Alex on the Edge

by Kate le Roux

It’s summer vacation, the beach is calling, and 17-year-old over-achiever Alex has unexpectedly found the girl he wants to hang out with. But she turns out to be annoyingly serious about the stupid friend zone thing, and if he wants to spend time with Jill he will have to take a step into her world – one he is not at all sure he wants to be a part of. Years later, when a devastating diagnosis leads him back to that beach, he finds that Jill is there for him in a way no one else can be. "With a combination of light heartedness and weightiness, this book depicts the joys and complexities of living in relationship—with each other and with God. Alex on the Edge not only provides an engaging, enjoyable story set in South Africa and Lesotho—it will also leave you contemplating what is really important in life." Kate Motaung, author of A Place to Land "I wish this book had been published 10 years ago, I can’t remember when last I laughed so much. Kate has covered a wide range of human emotions without the narrative ever feeling forced." Amazon reviewer "The author seamlessly weaves the joys and challenges of living as a modern day Christian through the story without getting preachy." Amazon reviewer "A refreshing, gracious story that is such a pleasure to read. Highly recommended for any teen or young adult, parent, or older adult who is young at heart." Amazon UK reviewer

Genres: Young Adult

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2019

About the author

Kate le Roux lives in Cape Town, South Africa, where if she stands on tiptoes she can just about see Table Mountain from her kitchen window. She grew up on a diet of CS Lewis, LM Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott, and since being allowed into the Young Adult section at the local library at the age of thirteen she still hasn't really left. She spent a good number of years marking mostly horrible English essays and getting high school kids to act out bits of Shakespeare which she loved, leaving only to focus on being a mom to four crazy kids.

Reviews

[Amani Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am OBSESSED!! i would do anything to read this book again! ugh! this book is a clean, christian, romance… literally what i find the most endearing in books. especially with the development of BOTH characters is just mind blowing! i can’t express the respect I have for this author to fit all the different genres in the book. a ya book, a christian book, and a clean book! SIGN ME UPPP!! pls read totally worth it! i’m gonna miss Alex and Jill!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was truly lovely. It is fresh, clean and wholesome. I couldn't put it down and was disappointed when it was finished. Well done. I would recommend it to teenage girls especially.

[Lianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down, and missed the characters after I had finished the book. It also brought back so many great memories of youth camps etc and the fun and fellowship we had together.

[Mef2207 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this book. It took me a while to get into it but once I did I, I didn’t want to put it I down. Geared towards teen and young adults

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful coming of age story elegantly told. I wish this book had been published 10 years ago

[Debra S Weissman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book for all ages

I wasn't sure as a retired woman if I wanted to read a book about a teenager. After the first chapter, I became so engrossed in the characters that I couldn't stop reading.

[Ashley]

My favorite part about this book was the growth of the characters from when they first met at age 17 to when they were adults and how far they had come in their personal journeys.

[Annabells · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favourite book of all time

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to practice compassion while reading this book. Alex’s arrogance and ego and Jill’s holier-than-thou attitude tested my tolerance in the first half, but there was such a warmth and earnestness to their friendship and bond it kept me going. And I’m glad I did because the 5 years later was well worth the wait.

I did not know this book was centered on Christianity, and honestly if I knew I probably would've skipped it. However, I surprisingly enjoyed this book. Alex's health crisis and journey finding God and faith was beautiful and earnest. It didn't feel preachy or gratuitous and I understood a couple more concepts about religion that were abstract to me. The friendship and love story between Alex and Jill was funny, cringey, heartwarming, and finally lovely when they found each other at the end. I never thought this book would be a slow burn romance but it was warranted and satisfying how they came to terms with their feelings.

The church folk also surprised me. They actually practiced forgiveness and didn't force God too much down anyone's throats. I'm glad Alex found solace, found family, and peace in his spontaneous trip to Lesotho.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for an absorbing, but quick, Easter read, that is well written, then look no further than "Alex on the edge". Set locally in South Africa's Eastern Cape and Lesotho, and written by local author Kate le Roux, this story wastes no time in sucking you in and grabbing hold of your heart. Characters with depth, a storyline that deals with some important existential questions, and several gems of original poetry scattered throughout - I loved this story from beginning to end! Although it is marketed as young adult fiction, I would highly recommend it to all!

[MissFaerieKaiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked before I even realized it. I hardly looked up from the pages for the first entire half of the book, and the game-changing midpoint was exactly what it needed to be. The second half of the book tested my suspension of disbelief a little, but I suspect that's more of a me problem than anything the book itself did. If you're looking for dynamic characters, messages of humility and maturity, and a clean romance (second chance, friends to lovers, he falls first) based on a meeting of hearts and souls rather than physical attraction, this book has a lot to love.

[Kate Motaung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this book! The storyline and characters are engaging, and it was so much fun to read a book set in South Africa and Lesotho, written by a South African author. Even more than that, the book raises some important questions for readers to consider about the meaning and purpose of life. It will cause you to think more deeply about where you're going and what really matters.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, clean, funny, TA holiday romance. It's a lighthearted read with well-defined characters, plot, and scenarios that just wrapped you in the story of Alex and whether or not Jill will be present on his future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Frieda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story

I really enjoyed the story. The friendship and friendships between each character.
The wonderful time they had in Lesotho.

I just had a hard time with the preaching in the story. I know it's on me this, as my experience has left me leaving the church I grew up in. Maybe I'm not ready.

[Allan Gibbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable!

I found this novel to be beautifully written, with believable characters and a hope-filled plot. Loved the local setting, so easy to picture it! (Louise Gibbon)

[Bridget Burger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex on the Edge was a great read! It was light-hearted enough to make for easy and enjoyable reading, but still thought provoking due to the depth and development of the two main characters. Would love a sequel!

[Parisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was slow sometimes and fast the other this book didn’t really do me in the plot was boring and god part was ok. It was very formal and strict English in my opinion a book for when u need god but not fit for teens it’s to depressing fir them.

[Amanda Liddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Loved escaping into this book... Characters and events stayed with me long after reading. Kate has a wonderful writing gift, I can't wait for the next ones! Great read for teens too...