If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would do so enthusiastically. The tears are still streaming down my face. What an emotional read filled with wonderful characters. This is a story that demonstrates how God can take normal everyday people with flaws and insecurities and weave their lives together to fulfill His purpose. This book will touch you as you experience love, loss, insecurity, domestic violence, suicide, faith, family, and God’s redeeming love. I cannot encourage you enough to start reading this book immediately. Just make sure you have a box or two of tissues on hand. You’ll need them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fleming H. Revell Company for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I can’t believe I overlooked this author. The Edge of Belonging captured my attention from the first page and I couldn’t put it down. The characters were loveable and each one had issues with where they had to let go of the past to move on to a brighter future.
Harvey was a homeless man with a huge heart and a sad childhood to overcome. His self-worth was nonexistent. Harvey had to learn to trust and overcome feeling like he just didn’t deserve anything good in his life. Ivy had spent a year with a boyfriend who manipulated her and convinced her that she was worthless without him. Then there was the pastor’s wife who had to accept the fact that her life would not include children. And that is only three of the main characters. This was truly a book of broken people finding a fresh start thru the power of love. The Edge of Belonging would make a great discussion book for a book club. It was so well written that I look forward to reading any future books by Amanda Cox.
I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley with no obligations.

Posted on Goodreads and Amazon

An excellent debut novel by Amanda Cox. Beautifully written. Well rounded, believable characters. Tender. Emotional. Heartwarming. Multi-layered. Highly recommended. Five stars.

What a wonderful story that shows one does not have to be born into a family to belong. I was captivated from the very first when Harvey found the infant and decided he was going to do all he could to help her and make sure she didn’t have to go into a foster-care system that had let him down so horribly years ago.

Some things might be a little too coincidental, like how he gets the job at the church that is the first step toward saving Ivy, but I let my disbelief go as the story progressed and I could see the magic happening between all the characters.

I’m not one to wear my Christianity on my sleeve, but I also recognize when the power of the Spirit is working, and that power sure was working in the lives of the people in this book. The author did a terrific job of incorporating the religious aspects of the story without hitting people over the head with her beliefs. That made the reading even more pleasurable.

It’s hard to decide which character, or characters, I liked best. They were all so well-defined and relatable. I loved Harvey for all he was willing to do to save this child. I loved the Pastor for taking a chance on hiring Harvey. I loved Reese for his steadfast love. But I think I loved Grandma Pearl the most. Maybe it’s a grandma-to-grandma thing, but I also think it is an appreciation for the way she pulled her past into the present with Harvey and took him into her heart.

The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox is a marvelous work of Christian fiction written in a time slip format. This novel is beautifully written with deep emotion and wonderful characters. My favorite part of reading this book is the author’s voice. Ms Cox writes with such a distinct, engaging voice that makes the story flow in what feels like an effortless way. It is nothing short of brilliant. You will be hooked from the very first page. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is a heart-warming story. The story begins with a homeless man, Harvey, finding an infant, Ivy, and the love that develops. The plot goes between Ivy as an adult and Harvey with the infant. Ivy, an adult, knows she was adopted but does not know the circumstances around it. Harvey had a difficult childhood as well. Harvey and Ivy were both abandoned with no one to miss them. Harvey had 14 foster homes so I found myself rooting for him.

A special bond develops between the characters in this book. Relationships between Ivy, her adoptive parents, her “grandmother,” her “uncle,” long-time friend, Reese, and Seth, fiancé/ex-fiancé, are very well developed. Harvey and Ivy’s relationship was especially endearing: “…six foot two man with work-roughened hands, lying on the floor with a plush pink rattle between his fingers. He and Ivy were a pair of antonyms. Shadowed and bright. Big and small. Anxious and peaceful. Rough and soft.” It shows how two people, an adult and child, can greatly help each other in many ways.

There’s a spiritual aspect to the book that was wonderful and had lines that I found myself frequently smiling such as, “I’m allowing space for God to work.”

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, wholesome story. They don’t get much better than this one! Read it – you won’t regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There are not enough stars in the universe to rate Amanda Cox’s debut The Edge of Belonging.

Amanda Cox created six equally extraordinary strong characters, who each in their own way were broken, for her readers to fall in love with, which I did over and over again. In 1994 we are introduced to Pearl (Grandma), who tries to be the healer of this family of misfits, Harvey James (a 30 year old homeless orphan), who just wants to be loved, Ivy Rose (an abandoned newborn), the glue who is loved by all, Pastor Thomas Lashley (the new minister at Triune First) and his wife Miriam. In Present day (24 years later) Amanda Cox continues the ties that bind the original 5 characters plus adds a new character Reese Dylan Wright (Ivy’s childhood friend). These six individuals come together forming a family for a little girl named Ivy Rose. Amanda Cox’s prose is so engrossing capturing this reader’s attention from the first word to the last. She guides us through the lives of her characters as they deal with physical and emotional abuse, foster care, homelessness, suicide, and PTSD with dignity, compassion, and forgiveness.

Usually at this point in my review I let my fellow readers know which timeline I preferred and who my favorite character is, and why. However for the first time I find this impossible. Throughout the entire book I was equally drawn to both timelines and each individual character’s story, so much so that I still cannot stop thinking about them. Emotionally this is the best roller coaster ride I have been on in a very, very long time. Being a Christian fiction reader, I have read many, many time split books, and this is the best debut I have ever read by far. I highly recommend The Edge of Belonging to everyone who wants to read an awe-inspiring heartfelt story of a group of strangers who come together to become a family built on faith and love.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

Great story with multiple storylines about finding our place in God’s kingdom. We first encounter Harvey, a homeless man with a lack of belonging. We also meet Ivy, a 20-something who is in an abusive relationship with Seth. There’s Miriam and Thomas who are a young pastor and his wife. Plus, we meet Pearl.


We follow this family through Harvey’s discovery of Ivy in 1994-1995 to Ivy in the present day, upon the death of her beloved gramma. Ivy returns home to settle her gramma’s estate and try to take a breath from her life course.
Between all the characters, the reader glances into the foster care system, PTSD, miscarriage, mental illness and loneliness. This sounds heavy, but the story is fantastic.

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
An amazing book with so much heart. I really enjoyed this colorful cast of characters and there was so much love in this story. There was plenty of twist and turns as well as great prose.
A fabulous story.

This book surprised me in the best way! I dont think I have ever read a book with this premise/story before and that was very welcome and fun! It did go back and forth between several perspectives but it was easy to follow after you caught the rhythm of it. This book was just beautiful. I cried several times while reading it.

The Edge Of Belonging by Amanda Cox is the most serenely beautiful Christian contemporary debut novel about love and family.
The novel consumed my every waking moment. Amanda Cox drew realistically flawed characters who took up residence in my soul. “It’s okay to stumble… God isn’t looking for pretty, He’s looking for real.”
We all have a past and baggage that weighs us down. We were never meant to journey through life alone. “God puts people in our lives to have and to hold.” There will always be those whom we meet and find we have an instant soul connection. There are the people God places to intersect our lives at just the right time.
The novel shows the effects that early life and traumatic events have on the whole of our lives. Trauma will send us back to a moment in time, no matter how many years have passed.
We are never too old not to need a mother. As mothers our children will always find a safe place in our arms no matter how old we get. The novel explores the emptiness felt in several female arms and the desperate need and longing to fill those empty arms.
Children are a gift from God. “You were fearfully and wonderfully made. And God does not make junk.” No matter what the circumstances of our conception, God planned each and every one of us.
There are some wonderful characters who leak love, care and kindness from every pore. They see the hurt in others and are kindness personified. However in contrast they often view the face in the mirror as undeserving and not worthy. Their eyes need to be opened so they can see themselves as God sees does.
Depression is a terrible illness. It is hard to watch others suffer. Love, kindness, time and health professionals are needed.
There are the themes of infertility, fostering and adoption. These are viewed from various angles and ages throughout the years. All bring people challenges, to hard places and to great rewards.
I absolutely adored The Edge Of Belonging. Amanda Cox is a fabulous new author with a masterful pen – remember her name, I predict she will become a big new voice in Christian fiction.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

It is hard to believe that this is a debut book. I was blown away by the emotions that seeped through the pages and the characters that I began to feel like I knew. Hands down my favorite character has to be Harvey. This sweet homeless man embraces a baby that someone tossed away and protected it as his own. I wondered why the baby was left and why a mother would abandon her baby? His story tugged in my heart so much I wanted to give him a hug. Maybe he thinks there is no hope or reason for his life, but God in His perfect time will reveal the call He has on his life.

I love dual time stories and this one was one I will never forget. The author handles the time slips with ease and allows readers to grasp the intensity the story will take. It was easy to cheer for Harvey because he loved the child with everything he had. His protectiveness was priceless and I loved how people reached out to help him.

When we go to the present we are introduced to Ivy. My very first thought as I got to know her was that she needed to run as fast as she could away from her boyfriend. He is emotionally and physically abusive, rude, arrogant and unpleasant.

The author delivers a story filled with abandonment, PTSD, secrets, pain and the knowledge that we all belong to God. As Ivy uncovers her past, she realizes that her life does matter and soon she comes to accept that God was watching over her. There are other characters in the story that bring wisdom, hope, longing for family and forgiveness. This is a must read for everyone who loves a great story that not only illustrates kindness, hope and family, but twists that will surprise you.

I received a copy of this book from The Librarything Early Reader Program.

The Edge of Belonging is a fabulous debut for author Amanda Cox. I adored this story. My favorite type of books are time slips and this one does not disappoint. I enjoyed Ivy and Harvey so very much. The is such a beautiful tale of love, faith, and inspiration with the lessons of letting go, forgiveness and redemption.

I am giving The Edge of Belonging a very well deserved five plus stars. I am looking forward to the next release by Amanda Cox next fall.

I received The Edge of Belonging from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

The Edge of Belonging is one of the best debut novels I’ve read in years. It’s a dual timeline story where the past and present are only twenty-four years apart and feature the same characters.

In the present day, Ivy Rose Lashley is a school counsellor who loves her job and the children she works with, and is engaged to the handsome Seth. But that all unravels after her grandmother’s death, and she returns to her hometown where she finds her grandmother has left her a puzzle to solve—the mystery of her birth and subsequent adoption.

In 1994, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn, so takes her back to the camp he calls home.
But he doesn’t have baby milk or diapers or anything needed to care for a newborn, and he doesn’t have money to buy any. He finds supplies in an unlocked church, and proceeds to name the baby Ivy Rose, and to care for her as his own.

I know this is supposed to be Ivy’s story, but I thought Harvey was the more interesting and sympathetic character, because his problems were not problems of his own making. Having said hat, nor were Ivy’s. At first, I thought Ivy’s problems with Seth were the result of her own bad judgement, but as the novel progressed it became obvious that their relationship was the result of her own emotional needs weaknesses, many of which stemmed from being adopted.

But Harvey was the character who tugged at my heartstrings. He’s had a rough deal in life but hasn’t let it turn him bitter. In fact, he doesn’t seem to realise how bad it’s been. Instead, all he wants to do is love and protect baby Ivy, and you can’t hold that against him. At the same time, the present story gave an idea of the direction the past story would take, and that tugged the heartstrings even more.

There were lots of twists in the story, most of which only became obvious towards the end so I won’t give spoilers. Let’s just say that I started by saying this is one of the best debut novels I’ve read in years, and I stand by that opinion.

Edge of Belonging has a great dual-timeline plot, wonderful characters, a strong underlying Christian message, and writing that is good enough to make the strongest person weep. Recommended.
Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Amanda Cox debuts her writing career with a story of hope, forgiveness, family and love.

I read this book before I understood that this was Ms. Cox’s debut in writing and I must say that I never would have thought it. The story was excellently written and the characters are those kind that stick with you long after you finish the last page. The story is told with alternating time periods but the same characters. I loved the “mystery” feel that the story had about Harvey, Ivy, Pearl and the Lashleys and the slow but perfect reveal of Ivy’s history. And adding in the elements of tension with her ex-boyfriend was a good way to help Ivy grow and learn about herself and her strength. I loved the character of Reese, Ivy’s longtime friend. He was such a good compliment to her and challenged her to see things in a better light that she was normally inclined. The rest of the story includes some truly deep concepts about love, forgiveness and family that many will find they identify with all too well. I’m going to stop with my discussion of the story because I think its too good to spoil with my writing. I am certainly going to be sharing about this wonderful book as I hope as many people as possible will read it. I am definitely looking forward to the next writings of Ms. Cox and am very hopeful that I’ve found a new favorite author to read.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Revell Publishing via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

The Edge of Belonging is Amanda Cox's debut novel. That thrills me. Because if this is what her first novel is like, I can't wait to read her tenth!

The story is told by flipping between two time periods, the present day and 1994. The characters are a homeless man, an abandoned baby, a widow, and a childless couple. What unfolds is a beautiful tale of how a family is born.

I cried and smiled and read until I couldn't read anymore. The story just gripped me. I wish I could tell you how it all comes together but that would ruin the surprise. I definitely don't want to do that because the ending is so beautiful and worth every minute of reading it took to get there.

I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a story of hope in a hopeless situation. You'll be reminded that man makes his plans but God guides his steps.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee her late Grandma Pearl's estate sale and to escape an abusive relationship. But she finds clues about her mysterious adoption, and the only person who knows the truth is reluctant to talk about. Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James found an abandoned newborn who gave him a human connection. He doesn't want to jeopardize that connection by talking with Ivy about the past now.
Told in a dual-time format, the book unfolds the story of Ivy and her family in small increments that allows the reader to digest what is happening to each character and builds suspense around what might happen next. I enjoyed trying to guess the ending.
The book does include quite a few triggers: domestic abuse, emotional abuse, drug and alcohol use, reference to a musical artist found guilty of sex crimes with children, suicide, PTSD, and infertility.
The ending felt rushed and disappointing. I also didn't care for the romance between Ivy and Reese that dominated the last half of the book and the fact that Reese is so perfect rather than a real-life person with faults and foibles. The book makes him out to be perfect and Ivy to have all the problems, which is unrealistic and unfair.
I appreciate the real-life look this book provides regarding infertility, foster parenting, adoption, suicide, PTSD, and grief. In places, the story breaks my heart. Yet it also reminds me that love transcends biological family ties. Love can break through bondages of all kinds.

The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox is an excellent, heartwarming, tug-at-your heartstrings novel that weaves together a story of how a young woman named Ivy was found discarded on the side of the road, and how through her and a divine will, a family of lost and lonely strangers were made a family.

Ms. Cox truly has a gift. I enjoyed every moment of the multiple timeline story taking place in rural Tennessee (1990s-present) of Harvey, Thomas, Miriam, Pearl, Reese, and Ivy and how through divine intervention, they that were lost in a multitude of ways, were found again with renewed hope, love, and purpose in life. In this story, we find that family is created by relationships, love, acceptance, and forgiveness and not from just “blood” and genetics.

There were several times that I honestly teared up at the true happiness and warmth that the characters found despite the obstacles and experiences they faced. There is some heavy material in this book, but it is needed, appropriate, and respectfully written. Ms. Cox has a real talent, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Revell for this wonderful ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, Amazon, B&N, and Instagram accounts immediately.

The Edge of Belonging is the debut novel of Amanda Cox, but one would never know it just from reading the story. The book draws the reader in with its almost poetic introduction to Harvey James. The description is so real the reader can picture exactly how things looked and felt through his eyes.

Don't worry though, the author doesn't leave you with just one set of eyes to see through. You soon get to meet many other characters in both the past and the present. Cox switches off between the two in a way that brings the reader much closer to the characters. The ending may be rather obvious, because the book has a dual timeline, but it is a heart-wrenching pleasure to read about how the ending came about.

It is clear from reading this story that the author has much experience with people who are broken and hurting. There are so many positive and uplifting messages wrapped up into a non-preachy novel that allows readers to glean the lessons from the experiences of the characters. If reading well written emotional stories about heartache and redemption cause you to be weepy, you might want to be prepared with a box of Kleenex. Can't wait to read the next story Cox writes!

Not often is there a story where three of the main characters are a homeless man, an older widow and an orphan. And it also is a story that involves domestic abuse, infertility, adoption, PTSD, depression and suicide. But that does not mean it is a sad story. On the contrary, it is full of light and hope and the overwhelming realization that God makes all things work together for our good. And He has a plan... always.

It is hard to believe that this is the debut novel for Amanda Cabot. It is so well written.
And it is a dual timeline novel which I am not usually fond of. But of all the ones I've read, this story flows back and forth seamlessly. I usually prefer one time period to another but for this story, I was always glad to go back and forth as the timelines were so well balanced.

I recommend this story highly. You will not be disappointed.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. Thank you. All the opinions expressed are entirely my own.