At the Island's Edge by C.I. Jerez ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

An Iraq War veteran returns to Puerto Rico to reconnect with―and confront―the past in a heart-wrenching novel about duty, motherhood, and the healing power of home. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2025; Lake Union; 978-1662523427
audio, ebook, print (399 pages); romance

This beautifully written takes place in Puerto Rico.  Lina has taken her son and returned to her family home there after her time in Iraq with the Army as a medic.  She was suffering with PTSD and addiction and felt that returning to her home would help solve her issues.  Her son is 9 years old and has Tourette’s and she hopes that getting to know his extended family will help him.  She has high hopes that moving back to Puerto Rico will solve her problems but instead, the move makes her worse.  The Army treated her like a hero because she had to take a life when her convoy was under attack.  She feels like anything but a hero - she was a healer and couldn't stop blaming herself for killing a young boy who reminded her of her son.

When Lina and Teo arrived in Puerto Rico, Teo was thrilled to meet his extended family and spend time with his grandparents.  Lina had left home with the belief that her parents - especially her father - didn't approve of her or her decision to join the Army.  She begins to drink heavily to help her get through her days.  After her son sees her drunk, she decides that it's time to get help and try to get her life back on track.  At about the same time, she meets a veteran from South Carolina who has also moved to Puerto Rico.  Will they be able to help each other heal and will therapy help Lina get rid of her demons of the past and find happiness in her life?

Lina is a well-written character and it's easy to care about her and her mental health.  I was pulling for her from the first pages of the book.  Her son Teo is also a fun character.  Even though he has a disease that he gets teased for, he is a smart young boy and seems to love and appreciate everyone.  It was also very interesting to learn more about Puerto Rico and its culture and history.  It was apparent that the author loved the setting of the book and she reveals in her author's notes that she spent time working on the island and loved the people and the culture.

This is an emotional novel about love and war, guilt and redemption, and the importance of family. 

Buy At The Island's Edge at Amazon

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is three hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west.  She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.   

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