"Riding the Edge: A Love Song to Deborah" by Michael S. Tobin is a moving memoir that beautifully captures the essence of love, loss, and resilience. Tobin's writing style is lyrical and poignant, drawing readers into his deeply personal journey with raw honesty and emotional depth.

Through Tobin's evocative prose, readers are transported into the heart of his relationship with Deborah, experiencing the highs and lows alongside him. His words are imbued with a sense of longing and tenderness, creating an intimate portrait of love that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

What sets "Riding the Edge" apart is its emotional depth and authenticity. Tobin bares his soul on the page, inviting readers to share in his grief, joy, and ultimately, his healing process. His ability to convey the complexities of love and loss with such clarity and insight is truly remarkable, making this memoir a deeply affecting and unforgettable read.

Every long lasting marriage has it's many stories to tell of journeys taken and roads explored. RIDING THE EDGE is Michael Tobin's story of his meeting and courting the woman who he would share his life with. It is without a doubt a wonderfully written story of the neginning of their life's journey.

What a beautiful memoir Michael wrote. I picked up this book thinking it sounded very inspiring. What I found was a beautiful love story filled about Michael and his wife Deborah with travels through the world. The writing is so well done that I could visualize the places and encounters.

Thank you #NetGalley, #GreenleafBookGroup, #MichaelTobin and #RidingontheEdge for the copy for my honest review.

Riding the Edge by Michael Tobin

318Pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group
Release Date: July 20, 2021

Nonfiction (Adult), Biography, Memoir, Travel, Religion, Relationships, Conflict

Michael and Deborah met at a dance in 1974 She is American/Lebanese from West Virginia, and he is Jewish. In 1980, with their world on autopilot, they decided to shut their psychology offices and take a six-month bicycle trip around the world. First task upon arrival is to put their bicycles together. They travel across Europe in the rain, the cold, the heat, etc. and meet amazing people along the way.

This is a beautifully written book. It shows how difficult it can be spending so much time with another person in close contact for a long period of time. I cannot imagine the toll on their bodies from the riding and sleeping in a tent. Mr. Tobin writes about their encounters with a vivid descriptive style that made me feel as if I was traveling along with them. If you love traveling and have ever been in a committed relationship, you will enjoy this book.

I struggled with finishing this one and liked it in some ways but didn’t love it overall. Part travel memoir, part dissection and dissertation on a relationship, part self-discovery and explorations into cultural identity; though Tobin definitely has a way with words, I found his writing somehow both stifling and over the top, at times. His love for Deborah is evident through every page, at least.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the galley in exchange for my honest review.

Riding the Edge is a heartfelt story of a young couple who embark on a journey through which their relationship develops. While a memoir it reads like a novel sharing the ups and downs of their evolving love.

I really enjoyed this story of a young couple who embarks on a biking journey through parts of Europe and the Middle East.. The autobiographical story shares the ups and downs both literally and figuratively of Michael - an American Jew and Deborah - an American Arab, both psychologists, as they travel with a desire to discover themselves in the land of their ancestors.. The story is set during the turbulent 1970's, and this journey challenges their relationship and eventually strengthens their bond in ways they could not have imagined. I really enjoyed this story, and it helped me to focus on learning more about myself as well.

This is the first book by this author and I have mixed feeling. The writing feels choppy. Metaphors seem cliché or forced. This is a memoir about Michael's love with Deborah -- someone he found to be not only beautiful but brilliant, fun, passionate and full of inspiration after meeting her at a dance floor in 1974. She was everything he hoped for and more. Their journey begins in 1980 and Tobin used his extensive notes and photos to chronicle the story 40 years later. I found it fascinating strangers would invite Deborah and Michael into their homes for food and lodging. It was a different time. They visit Brussels, Paris, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and more. They are met with kindness and generosity. Others aid them in their search for God, meaning, and should they stay together and get married. I enjoyed the epilogue of what happened after the journey and a Q & A with the author. I was captivated by the palpable love Michael still feels for Deborah and was engrossed in the deeply cultural travel tidbits. Written with the help of his diary, the people they encounter are real and constantly reminded me of the value of human connection. Even those less than friendly encounters led to some of the best meals, the most thought-provoking conversations, and perhaps the challenging divides that the couple needed to conquer. A gripping odyssey of love, identity, and fate.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing this ARC.

Really enjoyed reading this ARC of Riding the Edge. The people we meet along Michael and Deborah’s journey are insightful and made the book for an interesting read. However, I will say some of these interactions tended to drag on in times where I *personally* feel that they could have been tucked in a bit more. I loved however how each of these interactions seemed to mold Michael and Deborah’s relationship, it is a wonderful read overall.

There were parts of this book I really enjoyed and parts that were just okay. I did enjoy the Q&A with the author at the end. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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A memoir of love, life, and hope. Michael and Deborah embark on a bike trip through Europe and the Middle East that turns into a very personal, and spiritual, journey for them both.
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Thank you to @netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Riding the Edge. This is a non-fiction account of a 47 year marriage between Michael and Deborah. It's also a story of a 6 month journey around the world that in many ways had profound and lasting effects on their relationship. I liked this book, but didn't love it. It was really interesting to read about the many places they traveled, but overall I guess I didn't really click with the story. Not sure why, really.

A tender love letter from a man to his wife. An awe-inspiring two-wheeled adventure of a lifetime. This book is so full of emotion and honest self-reflection. The author's wonderfully descriptive writing style transports the reader to travel right alongside this spirited, impassioned couple.

This story dives deep, stirring the soul and making the reader look inside themselves as well. It is more than just a love story between two people, it is so much more.

A story of love and travel. Michael pens this memoir of his and his wife's journey in 1980 across Europe and Middle East. Heart felt story. Makes your want to travel and discover yourself and other cultures.

I love a good memoir especially if it includes travel, adventure, food and real life experiences. But this was so much more as it is the story of the lives and families of Michael and Deborah. This book covers so many aspects of life and love.

The book is so well written and flows smoothly building more the deeper you read. It follows their journey, their ups and downs and their relationship. The descriptions of the places they have been are very much photos in words, you can actually see them in your minds eye. It is a book that will take you to places you may have never been before and not just in travel but if life.

A very interesting journey of discovery, love, and belonging. A book that will tug at your heartstrings. A great read.

A beautifully written love letter to a husbands beloved wife. A heartwarming story that’ll be hard to put down. Thank you NetGalley.

This is a beautifully written memoir about two psychologists. It’s 1980. Michael is a non-practicing Jewish 34yr old and Deborah is his beautiful Arabian girlfriend in search of her family roots. As their relationship develops they decide to close their practices and set out to take an extensive bike tour traveling through Paris, Italy, Greece, Lebanon and Israel. Deborah must decide, via an unexpected solo side trip to Sweden, if a previous relationship still holds her emotions or if she is ready to fully commit to Michael. There are many interesting encounters with a variety of different people along the way all of whom contribute to the couple’s life and ultimately their understanding of themselves and their relationship. The descriptive writing transports the reader to a different place and time. Over the course of 6 months, the reader feels the joy of Paris in direct contrast to the time of political unrest in war torn Lebanon. As the trip unfolds so too does their relationship and the understanding of who they are and where they belong in the world. This memoir is written from the heart of Michael and is a wonderful story of discovery and of love. I highly recommend!

Riding the Edge was a pleasant surprise. This memoir is beautifully written and also has a wonderful story to tell. Memoirs mostly hit one (well written) or the other (good story) but rarely both. Michael and Deborah are a couple at odds with life, love and the world. They decide to take a 6 month European bicycle tour in the 1980's. Michael Tobin takes us with them on their European adventures, gives you food descriptions that will make you drool, reveal Holocaust stories that bring tears to your eyes and finally tells of a love so sweet it fills your heart with joy. I hope many readers find this memoir in between the other big name books coming out this fall. Thank you NetGalley for bringing a book to me that I might have otherwise missed.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinions. This book was a very interesting memoir that I found enjoyable to read. I can't say it was one of my favorite reads but I was glad I read it and would recommend to others.