Happy Friday! I’m so excited to share this book with you for First Line Friday. Today’s first line comes from a debut novel by an author I think you’ll love – The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox.

September 8, 1994

People considered him homeless because he didn’t have an address of his own, but Harvey James would’ve been homeless even if he owned the turreted mansion off State Route 460. To have a home, you’d have to feel as though you belonged. The edge of the highway was the closest he’d ever been.

The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox

I couldn’t resist sharing more than one line… the whole first paragraph is such a beautiful introduction to the story!

The Basics

Title: The Edge of Belonging

Author: Amanda Cox

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee her late grandmother’s estate sale, she soon discovers that the woman left behind more than trinkets and photo frames–she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy’s adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.

Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he’s ever loved.

In this dual-timeline story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth–both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others–takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go.

My Thoughts

It’s hard to believe that this is Amanda Cox’s debut novel! She has expertly woven together two storylines from the past and present to create a beautiful story about love, family, and finding a place to belong. 

While the plot is unique and the themes are powerful, it’s the rich characterization that sets this story apart. Harvey is such a compelling character, as we see him turn the pain from his past into an unconditional love that would do anything for the baby he found and cared for. Pearl, the grandmother in the story, extends wisdom and grace to everyone she meets. Ivy is someone many women can relate to, as she searches for her purpose in life and healing from an abusive relationship. And Reese, Ivy’s lifelong friend, has become one of my favorite fictional heroes – you’ll have to read the book to find out why! 

Amanda Cox is an author to watch – I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next! I highly recommend The Edge of Belonging, and I think fans of Erin Bartels and Amanda Dykes will especially enjoy this book.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!