My First book of 2020 and i read it in one day :D. I was excited to read this one. At this point, everyone who knows me, knows about how much i love GL books. There is maybe only 2 books of hers that i did not enjoy that much. But this one is not one of them. So, today let’s talk about ”The edge of the world” by Garrett Leigh.
Shay and his pirate rockband is going on tour. Music and concerts are the most important thing on tour. But on free time… it’s time for Shay to find out where he is coming from. There is a contract about making a documentary about him and his roots(he is adopted and doesn’t know what was his ancestors) and that’s how Ollie gets on that tour buss. When Shay and Ollie meet… Ollie knows more about Shay and his blood relatives than Shay himself. But Shay is not bothered. He actually gets pretty interested to know stories about his ancestors and what they did in their lives. Slowly romance is building but Ollie has his own past and dark moments from that, which still haunts him and has left scars. Are they strong enough to face the past and stay together?
I love that Garrett tries to always give characters different backgrounds and professions. I mean – i would be extremely bored if all her books would be about i don’t know… army dude and coffee shop owner. Nothing wrong with that combo, but… if that would be the main one in all books, then… it would get boring soon. I love that she always thinks about something different, gives her characters different lives and are not making them all the same. It’s cool. This time, story is about a musician from pirate-folk-rockband and genealogist/film maker. First time i read a combo like this on her books. Interesting. That combo was the first thing that got me excited when i saw that Garrett will publish a new book.
”I see you because i want to. It’s up to you how much you show me.”
Touring is your typical touring – buss, alco, sexy times, music etc. But then again – if i’m being honest, that’s how i picture it(touring, i mean) too. I didn’t have problem with that. I just can’t imagine pirate rock band going on tour and… in free time acting like they are first graders who don’t know what is partying. Touring in this books, for me, was like i imagine it. It was not over the top parties(when they are not capable to do shows, because drunk all the time etc.). Just… normal amount. Like rock band.
As a historian, i loved how Ollie approached his task and how he told Shay about his past. He started with old info from yeaaaars ago and then worked up to… newest info about Shay’s family. For me, it was a good choice, because it somehow built Shay’s character up better than if Ollie would just tell all the newest info and then just some stuff about old days. Yes, he kinda told Shay his real name in first day, but after that… he choosed to go from oldest info to newest.
I liked both characters. They were good guys. I did not like how… fast Ollie’s therapy thing happened and went on(at the end). I think it takes a long time to get over things, to start thinking different. It’s a matter of months and maybe even years. Not days… but for Ollie it felt like it took few days and he was half healed already. For me it just didn’t go with how he acted before. The thing i liked tho, was how Ollie(and his mother too) mentioned in few sentences, that if Ollie wants to change things… he has to do it for him. Not for Shay or because he wants to be with him. He has to do it because he wants it for himself. I think it’s a very important thing to remember – if you want to change something in you, in your life, do it because you want it. Do it for you. Not to be better for someone else. Remind yourself, that – yes, you want to be with that person, but you are changing things for you. That’s your main reason. You. Not others. I liked that there was this message. It’s a detail but important one.
Alsooooo, i just can’t not mention this – there is Lithuania mentioned(not just one time) in this book. Why i’m excited? Because i’m from Latvia, which is next to Lithuania and it was so cool to see a Baltic country mentioned and connected to story. Because in books it’s always just France, or UK, or Sweden, USA, Germany…. or any other big country. It was cool to see Lithuania :).
In my opinion, this is pretty good book. It is written in her typical style, which i like and which is really easy and fast to read. Characters deal with real health problems which a lot of people could relate to(specially to Shay). It’s also in a way a book about how interesting and important it is to know your own, personal history, where you came from etc. I liked the story and really liked main character combo.
Bookshelf darling 