I enjoyed this book! Tessa had everything when disaster struck. Someone robbed her apartment and her father had a heart attack. She goes home to care for her dad and gets a job teaching in the same high school she attended as a student. There she sees her old nemesis, Ryland, who is now her colleague. He was in the NFL but now he is a single father who dotes on his daughter, Emma. Tessa befriends the child but remains skeptical about the father.

And then there's Joey, Ryland's best friend. Tessa had a crush on him in high school, but he became a well-known baseball player and was completely out of her orbit. Now he's back in her hometown and dating her.

Tessa wishes she could get back to writing, but her career as a ghostwriter crashed when her apartment was robbed of all her notes. Can she ever go back to the work she loved? And does she really love Joey?

A wonderful tale and well worth reading. ( )

Looking for humorous chick lit with a serious message? Then you definitely need to check out Life on The Porcelain Edge by C. E. Hilbert. Hilbert has created characters who struggle with the same things as real life people — vulnerability, self-doubt, and fear of rejection — while entertaining the reader and presenting the hope and grace that is promised by God. This charming novel was a delight to read. Although main characters Tessa and Ryland are the ages of my children, I could definitely identify with their dreams and fears.

Tessa returns to her hometown in shame. Her life seems to be circling the bowl — lost job and lost reputation. Faced with her high school tormentor, this self-acknowledged runner is in for a period of growth or stagnation — her choice.

I loved the characters in Life on The Porcelain Edge, especially precociously cute Emma. They could easily be the boy or girl next door, or your nosy neighbor, or best friend. Hilbert has a way of making them fun and funny and true to life. They also grapple with real life issues that go to the core of who we are. In addition, this novel is a wonderfully written romance — there’s plenty of chemistry between Tessa and Ryland. The novel is also firmly grounded in faith, presenting truth to both the characters and the reader.

A quick read, Life on The Porcelain Edge is no puff piece. And for fans of Hilbert, you will recognize characters from her other books. Don’t worry if you haven’t read anything by this author; this one is a standalone. But don’t be surprised when you want to read more!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..This book was fun and all over the place, how well we have lol moments, tear moments and chaos moments.. So we meet Tessa was a ghost writer, but unfortunately someone broke into her files and outs her and she loses her livelihood. Then to top that off her dad has a heart attack and she has to go home to care for him where she runs into her old classmate who always had a crush on her but she felt he was a bully. When you think that she and Ryland have something about to happen here comes Joey, and just what is it with him..Anyhoo true entertainment.. Enjoy! ( )