Familiar, Yet Better

Title: On an Edge of Glass
Author: Autumn Doughton
Published: March 9, 2013
Source: Amazon
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Review: ★★★★★

You can’t plan for everything…

That’s what Ellie Glass realizes after she has a chance encounter with a young musician. Long-haired, a bit scruffy, and undeniably sexy, he’s the exact opposite of her “type,” but now Ellie can’t stop thinking about him. When fate intervenes and the two are thrown together, Ellie gets more than she bargained for. Pretty soon she finds herself feeling and doing things that she never thought were possible. 

This is the captivating story of an undeniable attraction, the choices that we make, and ultimately, the unexpected power of love

The best things in life are free.

Indeed, I got On an Edge of Glass for FREE at Amazon.

Oh yes, Ms. Autumn Doughton did it again!

And as I have expected - it was awesome. Okay, a little bit cliche, with a plot that I have read a couple of times out of a YA cover, but Ms. Doughton can spin magic out of it. She writes in a way as if  readers can find it familiar but somehow, better and a little bit different than usual.

Why pursuing anything with Ben is a bad idea? -Ellie

1. He's not my type. He's scruffy, whereas I'm put together. I wear cardigans for God's sake. I think that effectively blocks me from being allowed to date musicians

2. Ben is my roommate

3. I made a pact with Payton and Ainsley. I made the two of them promise that they wouldn't go after Ben, regardless of how tempting he turned out to be. That has to stand for something

Character Profile

Name: Elizabeth Jane Glass or Ellie 
Qualities: Intelligent, talented photographer, type-A personality (obsessed with plans), a very good friend, not-so-good communication skills.
Current Activities: Reviewing for LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
Future Plans: Ace LSAT, go to NY for summer internship, go to Columbia for law (like her parents), and join her parent's practice as a corporate lawyer - whew! big plans!!
Roomies: Payton and Ainsley
What I love/hate about her: she's a dear, a great friend, someone who loves to plan things ahead,like I do but she can also be a pain in the a**, especially when she runs away from something without confronting it, she could be intelligent but when it comes to the matters of the heart - she's going to fail without a doubt.

Name: Benjamin Hamilton or Ben Profile: tall, dark, handsome, lankyCurrent Activities: he's proficient on three instruments, plays cello at the university, bassist for a local indie bandFuture plans: going for auditioning for several orchestra placementsCurrent Address: apparently, he's Ellie's new roomie!What I love/hate about him: I'd say he's a total boyfriend material: he's sweet, doesn't do drugs, doesn't have dirty secrets, no big family drama, isn't a womanizer (although anyone can fall at his feet, esp groupies). I find him cute especially when he turns shy, he's witty, has a heart that's ready to love and honest with his feelings (at first), but of course what more can you take when the girl you wanted the most won't give you a chance to explain?Favorite Scenes1.) On the doorstep: Ellie and Mark were talking about they boy she met on a coffee shop, and here was the boy coming on their way.

Ben: 

Ellie: 

Mark: 

2) The Lunch with Dad - it was so funny, it's like watching Ellie shrinking into her sit with all those funny stories her dad was sharing with Ben from her youth. I was glad that her dad instantly liked Ben as well. Even though her father only appeared a couple of times in this book - he projected a kind, and understanding father who's willing to support her daughter whatever her decisions are. (The way Ellie was trying so hard with the exams- I thought her parents were very strict and wanted nothing but excellence for their daughter - but it was the exact opposite!)

Favorite Characters

How can I not adore Mark he's the gay best friend who's uber-loyal to Ellie but won't take any sh*t coming from her. He's her number 1 fan and critic, he's honest with her and points out what exactly he sees and best of all, he's there when he's needed. He's super fun and I couldn't help but laugh when he comes in the picture.

Asher - just a little bit of him on a chapter and I totally want to get to know Ben's younger brother more. Unlike Ben who seems to be shy and simple, his younger brother is cocky, and plays lacrosse and baseball. Oh yes, he could be a great main character in the making, wouldn’t you say so, Ms. Autumn? :)

Roomies: Payton and Ainsley, besides Mark, they were Ellie's best friend. They wanted Ellie to have fun instead of burying herself in piles of LSAT reviewers, they encourage her to go out, have fun and date. They were very, very understanding when the truth finally revealed itself.

Final Words: I had a grand time reading this novel, it was short with just enough angst, drama and comedy to complete my day. Yes, our dear Ellie frustrates me, and I would have strangled her if she were a true human being, and I would have love to read what was going on inside Ben's mind. Going to recommend it to friends who love a feel-good, not-so-emotionally-draining, amazing book. And yes, I will patiently wait for the next Autumn Doughton novel.

Let me give you that hug again:

THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH!

“Happiness isn't something that you plan for. It comes knocking unexpectedly, just like opportunity. And it's up to you to answer the door and invite it inside.” 

“I love you back - in a big and epic way.” 

“Insecurity is like a net, and I let it catch me.” 

“I'm being fair, it was the best kiss of my life- a kiss that finds all your seams and pulls them apart, stitch by detail stitch.” 

“I can assure you that a kiss under the influence does not equal long-lasting romance.” 

“Crushes are for fourteen year olds. Ellie, I would describe what's happening to you as falling.” 

“This is no shy, just-between-friends kiss. This is a kiss unlike any that I've ever had. It's the kiss of a hundred thumping kick drums, a raging earthquake.” 

“But, here's a sad fact: perfect isn't meant to be. When you aim for perfect, you just wind up ruined.” 

“Sometimes things don't work out like we plan. Like, maybe life has other things in mind.” 

“Here's what I think: it's one thing to know that rejection is coming, and it's an entirely different thing when it arrives.” 

“He looks at you like you're the only person in the room. Like he's trapped underwater and you're an oxygen tank. Like he's in anaphylactic shock and you're an EpiPen.” 

“Life is unpredictable and it doesn't follow a map.” 

“Look, haven't you ever heard that musicians play from the heart? Well, I can't be expected to play in California when my heart's over two thousand miles away.” 

“I guess, sometimes the most inexplicable things end up being the ones that work the best.” 

Photo grabbed from Amazon

Autumn Doughton

 My first love is reading. My second love is pizza.

Currently, I live in Gainesville, Florida and I write books. Fun books for you, and your sister, and your best friend, and your hair dresser, etc. I think of writing as a sort of therapy, and the results tend to be feel-good odes to my lost youth, which is exactly how I like it.

When I'm not working or chasing after my two daughters, two dogs, two cats, three ducks and one lovely husband, I can be found skulking around the movie theater or local bookseller. Generally with chocolate somewhere on my person because I never leave home without a treat.

follow her: goodreads

♥.♥.♥