The Edge of Chaos

The Edge #4

by J. Saman

You know that awful moment when you realize you accidentally slept with your best friend's older brother?

I met him on my last New Year's Eve in New York. Sparks flew. Madness ensued. And after the hottest night of my life, I ran out on him.
Three years later he and I come face-to-face again.
Now do I not only learn his name but realize the heat between us hasn't dissipated for a second.
Thankfully, I'm a woman who can spot his type from miles away. Especially when my friend goes on to explain just how off-limits her older brother is. A player who has wrecked her friends' hearts a time or twenty.
He doesn't agree.
In fact, the gorgeous and persistent man believes we should pick up exactly where we left off three years ago.
Sorry, not gonna happen. My life is already filled with more chaos than I can handle and the last thing I need is some hot playboy adding to it.
Only he turns out to be so much more than I expected. Intoxicating and impossible to resist—all over my place, his stairs, it doesn't matter. We're insatiable.
Now I just have to figure out how to keep my heart out of the game.
Not so easy to do when he's determined to win it.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Medical, Nursing, Friends To Lovers

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2021

About the author

J. Saman is a USA Today and Amazon top 10 bestselling author who writes sassy, swoony, and scorching contemporary romances. She is addicted to Diet Coke, sour candy, and indie rock. She swears way too much (especially after a glass of wine) and has a penchant for sarcasm (or so her husband and children like to tell her).

J. is an admitted lover of second chance romances, enemies to lovers, and the perfect amount of angst. She is best known for writing funny and emotional romances filled with smart, strong women, and sexy alphas who have a softer side - especially for their women.

Want to learn more about J. Saman? You can check out her website http://jsamanbooks.com

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Reviews

[Canan]

Bir adamın üstüne bu kadar gidilmez! Neymiş playboymuş, hovarda ve oyuncuymuş... Ciddi düşünmesi çok imkânsızmış... Ve bu fikri savunan kişi de Brecken'in kız kardeşi Aria! Sebep?Lise de -ki takriben 14 yıl önce- en yakın arkadaşları abisi yüzünden ona sırt çevirmiş🤦🏻‍♀️Aria sana bir sır vereceğim. İnsanlar büyür! Sende dene 😒Hayır adam benzer bir davranışta bulunsa derim haklı. Hâlâ bir yaramazlıklar peşinde. Ama yooo gayet de ciddi. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Neyse...Brecken yatırım uzmanı. Normalde New York'ta gözde bir altın olsa da başına biraz işler açıyor. Kovulmak yerine Bostan'daki şubeye transfer ediliyor.Boston demek kardeşi, yakın arkadaşı ve üç yıl önce, bir gece hayatını sarsan isimsiz kadın Rina demek. Hoş Rina detayından haberi yoktu ama bu çok mükemmel bir hadise... Hımmm ama azıcık sorunlar var. Rina onunla bir şey yapmak istemiyor. Aria baştan resti çekti. Abisi yasak bölge. Bir dostluğu daha heba edemez. Hem Rina da bir ilişki aramıyor. Başına gelenlerden sonra birine güvenip beraber olması çok zor 😭

Rina, annem hiç çaktırmadın ya... Takıntılı, sahiplenici, kısıtlayıcı bir sevgili. Terk edilince tam bir psikopata bağlayan bir adam. Harrison... Babası demez mi bir de, o sadece seni sevdi, onu bu hâle sen getirdin. Allah'ım sen sevdiklerini kaf dağında, el değmemiş, pırlanta sanan insanlardan bizi koru🙏🏻 İşin detaylarını iyice öğrenince adamı sopayla kovalayasım geldi!Bunlar altı yıl önceydi... Harrison'ın babası ona ulaşmaya çalışınca bazı korkular yeniden gün yüzüne çıkar. Zira hiç kaybolmadılar.

Rina ve beş adet abileri ile iletişimi harikaydı. Bence ailecek çok tatlılar. Seri olarak bilgisi yoktu ama abilerinden Oliver'ın (Doctor Scandalous) ve yine yakın çevresinde olan London - Miles'in (Just Öne Kiss) kitaplarına da denk geldim. Onları da listeye aldım hemen. En büyük ağabey Kaplan ve yine yakın arkadaş vakası olacak gibi görünen Carter özellikle ilgimi çekti. Umarım hikayeleri vardır ya da yazılır.

Çiftin arasında ki etkileşime gelirsek... Çekişmeli ve git gelli bir durumdaydılar. Ama ben okumayı sevdim. Rahatsız edici bir durum yoktu. Breck'in çabaları, Rina'nın güçlü durmaya çalışması kendisini okuttu. Eh alev alev sahneler de cabası 🤭

Seri genel olarak orta karar okunabilir. Yazar bilgisine bakmadım belki doktordur, zira kitaplarında doktordan bol bir şey yok 😂

[J. Saman]

The Edge of Chaos is LIVE on SALE and FREE with Kindle Unlimited!!
Universal: http://mybook.to/TEOC
The Edge of Chaos

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I actually really loved this one. Brecken is a sweetheart! So hot too! Swoon.

[BIBI · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

TROPES:
Bestfriend's brother
Second chance
Forbidden
Broken heroine
Rich boy/rich girl
One night stand
Suspenseful romance

Rina(h) meets a very charming and handsome stranger who happens to be our hero Brecken at a bar one night when she's hanging out with her brothers. Instant sparks flow between them and the attraction between them becomes unbearable so they end up spending a night together. Brecken is a player but after meeting rina, he for the first time feels like he wants more from her than just a one night stand. But when he wakes up the following morning he finds rina to be gone without so much as giving her name to him. And the book starts off from them meeting again three years after their one night stand.

Brecken is SUCH a sweetheart, I fell in love with him since the minute he's introduced in the book. The way he broke through the walls that rina had built around her heart and taught her to overcome her fear and made her believe than she could trust him with her heart😩 it was EVERYTHING 😭❤️
Rina is the type of heroine who you just want to protect from everything around her. She's such a strong and lovable character but also vulnerable at the same time.

This book was so easy to consume I literally read it in one sitting like I was that invested in Rina and Brecken's story. The revelations of the past, the steamy scenes(brecken is definitely going to my list of hottest book boyfriends of this year 🥵), the miscommunications, the angst, the character development, the chemistry between them and literally everything about this book was so well written and well paced🥺❤️I loved every second of it💞. I would highly suggest everyone to read Rina and Brecken's story. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL❤️

**ARC provided in exchange of an honest review**

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is just so much to love about this story! It has it all, heartache, heartbreak, forbidden love, lust, hope, second chances, and possibly even real love. Rina is a young woman who one night meets a dashingly handsome man, and she says it will be only one night. But Brecken feels otherwise, until he wakes up and she’s gone. Fast forward a few years, and these two meet up again unexpectedly and the sparks and lust are still there. But nothing can come of it, or can it?

Rina’s character is described as strong, loveable and kind, but she is dealing with something horrible that happened to her years before and she wants nothing to do with a relationship. But Brecken is determined to prove to her that they can overcome any odds and be together. That he is not a player and really wants to make a go of being with her. These two have incredible chemistry and you could just feel the lust between them coming off the pages. But they both have obstacles they are working on to overcome that could change both their lives forever.

I rooted for Brecken throughout this story. I just knew he could be the one for Rina to help her overcome her fears and her hesitancy about being with him. I fell in love with his character as you could just tell there was so much more to him than what was written. Rina and Brecken belong together in every sense of the word. They just need to figure out how. And yes, I highly recommend this story, you will love it just as much as I do!

[LianaReads blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was my first book by the author and surely won’t be the last one.
I loved the writing, the characters and the story overall. From the first chapter I fallen in love with the heroine and I want her as my friend in real life. And the hero is so swoon worthy.
I’m definitely going to read the previous stories because I wang to know more about these characters that the author has created.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

The fourth and final book in The Edge series, this is a gorgeous story with a forbidden, best-friends-older-brother romance full of longing and intensity, and it’s such a great read!

Rina and Brecken met in New York and shared incredible chemistry and one scorching night together. She left in the morning before they could exchange details, or even names. Three years later they are reunited when Brecken moves to Boston and is introduced to Rina as one of his sister’s best friends, (Aria, (heroine of book #2, The Edge of Forever). He wants to pick up where they left off, but Rina has heard nothing but bad things about Aria’s playboy brother and Aria has begged her friends to stay away from him. She doesn’t want to do anything to damage her friendship, so she decides to keep her night with Brecken a secret and stay as far away from him as she can. Brecken has other ideas.

It’s a fantastic set-up, and it’s made so much better because of the palpable chemistry between Brecken and Rina. Every time they are together, you can feel the attraction between them, and I love how Brecken just throws himself all in.

“Go out with me. Give me one date and if you decide it’s a no after that, I’ll back off. But I think we have something, Rina. I know you feel it too, which is why you’re fighting it so hard. I’m not a bad guy. I know I have this reputation, but a lot of it is bullshit. I fucking like you. I want you. One date.”

There is some back and forth but the way Brecken works to win Rina’s trust, to prove that he’s a good guy and to win her over, absolutely stole my heart. He’s respectful, caring and thoughtful, while putting his heart on the line and encouraging Rina to give him a chance, and I love how he’s so honest and willing to fight for what he wants. Their coming together is sweet, fun, and super steamy, and the emotion is just gorgeous. The secrecy brings a feeling of excitement, but neither can deny their connection, or just how easy it is between them. .

Cupping her face in my hands, I breathe in the scent of her and meet her eyes. “This isn’t just tonight.”
“Brecken--”
“I mean it, Rina. I know you’re worried about Aria and the fact that I’m only here for a year and you don’t want a relationship ever again and whatever else you can throw at me. I know all of this. I just don’t care.”

But having the courage to start a relationship is not the only battle they are waging. Brecken is facing big trouble at work, and Rina is still working through trauma from her past, and on top of that, he’s only in town for a year. There is some drama in this one, but it works really well with the story, helping Brecken and Rina figure out what they want and then find the strength to fight for it, and I was cheering them on the whole way.

“You’re all I see. You’re all I want. I’m crazy about you, Rina. So fucking crazy that I don’t even care about anything else.”

The characters from previous books all appear, and I love this friend group so much! Though Aria did piss me off a bit in this one she does come around, and the dynamics of the group all together are so much fun. We also get to meet Rina’s protective, billionaire brothers, and they are a fantastic bunch! Their stories come in the Boston’s Billionaire Bachelor series, and I cannot wait to get to those!

This is such a great read, with a romance that stole my heart. I have loved this series, and I loved this book.

4 stars!

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saman has a way of forcing the heart to stand up and take notice while setting the senses aflame. Brecken and Rina are a mass of deep emotion that will take your breath away. From heartbreaking secrets to repeated misunderstandings, The Edge of Chaos is heartache at it's most profound. It leaves a mighty impression.

[ReadonReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very start Brecken had stole my heart, he had me swooning the instant he found Rina in that bar playing trivia and he swept her off her feet. They have a steamy romp then Rina walks away thinking that is the very last time she will ever see the guy that gave her the best night of her life ever again. Three years later we see Rina has her own demons she is fighting and when she goes to meet up with her friends, she sees that guy and finds out that he is her best friend’s playboy older brother. Brecken could never forget the angel he had three years prior and now she is ultimately the most off limits any woman has ever been, but he can’t help the attraction he feels between them. Like Rina we see that Brecken has his own secrets for being back in town and one too many times the rejection he feels from Rina starts messing with his head, but he can’t help how he feels. Brecken was pure perfection, he made me laugh one second then swoon with his alpha growly self the next. Rina is a tough character that has been through some serious trauma, so she has built her walls up high to keep people at a distance which is understandable after we learn what her secrets are. What I loved the most was how they shared their secrets with each other to understand each other better, but I also loved the way Brecken described his Rina. He always knew she was his angel, but he saw all sides of her and said,
“I suppose you’d call her a perfect storm. A converging of multiple cells that leave nothing but chaos and destruction in their wake. But damn, all I want to do is have her storm plow through me so I can say I lived through it.”
He always saw deeper and knew there was more to her than the persona she tries to hide behind and that is what I loved about him. The way Brecken came into her life like a wrecking ball without being a creepy stalker and the bond he formed with her brothers made me laugh and fall so much more in love with him. He was always trying to show her that he was more than what his sister said, and she was worth everything. Their romance might have been forbidden and I could see where Aria didn’t want her friendships jeopardized but she made me mad a few times because she was being hypocritical about the whole friends and siblings’ issues. Other than that, this story was perfect because we have the funny alpha sweet man and the woman who had too high of walls set around her waiting to see if anyone was worthy enough to climb them to see her true self. Brecken showed Rina many times that he was willing to climb her walls or wreck them all just to get the woman he was falling for.
“Maybe it’s that she’s a walking contradiction. Easygoing yet rigid. Confident yet afraid. Sassy yet sweet. It’s as if she seen and experienced things in a way others haven’t. Despite her defiance, there is a vulnerability she works to hide. And that strength above whatever she perceives as a weakness might be what turns me on most about her.”
“Don’t run because its what you always do. Stay because you never have before.”

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rina and Brecken will hook you from the very start! I was obsessed with this story from first chapter and even though I’m finished I still can’t stop thinking about these two!

I loved the twists and turns that were thrown in this story! From the first time she saw him again to even both of their histories! You never see what’s going to happen coming and I love a story that has intrigue added to the mix!

The heat factor of this book is off the charts and I couldn’t get enough! Every time these two were in a room together you could feel the tension drip off the pages and it had me yearning for them to finally just give in and when they did WOW!!!!

I am hooked on J’s writing and her amazing characters! She is a must read author every time!

[Bookstagrambrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this arc after signing up for it based on the blurb and the fact that I loved The Wild Love Series. After I received the arc, I realized there were 3 books before this one, so I read them first. They all have something in common besides the obvious being the characters crossing over into each book, but they also included a "broken" hero or heroine or sometimes both and they all took a while, with a little angst, but not too much, before they took a chance on love. Then they reach that defining moment, usually something dramatic, before they got to their HEA.
The thing about this is that they were all done so well.

This book features on a couple, Brecken and Rina. They had a one night stand in NYC 3 years ago and did not exchange names or any personal info. That night was Rina's last night in the city and she left before Brecken awoke and moved back to her home town of Boston. So imagine her surprise when she walks into a bar to meet her friends, and one of her girlfriends introduces her to her brother, you guessed it, Brecken. He thought of her often over the last 3 years and is still insanely attracted to Rina, but they act as if they've never met because Aria, Brecken's sister does not want her friends to date her brother because she thinks he's a player who never gets into relationships and she doesn't want to lose her friends because of him. So with Rina having a traumatic past, not wanting a relationship, and not wanting to go against her friends wishes, and Brecken only intending to stay in Boston for one year, Rina decides she shouldn't get involved. But Brecken is charming and persistent, and the chemistry between them is so strong, he soon gets her to give in and start seeing him without his sisters knowledge. The more time Brecken spends with Rina, the more he realizes that this could be something special. But Rina isn't so sure. She has built a fortress around her heart, but Brecken is slowly breaking through. The build up, the defining moment, the declaration of love, all worth it! It was a great story with the perfect amount of angst, lots of good spice and never a dull moment. I loved the first book, but I think I might love this one more. They're all great stories that I highly recommend.

[Sheila Schoenauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, Aria you are a sweet amazing friend but can I smack you? I'm sorry but that girl had me fuming! People grow up, MOST people become better versions of themselves. How she couldn't see that in her brother I don't understand. Why she wouldn't want that for him I don't understood either. I just wanted to smack her, seriously!

Now as for Brecken and Rina. I loved them. I hated Rina's tragedy. That's something no one should have to go through. I felt sorry for Brecken and his story but I was happy that it brought him home. Those two are just what each other needed. I loved Brecken's determination and how he made Rina a better person. I loved how he fought for her. I wish Rina had fought for him more, stood up to Aria for him. But I also can understand she was also still unconsciously living in the past. She needed to fight for herself first.

I liked this story, I liked this couple. It reminded me that we need to fight for ourselves before we can fight for others.

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*

[Vilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A best friend's brother romance with just the right amount of sweetness, smut and characters so well written it feels like you are right there with them.

Brecken and Rina meet in New York at New Year's Eve and have a one-nightstand with a no names deal, which causes some problem when they three years later meet again. At a night out with Rina's friends, who also are some of Breck's friends and one of them are his sister. I love this kind of trope, where Brecken and Rina have to keep their relationship hidden, because it serves some really good longing and sexual tension that almost light the pages on fire. Their banter, their chemistry, the suspense about work issues, the secrecy... let's just say the four stars are well deserved.

At this point you probably know that I looooooove a found family and this group of friends feels like something extra special. Their relationships are complex and complicated (this was not the first best friend of a sibling scenario) and I want to read them all. Oh, and Rina's doctor brothers are getting their own spinoff this autumn which I am so excited for!!

A big thank you to Grey's Promotions for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[loves.romance.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read from this author and it definitely won't be my last. I have already downloaded the previous interconnected books in this stand-alone series and can't wait to read their stories.

Rina is our female lead. She works as an ICU nurse in Boston where she grew up. She moved back to Boston three years ago after getting her qualification in New York where a LOT of really horrible things happened to her. It was on her very last night in NYC that she meets our hero, Brecken. They share a blissful New Year's Eve before she disappears without ever exchanging details, including their names.

Brecken is an investment banker in New York but following a mistake he is sent to the Boston office as punishment. On his first night in the city he meets up with his younger sister and her friends for drinks. But to his shocked amazement Rina is there. She's now best friends with his sister Aria, who has warned all her friends off Brecken; deeming him a wretched womaniser much to his dismay. He hasn't ever forgotten the blond beauty he spent the night with three years prior.

Brecken is swoon worthy. He says ALL the right things. He is 100% IN IT with Rina even if she's not quite on board. The things that happened to her in New York have impacted her to the point that six years later she still can't let herself form a romantic attachment. It's a thing of beauty to see Brecken chip away at those barriers.

This book has it all. It's the ultimate second chance love story with a hefty dose of suspense thrown in. The secondary characters are awesome; I can't wait to read their individual stories and what's even better is that Rina's sexy, protective older brothers will be getting their own stories! Hella YEAH!! I'm aaaaaalllllll over that shiz!!

Many thanks for the advance copy provided by author in exchange for my honest opinion.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think I’m entirely bored with and sooo over billionaire romances, Saman goes and does this! She creates characters who sneak into my heart and stake their claim on it with their raw authenticity, endearing flaws and bewitching storylines.

Rina and Brecken share an incredible night, right before Rina moves back home to Boston. New York had too many bad memories, but she loves her new job as a critical care nurse and has made new friends, as well as having her brothers and parents nearby. Life is good for Rina, finally.

Then her one night stand walks into the bar, and right up to her group of friends. Turns out he's her best friend's brother. But the deck is clearly stacked against them. She could never date her best friend's brother, and he'll only be in Boston for a year.

This gifted storyteller is one I’ve been with since the beginning, and she amazes me all over again with each new book she shares with the world. I love her perfectly imperfect characters and her heartfelt storylines with the perfect amount of angst, always offering us a phenomenal unforgettable reading experience.

Saman has outdone herself with Rina and Brecken's romance, adding an element of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Witty, heart wrenching, and full of feels, you won’t want to miss this captivating, extraordinary read!

[Eclectic Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow!  J. Saman has left an indelible impression with this reader by developing strong, sexy, compassionate characters in a plot full of chaos and a love that will overcome all odds.

It's been six years. Six years since that horrible night. The night that tore her world apart. The night she swore she would never let her guard down again. Until she meets him. An impossibly charming, incredibly honorable, and completely adorable and sexy man who unfortunately happens to be her BFF's "playboy" brother.

I can't lose my friend. I can't risk my heart. Especially over a guy who is nothing but temporary.

Rina is a nurse and billionaire heiress. Her life is finally getting back to normal after she was kidnapped and terrorized by her deranged ex six years ago. Then, at a gathering with her friends in Boston, she meets the man she had an extraordinary New York one-nighter with three years ago and it so happens he is her best friend's brother, Brecken. He still wants her but it won't work because she doesn't date and he's only here for a year. However, Brecken's lovely powers of persuasion break down her walls and her growing feelings for him terrify her. Plus the guilt of keeping their relationship from her best friend, Aria, is a deal breaker. 

Brecken is an investment banker who has been sent to Boston because of his screw up in New York. He trusted a colleague at work who hung him out to dry. Now he has to prove his worth to his boss in New York working for a sleazebag called Rich who is up to no good. Something that may just backfire on Brecken once again and send him to jail this time. Thank God he has his Angel to save him. Rina is the only person who can give him comfort and peace while he's walking on eggshells at work. His feelings for her are much more than one year of his life. He wants her forever, but she has to trust him not to let her down.

I have to admit that Brecken Davenport is one of my favorite characters of all time. He's so sexy, so charming, so possessive, and so right for Rina. His yummy, dirty talk is just...Wow! I had to stop reading a few times just to take a breather. Yep. That good!!! 😉 Watching him woo a woman who has put up big-time barriers is pure pleasure. He even resorts to reading one of her favorite books of all time Twilight. Yes, you heard me. Gotta love a guy willing to "learn how to speak woman". LOL His determination to be the man she deserves reflects in his dangerous dealings at work that could get him fired or even put in jail. When she backs off, he tries even harder with his ruthless and lovely powers of persuasion to overcome the odds and be together.

Rina's ex is dead, but the manifestations from that horrible time have given her OCD and nervous ticks such as tapping her fingers, counting, and spitting out pieces of trivia. Being with Brecken is easy. She is comfortable with him and he is a man she trusts completely. She needs a knight in shining armor to rescue her from her demons and Brecken fits the bill with his beautiful smile, his quick wit, and his will to make her his. However, Rina can't keep lying to her friend, Aria, who is going to blow when she finds out because she believes her brother is a player. But Brecken handles his judgmental sister with brutal honesty and finesse leading to a full confession of Brecken's feelings for Rina and a HEA for the couple.

The supporting characters are a fun crew that add depth to the story. Rina's five older, hunky, alpha, doctor brothers  (yes, five) are a lovely addition. Their love and support for their sister are expected and admirable and they are very easily swayed by Brecken's unbeatable bro-charm from the beginning. Rina's friends are also a big part of the story as well. As for Aria, I have to agree with Brecken that she needed to butt out of his life and stop making accusations that weren't true. She needs to grow up and her boyfriend, Wes (Brecken's BF) needs to support Brecken more as well.

There were many scenes I liked, but my favorite were the hot, sexually charged bathroom scene with Brecken and Rina and the hilarious brotherly wager scene towards the end at Rina's home.

Overall, I am thrilled to recommend this beautiful forbidden love story filled with heartache, joy, laughter, and a bit of suspense. I can't wait to go back and read the earlier books in the series.

Thank you to J. Saman for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

You know that awful moment when you realize you accidentally slept with your best friend's older brother? I met him on my last New Year's Even in New York. Sparks flew. Madness ensued. And after the hottest night of my life, I ran out on him. Three years later he and I come face-to-face again. Now do I not only learn his name but realize the heat between us hasn't dissipated for a second. Thankfully, I'm a woman who can spot his type from miles away. Especially when my friend goes on to explain just how off-limits her older brother is. A player who has wrecked her friends' hearts a time or twenty. He doesn't agree. In fact, the gorgeous and persistent man believes we should pick up exactly where we left off three years ago. Sorry, not gonna happen. My life is already filled with more chaos than I can handle and the last thing I need is some hot playboy adding to it. Only he turns out to be so much more than I expected. Intoxicating and impossible to resist-all over my place, his stairs, it doesn't matter. We're insatiable. Now I just have to figure out how to keep my heart out of the game. Not so easy to do when he's determined to win it.

I had so much fun reading this story. This story has a lot of everything you need for it to make a good romance story. A little bit of mystery, a little what the heck is going on, a little he is so hot and so is she, a little love at first sight, some forbidden features, some hope, some love and a whole lot of I loved these characters so very much. We get the story here of Rina and Brecken. Only when they met three years ago in New York, she was out with her friends playing a trivia game at the bar and it was also her last night in the city. College was done and it was time to go. Brecken was filling in as the guy hosting trivia night and he calls Rina out right there in front of everyone. She has not doubt that he is interest. One kiss, a night of passion and she slides out of his place the next morning not even knowing his name but knowing that it was the best night of her life and the perfect way to say goodbye to New York. Fast forward three years and Rina is now a nurse in the ICU working and living her life with her friends and it seems like she has a good life. But you will know when you read the prologue that something terrible has happened to Rina and your going to have to wonder what it was for a while. I'm not telling you what it is but I will tell you that my heart just about shattered for her but it also will be her past coming calling in this book for a little bit and causing her to begin to freak out all the time. But then you have Brecken the last man he ever expects to see again. Especially at the end of the take at her best friends night out where she was going to let her friends know what her big announcement was. Turns out it was Brecken, her brother and she wastes no time letting Rina and all her other girlfriends know that he is off limits because she says when they were in high school he broke the hearts of all her friends with is sleeping and running ways. Poor Rina is so shocked I thought she was going to fall over but she is also a little irritated a baffled because he never even acted like her recognized her for a second when they were introduced. But when she decides she needs to get out of the bar there he is and of course he remembers the woman that he has not been able to forget for the last three years. Now that is all I am going to tell you about their story. But I will tell you that I loved these two characters so very very much. I loved how much Brecken really wanted something more with Rina and was doing his best to show her and she was having none of it and having to fight herself because she wanted to be with him again just as much as she needed her next breath. Then you have the what happened to Rina years ago and they why is Brecken in Boston really besides what he is telling people about his boss needing him to do a job there for a year. So there is love, lust instant connection and those moments that leave you guessing. What more could you want in a romance book. I loved this book and am so glad that I got to read it.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon

There's a hot guy eyeing her at the bar. Spending the best night of her life with him should mean something, but she runs out on him the next day, never to see him again. Until years later a twist of fate reveals her hot one night is her best friend's brother. Her best friend's very off-limits brother who's gone through most of her bestie's high school friends...yeah...



But is Brecken really the player she thinks he is? Is he capable of a relationship? Even if a relationship isn't something Rina wants, or can handle? Brecken sure seems set on Rina's heart, not just her body. But Rina will have to decide if she believes him, but most of all, if she's willing to be open with Brecken's sister, her best friend Aria, that she's with him. If not, then perhaps they're not meant to be, no matter how much Brecken might want them to be.



Brecken and Rina are one of those couples that don't work on paper, but are actually perfect for each other. Rina's been through something no one ever should have to go through, so she's prone to running when things get emotionally difficult for her. But Brecken's a rock, and his strength adds to hers and bolsters her. I appreciated how hard he fought for her, how patient he was with her, and determined to scale the walls she had built around herself. And their chemistry? SMOKIN! Really the only thing I didn't like about The Edge of Chaos was Aria and how much and how inaccurately she judged Brecken, causing not just pain to him, but to Rina also, so I could have done without her. Aside from her, though, I loved everything else here - the strong emotional component, the sweet natured Brecken along with his dirty mouth in the bedroom, Rina's sassiness, and the strength of the relationships of their entire circle of friends and families.



ARC via Grey's Promotions for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the standalones in this series, I think the third one was the best, but this is a close second. Likely because I read it most recently and read the very first one quite a long time ago. I really like how J Saman keeps me reading and keeps even the non-suspenseful parts interesting. I also really enjoyed how this story took place while the third book's story was taking place, so the climax and third act break up were just kind of told from other perspectives and we already knew the outcome if we'd read the previous book.

Since I've read the Boston Billionaires series, I had already kind of known Rina through their eyes. She really was a bit of a side character but very much loved by each brother, as I remember. It was quite nice to hear her love story and I'm glad the trauma she had suffered was much much earlier than this story, because there was a LOT of traumatic events in the last few books, which is likely why I didn't continue with the series after having read the first one because the couple was actively attacked and I wasn't really interested in suspenseful romances at that time.

So this story was a best friend's older brother. Brecken, our MMC, is the older brother of the FMC from the second book. She actually ended up with HIS best friend, so I really liked that they brought in her hypocrisy when Brecken wanted to tell Aria about him and Rina. I also like that Rina's five brothers accepted Brecken so easily. He really just melded into the group so easily because I think they could all tell how much he cared about her from the get go. The tension between these two was great too. I really like that they had had a crazy one night stand three years earlier and then had mostly moved on with their lives since then and then kismet brought them back together. Again, it's that frustrating thing about the most amazing sex of their life on a one night stand because I just don't think that's incredibly realistic, but again we are in a romance novel where the man is written by a woman, so of course he's phenomenal in bed. I also loved how sure of Rina Bracken always was and how he was the pursuer and he broke down all her walls and didn't even make her think about her trauma that much and loved her sooooo much. I kind of wish I hadn't already read her brothers stories, but I know I can always read them again. I also liked when Brecken confronted Aria and how selfish she was because it was from her perspective and I completely see how she felt the way she did, especially since her story came first, which also helped us feel more for her than if it was next in the series because we knew how hard her high school life was. But she got over it and knew that Brecken loved Rina but was still nervous, of course.

Overall, this book was good and I'm excited for more of J Saman's works.

[Kate G {A Grand Romance} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy, suspenseful story with a strong romance at its core

What you need to know about “The Edge of Chaos”:
✔ One Night Stand
✔ Dual Point of View
✔ Suspenseful Romance
✔ Rina Fritz, nurse and old money rich with a tragic past
✔ Brecken Davenport, investment banker, Rina’s best friend’s brother
✔ Forbidden Love
✔ Can be read as a Complete Standalone
✔ The Edge Series #4

Rina Fritz has a one night stand with a stranger on New Year’s Eve. She knows she’s leaving town the next day so she risks it. She’s gone through something brutal in the past and is trying to get over it, so why not?

Three years later, Rina joins her friends for drinks where she meets her best friend’s brother, Brecken. Brecken turns out to be the man she spent that New Year’s Eve with three years ago. According to his biased sister, Aria, he’s a player with a different woman every night of the week. Aria says Brecken has destroyed more of her friendships than she can count because of his player ways. She warns Rina to stay away from him.

Rina is a mass of contradictions because of the events that shaped her: she is sassy and sweet, confident yet vulnerable, easygoing yet inflexible. Brecken is drawn to her strength.

“When you’ve only had wrong, it’s easy to spot right.” - Brecken

Even though, for many reasons, Brecken and Rina should stay away from each other, they feel a connection. This leads to them telling each other their innermost secrets which just makes their bond ever stronger. They’ve both been through so much you feel so much for these characters.

Brecken is an honorable man who cares about the women in his life. He’s trying to do the right thing in every aspect. With Rina however, the temptation is too great and the chemistry is too powerful. They both want each other and they both realize they are willing to risk it all.

“Nothing about us is easy, but that doesn’t mean we’re not worth fighting for.” - Brecken

There’s a lot of suspense in The Edge of Chaos, in both Brecken and Rina’s stories.

The Edge of Chaos is a steamy, suspenseful romance with an engaging and heartwarming love at its core that I highly recommend. The large Fritz family of brothers will be getting a series and Oliver is up first in October. I can’t wait to read it!

WRITING STYLE: 4/5
PLOT: 4/5
WORLD-BUILDING: 4/5
PACING: 5/5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5/5
ROMANCE: 5/5
HEAT: 5/5

I received an e-ARC of this book, my opinions are 100% my own.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a nice easy second chance romance based in Boston with coffee, takeaway, doctors, nurses and a investment banker, then The Edge of Chaos is for you 🥰.

3 years ago on NYE Rina met a handsome sweet talking charmer, had the best night of her life and then left the next day to move back to Boston and start a new life as a nurse with her friends and family. She never expected to walk into a bar one night to meet the friends brother and it be THAT guy.

Brecken has messed up in his job and as punishment has been sent from New York to Boston for a year, his focus is working hard and proving he's good enough to go back to the job he loved. He doesn't need distractions and Rina is exactly that, he's never forgotten the woman who rocked his world and left him the next morning without so much as a name, so he is pleasantly surprised to find out that she is here in Boston and his sister's best friend.

I absolutely loved Brecken, he hasn't stopped thinking about Rina since their one passionate night together and even if his sister has warned him against her friends, she has no idea that he saw Rina first and from the moment he lays eyes on her again he knows he wants to pursue this but he isn't letting her run away this time. I thought it was so sweet how he went above and beyond to spend time with Rina, even when she tried to push him away and deny her feelings.

Rina hasn't had the best record with relationships and her last one certainly did a number on her so her walls are built up high. She finds it hard at first to admit she likes Brecken more than she should and she is conflicted because she doesn't want to hurt her best friend. I found sometimes she wasn't always the nicest to Brecken and I wish on occasions she could of stuck up for him more because she knows he is a good man and not the womaniser Aria believes he still is.

It was an enjoyable read, not too much angst and the steamier scenes were 🔥👌. I thought Brecken was amazing and definitely book boyfriend material, I mean he read Twilight so he could understand women 🤣. Would definitely recommend and need to check out J. Saman books.

[Sharon Moritz-rosenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author but it was so GOOD that now I need to go back and read the whole series. If you are new to this author or the series it also easily stands alone.

This is a bit of a forbidden romance as Brecken is the older brother of Rina's bestie, Aria and she tells her that her brother is off limits. However Aria says this while she is dating Wes, her brothers best friend too. Sooo...

But Brecken and Rina met before she met Aria, but Aria doesn't know that. Brecken and Rina met 3 years before and had just one night together with no names and so they have not seen each other in 3 years, until Aria introduces her brother to her friends because he has just moved to town for work for the next year.

Lets just say that Brecken knows what he wants and he chases Rina around town wanting her to give him a shot. But Rina feels Aria is more important than a fling and so she fights her lust for Brecken.

Now as I said I have not read any of the books before so I don't know much about Aria. But reading this book she came off as a whiney brat and very immature and judgemental. I kinda hated her and the reason she was so against her friend dating her brother was so juvenile it just made no sense.

There is a also a side storyline about Brecken's job where he is a financial planner and he thinks his new boss might be up to no good. It gave the story more drama and I really loved the ending to what happens to his boss.

This was a drama romance I think. Its not all kisses and flirting. There are some serious issues like stalkers and manipulations of the stock market and what happened to Rina 6 years before that changed her. I also adored her family and most especially her brothers and they are getting their own series so I am excited about that.

I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This “Edge” series is always so amazing with it’s characters and storylines and The Edge of Chaos is no different. Brecken and Rina are amazing for each other and I think I love her hardened spirit even more than I did Margot’s from The Edge of Reason. Rina has endured a lot in her past and she has put up so many walls in her life that she hasn’t ever really felt love and warmth. Until she meets Brecken. Which happens to be one-night stand from years ago that was like serendipity bringing them together.

Now years later and no contact, since Rina never left her information or name with him, they run into each other realizing they have someone in common. Brecken’s sister Aria and Rina’s best friend. This keeps them at a distance since Aria is a bit snobby about her brother dating her friends. This was the biggest and only part of the story that really got on my nerves. I liked Aria from the other books, but in this one she was so completely self-centered about how her brother dating women impacts her life and saying horrible things about him. While at the same time telling everyone what a great brother he is. It rubbed me the wrong way how awful she was about the whole thing.

But the story between these two had all the right climactic moments and love with warmth that it made me feel good. Plus I got to see Londom and Miles for a bit from another book that I loved so much. Overall a great romantic read with plenty of fun scenes that will keep you entertained along with some tension going on behind the scenes with Brecken’s work and Rina’s past history with men. There are definitely a few triggers in this book that may not sit well with certain readers, so if you’re triggered by kidnapping, rape or stalking I wouldn’t recommend reading this one even though it’s only flash backs and not happening live during the story.

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rina Fritz gives into her wild side for one night and has a one night stand that she can't seem to forget about months after. He was a stranger, someone she would never see again, so she left without thinking twice about it. No names or numbers, no repeats, just one night of fun with a stranger.

But now that stranger is about to wander back into her life unexpectedly, with a warning from his sister. Stay away or he will break your heart just like all the others. Little does his sister know, she's already crossed the forbidden line. And against her better judgement she may just cross that line again...

The Edge of Chaos is a perfectly blended romance, bringing you heart wrenching emotion, scorching romance... with just a touch of suspense. Between the pages of this one readers will meet a pairing that by all rights should not be together... but that doesn't stop them from wishing that they were. She's been warned away from him, he's not the kind of man that sticks around, nor can he can't promise forever. The one night they shared together three years ago stays fresh on their minds, and as much as they want to repeat it, they know doing so could wreak havoc on their lives, or worse wind up breaking their hearts. They battle temptation at every turn.. and torture you right along with themselves.

The pages really delivered with this one, it put a squeeze on my heart that lingered long after I turned the last page! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Reading Chills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you prefer anti-heroes or those fine men who’ve got the ability to sweep you off of your feet with their smile and oh so romantic gestures? If you go with the latter, Brecken Davenport is your guy.

The Edge of Chaos, by J. Saman, brings the story of Brecken and Rina. Him being the nicest guy ever and someone who is really hard not to fall in love with. Her, a young woman who’s been through some a traumatic experience and has decided to avoid any sort of romantic relationship.
Of course the combination of these two people is pure chemistry.
He’s a financial advisor and she is a nurse. They meet on her last day in New York and spend and unforgettable night together. No strings attached. No personal info, no nothing. Only pure lust.
Three years later they find themselves back in one another’s lives and have to decide if him being her best friend’s brother as well as not living near her for good will be enough of an impediment to everything they want to live together. At the same time, they have to deal with some complicated events in their separate lives which are far from easy.

The book starts really well with Brecken kinda stealing our hearts with his wit and charm. Then the pace sort of slows down and we get to follow the characters’ development and how they find their way back to each other.

It was a nice ride and I recommend this one to those who enjoy a slow burn about a couple who’s meant to be, but yet need to figure that out.

3,5 stars

[Victoria Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa what a read. There is so much in this book. Brecken and Rina meet a bar in New York the night before she is set to move to Boston. They have an one night stand and she leaves him the next day no names exchanged. Years later she is having dinner with her friends and her best friend introduces her brother Brecken who happens to be Rina's one night stand from three years prior. They pretend they do not know each other and he even goes as far to pretend he does not remember her. When she leaves the bar shortly after him, she discovers he was waiting for her outside. They talk and agree not to say anything to Aria. As the story continues we learn why Brecken is in time temporarily and they keep having run ins with each other while denying their feelings for each other. Rina has a past and so does Brecken. There is so much that happens but I loved the story and her relationship with her brothers was such an addition, their banter was incredible. Brecken is so observing of Rina and when he calls her out on it made his feelings for her even more clear to me. Aria was not happy about her brother and Rina but as he pointed out her being a hypocrite when she is with his best friend. Such a great book and my first by this author but definitely are great intro that I am looking forward to more. Especially Rina's brother Oliver's story which we get a sneak peek at the end of the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alexandria Redmourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.*

It was my first time reading a book by this author and I was unsure of how it would go. My apprehensions were quickly pushed aside halfway through the prologue and my expectations were blown out of the water.

This was such an amazing read with an instant five stars from me, a book I would definitely re-read and recommend to friends. It had three of my favourite tropes; forbidden romance, best friend's brother and tragic past. Not to mention the seven-year age gap.

I was enthralled from the beginning, gripped in at the very start. The author's writing style is amazing, the interactions between the MC's had me grinning like crazy, fanning my face and squealing in excitement.

I loved the progress of their relationship, the slow-burn between them, an independent female MC who stuck by her choices and morals, our charming hero with a dirty mouth and a heart of gold.

I loved the friendship dynamic. It's a large friend group and normally that's hard to incorporate into a story, but this author did it justice. I also, obviously, want a story for Margot and Drew because eek! I also kind of want to slap Aria silly as well.

A great read and I'm honestly honoured to have received an ARC. I was super disappointed when it finally ended and I just want more of Brecken and Rina's story. I can't wait to read the rest of the series—I hate myself for not knowing that the Edge series existed—as well as the Fritz brothers coming soon. That snippet of Oliver's book already has me wanting more and I can't wait for October!

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5.
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

Rina is moving away so there really isn’t a better time to have a no strings attached one night stand with a hot guy. When she meets the perfect guy, she’s determined to make the most of the night on the condition that they don’t swap names. Fast forward three years and the very last person Rina is expecting to see when meeting her best friends brother for the first time is to see the guy who rocked her world. After her best friend warns her off her player brother Rina soon finds out that’s easy said than done.

I absolutely loved Rina and her guy. He’s all sorts of perfection and it didn’t take me long to fall for him. Rina is a brilliant character. She’s a strong, independent woman who’s dedicated to her work as a nurse and at first glance that’s how she comes across. The more you read and learn about Rina really shows just how strong she is. Honestly I loved everything about these two characters, both separately and as a couple.

I really enjoyed this book. It is part of a series but it can be read as a stand alone (I haven’t read all the previous books and I don’t feel like I was missing anything at all). Another fantastic book from J. Saman.

[CLEO · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two meet one crazy NYE night and their world continues without each other.

Years passed, Rina has had tragedy in her life and she's restarting in Boston with her friends and family, trying to never look back at the past and move forward. Keeping men at a distance.

Brecken is back in Boston after having an incident at work in NY. Being the player he is, he’s trying to concentrate on his career and stay focus on getting back to his career in NY.

Never expecting to meet again, there she is his one-night unforgettable stand, and this time he’s not letting her go!

This story is full of suspense and the love that Brecken has for stubborn Rina is incredible. They're obstacles they must defeat to get their HEA. I love reading with all the characters from The Edge Series and looking forward to the spin-off!

[Krissy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC and leaving my honest review. I was pulled into the story from the start and couldn't put it down until I finished it.

I loved how the story played out, the build up of how they met, parted and met again in a twist of fate, the strength Rina displayed and also her vulnerability, Brecken going all in and not giving up on Rina and on what they had, that each of them had their own separate issues to deal with and even though they don't articulate it, they realise having the other around brings them calm, and all the other secondary characters in the story (Rina's friends and brothers). There were painful moments, funny moments and heartfelt moments and I was adsorbed into wanting them to have the HEA.

This is my first time reading this author's work but it definitely won't be the last!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.