It was published in hardcover by Pocket Books in February 1998 and became Krentz's 20th consecutive novel on the New York Times Bestseller List.
In order to keep their mutual suspicions a secret from the other residents of the island, Eugenia and Cyrus pretend to be in a romantic relationship.
Unlike in many earlier contemporary romance novels, the central conflict in Sharp Edges is a battle for control of work-related endeavors.
[4] Kirkus Reviews noted that Krentz frequently recycles plot points and character types across her novels.
Although the review admitted that the result is usually imaginative and charming, the plot of Sharp Edges was judged to be "regrettably pedestrian".
[2] A Publishers Weekly review praised the characterization of the main characters, labeling them "endearing curmudgeons", but noted that, as in most of her novels, Krentz's villain was essentially a parody.