Trigger warning - sexual assault, rape
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

This is an important read and should not be confined to its young adult market.
It's a new term at Lycroft Phelps, a New England boarding school as Charlotte, Max, Q and others return after summer break. The novel explores Q's journey as she tries to return to school having been raped by a member of the elite rowing crew at the end of summer term. Scholarship student Max is a STEM whiz but circumstances find him pulled into that rowing crew and he has to explore what his boundaries are in trying to be accepted. Charlotte is the model pupil and dance leader whose popular boyfriend is also on the rowing crew - she struggles to balance roles and relationships.
Without trying to give too much of the plot away the journey that each of these pupils take has consequences - for them and for the school. A school community which is forced to confront ingrained toxic masculinity and the impact that can, and has had, on lives.

The ending felt just a bit rushed but this novel does not shy away from tough topics and should provoke discussion about cultural norms, the courage to challenge these, and the cost of friendship.
I'd have given this 4 1/2 starts if I could have made that work

The Sharp Edge of Silence is a book that cuts deep.

This is a book that fills you with rage at the injustices and violence perpetuated by toxic masculinity, rape culture and a society that is determined to allow it continue. It tears apart the ‘boys will be boys’ mindset and deconstructs the way toxic masculinity warps boys into this, while also holding them accountable for their unspeakable actions. There is definitely nuance here, but not at the cost of forgiving the unforgivable.

For me, this was a searing and incredibly moving book that delves into the myriad emotions and reactions to sexual assault and toxic masculinity. Rosenblum presents this through several different viewpoints, all of whom experience different aspects of this toxic culture. This was a smart move and a sharp indictment of this culture. These characters are so lovable and I connected with all of them quickly, despite their flaws. Rosenblum just makes them so fallible and human and I was drawn to that. My standout by far has to be the combination of Charlotte and Quinn. One of them is consumed with rage and a deep desire for revenge. Rosenblum validates this but also indicates the dangers of letting it control you. The other is slowly awakening to the bubbling darkness beneath the surface of the perfection and social structure of the school.

I loved how raw this felt. Every page is filled with building intensity and tension. It creates such a dynamic atmosphere and means that the stakes feel real. It is definitely a tense and thrilling read, with the pacing and plotting top-notch.

The Sharp Edge of Silence is a book that refuses to let accountability slip by. Let your rage fly, just be careful that it does not consume you.

Harrowing read.

I felt that it could hve had less padding and got to the point quicker but it still hit home. Made me cry in parts.

Boys will be boys is a frustrating phrase and this book sets a scene where it is still very much thought.

I'm glad I read it.

i kept putting off reading this book because i knew that it was going to be a very hard read. just to list some of the trigger warnings, this books contains rape culture, sexual assault, PTSD and many, many more.the thing that drew me to this book was the quotation ‘boys will be boys’. this term has been used so often to dismiss shameful activities throughout history and this book calls this out.

i was in tears at multiple points during this novel, especially with Q’s flashbacks. i really wanted to give her a hug so badly. now, this book will definitely be distressing to those who read it, i had to take numerous pauses while reading because it was so harrowing. i loved the three different POVs to this book, as it showed how some people being silent are being complicit to these crime.

rosenblum has such a powerful writing style and emphasised the inner monologue of her characters perfectly. i felt such a true connection to these characters and felt their pain, happiness, sadness, any of their emotions. i think the reason this book caused so much pain and sadness for me is that i saw reality in it. women and even young girls go through this so often and it is so heartbreaking. i cannot thank rosenblum enough for writing this book; yes, it was painful, but it was necessary.

this is definitely one of my favourite reads of the year, hell, one of my favourite reads ever. thank you for allowing me to read this.

Very relevant book in todays he said/she said instances. This book was really good even tho upsetting at times, which I’m sure was the point. 4.5 stars

Lycroft Phelps is an elite boarding school with very traditional values. "Turn a blind eye" and "boys will be boys" both ring true. Above all the boys rowing team rules the roost. They control the school and have created the Slycroft Club, a secret society with less than stellar ideals.

Charlotte is a dancer who is dating one of the rowers but she feels like Seb is holding back, and then she starts receiving mysterious notes about him. Max is a scholarship nerd, insecure about his height but then he's asked to join the rowing team as a cox. He enjoys it but all is soured once he learns the truth about Slycroft. Quinn, known as Q, is depressed and angry following a rape that can't be prosecuted. The three, along with some other friends, come together to start changing the "boys club" culture of Lycroft Phelps.

I really enjoyed the way this all came together and I liked the characters and how they developed and grew. I especially enjoyed Q's progression from alienating everyone to letting people in. I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and it didn't seem like the situation of who was sending Charlotte the notes was properly resolved. Overall a great book that people should definitely read.

All I can say is WOW. From the title, the cover, the acknowledgements at the start, right the way through to the last page. Just wow.

TWs: Rape, PTSD, sexual abuse recovery, rape culture, toxic masculinity, misogyny, plus more that I've definitely missed.

I would definitely advise anyone wanting to read this book to check out the TWs beforehand.

At the start I really didn't feel in the correct headspace to be reading this book with it's heavy topic, and the reader is thrown right in. However, I could tell that this book is a piece of incredible art from Rosenblum and I wanted to carry on. I was afraid my headspace was going to affect me being able to do her writing justice as I read. I didn't want to DNF this book so I decided to carry on. I really do not think this is a 'read bits here and there' kind of book. I found it quite confusing at the start as the narrative is split between 3 POVs - Max, Quinn, and Charlotte - at an elite American boarding school and there are a lot of characters to remember. It wasn't until I sat down and spent a good hour reading that everything started to click into place, and when it does, oh boy does it click! Each character represents something that I'm sure we all remember from school - the jocks, the nerds, the artsy ones, the girls that are sweet and lovely, the head teacher that is a d*ck, etc. All these characters cross over between POVs and we see different sides and what they represent in the story - this is very important as you read on.

The subject matter of The Sharp Edge of Silence is emotional and dark. Max's POV shows the peer pressure and a side of toxic masculinity from inside the 'boys club', especially how easy it is to be swept up in the moment and how hard it is to speak out. Charlotte's POV is of a very talented dancer, in a relationship with a member of the 'boys club', and all is well in her world until she starts receiving notes that show that everything is not as it seems... Her POV helps the reader to understand how far the culture spreads, it goes throughout the school. Quinn is an artsy student (from a long line of attendees of the boarding school) learning to cope with the sexual abuse that happened to her the previous summer. Her idea of 'coping' is extreme, however Rosenblum's writing of her POV is exceptional. You really understand how Quinn is feeling, why her thought process is as it is.

Quinn's narrative was inspired by Rosenblum's own experices of sexual assault and I felt this made her POV the strongest, most heart wrenching and emotional. I loved Max's character too, providing insight into the 'boys club' and his inner turmoil was so well written, with a conflict of what is right or wrong and how his choices can shape the whole future.

I was angered by the response from the boarding school and how they try to cover up the traumatic events that have happened, however the conclusion to this story is epic. It will have you cheering, crying, smiling, and even laughing at the demise of the 'boys club'.

The Sharp Edge of Silence is incredible, especially in this time period following movements such as #MeToo and documentaries of survivors speaking up. I am so pleased I read this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Bonnier Books UK and most importantly Cameron Kelly Rosenblum for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This YA/emerging adult book captures the feeling of someone emerging from a trauma and trying to make sense of their rearranged perspective on the world and how to piece themselves back together. The toxic masculinity of a private boarding school and the effect of privilege as a barrier to consequence is well crafted. The characters are likeable and frustrating in equal measure which reflects their adolescence. Recommended. (Copy received via Netgalley in return for an honest review)

It's a mixed review on this one, sadly.

This got such good press, and it sounds really intriguing. But when I started reading it, I found it sooooo slooooooow. I wasn't even sure for a while that everything was happening in the same time frame; I thought it was going to turn out to be a timeslip twist. Having three different protagonists made it hard for me to keep track of what was happening, though that often happens with me and doesn't necessarily reflect the book.

It's an interesting setting, but I'm afraid it just didn't grab me. Apologies to those of you who loved it - I'm sure I'm well outnumbered!

An amazing book about recovery, strength, bravery and a raw account of how it must feel to go through the trauma of assault. It also showed that whilst masculine toxicity is very much prevalent even in today's society, peer pressure also can lead to unwanted actions. Really enjoyed this book, thank you for letting me have a sneak preview

The Sharp Edge of Silence starts off in epistolary form with a series of school acceptance letters addressed to Charlotte, Max(well) and Quinn respectively, with the letter sent to the latter immediately creating mystery and intrigue as it's cremated to the point where only half of it can be seen.
The viewpoint switches between the three aforementioned characters and, although having a trio of narrators makes for a hectic few chapters as you try to get to know their stories - like ballet dancer Charlotte's unlikely relationship with Seb and physics student Max's desperation to fit in despite dealing with lackadaisical peers - it's Quinn's vendetta towards fellow student Colin Pearce (who she declares must die) which underpins the novel and makes you want to read on to understand why she feels this way. This says a lot about how easily the writing flows, with the author sticking to language that is accessible and not particularly graphic despite the sensitivity of the topics at hand, and how effective the author is at keeping readers interested.

I’m not entirely sure where to start in reviewing The Sharp Edge of Silence by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum, my worry is that I will simply not be able to do justice to the powerhouse that is this novel.

The Sharp Edge of Silence is an unapologetically dark but intensely gripping story about rape culture and toxic masculinity. Its setting provides us with the dark allure of an elite boarding school setting in the US.

Told through the first person perspectives of Quinn (Q), Charlotte and Max in alternate chapters, we are fully immersed within this story. This is a YA and so, thankfully, the accounts of sexual assault are not graphic in nature, yet they are present and the impact it has on Q is palpable. She is a girl totally fractured by what had happened to her.

This is a novel that makes us bear witness to the absolutely deafening and suffocating nature of silence. Whether that be silence brought on by trauma, shame and misplaced guilt, or the silence of those who stand by but don’t speak up, too afraid to rock their own boat in the process. But this is also a story of strength and resilience, of decent people who want to help those who need it, and of those who say enough is enough and want to start holding wrongdoers to account.

Before she begins her novel Rosenblum writes her reader a letter, which I urge you to read. Her raw honesty relating to her own sexual assault is significant and powerful. Throughout the entire story she writes so sensitively, but with raw power and impact. Q’s story is not an easy one to read, but that’s why it’s so damn important. I can’t help but feel that this should be a prescribed text.

I went into this one blind apart from the content warnings given by the pulisher. It was the most emotional and heartbreaking on parts books I have read in a long time. It raises some really interesting topics which are really relevant to be discussed at the moment. I don't want to give any spoilers so I won't talk too much about the plot, but I think it is something everyone should read.

A timely book exploring the #MeToo climate. Rosenblum interweaves three points of view of students at the prestigious Lycroft Phelps school. The victim Quinn is consumed by rage and PTSD suffering in the wake of her rape at the end of term. All three protagonists realise that there is a cost for the perfect school experience - popularity/prospects/romance - but what must they sacrifice in order to succeed, and when must a line be drawn.

The Sharp Edge of Silence could have been a generic 'surface' exploration of entitlement and tradition, but Rosenblum has managed to navigate and create a narrative that feels authentic and at times raw and true that hopefully will serve to empower and educate.

This is the first book that I have read by this author but hopefully not the last.
This is the story of a group of young people at a very prestigious boarding school, Lycroft Phelps and it is told from the prospective of three of these students, Charlotte, Quinn and Max.
Charlotte Forester is a grade A student, a ballerina and choreographer, she is dating Seb McNally, the hunky star of the schools rowing team, a match made in heaven.......or is it ?
Max Hannigan-Loeffler is at Lycroft Phelps on a scholarship, he is a brilliant scholar but doesn't quite fit in with his wealthy fellow students, that is until he is offered a place coxing the rowing team, a team that is ultra important to competitive Lycroft Phelps, kudos and hero worship is given to all the team, will being in the team get Max the girl of his dreams ?
Quinn Walsh comes from a family who's ties with Lycroft Phelps go back generations, she is artistic, she is a dreamer but her dreams are shattered when she is brutally assaulted sexually, Quinn's anger and frustration are palpable, she wants the perpetrator dead.......but he is important to Lycroft Phelps aspirations.
When the girls discover that a secret society exists at the school, a chauvinistic society, a society where deprivation knows no bounds, a society that denigrates women. They have to be stopped, the identity of the members leave some of the girls sad but not down, this story is about the girls fight for justice and parity, the hierarchy at privileged schools and the problems that they cause, peer pressure that is difficult to fight. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book, it is not my usual genre but I needn't have worried, I couldn't put it down.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an interesting read which tackled difficult themes very sensitively. Although the first half felt a little slow, it really picked up in the second, and I was invested in the story and characters.

A great book, quite a heavy read, but I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the author for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed The Sharp Edge Of Silence. It was quick paced and had a lot going on which made it quite the page turner. Even though its classed as a young adult book, its very dark and I found myself more times getting very angry and quite upset. My heart broke for Q. The brutality of the assault and the aftermath was just horrendous. The toxic masculinity made me so unbelievably angry and I'm reminded why I always hated the phrase "boys will be boys". I'll look forward to reading more from Cameron Kelly Rosenblum in the future.

4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars for NetGalley.

Whilst clearly a YA book, it was a heavy read. I was transfixed throughout and felt all the emotions running through the teens. Boys should certainly be held accountable.

It's been a while since I was at school but I could understand the reactions the teenagers had - the ease of giving in to peer pressure, believing rumours, overlooking things because your partner is "more popular" than you. Everything was raw and hormone driven - as an adult it's much easier to speak out or stand against the crowd, but not necessarily so when you're younger.

It was painful to see the path Quinn was on, struggling with her secret assault, but I like how the ending was handled - I can't add more without spoilers. However, I still felt there should have been a bit more follow up.

Overall, an intense YA read which covers a lot of topics. It's written well, so much so that I was surprised Cameron wasn't actually a teen herself. An author I'll keep my eye on.

A great read full of twists. When one of the female students at Lycroft Phelps college is assaulted she becomes obsessed with revenge. A thriller which keeps the reader on the edge of the seat. Really well written with believable characters who are all totally brought to life. It is a hard read due to the sexual nature of the story but it is more about friendships, relationships, truth and lies. A secret society within the college brings the culprit into the open.
Would highly recommend and look forward to reading more by Cameron.