The Edge of Heaven

By: E.M. Lindsey

Narrated by: Oliver Guinn

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

"And really, what kind of fool goes and falls for their escort?" 

In a fit of panic, reclusive English teacher, Julian Pedalino, lies about a boyfriend when he's coerced into attending his ex-husband's wedding. And when he realizes he has to follow through and actually bring someone, he's left with only one option.  

Hire a stranger. 

He's expecting the weekend to be a disaster, he's expecting everyone to see through him, he's expecting them all to know the truth - that he could never get someone as gorgeous as that to fall for a person like him. 

What he isn't expecting is Archer, the charming man who can play the part of astrophysicist with an endless love for the wonders of space, and gentle words that could sweep anyone off their feet. 

Even Julian, who vowed never to let another man close to his heart, ever again. 

It would be a romance made in the heavens....if only Archer wasn't keeping a secret of his own. 

The Edge of Heaven is a stand alone romance with no cheating and a happily ever after.

©2020 Elaine Lindsey (P)2020 Elaine Lindsey

An entertaining opposites attract!

I absolutely loved this opposites attract, low angst contemporary age romance.

The characters were likeable and the storyline was compelling.

The narration was enjoyable and appealed to me.

Overall an enjoyable listen with a solid plot.

outstanding!!

This was a phenomenal, beautifully romantic, love story!! Julian needs a boyfriend. His best friend hires him an escort. Archer is an astrophysicist who agrees to be Julian’s escort. Both men are genuine, raw and gritty. I loved everything about this story!! So many secondary characters, some were amazing, and some were horrible. I hated Julian’s mom with a passion!!! I loved how Archer could out snark Bryce. This was such a beautiful, swoon worthy, romantic love story!! This was the first time I had ever listened to Oliver Guinn, he did a fantastic job!!

Liked it.

I Really enjoy listening.
the last hour was a bit to cliche, the ending was nice a bit too much for my sweet tooth.
But is a HEA and good narration.

Great story. Excellent Narration

I’ve really enjoyed this excellent audiobook. The narrator’s performance was excellent and the story was wonderful. A beautiful love story, great writing.

A swoony, romantic love story

This is by far the swooniest, most beautiful love story I've listened to by this author. I didn't think it was possible for me to be swept off my feet by Shakespeare and astrophysics, but Julian and Archer had this way of speaking, like they were pouring out their entire hearts and souls for each other, and I was lost to it all. Oliver's narration completely sold me on their romance, and what could have been a lighthearted story about an accidental escort turned into an epic journey of acceptance and love.

Sweet Julian never really lived up to his mother's expectations, and his hurt over being deemed expendable was only made worse after his scummy ex-husband cheated on him. Archer grew up feeling isolated from his peers, and while he threw himself into his research with a fiery passion, he never planned to find romantic love of his own. At a glance, it seems ridiculous that these two would somehow end up falling for each other, but what a perfect fit they ended up being. I certainly wouldn't have guessed it after their first awkward car ride, but during the days leading up to the wedding these two drifted from a contractual obligation to something warm and genuine.

As the family drama escalated for Julian, Archer remained supportive and fiercely protective without being overbearing. What sold me on his character more than anything was the loving way he treated Papa. Julian, in turn, had the freedom to be himself without worrying that he wasn't enough exactly the way he is. Every time Archer earnestly insisted that Julian was worthy and important and amazing I found myself melting a little more. By the time Julian and Archer turned their emotional connection to the bedroom, I was breathless with longing. Their magnetic chemistry lit me on fire, and I felt like I was coming undone right alongside both of them.

In a story full of such eloquent words, even the harsh and unexpected breaking point between Archer and Julian was almost poetic. I felt their sorrow and pain in the deepest parts of my heart, and while I had faith that Elaine would write them back together again, it didn't stop me from being devastated every day they were apart. Their reunion was every bit as romantic as I could have hoped for, and that glorious epilogue only made me more sure that these men have forever to spend together.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions. 

Good story. Good narration.

i was thoroughly entertained by this story. I picked it up because, well, astrophysicist! Few things in this world appeal to me more than physics in any format. No. I am not kidding. That said, the entire plot was as unbelievable as my statement probably is to most people.

I felt like I was reading/listening to an improbable daytime soap opera. I was waiting for a long lost love to come back from the dead. As improbable as the plot was, the execution made the story entertaining. I also appreciate how Lindsey works to incorporate diversity into books. I would have liked the villains of the story to have a chance to explain their motivations, but maybe that will happen in another volume?

Definitely an entertaining story with a few interesting viewpoints and some obvious groundwork for future books.

Secrets Abound!

I really enjoyed this story, it was great, steamy, and romantic. Julian has to go to his ex-husband's wedding and says he's attending with his boyfriend so his best friend hires an escort to go with him and pose as his boyfriend. That's how Julian meets Archer and off they go. They truly are great together and get along so well but Archer is keeping secrets of his own. When all truths are revealed, will the tenuous connection they have built be able to withstand. The narrator did a great job with the story and the characters. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

Great performance for an average story

I was given a free audio copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.

I'm struggling with how to rate this. The first 2 hours I was bored. There's all these names and backgrounds and just piles of information thrown out that I kept drifting off. I almost gave in and DNF and my only advice is once the 2 MCs are actually on their trip together it gets better you just gotta get to that point. I did enjoy the overall plot throughout the book and it kept my interest once the plot got going. I loved both the MCs and thought they were a cute couple. It was mild on the angst and medium on the steaminess. What ruined it for me was how horrible the family was. Particularly the mother. I've read some doozy bad mothers in the past but this one tops all. I would not recommend reading this if you would be offended by a mother who treats her child who happens to have physical limitations like a hindrance or in her words equivalent to a monster and throughout the whole book. I seriously wanted to just throttle her and while I enjoyed the overall story I don't really understand why anyone would go to an exes wedding especially if you hate your family and there's no plus side. it just didn't make sense to me. I'll rate this down the little cause I just really don't know how I feel about it. Will I read it again? No. Would I recommend it? No. Would I read the author again? Yes. The writing is good and I've heard good things about the author even though they are new to me so I would read them again.

Narrator used different voices for the characters which is always a plus. He had a pleasant reading voice. I did speed it up but just a tiny bit. He gave a great performance expressing all the emotions.

I had a slight issue with how the voice for Julien was portrayed. At first I just wondered why it sounded nasal (I hadn't read any of the characters blurb ahead of time). As it went on we learn he is deaf (I don't even know if that's PC to say). There was a line somewhere near the beginning that basically said his voice sounds that way cause he's deaf and that statement made me cringe a bit. I don't know if that's a true fact or just a stereotype but it made me cringe to hear such a broad statement to lump everyone the same nonetheless. I don't blame the narrator for this portrayal as I am guessing he did as instructed or went with the vibe of the book which was mostly cringy. So overall with that in mind that it prob wasn't his his fault. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt and rate it as a 5 star performance.

Fake BF to real

The relationship started out as a fake story but it became so real. The story had so many emotions and feelings. I seriously loved every second of it! I couldn’t stop listening and needed to know what would happen next for these characters. They tugged at my heart so much. I also seriously loved the ending. Archer and Julian had both been abandoned and both have their own scars. They made an amazing couple from the moment it began.

Stole my heart!

This book hit my trope sweet spot. I absolutely loved the MCs! Loved how they came together and how the slight mix up became the best thing that could have happened! The HEA was really fulfilling. This is my first book narrated by Oliver Gunn and I’m def looking forward to hearing more from him!

I loved this story!

Julian has been rejected all his life, his mom, his sister and lastly his husband who is now his ex. He is in a dire situation where he has to attend the ex’s wedding. One thing leads to another and he is going with William, an escort. Nothing is what it seems and the fake relationship turns into a real one. I felt for Julian, his father and was so happy when Archer changed Julian’s life and his perspective. Be ready to root for Julian. I did! Lovely narration too. It depicted the characters personalities.

Fun Fake Boyfriend Romp

I’m a fan of E.M. Lindsey and of the fake boyfriend trope so I had high hopes for this book and they were met.

Julian is in a tough spot. His ex-husband is marrying Julian’s cousin and his manipulative mother is demanding he do his duty and attend the wedding. That’s pretty callous but appears to be par for the course of a woman who believes appearances are everything. Julian has a hearing impairment and his father had a stroke leaving him with lingering visible effects and the woman is basically ashamed of the men in her life. Not a fun way to live. I certainly didn’t like her.

Archer is a guy who lives in the lab. As an astrophysicist, he doesn’t get out much. But he’ll come back to the States from France to make his politician brother happy. He adores his older brother, but being the kin of someone famous takes its toll. Then he’s presented the opportunity to go somewhere and be someone else for a week. And he can help out a guy who clearly is in a tough spot. So he packs a bag and is off to pretend to be Julian’s boyfriend for a week.

Now, Julian thinks he’s hired Archer and so hands-off, right? But the attraction between the two men is just below the surface, and pretty soon even Julian’s interfering mother and nasty ex-husband can’t keep the two men from getting together. But is it all for real or will it end when the week from hell does?

Like I said, the book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Oliver Guinn is a new-to-me narrator and I won’t hesitate to pick him up again in the future. I hope there are more books to come as there were several secondary characters I quite liked.

Great characters and a favorite trope

I love the fake boyfriend trope because I know it isn't going to be fake for long. Here we have two characters, Julian and Archer who are delightful. Julian needs a "boyfriend" quickly for his ex-husband's wedding and when he gets Archer who is pretending to be an astrophysicist with great skill their chemistry is off the charts. There was the expected bump before the HEA, but it wasn't seriously angsty and the whole book made me feel warm and fuzzy. Oliver Guinn gave a wonderful performance of our two main characters and all the side characters. I look forward to hearing more of his work.

Amazing

EM Lindsey created a great start to the new series that is a must follow series. Julien and Archer are amazing characters and it was such a great journey from clients to lovers relationship. A lot happens in the story and the supporting characters make it a brilliant story. Oliver Guinn did a super job bring all the characters to life.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Another good story

EM Lindsey is really a fantastic author. I quite enjoyed all the characters and the plot of this story in particular. It had me hooked from the start, tho some spots were a bit slow, I would definitely listen to this one again!

Great

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
It was such an entertaining story.
Definitely a great start to a new series.
I can't wait to listen to what comes next.

Hard to rate

This book was really rough on me to rate. I thought the prose was very beautiful, poetic, and flowery, but it was almost too much and I was ready to move forward. If I'd been reading it, I'm sure I'd have skimmed a lot. I didn't start getting into the story until about halfway in, and was only engaged during the actual wedding planning and events.

I really enjoyed both Julian and Archer, as well as Julian's father so so much.

A wonderful fake relationship romance

*4.5*
The Edge of Heaven is a wonderfully told story of Julian who is being forced to go to his ex husband's wedding celebrations and in a state of panic mentions bringing his boyfriend, who doesn't exist. His best friend comes to his rescue and hires Archie to go with him. Archie, however, has his own secrets.
The attraction between the two men from the start is quite intense even if a little uncomfortable as they both adjust to this situation neither has been in before. What makes things worse is Julian's mother and his ex, both of whom he has no time for but to bring the balance is his wonderful father. Definitely my favourite family member!
This is a story high in emotion and things develop quickly between the MC's but it felt natural between them and considering the intense situation they were in. I was surprised with how often Julian left Archie alone considering he didn't know anyone there but I adored how staunchly protective Archie was of Julian right from the start. It's sweet between them, even during the angsty moments as things are revealed and feelings are hurt. It's all worth it in the end, though, for their HEA.
This is my first time hearing Oliver Guinn as a narrator and he does a really great job. Character voices are good and hold well throughout and the emotions carry well in all situations.

heartwarming bliss

I really love E.M. Lindsey's writing. there's just something about it, from the first sentence you can feel the emotions that go into creating each word. The way the emotions, history and presence come forth as you read.

These two souls were both lonely and damaged in their own way but their connection blossomed and grew in the most unlikely of circumstances. you feel what they feel and it was beautiful. this is a sweet passionate story worth a read 💗

The Edge of Heaven - delightfully different characters

I enjoyed the listen. There was a lot right going on in the book. I loved the characters' authenticity and the way the differently-abled were portrayed. Not everyone being perfect shouldn’t be such a different breath of fresh air, but alas. When done right, it’s perfection. The narration was good. While the right by far outweighs the issues, I did find a few. The narration as well had some as well. I did speed it up a little, which helped, but it stayed a little robotic-sounding little - sounded like maybe a postproduction glitch. Definitely a recommendation, though.