Reading The Farthest Edge felt like coming home. Vintage, feel-good Kristen Ashley. The kind of book that felt powerful from the first chapter with its vivid and poignant characters and its ability to reach deep inside to pull forth a reaction from the reader. I’m not sure if it’s possible to convey how much this book affected me or if it’s even possible to articulate that sort of connection, but this will be an attempt to do that very thing.
In wracking my brain trying to think of which KA heroine Evangeline reminded me of, I realized that she was more of a mishmash of a lot of her characters compiled into one woman: she had the tenacity of Cassie (Deacon); the fun side of Indy (Rock Chick); the badassitude of Sylvie (Creed); and the unwavering support of Lexie (Lady Luck). She was comprised of all these striking elements from women before her and yet she felt unique, whole, complete. Evangeline might just be a favorite of mine simply because of her inner fighter. Even still smarting from the ultimate breach in trust and the loss of her safety from months before, she persevered. For him. For her.
For a man with much to be crushed by, Branch’s beauty came from the light beneath the rubble. He felt like every KA alpha, the kind with hands who’ve done too much and a heart with so much to give. Like Deacon, his own version of a cabin eleven brought him to exactly where he needed to be. I was so intrigued by this man upon meeting him in the prior book and in now knowing him, I can say that Ashley did him absolute justice. I cannot begin to explain how the soul of him was written on every page just waiting to be let loose and brought back to him in order for him to define his identity.
Most romances are beautiful and inspiring, and that’s what we love about them, but there are few that soulfully move a reader and melt them from within. The subtle nuances to their connection, minimized as they were in order not to spook him, were consuming. There was a raw power that circled them, one that Evangeline was wholly aware of, and yet she held it back, releasing it slowly in ways that brought him back to the edge where he needed to be. Where she was, holding herself open and bare for him.
I adored The Deep End, the first standalone in the series, but I loved this one even more. I felt like I was in this bubble with Evangeline and Branch, wrapped up in the contact high of them. Enraptured, in awe, completely consumed I was. The easy-going and organic chemistry, the lovely slow-burn romance, and the scorching sexiness created one hell of a tale that Kristen Ashley penned with absolute perfection. The Farthest Edge captured the best kind of love story with a verve that can only come from her mind. Savor it because it was unputdownable and that made it end way too soon.
Side note: While it is a standalone, it does give away some spoilers on the couple from book one; if that should bother you, please read book one prior.
**Received an early copy via the publisher & voluntarily reviewed; this had no bearing on my opinions in any way**
I enjoyed this book in a totally different way than I enjoyed book 1.
I can’t tell you how freaking HOT this book is. Now normally a male sub I am cool with, it’s the female Domme’s I am not a fan of.
Evangeline, she doesn’t come across as what a Domme is if that makes sense. She could be anyone in any place and I think that is why I liked her so much. She gets off on being a Domme but not in a way that is power hungry. It is just the way she was built and she learned the right way to go about it.
BUT let me tell you Branch is not your regular everyday sub no sir, he is also very Alpha. He just likes to have his women be in charge...MOST of the time.
These two both know something in there pasts is holding them back. They might both know the score but feelings don’t care and when that happens; well you kind of have to roll with the punches.
I loved how they were both willing to take a chance whether it was the scariest thing either of them had to do.
Amazing. Kristen Ashley does it again; she can jump genres and still make a story worth reading and re-reading.
The narration awesome though the voice and accent of Amèlie I don’t know it just wasn’t what I was expecting. Still Lizbeth Gwynn kills it with making each character jump from the page.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
This was an erotically charged, passionate read with one very complicated man and a determined woman that I enjoyed immensely.
I thought Branch and Evangeline were great characters and I loved the tension between them in the beginning. He’s super gruff and I loved watching him work through his personal battles. Evangeline was so sweet and I loved how caring she was. I really liked the challenge Branch presented and how she took that on. It was so sexy and I liked that back and forth they had going on. I really enjoyed the build to their relationship, her getting through to him, believing in him, and being there for him. He goes through such a transformation, it was amazing.
And the sexy times? Hello super hot and erotic with a nice amount of kink mixed in. The whole alpha-sub dynamic is fascinating. I thought the scenes were well written, passionate, and sensual. There's a nice amount of intensity and emotion mixed in with the story thanks to Branch and all he's going through which I really liked. There's a bit of drama as well surrounding Evangeline though it was mild. I was honestly expecting more and was missing that bit of grit. There are great secondary characters involved to help make the story richer and I really enjoyed them.
I liked the first book in the series, The Deep End, but had some issues with it. I liked this one so much better. It was just smoother and I felt the characters were more flushed out. I loved their voices and connected more to them and thought the flow was good. There was really good character development and I was excited about learning Branch's back story.
All in all, I thought this was awesome. I was totally into the story and I couldn't wait for Branch to get to his moment of happiness. It was a fantastic ride!
Ugh one of the ONLY books I have liked by Kristen Ashley and I’m left totally unsatisfied with the ending and actually some other things in the book. They only exchange ONE “I love you” and it’s in the epilogue. I HATE when authors do this and not to mention the aren’t even moved in together in the epilogue. He’s gonna get his own apartment but spend all his time at her place??? That makes no sense to me and really annoyed me. I was going to give this 4 stars, until the unsatisfying epilogue and not exchanging I love you’s until the end. I always see reviews talking about KA’s spectacular epilogues, but I have yet to read a book with an epilogue by her and be really amazed. They always seem lackluster to me. Another thing that bugged me is that the H can tell his friend everything about his past, but won’t and never does tell the h. I think the biggest thing that left me unsatisfied was the dead ex. I had no clue going into this that there was a dead ex, and if I had I probably wouldn’t have read it. (Im not sure if it’s in the blurb, as I went into this blind and only having read two other reviews that never mention the ex) However, I don’t think the h was second best and I truly think the H loved the h more. I just could not stand all of the comparisons the H made between the ex and the h. ALSO, calling the dead ex “his woman” and everyone else who refers to her the ex call her the H’s woman, REALLY pissed me off. I felt it was unnecessary and annoying.
The very last thing is something that EASILY did NOT need to be added. When the H tells the h about his most recent partner and how he only came with her because he thought of the h. I do not at all find that romantic. I think it’s gross and tacky and I hate when authors have their H’s tell their h’s when that has happened.
A lot of this is so disappointing because I really wanted to give this a five star, which I think would’ve been my first KA five star. It is so different to what she usually writes about and I loved that because she is an author I usually avoid. Oh well, I probably won’t be reading any more of her books in the future unless it looks really really really good
The Farthest Edge is the second book in the Honey series and whew this impressed me even more than the first book and I am so happy that I took a chance on this series. I was so dang NERVOUS before reading them because heroines like this are not even close to what I relate to on ANY level so I really was in a debate but I can say its Kristen Ashley and as long as you are open minded ---you will find that these books work for you. Because they have worked for me and she makes the alpha sub element HOT!! And I never thought that was possible to be honest, but yep it is. But another important factor to remember is Ashley really showcases this lifestyle so well, and that just because someone is submissive in the bedroom doesn't make them weak...makes them strong.
It’s absolutely right, Branch. And I’ll take what I can get of absolutely right for as long as I have it, fighting to earn more along the way, rather than not ever having it and never knowing how beautiful it feels.
The Farthest Edge takes us to our heroine, Evangeline. Evangeline is a Dominatrix and is dang good at what she does at Honey, but she is sweet and kind and driven. But when her partner and sub attacks her in a scene, all of her hopes and dreams are crashed to the ground and she has a long road of healing to do for herself. So she takes some time away from the club and those she calls "family" to heal and to focus on work and building herself up financially. Branch is a man who has a dark past, and is tormented and is a man living a dangerous secret. But he knows what he needs is Evangeline and would do anything for her. Their connection is powerful and what they accomplish in the bedroom is powerful but as their relationship deepens, Branch has a history that could tear them apart but it will take Evangeline to fight for him and what they have together...
So, my advice, Branch, just let her have a chance at the promise of a lifetime of showing it to you
The Farthest Edge is such a powerful book here and I fell so deeply for Branch and Angie. They were such a powerhouse together. We see such heartbreak for what both of these have suffered in their past but this is part of what makes them work so well. They understand the betrayal and the pain. I love how even in scenes Branch is still strong and alpha in many ways, and this is what Evangeline is actually drawn to in many respects. And these scenes are super sexy and hot but there is a level of tenderness and emotion within them. This is just evidence of what Kristen Ashley is able to accomplish in her stories.
I know that love allows you to go places you never thought you’d go and like being there a heck of a lot
Overall I found The Farthest Edge to be a stimulating and deeply entrenched story of emotion, sensuality and strength of character within its pages!
