The Edge of Life, written by Lena Gibson, is a romance and science fiction novel filled with thrilling suspense. The topics of this novel can be hard to read, so be advised to read the trigger warnings at the end of this review.

The risk of an impending apocalypse brings binge drinker Kat and workaholic Ryan together in an attempt to survive the approaching planet-destroying asteroid. After their mutual friend secretly warns them of the threat, they flee Seattle together and embark on a dangerous road trip to Ryan’s inherited South Dakota bunker. While chaos ensues, they must learn to trust and comfort each other in order to endure the catastrophic event and its aftermath.

It took almost no effort for me to get invested in this book. The dual point of view made getting into the story dynamic and easy, providing the opportunity to get to know the main characters bit by bit at the same time. At first, I was not a big fan of Ryan since I found him a bit unempathetic, and I thought his personality would clash with Kat´s since she seemed a lot more emotional. But I´ve never been so happy to be wrong. Their chemistry is incredible, and it adds so much value to this story. Both characters are explored so deeply, and their interactions with each other bring out so much of their emotions that getting to know them flows seemingly as you read.

The connection between the main characters was definitely my favourite part of this story, not only because it helped me care more about them and therefore the plot, but also because caring deeply about what was happening to them made the reading experience so much richer. The experience was completely immersive, I could feel everything they felt and it was hard to read sometimes because I felt their fear and anxiety so acutely. Their feelings were palpable. And this feeling of being completely absorbed by the story was only intensified by the pacing. I usually have issues with this component of the plot, but this book´s pacing keeps you on your toes through the entire thing because it is so real you really feel as if you´re living it along with them.

I went into this story almost completely blind. I had read the blurb before starting, but I didn´t remember much when I got around to it. This actually worked in my favour, which is usually not the case, and I liked discovering the plot as I went on. I think it helped to keep me invested from the start. The only faults I find in this book are small details that you can maybe find in some dialogues that took me out of the story for a slight second, but it was easy to get quickly back into it. I will also say that I would have liked the ending to be a little more fleshed out. I feel like there is a part of the story missing, some more development after the ending scene, since leaving it that way felt a little anticlimactic for me. However, I believe the author is currently working on a sequel, and I think that is exactly what the story needs, it is just as a standalone that I think the ending seems unfinished.

I would rate this story 4,5 out of 5 stars overall, and here is the rating broken down into categories:

- overall enjoyment: 4,5
- writing quality: 4
- characterisation: 5
- world-building/setting: 5
- plot development: 4,5
- ending satisfaction: 4

My reading experience with this novel was great overall. I was invested from start to finish, and it has been a while since I cared so much for the well-being of more than one character in a story, so it was refreshing to find that in this book. I can´t wait to see what else this author has in stock for this story. If she ends up publishing a sequel, I´ll be waiting.

This book can be a great reading choice for those who love a fast-paced plot and those who thrive by having a story with suspense that keeps you alert during the entire reading experience. Also a great read for whoever enjoys having romance be a main part of the story without being the main focus, so it doesn´t take away from the rest of the plot. So if you love a slow-burn romance that drags through pages and pages, this is probably not for you. In any case, this book is a very entertaining read, so I would still give it a chance and try something new, even if it might seem like it is not your type of book.

Age recommendation: Romance Science Fiction Suspense Thriller (18+).

Trigger warnings: Profanity, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Anxiety, Depression, Climate Crisis, Fire, Blood, Cheating (mentioned), Misogyny, Sex, Attempted Murder, Murder, Rape (mentioned), Violence, Death.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ( )

I kept singing,'It's the end of the world as we know it' while reading..

What a mash up of genres.. rom com meets dystopian novel. An engaging read, and of course, I needed to see how it all played out in the end. It is one of those novels that you can get lost in simply because it's a fun ride. At times, the writing/ narrative felt forced, but I'm also not a huge fan of instant love/lust.. I like a little build-up to my romance/spice. Things did get a little spicy in this novel, but it wasn't over the top or too much. Played well into the story. The ending seemed a bit abrupt, and I'm curious to know if there will be a sequel ... I'd definitely check that out.

Thank you to librarything and the publisher for an advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own. ( )

I loved the premise: 2 damaged and broken-hearted near-strangers join forces on a (literal & metaphorical) journey on their quest for survival. And on the way, as they race towards safety, escaping danger (as well as their pasts), they find love and a better version of themselves.
Despite the book being set during a catastrophic event, its tone is weirdly light, but it does vacillate. It starts as a drama but morphs into a romance with a honeymoon-like road trip with lots of sex. It subsequently darkens to a dystopian Mad Max-like scenario. I generally don’t read romances and I think I would have preferred the book without the sex scenes. But it was a quick and engaging, fast-paced, read with only a few main characters to keep track of.
CW triggers: alcoholism, betrayal, estranged family, death, violence, apocalypse. ( )

This book was okay. It felt like there were lots of loose ends and partial story lines that didn't go anywhere. ( )

Love in a Time of Disaster.

Lena Gibson has created a worthy contribution to the apocalyptic genre with The Edge of Life. The story begins with weekend binge drinker Kat, workaholic lawyer Ryan, and their mutual friend Nick, an astronomer at a nearby observatory, who brings them together in a sort of intervention as an asteroid hurtles relentlessly on a direct path for Earth. After a cryptic warning from Nick between classified meetings and briefings, it’s up to Ryan to get Kat and himself halfway across the country to his grandfather’s bunker in South Dakota. Along the way amidst the ensuing cataclysmic destruction and chaos as fragments of the asteroid rain down after a partially unsuccessful missile strike, Ryan and Kat, both troubled by past traumas, learn they have more in common than they realized and soon discover a mutual attraction for each other.

As a nature lover and survival enthusiast (if not a prepper), I particularly enjoyed Ryan and Kat’s time spent hiking, camping, and sleeping in cabins as they traveled along the cracked roads, navigating their way around roadblocks, increasing volcanic activity, and raging infernos. This is a realistic, gritty novel, not for the faint-hearted, and that is one of its strengths. It has a depth and realism that lends to the sense of danger and urgency. But in between all the pulse-pounding action there are moments of rest and reflection—which are crucial, lest you exhaust the reader—with some fine, vividly descriptive writing.

The only complaint I have is that it did seem to end rather abruptly once they made it. I would have enjoyed reading more about the bunker. All in all, a solid book. I do recommend. ( )