Customer Reviews

To the Edge

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First time novelist Cameron Abbott has written a cross-genre novel that of romance, coming of age, and a legal thriller as well. Anne Henderson is the main character. She's gone off to college, still in love with Gallagher, a high school friend who hasn't yet graduated. In the first half of the book, Anne goes through the normal college woes, including meeting Rae Sheldon, a bisexual party girl who doesn't seem to know what she wants and is destined to break Anne's heart, which she does quite handily. Then fast forward eighteen years for the second half. Anne has become a lawyer in a big firm and is working on an important case. Both Rae and Gallagher come back into her life, as well as a new love interest, Rachel. What will happen to Anne's love life? What about her career and the big case?

Abbott does a nice job joining the two halves of this story and maintaining continuity. Anne is definitely a bit jaded by the second half, but she is never a whiner and you can't help but like her and root for her. Gallagher, Rachel, and Rae are all compelling characters, and the story, while not jam-packed with surprises, does offer up a couple unexpected twists.

Written by an author with intelligence and skill, this thoughtful and entertaining story is sure to please readers. I highly recommend it.

--Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review

Cameron Abbott has scored big with what is apparently her first novel. She develops her characters well and doesn't rush her story. The scenes develop at a believeable pace and there is always just enough uncertainty that you can't be sure where the story is going. The story is told in two parts. First, it's the 1970s and you meet Anne Henderson at college. She's a star in the college theater group, but that's small consolation in her private life. She thinks she's in love with a friend from high school, Gallagher Davenport, who is straight, so that appears to be hopeless. Anne has dismissed her feelings as just strong bonds of friendship and has followed convention by having a boyfried. Something is missing though. Instead, Anne finds herself being drawn in by the fascinating Rae Sheldon. Rae will entice her, love her and betray her. Then the book flips to twenty years later. Anne is a high powered lawyer in a New York firm and just as she's involved in an important case, both Gallagher and Rae show up in her life. Anne's attraction to Gallagher is still strong and though she's willing to settle for friendship, Gallagher seems to be indicating she wants something more. Anne's just as determined to stay away from Rae, who won't leave her alone. Meanwhile, there is a summer intern at the law firm who is definitely trying to put the moves on Anne AND her case appears to be headed for disaster. There are enough twists and turns in this plot to keep you wondering how it will turn out, literally until the last pages. I read the whole book in a few hours. Great work.

This was a really fun read and diverting on a lot of levels. I like thrillers and while lots of lesbians are writing mysteries, I think only Therese Szymanski is writing thrillers, so I was pleased to read this book for that reason alone.

Better yet, this is the work of a professional. I am so tired of self-published documents disguised as books being hyped and sold at high prices -- I've been burned. Cameron Abbott knows how to write a correct sentence, and intriguing, character-driven dialog. Compare the sample on her website to what you'll find at the website for Around We Go (for example) and you'll see exactly what I mean. There's just no comparison. To the Edge is an excellent novel produced by professionals and worth every penny.

You'll notice that writer Lori Lake has also written a review for this book and I won't bother repeating the things she said, which are all true.

I just finished reading, To the Edge, and I loved it. The primary and secondary characters were believable, sexy, and interesting. The love story was also realistic. I also enjoyed seeing the leading lady of the story, growing up. It was also great to read about a woman giving us her internal dialogue when she finds a woman she's sexually attracted too! *G*

This was a great first novel by Cameron Abbott and I'll buy any other book she chooses to publish. I'm also keeping this book. I've already reread several of my favorite parts a couple of times now ...

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was smart and funny and sexy. The further I got into it, the harder it was to put down! It's an interesting novel because it really tells 2 stories. The first part of the book focuses on the main character's life in college as she is struggling to understand her own sexuality. There is some racy stuff here as she discovers and unleashes long-repressed passions! The second part of the book is really a legal thriller. The main character has become a lawyer and is involved with some colorful characters in an intriguing law suit. There are many interesting and enjoyable aspects to this novel, but what I liked best was that it was basically a love story. You find yourself routing for the main charater as she travels the long and winding path of true love! "To the Edge" is a good read that leaves you feeling satisfied on many levels. I hope this novel is the first of many for the author!

This book was absolutely one of the best books I've read in years! It has it all -- gripping plot, well developed characters whom I grew to love very much, and some very steamy sex scenes!! I can't believe I've never heard of Cameron Abbott before. If she keeps writing, I'll be losing a lot more sleep, because this book kept me up over the course of several nights --I just couldn't put it down! And once I finished it, I reread it all over again. I read a lot of lesbian fiction, so I'm pretty used to all of the differences in quality. To The Edge really stands out as something special in lesbian literature -- I certainly hope Cameron Abbott will be doing a LOT more writing!

The book is a marvelous first attempt; the plot is neat, the main characters interesting and mature as they age, and the villains are easy to hate. The narrative weaves much of the magic, although the sequencing can be a bit predictable. I love how Abbott portrays the the rawness of emotions in the little plot twists. I hope she continues on this level of fine writing for her future productions...

'To The Edge' - what a fantastic novel. It has it all - great characters, plot and pacing. The author managed to draw me into the story so well - to the point where I was searching for the kleenex at times. From Anne's 'coming of age' experiences in the Seventies to the interesting legal drama and romance of the Nineties, this book will have you hooked.

this book was a very enjoyable read. i read it in two nights. the whole time wanting these two women to realize they are meant to be. the fact that i read it in two nights was not said to make you think it is a simple read. although it is not a complicated read either. it is just that enjoyable of a read, i didnt want to put it down. i have read it three times already and will probably continue rereading it.

Who among us (by us I mean fellow lesbionics!) hasn't fallen in love with our best female friends. If you reply no, you're lying. Usually it leads to nothing but frustration (sexually and otherwise) and heartbreak.
Meet Anne Henderson. Anne is the token lesbian in her high powered law firm, a workaholic, and religious swimmer. Why is a woman so charismatic and good looking living alone in a Manhattan apartment with her requisite cat?
We soon meet Anne as a college student in the 70s. She's not the future lawyer we're introduced to in the beginning of the novel. In fact, she's a theater major with an equally stunning/blonde boyfriend. My, how college changes people!
Anne isn't all that she seems. She had an unorthodox friendship with a younger woman in high school. The boundaries of that relationship were blurred on several occassions and Anne still struggles with her feelings about Gallagher.
Anne is enrolled in a Women's Studies class and becomes enthralled with fellow student Rae Sheldon. Soon the two women are moving way past flirtation...and after graduation hit Europe together. Anne ends up returning to America, alone and heartbroken.
Flash forward to the 90s again. Anne is being forced to mentor a senior law student as a recruiting tool by her firm. Frankly, Anne would rather have a root canal. Due to forces out of her control she is saddled with a second "little sister" law student. Rachel Evans is more stunning than Rae Sheldon ever dreamed of being. She also seems equally enchanted with Anne.
Anne is still great friends with Gallagher. They never really talk of those blurred encounters they had as teenagers. Gallagher is now a high powered banker and engaged to a man who's jealous of her career and her friendship with Anne.
Mixed into this wonderful story is a legal mystery that equals John Grisham. Be prepared for lots of legalise (Cameron Abbott is a praticing lawyer) but it's managable for us non lawyer types. Anne is soon flying across the country to handle a multimillion dollar lawsuit and her high school reunion (cue the root canal again). In the midst of it all Gallagher insists on talking to Anne in private at some time during the reunion.
I loved this book and still find myself going back and reading it from time to time. My only regret is that we don't get to spend much time reading about Anne and her eventual soulmate! I guess what's left to the imagination is better than the explicit description but this reader would have loved more details!
I also recommend Cameron Abbot's other novel...although this one is still my favorite!