“C.I. Jerez’s enchanting novel, AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE is a captivating and poignant debut about a young mother’s struggle to heal from the scars of war following her deployment to Iraq as a U.S. Army medic. Jerez’s deeply moving prose dives into the realities of war for women in combat, the complexities of serving while balancing motherhood, and the sacrifices made. This heartwarming novel captures the beauty of Puerto Rico’s culture and leaves us wanting more!” – Robert Dugoni, author of Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
“C.I. Jerez’s AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE is an astonishing debut; an eloquent, moving, and heartfelt story about a young mother’s efforts to claw herself back from the precipice for the sake of her young son, even as she is convinced that she is beyond redemption. Jerez’s compelling prose and deep insights into Puerto Rican culture elevate this thoughtful and thought-provoking novel. I loved this book!” – Karen Dionne, author of the #1 internationally bestseller The Marsh King’s Daughter and The Wicked Sister
“Rich with culture, vivid characters, and elegant prose, AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE is a knockout debut by an author who is sure to leave a bright literary mark on this world. I was swept away.” – Boo Walker, bestselling author of An Echo in Time
“C.I. Jerez’s debut novel is a fresh and immersive delight. Somber and heartfelt. AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE offers a flawed but substantiative protagonist plagued by the psychological trauma of war as she returns home to face her family’s failed expectations. It is also a love letter to the island of Puerto Rico and its people, a richly woven tapestry, filled with wonderfully palpable details. From beginning to end, I was utterly transported.”– Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Echo of Old Books
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.
Inspired by her time as an Army Officer during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, C.I. Jerez has written a heartbreaking and gripping debut novel, AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE (Lake Union; March 18, 2025), about a single mother who returns to her native Puerto Rico with her son to heal from the trauma of war.
Says Jerez, “As a writer, I want my stories to positively promote Latin culture, real-life struggles that deeply affect our society, and representation of people of color and people with disabilities. With AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE I hope to entertain AND elevate these voices.”
As a combat medic, Lina LaSalle went to Iraq to save the lives of fellow soldiers. But when her convoy is attacked, she must set aside her identity as a healer and take a life herself.
Although she is honored as a hero when she returns to the US, Lina cannot find her footing. She is stricken with PTSD and unsure of how to support her young son, Teó, a brilliant, loving little boy with Tourette’s. As her attempts to self-medicate become harder to hide, Lina realizes she must do the toughest thing yet: ask for help.
She retreats to her parents’ house in Puerto Rico, where Teó thrives under her family’s care. Lina finds kinship, too―with a cousin whose dreams were also shattered by the war and with a charming and compassionate veteran from South Carolina who also sought refuge on the island and runs a neighborhood bar.
But amid the magic of the island are secrets and years of misunderstandings that could erode the very stability she’s fighting for. Hope lies on the horizon, but can she keep her gaze steady?
AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE is a harrowing and redemptive novel from an exciting new Latin American voice that sheds light on women war veterans and the debilitating trauma they face, as well as the healing power of family and Puerto Rican culture.
To help celebrate the publication of AT THE ISLAND’S EDGE, we are hosting a virtual book tour with this stellar list of book influencers who will post reviews, features, and giveaways. We hope you will follow along!
Tuesday, March 18: WE LOVE BIG BOOKS AND WE CANNOT LIE
Tuesday, March 18: STOREYBOOK REVIEWS
Wednesday, March 19: BOOKS N BIKRAM
Thursday, March 20: BOOKALONG
Friday, March 21: SUNFLOWER BOOK LOVER
Friday, March 21: MEOWSKINS BOOKSKINS
Monday, March 24: BOOKS AND COFFEE MX
Monday, March 24: SUBAKKA BOOKSTUFF
Tuesday, March 25: THE BOOK CLUB MOM
Wednesday, March 26: BOOKS ON MY MIND
Thursday, March 27: WBTB BOOK REVIEWS
Friday, March 28: THE READING BLACK GIRLS
Saturday, March 29: THE MADDIE HATTER
Monday, March 31: BEE IS FOR BOOKS
Monday, March 31: JENS TOWERING TBR
Monday, March 31: STORIES ON BOOKSHELVES
Tuesday, April 1: NURSE BOOKIE
Wednesday, April 2: NIK’S BOOKSHELF
Thursday, April 3: DANISH MUSTARD READS
Friday, April 4: SUE THE BOOKIE
Monday, April 7: MELANN ROSENTHAL
Tuesday, April 8: LEXIJAVA
Tuesday, April 8: 2 MANY BOOKS 2 LITTLE TIME
Wednesday, April 9: BOOKS AND BIEWERS
Thursday, April 10: GLORIANA WONG
Friday, April 11: SPEEDREADSTAGRAM
Monday, April 14: MICHELLE LOVES BOOKS
Tuesday, April 15: MY BURSTING BOOK BAG
Wednesday, April 16: A BLUE BOX FULL OF BOOKS
Thursday, April 17: WE BREAK FOR BOOKS
Thursday, April 17: LOVE MY BOOKS 2020
Friday, April 18: BOOK DRAGON 217
