Member Reviews
An absolute corker of a read. Great storyline that engages and captivates with fantastic characters you really do not want to say goodbye too. Laugh out loud moments a plenty. I have enjoyed all of this authors back catalogue but the last two novels have been amazing! Can’t wait for the next one.
Thank you Netgalley
Turner has done it again- written a book crammed with charm, love, humour and realistic characters.
It was such an original story, one I've never heard of before and it was such a damn shame that we didn't get more of Nana as for me she was the star of the show!
I loved the mini story regarding Stan and Nick, it was particularly warm and fuzzy, in fact there were many off shoot story lines that held my interest and was very happy to be know Tim, albeit via this book!
I will always read more from Turner, its always pleasure. I give this 4.5 stars and it would have been 5 but I didn't quite gel with Joni as i did with the other characters. She was a little, too cold for me, but I did understand her reason for being so and I had huge empathy for her. She was very funny though!
I have read Turner’s other books, both the Unmummsy ones that you’re probably familiar and now her turn to fiction writing.
She is the master of emotional, family feel-good writes. I have laughed and cried in equal measure for both of her books so far.
We have Joni who is quite happy with her predictable, planned and to some, boring life. When her Nan dies she is thrown into a very unpredictable situation in the form of returning home to spend a week with her family.
She hasn’t returned for years. She doesn’t spend time with her family. But they have to complete a series of tasks together if they want to read the will.
It’s an emotional journey. Some days are touching and some are hilarious. You’ll love the characters. You’ll love the messy family dynamics. Don’t miss this.
The story of a blended family who have never quite blended. When Joni's mum dies when she's ten, she never gets over her dad and Allie moving in together. Especially when that makes her best friend Nick her stepbrother. Their friendship suffers. Thirty years later, Joni's grandmother has died and left instructions that the family have to spend a week together doing activities she has organised. This is Joni's idea of hell. Many laughs and emotions for the reader later, and the family are in a completely different situation from the beginning. Long held secrets have emerged, the truth is daunting, and bridges are repaired. Easy to read and will stay with me. #netgalley #ontheedge
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I was really looking forward to delving into this. I read 'Stepping Up' in pretty much one sitting and so I had high hopes for this. I am pleased to say I wasn't disappointed. The author doesn't hide away from adding humour to some really big topics. This time, we are embedded into the heart of a dysfunctional family made to interact together on a week long 'activity' based experience following the death of their much loved Grandmother. Now, she sounds like a hoot in the first instance, denying the family her will and ashes until the have successfully completed every activity together. Never mind the activities she chooses - the third is fantastic and made me laugh at who turned up for them all. The author describes the situations perfect - not too much detail but enough to get the funnies. I'm so pleased with the decision Joni makes halfway through the novel. It was building up to this. And I also found myself wanting an almost romance building in the sadness and awkwardness of the story.
This was a great read - although I am not as great a fan as I was 'stepping up'. That seemed written in a way that evoked the emotions quicker, harder and deeper. The characters are all great in this though and the family are one you can definitely love. Careful to those slightly more emotional - there are some big bombshells and tearjerker moments through this still.
"On the Edge" by Sarah Turner is an absolute gem of a book that deserves all five stars and then some! This hilarious and heartwarming novel follows Sophie, a woman teetering on the brink of a midlife crisis, as she decides to ditch her mundane life and embark on an adventure that’s equal parts crazy and inspiring.
Sarah Turner's wit and humor shine through every page, making this a laugh-out-loud read that also tugs at your heartstrings. Sophie's antics are both relatable and ridiculously funny—whether she's navigating the perils of online dating, trying to keep her sanity in a chaotic household, or discovering unexpected joys in her newfound freedom. The family WhatsApp chats are particularly relatable, capturing the chaos, love, and occasional absurdity of family life perfectly.
The characters are a delightful mix of quirky and lovable, each adding their own charm to the story. Sophie's journey is a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with poignant moments and plenty of laughable ones. Turner's sharp observations and comedic timing make even the most mundane situations entertaining.
Overall, "On the Edge" is a brilliantly funny and uplifting novel that will leave you cheering for Sophie and feeling inspired to embrace life’s adventures, no matter how crazy they seem. A five-star read that guarantees a fantastic time!
I loved Stepping up it was a great debut.
This was good and I enjoyed it. Loved the family WhatsApp group- we all need one of these. Family is brought together by the death of Nana but are they up to the challenge she has left behind for her them to complete.
A good read. Enjoyed it.
This is a full on family drama/saga. Families are not easy, but when Nana dies she has a few requests to mend her families problems. Joni has not been back to her hometown for some time, her dad and new wife Annie along with her two children Cate and Nick. They have to do tasks and at the end of it, Nanas cremations will be unlocked.
A lovely family read, full of fun characters and set in a lovely location. A fab 4.5 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
I loved this book. It had me laughing out loud as well as in floods of tears - for me a sign of a really good book.
Engaging characters, a clever plot, set in a cute village, a love interest as well as crazy old people and cute child - what more could you want.
Highly recommend
Truly excellent.
I loved Joni’s character but Stan stole the show for me. This was really funny and heartwarming. Excellent again!
I absolutely loved the author’s debut novel Stepping Up so was very excited to read On The Edge. 39 year old Joni feels like an outsider in her blended family of her dad, step mum and two step siblings. When her beloved Nana dies, the reading of her will is dependent on the family spending a week together and completing some bonding activities.
There are some good insights into family dynamics and I particularly liked the relationship between Joni and her nephew Stan. I felt that the what’s app conversations got in the way of the narrative, although they did add some humour. For me, a lot of the novel and the characters felt quite flat, there was little depth and apart from Joni, her dad and Stan, I had little interest in any of the characters. A disappointing read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
This one wasn’t for me unfortunately. I just didn’t really gel with the characters or feel particularly invested in the story line meaning it felt quite flat. It didn’t feel like anything new or different and just didn’t have me wanting to pick it up.
I didn’t really enjoy the back and forth messages between characters, I think sometimes it works as a format change but I found it just pulled me out of the story here as it didn’t really add anything.
Overall this book was quite slow and unfortunately just not unique and engaging enough for me
Family are the people you choose and who choose you.
I was a big fan of Sarah’s debut novel, Stepping Up, so I was beyond thrilled that I managed to get my hands on an early copy of On The Edge.
We are introduced to 39-year-old Joni, whose beloved Nana has recently died. Nana’s final wish was for Joni to join the rest of her somewhat estranged family members for a week of ‘fun’ to complete a week of mystery activities or nobody would receive any inheritance.
What this author has proved yet again in this book is that she is SO good at writing about difficult and complicated family dynamics. While there is often a humorous side to her writing, the topics she chooses to embed in her stories are tricky and relatable to readers who don’t have a seemingly perfect family set up. I wholeheartedly agreed with the message to take away from this book, relayed by super cute seven-year-old Stan: ‘No two families are the same. They come in all shapes and sizes. Family is not a thing, it is a feeling.’ I love that sentiment 💞
I would say it took longer for me to really get into On The Edge than it did with Stepping Up - although it’s ultimately a good story, it did feel a little slow in places. The focus is definitely more on familial relationships rather than any major events taking place. I really enjoyed the use of frequent WhatsApp conversations to form part of the dialogue and was a big fan of Sue, Nana’s eccentric friend who has been tasked with leading Joni and her family through the week’s activities. Looking forward to the next ST book 🫡
I loved this book. It’s doesn’t disappoint. It’s warm, funny, truthful and emotional. I couldn’t put it down. I was totally hooked and drawn into the story right from the start.
The story is about Joni and her blended family coming together to carry out tasks left by her late Nana for a week of fun. But while carrying out these tasks family secrets are revealed.
It’s well written and very readable. There are so many relatable moments and you’re rooting for Joni. It has you laughing out loud one minute and in tears the next. The characters are very real and believable. I enjoyed the what’s app chat chapters. Just brilliant.
I liked the authors writing style and look forward to reading more from @theunmumsymum
Overall, a hilarious entertaining read. Definitely recommend.
With thanks to #NetGallery #RandomHouseUk @TransworldPublishers @BantamBooksUK for an arc of #OnTheEdge in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 4 July 2024.
Started slowly and thought where are we going with this book?
But then I got engaged with the characters you do have to know them al ! And where they are in the family so you can figure out who is related to nana Phyllis
They haven’t been together as a family for years but she is going to make sure they are together before they get to read her will so she sets them a series of challenges
Each one will test them either physically or mentally or emotionally but it will test them in their self belief and family values and some very old family truths come out too which change some lives forever
A wonderful story a fabulous book really enjoyed it
Joni has always felt out of place in her family, ever since her Mum died and her Dad remarried her best friends Mum. Leaving her small town at the first opportunity, she is now approaching 40 and finds herself summoned back there at the request of her late Nana. Phylis has organised a full week of activities for her estranged family together as her one last wish.
This was a funny, moving read about family and grief. Joni has had a lot to deal with in her life and has dealt with it the best way she knew how, to protect herself, but it has left her isolated. Getting back together with her family, even for just a short time is not something she is looking forward to, but I really enjoyed the realistic portrayal of family dynamics and especially loved the blossoming of the relationship between Joni and Stan. All in all, a very enjoyable read with a brilliant cast of characters!
Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC of this book. As a massive Unmumsy Mum fan I always want to read any book written by Sarah. I absolutely loved Stepping Up and it was such a shock as I wasn't expecting it to be so emotional!
On the Edge is heartwarming and fun and I actually laughed out loud in a few places (I don't do that often with books!)
The characters are fun and my favourites are Nana's friends and Joni and Stan (and Bilbo obviously!)
The only reason it is 4 stars is because I loved Stepping Up a little bit more but still a fab read that I loved!!!
Definitely recommend!
I really enjoyed Sarah Turners first fiction novel, so I was delighted to get the chance to read her new work.
I enjoyed all the characters in this book, their story was engaging and entertaining. I liked the themes of the true meaning of family; and the settings were picturesque and delightful.
A great novel to enjoy at the beach!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this novel in exchange for and honest review.
Joni has always felt out of step with her blended family after her father re-married her then best friend Nick's mother Allie shortly after her mother died. Now on the cusp of 40 and starting her own family with long-term partner Lewis, she's forced to confront everything she thought she knew about herself during a week of enforced family togetherness to fulfil the wishes of her late nana.
I was invested by this deeply moving, heartfelt, witty and poignant story about grief and family. I adored the journey of self-discovery Joni undertakes. She's carrying two decades of grief from her mother's death which has shaped her into a rigid and contained person. I adored the slow bond she builds with her nephew Stan (their scenes were the highlight).
Sarah Turner deftly illustrates the complex family dynamics. Like a master painter, her characters are complex and well-rounded with layers of light and dark. Even characters we know we're not supposed to like, such as Lewis, demonstrate that they're not completely terrible. This book is well-paced book and written with such warmth and wit. I loved the group chat moments to balance out some of the heaviness. I would, however, have liked more of Joni and Nick working through their teenage issues. Also the subtle side plot with Tim seemed a bit too shoehorned in for the sake of it.
'What does your family feel like?' Laugh, cry and be moved.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
I absolutely loved Sarah Turner's first novel and have re-read it multiple times. So I was really looking forward to reading On The Edge and it did not disappoint. Once again the novel features a central character, Joni, and a journey of self-discovery. This time around Joni must face up to the beliefs about her family (and step family) and how her life thus far has been shaped by them.
Joni faces a week of enforced fun with her estranged family after the death of her beloved grandmother. During the week, Joni must face some home truths about herself, and the ones she loves.
The emotions in On The Edge are complex and at times raw, but so beautifully written that you are feeling them right alongside the characters. Without giving it away, there are some big twists that you won't see coming, and will keep you even more rapt!