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The Edge of the World
Shay Maloney is living his dream—on tour with his pirate/folk-rock band. But you can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’re from, and that’s where moody filmmaker and researcher Ollie Pietruska comes in. The band’s management persuades Shay to let a television company film a documentary about his roots beyond his adoptive Irish family, and Ollie comes into his life knowing more about Shay than Shay’s ever known about himself. But while Ollie holds the key to Shay’s past, he’s also hiding deep scars. Even as the hardships of the tour bring them closer, Ollie’s demons threaten the blossoming romance. They might both reach the breaking point before Ollie realises he’s been standing on the edge of the world for too long, and it’s Shay who holds the key to his future. A friends-to-lovers, rock star, road-tripping romance, with a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2019
89 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
About the author
Garrett Leigh
94 books2,399 followersShe/Her
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
December 20, 2020
Anticipation. Yeah, I've had it for months. I've been longing for this story since the blurb caught my eye nearly a year ago. Building and building and when this beauty pinged my inbox last week I was so excited I thought I might burst. But then I was struck with cold feet. What if I didn't like it? What if it missed the high notes? What if I couldn't connect? I was a ball of nerves. I know, I know, it makes no sense. But sometimes, senseless things happen, right? *happy sigh* Of course, I had no reason to get worked up. It was spectacular and I was hooked from the beginning. I was instantly smitten with Shay and Ollie. And most of all, I loved it.
What's to like: Genealogy intrigues me. I have a partially uncharted family tree myself and have considered following the trail and discovering more about my roots. This story has certainly heightened my curiosity. Perhaps one of these days I'll fill in the missing pieces to my puzzle, just as Shay, and know the bricks that paved my path. You see Shay was adopted when he was a toddler and was loved and well cared for. However, when his mum was fighting for her final days, she suggested he agree to the documentary and discover where he came from before he was blessed with her love. In his fog of grief, he agreed and then quickly forgot. Until his manager refreshes his memory and presents him with his new travel companion for their tour. Shay leads his band of eclectic members which comprise The Smugglers Beat. They soared from playing in pubs and jammin' on grassy festival fields to a packed tour across the UK. The break is fresh and he's feeling the pressure. The lasts thing he needs is a nosy bloke fighting for space with his shadow. Or could Ollie's resounding presence soothe him in ways he never knew he needed? Hmmmm, let's see......
What's to love: As always, Garrett brings vibrant and memorable men to the pages. Exceptional writing pulls you into their lives and I couldn't wait to discover everything there was to know. It's clear Ollie is a survivor but of what exactly we don't know. Until the pieces click together and the road we're traveling suddenly becomes so much more than musical performances. Shay explores his ancestors with the assistance of Ollie's sharp skills and is surprised that he truly wishes to know where he came from. Happiness is easily caught in the now but absorbing the details of his past grant him a sense of peace he's never known. And in truth, some of the particulars may be irrelevant yet others heft a weight that shocks him. Because today is brighter and clearer with the knowledge of yesterday.
On the other hand, Ollie is faced with a different sort of yesterday. He realizes the harsh reality that accepting yesterday will break his chains, allowing him to move freely today and onto the next day. This is what resonated like a drumbeat within these pages...our past is a crucial part of us but does not completely define us. Soak it up, let it fill you, and fuel your future but remember there is always tomorrow. Their relationship began gingerly and friendship solidified before they allowed their attraction to engulf in flames. I enjoyed the family, food, and music. I loved coasting along throughout the UK with them. But most of all, I loved watching them fall so hard, they both strove to be their best self, only so they could give to the other. That is the ultimate gift anyone can give. Thank you, Garrett, for giving us Shay and Ollie...and I certainly wouldn't mind seeing them again. *wink*
Beware of: Falling in love is the last thing on Ollie's mind...or Shay's for that matter. Give them a bit of patience, if you please. Trauma does not have a definite time span and souls may take longer to heal than skin. And knowing and accepting your past can help shine a light on your future.
This book is for: Just about anyone. Standing at the edge of the world can be scary as shit but also take you on a trip to the clouds...if you've imagined a place filled with comfort food and breathtaking tunes you might want to check this out. Actually, there's no might about it. Go on...and give them all my love.
*4.5 listen-learn-love stars*
Book UNfunk
What's to like: Genealogy intrigues me. I have a partially uncharted family tree myself and have considered following the trail and discovering more about my roots. This story has certainly heightened my curiosity. Perhaps one of these days I'll fill in the missing pieces to my puzzle, just as Shay, and know the bricks that paved my path. You see Shay was adopted when he was a toddler and was loved and well cared for. However, when his mum was fighting for her final days, she suggested he agree to the documentary and discover where he came from before he was blessed with her love. In his fog of grief, he agreed and then quickly forgot. Until his manager refreshes his memory and presents him with his new travel companion for their tour. Shay leads his band of eclectic members which comprise The Smugglers Beat. They soared from playing in pubs and jammin' on grassy festival fields to a packed tour across the UK. The break is fresh and he's feeling the pressure. The lasts thing he needs is a nosy bloke fighting for space with his shadow. Or could Ollie's resounding presence soothe him in ways he never knew he needed? Hmmmm, let's see......
What's to love: As always, Garrett brings vibrant and memorable men to the pages. Exceptional writing pulls you into their lives and I couldn't wait to discover everything there was to know. It's clear Ollie is a survivor but of what exactly we don't know. Until the pieces click together and the road we're traveling suddenly becomes so much more than musical performances. Shay explores his ancestors with the assistance of Ollie's sharp skills and is surprised that he truly wishes to know where he came from. Happiness is easily caught in the now but absorbing the details of his past grant him a sense of peace he's never known. And in truth, some of the particulars may be irrelevant yet others heft a weight that shocks him. Because today is brighter and clearer with the knowledge of yesterday.
On the other hand, Ollie is faced with a different sort of yesterday. He realizes the harsh reality that accepting yesterday will break his chains, allowing him to move freely today and onto the next day. This is what resonated like a drumbeat within these pages...our past is a crucial part of us but does not completely define us. Soak it up, let it fill you, and fuel your future but remember there is always tomorrow. Their relationship began gingerly and friendship solidified before they allowed their attraction to engulf in flames. I enjoyed the family, food, and music. I loved coasting along throughout the UK with them. But most of all, I loved watching them fall so hard, they both strove to be their best self, only so they could give to the other. That is the ultimate gift anyone can give. Thank you, Garrett, for giving us Shay and Ollie...and I certainly wouldn't mind seeing them again. *wink*
Beware of: Falling in love is the last thing on Ollie's mind...or Shay's for that matter. Give them a bit of patience, if you please. Trauma does not have a definite time span and souls may take longer to heal than skin. And knowing and accepting your past can help shine a light on your future.
This book is for: Just about anyone. Standing at the edge of the world can be scary as shit but also take you on a trip to the clouds...if you've imagined a place filled with comfort food and breathtaking tunes you might want to check this out. Actually, there's no might about it. Go on...and give them all my love.
*4.5 listen-learn-love stars*
Book UNfunk
February 16, 2020
This was such a lovely story.
At first I wasn't sure if I'd like it since I'm not that into folk music and spending weeks on a tour bus feels like a nightmare to me, but it totally worked here. I also really enjoyed the part where we learned about Shay's roots. I've always found genealogy fascinating.
Shay and Ollie were both very likeable characters. I absolutely loved the slow pace of their relationship. It was so sweet and heartwarming and felt very natural. Although both Shay and Ollie had issues they struggled with, I didn't find their story as heavy as some of this author's other works. It just felt comforting.
At first I wasn't sure if I'd like it since I'm not that into folk music and spending weeks on a tour bus feels like a nightmare to me, but it totally worked here. I also really enjoyed the part where we learned about Shay's roots. I've always found genealogy fascinating.
Shay and Ollie were both very likeable characters. I absolutely loved the slow pace of their relationship. It was so sweet and heartwarming and felt very natural. Although both Shay and Ollie had issues they struggled with, I didn't find their story as heavy as some of this author's other works. It just felt comforting.
January 29, 2020
When I saw the blurb I wasn't too sure about this one, folk music is not my jam and genealogy isn't really either so I'm thrilled to say I loved this book. The author nailed the subjects - they were fascinating and added to the story rather than taking away from it.
Shay and Ollie were magic together right from the very beginning, though this was slow burn .... done to perfection. I love how the author peeled back their layers to show the men they really were, though with Shay what you saw was what you got.
Loved it! 4.5 stars
Shay and Ollie were magic together right from the very beginning, though this was slow burn .... done to perfection. I love how the author peeled back their layers to show the men they really were, though with Shay what you saw was what you got.
Loved it! 4.5 stars
June 10, 2021
Garrett Leigh understands the human psyche and I'm so glad she went ahead and published this book independently after the whole Dreamspinner debacle (Google it, it's too complicated to summarise here).
In The Edge of the World we get two protagonists who each have complications in their lives which mean it's not an every day boy meets boy, boy falls for boy, boys stroll off into the sunset together narrative (although don't worry, there's definitely a HEA but this is set mostly in England, it rains a lot 😉 )
What we get is a fascinating mix of a free spirited Shay finding out more about his past through Ollie's genealogy research while also having to deal with life on the road as a touring band and a medical condition which affects his daily life.
I loved the dynamic between the two characters, it's a slow burn romance, but there's a spark which kicks off the moment they meet and which just grows more steadily as the tour bus winds its way through the British Isles (geographic location not country!).
Ollie has his own demons and they're powerfully motivating ones, I felt so badly for him and his struggle to shut off his attraction to Shay because of what it might ultimately lead to. The exploration of his feelings about this, which I won't spoil, were superbly handled and I never felt like Shay had performed some miraculous cure which made everything alright.
The story winds its way into your heart as easily as the tour bus traverses the length and breadth of the country and there's a few shout outs to Garrett's Heated Beat Bundle series as well as ties to the excellent What Matters which were a surprise.
I love how interconnected, albeit loosely, Garrett's various series' are, it really gives a sense of place to the settings. She is a great teller of stories and by that I mean, the feelings you get when listening to elderly relatives talking about their younger days, or the emotional connections which form between people who love the same music.
It's an examination of the folk music scene, a look at the diaspora of cultures, a tribute to the love that can come from outside of a blood family and, ultimately, it's about taking a chance and joining in with living, rather than just existing on the edges.
As a PS, being a massive folk music nerd, I spotted what instrument Ollie gives Shay straight away and it really tickled me to see one in a book 😁 they make the most incredible sounds.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
In The Edge of the World we get two protagonists who each have complications in their lives which mean it's not an every day boy meets boy, boy falls for boy, boys stroll off into the sunset together narrative (although don't worry, there's definitely a HEA but this is set mostly in England, it rains a lot 😉 )
What we get is a fascinating mix of a free spirited Shay finding out more about his past through Ollie's genealogy research while also having to deal with life on the road as a touring band and a medical condition which affects his daily life.
I loved the dynamic between the two characters, it's a slow burn romance, but there's a spark which kicks off the moment they meet and which just grows more steadily as the tour bus winds its way through the British Isles (geographic location not country!).
Ollie has his own demons and they're powerfully motivating ones, I felt so badly for him and his struggle to shut off his attraction to Shay because of what it might ultimately lead to. The exploration of his feelings about this, which I won't spoil, were superbly handled and I never felt like Shay had performed some miraculous cure which made everything alright.
The story winds its way into your heart as easily as the tour bus traverses the length and breadth of the country and there's a few shout outs to Garrett's Heated Beat Bundle series as well as ties to the excellent What Matters which were a surprise.
I love how interconnected, albeit loosely, Garrett's various series' are, it really gives a sense of place to the settings. She is a great teller of stories and by that I mean, the feelings you get when listening to elderly relatives talking about their younger days, or the emotional connections which form between people who love the same music.
It's an examination of the folk music scene, a look at the diaspora of cultures, a tribute to the love that can come from outside of a blood family and, ultimately, it's about taking a chance and joining in with living, rather than just existing on the edges.
As a PS, being a massive folk music nerd, I spotted what instrument Ollie gives Shay straight away and it really tickled me to see one in a book 😁 they make the most incredible sounds.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
February 1, 2020
Garrett Leigh books are an auto-buy for me. However, that doesn't mean I am going to love each and every story. Some of them I'm only going to like.
I liked this one. But the only thing that took it from an okay story to one I liked was GL's signature characters. You know, the ones that feel like neighbors and friends and maybe even that second cousin.
Shay and Ollie (I love those names!) weren't hard to relate to, but their connection was a little harder to put a finger on. It's a slow burn, but I don't feel like the men spent enough time together or even talking with each other to have fallen in love.
For me, this story needed more words. More about Shay and what brought him to the place he was at, but more importantly, I needed a lot more about Ollie. And then, I needed the reason why they felt a pull towards each other. I thought the final reveal (from Ollie to Shay) was gut clenching. I didn't like that at all. In fact, that alone brought my rating down from a 3 to a 2.5 star. But of course I'm going to round up because this is a prolific author whose stories I always enjoy.
I liked this one. But the only thing that took it from an okay story to one I liked was GL's signature characters. You know, the ones that feel like neighbors and friends and maybe even that second cousin.
Shay and Ollie (I love those names!) weren't hard to relate to, but their connection was a little harder to put a finger on. It's a slow burn, but I don't feel like the men spent enough time together or even talking with each other to have fallen in love.
For me, this story needed more words. More about Shay and what brought him to the place he was at, but more importantly, I needed a lot more about Ollie. And then, I needed the reason why they felt a pull towards each other. I thought the final reveal (from Ollie to Shay) was gut clenching. I didn't like that at all. In fact, that alone brought my rating down from a 3 to a 2.5 star. But of course I'm going to round up because this is a prolific author whose stories I always enjoy.
Want to read
August 8, 2019
March 29, 2021
This was a slow, lovely, quiet book. It’s not a rock star romance. Shay is touring with his band, rehearsing, and falling in love with Ollie. And Ollie is touring with the band for a documentary about Shay’s roots, and slowly revealing Shay’s family tree as they are filming the scenes. And he is falling in love with Shay.
Ollie is a broken man, and has issues to overcome. Shay is the sweetest man Ollie could fall for. He is patient and amazing. They fall for each other fast, but also slow if that makes sense. The feelings are there but they don’t act on them for a long time.
This book had a unique vibe and it was very refreshing. I found myself fascinated with Shay’s ancestors, loving the concerts, the bus tour life, rooting for Shay and Ollie, and loving all the side characters. Just a truly lovely read.
Ollie is a broken man, and has issues to overcome. Shay is the sweetest man Ollie could fall for. He is patient and amazing. They fall for each other fast, but also slow if that makes sense. The feelings are there but they don’t act on them for a long time.
This book had a unique vibe and it was very refreshing. I found myself fascinated with Shay’s ancestors, loving the concerts, the bus tour life, rooting for Shay and Ollie, and loving all the side characters. Just a truly lovely read.
March 30, 2020
4.5 Stars!
Classic Garrett Leigh.
Classic Garrett Leigh.
May 2, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up...full review to follow...
I don’t think a book blurb has ever hooked me quite as much as this one did....
Specifically the second sentence in the blurb which reads…”But you can’t know where you’re going to until you know where you’re from,…” you see when I was a very young girl in grade 8 I had this amazing history teacher and when one of her students expressed that they didn’t see why we had to study history she turned to him and said “how can you know where you’re going to, when you don’t know where you came from?” Those words have stayed with me for over 40 years so when I saw them in the blurb for this story it was a very clear sign that I needed to read this story.
Shay Maloney is the lead singer for the pirate/folk rock band, Smuggler’s Beat. It’s as they begin their tour that Shay’s reminded of the commitment he made to film a documentary about his family roots…not those of his adoptive parents but those of his biological family that Shay is introduced to Ollie Pietruska, the researcher and filmmaker, who’s going to guide him through a past he never knew was his.
While Ollie and Shay are drawn to each other, Ollie’s got his own past to deal with before he can hope to build a future with anyone, much less a successful musician whose past is still a mystery to him.
Amidst the chaos and pandemonium that is the life of a band whose star is on the rise as they begin a tour that’s intended to push them over the top, Shay and Ollie struggle to get to know each other as their feelings deepen and if they could both just be in the same place a the same time things might be a little easier…but, we don’t always get what we want sometimes we just have to work with what we’re given.
I was smitten with both of these men from the very beginning. In spite of his quickly rising star Shay’s character held such a laid back, down to earth almost humble feeling that not liking him really just wasn’t an option. While Ollie seemed to be a little more reserved and shall we say crusty around the edges it wasn’t enough to cover the genuine concern and kindness that he had for others.
I loved the interaction between these two men as they got to know each other the balance of kindness and caring was equally challenged with moments of conflict and angst that held my interest solidly from beginning to end and while the secondary characters and background filled out the story nicely it was always Shay and Ollie who held my interest.
I think the part of the story that I enjoyed the most was whenever Ollie was revealing a part of Shay’s past to him. I was very much reminded of as show that I use to watch on PBS called “Finding Your Roots” and I was fascinated by this show so needless to say I was instinctively drawn to this part of the book as well and I really loved the way the author teased us with Shay’s ancestry laying a breadcrumb trail of information that randomly wandered through the past and back to the present slowly connecting pieces of a puzzle that the reader may not have even realized was there.
I may not have read all of this author’s works…yet…I still feel confident enough to say that after having read approximately 20 of her books for me if Garrett Leigh’s the author than I’m buying the book.
*************************
An ARC of “The Edge of the World” was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think a book blurb has ever hooked me quite as much as this one did....
Specifically the second sentence in the blurb which reads…”But you can’t know where you’re going to until you know where you’re from,…” you see when I was a very young girl in grade 8 I had this amazing history teacher and when one of her students expressed that they didn’t see why we had to study history she turned to him and said “how can you know where you’re going to, when you don’t know where you came from?” Those words have stayed with me for over 40 years so when I saw them in the blurb for this story it was a very clear sign that I needed to read this story.
Shay Maloney is the lead singer for the pirate/folk rock band, Smuggler’s Beat. It’s as they begin their tour that Shay’s reminded of the commitment he made to film a documentary about his family roots…not those of his adoptive parents but those of his biological family that Shay is introduced to Ollie Pietruska, the researcher and filmmaker, who’s going to guide him through a past he never knew was his.
While Ollie and Shay are drawn to each other, Ollie’s got his own past to deal with before he can hope to build a future with anyone, much less a successful musician whose past is still a mystery to him.
Amidst the chaos and pandemonium that is the life of a band whose star is on the rise as they begin a tour that’s intended to push them over the top, Shay and Ollie struggle to get to know each other as their feelings deepen and if they could both just be in the same place a the same time things might be a little easier…but, we don’t always get what we want sometimes we just have to work with what we’re given.
I was smitten with both of these men from the very beginning. In spite of his quickly rising star Shay’s character held such a laid back, down to earth almost humble feeling that not liking him really just wasn’t an option. While Ollie seemed to be a little more reserved and shall we say crusty around the edges it wasn’t enough to cover the genuine concern and kindness that he had for others.
I loved the interaction between these two men as they got to know each other the balance of kindness and caring was equally challenged with moments of conflict and angst that held my interest solidly from beginning to end and while the secondary characters and background filled out the story nicely it was always Shay and Ollie who held my interest.
I think the part of the story that I enjoyed the most was whenever Ollie was revealing a part of Shay’s past to him. I was very much reminded of as show that I use to watch on PBS called “Finding Your Roots” and I was fascinated by this show so needless to say I was instinctively drawn to this part of the book as well and I really loved the way the author teased us with Shay’s ancestry laying a breadcrumb trail of information that randomly wandered through the past and back to the present slowly connecting pieces of a puzzle that the reader may not have even realized was there.
I may not have read all of this author’s works…yet…I still feel confident enough to say that after having read approximately 20 of her books for me if Garrett Leigh’s the author than I’m buying the book.
*************************
An ARC of “The Edge of the World” was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2025
A-Z Challenge Book E
This was a calmer, quieter story from Garrett Leigh. After being in her Rebel Kings MC world for so long, it was hard for me to make the switch. But I really liked Shay and Ollie.
🤔🤔 I wonder why Shay’s parents were called Des and Michelle in chapter 2 but when Shay called his father in chapter 14, all of a sudden his name was Frank and not Des.
Chapter 2:
Des and Michelle Maloney had lost their own parents long before Shay had come along, but they’d given him a home so full of life and love
Chapter 14:
He [Shay] called his father back. “Hey.”
“All right, lad?”
Frank Maloney’s gruff voice was like a blanket and a book on a cold winter day.
This was a calmer, quieter story from Garrett Leigh. After being in her Rebel Kings MC world for so long, it was hard for me to make the switch. But I really liked Shay and Ollie.
🤔🤔 I wonder why Shay’s parents were called Des and Michelle in chapter 2 but when Shay called his father in chapter 14, all of a sudden his name was Frank and not Des.
Chapter 2:
Des and Michelle Maloney had lost their own parents long before Shay had come along, but they’d given him a home so full of life and love
Chapter 14:
He [Shay] called his father back. “Hey.”
“All right, lad?”
Frank Maloney’s gruff voice was like a blanket and a book on a cold winter day.
July 21, 2022
loved it 4,5stars
I enjoyed this a book a lot. It wasn’t as angsty as usual by the author, but still not a fluff read.
I enjoyed this a book a lot. It wasn’t as angsty as usual by the author, but still not a fluff read.
January 10, 2020
First book of 2020 :D
At this point, everyone who knows me, knows about how much i love GL books. There is maybe only 2 books of hers that i did not enjoy that much. But this one is not one of them.
I love that Garrett tries to always give characters different backgrounds and professions. I mean - i would be extremely bored if all her books would be about i don't know... army dude and coffee shop owner. Or something like that. I love that she always thinks about something different, gives her characters different lives and are not making them all the same. It's cool.
This time, story is about a musician and genealogist. First time i read a combo like this on her books. Interesting.
Touring is your typical touring - buss, alco, sexy times, music etc. But then again - if i'm being honest, that's how i picture it too. I didn't have problem with that.
As a historian, i loved how Ollie approached his task and how he told Shay about his past. He started with old info from yeaaaars ago and then worked up to... newest info about Shay's family. For me, it was a good choice, because it somehow built Shay's character up better than if Ollie would just tell the newest info and then just some stuff about old days.
I liked both characters. They were good guys. I did not like how... fast Ollie's therapy thing happened and went on. I think it takes a long time to get over things, to start thinking different. It's a matter of months and maybe even years. Not days...
The thing i liked tho, was how Ollie(and his mother too) mentioned in few sentences, that if Ollie wants to change things... he has to do it for him. Not for Shay or because he wants to be with him. He has to do it because he wants it for himself. I think it's a very important thing to remember - if you want to change something in you, in your life, do it because you want it. Do it for you. Not to be better for someone else. I liked that there was this message. It's a detail but important one.
Alsooooo, i just can't not mention this - there is Lithuania mentioned(not just one time) in this book. Why i'm excited? Because i'm from Latvia, which is next to Lithuania and it was so cool to see a Baltic country mentioned and connected to story. Because in books it's always just France, or UK, or Sweden.... or any other big country. It was cool to see Lithuania :).
Is this the best book Garrett Leigh has ever written? For me - no. For me it's still Roads series books. I will love those forever. But in my opinion, this is pretty good book. It is written in her typical style, which i like and which is really easy and fast to read. Characters deal with real health problems which a lot of people could relate to(specially to Shay). It's also in a way a book about how interesting and important it is to know your own, personal history, where you came from etc.
I liked this.
At this point, everyone who knows me, knows about how much i love GL books. There is maybe only 2 books of hers that i did not enjoy that much. But this one is not one of them.
I love that Garrett tries to always give characters different backgrounds and professions. I mean - i would be extremely bored if all her books would be about i don't know... army dude and coffee shop owner. Or something like that. I love that she always thinks about something different, gives her characters different lives and are not making them all the same. It's cool.
This time, story is about a musician and genealogist. First time i read a combo like this on her books. Interesting.
Touring is your typical touring - buss, alco, sexy times, music etc. But then again - if i'm being honest, that's how i picture it too. I didn't have problem with that.
As a historian, i loved how Ollie approached his task and how he told Shay about his past. He started with old info from yeaaaars ago and then worked up to... newest info about Shay's family. For me, it was a good choice, because it somehow built Shay's character up better than if Ollie would just tell the newest info and then just some stuff about old days.
I liked both characters. They were good guys. I did not like how... fast Ollie's therapy thing happened and went on. I think it takes a long time to get over things, to start thinking different. It's a matter of months and maybe even years. Not days...
The thing i liked tho, was how Ollie(and his mother too) mentioned in few sentences, that if Ollie wants to change things... he has to do it for him. Not for Shay or because he wants to be with him. He has to do it because he wants it for himself. I think it's a very important thing to remember - if you want to change something in you, in your life, do it because you want it. Do it for you. Not to be better for someone else. I liked that there was this message. It's a detail but important one.
Alsooooo, i just can't not mention this - there is Lithuania mentioned(not just one time) in this book. Why i'm excited? Because i'm from Latvia, which is next to Lithuania and it was so cool to see a Baltic country mentioned and connected to story. Because in books it's always just France, or UK, or Sweden.... or any other big country. It was cool to see Lithuania :).
Is this the best book Garrett Leigh has ever written? For me - no. For me it's still Roads series books. I will love those forever. But in my opinion, this is pretty good book. It is written in her typical style, which i like and which is really easy and fast to read. Characters deal with real health problems which a lot of people could relate to(specially to Shay). It's also in a way a book about how interesting and important it is to know your own, personal history, where you came from etc.
I liked this.
August 18, 2021
Classic Garrett Leigh book.
Full of emotions, angst, slow burn and real characters.
I can't say I loved it very much, but it was still beautiful.
Full of emotions, angst, slow burn and real characters.
I can't say I loved it very much, but it was still beautiful.
January 21, 2020
Garrett Leigh books are never going to be full of sunshine and roses, her characters are real, their lives are never pretty and their issues are ongoing but damn their HEA is well earned and you feel like it's completely real. Ollie and Shay were wonderful, their love story totally believable, I'd love to see where they are in 5 years time (hint hint Garrett).
January 17, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
I seriously love getting a new book from Garrett Leigh. Her characters and dialogue are always excellent and the atmosphere is smooth and comforting, even though her characters are always struggling in some way. It is a balance that sounds impossible to achieve.
Shay is the front man for his band and his talents include singing and songwriting and playing a wide variety of instruments. He’s a musician to his core and his vibe sets the tone for his indie band. But although Shay may look the part, it’s his diabetes that sometimes keeps him from getting completely out of control, but his insulin calculations sometimes tell a different story.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
I seriously love getting a new book from Garrett Leigh. Her characters and dialogue are always excellent and the atmosphere is smooth and comforting, even though her characters are always struggling in some way. It is a balance that sounds impossible to achieve.
Shay is the front man for his band and his talents include singing and songwriting and playing a wide variety of instruments. He’s a musician to his core and his vibe sets the tone for his indie band. But although Shay may look the part, it’s his diabetes that sometimes keeps him from getting completely out of control, but his insulin calculations sometimes tell a different story.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
August 9, 2020
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2020/05/29/...
Rating: 2 Stars – it’s a struggle to finish the damn book
Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions and Audible UK for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 2 Stars – it’s a struggle to finish the damn book
Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions and Audible UK for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2024
I've given this a B- for narration and a B for content at AudioGals.
I’ve enjoyed the handful of books I’ve read and listened to by Garrett Leigh, who one of those authors I keep promising myself I’m going to read/listen to more of. Her latest novel, The Edge of the World, is a beautifully written slow-burn romance between two flawed but likeable characters who are drawn together when one of them embarks upon a journey into his past while the other is trying desperately to forget something of his.
Shay Maloney and his pirate/folk-rock band Smuggler’s Beat have begun to make a name for themselves and when the book opens, are playing to packed houses and large crowds on their UK tour. Shay has always known he was adopted as a toddler, and before the tour began was asked by the band’s manager to take part in a kind of Who Do You Think You Are? genealogy-tracing documentary being made for the Sky Arts channel. At a low ebb following the death of his mother, Shay agreed and then promptly forgot about it, so when he’s told that filmmaker and researcher Ollie Pietruska will be joining the band on the last leg of the tour, he’s not sure what to think – especially when he discovers he had mistakenly expected the documentary to be about his adoptive family and not the actual family he knows nothing about.
Ollie was a rising star in the world of documentary film-making until he disappeared off the map a few years earlier. He’s quiet and guarded, not wanting to let anyone past his emotional walls, and it’s clear right away that there’s some sort of trauma in his past that has caused him to react that way.
There’s a spark between Shay and Ollie from the moment they meet, and I liked them from the get-go. Shay is a very talented musician and songwriter with a stage presence that shines like a beacon, but despite his growing fame, he’s pretty laid-back and down-to-earth; it’s all about the music for him – always has been, always will be – and his growing interest and enthusiasm as Ollie patiently introduces him to a past he never knew he had is incredibly touching. Ollie is harder to know and a little prickly at times; he’s as smitten with Shay as Shay with him, but his insecurities keep holding him back and telling him he needs to keep Shay at arm’s length. He’s a bit blow-hot-blow-cold, which isn’t something that works for me, but it’s easy to see he does genuinely care for Shay (especially in how he learns how to help Shay monitor his diabetes), and the angstier moments when Ollie tries to back off are nicely balanced with moments of tenderness and obvious affection.
Being something of a history nerd, I really liked the genealogy aspect of the story, and as a musician, I loved that one of the first things Ollie shows Shay about this past is that his musical talent may have been passed down through the generations of his biological family. I liked that the author chose to have Ollie go back into Shay’s distant past first of all, and then gradually bring things up to date; I found it as fascinating as I would if I’d been watching an actual programme of this sort about a real person! She also captures the atmosphere of a music tour; the cramped conditions on the bus, the often gruelling schedule, the energy of live performance and something of the tremendous spark of creativity that Shay possesses; there’s a wonderful scene where he starts improvising on a melody he doesn’t at first realise is one of the folk songs Ollie introduced him to and the rest of the band joins in for a magical jam session.
[As an aside, I was tickled when Ollie takes Shay to meet his grandparents in Walthamstow (North East London), which is where I grew up – and having the debate about Walthamstow vs. Waltham Forest, which anyone who has lived there will totally understand!]
I felt the connection between Shay and Ollie developed a bit quickly to start with, but apart from that, it’s well done, growing with every conversation as Shay discovers his past while Ollie has to choose to learn to live with his. The parallels are strongly drawn; Shay has a chronic illness with obvious symptoms when things go wrong while Ollie’s damage is (mostly) on the inside – and both men need to learn to accept help when they need it. But the last few chapters felt rushed, and there’s an odd moment where Ollie shows his mother a photo of Shay; to say more would be a spoiler, but I wondered how she could see what we’re later supposed to believe she’s seen!
Dan Calley is a new-to-me narrator, and I was pleased to be able to grab the opportunity to listen to him. I found his delivery a bit flat in places, although it’s generally fairly naturalistic in both narrative and dialogue. His performance is well-paced, his female voices are good and all the characters are clearly differentiated and easy to tell apart. He portrays the two leads well, adopting a slightly deeper pitch for Shay, and making Ollie softly spoken and sometimes a bit hesitant; the rapport and emotional connection between them is clearly conveyed.
But I was confused over the fact that he gives Shay an Irish accent, when the text clearly states that although that’s what Ollie had been expecting, he doesn’t have one, describing the “melodic lilt of Maloney’s Derbyshire accent” (Shay’s adoptive parents are Irish, but live in Derby). And Ollie is supposed to have “…a London accent fused with something Shay couldn’t quite put his finger on.” (Ollie is Polish but has lived in England since he was ten), but all I heard was the London/Estuary accent with no traces of anything else. Mr. Calley is at least consistent in both, so it wasn’t as though I heard an accent one minute which later disappeared, and his choices didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the audiobook overall – but giving Shay the wrong accent is a mistake I can’t ignore and is surely something that should have been discussed in pre-production.
The Edge of the World is a fairly short listen (under six hours) but I enjoyed it and would recommend it – with a few reservations – to anyone looking for a gently moving, slow burn romance that doesn’t overdo the angst or drama.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
I’ve enjoyed the handful of books I’ve read and listened to by Garrett Leigh, who one of those authors I keep promising myself I’m going to read/listen to more of. Her latest novel, The Edge of the World, is a beautifully written slow-burn romance between two flawed but likeable characters who are drawn together when one of them embarks upon a journey into his past while the other is trying desperately to forget something of his.
Shay Maloney and his pirate/folk-rock band Smuggler’s Beat have begun to make a name for themselves and when the book opens, are playing to packed houses and large crowds on their UK tour. Shay has always known he was adopted as a toddler, and before the tour began was asked by the band’s manager to take part in a kind of Who Do You Think You Are? genealogy-tracing documentary being made for the Sky Arts channel. At a low ebb following the death of his mother, Shay agreed and then promptly forgot about it, so when he’s told that filmmaker and researcher Ollie Pietruska will be joining the band on the last leg of the tour, he’s not sure what to think – especially when he discovers he had mistakenly expected the documentary to be about his adoptive family and not the actual family he knows nothing about.
Ollie was a rising star in the world of documentary film-making until he disappeared off the map a few years earlier. He’s quiet and guarded, not wanting to let anyone past his emotional walls, and it’s clear right away that there’s some sort of trauma in his past that has caused him to react that way.
There’s a spark between Shay and Ollie from the moment they meet, and I liked them from the get-go. Shay is a very talented musician and songwriter with a stage presence that shines like a beacon, but despite his growing fame, he’s pretty laid-back and down-to-earth; it’s all about the music for him – always has been, always will be – and his growing interest and enthusiasm as Ollie patiently introduces him to a past he never knew he had is incredibly touching. Ollie is harder to know and a little prickly at times; he’s as smitten with Shay as Shay with him, but his insecurities keep holding him back and telling him he needs to keep Shay at arm’s length. He’s a bit blow-hot-blow-cold, which isn’t something that works for me, but it’s easy to see he does genuinely care for Shay (especially in how he learns how to help Shay monitor his diabetes), and the angstier moments when Ollie tries to back off are nicely balanced with moments of tenderness and obvious affection.
Being something of a history nerd, I really liked the genealogy aspect of the story, and as a musician, I loved that one of the first things Ollie shows Shay about this past is that his musical talent may have been passed down through the generations of his biological family. I liked that the author chose to have Ollie go back into Shay’s distant past first of all, and then gradually bring things up to date; I found it as fascinating as I would if I’d been watching an actual programme of this sort about a real person! She also captures the atmosphere of a music tour; the cramped conditions on the bus, the often gruelling schedule, the energy of live performance and something of the tremendous spark of creativity that Shay possesses; there’s a wonderful scene where he starts improvising on a melody he doesn’t at first realise is one of the folk songs Ollie introduced him to and the rest of the band joins in for a magical jam session.
[As an aside, I was tickled when Ollie takes Shay to meet his grandparents in Walthamstow (North East London), which is where I grew up – and having the debate about Walthamstow vs. Waltham Forest, which anyone who has lived there will totally understand!]
I felt the connection between Shay and Ollie developed a bit quickly to start with, but apart from that, it’s well done, growing with every conversation as Shay discovers his past while Ollie has to choose to learn to live with his. The parallels are strongly drawn; Shay has a chronic illness with obvious symptoms when things go wrong while Ollie’s damage is (mostly) on the inside – and both men need to learn to accept help when they need it. But the last few chapters felt rushed, and there’s an odd moment where Ollie shows his mother a photo of Shay; to say more would be a spoiler, but I wondered how she could see what we’re later supposed to believe she’s seen!
Dan Calley is a new-to-me narrator, and I was pleased to be able to grab the opportunity to listen to him. I found his delivery a bit flat in places, although it’s generally fairly naturalistic in both narrative and dialogue. His performance is well-paced, his female voices are good and all the characters are clearly differentiated and easy to tell apart. He portrays the two leads well, adopting a slightly deeper pitch for Shay, and making Ollie softly spoken and sometimes a bit hesitant; the rapport and emotional connection between them is clearly conveyed.
But I was confused over the fact that he gives Shay an Irish accent, when the text clearly states that although that’s what Ollie had been expecting, he doesn’t have one, describing the “melodic lilt of Maloney’s Derbyshire accent” (Shay’s adoptive parents are Irish, but live in Derby). And Ollie is supposed to have “…a London accent fused with something Shay couldn’t quite put his finger on.” (Ollie is Polish but has lived in England since he was ten), but all I heard was the London/Estuary accent with no traces of anything else. Mr. Calley is at least consistent in both, so it wasn’t as though I heard an accent one minute which later disappeared, and his choices didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the audiobook overall – but giving Shay the wrong accent is a mistake I can’t ignore and is surely something that should have been discussed in pre-production.
The Edge of the World is a fairly short listen (under six hours) but I enjoyed it and would recommend it – with a few reservations – to anyone looking for a gently moving, slow burn romance that doesn’t overdo the angst or drama.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
May 9, 2020
Audiobook reviewWould you like to go on tour with a pirate/folk-rock band? Look no further The Edge of the World is waiting for you. This book is a great mix of touring with Smuggler’s Beat, and exploring and discovering your roots, with an added flavour of a friends to lovers story. So join the tour with Shay and Ollie, it will change their lives in more ways they could ever imagine.
There’s one thing I know with certainty when I pick up a book by Garrett Leigh, I know that I will get flawed characters. They are never perfect; they don’t have perfect lives free of conflict or challenges. As was the case with this book too. There were the past traumas and various issues, but the one I appreciated the most was Shay’s diabetes. Ona whole, it was a minor thing, but I really like how it wasn’t just shown once as a plot device, but Leigh really showed how it impacted everyday life, the constant blood tests and monitoring. It’s something that if I have come across it before, it for sure hasn’t happened often.
This was the first time I met narrator Dan Calley, well figuratively speaking at least. Sadly our meet wasn’t as pleasant as I had hoped. I loved his accents; they really were the best part of the narration. As far as the rest of it goes, Calley’s style of narration wasn’t my personal preference. I don’t know if it was just me, but I had a hard time not only distinguishing between the characters, but also keeping focus on the story. His kid of flat deliverance made me space out and I never connected to Shay or Ollie. I had a bit of a look around and it seems that he is a bit of a hit or miss with many listeners, so do not discount him because of me and this review, give it a try and see if he might just be your next favourite narrator.
It’s no secret that the narration will affect just about everything with an audiobook. I do believe there is a solid story here, with wonderful and lovable characters. I also believe that my personal preference would have been to read the book, I think it would have made more of an impact for me.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
February 29, 2020
my first Garrett Leigh book... and not my last....
what a great slow burn..... my Kindle app almost caught on fire with the looks Shay and Ollie gave each other...
and I was caught up in the genealogy of Shay's background... it would be fun to learn about your family's past and the interesting family members that came before you...
what a great slow burn..... my Kindle app almost caught on fire with the looks Shay and Ollie gave each other...
and I was caught up in the genealogy of Shay's background... it would be fun to learn about your family's past and the interesting family members that came before you...
dnf
January 15, 2023Esto de querer leer cosas pendientes de mi lista de TBR no está resultando para nada. Un plomazo total.
January 21, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up
While I don't think this is Garrett Leigh's best work, I did mostly enjoy this story. My main complaint is that the relationship between the two MC's didn't wow or overwhelm me with feels, something that this author has been particularly good at in previous books, and I really missed feeling that emotional connection between them. I liked them well-enough individually, I just wasn't certain their relationship was all that strong.
Having said that, I did like the premise. I particularly enjoyed the 'searching your roots' storyline, mostly because I would love to participate in one of those shows that allows you some insight into your ancestors. I also liked that this wasn't a 'rock star romance' and instead, it had one MC headlining an Irish folk band on the cusp of national success.
I'm probably being slightly more generous with my rating then the book technically deserves, but I also think Garrett Leigh was shafted by DSP (as many authors have been) and feel a certain amount of goodwill towards hardworking authors is warranted. So there.
While I don't think this is Garrett Leigh's best work, I did mostly enjoy this story. My main complaint is that the relationship between the two MC's didn't wow or overwhelm me with feels, something that this author has been particularly good at in previous books, and I really missed feeling that emotional connection between them. I liked them well-enough individually, I just wasn't certain their relationship was all that strong.
Having said that, I did like the premise. I particularly enjoyed the 'searching your roots' storyline, mostly because I would love to participate in one of those shows that allows you some insight into your ancestors. I also liked that this wasn't a 'rock star romance' and instead, it had one MC headlining an Irish folk band on the cusp of national success.
I'm probably being slightly more generous with my rating then the book technically deserves, but I also think Garrett Leigh was shafted by DSP (as many authors have been) and feel a certain amount of goodwill towards hardworking authors is warranted. So there.
dnf
April 19, 2020Content Warnings
DNF at 59% because I can't take the self loathing anymore. It just feels like it's going to keep getting worse, and will become the central conflict, and self acceptance narratives around disability &/or disfigurement are very much not for me. It's a real shame because the characters were compelling, the geneology parts are really cool, the musical aspects of the story were wonderful, the MCs have great chemistry, but I never would have even picked this up had I known that this was at the center of the story.
DNF at 59% because I can't take the self loathing anymore. It just feels like it's going to keep getting worse, and will become the central conflict, and self acceptance narratives around disability &/or disfigurement are very much not for me. It's a real shame because the characters were compelling, the geneology parts are really cool, the musical aspects of the story were wonderful, the MCs have great chemistry, but I never would have even picked this up had I known that this was at the center of the story.
January 16, 2020
I loved this novel. This is the first M/M romance I've read in a long time that I was compelled to give my highest rating. Not only is this book well-written and absolutely absorbing! It's got a fantastic cover! The premise for this book is really original... certainly nothing that I've ever read before. Shay is on tour in Ireland with his band, Smuggler's Beat, when Ollie arrives to film a documentary about Shay's family history.
The basis for the documentary is that Shay is adopted and doesn't know anything about his birth family. When Ollie appears on the tour bus, it's clear that he knows a lot about Shay's past. The "schtick" for the filming will be that he reveals information to Shay as they travel on tour. As the two men work together, they get to know each other. They're very different in their approaches to life... they each have their burdens. Shay is a diabetic and a bit of a loner while he's on the road. Ollie... well, he has some secrets that keep him at arm's length from Shay... until he isn't.
I loved the way Leigh wrote the two main characters in this novel. Shay is creative, reserved in some ways even though he's a brightly burning light on stage. Ollie is tortured by something that happened in his past... I won't reveal that here because I want you to read about it. He's a creative filmmaker, definitely burying himself in his work. He's drawn to Shay when he's on stage, when he's sleeping or when he's simply sitting with him. It's clear from the very beginning of the novel that he doesn't want a relationship and he certainly doesn't want one with someone like Shay.
Shay has live his entire life with the restrictions of being a diabetic...taking solace in the few hours that he can forget about it. He loves music... lives for it really. He plays multiple instruments... and one of the first things that Ollie reveals is that the musical talent may come from his ancestors.
There are some dark issues/themes in this book. Ollie's trauma is a result of an accident in his past. It's changed his entire life in more ways than one. When he meets Shay, he's unable to even consider having a relationship because of the walls he's built around himself. The two men seem to bond with each other initially over Shay's illness. Being on the road is difficult for Shay in terms of managing his health. For some reason, he is immediately comforted by Ollie's presence.
The progression of Ollie and Shay's relationship was perfectly paced. It was believable and sweet... I loved the conversations they had; they were revealing and tender. It's a beautiful romance that kept me guessing until the end.
I loved this novel and will gladly read anything else I can find by this author!
The basis for the documentary is that Shay is adopted and doesn't know anything about his birth family. When Ollie appears on the tour bus, it's clear that he knows a lot about Shay's past. The "schtick" for the filming will be that he reveals information to Shay as they travel on tour. As the two men work together, they get to know each other. They're very different in their approaches to life... they each have their burdens. Shay is a diabetic and a bit of a loner while he's on the road. Ollie... well, he has some secrets that keep him at arm's length from Shay... until he isn't.
I loved the way Leigh wrote the two main characters in this novel. Shay is creative, reserved in some ways even though he's a brightly burning light on stage. Ollie is tortured by something that happened in his past... I won't reveal that here because I want you to read about it. He's a creative filmmaker, definitely burying himself in his work. He's drawn to Shay when he's on stage, when he's sleeping or when he's simply sitting with him. It's clear from the very beginning of the novel that he doesn't want a relationship and he certainly doesn't want one with someone like Shay.
Shay has live his entire life with the restrictions of being a diabetic...taking solace in the few hours that he can forget about it. He loves music... lives for it really. He plays multiple instruments... and one of the first things that Ollie reveals is that the musical talent may come from his ancestors.
There are some dark issues/themes in this book. Ollie's trauma is a result of an accident in his past. It's changed his entire life in more ways than one. When he meets Shay, he's unable to even consider having a relationship because of the walls he's built around himself. The two men seem to bond with each other initially over Shay's illness. Being on the road is difficult for Shay in terms of managing his health. For some reason, he is immediately comforted by Ollie's presence.
The progression of Ollie and Shay's relationship was perfectly paced. It was believable and sweet... I loved the conversations they had; they were revealing and tender. It's a beautiful romance that kept me guessing until the end.
I loved this novel and will gladly read anything else I can find by this author!
May 23, 2020
Shay has lead an interesting, sometimes exciting life. Especially now that he's touring with his folk band and seeing England, but it's easy to get lost when you're not even sure where you started. During the tour, Ollie is hired on to excavate Shay's past and shed some light on where he came from. No one thought that Ollie would have a past he's trying to figure out as well.
I really did love so many things about this book. As in any Garrett Leigh story, there is a certain moment from the start where you know the key players and the attraction is real and palpable. But then she can turn that into a very slow burn, which is what she's done here. But it doesn't diverge into boring pages of facts, it's actually surrounded by interesting history of longstanding feuds among family members and insight into Shay and where he came from. The story meandered at a nice pace.
My only real surprise with this book was that it was more lighthearted than per Leigh's usual angsty page turners. But, I fell for Ollie and Shay and I'm sure you will too. Dan Calley gives an amazing narration and absolutely does this story justice. Don't pass on this tale.
I really did love so many things about this book. As in any Garrett Leigh story, there is a certain moment from the start where you know the key players and the attraction is real and palpable. But then she can turn that into a very slow burn, which is what she's done here. But it doesn't diverge into boring pages of facts, it's actually surrounded by interesting history of longstanding feuds among family members and insight into Shay and where he came from. The story meandered at a nice pace.
My only real surprise with this book was that it was more lighthearted than per Leigh's usual angsty page turners. But, I fell for Ollie and Shay and I'm sure you will too. Dan Calley gives an amazing narration and absolutely does this story justice. Don't pass on this tale.
January 23, 2020
It pains me to rate this book as a 3 star because I usually love Garrett Leigh's books. She's an autobuy for me.
I was really looking forward to this book and while it was written in Garrett's distinctive style, it lacked something. I can't pinpoint exactly what, but it did, and unfortunately it didn't work for me as much as I hoped.
It's not a bad book, not at all, but it just didn't give me the Garrett Leigh high I'm used to after finishing one of her books.
I was really looking forward to this book and while it was written in Garrett's distinctive style, it lacked something. I can't pinpoint exactly what, but it did, and unfortunately it didn't work for me as much as I hoped.
It's not a bad book, not at all, but it just didn't give me the Garrett Leigh high I'm used to after finishing one of her books.
January 21, 2020
Full of emotion
What’s not to love about this book? This is a beautifully written slow burn romance with tons of emotion. I loved the flawed characters... Characters that touch you in some way or another. I really connected to the story, which is not your typical rock star romance and was so captivated by Shay and Olli's story, that I read in one sitting.
What’s not to love about this book? This is a beautifully written slow burn romance with tons of emotion. I loved the flawed characters... Characters that touch you in some way or another. I really connected to the story, which is not your typical rock star romance and was so captivated by Shay and Olli's story, that I read in one sitting.
January 22, 2020
I love this author’s work. This is a mm contemporary story set in the UK. Musician Shay and film maker Ollie are both broken souls. They find each other and the road to love is rough. Excellent writing and story telling. This author is an auto buy for me.
February 16, 2020
2/3
Not for me. I found the story sometimes slow and in some part a little boring...didn’t feel the connection between the MC.
Not for me. I found the story sometimes slow and in some part a little boring...didn’t feel the connection between the MC.
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