Edge of Living

By: H.L. Day

Narrated by: Chris Humphreys

Sometimes, death can feel like the only escape.

It's been a year since Alex stopped living. He exists. He breathes. He pretends to be like everyone else. But, he doesn't live. Burdened by memories, he dreams of the day when he can finally be free. Until that time comes, he keeps everybody at bay. It's been easy so far. But he never factored in meeting a man like Austin.

Hard-working mechanic Austin has always gone for men as muscular as himself. So, it's a mystery why he's so bewitched by the slim, quiet man with the soulful brown eyes who works in the library. The magnetic attraction is one thing, but the protective instincts are harder to fathom. Austin's sure though, that if he can only earn Alex's trust, then the two of them could be perfect together.

A tentative relationship begins. But Alex's secrets run deep. Far deeper than Austin could ever envisage. Time is ticking. Events are coming to a head, and love is never a magic cure. Oblivious to the extent of Alex's pain, can Austin discover the truth? Or is he destined to be left alone, only able to piece together the fragments of his boyfriend's history, once its already too late?

Trigger warning: Please be aware that this story deals with suicidal ideation and other dark themes. If this is a subject you find uncomfortable with, then this book is not recommended. Despite this, there is a guaranteed HEA.

©2018 H.L. Day (P)2020 H.L. Day

I loved it

This story is beautiful. I’m finding it hard to come up with all the right words to describe everything I like. I loved the characters, and the way they just belong together. I love how well written the story is and I think the narrator did a good job with the voices. There were a few tiny details that I found a bit unbelievable. I won’t list them because of spoilers but I wanted to say this is the only thing kept me from giving it five stars. This is a wonderful story and I highly recommend it.

Wonderful

I enjoyed this story. It was emotional and exciting. The storyline was great full of adventure. The characters are perfect together. With Alex's pain can Austin make everything all right! In the end they get there Great ending. I listened to this story on audible and th narration was great.

Tough read!

Minor spoiler at the end of this review!

well, that was tough. Please be aware of the trigger warnings before you pick up this book. While it is in some sense a heart warming hurt / comfort story, Alex's horrors and past takes up most of the book and it lends a horrible sadness to the entire text.

The narration is very well done and the writing is engaging. I was engaged all the way through the book and felt for Alex. Unfortunately the romance part of the book is slightly less well done, as it seems a tad unbelievable that Austin would fall in love with Alex. He is, in many ways, a completely empty shell. But if you accept that, it works.

It is not an easy story, nor is there any fluff. There are few moments of happiness at all, and almost all of those are in the past, up until the very end. In fact, I was worried at one point that we would not actually get a happy ending. For those that need that - like me - I'll leave the small spoiler that it does end well in the end - or at least on a very hopeful note.

Difficult but worth it

Alexander's story broke my heart. He went through a horrible event, we know from the beginning. We just don't know the details until they are slowly doled out in flashbacks. Meanwhile, we know from the very beginning of the book that he has a plan to end his life. Alex walks around in a fog, a mere shadow of the man he once was. Then he meets Austin.

Austin is a great character. He's caring, hard working, and incredibly patient and gentle with Alex. He is also a bit blinded by love, but I like that about him. It's lovely to see the cracks Austin is able to make in Alex's frozen heart.

The narrator's performance was perfection. I don't think any of the many narrators I adore could have done any better. I hope he continues along this path, as I'd love to hear more from him.

The combination of a wonderful story and a fabulous narrator make it easy to rate this story highly, and I have no qualms about recommending this audiobook to others. Be aware though, it does include violence and suicidal thoughts.

4.5 stars- Fantastic performance, memorable story

Edge of Living was the first book I’d read by this author and I haven’t missed a release by her in the year and a half since. I was excited to hear this title would become an audiobook and even more excited when I heard it would feature a new-to-me narrator. The narrator did an amazing job bringing this emotional, angst filled romance to life, reminding me of all the reasons Edge of Living made me fall in love with this author’s style and why it continues to be at the top of my list of recommended reads. His accent and fluid delivery fit the book perfectly, with an even tone that held all the emotion of the scenes without it feeling overdramatized.

There’s always an inherent risk with new narrators, especially when they are performing a favorite book, but I was impressed with this audiobook and very happy to revisit characters who had so much heart and a story that was incredibly memorable. If you like hurt/comfort romances that give you heart pangs as much as it warms your heart, I’d highly recommend Edge of Living.

*Received ACX promo code from author. The author and narrator had no influence over this review*

Edge of Living...

This book made me think about the inside of a person and the mind. There were a couple of surprises that I was not prepared for, but that's why they call them surprises. I was gifted this book and took it on gratefully, having read this author before. I enjoyed it as much as it tugged at my sensitivities and again. reminded me of how trauma can affect people. So this was a brains and emotions read.

Heartbreaking and beautiful

Thus was a heavy book to read. The writing was done very well. Alex just broke my heart, but and so grateful he had Austin. And Austin, what a sweetheart. I really enjoyed listening to the narrator. He had good voices and he was easy to follow.

Edge of Living

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I bought this book. I knew it was MM, but that was honestly it. I fell in love with the cover and the title.

It was slow going, but I was intrigued by Alex. I just had this feeling something happened. Not to say there has to be something to happen for people to feel as he did. I just got the impression it was something big.

I was blow away as the story unfolds my heart felt so sad. Austin is the shining light, the way he accepts Alex for who he is. I would have had wayyy too many questions and never could have kept my mouth shut.

I was emotional by the time the ending happens. I just fell in love with these characters.

The narration was great; I do wish sometimes we could have had a little bit of separation between the characters. Sometimes I got confused it if was Alex or if it was Austin but other than that, I loved the narrators voice.

Phenomenal

Holy cow, can H.L. Day write a story like none other! She knows how to draw the emotions out of the reader and just immerse you totally. I loved this book so much! The narrator was new to me but did an excellent job!

Love Love Love .. A Must Read

Triggers for sure. Awesome read. Disturbing though. A new narrator for me. A new Author for me as well.