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The Edge of Grace
In a matter of seconds her entire world shifted... An early morning call shatters Caryn Becker's world. Unable to cope with her brother s news that he is gay, Caryn rejects him and disappears into her own turbulent life as a young widow and single mom. But when David is attacked and nearly killed, Caryn is forced to make hard choices about family, faith, and her own future; choices that take her to the very edge of grace.
336 pages
First published January 1, 2011
71 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Christa Allan
13Ìýbooks196ÌýfollowersNEW RELEASE: SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE
OCTOBER 11, 2016
A true Southern woman who knows that any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day,Christa writes stories with heart, humor and hope. Her novels include: Walking on Broken Glass, Threads of Hope, The Edge of Grace, Test of Faith, All They Want for Christmas.
Christa's essays have been published in The Ultimate Teacher, Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lovers Soul and Chicken Soup for the Divorced Soul. Christa is the mother of five, a grandmother of three, and a recently retired teacher of high school English. She and her husband Ken live in New Orleans.
OCTOBER 11, 2016
A true Southern woman who knows that any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day,Christa writes stories with heart, humor and hope. Her novels include: Walking on Broken Glass, Threads of Hope, The Edge of Grace, Test of Faith, All They Want for Christmas.
Christa's essays have been published in The Ultimate Teacher, Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lovers Soul and Chicken Soup for the Divorced Soul. Christa is the mother of five, a grandmother of three, and a recently retired teacher of high school English. She and her husband Ken live in New Orleans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 18, 2012
To be honest, I was not sure what I was jumping into when I cracked open this book.
Being gay, the synopsis of "The Edge of Grace" by Christa Allan definitely caught my attention.
It wasn't until I was sucked into the book, that I realized this book was also about Christianity. I've never been religious. I choose to believe in a higher power, but I'm not for religion.
But this book has definitely opened my eyes. One of my best friends is a devote Christian and she absolutely loves everyone.
For a while, I held her at a distance - every Christian I had met up until I met her were judgmental hypocrites. But my friend showed me something different.
She didn't preach - she explained.
She is the type to admit her flaws, and she works hard every day at righting those wrongs, but she understands this is part of her walk of faith. She told me that God was about love, not about judging or hatred.
"Why doesn't everyone see it that way," I had asked her, angrily.
Unfortunately, she didn't have the answer, but I realized then that I had been passing judgement on her as well. I fully expected her to be the gay-bashing, hardcore socially conservative Christian, like those I had met before.
The ones that called me a faggot, the ones that made me feel like I didn't matter.
But she isn't that person.
What Christa Allan's book did for me was show me the life my friend lives.
I suddenly understood this struggle she faced as a growing young devote Christian. Being a Christian, she wasn't unaware of the Christians I had encountered. She had to beat that. She had to see the love, not the hate.
Seeing what Caryn was struggling with was something I learned to respect.
Coming out (I came out when I was 19 to everyone, including family) takes an emotional toll on family, and when I came out, I failed to realize that.
Lucky for me, my family and friends were all about love. I'm happy to report that I've been partnered for six years and we go to his house for Christmas first and mine second.
This made me think of the thoughts that might have gone through the mind of my mother, who, though she was accepting and loving, must have been hurt.
Being her only son, she must have realized certain expectations she may have had for me changed. But in the end, she simply said, "As long as you're happy, I'm happy."
I even remember when I came out, my Mom asked me why I would choose "that." I explained how it's not a choice, and how I had known ever since I was young; though I wasn't sure what it was.
This powerful line between David and Caryn in "The Edge of Grace" perfectly summed up my answer to my Mom.
"My being gay is my normal life. Do you ..." He stopped, took a deep breath, "do you think I would choose to live a life that would cause someone to hate me enough to do this to me? The ironic thing is what they did to me because I was gay is what I did to myself inside, every day, for years, trying to live as though I was straight."
Another line I highlighted that gives me hope for the generations of our future was this one, from Ben, Caryn's son. She had just come out for her brother to her son.
"Uncle David and Max love each other. And I love Uncle David and Max. I got it. That was simple, Mom."
Really, shouldn't life be this simple? Kids know it best. Why do we focus so much on trying to understand life?
Let's just sit back, ride this ride called life and love each other.
In all, I highly recommend this book. It definitely helped me learn more about myself and those around me.
Being gay, the synopsis of "The Edge of Grace" by Christa Allan definitely caught my attention.
It wasn't until I was sucked into the book, that I realized this book was also about Christianity. I've never been religious. I choose to believe in a higher power, but I'm not for religion.
But this book has definitely opened my eyes. One of my best friends is a devote Christian and she absolutely loves everyone.
For a while, I held her at a distance - every Christian I had met up until I met her were judgmental hypocrites. But my friend showed me something different.
She didn't preach - she explained.
She is the type to admit her flaws, and she works hard every day at righting those wrongs, but she understands this is part of her walk of faith. She told me that God was about love, not about judging or hatred.
"Why doesn't everyone see it that way," I had asked her, angrily.
Unfortunately, she didn't have the answer, but I realized then that I had been passing judgement on her as well. I fully expected her to be the gay-bashing, hardcore socially conservative Christian, like those I had met before.
The ones that called me a faggot, the ones that made me feel like I didn't matter.
But she isn't that person.
What Christa Allan's book did for me was show me the life my friend lives.
I suddenly understood this struggle she faced as a growing young devote Christian. Being a Christian, she wasn't unaware of the Christians I had encountered. She had to beat that. She had to see the love, not the hate.
Seeing what Caryn was struggling with was something I learned to respect.
Coming out (I came out when I was 19 to everyone, including family) takes an emotional toll on family, and when I came out, I failed to realize that.
Lucky for me, my family and friends were all about love. I'm happy to report that I've been partnered for six years and we go to his house for Christmas first and mine second.
This made me think of the thoughts that might have gone through the mind of my mother, who, though she was accepting and loving, must have been hurt.
Being her only son, she must have realized certain expectations she may have had for me changed. But in the end, she simply said, "As long as you're happy, I'm happy."
I even remember when I came out, my Mom asked me why I would choose "that." I explained how it's not a choice, and how I had known ever since I was young; though I wasn't sure what it was.
This powerful line between David and Caryn in "The Edge of Grace" perfectly summed up my answer to my Mom.
"My being gay is my normal life. Do you ..." He stopped, took a deep breath, "do you think I would choose to live a life that would cause someone to hate me enough to do this to me? The ironic thing is what they did to me because I was gay is what I did to myself inside, every day, for years, trying to live as though I was straight."
Another line I highlighted that gives me hope for the generations of our future was this one, from Ben, Caryn's son. She had just come out for her brother to her son.
"Uncle David and Max love each other. And I love Uncle David and Max. I got it. That was simple, Mom."
Really, shouldn't life be this simple? Kids know it best. Why do we focus so much on trying to understand life?
Let's just sit back, ride this ride called life and love each other.
In all, I highly recommend this book. It definitely helped me learn more about myself and those around me.
June 18, 2012
I read this book with an aching heart as I feel that the author, in her attempts to show a loving God, has forgotten that our God is also the very God that sent His son to die for our sins. The particular issue of this book is homosexuality. Scripture clearly calls this act/lifestyle a sin. However, the heroine of The Edge of Grace is made out to be the only character who has a lesson to learn--to love her brother despite his lifestyle. What about the lesson the brother needed to learn--that the lifestyle he has chosen is a sin.
The heroine's lesson should not be discounted. We should all love and not hate anyone. We should never judge another individual. Christ is shown through us when we reach out to others who are just like us--sinners.
Ms. Allan's story shies away from any lesson learned by the homosexual brother. He is shown to be "good" because he attends church, he has a New Testament on his bed stand, he does good deeds. There isn't one mention that Scripture clearly tells us that God has a problem with sexual sins: lust, adultery, sex outside the marriage, and yes, like it or not, homosexuality. The real villains of this book are those Christians Ms. Allan portrays. They are likened to those sick individuals who murdered Matthew Wayne Shepherd in 1998, and this truly made me ill. It shows a definite lack of understanding by this author that when someone hates the sin, it is not the same as hating the sinner. And often the most loving thing someone can do for another is to counsel them about their sin--whatever that sin may be.
The book did get me thinking, though. If Ms. Allan's publisher has no problem with publishing a story that indicates God has changed his mind about one sexual sin, if they don't have a problem intimating that a homosexual couple has gone off on a trip to Mexico, what's next for acceptable sins: a heterosexual couple spending time in a romantic locale, a husband cheating on his wife, two teens having a sexual relationship?
The heroine's lesson should not be discounted. We should all love and not hate anyone. We should never judge another individual. Christ is shown through us when we reach out to others who are just like us--sinners.
Ms. Allan's story shies away from any lesson learned by the homosexual brother. He is shown to be "good" because he attends church, he has a New Testament on his bed stand, he does good deeds. There isn't one mention that Scripture clearly tells us that God has a problem with sexual sins: lust, adultery, sex outside the marriage, and yes, like it or not, homosexuality. The real villains of this book are those Christians Ms. Allan portrays. They are likened to those sick individuals who murdered Matthew Wayne Shepherd in 1998, and this truly made me ill. It shows a definite lack of understanding by this author that when someone hates the sin, it is not the same as hating the sinner. And often the most loving thing someone can do for another is to counsel them about their sin--whatever that sin may be.
The book did get me thinking, though. If Ms. Allan's publisher has no problem with publishing a story that indicates God has changed his mind about one sexual sin, if they don't have a problem intimating that a homosexual couple has gone off on a trip to Mexico, what's next for acceptable sins: a heterosexual couple spending time in a romantic locale, a husband cheating on his wife, two teens having a sexual relationship?
November 4, 2011
Christa Allan has tackled a weighty topic in her second novel. I think she handles it well in some ways, and not so well in others. My first problem with this novel is that it feels very contrived, almost formulaic. The hate crime seems to be structured as a plot device worked in simply to further the progression of the storyline. The novel drags in several places, too. The main character, Caryn, engages in a great deal of inner dialogue that becomes very tedious at times. The other characters aren't developed fully so it is difficult to connect with them.
My main complaint about this novel is that this is Christian fiction, published by a Christian publisher (Abingdon Press), but it simply glosses over the debate over whether or not homosexuality is a sin according to God's word. Should Christians treat homosexuals with love and kindness regardless of the answer to this question? Of course! And Christa Allan does a fine job of conveying this message. But it would have been nice to see some actual dialogue addressing the verses in Scripture that condemn homosexuality rather than just mentioning the ones dealing with grace. The author also glosses over the debate over whether people are born gay or whether or not it is a choice. The author clearly thinks it is the way an individual is born and can't be changed, but she never engages in an intellectually honest debate over the matter. I would have liked to see the main character, Caryn, as someone well grounded in her faith and someone who was very familiar with Scripture. That could have made for some interesting conversations between the characters.
At one point in the novel, Caryn explains to her 8 year old son, Ben, about his uncle being gay:
"some people are born with brown eyes, some with green, and some people with blue eyes. Even in the same family, different children can have different eye colors. You don't choose eye color. It just is. And blue-eyed people fall in love with brown-eyed ones. Sometimes two green-eyed people fall in love. So sometimes a girl and a boy love each other, sometimes a girl and a girl love each other, and sometimes a boy and a boy love each other."
These are the kinds of explanations you can expect from this novel. I wholly agree with the notion of extending love and grace to others regardless of their sexuality. However, I was disappointed that something labeled as Christian fiction would so deftly sidestep an issue of importance regarding Scripture- Is homosexuality a sin from a Biblical standpoint? After studying what the Bible has to say on the matter, most would answer this question in the affirmative. I would argue that while this novel gets the love part right, its message that God accepts homosexuality as a valid life choice is simply not Biblically sound.
My main complaint about this novel is that this is Christian fiction, published by a Christian publisher (Abingdon Press), but it simply glosses over the debate over whether or not homosexuality is a sin according to God's word. Should Christians treat homosexuals with love and kindness regardless of the answer to this question? Of course! And Christa Allan does a fine job of conveying this message. But it would have been nice to see some actual dialogue addressing the verses in Scripture that condemn homosexuality rather than just mentioning the ones dealing with grace. The author also glosses over the debate over whether people are born gay or whether or not it is a choice. The author clearly thinks it is the way an individual is born and can't be changed, but she never engages in an intellectually honest debate over the matter. I would have liked to see the main character, Caryn, as someone well grounded in her faith and someone who was very familiar with Scripture. That could have made for some interesting conversations between the characters.
At one point in the novel, Caryn explains to her 8 year old son, Ben, about his uncle being gay:
"some people are born with brown eyes, some with green, and some people with blue eyes. Even in the same family, different children can have different eye colors. You don't choose eye color. It just is. And blue-eyed people fall in love with brown-eyed ones. Sometimes two green-eyed people fall in love. So sometimes a girl and a boy love each other, sometimes a girl and a girl love each other, and sometimes a boy and a boy love each other."
These are the kinds of explanations you can expect from this novel. I wholly agree with the notion of extending love and grace to others regardless of their sexuality. However, I was disappointed that something labeled as Christian fiction would so deftly sidestep an issue of importance regarding Scripture- Is homosexuality a sin from a Biblical standpoint? After studying what the Bible has to say on the matter, most would answer this question in the affirmative. I would argue that while this novel gets the love part right, its message that God accepts homosexuality as a valid life choice is simply not Biblically sound.
September 8, 2011
I could so identify with Caryn. The only difference it wasn't my brother, it was my daughter. I said and did somethings that I am not proud of. In the midst of all that was going on the Lord got a hold of my heart and let me know that He loved my daughter, and I had no right to pass judgement on her. It was a hard pill for me to swallow yet once I did, I felt so free! I was able to accept her for who she was and love her. I have a beautiful relationship with her and her partner and I couldn't be prouder of her.
Caryn had to make a choice in this book whether she was going to accept her brother for who he was or walk away from him. Watching the struggle that Caryn goes through from the moment she finds out about David until she meets Max, David's partner is a powerful journey that God used to bring Caryn to her knees. I highly recommend this book. I give it a lighthouse and shine a light on it for pointing a path to God! Great job Christa!!!!
Caryn had to make a choice in this book whether she was going to accept her brother for who he was or walk away from him. Watching the struggle that Caryn goes through from the moment she finds out about David until she meets Max, David's partner is a powerful journey that God used to bring Caryn to her knees. I highly recommend this book. I give it a lighthouse and shine a light on it for pointing a path to God! Great job Christa!!!!
September 28, 2011
The Edge of Grace by Christa Allan is a wonderful story about how a woman comes to terms with her only brother's announcement that he is gay. Her thoughts of "how will this affect my son?", "how will this affect my business?", "what will people think?", "what do I tell my son?". This story is a bit different than some I have read on homosexuality in that it was told by a family member and not the gay person. At times I felt like throttling Caryn and telling her to just deal with it and move on. Well that is easier said than done. It is a difficult situation to deal with as a family member as well as for the person that is coming out of the closet if you will. As a mother in this same situation it was hard for me at first to come to accept the announcement from my own child. As opposed to how Caryn found out, with a phone call, as a mother I always had a feeling, so it was easier for me to accept the situation. Caryn is a caterer and needs all the business she can get and was very worried how her clients would feel about the fact that she had a gay brother. After a scary situation that puts David in the hospital, Caryn gets to meet David's partner for the first time and finds herself slowing changing and coming to terms with the situation. I really enjoyed this novel and I could often sympathize with the all the characters. A novel of overcoming hate and prejudice and the gracefulness of forgiveness and love. I give it 5 stars!!!
August 21, 2011
In a matter of seconds her entire world shifted...
An early morning call shatters Caryn Becker's world. Her brother David announces that he is gay, and Caryn completely rejects the one person who stood beside her during her husband's illness and death. Unable to cope with David's news, Caryn disappears into her own turbulent life as a single mom and new business owner.
When David is attacked and nearly killed, his partner asks for Caryn's help. She reluctantly agrees to work with David's lawyer on the case. When her catering business suffers because of David's lifestyle, Caryn is forced to make the hardest choices about family, faith, and her own future, while exploring the grace of forgiveness and acceptance.
The Edge of Grace is a wonderful story of family, enduring the challenges of life and learning to accept differences. The characters are very real, and face genuine challenges to their system of beliefs and perceived "truths." One of my favorite lessons in this very well written book, is to remember that none of us is qualified to judge another human being based on race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. These are only a part of who we are. A very brave author tackles a topic, previously taboo in the Christian Church, with sensitivity, dignity and intelligence. Bravo! I look forward to reading Ms. Allan's previous book, Walking on Broken Glass.
An early morning call shatters Caryn Becker's world. Her brother David announces that he is gay, and Caryn completely rejects the one person who stood beside her during her husband's illness and death. Unable to cope with David's news, Caryn disappears into her own turbulent life as a single mom and new business owner.
When David is attacked and nearly killed, his partner asks for Caryn's help. She reluctantly agrees to work with David's lawyer on the case. When her catering business suffers because of David's lifestyle, Caryn is forced to make the hardest choices about family, faith, and her own future, while exploring the grace of forgiveness and acceptance.
The Edge of Grace is a wonderful story of family, enduring the challenges of life and learning to accept differences. The characters are very real, and face genuine challenges to their system of beliefs and perceived "truths." One of my favorite lessons in this very well written book, is to remember that none of us is qualified to judge another human being based on race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. These are only a part of who we are. A very brave author tackles a topic, previously taboo in the Christian Church, with sensitivity, dignity and intelligence. Bravo! I look forward to reading Ms. Allan's previous book, Walking on Broken Glass.
December 20, 2011
“Edge of Grace� is one of those titles that does not leave you untouched. Even if you don’t completely agree with everything written, you have to agree, this book will make you think and be prepared to be a bit uncomfortable!
The novel has a fantastic literary quality. One of my favorite lines: “…like tap dancing on mud�. What a visual! And there were many such images through the story. I just had to pause often and dwell on the image the word painting evoked.
The novel isn’t so much about Caryn’s brother’s gay relationship, but how Caryn chooses to accept that relationship. I could sympathize with her, because while I don’t have gay relations (that I know of) I could understand her confusion and trying to deal with it.
Where I struggled, is I don’t believe gay and Christian can be synonymous. The Bible clearly states that relations between the same sex is wrong. But we are also clearly told to love and minister to those around us. And this book walked that very fine line.
The ending was very open ended, maybe even a bit abrupt. But can such a story be tied up in a neat little package? Hmm. Not likely.
I think with what had to be tackled, it was done well. Very well written and engaging.
If this book does nothing else, I think you (and me) as readers will not be so quick to judge and faster to show Christ’s love. May they see Him through us.
The novel has a fantastic literary quality. One of my favorite lines: “…like tap dancing on mud�. What a visual! And there were many such images through the story. I just had to pause often and dwell on the image the word painting evoked.
The novel isn’t so much about Caryn’s brother’s gay relationship, but how Caryn chooses to accept that relationship. I could sympathize with her, because while I don’t have gay relations (that I know of) I could understand her confusion and trying to deal with it.
Where I struggled, is I don’t believe gay and Christian can be synonymous. The Bible clearly states that relations between the same sex is wrong. But we are also clearly told to love and minister to those around us. And this book walked that very fine line.
The ending was very open ended, maybe even a bit abrupt. But can such a story be tied up in a neat little package? Hmm. Not likely.
I think with what had to be tackled, it was done well. Very well written and engaging.
If this book does nothing else, I think you (and me) as readers will not be so quick to judge and faster to show Christ’s love. May they see Him through us.
June 20, 2011
No sophomore slump here. Powerful and hauntingly beautiful right from the beginning.
I fear this book might not get the review ratings it should because of the subject matter. Homosexualtiy. In Christian fiction. But Allan examines this topic with the same skill she applied to addiction and recovery in her debut novel, Walking on Glass. Every stereotype or belief you've ever heard or had regarding homosexuality is touched upon in this novel. However, Allan is particularly adept at then turning said beliefs on their head to make readers look in the mirror and decide whether the reflection is one with which they can live. She particularly gives attention to the notion of homosexual Christians, what some might consider to be an oxymoron and raises the question on why wouldn't God love these children of His as much as He loves any?
The Edge of Grace is another well crafted novel by an insightful, masterful author.
I fear this book might not get the review ratings it should because of the subject matter. Homosexualtiy. In Christian fiction. But Allan examines this topic with the same skill she applied to addiction and recovery in her debut novel, Walking on Glass. Every stereotype or belief you've ever heard or had regarding homosexuality is touched upon in this novel. However, Allan is particularly adept at then turning said beliefs on their head to make readers look in the mirror and decide whether the reflection is one with which they can live. She particularly gives attention to the notion of homosexual Christians, what some might consider to be an oxymoron and raises the question on why wouldn't God love these children of His as much as He loves any?
The Edge of Grace is another well crafted novel by an insightful, masterful author.
Read
March 27, 2012Excellent!
Caryn's brother calls to tell her he's gay. They've been close - David helped start her catering business and has been the man in her son's life since Caryn's husband died - so the news comes as a shock. Caryn cuts off contact with David and wrestles with big questions: Why did this happen? Will David go to hell? Would her business be affected? Then a second call - David's been beaten, a victim of a hate crime.
This story shows a homosexual couple in a loving relationship, without stereotypes, who attend church and read the Bible. The author did a great job showing we're all sinners: the heroine reads erotic novels, her best friend uses sex as a weapon in her marriage, and one of the heroine's customers was a predatory politician. The issues are heavy, but the writing is not - the story ends on a hope-filled note.
There are discussion questions and resource lists in the back. The Edge of Grace would be excellent for book clubs and adult Sunday school classes.
Caryn's brother calls to tell her he's gay. They've been close - David helped start her catering business and has been the man in her son's life since Caryn's husband died - so the news comes as a shock. Caryn cuts off contact with David and wrestles with big questions: Why did this happen? Will David go to hell? Would her business be affected? Then a second call - David's been beaten, a victim of a hate crime.
This story shows a homosexual couple in a loving relationship, without stereotypes, who attend church and read the Bible. The author did a great job showing we're all sinners: the heroine reads erotic novels, her best friend uses sex as a weapon in her marriage, and one of the heroine's customers was a predatory politician. The issues are heavy, but the writing is not - the story ends on a hope-filled note.
There are discussion questions and resource lists in the back. The Edge of Grace would be excellent for book clubs and adult Sunday school classes.
June 11, 2012
For Christian Fiction, this was a well balanced, thought provoking story dealing with homosexuality. The author stayed away from stereotypes creating flawed, but endearing characters. I thought it was presented very well. My complaint is that the main character sometimes got lost in her thoughts a little too much for my liking. Other than that it was a good read.
October 12, 2011
I often get excited about books I review
But hands down, this book is one of the best I've read this year (and I've read 80 so far...)
I'm talking about
The Edge of Grace by Christa Allan
This isn't your mother's Christian fiction (though it should be!!)
But, it most certainly is Christian fiction.
In fact, this may be the best Christian message I have ever read in any book, EVER!
So, don't judge the book by it's blurb...
The Edge of Grace by Christa Allan is the story of Caryn, a single mom whose husband died when their son was very young. Now, forced to care for him all by herself her brother has stepped up to help out. She couldn't be more grateful.
But one day, her world comes crashing down around her. Caryn gets a phone call from her brother that not only is he not going to marry his fiancée, but he is going on a trip. With his boyfriend. Caryn just cannot understand what is happening, how can her brother be gay!?!?
So Caryn does the only thing she can handle: she runs away from the problems. She stops answering his calls, she doesn't visit him, and she doesn't let him visit her, or her son. Caryn figures that he's turned his back on religion and is probably doomed to hell.
But Caryn's life is falling apart in other areas too: she has too much work, not enough time for her son, but the only way she can barely scrape by financially is all the work she is doing.
Yet another horrible event occurs when she finds out that her brother has been hospitalized. Though initially told it was an accident, it turns out it was very much on purpose. Her brother was attacked because he is gay. Caryn feels there is no option but to help care for him as he recovers, which means meeting his boyfriend, something she has been dreading.
But now that this gay bashing threatens to hit the news how will it affect Caryn's catering business? How will people treat her son when they find out her brother is gay? How will people look at her in church?
As Caryn reconnects with her brother, stereotypes begin to crumble, and Caryn gets a new view on everything. All the beliefs she held are challenged and she is forced to reexamine them all and find out the true meaning of being a Christian...
Read The Edge of Grace to follow her incredible journey...
I cannot say enough good things about this book!!!!!!
This book's message mirrors what I have been saying for years: being gay and being Christian are NOT mutually exclusive. It is humans that make them seem that way, not God.
So many Christians are only Christian in appearance. It's disheartening to me that if I call myself a Christian people assume I am as bigoted as the Westboro Baptists...
So few Christians shine through with a picture of the truth of Christianity: loving others no matter what. Judging no one, and leaving all judgments to God, in the end.
As Caryn begins to take a hard look at her life she notices the hypocrisies. While she keeps adult-themed romances beside her bed, her gay brother keeps a Bible. While she stopped going to church because of her fear of people talking about her, her brother and his boyfriend go every week and have invited her many times to go. They do not live together, an assumption she made. They do not engage in PDA of any form. And they are not flamboyant in any way.
How could it be that she got it so wrong?
Simple, stereotypes.
This book adhered to Christian morals at all times and shows that Christianity is not applicable only to heterosexual people but that faith runs much deeper, at least true faith. As Caryn learns and grows she truly develops and sees that all of her fears were selfish: how would his being gay affect her? As she grows she realizes this is about her brother, and his happiness and his ability to be himself... It's not about her.
It's a beautiful story of forgiveness, growth, and stretching the boundaries of thoughts and stereotypes.
Any and all Christians should read this. It may either affirm what you already believe, or it may challenge your beliefs and cause you to open your eyes to new thoughts, and new ways to think about things...
I want to include a few passages which I thought were so poignant and beautiful.
One incidental character talking about her gay brother: "At first, I tried to be an expert on [gay rights issues] and go in armed with statistics and research. Finally, when I heard about Matthew Shepard and read about other hate crimes I realized I didn't have to be an authority on anything except loving my brother."
Same incidental character again talking about her gay brother: "I learned with Ethan [character's gay brother] we could agree to disagree and still love each other. But, on the other side of that, I came to recognize that I wouldn't always feel comfortable. You learn to live with your uncomfortableness. Besides, the number of straight people who make me uneasy far outweighs the number of gay ones."
And lastly, the main character, Caryn, talking to her brother: "I realize now I measured you against a code I wasn't willing to use against myself. When you first told me, I was more worried about being the sister of a gay brother than your being gay . . . I didn't tell you that Harrison [her now-dead spouse] and I started having sex long before we were married. I'm bashing unwed moms and stocking early pregnancy tests because we had so many close calls. Or that after he died, I hid books in my bedroom so I could read about the romance and sex I wasn't having . . . And God is teaching me, maybe in very small steps, that He is the final judge, not me. And that my job, for as long as I am here, is to reach out and love. There's still so much I'm struggling with, but I wouldn't want to risk losing you or your never hearing me say I love you."
Just think about these things. And give this book a chance. I think it will strengthen anyone's faith, and open anyone's heart to loving others.
If I could I would give this more than 5 stars, easily.
Read The Edge of Grace today, and I don't think you'll regret it!
But hands down, this book is one of the best I've read this year (and I've read 80 so far...)
I'm talking about
The Edge of Grace by Christa Allan
This isn't your mother's Christian fiction (though it should be!!)
But, it most certainly is Christian fiction.
In fact, this may be the best Christian message I have ever read in any book, EVER!
So, don't judge the book by it's blurb...
The Edge of Grace by Christa Allan is the story of Caryn, a single mom whose husband died when their son was very young. Now, forced to care for him all by herself her brother has stepped up to help out. She couldn't be more grateful.
But one day, her world comes crashing down around her. Caryn gets a phone call from her brother that not only is he not going to marry his fiancée, but he is going on a trip. With his boyfriend. Caryn just cannot understand what is happening, how can her brother be gay!?!?
So Caryn does the only thing she can handle: she runs away from the problems. She stops answering his calls, she doesn't visit him, and she doesn't let him visit her, or her son. Caryn figures that he's turned his back on religion and is probably doomed to hell.
But Caryn's life is falling apart in other areas too: she has too much work, not enough time for her son, but the only way she can barely scrape by financially is all the work she is doing.
Yet another horrible event occurs when she finds out that her brother has been hospitalized. Though initially told it was an accident, it turns out it was very much on purpose. Her brother was attacked because he is gay. Caryn feels there is no option but to help care for him as he recovers, which means meeting his boyfriend, something she has been dreading.
But now that this gay bashing threatens to hit the news how will it affect Caryn's catering business? How will people treat her son when they find out her brother is gay? How will people look at her in church?
As Caryn reconnects with her brother, stereotypes begin to crumble, and Caryn gets a new view on everything. All the beliefs she held are challenged and she is forced to reexamine them all and find out the true meaning of being a Christian...
Read The Edge of Grace to follow her incredible journey...
I cannot say enough good things about this book!!!!!!
This book's message mirrors what I have been saying for years: being gay and being Christian are NOT mutually exclusive. It is humans that make them seem that way, not God.
So many Christians are only Christian in appearance. It's disheartening to me that if I call myself a Christian people assume I am as bigoted as the Westboro Baptists...
So few Christians shine through with a picture of the truth of Christianity: loving others no matter what. Judging no one, and leaving all judgments to God, in the end.
As Caryn begins to take a hard look at her life she notices the hypocrisies. While she keeps adult-themed romances beside her bed, her gay brother keeps a Bible. While she stopped going to church because of her fear of people talking about her, her brother and his boyfriend go every week and have invited her many times to go. They do not live together, an assumption she made. They do not engage in PDA of any form. And they are not flamboyant in any way.
How could it be that she got it so wrong?
Simple, stereotypes.
This book adhered to Christian morals at all times and shows that Christianity is not applicable only to heterosexual people but that faith runs much deeper, at least true faith. As Caryn learns and grows she truly develops and sees that all of her fears were selfish: how would his being gay affect her? As she grows she realizes this is about her brother, and his happiness and his ability to be himself... It's not about her.
It's a beautiful story of forgiveness, growth, and stretching the boundaries of thoughts and stereotypes.
Any and all Christians should read this. It may either affirm what you already believe, or it may challenge your beliefs and cause you to open your eyes to new thoughts, and new ways to think about things...
I want to include a few passages which I thought were so poignant and beautiful.
One incidental character talking about her gay brother: "At first, I tried to be an expert on [gay rights issues] and go in armed with statistics and research. Finally, when I heard about Matthew Shepard and read about other hate crimes I realized I didn't have to be an authority on anything except loving my brother."
Same incidental character again talking about her gay brother: "I learned with Ethan [character's gay brother] we could agree to disagree and still love each other. But, on the other side of that, I came to recognize that I wouldn't always feel comfortable. You learn to live with your uncomfortableness. Besides, the number of straight people who make me uneasy far outweighs the number of gay ones."
And lastly, the main character, Caryn, talking to her brother: "I realize now I measured you against a code I wasn't willing to use against myself. When you first told me, I was more worried about being the sister of a gay brother than your being gay . . . I didn't tell you that Harrison [her now-dead spouse] and I started having sex long before we were married. I'm bashing unwed moms and stocking early pregnancy tests because we had so many close calls. Or that after he died, I hid books in my bedroom so I could read about the romance and sex I wasn't having . . . And God is teaching me, maybe in very small steps, that He is the final judge, not me. And that my job, for as long as I am here, is to reach out and love. There's still so much I'm struggling with, but I wouldn't want to risk losing you or your never hearing me say I love you."
Just think about these things. And give this book a chance. I think it will strengthen anyone's faith, and open anyone's heart to loving others.
If I could I would give this more than 5 stars, easily.
Read The Edge of Grace today, and I don't think you'll regret it!
December 3, 2012
Some authors take on interesting subjects that almost need to be told and this author did just that. She wrote of a young widow who has a son and an older brother engaged to be married, all the people in her family, has her brother call her to announce he is gay. She doesn't take the news well, won't speak to him or meet the man he announces is in his life, replacing the fiance who has just moved out of his life....until she receives a call that her brother has been beaten within an inch of his life, a hate crime. She and her brother are on a journey which the book takes us through. I learned quite a bit about hate crimes with this book. A subject more people should read about. The story is really well written, the book is so interesting you do not want to put it down. I really enjoyed the book, or was really engrossed reading it. The information as found here on Good Reads:
In a matter of seconds her entire world shifted... An early morning call shatters Caryn Becker's world. Unable to cope with her brother s news that he is gay, Caryn rejects him and disappears into her own turbulent life as a young widow and single mom. But when David is attacked and nearly killed, Caryn is forced to make hard choices about family, faith, and her own future; choices that take her to the very edge of grace. "This sophomore effort deals sensitively and gracefully with a difficult subject for many Christians, exploring a woman's response to her brother's disclosure of his sexual orientation honestly while never shirking from the issue of justice and forgiveness." - Library Journal, starred review "Powerful and hauntingly beautiful right from the beginning, THE EDGE OF GRACE is another well crafted novel by an insightful, masterful author." - FreshFiction.com "A beautifully written book, The Edge of Grace is a powerful story of the true meaning of grace and love. A brilliant mix of dark and light, laughs and gravity, The Edge of Grace is a must read." Jenny B. Jones, award-winning author of Save the Date and A Charmed Life series "Christa Allan's new book, The Edge of Grace, is an excellent book for folks who love and are loved by their chosen family. Christa's painful honesty is a crucial part of the story. In the end, the love of family wins out, just as we believe in PFLAG, and she expertly shows that sometimes family goes beyond those we were given to those we choose. And what a happy family we can be if we accept our family members for who God made them to be!" - Randy Trahan, Board of Directors, PFLAG New Orleans "Christa Allan takes her character on an emotional journey to a new understanding of acceptance and the joy that comes from forgiveness." Sandra Robbins, author
In a matter of seconds her entire world shifted... An early morning call shatters Caryn Becker's world. Unable to cope with her brother s news that he is gay, Caryn rejects him and disappears into her own turbulent life as a young widow and single mom. But when David is attacked and nearly killed, Caryn is forced to make hard choices about family, faith, and her own future; choices that take her to the very edge of grace. "This sophomore effort deals sensitively and gracefully with a difficult subject for many Christians, exploring a woman's response to her brother's disclosure of his sexual orientation honestly while never shirking from the issue of justice and forgiveness." - Library Journal, starred review "Powerful and hauntingly beautiful right from the beginning, THE EDGE OF GRACE is another well crafted novel by an insightful, masterful author." - FreshFiction.com "A beautifully written book, The Edge of Grace is a powerful story of the true meaning of grace and love. A brilliant mix of dark and light, laughs and gravity, The Edge of Grace is a must read." Jenny B. Jones, award-winning author of Save the Date and A Charmed Life series "Christa Allan's new book, The Edge of Grace, is an excellent book for folks who love and are loved by their chosen family. Christa's painful honesty is a crucial part of the story. In the end, the love of family wins out, just as we believe in PFLAG, and she expertly shows that sometimes family goes beyond those we were given to those we choose. And what a happy family we can be if we accept our family members for who God made them to be!" - Randy Trahan, Board of Directors, PFLAG New Orleans "Christa Allan takes her character on an emotional journey to a new understanding of acceptance and the joy that comes from forgiveness." Sandra Robbins, author
September 13, 2011
Christa Allen does a great job at drawing a reader in to someone else's world. I couldn't tell you how many times I paused to think about the main character's internal thoughts while reading this book. I really felt bad for her being widowed so young, and being a single mom of a son, and then feeling like she'd lost her brother, when in reality she hadn't. She just lost her image of him and had to reframe everything she'd believed about him.
I loved how the character questioning her assumptions made me think about my own. Especially when it comes to stereotypes. That Lady Gaga reference even made me laugh out loud while I was reading. The weird thing is that this story hit a bit close to home for me because right after my kids went to college last year (like literally the first month they were there) some guys were beaten up pretty badly and two were put in the hospital just because they were gay. The attackers knew this because they caught them leaving a "coming out" type party. That was scary for me because it happened where my kids went to school, and in a pretty "liberal" college town. It can happen anywhere. Hate crimes still happen and they are always wrong. Just like rape is always wrong. Great points there.
Also good points about how knowing something about someone shouldn't make you love them any less. Granted, no one wants to think about what people do privately, but it's true that one of the first things people think about is sex. But we don't think that about other people when we first meet them, right? Good thoughts. Also good ones regarding judging. Only God knows the persons heart and where they really stand with him. It's not our job to decide who He accepts and who he isn't. I still don't know how I feel about the whole faith thing in regards to sexual relationships, but I am sure many Christians sin in the area in heterosexual relationships, too. Does that mean they won't go to heaven either? I guess that depends on your faith slant. I lean more towards grace and that God is greater than any sin we can commit. He can handle us. Truly. Nothing we can do is new under the sun, right?
Anyway, all in all this was a brave story and well-told. I applaud the author's courage. I like books that make me think and especially make think more about my faith and how I treat people. This book does exactly that. This is one story that needed to be told and she was the perfect person to tell it.
I loved how the character questioning her assumptions made me think about my own. Especially when it comes to stereotypes. That Lady Gaga reference even made me laugh out loud while I was reading. The weird thing is that this story hit a bit close to home for me because right after my kids went to college last year (like literally the first month they were there) some guys were beaten up pretty badly and two were put in the hospital just because they were gay. The attackers knew this because they caught them leaving a "coming out" type party. That was scary for me because it happened where my kids went to school, and in a pretty "liberal" college town. It can happen anywhere. Hate crimes still happen and they are always wrong. Just like rape is always wrong. Great points there.
Also good points about how knowing something about someone shouldn't make you love them any less. Granted, no one wants to think about what people do privately, but it's true that one of the first things people think about is sex. But we don't think that about other people when we first meet them, right? Good thoughts. Also good ones regarding judging. Only God knows the persons heart and where they really stand with him. It's not our job to decide who He accepts and who he isn't. I still don't know how I feel about the whole faith thing in regards to sexual relationships, but I am sure many Christians sin in the area in heterosexual relationships, too. Does that mean they won't go to heaven either? I guess that depends on your faith slant. I lean more towards grace and that God is greater than any sin we can commit. He can handle us. Truly. Nothing we can do is new under the sun, right?
Anyway, all in all this was a brave story and well-told. I applaud the author's courage. I like books that make me think and especially make think more about my faith and how I treat people. This book does exactly that. This is one story that needed to be told and she was the perfect person to tell it.
March 5, 2025
The Edge of Grace: Where Faith Meets Family
Sometimes, a book sneaks up on you. That's what happened with The Edge of Grace. I usually steer clear of Christian fiction - it's not my usual cup of tea - but something about this one kept pulling me back. And I'm genuinely glad it did.
Here's the thing: Christa Allen could have turned this into a preachy sermon. Instead, she's crafted something far more valuable - a story that made me question my own deeply-held beliefs without feeling like I was being beaten over the head with a Bible. While faith weaves through the narrative, this isn't just a book for Christian readers. It's for anyone who's ever had their worldview turned upside down.
The story follows Caryn, a single mom juggling a fledgling business and parenthood, when her brother David drops a bombshell: he's gay. Her immediate response? She cuts him out of her life completely. It's easier than dealing with the mess of emotions and beliefs that his revelation stirs up. But when David becomes the victim of a hate crime, Caryn's carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. As she works with her brother's lawyer to seek justice, her own business starts taking hits just for being associated with him. Suddenly, she's forced to wrestle with what matters more: her religious convictions or her flesh and blood.
What makes this book stick with you isn't the ripped-from-the-headlines plot, though that's certainly relevant. It's how Allen captures that universal moment of crisis - when everything you thought you knew crashes headfirst into reality. We've all been there, maybe not with the same circumstances, but we know that gut-punch feeling when our beliefs collide with real life. The Edge of Grace doesn't offer easy answers, and that's exactly why it works. It's not about telling you what to think - it's about making you think, period.
Sometimes, a book sneaks up on you. That's what happened with The Edge of Grace. I usually steer clear of Christian fiction - it's not my usual cup of tea - but something about this one kept pulling me back. And I'm genuinely glad it did.
Here's the thing: Christa Allen could have turned this into a preachy sermon. Instead, she's crafted something far more valuable - a story that made me question my own deeply-held beliefs without feeling like I was being beaten over the head with a Bible. While faith weaves through the narrative, this isn't just a book for Christian readers. It's for anyone who's ever had their worldview turned upside down.
The story follows Caryn, a single mom juggling a fledgling business and parenthood, when her brother David drops a bombshell: he's gay. Her immediate response? She cuts him out of her life completely. It's easier than dealing with the mess of emotions and beliefs that his revelation stirs up. But when David becomes the victim of a hate crime, Caryn's carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. As she works with her brother's lawyer to seek justice, her own business starts taking hits just for being associated with him. Suddenly, she's forced to wrestle with what matters more: her religious convictions or her flesh and blood.
What makes this book stick with you isn't the ripped-from-the-headlines plot, though that's certainly relevant. It's how Allen captures that universal moment of crisis - when everything you thought you knew crashes headfirst into reality. We've all been there, maybe not with the same circumstances, but we know that gut-punch feeling when our beliefs collide with real life. The Edge of Grace doesn't offer easy answers, and that's exactly why it works. It's not about telling you what to think - it's about making you think, period.
August 2, 2012
Reading some of the other reviews makes me realize I have a newer edition, as some continuity errors seemed to have been fixed, but not all. The lack of quotations, and misplaced quotations were irksome. Please, authors, I know when you get so close to being published you just want to do it, but take the extra time to cross all "t's" and dot all "i's". As I reader, it makes a huge difference.
On the subject matter of the book itself: it's bound to be polarizing. As someone who loves Jesus and gay and lesbians just as much as straight, I appreciate the view the author took. Not sure why churches are making this their cross to die on, but perspective is needed. Do I understand Caryn's hesitation? Sure. Growing up in a strict Protestant background makes it difficult to have a different view on how homosexuals are treated. While Christian fiction may not be my favourite genre, I think this does what very few contemporary Christian books do, and that's to bring homosexuality down from being the "worst sin ever" into a "guys, really, it's not a big deal. Or any deal". I can appreciate that. Sure, the book is formulaic. As soon as romantic interest was introduced, I knew he was there for one reason only. The ending was contrived, and I think (perhaps unfairly) she went on and on too much about the loss of her husband without any effort to move on. She was happy for about 86% of the novel to wallow in self-pity and stereotype.
All in all, good job, and I appreciated her listing some foundations/support groups.
January 23, 2012
Caryn's brother comes out of the closet and tells her that instead of marrying his female fiancee, he is taking a trip with another man. Caryn's struggles with David's homosexuality damage their relationship. After David is a victim of a hate crime, Caryn restores the relationship and accepts that her brother is a gay Christian. There are Scripture quotes and talk of grace and love, and admonitions that judgement belongs to God and not to man. All of that is absolutely true. However, there is no mention of Scriptures that condemn homosexuality. I have a gay friend. I don't condemn him, but I do pray for him daily to be in the will of God, just as I pray for a female friend who is living with a man outside of wedlock. Because I care for them, I am concerned about their eternal spiritual welfare. All of us are sinners who fall short of the glory of God, and we all need grace and love. However, accepting and intentionally living in sin is different from sinning because of our fallen nature and repenting and turning away from our sin. The story is compelling, and the message of grace and love is important, but I think this book tells only half the story.
There were a number of editorial problems—a portion of one paragraph was repeated about four times in random places and there was a problem with quotation marks.
There were a number of editorial problems—a portion of one paragraph was repeated about four times in random places and there was a problem with quotation marks.
June 23, 2012
The only topic that made me uncomfortable was the protagonist's addiction to erotic literature. The author explores the feelings of a Christian woman after her brother confides that he is homosexual. The book explores the importance of loving as deeply as Christ loves and suspending the impulse to judge... since there is only One Perfect Judge. She does not address whether or not living in a homosexual relationship is sinful, but rather invites us to let the Savior and each person worry about their relationship with Diety. I appreciate the reminder that we as Christians sometimes close our church doors to those who most need it. Christ taught that He came to offer salvation to the sinners. And it doesn't matter who sins more flamboiyantly than whom because all sin is just that... sin. He invites us to love God and love one another. All other commandments fall under those two great commandments. If I cannot love a fellow sinner than I, too, have cause to change my heart.
October 19, 2012
I enjoyed this book for the life lessons and the subject matter; however it really seemed to drag on while Caryn came to terms with her brother coming out and how that fit in with her view of God and being a Christian. I tired of the endless minutiae although I suppose it was all part of the process she had to go through. I am a Christian and also have a gay sibling and couldn't relate at all to the reaction she had, though I know not everyone is accepting initially-or ever! I think the book brings to light the serious problem of hate crimes and in the end shows us someone who has learned to stand up for what she believes in. I would like to read Christa Allan's first book about alcoholism and recovery. She stated in her acknowledgments that in this book and her first, she writes from personal experience. There are many lessons here for everyone, as well as resource material at the end.
January 2, 2013
wow this is a very insightful and heart-wrenching tale of a women dealing with so much. She lost her husband after a sudden stroke and taking care of him and her 2 year old son, Started her own business to stay home and raise her son then gets the call her brother is gay. She doesn’t handle the situation well and turns away from him. Things seem to be going well with her business b picking up and getting some high profile clients, though its over stressing her trying to do it on her on when she finds out her brother is a victim of a hate crime and nearly killed she has to man up and take care of him too. This is a deep story of how a lot of people deal with such news.
I recommend this story to anyone that likes tales of dealing with hard situations, stay at home moms/widows, riveting heart-wrenching truth of o how people deal with gays.
I recommend this story to anyone that likes tales of dealing with hard situations, stay at home moms/widows, riveting heart-wrenching truth of o how people deal with gays.
January 4, 2013
I've got mixed feelings about this book. It's great to see a book reminding us that we're supposed to love, not to hate, and that none of us has the right to condemn others, but it's also true that Jesus said, "Go, and sin no longer". No-one can live an active lifestyle of sin and call themselves Christians of good standing; that means *any* sex outside of marriage, or stealing, or lying, or being cruel or hate-filled.
But back to the book. I think Caryn experiences most of the thoughts, doubts and fears an unsuspecting family member might have. Thankfully she has a good friend to help her manage her day-to-day life while attempting to be a good mother, businesswoman, sister, friend and recovering Christian.
But back to the book. I think Caryn experiences most of the thoughts, doubts and fears an unsuspecting family member might have. Thankfully she has a good friend to help her manage her day-to-day life while attempting to be a good mother, businesswoman, sister, friend and recovering Christian.
July 8, 2012
A very brave 2nd book for Christa Allan. I put off reading the last 25 pages because I was afraid of how it might end but I didn't need to worry. It was excellent. Without giving too much away, if you enjoyed Karen Kingsbury's Bailey series and agreed 100% with her theology, don't pick up this book. It will frustrate you to no end. If, on the other hand, you are disturbed by the current trend of agreeing that being a homosexual is not a sin as long as celibacy is practiced (condemning an entire segment of society to a passionless and lonely life), this is the book for you. Very satisfying and thought-provoking.
June 25, 2011
I am truly glad I read this book. I had a lot of preconcieved notions about it (Christian fiction about homosexuality?) and they were all blown away. I found this to be a very skillful portrayl of a woman who, very simply, does not want her brother to be gay. As someone who has come out to others, it made me realize how difficult it can be on the other end of such news. Not that I agree with how the main character handled the news, but I could sympathize, and that surprised me. I would actually recommend this to anyone having trouble sorting out their feelings about a gay friend or sibling.
August 14, 2012
First I read "Walking on Broken Glass" and then I picked up this book without even realizing it was by the same author. I found this book to be more engaging and more memorable than Walking on Broken Glass. I thought the author allowed the main character to wallow in her angst for a little too long without getting to the point, and then the resolution of the emotional drama seemed a little too neat and tidy. That said, the concept of the book, and the things it makes you think about were quite good. I'm glad I read the book.
September 2, 2012
While i found the writing style to be more suited to a young adult type of reading versus an adult christian fiction, I found the underlying substance to be fantastic. More Christians struggling with the same situation should reach for this book and a copy of The Word before they start googling exodus international and the like. Maybe it would help them see things from a loving perspective instead of a judgemental one.
July 31, 2012
I liked the book and thought that it raised some interesting questions. Regardless of personal beliefs, many individuals today have great difficulty in accepting the alternative lifestyles of family members and loved ones. The character development was well done, as was the transition from condemnation and avoidance to acceptance.
October 12, 2012
It may not have been one of the best written books I have read , but when a book touches my heart it doesn't matter.
I went thru many of the same issues when my son came out in high school.
It took me a long time to come to terms
with my son being gay. The book brought
back a lot of those feelings. Funny & sad at the same time. So glad I read this book.
May 12, 2012
Yet another new-to-me-author and a freebie. Great book and very timely with our President's announcemet this week supporting gay marriage. I really like how the author balanced Christianity, siblings, and "coming out".
November 25, 2012
Great topic, and I was surprised by the humility, graciousness and honesty coming from a Christian author on the topic of homosexuality. I was glad to read it. The writing was obvious though, and the edition I read had quite a few noticeable mistakes.
August 30, 2011
I really like this author's writing, her characters are interesting and the storyline was very educational and inspiring. It was a good read for me.
September 6, 2011
I thought the characters were very real and believable. There were some editing issues on the Kindle version, particularly in the early chapters, but I didn't really notice them after that.
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