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Edge

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PRIVATE MATTERS Since he was young, Jory Longstone has been keeping a diary to catalogue his exploits, which helps inspire his music. He finds solace in managing his complicated life through the written word, which he never intended for anyone else to read. Until one man did, and he now controls Jory's life. While his band's star is rising, Jory remains trapped and ashamed - closed off from emotional attachments for fear of discovery. And then he meets Damian Foyle, manager of his family-owned cinema, a place where Jory loves to hide and relax. The antithesis of a rockstar, Damian loves his martial arts classes, tinkering with motor parts, and the simple life. Damian's first meeting with Jory is just shy of a disaster, and yeah, the second one isn't all that great either. Jory is annoying, sexy as hell, temperamental, and one helluva rock god in tight trousers. It's all Damian can do not to burn up in the heat of the man's fiery personality. But getting close to his heart is another thing altogether, and Damian won't settle for anything less.

183 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2022

2 people are currently reading
42 people want to read

About the author

Susan Mac Nicol

55 books541 followers
Bringing lovers together, one book at a time

The official stuff

Susan writes steamy, sexy and fun contemporary romance stories, some suspenseful, some gritty and dark and hopefully always entertaining. She’s also Editor in Chief at Divine Magazine, an online LGBTQ e-zine, and a member of The Society of Authors, the Writers Guild of Great Britain, and the Authors Guild in the US.

Susan is also an award-winning script writer, with scripts based on two of her own published works. Sight Unseen has garnered no less than five awards to date and her TV pilot, Reel Life, based on her debut novel, Cassandra by Starlight, was also a winner at the Oaxaca Film Fest.

The ‘unofficial’ stuff…

She loves going to the theatre, live music concerts (especially if it’s her man crush Adam Lambert or the divine Cumberbatch) walks in the countryside, a good G and T, lazing away afternoons reading a good book, and watching re-runs of Silent Witness and Wire in the Blood.

Her chequered past includes stories like being mistaken for a prostitute in the city of Johannesburg, being chased by a rhino on a dusty Kenyan road, getting kicked out of a youth club for being a ‘bad influence’ (she encourages free thinking) and having an aunt who was engaged to Cliff Richard
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5 stars
11 (29%)
4 stars
14 (37%)
3 stars
8 (21%)
2 stars
3 (8%)
1 star
1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
24 reviews
February 13, 2022
This bok got me from the start. I loved it. Jory(Edge) is a bit of a moody git. But he has his reasons. And the reasons come out slowly throughout the book.
Damian is a nerdy geek. But not. Two very different people that you would not expect to meet let alone work. But by god they work.
This book This story these characters have actually now taken up resident in my heart but also more importantly my book characters hall of fame. I absolutely 💯 loved this book and would recommend it for all.
Profile Image for Bob Jackson.
368 reviews
February 26, 2022
Susan Mac Nicol is a mega-award winning author who writes a darn good book. So I really was not surprised with how much I enjoyed reading this story of a serendipitous romance. The story is one of sadness and betrayal , but also of joy and hope when love is unexpectedly found. There is enough backstory for the plot to develop but not so much as to take away from the in-the-moment nature of the relationship between the two protagonists. There is a warm-and-fuzzy ending but I must say I would love to read a second volume about Damian and Jory as their lives progress together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for DLB2572.
3,259 reviews26 followers
October 30, 2022
This one was kind of just ok for me. I found that I just kept losing interest.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
895 reviews6 followers
March 9, 2022
A Rock Star Romance

Edge a bad boy who after all his and his band mates hard work have been recognised and they are are now in demand and supporting bigger bands.

Damian a sweet unassuming guy who comes over as a bit of a nerd, he works at the old film theatre and museum with his uncle, loves to tinker with old motorcycles and does jujitsu and knows nothing about rock music.

On paper these two should have nothing in common. Damian is sunshine and Jory well he’s a grump but Jory wasn’t always difficult. We find out that after his little brother died he had an awful life. His parents couldn’t handle their grief and the guardian they put in control of Jory, an old military friend of his fathers, Roger, made Joey’s life a misery. His mother had bought him a journal when he was younger and he had gotten into the habit of writing in it regularly, it was an outlet for his grief but Jory wasn’t careful about what or who he wrote about. As a way of getting back at Roger he would go out and have sex, a lot and as his fame began to take off he had sex with famous people.

When he went away to art college he thought he had left Roger behind until Roger steals his journals and starts blackmailing him. As the pressure on him mounts he becomes more grumpy but a chance meeting with Damian and he finds himself mellowing.

These two have wonderful chemistry and are so good together and all the side characters are interesting especially the bands outspoken manager Sooty Marcus. What a tough character, she takes no prisoners and she hates Roger but she loves the band and is like a mother hen.
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
4,199 reviews119 followers
March 20, 2024
EDGE is a standalone story featuring Jory (Edge) and Damian, in a case of opposites attracting. Jory is part of Stone Edge, a rock band that is up-and-coming. Damian helps his uncle run a cinema, is into restoring his motorbike and martial arts, and doesn't know much about rock music at all!

Jory is in a difficult situation due to his guardian stealing his diaries. He makes life as difficult as possible for Roger, while still doing as he's told, to try to help the others in his diaries who had no idea he'd written about them. The rest of his band and his manager don't like Roger, but have no idea about the whole story.

This was an easygoing story with some angst, but it doesn't take over the whole narrative. Personally, I would have liked to have seen a little more of Damian and Jory as they got to know each other, as it seemed to jump forward a little.

The ending was good but I do feel as though Roger got let off lightly. We don't see much of him during the story so it didn't have much impact. I'm glad things worked out for Jory, but I also wish I'd seen the reactions of his manager and band, as he had promised to tell them.

Anyway, on the whole, this was a great story with interesting characters that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 20, 2024
Profile Image for Qin.
537 reviews45 followers
February 16, 2022
DNFd after fife chapters.

God, the writing and the proofing sucked big time: the first is best described as sophomoric, and the second shines by its sheer absence (mistaken or missing words, inept phrasing, incorrect grammar, name a sin and you can be sure Mrs MacNicol has a copious sample thereof). Here is a little batch, culled from the first few pages:

"But to have to go with his guardian, Roger, an ex-soldier friend of his father, and a man who ran their household like a barracks on steroids, who wasn’t fond of mouthy teenagers, made the prospect unpalatable"

"He could almost (...) hear the bass guitar thrumming in his hands and the clash of the symbols (sic) and beating drum"

"And what helps me to cope"

"Soon he’d be able leave Roger behind for good"

"Jory wiped his hand his jeans"

"Roger would have a canary (sic), believing his meal ticket had to be protected at all costs in public"

"The bodyguard ran a critical over Jory’s attire"

"Jory climbed into the back so he could stretch out, and then laid his against the door with a sigh of relief"

"Either it was blood, or tomato sauce. Jory wouldn’t have been surprised if it were the former given Roger’s former profession as a soldier"

"He opened the door to the bathroom and went inside, shutting the door loudly behind him. His last glance was of Roger’s angry face"

Someone who has already penned several books should be better at their craft than that.
3,384 reviews28 followers
November 10, 2022
Firstly let me say I got this book of gay romance reviews and this is me leaving my honest review.
I’ve got to say I’ve got drawn into this book from the first chapter. There was something just so vulnerable about Jory. He’s such a complex person who is trying to protect everyone but himself he doesn’t care that he’s been blackmailed no that’s wrong he does care but he cares for the innocent people that he’s wrote about in his diary. He’s not ashamed of anything he’s done but his guardian is just looking out for trouble and a way of securing Jory in his life with his his money behind him. What a sad loss that he felt with his brother and then a year later of his mum and dad but then to be left in the hands of his guardian is just too much to bear. But him finding Damian is his shining star. How they met was comical I really did have a few laugh out loud moments with these two but although he has happiness he is forever locked in this black hole of anger and rage over what his guardian is doing can he ever get from him??. This is one book that really had me going through every emotion and I just couldn’t put this book down read it through the night and didn’t even care that I lost sleep I thoroughly enjoyed this book The connection that these two have is just on different level they are so passionate and so considerate of one another it is really touching they have a beautiful relationship.
Looking forward to more new books from this author.
Profile Image for Joyffree.
3,411 reviews62 followers
November 6, 2022
I devoured this in one sitting
I almost passed on it because of the blurb
Really glad I didn't
There was just something about the characters, from the moment I met them, that drew me in and before I knew it
I was turning the final page not wanting to leave

I totally got why Jory had the encounters he did -
Why he was so unsure of what to do next
All the secrets and past hurts are eventually revealed and everything clicks

Damian is a mix of geek and badassery -
Made me want to squeeze his cheeks every time he smiled
He was Jory's opposite - the literal yin to his yang

The secondary characters brought so much to the story, they weren't just fluff -
Quite a colorful cast

A certain someone almost had me almost forgiving him -
But nope

This was a fast read with some smoking hot smexy scenes
An easy-to-follow storyline
Great interpersonal connections
Things move pretty quickly at times but it works here
Sure there are some scenes I would have enjoyed more detail and closure
But that's probably a greedy me thing ;)
Profile Image for Anij.
1,328 reviews12 followers
January 27, 2024
"He knew all great music had to end."

How have I never read any books by this author before? I promise, after this I'm going to make up for lost time. This book is wonderful, so gritty and real. It shows the dark side of being a Rockstar, baring it all, and still manages to be a true love story. It's also refreshing to find an English author who actually writes using authentic, British language.

Jory is incredible. So interesting and captivating. I instantly was pulled into his world and the darkness that surrounds him. He hides so much of his real self to the world, having been hurt and betrayed in the past.

Damian is amazing. So completely different in every way from Jory, yet exactly what he needs. I loved watching them fall in love and kept hoping they would make it together.

There's a lot of plot in this book. Mystery and intrigue I'm not going to spoil. Just be warned, if you have any triggers, this book is very raw, explicit and honest and might not be the right choice you. For anyone who's ok with it, then this is a fantastic story that I absolutely recommend.
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,088 reviews66 followers
February 14, 2022
4.5 stars for a perfectly titled book.
A great start as Jory looks forward to moving away and starting his life and career. Despite having a bad younger years he doesn't take his eyes away from his dream was.
Present time he was the lead singer of Stone Edge he tries to go incognito away from the band.
Epilogue included from when Jory is 17 and his time with Roger to go the Uni.
Poor Jory he hated living with Roger but he was stuck there for the time being, yah there's more to the story there.
I loved how Jory and Damian first meet and yah Jory was in a mood not for company. Damian 25 years and his uncle operated the cinema.
This is a book with emotions for Jory and what he goes through. Some heavy baggage included in his story.
Written with both pov's and a HEA ending but not without some danger dramas.
Triggers included in this one - death, suicide and blackmail.
Profile Image for Traci S.
2,046 reviews12 followers
November 5, 2022
A new author for me. The prologue with a teenage Jory and his sketchy guardian Roger was a great way to start. It set an uneasy tone, foreshadowing trouble to come for Jory and his diaries. Then the author jumps you several years ahead, it still has that tension because Jory is now an adult but seems troubled and Roger is still in the picture, which can’t be good. The mystery of Roger and the diaries was engaging and well plotted, this was the part of the book that worked best for me. I was not quite as invested in the relationship between Jory and Damian. Jory, as a character was challenging for me, he is a bit unlikable and kind of a mess. So, at times I wasn’t sure he really should be with Damian. The epilogue did do a nice job wrapping up the story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Bkwrm24.
1,891 reviews14 followers
November 9, 2022
Jory and Damian ❤️

3 Stars ⭐️

I really wanted to love this one, unfortunately I did not. I will say that I really liked the secondary characters however, I always find it hard to enjoy a book when I am not really a fan of one of the MC's throughout (Jory) and that's exactly what happened here. I have to mention that the ending of this book brought it all together for me, in a way that made sense. I think I will give it some time and re-read this one and hopefully my view will change, I also wouldn't be opposed to reading another book in this series, this was my first read from this author and I'd love to give them another shot.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
63 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2022
I usually love stories where the protagonist can sometimes appear as antagonist in the way they treat other characters in the story. Personally, I think this is one of those stories.

I have read Ms. Susan Mac Nicol before and I love her books.

Jory has his reasons for being who he is, and I think it is his right to be so. Damian is the opposite of Jory. But somehow they click, well as soon as the first few meetings are through.

A complicated life is what Jory has. Damian's life is simple. Getting to know each other somehow makes their lives intertwined in the most unexpected of ways.

A great read for those who loves rock stars and simple young men who have everything, and yet not.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
February 28, 2022
Jory and Damian . . .

Jory Longstone has always kept a diary which helps him keep his complicated and personal life manageable. It also inspires his music. But he wrote down all his indiscretions with others. And his private, personal, never meant to be seen by anyone else, diary is found and used by his Dad’s old army buddy Roger to blackmail and control Jory.

When Jory meets Damian Foyle, manager of a family-owned cinema where Jory loves to sit in the dark and relax, they have a rough start. But eventually, they grew to care about each other. But with Roger still making sure to insert himself in Jory’s life, could anything ever come of it? Would Jory ever get free of Roger?
Profile Image for Ida Umphers.
5,545 reviews48 followers
February 25, 2022
I expected to really enjoy watching very self-protective Jory and down to earth Damian develop a relationship. Stories where one of the characters is a player and the other isn't are one of my favorite tropes. What I didn't expect here, was the great mystery that went along with that story and basically explained Jory's fear of opening himself up to any one person deeply and for the long haul until he comes to love and trust Damian. The missing notebooks/blackmail plot grabbed me early and held my interest throughout the entire book.
2,203 reviews5 followers
March 28, 2022
Jory lives a complicated life. His one relaxing escape is a movie theater. Damian is the manager of the movie theater where Jory frequents. When the two meet, it's anything but love at first sight. Borderline tumultuous, is the apt name for their beginnings.
Little by little, the walls come down. Well on the path to happiness - if only Jory can shake the controlling tentacles of Roger.


**I received this ARC for my honest feedback.**
Profile Image for Liza.
1,516 reviews19 followers
November 1, 2022
I was completely hooked on the story from the first page. Jory/Edge is a sweet, yet tragic figure, the rockstar who is being blackmailed and essentially held captive by his former guardian. Damian is beyond perfect for him, the owner of a theatre who just wants to be with him and love him. The entire story was so sad, yet still so hopeful. I loved how Jory and Damian were together, even while having to deal with Roger.
Profile Image for Michele James.
Author 7 books111 followers
November 14, 2022
Jory, a sexy, up and coming rock star, has a tumultuous past he's being blackmailed for. Damien helps run his uncles movie theater, and though he may look sweet and nerdy, he's into motor bikes and jujitsu. When they meet, neither one is looking for more than a one night stand. But Jory helps Damien come out of his nerdy shell and Damien helps Jory deal with his past and reconnect to he really is.
Edge is a sexy, steamy opposites attract M/M romance and a fun read.
1,738 reviews10 followers
June 16, 2022
I like a UK based book especially if its written by a Brit or at least checked for accuracy, I only noted one US term but at points it felt too cliche. The contrasting personalities of the MCs balance each other well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
16.7k reviews157 followers
November 10, 2022
His diary has just landed in the hands of a man who is going to use it to control his life. He uses those words when he writes his songs for his band. He will meet another man who may put another curveball into his life. How is all going to go? Will he get his diary back? Can he beat that man and end their control over him? See if he can
917 reviews5 followers
November 19, 2022
This is the story of Jory and Damian. I adore this book. It is written wonderfully with amazing characters, both main and secondary. The drama and mystery will keep you reading long after the lights are supposed to be off. Great story. Definitely recommended.

I received this book as an Arc and I am happily reviewing it voluntarily.
Profile Image for Sarah Mitcham.
1,296 reviews8 followers
November 27, 2022
MM, Rockstar, Contemporary, Romance. Easy to read page-turner that is a stand-alone read with great characters. One of the MC's has had a traumatic past, there is quite a lot of angst and it's a definite tear jerker at times but there is also a great romance with lots of heat and some wit and humour. A great read with a guaranteed HEA.
1,230 reviews4 followers
February 25, 2022
Edge was a cool read. On the surface Jory and Damian seemed far different from each other, but there is so much more to Jory that is hidden inside. I was proud of Damian's determination to reach the man underneath.
Profile Image for Ren.
694 reviews6 followers
March 12, 2022
DNF’d at 26% then skimmed quickly to the end.

Absolutely gutted that this didn’t hold my attention. Right from the first few pages I was struggling with it. I usually love this author but this felt more like a first draft than a polished novel, riddled with typos and missing words. I’m so sad.
851 reviews7 followers
November 4, 2022
I found this book to be very enjoyable. The characters were believable and all the backstory information was given without being rushed. I do think there needs to be a warning before Roger's depraved act but other than that great book
1,060 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2022
I think a re-write of the blub is needed. What I expected and what I got were nowhere close. While I enjoyed the book, I did have to put it down a few times. I found it dull. I normally love this author, but this one just did not click with me.
Profile Image for Kayelle Allen.
Author 41 books279 followers
April 16, 2025
Jory's compelling allure and rockstar bravado challenge Damian's composure, but penetrating the man's emotional armor will require more than mere charm. Edge is a passionate tale of love, resilience, and the search for authentic connection amidst the pressures of a sensational life.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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