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Staying Grounded
If his seventeen years of experience has taught Craig Lawton only one thing, it's this:
Life is too damn precious to throw away...
It's like, you know those dreams?
Performing on a stage to a full audience?
When you're in the spotlight, and you look down—
And you realise you're completely naked?
Caught off-guard without a script.
No lines. No cues. No curtain-call.
That's me. All the time.
Ever since I was caught out and exposed.
Betrayed. Shamed. Ruined.
By someone I should never have trusted.
I made one reckless mistake, and it cost me everything.
My school. My friends. And my freedom.
Mum wouldn't look at me.
Dad took control of me.
I flipped the page and started fresh.
But still, that wasn't enough.
There's nothing I can do now that'd ever be enough.
It's at rock bottom that Sebastian Davis finds me.
I'm his worst nightmare.
He's my best hope.
The ground has not been steady beneath my feet for so long...
I've forgotten how it feels.
And no matter his resistance...
Sebastian seems fated to remind me.
Life is too damn precious to throw away...
It's like, you know those dreams?
Performing on a stage to a full audience?
When you're in the spotlight, and you look down—
And you realise you're completely naked?
Caught off-guard without a script.
No lines. No cues. No curtain-call.
That's me. All the time.
Ever since I was caught out and exposed.
Betrayed. Shamed. Ruined.
By someone I should never have trusted.
I made one reckless mistake, and it cost me everything.
My school. My friends. And my freedom.
Mum wouldn't look at me.
Dad took control of me.
I flipped the page and started fresh.
But still, that wasn't enough.
There's nothing I can do now that'd ever be enough.
It's at rock bottom that Sebastian Davis finds me.
I'm his worst nightmare.
He's my best hope.
The ground has not been steady beneath my feet for so long...
I've forgotten how it feels.
And no matter his resistance...
Sebastian seems fated to remind me.
ebook
First published August 5, 2024
3 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Edge
2 books56 followersJS Edge remains adamant that when she was a kid, she could fly.
Pfft to the nay-sayers.
Born and raised in northeast England, she now lives in the beautiful southwest, sharing her Devonshire home with four spirited children and a menagerie of furry friends. JS Edge is a queer author, writing queer fiction for young adults. A dedicated advocate for representation and understanding within the literary world, her work explores vital themes such as identity, acceptance, and growth. She is a terrible cook but an exceptional dreamer, and the Hometown Misfits series embodies her entire heart and soul.
Elephant Shoe and Staying Grounded are companion novels and they can be read as standalones.
Pfft to the nay-sayers.
Born and raised in northeast England, she now lives in the beautiful southwest, sharing her Devonshire home with four spirited children and a menagerie of furry friends. JS Edge is a queer author, writing queer fiction for young adults. A dedicated advocate for representation and understanding within the literary world, her work explores vital themes such as identity, acceptance, and growth. She is a terrible cook but an exceptional dreamer, and the Hometown Misfits series embodies her entire heart and soul.
Elephant Shoe and Staying Grounded are companion novels and they can be read as standalones.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 3, 2025
I've looked forward to another book from JS Edge ever since reading Elephant shoe and I d/l'd this as soon as it was released.
But then, I've kinda put off reading it because I was a little scared that it wouldn't measure up and might somehow taint my fondness for Elephant Shoe. I love those characters so much!
I finally picked it up after too long spent in a reading slump, and oh-ma-gawd!!! I should never have doubted this author. Staying grounded is another absolute wonder of a read.
It's a companion novel to Elephant shoe, with some overlap in the story, told from a side characters POV, and the way the two are woven together is masterful. I think it easily could be read as a standalone without causing any confusion for the reader, but it would definitely be better read as a follow on from the first.
Unlike Elephant shoe, staying grounded is dual POV. Half is told from Craig's POV. He's a small character I didn't really think much of in Elephant shoe, and it did take me a little while to get on board with being inside his head, if I'm honest. But JS Edge has a really impressive knack for creating maddeningly flawed characters that I can't help myself from falling for. The other POV is a completely new character - Craig's love interest -Sebastian. He gives an 'old soul' kinda vibe, and I almost felt like I'd known him for lifetimes.
Sebastian isn't the only new favourite introduced, and as thrilled as I was to catch up with my old favs, I dare say that the newbies stole the show. I loved Ashleigh most especially. Judy too. And best not forget Dobby the fearsome hound.
I bet I'll have years to wait now for a 3rd installment. Sob!
But then, I've kinda put off reading it because I was a little scared that it wouldn't measure up and might somehow taint my fondness for Elephant Shoe. I love those characters so much!
I finally picked it up after too long spent in a reading slump, and oh-ma-gawd!!! I should never have doubted this author. Staying grounded is another absolute wonder of a read.
It's a companion novel to Elephant shoe, with some overlap in the story, told from a side characters POV, and the way the two are woven together is masterful. I think it easily could be read as a standalone without causing any confusion for the reader, but it would definitely be better read as a follow on from the first.
Unlike Elephant shoe, staying grounded is dual POV. Half is told from Craig's POV. He's a small character I didn't really think much of in Elephant shoe, and it did take me a little while to get on board with being inside his head, if I'm honest. But JS Edge has a really impressive knack for creating maddeningly flawed characters that I can't help myself from falling for. The other POV is a completely new character - Craig's love interest -Sebastian. He gives an 'old soul' kinda vibe, and I almost felt like I'd known him for lifetimes.
Sebastian isn't the only new favourite introduced, and as thrilled as I was to catch up with my old favs, I dare say that the newbies stole the show. I loved Ashleigh most especially. Judy too. And best not forget Dobby the fearsome hound.
I bet I'll have years to wait now for a 3rd installment. Sob!
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August 3, 2024Meet my boys...
Theirs is a journey of sacrifice and healing; the discovery of self-worth; new beginnings, found family, and love.
Hometown Misfits #2
An Elephant Shoe companion novel
Read it.
Rate it.
Review it.
(Please and thank you).
That'd be flippin' splendid!
Happy Reading!
Theirs is a journey of sacrifice and healing; the discovery of self-worth; new beginnings, found family, and love.
Hometown Misfits #2
An Elephant Shoe companion novel
Read it.
Rate it.
Review it.
(Please and thank you).
That'd be flippin' splendid!
Happy Reading!
February 6, 2025
Staying Grounded is a companion novel to Elephant Shoe, which I read a few years back, but this is a stand alone story so you don't need to have read ES first. Like ES this a gay themed contemporary young adult story set in the UK setting it apart from the majority of this genre which are US based. I reviewed the ES positively and enjoyed Staying Grounded just as much. It is highly readable and engaging for readers of all ages not just young adult. It tackles difficult themes but is not explicit. I have no hesitation in recommending this book.
July 21, 2025
Wow, this author is really skilled at writing teens that are messy and flawed and very relatable. Enjoyed this just as much as Elephant Shoe.
August 13, 2024
Wow, just wow.
Nothing could have prepared me for the whirlwind of emotions these characters have brought. Ashley is one of a kind. And Alex. The was the best/worst heartbreaking/comfortning piece of writing I've read in a long time. Also, I don't know if I'm ever reading the first book, I don't like Tate at all.
Nothing could have prepared me for the whirlwind of emotions these characters have brought. Ashley is one of a kind. And Alex. The was the best/worst heartbreaking/comfortning piece of writing I've read in a long time. Also, I don't know if I'm ever reading the first book, I don't like Tate at all.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews