Book Review: Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Walk the Edge
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Thunder Road (Book 2)
Publication: Harlequin Teen (2016)

Description: One moment of recklessness will change their worlds 

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyberbully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules.

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

My Thoughts: Told alternately from Razor's and Breanna's point of view, this story is a romance between two very likeable but very troubled characters. On the outside, shy, brilliant, and super-responsible Breanna doesn't have much in common with motorcycle club member and hotties Razor. To say that their worlds are different is a gross understatement. But on the inside both of them are struggling with trying to fit into their families.

Breanna is the 5th of nine children in the Miller household. Both the older four and the younger four have formed their own cliques and Breanna doesn't fit into either. She also has an unusual brain in that she has a near-photographic memory and a compulsion to solve puzzles of all sorts. This makes her feel like a freak at school as she tries to hide what she can do.

Razor is having trouble fitting in at the motorcycle club despite being made a full member when he turned 18. He knows his dad and his "brothers" are keeping secrets from him about his mother's death and has trouble trusting them. Since rumor has it that his mother's death was a suicide, Razor feels guilt that he wasn't enough to keep her living. When a detective offers some new information that his club brothers want to keep from him, Razor goes to Breanna for help.

Razor isn't the first person who wants to use Breanna for help. One of the football stars is blackmailing her with seemingly intimate pictures of her with Razor to write his papers so that he will get a college scholarship. The pictures, if posted online, could easily ruin Breanna's reputation and wreck her future plans.

This story was emotionally intense and I couldn't put it down. While I don't understand the appeal of motorcycle clubs, I could see how they were a family to Razor. I could also understand and sympathize with Breanna as she tries to find her own role in her family. This is also a good example of the perils of social media.

Readers who want a romance that will keep them reading don't have to look past this book. It was an amazing story.

Favorite Quote:

"Remember—someday soon, I'll help you with that wild kiss."

Razor steps back and it is only then I realize how much I had been leaning against his sturdy chest. Dear God, please let this bizarre gift you've given me still work despite the alcohol. I need to remember Razor saying he'll kiss me. I need him to want to kiss me later.

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The boy everyone sees but nobody knows is with the girl who everybody knows but nobody sees.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.