"The Brink" by Jamie Fewery is an interesting exploration of a marriage on the brink of divorce. The scenes from the current mediation process are being narrated by either his (Dan's) or hers (Anya's) point of view with snippets from the couple's past woven into the narrative.

I enjoyed the slow unraveling of the marriage's story, including family secrets and struggles that were not obvious and engaging. And the story was believable, showcasing both of the characters' contribution to the split. It was truly enjoyable and engaging read, centring less-than-perfect protagonists.

I received a digital ARC from Legend Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this novel. Each character was well written and relatable. We follow Anya and Dan as they attend lawyer supported mediation to make their divorce easier in a sense. Through discussions with their mediator, we learn about them and their relationship. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Are you nosy? Do you love gossip? Do you enjoy marriage in crisis stories? If you answered yes to these questions, can we be friends? Oh and I have a book for you.

The Brink is the tale of a marriage told through the couple’s divorce mediation. Anya and Dan are parting ways after 15 years, 2 kids, 3 houses and 2 affairs each, and through the talks with the lawyers and mediator we see their relationship unfold and questions arise. Are they doing the right thing?

I was sold on the concept right out the gate. I loved getting into the nitty gritty of Dan and Anya’s marriage, the dynamics between them and the lawyers, the back and forth of the mediation and flashbacks to their past. It was smooth and I found myself not really picking a side, with both of their faults sort of equalizing. That was a pleasant surprise because otherwise I probably would’ve been disappointed by the ending whichever way it went.

There were however 2 things that completely threw me off. Two huge reveals that, instead of being ‘ohhh that makes sense’ moments, made me stop dead in my tracks, rewind the whole book up until those points and rethink Dan and Anya’s whole dynamic because, well, they were dynamic-altering reveals. Considering the form of the story, the jumps between then and now, it would’ve made much more sense for those things to be out in the open from the start, or at least alluded to.

There’s a thousand books your character can be reading instead of Harry Potter. It’s just tired at this point. Better yet, don’t even name the book and avoid sounding dated altogether. ‘A popular middle grade novel’ is perfectly fine and no one has to stop and think if it’s a dogwhistle or just out of touch.

All in all this was a very fun and gripping read and I look forward to seeing the final product.

Thank you to NetGalley and Legend Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dan and Anya have decided to get a divorce as Dan thinks he can make all decisions for Anya while Anya is more than capable to do so herself, Anya is a free spirit and wants to make all future decisions on herself, this book touches on so many topics to do with normal life and it opens your eyes to real life

An authentic story about marriage
This book is not as light as you could think from the cover. Dan and Anya are together since 15+ years with 2 kids. The story begin at the first day of their mediation, they choosed an holistic approach in the hope to stay friends at the end. During the mediation they talk about the good and the bad of their fifteen years together. Sometimes it's a little long. But I liked this book, it's good to read something authentic about a love story on the long run and not just the meet-cute. There is no big twist in it but again it's more authentic that way. Maybe I would have love for the end to be a little less abrupt but I was still happy about it. It's one of those books who makes value what you have instead of dreaming of living in a romantic comedy.

I found this a very interesting read. It was wrote as a kind of cross between a story / case study / divorce guide. With the current divorce mediation of the couple interweaved with flashbacks of their history and how they came to the end of the relationship. Definitely a very different style to anything I have read before. Recommended.

What. A. Read.
Comes out in May and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to get an advanced copy. Despite it flipping between present day and the past, both POVs... It's so well written. I hope Jamie Fewery is proud of himself wherever he is, he deserves to be! 👏🏼

This was very good and emotional. I don't think I have read something just like this before. It was a wonderful book!
I just reviewed The Brink by Jamie Fewery. #TheBrink #NetGalley
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What an interesting and refreshing book concept! I adore marriage on the rocks or marriage reconciliation tropes and this was done in such a new way! It also has SUCH a beautiful cover that I have preordered and cannot wait to have it on my shelves!

What an enchanting read. I found it very endearing and emotional at times to hear all about this couple throughout their lives past and present. Throughout the entire story i was wondering, does love conquer all? You will have to read this book to find out.

Thanks to Legend Press and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones.

This book was too stinking cute! I loved their whole dynamic and I’m a sucker for good banter, and they had it in spades!

Once again I desired to read a book because of the cover! It was one that was told from end to beginning. Very intriguing storytelling. I am always fascinated with books about marriage and divorce and how couples navigate with children. While this one was not my favorite it was still a decent book to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for the purpose of this review. Four stars.

Such an interesting take on marriage and all of its states. I throughly enjoyed this one and I know readers will too.