier themes in a thoughtful and sensitive way.

I nod, even though I know that I won’t. I’ve been dealing with Dad’s death for nearly two years. The therapist thing? I’ve done it. I took all my loss and all my guilt and all my sadness, and I handed it to my therapist in a little box. We opened it together and examined everything inside. The five stages of grief? I’ve gone through them. I denied and blamed and cried and screamed and punched pillows. This isn’t to say that I’ve gotten over Dad’s death. You don’t ever get over losing someone you love. Grief isn’t something you can hurdle. It’s something you carry on your back. You just find a way to cart it around without letting the weight of it fold you in half. You learn to live with it, because you don’t have a choice.

The end of this one really pulled it together for me. The story comes into fruition in a satisfying way that made this one a worthwhile reading experience.

Recommended for fans of YA contemporary - both fluffy and heavy (this one is a great middle that I think makes it the perfect summer contemporary read). So excited to see what Marci Lyn Curtis does next!

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW by Marci Lyn Curtis in exchange for my honest review.***

Holy unexpected awesomeness, Batman.

What if your father died and you spent two years languishing in foster care right after you were sexually assaulted by your boyfriend Owen while you were passed out on Ambien? What if you spent those last two years blaming yourself, unable to talk to your best friend, because she’s Owen’s sister? What if you’re now living with your uncle, and Owen lives right next door? What if you were wrong and Owen wasn’t your rapist?

Marci Lyn Curtis gave Grace a haunting, memorable voice, steeped in raw pain and gorgeous words. I can’t remember when I highlighted so many beautiful phrases.

The blurb for THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW doesn’t begin to capture the specialness of this gem. The story is so special I’m not sure I can put all the reasons why into one review.

Grace’s character is imperfect and complex and messy and completely understandable. She’s tough on people and slow to trust, but who wouldn’t be after losing her only parent and waiting for two years for her only relative to seek custody. She’s wounded, but who isn’t after sexual assault, grief and abandonment. And she’s not so hurt that she’s a trope of the victim/survivor who pushes everyone away only thinking of herself until a Hero breaks through her shell. Grace is her own hero, with support.

I want to read every book Curtis has written and want her to write more books as quickly as possible. #TheLeadingEdgeOfNow is a book I will reread and perpetually recommend.

[Hristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I've cracked a little the last couple of years. From the stress, I'm guessing."

I'm at a loss of words. I don't know how to phrase it so you understand how good this book is. I can just try.
The Leading Edge of Now might be the most compelling book I've read in a long while, maybe over a year. The writing is amazing, Mrs. Curtis nailed both the pacing and the tone of the narrator, which is why this book, despite the heavy subject, was so easy to read and get lost in.
Thanks to some shared experience with the main character, I found the story easy to relate to, and I had a hard time putting the book down, I was excited to see the outcome.
A huge thanks to Kids Can Press for the chance to read and review this book. Thanks to this book I am eager to read Marci Lyn Curtis' other book, as well as anything she might publish in the future.

*Rating: 5/5 stars
*Copy received through NetGalley

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 Sterne – ich bin förmlich durch das Buch geflogen. Ich weiß nicht, ob ich noch eine ausführliche Rezension schreiben werde, aber ich will unbedingt eine Trigger Warnung für Vergewaltigung aussprechen. Der Klappentext erwähnt es nicht, in den Rezensionen wird es, wenn überhaupt, am Rande erwähnt, was mir unverständlich ist. Ich kenne mich nicht ausreichend aus, um zu beurteilen, ob es gut behandelt wurde, hatte aber den Eindruck, dass dies der Fall ist. Es war mir nur wichtig, das klarzustellen. Es wird nicht beschrieben oder anderweitig dargestellt, aber das Buch dreht sich eben im Kern um das, was Grace angetan wurde, und wie sie damit umgeht.

[Lex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought out and beautifully written. I was hooked right from the first page. It focuses on serious topics but still keeps the anticipation and lightness in its romance and familial matters..



*Gifted by Kids Can Press*

[allys_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auch hier vergebe ich 4,5*. Das Buch hat mich wahnsinnig begeistert, hat eine so wichtige Message und es hat wahrhaftig mein Herz berührt.

[kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three big reasons you should read this book ASAP:

1. The Writing
Each character has such a unique voice--and it's all so fresh! Grace is snarky and also probably a bit of a hypochondriac, so we've got that in common. Owen doesn't talk a lot, but when he does, it's something meaningful. And the metaphors and the references are all so on point and perfectly sprinkled throughout the novel. I may have read in a few reviews that a certain popular release *cough* Again, but Better *cough* was WAY heavyhanded when it came to pop culture references. The Leading Edge of Now used them sparingly but effectively.

The teenagers sounded like actual teenagers, not an adult trying to speak like a teenager.

There's only a few adults even in the story, most notable of those being Grace's Uncle Rusty, who ends up being so much more complex than she gives him credit for. He starts off as a goofy kid-in-an-adult-body, but the influences of Grace and Faith change him for the better.

Also, we get such beautiful lines as:

"It's just a tiny bottle bobbing across the ocean that separates us. Not large enough to carry an important message, but just the right size to show that she cares."

And sassy ones, like:

"Know who else is taking things one day at a time? Everyone. Because that's how time works."

I just really appreciate the snark, okay?

2. The Content
I'll keep it 100--this book is about rape and carrying on with life after the fact. It's a tough topic, and most of the novel focuses on figuring out the details of the rape that occurred, as Grace had taken an Ambien and therefore had no recollection of much leading up to the instance. I recently wrote a long-ass paper on why it is SO IMPORTANT for YA books to talk about topics like these, the main thesis being that teens get sexually assaulted every. damn. day. It's a sad reality, but it makes it that much more essential for those teens to be represented in fiction and see that they're not alone.

Piggybacking off of the content, I also think this book is so essential because every single person that Grace told about her rape immediately believed and supported her. When I realized that, it almost brought me to tears, because too often that doesn't happen irl.

Also this book did bring me to tears, at multiple points.

3. NO INSTALOVE HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LORD
That's it. That's the whole explanation.

in conclusion
This is a super underrated book filled with beautiful prose, realistic situations, and complex characters. It also has some mystery elements, if you're into that sort of thing.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings: rape, death, and grief

I cannot remember the last time a book made me cry, but this was emotional and beautiful and fantastically written. I’m so grateful to have read this.

The beginning hooked me immediately, and I kept reading for the amazing story that unfolded. Primarily, I loved the way Curtis wrote the book. Her words, pacing, and ability to create such dynamic characters all added to the quality way in which she formed such a poignant novel. The twist was definitely unexpected as well, and I couldn’t stop reading.

Also, all of the emotions associated with PTSD and grief were described so well, which many authors seem to struggle with, but this story was as realistic as it was heartbreaking.

Beyond what little I mentioned above, I could not hope to do this book justice through a review, so I urge to please add this to your TBR.

“Suddenly I’m Faith, walking fearlessly into the unknown. I’m Eleanor, ready to speak the truth without filter. I’m Janna, writing my own story. I’m every girl, every woman, every female who has ever walked this planet in fear. I’m me, prepared to face the truth.”

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharon Roat · Rating 5 out of 5]

"OH, MY SWEET HOLY LORD." I loved Marci's first novel (THE ONE THING) so freaking much, I pestered her to let me read an early draft of her new novel and... GUYS... WOW. It's so amazing. I was blown away. THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW is sooo incredibly good. I stayed in my pajamas all day to read it because I seriously couldn't put it down long enough to shower and get dressed. Add it to your TBR list now and then you can start pining away for its release. (Torture!)

[Lindsay Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to read an early draft of this book and all I can say is WOW. This book . . . it's AMAZING. THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW is emotion, bravery, and brilliance all rolled into one. Marci Lyn Curtis is a force in the young adult arena and this newest book is one of the best contemporaries I've ever read.

[Lola Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything you'd expect and want from a Marci book: snark that is laugh out loud funny, swoony romance, and emotional moments that make you cry and break your heart, but then puts your heart back together again better than it was before. This book is an unforgettable contemporary YA. 1000% rec.

[Silvy Herondale · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
ARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Recensione: http://wefoundwonderlandinbooks.blogs...

[sternensaaleinsamkeit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wie man es von Königskinder Verlag gewohnt ist, überzeugt er auch bei diesem Buch mit einer außergewöhnlichen, wunderschönen Aufmachung. Ich würde mir so eine Umschlaggestaltung, auch unter dem Schutzumschlag, wirklich für jedes meiner Bücher wünschen. Einfach zum Anbeten!
Unter anderem sieht dieser nämlich nicht nur sehr hübsch aus, nein, die Sonnenblumen haben auch eine ganz eigene Bedeutung, die einen nach dem Lesen des Buches ganz besonders rührt. ❤️

"Bei aller Schönheit, allem Wunder, aller Liebe ist die Welt ein beängstigender Ort." - Seite 318

Ein weiterer Punkt, der nicht hätte besser sein können, war Marci Lyn Curtis' einmaliger Schreibstil. Diese Frau hat es einfach drauf! Im einen Moment schreibt sie so locker und lustig, als befände sie sich auf einer verzauberten, rosa Wolke, und im nächsten kann sich ihr Ton doch schlagartig zu einem ernsten und ergreifenden Augenblick entwickeln, ohne dass es irgendwie gestelzt wirkt. Dies habe ich so noch nie erlebt - in einem Moment lachst du Tränen und im nächsten rührt dich eine ihrer Weisheiten so sehr, dass du dich am liebsten nur noch im Bett verkrümeln und grübeln wölltest. Was die Autorin dir auch vermitteln, wie sich dich auch fühlen lassen will, sie übertrifft sich noch umso mehr in ihrer Umsetzung.
Mit diesem Buch habe ich auch so ziemlich zum ersten Mal die wirkliche Erfahrung gemacht, dass ich mir Szenen doppelt und dreifach durchgelesen habe. Einfach um sie wirklich verinnerlichen und aufnehmen zu können.
Rechts seht ihr mal ein Bild meiner Klebezettel des Buches und hier muss ich wirklich sagen, dass ich mich schon angestrengt habe, nicht alles markieren zu wollen, weil die Zettelchen mir beinahe ausgegangen waren. Pink steht hier für Situationen, bei denen ich aus vollem Herzen gelacht habe, und Lila für die weisen Zitate, die einem das Buch mitgibt. Also seht selbst ... ich habe nicht übertrieben!

Das Setting Floridas und vor allem das Städtchen, in dem Grace und Rusty zusammen wohnen, hat sich super in die Geschichte eingefügt. Aufgrund der Beschreibungen der Autorin konnte ich mir alles ganz detailgetreu vorstellen und die Meerluft, die durch die Nachbarschaft streicht, regelrecht riechen. Gleichzeitig stellt diese einen extremen und gleichzeitig erschreckenden Kontrast zu Grace' Gefühlswelt, vor allem in Bezug auf den Verlust ihres Vaters, dar.

"Weiterleben bedeutet nun mal nicht, die Vergangenheit unter den Teppich zu kehren. Es bedeutet, sich fürs Glücklichen zu entscheiden. Und manchmal muss man sich dafür auch den schmerzhaften Dingen stellen und sie dann loslassen" - Seite 365

Einmalig herzzerreißend war auch die Geschichte an sich. In meinen Augen hat sie sich in eine ganz andere Richtung entwickelt, als der Klappentext es andeutet, aber - Himmel - es war so gut. Grace hat in ihrer Vergangenheit nämlich etwas Schreckliches erlebt, was jedoch durch den plötzlichen Tod ihres Vaters nie aufgeklärt werden konnte, weil sie mit einem mal in Pflegefamilien steckte.
Mich hat es wirklich getroffen wie vom Schlag und auf eine Achterbahn der Gefühle mitgezogen. Ich konnte mich in so vielen Situationen, die unsere Protagonistin Grace hier erlebt, wiederfinden und sie so sehr verstehen, dass ich am liebsten á la Tintenwelt in das Buch gestiegen (beziehungsweise sie rausgeholt) und sie geknuddelt hätte.
Gegen Mitte des Buches entwickelt sich aus Grace' Vergangenheit ein Mysterium, das sie und auch man selbst als Leser unbedingt entschlüsseln will. Dies bringt eine ungeheure Spannung in die Geschichte, sodass man das Buch eigentlich gar nicht weglegen möchte. Und bei der Auflösung kann ich nur sagen, dass kein Herz ungebrochen bleibt.

Wie sich dementsprechend also schon erahnen lässt, habe ich die Charaktere einfach abgöttisch ins Herz geschlossen und geliebt.
In diesem Buch begegnen wir mit Grace einer ganz anderen Protagonistin als in anderen Young Adult Romanen, denn sie ist weder das Eine noch das Andere. Sie ist einfach ein unverbesserlicher, individueller Charakter, der jedem Leser vollstes Mitgefühl abgewinnen werden kann. Man erlebt sie im Buch in wirklich schrecklichen Situationen, die ich nicht mal meinem ärgsten Feind wünschen würde, und ebenso spürt man, wie sehr sie daran zerbricht. Und hier kommt das große ABER. Im Gegensatz zu Protagonisten aus anderen Büchern, wird sie nicht magisch durch die Liebe geheilt. Nein, sie macht aktiv und vor allem mit viel Humor etwas dagegen, nimmt es selbst in die Hand und kämpft und kämpft und kämpft. Wenn es nach mir ginge, würde ich sie zu einem der stärksten Charakteren aller Romane krönen lassen.
Aber nicht nur sie war ein Charakter, von dem man sich eine Scheibe abschneiden könnte. Die Autorin hat auch Owen, Grace' Exfreund, messerscharf ausgeklügelt. Ebenso konnten mich Nebencharaktere wie Rusty, Grace' Onkel, und seine Freundin Faith, die einen gleichzeitig zum Lachen aber auch aufgrund ihrer Tiefe zum Dahinschmelzen bringen konnten, vollends begeistern.
Und Eleanor, Rustys Mutter, war die Kirsche auf meinem Dessert, das Pünktchen auf meinem i. Sie war einfach toll, auch wenn sie nicht auf den ersten Blick so wirkt, aber hinter ihrer Art verbirgt sich ein wahrer Schatz.


"Beziehungen sind wie Garagenflohmärkte. Von Weitem sehen sie gut aus, aber sobald man davorsteht, merkt man, dass da nur Krempel herumliegt, den man nicht braucht." - Seite 86


Fazit:
Das ernsteste Young Adult Bücher, das ich je in den Händen gehalten habe. Grandios und authentisch gezeichnete Charaktere treffen hier auf einen fantastischen, humorvollen Schreibstil, der jedes Herz zum Schmelzen bringen wird. Dieses Buch konnte mir unglaublich viel abgewinnen und wiederum mitgeben.
Marci Lyn Curtis hat sich für mich hiermit zu einer Autorin entwickelt, von der ich jedes Buch lesen werde.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew the first time I read THE ONE THING that Marci Lyn Curtis was going to be an author worth stalking following. I was right. And when I learned she had another book coming soon, I begged her to let me read an early draft because I simply couldn’t wait.

THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW did not disappoint in a single way. Marci has a way with words that is so beautiful and endearing. Her characters are fun and fresh, yet they always take me on a deep journey as they learn more about themselves. I loved Grace instantly. She is funny, but struggling with the grief of losing her father and being shuttled off to her Uncle’s place. Now she’s living beside her ex-best friend and the guy she used to care about but isn’t sure she can trust. There’s also that thing she keeps bottled up—that I’m not going to spoil, but is written so well and shattered my heart into itty bitty pieces. To cope, Grace picks pockets. She has a collection of wallets she keeps hidden, but never keeps the money from inside—instead, she mails it off to charities and shelters. It’s the thrill of the steal for her, nothing more.

To say Grace has a lot going on is an understatement, but I loved her so much. I wanted things to get better for her. I wanted only the best things for her. And I wanted good things for those around her, too. This book had me often rooting for (and sometimes suspecting) every character. It is STUNNING.

Marci Lyn Curtis has written another gem to be devoured. I could not put it down. I also laughed a lot. And cried a lot. And probably had every feel you can get reading a book, which is the best kind of book.

If you like YA Contemporary, add THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW to your TBR. I promise, you won’t be sorry.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot going on in this story, but first let me get one thing out of the way. There is a rape. It is not graphic, but it is felt by the main character, Grace, and it colors most everything else that goes on in her life, including having to move in with her uncle, where the rape took place, after her father dies of a heart attack.

There is also a bit of light flirting, but because of the rape hanging over everything, it doesn’t go very far, and for good reason.

And because life is messy, the path to the resolution does not run smoothly, and there are many twists and turns along the way.

I won’t say the book was enjoyable, because it isn’t that type of book, but it did make me cry, which mean that it hit me where it it intended to hit me.

Good final resolution, and well done book.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Laurie Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh hello, beautiful book! Welcome to Goodreads!

I was fortunate enough to read this one early and, well, I'm obsessed with it. It's exactly the kind of YA contemporary that I gravitate toward because it feels achingly real and so authentic. I know it's cliché to say "I couldn't put that book down!" but... I really couldn't put this one down. THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW is raw, honest, gripping, and continually surprising. It's a book everyone should put on their 2018 TBRs as soon as humanly possible!

[Lindsi (Do You Dog-ear?) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When you’re a virgin for fifteen years of your life, it’s pretty easy to tell when you suddenly aren’t."

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

The Leading Edge of Now made my skin crawl. You know that feeling you get when you think you're being watched? That's pretty much what it feels like to read this book. The little hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I barely breathed while I waited for the other shoe to drop. It was hard watching Grace revisit the ghosts of her past, and I desperately wished she hadn't been alone for so many years. She really needed her friends, but she'd already isolated everyone by that point.

At the beginning, I had a hard time connecting with Grace as a character. She would say or think things that were meant to be funny or sarcastic, but they came across feeling forced and unnatural. However, there were times the comments were so unexpected they surprised a laugh out of me. "But in New Harbor, where it’s so quiet, a squirrel scurrying up a tree sounds like an assassin wading through the sawgrass with a hatchet." She grew on me towards the end, and I learned to appreciate her personality.

I wish some of the people in Grace's life had been more proactive. After her dad died, she didn't really have anyone in her corner. There was no support system, and she was left to deal with her grief on her own. Sexual assault, the death of her father -- she was 15-years old. When she starts searching for the bastard that assaulted her, we find out that quite a few people knew something was wrong or off with the situation. I wish one of them had been brave enough to come forward, or at least expressed concern on her behalf.

It also didn't seem fair to me that everyone judged Grace for cutting ties with them, but they made no effort of their own to reach out to her. Janna and Owen's parents were like a second mom and dad for Grace, but they didn't think to check on her when she'd been absent for two years? She basically lived in their house every summer and holiday since she was four, but then years go by without a word. A few things are explained later on, but still... someone should have made contact.

Rusty (her uncle) is spontaneous and easygoing. He's a child masquerading as an adult most of the time, but he loves Grace. He and her father were really close, and his death affected him as much as it did his niece. Rusty felt responsible in a way, so he kept his distance from Grace when she needed him the most. It was heartbreaking to see on both sides, because they were both hurting, and I'm glad they were finally able to grieve together.

Owen is a beautiful, broken soul. He always has the best intentions, but life keeps taking him out at the knees. First, there was the accident that has taken him years to cope with, and then he was blamed for something he would never even dream of doing. He is a genuinely good person, and I hated to see him hurting for the bulk of the book.

The Leading Edge of Now was a quick read that made me feel violated on Grace's behalf. It's sickening how often people are taken advantage of, and I think the author does a good job of expressing Grace's inner turmoil and how it effected her day-to-day life. A guy on the bus kept glancing at her breasts and then touched her without her permission -- it messed with her head. No one should ever have to feel that way. Also, people have the right to say no, and that response should be respected.

NetGalley had some additional information I wanted to share: Marci Lyn Curtis, the critically acclaimed author of The One Thing, has crafted an honest and emotional story that will resonate with the wide range of readers impacted by sexual assault. Sexual assault does not define this story, however, just as it does not define Grace. Wry humor and true love emerge as Grace, like many in the #MeToo era, seeks to find her truth, face her truth, and speak her truth.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Marci Lyn Curtis's debut, THE ONE THING. Completely adored it - easily one of my favorite YA reads ever. So I've been rather impatiently waiting for this one, and it did not disappoint.

THE LEADING EDGE OF NOW is a beautiful book - all at once funny and heartbreaking and sad and hopeful and it has all these little moments of absolute loveliness. The setting - so vivid and rich. Curtis's writing transported me to that small beach town in Florida. I could smell the sea air, feel the sand between my toes. And I very much appreciated the main character's sense of humor, even in her shitty situation.

The world needs Grace's important story.

[S. M. Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no secret that I was a HUGE fan of The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis so I was thrilled to get a sneak peek at her second novel, The Leading Edge of Now. It's hard to know what to say about this book because its brilliance is scattered into so many beautiful places. Grace, the main character, is smart, savvy, lost, broken and sarcastic. She is beautiful and flawed and I loved her every word, every insight. I read her story in a day because I couldn't put it down.

Grace has to face the unimaginable when it comes to trust. So many people have broken her trust, and worse. But ultimately this story is about making your own happiness in a world that is often poised to break you. "Because life is hard and it’s messy, but it deserves to be lived. And if you’re always turning away from it, you aren’t really living it. Living, really living, is standing on the very tip of the moment—right on the leading edge of now—no matter how heartbreaking or beautiful or terrible it might be" (quoted from an advanced reader copy). This quote says it all. There is so much ache in this book, but there is tremendous love. The kind of love that starts when you're young and settles into your bones and becomes as trusted as breathing. This is a beauty of a book. The kind of book I needed when I was 17. Don't miss it in 2018!

[Kelly Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap, this book! I completely loved her first book and so I have been waiting impatiently for this one for years. It was a long and hard wait but it was so, so worth it. It's smart and funny and heartbreaking. It's pretty much a perfect book.

As the synopsis says, Grace has been sexually assaulted. She's not dealing with it particularly well (she feels deeply ashamed and she blames herself) but you know what's wonderful? Everyone she tells reacts the right way. They are so sad for what happened to her but they are so, SO full of complete rage for her rapist. They stick all the blame for what happened on his shoulders. And it's so great to read the fact that there is no equivocation, no "Well, maybe you shouldn't have..." And they kept telling it to Grace until she finally started believing it. I am so happy Grace had the greatest support system.

This is also a grieving book (her dad died two years before the story started) and it's a great example of that. It's old grief, which isn't always dealt with in books. And it's so right--once you get past the first year, you're used to carrying the weight of grief. You don't always notice it, the way it actually stoops your shoulders. Until something happens and it smacks you in the face. 

This is such an amazing book and you need it.

Highly recommended.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy wow, this book is one that will make you fall in love from the first page and will keep your heart until the very end. (And long after!) Full of snarky humor, first loves, heartbreaking grief, and secrets that threaten to tear everyone apart, The Leading Edge of Now is everything I want in a book.

[Carlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.

Grace once loved New Harbor, it was a place of summer escape and lifelong friendship, until one visit it isn't and she hasn't been back since. Now in the care of her Uncle Rusty after having just adjusted to life as an orphan she is back and the happy and painful times are mixing all together. Everything in New Harbor reminds her of her innocence, the one she has lost. She knows she has to find out the truth in order to heal, in order to trust again, but the truth may just hurt the very people she's missed having by her side.

Marci Lyn Curtis has created a cast of characters that you can't help but love and a story that is impossible to put down. In just one sitting I read The Leading Edge of Now cover to cover, desperate to uncover the truths Grace sets out to find, hoping she'd heal and find that life's circumstances only make her stronger. The losses in her life are difficult and heartbreaking, I too had no trust for the uncle that took so long to rescue her from orphanhood and brought her back to the one place she and her father had run from. But I also loved that the move back to New Harbor brought old friends back into her life, friends that despite the time and the hurt between them want so much for things to be good again. New Harbor brought the truth to light and though it changed Grace and those around her forever, it is used in the story to show the hope and the good that can come from fighting through the difficult.

"That the best and worst parts of my life are suddenly woven together as one. That this part-here, now-this is the one I want to pay attention to."

I don't often reach for books that are marked as having a trigger warning for rape, in this case the dazzling early reviews convinced me I needed to read on. Grace's story is incredibly similar to my own, her brain having blocked the painful details of a night that changed her forever. This story, however, is not a painful one, it's a beautiful story about growth, boundaries, and learning to fly. Grace is headstrong, hilarious, a little too forward sometimes, and coming into her own as a woman. She's relatable, realistic, and inspirational. Secondary characters Owen, Janna, and Rusty were also incredible, with each going through extensive growth as they began to walk alongside Grace in her hunt for answers.

I loved that Marci Lyn Curtis takes such a difficult topic, one that many have experienced, and doesn't take it on the stereotpyical route. She tackles the hard questions, she portrays things in a senstive manner, and didn't tie things up in a neat bow that makes the resolution seem easy to get to. Grace's journey, the steps she has to take, the reliving of her experiences, are not easy, and I like that they weren't glossed over. She questions her friends, her family, her own memory, and those things are very natural and real. The story is thoughtful, providing readers with a sympathetic viewpoint that readers with and without personal experience will be able to connect with.

"I don't need someone to yank me toward wellness. I need someone to walk beside me as I find it on my own."

I loved The Leading Edge of Now; I smiled and cried and ached for Grace, I felt those things for myself when I looked back on the things I had to overcome, and I think Marci Lyn Curtis did an incredible job telling a story that needs to be heard. It is relevant, it is impactful, and it is memorable. I highly recommend this book.

ARC provided.

[Andi (Andi's ABCs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. When a friend asked if I wanted to take part in a book tour for this book I said sure. It sounded like a good book and I had been meaning to read the author. I really had no idea how the book would be, but I can happily report it was really fantastic. It had everything I love in a good realistic contemporary book. My heart really felt for Grace and everything that she had been through over a two year period. How alone and confused she must have felt and how her world unraveled shortly after the worst night of her life. It was hard to see her go through all the things she went through and finding out things she thought were true for so long might not have been. But I loved everything about Grace and how strong she was. My only complaint was I thought there were too many smaller stories building on the outskirt that weren’t important and were a little distracting. But besides that, this book was truly amazing and a must read for any YA contemporary lover.

[Becca Akins · Rating 3 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL ASSAULT/RAPE

This book was difficult for me to rate. I wasn’t in love with the plot of the story. The pacing and the focus on certain aspects of the story just wasn’t my cup of tea. This is an own voices novel The author put in the acknowledgments that she had a similar experience in her past.

While it wasn’t my favorite novel on this topic it was interesting because the main character goes through many different steps to finding out what really happened to her and the relationships with her family and her friends throughout the novel changed quite a bit throughout it.